86 ANNUAL REPORT 



three years, as is well understood, something like three hundred 

 persons have been called directly to the field of practical and ex- 

 perimental agricultural and horticultural work. Experiment sta- 

 tions are provided for in all the states. These stations are designed, 

 of course, to supplement and greatly to enlarge upon, the plans 

 and methods heretofore employed, not only by this society, but of 

 similar organizations as our own in this and other states. It is a 

 gratifying fact to note in this connectton that recently and near 

 the close of the first century of our national existence, a depart- 

 ment of agriculture has been established. It seems almost beyond 

 belief that this important industry, which forms the basis of our 

 national wealth, prosperity and greatness, should be so long ne- 

 glected ; and there can be no doubt that with the dawn of this new 

 era we shall see a wondrous progress in the immediate future in 

 all that pertains to agricultural and horticultural knowledge. We 

 hope to see the work commenced by the two thousand agricultural 

 and horticultural societies of the land greatly aided by this exper- 

 mental work. We must, however, as a society, neither fold our 

 arms nor think our work has been accomplished ; and we should 

 not content ourselves by thinking we shall find no work to do. We 

 rather should improve upon the new advantages and opportunities 

 which are being thus afforded us from time to time. 



Our central station now is well equipped with land, trees, plants 

 and implements, and also with competent and worthy men in 

 charge. The study of horticulture at the station forms a leading 

 feature, and this department is in the hands of one well fitted to 

 carry forward all its interests, and one who is in thorough sympathy 

 with our society. We ought to heartily co-operate in every way 

 and give the management our earnest, loyal aid. 



GEOLOGY AND HORTICULTURE. 



It seems to us that every horticulturist of the state ought to 

 understand some of the principles of geology. A careful investi- 

 gation of the various strata, the physical characteristics of the soil, 

 drainage, elevation, etc, is of importance, and too frequently 

 overlooked by the fruit grower. 



Geology is not an occult science. It is founded on such simple 

 things as the running of brooks, blowing of winds, rippling of 

 waves, shining of the sun, cooling of heated matter, growth of 

 vegetation and death of animals on land and in the sea. 



The causes which determine the location of the great continental 

 watershed, are those which mark the existence of the Lauretian 

 and Lake Superior ranges of igneous and metamorphic rocks. The 

 area of these rocks in Minnesota includes the sources of some of 

 the great river systems of the Northwest, as well as of the continent 

 of North America. From this area, within the State of Minnesota, 

 since pre- Silurian times, streams have run in all directions toward 

 the ocean. We have the St. Lawrence system of drainage which 

 reaches the Atlantic Ocean to the East; that of the Mississippi, 

 entering the Gulf of Mexico, to the South; and that of the Red 

 River "of the North, which, taking an opposite course, finds the 



