SOME OF THE STRAWBERRIES SHOWN AT THE SUMMER MEETING OF THE MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, HELD JUNE 22, 1899.

HORTICULTURIST.

VOL. 27.

JULY, 1899.

Summer Meeting.

No. 7.

OF THE MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL
SOCIETY, 1899.

MISS EMMA V. WHITE, MINNEAPOLIS.

(Not a Stenographic Report.)

The summer meeting of the society, held June 22d, at the State Experiment Station, St. Anthony Park, was no exception to those of late years in the matters of attendance, interest and exhibit nor in the uniformly delightful weather that so auspiciously favors these gatherings. Some three hundred or more gentlemen and ladies, horticulturists and their friends, and others interested in the society's work, were present. Of course the local attendance from

A GLIMPSE AT THE MUSHROOM EXHIBIT.

the Twin Cities was large, but there was also a goodly number from outside, among whom well known as workers in the society were J. S. Harris, of La Crescent; E. H. S. Dartt, Owatonna; L. R. Moyer, Montevideo; Clarence Wedge, Albert Lea; J. P. Andrews, Faribault; J. M. Underwood, Lake City; O. M. Lord, Minnesota City; D. F. Akin, Farmington; J. P. Davis, Goodhue; H. M. Lyman, Excelsior; J. R. Cummins, Eden Prairie; C. E. Older, Luverne; R. H. L. Jewett, Faribault, and our president W. W. Pendergast, of Hutchinson.

A new feature of the occasion, attracting much attention, was the exhibit of edible mushrooms by the Minneapolis Mycological Society. The members of this society are very enthusiastic in their study and investigation of this interesting subject, and are succeed. ing well in their laudable efforts to make this palatable and nour ishing food better known to the public. There were five different exhibits, showing about forty varieties, that of Dr. Mary Whetstone, containing twenty-one varieties, being the largest.

The usual interest was taken in the progress of the work at the farm, Prof. Green lending his services as a conductor to the various parties which made the examination of the grounds, buildings and practical tests, the chief object of their visit. Strawberries were hardly ripening as yet, but nevertheless the strawberry fields were as much of an attraction as usual this year. The most noticeable feature on the grounds was the preparation making for the new building to be devoted to horticulture and botany. Excavations for the foundation are in progress, and the building is to be completed for use in the fall.

The ladies of the Women's Auxiliary held a short business session, at which preparations were made for the representation of the Auxiliary at the headquarters which the Woman's Federation of Clubs is to have at the state fair this fall.

The exhibit, mainly consisting of strawberries, under the circumstances was an extraordinary one. For necessary reasons the meeting was called a little early for the full ripeness of this crop, and a light show was looked for. Instead, it was the largest ever made, we think, at our summer gathering. At least 150 plates of this luscious fruit were shown, comprising some sixty named varieties. The fruit was well ripened, of most extraordinary size and in prime condition. The frontispiece of this number conveys a little idea of the brilliance, size and beauty of the display. R. H. L. Jewett, whose fruit gardens are located at Faribault, easily carried off the honors for largest number of varieties, but handsome displays were made also by Jewell Nursery Co., Lake City, C. W. Sampson, Eureka, F. F. Farrar, White Bear, A. G. Wilcox, Hugo, S. R. Spates and Thos. Redpath, of Long Lake, and others. A number of plates of green currants and gooseberries were shown. Mr. Bussee, of Minneapolis, contributed a large display of early vegetables, and the Jewell Nursery Co. the usual large exhibit of garden roses, comprising in this case fourteen named varieties, shown in duplicate. These roses came in too late to furnish the regular decoration for our lunch tables, but the wonderful array of peonies furnished by the station made a very satisfactory substitute.

This description would be incomplete without reference to the show of seedling apples kept over in the cellar from the crop of 1898 and exhibited by Mr. D. F. Akin, of Farmington. The writer did not have an opportunity to test them, but their appearance was attractive and gave little or no evidence of deterioration. They furnished proof positive that Minnesota soil and climate can originate and mature a late keeping, hardy winter apple.

The friends gathered at the lunch tables about 12:30, where the invocation was pronounced by the Rev. C. L. Diven, D. D., of Unity

church, St. Paul. The basket lunches were supplemented by appetizing coffee, delicious cream from the farm dairy, lemonade, etc., furnished and served by the school, all of which received ample justice.

