132 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The best evidence of intelligence, enterprise and good taste in 

 a community is to find in it a well located, well arranged and well 

 cared for public park. In locating a park it is best to secure if pos- 

 sible a nearby place, with plenty of shade without waiting for trees 

 to grow and plenty of water. A park without water is a very tame 

 affair. A site extending along the banks of a river or lake is desir- 

 able. If banks art low, perhaps excavations can be made forming 

 lagoons, which may add beauty to an already beautiful landscape. 

 If no river or lake is available, then a creek, though small, may be 

 utilized. Excavations may be made and dams may be erected form- 

 ing little islands and lakelets that would serve as mirrors to reflect 

 the beauties of nature in ways most charming to behold. Should 

 water become scarce a gasoline engine will supply all demands — 

 run gushing fountains and an arc light for each horse power of the 

 engine. 



A city without a park is not attractive. It is like a home with 

 neither garden, lawn, fruits nor flowers — like a picture book with 

 the pictures all left out. It may do for an all work and no play peo- 

 ple whose God is money, but those of a more social and cheerful 

 turn of mind who believe that all the good things of this world were 

 made to be enjoyed can find a more congenial home in towns where 

 nature and art combine to beautifv and to charm. 



VARIETIES OF PLUMS FOR MINNESOTA. 



WYMAN EI.I.IOT, MINNEAPOLIS. 



. I do not consider myself an expert in plum culture, nor as 

 having extensive knowledge about varieties in a cultural sense. I 

 have given some time and thought to the examination of the varieties 

 and sub-varieties exhibited at our state fairs the past four years and 

 have gained much valuable information from cultivators of the plum 

 that I hope some time to utilize. 



Of the great number of kinds exhibited at our last state fair 

 there are very few, comparatively, that will be found profitable to 

 the producer or become commercially popular. There were several 

 new kinds that had never been exhibited at our fairs. How good 

 they will prove for culinary or market purposes can only be proven 

 by experiment. I judge there will be but a very small percentage 

 that will be esteemed first class, profitable kinds to the grower. Esti- 

 mating the merits of any fruit by its appearance and condition upon 

 the show table does not always give a correct diagnosis. To give a 



