We saw a number of nice plum trees, of which the superintendent told us the fruit would color before ripening and would stand long shipments, which so far promise well.  Several hundred Beta grape seedlings probably even more hardy than the parent, many crosses in roses which if judged by the foliage must be seen in bloom to be appreciated, seedlings of Compass cherry crossed with apricot; Compass cherry crossed with nectarines; seedling currants, over 2,000 from which to select the best.  Over a hundred commercial varieties of apples from East and West, and over 200 varieties of peaches from China and Manchuria, walnuts, butternuts and many dwarf apple trees on Paradise stocks, which fruit early.  A good field of corn in shock, for feed for the horses.  The old orchard on the place when bought, which had been top-worked to some extent, looked healthy everywhere.  The farm seemed to be free from noxious woods, free from pocket gophers or moles and well cultivated, we thought, for the small number of men employed.  Machinery and tools were well housed.  We were also pleased to be shown through the new home of the superintendent, not yet occupied, which seemed to be complete in all its appointments.

We think the state has a great asset in the farm and recommend that as far as possible members of this society visit it during the coming summer and that the society use its influence with the Board of Regents that more land be procured as soon as possible in order that trial plants may remain longer to more definitely prove their worth and that a greater work may be done for the state.  We notice in a report made just six years before, viz., October 12, 1909, by Brothers Wedge, Underwood and the then president of the society, Prof.  Green, that even runnerless everbearing strawberries were represented and that they had the usual pleasure of picking strawberry blossoms in October.  Had they been with us they would have had a large dish of No. 1017 covered with rich cream and served at the hand of Mrs. Haralson.

Mr. C. S. Harrison:  Mr. Chairman, I think the slogan of this society should be “Urbanize the country and ruralize the town.”  I see tremendous changes going on all the while.  Can you think of the possibilities of Minnesota?  About 40 per cent of the land under cultivation and that half worked.  By and by there is going to be a crop of boys who will raise seventy-five to 100 bushels of corn to the acre where their dads raised twenty-five.  You got to keep out of their way, you got to help them along.

Marketing Fruit by Association.

A. N. Gray, Mgr.  Bay lake fruit growers’ assn., Deerwood.

Marketing fruit or any farm product by association is the modern farmer’s insurance of results.

A great deal might be said on this subject, but I shall tell you briefly what the Bay Lake Fruit Growers’ Association have accomplished.