110 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



of Minneapolis and to this representative home of the city of Minneapolis. 

 (Applause.) There are the best reasons why we should do this, for if we 

 can honor you we certainly honor ourselves. 



It is a matter of history what this body of men has done already for the 

 state of Minnesota. My recollection goes back some years to* the time 

 when most of you were younger than you are now, when you were begin- 

 ning the enterprise that was thought to be quite vain. The idea of rais- 

 ing fruit in Minnesota for market! Why, when I came to this state 

 twenty years ago it was regarded as quite an impossible thing. You have 

 changed all that, and Minnesota fruit is now a marketable product in 

 large quantities and of excellent quality. I felt very proud indeed when 

 I read several years ago, that at a meeting of the American Pomological 

 Society in Philadelphia the best apple that was shown was a Min- 

 nesota apple. (Applause.) That was the work of this society. So, for 

 what you have done, for your record in the past, for your promise of the 

 future, for what you are to-day to this state and the great Northwest, we 

 are very proud and happy, indeed, to welcome you here. 



There is a very good reason why you should be here at Villa Eosa, where 

 the queen of flowers has a palace and a home, or, to change the figure, 

 I might say where the queen of flowers has a throne to which pilgrims 

 from far and near resort in a happy time when the roses bloom. Some of 

 you, I have no doubt, have been at the rose fetes held at Villa Rosa and 

 know something of the gladness of those happy days. 



Although it is merely flowers that blossom around this mansion, if you 

 will look to the right of them you will see a good old-fashioned vegetable 

 garden, which would do your heart good to see. The spinach, beet, 

 radish and turnip all flourish here. Par beyond the old barn lies a mea- 

 dow, and if you should ride along by there in the right time of year, you 

 would see the flocks of Southdowns disporting themselves in that mea- 

 dow. I am glad to see them when I ride by; I am glad to see any barrier 

 set up against the advancing stream of city improvements. I suppose it 

 is necessary to some extent, but I am glad when I see anything that tends 

 to check and stem the tide of the advance of city improvements. 



Now that I am welcoming you here I do not mean to do this thing by 

 halves in any way. I was not asked to do this thing by halves. (Applause.) 

 So, I say come in here, hang up your hats and make yourselves at home, 

 ladies and gentlemen, and ramble all over this old-fashioned house which 

 has stood here in its respectability until the fashion has come around 

 again, and it is now at the top of fashion. Do not fail to look at the 

 picture of a splendid lady in the old parlor there, a fine work of art,which, 

 as my friend, Dan French, the sculptor said, is alone worth the price of 

 admission. (Laughter.) Make yourselves at home and help yourselves to 

 all you see, and if there is anything which you want and do not see, just 

 ask for it. (Applause.) 



President J. M. Underwood: I will ask the oldest member 

 of the State Horticultural Society to respond to the cordial 

 welcome that has been given us. 



Mr. J. S. Harris of La Crescent then stepped forward and after 

 the applause which greeted him had subsided, made the fol- 

 lowing remarks. 



