70 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



established under specific rules. Two are to paj'^ especial attention 

 to cross fertilization of apples, two are to look after plums and 

 cherries, and two after small fruits. Two will grow as many seed- 

 ling- apples as possible to be used as stocks on which to graft tender 

 varieties. 



The society has offered a premium of $50 for the best Hand Book 

 of Horticulture suitable for use in the public schools. The com- 

 mittee having- the matter in charge reported that they found it 

 difficult to secure a book sufficiently comprehensive within the 

 limits prescribed by the former resolution. The committee was 

 continued with increased powers. 



In speaking of cold storage, Mr. Haviland, of Fort Dodge, stated 

 that the Duchess did not keep well where ice was used. Chemicals 

 should be used and temperature should be maintained at about 32°. 

 In that way it could be kept for any length of time; but with ice 

 storage it could not be safely held beyond November Ist. 



He mentioned the Wealthy as a good cold storage apple. He 

 would pick as soon as they begin to fall. They do not color up after 

 they are put in storage, but with the Wealthy the green apples be- 

 come yellow — and flavor seems improved. Mr. H. packs in barrels, 

 and was then selling cold storage Wealthys at $i.50 per barrel, which 

 is 50 cents more than any other variety will bring. 



The great need of Iowa is a first class winter apple adapted to 

 the north part of the state, and none can doubt that the efforts now 

 being put forth in that direction will soon be crowned with success. 



IMPORTANT WEATHER FACTS IN 1898. 



(From December Report of Wm. Cheney, Weather Observer, Minneapolis.) 



December was very cold, the mean temperature of the month 

 being nearly six degrees lower than the average December for 34: 

 years. It was nearly five degrees colder than December of last year, 

 and in the last 22 years we have had only four as cold Decembers. 

 The month came in cold and continued cold through the first half 

 of the month, the mercury not rising to freezing point during the 

 first 16 days, and on eight of these days the thermometer marked a 

 minimum below zero. The week following Dec. 16 was milder, the 

 maximum going to freezing point and above on three days, and the 

 minimum not going below zero until Dec. 24. The last two days of 

 the month were excessively cold, the mean temperature of each 

 being 17 degrees below zero. These were the coldest days on record 

 in December since 1886. Dec. 26, 1886, was one degree colder. Total 

 snowfall, in inches, 0.70 ; greatest precipitation in any 24 consecutive 

 hours, (24th), 0.03 ; number of days on which .01 or more precipita- 

 tion fell, 4; clear days, 15; partly cloudy, 11; cloudy, 5. The pre- 

 vailing winds were from the northeast. 



