ecretary 's (® orqer. 



Top Grafting Cherry on Pi^um. — Who has had experience in lop-work- 

 ing the Cherry on Plum in this region, and what has been the success? 

 Please send a concise recital of your experience to the secretary. 



Have You Renewed Your Membership for 1905? — There are still a 

 few who not having signified their intention to have their names taken from 

 the membership roll it is taken for granted to be their purpose to continue 

 members of the society, and they are receiving the monthly regularly. It is 

 very important that the society roll should be completed as far as possible 

 during the month of March, and we hope to hear from every member of the 

 society as far as need be to bring about this desirable result. We cannot afford 

 to lose any of the old members from the roll. The growing needs of the society 

 demand the support of every one interested in the development of pomology 

 in the state. 



Red River Vai,i.ey Horticui,turai. Society. — The annual meeting of 

 this society was held at Crookston, Feb. 4th. There was a very good attend- 

 ance, especially at the afternoon session, when some fifty ladies were pres- 

 ent, enough to bring the number up to 125. Perhaps fiity were present at the 

 morning session. An interesting program was rendered by the members in 

 attendance. Mr. Wyman Elliot and Secretary Latham attended the meeting, 

 and both took part on the program. The present membership of this young 

 society is about 40. Under the efforts of Mr. T. A. Hoverstad, the secretary, 

 the membership is steadily increasing. The old officers were all re-elected, 

 Mr. F. T. Haseltine being president, and Mr. T. A. Hoverstad, secretary and 

 treasurer. Reports from the Red River Valley indicate an increased in- 

 terest in fruit growing, and especially in apple culture, and an encouraging de- 

 gree of success with many experimenters. 



Has the Winter Injured Your Orchard?— Conditions for wintering 

 the orchard successfully have not been all that could be desired in all parts 

 of Minnesota this winter. Forty degrees below zero has been reported from a 

 number of places where apple trees are doing reasonable well, and thirty-five 

 degrees below even from points in the southern part of the state. In the early 

 part of the winter, the ground continued bare and became very dry, and there 

 was some quite savere weather before snow came. Information from our 

 members as to the condition of their orchards and fruit gardens at this time 

 would be valuable to lay before our readers. Has the wood of last year's 

 growth in the orchard discolored? How does the wood of raspberries not buried 

 look? Any strawberries not covered at this time should certainly receive 

 prompt attention, as there is great danger of injury during freezing and thaw- 

 ing in March. 



PIvANT Premiums for Our Members. — An especial feature of the work 

 of the society is the distiibution of plants of various sorts amongst our members 

 for experimental purposes. A list of these is published in the little folder 

 issued, and will also be found on the inside of the front cover of the magazine. 

 Please note that applications for plant premiums must reach the secretary 

 prior to April first. Quite a number are every year disappointed in receiving 

 their premiums from the fact that their applications come too late. 



