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MINNEAPOLIS, MINN.,
President of this Society two vears, viz: 1879 and 1880. (See biography.)
LIBRARY
NEW YORK
BOTANICAL
GARDEN
<
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Mimesola Stale Horicullural Soci
1895.
3 EMBRACING THE
_ TRANSACTIONS OF THE SOCIETY FROM JANUARY 8, 1895, TO DECEM-
4 BER 3, 1895, INCLUDING THE ELEVEN NUMBERS OF “THE
MINNESOTA HORTICULTURIST ” FOR 1895.
PS Oe ray
Rig atiael 5
Fi. EDITED BY THE SECRETARY,
ee A. W. LATHAM,
ye: OFFICE AND LIBRARY, 207 KASOTA BLOCK,
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN.
e VOL. XXIII.
ee MINNEAPOLIS:
ve HARRISON & SMITH, STATE PRINTERS
1895.
MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. ( _
: Y ~~
° “A
207 Kasora BLOCK, MINNEAPOLIS, MINN., DEC. 8, 1895.
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF THE 1
To the Hon. D. M. Clough, Governor of Minnesota:
Srr:—In compliance with the requirements of the law, Ih
the honor to submit herewith the report of our society fro
January 8, 1895, to December 3, 1895.
Respectfully yours,
A. W. LATHAM, ~
Secretar}
te as we 6Lee a,
any fem"
THE MINNESOTA
HORTICULTURIST.
VOL. 23 FEBRUARY, 1895. NO. 1.
GREETING.
Dear Friends and Fellow Members:
Before going on with the publication of our magazine this
year it was found necessary to secure a change in the law in
regard to the printing of our reports.
The new law, acopy of which is to be found on page 9 of
this number, was enacted without opposition by the legislature,
but it has necessarily required some time. The delinquent
magazines will now come to you rapidly.
Hereafter ‘“The Minnesota Horticulturist’ is to be considered
an established feature of the work of the society. With the in-
crease of size permitted under the new law it will be possible
to cull more liberally from other sources of horticultural infor-
mation and in other ways add to its general value.
In publishing this magazine we urge your hearty co-operation.
Especially as a means of communication, back and forth, with
the membership of the society should it be of value to you;
through the question box, by question and answer, or by com-
munications, it is very desirable that you should use its
columns. There should be in its use an exhibition of the
fraternal feeling which we know exists in so large adegree in
our association.
Asking your usual charity and consideration in the efforts
making for success in the work of our organization, I remain
Yours fraternally,
A. W. LATHAM, Sec’y.
Minneapolis, Minn., April 20, 1895.
re ee Pie ~~ te = ae ee , by — cee . > a ee,
m as pt ate as }. ~ ri . a ce *
patente tis
$%
— '
a q
Pe OFFICERS OF THE MINNESOTA STATE HORTI- —
y
os CULTURAL SOCIETY FOR 1895.
33 2 (Any of the officers will willingly answer inquiries in regard to the work of ay a!
. the Society.) . aa
; PRESIDENT.
e C201 QE WOODS vi. sara ech ot ries ap Oe eee eee a Sts Pe eis Lake City as
as VICE PRESIDENTS. a
ch KE. H. S. DARTT, First. Congressional “District...,......... Owatonna ‘Ss .
S. D. RICHARDSON, Second “ > Pitas tends Winnebago City
5 Mrs. A. A. KENNEDY, Third “ LE a Le Hutchinson
| R. S. MACKINTOSH, Fourth “ C0 oa rk Ne Langdon
a Cou. J. H. STEVENS, Fifth “ Os De ae ee Minneapolis
J. O. BARRETT, Sixth L NY See aes Brown’s Valley _ .
MRs. JENNIE STAGER, Seventh “ Ain) Pangaea eee Sauk Rapids ©
SECRETARY.
A. W. LATHAM, Office and Library,
207 Kasota Block, Minneapolis, Minn.
(Office hours of the Secretary from 9 to 12 A.M.on Tuesday, Thurs- y
day and Saturday.) ~e
TREASURER. y
Ditus Day - - - ee - - Farmington
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. he
(President and Secretary are members ex-officio.) an
WYMAN ELLIOT, (Chairman) 3 years - - - Minneapolis © ie
J.S. HARRIS, 3 years - = = - = - LaCrescent
i ° PROF. S. B. GREEN, 2 years - - - St. Anthony Park ©
CLARENCE WEDGE, 2 years” - 2 - - - Albert Lease
J. P. ANDREWS,1 year~ - -. : - - - Faribault
_L.R.MOYER,1 year - - - = - - Montevideo —
LIBRARIAN.
A. W. LATHAM, : - - - Minneapolis
E. A. CUZNER, (Assistant), Essex and o7th Ave. S. E, Minneapolis ©
s
SUPERINTENDENTS OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS.
1895.
PROF.S.B.GREEN(CentralStation,State Farm School),St.Anthony Park
E. H. S. DARTT, - - - E - a Owatonna
F. H. FIEDLER, - - = - - - Fergus Falls
DEWAIN COOK, - < - - = = - Windom
CLARENCE WEDGE, - - - - - - Albert Lea
CHAS. W. SAMPSON (grapes), - : = - Eureka
O. M. LORD (plums and small fruits), - - - Minnesota City
C. W. H. HEIDEMAN (plums and small fruits), - = New Ulm
H. M. LYMAN (apples), - > = - - - Excelsior
J. 5S. HARRIS, - = = - = - . La Crescent
L. R. MOYER, - - = : - - Montevideo
MRs. JENNIE STAGER, - = - - - Sauk Rapids
W. L. CASE, - - - - : - - Duluth
COMMITTEES FOR 1895.
FRUIT LIST.
CLARENCE WEDGE, - = . = = - Albert Lea
PROF. S. B. GREEN, - - - = - St. Anthory Park
S. D. RICHARDSON, - - - - - Winnebago City
SEEDLING FRUITS.
jJ.S. Harris, - - - - - - - La Crescent
APPLES.
R. H. Buttermore, = - - - - - Lake City
Chas. Luedloff, . - - - - - - Carver
D. K. Michenor, = - - - - - - Ktna
J. P. Andrews, 2 - - - - - - Faribault
PLUMS AND CHERRIES.
Dewain Cook, 2 - - : - - - Windom
G. J. Gjemse, - - - z . - - Hader
C. W. H. Heideman, - E : - - = New Ulm
GRAPES.
E. J. Cutts, : : : “
Wm. Morris, - - = + =
MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
. Howard Lake
Excelsior
R. C. Carroll, = - - - = St. Anthony Park
SMALL FRUITS.
John Eklof, - - - > - - - Cokato
A.H. Brackett, - : - - - - Long Lake
W. J. Hopkins, = - 2 - - - Bloomington
M. Cutler, - - = - : - . Princeton
EB. EB. Harris, - . - 2 . 2 - La Crescent
FRUIT BLOSSOMS.
R.S. Mackintosh, - - - - - St. Anthony Park
L. R. Moyer, - - - - - - - Montevideo
C. W. H. Heideman, - - - 2 - - New Ulm
J. O. Barrett, - 5 Z “ é
Prof. T. A. Williams, - - 2
D. R. McGinnis, - - e e
DECIDUOUS TREES AND
Wm. Somerville, - - = -
J. Cole Doughty, . - 2 é
O. K. Opjorden, - - 2 2
H. B. Ayres, = - - 2 :
Rev. O. A. Th. Solem, - = =
A. Norby,
OUT-DOOR HERBACEOUS
Mrs. Anna B. Underwood, - = ‘
Wm. Wachlin, - s s 2
- Browns Valley
- - Brookings, S. D
St. Paul
SHRUBS.
- Viola
Lake City
Milan
Carlton
= - - Halstad
- Madison, S. D
PLANTS.
Lake City
- Faribault
HOUSE AND GREENHOUSE PLANTS.
Aug. S. Swanson, = - :
Archie Wheeler, - - - :
Endicott Arcade, St. Paul
- St. Anthony Park
NOMENCLATURE AND CATALOGUE.
J.S. Harris, - - = 2 :
Prot... b. Green; = :
T. Wheaton, = = - =
Scofield, - - = 2 &
H.
ae)
rescott, : - - 2
La Crescent
- St. Anthony Park
- = = Morris
Bloomington
- Robbinsdale
Albert Lea
Prof. S. B. Green,
D. R. McGinnis, =
A. H. Brackett, -
John Turnbull,
Wm. Danforth, -
Wm. T. Shaw, =
F. I. Harris, -
Mrs. A. A. Kennedy,
Js. Elarris, =
COMMITTEES. a)
IRRIGATION.
: - Z - - St. Anthony Park
4 : = c - - St. Paul
u : - - - Minneapolis
APICULTURE.
s - N - La Crescent
é % = - = - Red Wing
ORNITHOLOGY.
= 4 - - St. Anthony Park
“ 2 : - - La Crescent
ENTOMOLOGY.
Hutchinson
: bs c = - = La Crescent
COOKING AND PANTRY STORES.
Mrs. Harry Snyder,
Mrs. E. Cross, -
Pra. Hk. Reeve, -
Wyman Elliot,
Prof. S. B. Green,
A. W. Latham, -
Wyman Elliot,
J. M. Underwood,
D. R. McGinnis, -
J. S. Harris, -
F..-G. Gould, - Z
Prof. W. M. Hays,
A. W. Latham, -
- - St. Anthony Park
Sauk Rapids
Lake City
Minneapolis
St. Anthony Park
Minneapolis
- Minneapolis
- Lake City
- St. Paul
La Crescent
Excelsior
St. Anthony Park
Minneapolis
/
“ See iit A Re ala le bese, 3.4 a
. , Pe
6 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
CONSTITUTION OF THE MINNESOTA STATE
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
ADOPTED JAN. 9, 1895.
Article I—Name.—This society shall be known as the Minnesota
State Horticultural Society.
Article II.—Its object.—The object. of this society shall be the ad-
vancement of the art and science of horticulture throughout the
state. :
Article III—Membership.—Any person may become an annual
member by paying to the secretary an annual fee of $1.00, or a life
member by the payment of $10.00, provided that the life fee may be
paid in two annual payments of $5.00 each. The members of any
local society may become annual members of this society provided
such local society shall send to the secretary of this society a
properly certified list of its members, an annual report of its proceed-
ings and an annual fee of seventy-five cents for each member of
such local society where the membership numbers from ten to
twenty-five, or fifty cents for each member where the membership
is more than twenty-five.
All memberships shall expire at the close of the first day of the
next annual meeting. Honorary members for a time stated, or for
life, may be elected at any annual meeting by a two-thirds vote of
the members present, provided that the name proposed for this pur-
pose shall be first referred to the executive board. Every member
shall be entitled to one copy of the transactions, postpaid, as often
as published.
Article IV.—Officers.—Its officers shall consist of a president, one
vice-president from each congressional district, a secretary, a treas-
urer, a librarian, and an executive board of six. All officers shall
be elected separately and by ballot cast personally by the member-
ship, and shall hold office until their successors are elected and
qualified, except that the vice-presidents may be elected by the sec-
retary casting therefor the ballot of the society. The annual election
of officers shall take place on the afternoon of the the third day of
the annual meeting. All terms of office shall begin immediately upon
election, and no person shall be eligible to hold office who has not
been amember of the society for the three years immediately preced-
ing. The president, vice-presidents, and the treasurer shall hold
their office for one year. An executive board to consist of six mem-
bers shall be elected at the first election after the adoption of this
constitution. The first two members elected shall hold their office ©
for a term of three years, the next two members shall hold their
office for a term of two years, and the last two shall hold their
CONSTITUTION. — 7
office for a term of one year, and at each annual election thereafter
two members of this board shall be elected to serve for a term of
three years. The president and secretary of this society shall be
ex-officio members of the executive board. The secretary shall be
elected by the executive board at its first session after the close of
the annual meeting, and hold his office for one year.
Article V.-The President.—The president shall call and preside
at all meetings of the society and, under the direction of the execu-
tive board, have a general superintendence of its affairs. In the
absence or disability of the president, the executive board shall se-
lect one of the vice-presidents to act as president pro tempore.
Article VI—The Vice-Presidents.—The vice-presidents shall have
the general supervision of all horticultural interests in their respec-
tive districts, and as such constitute a general fruit committee, and
make a report to the society at its annual winter meeting and recom-
mend a list of fruits succeeding best in their districts. In consider-
ation therefor the society shall pay the traveling expenses incurred
in their attendance at said meeting.
Article VII.—The Secretary.—The secretary shall keep a full re-
cord of the proceedings of the society and of the executive board.
He shall receive and pay over all moneys collected from members
or otherwise, to the treasurer, taking his receipt therefor. He shall,
under the direction of the executive board, conduct the correspon-
dence of the society, have charge of its books and papers, prepare
its reports for publication and attend to their distribution. He shall
be ex-officio librarian of the society. He shall receive for the neces-
sary expenses of reporting the meetings, postage, stationery, print-
ing, office rent, assistance, salary, etc.,such sums as the executive
board may vote therefor. He shall make a report of the work of his
office at each annual meeting.
Aritcle VIII.—The Treasurer.—The treasurer shall receive and
hold all funds of the society, and pay out the same only upon the
order of the president, countersigned by the secretary. He shall
give such bond as the executive board may direct, to be approved
by the president and filed with the secretary. He shall make a re-
port of all receipts and disbursements of his office at the annual
meeting, and at any other time when called upon to do so by the
executive board.
Article [IX.— The Librarian.—The librarian shall have charge of
the library and report its condition at the annual meeting.
Article X.—The Executive Board.—The executive board shall, at
their first meeting after the annual election, elect one of their mem-
bers chairman, who shall call and preside at all meetings of the
board and, as such officer, endorse all bills audited by the board.
They shall have general charge of the affairs of the society, and
make a report in detail at each annual winter meeting. They may
calla meeting of the society at any time they deem advisable, giv-
ing at least fifteen days notice through the monthly publication of
the society or by mail service on the members. It shall be their
duty to audit all bills before they shall be ordered paid by the pres-
ident and secretary, They shall preparea program for each regular
8 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
meeting of the society, to be issued at least two weeks before the
date of such meeting. They shall appoint annual committees on
fruit list, seedlings, nomenclature, small fruits, apples, vege-
tables, flowers and such other subjects as they deem best-
They shall fill all vacancies occurring in the offices of the society by
appointment, to hold good until the next annual election. They
shall have full care and disposal of all funds in the treasury of the
society, and shall expend the same in such a manner as in their judg-
ment shall best promote the interests of horticulture in the state.
They shall serve without compensation, but be entitled to their ex-
penses in attendance at the meetings of the board or society.
A meeting of the executive board may be called by the chairman at
any time he sees fit or upon the written request of any two members
of said board, due notice being given either in person or through
the mail to each member thereof. A majority of the board shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
Article XI.—Meetings.—The society shall hold two regular meet-
ings, annually, one commencing on the first Tuesday in December,
to be called the annual meeting, and the other in summer at such
time and place as the executive board may direct.
Article XII.—Quorum.—Ten members shall constitute a quorum
at any meeting of the society.
Article XIII.—Amendments.—Amendments to the constitution or
by-laws may be enacted by a vote of two-thirds of the members
present and voting at any annual meeting, on two days’ notice of
said amendment being given in writing.
AN ACT PERTAINING TO THE MINNESOTA STATE
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
PASSED APRIL 2, 1895.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Minnesota.
SECTION 1. There shall be annually printed and bound three
thousand copies of the report of the Minnesota State Horticultural
Society, provided the number of printed pages of the same shall
not exceed six hundred. One thousand copies of the same, more or
less, as requested by the executive board of said society, shall be
printed in monthly installments and bound in paper as a monthly
report, to be distributed among the members of said society. The re-
mainder shall be bound atthe close of the year, three hundred in
paper and the balance in cloth,and shall be distributed by the
society as follows: One copy to each of the state officers, members
of the legislature, clerks and judges of the supreme court, and
members of the board of regents and faculty of the State Uni-
versity; ten copies to the State Historical Society, fifty copies to the
State Agricultural Society, one to each public library in the state
and the remaining copies as the Minnesota State Horticultural
Society shall degm best. :
SECTION 2. Section two, chapter seven, of the General Laws of
1874, is hereby amended by inserting after the words, “the printing
and binding of all reports,” the words, “(except the report of the
Minnesota State Horticultural Society)”; and further by annexing
to the close of the said section the words, “The report of the Minne-
sota State Horticultural Society shall be printed by special contract,
with the approval of the president of said society, provided the
price paid be not in excess of that paid under the contract for the
third class.”
SECTION 3. All acts or parts of acts inconsistent with the provis-
ions of this act are hereby repealed.
SECTION 4. This act to take effect and be in force on and after its
passage.
Tx MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY en:
FRUIT LIST.
Adopted by the Minnesota State Horticultural Society, Jan. 11, 1895. SS
APPLES.
Of the first degree of hardiness for planting in Minnesota: Duch- ey
ess, Hibernal (Lieby). |:
Of the second degree of hardiness: Charlamof, Wealthy, Long- ao
field, Tetofsky. a
Promising varieties for trial: Kaump, Anisim, Okabena, eee iS
less, Repka Malenka, Hotchkiss, Borovinka, Gilbert. 2
Best crabs and hybrids forcultivation: Virginia, Martha, Whit- =
ney, Early Strawberry, Briar Sweet, Minnesota, Sweet Russet, Gid-
eon’s No. 6. _ AS
Promising varieties fortrial: Tonka, Dartt,Greenwood,Faribault, _
Pride of Minneapolis, Crampton No. 3. 1 '
. PLUMS.
Best for general cultivation: Desota, Forest Garden, Weaver, —
Cheney, Wolf. ag
Most promising varieties for trial: Rockford, Rollingelaa oa
Wyant, Ocheeda.
GRAPES.
Best for general cultivation: Concord, Delaware, Moore’s Early,
Worden, Agawam, Janesville, Brighton.
RASPBERRIES.
Best for general cultivation: Red varieties—Marlborough, Turner, ~
Cuthbert, Brandywine. Black and purple varieties—Ohio, Palmer,
Nemaha, Gregg, se ae, Older.
BLACKBERRIES.
Best for general cultivation: Ancient Briton, Snyder, Stone’s
Hardy.
CURRANTS.
Best for general cultivation: Red Dutch, White Grape, Victoria, a €
Stewart, Long Bunch Holland, North Star.
GOOSEBERRIES. Tia
Best for general cultivation: Houghton, Downing. sae
STRAW BERRIES.
Best for general cultivation: Pistillate—Crescent, Warfield, Haw =
erland. Staminate—Bederwood, Capt. Jack, Crawford, Wilson.
Valuable native fruits for trial: Dwarf Juneberry, Sand Cherry.
Annual N{eeting,
HELD AT LAKE CITY, JAN. 11, 1895.
The late annual meeting was in many respects one of the most in-
teresting and successful, if not the most so, of the twenty-eight an-
nual gatherings of the Minnesota State Horticultural Society. It
was held under unusually favorable auspices, the weather even
assisting in its mildness as scarcely ever before on such an occa-
sion.
The meeting was held in the halls of the local masonic association,
and if ever our people are so fortunate as to have a home of our
own, wecan scarcely do better than copy after the plans of this hall
with its convenient assembly room, committee rooms, banqueting
hall, etc. Everything considered, it was, we believe, the most con-
venient and pleasant quarters in which we have ever met. Then the
_ good citizens of Lake City took it very much to heart and in every
possible way aided in entertaining and caring for the visitors, so
that the universal expression was, “I have been sent to the best place
in Lake City.” Judging by the number of times this remark came
to the ears of the writer, all the homes of Lake City must be of this
character.
In point of numbers in attendance this meeting stands easily on
a par with any of its predessors, the hall, seating in the neighbor-
hood of 200, being always well filled and often overflowing. Of the
membership some over 100 were in attendance, the balance being
interested Lake City people. |
The very full program was carried out in its entirety and with
much regularity, although in the press of business once or twice it
got in arrears and necessarily much interesting discussion was cut
off. The papers and discussions on fruits, mainly apples, occupied
largely the first and second days. An increased interest was added
to this discussion by the presence of President Kellogg and Secre-
tary Phillips of the Wisconsin society, and several other well known
fruit growers from Iowa and Wisconsin.
On Tuesday afternoon a new constitution was presented and read
and, as provided, was laid over for action till afternoon of the next
day. On Wednesday afternoon this came up in its order and was
discussed and adopted, one section at a time, and finally adopted as
a whole almost without dissent. It provides for placing the man-
agement of the society in the hands of an executive board consisting
of six members, two to be elected annually, thus ensuring great per-
manance in carrying forward any settled policy in the administra-
tion of the society affairs. In making this change our society has
copied after older associations which, though greater in years, are
not so in strength of association cr inthe amount of work being
done. Thechange will, we believe, be found to be a wise one.
12 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Thursday forenoon was devoted to irrigation and proved a very
interesting session, emphasizing the growing belief that the horti-
culturists of our state must in self protection make preparations for
an artificial application of water to the garden.
On Thursday afternoon the subject of vegetable culture was con-
sidered, and many interesting papers wereread and discussed. The
election of officers took place at this session, not, however, consum-
ing much time, as the officers were nearly all re-elected with little
or, in most cases, no opposition. Judging by the practical unani-
mity displayed in the business deliberations of the society and in
the annual election the association stands together as ever
practically a single unit to use its concentrated strength, as
heretofore, to press its noble and ennobling work. Forestry was the
topic for Thursday evening and several practical papers were pre-
sented.
The meeting closed with a banquet on Friday afternoon. This is
becoming a feature of our annual sessions and so very pleasant a
one that we desire it to be permanently established. On this occa-
sion tables had been laid, filling the two adjacent halls, seating
nearly 200. They were beautifully decorated with flowers and
greens and laden with the choicest of viands to tempt the hungry
horticulturist. The Lake City orchestra lent the charms of music to
add to the festivities of the hour. Following the banquet were three
hours of a flow of reason which was enjoyed to the utmost. Wit
and wisdom, prose and poetry, fact and fancy, music and song, all
lent their charms to grace and brighten the occasion, and when it
all closed with a bright banqueting song from our jovial president
we all felt that this auspicious event had been rounded out in full.
Nothing more was needed or could be asked to complete our satis-
faction. This occasion is ever to be remembered, and to say that
our people appreciated in full the great kindness and courtesy of
Lake City’s citizens seems almost needless.
The papers and discussions belonging to this meeting will appear
in full with other matter in the forthcoming numbers of “The Minne-
sota Horticulturist” for 1895.
A. W. LATHAM, Secretary.
e |
()fficers’ eports
=>
Twenty-eighth Annual Meeting of the State
Horticultural Society.
PRESIDENT’S ANNUAL ADDRESS.
J. M. UNDERWOOD, LAKE CITY.
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Minn. State Horticultural Society:
It is with great satisfaction that I appear before you this evening
on the twenty-eighth annual meeting of our society.
We have had the pleasure of entertaining you in Lake City at one
of our summer meetings, when the beauties of flowers and fruits
enhanced the occasion, but the time was too short for you to come
into intimate relation with our homes and to know us at our best.
Now, while the winter is not so propitious a time to become
acquainted with our romantic location on the shores of this beauti-
ful lake, and the horticultural interests of our city and the surround-
ing country are not so inviting as they would be in the summer,
we hope that our firesides will compensate by their warmth for any
lack on the part of nature.
During the year 1894, it is probable that the horticulturist had
heaped upon him every experience of an objectionable nature that
he had heretofore escaped or would ever be called upon to pass
through. This experience was by no means confined to Minnesota;
but frosts, storms, drought, bugs, worms and blight seemed to hold
high carnival without regard to location. Notwithstanding, fruit
has been plenty and some of it cheap. With grapes at sixteen cents for
an eight pound basket, surely every one should have had all they
could eat; and yet there were millions of our inhabitants who prob-
ably did not eat a bunch of grapes last year.
At our last annual meeting we touched upon the importance of
adopting irrigation in the growing of fruits and vegetables. The
drought of last summer emphasized still more the advisability of
the intelligent application of this resource. Its discussion is made a
feature of our program, and I hope much valuable information
may be brought out regarding it. There is no provision in the
statutes of our state for acquiring “water rights” for irrigation pur-
poses, but an act of the legislature should be passed during this
winter’s session to cover this case.
14 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Another question of importance to our horticultural interests is
the improvement of our roads—in fact, there is not a business inter-
est but what demands better roads in the country. Our merchants
have their stores full of winter goods that must be sold; the holi-
days come and the farmers want to go to town to do their trading,
but the roads are so rough that only a few, those living near by,
will venture out. And this condition prevails all over the state.
Suppose there were five good, well kept, macadamized roads, each
running ten miles back from Lake City, you could not find a hall in
town large enough to hold the farmers who would be in attendance
upon our meetings; and in the Summer time the produce of the farm
and garden could be brought to town in good condition and ata
saving of time and expense. Our cities are greatly in advance of
the country in their facilities for transportation. The electric cars
flit with the rapidity of lightning from place to place, and in some
places a person can ride thirty miles for five cents; while in other
places, without these facilities, it costs twenty-five cents to ride half
amile. Itis time our rural friends awoke from their slumbers and
secured legislation that would enable them to levy a tax on land for
the improvement of roads in proportion to its proximity to the im-
provement, and to provide for its judicious expenditure by compe-
tentsupervisors. With a good road to drive on, a man could havea
fruit farm five miles from town and get his fruit to market quickly _
and in good condition.
The past year witnessed the holding of state and local fairs once
more. They seemed a little tame with the memory of the great —
World’s Fair still lingering in our minds.
Itis a great satisfaction to those who have followed the success
of our State Agricultural School to witness the splendid results
accomplished. Here our young men fit themselves, during a three
years’ course, to be fully competent to conduct a farm, a dairy or a
fruit farm; while we, who did not have their advantages, have re-
quired thirty years of experience to reach the same results. Farm-
ers, have you a son whom you can send to this school? Do not
delay a single day. Send him atonce. He will come back to you
with knowledge of the best and most advanced ways to conducta
farm. Do you think you know itall now? Youare mistaken. Have
you never got your load into the rut and mud of unimproved roads,
when it took some strong adjectives and an extra team to pull you
out? Then did you not go atit and fix that road? Well, we all get
into ruts, and here is a chance to get out and repair our methods by
sending our boys to our State School at St. Anthony Park, and they
will come back to us and help us out. The school is ours free, the
expenses for living are light; and I hope the time is not far off when
provision will be made for our daughters so they, too, can share the.
privileges, and come home and help mother by introducing the best
methods of housekeeping.
I desire to call the attention of our society to the needed change
in our constitution and by-laws. Our work has become of so great
importance that our organization should be ona permanent basis
and, instead of electing a new set of officers each year, we should
OFFICERS’ REPORTS. 15
elect a board of trustees to serve for one, two and three years, so
that in retiring them, they would not all go out of office at once.
Another wise provision would be to set aside one-half of our re-
ceipts for membership as a permanent fund which should be al-
lowed to accumulate until some fitting time came for furnishing a
home for our society. Welack the means to do this, and I do not
know of a better way to make a start.
It has proved a great success and of inestimable value to have the
proceedings of our society published in magazine form. It brings
our lessons to us in a sensible manner, and just enough of them at
a time to be a delightful relish. I congratulate the society in mak-
ing the change and in having so efficient and successful a secretary
as Mr. Latham to conductit. Our magazine wasa venture, it is true,
but “nothing ventured, nothing gained.” We were the first of the
state societies to adopt the plan, and it certainly is one I can heart-
ily recommend to all, provided they have a man fitted by experience
and education to conduct it. A splendid field of usefulness lies
before us with this medium at our hands. All who wish to cannot
be present at our meetings, and, in this way, we can go to them once
a month and carry them greeting and words of cheer.
Our summer meeting was a most delightful one, held on the
beautiful grounds of Mr. and Mrs. Dorillus Morrison, of Minne-
apolis. The day was an ideal one in June, warm enough to be
pleasant and under the grateful shade of the magnificent trees that
graced the lawn, it was cool and inviting. A fine exhibit of roses
and strawberries was spread on the tables, and an ample provision
of good things to eat. A relish of toasts was served which proved
to be a very fine literary program, and, although well reported in
our “ Minnesota Horticulturist,” should have been heard to be fully
appreciated. All who were present enjoyed the occasion exceed-
ingly and carried to their homes grateful rememberances of the
hospitality of Mr.and Mrs. Morrison. I am sureif our members
knew what good times we have atour summer meetings, they would
break away from business one day and attend.
The past year has been fraught with much of interest to horticul-
ture. The intense feverish condition of the industrial and financial
interests of our land, that have tried to seek a solution in frenzied
political vibrations from one party to another, will, after all, find a
more satifactory adjustment of the unfortunate conditions that exist
by adopting a sound, sensible mode of horticultural living for all
classes, and, particularly, the restless unemployed. During the year
men have pranced in wild enthusiasm across the continent to Wash-
ington, led by hare-brained enthusiasts, regardless of the rights of
others and in defiance of the law. Railroad trains were stolen and
compelled to transport them on their way. {Towns were besieged
and required to furnish food and shelter, and in some instances
- large sums of money were contributed to furnish means for remov-
ing the incubus that taxed the people to their wit’s end to know how
to get rid of. Anarmy of tramps! Now tramping wearily along;
again, riding in wagons or anything they could command; or float-
ing down the Father of Waters on rudely constructed rafts, like so
16 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY,
many rats. Wearily they dragged themselves in rags and dirt to
the nation’s capitol, vainly seeking relief from their fancied condi-
tion of wrong and inequality.
Do you suppose that if those men had ever known the pleasure of
eating a strawberry shortcake, the fruit of which they had grown on
their own vines, they would ever have been found in such a humili-
ating condition as we viewed them.
Again the alarm is turnedin. Electric wires vibrate with fearful
rapidity. Click! Click! Click! Click! The operators listen and
write. A strike ison! The daily papers are ablaze with its details!
A great railroad corporation is tied up and every wheel is stopped!
Bridges are burned! Business is suspended! Great industries are
sacrificed and towns are left to starve! I don’t suppose one of those
strikers ever knew the comforts of home with a nice fruit garden.
That is not the way they seek comfort. Arbitration is enlisted and
again the wheels revolve and business for atimerevives. But hark!
Again with overwhelming crash another strike comes on. But this
time with better formed plans and more disastrous effect. Property
is destroyed, cars are overturned and burned, men, women and chil-
dren are victims of the deadly bullet, for the army has to be called
out. Even local authorities are powerless. State sovereignty trem-
bles, hesitates, and the national government declares martial law
What aspectacle in this free, broad, generous land of ours, where
every man can easily have his own home and live under his own
vine and fig tree, with no call whatever for injuring the property of-
others.
Is the country bettered by this upheaval of its business interests? .
Are the conditions changed in the least? It is true the Coxey army
is disbanded, the strikes are put down, silver is demonitized, the
tariff bill passed and election is over; butis any one a bit better off
than he wasa yearago? Are not the conditions for unrest and dis-
satisfaction just as great? If so, what can we, as horticulturists, do
to improve the situation? Wecandothis: We can carry forward
the work of disseminating knowledge regarding our calling, and in
many ways we can turn men’s attention to our independent, health-
ful and pleasant life, surrounded by fruits and flowers, our tables
laden with fresh vegetables, sweet milk and cream, and with honey
from our busy bees; and we can show them that when four dollars
a day is not enough to bring them happiness, they had better seek
with usa rural retreat and taste the joys only known to the horticul-
turist.
How can a man help being restless and dissatisfied working by
the day, no matter whether he gets one dollar or five dollars, if he
lives in contracted quarters in rented houses, with no garden or
anything to interest him when his day’s work is done? The first
thing he thinks of isto rush off somewhere and in conviviality
squander the money he has earned. Suppose, instead of this, when
his work was over, the mechanic could go to a home surrounded by
trees and flowers with a garden of fresh growing vegetables; or if
it were winter time, he could review mentally the lessons and expe-
riences of the year, aided by “ The Minnesota Horticulturist” or some
Te
OFFICERS’ REPORTS. 14
of the many valuable papers that represent the interests of horti-
culture; then, instead of throwing away his money, he would save
and spend it judiciously along lines that would help him and bring
him blessings instead of curses. This opportunity lies at the door
of almost every man inthe land. It is astonishing how much fruit
or how many vegetables can be grown on an ordinary city lot with
the facilities that are at command. And yet people neglect their
opportunities, preferring to live without or live on what they can
buy in the market, which is seldom so fresh and nice. It is difficult
for men to think they can do more than one thing, and I know fail-
ures often discourage them.
But people must be taught better ways. A few years ago, the
farmers in this country thought they could not grow anything but
wheat. Added facilities cheapened the product, and they seemed
panic stricken. They were compelled to grow other things. The
Farmers’ Institute came along and experienced and skillful teachers
taught them how to make diversified farming profitable, and today,
no more prosperous, happy, contented and independent people can
be found in the world.
Last summer, in talking with one of the ladies living ona farma
few miles from here, I asked: “Do you have fruit at your home?”
“Oh! yes,” she replied, “we have more than we can use; we sell and
give away quantities every year.” Ina gardenin this town,there were
raised last summer thirty-three bushels of tomatoes from a piece of
ground twenty feet square. A friend of mine grew enough vegeta-
bles in his garden, with the help of city water, to pay all the expense
of water for his place and interest on the investment. There is
knowledge needed to do these things, it is true, and thatis the ob-
ject of our society—to help others to know how to do and how to be
successful in those interests which we represent.
When men and women are out of work and suffering for food, their
immediate wants can be supplied, and it is very commendable in
those who open soup kitchens where they can be fed; but inthis way
they find only temporary relief from hunger, and a person must
surely feel humiliated and his character weakened by frequent lean-
ing upon charities of this kind. Many of the charities in our large
cities command our enthusiastic admiration in their intelligent
provisions for supplying some of the most necessary things: such
as bread, milk, and coal in small quantities at actual cost. And it
has been demonstrated as practical and accomplishing great good
to conduct a loan agency for furnishing money for temporary assis-
tance at a low rate of interest, on chattel mortgage, and thereby save
many a poor man or woman from the necessity, as a last resort, of
going to a pawnshop and paying an exhorbitant usury. Assistance
of this kind is calculated to relieve distress without taking away
one’s self-respect and self-reliance and must rank as a higher class
of charity than gifts bestowed outright.
There is still another way to help people, and that is by furnishing
them work,and I count it an honor for a man or a corporation to in-
vest large sums of money that give employment to others. I know
there are some who are never satisfied with the way this or that man
ate AC ie” ae Are a9 ere Lee Asn or Bie eS an 8. ey mal y icegh Ppa pare kK Se ee
Sa e Ne 7 ae
, i , M Pat
ae
18 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
or corporation invest their money. They want to havesomething to
say aboutit. This class of people are mischief breeders, calamity
howlers and unsafe counselors; they are officious meddlers continu-
ally crying wolf! wolf! and filling the minds of the people with
unrest. The laborer will do well to keep shy of them, and when he
is not satisfied with his employer, let him maintain his dignity of
character by availing himself of legitimate means of gaining his pur-
pose and by doing as he would be done by. The highest blessing
we can bestow upon the laborer is to teach him how he can be inde-
pendent—himself a capitalist on a small scale. Millions of acres of
land are at his disposal, and tenacres is enough to support any man
comfortably; only needing intelligent management to infinitely
surpass the rag-picking, gutter-scraping employment of the cities,
with their free dinners and soup kitchen attachments.
It is winter time and there is nothing to do at home except the
chores, and there are many good reliable men who will be glad to do
them for their board or the boys can do them out of school hours,
while as members of the State Horticultural Society, we come to-
gether and discuss all matters of vital interest, get new and better
ideas from one another, renew acquaintances and strengthen friend-
ships.
REPORT OF CHAIRMAN OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
WYMAN ELLIOT, MINNEAPOLIS.
The next day after the adjournment of the last annual meeting
the executive committee met at the secretary’s office, 427 Nicollet
Avenue in the Horticultural library room. Present, the full
board, including president and secretary. The purpose of the meet-
ing was the revising of the list of standing committees and arrang-
ing the business of the society as far as possible to avoid calling
the executive committee together again previous to the time of
holding the summer meeting in June. Various new plans were |
discussed whereby the usefulness of the society might be enlarged
and our membership increased. Some of the plans then made have
not materialized as successfully as was then anticipated, especially
those of organizing county and auxiliary societies; we have had the
expense and tried the method advocated, paying pretty roundly for
it. Experience you pay for is much the best, when you do not pay
too much for it.
If we have not received as great a degree of success as desired, we
have secured some free advertising and acquaintance with people
that will amply repay for the time and money expended in this
direction. I think we can trace the acquiring of several new mem-
bers to this experimental effort, and we do not give up the hope of
yet evolving some plan along this line that will increase our mem-
bership and broaden our usefuluess. This idea of organizing pro-
gressive horticulturists into energetic clubs and societies scattered
all over our state should be fostered and advocated by every mem-
ber, new and old, of this society. A suggestion has been received
from one of our executive committee that members of auxiliary
—
4
: SO Sys OF GF OR MLE ke priate OEE ST eal See nee Ue parent
OFFICERS’ REPORTS. 19
horticultural societies paying one-half of the annual membership
fee to this society should be entitled to receive the monthly paper
and a bound copy of the reports,and auxiliary societies, whose
members belong to this society should have the right to send three
delegates to the annual meeting with privileges equal to those of
full paid members. This is similar to the amendment of the consti-
tution offered by Mr. Wilcox in our report of 1889, page 436, which
was then adopted. For one, I am willing to extend the franchise of
membership to delegates from all horticultural societies in our
state, but not to members of said societies unless they give some-
thing in return tor our monthly and annual reports.
The very energetic methods pursued by our secretary has in-
creased our membership very much; some of this increase comes
from the free advertising and much from publishing the monthly
paper, but the largest number from our secretary’s persistant and
untiring efforts in seeking new members.
The Minnesota Horticulturist. While this new fledgeling is by
no means perfect, nor has it filled the fullest expectations of the
editor, our worthy secretary, it has secured many warm commenda-
tions from the press and the people of the Northwestern states.
This was an experiment of which there were some doubts of its
feasibility at first, but thus far it has been quite successful and
- meets the wants of the people much better than the issuing of our
transactions allin one large volume six or eight months after the
annual meeting.
There are some features of practical value that have developed in
the printing of our reports in this monthly form that can be utilized
to great advantage to our society and its members, with very little
additional cost, if we should continue its publication in this pres-
ent form. Through this monthly contact between the secretary
and our members, there springs up a desire for each to help the
other in many ways, and it is an easy method of inquiry and ans-
wer by which all should profit.
Institute Work. What more can we do as a society to improve
the horticultural knowledge than to disseminate throughout the
state our institute work? This question should be freely discussed,
as suggested by one of our veteran horticulturists. That there is
room for very much improvement upon the present methods there
can be no doubt; the question is, how shall we go aboutit and reach
the desired results economically? There should be a closer unan-
_ imity of purpose existing between the official members of this so-
ciety and the institute workers. It has been suggested that the in-
stitute work should be enlarged by having more workers in the field
and thus cover more thoroughly the large area of our state—by hav-
ing, say, three or four corps, each with its separate workers under
the direction of a conductor, and the whole body governed by one
superintendent, utilizing local talent whenever the right material is
available.
Legislation Needed. Your committee report that a great advant-
age would be gained to the State Horticultural Society if we could
have a larger appropriation from the state, so we could afford to
publish our monthly reports with additional current topics of inter-
20 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
est to those engaged in horticultural pursuits; or if we could have
the present law governing the publishing of our reports so changed
that we could have what it costs the state to publish them in money,
we could, by using a greater degree of economy, get much more for
the amount expended and notincrease the taxes of the people one
little bit. If our legislators could be induced to see this as those of
us who have investigated this subject and make the appropriation
direct, it would be much better than it is now.
The law governing or attempting to regulate the sale of nursery
‘stock in our state needs to be revised and some new features intro-
duced whereby it may become constitutional and more effective in the
suppression of fraud and afford a degree ofrelief to our people. As the
law is at present, there seems to be no way of seeking redress or re-
covering damages for fraudulent transactions in this kind of trade.
Some special legislation should be had at once that will help pro-
tect the interests of the farmers and horticulturists, and it would be
well for our society to devote a short time to the discussion of this
topic.
Fruit and Flower Cabinets. We need to secure samples of all
the finest and most perfect specimens offruit and vegetables grown
or produced in our state. These put up in papier mache and wax
casts would be lasting and valuable contributions to our horticul-
tural, historical and university libraries. They could also be
further utilized by distributing specimens to school libraries of
such varieties as would thrive in their particular locality, thus giv-
ing helpful instruction and creating a desire for horticulture and
horticultural works. The cost would not be great; a small appro-
priation from the state funds could be utilized in this educational
way to great advantage to the rising generation.
Insects and diseases, noxious and injurious to the best interests
of the farmer and horticulturist are being introduced, some of which
are from foreign sources, while others are of native origin. These
persistent enemies to fruits and flowers are causing great losses to
our people, and there should be such restrictive laws passed by our
present legislature, if possible, as will prevent these pestiferous ene-
mies or afford relief from them. Other states around us are taking
hold of this matter with considerable vigor, and our people should
aid and assist in carrying on this much needed work. I could enlarge
upon this part of our report by giving youa full list of those insects,
diseases and fungous growths that are so destructive to our fruits,
grain and vegetable products, but time will not admit.
I have already said enough to satiate your attention and have
drawn out this report much longer than I had anticipated when I
began.
os:
OFFICERS’ REPORTS. at
SECRETARY’S ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDING JANUARY 8, 1895.
A. W. LATHAM, MINNEAPOLIS.
Mr. President and Fellow Members of the Minnesota State Hor-
ticultural Society:
I have the honor to present you herewith the annual report of this
society for 1894, being the fourth which it has been my privilege to
prepare. Itis a volume of 538 pages and by far the largest this society
has ever published. From the standpoint of the horticulturist the
past year has not been altogether one of success, and in a measure
his efforts have not resulted in that fruition which the heart desires.
To the fruit grower the rewards of labor have been light. Late
spring frosts and the unprecedentedly hot and dry summer have
cut down very largely the returns. With the exception of rare cases
where the application of water was practicable, small fruit growing
and gardening have been very much ofa failure. It is well, here, to
emphasize the necessity which has come upon us to devise some
practical means of applying water to our gardens and orchards if
we Shall hope to reap an annual reward for our labors.
As a society, however, our work has been entirely encouraging.
Our growth in numbers and the ever widening circle of our in-
fluence have this year kept pace with, if not exceeded, that of the
previous year, and we may fairly expect, with the continuance of the
present favorable conditions, such steady growth in the future.
With this satisfactory review and favorable outlook, it is altogether
agreeable to meet and plan and provide for the future of so good
and pleasant a work as this in which we find ourselves engaged.
In the new departure which was taken in the beginning of the
current year, the work of the secretary’s office has been radically
changed, and it is no exaggeration to say that the labor pertaining
thereto has been doubled. The publication of the report as a
monthly and the largely increased membership have increased in
like proportion the work of the office, and also in a considerable de-
gree the current expenses in connection therewith.
At the annual meeting the executive committee were authorized
to investigate the proposal to publish the report as amonthly and if
found feasible, to make the change. Through the assistance of Mr.
David Ramaley, the gentleman in charge of the public printing and
Messrs. Harrison & Smith of Minneapolis, the public printers, which
was always very cheerfully given, it was found practicable to make
the change, and, so, on the first of February our new magazine,
christened “The Minnesota Horticulturist,” first saw the light. It was
necessary that we should pay the expense of a cover for the maga-
zine, envelopes for mailing, directing, postage, etc. Fortunately, we
were able to enter it as second class matter and so secured the privi-
lege of regular magazine postage—one cent per pound. The ex-
pense connected with the Horticulturist was for stitching and
cover, $100; for directing and mailing, $17; for envelopes and print-
ing, $26; for postage, $27; total, $170. This expense has been met par-
tially by advertisements to the amount of $116. An increase in the
Tp MON SP ER RS ANSP, Met Se Ce cma SREP Oe ee ke Wem OA On
aa
sa Ne a
22 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
revenue from this source another year should pay this cost entirely.
The plan of publication as adopted provided for an issue of forty
pages per month, equalling 480 pages per year, which, with the
index, would amount to about 500 pages, the maximum allowed us
for our report. On account of this including not only the accumu-
lation of papers and reports for 1893, but also the current reports of
1894, in pursuance of the purpose to make the magazine the medium
of carrying to the society the latest news it was found impossible to
include within this number of pages all the material on hand; and so
with the proper authority, willingly given, a supplement has been
published of some fifty pages, including the journal of the last meet-
ing and a few papers left over. This with the twelve magazines, prop-
erly indexed, making in all a volume of 538 pages, is the report of 1894
which I have the honor to present to you on this occasion.
In following out the plan as provided, this volume has been sent
to all the life and honorary members, and will be sent to all annual
members for 1895 as fast as the membership fee isreceived. The fee
of our society being payable in advance, and our magazine being
the report of the society, it also is to be sent only to those who have
or do hereafter become members of the society.
In considering the future ot our magazine, which we believe has
come to stay, the serious question that confronts us is a convenient
method of publication. For the ensuing year, the public printing
of the state is to be done in St. Paul by the Pioneer Press Co. With
the library as at present located in Minneapolis, this change will
necessarily result in considerable inconvenience. If the amount
which is being expended in the printing of our report could be
turned over to the society as a printing fund it would enable us to
increase the size of the magazine so as to include extracts from
other reports and the horticultural journals of the day,as well as
current horticultural news, and we should still be able to bind for
our membership and others as many voluines as are desirable. To
bring about this change would require an act of the legislature,and
to the grave importance of this I would respectfully invite your at-
tention. ’
The publication of the magazine made at once necessary some per
manent office, and the rapidly increasing library still further em-
phasized the necessity. A comfortable and convenient room has
the past year been occupied in the Kasota block, an office building
in Minneapolis, ata monthly rental of $12,a very low rental consid-
ering the circumstances. The accumulation of material in the
library from receipts of exchanges, some fifteen monthly or semi-
monthly periodicals, which are now being received, the annual re-
ports of kindred societies and other horticultural material contrib-
uted to the shelves of our library is rapidly swelling its dimen-
sions, and the time is not far off when even larger accommodations
will be required. I know we look forward to the day, which we hope
is not too distant, when this society may be the possessor ofa
home of its own, with suitable office, library, reading room anda
hall for its annual gathering. This is an object well worth bearing
in mind, and towards which we should bend every energy.
OFFICERS’ REPORTS. an
It is unlikely that many of the members, outside of the executive
officers of the society, realize the amount of work now being done
in the secretary’s office. Some idea may be gathered from the
financial statement contained herein, the large amount paid out for
postage and stationery giving some idea ofits magnitude. Amongst
the more noticeable items of work in the office may be noticed the
following: February 9th, letters were sent to 300 members of the
society who had not renewed their membership; included in these
letters were membership tickets filled out. On February 15th, letters
calling attention to “The Horticulturist” were sent to 100 of the prin-
cipal newspapers of the state, enclosing return postals, and solicit-
ing free advertising for the society. On March 15th, a letter contain-
ing a notice of our fruit list was sent to 300 state papers, asking free
advertising, about two-thirds of which number responded favor-
ably. On the first of April a review of the April number was sent
for publication to some 200 state papers. On April 15th,a circular
letter with enclosed form for reply was sent to all the old members
of the society, some 850. Many responded and renewed their rela-
tion with us.
The largest work of this character was the advertising done in
connection with the scheme for organizing horticultural clubs. A
proposal to form horticultural clubs, brought before you at the
last winter meeting, was turned over to the executive committee for
examination and action, and in pursuance with their plan a form of
organization, pledge and topics for discussion at several meetings
was prepared and sent out, accompanied by one of the society folders
and return envelope, to all the school district clerks in the state, in
the neighborhood of 6,000. It was the latter part of February before
these were sent out, and too late to expect many such organizations
for work that season. President Underwood organized the most
flourishing club we know of under this plan, having some 25 or 30
members. If we could secure his services in other parts of the
state in this missionary work, similarly good results would surely
follow. As faras known only two other clubs were organized, but
alot of good seed was sown,and some of it at least fell on good
ground. We shall reap in future the fruits of this investment of
some $156,and our efforts in this direction should by no means
cease. The above recital of work done does not include a host of
lesser circular letters to members of committees and other officers
of the society, requests for names, etc., to say nothing of the regular
correspondence of the office, ranging from one to twenty letters a
day, nor with the personal interviews there with our membership
whenin the city. The secretary’s office is made a sort of rallying
point for the horticultural interests of the state,as it is appropriate
it should be. All are welcome.
The annual membership for 1894 stands at 522. This shows a
steady movement in the increase of our numbers, as appears from
the following table: Membership, 1890, 123; 1891, 229; 1892, 300; 1893,
378; 1894, 522. Of these 522,210 were new members who received the
premiums offered by some of our public-spirited members. It is
right that some mention should be made of these premiums, as they
24 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
were furnished voluntarily and at considerable expense to the
donors. Thecontributors to these were R. J. Mendenhall, Minne-
apolis, M. W. Cook, Rochester, The Jewell Nursery Co., Lake City,
Clarence Wedge, Albert Lea, John P. Andrews, Faribault, and S. D,
Richardson, Winnebago City. Six premiums were offered to new
members for 1894, which in the judgment of those acquainted with
the circumstances is more than should be offered. For the coming
year three premiums will be offered to new members, which will be
contributed by the State Experiment Station, taking the expense off
those who have so willingly borne it the past year. A hearty ac-
knowledgment is certainly due these gentlemen for their assistance
last year and, more than that, for their voluntary offer to continue
the same gratuitous work the coming year. From this task for-
tunately we are able to relieve them.
From the above figures it is apparent that about three-fifths
of the annual members for the past year were either old
members, or new members who did not ask for premiums. A
large majority, apparently, of the members for 1893 renewed their
membership the last year. The life membership roll has been
increased by the addition of three names, Messrs. J. R. Cum-
mins of Washburn, E. E. Harris of La Crescent, and L. J,
Gjemse of Hader. Four,it is known, have died: Philip Herzog of
Minneapolis, and three of the veterans of horticulture in Wisconsin,
namely: J. M. Smith of Green Bay, Geo. P. Peffer of Pewaukee and
E. Wilcox of Trempeleau. Obituaries of these gentlemen have
been published in late numbers of the “Horticulturist.” Of the
roll of honorary members for a limited period, four have been added
this year and six dropped, making a decrease of two, as, also, in the
life roll a decrease of one.
The State Fair.—On account of my connection with the horticul-
tural department at the state fair, it is fitting I should speak of it.
At the suggestion of the state fair board our executive committee
revised the premium list, increasing the premiums on fruit some
$200, up to the amount of about $700. The premiums on flowers were
also increased about $100, those on vegetables remaining about the
same, except a decrease in that offered for county exhibits. <A radi-
ca) change in the fruit list was the doing away with the sweepstakes
premium, placing all the premiums in that department on the same
basis, namely, that the articles should be grown by the exhibitor.
The result of this list, supplemented by work through the “Horticul-
turist,” resulted in the best fruit and flower exhibit, taken as a whole,
that has ever been made at the state fair, notwithstanding this was
an exceedingly poor year for fruit. We may well feel proud ina
society like ours—one that can conquer success under such inaus-
picious circumstances. A little criticism has been made as to
these changes, which should receive attention at the hands of our
next executive board. The list was so arranged that nearly the
whole amount of premiums offered was taken, and by a larger num-
ber of different exhibitors, two of the principal points in view in the
revision.
OFFICERS’ REPORTS. 25
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
RECEIPTS.
Annual membership fees for 1894............ $505. 00
&s ‘1 ESD Liane vinys rman 49.00
Life AE PS Pe en ra pein 20.00
Advertising in the “Horticulturist” .......... 108.00
HVE Ate ON LETS TUG ATC Cleese ra) shave ata savele Seals. aietelole, « sceers 4.25
LUE Lad aries ric ania e ek ROGER OO ENE TCI SMe $686. 25
DISBURSEMENTS.
ENC CR ew a. acta Gave at cle fomid wc fun ale carpet B uetdels osteo « $87.11
Ei ting, StaMOmery, CLC). ¢ td cians tae mass.e otis 112.96
Expense of winter meeting, 1894.............. 59.87
BEPEEYECHA Fiske oh ini de wicth aie, s am svodam ats wise epee neal" 13.36
Reporting nicetinas, 1804. oi er sen a kee- s 89.25
Expense of The Horticulturist................ 163.38
One thousand extra Horticulturist.......... 25.00
ROE CORR OT ars te elton ae olOera fay eiatste eta abareceye ae 130.00
Wire PUTS ie fosc els ayes eel ateeeral a oie aos «Mets, Bteperareie 15.75
PHoto-engrayine, Toi. Sutith ysis 3.30
Honticultural Cliubrcrrculars 2c. 550 Hess «5 156.80
ES RE POLP Ober clay te cues sere o\ore enayeuetn ce aye aires Wests 7.50
MTSE A TICES .ctcjals cis dis Guars eyiie, seus leis) « biel ois elena teyspereteta ele. 7.15
MR TAN SES POR oan, a ee cLderats etteiin ss oh ain were oe 4.50
Tre ETS Sera ga lie A aR at ec Pe hae rn aR ROA i 24.15
AR rea Lorterahtatirsig ip viola fa kis Riemer Oe 5 wee Neieara' sens $900 .68
The present method of administering the finances makes the dis-
bursements of the secretary’s office large, indeed, almost the total
disbursements of the society, not including the secretary’s salary
This plan saves a good deal of work to all the officers of the society,
and the only objection apparent is that all the charges for the so-
ciety expenses seem to be connected with the secretary’s office.
Receipts are taken for every expenditure of $1.00 and upwards and
placed on file with the papers of the society after having been passed
upon and audited by the executive board.
In conclusion, I desire to tender my thanks to my fellow members
of this society and especially to its officers, with whom I am neces-
sarily brought in contact, for the uniformly kind appreciation
shown for all the efforts I have made for the advancement of the
interests of the society, With such support and evident apprecia-
tion of efforts one has courage to go forward earnestly in the work.
