might have the monopoly of that tree and go around selling trees at two dollars apiece. It seems to me very important that before the reward is paid the stock should be placed in the hands of our experiment station for this society in such a way that the man who originated the apple should get the reward, but should not have a monopoly of the tree after the society had paid the reward.

Pres. Underwood: I will personally give a thousand dollars to the man who will originate an apple tree of that kind, and he can have the monopoly of the tree. I tell you I think he ought to be protected. A man who introduces such a new variety ought to be protected so he can make some wealth out of it and live in affluence all the rest of his life. You would not be likely to pay more than the tree is worth. In the east Ellwanger & Berry and many others have introduced some little plant just for ornament, which perhaps sold for three dollars apiece. Many people out here have paid three dollars apiece for some such tree or shrub, but they think if a man pays three dollars for an apple tree he is swindled. A man who gets a real good apple tree and pays five dollars for it is not swindled. It is not a question with me whether the introducer is going to make a fortune out of it or not. We want to get as good a tree as it is possible to get in the northwest. There are lots of people who would be glad to pay for such a tree, because it would be worth that to the country. A man who raises such an apple is not going to take it and bottle it up or tie it up and fix it in such a way that we will not get the benefit of it. He could not put it on the market at an exorbitant figure and have it bought freely. You have got to put some trust in him. So far as I am concerned, I would be willing to give a thousand dollars for the introduction of a new variety, that is, a tree such as we have described, say to P. M. Gideon, and he would be at perfect liberty to control its sale for planting. If he can make anything out of it, he can have it. I think the intent and spirit of that resolution is to give a thousand dollars reward for the propagation of the variety of apple described. If Mr. Barnes or any one else gets the thousand dollars from this society, let them make a fortune out of the tree; I would be glad to see them do it.

Mr. Barnes, (Wis.): It is offered as a reward and not as the purchase price of the tree.

Mr. C. L. Smith: I raised the question in order that we might not have a dispute over it hereafter as to what the

intention was when the resolution passed. If the intention is to give one thousand dollars reward and get nothing else out of it let us understand that, and if we are not going to have the tree for dissemination let us understand that.

Mr. T. T. Smith: It does not say purchase price, the word used is "reward," that "a thousand dollars reward be offered, as recommended by the president."

Mr. Harris: I am an anti-monopolist all over, but I do not believe that any man can create, or regulate, or introduce that apple and comply with all the rules as they will be laid down by the executive board, and then corner the tree and offer it for sale at from three to six dollars apiece. I believe if we could get cions of it this spring I would be willing to give one hundred dollars for a dozen cions of that kind of tree today. I do not think it will ever be monopolized so it will not be sold at a reasonable price, because it has got to be tried at more than one place before we pay the reward.

Prof, Hansen, (S. Dak): How long a period of trial will be needed?

Pres. Underwood: That will be left for the executive board to determine. When they are satisfied that the tree fulfills the requirements and the spirit of the resolutions, I think they will be ready to pay over the thousand dollars.

Mr. Barnes: Does that proposition apply to varieties already originated, or must they be originated in the future? Pres. Underwood: If they have had anything of the kind. covered up I think this would bring it out.

The report of the committee was then unanimously adopted pursuant to the motion of Mr. Harris.

WINTERING CELERY OUTDOORS.-Last autumn I decided on wintering my celery in my garden, as here in Essex county, Ontario, Canada we have unusually mild winters, so instead of lifting it and putting it in the cellar in the usual way, and by which a year ago, owing to the warm weather up to Christmas, I lost a large amount, I continued adding a little more earth to the rows as the nights became frosty, eventually covering it entirely over; then as the frost increased I put on a layer of coarse litter from the manure heap, which drew out the frost of perhaps one inch which crusted the earth over the rows. From time to time I added more as I thought it was needed. The manure heap being close to the celery bed, a few minutes only was needed at any one time to do the work, and there has not been a time during the winter but with a fork and spade in a few minutes I could take out for immediate use what was required. It has matured grandly, developing that melting crispness and nutty flavor so much desired and sought after, sometimes in vain, in our winter celery, and to-day, February 14, as fresh as in autumn, and I have not lost a single root. The labor has been a mere trifle compared with the old method of digging and cellaring.-John Morrison.

Women's Auxiliary.

CONSTITUTION OF THE

WOMEN'S AUXILIARY OF THE MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Adopted December 9, 1898.

NAME. This society shall be known as the Woman's Auxiliary of the Minnesota State Horticultural Society.

OBJECTS.-Its objects shall be to advance public interest in adornment of home. school, and village grounds, in the observance of Arbor Day, in park and cemetery work, and in flower culture for the house; to study the relation of household economics to horticulture, to aid the Horticultural Society in the furtherance of its work, and to affiliate with the Minnesota Federation of Women's Clubs, especially in the department of country and village improvement. MEMBERS. Any lady already a member of the Horticultural Society may become a member of this Auxiliary upon application; others upon the payment of twenty-five cents annual fee. The fees shall become due at the annual meeting.

OFFICERS.-The officers shall consist of a president, vice president, secretary and treasurer, and an executive board of five, of which the president and secretary shall be members, ex officio: They shall be elected at the annual business meeting and hold office one year. Their duties shall be such as devolve upon officers of similar societies.

