secretary's corner 79 



ing his appointment as superintendent of all the departments grouped in the 

 Agricultural Building has been announced. A number of important resolu- 

 lutions were passed at the meeting, one favoring the "parcels post," and one 

 condemning the system of distribution of garden seeds through the members 

 of congress, and one favoring reciprocity in matters of commercial relation- 

 ship. All of these passed by a large majority after a little discussion. 



The Western HorTiculTurai. Society. —This is the name of the so- 

 ciety. whose work includes the provinces of Manitoba and Assiniboiaand other 

 northwest territory, having its headquarters at Winnipeg. The societ}' is to 

 hold its annual meeting in that city on February 14 and 15. Will any of our 

 members be in or about Winnipeg at that time? Credentials would be fur- 

 nished to any such to represent the Minnesota society. The annual report of 

 the Western Horticultural Society reached this office a short time since. Its 

 contents cover the subject of fruit growing as well as the culture of trees and 

 ornamental shrubbery and plants within the region named. Copies are given 

 to members, and any one may become such by the annual payment of |1.0(). 

 Address George Batho, Secretary, Box 1310, Winnipeg, Manitoba. The volume 

 will be found very interesting reading to those who would know more of the 

 horticultural development of that country. The association has a membership 

 of about two hundred. Other kindred societies meeting in the same place at 

 the same time makes this a good opportunity to get information as to that 

 region. 



Plant Apple Seed for the New Seedling Apple Prizes.— The sup- 

 plement accompanying this number gives the details in regard to the five new 

 prizes of $100. each offered by tha society for seedling apples. It is hoped that 

 a very large number of the members will enter into this competition, securing 

 seed from the society or from some other available source, and take a part in 

 this interesting and helpful work. It will be noted that there are two blank 

 applications provided in this supplement, one to be filled out and retained as a 

 record and the other to be sent to the secretary of the society. A large quan- 

 tity of these supplements will be printed, and they can be had upon applica- 

 tion to the secretary. A good use to make of the.se would be for the members 

 to put them in their letters when writing to any person who would be likely to 

 be interested. It is not necessary even to become a member of this society to 

 enter into this competition, though it is very desirable that competitors should 

 be members and continue so in order to keep in full touch with what is being 

 done in this way. Records of progress as to this contest will be noted from 

 time to time in the "Secretary's Corner." 



"New Creations in Plant Life." — This is the title of an inspiring book 

 by W. S. Harwood, it being, as stated on the title page, "an authoritative 

 account of the life and work of Luther Burbank." The writer was evidently 

 in close touch with Mr. Burbank and his home in California, and the book he 

 has written is an eloquent recital of first, the life of the man; second, his 

 achievements; third, the methods of work by which he has brought these 

 about. It is a fascinating book and, while clothed in beautiful and often 

 eloquent words, carries with it an air of convincing truthfulness that impresses 

 the reader with the immense importance of the work being done and the vital 

 interest taken in it by Mr. Burbank. Every person interested in the new 

 movement for the improvement of northwestern fruits by the growing of 