The outlook for our cause is in every way encouraging, and the
line of action upon which we have entered, if persistently continued
in, will easily carry this society to the front rank in the list of such
organizations. This means that our usefulness and the good we
shall do will be greatly and abundantly increased; that our little
monthly report will in time develop into a sturdy horticultural
magazine of wide circulation; and that in after years,as we look
back to this period, we shall feel proud to say that we were then
members of the Minnesota State Horticultural Society.
26 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
TREASURER’S REPORT.
DITUS DAY, FARMINGTON.
Dirus DAY in account with Minnesota State Horticultural Society
for the year ending Jan. 7, 1895.
RECEIPTS.
Jan. 10; 389046) alanceron Wand her: 20. cele cists we are wie oopec tense ele $117.90
as Received from state 4% annual appropration.. 500.00
Received from A. W. Latham, Secretary.
June. ‘Rebate on insurance'on library. /...2y2.0.8 gk 4.25
« PAVGL Ss aptly PER AA PEL: Soe, tisha cetera craic aval e vegans ete seus e cre 19.00
a One-half life fee of E. E. Harris... ..........s.0-0000- 5 00
S Pe Mee Ob lee, © MEVEMIE Sten ay, sacrereieites oo cone hk cite 10.00
“ Annual membership fees for 1894from Nos. 18 to 492
MATEO UUASTIVIER Ais ahaiey areen he Yon Ses chet ave hicdalny ot store Cprenciolt tore Semmes ts 475 .00
July 10. Received from state treas. 4% annual appro........ 500.00
Jan. 7, 1895. Received from A. W. Latham, Sec’y, viz.:
MASH IMU LLOLtre ml tints -eemce nea $88 .00
Letter paper, $1.00; life fee,5.00........ 6.00
Annual membership fees for 1894 from
Nos. 493 to 522 inclusive.....,........ 30.00
Annual membership fees for 1895 from
Nos? isto 49 51nGlusivie oo. me os sec okt 49.00 $173.00
Ammon tere CEIWEG nets wiars cele esas s $1,804.15
DISBURSEMENTS.
Jan. 12, 1894. J.S. Harris, exp. as ex. com. and delegate..... $39.35
re a RR. S. Mackintosh, exp. as vice-pres .....5././e sels 1.75
uy . A. W. Latham, fourth quarters salary of 1893.. 150.00
iS “ L. H. Wilcox, exp. attending ex. com. meetings 6.00
as . OvF, Brand, é€xp./toiex. com. aneetangs: .\.:..... 9.60
“ a6 NRE CE haa bae race Vem eno uber ars rere Scr on ane 3.00
. ‘ J. M. Underwood, salary as president. ........ 25.00
s . Ditus Day, Salary as treasurer...) ods..6: ice aes 25 00
gs & Ditus Day, exp. of treasurer’s office. .. ....... 9.39
4 ‘s iB Day, expuas vaCe-presi@enita.. neg see. cre 1.55
. Premiums awarded at the winter meeting of
LSO4 at Miarsieap Osis e's. car erstelapersuecareketates eeerarae 110.00
April 10. A. W. Latham, first quarters salary, S942 oe Vomeeas 150.00
June 22. A. W. Latham, exp. of secretary’s office, etc. .... 669. 43
¢ Premiums awarded at summer meeting, June 21,
NOE «2h 52 tap clatelaeava gt mg teary eye poste sonal drape atten Re 60.00
June 20. A.W. Latham, second quarters salary............. 150.00
Sept. 19. t S. Elarris, exp: as; OX, CONT i162 von sw tie outset latte 10.16
A. W. Latham, third quarters salary aistalstaters die eee aes 150.00
Jan. 7. A. W. Latham, exp. of secretary’s office, etc......... 231.25
Bialammees vine «x, 30,0 eah- He 'sins win ester reece wioare esau AG 2.67
$1,804.15
All of which is respectfully submitted.
i)
ca |
OFFICERS’ REPORTS.
LIBRARIAN’S REPORT.
A. W. LATHAM, MINNEAPOLIS.
The library has received about the usual number of additions
this year, the titles of which have been given in the “Horticulturist,”
with the exception of a few received in the last month, which will be
noted in an early number of the magazine.
The additions number about sixty-five, not including the dupli-
cates which have been received from several of the states, notably
Wisconsin, Ohio, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Nebraska and Ontario,
and one or two extra copies from several other states.
About eighty paper-bound volumes belonging to the permanent
library have been bound in cloth this year, making quite an im-
provement in the appearance of the shelves.
The accumulation of magazines and periodicals coming into the
office in the way of exchanges will soon call for more shelf-room,
or the banishing in large degree of the sutplus stock of our own
reports. The proportions reached by our library, and the labor and
expense connected with its increase and care,is a matter which may
well occupy your attention, and it would seem in place to ask of the
lawmakers of our state for a small appropriation to meet this ex-
pense. It would certainly be money well expended and yield the
best results.
Our permanent library now numbers about five hundred volumes,
not including in this count any duplicates. It can be easily and
rapidly increased by devoting some time to it, which the increasing
duties of the secretary’s office during the past year have prevented
my giving, as I should have wished.
There have been sent out from the office this year, by mail or per-
sonal delivery, a cloth bound copy of the report of 1893 to each one
of our membership,in all about 550 copies. One hundred and
thirty-seven packages of reports, generally three volumes in a pack-
age, have been sent from this office by express during the past year.
Many of the members in the state have preferred to pay the express
charges on three volumes rather than to receive one by mail.
ASSISTANT LIBRARIAN’S REPORT.
E. A. CUZNER, MINNEAPOLIS.
Horticultural reports stored at Pillsbury Hall, State University,
Minneapolis.
Year. Paper. Cloth. Year. Paper. Cloth.
leith, Sa ae 220 eRe OSG Fe cos aheth ck ieee 165
LEST! al aaa aa ae erahee Syste Map COUN) rienaaa cee ‘ee
Tks 7S Sky ap ee ets Pe Moto lo Ati vat ye ayaa 42
Los GRRE Nae ee sean: 1435 AB e IBS OMA cere sae os 96
WSCA a ievete cect cts ars 260 COLL MLSIO Bee Gen sts atiatonre 290
ifs }S) 5 ee al eel ar 148 roto, hy a Ufo ()) Lace We ge 50 150
Tish baa Bee ae 222 abit BOF rte Al aaate iad ah 1030 450
ea ya 4 “wee OF ~ OY re i Se ee ee a eRe el “ D il
DEE
28 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
The reserve. Stored at same place,
Year. Cloth. Paper. Year. Cloth. Paper.
NOG die tenhuie acts e's 42 nee Jikto ts BORSA eke BSN ao ee 43
SRSA: Sel ah es a Apres HOM CS Ba crass ci tek temo e 6 ae 50
1 NGS Acree SCTE ZOCOR hac aatater nee ae 31 36
CAG ereeite afore Shots, ole DOM UUS Siac. sereves loess ates ii 47
SUE tyearates t dterewrecec AS RTSSS' 52 nese St ose 42
SS ives eve eteietenies cles 20 7. tee oo) Kol ol RACeMe Re AI ME 2 48
USO nevi. Serene eee oe 8 SOOM A ae wets ate 13 50
SOU eee eet ee ieicae clare 26 nie BOM aa saan nae 50
hosed haga tt FO Rete ae 46 At BOO tothake cca A sptus he 50
TBS e a Se aes o creteera 60 saves OOS as ee eh tents 50
VSSS xe Rit yccters: cheers 50 ate
There has been some thirteen files sent out from here besides some
twenty back numbers to as many different individuals.
Respectfully,
BE. A. CUZNER.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION.
J. H. HARRIS, CHAIRMAN.
The time has now arrived when the demands upon this society are
so great for information on horticultural topics that more money is
needed to carry on the work successfully. The membership is now
so large that it requires of the secretary the whole or the major part
of his time; the publication of our reports in a monthly isssue also
makes added duties for the secretary to preform.
Special bulletins should frequently be prepared and sent out, when
the circumstances demand, to inform and warn the people in cases
like the great “model one hundred dollar orchard” swindle perpe-
trated by an Illinois nursery company upon the farmers of the
southern part of our state within thelast year. Now, therefore,your
committee on legislation recommend: First,that this society ask
the present legislature for an increase of the present appropriation
to our State Minnesota Horticultural Society to a sum commensurate
with the demands upon our society at the present time. We would
name as such an amount $2,500 per annum.
Second. The advisability of having the printing and binding of
our horticultural reports done by the state printers is questionable,
when upon investigation it can be demonstrated that the money ex-
pended by the state,as now done, could be much more economically
used if the society had full power to contract for this printing by
advertisement and to be given to the lowest bidder.
MINNESOTA STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
RESOLUTIONS THERETO, ADOPTED, JANUARY 9, 1895.
Resolved by the Minnesota State Horticultural Society:
(1) That the present method of apportioning the membership in
the State Agricultural Society is unjust to the representative agri-
cultural bodies of the state.
(2) That the proper method of forming the State Agricultural So-
ciety is by delegates from the various county and state societies,
proportioned according to the number of members insaid societies.
(3) That the following would be a just and reasonable basis of
forming a State Agricultural Society:
Each county agricultural society, the State Horticultural Society,
the State Dairymen’s Society, the State Forestry Society, the State
Bee-keepers’ Society and similar state organizations, shall be en-
titled to one delegate to the annual meeting of said State Agricul-
tural Society for each of its twenty-five members, provided, the re-
quired annual membership fee in said societies shall not be less
than one dollar. .These delegates may be represented by proxies.
Life members in said State Agricultural Society to have all
privileges they now enjoy.
DISCUSSION.
Pres. Underwood: If there are any of you who do not un-
derstand this matter you can ask for an explanation.
Mr. Brackett: What is the present method?
Pres. Underwood: I believe the president of the State Hor-
ticultural Society, the president of the State Dairymen’s Asso-
ciation and three members from each county agricultural so-
ciety are entitled to membership. Thereare also certain life
members that are entitled to vote.
Mr. Harris: Perhaps I am better acquainted with that asso-
ciation than any one else here,as I served upon the board some
twelve years, When they first established the agricultural
society it was composed of two delegates from each county so-
ciety. Then they began to have paid life members that had a
right to vote, andsometimes it became necessary to go to quite
a length to get a good man into the society. Then when they
organized a few years ago, they found that the horticultural
society had four votes. They found that the horticultural in-
fluence was getting too strong against the horse influence, and
they voted the horticultural representation down to one. We
are entitled to but one vote, while the county agricultural so-
cieties are entitled to three, and the dairy association to three
and the bee-keepers’ and kindred organizations have but one
vote, and as we are stronger than the whole society put to-
gether, I think it is an unjust representation. They cut our
vote down because our influence was against the horse. —
30 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Mr. Brand: There is one word in those resolutions I do not
like, that those delegates may be represented by proxies. Ido
not understand whether there is any binding force upon it or
not, but I do not think we should permit that clause to go in.
I do not think it is a good idea to have delegates represented
by proxies.
Mr. Wedge: It strikes me that if the agricultural society
meets at the same time we meet each year that we would not
want to spare one out of every twenty-five of our members to
attend the meeting. I do not know of any other reason why
they should vote by proxies.
Pres. Underwood: I think we may recommend what-
ever we have amind to. We could not legislate for them
anyway. There is a danger in the use of proxies. I do
not know that there is any danger in allowing the use of proxies
except where some one is interested in seeking an office in the
society. The president of this society canndt be present at
this meeting and the one in St. Paul at the same time. There
ought to be some way in which this society could be repre-
sented. I cannot be there and be here too. Our society could
have no representation in the agricultural society today if
they had not allowed me to send my proxy there. I wrote out
a proxy and sent it to Wyman Elliot, and I think they will al-
low him to use it. I think the proxy matter will take care of
itself.
Mr. Harris: I think we should go against the proxy busi-
ness. I donot believe in proxies. I have attended more than
one meeting where it was used simply as a political machine
instead of an agricultural society, and I think until the whole
thing is changed so that we shall have our proper representa-
tion there we cannot expect much. In proportion to our num-
bers we ought to have fifty delegates.
Mr. Brackett: DolI understand that the meetings of this
society are held at the same time as that of the agricultural
society ?
Pres. Underwood: It unfortunately happens that the State
Agricultural Society holds its annual meeting on the second
Tuesday in January, and our meeting begins on the same date;
and the only representation our society has is the president,
unless they allow us to send a delegation to represent our so-
ciety.
Suey Latham: This matter of proxies has two sides to it. The
fault found at present is that our society is not fully represented
in proportion to other societies; we have one vote for six hundred
members, while other societies have three votes for a dozen or
two dozen members. Supposing we had six hundred mem-
bers, aS we have now, that would mean that we were entitled
to send twenty-four delegates. That would mean a large bur-
den of expense on this society to cast that vote, if the dele-
gates were not allowed to be represented by proxies.
ee)
OLD IDEAS IN A NEW DRESS.
J. S. HARRIS, LA CRESCENT.
Mr. President: Unfortunately, I did not see the program of
this meeting until last evening, andI did not know what pap-
ers were in it. I do not know whether what I have written
will fit the subject or not. I know anew dress on the old ideas
will not fit very well, but I hope the horticulturists of Minne-
sota will make all due allowance for an old fogy who dates
way back in the past ages, and the reason they ought to make
this allowance is because you live in an age of progression in
which these things are marching on with such gigantic strides
that the old fogies cannot catch on and are still hanging in the
rear with their old ideas. The first reference you find of me
is in ‘‘Wedgwood’s Treatise on Cider,” several hundred years
ago, where you will find an account of one Harris who did a
wonderful thing in the planting of some apple trees, and what
he did is still a benefit tu this day. Of course, you must make
some allowance, but you must bear in mind that I believe
pretty much all I have tosay, and I may put a new dress on
some things I have to say. (Applause.)
The title of the subject given me does not quite fit what I expected
to say upon this occasion, and, doubtless, some things I shall have
to say may not quite harmonize with your theories upon the sub-
ject, but I trust you will make due allowance for what you may con-
sider to be my erroneous ideas and give me credit for coming
honestly by them. I have now devoted more than half a century to
the observation, research, experiment and study of practical horticul-
ture, and have for nearly forty years by precept and example and
through the press and horticultural societies, by exhibits at fairs
and labors in farmers institutes, tried earnestly to point the way to
success and persuade the people of the Northwest to plant fruit
trees and care for them for the benefit of the present and future gen-
erations, and very generally advocated “old ideas” that have deep
and broad foundations laid in the experience of past ages.
It was an old idea of our forefathers that a tree to be transplanted
should be carefully dug with as nearly as possible all its roots
32 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
intact, and that it should be reset without any unnecessary delay,
with the roots very little deeper in the ground than they were where
it originally grew. A reason offered against deep planting was that
the upper soil or mould was always richer than the next soil or
mould below, that the trees would start to grow sooner, make a
sturdier growth and bear fruit earlier, and from the nourishment
received from the surface soil they would acquire a better root sys-
tem and corresponding tops and produce more and larger fruit ofa
richer and better quality. Here in the cold, dry Northwest a “new
idea” that the true road to success lies in deep planting has so many
advocates that the people are beginning to follow them blindly,
some digging holes and shoving the roots down from one to two
feet below the surface. Among the pleas made in favor of deep
planting are protection of the roots against drouth and winter-kill-
ing and holding the trees in a more upright position, but for
neither of these is it any remedy, but rather the reverse.
The disadvantages or objections to deep planting are, first, the
roots are placed below where the surrounding subsoil has been
broken and put in condition to properly feed the tree through the
roots, and the tree is starved to death or receives barely nourishment
enough to sustain life, until, by a forced effort, it can throw out sus-
taining roots near the snrface where nature designed them to be, or
until the roots curve upwards in their growth and get into surface
soil. Second, it is not as sure a protection against drouth as shal-
lower planting with proper mulching or frequent, thorough culti-
vation, for the reason that our drouths are solong and intense that
the earth becomes dead dry below where any of the roots reach and,
consequently, the first rains that break the drouth do not carry
moisture down to the roots for weeks afterward. Third, that deep
planting was not a remedy against winter killing was proved by
the great disaster that overtook us in 1872 and 1873. That winter
followed a dry fall, with only two or three inches of moisture at
the surface, and seven feet dry as dust below, when the ground
froze up solid. In that winter thousands of trees were lost by root
killing; only those escaped that had their roots in the moist surface
soil. I lost about two acres of bearing orchard that was growing
ona little hill, where by plowing the soil had been raised in the rows
over the roots from eight to ten inches deep, excepting a few
trees which I had made a broad level place by moving the ridge
of earth to the lower side to level up. In my vineyard every root of
my grape vines from below four inches of the surface was killed,
and such of the vines as were covered before the little surface mois-
ture came were killed out entirely. From that time I have never
applied winter covering on a dead dry surface.
In the winter of 1890 and 1891 I had another lesson in my experiment
nursery. One-half of the trees were crown-grafts and set with only
one bud of the scion below the surface. The remainder were
put upon a lower portion of the seedling root and planted
deep, and the early snow melted away and made the surface soil
quite wet. We lost scarcely a crown-graft, but a considerable
portion of the others were killed to the point of union of root and
graft growth.
GENERAL FRUITS. 33
That extra deep planting does not tend to prevent the trees from
leaning from the prevailing winds, I have long since been satisfied
of. That the tops of deep set trees are more liable to winter killing
looks reasonable because the growth would not naturally cease so
early in the fall.
THE NEW DRESS.
Plant trees only that have been carefully dug and properly hand-
led, with as many of the roots intact as possible; prune back the
tops so they do not overbalance the root. Set in holes large enough
to receive the rootsin natural position and no deeper than the whole
ground has been broken, or plowed and ameliorated. Be sure that
the fine soil comes in contact with the roots at every point and pack
it firmly about and over them, and when finished let there be from
three to four inches of fine mellow soil over the roots. The tree
should stand from one to four inches deeper than it did in the
nursery, and according to the nature of the soil in which it is
set—for a very loose soil deeper than for clay loam. If the location
is such that more earth is needed, put it on top instead of making
the hole deeper. Another of the “old ideas” about planting orch-
ards was to set the trees to stand from thirty-two to sixty feet apart,
so that they could be plowed and dug about and dunged and give
the roots a chance to run outin search of food without rubbing
some other tree;so that the tops would develop broad and spreading
and be able to support much fruit, and so that the sun and air would
get in and give color and quality to the fruit. In this state a newer
idea has crept in, and of late years close planting is becoming an
almost universal practice. One plea for it is that it may afford pro-
tection to the trees; and yet those who claim it disapprove of the
protection afforded by timber belts and windbreaks.
For small gardens and dwarf varieties it may be best, but for or-
chards too close planting will not prove a success. Fruit-bearing
trees need digging about, plowing, cultivating and manuring, as
much now as they did in the olden time. In a few years both the
roots and tops of close-planted trees intersect each other and begin
carrying on a system of robbery, robbing the soil of fertility and
the fruit of air and sunshine. Shade of the ground and lower
branches invite disease and premature death, and the trees soon lose
much of their vitality and languish, or starve. They are not able to
produce large crops of fruit or bring any to the greatest perfection,
except upon the topmost branches. The close-planted orchard
furnishes the best of environments for the propagation of scab and
other fungus diseases that are detrimental to fruit growing, also
extreme drouths are more damaging than to the close planted
orchard.
The new dress is to run the rows of trees north and south, with
the rows from thirty to sixty feet apart, the trees in the rows stand-
ing from twelve to twenty feet apart to protect each other. They
will still get about all the benefits afforded by the old style of dis-
tant planting and give the same opportunity for cultivating, manur-
ing and getting about by only going between the rows. By this
system one-half of the trees may be removed when they get to crowd-
34 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
ing, or the orchard may be renewed by setting a row of trees between
and removing all of the old ones after the new commence fruiting.
An “old idea” was to prune the trees to have a trunk six to nine
feet high and keep the heads thinned out by a periodical pruning,
The “new idea” in the West is to set the trees and let them branch
from the ground up like acurrant bush, or with very short trunks,
and never afterward do any pruning. Well,itis hardly necessary,
for the lower branches, in reaching upward for the blessed sunlight,
soon become separate trunks, with a tuft of branching on the end,
and if they are ever loaded with fruit, the winds and weight have a
good leverage, and the pruning is complete. Our new dress suited
for this climate would be to start the head of the tree at from three
to four feet above the ground, according to variety and location, and
prune or train to keep a well balanced top, not too heavy for the
trunk and roots, and reasonably open. The “old idea” generally fa-
vored setting strong, thrifty young trees raised from seeds and after-
wards grafting or budding them in the top, or where-the top was
to be started. But we learn from ancient writers that some parties
did dig up the young seedlings in the fall and graft them just above
the crown, doing the work by the fire in the winter. Root grafting
by the present method was not very generally practiced until about
sixty years since. For the climate of this state it is undoubtedly
the best method for raising trees, because few seedlings are hardy
enough to make good trunks, and the varieties we can grow here
must be extremely hardy. If it becomes necessary or desirable to
top-graft trees it should be done only on the hardiest varieties that
have first been propagated as root grafts.
In the olden times large commercial nurseries such as we have at
the present time were unknown, and novelities were indeed rare and
the traveling agent had not beeninvented. In almostany neighbor-
hood some enterprising man would keep a small nursery, and the
+ ee
price of a good tree was about twenty-five cents, and the man who
wanted trees generally went to the nursery for them. Now we have
single commercial nurseries large enough to supply the state, and
agents to sell the trees who are smart enough to convince the ordi-
nary planter that the nursery they work for has all there is in the
world that is good for anything and has mastered the true secret
of propagation, so that the trees they have to sell will stand all
climates and bear no end of fruit. So plausible is their story that
some have hesitated about buying, lest the trees should live so long
and bear so heavy they could not find any use for the fruit. Won-
derful things are some of these novelties. A few years since a man
came to me at the state fair and told me that my time for carrying
off the large premiums at the fairs was short for he had putin an
order fora quantity of trees—peaches budded on thorn, pears on iron-
wood and apples on French crab stock, etc. Well,it did not mate-
rialize, and fruit grown on the old kind of trees still takes the prizes,
It is certain that skilled nurserymen who make it their business to
grow and supply trees to the planters, can raise better trees and
furnish them cheaper and,as a rule, better than individuals can raise
for themselves; and when they keep up with the times, and furnish
only such as are best for their customers, they ought to be liberally
GENERAL FRUITS. 35
patronized. I would not put a new dress on these old ideas further
than to say that the nearer at home the trees are purchased or pro-
cured, all other things being equal, the better it will prove for the
planter; and I would suggest that every man who intends to plant
trees for fruit will find it a good investment to first become a mem-
ber of the State Horticultural Society.
DISCUSSION.
Mr. Dartt: I would like to inquire if the Harris mill was not
wound up until last night and has ground out such a good grist,
what would it have done if it had been wound up a week ago?
(Laughter.)
Mr. Harris: The wind might have failed on it.
Pres. Underwood: I think Mr. Dartt could probably make the
proper estimate; he has been inthe windmill business so much that
he can perhaps figure that out better than any oneelse. Ido not
know what the basis is, whether it is so much wind to the square
inch, or the height, or what itis, for Mr. Dartt has not told us how,
he gets his estimates on the power of windmills. I think we must
have another article on windmills. This paper is open for discus-
sion, and let me say right here that we expect to take a paper of this
kind and discuss it thoroughly, make suggestions, ask questions
and bring out all features that may be of interest to us. Do not
hesitate to take part in these discussions; it will enliven our meet-
ings and make them all the more interesting. I do not know that
any one can possibly answer Mr. Dartt’s question, but I think some
of you may have questions to ask Mr. Harris which he can answer.
Mrs. Stager: I would like to ask Mr. Harris about planting trees,
—if apple trees can be successfully planted on new land the first
season.
Mr. Harris: I think it can be done with success. Is it timber
land?
Mrs. Stager: No, it is grass land.
I have a son who has a farm on which he wanted to set out some
trees and fruits. I furnished him the trees and I put in enough for
an acre of orchard and 1,500 strawberry and blackberry plants. He
had nothing but new land, sod, to plant them in, but he chopped it
up fine with a disc harrow and I set the trees out. Not one died
during the summer, and they made a growth of from twelve to
eighteen inches. I do not know that I would do that anywhere if I
had my choice between such ground and land that had been culti-
vated two or three years—but you must not forget the mulching
before the ground gets dry.
Mrs. Kennedy: Did you say that the tree should not be planted
any deeper than the ground is plowed?
Mr. Harris: I do not think the hole should be deep; not any
deeper than the ground is plowed. One of the reasons for that is
that if you havea clay subsoil and you work the ground no deeper
than it is plowed, it acts asa sort of a basin tohold the moisture and
it does not dry out quick enough to feel the drouth. Nature pro-
vides that some roots should run down. Large roots are pretty
near the surface of the ground. In hickory and other trees the roots
grow small very fast after they get out of the surface ground.
36 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
Mr. Dartt: I am not satisfied with the answer of my friend Harris
in regard to the depth that a tree should be planted. The question
was asked whether it should he planted below the line where the
land had been plowed, and he objected to digging the hole below
that line. I believe it is an absolute necessity that we should dig a
hole as much as eighteen inches to two feet deep, and make a good
mellow soil, and make a good bed, if it is two feet deep, and if three
feet deep it will not do any harm, and then set out your tree. The
moisture settles in there, and that is what we need in this climate.
Such a hole holds the moisture and the tree will not die nearly so
quick as if there was no moisture. There are some men who have
had the best success by digging a large hole and making a good
rich soil for quite-a distance around and planting the tree in there.
I once raised a bushel and a half of apples from a tree three years
after planting it. I dug a hole as much as six feet across and two
feet deep,and I made a good bed and planted the treeinit. I
planted the Pumpkin Sweet, and in three years after I planted that
tree I picked one and a half bushels of apples from it. They were
bouncing big apples, and I believe the more pains you take in mak-
ing alarge hole and making the soil mellow, the better luck you
will have.
Mr. Moyer: Mr. Dartt wants to make the holes the width of the or-
chard.
Mr. Harris: I want to ask Mr. Dartt if he puts the roots clear down
to the bottom of the hole. I do not care how wide or how deep he
makes the hole if he puts the tree where he ought to put it; that is
allright. It will do no harm to dig that kind of a hole until nature
puts roots there, the kind she wants. There is no doubt but that is
all right. Let me tell you in this connection there is a fellow down
my way that sells trees. He thinks he knows all about the tree
business. He set out two hundred trees last spring and some grew
three or four inches and some died. JI asked him how deep he dug
his holes. He said he dug his holes and put them down eighteen
inches deep. You see he put them down in that hard clay subsoil,
and there had been one heavy rain, and the rain and wind made a
regular funnel around the tree and the tree leaned the way the wind
blew last.
Mr. Dartt: As long as that reporter over there is figuring the way
he does I want to be careful what I say. I said I raised those ap-
ples three years from the time of planting the tree, and I want to
say it was four years. I do not want to make it too big.
Pres. Underwood: We all thought he had gotten away from the
truth. I understood him to say he raised the sweet pumpkin. We
raise our pumpkins on vines. (Laughter.)
Mr. Richardson: There is a great deal of difference in localities.
You might dig a hole two or three feet deep and still the water
would settle away. In our locality in the dry summers the ground
is dust just as deep as it is plowed, and if we want to get at the
moisture we must go below that point. I have had good success in
planting deep; it works to a charm onthe prarie. I would rather do
no mulching, unless I set the trees in sod. I have had good success
in setting evergreens in sod by mulching. I set my evergreens
GENERAL FRUITS. 37
deep, because I count on getting the moisture from below. If the
moisture did not come from below in our locality we would lose all
our crops; we must depend on getting our moisture from below. So
in our part of the country we find a dust blanket with deep planting
gives us the best results.
Mr. Brackett: Is it not pretty hard to get young roots to penetrate
your soil?
Mr. Richardson: <A year ago last fall I dug up some Wealthy
trees that had been set out three years, planted five or six inches
deep. I dug an underdrain where they had been planted and down
at a depth of four or five feet I found roots as large as wheat straws
growing down into the gound.
Mr. Brackett: What subsoil?
Mr. Richardson: Clay. Our subsoilis porous. Our soil some-
times freezes four and five feet deep. The frost does not go out
early, but when it does the soil crumbles to dust.
Mr. Wedge: It seems to me there isa great difference in trees.
Ithink it is not a matter of very great importance with ordinary
trees, forest trees, shade trees, etc., at what depth they are planted,
but with our grafted trees it is a matter of considerable importance
that we get the tender roots down toa considerable depth so that
they will not be affected by severe freezes and thaws. When we
come to dig our nursery trees we find that the roots have pene-
trated right straight down in that stiff yellow clay for a depth of
several feet,and I believe Mr. Richardson says those he had set
three years had grown down to a depth of five or six feet. So there
must bea great advantage in getting those tender roots which are
feeding our fruit trees down a sufficient depth. For myself Iam in
favor digging the holes from two to two and one-half feet deep. I
set out one thousand trees; I plowed a deep dead furrow and then
replowed the bottom, then I dug pretty deep holes. Our soil is very
stiff, heavy clay, and yet those trees have made a good growth. I
do not think they have made as good a growth thus far as they
would have made by Mr. Harris’ method, but I think the next ten
or twenty years they will make a better growth than if planted shal-
low.
Mr. Harris: In adry winter the roots will kill wherever the soil is
-dry, unless it isan uncommonly hardy variety. Isaw trees in the
nursery of Wilcox &Son;I saw them dig them up and pile them in
stacks larger than hay stacks, and all the roots that were alive were
the little roots,and those little roots were alive just as far as the
little moisture from the rain or snow had penetrated the soil. Just
as far as that penetrated the frost had no effect on the roots, but be-
low that they were black. The same thing occurred in Wisconsin
another winter that I know of. Mr. Wedge had admitted that they
do not grow as fast as under the plan I use, and if he should be
overtaken by one of those calamity winters before those trees have
formed sufficient roots he will loose his trees. They have not
strength enough until they form good roots to withstand those
hard winters. But if I lived where Mr. Wedge and Mr. Richardson
live I would perhaps set my trees deeper than I do where [ live.
When you set a tree four inches below the surface, you want a good
38 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
soil below for the roots to formin. Mr. Richardson’s trouble seems
to be that the soil becomes like dust, and I suppose if planted a
little deeper the heat of the day and the cool of the nights draws
moisture and supplies the tree.
Pres. Underwood: The question was asked in regard to planting
on new ground. I want to say a word about that. The past sum-
mer I visited Mr. Somerville’s place. He showed mea Duchess tree
he planted in [860, thirty-four years ago. He said he cut off the hazel
brush and planted the tree in that ground, prepared in that way
without any plowing, and the tree I was looking at seemed per-
fectly sound, and it was surrounded by a good many trees that were
retarding its growth, yet they seemed to exert no bad influence over
it. I cut off a limb of itand brought it home as a curiosity; it has
Mr. Somerville’s name written on it and the year it was planted.
It seemed so strong and healthy [ felt like taking off my hat out of
respect forit. It had grown so long that Mr. Somerville said he
was next spring going to cut it back so as to make it start a new
growth, but the body and every limb seem to be in perfect condi-
tion.
In regard to this depth of planting. I think you have developed
an important point in this matter, and that is, it depends upon the
soil the tree is planted in. I do not think I would go down two feet.
There are some of our members living over near Rochester that
planted their trees two feet deep and have had the best success of all.
We lost a great many trees by root killing,and I think it was caused
by the exhaustion of moisture. The moisture was entirely exhausted
in the soil,and when the moisture is exhausted the tree is really
dried out. Some trees are more easily affected than others. As Mr.
Wedge says, trees on their own roots will stand more drouth than
those which are grafted. Mr. Harris says it is moisture near the
ground that keeps the roots alive. My observation agrees with the
story of Mr. Wedge, that itis not the roots of the hardy stock which
are affected, but it is the roots that are formed on the scion or body
of the tree where the graftis put on that are injured, but below that
the lack of moisture seems not to affect the roots. Whether it is on
account of the subsoil or whether it is the nature of the stock itis
grafted on I do not know, and I think if there is any advantage in
deep planting, it is simply to get it down where there is moisture.
If you plant a tree near the surface, and you have a long, hot, dry
summer, the moisture near the surface is all evaporated, and when
it freezes it freezes up dry, and that is where the trouble of root kil-
ling comes in.
Mr. Harris: This mulching business must not be forgotten. One
other point I was going to make while weare on this subject. Some
people say that if the roots are way down they will not be so likely
to kill out in the winter. About fourteen years ago I was putting
out some trees, and I had budded quite a number of trees upon ~
seedling stock of doubtful hardiness, just a little above the ground.
It was on Haas apple trees. When I took them out of my little nur-
sery, I wanted to set them out so the seedling stock would be below
the surface of the ground, about six inches below the place where
they were budded. Then came on the winter of 1884-1885 and every
GENERAL FRUITS. 39
solitary tree in that row came out dead the next spring while the
next row of ordinary varieties are standing yet. Those trees that
were put down so deep did not get ripened up enough and the winter
laid them out.
Mr. Brackett: You do not think it was the lack of moisture?
Mr: Harris: No, it was not the lack of moisture.
Mr. Kimball: In reference to planting in new ground,I wish to
say that in South Dakota, in 1883, I met agentleman who was setting
out trees on the unbrok en prairie, and when I expressed a surprise
at his trying to do so he assured me that he felt certain of success,
and then he told me how he was doing it; and while I have never
been able to visit that orchard, I have found upon inquiry that the ©
man has madea success. I think the orchard contained some fifty
to sixty acres, and while the man has since died, he lived to reap
large rewards for his trees. It was in Turner county, between the
towns of Hurley and Parker. I have never had an opportunity to
visit it, but I found out through other sources that he made a suc.
cess of it. While I do not think it is the best way to set out an or-
chard on wild prairie sod, yet I wish to mention it so that our people
may not be discouraged from setting out an orchard on the prairie.
Mr. Harris: Was his name Smith?
Mr. Kimball: No, it was not Smith. I cannot recall his name
just now.
Mr. Harris: I would like to know how a man by the name of
Smith succeeded with his orchard. He was situated somewhere
about Madison, South Dakota. He set his trees out very deep and
calculated to work down to where there was moisture. I would like
to know if anybody has ever heard from him about it.
Mr. Dartt: I would just as soon dissagree with my friend Harris
as not. He said we must not forget to mulch—you must remember
the mulch; and while I approve of mulch, yet in all my experience
I have found that good cultivation has been fully equal to mulching.
Mr. Harris: That isa mulch.
Mr. Dartt: Well, if youagree with meitis no fight. No fight, no
‘fun. (Laughter.)
Mr. Richardson: I knew aman some five or six years ago who set
out his trees in prairie sod, and I think he mulched them. I never
saw his trees, but I have been told that his trees did first rate. He
did not intend to set them in the sod, but he did not have the ground
broken where he wanted to set his orchard. I know I have set ever-
greens in sod, mulching twice a year, and I have had very. good
success.
Pres. Underwood: Mr. Somerville is a firm advocate of mulching.
He mulches his whole orchard, I was surprised at the fineness of
his mulch. He has talked about drawing the old straw stack onthe
orchard, and I could see where there had been some three years ago.
What we want to know is what are the disadvantages of mulching?
Why do you say, do not mulch? Iama firm believer in mulching,
but I have carried cultivation to excess, that is, deep cultivation.
If you cultivate, do not cultivate too deep; thatwas my mistake. If
there is any harm done by mulching I want to know why and how
it is done.
40 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Mr. Dartt: Does any one object to mulching?
Pres. Underwood: I thought I heard some one object to mulching.
I have heard it objected to, and I thought some one here this morn-
ing had objected toit. I have heard it objected to on the ground
that it brought the roots of the tree too near the surface of the
ground, and unless the mulching is kept up the roots become ex-
posed and in this manner are easily killed out. Perhaps, I was mis-
taken in regard to the objection I thought I heard.
Mr. Crandall: I would like to ask Mr. Harris if he would mulch in
the fall after a severe drouth.
Mr. Harris: If I should mulch in the fall after a severe drouth, I
should put some water on the mulch. I put down some Delaware
grapes and covered them with leaves, and every one was killed be-
cause there was no moisture in the soil. If there had been a mulch
on during the summer, I should not have lost them.
Mr. Dartt: I do not like to keep jumping up all the time; but, now,
if you go to work and bring up the dangerous thing in regard to
mulching—you must first find out whether the ground is dry or not.
But I think the only safe way is to mulch every year; mulch your
orchard every vear; mulch it with manure; put on a reasonable
amount of mulch, and I am willing to risk it. When the season is
dry you want the mulch any way, and the only safe way is to put it
onevery year. Then, if some of your treesare Wealthys you will kill
them. If you mulch, mulch with straw, or something that has not
got much bones in it. Those Duchess you want to mulch with
manure. Cover the ground with rich manure, put on more; spread
it out and put it all over the ground; and we can do this where an
orchard is reasonably closely planted, as all orchards should be. ~
In regard to our friend over here talking at Farmers’ Institutes, he
talks for effect. I expect I do here. We talk about things we do not
know. I mean to take my own medicine, and if I do not take medi-
cine Professor Harris will poke it down me. (Laughter.)
Mr. Brackett: I would like to ask Mr. Dartt if he believes trees in
rich soil are more apt to blight.
Mr. Dartt: Yes, sir.
Mr. Harris: Don’t you believe it?
Mr. Richardson: I believe that there is a wonderful difference in
locality. Mr. Dartt believes in killing the Wealthy. If you kill my
Wealthy, you kill all my orchard. Manure does not seem to hurt it
a bit.
Mr. Dartt: My friend told me that the Wealthy orchard that was
doing so remarkably well was in grass sod.
Mr. Harris: I have heard all manner of theories,and I have prac-
ticed every theory I ever heard of, (laughter) but I do not believe the
Wealthy will blight any quicker on good soil with the fertility kept
up to the right pitch, I do not believe it will be killed by blight any
quicker than it will by starving it to death. Blight is something we
cannot account for, and it comes through atmospheric conditions,
and, perhaps, also, through the condition of the tree itself. I have
had the worst kind of blight on trees setin grass, and some trees on
cultivated ground blighted. I have a Duchess that has grown
rs
SMALL FRUITS. 41
twenty-five years, and it was the only tree that had no blighton. I
do not want to take up your time to tell you whatit is. The year
1893 was pretty dry, and the majority of our trees were not in the
best condition to go through the winter, and when spring opened,
there were certain atmospheric conditions which started the trees to
budding; it started the sap circulation, and the trees commenced to
grow, unfortunately, before the frost was out of the ground; andthen
there came a sudden check, and there was nothing to carry on the
growth of the tree, and the blight set in. I think the drouth of the
year before had something to do with it.
Mr. Brackett: I would like to hear a discussion on growing the
tree with several trunks. I adopted the plan of growing my trees
in that manner.
Mr. Dartt: Let us ask Mr. Brand.
Mr. Brand: I do not care to say anything on that point. I was
about to make a remark on the other branch of the subject. I was
reminded while you were talking about it of a certain part of nature
which Mr. Darwin calls “the law of economy of growth,” when there
is no necessity for nature to put forth certain efforts. When you
plant a root deep you put it below the action of the air, and it is not
inclined to fortify itself against the inclemency of the weather so
much as when it is higher up and more exposed to the atmosphere;
and it is less liable to kill the nearer it gets to the surface of the
soil, where it is more exposed to the atmosphere. You may expose
it below its normal conditions if the roots were exposed and hard-
ened up, and it may be able to resist more cold and changes than
otherwise. I think it would be a good idea to dig down in the fal] of
the year and remove a portion of the earth. I do not believe in hav-
ing several trunks. The best results come from trees having trunks
three or four feet high.
Mr. Harris: If members will look back through the old reports of
this society, they will find that twenty-five years ago I told them
how I managed my orchard. About September I went into the or-
chard and cleared the mulch away from the trees and tramped the
earth hard around the roots of the tree so that the roots might be-
come accustomed to the weather, and when winter set in I would
put my mulching back again. Mr. Brand sawa tree in Mr. Budd’s
nursery where the hens had scratched under the roots of a tree so
they could make a nest under the center of the tree, yet that tree
was not hurt in the root or top.
REPORT ON SMALL FRUITS.
THOMAS REDPATH, LONG LAKE.
The past season has not been very favorable to those engaged in
the growing of small fruits on account the of extreme dry weather
that lasted all through the small fruit season, making the crop a
light one. Strawberries were only about a third of acrop. The va-
rieties that have done the best in this neighborhood, so far as I have
been able to learn, are Captain Jack and Bubach No.5. Raspberries
were a fair crop and sold at good prices. Marlboro is the most pop-
al FY ae > |
42 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
ular variety of the red, but we think Shaffer’s Collosal will take its
place in a few years, at least in the Minneapolis market. Souhegan
and Hilburn are the best early blackcaps. The late blackcaps did
not amount to much this year; the most of the fruit dried on the
bushes. The blackberries did the best of all, and with me were
nearly a fullcrop. We consider the Snyder the best early variety,
and Ancient Briton or Stone’s Hardy for late. I have found out that
blackberries do the best without cutting them back. Give them
good cultivation, and every berry will mature and be large ones,
likewise. Gooseberries and currants did fairly well and prices were
good.
In order to be successful in growing small fruits, they need win-
ter protection and thorough cultivation all through the growing
season. We may not be able to grow large crops of strawberries
withoutirrigation, but the past season has proved that with very
little rain and good cultivation, we can grow raspberries, blackber-
ries, gooseberries and currants that will net us a handsome profit.
SMALL FRUITS.
M. C. BUNNELL, NEWPORT.
We have had two unfavorable seasons for the raising of small
fruits in Washington and Dakota counties. Where a thorough cul-
tivation was kept up, the crops withstood the drouth better, the
stirring of the soil having a tendency to produce moisture. Straw-
berries were not halfa crop; beds were burned up by the severe
drouth, especially the beds that were planted in 1893. Beds planted
in 1894 were better.
Raspberries and blackberries did not mature on the bushes. Cur-
rents were a better crop and brought.a good renumeration. The
worm didn’t seem to injure the bushes as badly asin the year 1893.
I think it will pay to keep up the currant industry, especially around
the twin cities, as there is usually a good demand for the fruit. A
number of the farmers have rooted them out on account of the
worm, but the grower who will attend to his bushes, use a sufficient
amount of hellebore, and give them good cultivation with plenty of
manure to enrich the ground, will be amply repaid. Gooseberries
are being planted to some extent.
As to varieties of small fruits that do the best in this section.
Strawberries: Wilson, Crescent, Jessie and Warfield; Parker Earle
and Bederwood are planted some. Raspberries: Turner, Cuthbert,
Brandywine and Philadelphia for red; Early Ohio and Gregg for
black. Blackberries: Ancient Briton and Stone’s Hardy. Currants:
Red Dutch, Cherry, North Star, White Grape. Black currants: En-
glish. Gooseberries: Houghton and Downing; a few of the
Industry are being tried.
As to the method of cultivating the small fruits, I would plant
strawberries on well fertilized sod three and one-half feet to four
feet between the rows, and eighteen inches in the row. Fertilize the
pistillate varieties every other row with staminate varieties; culti-
vate in the matted row system. Cover the beds late in the fall with
swale grass if it can be procured, if not, use straw with the chaff
FARMER’S INSTITUTES. 43
thoroughly shaken out of it. Would be careful and not uncover too
early in the spring, so as to escape late frost.
Raspberries and blackberries I would plant seven feet between
the rows and four feet in the rows and keep them thoroughly culti-
vated up to the time they are ready to pick,so as to produce as much
moisture as possible, that the fruit may mature. The old canes can
be taken out at any time after the fruiting seasonis over. Before the
ground freezes in the fall lay down the canes and cover with earth
for winter protection.
Currants and gooseberries plant at least six feet between the rows
and four feetin the rows. Manure thoroughly,and cultivate well in
order to obtain fruit of the first quality. The culture of small fruits
is steadily increasing, as growers can readily see the demand for it
in the markets, and there is no reason why it should not be madea
pleasant and profitable business.
HORTICULTURE IN THE MINN. FARMERS’ INSTITUTES.
CLARECE WEDGE, ALBERT LEA,
Having spent some weeks with the institute as instructor in horti-
culture, it may interest the readers of our magazine to know some-
thing of the state of our art as it appears among the farmers who
are attending this traveling school of agriculture.
In the first place we would observe that there is a very general
feeling of increased confidence in our tree fruits. Orchards of both
apple and plum have been so reliable in their returns for several
years past, that even those who have for years been singing the old
song that “It don’t pay to grow apples in Minnesota” have been
forced to find different words for their doleful tune. Plums espec-
ially are coming into general notice as a valuable fruit, and one that
is entirely at home in our soil. There seems to be little danger that
our nurseries will grow too large a stock of our standard hardy
Western varieties. The severe drouths of the past few seasons have
discouraged a good many in their efforts to grow small fruits for
home use, and the market gardeners are of little better heart. The
red raspberry of the type of the Turner seems to be affording the
most reliable supply of small fruit, aside from the old reliable cur-
rant and gooseberry.
In this, the southern part of our state, our leading topics are:
“The Farm Orchard,” “Windbreaks and Ornamental Planting” and
“The Farmers’ Plum Grove.” We do not fail to present our society
as the best source of information in all matters that pertain to fruit
raising and home ornament, and advise that they economize even on
their nursery bills and become posted on the best methods of caring
for the stock they buy. We are endeavoring to impress upon our
people the need of using business principles in selecting their nur-
sery stock, and of reasonable care and attention in planting, protect-
ing and caring for it. The varieties recommended by our society
are the only ones that are mentioned from the platform, and the
tendency to plant novelties is always deprecated.
44 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Superintendent Gregg is very reasonable in the allowance of time
given our subject. Itisnot his policy to force anything upon our
audiences, unless they show some interest and are inclined to re-
spond. The writer does not feel satisfied with his own success in
stirring up our people as they should be on the matter of making
the surroundings of our Minnesota homes attractive to ourselves
and a refining influence and pleasant memory for our children. We
feel certain that if we can find a man or woman among our horti-
culturists who combines a good practical knowledge of his subject
with entertaining platform ability he will be accorded the most
prominent place at the institute.
4
COST OF PUMPING WATER.
GEO. LE VESCONTE, IRRIGATING ENGINEER, MINNEAPOLIS.
In making an estimate of the cost of lifting water for irrigating
purposes, it is first necessary to decide what type of pumping appa-
ratus is best adapted to our conditions. For small quantities of
water, forced against heavy pressures, the direct acting steam pump
is most generally used. These pumps will consume about twenty-
five pounds of soft coal per horse-power perhour. That is, for every
33,000 pounds of water delivered against a pressure due to one foot
head, or for every 330 pounds delivered against a pressure due to one
hundred feet head in one minute, twenty-five pounds of coal will be
burnt in one hour.
For large quantities of water and low lifts,all hydraulic engineers
agree that the centrifugal pump, driven by a steam engine, is about
the best and cheapest method of pumping. These pumps will raise
water on a coal consumption of from three to eight pounds of coal
per horse-power per hour, according to the type of engine used to
drive them.
‘There are, of course, many other kinds of apparatus in use, such,
for instance, as the various kinds of plunger pumps, steam syphons,
injectors, steam vacuum pumps, etc. These latter have their advan-
tage of first cost being light, and they deliver the water more or less
warm, but the cost of operation is considerable, the vacuum pumps
using about sixty-five pounds of coal, while steam syphons and in-
jectors will consume as much as one hundred pounds of coal per
horse-power per hour. If gasoline engines be used to drive centrifu-
gal pumps about one pint of gasoline per horse-power per hour will
be used. In most climates,and especially on market gardens, about
twelve inches of water per year is considered the right quantity to .
use. Now, if we use that amount and lift it, say twenty feet, it will
take about thirty-five horse-power hours at a fuel consumption, ifa
centrifugal pump and steam engine be used, of not to exceed eight
pounds of coal per horse-power, or 270 pounds of coal per acre. This
amount of coal, at $6 per ton, will cost eighty-one cents, so the an-
nual expense of irrigating one acre of land, exclusive of labor
should not exceed eighty cents for a twenty foot lift,and higher lifts
will be in proportion.
PLUM CULTURE. 45
PLUM CULTURE FOR MINNESOTA.:
O. M. LORD, MINNESOTA CITY.
In our city markets, no fruit is more eagerly sought in its season
than our best native plums; though the market is generally sup-
plied with inferior kinds, the better varieties will invariably find a
quicker and more remunerative sale. The poorer kinds are such as
have not been grown by systematic cultivation, nor is any special
pains taken to place them onthe market in attractive form or in
good condition, and though they must be immediately sold, the
dealer buys them at such prices, as to seldom meet with any loss.
The peculiar quality or character of the common wild plum is too
well known to need elaborate description. The skin is thick, tough
and acrid, the size is small, and though the juice and pulp may be
quite sweet, the bitter and acrid properties about the pit make
them unpalatable, especially for cooking. Some of the varieties
that have been brought under cultivation, while having the same
general appearance, are entirely different in quality. The size is in-
creased, the skin is thin and not acrid, the pit small and free from
acid and the pulp thick, firm and sweet.
The trees are not naturally long lived in their wild state nor
under cultivation, but no fruit trees bear more abundantly, nor are
the apple, the peach, the pear or the domestic plum any more re-
liable for fruiting. The trees have also been charged with great
liability to insect depredations and non-bearing habits from the
occuring of pods instead of fruit. In regard to insects: In an experi-
ence covering thirty years, I have never seen the vigor nor vitality
of the trees, materially injured by insects. Can as much be said of
‘the apple, peach, pear and cherry, to say nothing of blight, sun-
scald, frost and yellows?
The black knot has formerly been considered a great obstacle in
plum culture, but experience has shown that it can be effectually
controlled by persistent cutting out. It is true that the fruit is
sometimes injured and destroyed by curculio and by the black rot;
but under proper care the plum is no more liable to be injured by
curculio than is the apple by gouger or codling moth, or other
fruits by numerous insects; nor is it any more liable to be affected
by rot than the peach or the grape, yet we manage to have a fair
supply of all these fruits.
In regard toplum pods: A full discussion of the subject may not
be profitable, as it has been quite exhaustively treated in the Cor-
nell Bulletin and also in the “MinnesotaHorticulturist.” Some of the
conclusions do not accord with my experience. No remedy for the
difficulty is suggested, except to destroy the fungous growth. The
truth is, in my opinion, no remedy ever will be discovered, as the
difficulty is climatic. It cannot be classed as a contagious disease,
unless the spores are able to transmit it, and this has not been
shown. The mycelium forming the pods may be made to grow in
the proper vehicle, but all attempts so far have failed to infect
healthy tissues. A distinguished chemist says, “Whenever any plant
cells are injured or ruptured, the sap, on coming in contact with the
46 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
air or with the injured cells, is entirely changed in its composition
from original sap, like the gum of the peach or cherry trees, or like
the mycelium of plum pods or other plants. The natural cell pro-
toplasm of plants when brought to the air absorbs oxygen, and this
combines with various compounds of the protoplasm forming new
unions containing starch, glucose and other carbonates. Nitrogen
is also absorbed, organizing nitrogenous compounds, known as the
active principles of life. Where they are sporadic, they are easily
cultivated in other vehicles adapted to their life. In some cases
these compounds assume mycelial forms which may be made to
grow, though not strictly sporadic.” The peculiar mycelium of
plum pods may sometimes be found in the small twigs and branches
of the trees and may in extreme cases be carried over the season in
the tree and permeate the fruit the next year; butif the season be
favorable, this will only be observed to a very slight extent. A row
of twenty cherry trees a few years ago produced a large crop of
pods, while other trees close by blooming a little later had no pods.
Those same trees have produced fine crops since then without a
single pod. From the observation of this habit for twenty years, I
infer that if the season be favorable no fear need be entertained of
the occurrence of plum pods.
The fungous growth is not a disease of the tree but the result of
injury to the tender tissues of the plant at a particular stage of its
growth by excessive cold.
I wish I could speak as confidently of the plum rot. This is a
sporadic disease of the fruit; and if the spores fall upon moist fruit
or fall upon plums that are in contact, they will multiply, pene-
trate and spoil the fruit. I received a tree from Mr. Taylor, of
Forestville, several years ago, that for three or four years had its
fruit rot. It was top-grafted with Desota, which does not rot, though
the fruit on some of the original branches continued to be affected.
I believe the rot to be more disastrous in a wet season than in a dry
one, and that some varieties are much more susceptible than others.
I have never seen any rot upon some varieties. As aremedy I can
only suggest a resort to spraying with some of the copper com-
pounds or to pick and destroy the infected fruit as soon as dis-
covered. The non-bearing habit has also been attributed to im-
perfect pollenizing, and the remedy suggested is planting different
varieties near together and using some kinds known to be prepo-
tent and furnishing abundant pollen.- This has been found to be
beneficial in many cases, but nearly all the native plums bear more
or less imperfect blossoms every year; and in some years all the
blossoms of a tree may have no pistils and, of course, be abortive.
Whether this is the natural habit of the tree or whether the plum
tree is functionally, if not strictly, dioceous, has not been deter-
mined. With our present knowledge, want of pollenation is as
good a reason for non-bearing as fungus disease is for pods or
heart failure and want of breath is for dissolution. I have now
named all the serious obstacles to successful native plum culture,
and in spite of them have personally had more or less fruit for the
last thirty years and, usually,a surplus for market. Mr. C. L. Smith
CHERRIES. 47
asserts very confidently that what “Man has done, man may do.” I
dont know where he gets his authority, but I am inclined to believe
itin regard to plum growing. If there are other obstacles to suc-
cess, they are only such as would appeal to the common sense of
any ordinary fruit grower. ,
If I should transplant a colored gentleman to the arctic circle, I
should expect him to sigh for the temperature of Africa. If Chicka-
saw plums are plantedin Minnesota they will freeze to death sooner
or later; so also will any of the tender varieties of Europe; but if
the Cheney, Rollingstone, Desota or Weaver be planted here, in any
soil or situation that will produce a good crop of grain, thrifty and
vigorous trees and an abundance of fruit may be assured; and this
may be true of numerous other varieties, notwithstanding all the
ravages of curculio, insects, plum pods, cold weather, black knot,
rot, &c. My faith is such that I shall continue to plant seeds and
trees, confidently expecting to gather the fruit. Anda strong hint,
through the work of the Jewell Nursery Co., may be utilized by the
tree growers and fruit men of this state, when they are informed
that the company has this fall planted upwards of fifty bushels of
seeds, in addition to their large stock, from which they may reason-
ably expect a million trees.
