SECRETARY S CORNER. 239 



they reach him in time labels in large, plain type, will be printed for each 

 article shown in the exhibit, which, we believe, will add very much to the 

 interest of the display. This will also give opportunity to prepare the entry 

 cards, which has become quite an arduous task, since the entries are so many 

 and the time so limited when the work has all been done at the meeting. 



Fruit Prospects in Minnesota. — While nothing very definite can be 

 said yet in regard to this, it is known that the weather conditions were un- 

 usually favorable during the blossoming period throughout most of the state, 

 except possibly during a portion of the period of early blossoming of plums. 

 Fiuit trees are in general looking very healthy and vigorous, and, with the 

 exception of Wealthy and in some cases other varieties that over-bore last 

 year, a good crop may be fairly anticipated. This may be said equally of all 

 varieties of small fruit, excepting, of course, strawberries and bush fruits that 

 were not well covered. It does not pay to take any chances in leaving off the 

 covering from these fruits. 



Notice OE Summer Meeting.— It is hardly necessary to call the atten- 

 tion of our readers to the notice of the annual summer gathering, which is 

 found on two preceding pages. It is very much to be desired that every 

 member bring something to add to the display, either fruits or flowers. 

 Nearly every one can at least bring a bouquet of perennial flowers, which will 

 add greatly to the attractiveness of the tables. There is no material change 

 in the conduct of this meeting from that of the preceding years. The use of 

 tickets in connection with seats at the table is only a repetition of ihe method 

 pursued last year, which was found to be quite satisfactory. If you have ever 

 attended one of these summer gatherings, no special invitation is needed; if 

 not, we urge you to come out and enjoy the occasion with us. It will be a "red 

 letter day" in your life. 



Minnesota Strawberries in Aprii,. — Very early in May, Mr. Otto 

 Kankel, of Fertile, Minn., in the Red River Valley, sent in a little box by 

 mail two fully ripe strawberries of the Senator Dunlap variety. They were 

 neatly packed with fresh strawberry leaves around them. Referring to them 

 in later correspondence, he says: "I planted some strawberry plants in six-inch 

 flower pots last September, leaving them out of doors until the frost came, 

 when I took them in the house. We had strawberries on them by Februar)'. 

 The plants were fed with ashes and liquid manure. I kept them about a foot 

 from the window on the south side of the house, in a temperature about the 

 same as is suitable for geraniums or other hardy house plants. I think next 

 year I will put the pots in the ground early enough to let the plants grow in 

 them, and they will do better still when growing in them from the start." 



Constitution for Local Societies.— The constitution adopted by the 

 McLeod County Horticultural Society was printed in the May issue of the 

 Horticulturist. Attention is called to this fact that any who are contemplat- 

 ing a similar organization in their own neighborhood may bear this in mind, 

 as, while each local society adopts a form of constitution especially fitted to 

 its thought, there are good points in this constitution that may be studied to 

 advantage. It is the purpose to print soon, also, the form of constitution 

 adopted by another society lately organized at Willmar. Is there such an 

 organization in your vicinity? Great good may be done by a local society if 

 there is some one willing to sacrifice a little to create and maintain it. 

 Nothing worth having in this world is to be had except by somebody's sacri. 

 fice, and the organization and maintenance of a local horticultural society is 

 no exception to this rule. 