MEETINGS. There shall be an annual business meeting at the same time and place as the winter meeting of the Horticultural Society, and a meeting at the same time and place of the summer meeting of the same.

AMENDMENTS.-This constitution may be amended at any meeting by a two-thirds vote of the members present.

ANNUAL MEETING, WOMEN'S AUXILIARY,
DECEMBER, 1898.

MRS. ANNA B. UNDERWOOD, SEC'Y, LAKE CITY, MINN.

At the business meeting of the Women's Auxiliary, held December 9th, a constitution was adopted and the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: Miss Emma V. White, Minneapolis, president; Mrs. Jennie Stager, Sauk Rapids, vice-president; Mrs. Anna B. Underwood, Lake City, secretary; Mrs. L. R. Moyer, Montevideo, treasurer; executive committee: Lucia E. Danforth, Northfield; Dr. Mary L. Whetstone, Minneapolis; Mrs. O. C. Gregg, Lynd; Miss S.Ella Lyon, Minneapolis; Mrs. A. A. Kennedy, Hutchinson.

Mrs. Underwood gave her report as delegate to the Minnesota Federation of Women's Clubs, and also read the report of the "Town

and Village Improvement Committee," as given by the chairman, Mrs. R. L. Gale, St. Cloud.

An improvement league should be formed in every town, village or country neighborhood. Plans for work should be decided upon, and the best method for carrying them out should be thoroughly discussed. The spring months are so full of the hurry and rush of re-awaking life with its attendant labors that not much can be accomplished in planning, so these quiet winter months should be taken for that purpose. The secretary will be very glad to answer all questions, and render all assistance possible to any one interested in taking up the work.

REPORT OF THE WOMEN'S AUXILIARY.

(Made at the Annual Meeting of the Minnesota State Horticultural Society, 1898.) MISS E. V. white, president.

Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen:-The movement of the Women's Auxiliary is still in the incipient stage, and we have very little to report. We hope to have it in working order in another year and be more in evidence than we are at this time. A year ago, on the recommendation of your president, a resolution was adopted to the effect that the Women's Auxiliary be organized. In pursuance of that resolution the ladies who were in attendance at the summer meeting, at the State Experiment Station, met and effected a temporary organization, which organization is still in force, as we have not yet had our annual business meeting. We have however outlined in our own thoughts what should be the object of this organization. The object is to work along lines somewhat like these: village improvement; decoration of school grounds and home grounds, especially in the country and in villages; the relation of horticulture to domestic economy; possibly park and cemetery work, also to work in affiliation with the State Federation of Women's Clubs. In order to do that, it was necessary to organize as a special body. They have one department devoted to country and village work, and it is to affiliate with them, in that line especially, that we hope to accomplish something. We also hope that we may be an aid to the horticultural society in any way that we can be of assistance to you.

I think, Mr. President, this is all I have to report at this time.

Mr. Hartwell, (Ill.): I am a foreigner at this meeting, and it has been a matter of wonder to me what the object of this auxiliary may be. What does the auxiliary do?

The President: In the state of Minnesota there is a large amount of work being done by women. They have a federation of women's clubs, and they are organized in such a way that the men are not allowed there, and in order to bring the work of our horticultural society in touch with that organiza

tion--and it is a very strong and prosperous organization, and will be an influential organization in this state-in order to come in touch with that work it was thought best to organize a woman's auxiliary horticultural society, auxiliary to the state horticultural society. The women are entitled to become members of this society, they are perfectly welcome to take part, and do take part in a measure in the deliberations of this society. but this organization was thought best in order to come in touch with the women's clubs of the state; and I think from the very auspicious commencement they had at our summer meeting it will be the means of bringing out a great many women who will work together along horticultural lines in which we do not do much, especially in the ornamental part of it, which will be of great value to the society and state. Perhaps this explanation will be sufficient.

Mr. Hartwell: That is all right. I say amen to it.

CIRCULAR LETTER, 1898, TO WOMEN'S CLUB OF
MINNESOTA.

ISSUED BY STATE FEDERATION OF WOMEN'S CLUBS.

(This circular is introduced to show the lines along which the Woman's Auxiliary expects to work in common with the state organization of women.-SEC'Y.)

We appeal with confidence to the members of the clubs throughout the state to secure their hearty and active co-operation in the important work of improving and beautifying its villages, towns and cities. What is needed is intelligent leadership and united efforts along the following lines:

1. To make the grounds at and about all school buildings as attractive as possible, giving especial attention to the school buildings in the country districts.

2. To have the rubbish cleaned from vacant lots as well as from along streets, alleys and roadways.

3. To have all parks and other public grounds, whether about buildings or otherwise, beautified, especially church grounds.

4. To secure well kept lawns, and encourage the planting of trees along the streets and highways, The free distribution of flower and garden seeds among those unable or indisposed to purchase them is recommended.

5. Much can be done in almost every town in the way of improving cemetery grounds.

6. Study the conditions of your towns and vicinity in order to discover if there are any special directions in which work to secure these desired ends can be made.

7. Interest the local press and secure its aid in directing the attention of the people to the desirability of making their grounds and their town more attractive.