62 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



to undertake to carry on any part of this work as we are now 

 doing. We do not give the attention to it that the exigency of 

 the times demands. The question arises in my mind whether 

 we should not give this much needed question more consider- 

 ation than we have been doing in the past. I am willing to 

 admit we, as a society, are not doing as much as ive should; 

 neither do I wish to cast any reflections on the means and 

 methods pursued by the State Forestry Association, or criti- 

 cise any part of their former work, but I think the interests of 

 the people would be better served, and wider scope and under 

 standing given to forestry, if we were to unite our time, talents 

 and means, in giving greater breadth of thought and wise 

 management of this work so much needed upon our immense 

 prairies. As it is, the members of our society do not take the 

 deep interest in this question they should, and I am informed 

 that there are those among the promoters of forestry in our 

 state who think that the essential requirements due from a live 

 organization under the present management of either society, 

 are not being fulfilled to the best advantage, and it would be 

 better to have this work more closely united to that of the 

 State Horticultural Society, and acting on that suggestion, I 

 would recommend appointing a committee to consult with a 

 like committee from the State Forestry Association, and con- 

 fer with its officers as to the feasibility of uniting their work 

 more closely with the Minnesota State Horticultural Society. 

 I have interviewed some of its officers, and they think the work 

 would be better accomplished if it was put under the directing 

 care of this society. There are considerations for this change 

 that will be presented at the proper time, to a committee having 

 power to act. It seems to be a part of our legitimate work to 

 awaken deeper interest in proving new methods and giving a 

 healthful impetus to this question of forestry. If there is a 

 state in the Union where the people need practical, judicious in- 

 struction in the growing of trees and wind breaks, it is Min- 

 nesota. We have large areas where the small fruits even can- 

 not be successfully cultivated without first procuring some 

 kind of forest protection, and it seems to me the interests of 

 these two societies should be merged together and work under 

 one head, to derive the greatest benefits to our agricultural 

 classes. 



I would recommend by resolution or otherwise that all dis- 

 trict or local horticultural societies should hold their annual 

 meeting previous to the annual meetings of the state horticul- 



