70 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
acquisition to our list of hardy apples? Shall we not, in the near future, 
pay more attention to propagating new varieties of the apple, by cross- 
fertilization of the best Russians with our own new and native seedlings, 
experimenting in selecting and sifting, continually, the best, until really 
valuable varieties may be obtained.” 
By many of our most experienced pomologists, it is claimed that the 
most valuable apples that we have were developed on our own soil, in the 
way above indicated. It is well for us to push all lines of experimenta- 
tion in apple-growing with native seedlings and imported varieties from 
all lands where their climatic condition is similar to ours, and by this 
means we shall eventually produce varieties that will be hardy and 
adapted to our soils and climatic changes. 
The experimental stage of horticulture will never end as long as there 
is a new plant to be cultivated or anew theory to advance. Experience, 
that great teacher of facts, reminds us that attention should be given ~ 
to the subject of furnishing new and helpful information which would be 
valuable to our members (and the great mass of uneducated) in their 
work of growing trees, fruits and flowers of all kinds. We should seriously 
consider how can instructive horticultural literature that will afford the 
ereatest benefit, be put into the hands of the masses in the most econom- 
ical manner. A new method has been suggested recently by means of a 
leaflet containing condensed, reliable information on the best methods ot 
specific and general cultivation, giving the names of species and varieties 
that are best adapted to being grown in our latitude; their habits, time 
of fruiting, keeping qualities, the most economical modes of use: to- 
gether with the most recent discoveries, and directions on planting, 
cultivating, pruning, protection, etc. These lists should be applicable, as 
far as possible, to all the northwestern states, and should include only 
varieties possessing the most estimable characteristics of quality, fer- 
tility, productiveness, growth and hardiness, according to the past exper- 
jiences of our most successful cultivators. These leaflets should go with 
another prepared by our secretary, seeking information from every citizen 
of our broad commonwealth, requesting the name of every person that 
cultivates a square rod of ground with fruits of any kind; also the name 
of the varieties, as far as known. 
These two folios should be drawn up by the most experienced experts - 
in every line of horticulture, embodying a compendium of questions and 
jnformation such as has never been presented to our rural population. 
This information can be classified and made very useful in the campaign, 
for seeking all the best varieties of fruits, and other products, for the 
Columbian World’s Fair Exhibition. 
WORLD'S FAIR. } 
The preliminary arrangements by our society, for taking part in the 
horticultural department of that great exhibition of products, should be 
attended to in detail, at this time, if we expect to properly represent the 
bounteous productiveness of our soil and climate. This whole matter 
should be put into the handsiof a competent committee, who should act 
immediately, in co-operation with our State Superintendent of World’s 
Fair Exhibits. We should also recommend and urge the appointment 
very soon of some person to take full charge of the industries that this 
society represent. The interests of every citizen call upon him to lend 
assistance as in his power lies. 
