secretary's corner. 279 



Fruit Prospects in Manitora.— Mr. A. P. Stevenson, of Nelson, Man., 

 under date of June 17th, writes "Our fruit crop prospects are good this year. 

 No winter-kiUing in the orchard. We have now in full bloom in our orchard 

 400 apple and crab trees, 200 plum and 40 cherries. The small fruit crop is 

 extra promising and currants and gooseberries are setting heavily." 



Ornament the Roadside. — An enthusiastic but somewhat erratic hort- 

 iculturist in Cook County, 111., is organizing a new political party, plank three 

 of which provides "that all our roads be planted with fruit and nut bearing 

 forest trees, shrubs and flowers." He says, "In England, Prance, Germany 

 and other European countries the government orders, builds and cares for 

 the roads, and plants fruit and nut bearing trees along each side, also shrubs 

 and flowers. The passers-by are allowed to pick up and use all fallen fruits 

 and nuts, but not to pick from the tree and injure them, neither the flowers 

 or shrubbery." This part of the proposed platform proposes ideal conditions 

 which we should all enjoy seeing developed. 



The Golden Weeping Willow. — According to Geo. R. Peterson, of 

 CoUis, Minn., the Golden Weeping Willow is a variety of weeping tree very 

 desirable to plant, as it is a fast grower and hardy. He describes it as having 

 "a yellow bark but not as bright as the Royal Golden Willow. Neither is the 

 leaf as broad, but it is a silvery green underneath reflecting in the sun as the 

 wind sweeps the ground with its long, slender branches. It does not sucker 

 but grows well in tree form, though it must be provided with a long trunk 

 on account of the length of its pendulous branches. It grows readily from 

 cuttings." Mr. Peterson has sent some cuttings to Prof. Green at the ex- 

 periment station, and the variety will be tested there. 



Summer Meeting, Minnesota Rose Society. — The regular summer 

 gathering of the Minnesota Rose Society will be held in the Mayor's Recep- 

 tion Room, in the City Hall, Minneapolis, on Saturday, July 13th. A liberal 

 premium list has been prepared, aggregating in value approximately |200, so 

 that a fine display of roses and other flowers may be expected. Competition 

 is open to all, though a membership fee of $1 will be required from successful 

 contestants. The public is cordially invited to be present during the day 

 and see the display, also to listen to the excellent practical program which 

 has been prepared. The premium list can be secured upon application to 

 the secretary, Mrs. F. H. Gibbs, St. Anthony Park, Minn. 



Fruit Outlook for 1907. — From the rather meager reports that have 

 come into this office from different points in the state as to the prospect of 

 the fruit crop this year, up to this date, June 26th, it appears that there is 

 likely to be a good crop of apples, in many localities as good as in 1905, and 

 from very few points is there an unfavorable report as to this fruit. Plums 

 have apparently not set well and only a light crop may be expected, with ex- 

 ception possibly of a few localities. Strawberries are now generally going 

 out of blossoms and the prospect is good for a fair crop, though there has 

 been some injury to strawberry beds. Red raspberries in many cases are in 

 bad shape. So far I have heard of no injury to the blackcaps, which are 

 likely to yield well. Some unfavorable reports have been received from the 

 blackberry growers. Gooseberries are likely to bear to the limit. In the 

 case of currants there is evidently some injury to the fruit buds, as in many 

 cases the bunches are open and straggling. 



