HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 405 



Eeports were called for from experimental stations, 

 CENTEAL EXPEEIME:N^T STATIOJT. 

 Report of Prof . Edward D. Farter, Supt., St. Anthony Park. 



Mr. President and Gentlemen : 



I wisli to make a few remarks as introductory to the report of 

 our central station. As you are aware it has largely devolved 

 upon me heretofore to look after its general supervision, but 

 during the past year there has been a division of the work, and 

 the horticultural dejjartment has been placed under the super- 

 vision of Prof. Green, who is prepared to make a written report 

 at this time. Our plan of work has been thoroughly re-organ- 

 ized, but as most of you are no doubt familiar with it, I need 

 not refer to it at length. As you are aware we have been en- 

 gaged during the past year in putting up our buildings, getting 

 each department under its proper manager and getting them 

 familiarized with the work to be undertaken and carried for- 

 ward. 



We have issued thus far five bulletins, giving the details of or- 

 ganization and the results of experiments conducted at the sta- 

 tion. We are now fully equipped for the conducting of the va- 

 rious lines of horticultural experimentation, as well as the work 

 in other departments. We are at your service and shall be most 

 happy to receive suggestions from those interested in experi- 

 mental work, or from any who can render us valuable assistance. 

 I am very sorr^ to note the apparent lack of interest manifested 

 on the part of the farmers of Minnesota in this matter. I have 

 received but two suggestions within the past twelve months 

 from farmers; and I don't know but that may be two too many! 



Now, gentlemen, this station having been thus so thoroughly 

 organized and equipped, it is to-day the best station in the 

 United States. We have been working with this object in view 

 from the start, and we are so situated now that we don't turn 

 our hands over for any other station anywhere else in the Union. 

 And yet this station will be just what you make it in the future, 

 and what the farmers of Minnesota make it. They can make it 

 a grand success, or they can make it a signal failure. If you 

 are going to set on your nests expecting somebody is going to fill 

 them, it is going to be a failure. But if farmers will put their 



