422 ANNUAL REPORT 



do something to encourage the people in horticultural pursuits, 

 and be a co-worker with those who would fill our homes with 

 fruits and flowers, and add their mite to make the State better 

 and more attractive for their having lived in it. I have tried to 

 add to the membership and to extend the influence of the Socie- 

 ty; if I have accomplished anything I am thankful for it, because 

 I feel that my ability is but little. But we have all more or less 

 influence. If we would all make it an object to encourage the 

 growing of flowers in and about our homes and beautifying the 

 grounds about our churches, and in our cemeteries, our lawns 

 and parks, we would accomplish a great work for the State of 

 Minnesota and give it a more enviable name than it now has. It 

 seems to me the "North Star State" is one of the finest states of 

 the Union. I have said before this that if we would follow the 

 advice of that venerable horticulturist the late Marshall P. Wil- 

 der who said, ''Plant the most mature and perfect seeds of the 

 most hardy, vigorous and valuable varieties, and as a shorter 

 process, insuring more certain and happy results, cross and hy- 

 bridize our finest kinds for still greater excellence," that the 

 time is not distant when we should have a long list of fruits per- 

 fectly hardy, adapted to the climate of the Northwest. I believe 

 the time may yet come when Minnesota apples as well as other 

 fruits will be sought for in eastern markets and perhaps 

 across the great waters in Europe. If we work in harmony and 

 are persistent in our efforts we can at least promote the objects 

 sought and hasten the fulfillment of our plans. 



Gentlemen, I wish you to extend a vote of thanks to our worthy 

 president. He is one who has always stood by the Minnesota 

 State Horticultural Society. When I was in such poverty that 

 I could not attend its meetings his purse was opened widely, and 

 he has rendered me and other members of this Society encour- 

 agement and help in building uj) the Society. He has ably pre- 

 sided at this meeting, and perhaps treated us with greater 

 courtesy than we deserve ; I therefore move a vote of thanks be 

 given him for his faithful service during the past year. 



Mr. Smith suggested that the secretary be also included. The 

 motion was adopted. 



The secretary responded briefly, returning thanks to the Society 

 for kindly assistance rendered him in conducting the duties of 

 the office which had again been intrusted to his hands, and for 

 this mark of their confidence and esteem. He had somewhat 

 reluctantly accepted the position of secretary for another term, 



