210 ANNUAL REPORT 



proper to observe, that ^ehile somewhat indefinite or unsatisfactory 

 in some respects, they indicate some progress being made — that work 

 is going on to some extent at least throughout the State. Of course 

 if full and accurate returns could be obtained there would be still a 

 larger and better showing given. 



THE SOCIETY. 



The progress made by the Society in 1887 is quite encouraging in- 

 deed. Our annual membership, in view of stringency in money mat- 

 ters, and the low prices which obtain in farm produce of every kind 

 is well maintained. We have to-day a considerably larger list of ac- 

 tive paying members than several other horticultural societies that 

 might be named in other sister states. We do not say this boastingly 

 but as indicative of interest felt in Minnesota in the advancement of 

 the cause we seek to foster and promote. 



A live society exerts a potent influence at home as well as abroad. 

 The facts and information elicited by the discussions and proceedings 

 at our annual gatherings, when spread upon our minutes and placed 

 before the public in a permanent form, are found to be of special 

 value in awakening interest in horticultural matters generally 

 throughout the State, as well as elsewhere in a greater or less degree. 

 We ought to strive of course to raise our standards higher year by 

 year; to gain such facts concerning best and hardiest varieties as may 

 prove valuable to all. 



It is most gratifying to observe the great demand, especially on the 

 part of the farming community, for our published transactions; the 

 care with which the same are read and well preserved upon their libra- 

 ry shelves. It^should be stated here there is a marked demand of late 

 from other states for our reports from many leading publishers, as well 

 as from the managers of educational institutions throughout the land. 



PUBLISHING REPORTS. 



At our last annual meeting a change was recommended in the law 

 regarding the publication of our reports, to increase the number of 

 the same to five thousand copies, of which number two thousand cop- 

 ies should be bound in cloth. Accordingly a bill was introduced by 

 Senator Hoard containing such provisions, similar to the present law 

 in force, which promptly passed the senate but was not reached in 

 time for final passage through the house. 



Our present number of reports, three thousand five hundred copies, 



