STATE HORTICULTUBAL SOCIETY. 127 



would add to this list our beautiful ornamental plant, ** Snow on the 

 Mountain " (don't know its botanical name), which is a common pas- 

 ture weed in South Dakota. It seems to care nothing for drouth or 

 negleet, and is beautiful in all situations; yet when allowed to stand 

 in rich cultivated ground shows that it can respond as well as any 

 other weed to such treatment. 



We had a report from a reputable member who had seen it, of a 

 wild plum on the Missouri that beats any native plum of the North- 

 west ever yet mentioned for size and quality. But as the wife's apron 

 string, attached to the tree for a mark when it was found, had disap- 

 peared when our informant went back at the season for sprouts or 

 «cions, the identity of the tree was lost. There is hope that it will 

 reappear again at another fruiting season. Mr. Sias can tell you all 

 about this incident in our proceedings. 



The next annual meeting will be held at Mitchell the first Tuesday 

 in December, 1888, but there is a probability of a summer meeting in 

 the time of strawberries and June roses, at Sioux Falls; at either of 

 which we should be happy to meet any of the members of the Minne- 

 sota Horticultural Society. We have on trial, as reported by the 

 members, a good large list of strawberries from which to gather an 

 attractive exhibition, and the stand of plants is generally reported as 

 very strong. Of roses, we shall know better what we have got when 

 we come together. President De Bell reports a good rose of damask 

 color that is as hardy as the wild rose, and blooms from June till 

 autumn. Its name is Rosa Ragusa. We have never had any roses in 

 our garden that were safe in all winters without covering, except the 

 Scotch white and the old-fashioned blush, and these are the better for 

 covering. 



P. S. In a letter just received, January 8th, from President De 

 Bell, I learn that there is a prospect of getting our report printed 

 through the Commissioner of Immigration. The society is indebted 

 for this to a suggestion made by Gov. Church, at the interview above 

 mentioned at Huron. 



Coldest temperature here this winter, thirty below z>^ro. Plenty of 

 snow. It fell during the last of November, and covers prairies, fields 

 and orchards like a tight blanket. Ground froze rather dry, out 

 thawed out in December under the snpw, and absorbed plenty of 

 moisture. Badgers were busy digging out gophers during the warm 

 week in the middle of December, through a foot of snow. 



President Elliot announced the following committees on award of 

 premims for prize essays, viz : 



