128 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 



of the others about one-half had made a fine growth, and the bal- 

 ance were dead. If the first summer had not been so very dry, 

 there would probably have been a much larger per cent that would 

 have lived." 



S, D. Richardson. 

 Winnebago City, Dec. 29, 1896. 



A Practical Suggestion. — "Please send me a few copies of The 

 Minnesota Horticulturist,' which I will hand to members of the 

 'Farmers' Fruit Growers Club,' thathas just been formed in our vil- 

 lage. 



" We concluded such a 'club' would be of more value to this 

 vicinity than a local horticultural society, as it will be better sup- 

 ported and help a much larger number, and still serve those who 

 are growing fruits and trees. 



' "If the members of our society would inake a little effort the mem- 

 bership could be made much larger and at the same time place the 

 most valuable information, in the form of reading, in the homes of 

 many who are interested in growing trees, fruits, flowers, etc. 



"The half dozen subscriptions which I have sent to you were 

 gained by simply showing the 'combination ' of report, magazine, 

 plant, premiums, etc., to those who are interested in such matters. 



" In most instances they say as they hand me the dollar, ' that is 

 just what I need. I want them.' I give the premium ' Amateur 

 Fruit Growing ' to new subscribers as an inducement, as I have a 

 copy, which to me is worth many times the cost of my membership 



of one dollar." 



A. C. Bush. 

 Dover, Minn., Jan. 18, 1897. 



Farmers' and Fruit Growers' Club a Success.— "With regard 

 to the "Farmers' and Fruit Growers' Club,' will say: We are meet- 

 ing every Saturday p. m. and spend about two hours very profitably, 

 with growing interest; from present indications shall soon outgrow 

 our place of meeting, which is a large office room in the 

 village. So far we have no expense attached; no constitution nor 

 by-laws. A chairman is chosen at each meeting who conducts it in a 

 strictly informal manner, much the same as the 'old times' Metho- 

 dist class leader does, calling on each one present for some thought 

 or bit of experience relating to the subject being discussed. The 

 subject is chosen by a vote for the next meeting; also some repre- 

 sentative man who is a recognized authority on the selected subject 

 is asked to prepare a paper or open the discussion and others to pre- 

 pare themselves to follow. 'The Possibilities of a Farm Life,' 

 'What Shall we do with our Land this Year' are samples of the 

 subjects we talk over. 



"I am a member of a literary society whichis conducted on exactly 

 the plan you suggested, and it is a grand success. I think 'Our 

 Club' will 'move out' into the country homes occasionally on that 

 plan. The work and that manner of getting at it must recommend 

 itself to all as worthy of their time and a big effort." 



Dover, Feb. 4, 1897. A. K. BuSH. 



