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174 _. ANNUAL REPORT. 
. Gentlemen, if what we may do and say shall have a tendency to 
' awaken an interest among farmers and owners of village lots to a 
renewed interest in the subject of small fruit culture, we shall feel 
well paid. Having briefly and indirectly answered the question, in 
the light of dollars and cents at least, will it pay, i leave the sub- 
ject to your discussions. To 
MEETING OF FEBRUARY 12, 1876. 
A meeting of the Olmsted County Horticultural Society was held 
at Upman’s Hall last Saturday afternoon, the 12th inst. Quite a 
number of members were present, and the discussions were spirited 
and full of interest. 
The President, M. W. Leland, called the meeting to order. 
Mr. M. Pearce spoke of the importance of maintaining an organi- 
zation as a society. Ours was the only county horticultural society 
in the State; we lived in one of the best counties in the State for 
fruit-growing, and he desired to see their membership largely in- 
creased. The attendance at the meetings had not been large here- 
tofore, and he proposed a reduction in the membership fee. Mr. E. 
B. Jordan was opposed to the motion, and would favor raising it to 
$2 a member. He was willing to be one of five to pay all the ex- 
penses of the society. 
The subject was laid over for future consideration. 
The subject of the annual election of officers was next considered. 
After some discussion it was decided to proceed with the selection 
of officers instead of waiting until the next regular meeting. 
On motion, the following officers were chosen for the ensuing year : 
President—M. W. Leland. 
Vice President—Wm. Somerville. 
Treasurer—A. W. Sias. 
Secretary—S. D. Hillman. 
Assistant Secretary—G. W. Mason. 
Mr. Jordan said that horticulture was not looked upon with as 
much favor as it should be, for, with the new varieties of apples and 
hybrids he was encouraged to believe that Minnesota would vet be- 
come a fruit growing district. The hybrids could be grown success- 
fully and would yield fruit unsurpassed by Michigan standard apples. 
He had ten acres planted, and should set 300 more trees of the differ- 
ent hybrid varieties inthe spring. They would grow wherever the pop- 
lar or maple could be grown, and bear excellent crops of fruit. The 
Early Strawberry was among the first to come into bearing, and the 
fruit ripens earliest of the hybrids. The Conical ripens its fruit in 
September, keeps till January, and is superior to the Gilliflower. 
He had gathered a bushel from a tree set four years. He should 
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