St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-01-23
STATE HORTICULTURISTS.
A Spirited Discussion Regarding the
Location of State Fair
Grounds.
The Announcement of Minnesota's Premiums
at New Orleans Received With
Applause.
New Officers Elected and An Amended
Constitution Adopted-Other
Matters.
MORNING SESSION.

E. II. s. Dart, delegate of the society to
the Iowa Horticultural society in 1884, took
the floor. He said last year was bad one
for fruit in Iowa, the southwest only giving
alight crop. Thirty per cent. of the fruit
trees of the state we're killed by the cold win
| ter and as per cent. of the orchard trees in
sections where the mercury went below 40
degrees were destroyed. This showed the
necessity of harder trees. Mr.. Dart reco-
mended districting this state and electing
directors In each district to report annually
to the society on the fruit interests In each.
The report of Oliver Gibbs, Jr., the secre-
tary, was received from New Orleans. A
history of the disposition of the last years.
reports were given. The year 1884 was IA
vorable to the apple crop, 200 bushels are
shown at New Orleans and the showing of
grapes here is an entire success. The total
expenditures of the society proper for the
past year were given as S230.23, and the to-
tai receipts 1884 40: cash on hand S54.17.
| The report of Treasurer s. D. Grimes
showed the total reserve funds of the society
to be $SS2.40; total receipts 81, 737. 90; bal
ance in treasury over total expenses 1851 90.
The treasurer thought the affairs of the So
| ciety are not being conducted In a practical
business manner, that it has undertaken too
much for its means, or is spending money
without an equivalent. Especial reference
was had to the secretary's expense account
of S467.6 the past year in the items: for
| distributing reports $780, travel and hotel
| S4295; reporters service $50; printing
s52 20, incidental expenses S211.41. 1t was
| further remarked by the treasurer that the
secretary's salary of $500 per annum nearly
equaled the state appropriation and left but
little out of the membership fees to meet the
other expenses and carry on the work of the
society. In geometrical proportion the con-
! tingent expenses Of the secretary's bureau
have more than doubled. These figures are
given in proof-in 1881 they were 1881 in
1882 ST. in 1883 s202. 03, in 1884 s467. 61
| c. M.Loring, of Minneapolis. narrated the
| prospect for securing grounds at Minnehaha
for the state fair purposes, and said that a
bill would soon be introduced In the legsla--
ture providing for the purchase of the
| grounds. Col. VIM. King said it was the
| desire of Min neapolitaus to cooperate with
this society in this matter. They had no
| proposition to put now but the Minneapolis
| people desired these grounds at Minnebaha
falls, for which bill had been prepared for
| legislative action.
D. W. Ingersoll, of st. Paul. briefly set
| forth the action Of the chambe of commerce
of this city, endorsing the action taken by
the Union fair ground joint committees at
Midway. The advantage of the Midway
grounds, by their proximity TO the railroads,
were pointed out at length.
Capt. Blakeley said st. Paul people were in
favor Of the Midway project. They had some
idea of Offering an alternative proposition for
a location, but whether it would be done he
could not say. fla pleasure park at Minnehaha
be suggested he thought it would be a good
place. But the State Agricultural society
would have 10 settle on the location at LIS
meeting next week.
| Mr. Ingersolk OF Minneapolis, explained
| that for agricultural and mechanical purposes
the committees Of both cities were agreed or
Midway, but the citizens of Min neapois did
not agree with their committee aud desired
to have the fair grounds at Min nehaha fails.
Mr.. Loring said that tue cost OF 200 acres
at Midway would purchase 1000 acres at
| Miunchaha. That point was con uccted with
| Minneapolis by two railroads and with ST..
! Paul By one, which would soon be added to
| by narrow guage road, and 1t also had
| steamboat connection, which river trip was
! the most delight II for a short one in the
country. II was a little nearer St. Paul than
| Minneapolis, and the Manitoba road could
reach II with short branch. When people
came to the state fair they alsn wanted to stop
and visit both cities at the same time, and
this collation. would give them every advan-
tpge Of doing 80.
Col. King thought Midway all right for a
purely agricultural fair ground, but for a
track and pleasure ground added theretO
thought MIN uehaha took the cake, and Col
B.akcley thought an amicable settlement OF
the question would he arrived al, and said
that this discussion from which ule st. Pau
men were absent, though deeply interested
in, was merely TO let the fruit growers know
what was In contemplation and 10 seUlir.
| their opinions.
Col Blakeey an d Mr.. Stevens we're APP
| pointed a committee 10 ask the senate and
house 10 call up stairs, but they were both
too busy at the time TO respond.
| Amember said that the most valuable
| part Of these sessions was hearing the of
hand solutions OF those present Of how
| they had experimental with fruits, so thai
| those most thoroughly versed in the science
! Of fruit growing could collect valuable infor-
| nation tberelrom. He believed in
more talking and less presentation OF
''papers' on fruit culture. His head was
very level and his premises decidedly cor
| rect.
Another member offered resolution that
as no four fruit growers present thought
alike in reference ~ f,ait culture that they
should all study botany, but be got lost In the
woods when be left bottom facts to dabble in
scientific terms. The following resolution
Of Mr.. Dart was unanimously adopted.
ReeOired, That in Offering premiums on
apples especial prominence should be given
u Minnesota production, and ia bringing
out new varieties. many premiums on sepa
rate plates viii b. offering large premiums
on collections likely 10 promote the end
sought. This was amended 80 as to include
/ Russian apples ~ a special class and ~ strike
out premiums on a general collection Of crab
apples.
Gen. Jennisou, private secretary Of The
governor, then read the following
dispatch, just received by that gentle
man from T. G. Gould, superintendent OF
the Aiuuesot4 fruit exhibit ct New Orleans.
'Mlunesota grapes have received three
silver medals, and ten prizes m all. the only
medals given except to California We
break Ohio on c4taWbas, also"
most interesting communication was
then read from Wilson Cutler, OF Sumpter
Mcleod county, who six years ago,
becoming disgusted with raising wheat,
sold COW for $40, aud invested
In strawberry plants from afar OF.
which be planted en- his prairie farm, and
after much bard luck struggled on aud pur'
chased more plants from nearer home, u
finally become one Of the most successful
strawberry groErrs in the state. He ha'
raised a. high is5 bushels to the acre. Las