130 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
and comfortable homes as the farmers. The writer showed how the 
homes of the poorest and most humble of our people may be made at- 
tractive without great expense in time or money by the planting of trees, 
shrubs, vines and flowers, and its effects in promoting love of home, 
happiness, morality and patriotism. The 
THE ATTENDANCE OF FRUIT GROWERS 
from various parts of the state was good, and the hall was well filled with 
an appreciative audience of the people of the town and surrounding 
country. Besides the state society, Wisconsin has some twenty county 
and local societies. These are made auxiliary on condition that they re- 
port direct to the state society, and send delegates to the annual meetings, 
the expenses of one for each being paid out of the funds received from the 
state, as are also the expenses of parties invited to furnish papers. This 
method is rather expensive, but adds very much to the strength, interest, 
and usefulness of the society, and sets it more on the basis of a state in- 
stitution, than when the meetings are dependent on a few leading spirits 
and the local horticulturists to carry out the program. The practice of 
holding these summer meetings at different points in the state is working 
great good to the cause. Wherever a meeting is held marked benefits 
soon follow in better gardens, more fruit, and improvement of the home 
surroundings and public grounds. : 
One peculiar and encouraging feature of this meeting was the great 
numbers of boys and girls in the audience, ranging between the ages of 
ten and sixteen years, for which President Thayer is entitled to great 
credit. It is often remarked by those who look over the assemblage of 
horticulturalists, and see none but middle aged and veterans there, 
‘Where are your successors coming from?” Wisconsin has demonstrated 
that, if you give the women and children a part in the meeting, they will 
be there. Mr. Thayer offered a prize of twenty-five Warfield strawberry 
plants to every child in Wisconsin, who would pick and arrange a bouquet 
of flowers suitable to be placed upon the exhibition tables or used in 
decorating the hall. Aboyt twenty prizes were awarded to children undew 
fifteen years of age. 
The discussions brought out that Bubach No. 5 produces the largest 
berries, but is not firm enough to endure distant shipments. Haverland 
has more bushels for a near market than any other variety, and sells well, 
although the quality is not the best. Warfield No. 2 is the best and most 
profitable variety to grow for shipping. VanDeman is the earliest variety 
that promises to have merit enough to warrant its general trial. Parker 
Earle on its first year’s trial has nearly come up to promises, and indi¢a- 
tions are that it will become a leading variety. Nichols’ Early is the most 
unpromising for Wisconsin of any variety of recent introduction. Three 
best varieties for the farmer’s garden, Jessie, Bubach No. 5, Warfield No. 
2. Three best varieties to use for fertillizing pistilate varieties, Parker 
Earle, Capt. Jack, and Jessie. Five best shipping varieties of recent intro- 
duction, Granby, Great Pacific, Warfield, Parker Earle and Crawford. 
THE EXHIBIT. 
After taking into account the extreme drouth that had prevailed 
throughout the season up to the beginning of ripening, and the many 
frosts occuring in May, the exhibition was a surprise to everyone. It was 