CHERRIES IN MINNESOTA.
AUGUST MEIER, NEW ULM.
My experience in cherry culture began about fourteen years ago,
at which time I purchased two trees from an Ohio nursery. .I will
not attempt to name them, but the fruit isof the same kind as that
shipped here from the Eastern states.
I attribute my success with these two trees to the place in which
I planted them, which is about fifteen feet from the north side of my
house ; besides the house there are several large cottonwood trees
which also help to screen them from the sun. The trees are now
about twenty feet high with stems of about six inches in diameter,
The first crop they bore was in 1886. Since then they have ’'borne
quite regularly, except in 1893, this section having been visited by a
severe hailstorm the previous year, from which they did not recover ©
until this year. In 1892 I gathered about three bushels of fruit from
the trees.
They blossom with or a little earlier than the plum or apple trees,
while the fruit matures about the first weekin July. The berry is
of ared color when ripe and has avery fine flavor, and in size is
equal to those grown in the East. Many small trees have come up
from the seeds or roots underneath the trees; they are apparently
of the same kind as the parent trees. I have transplanted some of
them, but none of them have borne fruit, so I cannot tell whether
they are the same as the original trees.
I have also another kind which seems to be hardier,though it has
not so fine a fruit, and they do not produce so abundantly, which is
probably due to the fact that the berries grow singly on the
48 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
branches—by this I mean they do not grow in clusters as the others
do. These trees somewhat resemble the wild or choke cherry,
though the bark is darker, as is also the leaf a darker geeen. The
fruit, when ripe, is black or very dark red and is somewhat smaller
than the other kind; it is quite sour, though it can be eaten, and it
makes fine sauce and preserves. This variety seems to be perfectly
adapted to this climate, as the trees stand in a place where they are
sheltered from the north but not from the south, and they do not
seem to suffer from the heat or frost.
Judging from my past experience I would advise those who
intend to begin the cherry culture to be very careful in both the
selection of trees, to get the hardiest kinds, and the situation. Un-
less one chooses the hardy varieties which are adapted to this
climate a secluded position on the north side of a slope orin the
shelter of buildings or trees is the proper placeto select. The trees
are not hard to start, and with proper care in the beginning and an
occasional mulching as the trees grow larger, there is no reason
why every table should not be supplied with this,the most delicious
fruit that can be raised in this section.
LETTER FROM SECRETARY COWLES, SOUTH DAKOTA
STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
A. W. Latham: (
Dear Friend:—Your kind favor with the program of your meeting
received. I can hardly give up the hope of attending, but times are
too hard. We thank you for the fraternity shown us by sending
Mr. Terry to our meeting; his presence and help were appreciated,
ITassure you. The last year has been a very trying one in our state
for the horticulturist, most of the fruit being either killed by the
May frost or by the drought of summer. Trees died here this
summer the worst we ever saw, even large trees dieing. The tops
of the oldest trees set here were killed, cottonwood, maple and even
box elder, six to eighteen inches in diameter. Personally, it is the
best apple year in the last five; we sold about $300 worth of apples,
besides plums and currants. Small fruits were a failure. Weare
looking forward to better times—the dry weather cannot last always.
Wishing you success in your meeting and work I remain yours,
E. D. COWLES,
Secretary State Horticultural Society, South Dakota.
Vermillion, S. D., Jan. 7, 1895.
THE MINNESOTA
HORTICULTURIST.
VOL. 23 MARCH, 1895. | NO. 2.
[ rrigation.
POSSIBILITIES OF IRRIGATION IN MINNESOTA.
D. R. M’GINNIS, SEC’Y COMMERCIAL CLUB, ST. PAUL.
Before beginning my subject,I want to express the pleasure which I
feel at seeing the faces of so many of my old friends whom I met with
when I attended the meetings of the Horticultural Society in 1885
and 1886, and I am very happy to meet with you again. I have read
your reports, but it has not been my privilege to meet with you
again until this time. I feel that possibly I have something to say
to you of interest this morning. For the past\seven or eight years
my business has taken me to the semi-arid and desert regions of the
United States, comprising almost fifty per cent. of the number of
square miles in the United States. My experience and observation
in a desert where there was a rainfall of only seven inches a year
brought to my mind the possibilities of irrigation and the profits of
irrigation ifapplied in our own state. I have been impressed, if I may
be permitted to say so, by the remarkable lack of knowledge on this
subject in the portion of the United States where they usually have
rainfall sufficient to mature crops without irrigation. Ata rough
estimate seventy-five per cent. of the crops of the world are raised
by irrigation, the remaining twenty-five per cent. by relying on the
rainfall. It happens we live in a country where the rainfall is suf-
ficient to raise crops sonie years. To all intents and purposes we
lived in a desert last year.
What I want to speak to you about this morning is the practical
application of irrigation to our conditions here. Irrigation means
absolute certainty in raising crops. Suppose you could raise the
largest crop possible every year, and the first in quality. There
is not a man looking at me in this room, but has lost, if’he is in
the agricultural business, heavily from drouth. Think of it,
friends. Am I right or not? But, irrigation, like anything else
requires some knowledge to apply it and get its best benefits.
There can be short crops with irrigation as well as where rain-
fall is relied upon; but it is not an abstruse or difficult thing to
do, if certain principles are followed. My observation and experi-
ence in irrigation is that when you irrigate, the way to irrigate every
time you wish to irrigate is to cultivate instead. Now, I mean that
50 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
in a tentative sense, of course. In this desert I referred to in one
particular case we raised eight hundred bushels of potatoes to the
acre. I want to show to you that it is the most enticing thing in the
world to see the water run down the irrigating furrows; that the
farmer who irrigates is constantly enticed to the point of letting the
water do the work, and instead of using the plow or the cultivator
he turns the water down the rows and thinks that will raise his
crops. Don’t you do it.
I am impressed by the fact of the small amount of water it
takes to irrigate, even in desert regions where irrigation is ab-
solutely essential. When I came here last summer during the
drouth I had just come from a climate where there was but five
per cent. of water in the air, while here at the dryest time it had
from twenty to eighty per cent.of moisture. Now, irrigation should
only be applied to plants when they absolutely need it. For in-
stance, in raising potatoes do not turn the water on as long as
they are growing; let them wilt to show the need of it. I will insist
that the thing to do before planting is to saturate the land. Getas
much water on as you can. Aim to get the water in the ground
first, then plow the ground and plant yourcrop. If it is potatoes, the
moment the first sprouts appear above ground take the harrow and
run it crosswise of the ground and tear up alJ the potatoes you can.
It will, perhaps, pull up a few young potatoes, but that does not mat-
ter. As soon as you see the rows plainly cultivate very carefully
aud as deep as you can; Iam not an advocate of shallow cultiva-
tion, unless it be under certain circumstances. Within a week after-
wards, when the ordinary irrigator would put his water on the
potato crop, don’t you put any water on; cultivate again very care-
fully and harrow it crosswise of the row. Your neighbors will tell
you your crop is ruined, but it will not be so. After about one
* month is past, with a weekly careful cultivation, then take your
plow and open out your rows, turn the water in at the head of those
rows, but be very particular not to let the water touch the plant or
they will scald. Open the furrow and turn the water in at the top of
the furrow. I will tell you in time how to get that water distributed.
Let it run till it reaches the end of the row, and let it saturate the
land thoroughly.
Now, the mistake my neighbors made was in trying to make
the water raise the crop. As I said before, irrigation is the most
enticing thing in the world. Then do not wait until the sun be-
gins to bake the ground, but as soon as youturn the water off culti-
vate very thoroughly. I raised the past year 800 bushels of po-
tatoes to the acre, while my neighbors raised from 60 to 150, be-
cause they tried to make the water raise the crop. How do you get
the water on the land? It is a difficult thing to irrigate in Minne-
sota. Irrigation is the most profitable when you can lead the water
over the land by force of gravity. That cannot be done except ina
few cases in Minnesota, from the fact that there is not sufficient fall
to your streams, and they do not maintain the same stage of water
atalltimes. They may be flooded early in the spring, and they may
be practically dry the balance of the year, and especially so in the
“ fe.
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IRRIGATION. 51
season when you need to irrigate most, in July and August when
evaporation is greatest; but there is one way by which you can
overcome this difficulty. It is possible to confine these waters of
the early spring at the headwaters of our streams, as is being done
now. The government calls it “inland navigation;” I call it spend-
ing money to float logs to the mills. Now, I have said that asa rule
irrigation pays where you can let the water flow on the land by
gravitation. Irrigation by pumping will pay only where you can
raise certain concentrated crop products. Small fruits, like straw-
berries, are instances of thatclass. Strawberries particularly require
plenty of water, and they produce a large amount of money value
peracre. There is not one year, there is not a single year, but that
you could greatly increase the small fruit crop by irrigation. The
fruit needs to be plumped out by moisture, and it needs moisture to
ripen it properly. If you have control of a water supply, even ofa
small amount of water, such as by means of tanks, you can do a good
deal in the way of irrigating your small fruit. It will be money in
your pocket. A thirty barrel tank is worthless to irrigate with. You
should have a 150 barrel tank, to 250, 500 or 1000 barrel tank, and
larger, and then keep those tanks full. Never apply the water cold
to yourcrop. Put in wind engines, raise the water to those tanks,
keep the water there until it acquires a temperature of 60° to 70°. Do
not flood your strawberry beds or other crops you may raise; store
your water, and then when you see that your strawberries or other
small fruits need water, make those small furrows I have spoken of
and get your water in the land as soon as you can. You cannot irri-
gate level land, but I have seen land irrigated where it was so steep
you could not drive a wagon across it. Get the water across your
land as soon as you can, and if you have any fall to your land the
water will soon run across it; as soon as it gets across cultivate, and
cultivate deep, even in sandy soil; harrow it up good so it will not
pack, and you will get remarkable results.
In regard to getting the water to your small fruit crop (a small
patch of ground is what I am speaking about now), take an eight-
inch board for the bottom and six-inch board for the sides, and make
a trough; put that across the upper side of the land to be irrigated;
take a 144-inch auger and bore holes in the side of the trough oppo-
site every furrow, and the water will spout through the holes; that
is irrigation on a small scale. I have a twenty-acre field irrigated
in that way the entire length of the field. All I had to do was to go
out there and pull up the gate and the water would find its way out;
it found its way through the rows, and I knew there was no failure
in that. I have heard of several people who are irrigating by steam
power. It nearly always costs more than it is worth. You might
possibly be able to irrigate your potato patch by means of a thresh-
ing machine engine where you have the money already invested
and where you have your own wood supply. It might possibly be
be profitable to do that where the expense is very low. If you use
coal or wood at $2.50 per cord, it would be extremely difficult to make
any money irrigating, except in exceptional cases, with steam power.
You could irrigate small fruit with windmill power.
a. a we 2 .. re i i Se es le ee ee ee Me le Tl
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52 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
This is a very large subject, and it is something I cannot hope to
impress upon your minds—what irrigation is—until you have experi-
ence with it yourselves. Irrigation will make its way with you, but
I do not think that people who have even a scanty rainfall will ap-
preciate what irrigation is until they are made to. I thank you for
your attention. (Applause.)
DISCUSSION.
Mr. Elliot: There is one question I would like to ask Mr.
McGinnis. He states that he cultivates immediately after he
irrigates. Do you give the soil time to partially dry before
cultivation ? .
Mr. McGinnis: We can open up a great many sides of the
question depending on the kind of soil. If you have a soil
without sand, it will pack if you plow it wet, and you can do
nothing with it.
Prest. Underwood: Just come up here Mr. McGinnis and
take a chair; we are going to pump you. This is an important
subject, the most important we have had, and we must find out
all we can about it.
Mr. McGinnis: As to the soil that can be irrigated: I would
not recommend any one to irrigate soil that has not a portion of
sand init. For irrigation the pure sand is the best land; it
makes no difference if it is thin. The objection to irrigation is
this: The rain drops fall here and there, and the rain does not
appear to have that packing quality whi-h water has when put
in a body on the land, and I only recommend irrigation on your
black sandy loams and your more sandy soils. On heavy loam
without sand in it I do not think it would succeed very well. A
desert soil has never had the decaying vegetation, the humus.
A desert soil is like ashes; you can kick it up like an ash bed.
Our soils here are made of decayed vegetation, and such soils
are not in the best condition to withstand baking. When you
set out your small fruit select some sandy soil with considera-
ble slope to it.
Mr. Barrett: Would you consider irrigation adapted to pra-
rie soil ?
Mr. McGinnis: The prairie soil has considerable sand in it,
except the Red River Valley. Yes, sir.
Prof. Hays: What is your experience with cold water ?
Mr. McGinnis; The water should be at a temperature of 60°
to 70°. Do not make the mistake of applying ice cold water to
your crops.
Prof. Green: Suppose there is a high point; what is the
cheapest way of making a reservoir on that land ?
‘
IRRIGATION. 53
Mr. McGinnis: Thatis a simple question to answer. Just
take a scraper, and your hired man and team and throw a dam
across the river or ravine. It will take very little water,
comparatively, in this climate, yet at the same time it will do
your crops an immense amount of good. Just throw an em-
bankment across a stream or ravine, anddo it cheaply. Your-
self. your team and hired man can do it at odd times, when
nothing else is pressing, and if you throw up an embankment
across a ravine where the temporary snow water in the spring
ean collect, I will guarantee that if you use that water wisely a
year, it will be the best investment you ever made.
Mr. Pearce: Now lam going to say a word on irrigation.
Iagree with you that it isa good thing. Out north of me, there
is aman whose land runs down to the lake, and forty rods away
south of that I am, with an elevation of thirty feet above
the lake. We have looked the matter carefully over. We are
going to have water; we have engines, we have two engines
there which are doing nothing during the summer. We pro-
pose to put an engine there that will.throw a barrel of water
aminute. Our land is in a position so we can irrigate. Now
the cost of running that engine is the way to figure it, and a
_barrel a minute is not to cost us more than two or three dollars
a day. Now, what I want to know is, can we make a success
of it?
Mr. McGinnis: If you go out of the domain of gravity and
enter the domain of wind pumps and engines, it depends alto-
gether upon local conditions. Ifyou can hire a man for twenty
dollars a month, you can irrigate for a short time, but when
you make up your mind to irrigate for a long time, you must
get the expense of raising that water to the lowest possible
point, or it will result in financial failure.
Mr. Pearce: We are going to use pipes.
Mr. McGinnis: It is not necessary for you to use pipes; use
lumber, it is cheaper. You will find lumber cheaper and
easier to handle.
Mr. Elliot: Sixty barrels an hour would give him 1440 bar-
rels in twenty-four hours; that would cost him about five cents
abarrel. He could do considerable with that amount of water.
Mr. McGinnis: I want to caution you. While I am very
enthusiastic about irrigation, it is anexperimental matter with
you, and I do not want to be in a measure responsible in claim-
ing too much for irrigation.
4
54 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
A voice: I have a well that throws fifty barrels of water an
hour, and I can only irrigate three acres.
Mr. McGinnis: Is itlevel?
A voice: Yes.
Mr. McGinnis: Well, that accounts for it. You cannot irri-
gate level land.
Mr. Tobey (Wisconsin): I understand you to say it is not
practicable to irrigate level land in Minnesota?
Mr. McGinnis: To irrigate you must get the water in mo-
tion. It has got to have a fall to get a move on it.
Mr. Jaques: In my part of the country if you put fifty
buckets of water on the ground it sinks right out of sight.
Mr. McGinnis: That is the kind of land to irrigate with
most success.
Mr. Gould: I have been very much interested in Mr. Mc_
Ginnis’ talk on irrigation. I want to ask him if the twenty
acres he mentioned as under irrigation are in this state?
Mr. McGinnis: No, it is in a pure desert.
Mr. Hitchcock: I want to correct one statement my friend
made. You want to have your land just as level as possible.
You must have it level.
Mr. McGinnis: Yes, in this sense, that the slope must be
level. The more slope you get the better; it must have a slope
to it, but an even slope.
Mr. Gould: What kind of crops do you raise?
Mr. Hitchcock: Vegetables, cabbage, celery, ete.
Mr. Gould: How do you irrigate?
Mr. Hitchcock: Let the water run down the rows.
Mr. McGinnis: I still hold to my first opinion, that land
must not be level, because you must have a slope in order that
the water may run through the furrow.
Mr. Hitchcock: Ihave a patch of strawberries set out last
spring,and we could not water them at all—there was too much
slope.
Mr. McGinnis: I do not mean by that that the land should
have a hundred feet of fall, but I have seen land successfully
irrigated that was very steep.
Dr. Frisselle: How do you apply water by means of a hose
on a small patch of land? :
Mr. McGinnis: In California, where land is very valuable,
they have their trees in the midst of a depression, and they
water them by means of a hose. It will not do much good to
apply the water with a sprinkler.
<9) Dp pee a . Pus “ i
IRRIGATION. 55
Dr. Frisselle: You spoke some time ago about putting
water directly on the plants. What would you do with a good
shower?
Mr. McGinnis: A shower comes in single drops, while in
irrigation the water is applied in a body.
Mr. Gould: I consider that Mr. McGinnis has made some
very candid statements of great value to us, and it is a good
thing to have this matter under discussion in our society. This
thing is pretty broad, and one man cannot know it all. He may
have had experience, but it may not have covered all conditions.
Now, the first thing I speak of to criticize the statements of
the gentleman is that he discouraged the idea of irrigation on
clay land; he stated that distinctly. Now, I came to the con-
clusion a good many years ago that the fact was worth a
great deal more than the theory. I happen to know a fact in
connection with this subject that would be proper to mention
here. Last year was the dryest year and the toughest one on
small fruits, including strawberries, raspberries, etc., I have
ever known, and I have been in the business almost thirty
years. One man had a half acre of strawberries close to a
swamp; it was right up by the side of the road about a quarter
of a mile from where I live. This man put water on his straw-
berry plants at night. Part of the time he hired a man with
two horses to haul the water, when he could haul several bar-
rels at a time, and sometimes he used only one horse. He got
his water right at the end of the rows. He used pails to dip up
this water with. He hauled this water every night, and they
threw it on the plants with pails; it was rather a bungling man-
ner of doing it, but they went over ali those rows of strawber-
ries and they got there all the same, and that man sold from
that half acre of strawberries 1800 quarts, and that was on aclay
soil, and that is just the average sort of soil in our region.
Mr. Clark: Mr. McGinnis says before planting he would sat-
urate the soil. T would like to ask him if he would do that in
the spring or in the fall?
Mr. McGinnis: It is better done in the fall, but it will do in
the spring. The deeper you get that moisture in the soil the
better the capillary attraction. Referring to what the previous
gentleman has said, I want to make this specific statement: I
do not doubt but what if the water is simply sprinkled on the
plants it will do no harm, but the rule in irrigating is not to
permit the moisture to touch the plant—let it reach the root of
the plant only. I could sprinkle a bed of strawberries in the
evening, and the moisture would distribute itself during the
night—but I still say, do not let the water touch the plants.
~ i : - ‘ ae! ee’ 5 SS
56 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
PUMP IRRIGATION.
PROF. W. M. HAYS, ST. ANTHONY PARK.
I thought of writing a paper, but I saw the papers ahead of me on
the program, and I concluded I had better speak about what might
be left when the others got through,
I want to say, in the first place, a few words in regard to the sources
of supply of water with which it is possible to irrigate by means of
pumping machineryin Minnesota. Thatsupply is larger than most
peoplethink. The possibilities of pump irrigation in Minnesota are
indeed very great, and the machine men are going to take hold
of this question of pumps, to study how best to use machinery and
what kind of machinery to use. I believe as the years go by there
will be a large development in this direction. If we should have a
dry year next year we should have a great boom for irrigation, but
if a wet year, interest in this subject would wane. Occasional years
we do not need to irrigate, andonly occasional years do we need to ir-
rigate as our friend of Sparta did, using ten thousand barrels of water
on three and one-half acres each week or two. Most years we need to
irrigate alittle. Itis rare that Minnesota needs as much irrigation
as last year. There will be more conditions where irrigation will
pay, as we plant more of those crops that grow an immense amount
of money value per acre.
I want to call your attention to the fact that in Minnesota we have
an immense number of lakes, which have water that is always warm.
We have a good many rivers and small streams that are carrying
large amounts of water. We have in many places, also, an under-
ground supply of water that is within a reasonable distance of the
surface, and we have within easy reach of all this water an immense
amount of land; no need to go on a high hill or high ground. If
you are going to try to do something with pump irrigation go down ©
near the water, so you do not have to raise the water very high. You
will often find low land where irrigation pays better than on tops of
high hills. There are still other sources of supply we can draw
from. The flood waters from the snow and rain in the spring we
might dam up, as was mentioned by one of the gentlemen here. There
are many places where there are long ravines at the lower end of
which we can store water with a small dam, if the soil is of sucha
nature that the water will stay there during the early part of the
summer.
As regards this matter of the amount of water it requires to irrigate
an acre, an inch of water, or a thousand barrels, per acre are required,
and that is a good deal to getina dry time. It will do more good in
a dry time than when we have nearly enough rain. It will go
further in a dry time on a heavy soil than on a light soil. Where
this gentleman irrigated with his artesian well he used ten thousand
barrels of water to irrigate three and a half acres, which indicates
from one to ten inches of water; but remember this fact, he hada
soil in which the water percolated through the soil, and it is a ques-
tion if he did not use more water than paid. If he had had ten acres
he might have realized more money than he did from the water he
used on his three and a half acres.
IRRIGATION. 57
Mr. McGinnis gave us very excellent ideas, and we are indebted to
him for bringing us the encouragement that comes from irrigation
in the West. I wish we could go out there and study the question;
but he looks at this matter of the amount of water required from the
standpoint where they have plenty of it, and we have to look at it
from the standpoint where we have to store water. While their at-
mosphere is dryer and they havea sandy soil, we have conditions
just the opposite, and a comparatively small amount of water will
do us much good—and that brings us back again to this question of
machinery. Considering all the facts, that we have many lakes,
rivers and other sources of water, it might pay better to give a good
price for land to a neighbor for lower land than to go on a high hill
and invest money in costly machinery to take your water up there.
It takes some experience. Where you have deep wells, the only
thing you can use is asteam pump where the steam acts directly on
the piston which carries the pump. At the experiment station we
have a well 280 feet deep, with water which comes to within a hun-
dred feet of the surface, and the tank is one hundred feet above the
well. The tank is twenty feet deep. I will not say anything about
the cost of the plant, because the plant is used for general purposes
at the station, but just counting the cost of labor and fuel, we can
put the water in that tank for one-half cent per barrel, which would
amount to about five dollars per acre. Thatis why raising the water
is too expensive, and, if we count in the cost of the plant it would
raise the cost far more than the figure I have given.
.For putting one inch of water on an acre, for a short raise of water
there are several kinds of pumps run with power. There is really
no cheap arrangement for running a pump directly with gasoline,
or anything of that kind, but there are a number of arrangements
for running pumps by means ofan engine and belt. One consists
ofa rotary pump which is simply an arrangement for forcing water
forward. The most commonly recommended pump is the centrifu-
gal pump, and I have had a gentleman who is doing some work in
putting in irrigation plants make an estimate. He named a man
living near Minneapolis who had a threshing machine engine we
could use. We said nothing about the cost of the engine, but we
would have to allow him something for the use of it. He could pur-
chase a centrifugal pump, with 3-inch opening, that would raise the
water thirty feet, for less than a hundred dollars; he could purchase
400 feet of 4-inch pipe for $108; his fittings, valves, etc., would cost $25
more. He would have a weight of less than 3,000 lbs. that could be
hauled from place to place, and it might be possible for him to take
in jobs of irrigating land. Certainly, it would not be very difficult
with 4-inch pipe to move the whole thing from one place to another.
This is a suggestion, of course. The pipe for carrying the water can
be purchased, sav 1-inch at 314 cents; 2-inch, 10 cents; 3-inch, 19 cents
and 4-inch, 27 cents; that is about the price pipe can be bought for.
Probably, a 4inch centrifugal pump would be as large as could be
used with an ordinary threshing machine engine. Where does the
cost come in besides the plant? It is the fuel andthe labor. In
many gardens and fields in the state the water would need to be
raised more than ten to twenty-five feet. The wood can be purchased
58 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
in some parts of the state for $1.25 per cord, laid down in winter. In
other parts of the state it would cost much more. I believe that one
of the ways to do this thing is by means of centrifugal pumps run
by our steam engines. If a man hada large plant he might put in
an old saw mill engine, and get it cheap enough to run it for this
purpose. If you have to buy the engine, it adds to this expense, as
the power is used for such a short time each year. These portable
engines could be used, if you putin your pump permanently, and
the same engine could be moved from one farm to another.
Gasoline power can be used instead of steam power. The fuel and
attention it requires are less expensive than with steam power. In
this case you must buy the engine. Weuse a 22-horse power engine.
I believe gasoline engines would be just what we would want if they
were to be had at a living price. A 10-horse power engine would
ptobably cost $700 to $800, which seems altogether out of proportion
to the cost of making it. It would be possible in a simple way to
make a little belt elevator, as I have seen them used, and throw the
water in a large trough. For irrigation in a small way some such
thing might be put up very cheaply and made to answer the pur-
pose. Hydraulic rams could be used in some places where there is
a regular water course.
Mr. Dartt: Can you tell us anything about the hydraulic ram,
how it works ?
Prof. Hays: As I remember it, the hydraulic ram put in a
stream would raise one-seventh of the water that goes through
to five times the height of the fall, so if you have plenty of
water in the stream and much fall, you can raise it to a low
height. I have never used one, and have never investigated
their cost. One of the expenses of irrigation is the power.
The rotary, or centrifugal, pump is not a very large expense.
Instead of distributing the water with hose it might be well to
use a box for distributing the water; that has a greater capac-
ity, and it will carry the water a considerable distance, and by
running the water through holes in the box, it will answer the
purpose better than a hose. There are a number of things we
must consider under our conditions, and one peculiar feature
is that only occasionally do we need irrigation. On some lands
irrigation is not needed for years. I want to emphasize this
fact, the machine side of the question is one of the sides we
want to hustle. If we can get the machine men interested in
making a lot of experiments this year, I think we will get along
pretty rapidly.
Mr. Anderson: I want to give you a little experiment. Year
before last we did not get a crop of strawberries, and I thought
if we were going to have another season like it, I would water
my strawberries. I went down town here and got me a piece
IRRIGATION. 59
of hose from the fire engine, and attached that to a kerosene
barrel, and took three barrels on the wagon, backed my wagon
into a pond, filled the barrels and hauled the water to my straw-
berry bed. One of my boys would drive the team and another
would dip the water out of the barrels into the one with the
hose attached, while I would guide the stream from the hose
on the strawberry bed. The rows are ten rods long, and they
averaged a little over a barrel. The first tw> weeks we wat-
ered twice a week, and the third week we watered three times,
and this we did in the morning, because I had the boys help
me before it was time to go to school. There was one row we
put on twice as much water as on any other, and one row we did
not water at all. On digging into the soil I found the dirt very
moist, while in the row we did not water it was very dry and
hard, but I could see no difference between the row that had
twice as much water and the other rows that had only half as
much. Inthe row which we did not water at all, we picked
quite a few berries, but they were not so large as the others.
After the third week we had a good shower and they needed
no more watering.
Mr. Clark: I would like to ask Prof. Hays one question.
He did not touch upon the use of windmills. Why did he not say
anything about it?
Prof. Hays: That has been talked of a good deal, and I tried
to cut it short, I might say that from what I have been able
to learn the ordinary farm windmill will water from a few rods
to a quarter of an acre. A large windmill will water an acre.
It will run right down around your well without watering a
square rod Sothe matter of reservoirs or a method of spread-
ing the water is the great question; and, probably, taking into
consideration the cost of distributing the water by first putting
it into wooden reservoirs, it will be greater than by those other
means recommended. In irrigating a small place, especially if
the lift is not very high, it may answer the purpose. Iwas
very glad to hear the experience of this gentleman from Wis-
consin who used cold water for irrigation. It clears up the
point as to whether we must use reservoirs or not to warm the
water.
Mr. Gould: I will repeat what I said this forenoon on this
question, that this is a pretty large subject to handle, and it
cannot be expected that any one man or his theories will settle
the whole problem, and I doubt whether we with all our
knowledge and experience can do it; but we can do this and
60 MINNESOTA STATE: HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
that, and if we put together our experiences and what we know,
we can get some good out of it. While windmills are doing a
good deal of work in many places, I think that matter is just in
its infancy. Icall this windmill power better than any other,
but I believe it is only partially developed; it is in its infancy.
If several mills could be used, several mills put together, and
I think that could be done, I believe that is going to let us out,
and I believe that will make this matter of irrigation a success.
The water at the experiment station has to be lifted two hun-
dred feet and it takes an immense amount of power to do that.
One of the largest size steel windmills will raise a large
amount of water, perhaps 600 barrels in twenty-four hours. It
is possible to do that if you have a good wind exposure. I think
we will develop in the end a system of wheels which will act
together todo the work, perhaps three or five, or something
like that number, and that is the cheapest power onearth when
developed.
Prof, Hays: I want to say just one word. The windmills
where they have been tried have not generally got along well.
People have become discouraged with their windmills.
Theoretically it is a cheap power, but they will not do enough
work at the right time. We only want to irrigate at the right
time, and I am looking for the solution of this question to ma-
chinery power, engines.
OUR SEARCH AFTER WATER.
S. D. RICHARDSON, WINNEBAGO CITY.
The past few years have been so dry that at times the nurseryman
and others engaged in the culture of small fruits, have had to
have more water to insure a good crop than fell from the sky inthe
course of the summer. The object of the present paper is to give a
brief account of the methods we resorted to, to overcome the want
of sufficient rainfall. When we settled in Winnebago City in the
spring of 1885, there was a piece of land on one side of the field con-
taining a little more than two acres, that was of little practical use,
A pond or slough that, when the country was first settled, never
went dry, occupied part of it, and the rest was either so dry orrough
that it would yield but little hay.
We dug an open ditch, run off the surface water, sowed some
clover seed and for several years used it to pasture a cow. But the
open ditch was a nuisance and so was a grass patch in a plowed
field; so we broke it up, put in some seventy rods of tile, and now it
is the most valuable land we have. The bed of the slough, some
thirteen rods in diameter, neither gets too wet nor too dry. We had
four rows of strawberries through the center of the piece the past
summer, and while those on the dry land were nearly a failure,
ety
IRRIGATION. 61
those on the slough bed bore a heavy crop and did not seem to know
that we were having a hot, dry summer. We set about an acre of
the piece to strawberries, last spring, and we have enough more
plants than we would have grown on ordinary dry ground to pay
for the expense of tiling the whole piece.
When I went to the state fair last September, I saw many acres in
the Minnesota valley that now answer no other purpose than
to hold the world together, that might be easily drained and made
the most valuable land in the valley. Where such land can be ob-
tained, using it is the easiest and cheapest way to Solve the irriga-
tion question; but by all means putin tile—the open ditch is an
abomination. Any one that has what the Yankees call “gumption”
can lay tile by having some one who knows tell him how.
We have a windmill and elevated tank, 300 feet of three-fourth inch
iron pipe and 150 feet of hose, and can reach four or more acres of
land, and find the water pays for itself each year. We use it in
transplanting, getting strawberry runners to root, etc.; but it does
not yield water enough for a growing crop. We watered some peas
last summer—rows five or six rods long. They were planted in
double rows sixteen inches apart and three feet between the rows.
We took a Warren hoe, madea shallow ditch between the double
row, put the hose at the upper end, turned on the water, and it took
some thirty barrels before it would fill the trench at the lower end.
Where any one has a well and tank it might pay to put in pipe and
hose, keep the mill pumping all the time and use the extra water
for irrigation, but I could not advise any one to put in a plant just
for the purpose of irrigation unless there was abundance of water
near the surface.
IRRIGATING SMALL FRUIT WITH AN ARTESIAN WELL.
ELMER Kk. WOLCOTT, SPARTA, WIS.
I have about three and a half acres of blackberries, raspberries
and strawberries on rather sandy soil. In 1893, my berries were
nearly a failure on account of the dry weather, so I decided to put
down an artesian well to irrigate with. I put down a four-inch well
in the center of the berry patch, 280 feet deep, the water rising about
ten feet above ground, and throwing about 150 barrels per hour.
The well cost, including all pipe and hose and a pipe into the house
and one out to the barn, about $275.00. It being the last of July when
the well was finished, it was too late to irrigate much, but in 1894, I
began irrigating the last of May, and with the exception of five or
six days irrigated for three months, the weather during this time
being very hot and dry, with norain. I use 225 feet of two-inch iron
pipe, which I attach to the well, and lay on top of the ground out
into the berries. Then I put on seventy-five feet of two-inch hose on
the end of the pipe, and then soak up the ground as far as the hose
will reach on each side of the pipe; and by taking off two or three
lengths of pipe at a time, gradually work back to the well, and then
take up the pipe and Jay it in another direction, until the piece is all
gone over. It generally took me about seven days to irrigate the
three and one-half acres.
62 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
It takes one man most of the time to move the hose around, and
steer the water around witha hoe. The berries were cultivated oft-
en, being irrigated each time,
The hot winds were so severe last summer, that the ground was
dried out and ready for another soaking at the end of each week.
But the same amount of water would irrigate twice the amount of
land on heavy soil.
The result was that I had some very nice berries. The last berries
that were picked were as large and juicy as the first ones, and every
berry developed, and the vines for next year are in excellent condi-
tion; while berries across the road from mine were not picked, the
berries were dried up, and next year’s vines look very sick. Heavy
frosts the first of June killed one-half the crop. I sold about $500
worth of berries; I don’t think I would have sold $50 worth if I had
not irrigated. The water from this well was very cold, but it did not
seem to hurt the vines any.
DISCUSSION.
Mr, Phillips (Wisconsin): How many more berries did you
get than your neighbors on account of irrigation?
Mr. Wolcott: My neighbors did not pick any berries at all.
If I had not irrigated I would not have picked any berries
either. I got $450 worth more than if I had not irrigated.
Mr. Phillips: What about irrigating that three-quarters of
an acre of strawberries you told me about this afternoon?
Mr. Wolcott: I have half an acre of strawberries, perhaps
less. The year before my strawberries all dried up—I did not
have any last year. The past season I turned the water in on
the strawberries, and I dammed the rows up every two rods, so
the water could soak clear down to the roots; it was so soft I
stepped into the mud three or four inches. I sold three or
four thousand quarts of strawberries. I put in about a day or
a day and a half irrigating this strawberry patch, and the well
flows 150 barrels an hour I kept right on soaking it
Mr. Phillips: You said you turned the water on three days
and nights after you picked?
Mr. Wolcott: After the vines were picked I turned the water
on two or three days, and my vines were in nice condition for
next year.
Mr. Brackett: Is it a self-flowing well?
Mr. Wolcott: It does not run unless I turn it loose. It flows
about 150 barrels an hour. .
Mr. Wedge: Did you run it day and night?
Mr. Wolcott: During the hottest part of the year I ran it
nights. Iran it about ten hours on an average.
Mr. Kellogg (Wisconsin): How did it affect the shipping
qualities of the berries?
ry . Mg a 7% Peg ro gee ee
J * Cee
IRRIGATION. 63
Mr. Wolcott: I shipped to Aberdeen, Dakota, and they
wanted more of them. For blackberries, people came to the
house and I sold them right off the place as fast as I could pick
them. I thought at first | would use enough eave troughs made
of fence boards, raised about ten feet above the ground at the
well, but J found there was not fall enough, so I got the two
inch iron pipe which is much better.
Prof. Hays: What is the size of your well?
Mr. Wolcott: It is a four inch well. I think the well paid
for itself last year.
Mr. Gould: When you speak of berries, do you mean all
your berries you raised?
Mr. Wolcott: I mean strawberries, raspberries and black-
berries.
Mr. Gould: Do you include all that you made on the place
in that $500 you mentioned?
Mr. Wolcott: I sold about $500 worth of berries altogether.
The frost killed half of them.
Mr. Elliot: You did not have all your ground occupied with
vines?
Mr. Wolcott: No, there was considerable breaking.
Mr. Gould: Did the frost kill your blackberries?
Mr. Wolcott: Yes, in June.
Prof. Hays: What kind of soil have you got?
Mr. Wolcott: It is all sandy soil.
Mr. Pearce: What is the quality of the water?
Mr. Wolcott: Itis hard water. Ido not think there is any
lime in it.
Mr. Anderson: When would you rather water, in the night
or in the daytime?
Mr. Wolcott: I would rather water in the daytime, if the
weather is dry or warm; if you have got to irrigate in warm
weather the ground warms the water before it reaches the
roots.
Mr. Pearce: Do you think if the water had been warmed the
crop would have been larger?
Mr. Wolcott: Ido not think it would have made any differ-
ence. I ran my lawn sprinkleron the edge of the strawberry
patch, and the strawberries were just as good at one place as
another.
Mr. Wedge: Doesn’t the nature of the soil make some differ-
ence?
64 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Mr. Wolcott: I think where the ground is sandy the soil is
warmer, and cold water isjust as good as warm water.
Mr. Pearce: Didn't the water come in contact with the
plants? .
Mr. Wolcott: No, not directly; I dammed up the rows so the
water ran clear into the roots.
Mr. Anderson: Did you run a solid stream or spray?
Mr. Wolcott: I ran the water right through the rows,
through an open hose, a two-inch open hose, ran it right
through the middle of the rows. Where it was level I did not
have to dam it up, but where it was not level I dammed it up a
little. For irrigating with a hose I would prefer level ground
to ground that slopes. I have berries on one side that slopes
considerably, and the water did not soak in well at that point.
Mr. Gould: Did you cultivate continuously?
Mr. Wolcott: I cultivated once a week. I think, perhaps, as
some gentleman suggested, it would be better to cultivate oft-
ener, perhaps a day after you irrigate.
Mr. Crandall: How did you prevent the berries from becom-
ing dirty?
Mr. Wolcott: The ground was always wet and there was no
dust.
Mr. Tobey, (Wisconsin): You did not cultivate your straw-
berries? .
Mr. Wolcott: No, I do not cultivate strawberries. My
strawberries were mulched.
Mr. Hitchcock: What was the object of the dams?
Mr. Wolcott: If I did not dam the water it would run off; it
would not soak into the ground.
Mr. Hitchcock: Yousay you had your strawberries mulched?
Did you let the water run over the mulch?
Mr. Wolcott: No, the rows are a little bit higher.
Mr. Hitchcock: My practice is to let the mulch stay where
there is much fall; that checks the flow of the water and soaks
the ground thoroughly.
Mr. Wolcott: By damming the water a little it answers the
same purpose.
Mr. Hitchcock: I had rather have it mulched clear across.
IRRIGATION. 65
GARDEN IRRIGATION BY RAM AND TANK.
G. H. POND, BLOOMINGTON.
Before commencing upon my subject, I will say that my experi-
ence in this line has been on quite a small scale; and, also, that of
the many questions that arise, I must answer to the majority of
them, “I don’t know.”
I think Iam not making too strong a statement when I say that
every gardener and fruit grower in this state will agree that nearly
every year there is a time of drouth, when judicious irrigation would
be a great benefit. But the question often asked me, and which I
suppose will be of the most interest here today is, “ Will it pay me
to go to the expense of irrigating my garden?”
Now, in considering the subject with a view of answering this
question, I will give some of my experience; especially some of the
reasons I[ have found why it may not pay to irrigate.
My garden is on the brow of the bluff overlooking the Minnesota
river and is quite sandy. Things always grow finely in the spring
there, but nearly always dry up bodily in mid-summer. Six years
ago last August, I got so tired of having my garden dry up, that I
put a hydraulic ram in a spring a quarter of a mile away, and
brought the water up to a forty-barrel tank, elevated ten feet above
the highest ground in the garden, the cost of the entire outfit being
about $100. The ram has to raise the water one hundred and ten
feet, and it takes one and a half days to fill the tank.
Since then I have watered the garden with varying success, never
feeling sure I was paid in dollars and cents, until the past summer,
when I am certain I got back all I had invested in it.
One-fourth of an acre of strawberries and about one-thirtieth of an
acre of tomatoes was all I watered. My receipts from the strawber-
ries were $120 and from the tomatoes $14, making a total of $134, all
of which I will have to credit to the water; as it is certain I would
have had nothing without it.
Now, where the trouble lies is in applying the water. I have tried
holding the hose in the hand, with a spraying nozzle, fastening the
nozzle and moving it frequently as we see done on the yards in the
city; and, lastly, attaching the hose to a half inch pipe fifty feet
long, having leaks punched at intervals of six inches. The pipe is
laid on the row to be watered, the leaks being just sufficient to keep
the ground soaking wet along the row, and moved about every
fifteen minutes.
Any way I have tried requires a good deal of time, the last taking
much less than the others, besides using the water more economic-
ally. Now the time spent applying the water would never be lost,
if we could only know when it is going to rain. Often I have
thought it was about to rain and have neglected to water, only to
find the clouds vanish away and the strawberries wilting; and on
the other hand, I have many times spent considerable part of a day
watering, and then at night we have had a good rain, making un-
watered gardens fully equal to mine. I will say though, that last
summer [ was not troubled that way.
66 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
As to the question “Will it pay toirrigate?”’ If the summers are
all to be like the last, it certainly will. But if we are going to have
the rainfall in the future average as it has in the past, I think it
doubtful; and would advise any one about to try it, to commence on
a small scale at first, and then if it pays to extend it. And just here
I want to say that it requires an astonishing amount of water to
keep plants thriving ina drouth. On the quarter acre of strawber-
ries watered last summer, I put at least one hundred and forty bar-
rels of water a week, from the middle of May till the last of the ber-
ries were ripe, June 25th, and that was not near as much as they
ought to have had.
And on the tomatoes, fifty-two plants, I put one-third of a barrel
of water on each plant, three times a week. Making just a barrel a
week for each plant. That was enough, and I never saw tomatoes
do better. I picked thirty-one bushels of splendid tomatoes from
them, making the yield at the rate of nine hundred bushels per acre.
My experience leads me to think that six hundred barrels of water a
week, would be needed on each acre of sandy soil during sucha
drouth as we had last summer. I have heard folks say that no
amount of watering would equal a rain, but think it is a mistake,
and that if enough water is put on, and it is done inthe evening, and
keptup, strawberries, tomatoes, and perhaps anything else, will do
as well as though they had plenty of rain.
In conclusion, I will say that I have never regretted having gone
to the expense of irrigating ; the satisfaction of being able to keep
the garden greenina drouth counting for something, as well as the
dollars to be made by it.
IRRIGATING SMALL FRUIT WITH WINDMILL AND TANK.
A. H. BRACKETT, LONG LAKE.
I was asked by our secretary to write a short paper on the above
subject,as that was the method I pursued in the transmission of
water to my fruit this past season. Do not think that I consider it
wholly practical on any great scale, but I used the meansI had at
hand to get the greatest good fromit. The outfit was put in more
particularly for domestic use, as I had no water in the immediate
vicinity. I have a two and one-half inch tubular well 244 feet deep,
costing $500, a 240 barrel tank on a twenty foot substructure, costing
$200, and a fifty foot tower with a fourteen foot Geared Duplex mill
for $275, making a total of $1,000. The tank is in a grinding building
to prevent freezing. The pump was adjusted to make about eight
strokes to the gallon, so that it would take about seventy-two hours
or less continuous pumping to fill the tank with an ordinary wind;
but, unfortunately, the wheel was atastandstill about two-thirds of
the time. I would state that the water flows to within forty-five feet
of the surface. I have one-inch pipes to conduct the water to the
berries, with hydrants or faucets at the higher elevations.
I started the mill as soon in May as the ground began to dry out
and it remained open until after the blackberries were over. I gen-
erally allowed the water to accumulate to about two-thirds of a tank-
full before using and then ran the hose to the upper ends of the rows
/
IRRIGATION. 67
of strawberries and allowed the water to run under the mulch to the
end of the row, and then moved it to the next row, and so continued
through to the last row. I did not have sufficient water to g0 over
the patch more than twice, as I was watering the new settings of
strawberries during that time, and then had to transfer the water to
the raspberries before they began to turn color. Where there was
mulching there was no waste whatever and very little where there
was none.
My yield of strawberries was 1,400 quarts from one-third of an acre,
the receipts being $170.00, besides the value of berries that were
eaten at home. The rate per acre would be one hundred and thirty-
eight bushels or $510.00. The yield of varieties based on the length
of row required for one quart of berries is as follows: Capt. Jack,
22 ft.; Crescent, 23 ft.; Warfield, 23 ft.; Haverland, 3%4 ft.; Glendale,
4ft.; Parker Earle, 414 ft.; Bubach, 51% ft.; Lovett, 53g ft.; May King, 775
ft.; Mt. Vernon, 7! ft.; Louise, 914 ft.; Michaels Early, 103 ft.; Gandy,
11} ft.
You will observe that Capt. Jack asa producer eclipsed the Cres-
cent and Warfield, in spite of its being a staminate; the Michaels
Early was nearly at the foot of the list, or not much over twenty per
cent. of the Jack. I think the Parker Earle would have done as well
as the Haverland if it could have had the water but being a late
berry the water was taken to the raspberries too soon. The pro-
spective yield, if everything had been Capt. Jack, would have been
216 bushels per acre, and more water would have added to that con-
siderbly.
Where there is so much lost space where Parker Earle and other
slow running varieties are planted, 1 would humbly suggest that
they be planted closer together, but maintain about two feet in the
row and be able thereby to cultivate both ways with a horse.
I will state in conclusion as evidence of the severity of the drouth
on fruit this past season that the one inch of rainfall in June, the
.270f aninchin July and the .55 of an inch in August were the
smallest in twenty-two years excepting in August, 1883. Therefore.
a windmill would not irrigate this year what it would nicely answer
for ina season of ordinary rainfall; but in spite of that I would not
recommend a mill unless it was found practical to have large cis-
terns or ponds and keep the mill going continually in order to store
water for future use.
IRRIGATING WITH A ‘VAPOR ENGINE.”
J. E. EMPENGER, HOPKINS.
My farm is situated in the N. E. quarter of sec. 26, half mile west of
Hopkins. The land which I irrigate is on top of a hill sixty-seven
feet above the level of Shady Oak lake, from which I pump water
with a vaporengine. My engine house is located below this hill,
four feet above the level of the lake. The distance of athree-inch
suction pipe from the pump to the lake is 1,657 feet, the discharge
pipe is two inches and is laid under ground deep enough to plow
over. Hose bibs are attached at intervals so that every part of the
garden can be reached with a hose; the hose bibs can also be left
open and irrigation by furrows can be done at different places, if de-
68 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
sirable. In the presence of several persons interested in irrigating I
have attached lawn sprinklers to hose and the results were beyond ex-
pectations; they all agreed that lawn sprinklers attached to hose
set at intervals in the garden would bring grand results,as my
engine could be started in the evening and would run a// night
without being looked after.
This vapor engine with pump combined is thé most economical
one inthe market, requiring no hboiler,no steam, no coal, no ashes,
no dirt, no fire and no engineer. This isanengine which can be
placed in your house or barn with perfect safety, asit requires no
fire, is self-feeding, capable of being started by a boy and then left
to care for itself. It can be operated almost as cheaply as a wind-
mill, (which is subject to the elements and cannot be depended
upon). Butthis enginehas the “virtue” of always being ready to
go at full capacity at a moments notice.
In computing the cost of running, the following facts should be
taken into consideration. (I.) No expense until started. (II.) No
necessity of starting until the power is required. (III.) Expense
while running is always in exact proportion to the amount of power
used. (IV.) The moment the engine stops,all expense stops.
My engine is a four horse power, and the expense averages from -
thirty to forty cents for ten hours. The capacity of water pumped
was about 3,000 gallons per hour good measure. This quantity of
water can be greatly increased; by changing a bolton the engine,
the stroke can be changed to discharge more water at will.
The pressure I get on top of the hill from my engine is strong
enough to throw a stream of water over my house which is two
stories high; of course, at the lower parts of the garden the pressure
is much greater.
In spite of all the advantage I had over the dry season, I did not
make a fortune last year by raising fruit, but I have learned some
solid experimental facts,and I hope that by your next meeting I
shall be able to be with you all, and bring some of my irrigated
fruits and some cream to.
I will be glad to correspond with those who are interested in irri-
gations and wish to find out more about my system.
NOTES ON IRRIGATION.
WILLARD BUCK, ALEXANDRIA.
“T am glad the subject of irrigation is getting before the people.
Minnesota is quite a dry state. For small fruit and garden truck,
we must irrigate to make it a success, but at present the people are
asleep onit. They must wake up to succeed.
In this city of Alexandria, I have a windmill and stone reservoir
that holds over six hundred barrels. The water comes from a slough
and is fresh and warm. A two-inch pipe carries the water to where
it is used.
I was the only onein town last season who had a good garden, It
attracted much attention from most of our prominent people, in-
cluding my neighbor, Gov. Nelson. Well, [have had my experience
in South California, and am at home atit. Yours for progress.”
LE ae ee RSC St ame fae Py oray SON Mek, ten ee
y 1 ‘ she"
IRRIGATION. 69
IRRIGATION IN THE EASTERN STATES.
A. J. COOK, M. S., POMONA COLLEGE, CLAREMONT, CAL.
Such disastrous drouths as that which occurred during the sum-
mer of 1894, in nearly all parts of the United States, should arouse
the best thought and study, and stir to fullest action the inventive
genius of our people. If by thought and plan we can, even in some
slight degree, fence against such loss as has been experienced in the
frequent drouths of the last few years, it is certainly most desirable
to give the thought and inaugurate the plan. If the farmer sees
liberal reward ahead, he will endure cheerfully hard effort. Even
slight compensation may make such labor endurable.
It is more than probable that on many a farm in the East irriga-
tion might be introduced that would more than pay large interest
on the expense each season, and would yield startling profits in such
,years as that of 1894. Southern California was visited by a very
severe drouth in 1894; yet so little was this felt by the orchardists
that it is probable that the crop of fruit for 1895 will be the largest
and will bring the largest cash returns of any crop ever grown in
the section.
On a farm which I own in Shiawassee county, Michigan, on the
left bank of the Maple river, near its source, is a spring brook which
takes its rise entirely on the farm. This brook never dried up nor
froze over. Because of this, several acres in the very center of the
farm bore little else than flags and sedges, and by tempting stock in
the early spring to reach for the fresh green herbage often plunged
them into mud and water, that coated them with dirt, even if they
were so fortunate as to get out without aid. Besides this, a consid-
erable area of excellent land farther down the stream, so level that
the stream zigzagged from side to side, was only valuable for pas-
ture, and could not be plowed. I drained the entire place by use of
underground tile, and occasional open ditches furnished water for
my stock. The fallin the upper portion of the stream was exceed-
ingly great. The largest tile—those used at the lowest portion of
the stream—are one foot in diameter. Even in seasons of greatest
drouth these large tile run half full, and with a strong current. Thus
I have converted all my land into excellent plough-land, have re-
placed an unsightly quagmire with beautiful fields; but, possibly
best of all, I have water available for irrigation, by which I can
make a large area of rich land productive even in the dryest seasons,
when prices are sure to be very high.
My farm is not an exceptional one, but is a type of many in Mich-
igan, Ohio, New York, etc. It is very common to find on both sides
of the larger brooks and rivers numerous brooklets, rising in
springs and emptying into the larger streams. Nearly every large
farm has its quagmire of springs, sedges and flags, its beautiful
streamlet, usually with rapid current, and its greater or less area of
low level ground along its lower course, where it winds back and
forth. Often these brooks are larger than the one on my farm, in
which case it will be more difficult and expensive to underdrain. In
such cases open ditches may be used. These are less expensive,
70 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
and, though not in some respects so satisfactory, may be more de-
sirable than the larger expensive tile.
Since coming to California, over a year ago, and observing the
ease with which irrigation is practiced, and the wondrous growth
and fruitage which result from abundant water, I have thought
what a wealth I have in the brook on the old farm, and how that
wealth has run to waste in all the past. Last season a large acreage
of beans and potatoes on the level flat gave very meagre returns
because of the severe drouth. They would have yielded bountifully
had the water been utilized. I have always prized the brook for its
beauty, its excellent water, always so delicious to drink and so val-
uable for stock, but I am now convinced that its greatest import-
ance has been entirely overlooked.
In the upper part of my underground drain the fall is very great.
On one side of this drain is a natural basin, with a deep, stiff, clay
subsoil and backed with a clay hill. Ina week or two a man with
team and scraper could form a pond of nearly an acre, with a depth
of several feet. In case gravel was struck in digging for this pond
clay could be easily secured from the hill, which would form an im-
pervious bottom. Thus in a brief time and at slight expense, a fine
tishpond and excellent irrigating reservoir could be constructed.
We next have to level the “flat” that is to be irrigated below the
pond, so that by ditches the water can be made to pass along the
rows of potatoes, beans, etc., at pleasure. On my farm the low
ground is already so level that I am sure, with slight expense, the
whole lower flat can be fixed so that the water can be conducted to
every part of it with slight labor and care. I feel certain that the
entire expense of arranging the lower area for irrigation need be
hardly more than the added profit of the crops for a single season
like that of last year. The large fall and rapid current will make it
easy to conduct the water into the pond at the upper end and let it
pass out at the lower side into the drain again.
