48 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



classes of industry, but by none more hopefully than the true 

 lovers of horticulture. ' 'It is said that no virtue is acquired in 

 an instant, but step by step;" so horticulture must win its way 

 where there are many combined elements turned against it. 



' 'In all right teaching, we learn principles which are to be 

 applied to facts; and facts from which experiments are to be 

 deduced. The principles, facts and experience which come to 

 us from daily application are full of significance, because they 

 show how nature's laws deal with those who obey as well as 

 those who neglect them." 



This is of vital interest to the student in horticulture, and 

 applicable alike in all other professions in life. "Nature never 

 does any one an injustice;" she applies certain material ele- 

 ments, in abundance, and on our part requires conformity to 

 her demands, How much a slight difference in the manage- 

 ment and cultivation of our minds, our farms and gardens, may 

 make if we neglect or ignore her teachings. 



Did you ever stop to think what a useless waste their is going 

 on all the time in the conduct of your business affairs? The 

 same general law of nature has been and will always be appli- 

 cable to the farmer, fruit-grower, florist or vegetable gardener, 

 and their success will always depend upon the intelligent care 

 exercised in the preparation, cultivation, harvesting and 

 marketing of whatever they undertake to produce. Did you 

 ever stop to think how much we owe to mother Earth and the 

 natural laws governing all the process of vegetable growth and 

 productions for the enjoyment and sustenance of mankind? 

 Or did you ever think how much or how little a large majority 

 of mankind know or try to know about conducting, regulating 

 or assisting the natural laws of production, and how to prevent 

 the useless, wasted, misguided efforts in their life endeavors? 



The constant inclination of most of the tillers of the soil, to 

 practice extravagant, wasteful methods in the cultivation and 

 management of their farms and gardens, as well as domestic 

 and business affairs, is the cause of much of the dissatisfaction, 

 discontent and uneasiness that is continually springing up all 

 over our land. There seems to be a prevailing idea that some 

 one or something is at fault, and opposed to our satisfactory 

 progress in business. It is the other fellow that is planning, 

 plotting and scheming against our prosperity, and we do not 

 think of placing the blame where it rightfully belongs. We 

 are too often prone to believe that the world owes us a living 



