452 ANNUAL REPORT 



here. The cultivation of native grapes is now attracting con- 

 siderable attention, and all varieties that will ripen early enough 

 to escape the autumn frosts produce the most perfect fruit that 

 can be found in the Union. The varieties most extenvsively 

 grown^are Concord, Delaware and Worden. Many others are 

 doing equally well and the future of grape culture is very prom- 

 ising. 



Among the fruits indigenous to this region there are none giv- 

 ing a promise of greater possibilities than the Canada plum 

 {Prunns Americana). Several varieties, as the DeSoto, Rolling- 

 stone, Cheney, Forest Garden, and Weaver, have taken their 

 places among our popular fruits, and steps are being taken to 

 ameliorate and improve them by cultivation and selection of 

 seedlings. 



Floriculture is receiving its share of attention, and the dis- 

 plays of flowers and plants at our state and other fairs could 

 hardly be excelled by those of the older states. No country in 

 the world of like extent surpasses this in the (juality and quan- 

 tity of its vegetables with which all our markets are abundantly 

 supplied. 



From Farm., Stock and Home. 

 HORTICULTURE AT THE SOUTHERN MINNESOTA 



FAIR. 



Rochester will always hold a prominent place in the history of 

 horticulture in Minnesota. It was here, at the state fair in the 

 fall of 1866, that the first exhibit of the larger apples was ever 

 made at any state fair in the State. The principal exhibitors on 

 that occasion were J. W. Rollins, of Elgin, and J. S. Harris, of 

 La Crescent; Rollins showing 6 or 8 varieties and Harris 18, all 

 of their own growing in the State. At that memorable fair 

 the State Horticultural Society was first organized, with but 

 twelve members, and has not only continued its existence down 

 to the present time but has increased in numbers, strength and 

 usefulness until it now has over two hundred earnest, working 

 members, and ranks as one of the first and best societies in the 

 Northwest. But three of the original members wer6 present 

 this year, A. W. Sias, J. W. Rollins and J. S. Harris. Mr. Cot- 

 terell would have been present but for sickness. The wonderful 

 growth of the Society and the advance in horticulture, as shown 

 by the exhibits, was very gratifying to these old pioneers, and 