When we are ready to irrigate we have only to run a furrow along
the upper border of the area to be irrigated at right angles to the
general course of the stream, so that it shall have slight fall.
Through a convenient gate the water is conducted, as desired, into
the furrow which skirts the upper margin of the flat, and from this
into other furrows which run at right angles to it, and between the
rows of plants to be watered. A man with hoe and spade can easily
dig and bank up the ditches and furrows so as to conduct the water
where he wishes it. Unless the fall is heavy in the main ditch or
furrow it is not hard to manage the water and conduct it at will
when it is desired. By care and close observation the first furrow
can be run in a direction so that the fall and current will be gentle.
I have no doubt that at no distant period many of our streams
will be utilized for irrigation, greatly to the advantage of the farm-
ers on whose lands the streams are found. Whenever the land is
sufficiently level to permit of irrigation there can be no question of
the profit of such enterprise.—N. Y. Tribune.
IRRIGATION, 71
SUB-IRRIGATION.
FE. H. NUTTER, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT, MINNEAPOLIS.
One of the beauties of the jury system as often administered in
our courts is the fact that no one is considered competent to pass
judgment ona matter until he has confessed to total ignorance,
in that direction at least; and so, at the outset, I will prove my capa-
bility to treat this subject without prejudice by saying that I know
nothing atall about it from a practical standpoint.
From my experience the past years with parks and other im-
provements, the necessity for some system of applying water both
abundantly and economically to lawns and trees and shrubs be-
comes very apparent, and the idea struck me of utilizing tile or other
drains for that purpose by a sort of reversion of their usual duty;
‘and for a while I nurtured my mental offspring with considerable
pride and a hope of a glowing future for it; imagine then my horror
when a little investigation proved that it was not my child at all,
but already boasted as extended a list of progenitors as the sewing
machine or electric telegraph. But the thought had become attrac-
tive to me, sol haunted your secretary’s office, examining different
reports and magazines to see what light they could throw on the
matter, till that worthy official invited me to confide my thoughts to
paper, probably hoping by this vicarious suffering on your part to
get a respite himself; but for yourcomfort I can assure you that his
scheme was a total failure. However, by correspondence and study
of what literature I have been able to obtain I have investigated the
subject, and what I here present is more in the way of a compilation
than an original article.
I have concluded that there are two reasons for the ill success
which has attended many attempts at irrigation in this section of
the country. The first is,that good irrigation does not require so
much water as we think,and the second is, that it requires a good
deal more. To explain this apparent paradox, I will say that the
usual practice is to apply asmall amount of water daily, which toa
certain extent may have the effect on vegetable growth that a con-
tinual indulgence in stimulants may have upon the human system,
even if the party is never intoxicated.
A California authority on irrigation states that for many crops
one application of water in a season is all that is necessary, while
none will require more than three; but these applications of course
are thorough soakings. In the meantime, thorough cultivation of
the top soil is practiced to maintain the soil mulch.
To return to the special subject of sub-irrigation. As is evident,
this refers to application of water below the natural surface of the
the soil. In California this term is sometimes applied to tracts of
land which reap the benefits of adjoining or former irrigation; a
forty-acre tract surrounded by irrigated lands is sometimes re-
claimed itself, or if neglected after having been irrigated for some
years, the saturated sub-soil will for a while maintain it in bearing.
But the division of the subject of which I speak refers to the direct
application of the water by means of tile or other appliances buried
72 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
beneath the soil deep enough not to interfere with the prosecution
of the usual gardening operations.
The advantages claimed for this method are economy in amount of
water, and applying itin sucha way that there is no loss from evap-
oration, and that the surface is always in condition to be worked;
the disadvantages are, of course, in the question of expense, though
it may be said that to properly prepare ground for surface irriga-
tion also involves considerable expense.
For lawn purposes this method is in considerable use, both in the
East and in California, and in many places is so adapted as to be in
wet seasons a method of drainage also.
Our usual methods of sprinkling lawns has the disadvantage of
drawing the grass roots to the surface, as the moisture does not
penetrate to any depth, and if neglected for awhile the hot sun soon
does its disastrous work, while if sub-irrigated the roots penetrate
to a greater depth and are more favorably situated to resist drought.
For lawn purposes the tile should be two to four inches, laid about
twelve inches deep and ten feet apart, the lower half of the joints
cemented but the tops open; laid on a level if possible, or nearly so,
and at the upper end connected with an upright pipe through which
the water may be introduced, and, if drainage is desired, at the lower
end with au outlet drain which may be opened or closed as occasion
may require.
The last report of the Ohio State Horticultural Society gives ac-
counts of experiments in this line, some of them in rather a tempor-
ary fashion, which still gave good results. One cultivator of celery
laid tile on top of the ground between the rows, by which means he
applied water without washing the surface. In banking up the
plants the tile were also buried, and water still applied through
them with good results. Another, a cultivator of small berries, I
believe, dug trenches between his beds in which he buried a foot or
so of cornstalks laid lengthwise, in lieuof tiles, and covering them,
applied the water through them.
At Cornell University experiments have been made in connection
with bench work in the greenhouses, by means of two tiles, and the
results were quite marked.
Briefly to enumerate the results, I may say that at Cornell the sav-
ing in amount of water was about one-half, and plants subject to
rot and injury from excessive dampness were in much better condi-
tion. This last item in connection with fruits and vegetables is also
noted from California.
Experiments in California in trial beds where the tile were very
closely laid and planted with early beets, onions, potatoes and string
beans, the results were as follows: Early beets no special gain as
the season itself was quite wet; onions and beans were watered five
times. Increase of onions fifty per cent.; increase of beans over one
hundred per cent. in weight, and season much prolonged.
The Michigan Agricultural College reports: It is enough for any
crop in any soil to apply 1200 bbls. per acre, once a week. In many
soils sub-irrigation will require only one-third to one-half this
amount.
IRRIGATION. 73
Only one station, Lincoln, Neb., reports unfavorably, but admits
that the trial was not made under the best auspices, as the plant had
been laid four years, and neglected till the wooden tank had dried
up and fallen away; part of the pipe was only one-half-inch iron;
perforated every foot or so with one-fourth-inch holes; as four of
these holes might exhaust the water in the pipe, it will be seen that
the method might have its weak points.
DISCUSSION.
Pres. Underwood: I would like to ask the gentleman how
large a pipe would be necessary to irrigate a row 600 feet long
and how near to the top the pipes should be laid.
Mr. Nutter: From what I have learned I do not know
whether any main has been carried so far. It is the practice
to use two or four inch tile. The water escapes at the joints.
The tile would carry the water two or three hundred feet with-
out much trouble.
Mr. Brown: Then that tile would be preferable to iron pipe?
Mr Nutter: I think so.
Mr. Brown: You irrigate under the ground instead of on
top?
Mr. Nutter: Yes, sir; the tile is laid sufficiently deep to es-
cape the cultivator and the plow.
Mr. Gage: I laid some of the first tile that was ever laid in the
United States. There was a man who had a farm on which he
could not raise three bushels of wheat to the acre, so he went to
Scotland and got a man and went to work and laid these tile,
and he increased his crop so that the work paid for itself in
wheat, and before he died he had laid 56 miles of tile on his
farm, and increased his wheat yield from three bushels to for-
ty-six bushels per acre.
Prof. Green: I hada little experience the past summer in
sub-irrigation. I have a lot at St. Anthony Park, and it both-
ered me a good deal to water myshrubs. I always used a hose,
but last spring I laid some hoilow brick; I laid some hollow
brick right alongside of those shrubs from the house, and it
was the most satisfactory way of irrigating those shrubs I
ever experienced.
WATER FOR SPARTA, WIS., FRUIT FARMS.
Sparta, Wis., March 27.—The city council last night awarded the
contract for a system of waterworks. The plant includes power-
house, engines, mains and reservoirs. The power house will be lo-
cated near the iron works and the reservoir will be built on the top
of Hollow Bluff, and when full the water level will be 142 feet above
74 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Main street. This is an ideal place for a reservoir as all points are
easily accessible from the bluff. The supply of water for city pur-
poses will be derived from wells driven into the rock, while, if this
supply is inadequate for irrigating the many small fruit farms, ar-
rangements have been provided for pumping for that purpose
directly from the La Crosse river.
Owing to the severe drouth last season the berry crop of this place,
of which Minneapolis receives about 1,000 cases per day from June
10 to Aug. 30, was nearly a failure, causing a loss to Sparta of about
$100,000.—/inneapolis Journal.
j
HOW BEST TO IRRIGATE.
FROM “YHE SALT LAKE HERALD.”
In reference to orchard irrigation, I believe too much water is ap-
plied to our orchards, and in a very wrong manner. Frequent irri-
gations of the surface of the soil are not sufficient for good results
on trees. Not enough water is applied at one time to reach the
deeper roots, and as a result, while the surface soil may be perfectly
moist, the deeper soil is quite dry and the trees present a sickly ap-
pearance. Surface irrigation is conducive to great evaporation and
loss of moisture. My plan of irrigating an orchard is to apply
enough water at one time to reach the deeper roots, and then retain
that moisture in the soil by cultivation and keeping the surface of
the soil loose. I think the best method of applying water to this
end is to block the orchard off in squares, using for this purpose an
instrument made in the shape of a letter “V,’ but open 12 to 16 in-
ches at the narrow end. Two planks are used, 12x14 inches wide, 10
feet long, nailed securely in the shape described. A team is hitched
at the broad end and driven through between the rows, collecting the
dirtinridges. The orchard.is gone through with in this way, and
then cross-ridged in the same manner. We now have the trees in the
center of a square with ridges 10to 12 inches high between the rows
to retain the water. The water is turned in at the upper end and al-
lowed to run to the lowest square in the row. This is filled and
then shut off and the next one above is filled, and so on back to
the first, or upper square. By this method of irrigation a person
can approximately tell the amount of water he is applying. This
method was adopted in the experiment station orchard last year,
which is located upon very dry land. Two irrigations were given.
Probably between twelve and fifteen inches of water was applied.
As soon as theland was sufficiently dry the orchard was thoroughly
cultivated to loosen the surface soil and prevent evaporation. The
orchard made better growth and is in better condition than ever be-
fore, and I believe the result is largely due to the method of irriga-
tion.
Bs) yh
Sinall Fruits.
i)
BERRIES FOR THE NORTHWEST.
C. E. TOBEY, SUPT. THAYER FRUIT FARMS, SPARTA, WIS.
Strawberries have grown wild in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and
have been cultivated in a small way since we became common-
wealths. Raspberries and blackberries have grown wild in almost
every turn of the road, but during severe open winters the expected
crop has been destroyed, and if they were to be had at all, the culti-
vated varieties have been purchased from our Southern or Eastern
neighbors. During the past few years Wisconsin and Minnesota
have awakened to the fact that they can not only supply the home
demand butalso the increasing demands of their Western, Northern,
and Northwestern neighbors. The increasing knowledge of right
varieties to grow and thrive within our borders, the knowing how to
plant, cultivate, care for and, last but not least, to protect during
our severe winters, has placed this industry in our state of Wiscon-
sin (and I know this to be true to acertain extent in your state) on
as sound a foundation as the dairy or any other of our great agri-
cultural industries.
At Sparta, now the great berry center of Wisconsin, the birth of
this new industry occurred at the first farmer’s institute held in our
city. It was at this farmer’s meeting that the possibilities of the cul-
ture of berries, both commercially and in the home garden, was
brought to our attention. Since then, notwithstanding the cry of
“You will overdo it,’ the demand has increased faster than the
acreage, and the acreage has increased from year to year until now
over 500 acres of berries are being cultivated. The market is found
in northern Wisconsin, Minnesota, the Dakotas and Manitoba.
To bring the true value of this industry to the attention of the
farmers of our own state, I have made the following statements at
our farmers’ institutes,and now make them to you: One acre of
well cultivated berries of varieties known to do wellin your lo-
cality will net you more profit than 10 average milch cows or
40 average acres of grain.
Some farmers will at once ask me the question, “Can we market
berries successfully, our farms being six, seven or eight miles from
a railroad station?” Most certainly youcan. Thereis alimit, how-
ever, to the acreage of the farmers thus situated, depending upon
the man, the family, their surroundings and circumstances. Many
farmers within four, six or eight miles of Sparta are now making a
business of berries and the regular farm products aré made second-
ary to this new industry. Don’t understand me as advising farmers
to stop growing corn, wheat, oats, milk or pork, but give the berries
a show.
This year we bought on our farms with a bushel of our berries a
barrel of friend Phillips’ best apples (in fact, Secretary Phillips sent
76 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
us to barrels, but we were only allowed to pay for one). Later one
bushel of berries bought for us a barrel of Jonathans from north-
ern Wisconsin and delivered them at our door; and other single
bushels of our berries bought for us eight bushels of rye, seven
bushels of potatoes, seven bushels of wheat, twelve anda half bush-
els of oats, fifteen pounds of butter, one and one-fourth cords of dry
oak wood, 150 pounds of best flour, 800 pounds good timothy hay
and other necessaries in proportion. With these figures starring us
in the face, is it reasonable for farmers to turn their backs on this
industry and say, “I can’t spare the time from other farm work’?
You may say, “I don’t know how to rightly embark in the business
of growing berries;”’ but you are bound to succeed with the practical
information you can obtain through this society, its deliberations
and annualreports containing a listof varieties that are known to be
profitable for you and also giving advice how to plant, grow and
market.
Your state also offers a course in agriculture at St. Anthony Park;
one of the studies being “Horticulture,” taught by one of the most
practical theoretical horticultural teachers that it has ever been my
good fortune to meet, visit and consult with,a man whose reputation
extends beyond the confines of your state, throughout the United
States, and of whom Minnesota should be and is truly proud.
Now, a few words to the young farmers or the boys on the farm
who are looking forward to getting away from the rural home into
the village or city—any place, if it be only off the farm. I should
also like the ears of the fathers and mothers who want the be to
stay where they are.
I believe with the advent of this berry industry the boys on the
farm have a chance to better their condition and commence a busi-
ness at home that will pay them better dividends in money, health
and happiness than they would procure in the village orcity. Take
the lease of one-fourth, one-half or one acre of the farm and paya
’ price per acre fully as much as it has brought in actual profit on an
average for the past three years; take a written lease for five years
with privilege of five moreat its expiration. And right here I want to
call the attention of the fathers to the fact that the pig given the
child should not be sold as the father’s hog, but that the young
farmer should have the whole hog or none. This one-half acre berry
farmer must attend to the actual business and work of this farm
himself, and must have all the profits himself.
I believe this a practical.way of interesting the boys ina business
that can be carried on athome. Many young farmers are attending
our Sparta schools this winter with the profits of berries that were
grown, cultivated and marketed by them.
I am requested by your secretary to devote a few minutes to goose-
berry culture, which has received more attention during the past
few years than has been heretofore accorded it.
The demand for this berry is rapidly growing, especially the ripe
gooseberry for dessert, and both the green and ripe for preserving.
The profits are fully as large as in any other small fruits and the
worm is easily combatted by spraying,and even the English varieties
as od sat ake] i Wri sre P gn ES
SMALL FRUITS. re
that have heretofore mildewed are now fruited successfully with the
aid of liver of sulphur and the spray pump.
Last spring we set out four acres of the Downing gooseberry and
about one-fourth acre of a new variety not yet introduced, called the
Queen. These were mostly two-year-old plants and pruned and
trimmed according to Mr. Thayer’s directions as follows: All new
buds that had started below the ground were broken or rubbed off
and only the strongest cane allowed to remain, all branches or
laterals being trimmed off between the surface of the ground anda
point six to ten inches above, and the laterals above this point were
trimmed out and cut back so that each bush was literally a well
trimmed tree.
These little trees made a wonderful growth even during the
drouth of 1894, and presented a beautiful appearance in consequence
of their tree shape and the green foliage which appears on them
earlier in the spring than on any other small fruits, and holds this
appearance in the fall after all other foliage is browned by severe
frosts. I think, too, that their being set in exact straight lines both
ways, allowing the visitor to observe the straight rows in six differ-
ent directions, gave them a uniform geometrical appearance. These
plants were set in rows seven feet apart and three and one-half feet
apart in the row.
We consider the Houghton and Downing the best varieties now
. grown extensively, although several new varieties we consider
promising, among them the Columbus, Red Jacket and Queen.
That much heralded, much advertised English variety, the In-
dustry, is as pronounced a failure wherever we have heard of it as
with us. :
The possibilities are from 300 to 500 bushels yield per acre, and
the prices have averaged higher than currarts and about equal to
prices of strawberries, raspberries and blackberries.
Minnesota and Wisconsin are sister states and alike interested in
the growth of this new industry—our tastes, climate and soils are
similar. Best varieties with us are best with you, the size of your
cases should be the size of ours, our pints, quarts and bushels
should be yours, and our markets being practically the same, we
should work together as one family to the best interests of berries
for the Northwest.
REPORT ON SMALL FRUITS.
WM. DANFORTH, RED WING.
The season of 1894 has been unlike any year that we have had
since I have been in Minnesota. The spring time was rather late; we
uncovered our strawberries about the tenth of May. We generally
have a frost about the fifteenth of May, and after that we do not
have much fear of frost; but on the nineteenth of May we hada
heavy frost. Our field was heavily covered with straw during the
winter and had just been uncovered a few days; we had put it be-
tween the rows so that it may have been some protection to the
blossoms against the frost. We estimated our loss from five to ten
percent. The crop from three and one-third acres was 190 bushels.
78 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
We began picking June thirteenth, and we picked until July fourth
and some until July tenth. The varieties that we have are Michaels
Early, Wilson, Maxfield, Monarch, Crescent, Bubach, Bederwood,
Parker Earle, Mt. Vernon and Jessie.
To prepare the ground for strawberries it should be enriched
previous to the year you plant so that the fertilizer shall be
thoroughly mixed with the soil; we have the rows four feet apart.
Our soil is'a sandy loam with clay subsoil. The ground for
strawberries should be rich,’ ploughed deep and well pulver-
ized, plants set firmiy, roots well spread, blossoms all cut off the
first season and runners clipped and thorough cultivation; allow no
weeds in the field. After picking we mow the field as close as pos-
sible, then drag several times over and go over with forks and rakes
and be sure that everything is stirred up and light,not anything
* packed down; and I was instructed to set fire at about two o’clock p.
m., as at that time we have the most wind of any time in the day,
The last year it was extremely dry and for ten days it was a bad
sight to look at, but then as usual the plants began to show them-
selves and, I think,looked as thrifty as any that I have seen. We
have a plough without a mouldboard to go out and back in the
same row leaving the earth level, and, then we hoe as in the new
field. By this method we kill all weeds and destroy the weed seeds.
Raspberries—We chave the Turner, Philadelphia, Cuthburt and
Shaffer; for black varieties, Doolittle, Mammoth Cluster and Gregg:
We had a fair crop of plums, the Desota, Rollingstone and many
wild varieties.
Blackberries—The Ancient Briton. On account of the dry weath-
er and want of care, we had alight crop; have no success with the
Snyder.
DISCUSSION.
Mr. Tobey, (Wisconsin): Do you consider ashes much more
important for berries than for corn?
Mr. Danforth: When you are up on a high hill and put
ashes in the rows it makes a big difference, but it makes the
most difference in strawberries. I think ashes are worth twenty-
five cents a bushel.
Mr. Pearce: We find phosphoric acid, and we find about 105
pounds of potash in a ton of ashes. There are certain things
that produce buds and fruit, and that is often what we want;
we often have a growth, but we have not the buds. I do not
wish to say much on this subject, but it is an easy matter to
grow strawberries.
Mrs. Stager: Does it make any difference what sort of wood
ashes are used? We have pine ashes, all that we want; are
those of any good?
Prof. Green: The hardwood ashes are very much more prof-
itable; pine ashes are worth something, of course, but you can-
SMALL FRUI'S. 79
not afford to pay for them as for hardwood. One point in Mr.
Danforth’s report I want to speak about. He spoke about re-
newing the strawberry beds, using a plow without a mould-
board. Iwas down at the Thayer fruit farms, and Mr. Tobey
told me he had used a cutaway harrow with the two center
discs taken to renew his strawberry beds. For such a pur-
pose the cutaway harrow cannot be equaled. Last summer I
used a double shovel corn cultivator, but I know what that cut-
away harrow can do, and for renewing a strawberry bed it has
no equal.
Mr. Crandall: I have used a cutaway harrow for the past
three years. Taking out the two outside discs and then strad-
dling the row, going over it twice; it cuts the ground up thor-
oughly and leaves it very fine, and all the rain gets into the
ground. Before we harrow it, we give it a top dressing.
Mr. Brackett: Would you have this manure fine, before
you put on this top dressing?
Mr. Crandall: We take manure that is thoroughly worked
up. Cleaning out the hog lot or the barnyard. That is the
only preparation we ever give the manure. |
Mr. Brackett: In relation to putting ashes onvines. I have
been putting ashes on grape vines. Is it more practical to put
them on strawberries? I was surprised to hear that ashes
were worth as much as twenty-five cents a bushel.
Dr, Frisselle: I have always been a great believer in ashes,
hardwood ashes. When living east on the Hudson river I used to
buy ashes at twenty-five cents a bushel, and found difficulty in
getting them. When I came west I found that ashes were thrown
away; people were glad to get rid of them. I asked a farmer
why he allowed so many to go to waste. He said they hurt the
land. Iwas surprised; I could not and would not believe it.
I think there is no better fertilizer for the vineyard than wood
ashes. Two years ago I secured seven one-horse loads which I
distributed through my vineyard of one thousand vines; I think
there is scarcely any crop that is not benefited by wood ashes.
I think one can make no mistake by putting on an abundance of
wood ashes in thecurrant patch; it alwaysimproves the quality
of the fruit.
Pres. Underwood: What about putting them on strawberries?
Dr. Frisselle: They are excellent on strawberries.
Mr. Brackett: We cannot put wood ashes over the whole
plantation of fruit. Where one can get plenty of manure. and
FR A) EL Sf ie Pp GR RE ORR) 9
. a . 3 ‘ og MS aly
aa
80 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
only a limited quantity of ashes, would you recommend putting
the ashes on the grapes and the manure on the other fruit?
Dr. Frisselle: Ido not know whether ashes would be better
for grapes than for strawberries; they are excellent for both.
Mr. Brackett: Manure is not good for grapes.
Dr. Frisselle: I putall the manure on my grapes I can get.
It is wise to plant a vineyard on good rich land. There is no
use in trying to grow fruit on land that is not properly ferti-
lized.
Mrs. Stager: I only havea little wood ashes, but every year
I put on a lot of manure, and put it on the grapes. My grapes
are so thick they are a show for the place. I manure them
thoroughly every year.
Mr. Pearce: I think everybody should study the habits of
strawberry plants before trying to raise them. For instance,
we take the Bubach, we take the Wilson; they are both nice
plants; they are tolerably large plants. In the first place those
varieties, and all such varieties, require nitrogen. They do not
seem to require ashes, from the fact that they are overloaded
with fruit. They should always be grown in the hill. These
varieties should never be grown in matted rows; they should be
confined to hills, with asoil rich and mellow. Now we will take
a strong growing plant and plant it in hills and we will get no
results; it will be a failure. Now make your selection. This is
the tirst consideration. By that I mean you should never take
a plant until you know the requirements of that plant. I take
the Gandy, that is a very late crop and a very small, rapid
grower; you cannot fruit it everywhere; it requires good soil,
but it does not require soil as rich as the Bubach or the Wilson;
it requires less nitrogen; all that variety wants is ashes, potash.
It requires phosphoric acid. It wants something to produce
buds and blossoms. We are not going to be confined to ashes,
because we cannot get one-tenth of what we want. We have got
to apply those other remedies; we must use our best judgment;
we must not jump at conclusions, and we will get good results;
we will get just what the plant wants. One variety we plant
on clay ground; take another variety and it wants a light soil.
To carry this thing further, I can show you a man who gets
four hundred bushels to the acre. He confines himself to one
or two varieties. He can grow the Wilson strawberry to per-
fection. Nitrogen, nitrogen, that is the success.
SMALL FRUITS. 81
SMALL FRUITS FROM A COMMERCIAL STANDPOINT.
L. G. KELLOGG, JANESVILLE, WIS.,
President Wisconsin State Horticultural Society.
It is a stubborn fact that there are hundreds of car loads of straw-
berries, raspberries and blackberries grown in Michigan and IIli-
nois, and distributed in the markets of Wisconsin, Minnesota and
the Dakotas at fairly remunerative prices, at the same time the
same varieties of fruits are ripening in central Wisconsin and Min-
nesota. With a love for horticultural pursuits and an adaptation
for the business, is there not a giand opportunity for the com-
mercial fruit grower to endeavor to supply at least a portion of this
trade?
With an ever increasing population and®a consequent growing
demand for fine fruits, I do not believe the possibilities of the pro-
duction and distribution of small fruits have been anywhere near
realized. With the improved varieties, the improved packages for
handling, and the rapid transportation facilities; it is now possible
to distribute these perishable fruits from California to Maine and
from the Gulf to the British Possessions.
There has been a great stimulus in the establishment of large
small fruit plantations the past three or four years, but these are
scarcely keeping pace with the ever increasing population. People
are becoming more educated to the fact that fresh, ripe, wholesome
berries are much more healthful than meats, especially during the
warm season. Look, if you will, in the markets of Chicago, St. Louis,
St. Paul, Minneapolis, or other cities of the Northwest, and see the
tons and tons of incipient, half-ripened California fruits, brought
nearly 3,000 miles to market, and then ask yourself the question,
will not fresh, delicious, well-ripened fruit produced on Minnesota
or Wisconsin soil, with less than one-quarter of the freight rates,
find a paying market for years to come? No, the fruit business is
not yet overdone east of the Rockies, nor will it be for a century to
come.
I do not believe there can be an over-production of first-class fruit.
The trouble lies in the fact we are producing too much inferior fruit
as compared with the quantity of first-class, throwing it on the market
in a haphazzard way asaresuJt of not being organized, and thus
demoralizing prices.
The quantity of small fruit that is sold without any margin of
profit to the inexperienced grower is enormous. In the Chicago
markets, it has been estimated during a single season by millions
of quarts.
We frequently hear the alarm of over-production sounded, and
when traced to the proper source we find it the result of injudicious
and improper distribution. The question naturally arises, how are
we to avoid this useless competition and properly distribute these
small fruits? My answer would be, through the co-operation, or
organization, of the fruit growers.
82 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY,
It is a commercial fact that competition cheapens prices without
increasing consumption beyond the natural increase that follows
cheaper prices. There is not acommercial fruit grower of any ex-
perience in the country but who knows that frequently during the
shipping season a lot of small fruit would have gone info consump-
tion at more money than was realized but forthe useless home com-
petition and improper distribution that cut prices below the cost of
production. This is proved every season and is particularly true of
the smaller towns where comparatively few people engage in the
production of small fruits. It is this competition we hear spoken
ofas “ruinous competition” that has driven the most experienced
and ablest men of the day into combining and organizing, not from
choice, but from necessity, to avoid competing with one another.
The sugar refiners, the lumber manufacturers, the millers, in fact,
nearly all branches of industry are now organized, simply because
each tried to undersell the other, to get trade without increasing
consumption. It has been demonstrated through a fruit growers
association at Ripon, which has been in existence four years, that
an organization ‘through a course of inspection has a tendency to
raise the standard of the fruit, systematize the business, reduce
freight and express rates, and the grower can devote his whole time
to getting his fruit in the best possible condition for the markets
and thereby receive the greatest margin of profit.
Co-operation and the avoidance of competition is the order of the
day everywhere. Everything is organized. Artisans, mechanics,
laborers of every class and in all departments are organized for
self-protection, to avoid competition, and act as a unit in all matters
that pertain to their interests.
We believe in a progressive age and keeping abreast with the
times, and we believe it is the duty of all fruit growers, as well asa
necessity, to organize their shipping associations in a business-like
manner,and so systematize their shipping as to avoid putting their
products into competition with each other,and thus get a satis-
factory and legitimate margin of profit. Fruitmen can certainly do
this to their own advantage. By association and an interchange of
views as to quantity, quality, and demand for fruit ina certain
market it can be ascertained with approximate accuracy; and the
fruit grower is thus enabled to lay his plans as regards varieties
from the knowledge thus acquired.
Small fruit growing is a business in which location and con-
venient and rapid transportation are also essential elements of suc-
cess. All engaged in it have a mutual interest in acquiring and
availing themselves of all the knowledge attainable for growing,
handling and marketing their products.
In all that pertains to horticultural development, the improve-
ment of public grounds, the adornment of private property, the
growing of fruits, by co-operation we work together in greater
harmony, and more intelligently.
(See constitution, etc., of Fruit Growers’ Association of Ripon,
Wis., following).
SMALL FRUITS. 83
CONSTITUTION, BY-LAWS AND ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF THE FRUIT GROWERS’ ASSOCIATION OF RIPON, WIS.
(This is a regularly organized corporation under the laws of the
State of Wisconsin.)
CONSTITUTION.
The name of this Corporation shall be “The Ripon Fruit Growers’
Association,’ and the location of said Corporation shall be in said
City of Ripon, County of Fond du Lac, and State of Wisconsin.
This corporation shall have no capital stock, and no dividends or
pecuniary profits shall ever be made or declared by such corpora-
tion to its members.
The general officers of this corporation shall be a President, a
Vice-President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and a Board of five Direct-
ors.
The Directors elected on the organization of this corporation shall
be elected to hold their offices until the first annual meeting; and
thereafter all Directors elected shall be elected for the term of one
year, except when elected to fill a vacancy.
The duties of the President shall be to preside at all meetings of
the corporation; to sign all orders or warrants drawn on the Treas-
urer; and to perform, generally, such duties as devolve upon the
President of similar organizations.
The Vice-President shall, in the absence of the President, perform
all the duties devolving upon the President.
The Secretary shall keep a true, full and accurate record of all the
proceedings of the corporation; shall draw and sign all orders or
warrants on the Treasurer; and shall perform such other duties as
may be prescribed by the By-Laws of this corporation.
The Treasurer shall be the custodian of the moneys of the corpora-
tion; shall keep full and true books of accounts of all moneys that
shall come into his hands; he shall pay out no moneys of the cor-
poration except on an order or warrant signed by the President and
Secretary; he shall, at each annual meeting, and at such other times
as the Directors may require, make a full and true report of his do-
ings as such Treasurer, and shal] perform such other duties as may
be prescribed by the By-Laws.
The Directors shall have the management and control of all the
property of the corporation; shall audit all bills against said cor-
poration; and shall perform suchother duty as may be prescribed
by the By-Laws.
All applications for membership shall be in writing subscribed
by the applicant, and giving his or her name, occupation, and num-
ber of acres of each kind of fruit grown. The election of members
shall be by ballot, and six negative votes shall reject the applicant.
Any member may be expelled from the corporation, at any
regular meeting, by a two-thirds vote of all the members present;
but no member shall be expelled without first having had a full
hearing on the matter complained of.
This corporation may adopt such By-Laws as may from time to
to time be necessary; but no By-Law shall be adopted unless the
same shall be presented to the corporation in writing at least one
pee th So OC eee Sn ASY Xe
? im a> RR AS
Fin ; : # =i
84 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
regular meeting before such By-Law is adopted, and no By-Law
shall be adopted except by a two-thirds vote of all the members
present.
«All elective officers, except as hereinbefore provided, shall be
elected at the annual meeting of said corporation. All elective of-
ficers shall hold their respective offices until their successors are
elected.
This constitution may be altered or amended by a two-thirds vote
of all the members present at any regular meeting.
In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands this 22nd day
of February, A. D., 1890. Signed, P. S. CoLLINS and others.
BY-LAWS.
ARTICLE I.
SEc.1. The officers of this Association shall be a President, Vice-
President, Secretary, Treasurer and a board of Directors.
SEC. 2. The officers shall be elected at each annual meeting of the
Association.
SEc. 3. A majority of votes shall constitute an election.
ARTICLE II.
The President, or in his absence the Vice-President, shall preside
at all meetings, and in their absence a presiding officer shall be
elected pro tempore.
ARTICLE Iil.
SEc. 1. The Secretary shall keep the records of the Association
in books to be furnished for that purpose; and shallattend to all cor-
respondence of the Association not conflicting with the duties of
the Agent.
Sec. 2. He shall procure and keep a book to be called the “Roll
of Membership,” in which shall be legibly written the articles of
incorporation, and in which all persons elected to membership shall
enroll their names.
SEc. 3. He shall notify all persons of their election within five
days after such election.
Src. 4. He shall keep a book which shall contain a list of all the
property of the Association, and shall make a report of the same at
at each annual meeting.
Sec. 5. He shall draw all orders or warrants on the Treasurer on
the order of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IV.
Src. 1. The Treasurer shall be the custodian of the moneys of
the Association.
SEC. 2. He shall keep a true and accurate account with each ~
member, and shall collect all moneys due the Association.
SEc. 3. He shall make an annual report to the Association of all
moneys on hand, and the names of all members in arrears, and the
amount due from such delinquent members. He shall also make
a report when called for by the Board of Directors.
ae
SMALL FRUITS. 85
Sec. 4. He shall pay out moneys only on warrants or orders drawn
by the Secretary, and countersigned by the President.
Src. 5. He shall make a full report of his doings as Treasurer to
the annual meeting.
Sec. 6. He shall execute a bond to the Association in such sum and
with such sureties as the Board of Directors shall direct, which
bond shall be approved by the Chairman of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE V.
SEc. 1. The Board of Directors shall consist of the President, Sec-
retary and three members to be elected from the Association.
SEc. 2. The Board of Directors shall hold meetings as often as
the best interests of the Association may demand.
SEc. 3. The Directors shall have charge of all the property, effects
and assets of the Association, including the management and gen-
eral superintendance of its interests and affairs, where the same do
not conflict with these By-Laws.
Sec. 4. They shall fix the amount of the Treasurer’s bond and
the number of sureties he shall give, andthe chairman of the Board
shall approve of the Treasurer’s bond.
SEC. 5. They shall be the purchasing agent of the Association.
SEC. 6. They shall make rules for the Association by which its
members shall be governed, and any other regulations not incon-
sistent with the By-Laws.
SEC. 7. Any Director who shall absent himself from three suc-
cessive meetings of such Board shall be by said Board reported to
the Association, and the Association may, thereupon, declare said
office vacant, and forthwith elect a Director in his stead.
Src. 8. The Directors shall promptly examine and audit all bills
against the Association.
SEc. 9. It shall be the duty of the Board of Directors to appoint
an Agent for this Association, whose duties shall be set forth in the
By-Laws.
SEC. 10. Said Directors shall by majority vote select said agent,
and agree with him as to his compensation.
SEc. 11. All votes taken by the Directors in selecting an Agent
and fixing his salary or compensation, shall be viva voce, and each
Director’s vote shall be recorded in the minutes of the Association
by the Secretary of the Board of Directors. :
ARTICLE VI.
Sec. 1. The duties of the Agent shall be in general terms to act
under the direction of the Board of Directors. To handle the Fruit
and secure markets for the same; to do his utmost to get the lowest
freight rates possible; to keep accurate accounts of each day’s deal-
ings with each shipper; to deposit all Drafts, Checks or Moneys in
some Local Bank on the day they are received. To settle with all
members at least once a week.
SEC. 2. His books, contracts, correspondence, and all other pa-
pers, or records, relating to said Association in his possession shall
86 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
be at all times open to the inspection of any member of the As-
sociation.
Sec. 3. He shall do his utmost to have the Fruit reach the mar-
ket in the best possible condition, and in all ways promote the best
interests of the Association.
Sec. 4. He shall be required to give a good Bond, in such a sum
as the Board of Directors shall determine, for the faithful perform-
ance of his duties and that he will honestly account for all moneys
coming into his handsas said Agent and disburse the same to those
to whom they rightfully belong.
ARTICLE VII.
SEc. 1. The manner of shipping the Fruit, in general terms, shall
be as follows: Each member of the Association wishing to ship
Fruit shall deliver the same as directed by the Agent, each grower
being required to have his or her name plainly stenciled on their
crates.
Sec. 2. All the Fruit received on any day, from different growers
shall be treated alike in all respects, and shall be shipped to points
where wanted, irrespective of who raised the same, and each day’s
shipment shall be treated as an entirety. Every grower who con-
tributed to said shipment shall be entitled to his or her share of the
proceeds of said day’s sale, in proportion to the number of crates
shipped by said grower. a
Sec. 3. All members of this Association shall have the right to
dispose of Fruit raised by him or her to local dealers or other par-
ties; provided they do not sell Fruit to parties to ship so as in any
manner to come into competition with shipments of the Associa-
tion.
ARTICLE VIII.
SEc. 1. The standing committeee of the Association shall be as
follows: A committee on By-Laws; a committee on Transportation
and Shipping Facilities; acommittee on Grievances.
SEc 2. All standing committees shall consist of three members
and shall be appointed by the President.
ARTICLE IX.
SEc. 1. The annual meeting shall be held on the second Monday
of January in each year.
SEc. 2. The regular meetings of this Association shall be held on
the second Monday of each month, at 7:30, P. M.
SEc. 3. Special meetings may be called by the President at any
time, and shall be called by him at the request of the Board of
Directors.
SEc. 4. Notice of any special meeting shall be given by publica-
tion ina weekly paper, published in the city of Ripon, or by mail,
which notice shall contain a statement of the matter to be presented
at such special meeting.
SEc. 5. No other business shall be transacted at any special meet-
ing than shall be stated in such notice.
SEC. 6. Five members shall constitute a quorum at any meeting.
ee Fee |
Ne
SMALL FRUITS. 87
ARTICLE X.
SEc. 1. Themembership fee inthis Association shall be One Dol-
lar, and no person elected shall become a member until such sum
is paid and his or her name signed to the roll of membership.
SEc. 2. The annual Dues of each member shall be fifty cents, pay-
able in advance, on the second Monday in January of each year.
SEC. 3. The membership fee shall include the annual Dues for the
first year.
SEC. 4. When the dues or other indebtedness of any member shall
remain unpaid for sixty days after notice, his or her membership
shall be forfeited, and they shall cease to be members.
A member, thus forfeiting his or her membership, may be rein-
stated within three months after such forfeiture upon payment of
all the arrears.
SEC. 5. All votes for membership shall be by ballot,and six nega-
tive votes shall reject any applicant.
SEc. 6. All applications for membership shall be presented at
any regular meeting, and no ballot shall be taken on any applica-
tion before the first regular meeting after its presentation.
SEC. 7. The application of no person who has. been rejected shall
again be received by the Association until six months has elapsed
after his rejection.
ARTICLE XI.
SEC. 1. Charges of misconduct against any member shall be
made in writing, and shall first be presented to the committee on
Grievances, who shall investigate the same, and if, in their judg-
ment, they are worthy of consideration, they shall be by them pre-
sented to the Association.
SEc. 2. All trials of members for misconduct shall be at a regular
meeting, and no member shall be tried until at least ten days after
service on him of acopy of the charges against him.
SEC. 3. Any member found guilty of such misconduct, or of the
violation of any of the Rules or Regulations of this Association,
may be fined or expelled after a full hearing, by a two-thirds vote of
the members present at any regular meeting.
ARTICLE XII.
SEc. 1. All Bills or Accounts against the Association shall be
referred to and audited by the Board of Directors.
SEC. 2. Upona Bill being allowed as herein provided, a warrant
for the same shall be drawn on the Treasurer to the order of the
party to whom made payable, which, before payment, must be
countersigned by the President, and such warrant shall specify the
purpose for which drawn.
SEc. 3. No moneys of this Association shall ever be expended in
behalf of any individual or in the furthering of any private busi-
ness or enterprise, except by the unanimous vote of all the mem-
bers present at a regular meeting.
88 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
ARTICLE XIII.
All business at any regular or special meeting shall be conducted
according to usual parliamentary rules.
ARTICLE XIV.
Sec. 1. At the election of officers of the Association, each member
shall be entitled to one vote for every 100 cases of Berries, or frac-
tion over 50, grown by him or her and marketed by the Association.
SEc. 2. No voting by proxy shall be allowed.
Src. 3. No member in arrears to the Association for dues, fines or
assessments, shall be entitled to vote.
SrEc. 4. In cases where Berry fields are leased or rented, the Land-
lord, Agent or Tenant, or any of them, may become members of this
Association with all the privileges and rights to vote as other
members.
ARTICLE XV.
Sec. 1. These By-Laws may be altered or amended by a two-thirds
vote of all members present at any regular meeting.
SEc. 2. Any amendment to the By-Laws must be presented in
writing at a regular meeting of the Association.
SEc. 3. No such proposed amendment shall be acted upon until
the first regular meeting after its introduction.
ORDER OF BUSINESS.
Calling Roll of officers.
Reading of minutes.
Application for membership.
Balloting for applicants.
Reports of officers.
Reports of standing committees.
Reports of select committees.
Reading of communications.
Bills against the Association.
Unfinished business.
New business.
General welfare.
REPORT OF SMALL FRUITS IN FREEBORN COUNTY.
G. H. PRESCOTT, ALBERT LEA.
Strawberries wintered well and were in good condition for a crop,
but owing to frost the most of the crop was destroyed. What was
left the chinch bugs and drought spoiled. Raspberries were a fair
crop, and prices good. Blackberries set very full and we thought
to get a fine crop, but they dried on the vines just before getting
ripe. I gota few poor berries from the Snyder; the Ancient Brit-
tons were a total failure. I hada good crop of currants, and goose-
berries were about half a crop.
THE MINNESOTA
HORTICULTURIST.
VOL. 23 APRIL, 1895. NO. 3.
Z\pples.
THE FAILURES AND SUCCESSES OF APPLE
GROWING IN MINNESOTA.
WILLIAM SOMERVILLE, VIOLA, MINN.
We have had our failures in days that are past and fear we may
have them in days to come. Many farmers will not learn from the
experience of others, but still persist in buying their nursery stock
from EKastern and Southern nurseries, represented by a set of men
that know little of our climate,and whose only object is to sell trees.
He tells of their superior qualities and that they are better than
others because they are budded or have some other peculiarity that
makes them superior to any trees in the market, at the same time
turning over his book leaves, showing all the best and largest apple
pictures of the country. He tells of their good qualities, of which
he knows nothing himself, until the farmer forgets that these trees
are raised under altogether different climatical influence, and that
they cannot stand the hot summers and cold winters of Minnesota.
Although they have been warned by the Horticultural Society and
Farmer’s Institute and almost every leading paper in the state, they
continue to buy such stock and say, because they do not succeed,
that apple growing in Minnesota is a failure, forgetting the princi-
ple, that trees, like corn, must be acclimated to our soil, climate and
season. This has to be accomplished by seedlings raised in Minne-
sota or by Russian varieties that have been acclimated to sucha
climate for generations past.
Sometimes farmers will get good stockfrom responsible nursery-
men or their agents, and expose them to the sun and wind during
the day and at night throw them in the shade to protect their roots.
The following day they will dig a hole a foot square and the same
depth,thrusting their roots down into the hole,regardless of the con-
dition of the ground, and expect atree, and one that will bear fruit.
Well, the tree does not grow or bear fruit, and the farmer feels that
the nurseryman has swindled him. Could any other result be ex-
pected? The sunand wind had dried out their roots; and thrusting
theminto the hard ground, neither cultivating nor mulching them,
how could we expect any other results? We have violated nature’s
90 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
laws; first, by exposing their roots to sun and wind unnecessarily,
next, by cramping their roots in a small hole that would not receive
them in their natural state; also, by not cultivating or mulching the
ground to stop evaporation as much as possible to save moisture
and keep the ground cool.
If we raise fruit in our climate we must get our trees from reliable
nurserymen or their agents, and the trees must be grown in Minne-
sota, either our best seedlings or our best Russians; then not expose
their roots to sun or wind any more than necessary. If to be set in
an old orchard to fill up vacancies, the groundshould be spaded and
loosened up at least four feet across, then set the tree in the center.
If in a new orchard, the ground should be prepared as for corn, and
the holes large enough to receive the roots in natural shape. The
depth of setting trees depends upon the ground we set them in; if in
heavy clay soil, four or five inches deeper than they come from the
nursery row; but in light prairie soil, ten or twelve inches is the best
depth—always setting on an angle towards the southwest, or the top
towards the two o’clock sun, to protect them from sun scald on the
southwest side. If not planted so, the prevailing wind from the
southwest gets them erect before the laterals are long enough to
protect the trunk. Then cultivate for the first four years. In case
of drouth, mulch them. Cultivate any hoed crops between the
rows, and seed to clover and pasture with hogs, ringing the large
ones. When the trees come into bearing, mulch with straw or any
rough litter every year, and success iscertain with the right variety
of trees.
Our nurserymen should be encouraged by buying from them and
no others. They have labored long and hard, searching America
and Europe, to get trees adapted to our climate. By a freak of nature,
a few seedlings over the state have withstood the winter’s cold and
summer’s heat. These nurserymen have bought the right to propa-
gate from them at a large expense, placing in our hands a class of
trees that is expected to stand our severe climate. All honor to the
noble nurserymen! Their business has to be carried out by agents.
If they did not send their agents out to sell their stock, agents from
other states would canvass the country with unadapted trees and
retard the growing of apples for years tocome. Itis true our nur-
serymen sometimes employ agents that have little respect for their
words, frequently misrepresenting fruits, making promises that
cannot be fulfilled, representing stock they have not got and
tagging other stock to fill orders they have taken. In a few years
the trees may bear fruit so different from what the farmer expected
that he gets excited and tells his neighbors that “these trees were to
bear large winter apples, but here are worthless little crabs getting
ripe in September. I will not buy any more trees from that nursery;
itis a fraud.” So,nurserymen having agents should try to secure
such as will do a square and honest business; the people hold
them responsible for the acts of their agents. How different itis
when agents come from Illinois, New York or any other state and
sell trees to farmers! If one-half of them die the first summer or
winter,and a few of them Jive to bear fruit, it makes no difference
re.
APPLES. 91
how worthless, there is little said about it, and it is looked upon as
a business transaction; but if that nursery is in Minnesota, itisa
swindle and a fraud. They do not appreciate what nurserymen have
accomplished in getting a class of fruit adapted to our climate.
Every farm should have a small piece of ground for plum trees.
This should be as close to the barn as possible, so chickens could
have free access. They will, to some extent, destroy the curculio,
which is fatal to our fruit. Set eight feet apart. It is better to have
two or three varieties. Keep well mulched with any coarse litter;
straw is best because chickens will work in it more than in any other
litter. There are a number of good varieties: Desota, Forest Garden,
Weaver, Rollingstone, Hawkeye and many other varieties that will
amply repay for labor bestowed. No farmer should be without this
beautiful fruit.
ORCHARDING IN FARIBAULT COUNTY.
S. D, RICHARDSON, WINNEBAGO CITY.
Between fifteen and twenty years ago the tree agent put in consid-
erable work in this section and, as they mostly represented Minnesota
and Northern Iowa nurseries,there are today many good trees bear-
ing fruit in Faribault county as the result of their labors. Many of
the trees were bearing fruit previous to 1885. I saw many young
Wealthys heavily laden with apples that fall. Andrew C. Dunn
has a small orchard set at different times previous to 1878. When he
set his first trees, he took pride in his young orchard and used to
prune his trees so as to have them have tall trunks; later he got dis-
couraged and let the trees alone; and the result is that many of the
Duchess set first have a dead strip on the southwest side of the
trunk, and the Wealthys planted later are healthy, vigorous, low-top-
ped trees. This orchard is well protected on the west and northwest
only. It was cultivated when small and has been seeded to timothy
for the last ten or twelve years.
Mr. Sholl has a fine orchard of some two hundred trees, mostly
Duchess, Wealthy, Minnesota and Haas. The Haas show the effect
of the winter of 1885; aside from that the trees are in good condition.
This orchard is protected on all sides. It was cultivated when small,
but has been seeded for years. It was mulched several] years ago.
The trees are set sixteen feet apart each way and branch very low.
On the other side of the road, a little farther north, is the orchard of
Mr. Holly, on the high prairie, exposed to wind from every direction
except what a few evergreens on the north and west may hinder.
There were originally set in this orchard 700 or more Wealthys, set
twenty-five or thirty feet apart each way. Mr. Holly sold one hun-
dred and fifty bushels from this orchard in the fall of 1885, and it has
been bearing heavily every other year and, sometimes, every year
since, and has paid better in dollars and cents than any other part
of the farm for the past ten years.
There are many other orchards as well worthy of mention as those
I have named, but this paper would be toolong if I undertook to
92 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
mention allofthem. As farasI have noticed, the Wealthy, Duchess
and Minnesota have done well inthis county both with and without
being protected by groves, on high ground and low, but not on wet
ground. They seem to do the best when cultivated while small and
seeded down when older.
One man mulches about three inches deep with strawy manure;
the grass grows up through the mulching, and he gets a crop of
apples every year.
One fact that I especially wish to call attention to is that with the
most of these trees the body is well protected from the sun by the
top. No need to put up boards or wrap the body with cloth or paper
to keep from sun scald; the shade of the top is sufficient.
The men who have raised apples in this county have been mostly
farmers and have been too busy with farm work to prune apple
trees. One man who has not had much faith in years past in fruit
will set out 1500 apple trees in the spring.
APPLES.
CHAS. LUEDLOFF, CARVER.
As a member of the committee on “Apples” I take notice below of
such kinds of apples as have done best on my place, showing “blight-
proof” for many years past, as my place is so located that many
kinds get affected with blight. I don’tknow how many hundreds I
have had for experiment, and from them all only those noted below
ware left free from blight. About my place as an experiment station
for apples I must state first: The ground is low, with rich, black
soil, sheltered around by high timber. You see this is not favorable
for all kinds of apples. I think it is good advice to beginners in
raising apples to begin with such sorts as are blight-proof—and they
all are more likely to be when planted on high, dry ground witha
free circulation of air; and where the ground is sloping somewhat
to north it is always the best location for an apple orchard.
The blight is one of the greatest enemies in holding us back from
raising apples. Some pomologists claim that spraying with the
Bordeaux mixture is the only preventative; and I have good reason
to believe it, because I kept my potatoes by spraying through the
last two summers with Bordeaux mixture green to the time frost
killed them, and splendid potatoes, too. Last summer, it may be,
spraying helped some, but still the drouth was too great, and the
vines died off earlier on that account. I think we have good hope
in spraying all fruit trees early in the season with Bordeaux mix-
ture to prevent blight.
Some persons believe that blight is contagious to the neighboring
trees, but I have not found it so in the four following cases, viz:
First, a European birch (Betula alba) stands east from a building;
ten feet east from it stands a plum tree with some new plum grafts;
the north side of this tree was sheltered by buildings; so this tree
had a very warm place. The sun struck this tree most from one to
two o’clock. -One day both trees were affected by blight; a few days
APPLES. 93
later both were dead to the ground, while plum trees near by were
not affected and are sound yet, but these plum trees had more
of a circulation of air. Second, three small blocks of my experiment
nurseries were each set with the same kinds of apple root grafts.
Several years later I found in all the blocks blight on the same
kinds, and the same kinds were free from blight in all three blocks.
Only those varieties affected were liable to blight. Third, [hada
row of Russian pear trees all in bearing, with pears on the size of a
hickory nut. One day I saw thatthe first tree at the south of the row
was beginning to blight,and in a week all the trees of the whole row
were dead, and the odor near them had a sour smell. A row of
plum trees on the east was sound, not in the least affected; on the
west side was a row of apples of different kinds. I couldn’t see any
sign of blight on them either. Fourth, a European mountain ash
(Pirus acuparia) north of my house, sheltered by evergreens of dif-
ferent kinds on the south side; on the north side was a row of
very tall American white birch, the mountain ash being in the mid-
dle of these two rows. All branches that overgrew the evergreens
were blighted, and all the trees around were free from blight.
Furthermore, the blight in our wheat field is manifested in the
same way asontheapples. I have observed in my wheat field, on
land that is situated south of timber, the wheat blights first. There
it is too warm, dew lies longer upon the straw and ear, and after hot
sunshine comes on the wheat gets blighted, because in such places
circulation of air is less. Always in the middle of the field I found
straw stiff,ear and kernel matured and no blight there, as there was
always more circulation of air. Now, all my observation shows that
the claim that blight is “contagious,” or passes from tree to tree, is
false; but right here I give the advise that we must discard such
trees as are liable to blight. Whena tree is blighted to some extent
on its big limbs, it is better to grub it out, as then not the top alone
is affected, it is in the roots also. Last fall I grubbed out four Trans-
cendents (this is the poorest in all to plant). I found the half of
the crown roots dead just the same as the limbs. Such bad blight-
ing trees should be grubbed out in good time and replaced by
blight-prooftrees. The hole should be dug large enough to take up
all to burn, and the hole filled up with better earth.
Now, I add here a list of some kinds of apples, out of several hun-
dred I have been experimenting with for some years past, which I
have found free from blight on my place, viz:
Nos. 105, Grafenstein; 161, Longfield; 178, Barkoff; 180, Negaloff; 187,
Glass Green; 225, Getman; 200, Rosy Repka; 240, Lieby; 260, Winter
Stripe; 272, Little Flat; 275, Zolotoreff; 277, Vargul; 282, Veronesh;
Reinette; 315, Lord; 317, White Pigeon; 361, Painted Pipka; 372, St-
Peter; (378) 4 M. Hibernal; 385, Bade’s; 410, Little Seedling; 413, Cross;
430, Round Waxen Acad.; 544, Juicy Burr; 469, Grandmother; (472) 4
M. Ostrekoff; 578, Leipzig; Borsdorf; 599, Romna; 981, White Rus-
sett; 985, Red Anis; 1277, Varonesh Red; 109, Var. Rubetz Nativii; 38,
Varonesh; Malinda; H. Kaump’s Seedling; Duchess of Oldenburg,
Rimbacker (Germ.), October, September, Patten’s Greening, Maiden
Blush, Phillip’s Sweeting, Phillip’s Nos. 3 and 4.
