STATE HORTICULTUKAL SOCIETT. 431 



at home Our noble calling has always been helpful in all the varied 

 walks of life. Even the physicians acknowledge our aid, when we 

 dispense sour crab apples to the little boys in early summer, although 

 he has as little use for us as anybody, owing to the fact that the 

 healthfulness of the country increases in proportion to our success in 

 producing wholesome fruits. 



The boot and shoe dealer can afford to speak a kind word for us, 

 and take a ticket for a short excursion and diversion on board our 

 beautiful craft, because he well knows that our traflSc causes the 

 young scape goats about town to wear out a large amount of extra 

 shoe leather while stealing apples, plums, grapes and berries from our 

 members, and that he is the only person who reaps much benefit from 

 such malpractice. 



The lawyer should have a " warm side " for us, for his services are 

 liable to be called into requisition at any time, while trying to defend 

 our property, which, as is well known, is the most attractive and by 

 its nature the most exposed to the "light-fingered gentry " of any 

 other property known to man. 



The wagon maker should also encourage our traffic, for it is going 

 to call a "heap " of wagons into use some day to haul our fruits and 

 vegetables to market. In short, every vocation in Southern Minne- 

 sota will be directly benefitted by our occupation and the stimulant 

 given it by your action to-day. 



It is a trite saying, and as true to-day as when first spoken, that 

 "in a multitude of counsellors there is safety," hence we have taken 

 the trouble to advise with the leading horticulturists of the State in 

 regard to reorganizing under the name of the Southern Minnesota 

 Horticultural Society. E. H. S. Dartt, vice president of State Society, 

 says: "You can count on me for membership fee and as much work 

 as is consistent with present obligations." Every good enterprise 

 ever yet started by mortal man has been sneered at by selfish and 

 weak-kneed men, and we cannot expect to wholly escape criticism, 

 but the fact that we have kept this society out of debt and in good 

 running order for fifteen years, with all the obstacles that we have 

 had to contend with, shows that we are not easily frightened or dis- 

 couraged, and is certainly an indication at least that we are capable of 

 occupying a wider field of action and assuming greater responsibilities. 

 If, as someone has remarked, a "pebble when cast into the oceau on 

 one side will create a ripple on the opposite side," then who knows 

 but the new departure taken here to-day may create a ripple in horti- 

 cultural circles that may be sensibly felt all over the Northwest. Let 

 each member act well his own part, and the thing is done. 



