SECRETARY S CORNER. 237 



The WEAI.THV IN Cold Storage.— Wealthy apples taken out of cold 

 storage in Minneapolis May 19tli show up beautifully. Some other varieties 

 are also looking well, but the Wealthy seems to be the best keeper, at least we 

 have a larger quantity of this variety than any other so that we can form a 

 safer judgement in regard to it. These Wealthys are all wrapped, each apple 

 in a wax paper and then in tissue paper and packed closely in bushel boxes. 

 In the boxes opened not a single injured speciman was found, and there seems 

 to be no reason why they should not keep in good condition until apples 

 come again in August. If we can save fruit in this way for the World's Fair 

 we can also save it for our own table use, and the writer intends to put into 

 cold storage next fall enough Wealthys in bushel boxes, packed in this way, 

 so that they can be taken out for family use every two weeks throughout the 

 spring and summer months. This is an experiment well worth trying by all 

 lovers of the fruit who are in a position to make it. 



Strawberries and Roses at the Summer Meeting.— Special attention 

 is called to the premiums offered on these two classes of exhibits at the sum- 

 mer meeting. The Missouri State Horticultural Society at its summer meet- 

 ing, to be held in the Horticultural Building, at the World's Fair, the 7th to 

 10th of June, as a special inducement to secure a good exhibit of strawberries 

 from that section have offered $150.00. Our society paid out nearly that 

 amount at its summer meeting alone last year and is prepared to do so again 

 this year, and we hope to have the opportunity. The prospects are that the 

 berry crop will not be as large as last year, but there being fewer on the vines 

 what are grown may be better. We are very desirous of having as fine an 

 exhibit as we had last year. Let every member attending bring such varieties 

 as he has — and don't forget the roses! Not enough of these beautiful flowers 

 are brought to our meetings. There should be twice the extent of the exhibit 

 of this flower that has been made heretofore. 



Getting Acquainted with Trees. — This is the title of a book a copy 

 of which lies on my desk, written by Mr. J. Horace McFarland and published 

 by the Outlook Company, N. Y. It is an elegant appearing volume of some- 

 thing over 200 pages printed on heavy paper with wide margin and profusely 

 illustrated with high!}- finished half-tone engravings. The top edge of the book 

 is gilt, and its dimensions are 6x9 inches. As the writer says in the preface, 

 "These sketches, I fear, are very unscientific and unsystematic." The book 

 contains a chapter on maples, others on oaks, pines, apples, willows, etc., 

 winding up with one entitled, "Some Other Trees." The book is intended to 

 increase one's love and interest for the commoner varieties of trees with which 

 after all many of us are not intimately acquainted, and the purpose seems to 

 be well expressed in the closing words of the chapter on oaks. "These oak 

 notes are not intended to be complete but only to suggest some points for 

 investigation and appreciation to my fellows in the brotherhood." Price, 

 $1.75, bound in cloth. 



A Plea for Some oe Our Common Birds.— Under this title Prof. F. L. 

 Washburn, state entomologist, has issued a bulletin from the State Experi- 

 miat Station giving valuable information iu regard to a number of our com- 

 mon birds. This bulletin is the result of the action of a joint committee from 

 the H:)rtic'-iUural Society and the State Educational Association and is iu- 

 tended for distribution among the teachers of the state and others. It is 

 hoped to reach especially the young and teach them the value of birds and 