Crab apples.—Gibb, Chase's Sweet, Greenwood, Shield’s, Isham,
Florence, Milton, Atztalan, Phoenix Red. Try them!
a *\ a 72*)y Y. eee
4 1 OP ie
94 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
NURSERY AND ORCHARD TREES.
M. PEARCE, CHOWEN.
Mr. President, I think it is about four years since I have
written anything for the state society or published anything
in the horticultural papers of the state in regard to horticul-
ture. I had almost arrived at the conclusion that I would never
do it again. Now, what I have written is the way I do my own
business, independent of what other people do. I read every-
thing on the subject of horticulture I can get hold of, then I
simmer it down, compare it with general laws and work on that
special line. Ihave special objects in view in presenting this
paper, and you will find it to bea little different from other
papers, if you will pay strict attention. Some of it is like a
bird crossing the water, now and then striking wing to the
water, and if you pay strict attention you may find the bird
skimming over the water.
Over forty years experience in growing fruit trees and plants in
Minnesota convinces us beyond all doubt that apples and crabs of
good quality can be grown in Minnesota in great abundance. In
making the above statement it must not be understood to imply
that all will make a success of growing apples; such is not the case
in any country. Well qualified, long experience and advice from
those who are able to impart it, are the best guarantees to success.
Add to these energy and close observation, and you will succeed.
For a number of years we have been deeply interested in the results
of numerous experiments we have conducted with roots of all kinds
on which the apple and crab are worked, also in grafting special
kinds of apple and hybrids on special roots and then double work-
ing them with other varieties. In all of our experiments we have
had special objects in view, such as preventing the blight, making
the trees more hardy to withstand drought and cold and using
a larger and better class of roots than are usually found on fruit
trees. In some of these experiments, our success has gone far be-
yond our expectations; in others, it is too soon to state what the
result may be.
Our nursery has been conducted for some years as follows:—(and
we have no desire to return to old methods.) The ground on which
we intend to set grafts in the spring is plowed in the fall. The plow
is followed by a sub-soiler, and the ground is then harrowed level.
If any part lacks fertility, we give it a light dressing of well rotted
manure. The following spring we go over it with cultivator and
harrow until it is in perfect condition. The grafts are set to a line
not less than a foot apart intherow with rows four feet apart. Our
scions are all cut late in the fall, packed in moist sawdust and placed
inacoolcellar. The roots on which we intend to graft are packed
away inthe same manner. Our grafting is usually done in March,
at which time we also do our top-working in the orchard. In put-
APPLES. 95
ting up apple grafts we are very particular to get them on pure ap-
ple roots. We use but one cut of the apple root, which is about five
inches long from the crown down, the balance of the root being
thrown away. Wealthy, Charlamof and some other varieties are
double worked on Tonka,Beacher’s Sweet and Virginia crab. We first
work those last named on the roots,and then the Wealthy and other
varieties on them. It can be done very successfully; we did not
loose more than one percent. The grafts are packed in moist saw-
dust and placed in a room where the temperature is about fifty de-
grees.
We put them out when the buds on the fruit trees just begin
to swell, by which time the roots are all calloused and the splices
grown together. We aim to keep the ground on which we set the
grafts free from weeds. The grafts are not disturbed until they
have made a growth of a few inches and are well rooted. We then
commence cultivating with a light harrow or cultivator, and the hoe
or scraper is also brought into use. The cultivation of all our nur-
sery trees is very thorough until the first of August when we dis-
continue all work in the nursery till the first of September, when we
resume cultivation for a short time. No weeds or grass are allowed
to grow, and the ground is clean when the trees go into winter quar-
ters. Weuse no protection about the roots of the trees whatever:
We have not lost a single tree for years from root-killing. It is the
least of our fears either in the nursery or inthe orchard. We never
trim the first year the grafts are set out, except to destroy all seed-
lings that may start with the grafts. The trimming is done the
second year after the grafts are set out. We trim three times, the
first in May, the second in June and thethirdin July. At the first
trimming we remove only one-third of what is to be taken off. At
the next trimming we remove another third, and finish the trimming
complete the third time. We never strip or remove the leaves from
the stem of the trees.
For the orchard select high, dry ground with a moderately heavy
soil and a clay subsoil, rich and fertile. This we have found the
best for fruit trees. A sandy loam with clay or clay and gravel sub-
soilis good. Fruit trees are adapted to nearly all soils, except those
thatare wetorsour. In all cases before fruit trees are set in orchard,
the ground should be plowed deep, followed by a subsoil plow
loosening up the subsoil as much as possible. The deeper and
looser, the better for the treesin every respect. The trees should be
set not less than twenty feet apart. It is a good plan after the first
row of trees are set out to set the next row half way between. This
will make the trees set out a little over twenty feet apart. Trees set
in this way will greatly assist in checking the heavy winds. As
much has been written and said, we will give only a passing notice of
our experience and close observation for many years. All growers
of fruit trees should carefully study and understand the offices per-
formed by the roots. They are the foundation of all trees, as the
wall is of all buildings. If the foundation is defective, whatever is
built thereon will be the same. This applies to the roots of fruit
trees in the broadest sense. Take a small apple tree; on it are three
96 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
kinds of roots, each having a special office to perform. Those at the
top just below the crown are the feeders or supply roots. They go
out horizontally in all directions ten to twelve inches below the sur-
face of the ground. If the ground is loose and in proper condition,
there appears to be no limit to their length and the throwing out Of
new branches, and in time the ground will become a web of roots,
even if the trees are forty feet apart. Below these are another class
of roots. They are known as the tap or anchor roots. They pene-
trate deep into the ground. Their office is to hold the tree firm and
steadfast under all circumstances, and during a drought to supply
the necessary moisture. A fruit tree without these roots is liable to
be blown over or perish during a severe drought. Here in the
center, between the feeders and anchor roots,is another class known
as the fruit roots. They are short and stubby, throwing out numer-
ous branches of the same kind. Such isa short description of the
roots of fruit trees; and in setting fruit trees we should have these
roots and the offices they perform constantly in mind and place the
roots in the ground at a depthand in such manner that they will all
make rapid growth. To accomplish this, they must neither be set
too shallow or too deep. If too deep, there will be little growth
of the tap or anchor roots, if too shallow, little or no growth of
the feeders. Taking the various kinds of soil into consideration, it
is a difficult matter to state just how deep a tree should be set. The
depth must vary in different soils, but in no case so deep that the
rays of the sun will not warm the soil about the roots and excite
them to action with the least possible delay. For a fruit tree to re-
main inactive for weeks after it has been set is a sure indication of
disease and a forerunner of death inthe end. On an average, two
inches deeper than a tree stood in the nursery is my rule.
Trees one and two years old from the graft and three to four feet
high we consider the very best and most profitable that can be set in
orchards or anywhere else. Keep this in mind. It is nota large
quantity of small roots that makes the good tree. Vigorous and
heavy roots are what gives health, growth and power of endurance
to all trees. To secure the best results, the roots should be short-
ened in with a sharp knife just before the trees are set, allowing none
over five inches long; also,the woodof thelast year’s growth should
be cut back in the same proportion. If the above directions are care-
fully complied with, good and strong roots will be the result, to-
gether with an urusual growth of sound wood. Much care is re-
quired in setting out trees that each class of roots are in proper
position. I verily believe that a large proportion of the trees set out
each year are set back two or three years in their growth by bad set-
ting, and they never recover a normal condition. The usual way
that fruit trees are set is to place the roots in the hole, throw in some
fine soil, then with the hand and fingers place it about the lower
roots. So far this is correct. The hole is then filled up without any
regard to the middle or upper roots and is tramped with the feet as
solid as one or two hundred pounds weight can make it. In this way
the feeders and fruit roots are either destroyed or pressed down
around the main root of the tree. When trees are set in this manner,
APPLES. 97
little growth can be expected for years. To make a long story
short, our method of setting fruit trees is to have all the roots in the
ground just as they were in the nursery before the trees were dug.
Our hands do the work of arranging and packing the soil about the
roots. When a tree is planted out, press the top soil moderately with
the foot. As a finishing stroke apply a wheelbarrow load of well
rotted compost around each tree, extending out three or four feet,
and give it a good raking with a coarse iron toothed rake.
Good cultivation must commence the first season the trees are set
out and continue as long as you desire good trees and good fruit,
Potatoes or any other crop of low growth may be grown between the
rows of trees for the first two or three years; corn should never be
grown in the orchard. Every fall treat your orchard to a light dress-
ing of well rotted manure, followed by a shallow plowing in the
spring, and then go over it two or three times during the summer
with the harrow and cultivator. Keep the surface soil loose and
mellow—it is the best of all protections against drought. AII fruit
trees should be allowed to branch out not over two or three feet
above the ground. As a general rule, the bulk of plant food is found
in the soil within twelve inches of the surface and below that depth
it diminishes rapfdly. Nitrogen is seldom found more than twenty-
inches below the surface unless the top soil has been heavily
manured. Trees never make a good growth unless the roots are in
the midst of plant food.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
Q. Why are you so particular to use apple roots on which to graft
the apple? A. I find the pure apple root to be perfectly hardy and
it will not kill unless the trees are set in soil naturally wet, in which
event they will winter-kill.
Q. Why do you use only the first cut of the root? A. Because it
eontains the principal portion of the starch in the root, produces
heavy roots and a good growth of wood.
Q. Why do you trim three times in place of once? A. It does not
check the growth of the trees, renders them more stocky and creates
a better root system.
DISCUSSION,
Pres. Underwood: If you have any questions to ask Mr.
Pearce now is the time to do it.
Mr. Clark: In setting trees, would you lean them to the
south? |
Mr. Pearce: That is advocated a good deal.
A voice: What do you think of applying wood ashes to the
trees?
Mr. Pearce: That is good.
A voice: Do you manure or cultivate your orchard?
Mr. Pearce: I do not want anything of the manure. I give
them good cultivation, and after two years I can grow nothing
there; the roots of the trees will take up all the surface of the
98 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
ground. After the third year a crop cannot be grown in the
orchard without serious injury being done to the trees.
A voice: Do you think it is necessary in this part of the
country to drain land for an orchard?
Mr. Pearce: A fruit tree will never live on wet land. The
soil must be dry. If the soil is dry, it requires no drainage; if
it is inclined to be wet, you will never grow apples on it. i
A voice: Would you mulch the trees in the fall?
Mr. Pearce: I never mulched a tree in my life. I have set
trees so shallow that some of the roots were exposed five or
six inches. I never mulch and I have never lost a single tree
by root-killing.
Mr. Ferris: You claim a hardy variety will not do on a ten-
der root.
Mr. Pearce: I do.
Mr. Ferris: I have plum trees bearing on peach roots,
Mr. Pearce: I have taken seeds grown in Nebraska, in
northern Illinois, Ohio, Indiana and Michigan, and in every
instance I got an apple root that grew perfectly hardy. I
never lost a root inmy life. Wherever I got a hybrid, I met
with misfortune.
Mr. Phillips (Wisconsin): Where do you get your apple
roots?
Mr. Pearce: I get the apple and take the seeds out. If you
want to grow a winter apple get seeds from a winter apple.
Hybridizing has been the hardest thing I have had to contend
with, and I have urged this society time and time again to es-
tablish an experimental farm to grow seeds way beyond the
reach of insects to keep them pure. It ought to be established
on an island to grow pure seeds.
Mr. Brackett: What would you do about bees?
Mr. Pearce: Well, you cannot get away from bees and
mosquitoes.
FRUIT TREES.
NILS ANDERSON, LAKE CITY, MINN.
The first thought of was apples for man to eat, and if they were as
good and beautiful as now, I do not wonder that Eve took thereof
and ate. Every man, woman and child should have a good supply
for at least five months of the year; and no home is complete with-
out an orchard near the house. The few days that the trees are in
bloom is a beautiful sight and is well worth the cost of the orchard.
Very great care should be taken in selecting the trees. Do not set
any blighting varieties. The Tetofsky,White Astrachan, and Ukrain-
APPLES. 99
skoe are early, but of the Duchess of Oldenburg set the largest
number. Wealthy and Walbridge are late keeping varieties. The
list would not be complete without the Okabena, Peerless and a few
Russians.
Iam not so afraid of sun scald asI amof blight. Sun scald can
be stopped, and the life of the tree prolonged, and it even will heal
over. I have given blight a good deal of study, but as far as I have
come is, if we have a good deal of rain in the spring we will havea
good deal of blight in the summer. Also, if the trees are heavily set
with fruit buds, the trees are weak, and the result is blight.
Every man should know how to graft and have on hand a few trees
to replace any trees that die. Ihave to replace trees every year. I
have over 300 small trees that I intend to use myself.
I am not discouraged. Wheat raising is a thing of the past, and
grinding it into flour is going out of date. They have just found
out that it pays best to feed it to hogs, and we must raise and eat
apples. :
Plums are the easiest to raise and still the most neglected fruit of
all. The most of the farmers havea piece of ground called the barn-
yard; its purpose is as a driveway from the house to the barn. A
part of it is occupied with a wagon shed without sides or roof; in
another part of it you find a pile of boards thrown in any shape; if
you look around you will see a storehouse for worn-out machinery
of all kinds; the rest of itis grown up with grassand weeds. The so-
called barnyard could be cleaned up and laid out to driveways and
groups of plum trees, having a road around and on most of the sides
of the groves; and, especially, should there be a straight road from
the house to the barn, soif any one should have to be called from
the barn to the house, it would be possible that the person could be
seen. One grove could be set out with three rows and three trees
in a row, making nine trees. Another with two rows set V shaped
with a tree between the two trees farthest apart, making six trees.
A third can be set out in a circle with eight trees around and one in
the center. A fourth grove can be set hit or miss, and wherever
there is room for a tree or two set them if it does not interfere with
driveways and the turning around with a team and wagon. The
trees should not be set less than eight feet apart and twelve is better.
Apple trees, I find, aré best set 16 by 16 feet and the ground planted
to raspberries and blackberries at the same time. When the trees
begin to bear the berries will have done their best; then the orchard
should be seeded to grass, and the trees mulched.
The plum trees should be procured in the fall, and, I think, would
be better set in the fall. The trees should be bought from the nearest
nursery, and, if not planted out in the fall, they should be heeled in
and set out in the spring as early as possible, trimming all bruised
roots. The kinds I would set most of would be Desota, Weaver and
Forest Garden. There may be a few others that are good, but these
three kinds will stand the most severe winter. I would set a few
seedlings, or such as are called wild trees, for fertilizers. We often
find some that are very good.
100 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
The Desota is a yellow plum and takes the eye on account of its
large size, and it is splendid for canning. The Weaver is a large red
plum, and nearly a freestone; the trees will always be overloaded
with fruit and break down. The Forest Garden is a red plum not so
large as the Weaver and is an abundant bearer. I would also seta
few novelties. I have on my grounds the Abundance, Shipper’s
Pride, Wild Goose and Marianna. The Shipper’s Pride isthe only
one that has proved to be of any value. Itis avery large blue plum
and very hardy.
The Marianna I like for the splendid appearance of the tree. It
would make a fine tree for a city lawn. These trees must be root-
grafted, because the cion will grow faster than the stock.
The Desota, Weaver and Forest Garden will make fine trees if
grafted into the wild plum trees at any height, but if two cions are
put in the same cleft and both grow,one must be cut out. They will
never unite and at last will crowd each other and split the stock.
Grafting plums must be done before the last of March.
Cultivation.—Now, you will think that I have a job cultivating
trees in the barnyard and in sucha shape asI have them. But Ido
not cultivate plum trees, as all the roots that are either bruised or
broken will send up a lot of sprouts, and they are nothing but a nuis-
ance. I scatter some manure around the tree and then let out the
hens, and they will do the work to the best satisfaction, and when
tired they will stand in the inviting shade of the plum trees. And
in the balmy mornings of the spring with pail in hand walking
through the groves to the yard to strip the cows, you will stop and
look at the pretty white blossoms, and while estimating the plum
crop, you will hear a sweet voice from the house, “Oh, Gust, when
you come back break off a few limbs with those pretty white blos-
soms, please, that I can put in these vases that have stood with that
dry grass all winter.”
After the blossoms have fallen and the plum has attained the size
of common white beans, you will see the mark of the curculio. It
resembles the last quarter of the moon,and it is,also,the last quarter
with a good many of the plums. The trees should now be sprayed.
Use a level teaspoonful of Paris green toa bucket of water. It
should be repeated oncea week for three weeks. It has saved a good
many plums for me. Apple trees must not be sprayed before the
apples are nearly the size of walnuts, as there are more worms enter
the apples after that than before.
The best curculio destroyer is a litter of small pigs. If allowed to
run among the trees they will eat plum pits, curculio and all.
Chickens also are good among the plum trees, but they have to wait
for the curculio to come out, and then he is likely to escape.
Plum pods are a fungus caused by warm and rainy weather after
the fruit have set.
Plums when nice and ripe are good fruit to eat out of hand. The
Desota when canned make excellent sauce. Thered kinds make fine
jelly. The most of our ladies know how to make plum butter; it
will often take the place of dairy butter when scarce and high-
priced, and there is no doubt but it is more healthy than oleo-
margarine.
APPLES. 101
DISCUSSION.
Mr. Harris: That was an excellent paper, and I see
but just one thing or one recommendation that I would not
recommend to a farmer, and that is the setting of raspberries
and blackberries between young trees, calculating to take them
out after they had done their service. The trees will do all
right and the raspberries will do all right, but every farmer in
Minnesota has a good deal to look after besides his trees, and
he does not get time to put down those raspberries, and they
make such a nice place for the rabbits to sit under and gnaw
the bark off his trees. Another thing, they do not allow a free
circulation of air. The balance of the paper is excellent from
the farmer’s standpoint, and if every one of our farmers could
study it, it would do them good.
Mr. Phillips (Wisconsin): He spokeof the sun scald. Here
is a tree protector (showing a protector made of lath cut in
lengths of about three feet, and fastened at regular distances
apart with wire and staples) I have used for years, and they
cost about 33 cents each. If aman is going to plant trees, a
farmer or anybody else, he ought to protect them. I keep
them on all the year round. They are better than anything
else I have ever tried. I do not like to use straw or hay, be-
cause it makes a great harboring place forinsects. This is the
best thing I ever tried. You can make them as long as you
like; I make mine about three feet long.
Mr. Brackett: They would not cost three and a half cents.
Mr. Phillips: That is a good estimate.
Mr. Sampson: Do you ever fill with dirt during the winter?
Mr. Phillips: I do not like that idea. I find by following
that up that the tendency is to keep the air away from the tree
and make the bark is more tender.
Mr. Brackett: I would like to heara word from Prof. Green
on that point.
Prof. Green: I think very highly of the plan of boxing up
the trunk of the tree and leaving it there the year round. I
believe the trunk will develop in better shape than it would
otherwise. Ido not believe it makes much difference about the
trunk of the tree whether the protection is removed in the
spring of the year or not. It has made no difference at all
with some experiments I have tried. The trees did not seem
to be any less hardy for it. We only commenced it in 1889. I
like this lath protection very much indeed. [ like the thin
102 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
veneer also. I get it in St. Louis. It is cut very thin and
when soaked over night becomes quite pliable and can be placed
around the trunk of a tree and tied. I pay $3.50 per thousand
for it. It is much the same as this method of protection. The
air can freely circulate around the trunk, and the protection
does not make much difference, so far as that is concerned.
Mr. Brackett: Do you take the dirt away in the summer?
Prof. Green: No, I donot. WhenTI use the boxes I leave it
on all the year round. I think it works all right.
Pres. Underwood: What do you put the dirt around for?
Prof. Green: I lookat it in this way. We have a severe
winter. The tree is liable to be injured by the severe condi-
tions of the winter, and to guard against it, it should have
some protection. If the roots arein good shape,it may be able
to overcome some weaknesses by reason of climatic changes of
the preceding winter, but the safest way is to give it protect-
ion. Where a man has only a dozen or two of trees, he can well
afford to box them up and keep them boxed. What we use for
boxing is boards; two eight inch boards and two six inch
boards, and then fill the inside with earth, and on the approach
of winter we put a bunch of hay in the crotch of the tree to
protect the crotch.
Mr. Dartt: If it will pay with a few trees, why will it not
pay with a good many?
Prof. Green: It would be all right, but when a man is in the
orchard business he might neglect a good many things. I
would recommend it for general practice.
Mr. Pearce: Is there notacertain action taking place during
the entire winter between the carbon and the starch which is
stored in thecells? Isthere not aconstant action taking place,
and does not the dirt around the trunk of the tree interfere
with and destroy that action? Can the tree act with the dirt
piled up around it?
Prof. Green: It certainly can act. As for there being some
change in the tree in the winter there can be no question but
what there is some slight change in the cellular tissue in the
winter, but itis so slight that we are unable to detect it; but
judging from the course of things, there seems to be a little
swelling of the bud between the autumn and spring. As for
what youspoke of in regard to the starch and carbon, I hardly
understand what you mean, but say to the best of my know-
ledge there is no cell action in the winter in any way; and in
any event the cell action might take place under the soil as well
ae oe ee
i -
APPLES. 103
as if it were exposed. Cellaction takes place around the roots
as well as anywhere else.
Mr. Pearse: I can cut a whip stock four feet long perfectly
green—cut it in the fall—, and in the following spring I find it
is dry, and it shows conclusively that something is going on.
Prof. Green: There is no change from starch to sugar. Of
course, there is evaporation going on; it passes through the
trunk of the tree right into the earth.
Mr. Phillips: Do you think it kills the borers to whitewash
Prof. Green: Where a person is troubled with mice there is
no harm in using linseed oil right on the trunks of the trees; I
have used glue a good deal on peach trees.
Mr. Philips: I will say | have two trees at home standing
alone; one I protected and the other is exposed, and it may be
- after ten or twelve years I can tell something about them.
REPORT ON APPLES.
BARNETT TAYLOR, FORESTVILLE.
Apple production in this part of Minnesota in 1893 was a mixture
of about equal parts of sunshine and shadow. The trees came
through the winter of 1892-3 in perfect condition, so far as injury
from winter-killing was concerned; even tender varieties were green
and sound to the terminal buds. When blooming time came the
blossoms were seemingly sparse, but there proved to be enough, and
a fine crop of fruit was set, which grew finely until about the size of
peas, and we reported the prospect for the greatest crop of apples
ever grown on our grounds. But about this time a new danger made
its appearance in the shape of a new form of blight, which attacked
the fruit spurs of the trees, which died, and the whole of the apples
would suddenly wither. This destructive work continued, attacking
all varieties of crabs and standards until it appeared at one time that
the crop must be almost an entire failure in this region; but in this
we were happily disappointed, for some spurs escaped, and there was
about a half of a crop of fair fruit matured.
There has been much speculation as to the nature and cause of
this blighting of the fruit spurs. Some attributed it to the severe
late frosts, others held the cause to be from the weakened vitality of
the fruit spurs from winter injury, but none of these theories were
satisfactory to my mind. The theory of winter injury was unsatis-
fory because I know from close investigation that the fruit spurs
were the soundest from winter harm of any year in my experience;
late freezing was unsatisfactory because in the several cases on our
grounds, the most exposed trees and tenderest varieties were injured
the least; and to charge it to the disease termed blight, in the ordi-
nary understanding of that disease, is not sustained, because the
young growth is the part affected in that complaint, the fruit spurs
104 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
being only affected in a general way by the branch dying below
them. For myself, I have arrived at no settled conclusion in regard
to the cause. I had some Minnesota crab trees near the house that
promised for a time to escape, but later they, too, were affected, and
on those trees I made careful observations. The Minnesota is a
hardy tree and the wood was entirely sound, which argued against
the winter harm theory, and the trouble did not appear until all late
freezing was over. On these trees the first injury showed on the side
where the morning sun struck the trees, and far the greatest harm
was on that side. However, there were many spurs that entirely
died on the opposite side from the morning sun.
The present condition of apple trees in this section is good. Not-
withstanding last summer's exceptional drouth, trees madea fair
growth and ripened the wood extremely well; and I have noticed that
trees that bore a full crop last year are well filled with fruit buds,
and this promises a good fruit crop for 1895. The late Joel Shearman
of Rockford, [1ls., told me many years ago (about 1867) that that part
of Fillmore and Houston counties along the Root river from our ~
place to the Mississippi river, would yet be a great apple producing
country; and I now begin to realize the truth of his prophesy, for
there are already thousands of barrels of apples shipped from this
section each year—the one point, Spring Valley, sending out 2,000
barrels in 1892. After thirty-five years’ experience, I have faith in
raising apples, and we still continue to plant orchard trees, the For-
estville Fruit Farm having some 3,000 trees in orchard. There are
many promising new seedling apples in bearing in this neighbor-
bood, but none of them have been tested sufficiently to warrant
recommending them.
In this matter of recommending new varieties we should be ex-
tremely careful, for my greatest losses in apple culture have come
from planting much praised (by the nurserymen) kinds which failed
to stand our severe climate. As to new varieties I know nothing new
that can be recommended, from actual experience, over the old tried
Duchess and Wealthy. The Peerless is being planted largely here,
and the trees planted here look extremely well, but its fruiting qual-
jties are yet to be proved, I expect to have this variety in bearing
next year, and hope much from it.
I regard the operations of a lot of shark tree agents in this section
as a great injury to apple culture. There has been a party of these
frauds, as I believe them to be, operating in this section of Minne-
sota. They claim to represent a Dayton, Ohio, nursery, and they
sell what they term “a model orchard.” They recommend several
new apples with big names, and all their orders for grapes are
classed under the vague title, “wine grapes,” which, of course, allows
them to deliver any variety of grapes. I understand they charge
eighty dollars for these model orchards, and verbally agree to care
for them for three years. They induce the local papers, or some of
them, to tell their readers that with these model orchards they will
have, at the end of three years, a splendid lot of sound, healthy bear-
ing trees. This winter they are here again under pretense of prun-
ing the trees set last spring and are canvassing the country for new
i
sD
s |
BT ee ee ee NCOP acy PEP LUE) POL Rye erees 2 ere
APPLES. 105
victims. The stock they furnish can be bought of reliable nurseries
for one-third the price they ask, and of tried kinds. They find many
customers among that blind, greedy class that cannot afford to send
fifty cents for a year’s subscription to a good agricultural or horti-
cultural paper.
I will close this paper by quoting from an address of ProfessorC- .
V. Riley, late entomologist of the United States Department of Agri-
culture, in regard to the important part bees play in apple produc-
tion. After mentioning the twenty million dollars worth of wax and
honey produced by the 300,000 beekeepers in our country, the pro-
fessor says: “The service directly rendered to man by bees, how-
ever,in supplying the products mentioned, is but slight as compared
with the service indirectly rendered by cross-fertilization of our cul-
tivated plants, and it has been estimated that the annual addition to
our wealth by bees in this direction alone far exceeds that derived
from honey and wax. One of the latest discoveries bearing on this
subject, very fully enforcing the general principle, was presented to
the society forthe firsttime within thepast year by our fellow-mem-
ber, Mr. M. B. Waite,as a result of his investigations for the division
of vegetable pathology in the Department of Agriculture. He has
proved that a majority of the more valued varieties of our apples
and pears are nearly or wholly sterile when fertilized by pollen of
the same variety or that they bear fruit of an inferior character and
very different from that produced when cross-fertilized; further,
that were it not for the cross-fertilizing agency of bees, scarcely any
of these fruits could be produced in the abundance and perfection in
which we now get them, and that to secure the best results and
facilitate the work of the bees, it is yet necessary, in the large major-
ity of cases, to mix varieties in the same orchard.”
REPORT ON APPLES:
D. F. AKIN, FARMINGTON.
The report of your committee on apples for the year 1894 will of
necessity be brief. Many of the apple trees in Dakota and some of
the -adjoining counties put out more than the usual amount of
bloom; in fact, in many cases the bloom was excessive to a remark-
able degree, trees literally white. Before the bloom was gonea frost
came that appeared to stop the fertilization; so but a few of the trees
started with their usual quota of fruit. The early part of the season,
that is, May and June, was wet till June the twentieth, when a very
severe and quite extensive hailstorm destroyed many apples that
were doing well till then. Now commenced a severe and peculiar
drouth, which caused many of the remaining apples to drop from
the trees before maturity.
To increase the destruction of the apple crop a greater blight than
ever before showed itself, and on trees not before affected by it; for
instance, some Hibernals were completely destroyed. All the
apple trees suffered more than ever before. With all the drawbacks
of the season of 1894 there were some fine displays of apples at the
county fairs, and taking the numbers of young trees that are being
set out each year as a criterion, I hope that the future reports on
the cultivation of apples will be more encouraging each year. ’
A RR Sh ae Ne Ps nat ee eh ee Bey Ver ae tached a WA EAE, ofS ee Re <a
106 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
APPLE TREE SEEDLINGS.
CHAS. F. GARDNER, OSAGE, IOWA.
To a large class of readers what I shall say on this subject will be
of little interest, as the facts which I present have been well known
for a thousand years. Then, you ask, “Why present these facts
which are so well known?” The reason why is this: Because a
gang of men can go out through the country and represent that
they have an apple tree that in flavor surpasses the Wealthy and as
a keeper will last from six to eight weeks longer, a perfectly hardy
tree,as hardy as the bur oak, for the reason that this wonderful
tree has never been grafted or budded. They represent that all
methods of budding or grafting to propagate apple trees is a com-
plete failure, as it is certain to cause premature decay and death.
The acme of perfect success, however, has been found in a first-class
apple that needs no grafting nor budding; it reproduces itself from
seed with invariable and absolute certainty.
This tale, well told, was listened to and accepted by thousands.
Not only farmers, but editors, medical men and lawyers, who list-
ened with gaping mouth and readily gave their orders for this won-
derful tree at the rate of one dollar or more each. When this can be
done and thousands of dollars worth of orders taken, is it not time
to take this matter up and make a statement of facts for the benefit
of those who are not posted on the subject? Itis a matter of sur-
prise to me to find so many persons who know little or nothing con-
cerning this subject. What are the facts?
If there is anything well known, any fact undisputed among
horticulturists, itis that, as a rule,no tree fruit will exactly reproduce
itself from the seed. While this is true of all tree fruits, the apple
tree is remarkable in that valuable varieties never reproduce them.
selves. The only cases known in pomology where an apple tree is
produced the second time from the seed is in cases where they re-
vert back or nearly so to the wild stock from which they originated.
Pyrus malus, and all such trees are absolutely without any value
whatever except to be used as stocks or for wood. There never has
been but one Rhode Island Greening grown from the seed. Other
Greenings have been developed, but never one like the original.
This is true of all other named varieties of the apple.
Plant a bushel of apple seed, all taken from the Wealthy, while it
would be possible,stillit would be highly improbable,that out of the
whole lot of seedlings you would get a single Wealthy apple tree.
This is true of any given named variety. The real, absolute facts
are, technically speaking, that in planting the bushel of apple seed
mentioned, when the seedlings are grown there will be no two trees
that are exactly alike in every respect, and, what is more, there will
be no tree that is exactly like any known tree heretofore grown, with
the exception of those which revert back to the original stock as be-
fore stated. Many valuable varieties will be found among them, but
all differing in some way from kinds now known and classified.
Consequently, to perpetuate a given variety, grafting or budding in
some form must be resorted to.
rapes.
REPORT ON GRAPES.
Cc. W. SAMPSON, EUREKA.
The grape crop around the shores of Lake Minnetonka was a good
average crop. The season was early all the way through. The vines
put out early in the spring and continued about two weeks ahead all
the way through. Although we had an extremely dry season I could
not see as it did much damage to the grapecrop. The grapes may
not have been quite so large as common, but they ripened in fine
shape and were of a delicious flavor.
I visited Mr. G. W. Jones’ vineyard and found it in very good shape;
the Moore’s Early were getting ripe and were shipped to market on
August eighteenth and twentieth, and were perfectly ripe. The Del-
aware were ripe August twenty-eighth and were of very fine flavor.
The Iona were a light crop, as the mildew of two years ago nearly
killed them, but I saw some very large fine bunches.
The next vineyard visited was Prof. H. W. Malcolm’s, and this was
the most perfect in culture of any that I visited,and bore a splendid
crop. I next visited the small vineyard of Mr. A. D. Leach, on Lake
Minnewashta, and here I saw some model vines and in perfect con-
dition. I think Mr. Leach could give us grape growers some valua-
ble suggestions as to his manner cf treating vines. I noticed
that he had his grapes well thinned out and all the bunches were
large and of a uniform size. He had one Delaware vine that bore
from two-year-old wood sixteen small baskets of grapes. If we
could make a five-acre vineyard bear like this one there would bea
small fortune in 1t.
I next visited Mrs. S. Irwin’s vineyard, and here also found a
splendid crop of growing grapes. The vines were in excellent shape
and looked healthy and vigorous. I believe this vineyard was not
injured by the mildew of two years ago, as she was one of the for-
tunate ones who sprayed their vines thoroughly. Mrs. Irwin hasa
five-acre vineyard containing some 3,000 vines, situated on Christ-
mas lake, Minnetonka being on the west side. I understand that she
harvested and sold from this vineyard two years ago $1,500 worth of
fine grapes.
Mr. H. L. Crane’s vineyard was also found to be in excellent condi-
tion,and it ripened a fine crop of grapes. Some of the choicest grapes
found in the Minneapolis market come from this vineyard. I
think Mr. Crane will agree with me that there is still a very hand-
some profit in growing grapes on the shores of Minnetonka.
On my own place I have about 6,000 vines; about 3,000 were in bear-
ing the past year, and I picked and sold 4,000 small baskets of grapes.
The grapes were of good size, and I never tasted sweeter or finer
flavored grapes than those grown this year. The dry weather did
not seem to affect them in the least, in fact they seemed to thrive
7 See ON War s B Ie eee ae | ope ok ee aan ghee
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108 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
through it all. My soil is a sandy loam with heavy, clay subsoil.
Had it not been for our grape crop,some of us would have fared
pretty slim the past year. I have one vineyard lying directly on the
south shore of Minnetonka that ripens its fruit at least one week
earlier than any vineyard I know of. I commenced shipping Moore’s
Early from this vineyard August eighteenth and Delaware August
twenty-first. They were all ripe by September eighth and ready to
put on the market. These early grapes, of course, brought a good
price, selling at from twenty cents to forty cents per small basket.
With what little experience I have had in the fruit business, I would
rather take my chances in growing acrop of grapes than I would
any other kind of fruit, and I like the work better.
We are troubled some with what we call the grape louse. They
are a small green-looking insect on the under side of the leaf and
will sap the leaf so that it becomes dead in spots. To kill this louse
I sprinkle air-slaked lime on the vines and throw it up under the
leaves as much as possible. Wewere also troubled some with the
leaf hopper on the leaves in the fall about the time the grapes rip-
ened, and I would like very much to find some remedy to extermi-
nate this hopper.
DISCUSSION.
Mr. Wedge: I would like to ask Mr. Sampson what the slope
of the ground is where this vineyard is located.
Mr. Sampson: It is high ground; it slopes directly south to-
wards the sun.
Mr. Wedge: Is it a steep slope?
Mr. Sampson: Not very, but quite high; the soil is sandy.
Mr. Brackett: The lake is on the north side of the slope?
Mr. Sampson: Yes, sir.
Mr. Wedge: Do you find the Moore’s Early a favorable
bearer?
Mr. Sampson: I always found it a light bearer, but the last
two years I have been experimenting, and I have got them so
they give me a fair crop, as good as the Delaware.
Mr. Crane: What is the nature of that louse you spoke of?
What is it like?
Mr. Sampson: It is a little green insect; looks like a louse.
You will find it on the under side of the leaf.
Mr. Crane: Do they move very much?
Mr. Sampson: No, they do not move much; they are different
from the hopper.
Mr. Brackett: Is any one else troubled with this louse in your
neighborhood?
Mr. Sampson: Mr. Leach has them in his vineyard. Mr.
Leach is here; perhaps he can tell you more about it than I
can.
GRAPES. 109
Mr. Leach: I have been raising a few grapes for about twen-
ty-five years. I have never raised a great many, but I have
taken pride in and taken care of what I have. In regard to
this louse, it has been quite troublesome for a number of years.
My vines are near the lake, on a south slope, and back of them
is a row of Lombardy poplars and red cedar. The poplars
are about seventy-five feet high, and the red cedar about fifteen
feet, so the vineyard is protected from the northwest winds.
The little insect that lays the egg which produces this louse is
a small drab-colored miller. It comes on the vines about the
time they blossom, and they settle on the leaves very thickly.
I began to experiment to put a stop to their work some five or
six years ago. I tried a good many things, but what succeeded
best was air-slaked lime. I would take some and throw it on
the under side of the leaves, and that has kept the louse off the
leaves better than anything I have used. They will not move
on the leaves, and by just looking at the leaf casually you
would not think there was anything there, but if you touch the
leaf with your finger, they will move along. It appears as a
sort of a brownish spot on the leaf, and when you touch it, it
moves and you can then see it is an insect, but before that my
eyes would not have detected it as an insect. They suck the
sap out of the leaf, and it finally dies, and later in the season a
great many leaves will fall off. I think they have been worse
on my vines than they have been anywhere else, and I thought
it was because by vines were so much sheltered. Another
thing about raising grapes; I have experimented in cutting
away the old wood and starting a new growth. I think itis a
great benefit. After the vineyard has been set about ten years
the wood becomes hard and unpliable, and by taking a little
pains at the start you can start a bud near the ground and let
it grow a year on the old wood and raise your crop just the
same, and if it does not thrive well enough let it remain the
second year, and the third year cut the old wood entirely away,
and you will get a larger crop of fine grapes from that two-
year-old wood than you ever got from the old vines.
Mr. Crane: This insect—how does it move? Does it hop?
Mr, Leach: It just crawls along. That is another insect
that hops.
Mr. Crane: I would like to hear what Prof. Green has to say
about that insect.
Prof. Green: I think what Mr. Leach has said covers the
ground pretty well. It must be a louse or something of that
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110 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
sort from the fact that the eggs are laid by amiller. I have
never seen it here.
Mr. Leach: I did not carry the description of the insect quite
far enough along. This louse finally develops into a fly, and.
when you go through the vineyard and hit the leaves it flies in
your face.
Prof. Green: That is the way with all the family of aphides.
They have a wing stage. This leaf hopper has given us con-
siderable trouble at the experiment station, and we have fought
it, but not very successfully, but we have not much to complain
of compared with other parts of the country. Iwas in Kansas
last summer, and it is a beautiful country. They have very
nice vineyards there,and while [ was there they were watering
the vines trying to keep life in them. On the same ground the
Mississippi Pippins were ripe and falling off the middle of Au-
gust. The drouth was so severe that the winter fruit was fall-
ing to the ground. The vines there were terribly afflicted with
the leaf hopper; I never saw them worse; the leaves were
almost straw colored. I[-asked Prof. Mason: ‘‘What do you
do for them?” He remarked that they were not so bad this
year as they were some years, but the damage they were doing
was somewhat surprising to me. The method of destroying
them which they found most successful was to make a sort of a
sled, stoneboat fashion, with a frame on covered with cloth
projecting out from the sides. The cloth was saturated with
kerosene, and they would drive between the rows and whip the
the vines as they went through; the leaf hopper would strike
against this cloth covered with kerosene,and it would kill them.
We tried kerosene, and we could not keep them in check. One
way to keep these insects somewhat in check is to destroy or
burn any rubbish that accumulates around the vineyard, which
will greatly reduce their number. If you burn up any old trash
or rubbish you have around the place, it will destroy a great
many of the hoppers.
Mr. Wedge: Iwould like toask Mr. Leach if protection from
winds from any particular direction, north or northwest, is de-
sirable for a vineyard?
Mr. Leach: I think itis. I do not think it is desirable so
far as insects are concerned, because I think a good breeze will
blow the insects away. Butif the vineyard is protected I think
the grapes will ripen earlier, and I think it is desirable for a
good many reasons.
Mr. Wedge: Do you mean protection on all sides?
GRAPES. if fal
Mr. Leach: No, I mean on the north and west sides. If you
have north and west protection you will find the place dis-
tinctly warmer.
Mr. Wedge: If your lake is to the west, would it be desirable
to put the protection there?
Mr. Leach: The lake is on the east; if it was on the west I
would not need the protection.
Mr. Wedge: You would not think it desirable to have it pro-
tected on the lake side?
Mr. Leach: No, I do not think it would be desirable; I don’t
think it would be necessary.
Mr. Wedge: Were those poplars you spoke of set out with a
view to protecting the vineyard?
Mr. Leach: No, the protection my vineyard has was not set
out for the purpose of protecting it. I never had a vineyard
that did not have protection from the north and west. I think
I have as good a vineyard as any vineyard in the country, but
perhaps I have given it more attention than other people do,
that being my principal business—to look after my fruit and
vines, and I ought to know pretty well by this time how to take
care of them. Perhaps, that is one reason why I get such good
crops.
Mr. Pearce: I want to speak a word in regard to protection
from winds. I have grapes in all kinds of positions to experi-
ment on in regard to windbreaks. On the west I have a heavy
growth of very heavy timber. I have three rows of grapes
twenty rods long. Forty rods east of that I have the same
number of vines, and they are clear away from the timber,
' windbreaks and everything else. I have another plantation on
the south side of a hill; there is no timber within thirty rods of
it. I will say this, that those rows on the west part of my vine-
yard nearest to the grove are always much later than they are
in either of those other places, at least ten days later. Those
that are growing where they have the wind from all directions
are at least five days earlier than any other. I have also noticed
this, that when the wind blows the grapes ripen much faster
than when it does not blow. When we have no wind—I have
watched my grapes very carefully—there seems to be no ripen-
ing at all, but when the wind blows a good, stiff breeze every-
thing jumps; and I have arrived at this conclusion, that it is
much better to have no windbreak around your vineyard at all.
Mr. Phillips (Wisconsin): When the wind blows almost like
a hurricane does it have a good broad sweep over your place?
12 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Mr. Pierce: I am about a half mile from the lake, and the
wind has a good sweep. Those grapes with no wind protection
are always the best. I might carry this thing further and say
that the wind promotes growth on everything that grows.
Without wind I do not think we could grow anything.
VINE GROWING FOR PROFIT.
H. L. CRANE, EXCELSIOR.
I make grape growing fairly profitable the way I manage it, but
try to make and do everything in the quickest, most economical and
best way possible, even if I have to break away from established
customs, but admit that I make mistakes and waste time. I began
raising grapes in a small way nine years ago, and now have four
thousand vines, besides having several acres of currants, berries,
apple and plum trees.
When I began growing grapes it was the custom to dig with hoe
or shovel the trench to lay the vines in for burying in the fall. That
seemed time thrown away, and after the first year's experience I fur_
rowed the trench for laying them in, but soon found it was necessary
to have the trellis wires strung on the upper hill sideof the posts, for
you have to lay the vines down on the same side of the posts as the
wires, and on the upper hill side there is more dirt above the roots,
so in this way you can make a good furrow to lay vinesin. The last
time I plow my grapes in the summer,I throw the furrow toward
the vines, making the dirt near them higher than between the rows.
Before I begin to lay the vines down I plow one or two furrows
toward and close to them, making a quantity of loose dirt to pull
over the vines; then I put the vines in the trench, hold them down
with both feet and pull the dirt over them with a broad hoe, similar
to those used by masons to mix mortar.
In the spring, when the ground is the softest, remove rotten posts
and put in new ones, it being a small matter to drive posts when the ©
ground is watersoaked. I take my vines up the first of May—think
they should be taken up that soon so the fruit will ripen early, and
there is but little danger of frost on high land after that date. A
number of us have made mistakes in planting some of our vineyards
on low ground, which is work, time and money thrown away,I think;
the fruit is not sweet, and it is liable to frost, also, on low ground.
Standard varieties of grapes, such as Delaware and Concord, are
the best to set out to any great extent, as people prefer to buy only
the ones that have a reputation. I have Brighton, Iona and several
other kinds of a better quality than Concord, and can sell them to
but few customers, while Concord and Delaware are the ones that
every dealer wants. :
One thing I would like to mention right here, which I think in-
jures the reputation and profits on grapes in our locality, and that
is the selfish and short-sighted custom of some our growers in pick-
ing their grapes early and sending them to market before they are
ripe. People buy them and don’t like them,— Minnetonka grapes
- ’ v.
GRAPES. 113
are too sour.” It thus lowers the price and injures the reputation,
and those that pick their grapes in the proper season are the princi-
ple sufferers.
Now, as to giving an accurate statement of the profits on my vines»
I can’t give it, for my time and my help’s time is engaged at other
work a good part of the season; but according to my best judgment
I think I make four hundred dollars above actual expenses, besides
getting paid for time in a healthy and wholesome occupation.
Grapes, I think, have been very cheap for the last few years, and
whether they are ever going to be higher is a question yet to be
solved, but don’t believe they will ever be lower.
At your honorable body’s talks and discussions at your regular
meetings on the various fruits for Minnesota, I see that apples get
the lion’s share of attention, and,as a consequence, being very much
attached to the grape, feel jealous, as the latter is one of our finest
looking as well as tasting fruits, and considered by good authority
as one of the very healthiest and capable of sustaining life alone.
And not only that, but some varieties are good keepers, as I have
here on exhibition, the eighth of January, grapes that will keep six
weeks after this, if necessary, and in good repair; and they were
kept in my cellar, too, but the cellar is dry and cool. Grapes
can be kept in loose, open boxes or the bunches put in small paper
sacks, which cost only seventy-five cents to a dollar per thousand.
To be sure, not all varieties are good keepers, but the Iona and
Duchess and some of the other kinds, Rogers, etc., are good keepers:
Now, I have been eating grapes of my own raising for nearly five
months, and it is so every year—no failures like there are in apples,
for I have not missed a crop yet by failure, while you are continually
running up a stump (apple tree stump killed by frost.) The fact of
it is, gentlemen of the apple tree persuasion, I should advise you to
come to us grape growers for points on winter protection; for my
part, I came to the conclusion several years ago while listening to
your discussions, that a good way to treat your trees would be to
put a strap hinge, well screwed on, just at the base of the tree, and
then saw it off just where the strap’s hing is, and your tree will lop
to the ground and up again with very little exertion—like a barn
door opens and shuts, for instance; then cover with marsh hay or
straw—either will do—but don’t fail to put a little strychnine mixed
in with corn meal under the hay or straw to kill the mice and per-
manently injure the tree. As I have not had long experience in this
mode of treatment, it might be wise to begin on some tree that has
borne its last crop.
Thinking I may be wandering from my text,and your valuable
time short, I will close my advice on apples, that you will have more
time to devote to its discussion. .
DISCUSSION.
Mr. Phillips: How would that apple tree do for a trellis for
your grapes after you had turned it down?
Mr. Crane: It would do very well, I think. I had not thought
of that. Thank you. (Laughter.)
114 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
Mr. Pearce: I would like to speak about two minutes. There
is one subject that every commercial grape grower should
study and think about, the low price of grapes. It is a lament-
able fact that we are getting nothing for our grapes, and I have
wondered a great many times why the grape growers all over
the country could not form a combination. We have combina-
tions formed in everything else almost. We have a combina-
tion in sugar, in oil and many other things, and why could not
the grape growers form a combination? We are large commer-
cial grape growers. This is a matter we want to bring before
the commercial grape growers of Missouri and Iowa, and all
over the Western states. to form a combination in a business
way. We want a good price, and we could in that way sell our
grapes so we could realize some profit. This is a subject
worthy of your careful attention, and I would like to have a
committee appointed and give them some authority in this
matter, and, may be, we can have a general convention to talk
this matter over.
Mr. Clark: I have a quarter section of land up in North Da-
kota. It is surrounded by a strip of trees four rods wide, all
around the outside. I would like to ask the grape growers
here, especially this gentleman here who has had such good
success, if it would be possible to go into the business in North
Dakota? Itis adry country, very cold.
Mr. Crane: The main question would be whether it is subject
to eariy or late frosts. On the prairie there is usually air stir-
ring which tends to keep the frost off. I have had no experience
on prairies; I do not know.
Sec’y Latham: I would advise Mr. Clark to correspond with
EK. W. Hazeltine, living at Grand Forks. He could answer the
question intelligently.
Mr. Gould: The only safe way would be to try that thing
lightly. I think the chances are that grapes would not be very
much of a success in that region.
REPORT ON GRAPES.
WM. WACHLIN, FARIBAULT.
Grape growing in Minnesota is past the experimental stage; itis
an established fact, especially in the southern half of the state. Of
course, there are localities more favorable than others. An eleva-
tion with slope east and south is always preferable to any other
slope or level ground; yet, any good soil will produce grapes in
abundance. Most farmers and many who live in villages or cities
who own a lot or two can raise all the grapes they can use in their
“sl ile SI aa es ko Sle tlt id Cait it SIT ie eae Re elas Bet aE dl
GRAPES. 115
families during the grape season, and put up grapes in various
ways for winter use.
Many people believe and have been made to believe that grape
vines are very difficult to manage, that the vines are not hardy
enough to endure our climate and that it is a very difficult matter
to plant them. Many have not got over the old idea, that they must
dig a deep trench to fill up with old boots, bones and other rubbish
to plant their vines on, and as they don’t take the pains to learn bet-
ter by paying $1.00 and becoming a member of the horticultural
society, they don’t know what is going on in the line of growing
grapes and other fruits in Minnesota. Of course, a good many buy
a basket of grapes now and then during the grape season, but they
lose all the enjoyment of going into their garden and picking their
own grapes.
Many farmers imagine they have no time to waste on either gar-
den, grape vines or other fruits; and, incidently, let me say right
here, more than half the farmers lose half their living by not having
a good garden with plenty of the different varieties of fruits and
an abundance of grapes in it. In Rice county are not nearly as
mlany grapes grown as there ought to be; in fact, the number of
farmers and others that grow them are very few, and as grapes are
shipped in and sold pretty cheap, a good many people think they
can buy them cheaper than they can raise them.
Iam nota professional grape grower at all—I have only grown a
few vines in my garden; but I have found out by experience that
grapes can be grown here, even if we have not the most favorable
surroundings. I am located on the flat part of our city, where we
are more exposed to late and early frosts by two to four degrees
than other more elevated parts; but at the same time I have lost my
entire grape crop in two seasons only out of about twenty since I
commenced planting vines. This year, 1894, the frost on the morn-
ing of May nineteenth killed all my grapes, for which I partly blame
the signal service, as they did not report any frost the day before,
and so I did not take the precautions I might have taken if the offi-
cers had done their duty. So I had to do this fall as most of my
neighbors did; that is, buy a few baskets of grapes; but we had very
little satisfaction out of the operation. ‘There are a few parties near
here, on more elevated ground,who raise grapes, where the frost did
not strike so hard, and they had a fair crop. But I am not dis-
couraged. While my vines were injured by the frost, they are in
pretty good condition for another season. Of course, when the first
growth of a vine is cut down by frostit makes a good deal of trouble
and extra work, because where the first bud or shoot is killed by
frost, invariably two or more dormant buds start to grow, all of
which except one have to be rubbed off, which is no small job where
there are a good many vines to look after.
In regard to vines for planting, I like good, strong, two-year-old
vines, as I have found them the most satisfactory. The young vines
should be cut back to two or threeeyes. In planting, the vines
should be set in a slanting position; this is very essential, as it les-
sens the liability to injnre them in laying them down for winter
0 Oe
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116 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
covering. The vines should be planted in rows running north and
south where practicable (although a friend of mine near here has a
fine patch of vines the rows running east and west, and he has very
good success with them). They should be planted seven to eight
feet apart in the row, and the rows about eight feet apart.
A good clay soil is preferable to any other, and the soil should be
thoroughly worked to a good depth and made rich with good man-
ure. Care should be taken to have no manure come in direct con-
tact with the roots of the vines, as it is liable to injure them. Grape
vines are great feeders and so the soil must be rich to give the best
results. (I am speaking of planting on a small scale, as that is all I
have had experience with.) Of course,the ground must be kept in good
cultivation and free from weeds during the summer. In the fall
after the frost has killed the leaves, I cut my vines back to two or
three eyes, that is, this year’s growth.
I am much in favor of summer pruning, as it keeps the vines in
much better shape, instead of letting them have their own way and
run allover. In my early experience I let them grow without sum-
mer pruning, but I am much better satisfied with the present prac-
tice of summer pruning. My method in summer pruning con-
sists in pinching of the tips of the young shoots after they have
grown about four leaves beyond the last bunch of fruit, that is, I
leave three or four leaves from where the last bunch of fruit is
formed. The pruning must be done as soon as the shoot is long
enough. because if the vine is left to grow to a considerable length
and then cut back, it is an injury to the vine, asit checks the growth
too much at once. I don’t favor as close pruning as I have seen
some do. When a shoot is nipped, of course the bud at the last leaf
will start and make a new shoot, which must again be pinched off
after the first leaf is formed; and if a real good job is desired, that
pinching must be continued through the summer. It makes the
vines very stocky and they invariably ripen the wood mnch better
for next seasons use than where the vines are left to grow without
pruning.
I object to trimming off the leaves as I have seen some do, in or-
der to have the sun shine directly onto the fruit, which is not only
not necessary but it isaninjury to both fruit and vine, and I think
really retards the ripening of the fruit. Another advantage of sum-
mer pruning is that it prevents the liability of too much shade, espec-
ially in wet seasons.
Winter protection is an important matter. I think soil is the best
material for covering. I dig a shallow trench along the row as close
to the vines as is practicable without injuring the roots, then I bend
my vines down into the trench. This is very easily done if the vines
have been set slanting,as mentioned before. Then I cover with soil.
It is especially necessary to cover the lower part of the vine next to
the roots thoroughly, as in bending the vines the bark may be
strained some, especially in old vines,and, so, if that part is exposed
to drying winds and sunshine,it is liable to injury. In the spring I
always leave my vines covered as long as I can to keep the buds
from starting too early.
