HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 235 



REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON LIBRARY. 



By President Eliott. 



After canvassing the situation and looking up several schemes 

 for locating our horticultural library without discovering any 

 place that was suitable or available, we have come to this conclu- 

 sion: That for the present we had better store our books in some 

 secure place and wait for developments. There is some prospect 

 in the near future of new state buildings being erected, and when- 

 ever that does occur, we must make application for fixed and per- 

 manent headquarters for a library-reading room and fixtures. We 

 recommend the secretary to procure insurance on our library at 

 the best rate possible, to the amount of five hundred dollars for 

 three years. 



In the mean time, before new quarters are secured, every mem- 

 ber interested in this society should feel it his special duty to se- 

 cure every paper, pamphlet, report, or publication that in any wise 

 relates to the past or present horticultural literature of this state, 

 and biographies of those who have at any time been instrumental in 

 forwarding or encouraging horticultural enterprises of any kind. 

 These should be secured and placed in charge of our librarian. 



Dr. Frisselle. In order to make this library of any value to the 

 society, it should be placed in some condition or position that it 

 may be used by the members. I notice that these publications are 

 simply reports that want to be put in some place. It seems they 

 have been exposed to fire once, and they may be again. They are 

 scattered about, as I understand it, part up in Mr. Elliot's barn 

 and part in St. Paul. I would suggest that, if it is possible, a place 

 in the Minneapolis public library be secured for keeping these 

 books belonging to the State Horticultural Society. The building 

 is fire-proof; it is large, and I think accommodates quite a number 

 of different societies with a place on its shelves for their books. 

 The Minnesota Academy of Science has its books there, and the 

 Hennepin Medical Societv, and also other societies. 



THOUGHTS AND EXPERIENCES IN GROWING MELONS. 



By J. A. Sampson. 



1 wish, ladies and gentlemen, that I could set before you a treat 

 of some of my best musk melons, or, more properly called canta- 

 loupes of the yellow species, with which I have had very good suc- 

 cess. In all my gardening I study and work to obtain the very 

 best. 



MUSKMELONS. 



My stock of yellow muskmelons are from the surprise melon, 

 slightly crossed with the Casaba. I tried to obtain a new variety 

 some years ago, by taking seeds from the surprise, pineapple, Cas- 



