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26 ANNUAL REPORT. 
days canvassing among the multitudes in attendance at the State Fair, held in 
our beautiful neighboring city of Rochester, but twelve persons could be found 
be found who could be induced to enter into the organization of a truit-growing 
association. The organization was affected and the State Horticultural Society 
still lives and has become a power in the land. Since its organization it has 
seen many dark hours. In rotating our meetings around there was a want of 
sympathy and concentrated effort. 
Years ago we were invited to hold a meeting in your beautiful city. We 
found it the pride of Minnesota. We found here beautiful gardens, conserva- 
tories and green houses, and a people who had faith in us, and who extended to 
us a cordial welcome. This gave us hope, and lent anew impetus to the society. 
We have met here several times since, and each time secured a hke welcome. 
We have seen your growth and prosperity, and rejoice in it. Our mission is a 
great one. It is to clothe the vast prairies south and west of us with forests, in 
which shall nestle beautiful homes, and the orchards and gardens with luscious 
fruits and flowers. The forests to break off the fierce blizzards that now chill 
the very marrow of our hardy pioneers, and give us home surroundings that 
shall make our Minnesota the most desirable of all the States for civilized man 
to dwell in. Again I say you have our most hearty thanks for the weleome we 
have received, and we will try to do you good. ; 
A. W. Sias, of Olmsted county, moved that the society now take 
up for discussion and revision the list of evergreens suitable for 
cultivation in Minnesota, to which Col. Stevens suggested that 
the matter be laid over for a future session. The motion was then 
disposed of by referring it to a special committee, consisting of A. 
W. Sias, of Olmsted county; Oliver Gibbs, of Wabasha county, 
and George W. Fuller, of Meeker county, with instructions to re- 
port a list for consideration at a future session. 
President Grimes introduced Prof. Edward D. Porter, the recent- 
ly elected professor of the theory and practice of agriculture in the 
State University, who responded in a few words, placing himself 
squarely on a platform of progressive agriculture and horticulture 
for Minnesota. 
Upon motion of R. J. Mendenhall it was decided to hold three 
daily meetings, beginning 10 A. m., 2 and 7 p. M. 
Geo. P. Peffer, the veteran horticulturist of Wisconsin, was in- 
troduced. He referred to our climate, and wondered if we could 
grow apples. He came to our meeting to see apples: grown on 
trees that had withstood a temperature of 42° below zero during 
the memorable winter of 1879 and 1880. He thought the Russian 
varieties best adapted to high latitudes. 
He reported that the Duchess of Oldenburg had withstood 42 
below zero, the Tetofsky 54°, the Alexander 40°, Red Astruchan 
30°. The Transcendent crab had killed at 51° when the Tetofsky 
had stood it unharmed. 