4
Re ee Te es
x ee K
ENTOMOLOGY. P17
I have not been troubled much with mildew. A few of the vines
of my first planting mildewed badly. I dug them out and planted
others in their places; since that time I have not been troubled very
much. Of course, some varieties are more subject to mildew than
others, and as the list of vines to select from is large it is not hard
to find a sufficient number of good and fairly healthy vines to suit
almost any one. Some of my favorites are Moore’s Early, Worden
and Concord. I would not plant many Concords; I like the Worden
better, and I think it is of better quality and it is earlier, which is a
greai deal inits favor. And I like the Delaware and Brighton; the
Brighton is a very fine grape and bears very fine bunches. The
Lady is a very good white grape. I have the Pocklington and Ni-
agara, but I don’t think much of either of them. A few years ago I
got a few vines of the Green Mountain,and from what little I know of
itin the limited time that I have had it,l am well pleased with it. The
bunches are very compact, the berries rather small, similar to the
Delaware, and the quality is good. It ripens early,and the vine
seems vigorous and healthy. Of course, there area great many good
varieties, but I think it is not advisable to plant too great a variety:
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON ENTOMOLOGY.
J. S. HARRIS, LA CRESCENT.
INSECTS IN SOUTHEASTERN MINNESOTA.
Insect of some species were more plentiful and damaging to the
horticulturist in 1894 than in the preceding year; especially was
this the case with such as feed upon the cabbage family. The
cabbage crop was very seriously injured by the European cabbage
caterpillar larvae, of the Pieris rapea (Linn.). They made their first
appearance very early in the season, and at least three broods of
them were perfected. The hot, dry weather seemed favorable for
their most perfect development, while the slower growth of the
plants place them at adisadvantage for resisting the attacks. There
was also a noted scarcity of the parasitic. insects that usually prey
upon them, such as ichneumon flies, black wasps and dragon flies.
The best remedy we know of for the cabbage worm is the pyrethrum
powder, viz: one pound mixed in four pounds of flour, dusted over
the plants when wet with dew. As is often the case in dry seasons,
the cabbage aphis (Aphis brassicae) was also very troublesome. It
infests the under side of the leaves and has a whitish,mealy appear-
ance.
The potato beetle and their larvae were much more numerous and
destructive than im the preceding year, and the farmers say it re-
quired closer watching and more frequent spraying with Paris green
than usual to save thecrop. I saw on my place more of the beetle
than common,and one day the larvae were so numerous that I feared
that I should have to follow the example of my neighbors and give
thema dose of green, but, happily, at this juncture the rose-breasted
grossbeaks, that were rearing their young in adjoining apple trees,
friendly soldier bugs, lady birds and other parasites came to my
ee ee ee A ae ee oe | A eee
’ : ‘a. Natl Sie
118 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
aid, and the result was that not a hill of potatoes was seriously in-
jured, and no Paris green or other poison was needed.
In the early part of the season, the codlin moth did not appear to
be very numerous and the June brood of worms in the apples were
so scarce that the usual precautions were not taken to preventa
later supply,and the consequence was that the applecrop being un-
usually light, in the late fall there was scarcely a specimen to be
found that did not contain a worm, although they did not show it
until considerably later than usual. The apple gouger got in his
work as usual, and unless some practical method can be discovered
for trapping or heading him off, we must abandon all hopes of rais-
ing smooth, fair apples. Spraying for them is of little use; jarring
the trees and catching them on a sheet spread under is one of the
most effectual means we know of for getting them out of the way. A
portion of our orchard is in grass, which was not removed at the
preper time on account of scarcity of help. Late in the fall fire ran
through it,burning all the grass,leaves and refuse. Some of the trees
were considerably injured, but the fruit was almost entirely free
from the marks of the gouger and, also, less affected by the codlin
worm. Two or three trees standing in the cow pasture also were
more exempt than others in the main orchard. Clear cultivation,
removal and burning ofall rubbish and keeping hogs in the orchard
at certain times,all act as safeguards against the increase of insects
of this class.
Another class of insects that appear to be on the increase is the
bark louse, or scale. Our state has always been a favorite place for
disposing of rubbish that accumulates in some of the nurseries of
other states. Reliable nurserymen do not do a business of that kind,
but bogus nursery firms and tree pedlers purchase such stock at low
prices, and sell to our farmers at exhorbitant prices very ordinary
trees that are often infested with insects and disease. The scurvy
bark louse and the oyster shell are in the state to some extent, but,
probably, not doing much damage ouly on stunted, half dead trees
of varieties that are of doubtful hardiness. They do not thrive on
healthy, vigorous trees that are well cared for. There is great dan-
ger of the worst of all these insects, the San Jose scale, being intro-
duced by the purchasing of apple, plum, apricot and pear trees
brought in from infected districts. The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture,has
sent out warnings to our pomologists to be on guard against this
pest, of which there is considerable danger of its being introduced.
If it should once become permanently established here as it has in
California, it would cost a few hundred thousand dollars to fight
and rout it out and we want to bear in mind that we live in a state
where fruit growing is not one of the leading industries and that,for
that reason, it is difficult to get legislative aid in the interest of hor-
ticulture. I quote from “Insect Life,” a journal published by the
U.S. Dept. of Agrculture, the following description of the trees in-
fested with it. “During the summer it is noticable that the scale
has a tendancy to infest only the extremes of the trees or the new
growth, especially of the lower branches and the fruit. The leaves
are attacked along the midrib of the upper sides of the leaf in one,
ENTOMOLOGY. 119
two or more quite regular rows, also to some extent along the side
ribs. The infested leaves turn purplish brown but do not have a
tendancy to fall. When occurring upon the fruit, the scales have a
distinctive peculiarity in that they are invaribly surrounded by a
purplish discoloration of the skin of the fruit,and this discoloration
is also noticed to some extent on the young, growing twigs. The
cambium layer of the wood beneath the scale is stained purplish to
some extent. In winter the scales upon twigs are difficult to dis-
tinguish. They lie close to each other, frequently overlapping, and
can only be distinguished with a magnifying glass. The general
appearance which they present is of a grayish, very slightly rough-
ened, scurvy deposit. The natural, rich, reddish color of the limbs
of the peach and apple are quite obscured when the trees are
thickly infested, and they have then the appearance of being covered
with lime or ashes. When the scales are crushed by scraping, a
yellowish, oily liquid will appear, resulting from the crushing of the
soft, yellow insects beneath the scales.”
Both the round and flat headed apple tree borers are occasionally
found in this part of the state and more are being introduced in
nursery stock from other states. They will, if left alone, soon prove
avery serious pest. All trees received from nurseries should be
carefully examined for them before planting out. The presence of
the larvae can generally be detected by a discolored, deadened or
punctured patch of bark above the roots or by the powdery excre-
ment thrust out of the crack or opening where they have entered.
The insect should be promptly probed or dug out and the wound
covered with grafting wax before the tree is planted. It is said that
a few drops of kerosene turned into the orifice will find its way toand
destroy the grub without any injury to the tree; I have not tested it.
Keeping trees clean, healthy and thrifty is among the best preven-
tatives. Also, washing the trunk of the trees witha strong solution
of soap or kerosene emulsion in June and July will destroy the
larvae before they have penetrated through the bark.
For a number of years the currant worm had been a serious pest,
but for some reason they were not nearly asnumerous last year and
have done little damage. On my own place, but one infested
leaf was found. The year previous we used hellebore and hot water
freely. I think that for a few bushes in the farmer’s garden, the hot
water remedy surpasses all others. To apply it, the bushes must be
kept clean from weeds or grass and the suckers cut or pulled away
from the base. Then have ready a pot of boiling water, beat the
worms from the bushes with a cane or stiff rod; they will all fall to
the ground; then apply the water with a garden syringe or through
the nose of a watering pot.
Last fall we received from Carver county a root of native plum
containing a borer which we were not able to identify. The speci-
men was forwarded to Professor Lugger, who also could not iden-
tify it in the larva state. If any of cur members should find them
in the roots of plum trees when digging this spring, no doubt Pro-
fessor Lugger would be glad to secure specimens in the wood, and
by observing there transformation, could locate them.
Te Was ne ed eee ene
- “a
pe
i
120 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE IOWA STATE HORTI-
CULTURAL SOCIETY, 1894.
WM. SOMERVILLE, VIOLA, DELEGATE.
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the State Horticultural
Society:
Asa delegate to the Horticultural Society of lowa, that met at Des
Moines on the eleventh of December, 1894, in the Cycling Club hall
of that city, I herewith give you my report. Only sixty or seventy
were present, but the lack of numbers was made up in interest and
enthusiasm. Everybody had something to say worth saying of
practical interest, for all were workers. Questions and answers fol-
lowed each other in quick succession, and not a word was lost.
The opening remarks were made by Mr. A. F. Collman, of Corning,
the president of the society; and they were cheering and encourag-
ing. He said that the fruit crop had beena short one, but we had
much to be thankful for, and that the prospects were bright for the
coming year. There were representative delegates present from
every part of the state. The opening prayer was made by the Rev.
Frisbie, and he was made an honorary member.
Mr. F. M. Powell, of Glenwood, made an interesting report for the
third district. He said that Mills county produced from twenty-five
to forty per cent. of an average crop of applies this year. The ex-
treme drouth caused the fruit to fall before reaching maturity. He
spoke of one orchard in particular, belonging to Mr. James Record,
that had apparently escaped the drouth, he having raised 5,900
bushels of apples on thirty-five acres, with a net profit of $2,500
The orchard was sheltered on the north, south and west by heavy.
timber, which had the effect of moderating the hot wind so that it
did not have the same effect on that orchard as it did on others more
exposed. Another orchard was reported in Potawatamie county
as yielding a large crop of apples. Owing to three or four applica-
tions of Paris green, Capt. Bacon, ona forty acre orchard in Harri-
son county, raised 7,000 bushels of apples. Audilon county reported
a high percentage of apples, cherries and plums, but the small fruits
were almost a failure in many localities, in consequence of drouth.
After discussing the papers at some length, the conclusion was
reached that the drouth was the cause of the partial failure of straw-
berries, raspberries and blackberries. Grapes were not injured by
disease this year as usual, but were a good crop.
Mr. Green, of Davenport, said he was convinced for success in
small fruit growing, not excepting the orchard, that shallow culti-
vation throughout the growing season was the only means of suc-
sess. A motion to adjourn was in order.
At half past one we met on time, and I then presented my creden-
tials. A motion was made to receive me as an honorary member,
for which I thanked them for the honor conferred.
They wished me to take part in the discussions as they came up,
which I did to some extent, for I felt at home among horticulturists.
The afternoon sesson was devoted to the reading of papers and
discussions. Mr. M.E. Hinkley, of Marcus,and E. M. Powell, of Glen-
‘
<< aia “as & * Pie FON ay Tee eS FE, PrP .
ANNUAL MEETING IOWA HORT. SOCIETY. fan
wood,read very interesting papers on general orcharding,advocating
planting few varieties and those adapted to their locality; then with
good care and cultivation, success was sure. They also spoke of the
necessity of timber belts to make the rainfall more even and moder-
ate the hot winds of summer. There were many other able and
thoughtful papers read and discussed that afternoon on plums,
cherries and small fruit, also the cold storage and marketing of the
same. Mr. W. Bradshaw, of the Agricultural College, advocated the
planting of trees, shrubs and flowers on school grounds and teach-
ing the children how to care for them. It would be an advanced
step in horticulture.
The evening session was taken up with the address of President
Collman, which was an able and instructive address, claiming that
Iowa had no reason to be second to any state in the Union in the
production of apples, plums, cherries and small fruit. All that was
necessary for such results was the education of the farmers and the
necessary care for success. He also set forth the necessity of tree
growing on the prairie for windbreaks and shelter belts. He also
condemned the act of the last legislature in appropriating the room
they had in the capitol to the attorney general’s office. This was
condemned in strong language by all. The secretary, Prof. Budd,
of Ames, then made his report and also referred to the act of the
legislature in appropriating their room in the capitol for other use.
The treasurer made his report, showing they had plenty of cash to
run their business.
Then came the election of officers for the ensuing year, when the
following were the persons chosen: For president, M. E. Hinkley,
Marcus; vice-president, J. M. Elder, Concord; secretary, J. L. Budd,
Ames; treasurer, W. M. Bomberger, Harlan; librarian, Fred E. Pease,
Des Moines; and also directors for the different districts.
Liberal premiums were awarded to counties and individuals.
The fruit exhibit was immense, more than 300 varieties of apples.
It looked more like a fair than a horticultural meeting.
There were county exhibits from Mills county, in southern Iowa,
and Polk county, central Iowa. Also exhibits from A. L. Plummer,
of Ivy, and Mr. Stewart, of Des Moines, and fine individual exhibits
by A. F. Collman, of Corning, S. A. Spear, of Cedar Falls, also, B. F.
and John C. Ferris, of Hampton, and Alner Bronson, of New Sharon.
This fruit had generally been cold storage and was in good condi-
tion and made a fine showing. The great bulk of the fruit on exhi-
bition was from the southern part of the state and for that reason
could not be adapted to our wants. We,in our latitude, have to look
to the hardiness as well as the fruit the tree bears.
122 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
OFFICIAL NOTICE OF AWARDS AT COLUMBIAN
EXPOSITION.
(This notice reached this office since the Jan. Horticulturist was issued. Sec’y).
Washington, D. C., June 4, 1894.
DEAR SIR:
I herewith inclose you an official copy of your awards which, in
due time, will be inscribed in the diploma and forwarded to your
present address, unless otherwise indicated by you.
Yours,
JOHN BoyD THACHER.
Chairman Executive Committee on awards.
UNITED STATES. DEPARTMENT B.—HORTICULTURE.
12384. Exhibitor, State of Minnesota. Address, St. Paul. Group,
21. Class, 145.
Exhibit, EXHIBITION REFRIGERATOR.
Award—A very ingenious invention admirably adapted for the
purpose of preserving fresh fruits and vegetables. It is well suited
to the purpose for which it is intended, and the practical test of the
season shows its adaptability to other kindred uses.
Signed: E. F. BABCOCK,
Aprroved: B. STARRATT, Individual Bike
President Departmental Committee.
12385. Group, 21. Class, 136.
Exhibit, SMALL FRUIT.
Award.—Consists of such small fruits as raspberries, currants,
blueberries, gooseberries and other kinds. The display was main-
tained throughouta long season and covers a wide range of varieties.
The fruit is exceptionally fine in quality, being of excellent flavor
and in good condition.
The display was contributed by the following growers of the State:
J. M. UNDERWOOD, - - - - Lake City.
J. W. FINCH, - - - - - Eden Prairie.
J. S. HARRIS, - - - - - La Crescent.
G. H. PRESCOTT, = - = - Albert Lea.
C. W. SAMPSON, - - - - Eureka.
M. W. Cook, - - - - - Rochester.
THOMAS REDPATH, - - - - Long Lake.
Signed: CHARLES W. GARFIELD,
Approved: THOMAS PUGH, Individual Judge.
President Departmental Committee.
12380. Group, 20. Class, 122.
Exhibit, COLLECTION OF GRAPES.
Award.—A fine display, consisting of fifty-three varieties of the
best known sorts. Both the clusters and the berries are large and
well formed. The flavor is exquisite, and the condition of the fruit
indicates that great care was exercised in the handling and arrang-
ment.
COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 123
The exhibit was contributed by the following growers of the State:
S. B. GREEN, - - . - St. Anthony Park.
Pet ve BRRY, - - - - Excelsior.
Mrs. I. BURTON. - - - Excelsior.
CHARLES W. SAMPSON, - 2 - Excelsior.
Mrs. S. IRWIN, - - - - Excelsior.
A. W. LATHAM, - - - - Excelsior.
Ee CRANE: -= : E : Excelsior.
De Bick, = - - - - Mankato.
EK. J. CUTTS, - - - Howard Lake.
Signed: SYLVESTER JOHNSON,
Approved: B. STARRATT, Individual Judge.
President Departmental Committee.
12386, Group, 21. Class, 133.
Exhibit, POMACEOUS AND STONE FRUITS.
Award.—Apples.—(Crop of 1892.) A fine display consisting of
twenty-eight varieties, tastefully exhibited in a refrigerator case.
The fruit is highly colored, of good flavor and quite free from insect
and other blemishes. The nomenclature is perfect. Several new
varieties of excellent quality are shown, which apparently are very
promising.
Apples.—(Crop of 1893.) A large collection consisting of fifty-nine
varieties, all of which are of the best kinds grown in the state.
Many new and valuable kinds are shown. The fruit is uniform in
size, beautiful in color and free from insect and other blemishes.
(Signed), KE. F. BABCOCK.
Stone Fruits.—A fine display consisting mainly of plums and
peaches. The special feature of the exhibit is the new seedling
varieties of plums contributed by D. Cook of Windom and O. M. Lord
of Minnesota City. All the varieties are of good size, color and flavor
and in excellent condition. (Signed), GEORGE I. Morz.
Approved: B. STARRATT,
President Departmental Committee.
Approved: JOHN BoyD THACHER,
Chairman Executive Committee on Awards
Dated, May 16, 1894.
HORTICULTURAL EXHIBIT AT THE COLUMBIAN
EXPOSITION.
(The following letter from Mr. J. M. Samuels, chief of the horticul-
tural department at the World’s Fair, will be of interest to many of
our readers on account of its reference to his report and other
matters. Every contributor to ourexhibit, atleast, should plan to
secure one of the reports referred to. A. W, LATHAM.)
CLINTON, Ky., Jan. 21, 1805.
Mr. A. W. LATHAM, Minneapolis Minn.,
DEAR SIR:
I finished and submitted my report last April. It contained 2,900
pages of ordinary manuscript; but the editing committee considered
124 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
it too voluminous, and cut it down to correspond with those from
other departments.
I gave Minnesota full credit for your excellent exhibit, and said
more, perhaps, than you would have written yourself.
I used a photo of your display as one of the illustrations, * * *
The method of distribution of these reports will be through mem-
bers of congress as other public documents; and constituents will
have to make application to their own congressman. As soon as
you learn the time at which the volumes will be distributed, (en-
quire of your congressman) put in your application for yourself
and for your society.
I have no means of learning when John Boyd Thatcher will send
out his medals and certificates.
The close confinement last winter caused me to contract a bad
case of rheumatism, and I went to Florida in April. Of course, I
could not remain idle and be contented, therefore, I had transplanted
22,000 pineapple plants, and quite a large number of orange, lemon,
cocoanut, and other trees and banana plants, and started a winter
vegetable garden. The recent freeze destroyed everything.
I was cured of the rheumatism; Isuppose [ought not to complan.
* * * * * ° * * *
Yours truly, — J. M. SAMUELS.
NOTES ON SMALL FRUITS.
GEO. J. KELLOGG, JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN.
Ed. Minnesota Horticulturist :
Perhaps I overdid the variety question on strawberries in your
last report; but I am like the witness who swore the “horse was six-
teen feet high”; some things I will not take back without more evi-
dence. I stated that it was “impossible to prove any variety in less
than three to five years on your own ground.”
Four years of failure with Michel led me to say whatI said. My
former faith in it was from the recommendations.of Southern
growers, and the first jump we made was 1000 plants, and they
fruited better the year of planting than ever afterward. Every
recommendation we could find then was from a Southern stand-
point and favorable. I have never found anything in the straw-
berry from the South valuable except Earle and Warfield. Perhaps,
there are many, but this seems the rule. Canada berries are more
often a success; and this latitudinal habit is often a key that is
reliable.
Varieties.—I will only mention some of the best and most reliable
sorts in this paper. I saw at Lake City the recommended list was of
very few kinds. I must disagree with the committee on fruit list
in only recommending such varieties as can be found at most of the
nurseries. If trial stations and private enterprise have brought to
the front any kind of fruit adapted and desirable, and it has been
long enough tested so there is no room to doubt these two points,
shall we as state societies decline to put such before the public, be-
cause some growers of nursery stock are behind the times? I
think not.
NOTES ON SMALL FRUIT. 125
The only variety of perfect-flowering strawberry your committee
name that I can endorse is Bederwood, and this is going by rust
unless we resort to spraying with Bordeaux mixture. A much bet-
ter list, it seems to us after testing two hundred kinds, than the one
given would be Enhance, Saunders, Splendid and Woolverton.
These four are perfect in blossom and have proven profitable over a
wide range of territory.
To the pistillates named by your committee, “Crescent, Warfield
and Haverland,”’ we would add Bubach and perhaps Greenville.
We wish we could reduce the list to two varieties, but it is impos-
sible. Pistillates, as a rule, are twice as productive as the perfects,
the production of pollen serving to weaken the plant in fruit forma-
tion as well as production of plants. The four kinds of perfects we
have named are vigorous, healthy and productive both in plant and
fruit. We could name twenty more better on many soils than Capt.
Jack and Wilson. For fruiting we would advise two pistillates and
one perfect, alternating in the same row. For the former we would
say set one long row of perfects and four feet away alongside set a
row of pistillates, and have not less than two to four varieties in
each row; then the next spring take plants from the outside of each
row for two new rows; so continue, fruiting each for two years, at
least.
If Shuckless proves productive it may be not only a norelty but
a choice family berry, and as it is perfect in blossom, healthy in
foliage and a good plant maker, we have much reason to hope. The
new kinds that make wonderful promise are legion, but it takes a
pocketbook and two years, at least, to prove anything in the straw-
berry list.
In conclusion, allow me to express my personal congratulations
to your state society, officers, members and citizens of Lake City for
courtesies received during my short stay. I would suggest to your
Forestry Association that you take measures to plant or, at least,
recommend for general planting the variety of timber you call
“Underwood.’’
TOPWORKING HARDY STOCK.
EDSON GAYLORD, NORA SPRINGS, IOWA.
I now refer to the recent development brought out by topworking
our half and three-fourths hardy choice varieties onto extremely
hardy stock trees. I hardly have words to express the unbounded
confidence I have in the recent development brought out in our
neighborhood. Were our successful efforts confined to one variety,
to one tree or even to one orchard, which might, perchance, have
been favorably located, trained and cared for, we might have reasons
for doubts, but the experiments I now refer you to have been made
on a great variety of stock trees as well as by the use of a great vari-
ety of cions,not in one orchard or on one tree,but inten orchards and
on a hundred trees and with a great number of our old choice varie-
, ties that we have learned to love so well in former years. Further,
had we grown these fruits referred to by grafting them since ’85, we
126 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
would not care to speak in anything like such strong terms of their
future success.
The facts are that with the exception of one orchard the tests have
been made on sites that are third and fourth rate sites. In short, we
have the varieties on the best site duplicated by the same varieties
that have been bearing successfully both before and since ’84 to ’85
on sites that rate no higher than numbers three and four.
You should know the varieties we have succeeded with on that
plan. I will here note some few well known varieties that were all
grafted before ’84, and that nearly all bore before then and since,
and will guarantee to convince any one who may wish to examine
that the trees today will average as sound and as healthy as the
Duchess in the selfsame orchard. Mr. Heiss has the Jonathan, the
Ct. Seek-no-further, the Nod Head, the Wrightman’s Russett, the
Blanche, Ben Davis, Fall Orange, Willow Twig and others. I have
on my grounds and where I have grafted the Fall Orange, the
Minkler, Ben Davis, N. W. Greening, the Antonvoka, the Grand-
mother and Wolf River. Mr. Heiss has also the Walbridge and the
Bethel. ,
Now, in conclusion I want to say to my brother farmers and others
who love all those big apples, those fine red and rich yellow apples,
come and examine our work and learn, both of our successes and
our failures, and then go to work intelligently, and success will
surely reward your efforts.
See that your stock is healthy and extremely hardy. See that the
varieties are reasonably adapted to the stock you wish to set them on.
In short, do not expect to grow all the most tender varieties; keep
within reason. Commence at once on those worthless crabs and
other hardy worthless fruit you now have and that encumber your
grounds. Neveremploy an Eastern orchardist todo your grafting,
far better to learn what is strictly necessary to success here in our
climate and then do your own grafting, or train your best boy to do
this work properly, and, my word for it, you will reach success by a
much nearer and surer route than can be found through either the
seedlings or the Russians.
We now have two great beacon lights before us, each all ablaze.
Then, let us get our eyes open at once and climb out. The road by
cross-breeding is freighted with the most valuable results in the
end. This road is for the young men.
But for us who are showing gray hairs, let me say, take to the one
short and sure road to success, by topworking our choice old varie-
ties on to extremely hardy trees,such as the Hibernal,Virginia crab,
Duchess and many others. That this plan is both advisable and
feasable, I have no more doubt than I have that the sun will set to-
night and rise again tomorrow.”
April (Calendar,
J. S. HARRIS, LA CRESCENT.
ORCHARD AND NURSERY.
No pruning should be done in this month except to cut back limbs
that have been broken by the winter’s storms or accident to a good
bud or sound branch, and remove any dead limbs that have been
overlooked. Wounds made should be covered with grafting wax or
white paint. .
Examine every tree carefully for borers and the eggs of other in-
sects; probe the burrow of the borer with a wire, or cut the grub out
and cover the wound with grafting wax. Destroy all insects’ eggs
found. Washing the trunks and larger branches at this time with
soap suds or kerosene emulsion destroys the eggs and young larvae
of insects and at the same time gives the trees a healthier appear-
ance.
Look over the nursery,ifit was not done last month,and if itis found
that the winter has killed or discolored the terminal growth of the
one and two year old trees, they should be cut back to sound wood
before the circulation of growth starts, or the trees will become
permanently black-hearted. If older trees are seriously injured they
had better be cut off just above the roots and grafted toa hardier
variety.
This is the best month for grafting, and any worthless varieties of
apples, crabs and plums, where the trees are reasonbly hardy, should
by grafting be changed into good fruit. The boys and girls can do
the work if given a little instruction. Apple trees may safely be
grafted until the blossom: buds begin to open, but plums and cher-
ries should be grafted before any circulation starts. Trees for spring
planting will begin to arrive from the nurseries by the time
frost is out of the ground. They ought to be immediately
heeled in to prevent their becoming dry and _ shrivelled—the
nurseryman is too often blamed for the result of our own neglect
or carelessness. The trees should not be set out until the ground is
dry enough to work without leaving it in a lumpy condition.
Young trees or limbs of trees that were budded last fall ought to
have been attended to as early as the 20th of March. If not done
already, cut them off at once to four inches above the bud, andabout
the middle or last of June cut off close above the shoot that grows
from the bud.
The first spraying for leaf scab and other fungus diseases, should
be done before the buds begin to open, using Bordeaux mixture or
the copper solution. If trees are found to be infested with the
scale or oyster shell bark louse, a thorough spraying with kerosene
emulsion will be found very beneficial.
CNS ot Gh ae ee “Gee ha SR ans ee kt eit Al
ti ;
128 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
HOTBEDS.
Farmers hotbeds should be planted at once or as soon as the heat
is right, and they must be given water when needed and plenty of
air on all pleasant days. There is seldom any gain in planting any
seeds of tender vegetables in the open garden during this month»
but onions, peas and radishes, also lettuce, should be got out as
early as weather and soil will permit.
THE FRUIT GARDEN.
Every farmer may and ought to grow enough small fruit to fur-
nish his family an abundant supply.
About thistime we rake the mulching on the strawberry patch
from over the rows into the spaces between the rows. If the bed was
carefully cared for last year, it will need no cultivating before the
fruit is all harvested; if not, it may pay to go through between the
rows with a fine tooth harrow cultivator,in which case the mulching
is pitched into every second or third row and back again as the rows
are cleaned. Weeds among the plants should be cut or pulled out.
Clean up the raspberry and blackberry plantations. Lift the canes
carefully that were laid down last fall for winter protection and do
the necessary cutting back and pruning before the buds start. Give
bushes support by fastening to stakes on wires, if possible, and as
soon as the soil is dry enough, cultivate between the rows. Set new
plantations of the reds and of blackberries,as early as the season will
allow. The making of new strawberry beds should also be attended
too by the last of the month in order to get established before hot,
dry weather sets in.
Currants and gooseberries should be cleaned out and pruned
where necessary by cutting out old and surplus canes,and a thorough
cultivation given before the buds get started. Good barnyard man-
ure worked in among all kinds of fruit shrubbery at this season will
increase the crop of fruit and improve the quality.
New plantations are better for being made early, but in no case
should the ground be plowed or plants set when the soil is too wet.
Grape vines are better to be uncovered early, but should not be
fastened to the trellises until the buds begin to swell; until then
they had better be horizontal or only the end buds will start. Man-
uring is always in order during this month. A close watch should
be kept for insects,and if they appear,spray with a solution of Paris
green, one pound to 300 gallons of water.
THE MINNESOTA
HORTICULTURIST.
On. 23 MAY, 1895. NO, 4.
*BHiosraphy,
JONATHAN T. GRIMES.
(SEE FRONTISPIECE.)
Jonathan T. Grimes, the subject of this biographical sketch, was
born in Loudon county, Virginia, May 10, 1818, and is now seventy-
seven years of age. His great ancestor, on his father’s side, was
deputized by the crown of England, and sent over as Collector Gen-
eral for the District of Virginia, which then included the Carolinas
and all the territory tributary to the west. The name was spelled
G-r-y-m-e-s, after the old English style of spelling at that time.
His grandfather was born in Westmoreland Co., Virginia, near
where Gen. Washington was born. About the time Washington
removed to Mount Vernon, in Fairfax county, Va., his grandfather
also removed north and settled across the river nearly opposite, in
what was called “ Virginia on the Maryland side of the Potomac,” in
the neighborhood of the Lees, one of whom had married Miss Lucy
Grymes, who became the mother of Gen. Henry Lee, more commonly
known as “Little Horse Harry,’ who was the father of Robert E. Lee,
of confederate fame. But this is a matter of history. His grand-
father was a soldier under Washington in the Revolutionary War
for independence. The family afterwards removed to Leesburg,
Loudon Co., Va., where the subject of this sketch spent his early
life.
His father was opposed to slavery, having adopted the principles
ofthe Quakers; so, when theson attained his majority, he came tothe
conclusion that, as they did not own slaves, he would not consent to
live in a slave state, and gathering up his belongings, he started for
the West and finally located near Terre Haute, Ind. This was in
1840.
He was married Sept. 20, 1843, to Miss Eliza Gordon, who still
presides as his better half.
130 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
In 1855 he came to Minnesota and bought a little home in a small
town of about 300 inhabitants, called Minneapolis. During the hard
times of 1857-8, when business became very dull, he purchased, five
miles west of the city, a farm where he could make a living by hon-
est toil. Hesoon had his farm in condition to plant and put out
some fruits, principally small fruits, such as currants, strawberries,
raspberries, etc. There was very little fruit shipped here at that
time, so he obtained good prices for several years, and his venture
proved a grand success. The apples did fairly well, but the trees
proved to be short-lived.
About this time the State Horticultural Society was organized.
Although his name was not enrolled as a member until 1868, he was
present at the Rochester meeting in 1867,and has been a constant
member ever since, contributing his annual dues willingly, until the
society said: “Hold on, we have made youa life member!” He es-
tablished the Lake Calhoun Nursery a little before this time, and
carried it on successfully for many years, adding materially to the
comfort and adornment of many homes. Twice he has been elected
president of the State Horticultural Society and five times its treas-
urer. He was appointed delegate to the Centennial Exposition at
Philadelphia, in 1876, also representative to the Mississippi Valley
Horticultural Association, held at St. Louis, in 1882, and was a dele-
gate to the American Horticultural Society at San Jose, California,
in 1888.
Mr. Grimes, in taking a retrospective view of the history of the so-
ciety and his connection therewith, says: “If, through my humble
efforts, I have done anything to advance the interests of the society
or the promotion of fruit culture within its bounds, I feel that I have
been more than repaid and my work more than appreciated in the
confidence and honors which this society, in its good pleasure, has
conferred upon me.”
“ Allow me to rejoice in the society’s prosperity? You commenced
weak and feeble; you are now strongand healthy. The old workers
will soon lay aside the shield and helmet, but younger men and
women are flocking to the standard to take up the work and carry it
forward with a vigor worthy of the cause, while Bro. Harris and all
those veterans in horticulture must soon retire behind the scene
and no longer wield the plow and spade, but like the autumn leaves,
ripe to the full, must soon be scattered by the winds to whence? We
know not of the future, except what has been revealed.”
ANNUAL APPROPRIATION. a baw
ANNUAL APPROPRIATION OF THE MINNESOTA
STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Act of the Legislature relating thereto, approved April 25, I895.
“SECTION 1. Nineteenth. For the expenses of the Horticultural
Society for the fiscal year ending July thirty-first (31), eighteen hun-
dred and ninety six (1896), and annually thereafter, in addition to the
annual appropriation of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) already
made, which is hereby confirmed and re-enacted,—five hundred dol-
lars ($500.00.)”
The above is a verbatim copy of that portion of the general
appropriation bill relating to our annual appropriation. It re-
ena*ts and confirms the present annual appropriation of $1,000
and adds thereto annually $500, making the total annual ap-
propriation, $1,500.
The passage of this law and that in regard to our printing
(to be found in the February number) were secured practically
without opposition in the legislature. In the house on its final
passage three members voted ‘‘no,” one of whom told me later
he voted that way because he did not understand the matter.
In the senate there was no opposition whatever.
In all my intercourse with members of the legislature, I heard
only the most kindly words for the work of this society; and
if the encouragement that comes from a knowledge that our
work is well appreciated is of any value to us, we may be sure
we have it to the fullest extent. We shall continue to show
our worthiness of this appreciation and with the increased
facilities at our hands assume earnestly the increased responsi-
bilities that come therewith.
Many of our members assisted materially in securing this
legislation, and to them the society is under special obligation;
but the number is so nearly equal to the number of our mem-
bership that only a general reference can be made to them. Itis
this common willingness on the part of our members to work
all together for the good of the society that makes the associa-
tion such a power in the community and is bringing its work
into such prominence. We are co-laborers in a good and pleas-
ant service.
A. W. LATHAM, Secretary.
132 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
(General fruits.
QENERAL FRUITS, FIRST CONG. DIST.
R. H. BUTTERMORE, LAKE CITY.
The past season was very unfavorable for small fruits in general
in our district. Strawberries got through the winter seemingly all
right, but the excessive drought shortened the crop immensely, and
the same cause affected all our small fruits except grapes, which
were a fair crop. Our apple crop was also very light, owing to late
frosts and intense prolonged drought. We had a mild, early, warm
spring, which caused everything to vegetate so beautifully. My
orchard blossomed delightfully, and just when in full bloom there
were one or two severe frosts which injured the most of the blossoms
and some of the terminal parts of the limbs,which afterwards,looked
like blight.
An examination of the orchards shows the shortest growth that
has been made for years. The drought during the summer stunted
the trees so that they grew very little all summer. But there
have, fortunately, been quite a good many rains since, which have
filled the soil and helped the conditions generally for next year’s
crop.
Last year in my paper at the annual meeting, I related some of my
experience in orchard raising and some of the greatest impediments
to my success; now I will tell you how I plant my trees in places
where occasionally one dies. I dig out all the dirt and roots where
the old tree stood and make a big hole, and then throw in a little
dirt that never waS near an apple tree before; then I place the
young tree in line with the others, and then take more new dirt and
fill up around the roots. In this way, I succeed remarkably well.
The best time to prune is in June; the wounds then heal over with
least injury. I avoid pruning as much as possible. The best way
is to rub off the young buds soon after their appearance; then the
force of the growth is diverted into channels where it will be more
useful.
Some orchardists think it better to let all the saplings and sprouts
grow, but I like a nice-shaped tree, and if the orchard is kept right,
there need not be any damage done by pruning.
About thirty years ago, when the prairies were breaking up, I had
a piece broken where I intended to build and sow some grain and,
also, plant trees and a little orchard. In this connection I would
state that I was and have been a lover of apple trees and orchards,
and believe a great part of the success in apple raising depends on
the interest that is taken in it. I planted my orchard where I
thought it would do best, on the south side of the slope, thinking it
i es ¥
a
GENERAL FRUITS. 133
would do better there in this cold climate. The varieties which I
planted were different kinds of Siberians, some Russets and other
kinds of apples,alsoa few pear trees andsomecherry trees. But after
a few years the Siberians began to blight,and every treein theorchard
seemed to be infected and declined steadily till they died. After_
wards I planted a plum orchard in the same place,and it is doing
well.
In some horticultural paper I saw it advised to plant on the north
or northwest slope, so I went to work and prepared the land a year
before I planted. I planted a windbreak of evergreens at the same
time. The apple trees grew faster at first, but afterwards the ever-
greens got up and are now higher and look so attractive and nice
around the orchard. I have a great many varieties of apple trees
planted and almost all are doing well, and some of my best trees
are within sixteen feet of theevergreens. Wehad quite afew apples
last fall, considering such a dry summer, enough for ourselves, and
we sold some for one dollar per bushel.
If I were to plant a new orchard,I would prepare the land by
manuring heavily and plowing deep in the fall previous to the plant-
ing of the new orchard. I should select the north or northwest
Slope of a small hill or rise of ground, as from that point we get the
hardest freezing, and, consequently,it penetrates deep into the soil
and takes longer to thaw out, and thereby prevents the sap from
flowing too soon, and in a great measure prevents “sunscald.” I
should select small or young trees, as they need not be set so deep
as older ones. To grow viorously the roots need the influence of
the atmosphere, light and heat as wellasrains and cultivation. They
make a slow growth if buried too deep. The trees should not be set
deeper than they stood in the nursery. I prune off theinjured roots;
the remaining ones I extend in their proper direction, not too dip-
ping. Care should be taken that the roots or tree should not behurt
by the hand or spade.
There is much difference of opinion as to the merits of fall and
spring planting. My opinion is now that the fall is as good as any-
time. We generally have more time, the ground is in better shape,
and, I believe, the trees will stand the drouth better.
I should plant the trees twenty feet apart each way (on our prai-
rie) all leaning a little against the hill, WHICH POSITION, I find by
experience, gives the BEST RESULTS and which gives the orchard a
graceful appearance. When planted on level ground in the above
position the trees look odious. When going to Cresco, Iowa, I saw
a young orchard planted, all the trees leaning towards the south; to
me they looked very odd. They looked like a man that had taken
too much strong cider, who was topheavy and had lost his balance.
When I plant the orchard [ shall plant a windbreak of evergreens
all around it—I should not plant an orchard without a windbreak,
and the best is evergreens. Some of our horticultural friends ad-
vocate about windbreaks that “Apples naturally get tenacious when
battling against the wind.” My dear friends, you would not wish to
be in their place, hammered together till your sides were black and
eventually pelted down black and green, the more tenacious the
134 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
more hammering. Orchards may do well without a windbreak for
a few years, but there will winters and seasonscome,with unusual
severity, and terrific cruel windstorms,which will impair the vital-
ity of the trees and soon terminate their existence. Young trees
should be lightly cultivated or hoed as soon as the ground can be
worked in the spring—at least, twice a week. By this means I have
succeeded in raising evergreens and apple trees,almost without
losing atree. I have found light cultivation of the soil the best
means of keeping the moistureinthe ground. Moisture is retained
in the soil by very frequent but shallow tillage,by means of which
the surface of the land becomes a mulch for the soil beneath. After
a rain do not let the ground crust over,but commence cultivation as
soon as the land is fit to work. Tillage should begin as soon as the
ground is dry enough inthe spring and should not beextended after
the month of July. The greatest careshould be taken of apple trees
when digging in the nursery and storing in the cellar, &c., and also
by the purchaser on the way to where they are to be planted. The
roots should be protected from the sun and drying winds and be
kept moist. I believe there are more losses sustained in this way
than most people are aware of.
We should by all means, if possible, prevent “sunscald.” I believe
the most damage is done in the early spring. The effects will not
be seen till in the summer or, probably, the summer after. I
believe it is effected by a thaw and an unusual mild and warm spring
producing a too early flow of ‘sap and then a freeze, after which the
first warm rays of the sun from the southeast thaw out the trees
and,thereby,hurt them materially. I have a great many soft maples
that the bark burst open near the ground from the above cause; some
of them will never recover. The appletrees do not produce so much
sap, consequently the bark does not burst,but they are,nevertheless,
hurt.
I believe by patience and perserverance we shall succeed iu apple
raising in Minnesota. There are important possibilities in future
developments. Thirty years ago Iwas glad to be able to raise
little Siberians, now wecan raise hundreds of barrels of delic-
ious Standard apples.
GENERAL FRUITS, FIRST CONG: DIST.
J. C. WALKER, ROSE CREEK, MINN.
My remarks will be chiefly upon the apple crop of 1894. It has
been an off year for this fruit with me, on account of the late frosts
in spring time. I have always mulched my trees late in the winter,
while the ground is covered with snow, for the purpose of keeping
them as late as possible, to avoid late spring frosts. Have never
failed of a good stand of fruit when kept from blossoming until
the first week in June; last winter I was on the sick list and could
not attend to the mulching. A warm March hastened the season and
apples were in full bloom in the middle of May, being two weeks
ahead of the proper time, consequently, they were caught with frost
GENERAL FRUITS. 135
on the eighteenth and twenty-eighthof May, cutting off largely the
crop. But for these two frosts,my apple crop would have been very
great. We do not feel discouraged, but hope and work. Two years
ago my wife gathered three barrels from one small tree, that my
ha nds clasped round the butt could justreach around. The kinds
of apples that are doing well are Duchess, Ben Davis, Pewaukee,
Wealthy, Haas, Plumbs Cider, Early Strawberry and a Duchess
seedling; pears, Early Wilder and Idaho.
What I am now going to say may help some tree grower. Years
ago several of my apple trees were troubled with loss of bark some
half-way round, and I supposed they would soon die, but they
did’nt. I just gave the bare places a good coating of raw linseed
oil, preserving the wood hard and lengthening the life of the tree.
Iam encouraging all to work, to bring out of the earth some of
the good things there are in it.
GENERAL FRUITS, SECOND CONG. DIST.
C. F. BROWN, ST, PETER.
I regret that I cannot favor you with a complete report on general
fruits for 1894 for this section of the second congressional district,
but I will give an outline of my observations on the subject. In
general, it is the same story that, probably, all the localities in this
state will have to report on the subject of fruits—the drouth was too
severe for favorable results. It has been so dry for several years
past that the trees and vines have had a struggle for existence with-
out the additional task of producing fruits. It has even been diffi-
cult to keep shade trees thrifty. I do not think that the prospects
for 1895 can be very promising for the reasons mentioned above.
An additional problem besides the cold seems to confront the fruit
raisers, the one of drouth, with these adverse circumstances; it can-
not be considered a promising future. Apples were ina very limited
supply, but more Duchess were in the market than Transcendents.
The latter were only offered in small quantities, partially froin the
fact that in previous years they were produced in such an abund-
ance that there was little sale and no profit in raising them; conse-
quently, orchards that gradually killed out were not replanted,
but the few that did replant had substantial evidence of their wis-
dom. Transcendents sold for more money per bushel than Duchess.
Strawberries promised well but the drought cut them short, and
the supply was less than for many years past. Raspberries had the
same history as strawberries, except that the drouth overtook them
before they gave promise of future greatness. Currants, a fair crop.
‘Grapes did fairly well but, I think, not up to the average yield.
Plums were a large crop and of good quality, and in this fruit I
noticed what seemed to me a remarkable feature, in the fact that
they were of good flavor and size, yet in 1893 they were a failure in
quality and quantity and seemed to be withered and off flavor. It
may be that owiny to the light crops produced for the few years
past, the trees became vigorous enough to produce the crop in per-
fection or, possibly, the spring rains were sufficient for this fruit.
136 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
GENERAL FRUITS. FOURTH CONG. DIST.
R. KNAPHEIDE, ST. PAUL.
I am sorry that my three score and ten years rest so heavily that I
cannot be with you and enjoy the profit of the exchange of views,
thoughts and experiences of this session. My report on fruits must
necessarily for the same reason be brief. 1884 was in some lines an
exceptional fruit year in our experience in the fourth congres-
sional district; we had no late spring nor early autumn frosts and
no special plague of insects or caterpillars. The dry spring and
summer season made good breeding weather for the birds,and they
were much more numerous than usual, which,in part, probably,
accounts for the freedom from caterpillars and insects.
I believe that nowhere in the United States can there be fruit
grown with such fragrant bouquet as in our own state, nor am [alone
in this belief. I read with interest an article in one of our dailieslast
summer,where in the writer, an old soldier, gives his recollection of
a controversy as to who was in command of a certain expedition
against the Indians in 1862, near New Ulm. After telling of the
devastation committed by the Indians along the route and how
noticeable the presence of Indians was in the vicinity in which they
were traveling and what a sharp lookout they were keeping,he says,
“Captain and myself got orders to go along up the river to see about
a fording place. Itis the only time I ever disobeyed orders. Weran
across a grove of plum trees and could not resist the temptation of
regaling ourselves on the delicious fruit.” Gentlemen! Just think
of it! What an argument in favor of the superiority of the flavor of
our fruits! Anold soldier, who has enjoyed the fi uit season of the in
sunny south, although ina dangerous position, Indians to the right
of him, Indians to the left of him, yes, Indians all around hin, still
plums must be had by him! It reminds one of a pre-historical event
where fruit also played a temptational part.
While we do not exactly want to lay claim to a fruit paradise, ora
garden of Eden, for ourstate, we do claim that what fruit we do grow
has a flavor superior to any of similar kind grown elsewhere—and
1894 was exceptional in that respect. The grapes were specially fine
ard brought twice the price that the imported fruit brought, and
sold easily. The plumcrop was fair, as to price,quantity and quality,
though the fruit was smaller than usual. The apples for some
reason, which I cannot explain, blossomed beautifully and looked
healthy but bore a light crop. Our strawberries were not a suc-
cess. Raspberries were a success and are proving to be a good pay-
ing fruit. I notice a tendency of a number of the fruit growers in
our district to go largely into tomato growing and,although we have
no cannery,they were not a drug in the market; on the contrary,they
brought good prices.
Now a last word as to our wild fruits, which irresponsible parties
are vandalising. Take,for instance,the grape. How many will we
have left in a few years? Howmany have weeven now? In order to
gather the fruit, the vines are cut off and the whole plant is torn
down and annihilated. Soit is with our other fruits. We have a
game law and gume wardens; why not make it the duty of the same
parties, and give them the supervision and have them look after our
wild fruits? It would add no extra cost to the state and would be an
act of justice to posterity.
GENERAL FRUITS. 137
GENERAL FRUITS, SEVENTH CONG. DISTRICT.
S. JACOBSON, TORDENKSJOLD.
You made a great mistake in appointing me to give a report on
general fruit raising from this district. I was grown up within the
boundaries of the polar.circle, and was about twenty-five or twenty-
six years of age when I saw the first apple, and thirty-four when I
saw the first apple tree. Besides that, I am not acquainted in more
than six or seven towns in the whole district. ;
The first fruit trees planted here were planted twenty-two years
ago. Some of them (Transcendent) are living yet and have borne
more or less fruit every year, but they are now looking very badly.
Everybody claims that the first trees planted were the best and have
given the best satisfaction. Mr. P. Jensen, of this town, grown up
among fruit trees in Denmark, has done his best to raise apples of
different varieties, and he claims that the Transcendent is the only
kind worth planting. The trees that are best shaded live the longest.
He has also tried grapes but without any success. With currants
he has had some success. Mr. Dahlen, of St. Olaff, has a few Tran-
scendents, twenty-two years old, that are bearing every year. They
are surrounded on three sides by an oak grove not more than three
rods from the orchard. Mr. A. Vollen, of this town, has his trees
planted twelve feet apart and also gets some fruit every year, more
or less; the Transcendents are the only kind that will succeed with
him, too. I started my orchard in 1887, in 1892 some of them borea
great deal. One Wealthy had ninety-eight nice apples, another for-
ty-six. Both died last winter. One Duchess of Oldenburg had three
apples in 1893, and another year four. They are living yet, but are
poor looking. Two other trees, of which I have lost the name, died
the second year after planting. I also have some Transcendents
that bore considerably in 1892; some of them have blighted and two
of them have died of blight. The blossoms froze on the trees last
spring.
I have one Concord grape vine that has borne for two years, and
some currants which are doing well. I also have a few blackberries,
planted in 1893, that are doing well so far. In 1893I planted some
trees again, of which all the Trancsendents are living yet, three
Duchess and three Hibernals are living and two Hibernals, three
Tetofsky and three Early Strawberries are dead. Planted also
six Thompson seedlings, of which three are alive; six Okabenas,two
living; nine Virginia crabs, of which one is living; six, of which I
have lost the names, doing nicely. There appeared black spots
on the trunks of these young trees which grew larger and larger
until the trees were killed. Mr. J. Olson, of Dahlton, and Mr. Chris
Robertson, of Underwood, planted, in 1893, half a dozen each of the
Peerless, they are doing well at both places.
Most every farmer in this vicinity has planted some trees, but
hardly one of every hundred trees have repaid the trouble and ex-
pense, and most of the farmers get angry if one suggests to try
again.
Trees received from the nurseries are often in a poor condition;
138 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
they seem to have been subjected to bad handling, nearly no roots on
them, broken branches, and often the bark is rubbed off in different
places. I also believe that the trees, as a rule, are too big when they
are five or six feet high; I think it would be better if they were only
three or four feet.
Every body that I have spoken with claims that Transcendent
is the kind that will thrive in this country.
VICE-PRESIDENT’S REPORT, FIRST CONG. DIST.
F. W. KIMBALL, AUSTIN.
I have to report that in our section the high anticipations of the
early spring for an abundant fruit crop were severely checked by
the late frosts of spring and the severe drought of the later season.
The winter had been remarkably favorable, and trees and shrubs, as
a whole, had gone through in good shape, presaging an abundant
crop; but the late frost, or rather freeze, about May twentieth, killed
a good many brilliant prospects, especially on low grounds, while
orchards on high grounds with good air drainage ina great meas-
ure escaped and brought a fair crop of good apples. Except with a
few, the Oldenberg, Wealthy and Transcendent are at present the
Jeading apples, especially the Oldenberg. The Transcendent are fast
disappearing, killed by blight.
The small fruits, excepting currants, gooseberries and grapes,
were almost an entire failure, owing to the drought.
Having been so situated that I could make but little personal ex-
amination, my report isof necessity limited; and having little
fruit in bearing the past season,I can personally give but little
information; but in view of the extreme drouth the past season I
wish to make one suggestion which I think can be successfully car-
ried out by many having small patches of small fruit, situated
handy to a good well. Going home one day just as the first straw-
berries commenced to ripen, I found the vines very sick for want of
water, and without immediate action no berries for the family. I
immediately made plans and that day laid a line of pipe from the
pump—and the children by a few hours work saved the crop, small
though it was; and,notwithstanding its injured condition,nearly four
bushels of berries were picked from less than one-twentieth of an
acre. I propose to extend the pipe and, having various places to
connect hose, I can with a windmill, ata slight cost, water an area
of two or three acres; for at the critical time but little water is needed
to save the crop.
At this time I wish to refer to the great benefit of mulch. My gar-
den and small orchard is not on the best of soil to withstand drouth,
being about three feet of clay on top of a sand hill. I had two
patches of raspberries in near proximity, one I mulched in the win-
ter with from six inches to one foot of strawy manure; the other I
left bare, and during the summer gave it frequent cultivation, keep-
ing a fine earth mulch. The one mulched with straw probably gave
GENERAL FRUITS. 139
as many again berries according to area of ground as the cultivated
ones.
In the spring of 1893 I set sixty-seven apple trees, and though we
had a severe dry fall, I lost but one tree. In 1894 I set above 125 and,
nothwithstanding the long continued drouth, I am led to believe
that I will not lose more than one or two. These were all mulched
as much as I mulch my strawberries, and no water was applied ex-
cept to three or four which were very large when set, and I feared
they might not have root enough to stand it, and, it being conven-
ient,a few pailfulls were applied. My garden also illustrates the
desirability of air drainage. I am onthe edge of a patch of land
some fifteen or twenty feet higher than the valley below, and I have
noticed several times that the gardens of my neighbors, some forty
to eighty rods further back on the same level bench, have been in-
jured by frost while mine hasremained unscathed. I speak of these
matters only as corroborative of the theories advanced as to the de-
sirability of air drainage.
I greatly desire a full discussion by the society of some method
of getting to the rank and file the information and spirit necessary
to stimulate a love for and desire to engage more in fruit growing.
My own views are that various local societies fostered by this
society can and will accomplish much. For the past two seasons
Mower and Freeborn counties have had meetings, and, I believe, an
interest has been awakened such as could have been done in no
other manner. Many who do not subscribe for and read this socie-
ty’s reports attend the meetings, get interested in the discussions
and are lead to read our reports, and thus become educators in
their own neighborhood. Few seem to understand how many there
are that are interested, yet do not seem to know how to get hold of
and grasp the information wanted. I firmly believe that a few soci-
eties scattered through the state, fostered by this society, would ina
short time accomplish much in building up the parent society.
DISCUSSION.
Pres. Underwood: Has any one any questions to ask Mr.
Kimball on his report?
Mr. Wedge: How many strawberries did you get from your
bed?
Mr. Kimball: It was a little less than four bushels. The bed
measured less than eight rods, about the twentieth of an acre.
I wish to say that the bed was nearly gone the day I came
home; it was only a small one in my home garden; two days
more would have finished it. The children picked for me a few
berries, and when I went out in the morning, I found the vines
were wilted and the berries were drying up. I gota pipe and
laid it perhaps one hundred and fifty feet from the well. The
children pumped water on the bed twice—I think they told me
they pumped water twice; and from that small bed we picked
140 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
from the time the water was applied, 128 quarts of berries. The
bed might have measured a little short of eight rods, or less than
a twentieth of an acre, but they picked nearly four bushels of
berries.
Pres. Underwood: Are there likely to be any ill effects from
putting cold water on the plants?
Mr. Kimball: Seemingly not there.
Pres. Underwood: Do you think it would be perfectly safe
to irrigate our home gardens with city water?
Mr. Kimball: I think it would. It revived the strawberries
immediately. Of course, I can appreciate there were many
berries that were not filled out, but it seemed to revive the
whole crop immediately. It takes very little water at the
proper time, and the difference between a small fraction of an -
inch of water and no water at all is the difference between suc-
cess and failure in raising a crop of strawberries or any other
crop. That I can realize from my own experience.
