STATE HOKTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 61 



very valuable, and I think the majority of the people who receive 

 them from their members of Congress do not appreciate them prop- 

 erly; but every horticulturist ought to have the last one and just as 

 many of other numbers as he can get. Probably Commissioner Colman 

 would send a copy to anyone who would write for them. Members 

 of Congress can mail them to people who would appreciate them and 

 to whom they would be useful. I would recommend that members of 

 our Society write to their members of Congress and request that a 

 copy of the last report be sent to them and as many as can be had of 

 the back numbers, and they will be sent to them free of charge. 



Mr. Thompson. I think there were seven or eight thousand copies 

 printed for general distribution. 



President Elliot here announced that anyone on payment of a dollar 

 became a member of the Society and entitled to copies of our report, 

 bound in cloth. 



On motion of Col. Stevens the meeting was adjourned till T o'clock 



P. M. 



EVENING SESSION. 



Tuesday, January 17, 1888. 



The meeting was called to order at 7 o'clock, p. m., by 'Vice-President 

 Sias, who stated the first thing in ordf'r upon the program for the 

 evening, was the delivery of the President's Annual Address. 



PRESIDENT'S ANNUAL ADDRESS. 



Members of the Minnesota State Horticultural Society, Ladies and Gen- 

 tlemen : 



We have come together once more to take up the horticultural re- 

 sume of the year's work, and draw from it some conclusions worthy 

 of consideration for our instruction. The vicissitudes of the year 

 have been manifold and exhibited in various ways. With all of us 

 the year has not been full of unbounding contentment, joy and hap- 

 piness. Dame Nature has at times seen fit to cast many a threatening 

 frown upon our thoughts^ deeds and actions. Some have been blessed 

 with prosperity, happiness and good fortune, while others have been 

 overwhelmed with affliction and reverses. Sometimes we have been 

 on the mountain top in our aspirations for worldly gain and horticul- 

 tural fame, at others deep down in the valley of gloomy discourage- 

 ment and depression. The experiences of the past where they have 

 been profitable and instructive should be treasured in our minds and 



