HOKTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 35 



will diversify his occupation by various horticultural pursuits, in- 

 cluding poultry, and perhaps bees, planting as large an area of 

 grapes as his place will permit, or the shortness of the fall season 

 will allow him to bury, establishes for himself an ideal home, upon 

 which he and his family will find pleasant employment and good 

 returns for their labor. 



In conclusion, a comprehensive view of the present condition of 

 grape growing at Lake Minnetonka leais logically to the conclu- 

 sion that it has a great future. Disappointments from bad cul- 

 ture, poor locations, wrong varieties, and unwelcome competition 

 are but the finger-boards that point the way to success. The cul- 

 ture of the vine is to become a great industry at Lake Minnetonka 

 at no distant day and an important source of income to thousands 

 of people who will occupy pleasant suburban homes around its 

 shores. 



New varieties, and new methods of culture, and training better 

 adapted to the peculiar circumstances will prevail; new and better 

 methods of getting the fruit to market, and distributing it over the 

 two cities and the great Northwest, will take the place of the pres- 

 ent expensive and unsatisfactory ways, and what is now a small 

 business without order or system, will develop into a great and 

 well organized industry, from which all engaged will reap reward. 



DISCUSSION. 



Mr. Harris. Mr. President, you set me about other business 

 while that paper was being read, so I didn't get the drift of it. But 

 I wish to remark that there are a great many portions of Minnesota 

 that are probably fully equal to the region around Minnetonka for 

 grape growing, and I believe we can grow grapes in Minnesota 

 just as cheaply as they can in the State of New York, when we 

 understand how. If there is any greater expense, it is the bare 

 expense of laying the vines down in the fall. The same commend- 

 ations have been received for my grapes as for your grapes in this 

 part. 



Grape culture is one of the branches of horticulture that our 

 society should foster; and it is one of the branches that will be 

 greatly benefitted when we get that map perfected. There is 

 another region extending all the way from Excelsior down the 

 Mississippi valley, probably to the very state line of Iowa, where 

 grapes may be successfully grown. Out in Martin county around 

 some of those lakes, they are making quite a success of it, and up 

 in the neighborhood of where Mr. Peterson lives, they can grow 

 fine Concord grapes. Minnesota, therefore, can grow her own 

 grapes, and it is the duty of this society to press the matter. Most 

 of us who are in Minnesota today, came here to stay. We are 

 unlike the settlers in most new countries who come and make a 

 short stop until they can sell out, and leave for some better place. 



