43<S MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Strawberries Picked Oct. 18.— This is what is taking place in Minne- 

 sota this fall. Who can define the cause and draw a practical lesson from it? 

 Mr. Wvtnan Elliot brought a saucerful of good-sized and fragrant Bederwood 

 into this office, gathered as above, with the information that out of a number of 

 varieties on the place of H. W. Shuman, his nephew, at Excelsior, that is the 

 only one bearing fruit at this season and that only on an old bed. What sim- 

 ilar experience are others having? 



Illness of E. H. S. DarTT. — Late information from Owatonna indicates 

 that Mr. Dartt is in very poor health. The recurrence of a previous difficulty 

 leaves him in feeble condition, though he is still able to get out a little each 

 day. Cheering words from his many old friends and a sight of kindly well 

 known faces would doubtless be highly appreciated at this time. Many have 

 profited by his work and words, and here is an opportunity to repay in part by 

 thoughtful and well-merited attention. 



An Interesting Book. — The Iowa Park and Forestry Association, or- 

 ganized last December, at Des Moines, la., has issued its first annual report, a 

 volume of 80 pages, devoted to matters indicated by the name of the organiza- 

 tion. Most of the papers it contains are of a highly practical character and not 

 confined in the subjects treated to the limits of the state. It is well provided 

 with handsome halftone illustrations and is altogether a very creditable issue. 

 Bound in paper, it can be had of the secretary, Prof. L. H. Pammel, Ames, la., 

 for 25 cents. 



A Popular Program for The Annual Meeting. — The program now 

 in preparation for our annual meeting may be rightly called a "voluntary pro- 

 gram" from the fact that with few exceptions those taking part in it have been 

 requested to select their own subjects, taking something of special interest to 

 them. The result of this is that the majority of those selected have something 

 to do with some phase of the apple growing problem. This undoubtedly voi- 

 ces the general interest and should make this gathering an especially interest- 

 ing and practical one. Other branches of horticulture are not overlooked- 

 but orcharding holds the prominent place. 



The Society as Guests of "Farm, Stock and Home".— In pursuance 

 of a plan to raise a fund to pay the cost of the erection of a memorial tablet in 

 Horticultural Hall at Minnesota College of Agriculture in commemoration of 

 the life and services of the late John S. Harris, "Farm, Stock and Home" — of 

 which Mr. Harris had been for many years horticultural editor — has offered to 

 pay all the expenses of the annual society banquet in order that all the money 

 received from the sale of tickets thereto may be used for this purpose. With 

 this object in view tickets to the banquet will be $1.00, as it is considered that 

 none of those attending will wish to contribute less than this amount for the 

 purpose. 



Minnesota Fire Warden's Report for 1901.— Chief Fire Warden 

 Andrews reports fifty-five forest fires in 1901, burning over 58,395 acres at a 

 money loss of $42,140.00. For the purpose of comparison it would be inter- 

 esting to know the amount of expense attending the extinguishment of these 

 fires, though this would not certainly be any criterion by which to judge as 

 the value or necessity of the services rendered. The figures are given however 

 for the six years past, amounting in total to $34,620.40 paid by the state and 

 $10,968.52, by the counties for their share of the expense incurred, a little 

 over $7,500.00 a year on an average for the six years. This brief state- 



