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230 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
The fruits grown at that time were not very inviting, and, conse- 
quently, there was little market for them; in fact, no one thought of 
growing fruit for that purpose. I never saw acultivated strawberry 
until after [was grown. There were some wildones growing alonga 
ditch in my father’s meadow, and he used to trounce me for tramp- 
ing down the grass to get a taste of those berries. Is it any wonder 
that I am such an enthusiastic horticulturist ? 
I believe it was Massachusetts that first set the ball in motion, 
with such men as Marshall P. Wilder in the lead. 
What has been the result? Horticultural societies have been 
formed and extended throughout every state and almost every 
county in the union. 
What are we doing? Experimenting, not blindly but scientific- 
ally,in the production of newer and better varieties of fruits and 
flowers, always holding fast the best, until something better is at- 
tained. 
I shall not attempt to show the vast increase of business and 
wealth attached to the growing of fruits. Look atthe business done 
by the railroads in this department alone! What immense quanti- 
ties are handled and shipped in every direction where there is a de- 
mand and a market. The North requires theearly ripened fruit of 
the South, besides the tropical fruits which are grown there exclu- 
sively; and the South in turn looks to the North for the later fruits 
and also for her supply of winter apples, besides many other fruits 
which cannot be grown there toany extent. Transportation is so 
direct, quick and cheap, that each section of the country may be 
said to produce every variety of fruit through the exchange of 
trade, as though it had been grown upon its own soil. 
But how has this wonderful result been brought about? Through 
the means of influence of any particular section or society? No; 
but through the united efforts of all the societies of all the states 
combined, working together for the commongood. This concerted 
action ina measure controls the markets, systematizes the handling, 
packing and shipping of fruits, regulates charges, commissions, etc. 
Now, let us turn to Minnesota, as one of those states having a dis- 
tinct, yet undivided, interest in common with all the others stated. 
She has been the child of circumstances from her birth, located so 
far north as to be almost beyond the limits of fruit-growing. It 
has been said, and I believe truthfully, that any country that could 
not grow its own fruits sufficient for the common wants of the 
people could never attain to a high state of civilization. 
Does anyone here suppose, if all the difficulties that lay in the 
way could have been foreseen, that any one of these veterans would 
have been crazy enough to have attempted to form a horticultural 
society in Minnesota? But necessity knows no law. We must have 
fruits, and we went it blind; oftentimes reaching out our hands in 
error, expecting a prize, but receiving only a blank. When I look 
into the face of experience, it reminds me of the chaplain in the 
Confederate army who prayed most fervently that the Lord would 
give the soldiers more courage, when a veteran cried out, “We have 
courage enough already, pray for victuals.” 
