242 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



A new feature of the occasion, attracting much attention, was the 

 exhibit of edible mushrooms by the Minneapolis Mycological Soci- 

 ety. The members of this society are very enthusiastic in their 

 study and investigfation of this interesting subject, and are succeed- 

 ing well in their laudable efforts to make this palatable and nour- 

 ishing food better known to the public. There were five different 

 exhibits, showing about forty varieties, that of Dr. Mary Whetstone, 

 containing twenty-one varieties, being the largest. 



The usual interest was taken in the progress of the work at the 

 farm, Prof. Green lending his services as a conductor to the various 

 parties which made the examination of the grounds, buildings and 

 practical tests, the chief object of their visit. Strawberries were 

 hardly ripening as yet, but nevertheless the strawberry fields were 

 as much of an attraction as usual this year. The most noticeable 

 feature on the grounds was the preparation making for the new 

 building to be devoted to horticulture and botany. Excavations 

 for the foundation are in progress, and the building is to be com- 

 pleted for use in the fall. 



The ladies of the Women's Auxiliary held a short business session, 

 at which preparations were made for the representation of the Aux- 

 iliary at the headquarters which the Woman's Federation of Clubs 

 is to have at the state fair this fall. 



The exhibit, mainly consisting of strawberries, under the circum- 

 stances was an extraordinary- one. For necessary reasons the meet- 

 ing was called a little early for the full ripeness of this crop, and a 

 light show was looked for. Instead, it was the largest ever made, 

 we think, at pur summer gathering. At least 150 plates of this lus- 

 cious fruit were shown, comprising some sixty named varieties. 

 The fruit was well ripened, of most extraordinary size and in prime 

 condition. The frontispiece of this number conveys a little idea of 

 the brilliance, size and beauty of the display. R. H. L. Jewett, whose 

 fruit gardens are located at Faribault, easily carried off the honors 

 for largest number of varieties, but handsome displays were made 

 also by Jewell Nursery Co., Lake City, C. W. Sampson, Eureka, F. F. 

 Farrar, White Bear, A. G. Wilcox, Hugo, S. R. Spates and Thos. 

 Redpath, of Long Lake, and others. A number of plates of green 

 currants and gooseberries were shown. Mr. Bussee, of Minneapolis, 

 contributed a large display of early vegetables, and the Jewell Nur- 

 sery Co. the usual large exhibit of garden roses, comprising in this 

 case fourteen named varieties, shown in duplicate. These roses 

 came in too late to furnish the regular decoration for our lunch 

 tables, but the wonderful array of peonies furnished by the station 

 made a very satisfactory substitute. 



This description would be incomplete without reference to the 

 show of seedling apples kept over in the cellar from the crop of 1898 

 and exhibited by Mr. D. F. Akin, of Farmington. The writer did not 

 have an opportunity to test them, but their appearance was attrac- 

 tive and gave little or no evidence of deterioration. They furnished 

 proof positive that Minnesota soil and climate can originate and 

 mature a late keeping, hardy winter apple. 



The friends gathered at the lunch tables about 12:30, where the in- 

 vocation was pronounced bj^ the Rev. C. L. Diven, D. D., of Unity 



