and, not being content with the best, he has
started out with a new plantation with two kinds of fruit, and I think
he is topping the market with the very best.

Mr. President, I move that these names be added to the list of honorary
life members of the Minnesota Horticultural Society.

There are several seconds to the motion.

The President: A very fitting tribute, I am sure. Are there any remarks?
The name of Mr. Cummins calls my attention to the fact that about twelve
years ago he presented this society with the gavel that I hold in my
hand. This gavel is made of black walnut grown by Mr. Cummins on his own
place. I do not suppose that he made the gavel himself, but it is made
of material raised on his own farm, and when this gavel comes down good
and hard I want you to think of Mr. Cummins. Are you ready for the
question, that those gentlemen suggested be made honorary life members?

Motion is carried unanimously.

The President: I am now going to call on the young men from the
University Farm who are contestants for the Gideon Memorial Fund. (See
index.)

Contestants thereupon read their essays.

The President: I will now ask the judges to retire and decide which of
these young men is entitled to this prize money. For the benefit of some
of the newer members who may not understand the situation I will say
that some years ago a number of the members of this society believed
that we should commemorate the good work done by Peter M. Gideon. A sum
of money was raised to be known as the Gideon Memorial Fund. It was
decided that that money be placed at interest and that the interest
derived therefrom be offered as prizes to young men attending our
agricultural school or college. They were to deliver addresses at the
meetings of the Minnesota Horticultural Society, and the young men
preparing the best papers and making the best talks would be awarded
this prize money, the accrued interest from this fund. So we have
annually three young men from the agricultural college that present
papers or make addresses on subjects that are of importance to this
society. This is a memorial for Peter M. Gideon, who has done such
splendid work for the fruit raisers of the Northwest.

While we are waiting for the report of the judges I will ask Mr. Ludlow
to come forward and tell us about a letter that he received from Peter
M. Gideon, November 2, 1885, and which was accompanied by Mr. Gideon's
last catalog.

Judges announce th