STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 167 



In conclusion I will say that in paying the membership contri- 

 bution at the meeting, I did so with the understanding that it placed 

 our society officially on the roll, and the society will hold the mem- 

 bership and receive the transactions when published. 



One word about the next meeting of the American Pomological 

 Society. 



President Wilder has told you in the above letter where it is to 

 be held. 



I hope our society will resolve at this time to be represented 

 there, and make timely preparation for it, and if nature favors us 

 with a good crop of fruit in 1885, we may, even if we should not 

 win another medal, at least show that we still have something to 

 justify our holding the one we have got. 



And now, Mr. President, and fellow members of the Minnesota 

 State Horticultural Society, here is your certificate of the award, 

 which I will read : 



certificate of award. 



American" Pomological Society, 

 Secretary's Office, Agricultural College, 



Lansing, Mich., Sep. 15. 1883. 



Mr. Oliver Gibbs, Jr., Secretary Minnesota Horticultural Society. 



Dear Sir : — This will inform you that at the recent meeting of 

 the American Pomological Society, the committee on the award- 

 ing of prizes, unanimously gave a silver medal to the Minnesota 

 State Horticultural Society, for its collection of apples and grapes. 

 This is the highest award given by the society. Your show of 

 fruit was a surprise to most of the members from the south and 

 east, aud was excellent. Only four Wilder medals in all were 

 awarded at this meeting. 



Truly yours, 



W. J. BEAL, 



Secretary. 



And here is 5'our medal. It was fairly won. It was given us with 

 many compliments from the committee and members and with 

 heaity good will. It was not begrudged to us by anybody. If it 

 shall encourage our own people to look up and appreciate the ad- 

 vantages we possess in fruit growing as well as the exhibit con- 

 vinced the public at Philadelphia, and if it shall stimulate us to 

 press on and overcome difficulties and obtain other advantages, till 

 we make apples, and pears, and cherries, and plums, and other 



