40 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Plant Premiums for 1905. — Some changes has been made in the list 

 of premiums for 1905, and the new list will be found on the inside cover of 

 the front page of the January number, also on the pink folder which is sent 

 out with the membership tickets. The changes consist chiefly in the addition 

 of three premiums, all of them seedlings Two of them, marked Nos. 14 and 

 15, are for apple and plum seedlings of a size too large to send by mail. They 

 must be sent by express, and the members will be expected to pay the express 

 charges, which probably will not exceed ^ .25. The experimenting with 

 apple and plum seedlings where grown from selected seed is sure to be an in- 

 teresting one, and we are hopeful that many valuable seedlings will be brought 

 into fruitage in this way. Please note that all applications for premiums must 

 reach the secretary before the first of April. 



Premiums for Getting New Members. — Besides the books that have 

 heretofore been offered as premiums to our members who secure new members 

 for the society, there has been added to the list ten other volnmns of valuable 

 works on horticulture, so that those who serve the society in this way will have 

 a long list to select from. Every one of these books is of a practical character 

 and will be found helpful in the work of the horticulturist. They cover nur- 

 sery work, plant breeding, forcing and all branches of fruit growing as well 

 as flowers, forestry, etc. A book of special value to the flower gardener is the 

 "Amateur Practical Gardening Book." There is nothing in the title to indi- 

 cate that a large portion of it is devoted to culture of flowers, which is the case. 

 We desire that every member of the society should secure at least one of these 

 books this year and in that way assist in bringing up the membership roll of 

 the society to 2,500, the standard that has been fixed upon for 1905. 



Spraying and Spraying Machinery, Fully Illustrated.— Prof. F. 

 L. Washburn, in his annual report for 1904 as state entomologist, is devoting 

 very much attention to the subject of spraying and spraying machinery, and 

 as this report, which will soon be in print, can be had free of charge by ad- 

 dressing the author at the Experiment Station, St Anthony Park, this early 

 notice is inserted here that those who are interested may secure it as soon as 

 out of press and have plenty of time to study up the subject and secure neces- 

 sary machinery before the opening of spring work. The report not only dis- 

 cusses the subject referred to, but it is also fully illustrated showing, as a 

 preliminary announcement of the report indicates, "all the various kinds of 

 machinery used in spraying; it will also contain a handsome illustrated chap- 

 ter on gophers, field mice, rabbits and other four-footed enemies of the nur- 

 seryman, orchardist and agriculturist. The habits of each of these are dis- 

 cussed in detail, with pictures showing the appearance of all of our gophers, 

 etc., and the very best means to eradicate these pests and keep them from 

 fruit trees. It will also contain suggestions to those working in the flower gar- 

 den as to the best means of getting rid of some of the pests which lessen our 

 yield of flowers; also some late remedies for the more common pests of the 

 vegetable garden; an illustrated article on the common toad, showing hew it 

 is a most practicable friend to gardeners; an account of nurseries inspected 

 during the last year; an illustrated article on the plum curculio attacking 

 apples, and a fnlly illustrated key to insects affecting the raspberry, black- 

 berry, currant, gooseberry, strawberry, grape, melon, etc. Many other articles 

 too numerous to mention are included in the table of contents." 



