240 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



nual appropriation for the benefit of the Forest Reserve Board 

 which received it, is not yet by any means defunct, and will continue 

 to be heard from during^ the interval prior to the next meeting' ci 

 the legislature. At a special meeting held in Minneapolis May 18th, 

 Capt. J. N. Cross, president of the association, was selected by the 

 society to be recommended to the governor as an appointee to 

 represent the society on the board about to be created under the new 

 forest reserve law. This action was taken unanimously by the 

 society, which is a well deserved compliment to Mr. Cross as the 

 originator and zealous advocate of the bill. 



A Buckthorn Hedge. — This hedge, as it appears in the frontis- 

 piece, is a notable instance of the value of the buckthorn for this 

 use in the northwest. The photograph from which the plate 

 was made was taken about May 18th, and some time before the 

 hedge was in full leaf, as is readily apparent from its appearance as 

 well as that of the neighboring trees. Mr, W. W. Pendergast, on 

 whose place the hedge is growing, and who planted it hitnself, says 

 of it: 



"The buckthorn hedge on the north and west side of my garden 

 was grown from a pound of seed bought of Jas. J. H. Gregory, of 

 Marblehead, Mass., thirty-two years ago. It was planted in a box in 

 March, covered with earth till the seed sprouted and then sown in 

 nursery rows, where it remained two years, when the plants were 

 about fifteen inches high. They were then taken up and placed 

 where they were to remain, 



"The hedge is twenty-seven rods long and the plants one foot 

 apart. It is not affected by the coldest winters or the hottest and 

 driest summers." 



The acquaintances of Mr. Pendergast will recognize him in the 

 picture as standing in the center behind the hedge. 



Tin Cans in Early Gardening.— Early gardening by means of 

 starting plants in a hotbed and transplanting is not always at- 

 tended with the greatest success on account of the growth 

 of the plants being checked when replanted. This is caused 

 by disturbing the roots and change of soil. This difficulty can be 

 eliminated by the following plan. Melt the top and bottom from 

 old tin cans. Also remove the solder from the seam, tying a cord 

 or wire about it to keep in shape. Fill with rich soil and plant seeds 

 which have been soaked in warm water for a day or so to insure 

 rapid germination, and place in a warm, sunny place or hotbed. 



There will be ample depth of soil for the plant to make a good 

 growth before re-setting. As soon as it is warm enough the plant 

 can be set out in the garden. To do this make a hole in the bed 

 large enough to set the can in. Remove the cord or wire holding 

 the can together, spread it open and let the contents slip out into 

 the hole. Pack the earth closely about this and your plant is re- 

 planted without changing the soil or injuring the roots in any way. 

 The cans can be laid away for use next spring. Plants started in 

 this way will have two or three weeks the start of others. 