President Pendergast called the society together for the program of exercises immediately after the luncheon, opening the same by a pleasant speech. He referred to the fact that they were gathered on the longest day of the year, though fearing it would be all too short for the many things they had to see and hear. He congratulated the members on being in a state where fruits can be raised in abundance and of the best quality, and where there is nothing to fear from the action of cold or frosts, whereas in the south they are all the time in fear that something will destroy the harvest. He was in Florida and saw the great desolation that was produced by the destruction of their one crop a few years ago, and in a journey of 800 miles through the state did not see an orange, and wondered how the people lived. They said they used to pull through on "mullets and grits" (a kind of pounded corn), but now they lived on “sick Yanks." But Minnesota is to be congratulated in that a diversity of fruits can be raised and in a certainty of harvest, which in his fortythree years residence he had never known to fail. Altogether the president took a very optimistic view as to the possibilities of the state in its fruit industry, both as to quality and prices.

Col. W. M. Liggett, Director of the Station, welcomed the society in a few words of cordial greeting, suggesting that in the co-operation of such bodies the success of their institution largely depends and hoping to receive it in the future as in the past. Referring to the appropriation of $34,000 for the horticultural building, Col. Liggett hoped we would be able to hold our meeting in the new building next year.

Mr. J. M. Underwood made the response for the society, speaking of the school, its progress and work, as a special heritage of the horticultural society, and of their pride in the able body of men at its head, rejoicing in the hearty accord between the school and the society.

Mr. Wedge was to have laid the corner stone of the new building, but sufficient progress not having been made, the president said Mr. Wedge could act in a speculative way and lay the corner stone in imagination. He was therefore introduced and delivered the fol. lowing able address on "The New Horticultural Building and what it Represents." (See index.)

Prof. Green was called upon to respond, and, although disclaiming any thought of making a speech, spoke to the point somewhat as follows:

"This horticultural society has always meant a good deal to me This is the twelfth year since I have been in the state, and I have attended eleven of these meetings, and in all this time I have had the most cordial support of this society. Had it not been for this support I know I should not be here today, and it is through the advice and counsel received from you that I have attained to some measure of success.

At the time of our first summer meeting, which was twelve years sgo, we met in the grove and Prof. Porter spoke about the proposed school. Then we had but one pupil. From that time we have had a steady growth, until our school is well known throughout the Union in the educational field. I am proud of the good it has done; proud of its success. It is a success only because it has been helpful. We started with the single aim of being helpful, and we have succeeded in this effort. Such things ought to succeed. There have been very discouraging times, times when persons of influence did not regard us with favor, but our school has kept on growing, and now we get just as good appropriations as any other educational department. In regard to the new building, a large part of it will be for horticulture, though a part will be devoted to botany, and Prof. Lugger and the chemistry department will both find a home in it. Its significance lies in the opportunity to do additional work. I do not know that I have had many days when I feel prouder than I do today. I feel as though things were coming my way, and that I have the opportunity to do something more helpful than in the past. I know that the new building brings new responsibilities, and I sometimes shrink from its establishment because I know that I must work in new lines and bring about a larger development. But I hope to assist in making this school of agriculture as good as it can be made, and I hope you will all help in this industrial education which is going to do so much to help mankind.

Mr. W. M. Babcock, Minneapolis, was called upon on behalf of the Mycological Society. He said:

"It gives me great pleasure to be permitted to appear before you on behalf of the Minnesota Mycological Society this afternoon, and thank you for the privilege of exhibiting our pets. We have greatly appreciated the interest you have displayed in our exhibit and thank you for it.

"Our society is young yet, having been organized only last fall, and we are all amateurs working at a difficult study. We have been able to identify all of the specimens exhibited by name, and we know those that are labeled edible are so from personal experiment.

"We are unfortunate in having to exhibit a fruit that is so perishable. Most of the specimens shown here were gathered by the members since four o'clock this morning, and only very few will keep over a day or two. We have brought these to show to your neighbora. Doubtless you will recognize many of them as nuisances in your gardens and orchards and have cut them out or passed them by with a hostile kick. Don't do it again when next you see them. Gather them carefully and take them to your breakfast table. They can be stewed, fried, baked or broiled, and when rightly cooked are delicious.

"Right here let me caution you. Examine them carefully for insects, as they are even more fond of them than we are. Cut off the stem close to the gills, and if you notice little fine holes they are infested, and it takes a mushroom crank not to mind inhabitants.

"Another word of caution: Do not rely on any one's telling you to cook a mushroom with a silver spoon, and it is all right if the spoon