92 ANNUAL REPORT. 
florists,—persons that can decide on questions concerning flowers.. 
and the other of fruit-growers. Haven't liked the way in which 
this matter has been managed heretofore. 
Mr. Elliot. Can’t see the need of an executive committee if 
we don’t give it any work. We had better dispose of it to-mor- 
row. Think the executive committee can take this matter into- 
its hands and fix up a premium list in as good a shape as any 
other committee can. Think a committee composed of florists: 
and horticulturists can be appointed out of this meeting that will 
do satisfactory work this year. 
The Secretary. Think that any committee appointed by this. 
Society will represent the Society. Can’t see that we can appoint. 
a committee that will not represent the Society. I feel the force 
of appointing two committees, but don’t feel like appointing any 
committee that feels less responsible than the executive commit- 
tee. Think that every committee appointed ought to feel as. 
responsible as the executive committee. I would therefore amend 
the resolution by moving ‘‘that the executive committee be 
requested to confer with the State Associations, holding fairs, 
with reference to premiums to be offered for fruits and flowers at . 
said fairs.”” Amendment was seconded and carried. Motion, as. 
amended, was then carried. 
ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT GRIMES. 
The Secretary. Move that we proceed with the regular order. 
The motion was seconded and carried. 
Vice-President Dart was then called to the chair, and the Presi- 
dent delivered his annual address, as follows: 
Ladies and Gentlemen—Fellow-members of the State Horticultural Society of 
Minnesota * 
I have sometimes thought that our first parents acted wisely when they 
partook of the fruit of the tree of knowledge, not that they became gods or 
angels, but fell (if you please) from their first estate back upon their own 
resources, With very little knowledge of the world around them. But 
knowledge increased, very slow at first for want of capital, but like a penny 
at interest, compounded. It did increase nevertheless, little by little, year by 
year, century by century, age by age, with the ratio of time until it became 
the motive power ot the world. Life is too short, knowledge too vast, for 
the human mind even to comprehend all that the world has treasured up. 
In the progress of time new arts have been discovered, science has been 
developed, facts have been demonstrated, and discoveries have been made 
in every branch of learning still more perfect and complete, and such will 
still be the case as long as our institutions of learning are fostered and 
