156 ANNUAL REPOKT. 



Mr. H. F. Latham arose and stated that he was twenty-six. 



Mr. Cutler said there would be quite a number of younger members 

 present the last day or two of the session. 



The meeting then adjourned until Wednesday morning, at nine 

 o'clock. 



MORNING SESSION. 



Second Day, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 1886. 



The meeting was called to order Wednesday morning at nine o'clock 

 by President Smith. 



COMMUNICATIONS. 



The following letter from Vice President Dartt was read and ordered 

 placed on file for publication : 



"OwATONNA, Minn., Jan. 11, 1886. 



Dear Sir: Your letter of recent date and premium list received. You may be 

 sorry to learn that I am down flat with what is or seems about equal to a broken leg. 

 I knocked my stiff knee joint loose last Tuesday. I think it is doing well but it is an 

 unpleasant thing to get along with, and 1 write with the reserved right to be cross, 

 as usual. You say you want a program more than full and a report equal (in size I 

 suppose) to Iowa. A very full program means much hurry and poor work, nothing 

 well done. A big book filled largely by professors and writers on grapes and such, 

 will make the common reader imitate a certain old hen. She was walking in green 

 pastures; she spied something that looked quite inviting; it was round, rather 

 plump, and though it had a greenish cast it looked to her good enough to eat; she 

 tackled it. scratched much, picked very little, finally with a very dissatisfied air 

 went her way. Better have a small, good book that will be thoroughly read than a 

 big one to be scratched over. I am much surprised that your premium list puts the 

 best winter apple on a level with one-half peck turnips and leaves Hybrids and 

 crab apples entirely out. 



I have saved some of my Hybrids till now, expecting to exhibit if they kept long 

 enough. I don't suppose anyone would object to their being shown, but few are 

 found who like to exhibit their goods or themselves when they know beforehand 

 they are not appreciated. 



You may say to the old members that it would afford me a great pleasure to 

 meet them but I am unable, and as I have not reformed, [ congratulate them on 

 being rid of me without paying my expenses to Iowa. Next year they can be on 

 the look out. 



Inclosed find membership fee $1 00. I am under great obligations to you for your 

 kindness and consideration. Hope you will pardon me for my old hen foolishness, 



