Secretary's ^ori^er. 



Iowa's Big Apple. — A little account of the recent Iowa State Fair 

 speaks of a Wolf River apple from the orchard of A. F. Collraan, 

 measuring' lO)^ inches around and weighing lOJ/g ounces. It just 

 filled a half-gallon measure. Who has beaten that in Minnesota? 



Death of John Wragg. — The death of this prominent Iowa hor- 

 ticulturist occurred early in September, He was one of the oldest 

 and,best known nurserymen in the West and can be credited with 

 having done very much in developing fruits suitable to his state. 



Can Cut-over Pine Lands be Re-Forested?— Mr. H. B. Ayers 

 has been selected by the State Experiment Station to gather inform- 

 ation and statistics on this important subject to be issued later in 

 bulletin form. This knowledge is especially needed at this time in 

 connection with the work now in progress of drafting a forest re- 

 serve law for presentation at the next legislature. Mr. Ayers has 

 had a great deal of experience in the woods and is thoroughly 

 qualified for this research. 



An Exhibition of Minnesota Fruits on Wheels.— The Jewell 

 Nursery Co. has prepared a fine display of the fruits of Minnesota 

 to be shown in a car to be sent out by the C. M. & St. Ry. Co., in the 

 interest of immigration in the Northwest. As this car will travel ex- 

 tensively, it will serve a very useful purpose for this region. Of 

 course the Nursery Co. are not in this altogether froin philanthropic 

 motives, but this move will incidentally work so much good for 

 Minnesota that we may all well feel a hearty interest in it. 



A Successful State Fair.- The indications are that when the 

 accounts of the late state fair are closed up, there will remain a bal- 

 ance in the treasury of about $15,000. Few fair grounds in the coun- 

 try are better equipped than those of our own state already, and 

 this royal surplus will enable the management to advance its rank 

 by inaking some needed and useful improvements, amongst which 

 we hope additional space and conveniences for the horticultural ex- 

 hibit may not be overlooked. Would it not be good policy for us to 

 ask for what we want? 



A Long Cucumber.— A cucumber 2}4 inches in diameter and 22^ 

 inches long, the dimensions of one brought into this office by Mrs. 

 E. A. Cuzner, the wife of our assistant librarian, was a great curios- 

 ity to "ye editor." It would have made a fine "shillalah," and was 

 just the right shade of green to have pleased the eye of its wielder. 

 Mrs. Cuzner raises this variety, one of the English frame cucum- 

 bers, Sutton's Matchless, in a little conservatory attached to their 

 house. They grow there suspended from above in ominous array. 

 There are very few seeds in them, and the quality was found to be 

 extra good. 



