60 ANNUAL REPORT 



DISCUSSION. 



President Elliot thought the experience of those who had un- 

 dertaken to organize a local society at Mankato was similar tO' 

 that which would be met with elsewhere unless a determined 

 effort was put forth on the part of those who undertake to carry- 

 forward this work. Unless it was carried on upon some system- 

 atic plan, we would not be over burdened with reports. He 

 hoped the members present would consider this question, and 

 see if some way could not be devised whereby to enlarge their 

 field of usefulness and create a deei)er feeling of interest in the 

 cause of horticulture throughout the state. 



Mr. Smith said he wished to say a word in regard to those in- 

 terested in horticulture at Mankato. There were many persons, 

 in that vicinity who have taken a lively interest in the subject. 

 He had visited farmers there this last fall who had good orchards- 

 and had large numbers of grape vines. He knew of no more 

 promising field for horticultural labor than Mankato. If Mr. 

 Buck was discouraged and didn't want anything more to do with 

 it, it would be well for some of us to push the matter and see 

 that the local organization there is kept up. We should give 

 them whatever encouragement was necessary to keep their so- 

 ciety alive; if their people, for any reason, were lacking in 

 unity of purpose or interest in the matter, which was *»ssential 

 to the success of such an organization. By doing this he did nob 

 doubt good results would follow in the future in that locality. 



Mr. Sias. Mr. President, it seems to me that they made the 

 mistake at Mankato in trying to orgaize a society that often oc- 

 curs; they tried to run it without any money. Our president 

 says we must put more enthusiasm into this work; that is cor- 

 rect. And I will add we must put in more money. It is said 

 there is always a reason for everything, and so I wish to show 

 you why we did not make so complete a failure at • Rochester as 

 they seem to have made at Mankato. 



It is a good place to raise fruit at Mankato; it is quite as large 

 and prosperous a town as Rochester. But we had our members, 

 put fifty cents apiece into the treasury of our horticultural so- 

 ciety, and so we did not make a complete failure. I am satisfied 

 a horticultural society will not run without money; in fact I 

 have never known one to run successfully very long anywhere 

 without it. They have not only to put in "enthusiasm," but 

 money ! And when we can get the money, then we may have 



