Secretary's (^opi^er. 



MoNTHi,Y Reports from The St. Louis Exposition:— Regular re- 

 ports of the doings in connection with the Minnesota Fruit Exhibit at the Ex- 

 position may be expected in each issue of our monthly, either in the Secre- 

 tary's Corner or elsewhere in the number. 



DkaTH of R. M. Keli^ogg — This noted horticulturist and strasvberry 

 grower died at his home in Three Rivers, Mich., Feb. 24th, at the age of 

 si'cty-one. He has been prominent in Michigan and national horticultural 

 affairs and was noted as a lecturer on his favorite subject. As an expert straw- 

 berry growir, he stood high, no one in this country perhaps having a larger 

 or more successful experience with that fruit. 



Membership of our Society. — At this date, April 13th, the member- 

 ship of the society, including life members, is 1,625, this number bring 350 

 ahead of last year at this time and 195 more than at the close of last year. 

 Shall we reach the 3, SOU mark? And will you help us to do this? Not so 

 very long ago we had set our mark high at i,ooo, to which we hoped some 

 time to attain. Where shall we set it now? 



Fruit Trees at Sleepy Eye — "Native plums are in good condition; 

 all the Japan Burbanks and all foreign plums are either killed or damaged to 

 a large extent; many of the h3'brids are dead, such as Nebraska, Milton and 

 several others. Cherries are in a rather poor condition. Our hardy standard 

 apples are all right. Some seedlings are gone. Northwest Greening is 

 hardier then Wealthy. Repka Malenka is sound lo top bud, and I consider it 

 of value as a late keeper." M. Penning. 



A Souvenir of the Exposition to Contributors of Fruit, Etc. — 

 The Minnesota Fruit Exhibit is paying for 600 six-inch white plates with 

 gilt edge, a band of olive green bordering the edge and the monogram of the 

 exposition, in same color, in the center of the plate. It has been suggested 

 that these plates might be given out as souvenirs to the contributors after the 

 close of the fair. Perhaps nothing else would be more suitable that is avail- 

 able, and we presume these would be. 



Fruit Wanted for the St. Louis Exposition. — A circular letter on 

 this subject has already been or soon will be sent out to the fruit growers and 

 others amongst our membership, seeking for information as to who are likely 

 to furnish what we may need for this purpose. K prompt response is earnestly 

 asked from each one to this circular. If you have nothing to furnish kindly 

 say so, or if you will have — provided there is a crop — please let us know this 

 also without delay, giving names of varieties and amount you might like to 

 contribute. It is very necessary that the secretary should have this informa- 

 tion promptly so as to plan the work ahead in a way to supply easily the large 

 amount of fruit it will take to make the fine fruit exhibit you all have a right 

 to expect. 



