98 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
The selection of Faribault proved every way favorable for the interests 
of the infant society, for the fruit growers of that section adopted it 
fondly, and used every effort to strengthen its feeble footsteps. 
Of the third annual meeting held in Fireman’s Hall in our city, Jan. 
30th, 1868, I have the most pleasant recollections. The weather was cold, 
but there was a warmthof enthusiasm that would have kept the conven- 
tion in session even though the mercury had been in the bulb. There 
were no entertainments or side diversions. The members had come to- 
gether for an earnest purpose, and they attended strictly to business. 
Minneapolis, Rochester, Winona and Owatonna were represented, and 
Messrs. Elliot, Mott, Hamilton, Harkness, Jewell, Brand, and Hum- 
phrey were among those whom I now recall as active participants in the . 
discussions. One of the important measures adopted at the meeting was 
the appointment of acommittee to act with the State Agricultural Society 
in securing a fruit exhibition to be held in connection with the state fair. 
Another was a request to the legislature to make an appropriation to 
send an agent to northern Europe to secure hardy varieties of fruit trees. 
That the members, though thoroughly devoted to the purpose of develop- 
ing the fruit growing interests of Minnesota, were yet quite practical in 
their conclusions, is shown by the conservatism of their action. After 
an exhaustive consideration of a great number of varieties of apples, they 
concluded to recommend but two for general cultivation, viz: Duchess of 
Oldenburg and Tetofsky, and for sheltered localities and proximity to 
water a limited list of eight, of which all, I believe, have stood the test 
of subsequent trials. 
In the matter of other fruits the record shows that there was consider- 
able discouragement. One fruit grower resident in Owatonna was quoted 
in the discussions as having tested eight varieties of grapes and having 
come to the conclusion that but two could be successfully raised in Min- 
nesota, viz: the Clinton and the Concord. 
In 1871 Horace Greeley, whose devotion to agricultural and horticultural 
pursuits was one of the most prominent characteristics of his eminent 
career, accepted an invitation to deliver an address at an agricultural 
fair which was to be held in Minneapolis in September of that year, and 
was induced to visit Faribault en route and favor our people with his 
lecture upon ‘‘Self Made Men”. The next day after the lecture The 
Tribune philosopher wearing that historic old white overcoat which has be- 
come traditionally associated with his appearance in public, was taken 
in charge by a number of fruit growers and escorted to the farm of the 
late D. W. Humphery, Esq. to inspect that gentleman’s orchard and vine- 
yard. 
It was a good season for grapes, and the vines, laden with beautiful 
clusters of Delawares and Concords, presented an ‘object lesson which it 
was believed Mr. Greeley, who had been reputed to be a skeptic as to the 
fruit growing capabilities of Minnesota, could not fail to be impressed 
with. Hesaw and was convinced for no one could gainsay such ocular 
evidence. As he took his seat in the cars for Minneapolis in the after- 
noon, having both hands filled with clusters of luscious Delawares, of 
which he partook in mouthfuls as one would eat an apple, his mild benig- 
nant countenance glowed with satisfaction, and he discussed Minnesota,” 
its advantages and prospects, with a keen appreciation that delighted the 
listeners. . 
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