HON. W. W. PENDERGAST.

HUTCHINSON, MINN.

(See frontispiece.)

William Wirt Pendergast, who was elected president of this society at the last annual meeting, was born at Durham, N. H., Jan. 31, 1833, in a garrison-house built as a protection against Indians by his grandfather's grandfather, in 1713. He was brought up to hard work on his father's farm; was sent to the district school until he was fourteen; and was fitted for college at Phillips' Exeter Academy, Durham Academy and the Springfield, Mass., high school.

He entered Bowdoin College in 1850, and now holds the degree of A. M. from that institution. Times were hard and money scarce with farmers while he was in college, so that he was obliged to pay his own way. He taught school winters, studying far into the night to keep up with his class. After leaving college he taught in the graded schools of Amesbury and Essex, Mass., gaining the reputation of being a successful teacher.

In 1856, Mr. Pendergast came to Minnesota and took up a homestead at Hutchinson, where, the following year, he built the first schoolhouse and taught the first school. With eight other young men, he was at Fort Snelling to enlist when the news of the Sioux outbreak was received. All went back to fight the Indians. Mr. Pendergast was placed in command of a squad of the "Home Guarde" and took charge of the construction of a fort which was just completed when an attack was made. About 300 Indians surrounded the village, half of which, including Mr. Pendergast's house and academy, they burned. Toward evening, the Indians were driven back, the heroism of eighty "Home Guards" proving too much for the savages.

For twenty years Mr. Pendergast was in charge of the Hutchinson schools, eight years of which time he was also superintendent of schools for McLeod county. In 1881, he was chosen Assistant Superintendent of Public Instruction, a position which he held for seven years, when he became principal of the State School of Agriculture. His labors in this institution the first five years of its existence were crowned with the highest success.

In 1895, he resigned this pleasing and important work to assume the duties of the office of State Superintendent of Public Schools, which position he has so filled as to make himself one of the best known and most highly respected public men in the state. With the first day of January, 1898, by voluntary act, he gives up this position to retire to his rural home in Hutchinson to pass his ripest years in pursuits most congenial to him.

In Mr. Pendergast, the horticultural society has a most worthy successor to Ex-President Underwood, whose long term in this position has so endeared him to us, and we are fortunate in enlisting his services in this new field at this juncture. Under his administration, we may look forward to still larger success in our work.

At the age of 65, Mr. Pendergast is still apparently in the full vigor of life and will, we hope and believe, have still many years of service with us in the cause he loves.

NATHANIEL SHEPHERD.

MINNEAPOLIS, MINN.

Died December 3, 1898, aged 75 years.

Nathaniel Shepherd was born at Thedford, Vt., September 23, 1823. He never knew a mother's care, she dying when he was a mere child. He went out to work when twelve years old, working seven years in the first place, after which he learned the painter's trade, which he followed many years. In 1856 he came to Wisconsin, locating in Berlin. One year after he located in Ripon, Wis., where he made his home for over twenty years, and brought up a family of four children, who with his wife survive him.

During the civil war he followed building, doing more for his city in that line than probably any other ever did.

In 1877 he moved to Minneapolis, thinking it a better place for his children to start in life, and made that city his home most of the time till his death, which occurred while visiting at his daughter's (Rev. Mrs. Spicer), at Warren, Minn., Dec. 3, 1898. He has been a consistent church member for over one-half century, always doing his official duty in the church, and helping far beyond his strength and means. No man can say he ever wronged him in any way.

He was a great lover of the beautiful in nature, and an enthusiastic horticulturist. For many years he was proprietor of the North Star Gardens, and in the early days of the horticultural society was an ever present and active menber. He, with Mr. Woodruff, of Ripon, Wis.,was the introducer of the Ancient Briton blackberry, and also the originator of the method of growing by covering, it being at his suggestion that they tried it and found it effectual in securing large crops without loss of vitality from hard winters. Whether building, in horticulture or at his trade, he always studied to find the best way, and that being decided, carried it out strictly in those lines, even though he might not receive as much pecuniary benefit.

NATHANIEL SHEPHERD.

His has been a busy life, never taking time for the rest he so fairly earned, but ever working on for the good of his family and church. For the last few years his health had been gradually failing until the end. He was ready to go, only regretting leaving those dear to him for the few years intervening, and then he hoped and believed he should meet them all in immortality. His body was laid away in its final home in Lakewood Cemetery, on December 6, 1898.

HAVE YOU PAID YOUR ANNUAL FEE FOR 1899?-Perhaps you are one of the few who have not. Sit down and do it now, or notify the secretary that you do not wish to continue with us longer. We need your help and want you to stay with us.

DON'T BUY BUDDED APPLE TREES.-This budded apple tree scheme is still being worked with the uninformed. A root-grafted tree with short scion and long root is far better for this climate. Beware of any who talk "budded apples."