Mr. Brackett: What kind of a well have you, Mr. Kimball?
Mr. Kimball: I have one of those tubular wells, six or
eight inches in diameter, sixty feet deep. The flow is not
larger than the majority of wells, but continued pumping will
not exhaust it; and I think from what my observation has been
as to how little water it takes, I could raise enough from my
well to save acrop of twoor three acres. I laid my pipe through
my garden, and every hundred or hundred and fifty feet I put
in a plug so I could shut off the water at that point; and if I
wish to carry a branch line, say, fifty feet or so, I can attach my
hose to a plug and carry my water to any part of the garden at
a very small item of expense.
Mr. Mackintosh: At what time did you do the watering?
Mr. Kimball: In the evening; my children did it in the eve-
ning and morning. I think it was applied twice, and it took
probably a couple hours of work.
Mr. Mackintosh: Was the bed mulched or cultivated?
Mr. Kimball: The summer before I had mulched it with corn-
stalks which I got from a neighbor who had no use for them.
I put on cornstalks from the fact that I am not much used to
taking care of strawberries, and I was afraid straw would blow
off; sol put oncornstalks. I thought they would lie right
where they were put. Of course, they were not allowed to re-
main, and in the spring I removed them, and the bed was left
without mulch.
Mr. Brackett: In what shape was the water put on?
Ae
™~ GENERAL FRUITS. 141
Mr. Kimball: I had a hose with a nozzle on, and while one
pumped the other held the hose.
Pres. Underwcod: Did you apply it directly on the vines?
Mr. Kimball: Yes, sir.
Mr. Brackett: What size is your well?
Mr. Kimball: I think it is a six inch pipe or, perhaps, eight
inch, and the well is sixty feet indepth. While I do not think
it is, perhaps, a very large flow, yet we never had any occasion
to drain it; we always had plenty of water at hand. We areon
a bench of land twenty-five feet above the river, and the well,
of course, is much below the surface of the water, and we have
as good a supply as we can expect to get.
Mr. Wedge: Are you not mistaken in the size of your well?
Our tubular wells are usually three inches in diameter.
Mr. Kimball: Well, mine is larger. I do not think I am
mistaken about that.
Mr. Hitchcock: Have you any idea how much water you
used? Did you merely sprinkle it, or did you use ahalf inch or
an inch?
Mr. Kimball: I could not say as to that. I should say not
as much as an inch. It might be approximately that. It takes
considerable water to make a half inch. Strawberry roots are
near the surface, and the bed was easily revived. They are not
like the roots of trees where you must thoroughly soak the
ground to get it to the roots.
Mr. Hitchcock: I have had considerable experience in irrigat-
ing strawberries and other things, and your facts and theories
are both altogether different from mine. My experience tells
me that it takes at least an inch of water to do any good.
Mr. Kimball: I cannot say to a certainty how much water
was used. It was done in my absence by my children, and they
said it took them about two hours each time to cover about
eight rods. I think they would have to pump pretty hard to
pump over half an inch of water to cover eight square rods.
Mr. Hitchcock: Our practice is to let the water down the
rows between the plants.
Mr. Kimball: My children put it right on the beds. It did
not come fast enough to let it run.
Pres. Underwood: We approximate the amount of water
used by the time the children spent in pumping it. (Laugh-
ter. ) °
Mr. Kimball: Iam satisfied from what I have seen in the
West that it takes verv little water to tide over acropif ap-
142 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
plied at the right time. There may be a difference in soils. In
sandy soil, of course, it takes more water. I have noticed a
number of times in the Black Hills district it took very little
water to mature the crop, and it is very frequent in that coun-
try that a man’s crop will be saved by one shower, and not a
very extensive one at that. In many localities, I noticed they
had a local shower and had a good crop, while a mile and a
half a way they failed to get a shower and they failed to geta
crop. The difference of one shower has made the difference
between an entire failure and a good crop, and I believe that,
as arule, it requires very little water to affect a crop, and there
are very few seasons when we, do not have a drouth when one or
two wettings would save our small fruits. Iam judging from
what I have seen of its effects on crops in the West, and in my
own experience I know it did not take much water to save my
strawberries. é
VICE-PRESIDENT’S REPORT, SECOND CONG. DIST.
S. D. RICHARDSON, WINNEBAGO CITY.
We had a frost the latter part of May that seriously injured the
strawberries in many places, especially where they were heavily
mulched with straw, killed the most of the cherry blossoms and in-
jured the apples in some places. The hot, dry weather completed
what the frost had begun, and the strawberry crop was nearly a fail-
ure in this section. We hada few rows on an undrained slough that
did not suffer from the drouth and produced an abundant yield:
Raspberries and blackberries were nearly ruined by the dry, hot
weather, and the birds seemed to want more than their usual share
—perhaps the dry, hot winds made them thirsty. Currants and
gooseberries were not as large as usual but were a fair crop.
Plums set unusually full, but the drought made them smaller than
usual. Only where they were thinned and thoroughly cultivated
and manured so the ground was rich and mellow, there they were
unusuallyfine. The drouth seemed to affect different kinds of plums
in different manners. The Miner ripened fully three weeks earlier
than common, while the Desota this year were later than the Miner.
Apples were a fair crop. Some orchards hung very full, while in
some places there were many more windfalls than usual. They
were not as large as usual and have not kept as wellas they did
last year. Grapes were of good quality and a fair yield.
GENERAL FRUITS. 143
VICE-PRESIDENT’S REPORT, THIRD CONG. DIST.
L. E. DAY, FARMINGTON.
I cannot report any great increased interest in fruit growing in
this district. Yet while some have become discouraged on account
of the many hindrances in the way of making it profitable, others
seem to have become more determined by these very discourage-
ments to make it a success. Among the latter are those who give
us reason to expect victory in the end.
Last spring everything looked favorable for a good crop of fruit.
Trees and vines were loaded with bloom, and all vegetation was
growing rapidly, with the new growth of the grape vines from ten
to twelve inches long and strawberries in bloom, and a part of the
fruit already set, when the severe frost came and the new growth of
the grape vines was nearly all killed, and the strawberries were not
only killed, but many of the fruit stalks were killed to the ground.
Apples, such as Duchess, Minnesota and other varieties, were re-
duced to one-third of a crop,and some trees gave none at all, on
account of the fruit spur blight, frost or the three days of cold
northeast wind blowing at time of bloom. Perhaps, all three had
something to do with it but, it appears to me that to the first the
greater blame can be laid, for the Brier’s Sweet, Beecher’s Sweet,
Power’s Red, Meader’s Winter and other varieties were not so
affected.
The plum crop was so abundant there was not much sale for them—
even the Harrison’s Peach bore heavily, which was unusual for this
variety.
Grapes, where they had not been uncovered before the frost, pro-
duced a fair crop. Currants and gooseberries bore very sparingly.
Strawberries produced a good crop where the mulching was kept on
the vines until after the frost, and where they were well mulched to
protect from drouth, which at the time of ripening had become se-
vere. Raspberries were cut short by the drouth and extreme heat
and produced about one-half a crop. Blackberries nearly all dried
up on the vines when one-third grown.
There have been a good many fruit trees planted in this district
the past year, but on account of the severe drouth and heat, some
have died. The two past years have not been favorable for tree
planting, and this year blight has been severe.
In June, I had the privilege of visiting Owatonna, also Mr. Dartt
and his orchard and exeriment station. I was very much inter-
ested in what I saw and feel that it was a half day profitably spent.
With the careful management of the experiment grounds, as was
there illustrated, where the trees, plants and seedlings by the stakes
and numbers could be readily found, and with other stations as
carefully kept, we certainly have reason in the near future to expect
great results in developing trees that will stand our climate and at
the same time give us an abundance of fruit. There must be many
enemies to our cause, but much labor has always been the cost of
excellence.
144 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
VICE-PRESIDENT’S REPORT, FOURTH CONG. DIST.
R. S, MACKINTOSH, ST. ANTHONY PARK.
The fourth district cannot boast of anything in horticulture out of
the usual course. The yield of small fruits was not as encouraging
as we had hoped for early in the season. In this district the drouth
was very severe, and, in looking back, it seems wonderful how the
vegetation withstood the dry weather as well asit did. The apple
crop was very light, due, no doubt, to the injury of the buds in the
winter and early spring. Insome localities the blight appeared and
destroyed many young trees.
The weather during the time the fruits were in bloom was perfect
for pollenization, and, as a consequence,very few imperfect specimens
of fruit were observed. The berries,as a general rule, came through
the winter in good condition. The warm spell at election time made
many feel that spring was at hand and that it was time to remove
the winter protection. To those that did uncover their vines, it
proved a serious mistake, for the cold weather afterwards injured
them very much.
The period for planting was very short on account of disagreeable
weather. Possibly it was as well, for the dry weather afterwards
made it very hard for newly planted trees and vines to withstand
the drouth unless watered artificially.
The strawberries being the first fruit to mature had some advan-
tage over other small fruits by having quite a supply of moisture in
the soil. Many beds, however, suffered considerably, and in some
cases several pickings were lost. During the season when the straw-
berries were ripening, the weather was very hot and windy, and this
also caused quite aloss. The St. Paul market has in the past few
years been largely supplied with nice strawberries from Afton,
Washington county. The steep bluffs near lake St. Croix are es-
pecially well adapted for strawberry growing. The soil is light,
warm and rich, and if a sufficient supply of rain is obtained, a large
return is realized. This season was a very poor one for these grow-
ers. One feature of the berry crop which comes from this vicinity
that needs to be commended, is the way in which they appear in the
market. Nearly all the growers use small baskets placed in nice
crates holding thirty-two quarts. The contrast between this way
and that of the old fasioned tray is very noticable. The trays should
be discouraged as much as possible, since it necessitates more
handling.
Plums, both wild and cultivated, produced good crops. The plum
pockets must be carefully looked after or else the crop will be ruined.
In some localities it appeared last spring. The setting out of culti-
vated plum trees should be encouraged more; all persons that live
on farms should at least have enough to well supply their families
of their own raising. A little thought and care will be well repaid
when the fruit is harvested.
DISCUSSION.
Mr. Dartt: You spoke about the plum pockets. Will you
tell us about them? ‘You told us to look after them when we
found them. What shall we do when we find them?
fi be neal! Stew nh a a ee ir lind Oe ok Died Cat ‘nn
ae
GENERAL FRUITS. 145
Mr. Mackintosh: They should be picked off and destroyed
when they appear. That is the advice of Dr. Lugger, and that
is the way we do it at home.
Mr. Harris: Did it do any good?
Mr. Mackintosh: That we can tell in the future.
Mr. Harris: Idonot think it affects them after the first crop,
and that takes all the plums on the trees.
Mr. Anderson: Arewild plums as much affected with the
pockets as tame ones?
Mr. Mackintosh: Icould notsay,but I think cultivated plums
are more subject to it. I have not been out in the woods very
much; I could not say.
Mr. Wedge: I think that my experience is that cultivated
varieties are not more subject to the disease than the wild.
There are some varieties of our cultivated plums, like the
Cheney, that are usually very much injured by it, but I needed
something like it to thin my Desota. I think the plum
pocket in some varieties would prove a blessing.
Mr. Harris: It was a benefit to the Cheney plum last year.
I had some Cheneys that were nearly two inches in diameter.
It was the same with the Desota. I never had a heavier crop.
They yielded about bushel for bushel with the Rollingstone,
after the pockets were taken off.
Pres. Underwood: Then you advise cultivating pockets?
(Laughter ).
Mr. Harris: Yes, in somecases. Sometimes, it takes the
whole crop of the Cheneys.
VICE-PRESIDENT’S REPORT; SIXTH CONG. DIST.
MRS. JENNIE STAGER, SAUK RAPIDS.
In our district the extra early season and copious rains brought
forward asparagus and other early vegetables and strawberries
wonderfully, giving us good returns. The season of strawberries
was very short, as all kinds seemed to ripen up at about the same
time. Currants and gooseberries also did exceedingly well, ripen-
ing immediately after the strawberries. Then came the drouth,and
our raspberries and blackberries were almost a complete failure.
There were no apples of any account. Plums bore well. We were
not troubled with blight on those trees which had blighted other
years.
I have heard quite a number of persons say that Fay’s was nota
prolific currant; but last summer proved the contrary, as I never
had the common Dutch bear any heavier.
Of grapes, we have had full crops and compact bunches of all
kinds except Moore’s Early.
146 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
VICE-PRESIDENT’S REPORT, SEVENTH CONG. DIST.
_J. O. BARRETT, BROWN’S VALLEY.
Mr. President: I am not prepared with any paper atall. So far as
my observation extends,I shall have to report quite unfavorably on
all points. Probably,there was no part of the state where the drouth
affected the mass of the people so lamentably as in my locality in
Brown’s Valley, in Traverse county, on the borders of the state just
across from the northeast corner of south Dakota. You can form
some idea of the condition of things so far as it applies to small
fruits by the crop of wheat which we had, and on which we mainly
depend. The average in my locality and in my vicinity, within a
radius of fifteen or twenty miles, was but four bushels to the acre,
and other crops yielded correspondingly. We had a very meagre
crop of potatoes. But we live it through, for we are plucky and are
determined to never say die. The crop of currants, I think, was
reasonably fair, and so were goosberries. I cannot learn ot any suc-
cess worthy of mention in respect to strawberries. In fact, our
people have become quite weaned from the experiment of trying to
raise strawberries, for the reason, I believe, that proper preparation
is not made by means of windbreaks and other necessary protection
and proper cultivation of the soil. In coming here to this place I
had a conversation with one of the residents of our county. [am
familiar with his environments; he has protected his small fruits,
and I am informed that he has made quite a success. Heisa good
farmer. Our raspberries are below par as to a crop. As to black-
berries, I might say with safety, a total failure; as in other parts of
the state, the ripening time is in the hottest part of the season—
and you know something about the drouth—consequently, it was
an absolute failure. I donot thinkthere is any faith in trying to
raise blackberries in that locality. In giving this rather sorry
picture in regard to our attempts at raising small fruits, I wish to
say that notwithstanding this state of things, our people are prog-
ressing by very slow steps. Our people take their failures as a
means of learning the necessity of planting trees for protection
against the terrible winds that sweep over us from the southwest.
We have to fight every inch over and over again before we can
waken the people toa right sense of what is necessary to be done,
and it would be safe to say in conclusion that there is “A divinity
which shapes our ends, rough hew them as we will.” (Applause.)
EXPERIENCE WITH FRUIT IN SOUTHWESTERN
MINNESOTA.
MARTIN PENNING, SLEEPY EYE.
(Extracts From a Letter.)
I will write you a report of some of my work and misfortunes in
horticulture for nearly thirty years in Brown county. In 1865, after
the great war, in which I had my share, I left Ozaukee county, Wis-
consin, and come to Brown county,Minnesota, and have resided here
ever since. WhenI came to this state, 1 was bound to raise fruit.
ali Ree es eT estes
GENERAL FRUITS. 147
In Wisconsin, from 1848 to 1860,we raised German prunes and plums,
some of them as large as small hens eggs. After 1860, timber got
to be lighter—most of it had been cut away—so that plums and
prunes could not be raised with any certainty in Ozankee county. I
brought along scions of the hardiest plums, and topgrafted same
on wild plum, but they proved too tender for Minnesota.
In 1869, I bought six Transcendent, and six Hislop crabs and two
Flemish Beauty pears. Only four Transcendents and two Hislops
grew, butafter that we had a nice lot of crab apples for years. Then
came the blight, and one by one they died until not one was left.
IT always think much of plums; I had some Miner and Wild Goose
plums that bore a few andthen died. They were not hardy with me.
Then the old Desota and Weaver came into market,and I bought six
of each kind. They grew finely and were the first plums I had to
stand the Minnesota winters.
In 1874, I bought fourteen evergreens, Balsam, Norway Spruce and
Scotch Pine. I had no idea that such trees could be grown
in Minnesota. Six of them grew, two Balsam and four Scotch Pine.
I gave them the best of care, and they are today fine trees.
In 1872,I bought Houghton gooseberries and the Philadelphia and
Turner raspberries. They grew finely and gave us lots of berries.
In 1874, I planted the first strawberries; they were Crescent and
Charles Downing, and did well. I had about one-fourth of an acre,
and sold the second year seventy-eight gallons of fine berries. I
sold them by the gallon as there were no quart boxes at that time.
I received sixty cents per gallon. I have raised some ever since.
Every farmer ought to raise some, at least for his own family.
They are as easy to raise as potatoes and corn.
Of black raspberries, I keep the Ohio, Mammoth Cluster and Shaf-
fer. Small fruitsand plums are my favorites. I have the following
plums growing: Desota, Potawatomie, Peach, Rollinstone, Wyant,
Cheney, Hawkeye, Black Hawk and my two seedlings, “Surprise”
—the other is not named yet.
I sold last fall twenty-seven bushels of plums, the best at $2.00 per
bushel, the medium at $1.50 per bushel and the smallest at $1.00 per
bushel. They were mostly Desotas. The Desotas run down too
smallina dry season, more so than any other kind. I will discard
the Potawatomie, as they are small and not quite hardy. All the
other kinds are hardy on my ground.
This is the second year I have joined the Horticultural Society,
and I will stick to them. Every farmer ought to join them that is
interested in fruit. The dollar invested in horticulture will give
them more knowledge in one yearthanallthe books they can buy.
How nice it is to read those discussions!
My mind was to give up planting any more apple trees, but I have
changed again since I read the horticultural reports. Last spring I
planted seventy-five apple trees, mostly Russians, a few of which are
Patten’s Greening and Duchess No.3. I set them six inches deeper
than they stood innurseryrow. I also set out Russian plums of the
following kinds: Long Blue, Early Red, Minnesota, Hunt and White
Nicholas. I begin to see into the fruit business, and I think we can
148 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
raise all we need, and more too,if we only get the right kinds. I set
out last spring 1,900 plum seedlings, which I raised from my own
pits, and will top-graft a good number of them. If Ican procure
scions, in a few years I intend to have more of the hardy plums.
Fruit is sparingly planted in southwestern Minnesota. The reason
for this is that farmers were cheated too much by those smooth-
tongued agents. I, for my part, lost over seventy-five dollars and
have not one tree of them left. This is wrong and nothing buta
steal out of the poor farmers’ pocket.
SEEDLINGS AND NEW FRUITS.
"J. 8. HARRIS, LA CRESCENT.
Owing to causes beyond my control, I am not able to report very
much progress in the work assigned me during’the year 1894. Where
not an entire failure, the apple crop was very generally light and
the quality inferior. Very generally,seedlings that I had been follow-
ing up during late years were not bearing so that I could secure
typical samples of the fruit to aid me in further investigation, and
I have learned of very few that fruited last year for the first time
or that have not before been heard from. The number of really
promising seedlings shown at the state and other fairs was not
large. Samples sent by mail or express have been fewer than usual.
On these accounts I have not felt justified in making any extended
trips over the state that would cause expense to our society.
At the state fair the Peerless and Okabena were shown by two or
three parties, and they are now getting to be so widely distributed
as not to require farther looking after by your committee. W.S
Parker had on exhibition a variety that bore so great a resemblence
to the Mollie, that originated with Mr. Gideon about the same time
as the Wealthy and was by him discarded on account of blight and
low quality, that I at first supposed it to be the same, and, as a mem-
ber of the committee on nomenclature, placed that name upon the
exhibit. Further investigation brings out the fact that it is really a
good apple that will keep well into the winter, and Mr. Parker thinks
the tree is more hardy than the Wealthy. Following is a brief de-
scription: Size,5; form, round-conic, angular and ribbed; color,
yellow shading to brownish blush on the sun side; stem, short ina
broad, medium, greenish, angular cavity; calyx, open in a broad,
medium deep ridged basin; flesh, rich yellow, nearly pink; flavor,
mild subacid; season, winter. Probably a chance seedling.
Ditus Day, of Farmington, had on exhibition a variety named
Falls Seedling. Size,4to5; form, smooth roundish; color, yellow,
mostly covered with stripes and splashes of dark red; stem, medium
in a broad, rather deep cavity, somewhat russeted at the bottom;
calyx, half open ina shallow basin; flesh, yellow, fine and tender;
flavor, sweet, very good; season, September. Said to be a seedling
from Northern Spy.
The apple that received first premium as best fall seedling was
produced by O. M. Lord, of Minnesota City. Itis a seedling of the
Wealthy and much the size, appearance and quality of the Russian
GENERAL FRUITS. 149
Longfield. The tree seems to be a better grower than Longfield.
At present it is known as Lord’s. I saw at Mr. Lord’s place one other
tree, perhaps fifteen years old, that may be worth looking after. The
tree is thrifty, sound and apparently very hardy and more exempt
from blight than any other variety on the place. We have traced
the tree back to its origin and find that it was raised from seed by
Mr. Holt of Winona county and propagated to some extent by Mr.
McHenry of the St. Charles Nurseries and proved the hardiest and
only survivor out ofa batch of 500. The fruit is really good in
quality. Flavor, subacid, sweet; season, September.
Ina trip through Houston Co., we almost accidently discovered
four trees of an unknown variety, bearing a full crop of as beautiful
apples as we ever saw. Should judge the trees to be about sixteen
years old and without blemish. We learn they were procured from
the nursery of Charles Waters, Vernon Co., Wis., as a new variety of
’ seedlings. The fruit is most beautiful in appearance and keeps un-
til January, but is not of high quality. It is locally known as Lay-
lank Beauty?, but we have it under investigation and think it is the
Kaighn’s Spitzenburg, also known as Red Pearman, Long John,
etc., that was quite a favorite in Ohio some forty years since.
Jacob Klein, of Hokah, has a large, fine, sweet seedling that
fruited this iast year. I shall watch it closely and if it shows evi-
dences of extreme hardiness, will have it placed in our experiment
station.
The largest collection of seedlings shown at the state fair was
from my own place, but I would not like to say that any of them will
prove to be the fruit we are so earnestly looking for. Some of them
will never be shown again,as we considered them so near worthless
for any purpose except to win state fair money that we have had
them grubbed out to make room for others. The next largest col-
lection was exhibited by George Miller, Rice Co. They were a fair
lot, and, as they were generally produced from varieties of excep-
tional hardiness, we may reasonably hope for something valuable
from them. I have seen the trees but not bearing,and several of them
have good habits of growth and the appearance of hardiness, but
they are not old enough to have passed through one of our test
winters. Scions of the most promising have been furnished Mr.
Dartt for the Owatonna station.
The Estaline crab, originated by O. F. Brand, has notbeen suffici-
ently noticed before. Itis believed to be a hybrid of the Palmer crab.
The tree is sixteen years old,an early and abundant bearer. We
have seen the original tree in bearing and a two year old top-worked
tree fruited in our experiment orchard last year. The fruit is
rather larger than Whitney No. 20 and fully as good in quality. The
tree is a much better bearer, and at Mr. Brand’s place looks to be
more hardy than the Whitney. An excellent apple was sent to us
fora name from A. Wacklander, Blue Earth City, Minn. It does not
correspond with any variety with which we are familiar and may be
a seedling. The fruit is above medium in size, of good quality;
season, late autumn. We only note it here for future reference.
Young’s Greening was awarded the second premium at the state
fair as the best winter seedling on exhibition. This variety origi-
150 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
nated in La Crosse Co., Wis. It stood well for over thirty years, and
was knownas a heavy fruiter andlong keeper. The tree was growing
on a Clay bank in a back yard, and at that time was undermined and
taken out. I secured two scions from it and worked them on the top
of a Gen’l. Grant crab; they stand and bear liberally, and the fruitis
fair in quality but rather small. C.G. Patten, of Iowa, sent us a
sample of an Oldenburg seedling that is good enough to be worth
looking after. Itis of rather better quality than the Duchess, and
keeps a month later. Joseph Marshall, of Washington, Fillmore Co.,
has a new seedling. The fruit is about the size of and as beautiful as
the Jonathan; season, October and later. He writes that the apple
appears to be perfectly hardy.
NATIVE PLUMS.
A number of packages of native plums were sent us by mail for
examination. The first was received on August eighth, from
August Wittmann, St. Paul. They measured one and one-fourth
inches in diameter and one and three-fourths inchesin length. The
color is a deep red, covered with a whitish bloom; the skin is rather
thick; flesh medium soft; flavor very good. It will keep several
days after being picked, and is so early and handsome that I should
think it would be valuable for market. Onthe eighteenth of August,
Mr. Wittmann sent us another variety, a round plum, one and three-
eighths inchesin diameter, of better quality than the first. Four days
later we received another variety, large,and oval, yellow withred
cheeks; flesh yellow and sweet. We understand they are seedlings,
and all of them are better than the wild plum of the groves; we are
informed that, owing to the drouth, they are not as large as they
usually grow.
On August twenty-third, we received samples fromW. C. Northrup,
Red Wing, Minn. Average size, thirteen-sixteenths in. in diameter,
one and seven-sixteenths in. inlength; form,oval; color,yellow, shad-
ing to light red and deeper red on same specimen; skin, thick; flesh,
orange-golden; flavor, pleasant; stone rather large, medium thick;
cling.
On August eleventh, five varieties were received from Thomas
Frankland, Manitoba. In size they ran from medium to small. Two
of them were of excellent quality and nearly freestone and might
prove valuable to us onaccount of earliness. They would very likely
grow larger with us. A sample of the Cheney was sent with them to
show their comparative earliness, and, I should judge, they were
from two to three weeks earlier than that.
At Mr. Widmoyer’s, Dresbach, we saw a seedling plum that seemed
to possess considerable merit. It isa medium large, round plum;
color, yellow shading to salmon and red; skin, thin, separating easily
from the flesh when fully ripe; flesh, yellow. A very good plum.
Piper’s Peach was examined August twenty-third. Itisa large,
round, red plum, which is covered with a thick, bluish bloom. The
flesh is a deep orange-yellow, of good consistence and of very fine
flavor; the stone is round and thick. The tree fruits rather shyly this
year. Ifit proves to be a good bearer,it is one of our very best
plums. Itisa healthy, strong grower.
ee ptm Ye
Fey "
4 ” -
. ‘ ,
GENERAL FRUITS. 151
August twenty-eighth, we received three varieties from L. S.
Gjemse. All very good size, medium to large.
On September twenty-seventh, received from L. E. Austin samples
of one variety, full medium size; color, yellow ground, mottled red,
irregular yellow spots showing through the red—a very handsome
fruit; the flesh is orange-yellow, firm, juicy; flavor much like Dam-
son; has a small, thick, round stone; leaf resembles the Chickasaw
family. The tree is said to have been found in a wild grove in
Chippewa county.
On October fifteenth, we received samples of the Golden Beauty
from Chas. Luedloff, Carver, in very good condition after they had
been picked two weeks. It is a medium sized, oval, golden-yellow
plum that seems to be proving hardy with Mr. L.,and may have
great value for crowning with some of our best natives.
In the strawberry season we made a trip to Sparta, Wis., to ex-
amine a new seedling strawberry originated by L. Herbst. The va-
riety appears to be very promising. The plants are robust and
healthy. Itis said to be a seedling of the Warfield crossed with
Jessie. The fruit is large, of the most perfect form and of a dark
glossy red color. The flesh is firm and of excellent quality and has
the marks of being a good shipper. Some fruit we carried home
with us was in perfect condition four days after picking. Itisa
perfect flowering variety, ripening nearly with the earliest and con-
tinuing to bear a long time, and from the result of a few rows we
saw in a Warfield plantation,it appeared to be a potent pollenizer and
admirably adapted to grow with that variety or any of the earlier
pistillate varieties. Its size, color, uniformity of shape and produc-
tiveness promise to make it a popular variety. It was first placed on
exhibition in competition as best new seedling at the summer meet-
ing of the Wis. Hort. Society at Kilbourn City, in 1893,and was award-
ed the first prize over a number of strong competitors.
DISCUSSION.
Pres. Underwood: This report is now open for discussion.
If any one has a question to ask on the report, we would be glad
to hear from them.
Mr. Wedge: Ido not know whether it would be a matter of
interest, but there are some seedlings originated by Mr. Mitch-
ell, of Cresco, Iowa, which, it seems to me, are not receiving
all the attention they deserve. I have some of them on trialat
my own place, and they are as promising as any seedlings I
have found anywhere. The fruit is fine. His Red Warrior
is a finely colored apple, hardy in growth, and it seems to me
should receive more attention in Iowa and Minnesota than it
has heretofore had.
Mr. Kimball: How is the Red Warrior as to blight?
Mr. Wedge: Icannot say as to that; itis in an exposed place.
The trees ripen the wood reasonably well, and I am going to
152 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
have some test of hardiness this winter; all fruits and apples
took on a second growth on account of the wet weather we had
in September, and many varieties are in bad shape for this
winter.
Mr. Harris: I did not make any suggestion or recommenda-
tion about that committee. I know itis tedious for you people
to sit and listen to a description of these things. I think itis
of interest to trace out the new varieties, and 1 hope you will
keep the committee going, and I hope the state will see the
necessity of this some day, so the society can prosecute the
work with a little vigor. JI have not brought any bills into the
society for two or three years, but I am at considerable expense.
I think the committee had better be kept up, and I think
you had better make some show on the books as though you
were going to have some pay some time or other.
Mr. Dartt: Does that report recommend anything?
Mr. Harris: I think the last report recommended that not
more than $150 a year should be expended in exploring these
things, but there was nothing to explore.
Mr. Dartt: I believe it is a grand, good thing to make these
explorations, but I believe they should be confined entirely to
Minnesota and Minnesota seedlings. I think the natural, ten-
dency with usis to run after strange gods. Now, in my opinion,
the great bulk of seedlings that are produced all over the
country are entirely worthless—the great bulk of them—and
especially those produced in favorable localities, such as Wis-
consin or lowa. Ido not doubt but marked good may come
out of Wisconsin and [owa in some of those seedlings, for some
of them are just as good as we grow ourselves, but I know for
a certainty that a great many of the seedlings that have been
produced in Wisconsin for the past twenty-five years are not
hardy enough for Minnesota. Now, the fact that those seed-
lings are producing fruit at the present time and seem to be
hardy is no test atall. We have not had a hard winter since
1884 and 1885. We have not had a test winter since that time;
and this favorable trick of the weather enables trees that are
not naturally very hardy to produce fruit, and they may pro-
duce fruit as long as the conditions for so doing are favorable.
I think we should be a little more restrictive in our recommen-
dations. We should find out a little more definitely about their
hardiness and be less active in our effort in reaching out after
things we know not of. That is my opinion, and it does not
seem to me that it is best to make any great effort in getting
GENERAL FRUITS. 153
things from abroad, especially unknown seedlings. We havea
great many seedlings from Iowa and Wisconsin. We have
those trees on trial, and if they bear fruit, and the fruit is of
good quality, and the trees are productive and perfectly hardy,
and we have evidence of the real value for Minnesota, it would
seem to be time enough then to bring them prominently before
the public; and if we doit before then and they prove other-
wise, our labor is lost.
Mr. Wedge: I would like toask Mr. Dartt if Patten’s Green-
ing ranks with the Hibernal and Duchess,
Mr. Dartt: I can answer that without getting up. It does
not; the Hibernal did the best of any tree in the experiment
orchard. .
Mr. Wedge: It does not look as well as the Duchess?
Mr. Dartt: No, it does not look as well as the Duchess.
On motion of Mr. Brand the report of Mr. Harris was adopted.
Mr. Wedge: It seems to me Mr. Harris is doing a great deal
in the line of looking up fruits, and is doing it without any
compensation. It isno more than right that we as a society
should express our appreciation of his presistence in this mat-
ter. I move we tender him a vote of thanks for looking up
seedling fruits.
Mr. Brand: That reminds me of what the old soldier said
during the pension agitation: ‘‘I would rather have an ounce
of taffy while I am alive than a ton of epitaphy after I am
dead.” I wish to amend that motion by saying that we pay
Mr. Harris $25 for his services during the year.
Mr. Wedge accepted the amendment and the motion prevailed.
Mr. Harris: This is entirely unexpected. While I do a
great deal of work for nothing, I am willing to do it if my work
is only appreciated, and I will buy myself a new suit of clothes
or do something with the money to show that I remember your
gift.
Mr. Ferris, (of Iowa): Mr. Brand told a little story, and
that reminds me of astory. A doctor was called by a farmer
to go out into the country some four or five miles. It was a
stormy, disagreeable night,and the roads were in a terrible con-
dition. The doctor staid all night, and in the morning the man
asked him, ‘‘How much do you charge?” ‘‘Well,” said the
doctor, ‘‘the roads are bad, it was a hard trip, and I will have to
charge you five dollars.” ‘‘All right,” said the farmer, ‘‘I
have no money now, and the fact of the matter is I don’t know
whether I can ever pay you, but you can rest assured of one
.
154 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
thing, doctor, you shall always have my patronage. (Laugh-
ter and applause).
Mr. Kimball: No doubt Mr. Harris can have our patronage.
Mr. Dartt: He would not have been sure of it if he had ac-
cepted the thanks without the twenty-five dollars.
NOMENCLATURE AND CATALOGUE.
J. S. HARRIS, LA CRESCENT.
She
Your committee has not at any time forgotien the importance of a
correct and appropriate name for every variety of fruit that has merit
enough to be considered worthy of cultivation, but we have not
found the past season as favorable for our investigation as the aver-
age, owing to the very light crop of many of the newer varieties,
especially the Russians, the drouth and other unfavorable cir-
cumstances having prevented the full and perfect development of
many varieties. Also, we did not get into correspondence with the
Division of Pomology at Washington in time to receive any assis-
tance in the matter. ;
During the fall samples were sent us from a few parties in this
state and from Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa, none of which were
true to the names under which trees had been purchased, and, very
generally,they were varieties unknown in pomology, so that usually
we have reported to the sender that they were not the variety named.
This is done to prevent their being wrongly entered for premiums
at fairs and to save disapointment to the exhibitor and unnecessary
trouble to the awarding committee. It becomes the more necessary
to get a variety before the public under its correct name, because,
too often, the awarding committees are selected without any refer-
ence to their knowledge of fruits. We find some exhibitors who
enter every thing on the list for which premiums are offered and
are always on hand to bring something forward for the prize if the
true variety does not come into competition. This practice should
not be tolerated, and no award should be made to any fruit, no
matter how good, except under its correct name.
We submit the following varieties as eligible toa place in our
catalogue:
Peerless. Size,6: form, round-oblate, conic; color, greenish-yel-
low, mostly covered with stripes and splashes:of red; stem, long,
medium stout, in a broad, smooth, greenish cavity; calyx, colored
in a medium, much wrinkled basin; flesh, pale, greenish-yellow,
medium juicy, tender; flavor, subacid, good; core, medium large,
nearly closed; season, January and later; origin, Rice county, Minn.,
from seed of Duchess of Oldenburg.
Avista. Size,5 to 6; form, round-ovate, inclining to oblique; color,
yellowish-green with painted stripes and splashes of thin brownish-
red and numerous irregular whitish and gray dots in the stem;
flesh, greenish-yellow, fine grained; subacid flavor; stem, long and
slender in regular, rather deep cavity; calyx, closed; basin, medium,
et ee "alt ¥ *e (a ’ a
GENERAL FRUITS. 155
slightly wrinkled; core, medium, closed; season, January to March;
originated in La Crosse county, Wis.,and has borne regular crops
for more than twenty years.
Catharine. Size 5 to 6; form, round-oblate; color, yellowish-green,
with burn blush on sun side and thickly marked with fine white or
grayish dots; flesh, yellow, medium juicy; flavor, subacid; stem,
medium, in a rather deep, broadly russeted cavity; calyx closed,in a
medium deep, rather broad, wrinkled, or ridged basin; season, Sept.
and October; originated in Houston Co.; described in Dec. No. of
magazine, 1894.
Wolf River. Size,very large; form, rounded-oblate conical; color,
greenish-yellow, ground mostly covered with dark red and scatter-
ing gray or russet dots; stem, medium, in a deep, narrow cavity ofa
green russet which reaches well out over the base of the fruit; calyx,
open, in a rather narrow, deep,wrinkled basin; flesh, greenish-yellow,
coarse acid; season, Nov.; use, kitchen and market. The tree is a
little less liable to blight than the Alexander, and said to be a little
better fruiter, but is not a profitable variety to plant in Minn.
Northwestern Greening. Size, 7; form, round conical; color,
green, becoming a yellowish-green when ripe; stem, medium; cav-
ity, regular, rather deep, narrow, russeted at bottom; calyx, closed;
basin, medium, slightly ribbed; flesh, greenish-yellow; flavor, sub-
acid; origin, Wisconsin. This is a fine winter apple, tree soon com-
ing into bearing and of doubtful hardiness. It does a little better
topworked on hardy stocks, 7. e., crabs and hybrids.
Estaline. Size, very large; form, round, slightly angular; color,
greenish-yellow, mostly covered with pink and red stripes and
specks; stem, rather long, slender, elastic; cavity, narrow; calyx,
closed, segments often a half inch long; basin, narrow, about me-
dium deep, wrinkled; flesh, yellowish, fine, tender; flavor, subacid,
good; season, September fifteenth to November.
Pride. (Pride of Minneapolis.) Size, large; form, conical,
slightly angular; color when ripe, pale lemon-yellow, becoming
rusty later; stem, very long; cavity, medium; calyx, closed; basin,
shallow, wrinkled; flesh, deep yellow, fine grain, firm, juicy; flavor,
quite acid and a little acrid; excellent for cider, jellies, canning, etc.;
season, October first; tree, hardy, productive, vigorous and healthy;
origin, Minneapolis.
Your committee recommend that the catalogue published in 1893
be amended and corrected and with the additions be published in
the transactions of 1895 for the benefit of new members.
DISCUSSION.
Mr. Harris: I suppose the people generally think there is
not much to do on a committee of this kind, but I have spent on
the catalogue of this book, probably, more than would make one
year of time on the study of fruits that grow in the Northwest;
not only in Minnesota alone, but I have to take in Wisconsin,
Iowa and Minnesota together, and itis one of the most interest-
ing studies I ever took up; there is real solid enjoyment in it.
tz
4
etek
*
IN OP TE TDS OT ce RN OF ete Foe nS
156 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Mr. Dartt: Is that list before us for discussion?
Mr. Harris: Why, yes; I suppose you can discuss it if you
want to.
Mr. Dartt: I move the Wolf River be stricken off.
Mr. Harris: I would not recommend that. This is only for
discussion.
Mr. Dartt: I made that motion hoping I would get a second.
If I had made a speech, I might have interested somebody
enough to second my motion. As I understand it, that is a
Minnesota list.
Mr. Harris: No, sir; it is not:
Mr. Dartt: Well, if it is not a Minnesota list, I don’t know
that I have anything to do with it. If itis a Minnesota list, I
would not recommend anything that would not grow in Minne-
sota.
Mr. Harris: If he is going to restrict us to fruits that are
successful in Minnesota only, what chance have we to find out
what there is outside of the fence?
Mr. Barrett: If I understood Bro. Dartt—he and I some-
times cross each other—he seems to imply in his statement that
the Wolf River is not to be recommended. If that is the posi-
tion assumed in reference to that tree, I shall have to defend it.
Pres. Underwood: This is merely a discussion; it does not
carry with it any recommendation.
Mr. Dartt: He said it was not good for anything, and I
thought we should not have anything of that kind on the list.
Myr. Richardson: In our section of the state there some men
who are raising Wolf River and think they are way ahead of
the Wealthy. If they cannot get them there, they send to Wis-
consin for them. There are Wolf River trees just north in the
county of Blue Earth, and they are as good as any I ever saw.
Mr. Harris: I think we should spend some time, or rather
have a committee at every meeting to spend some time to
change the ratings, something on the plan of the American
Pomological Society in their catalogue. The secretary there
reads one item at a time, and any one is at liberty to recom-
mend any change he sees fit to suggest. The catalogue makes
a list of the varieties that are worthy of cultivation somewhere
in the country; and I think it would pay us to reserve our cata-
logue and publish it once in two or four years, and each time
before we publish it make these ratings correct. One man can
not make a rating that will suit everybody. In regard to the
E
Te eee aE EE UO 9 ce ON Ee a ae eo
GENERAL FRUITS. 157
quality of an apple, if I should say it was No. 1, Mrs. Kennedy
would say it was horrid.
Mrs. Kennedy: She would if she thought so. (Laughter).
Mr. Dartt: If the report does not mean anything, it is not
worth anything. If it does not suit us, itought to be revised
and talked over until we know what we want.
Pres. Underwood. As I understand this report it does not
recommend the varieties we should plant in Minnesota. It is
simply a description of the different varieties. You can adopt
it if you want to, or you can receive the report or refer it to a
committee. It is not a recommendation; it is simply a report.
Mr. Dartt: I move the report be received and placed on file.
Mr. Brackett: Does that mean thatit is supplemental to the
old report?
Pres. Underwood: There was in this report a suggestion by
Mr. Harris that the list be revised and published in full. It is
not necessary to take any action on this at all.
FRUIT BLOSSOMS.
O. EF, BRAND, FARIBAULT.
Iam one of the great multitude who are too busy with the every-
day cares of life to afford time for unrewarded scientific investiga-
tion. Particurlarly is this true at the time it is necessary to study
fruit blossoms. I took time last spring to note a few facts with
reference to them.
Trees went into the winter in December, 1893, in fairly well ripened
condition. There was no winter weather injurious to them, there
being no extreme cold weather. A warm wave struck us about the
last of February, continuing up to March the 17th. The frost
was all out of the ground before that date,and considerable plow-
ing was done as far north as Wadena and Verndale. The tempera-
ture raised to 83° above at Faribault on March the 17th, fol-
lowed by lowering temperature and rain all day on the 18th,with 6°
below zero on the 27th and quitea snow storm. Grass did not begin
to look green till April 16th.
Inasmuch as fruit blossoms and fruit are the result of weather
and of the right kind of weather, our fruit crop having been (with
the exception of plums and a few small fruits) a failure, I have con-
cluded to give a record of the weather as taken down from day to
day during and after and before the blossoming period, believing
that the only advantage or value to be had from this report lies in a
knowledge of the conditions under which the blossoms were de-
veloped.
My first record of fruit buds was made April 15th, and reads:
Aprill5th. Transcendent buds began to swell; followed by a
cloudy day and rain on the 16th.
158 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
April 16th. Temperature 60° above.
April 17th. 70° above with heavy showers after 4 p. m.
April 18th. 76° above,showery; sunshine and clouds; wind south.
April 24th. Duchess buds the size of large peas, and about ¢ to ;
of an inch of green can be seen in the expanding buds.
April 26th. Transcendent trees begin to look green at ten rods
distance; 74° above.
April 27th. Cloudy till about 4:30 p. m.; light shower at 12:30;
70° above at sundown; wind S. W.
April 28th. Cloudy; east wind; temperature about 70°; heavy
showers in the evening.
April 29th. Wind east by southeast; cool and cloudy. An un-
usually heavy shower came up from the west by southwest about
6 p.m. doing great damage to hillsides. High wind accompanied
the rain.
April 30th. First strawberry blossom, and first red seen in Duchess
blossoms.
May ist. Drizzling rain nearly all day; very high wind about 2a.
m. with heavy rain.
May 4th. Cheney plums in blossom; wind north; changed to south
in afternoon; 68° above; thunder at 7 p. m.
May 5th. A number of wild plums in blossom; thunder by spells
nearly all night with little rain. At 3:30 p.m. the worst hailstorm
I have ever witnessed struck us from the west by southwest and
lasted twenty minutes.
May 6th. 56° above atlla.m.; strong west wind; fleeting clouds.
May 7th and 8th. Spraying with Bordeaux mixture.
May 10th. 56° to 48° above; cold wind.
May 11th. 70° above at noon; strong southwest wind; some of the
petals of the Transcendent falling; Duchess blossoms begin to
open in large numbers; spraying.
May 12th. Bees plenty and busy in blossoms; the center of nearly
all Duchess open on trees southwest of house only; few are to be
seen among the other Duchess; some clusters southwest of house
entirely open; 66° above at 10 a. m.; wind southwest; spraying.
Very light frost in places two mornings this week but no injury
from it appears in the blossoms.
May 13th. Petals of Orange crab falling freely; 64° above at 6:30 a.
m.; thunder clouds; 79° above at 10a.m.; 85° at 3p.m.; warmest
noted since March 17th; considerable south wind; Duchess, Estaline,
Briars Sweet and Quaker Beauty in full bloom. First blossom on
Peerless opened yesterday. Peerless and Wealthy appear to be
about alike this year in time of blooming. Crescent strawberry in
full bloom.
May 14th. Transcendent bloom nearly all fallen. 64° above at 6:30
a. m.; 74° above at 1l a. m,; 86° above at 3 p. m.; cloudy, wind south by
southwest; low bank of clouds in west and southwest and north-
west, with thunder and lightning all the evening.
May 15th. Very heavy rain and thunder from 4 a. m.to6a. m. with
strong southwest wind; 67° above at 6 a.m.; blossoms nearly al]
fallen.
GENERAL FRUITS. 159
May 16th. Peerlessin full bloom. 64° above at6a.m.; 80° above
at 6:30 p. m.; wind, south; cloudyinthe morning. Darkclouds from
northeast around north to southwest. Very sultry from 9 a. m. with
a hazy and misty atmosphere in the afternoon. Reports of bad hail-
storms at Rosemount and other points yesterday morning. Spray-
ing with London purple.
May 17th. Spraying. Temperature 58° above at6 a. m.; clear, wind
east by southeast; 68° above at9a.m.; hazy clouds, northwest; 62°
above at3 p. m.; 10 a. m., low dark clouds, southwest, west and north-
west; 3 p. m., wind northeast; 3:20 p. m., blowing a gale from north-
northeast, 58° above, dark and cloudy; 4 p. m., 56° above; 5 p. m., 50°
above and raining, wind northeast, thunder.
May 18th. 40° above at 8 a. m., strong north wind; 52° above at 2 p.
m., a few white, fleeting clouds whirling in their rapid flight south;
44° above at 8 p. m., clear, light breeze from north-northeast.
May 19th. Frost; 32°. above in the lower part of the orchard at 5:30
a.m.; considerable white frost and also dew on the grass; clear;
light breeze from the north. At 5:45 sprayed a few Duchess trees
with cold water. 54° above at 11:30 a.m.; 50° at sundown and 48°
above at 8 p. m.; clear; wind, northwest.
May 20th. Full moon, frost, grape vines on lowest ground, which
had made a new growth of 12 inches, are killed,while on higher land
on trestles they were partially killed. 36° above at sunrise, 57° at
noon, 61° at 3 p. m., 52° at 7:30 p.m.; wind strong, nearly north; clear.
May 21st. 40° above at 6 a. m.; clear; clouded up from the east
about 9 a. m. with wind north by northeast. Spraying orchard with
London purple.
May 22d. Cloudy; spraying; 48° above at 9:30 a.m.; wind north-
east.
May 23d. Sprayed plum trees with London purple anda part of the
apple trees with Bordeaux mixture. 60° above at1 p.m. and 53° at
8p.m. The leaves of apple trees show the effect of the late frost.
May 24th. 70° above at 11 a. m.; clear; wind northeast all day.
May 25th. Clear with variable, floating white clouds; wind north-
west; 80° above.
May 26th. Clear till about 11 a. m., then a smoky, cloudy, variable
atmosphere; 84° above at noon; sultry, wind south; 72° above at 5 p.
m. At5:15 p. m. the wind suddenly shifted to the north witha
shower of rain and hail at 6:40 p. m.,and temperature 52° above.
May 27th. Clear; wind north; 58° above at 11 a.m, 46° aboveat 8 a.
m., 52° at 8 p. m.
May 28th. A very little frost to be seen in low places.
May 30th. Clear; 44° above at 8 a.m.; wind east by northeast.
June lst. Finished spraying today.
For a number of days the young fruit has been shrivelling. I at-
tribute it to unusual and extremely unfavorable atmospheric condi-
tions as indicated by the above record. Iwill give no more of the
record, except that on June the 8th, rye stood five to six feet high,
and we drew in new hay of bluegrass and clover. Thenew growth on
two year old Peerless trees measured twelve inches in a great many
instances About blight, it reads as follows: Most of the old
160 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
crab trees look as though fire had run over them. The Tetofsky
Charlamof, Patten’s Greening and Hibernal are in the same condi-
tion. I never have seen my crab trees look so bad.
A frequent examination of apple and plum blossoms during all
their stages of growth up to the time the petals had all fallen, re-
vealed to me no insight into the disaster that followed,and I am now
compelled to attribute the total failure of our apple crop to the un-
propitious weather atand during the period of pollenization and im-
mediately after, and to the almost total inability of the bark and
leaves of the tree to properly assimilate inorganic matter,“for as on
the one hand very slight-changes in the conditions of life are favor-
able to plants, on the other hand certain other changes cause ster-
ility.’ The amount of cold that certain varieties can stand unin-
jured in cellular structure under certain conditions is only one point
in many which go to make up its adaptation to a certain climate.
This was very forcibly illustrated last spring by the Transcendent
and other crabs suffering much more than did the Oldenburg. The
Peerless suffered much less than the Oldenburg, while the Euranda
crab was the only crab I saw last summer bearing a heavy crop of
fruit in this section. Whether it was in the blossom itself or the
constitution of the tree that preserved its fruit, while the fruit of
Duchess of Oldenburg and all other trees inits immediate vicinity
was destroyed, I am unable to say; but it, certainly, is a case where
natural selection has manifested itself unmistakably. I leave the
subject of cross-fertilization to the other and abler members of this
committee.
In closing this very unsatisfactory report I would recomend that
this society appropriate the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars
annually for the next five years, to be paid to three different persons
under proper restrictions, who will each de~ote five days during the
blooming season of apples in taking observations and in making
such crosses as their judgment will recommend and opportunities
permit. This work has been too long delayed. In the opinion of
such menas Darwin and Marshall P. Wilder itis the surest and most
certain way to give us a large class of thoroughly acclimatized,
high class, late keeping winter apples. Let this society prove itself
worthy of the name it bears! The work intended must be done
during one of the most busy seasons, viz., spring’s work, during
which season every minute is precious. It must be done by those
who are qualified by nature and practice. Let me call your atten-
tion to what has already been done by cross-fertilization, with roses,
grapes and strawberries. We do not know where the limit may be;
we do know that it is the right and only sure road to speedy
success.
DISCUSSION.
Mr. Barrett: There is one thing in this report that certainly
commends itself to me, and it occurred to me that it would be
a good plan to require every vice-president and such others as
may be appointed to make reports, to take observations from
day to day and make reports of the changes of the weather,
GENERAL FRUITS. 161
of the winds, etc., and report at each annual meeting, to be
placed onrecord and published in our reports. Such reports
would be of incalculable benefit to us. We are making the
history of the Northwest, and if we had such a report it would
be an admirable reference for the purpose of comparison
between the present and the future. I would,therefore,like to
ratify the motion that our vice-presidents make similar reports
at our annual meeting.
Pres. Underwood: Do I understand that you make a motion
to that effect?
Mr. Barrett: Yes, sir; I make that as a motion.
Mr. Harris: If I understood it right I will second that mo-
tion, that is, to make it the duty of vice-presidents to make
such reports. In other words, let each vice-presidents make
observations in his or her locality or district, and let it be
defined as one of their duties.
Pres. Underwood: The motion is to the effect that it be
required of vice-presidents to make it one of their duties to
take observations within their respective districts and report
them at our annual meeting, similar to the report just read.
Mr. Dartt: I do not want to make a speech, but it occurs to
to me that for every one of them to make a report of the
weather, of the winds and other atmospheric conditions would
be a great deal of labor, and it would not be of any great value.
We must take the weather just as it comes along year after
year, and there will not be difference enough between one
spring and another spring, and one summer and another sum-
mer, to make it worth while to report. I do not know whether
these calamities come through the weather or through some
other source, and we had better not blame the weather for
everything. Itmay not be toblame so muchafter all. If they
were required to make such a report, I do not know what it
would accomplish.
Pres. Underwood: Would it not be well to leave this in the
nature of a suggestion instead of defining it formally as the
duties of these officers? We would like tohear from Mr. Brand.
Mr. Brand: Tomorrow the duties of the officers are to be
considered. Let us wait until we are considering the duties of
the vice-presidents.
Mr. Barrett: I will withdraw my motion. I should like to
say one word, however, Mr. President. If a motion of this
kind should prevail before we close our session, it would tend
to educate our vice-presidents and others to the observation of
ya tie Gi Oe tac ae it el lee el a ba elit Gia Pe ce dal *
- te” “a x ; le 4 , I"
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162 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
the changes in the weather incidental to our climate, and that
certainly would be of value enough of itself; it would be a
very interesting and valuable addition to our annual reports.
The reports of such observations should be required to be as
brief as possible, so as not to occupy too much space. Such
reports would certainly have the effect of affording us the
opportunity to better judge what would be the probable result
of the changes in the weather, and we could govern ourselves
accordingly as to the conditions we should be compelled to
meet. I will not be strenuous in regard to the matter.
Mr, Moyer: I think the weather is pretty well covered by
the weather bureau.
SPRAYING AT THE UNIVERSITY FARM.
R. S. MACKINTOSH, ST. ANTHONY PARK.
During the past season considerable attention was given by the
division of horticulture to spraying, both for killing destructive
insects and for fungous diseases. Spraying is becoming a very im-
portant factor in our work, and should be better understood and
appreciated by fruit growers generally. If you read the agricul-
tural press or bulletins fron: the Department of Agriculture or ex-
periment stations, you will find in them in most cases something
relating to spraying. Itis now an unquestioned fact that spraying
when done at the right time and in the right way will not only in-
crease the yield but also keep the trees and vines in a healthy con-
dition. Spraying is now practiced not only on small fruits and field
crops but, also, on fruit and shade trees.
