ANNUAL WINTER MEETING. 87 



RESTRICTING THE WORK OF THE SOCIETY. 



The time is not far distant, in the opinion of some of our people, when 

 it will he found necessary to restrict in some degree the work of the 

 society. At the outset, while the number interested in horticulture 

 was few and there were many kindred interests unrepresented by organi- 

 zation, it was found necessary to invite all these friendly interests to in 

 sure the existence of the society;but at this time the horticultural society) 

 having some years since passed its majority, and finding the ground 

 it is attempting to cover in its work occupying more time and space than 

 can well be spared, the question of contracting its field must soon be seri- 

 ously considered. Forestry and bee culture are already represented by 

 strong societies; and there are other general subjectsakin to horticulture 

 that take up considerable needed time that may easily in some degree be 

 set aside iu the increasing interest in pomology and fioriculture in our 

 state. Personally, the secretary has no plan or wish in this matter, ex- 

 cept to carry out the purpose of the society and increase its usefulness in 

 the special fields that are most nearly connected with its purposes. 



SUMMER MEETINGS. 



I desire to take this opportuniy of saying a word complimentary of the 

 friends of horticulture at Lake City, as I am aware the modesty of our 

 honorable president will not permit him to do so. The friendly character 

 of our reception there at the last summer meeting,and the jolly good time 

 those of us who had the good fortune to be present enjoyed will long 

 linger a fragrance in our memory. Whether or not the Lake City people 

 are good horticulturists we had not the opportunity to learn, but to know 

 how to entertain a good horticulturist is a lesson I am sure they have 

 most thoroughly studied. 



DErARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



At the solicitation of our executive board Mr. J. S. Harris was a second 

 time appointed a special agent of the department to look up the pomology 

 of the state, and we may look for something new and interesting from 

 him in this direction. The department in a very practical way is taking 

 hold of the vexatious problems of horticulture and pushing them to a 

 solution. 



WORLD'S FAIR. 



The special report which as superintendant I shall present on the sub- 

 ject takes the place of any long reference to it at this time. I will only 

 say that my relation to the society as secretary is proving a great advant- 

 age to me as superintendant of the Minnesota horticultural exhibit at 

 the World's Fair. To have the machinery and the prestige of the official 

 position is of very great value, and the heartiness with which the fruit 

 growers all over the state have taken hold to assist me as an officer of the 

 society in getting up this exhibit is indeed a gratifying indication of the 

 confidence and interest which is felt in the general work of the society. 



STATE FAIR. 



That our people made an exhibit at the last state fair with which we 

 may well be pleased many of us personally know and all of you may see 

 by examining the photographs now upon these walls, which were taken 

 the day before the close of the fair. There is plenty of fruit in this state 

 to make a fine annual exhibit if it can be gotten out, and to do this there 