THE IOWA SOCIETY AND HORTICULTURE IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.Mr. F. M. Powell, of Glenwood, Iowa, presented a strong resolution at the late meeting of that society for the introduction of a horticultural primer into the schools, and a committee was appointed to prepare the primer and get the law to introduce it. We shall watch this move with interest. Iowa's public schools take very high rank.

PRECARIOUS CONDITION OF COL. J. H. STEVENS.- As we write, this old and tried friend of horticulture and the horticultural society is making a gallant fight with a severe attack of pneumonia, and the result still hangs in doubt. Our hearts go out to him in this hour of his distress and trial. No member of our association has more endeared himself to our society or its individual members than he. We hope for the best.

ANNUAL MEETING IOWA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.-Friend Dartt (E. H. S.), of Owatonna, is always a busy man, but he consented to help us out as an "emergency" delegate to the Iowa meeting, which met at Des Moines Dec. 13-16. That society sent its president and two other members to our gathering, so Mr. Dartt had to work hard to bring the balance down duly. His report will be found in the next issue, and we may expect a good one.

EX-PRES. UNDERWOOD AND THE WISCONSIN SOCIETY.-At the last session of the executive board Mr. Underwood was selected to represent our society at the winter gathering of this sister organization. Mre. U. goes along, and reads a paper, perhaps on Women's Auxiliary. It wouldn't hurt our neighbors to do the gracious act to the ladies, as we are trying to do.

THE RUSSIAN NOMENCLATURE COMMISSION REPORT.-This report is now in press and will be sent in pamphlet form for distribution to members of adjoining state societies. The members of this society will receive it in some early issue of our magazine, probably the February number. It will be found worthy of careful study and preservation for reference. It is not understood to represent a complete work but marks a long step in right way.

ANNUAL MEETING SOUTH DAKOTA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.-For the first time in years this society held an annual session, convening December 13, 14 and 15 last, at Yankton. Through an unfortunate hitch, our society was not represented, which is especially

regretted, as Prof. N. E. Hanson, the present secretary of that association, has been such a regular and helpful attendant at our annual gatherings. They will ask this year for an appropriation to print their report and otherwise aid their work.

THE $1,000 APPLE SEEDling PremiuM.-The executive board has appointed J. M. Underwood, W. W. Pendergast, S B. Green and A. W. Latham a sub-committee to prepare regulations pertaining to the premium offer of $1,000 00 authorized by the society for a winter seedling apple such as Minnesota needs. These regulations will be issued duly. In the mean time sow and plant your apple seeds of all hardy varieties at hand. Every apple grower should also be an originator of new varieties. What more laudable field in which to work, in Minnesota particularly?

NORTHERN ILLINOIS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.-This association met in regular session at Galva, Ill., Dec. 13-14. Mr. R. S. Mackintosh was our representative there, and his report will appear elsewhere in this issue. Mr. J. L. Hartwell, the president of that society, will be remembered by those in attendance at our last annual gathering as delegate from the Illinois state society. We enjoyed his presence with us much, and he showed his attitude towards us by having his name inscribed on our life roll before leaving us. May he live long to enjoy it with us!

SOUTHERN MINNESOTA HORT. SOCIETY; SIXTH ANNUAL MEETING.— The program for the regular winter session of this society is on the secretary's desk, and it provides for four sessions, covering Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 18 and 19. It will meet at Spring Valley. Competition for prizes is open to northern Iowa as well as our own state. Several special premiums are offered by southern Minnesota nurseries. Send to Sec. R. Parkhill, Chatfield, for a program, and if you are in that section of the state don't fail to go and take advantage of the free entertainment offered.

PETER M. GIDEON AT THE ANNUAL MEETING.-A familiar face at our annual gathering was that of this old veteran of Minnesota horticulture, though it is some years since he last met with us. His locks have whitened and his form is not so sturdy as of old, but his interest in Minnesota horticulture remains the same, and he still continues the same enthusiastic experimenter, full of hope and assurance. That he may fully realize his ideals as an originator of new fruits is the hope of all his friends and of none more than the horticultural society, who fully appreciate the value of his efforts. RESIGNATION OF PROF. J. L. BUDD, Horticulturist OF IOWA AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.-After nearly twenty-five years' occupation of this position, according to a late press notice, Prof. Budd lays down this work, which has been one of such far-reaching and lasting value to the country and especially to the Northwest. He is particularly well known as the introducer of hardy foreign fruits and the originator of new varieties. No attempt is, of course, made in this brief note to do justice to his most important achievements. Prof. Charles Craig succeeds him, while he devotes his time to the great work of revising "Downing." The notice is of such interest it is produced in full elsewhere.