120 ANNUAL REPORT. 
ing nurserymen and practical fruit-growers were equal to the task. They pos- 
sessed the energy and perseverance which enabled them at once to renew their 
efforts, and it is not too much to say that they have been rewarded by most . 
gratifying results. And it may not be after all an unfortunate matter that re- 
verses were thus early experienced, since it has had the practical effect of bring- 
ing forward the most hardy as well as the most profitable varieties of apples for 
cultivation that could be produced. 
Prior to the winters of 1872-3 there was the most reckless planting, and many 
seemed to entertain the idea that Minnesota was a very good state for growing 
all kinds of tropical plants. That winter taught us a lesson of prudence which 
can never be forgotten, and is worth more to us than a thousand fine-spun 
theories or the extravagant statements of visionary enthusiasts. 
In this connection it may not be out of place to refer to the organization of the 
State Horticultural Society, seven years prior to that time, in October, 1866. At 
that time, when the horticulturists present in this city in attendance at the 
state fair, assembled for the first time to organize a state society, one of the en- 
thusiastic members present exhibited no less than nineteen different varieties of 
apples. This was certainly a flattering exhibit for so young a state, but experi- 
ence has show that the growing of so many varieties is not necessary or profita- 
ble, or in other words, is more ornamental than useful. 
It is hardly worth while for me to particularize as to the progress which has 
been made in the way of discovering and propagating hardy varieties; we have 
a few standard fall and winter varieties, the character of which seems to be fully 
and fairly established. Time and experience have demonstrated their value, 
and I need not refer to them; suffice to say that the crdakers who declared they 
could not live in Minnesota because we could not grow fruit in abundance, have 
—thanks to the perserving efforts of our horticulturists—had their fears re- 
moved. It is well known that thousands of bushels of wholesome and delicious 
fruit are now prcduced in this and adjoming counties every year, and with fav- 
able seasons the quantity of apples produced within the next two or three years 
will certainly be fourfold greater than ever before, and we way !cck forward 
confidently to the time when southeastern Minnesota will produce a large sur- 
plus of choice fall and winter fruit. I may emphasize the words, ‘‘choice fall 
and winter fruit,’’ for every one knows that the beauty and quality of our apples 
are unsurpassed, and are far superior to those of a warmer climate. This feat- 
ure was observed in a marked degree at the Centennial Exposition in Philadel- 
phia some three years since. Nearly every state in the union was represented 
in the pomological exhibition, the exhibit from the state of Kansas, for instance, 
being remarkably extensive and creditable, but at the same time the apples 
from this state, though not so large and numerous in variety or great in quanti- 
ty, were to our mind tar better than those from that favored section. 
The experiments being made with Minnesota seedlings are bringing to the 
front some of the finest specimens of fruit ever grown in any state or under any 
condition of soil or climate. And we would say, let the good work thus begun 
in an earnest spirit of emulation of the best, go on. 
As I remarked at the outset, the object of our organization was and has been 
largely the advancement of horticulture with reference to the growth of apples 
and small fruit. Without enlarging upon the necessity or importance of giving 
attention to this subject, for the promotion of the material wealth and prosperity 
of our young state—which must be apparent to the dullest mind—it is plain to 
