46 ANNUAL KEPORT. 



out of those packages to select tlie one package which they found 

 on a close and on the most criiical analysis to be the best. At the 

 conclusion of their work they found two packages upon which they 

 were divided in sentiment; and upon the closest test they found 

 only one-half point of difference. Finally they agreed upon their 

 award of the premium and then curiosity asked for the history of 

 the package that they had selected. Giving its number they found 

 that while they had given the grand award to Minnesota the one that 

 was so near equal to it in merit was another package of Minnesota 

 butter. [Applause.] And added to that the fact which was further 

 ascertained th?t it was a package of Norwegian butter. [Laughter.] 

 Let our Scandinavian friends about the State take that to their 

 credit and the next time we get up an exposition let them add on 

 another point and take the aAvard. 



Mr. Grimes. What was the "nativity" of the best package? 



Mr. Gibbs. It was made by Wm. H. Patten of Le Sueur; the other 

 by Mr. Olson of Spring Valley. 



Mr. President, I have taken up too much of your time. I want to 

 congratulate the Society (and I want your Secretary to be obliged to 

 take down what I say,) upon your good fortune and your excellent 

 judgment in the selection of my successor. I know him to be well 

 worthy and qualified for the position, a good deal better qualified 

 than the person that he succeeded, and I hope that he will be so 

 enthusiastic in his work that he may assist greatly in developing 

 horticultural work in Minnesota. I wish him every success. 



Mr. President, I wish to say a word as to the plate glass trans- 

 parency, or our pomological medal. We got it up to represent the 

 work being done in the horticultural industry ; it was very finely 

 painted and was some three feet in diameter, and was intended to 

 be shown to good effect by electric light; we found it looked so well 

 that we never lit it up. I have the consent of the governor to turn 

 it over to the Society. 



REMARKS BY PROF. PORTER. 



Prof. E. D. Porter being called upon for some remarks came for- 

 ward and said: Well, gentlemen, an attempt upon my part to add 

 to what Mr. Gibbs has said would be very much like attempting to 

 add to Bunker Hill monument by putting dirt around its base; it 

 would only tend to conceal the monument. But I will say as long 



