54 ANNUAL REPORT 



Or, if like Lear, for one awful moment, you rebel against Omnip- 

 otence, and curse the elements ! But the faithful, sturdy horti- 

 culturists of this " frozen North " are made of ''sterner stuff " 

 than this. The fate of the one tree I have noted has been du- 

 plicated in thousands of instances; the effect upon the heart, 

 the sentiment and the resolution has been multiplied innumer- 

 ably, yet it did not discourage, did not daunt the spirit of many 

 of the old soldiers of the orchard, vineyard and garden, who had 

 enlisted for the war and knew not the bugle call of retreat, nor 

 recognized the sensation of defeat. Old men, whose whitening 

 hairs and failing strength proclaimed the probability of their 

 never tasting the fruits of their present labor, again planted with 

 the enthusiasm of youth, thankful if they could have it said of 

 them after death: "He was one of the grand old workers to 

 whom we are now indebted for our glorious heritage of fruit, in a 

 region where the elements had evidently denied such a boon. 



Now, in conclusion, I want to say that such devotion to a 

 cause, such jiersistent effort in the face of disappointments and 

 failures, such indomitable courage, such intelligently directed 

 labor, such patient waiting, and unconquerable energy can never 

 find full, complete, entire fruition until we see the north pole 

 festooned with fruits, flowers and vegetables grown on the spot. 



REPORTS FROM LOCAL SOCIETIES. 



The secretary then read the report of the secretary of the 

 Hennepin County Horticultural Society and Market Grardeners 

 Association. 



EEPORT OF THE HENNEPIN COUNTY HORTICULTU- 



EAL SOCIETY AND MARKET GARDNERS 



ASSOCIATION. 



To the Secretary of the Minnesota State Horticultural Society : 



There has been little in the transactions of the Hennepin County 

 Horticultural Society and Market Gardeners Association during 

 the past year to elicit any special comment. The meetings have 

 been well attended. Papers bearing upon many of the subjects 

 which form the aim of the society have been read. Several of these 

 papers have been of unusual interest, and it is to be hoped will 

 find a place in your report, as the facts therein stated should be 



