g C.H. True, of Clayton
county, proved themselves successful orchardists.

[Illustration: Mr. C. E. Snyder, Preston.]

On various other tables large displays of agriculture, apiary,
greenhouse and garden products completed the harmonizing of
horticulture, floriculture and agriculture, including mentioned
decorations appearing as a striking feature and an encouragement to the
cause.

The meeting was called to order shortly after ten o'clock by President
Geo. S. Woodruff. The mingling of many instructive papers with humorous
selections and music proved the program well arranged. Same carried out
very successfully held the interest of a not large but fair attendance
throughout. A paper and address by Wesley Greene, of Des Moines, should
have reached the ears of every Iowa and Minnesota citizen. A striking
selection on "The Tree," by J. A. Nelson, was descriptive, instructive,
humorous and poetic.

A topic of great interest was the everbearing strawberry, which
persistently bobbed up every now and then in interesting discussion.
Brother Gardner, with his practical experience, was right at hand, a
leader and authority on this fruit. Clarence Wedge, who always contended
that the Progressive was away ahead of all others, was endorsed by every
man that grew them in this convention, by a vote on merit of varieties.

Reports from the different districts showed a heavy rainfall throughout
the season, resulting in rust and scab. Sprayed orchards showed better
results than others. Small fruits were abundant and good.

Shortly after four o'clock Wednesday afternoon automobiles drew up and
took delegates and members over beautiful Decorah, stopping at Symond's
greenhouses, and on through the most beautiful park in this section,
then to the palatial residence of John Harter, where a very bountiful
banquet was enjoyed.

During convention Secretary Black's and Treasurer True's reports showed
the society in flourishing condition.

All officers were re-elected, place of next meeting to be chosen later
by the executive committee.

* * * * *

HANDLING RASPBERRIES.--In 1911 the Government investigators
made comparative tests of the keeping qualities of carefully handled
raspberries and commercially handled raspberries. Several lots of each
kind were held in an ice car for varying periods and then examined for
the percentage of decay. Other lots were held a day after being
withdrawn from the refriger