40 ANNUAL REPORT 



CORRESPONDENCE. 



The following letter was read from President Lyon of the Michigan 

 State Horticultural Society : 



FROM MICHIGAN. 



South Haven, Mich., Dec. 28, 1887. 

 S. D. Hilltnan, Secretary Minnesota Horticultural Society: 



My Dear Sir: I am just in receipt of the program of your annual 

 meeting to occur on Jan. 17-20, prox 



During my hasty visit to your city and State in August last, I saw 

 very much to surprise me in the way of horticultural advancement; 

 and I would gladly have extended the calls I was able to make 

 upon yourself, President Elliot and the various objects of interest 

 about your wonderful and thriving city. I was also very much inter- 

 ested in looking over the various horticultural plantations which I 

 was able to visit; among which were the State farm near your city, 

 the plantation of Mr. Gideon, at Excelsior; that of Mr. Luedloff, of 

 Carver; Mr. Sias, of Rochester, and Mr. Harris, of La Crescent, 



I also observed with not a little surprise the wonderful energy and 

 courage displayed by your fruit growers in the face of the climatic 

 calamities by which your State has been visited. 



If we, in Michigan, had more of the enthusiasm which you people 

 manifest in the face of your peculiar afflictions, we might hope to ac- 

 complish far more that has yet fallen to our lot. 



Tlie little which I have been able to see of the men and the horti- 

 culture of your State adds greatiy to my interest in your doings as 

 well as to ray desire to know you and your people more intimately. 



Very truly yours, T. T. Lyon. 



from chas. w. g.\rfield. 



Secretary's Office, Grand Rapids, Mich. 



Dec. 21, 1887 

 Dear Secretary Hillman: 



Your favor received, and I hasten to say that it will be impossible 



