STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 119 
but there were now a few kinds which had been thoroughly tested and found to 
be reliable. He believed in getting the best and hardiest trees, whether from 
Russia or elsewhere. He spoke highly of the Duchess, Wealthy and,the Rollins’ 
Pippin. 
Mr. Porter inquired what the latter variety was. Mr. Sias gave its history, 
and said it was a seedling originating with Mr. Rollins, of Elgin, from seed 
planted 25 years ago. He had a number of fine specimens of this fruit on exhi- 
bition, picked from the parent tree, the quality of which he desired the members 
to test, as well as a fine specimen of a seedling apple raised on the farm of Mr. 
John Williams, of Viola. 
Mr. Cook inquired how the Pippin compared with the Duchess as to hardi- 
ness. 
Mr. Sias said it appeared to be more hardy than the Duchess, which state- 
ment was corroborated by the views of Mr, Niles and Mr. Porter. Mr. Sias 
also exhibited specimens of the Russet and a seedling of his own production. 
Mr. Hall exhibited a can of preserved strawberries. 
It was decided to recommend the same varieties adopted by the society one 
year ago, to-wit: For general cultivation, Duchess, Wealthy, Elgin Beauty, 
Haas, and Rollin’s Prolific; for trial, Rollin’s Pippin, St. Lawrence, and Rollin’s 
Russet; ofthe hybrid varieties, the following: Early strawberry, Orange, Mea- 
der’s Winter, Beach’s Sweet and Red, Hutchinson’s Sweet, Maiden’s Biush and 
Power's Crab. 
Mr. Cook invited the society to hold its next meeting at his residence in the 
strawberry season in the month of June. 
Secretary Hillman then read the following address: 
Mr. PresipEent: The Olmsted County Horticultural Society was organized 
seven years ago the 3d of this month; it is, therefore, now seven years of age. 
The society has held regular annual sessions each year since its organization; be- 
sides, a number of special meetings have been held for the discussion of topics of 
interest to horticulturists. 
_ It may not be inappropriate to say a word at this time with regard to what 
has been and is being accomplished for the advancement of the horticultural in- 
terests of our county as well as the State at large. By doing so, and noting the 
progress made, we may find reasons for encouragment for the future, and profit 
by the lessons which time and experience have brought us in the past. One of 
the principal objects of our organization was the advancement of the interests of 
horticulture as pertaining to che production of applesf as well as the cultivation 
of small fruit, flowers, etc. 
It will be remembered, at the time of our organization we had but just passed 
through one of the severest and most disastrous winters ever known to the fruit 
growers of Minnesota and the west. In a majority of cases, as you will remem- 
ber, the larger portion of our finest nurseries and orchards were thus rudely and 
suddenly destroyed and swept away. Nearly every tree, large or small, which 
was not what might be termed strictly ‘‘iron clad,’ was rendered utterly worth- 
less. Nor is it at all surprising that the confidence of horticulturists in Minne- 
sota as a fruit growing state was greatly shaken by such unexpected reverses. 
Their long fruit lists and their ideas of the most hardy and profitable varieties, 
alike met with rapid transformations. It was not a little discouraging to be 
compelled to commence anew to experiment, to compare notes and devise ways 
and means for obviating such serious disasters in the future; but our enterpris- 
