HOBTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 181 



men for their presence and instructions. Mr. Urie thanked the 

 society for the manner in which he had been entertained during 

 his stay in Hutchinson. The place for holding the next meeting 

 was left to the executive committee. Adjourned. 



Mrs. A. A. Kennedy, Secretary. 



REPORT OF THE MINNESOTA VALLEY SOCIETY. 



Granite Falls, Minn., Jan. 17th, 1890. 

 S. D. Hillman: 



Dear Sir. — The past season has been a very discouraging one 

 to the fruit grower and the gardener. The reasons for this dis- 

 couragement are not to be sought in any peculiar characteristics 

 of oar climate, but in that condition which is liable to occur any- 

 where — drought. We did not have the usual spring rains, and re- 

 ceived only a few showers through the summer, so there was not 

 sufficient moisture to perfect plant and fruit. Strawberries were 

 almost an entire failure, and none of the small fruits produced 

 more than a very light crop. Grapes yielded more than any other, 

 but these were not abundant. Apple trees have blighted so badly 

 for two years that planting has largely ceased in this section. 

 The currant worm continues his depredations upon our goose- 

 berries, so it is only a question of time when we shall have to wage 

 unceasing warfare upon this pest, if we will raise gooseberries or 

 currants. The early drought prevented the germination of seeds 

 to a certain extent, and held back the small plants from making 

 growth, so that garden products were below their usual standard 

 in quantity and to some extent in quality also. 



I think the growth of wood and vine was well perfected in the 

 autumn, so that although it was not large, it presents good con- 

 ditions for fruit the coming season under favorable conditions. 



Yours truly, 



O. E. SAUNDERS. 



President Elliot. We have a report from the Southern 

 Minnesota Horticultural Society, and as it is quite a lenghty re- 

 port, I don't know but that there may be some meat in it. 



REPORT OF SOUTHERN MINNESOTA HORTICULTU- 

 RAL SOCIETY. 



The Southern Minnesota Horticultural Society held its third 

 annual winter meeting at the council chamber, Jan. 7, 1890. 



Among the prominent horticulturists present from abroad were 

 Mr. O. M. Lord, the plum specialist, of Minnesota City, and Mr. 



