116 ANNUAL REPORT 



things out of our minds and sight, striving ever to teach and be- 

 taught, believing that we individually are responsible for the- 

 prosperity of our society and the development of all its interests^. 

 I)hysically, mentally and morally. 



RETROSPECTIVE. 



"When we look back over the twenty years of our connection' 

 with this Society, and see the great unity of purpose that has 

 always prevailed, all fraternizing more like brothers than indi- 

 vidual members of society, I assure you that we all have feelings- 

 that call for gratitude to know that so great harmony has existed. 

 At times there have been little clouds of dissension perceptible, 

 but with a little tact and foresight, along with the prevailing good 

 judgment of our officers and members, they have been dispelled. 



PREMIUMS AND PREMIUM LISTS. 



I wish to record a kind word in recognition of the friendly man- 

 ner in which the executive committee of our society was received 

 by the State Board of Agriculture on the presentation of our 

 wishes concerning the revision of their premium list for the last 

 exhibition. After a careful inspection of the old lists and a free 

 discussion on the inequality of dividing the amounts to be appor- 

 tioned to the several classes, we found they were generous in 

 giving us very near what we wished for in the three classes which 

 were set aside for our society to superintend and manage, neaiij^ 

 $2,000. This amount we divided, giving to fruits $716; green- 

 house and cut flowers, $354; vegetables, $520; bread, honey, etc., 

 $325. We increased the premiums on single plates and cut the 

 amount down on sweepstakes; we also made some changes favor- 

 ing outside counties, which gave offence to some organizations; 

 in the two cities. 



The coming year I recommend a special list of premiums on 

 vegetables for outside counties to comi^ete for, and the giving of 

 exhibitors in the three counties of Hennepin, Eamsey and Da- 

 kota a special sweepstakes for county exhibit. This, I think, will 

 be fair, and in a measure appease their righteous indignation. 



The revision of the premium list should be put into the hands 

 of a competent committee early that they may prepare it before 

 the busy season of spring. 



The exhibit of fruits last September at the fair grounds was the 

 finest in quality as well as largest in quantity that we have had,. 



