— 
Minnesota SratTe HorvTicuLTvurRAL Sociery. 103 
Progress. 
In the early proceedings of this society there seems to have been a constant 
and repeated effort to establish the feasibility of growing fruit, especially the 
apple, in this State. Paper after paper appears to have been presented to show 
that there is nothing in soil or climate more difficult to overcome than in regions 
where fruit culture had attained considerable progress. Report after report was 
read showing the isolated instances in which fruit had been obtained in greater 
or smaller quantities. Enthusiasts argued with a zeal which seemed almost to 
indicate a desire to establish their own faith on a sounder foundation. As time 
passed this subject has received less and less attention and in the proceedings of 
the later years 1t has been almost as notably absent as it was notably conspicuous 
before. The possibility of fruit growing has been settled, not alone in the minds 
of the founders and members of this society, but likewise in the minds of many 
others in nearly all parts of the State. Papers are now produced to show the 
best varieties, the best methods of propagating and the best modes of culture. 
Reports are now read to show the success of different varieties and the various 
methods of culture. Speeches are now made in defence of particular varieties 
or particular modes of culture as they were formerly made m defence of fruit 
culture in general. 
. 
Growing Reputation. 
The growing reputation of your proceedings abroad is another circumstance 
worthy of notice. In the last published transactions will be found a list of four- 
teen State and National societies in correspondence with your own. Nor is this 
an artificial and unfair exhibit, for this correspondence has been sought quite as 
often as it has been offered. Permit me in this connection to submit some of the 
letters that have been received. 
Letter from Hon. P. Barry. 
Mount Horr Nurser 1zs, 
Rocuxsrser, N. Y., February 21, 1878. 
Chas. Y. Lacy, Esq., Minneapolis, Minn.: 
Dear Srr.—Your favor of 16th inst. is received, also transactions of your 
State Horticultural Society for 1876 for which I am vey much obliged. I find 
this to be a very instructive volume as regards fruit culture in your state. I will 
send as many volumes of ours as I can, but fear that will not be many, but I 
will gladly pay for your volumes. 
With congratulations, 1 am, Yours, 
P. BARRY. 
Letter from Hon. M. P. Wilder. 
Boston, Mass., Feb. 22, 1878. 
My Dear Srr.—I am much obliged for the copy of State Horticultural Soci- 
ety transactions for 1876 which you have the kindness to send me. The Minne- 
sota Society is doing a good work, not only for the state but the country. It is 
