do something to encourage the people in horticultural pursuits, and be a co-worker with those who would fill our homes with fruits and flowers, and add their mite to make the State better and more attractive for their having lived in it. I have tried to add to the membership and to extend the influence of the Society; if I have accomplished anything I am thankful for it, because I feel that my ability is but little. But we have all more or less influence. If we would all make it an object to encourage the growing of flowers in and about our homes and beautifying the grounds about our churches, and in our cemeteries, our lawns and parks, we would accomplish a great work for the State of Minnesota and give it a more enviable name than it now has. It seems to me the "North Star State" is one of the finest states of the Union. I have said before this that if we would follow the advice of that venerable horticulturist the late Marshall P. Wilder who said, "Plant the most mature and perfect seeds of the most hardy, vigorous and valuable varieties, and as a shorter process, insuring more certain and happy results, cross and hybridize our finest kinds for still greater excellence," that the time is not distant when we should have a long list of fruits perfectly hardy, adapted to the climate of the Northwest. I believe the time may yet come when Minnesota apples as well as other fruits will be sought for in eastern markets and perhaps across the great waters in Europe. If we work in harmony and are persistent in our efforts we can at least promote the objects sought and hasten the fulfillment of our plans.

Gentlemen, I wish you to extend a vote of thanks to our worthy president. He is one who has always stood by the Minnesota State Horticultural Society. When I was in such poverty that I could not attend its meetings his purse was opened widely, and he has rendered me and other members of this Society encouragement and help in building up the Society. He has ably presided at this meeting, and perhaps treated us with greater courtesy than we deserve; I therefore move a vote of thanks be given him for his faithful service during the past year.

Mr. Smith suggested that the secretary be also included. The motion was adopted.

The secretary responded briefly, returning thanks to the Society for kindly assistance rendered him in conducting the duties of the office which had again been intrusted to his hands, and for this mark of their confidence and esteem. He had somewhat reluctantly accepted the position of secretary for another term,

as he feared a press of other duties would prevent his giving such attention to the work as was properly demanded by the Society. He hoped, however, any seeming lack in this regard would be viewed with charity, as it would be his endeavor and earnest desire to serve the Society as their secretary faithfully. On motion of Mr. Brand, a vote of thanks was given Mrs. E. J. Stager, of Sauk Rapids, for her constant attendance and the interest manifested by her in the meetings of the Society.

The fruit list was then taken up for revision and adopted in the form already given on a preceding page.

On motion, the meeting adjourned sine die.

THE LAW RELATING TO THE PRINTING AND DIS

TRIBUTION OF THE HORTICULTURAL

REPORTS.

Chapter 8, General Laws of 1883.

AN ACT TO AMEND CHAPTER SEVENTY-TWO (72) OF THE GENERAL LAWS OF ONE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-ONE (1881), RELATING TO THE STATE HORTICUL

TURAL SOCIETY.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Minneseta:

SECTION 1. Sections one (1) and two (2) of chapter seventytwo (72) of the General Laws of one thousand eight hundred and eighty-one (1881) relating to the State Horticultural Society shall be amended so as to read as follows:

Sec. 1. There shall be annually printed and bound thirty-five hundred (3500) copies of the annual report of the State Horticultural Society, provided the number of printed pages of the same shall not exceed five hundred (500); which report shall be transmitted to the governor, and shall be distributed by the State Horticultural Society, as follows:

One (1) copy to each of the State officers, members of the legislature, judges and clerks of the supreme and district courts, county auditors and members of the board of regents and faculty of the State University; fifty (50) copies to the State Historical Society; one hundred (100) copies to the State Board of Immigration; one hundred (100) copies to the State Agricultural Society in exchange for a like number of its annual reports; and a sufficient number of copies to each county horticultural society to supply one (1) copy to each of its members; provided, such county society shall be in active existence, and shall have filed with the secretary of the State Horticultural Society a list of its officers and committees, and an abstract of its proceedings for the year preceding; and the remaining copies shall be distributed by the State Horticultural Society, in such manner as it shall deem best, after retaining a sufficient number for its library and to supply future members and exchanges.

SEC. 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.

Approved February 28, 1883.

SECRETARY'S PORTFOLIO.

DEFERRED PAPERS, REPORTS, NOTES, EXTRACTS, ETC.

INTRODUCTORY NOTE BY THE SECRETARY.

The following pages are presented in addition to the routine report of proceedings at the summer and winter meetings of the Society, embracing reports, additional papers, extracts, etc., of more or less interest.

As will be seen upon inspection of the foregoing pages, in the discussions had at the various meetings, and in the papers read, some effort has been shown to gain conciseness and brevity of statement, while seeking to preserve the substance of the subject or the matter had in view. There is a gratifying lack of needless repetition as well as lengthy, prosy papers, made up of meas. ured words and sentences, which might be calculated more to "lumber" up the work than adding to the interest and real value of the same.

In this enlightened age, when knowledge is so much advanced and spread abroad in all departments and avenues of trade, as well as in the boundless realm of art and science, there is the greater need for special training in varied lines of work. And it is more imperative than ever heretofore that those who would succeed in any avocation be specialists and thorough masters in their chosen field of work. Horticultural science, too, is no exception to the rule; for he who would succeed and make the most of opportunities within his easy reach must use those means of gaining information which are alike most practical and simple, and which may easily be understood and readily ap plied.

The Society's transactions, as well as other matters to be found in this report, should be directed mainly, we presume, to that which properly relates to Minnesota horticulture, and hence there should be no desire to cumber our transactions with foreign and extraneous matters, which would perhaps require much space and at the same time be of little interest or real value to the general reader. Our members much prefer, we apprehend, that their report should be directed to the presentation of those things which are most intimately joined with their material welfare.

The Society is under obligations to Farm, Stock and Home for use of cuts to illustrate papers on grape culture and grafting.

We might here add that while there may be very many valuable suggestions to be found in horticultural periodicals, as well as in reports received from other kindred organizations, still lack of space precludes the possibility of giving these a place or even passing mention. We read all these with pleasure, and profit from the many useful lessons to be found therein, and heartily commend them to the thoughtful reader, since most of these are in the easy reach of all.

REPORT OF DELEGATE TO WISCONSIN.

The annual meeting of the Wisconsin State Horticultural Society was held at Waukesha, Wis., Feb. 16, 17 and 18, 1887.

For many years the annual winter meetings of the society have been held at Madison in the first week of February. The annual conventions of the State Agricultural Society, State Dairymens Association and State Amber Cane Association were also held at the same time and place. It was found that where so many conventions were being held at the same time and place the stronger and greater attraction proved detrimental to the others. Therefore, this year the horticulturists chose a later date and a new place for their meeting, which was held in the thrifty town of Waukesha, situated about twenty miles west from Milwaukee.