78 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIBTY. 
The labor of the society in relation to transplanting shade and ornamen- 
tal trees has been crowned with success. The maple and elm so beautiful 
in New England are not less soin Minnesota. Then the linden,hackberry, 
coffee tree, the white and golden birch, skirt our fields, fill our yards, the 
home of singing birds; the mountain ash, the green-boughed pine, cedar, 
spruce, balsam and other evergreens adorn our homes, which, with orna- 
mental shrubs, the flowing almond, the acacia, barberry, snow bail, 
spireas, Syringa and holly-leafed shrubbery makes the rural life as near 
perfect as can be reached by most of us. 
The society had a great work to accomplish. The mission was not 
simply the propagation of fruits, but to add comfort and beauty to every 
fireside in the commonwealth. At the commencement it was determined 
as far as possible, to make every home cheerful and happy; to banish 
weeds and ragged grasses from every door yard, and substitute, in lieu 
thereof, damask roses, green lawns, climbing vines, blooming asters, ever- 
greens and other pleasant things to our homes. 
Have we succeeded ? I hope so. We all have worked hard for the bene- 
fit of the present and future generations of the state; worked without. 
money, without price. We do trust that our efforts are appreciated by the 
present people, and hope our labor will be beneficial to those who are to. 
follow us. 
Many of our primitive members have crossed the silent river, some have 
moved to other lands. The few of us living who were charter members, 
are now old men. Our work will soon be finished, but we will never cease, 
while we are of this life, to labor with all our strength for horticulture, 
and all that appertains to it in Minnesota. 
Mr. Smith: Some of us can appreciate the interest that 
Colonel Stevens has in this horticultural society by the fact 
that he has come from his home to-day under the circumstances 
that he has, to meet with us for only so short a time. I know 
that every one of us has enjoyed this most excellent address 
he has read, and that we appreciate the lively interest he has 
always taken in the work of this society. Asan expression of 
that appreciation, I move a rising vote of thanks to Colonel 
Stevens for this paper, and for his attendance here to-day. 
Motion carried. i 
Colonel Stevens: Mr. President and fellow members of the: 
State Horticultural Society: I feel deeply gratified at this ex- 
pression of the society. I expected to be here at the com- 
mencement, but other matters over which I had no control pre- 
vented me. I have never shirked my duty, and I never intend. 
to. As long as I am alive I certainly shall be with you on 
every occasion. (Applause. ) 
After a short discussion it was voted that the reports of the 
delegates to the Wisconsin and South Dakota Horticultural So- 
cieties be placed on file and printed in the annual report, lack 
of time rendering it impossible that they be read. (See indezw.), 
