228 ANNUAL REPORT. 



amateur and the professional cultivatoi", the market gardner with 

 his broad acres, and the poor woman with one solitary geranium 

 in a broken crock. The science covers alike gardening for j^rofit 

 and gardening for pleasure; gardening of whatever character 

 and wherever found. This art has made wonderful progress in 

 this country in the last half century, and very much of this prog 

 ress is due to the victorious power of organization. The 

 achievements of individuals may be very great, but if they are 

 not made the common property of association, the secrets may 

 perish with them, or be as lights hidden under a bushel. Xo 

 man is so wise and so old in wisdom that he may not learn from 

 others. Few men are so inexperienced that they cannot impart 

 some strength to an organization or do some good to their fel- 

 lows. ]S'o being is so strong that the strength of another, in 

 some emergencies, would not be a help to him. Every man is 

 supposed to know something and to know it better than others, 

 and it is a great and good thing for a man to find his true place 

 in society and proj^erly fill it. He thus finds his true use antag- 

 onizing no one and yet helping every one. In all well organized 

 bodies of w^orkers each member not only brings to the mc^eting 

 the experience he has gained in his avocation, but he shows a 

 disposition to help others, and if differences arise, in brushing 

 against them he may get some sharp angles knocked off, but he 

 will return home a better informed man, and if he has had a 

 good time, as he ought, he will be younger in heart. The study 

 and practice of horticulture, or any other noble subject that 

 brings man in contact with nature, inspires a tendency to keep 

 the heart young. Those who belong to such associations and at- 

 tend the meetings will become students, and there is nowhere a 

 better opportunity afforded to acquire a practical education. 



Mr. President, horticultural societies have a mission in this 

 county and the whole of Minnesota; they have a great work to 

 perform, and the demand is imperative that our best workers 

 should come to the front and enter immediately upon the w^ork. 

 Let learning, genius and talent come forward and join with prac- 

 tical skill and indefatigable industry in solving the gigantic 

 problems of the hour. Whether we realize it or not, there is a 

 peculiar need for the work. In agriculture, commerce and manu- 

 factures, our State is making unparalleled progress and com- 

 manding the attention of the whole civilized world. In only one 

 thing is she behind the most favored countries, and that is horti- 

 culture. Our grain fields, our dairies, our sheep folds, and our 



