176 ANNUAL EEPOBT. 



list that will show to the world wha,t Minnesota can do. Then if you 

 want to offer premiums upon sweepstakes, do so, but let us ask them 

 for what is our right, and if we cannot get it, let us apply to the legis- 

 lature next time. That, gentleman is the position I take in this 

 matter. We are not begging in this matter; we are helping to build 

 up this State. We have helped to build up this Society and have 

 helped to build up that as well; and we propose to work hand in hand 

 with them, but we want them to show us some consideration as a 

 Society. I ask nothing for myself, and this matter should not be in 

 the hands of the President and Secretary; but it should be in charge 

 of a committee of three, which should be selected with care; and they 

 should decide what amount will be required to make liberal premiums, 

 and then they should demand of the Agicultural Society funds sufficient 

 to pay that list of premiums. I would say make our premiums liberal 

 if we have any spare funds. Now that, gentleman, is my position on 

 the premium list; and I think it is one of the most important matters 

 to come before our Society. 



I suggest that we would increase the interest of the people generally 

 by offering premiums of subscriptions to an agricultural paper, or by 

 offering premiums of membership in this or in the Agricultural Society 

 for one year. It will save funds for our Society, and help to save 

 funds to the State Agricultural Society, and help increase our useful- 

 ness as a Society. That is the object of our Society — to throw the 

 seed broadcast, to each and every individual in the State. This Society 

 is not organized for the benefit of St. Paul and Minneapolis alone, it 

 is for the whole State of Minnesota. 



Mr. Smith. I think that is exacty what we want. As Mr. Harris 

 said, at one time last year it looked as if we should have a good prem- 

 ium list. T advocated then that the premiums should be placed on all 

 such things as the farmers can raise through the entire State, and 

 should be so arranged that there would be a great number of them, 

 and on a large variety of these products; that they would be scattered 

 throughout the State. Another thing that should receive our atten- 

 tion is the giving of premiums on small fruits, preserved in liquor or 

 sugar, or any other form so as to bring them there. Now, at the time 

 of the State Fair, currants and strawberries of course have gone by. 

 Still we might have specimens of them exhibited, and there should be 

 a statement with these in regard to the variety, the locality where they 

 were grown, the amount produced, and the conditions under which 

 they were grown. This idea of having specimens of the wood accom- 



