SECRETARY’S CORNER. 439 
the number corresponding to the number set opposite the name in the badge 
book. For purposes of identification this device has been found a great con- 
venience at similar gatherings, and will be, doubtless, with us. 
WISCONSIN FRUIT AT MINN. STATE FAIR.—‘“‘I almost wish that your 
society was as liberal as you are with outsiders when we exhibit our cattle, 
horses, etc. I cannot remember an exhibitor from the bluffs along the Missis- 
sippi river north of LaCrosse ever going to Milwaukee, except myself, and I 
have thought it would work no injustice to give those people a chance to ex- 
hibit with you, say counties of Wisconsin bordering on the Mississippi, north 
of the south line of Minnesota. Their land and climate are so like yours and 
many of them ‘attend your fair. A. J. PHILIPS, 
West Salem, Wis. 
ENDORSES WOMEN’S WorRK.—The article “about forestry in your last is- 
sue of the Minnesota.Horticulturist, written by Prof. Maria L. Sanford, is of 
the right ring. It appealsto me as eminently proper and peculiarly fitting 
for women to in every way help to promote or initiate the paramount subject of 
tree planting, forest preservation and legislation intended to that end, as the 
article in question pictures. Just think of it! What a transformation! 
“Long lines of shade trees along the country roads of our state and every 
school yard in the country a shady park,” and all this to be accomplished with 
only a little energy and individual expense. And why, as Prof. Sanford says, 
should not this work go on? 
Sts ean Oct 9/900: FRED. NUSSBAUMER. 
COMMENTS ON RULES FOR EXHIBITS AT MINNESOTA STATE FAIR.— 
Closing your entries Saturday evening and everything in place for Monday 
morning will be all right and give all exhibitors an equal chance, also gives the 
judge a chance to inspect the different entries before the great crowds of Wed- 
nesday and Thursday come in to retard him in his work, but these rules to be 
effective must be positively lived up to. No friendly deviation should occur. 
I do not exactly like Rule 9, as that may work a disadvantage to long 
distance exhibitors. For instance an exhibitor coming as far as Dartt, Harris 
or some others do cannot bring his orchard with him, but he might bring a fine 
plate of Wealthy or some other variety, and when that is noticed by some one 
who can go home nights the latter could easily start a spot or an evidence of 
decay, and by looking around in the country near by find some better speci- 
mens to replace with. This may not be done by honest Minnesota fruit men, 
but it has been done in Wisconsin. Look out for these loop holes. 
ACs |e bEone ness: 
BARBERRY VS. WHEAT Rust.—We horticulturists have often been called 
upon to destroy our barberries, upon the claim that they ‘“‘aided and abetted”’ the 
wheat rust, and we ought to be willing to sacrifice such favorites for the gen- 
eral good. But for many years it has been a puzzle to me to know how there can 
be enough barberries in the few planted in the Mississippi Valley to account for 
the wheat rust which often is so very general; and I have often thought that 
some of our botanists were laying too much to the account of the poor barberry. 
For this reason it is quite interesting to find in one of the latest and best works 
on this subject, the following; in substance: 
‘“‘The removal of the barberry bushes is said to reduce the rust, although 
many good botanists believe that the barberry is not necessary for the existence 
