244 ANNUAL REPORT. 



It was voted to hold meetings every Saturday afternoon dur- 

 ing the winter, for reading essays and discussions. These meet 

 ings were continued until April 1st, after that the last Saturday 

 of each month during the summer months. The meetings were 

 well attended, and much interest was manifested in the discussions. 

 Valuable papers were contributed by M. Pearce, on the subject 

 of seeds, trees and plants, and on raspberry growing; by 

 C. L. Smith, on shade and ornamental trees, also one on sex 

 in strawberries of hermaphrodite vs. pistillate varieties ; by 

 Wm. Lyons, on strawberry growing; by J. T. Grimes, on cur- 

 rants. The membershij) was forty-six. A fair was held at 

 Market Hall, Minneapolis, September 20, 1884. There were twenty 

 exhibitors, making sixty-eight entries, including over one hun- 

 dred varieties of apples, twenty-five varieties of grapes, plums, 

 canned berries, etc. One hundred and thirty-nine dollars was 

 paid in premiums. The exhibit was very fine, being a surprise to 

 the visitors; it awakened an interest in fruit growing that we 

 hope to keep alive. Eighteen meetings were held during the 

 year. On December 27th the annual election was held and the 

 following officers elected for the ensuing year: 



President — M. Pearce. 

 Vice President — Ezra Ames. 

 Secretary — J. E. I^orthrup. 

 Treasurer — Prof. L. Asire. 



Executive Committee — J. T. Grimes, Wm. Lyons, J. S. Gray, 

 G. H. Eoberts, H. F. Busse. 



The weekly meetings were resumed the first Saturday in De- 

 cember, and are to be continued every week. The attendance is 

 increasing, much interest is manifested and much practical 

 knowledge gained. The meetings are now held at the seed store 

 of Xorthrup, Braslan «& Co., 22 Bridge Square, these gentle- 

 men furnishing • a room warmed and lighted, free of expense to 

 the society. They also keep on file the leading horticultural and 

 agricultural papers of the country for the use of the society. 



M. Pearce, 



J. E. I!^ORTHRUP, President. 



Secretary. 



[For a more extended report, see Appendix. — Secy.] 



