Secretary's (®ori]er- 



Death in Our Ranks — News has reached this office of the decease of 

 R E. Hynson, which occurred at his home in Mankato a short time. Mr. 

 Hynson was a successful fruit grower and nurseryman. He had been a useful 

 member of the society for some years, doing readily what came to hand in its 

 service. • 



Thk WiIvLmar Horticui.tural Improvement Society — was organized 

 in January, 1905, with twenty-one members. At the close of the year the 

 membership had increased to twenty-five members. A report received froin 

 this society a short time since indicates that the interest in the organization 

 is maintained and that the society is well supported by the community. Two 

 delegates represented that organization at our late annual meeting. 



Removal of Martin Penning. — Martin Penning, now for nearly a 

 lifetime a resident of Sleepy Eye, has bought a small tract of land in New 

 Ulm and will make his home there hereafter. He has secured what he con- 

 siders a fine place for an orchard and fruit garden, which he purposes to plant 

 this spring. Mr. Penning is well known to the members of this society, 

 especially from his large experience in plum growing and also as the originator 

 of the "Surprise plum." Now he is off the farm we hope to see more of him 

 at our gatherings. 



Desirable Native Climbing Vines. — Mr. Chas. E. Chrisman, of Orton- 

 ville, sent to this office lately a picture of his home, showing an arbor and 

 porch profusely covered with wild native vines, which he informs me are 

 woodbine, wild grape and bittersweet. All these varieties are native in Min- 

 nesota, entirely hardy, being rapid growers with handsome roliage and attrac- 

 tive fruitage. They are especially well adapted for screens, trailing vines, etc, 

 wherever they can be used to advantage. Their propei use adds very much 

 to the external attractiveness of the home. 



Apples for Washington.— Mr. Andrew Wilfert writes from Seattle, 

 where he has been spending some time this winter, that the lecturer for horti- 

 culture for that state recommends only six varieties of apples for that state. 

 They are, for fall, Gravenstein, Roman Beauty; and for winter, Spitzenberg, 

 Red Cheek, Winesap and Arkansas Black. He says that "they have all the 

 destructive insects known to horticulture and spray their trees three times 

 each season and the trees are wrapped in burlap and examined every ten days." 

 Mr. Wilfert expects to be home to look after his orchard about the first of April. 



New Life Members — Quite a number of names have been added to the 

 life membership roll of the society since the last annual meeting, as follows: 

 J. A. McVeety, Howard Lake; C. H. Andrews, Faribault; Robt. A. Van Nest, 

 Windom; B. F. Nelson, Minneapolis; F. W. Baird, Gaylord; J. G. Peterson, 

 Kensington . There should be five hundred names on this roll instead of one 

 hundred seventy. Payment can be made $5 00 now and $5.00 a year later 

 instead of paying the full amount at once if preferred, and if the annual fee 

 of $1.00 has already h^&n paid for this year that amount can be deducted from 

 the first payment, making it only $4.00. This means you. 



