v^ 



ecretary's (^orqer. 



MiDSUMMKK Experiment Station Reports.- It has been thought 

 best to take advantage of our monthly form of publication and 

 make a midsummer report from our experiment stations to cover 

 the period from Januarj^ to Ju]j% This brings before you, as it were, 

 a bird's eye view of the present condition of horticulture in our 

 state. 



These rei^orts tell the plain unvarnished truth, and the facts are 

 those of to-day recorded on the spot and at the time. 



The advantage of such prompt publication is ai^parent. Much 

 good will result froin their careful perusal. 



Who Is Irrigating'Small Fruits this Year?— The extraordinary 

 drouth during the season of ripening small fruits, following a sim- 

 ihir droutli hist j^ear, emphasizes the necessit}^ of providing means 

 of applj^ing water to the ripening fruit crops. One good soaking 

 of the soil just at the critical times means, taking one year with an- 

 other, a doubling of the crop and a trebling of the profits. It is 

 practicable to do this with a tank and wind-mill, and some are ex- 

 perimenting a little in this direction. In California this method ia 

 used in part. 



We should like to hear through our columns from anj^ who are 

 trying this, as to methods and results. 



What can you sEx\d to the State Fair? — Very special induce- 

 ments are being offered to exhibitors of fruits, flowers, etc., this year 

 at the State Fair, meeting Sept. 10 to 15. If you have not received a 

 copy of the premium list send to this office for one at once and turn 

 to page 41. The premiums on fruit are arranged to allow liberal 

 premiums to a good manj' exhibitors; if you cannot take first, you 

 may take second, third, fourth or fifth. In the case of some varieties, 

 like the Duchess, several second premiums are offered. 



Loolt the list over carefully and check off what you can show, and 

 plan to come to the fair. Your premiums will likelj'^ pay your ex- 

 penses, and you will meet many horticulturists under circumstances 

 which will result in much mutual benefit. 



The premiums offered for fruit aggregate nearly $700 and ought 

 to bring out a fine exhibit even under these rather unfavorable cir- 

 cumstances. You remember that the Minnesota fruit sent hist year 

 to the World's Fair attracted great attention and was higlily com- 

 plimented, while we considered it inferior. So select the best you 

 have and send or bring it along, and we shall still make a line 

 exhibit. 



(Any information desired as to this department of the fair will be 

 gladlj' furnished by the secretary of this society.— Sec'Y.) 



GOPIIKR-ICIDK. 



A Correction.— On page 220, July number, the reporter nuikes 

 Prof. Green say that bisul|)hate of copper will kill gophers. It 

 should read "bi-sulphide of carbon." Try it and report. 



