ANNUAL WINTER MEETING. 99 



President Elliot: We also have with us Senator Orrin Mott, 

 from Lincoln county, from whom we should like to hear a few 

 words. 



Senator Orrir Mott: Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: — I 

 came here by chance. I am agreeably surprised to see the fine 

 exhibit of flowers, fruit and men that I find here; yes, and 

 ladies too. 



I came from way out west, on the Dakota slope toward the 

 Missouri river; and w'e are suffering under great disadvantages 

 from drouth. I planted some fruit. I commenced four years 

 ago with apple trees of different varieties. These trees all died 

 except a few crabs ; they are there still, some of them bearing 

 fruit. I planted a tree claim, and in that I planted a lot of apple 

 trees, quite a number of varieties, but there is none that is 

 doing anything but crabs; they are doing nicely, and are as 

 hardy as oak. 



Where I located first I found the premises got so dry I could 

 not get water at all; so I moved from that place to another por- 

 tion of the farm, where there was plenty of water, and I carried 

 on my experiments of planting fruit trees there. Every tree I 

 planted there has died. They have died since the commence- 

 ment of this dry season. Even cottonwood trees that I planted 

 last spring have withered and died. I am in hopes, if we get 

 some rain, the people will be able to grow small fruits, but now 

 it is too dry; everything is drying up, and it is very discouraging. 



Pres. Elliot: Senator Probstfield. comes from Moorhead, way 

 up north. We are very glad that he has not become discour- 

 aged, as long as he is able to plant a tree. 



Now in regard to the Columbian Exposition, I would like to 

 inquire if anything has been received from Mr. Emery? If not, 

 I would like to have Mr. Underwood, his partner, state some- 

 thing to us in regard to that. 



J. M. Underwood: I would say, Mr. President, that I can 

 offer apologies for Mr Emery, and I know you will gladly ac- 

 cept them, as he is sick; not sick abed, but too indisposed to be 

 here. However, he is improving, and was in hopes to be here 

 personally, or send some communication on this subject. I 

 have not received anything from him up to this time; I know, 

 however, that he will be ready to cooperate with the society, 

 and to help to put this matter on a proper basis. Now, we all 

 know how well our efforts have succeeded at New Orleans and 

 Philadelphia, in everything we have done, and all it needs is 

 some energetic and intelligent action to put this matter of the 



