STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 121 
be seen that the undertaking before us is not an easy task; the field of research 
and inquiry which is opened before us is an extensive one. Not only are we to 
discuss the varieties of apples which are the most profitable and hardy for gen- 
eral cultivation, but there are many other departments of horticulture which de- 
serve to be carefully investigated. Among the proper subjects for discussion 
with regard to frait gcowing, &re such as these: the character of the soil best 
adapted to the purpose; the proper methods of planting, cultivation and protec- 
tion of trees; time and manner of prunning; the diseases of fruit trees, their 
nature, cause and rem2dy; th2 consideration of reports given, and experiments 
made from time to time; all these are proper matters of interest and importance 
to every m2mber of our society. The same remarks are more or less applicable 
to the growth or cultivation of pears, plums, cherries, strawberries, currants, 
grapes, forest, shade anil ornamental trees, evergreens, plants and flowers. 
We have an important work before us; for, if we would beautify our homes 
and make them the cheerful, pleasant and happy abodes of ourselves and fam- 
ilies, we must necessarily give more attention to horticultural pursuits. Horti- 
eulture should travel hand in hand with agriculture, and we indicate very largely 
the degree of civilization to which we hive attained by the interest we manifest in 
the cultivation of fruits and flowers. Some one has very appropriately said that 
“Tf h2 who ma‘xes two blad2s of grass grow where but one grew before, is a 
public benefactor,’ how much more he who covers our hillsides with rich 
clusters of grap2s, our orchards with golden fruits, and who fills our homes with 
the fragrance of beautiful flowers! 
On the 17th of February there was organized at Lake City ‘“‘The 
Lake Pepin Farmer’s Institute and Horticultural Society.’ The 
meeting was well attended, and a good deal of interest manifested. 
The following gentlemen were elected as officers: 
President—Gen. N. C. McLean, of Frontenac. 
Vice-President—J. J. Beaty, of Gillford. 
Secretary—S. M. Emery, of Lake City. 
Treasurer—H. P. C. Fowler, of Mount Pleasant. 
Executive Committee—P. H. Rahilly, of Mt. Pleasant; C. C. 
Lowe, of Gillford; Geo. Labbett, of Belvidere; O. Gibbs, Jr., of 
Lake City; R. F. Cone, of Florence. 
The following address before the society, by U. S. Hollister, St. 
Paul, is. by special request, printed with this report: 
HORTICULTURE ON THE FARM. 
The term Horticulture, as applied to farm economy, has a more comprehen- 
sive meaning or more extensive application, than is usually allowed it. All the 
finer elements of your profession as farmers, the application of the principles of 
practical scientific agriculture, walk: hand in hand with horticulture. The care 
bestowed on gardens, the necessity of the application of special fertilizers, the 
results obtained therefrom, together with the new and better methods of culture; 
and rotations of crops, first called the attention of the people to a better system 