When we started out for the summer conflict, about the first that
we had to consider was the apparatus to work with. The outfit con-
sisted of acommon force pump attached toa barrel that was fast-
ened on its side to a stone boat. The entire rig was made so that it
could be either hauled on the ground, as is a stone boat, or put into
a wagon and hauled from place to place. One or two hose with noz-
zles were used,depending upon the kind of work. The outfit worked
very satisfactorily, though some changes might be made which
would make it more easily handled. The nozzle that was found to
do the best work under all conditions was the Bordeaux, manufac-
tured in Salem,Ohio. Asarule, this season plants were not troubled
as much as usually with fungous diseases, due to the excessively
dry weather; however, considerable spraying was done in anticipa-
tion based upon previous experience.
Nearly all of the strawberries were sprayed with the Bordeaux
mixture on May twenty-third. It appeared afterwards that there was
very little leaf blight upon them, consequently, it would have been
as well if the spraying had not been done; butitis far better to be
on the safe side.
The raspberries were sprayed with the Bordeaux mixture to pre-
vent the anthracnose, which had done some injury to the canes the
GENERAL FRUITS. 163
previous season. Some injury was done to the leaves on the old
canes by the Bordeaux mixture; the leaves on the new wood were
not harmed. The results from the spraying of the raspberries
would indicate that it was beneficial. In the vineyards large num-
bers of ieaf-hoppers appeared during the season. Applications of
kerosene ernulsion were made, as well as other methods of destroy-
ing them. We first began to apply the emulsion during the latter
part of June. Large numbers were destroyed in this way, but as
they multiplied very rapidly, it seemed almost out of the question
to check them at so late a time in the summer.
Considerable time was spent in spraying a plat of potatoes in dif-
ferent ways with Bordeaux mixture to prevent the early and late
blights. As regards the early blight beneficial results followed,
while for the late blight results were in favor of rows that
were sprayed, but as there was little late blight the results would not
be conclusive.
During the past year the price of Paris green has been high, due
to the fact that there is a trust that controlsit. If further investiga-
tions prove successful, we may not care whether a trust controls it
or not. The Massachusetts station has found that mixing eleven
ounces of acetate of lead, two ounces of arsenate of soda and 150
gallons of water makes a very effective insecticide. The points in
favor of this insecticide are that it can be easily seen on the leaves,
is soluble in water, making it sure of being distributed evenly, and
it does not burn the foilage unless used very strong.
DISCUSSION.
Pres. Underwood: This is a very importnnt subject and I
would like to hear it discussed.
Mr. Brackett: How do you consider the Bordeaux nozzle
compares with the Vermorel?
Mr. Mackintosh: I like the Vermorel very well, but the Bor-
deaux is arranged on a different plan; you can adjust it in any
way you desire.
Mr. Dartt: How do you control the nozzle?
Mr. Mackintosh: By turning the flange on the side. it
throws the stream through a round hole, but it strikes the sur-
face and throws it in different directions.
Mr. Crane: Can you kill the leaf-hopper with Paris green?
Mr. Mackintosh: You can, but it is rather difficult.
Mr. Brand: Have you considered any particular mode of
procedure at the station for the coming season?
Mr. Mackintosh: No, I don’t think we have. As to the leaf-
hopper, from reading reports of the life history of the insect
I think it could be more easily destroyed by keeping no brush
around the place over winter; if we destroy the rubbish there
will be no place for them to stay.
EE A TOC er PN Ne | we ER RA OR ASL: a RAN, TM od Ry OA OUT ES, Otek e maT ETD
ant ; : PX ’ rd we Sahl 5,
164 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Mr. Crane: Can you give a description of the leaf-hopper?
Mr. Mackintosh: Itisa little brown insect on the under side
of the leaf, and when disturbed it will hop or fly away.
Mr. Brackett: Itis more gray than brown; its relative size
is considerable smaller than the mosquito.
Mr. Dartt: Iwas about to say I had had considerable experi-
ence in spraying; [do not know whether my experience will be
of any benefit to you or not, butitmight be better than nothing.
I have worked on that matter for two or three years. I havea
force pump attached toa kerosene barrel, and I have a horse
and what I call my apple cart; it is a wagon built on purpose
to haul apple crates around, and it is so arranged that I can
guide the horse between the rows. I go along and drive, and
somebody else does the pumping, and that is the way we do our
spraying. I have sprayed just after the blossoms fell, and in
my old orchard I got a very full setting of apples, so heavy
that they were small, they were diminished in size. Where I
sprayed later I did not have so many apples, and it was a ques-
tion with me whether spraying was a benefit, whether if I had
let the insects destroy,at least,a part of them, it would not have
been better. But I sprayed again the next year, and last sum-
mer I sprayed lightly, and there were few blossoms. This last
season I sprayed all of my trees; I used Paris green. At first
I used blue vitriol and mixed it with alkali, but the alkali
cooked the blue vitriol and did not mix, so I stopped and took
Paris green; it mixed readily. Ido not know whether the con-
centrated lye killed the force of the Paris green or not, but I
sprayed in that way,and I really do not know whether the spray-
ing did a great amount of good or not; but I know this, the trees
i sprayed have a remarkable healthy look, and they carried it
all summer long. Of course, there was this twig blight; the
trees blighted so that it diminished the crop of fruit wonder-
fully, but still I had quite a little crop of apples; perhaps, one-
fourth of a crop, may be less than that. I sold 575 bushels of
the Duchess. I am going to spray next year; I have so much
faith in it, I shall spray all my trees. I think the spray pump
should be kept at work, and Iam going to spray.
We were speaking about mulching trees. I have had a man
running a team since late in the fall hauling manure into the or-
chard and spreading it around the trees. In one orchard I
have had it spread all over the ground. In another orchard I
have had it put around the trees, and when we come to culti-
vate the trees we shall mix it in the soil, and I shall give it the
} GENERAL FRUITS. 165
best of cultivation, Wherever I have seeded down an orchard
the trees have done poorly, and I am not in favor of seeding
down; if an orchard is closely planted and heavily mulched, it
may be all right, perhaps, and just as well as cultivation. Per-
haps, I can say nothing else that will be of profit to any one,
and I do not like to talk unless it pleases myself or somebody
else.
Mr. Mackintosh: What kind of alkali do you use?
Mr. Dartt: JI use concentrated lye.
Mr. Mackintosh: What proportion do you put in?
Mr. Dartt: Ido not dare to put in over aquarter of a pound
to forty gallons, or a barrelful, of the mixture. I used about
a quarter of a pound of Paris green.
Mr. Mackintosh: Do you use any lime?
Mr. Dartt: I do not use any lime. I did when I used the
blue vitriol.
Mr. Brackett: Would there be any peril if you should in-
crease the amount of poison?
Mr. Dartt: There would be no peril, but it would spoil the
fruit. Ihave tested that matter of injury to the trees. I have
sprayed the trees so that the mixture would drip from the trees
into the grass; I have mowed the grass and fed it to the horse,
and it did no harm; and it has been gathered on sheets and an-
alized, and the chemists have agreed that a person would have
to eata barrel of apples at a time in order to be poisoned
(laughter).
Mr. Brackett: Will this subject of mulching come up for
discussion at any time during the meeting?
Pres. Underwood: Ithink it will come up later; we had quite
a little of it this morning.
Mr. Brackett: What was the concentrated lye put in with
the Paris green for?
Mr. Dartt: To do the trees good; to make them grow; to
make them fat.
Mr- Wedge: Is that leaf-hopper that injures the grape vines
the same that works in nursery apple trees, the box elder and a
great variety of trees? At my place it commits very serious
depredations: It retards the growth of my apple trees at least
six inches. It almost ruins the birch, and it reduces the growth
of the box elder one-half.
Mr. Mackintosh: I cannot say definitely; there is a whole
family of leaf-hoppers, and I think it first cousin to the one
that bothers the grape. I would have to refer you to Dr. Lug-
ger for anything more definite.
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166 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Mr. Dartt: I would like to have Mr. Brand explain a little in
regard to his spraying. I noticed he said he sprayed before
the blossoms were out.
Mr. Brand: As we had no results from the crop of fruit the
past year from spraying, I have not given the thing much
thought, but my reason for spraying before the blossom was
open was for the purpose of killing the insect that causes scab
on the apple. As soon as there is the least sign of growth on
the apple tree an enemy attacks and feeds uponit. Just as
soon as the least tip of green is to be seen this insect begins to
feed upon it, and that was the reason I sprayed so early.
Mr. Dartt: Would you not think that adding this concen-
trated lye would help the growth of the trees?
Mr. Brand: Yes, I think it would.
Mr. Dartt: Do you know how much you could add with
safety?
Mr. Brand: No, I do not.
Mr. Mackintosh: What formula do you use for preparing
the Bordeaux mixture?
Mr. Brand: I have forgotten. 1 am not good in keeping
those things in my head. .
Mr. Dartt: Has any one used salt as a preparation to spray
with?
Mr. Harris: Salt is good to catch birds with. (Laughter. )
Mr. Dartt: I have tried it a little, but do not know how
much to use.
()bituary.
JOHN JACOB THOMAS,
Died February 22, 1895.
It is with regret that we are called upon to record the
death of another distinguished horticulturist, that of
John Jacob Thomas, which occurred at Union Springs,
N. Y., Feb. 22d, at the ripe age of 85 years. Mr. Thomas
was a co-editor of the “Country Gentleman and Culti-
vator” for more than half a century, and a liberal con-
tributer to the horticultural literature of this country,
and for a time a nurseryman at West Marion, N. Y.
Through these means he became widely and favorably
known throughout the whole country. He was one of the
founders of the American Pomological Society and a co-
worker with the venerable Marshall P. Wilder, Charles
Downing and Patrick Barry, allof whom have departed
after long lives of usefulness,venerated by every period of
pomology in ourcountry and Europe. They have left us,
but their light has not gone out, but will shine on until
the end of time, an influence that is stimulating young
men to follow in their footsteps and make the world
brighter and better. J. S. HARRIS. ,
‘
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2)
ay alendar,
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THE ORCHARD.
J. S. HARRIS, LA CRESCENT.
In an early season like the present, the planting of trees should,
in general, be finished before the first of May. In all cases where it
is yet to be done extra pains must be taken to prevent the exposure
of the roots while they are out of the ground, and the greatest care
taken to get fine, moist soil in contact with every spot on the roots
and make it firm about them. If the foliage is started, the
trunks and’ large branches should be wound for a few days with
cloth or hay bands or paper bound about them to prevent too rapid
evaporation before the roots begin to draw upon the soil. The scald
too often starts at this period. Soaking rains and high winds often
get newly planted trees leaning away from the 1p.m.sun. They
should be looked to and straightened up after every such storm, and
such as are weakly rooted had better be tied to stakes.
Mulching should be applied early—or if material for the purpose
is not at hand keeping an inch or two of the surface soil fine and
loose by raking after every rain will answer a very good purpose.
Insect life comes with the warm growing weather; look sharp for
canker worms and tent caterpillars. Whenevera tent of the latter
is pitched it will show in the morning while the dew is on; take the
tent while the whole family is at home and crush it under foot.
Spraying with a solution of Paris green, about four ounces to fifty
or sixty gallons of water, just after the blossoms have fallen and,
again, two weeks later, is a good remedy against the canker worm
and codling moth, and some help against the apple gouger
and plum curculio; but jarring the trees and letting the insects fall
upon sheets spread under to catch them is more effectual if the
latter are caught and killed or burned.
Planting in Orchards. While the orchard is young, it is best to
cultivate it thoroughly, and hoed crops, like potatoes and beans,
that mature by the first of August may be grown as a crop to part
pay for use of the ground until the orchard begins to fruit. Squash-
es are a good fruit crop in the young orchard.
FRUIT GARDEN.
Strawberries are better for being set early, but they may be set
with considerable certainty on cloudy days when the soilis moist,
all through this month. All blossoms and fruit that appear on the
new plantation should be removed. They should be kept clean from
; : Rie
168 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
weeds and stimulated to early growth by cultivating or raking the
ground over, to keep the surface soil fine and mellow, as often as
once a week. The fruiting beds should be kept clean from weeds
and well mulched between the rows to keep the fruit clean. That
fruit which is sent to market should be picked carefully into clean
boxes, gaging the degree of ripeness by the distance they are to be
transported. For near market, it should be fully ripe enough for
use; and for long distance, it should be full grown and well colored
before picked. Every berry in a box should be of one grade and
degree of ripeness.
The currants, gooseberries and raspberries should be well culti-
vated and a little later mulched with green clover or other material,
It pays to pinch off the ends of the new canes of black raspberries
as soon as they get two to two and one-half feet high; but the red
varieties should not be pinched or cut back during the growing
season. Keep the sprouts thin enough to insure strong cane.
Grapes. One healthy vigorous cane toa root the first year after
planting and two the second year. Fruiting vines should be kept
tied up securely to supports. Generally, itis an advantage to stop
the fruit bearing canes of the present year, that is,have their further
growth in length prevented by pinching off the point leaving three
leaves beyond the last cluster of fruit. This should be done early,
and surplus suckers removed. If done after rank growth is made,
the vine is weakened and more liable to attacks of mildew and rot
and the fruit made later in maturing.
VEGETABLES.
In the kitchen and market garden, work is now on with a rush.
Keep the asparagus beds clean from weeds and, during the cutting
season, cut as often as the shoots become long enough for use, and
do not leave the small and crooked roots to grow. Lima beans had
better not be planted before the middle or last of the month, and it
is generally better not to risk all the tomato, egg plant and peppers,
until about the twentieth of the month. Early beets and carrots
should be thinned and weeded out, and cabbage, cauliflower and
other early vegetables hoed and cultivated every week.
SPRAYING
Will be commenced at the tree station the coming season. In my
own orchards of over 3,000 trees, I have practiced it for the last three
years, using one-fourth pound Paris green to about forty gallons of
water. Last season I added about one-half pound concentrated lye
to each forty gallons. with seemingly beneficial results, as the trees
took on a remarkably healthy look. [am unable to say how much
I gained by spraying, as I spray all my trees, but I have so much
faith init that it will be continued. It is thought best to spray as
soon as blossoms fall and once or twice more at intervals of ten days
or two weeks. I think, next spring I will spray once before the buds
open, in which case I will use a much larger proportion of the lye,
as there will be no foliage to be harmed. Alkali promotes the
growth of trees. EK. H.S. DARTT, Owatonna.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN.
(For biography see page 199.)
THE MINNESOTA
HORTICULTURIST.
VOL. 23 JUNE, 1895. NO. 5.
SPRAYING SUMMARY.
FROM MARCH 1895, BULLETIN NO. 86, CORNELL UNIVERSITY,
PROF. E. G. LODEMAN.
1. Hand pumps have proved the most satisfactory machine for
spraying apple orchards.
2. Power sprayers have proven unsatisfactory because they do
not throw enough liquid, and they do not throw the spray far
enough.
3. Power sprayers are excellent machines to use in spraying
grapes and low growing plants.
* * * * * *
6. The two most important applications made for combatting the
apple-scab consist of the one whichis made just before the blossoms
open and the one made as soon as they fall.
7. If athird treatment is advisable, it should be made about two
weeks after the falling of the blossoms.
8. The use of three gallons of Bordeaux mixture upon bearing
trees from twenty-five to thirty years of age seems to be advisable;
for a part of the beneficial action of this fungicide may be the
lessening of insect, especially curculio, injuries.
9. Former applications of the Bordeaux mixture upon the trees of
this orchard appear to possess little value in perfecting the crop
this year, but all circumstances were not favorable to an accurate
experiment regarding this point.
10. The early use of the copper sulphate solution may be of value
if orchards are uniformly and thoroughly sprayed withit. In our
experimental orchard, with unsprayed trees as probable sources of
infection, the value of such treatments has not been very marked.
11. London purple possesses no fungicide properties.
12. Former applications of arsenites appear to have exerted no in-
fluence in suppressing insect ravages during the past season.
13. If only one substance is applied to apple orchards, it should,
generally, be Paris green.
14. Spraying orchards in some cases increases the yield of fruit
from practically nothing to a full crop, but in other cases the oper-
ation is followed by nearly negative results in this direction.
15. It is doubtless true that much of the failure of apple orchards
to bear is due to the want of proper fertilization and cultivation.
16. The true cause ofthe formation of rusty apples is obscure, but
the character of the season appears to influence the severity of the
attack.
170 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
17. The Bordeaux mixture has a tendency to reduce rusty fruit.
* * * rs ** *
18. The ferrocyanide of potassium test used in the manufacture
of the Bordeaux mixture is not so satisfactory as was at first
thought, for the mixture when so prepared may be injurious to the
fruit.
19. Munson has shown that Paris green possesses fungicide prop-
erties.
20. Stinson has shown that fruit sprayed three times was larger
than that sprayed twice, although the per cent. of scab on both lots
was the same.
21. Paris green must be applied immediately after the blossoms
fall in order to be most effective against the codlin-moth.
22. Rust was very prevalentin Chautauqua county the past sea-
son, but apple growers, on the whole, are well satisfied with the re-
sults obtained from spraying.
23. London purple is an unreliable insecticide in some cases.
24, The failures which have occurred may be due largely to the
lateness or the hastiness of the application.
* * * * *
27. The shot-hole fungus attacking plum and cherry foliage can
be controlled by the use of the Bordeaux mixture.
* * * * * *
30. Spraying plum foliage with the Bordeaux mixture thickens
the leaves, but further measurements must be made to establish a
rule.
SAVED FROM FROST.
(A valuable record.)
THE THAYER FRUIT FARM, SPARTA, WISCONSIN.
May 14, 1895, eight degrees below freezing. Frost five successive
mornings.
Strawberry fields white with blossoms; currants and gooseberries
half grown; raspberries and blackberries bending with buds of
fruitful promise.
More than one hundred acres of berries to protect on “The Thayer
Fruit Farm.” How was it done?
At 11 o’clock a. m. the faithful signal service reports “killing frosts
to-night;” at 1 o’clock p. m. a score of men with teams were covering
berries with mulch from between the rows and wild hay from stacks
near by; the early dawn found them still at work. Result: 90 per
cent. of fields so protected, saved balance ruined or greatly
damaged.
Moral: In localities subject to frost have hay or straw ready for
use.
One good load to each half acre.
Wild hay is best, being light and more compact.
One man may protect an acre in a few hours.
Remove covering early next morning to allow continued polleni-
zation.
A thick smudge may protect berries at one or two degrees below
freezing. ;
For lower temperatures cover with suitable protection.
Berry fields and farmers’ gardens may be saved in this way.
May 20, 1895. M. A. THAYER, Sparta, Wisconsin.
xperiment tations, 1894,
i
ANNUAL REPORTS.
CENTRAL STATION, ST. ANTHONY PARK.
PROF. S. B. GREEN, SUPT.
Mr. President and Members of the Minnesota Horticultural So-
ciety.
It gives me great pleasure to report to you at this time. The past
season has been, perhaps, the most disastrous one known for the
horticultural and agricultural interests of this section, and, yet, we
have not suffered more than our co-laborers in what are generally
considered a more favorable locations; and that increased interest
is taken in horticultural subjects is plainly shown in many ways.
The experiment stations of the State Horticultural Society are
generally in good condition and doing valuable work for the cause
of horticulture. The central station has established a new experi-
mental farm in Lyon county for general experiment purposes, and
horticulture is to have a fair representation in the work there. I
know of no section of the state needing experiment work more or
offering a more fruitful field for usefulness in this line. A supply
of four kinds of Russian willows, the hardiest of the desirable ap-
ples, plums and cherries and a considerable variety of deciduous
ornamental trees, shrubs and coniferous evergreens have been sent
there.
The crops on the land devoted to this division have been fairly
good, while some have done unusually well. This may be accounted
for by the retentive nature of the soil, heavy manuring and careful
cultivation. The history of this work in detail, is as follows:
Publications. Two bulletins have been published by the horti-
cultural division of the central experiment station. Bulletin No. 38,
twenty-one pages, is devoted to a discussion of the subject of garden
tillage and garden cultivators. Bulletin No. 39, of thirty-one pages,
is devoted to a report on forty varieties of potatoes; treatment for
potato scab and blight; variety tests of tomatoes and treatment for
the prevention of tomato rot; variety tests of strawberries and rasp-
berries; and treatment for apple tree sunscald and cane rust of
raspberries.
The two bulletins above referred to can be had by applying to this
experiment station, and the results reported there at length will not
be found in this report.
Apples. The apple orchards on the university farm have made a
very satisfactory growth and have produced a small amountof fruit.
There are now 325 varieties of apples on trial in these orchards,
many of which have been imported from Russia. The treesare still
172 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
quite small, and no considerable amount of fruit can reasonably be
expected for a few years. Many of these trees present a very hardy
appearance, while the fruit from them is of excellent quality. Some
of them have been grown for twenty or more years in this state and
have proved themselves to be varieties of great value for this section.
Among the kinds on trial, there are some apparently of greater
hardiness than the Duchess that are just as desirable and of a dif-
ferent season.
The varieties bearing large fruit, which, so far as tried, are most
desirable for planting in this section, are:
Summer and autumn apples.—Duchess of Oldenburg, Breskovka,
Borovinka.
Late autumn and winter.—Hibernal, Lieby, Longfieldand Anisim.
The division is paying considerable attention to the raising of
seedling apples with the hope of securing varieties more desirable
than those we now have. For this purpose, it is now growing several
thousand seedlings.
Plums. The plum crop of the season just past was unusually
abundant and perfect at the university farm; in fact, it never pro-
duced more perfect fruit. Our orchard is located on the north slope
of asmall, gravelly ridge and is protected from the south winds by
trees. It has been heavily manured, and the soil is kept cultivated
alisummer. Theresult of these conditions and the proper selection
of varieties is that since the trees commenced to bear in 1888, only
one crop has been missed. Six good crops have been produced in
that time. In quality and general appearance, this fruit compared
favorably with any fruit exhibited in our markets the past season.
The quality of it was very excellent, many varieties being very de-
sirable for dessert purposes.
The varieties that are most desirable are as follows:
Forest Garden, Desota, Weaver, Wolf and Cheney. These are all
good, reliable, hardy kinds. Perhaps, if only one kind is to be
planted, the Desota should be selected.
Ten varieties of plums have fruited with us the past season. The
varieties of plums on trial in this division includes nearly all the
varieties of promise sent out within the last few years, as wellas the ~
older kinds. Besides the named varieties on trial, we have several
hundred seedlings from valuable kinds that are being saved for
fruiting. Many of these are from carefully made hand-crosses.
Grapes. Perhaps, there is no crop thatis more certain than grapes
in favorable locations in this state. At the experiment station, in
eight successive years, we have not missed having a good supply of
this fruit from our vines. The past season was exceptionally hard
on them, and only a fair crop was produced. Success depends very
much on the proper varieties and methods of pruning.
The varieties that have given us the most satisfaction are the ~
Worden, Moore’s Early, Lady, Agawam, Amina (Rog. 39), Brighton,
Barry, Herbert and Green Mountain. The fruit ripened unusually
early this year and, on account of the drouth and the leaf-hoppers,
was not so good as in 1893. We have now on trial nearly all the im-
portant varieties of grapes and several hundred seedlings of our
own raising. Experiments to note the effect of different systems of
—e eee
EXPERIMENT STATIONS. Lia
pruning are in progress. Especial interest centers around the adap-
tation of the drooping system of pruning vines that are laid down
on the ground in winter.
Raspberries. Raspberries were a fair crop only, the yield being
considerably lessened by the dry weather in July. On account of
the adverse season, the cane rust (anthracnose) and the disease com-
monly known as “leaf curl” were unusually destructive and in some
sections of the state seriously lessened or destroyedthe crop. Some
varieties are much more subject to these diseases than others, and
few, if any, kinds are entirely exempt from them. Cane rust is
probably always present in a small way in raspberry plantations,
but in average seasons vigorous plants are able to resist the disease
and mature a crop of fruit, while in very dry seasons the plants can-
not perfect the fruit, the wood for next year and the disease, and, as
a consequence, the fruit is the part that is especially liable to suffer.
A peculiar trait of this disease is that it does not seem to affect the
vigor of growth of the young canes, but injures the crop just when
itis ripening. Experiments are in progress at the station in com-
batting these diseases, and these seem to have been quite successful
in preventing the cane rust (anthracnose).
The varieties that are most reliable, are: Red (suckering kinds),—
Turner, Marlboro and Cuthbert. Blackcap kinds,—Older, Nemaha,
Ohio and Souhegan.
These varieties are on trial besides a large number of seedlings.
Of these seedlings, several are now being propagated for further
trial and are very promising.
Strawberries. The strawberry crop this year has been generally
a poor one on account of the late spring frosts when the plants
were in blossom and the severe drouth, which commenced to be in-
jurious when the crop was about one-third grown. At this experi-
ment station, the crop has been fairly good. I attribute our success
to the fact that our beds are on retentive soil, well cultivated, and,
also, to the fact that the mulch was kept over the plants until as
late as practicable. Our beds were not in flower until after the
damaging late frosts, and the spaces between the rows and around
the plants being heavily mulched were protected from the sun and
rapid evaporation.
Our beds that produced their second and third crop were much
* more productive than the new beds.~ I account for this from the
fact that last season being very dry, the newly set plants did not
perfect their fruit beds so well as the older and more vigorous
plants of the old beds. But I would not wish to be understood as
advocating the retention of old beds, except where they are mowed
over and renewed by plowing and manuring according to the well
known practice of this station.
Of new varieties, there is little to report, none of them having
done better than the best of the older varieties. The most promis-
ing kinds for general planting are Warfield, Haverland and Crescent
of the pistillate, and Bederwood, Parker Earle and Enhance of the
bi-sexual class. The best early berry here is the Warfield, the best
late one the Parker Earle. The new kinds worthy of special men-
tion are the Swindle, Edgar Queen and Leader. These fruited in beds
174 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
bearing their second crop. Other new kinds in the new bed did not
have as good a chance as those in the old bed and should not be
condemned on this account.
The strawberry beds at the station were sprayed with Bordeaux
mixture in the spring, but they were very healthy,and no particular
benefit seemed to follow this application. However,it is my opin-
ion that it willas arule prove profitable to spray at least once with
this material in the spring, though there may be occasional years
when there is no apparent benefit.
Currants. Currants produced a fair crop of fruit. In fact, we
never have had a total failure of this crop in this state. The borer,
which has so often injured the stems during recent years, was less
abundant than usual this season. The currant leaf worm was
not as troublesome as usual this season. This pest is so easily
poisoned with Paris green or white hellebore that there is no good
excuse for permitting its presence on the leaves. The varieties most
desirable here are the old,well known kinds. Little,if any, progress
has been made inthe introduction of this fruit, so far as relates to
growing it in severe climates. The best varieties are Red Dutch,
Victoria, Stewart and White Grape. Many new varieties are on trial,
besides over one hundred seedlings of our own raising. .
Gooseberries. -Gooseberries were a good crop. This fruit is
easily raised here. The mildew, which is a serious drawback to its
culture in many localities and, especially, to the growing of the
better kinds, is easily prevented by spraying the foliage and fruit
occasionally with a solution of potassium sulphide at the rate of
one ounce to the gallon of water. The material for an acre need
cost but a few cents.
The best variety for general cultivation is the Houghton, but by
giving winter protection, the Downing, Smith, Triumph and several
other kinds may bereadily grown. There are many varieties now
on trial, besides several hundred seedlings; some of the latter have
produced very large fruit, and their behavior will be watched with
much interest.
Juneberries. Juneberries gave us a good crop of fruit. The im-
proved kinds are very productive and a great improvement over
the wild fruitin this respect. They are desirable, providing the
bushes are covered with a netting of some kind at the time the fruit
is ripening to keep off the birds, who are very fond ofit. We find
the variety known as Dwarf Success a great improvement over
other kinds tried. We have now on trial five kinds of Juneberries,
besides about one hundred seedlings.
Sand Cherries. This native fruit is regarded as being capable of
great improvement by hybridization and selection. It varies much
in its wild state and under cultivation is very productive. A de-
cided effort is being made by this division to improve it. About
three thousand seedlings have been raised, and efforts made to
hybridize it with the native plum, to which it is closely allied. Its
use as a Stock for the plum and cultivated cherry has been attended
with favorable results.
Cherries. We are cultivating about twelve kinds of Russian
cherries. These are all of the Morello type and are very hardy,
EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 175
evidently hardy enough for this section. As yet, they have pro-
duced little fruit, although they are thrifty growers and make nice
trees. It does not seem to me desirable to encourage growing them,
until they shall have had a more extended trial.
Potatoes. The experiment work with potatoes has consisted of
the trial of forty varieties at the university farm, and a repetition
of the tests at Bethel, on some of the best potato land in Anoka
county. Experiments have also been made in the use of various
materials for preventing the blight and scab on potatoes. The de-
tails ot this work will be found reported in a special bulletin on the
subject. The results of the trial of substances for preventing scab
have been very satisfactory and are of special interest. It is plainly
shown that slightly scabby potatoes may be planted in new soil
without any danger of having the crop from them scabby, provid-
ing they are soaked before planting for one-half hour in a solution
containing one part of corrosive sublimate to one thousand parts of
water.
Onions. Several varieties of onions have been grown from seed
planted in the open ground and several kinds from seed sown early
in hotbed and transplanted. Thecrop was considerably lessened
by the dry weather of the past summer, yet the bulbs matured well
and were hard and well capped, but of small size.
Tomatoes. Seventeen varieties of tomatoes have been grown and
a large amount of excellent fruit produced. Experiments have
been made in different methods of pruning and training and in the
use of Bordeaux mixture to prevent rust.
Nursery and Grounds. The nursery at the university farm is in
excellent condition and contains many ornamental and fruit trees
and shrubs for planting on the grounds of the university and for
supplying the outlying experiment stations. It has suffered little
from the drouth of the past summer Considerable nursery stock
was planted on the grounds about the drill hall and other school
buildings last spring and has added very much to the appearance
ofthe campus. The earlier plantations along the drives and build-
ings are, generally, developing into fine ornamental specimens that
attract much attention.
The labelling of the plants with their common and botanical
names and the place from which they were introduced is a measure
that meets with universal comniendation from students and visitors.
It should be the aim of future plantings to add,as muchas possible,
varieties of interesting kinds on the school grounds. A plant of
much beauty from the Rocky Mountains flowered with us for the
first timethis year. (See Minnesota Horticulturist for August, 1894,
page 243.)
The grounds have been improved by the grading and seeding
down of the land adjacent to the drill hall. The grass and clover seed
sown was made to grow by extended waterings, so that a very good
lawn now surrounds the building. A large number of trees and
shrubs have also been planted near by, and stone walks have been
laid, so that now these groundsare in excellent condition,when it is
considered that a little more than a year ago, they were but the re-
mains of an unsightly gravel bank.
176 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Forest Plantation. The forest plantation embraces about five
acres. Its object is to furnish a variety of trees such as are of value
in this state and to test the value of the newly introduced
kinds. The trees are generally grown in rows, eight feet
apart. They were planted out in the spring of 1890 and, with
few exceptions, have made an excellent growth. There are
now forty-three species of timber trees in this plantation. It
attracts much attention from visitors and is of great value for in-
struction to the students of the school of agriculture and, also, as
an experiment.
Experiment with Garden Cultivators. <A great advance has
been made in the introduction of garden implements within a few
years, so that by their use many crops may be grown entirely
without the ordinary hand labor of weeding. With the object in
view of attracting attention to these useful implements and, also,
with a desire to study them more particularly, an effort was made
last spring to get together a collection of them for trial. Letters
were sent to the various concerns manufacturing these imple-
ments, and most of them responded by donating them to the school
and station. In this manner, fifteen implements were added to our
equipment without cost to the experiment station except for freight
charges. These have been carefully tried the past season, anda
report on them will be found in bulletin No.38. This is probably
the most complete collection of such implements to be found in
this country and is of much service in instruction at the school of
agriculture.
Fungus Diseases. Several fungus diseases have been experi-
mented upon by the use of various fungicides. The diseases to
which special attention has been paid are raspberry cane rust,
strawberry leaf blight, melon blight, tomato rot, potato scab, rot
and blight and gooseberry mildew. These have been treated in
various ways according to the pecularities of the disease. The re-
sults are of much interest and will be found reported on ina bulle-
tin shortly to be issued. It may be of interest to say here that it
seems very evident that by the intelligent use of fungicides, the
potato rot, blight and scab, and the gooseberry mildew, raspberry
cane rust and strawberry leaf blight, may be very nearly prevented,
and at a cost that makes its probable that within a few years
growers will be as well able to combat these diseases as they are
now to combat potato bugs. The injury from tomato rot and melon
_blight did not seem to be lessened by the use of the Bordeaux mix-
ture.
Greenhouses. The greenhouses are in avery good state of preser-
vation and are a valuable aid in the work of the experiment station,
in teaching botany and horticulture to the classes in the school of
agriculture. The instruction in this study, which in most schools
is carried on during the season for active plant life, must here be
given during the winter when the material available for this pur-
pose from a naiural source is very limited. On this account, a
greenhouse is especially needed here. It also furnishes an oppor-
tunity for instruction in general greenhouse work; and it is my
EXPERIMENT STATIONS. IT?
hope that, in the very near future, some facilities will be afforded so
that instruction may be given in what might be called greenhouse
laboratory work. This is aline of study which, I believe, could be
made to occupy a very valuable position in our school curriculum.
MINNESOTA CITY STATION.
O. M. LORD, SUPT.
Strawberries. The first ripe strawberry was picked May twenty-
eighth; the first full box on the thirtieth. The first shipment was
made June sixth; the variety, Crystal City; in appearance, habit
of growth and quality of fruit, it is much like Michels Early.
The last strawberries shipped were Captain Jack, June twenty-
‘ninth. The very last berries to be found on the vines were Parker
Earle, July sixth. The Jessie has been one ofthe best till this year,
when it apparently suffered with drouth. The VanDeman pro-
duced no fruit, though the vines were thrifty and appeared to be in
good condition; it is probably not adapted to sandy soil. Crystal
City, Bederwood, Warfield, Downer, Capt. Jack, Michels Early,
Bubach, Crescent, Princess, Parker Earle and Manchester all bore
good crops. The Timbrel was a failure.
Black Raspberries. For home use or near market the Palmer is
superior to any other variety tested here. It ripens with the Tyler or
Souhegan; it is hardier, has a better habit of growth and bears more
and better fruit. It is not as valuable for shipping as the Gregg or
the Nemaha. After testing under like conditions for three years
with Kansas, Ohio, Davidson’s Thornless and Mammoth Cluster,
the Palmer is preferred for early and the Nemaha and Gregg for
later varieties.
Red Raspberries. Turner, Cuthbert and Shaffer occupy the first
places over a large number of other kinds. The Philadelphia, Dela-
ware, Marlboro, Reliance, Henrietta, Brandywine, Ellisdale and
others have some merits, but are not as reliable fora series of
years as those first named.
Grapes. The yield was rather light, but the quality was excel-
lent. Varieties: Concord, Delaware, Agawam, Moore’s Early, Iona,
Worden and Lindley.
Of the plants received from the state station, two Japan plum
trees and the gooseberry bushes died; the Greenville and No.7
strawberry plants have made a fair growth.
As amember of the committee on plums and cherries, I would
report that of the fifty Russian cherry trees originally set, only
twenty remain. Fwo of them fruited this year; size of fruit medium,
quality fair. The Ostheim cherries nearly allturned yellow and fell
from the trees when about one-fourth size. What fruit matured
was of good size and of fine quality.
Of native plums, the Cheney, Rollingstone and Desota bore full
crops. About twenty other varieties bore more or less, but the fruit
was not of the average size nor of usual quality. The New Ulm and
Ocheeda fruited for the first time here. The New Ulm is a valuable
178 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
addition to the list in size, quality andappearance. The Ocheeda is
somewhat later and of excellent quality. One of the Japan piums,
the Ogon, ripened some fruit July fifteenth; fruit large, yellow and
of fine appearance, but in quality for eating does not compare
favorably with our best natives.
MONTEVIDEO EXPERIMENT STATION.
L, R. MOYER, SUPT.
The autumnal report already published in the “ Minnesota Horti-
culturist,” covers nearly everything there is to report from this
station. What is now reported on is something of a repetition of
former reports.
Early Planting. The season was a very dry and trying one on
all kinds of vegetation.
The beneficial effects of early planting were very apparent. A
package of trees from the Iowa Agricultural College was received
just as the frost was going out,and they were planted atonce. Nearly
every tree grew. A package of trees from the central experiment
station and a package from a well conducted nursery came late,
after the dry, hot weather had setin. Nearly every tree from these
late plantings failed.
Conifers. Some complaint has been made that the white spruc
trees at Montevideo are failing; but on our grounds where the trees
were heavily mulched and cultivated, they are in perfect condition.
The trees are too young, however, to enable us to say any more of
them than thatthey promise well. The balsam fir, for example, is
equally promising on our grounds, although it is known to be
short-lived and of little value even in its native habitat. Our native
juniper is at home on our dry bluffs. Itis so dark colored in winter
as to need something to brighten it up. I know of nothing better
for this purpose than the Mugho pine. A cluster of tall, dark
junipers, with their irregular outlines, enlivened by a few speci-
mens of this dwarf pine planted in front of it forms a beautiful
picture. Dry and trying as are the winters of western Minnesota,
the Mugho pine is always green.
Poplars. The publication of Prof. Bailey’s bulletin on the culti-
vated poplars makes it necessary to revise our nomenclature of
these trees. Our certinensis poplar becomes populus laurifolia.
Our pyramid poplar and laurel-leaved poplar both become forms
of populus balsamifera var. intermedia. Our Dudley poplar be-
comes populus balsamifera, var. virminalis. Our birch-leaved
poplar which we have been calling a native species, becomes
populus nigra, a many formed European species.
Our Bolles poplar becomes populus alba var. Bolleana. Our un-
named poplar is probably a Russian form of the typical populus
balsamifera.
It is an open question as to whether or not the trees will do better
under their new names, but it isa great gain to have the nomencla-
ture settled.
EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 179
Willows. Some competent authority should write a monograph
on the nomenclature of our cultivated willows.
Salix laurifolia and salix acutifolia are both doing very poorly
with us. The young branches turn black, wither and die.
Acer Ginala. These little Siberian, or Manchurian, maples are
very beautiful, hardy shrubs. They prove to be very beautiful in
autumn after the frost has touched the leaves.
Prunus Pumila. The sand cherry, too, turns to beautiful reds
and browns after the frosts of autumn have touched it. This is
only another argument in favorof the ornamental value of this
shrub.
Amelanchier. Our native Juneberry is an ornamental shrub of
much merit. Its silvery, silky foliage is interesting in any planta-
tion, and its white flowers in early spring open at about the time
the shad are running in the rivers. Hence it bears the name, shad-
bush in some parts of the country. Lovett’s Success Juneberry
bears fruit about twice as large as the common kind. It is equally
ornamental and well worth pianting for its fruit.
Blaeaguus. The Russian elaeaguus is proof against drought
and cold. It has silvery, silky leaves, making quite a light colored
tree. The landscape artist may safely advise its planting wherever
a small tree of that character would not be out of place.
Shepherdia. Shepherdia argentea, the buffalo berry, is ex-
tremely hardy, and very like the Russian elaeaguus in general
appearance. It is suitable for ornamental planting in proper
localities. So far as our trees have bloomed, they have proved to be
staminate. We have, therefore, had no fruit. The tree is diaecious,
and those who would have fruit must be careful to get both stami-
nate and pistillate trees.
Philadelphus. No shrub on our grounds has given us more
satisfaction than the Philadelphus. Its beautiful white flowers are
admired by every one. It is well to plant all the different species
and varieties, for the time of blooming differs somewhat. The
Russian variety numbered by Prof. Budd 144 Voronesh is one of
the best.
EUREKA STATION.
C. W. SAMPSON, SUPT.
Grapes. The season was very dry,which seemed to have little or no
effect on the grape crop. My experimental grapes did fairly well;
only two vines bore fruit, the Durant Amber and Cottage. I ex-
pect to have a number of vines in bearing next season. Grapes put
out their foliage quite early in the season, and I noticed quite a
good many buds killed, especially on the Delaware vines. I saw no
signs of mildew, and the vines kept in a healthy condition through
the season. I shipped my first Moore’s Early on August eighteenth
and the first Delaware on August twenty-first, and finished ship-
ping September tenth.
180 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
LA CRESCENT STATION.
J. S. HARRIS, SUPT.
Experiments with the apple are at the present time occupying a
more prominent place in the horticultural work of this station than
with any other of the tree fruits. Both in orchard and nursery our
apple, pear, plum and cherry trees passed through the winter of
1893-94 without any apparent injury to root, trunk, branch or buds,
and the terminals of the yearling root grafts were not discolored.
Grape vines, blackberries and raspberries that were not laid down
were not seriously injured, and two rows of Cuthberts that stood
from seven to nine feet high generally started from the terminal
buds. One of the prime causes of this was that the winter evapora-
tion was less than the average.
At the blooming period the outlook for an immense crop of fruit
was never better. The final outcome was a little more than half a
crop of apples, the largest crop of native plums ever produced in
this section, a full crop of raspberries and grapes and a total failure
of blackberries. The shortage of the apple crop has been very
generally attributed to a frost that occurred late in May, that killed
the fruit spurs and caused the fruit to wither, and the hardiest var-
ieties, like the Oldenburg, Tetofsky, Anis, Russian Autumn
Streaked andsome of the Siberian species, showed this effect the
worst. For several reasons, we do not think this was caused by
frost. The injury was as great in the center of the tops, where a
light frost would not have reached, as on the outside, and less on
some trees that we gave a heroic thinning the previous fall. Be-
Sides, at that time, our strawberries and grapes were sufficiently
forward to have been entirely destroyed by a frost that would have
injured the apple, and were not in the least hurt. Our theory is
that it was caused by a fungus or bacterial disease that at
that time found favorable conditions with the apple to get inits
deadly work. We are also of the opinion that spraying with Bor-
deaux mixture just before that time would have saved much fruit.
We get this opinion from the fact that we used the mixture on a
few trees—and was obliged to desist on account of an accident, but
the few trees sprayed showed less of the trouble and produced more
and better fruit than the others. Late in the previous fall fire ran
over about half an acre of the orchard, and that portion produced
more and better fruit than the remainder, which we attribute to the
destruction of insects and germs of disease. Our crop of apples
was larger than weexpected at the time we reported on small fruits,
but the size and quality of the fruit was not up to the average.
Of trees large enough to bear full crops, the Oldenburg, Haas,
Wealthy, Wabasha, Peach, Rollin’s Prolific and Minnesota, Pride of
Minneapolis and Early Strawberry crabs produced the best crops
and the Hibernal the poorest. In the experiment orchards, we
now have, besides the older and better known varieties, over one
hundred and fifty varieties, ranging in age from four to ten years.
They are of the but little known Russians and newer seedlings
and the Siberian species and their hybrids. In the whole orchard,
cs
ow
bY
o
EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 181
about one hundred varieties showed bloomed last spring and about
eighty-five perfected some fruit. Itis still too early to report upon
their merits. The most fruitful tree in the whole orchard is a ten
year old variety we have named Young’s Greening. It averaged
about twelve*apples to every foot of limb spaceinthetop. The fruit
is small to medium in size, fair quality and promises to be a fair
keeper. About one-third of the Russian varieties are making a
healthy and medium strong growth, but, so far, the most of them
do not show a disposition to bear very much fruit while young
The Longfield, Anisim, Good Peasant and Ostrekof are proving
exceptions, also, the Transparent family. The Russian Autumn
Streaked is the worst blighter, and all the Anis family, except the
Blue, are shy bearers and drop their fruit too early. Weare much
pleased with the Soiree. The tree is a symmetrical grower, and ap-
pears to be more hardy than the Wealthy. The fruitis nearly as
large as the McMahon, of better quality anda longer keeper, and
the tree nearly free from blight.
We cannot say much about blight at this time,as we have had
scarcely any of it the last year, except the spur blight, before al-
luded to, and that in the Autumn Streaked and some of the Siber-
ians. As the Peerless is so prominently before the public, we will
mention that our six trees are all doing finely, and nothing on the
place looks more promising. One tree bore a single specimen of
fruit that was larger and better than any I have seen from the or-
iginal tree. We have not had a single case of blight in the nursery
except on one tree of the Red Queen. About ten more varieties
have been added to the nursery list since the last report.
The last season has averaged the dryest one we have experienced
for a great number of years, and owing to the drouth and the ex-
treme heat ofa few days,has proved disastrous to many newly planted
trees and caused considerable loss to root, grafts—the most so to
the plums; and all trees, bothin orchard and nursery, have madeless
than the average annual growth. The new growth appears to have
generally ripened up well, but ona few varieties the buds began to
enlarge after the light September rains. The soilis still very dry
below a depth of six inches. The experiment of using the sand
cherry as a stock for root grafting the native plum promises to be
a great success, and the trees upon these stocks withstood the
drouth and retained their foliage much better than those upon
native plum.
We acknowledge the receipt from the central station of trees of
Russian apricot and Japanese plums and plum and sand cherry
stocks, most of which we have succeeded in making live. A few of
our pear trees showed bloom, but none of them perfected fruit ex-
cept one tree of Flemish Beauty. There is some blight on this var-
iety, and one of the Russians, a Besemianka, blighted badly. Our
best or most profitable plums were the Cheney and Rollingstone;
both produced heavy crops and did not appear to be much affected
by drouth. The fruit of the Ocheeda, Rockford and Piper's Peach
was good, but not much ofit. Hawkeye was very poor. The De-
sotas bore to their fullest capacity, but not more than one-eighth of
182 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
the fruit reached the largest size. Judicious thinning would prob-
ably have been beneficial to both fruit and trees.
In grapes, besides the older kinds, the Niagara, Brighton, Moore’s
Diamond and Woodruff’s Red are among the very best. The Eaton
and Moyer have not so far come up to our expectations.
Experiments on deep and shallow setting of root grafts show
that a medium depth, that is, the minimum about 2144 inches below
the surface, is better than shallower or deeper, and that mulching
is better than such watering as a farmer can give in a dry season.
FERGUS FALLS STATION.
F. H, FIEDLER, SUPT.
I suppose you will be surprised to receive my report from Mon-
tana. I have come here forthe winter. * * a As to straw-
berries I made a report last summer.
Raspberries. Cuthbertis the best late market and home berry
we have. The Gregg is the largest and most productive blackcap
I have, butrather late. The Kansasis not so good a bearer as the
Gregg; the first pickings are good, but after the first week the
berries become small and crumbly. The Olderis a poor bearer
here; the berries small to medium. The Caroline borea very poor
crop this year. The Golden Queen, King’s Seedling, Taylor, and
Colossal did not bear. The season was so dry that there were only
a few berries.
Currants bore a good crop. Fay’s, Cherry,and White Grape are
the best.
Grapes are nearly all dead. Blackberries were acomplete failure,
and so were gooseberries.
The last two years were very poor seasons for experimenting, on
account of drought, but there is no use to get discouraged about it.
We must plant on and hope for something better.
Iam sorry I cannot make a better report.
EXCELSIOR STATION.
H. M. LYMAN, SUPT.
In making my annual report to the central station I will say there
have been few new varieties of apples that have come into bearing
this year with us, butat the present writing prospects are good for
an abnndant crop another year. We have many seedlings that are
looking finely which have not fruited yet. Most of the apples”
raised this year at the station were from seedlings of our own
planting, many of them hybrids of the Wealthy, Duchess and crab
varieties.
As regards the Russian varieties of apples which we have
planted out, a report may be misleading, for the varieties are some-
what mixed up,as we all know. Among the trees planted three
years ago, one Russian was marked Romenskoe (599). As the tree
a ~~ =”, ore
EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 183
developed we thought now we hada tree that would stand the climate
of Minnesota, of Russian origin, besides the Hibernal and Duchess,
but now we find it to all appearance to be the Hibernal. We have
other varieties that look very promising, viz: Repta Kretshoe, Char-
lamof, Boravinka, Anisim, Red Repka (200), Aromatinoe (354) and
Good Peasant.
Of other varieties that look promising, I will mention Patton’s
Greening and Peerless. These all look as well as trees can in any
climate, though a very severe winter may change their appearance
somewhat.
Though the past has been an extremely dry season, our young
trees have made a good growth.,. Some varieties have suffered
somewhat from blight, Lake Winter crab the worst.
OWATONNA STATION.
E. H. S. DARTT, SUPT.
In experimenting with fruit trees with a view of developing hardi-
ness, it is impossible to make rapid progress without the frequent
recurrence of very severe winters. It has been ten years now since
we had a test winter. As a consequence, nearly all apple trees not
predisposed to blight and some that are, are doing well, confidence
is being restored, new varieties are being boomed, many of which
will eventually be of little value. There seems to bea rising tide
and though there is an undertow of past experiences that tends to
sadness, yet the swell moves on and will continue to move on till it
strikes another iceberg, when it will recede. It is to fortify against
and stop, if possible, this receding wave that we labor.
Asa result of this succession of mild winters, our apple list has
increased until, including the synonyms and accessions of the
present winter, it now contains 800 varieties of grafted trees, besides
a large number of ungrafted seedlings from our best Minnesota
apples andcrabs. The best of these will be grafted as fast as they
develop desirable qualities. Nearly every noted grower in Wiscon-
sin and Minnesota and some in Iowa are here represented by some
of their hardiest stock. Some varieties have come from unknown
sources. Magog, Memphremagog and Hamangog are evidently
from Vermont.
About 230 of these varieties have been placed in the orchard,which
now contains 800 trees, and the condition of each tree as to vigor
and blight is marked up each fall. And later on, as trees come into
bearing, productiveness, size and quality of fruit will be noted. The
plan has been adopted of thinning out the trees on all nursery
ground, leaving as many as can stand without crowding, giving
preference to one or more trees of each variety. In this way a large
number can be tried without the trouble of transplanting. As many
of these trees are approaching bearing size, marking in future will
likely extend to this class. After our next hard winter, the study of
this list must become very interesting and profitable to the planter,
as it will show the behavior of different varieties for a series of years.
184 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Blight has been more general than ever before, but has been mostly
confined to small branches, so that the damage has not been very
serious. Until some effectual remedy for blight shall have been
discovered, it will be best not to plant blighting kinds, for if such
varieties are well cultivated and well manured, they are likely to be
ruined by blight, and without this treatment the orchard will soon
be ruined by starvation. The drouth was very severe. Root grafts, of
which about 4,000 were planted, did poorly,and a large proportion of
newly planted trees failed to grow. About 2,000 small evergreens
were planted, two-thirds of which were saved by irrigation. 6,000
root grafts, of more than 200 varieties, are being made for next
spring’s planting.
While I have the condition of every orchard tree marked on my
record,I have concluded to abridge here and only mark each variety
in sucha way as to show itsaverage condition. HARDINESS or vigor
is shown by figures: 1 extra being best, 1 good, 2 poor, 3 very poor
and 0 dead. BLIGHT is shown by B with minus and plus signs: B—
very little blight, B considerable blight, B+ much blight, BX ruined
by blight. A few varieties were neglected two years ago and will
likely improve in the future. I wish to call attention to the Long-
worth pear, which has been doing remarkably wel) forthe lastthree
years.
PEARS. 25 T 1B Phoenix No. 32 3
- eee Bs se We. oH 1 Ee
No. 34 + Unknown = 0. 56
tebe Saas 1B * No.50 1
6 304 ae nano 1 iS £¢ Now te 2
eworth 1 Ex « : erabd Xx
Ronee Bek Patton’s Russet 1 Ex a NOR 1 Ex
Whitney No. 20 1 Magnet (Peffer) 1B
CHERRIES. Unknown 1 Seed R 1
Greenwood 1 Seed P 2
Budd’s Autograph 1 Tetofsky 1 DH Nog 1
Tutovka 1Ex Rus 190 2B— Arthur (Patton) 1 Ex
Linder _ 2 Hislop crab 0—BX Rus 413, true 1
Early Richmond 1 Seed J 1B— Excelsior 1
Utah Hybrid 1 Rus 243 1 B— Isham crab 1 Ex
Orel No. 24 3 DH No.3 1B— Gideon’s Sept. 1
ee Ct 3 DH Graft Oct. 1 ve Peter 2
ss xo x 2 : 2 Bee are erab 3
tS. arly Strawberry nknown
Hawkeye eas 1 Unknown 1B— Silken 1
Cheney 1 18M Anisim 1Ex Hotchkiss 1B
Wyant 1 Unknown 1B— Duchess 1 Ex
Rollingstone 1 Kimball 0 DHNo.1 2
Weaver 1 Dartt’s Porch 0BX Unknown 1 Ex
Hillman 1% Milton crab 1 Red Bark crab 1 Ex
Speer 1 DH top graft Duch No. 8 (Pat.) 1 Ex
Wolt 14% Miller’s Seedling 1 Jowa Beauty 2
Garden 2 Seed D 2 Rus 120 M = 0
Rockford 1 Seed L 1 3M 2
Owatonna, (not true) Reponka 2B Wealthy 1%
Miner 1 Minn. crab 1 Gideon's Lou 1%
White Nicholas 2 Unknown Rus. 2B+ Mills’ Seedling 1%
Black Prune 9 Red Anis 1 Shields’ crab 1 Ex
Patton’s Native 2 Rus, unknown 3 Palmer’s Sweet 1
Early Red 1% Avista (Phillips) 1 Mitchell’s Seedling 2
Gates jy Phillips No. 2 1 Extra Borovinka 1
Black Hawk 1 Bevel Glass 1 Haas 2
Ocheeda { Shining Aromatic 1Ex Baldwin Seed 1
Desota 1 oe aborts 1 pos “ ret Ce poe :
; ; Stepanof 2 steline (Bran
EELS ene ; Heidorn 164 2B-— No. 19 1 Ex
man Borsdorf 356 2B+ Champaign Pip 1 Ex
APPLES. Moscow 1B 6 Vor 1 Ex
Arabian 1Ex 21T 3
Gideon’s Jan. 1 Vineuse 1 Good Peasant if
fs Oct. 1 DH Seed 1Ex Rus 224 1 Ex
Gideon 2 Phoenix No.5? \ 1Ex —“ 103 1 Ex
Gibb crab 1% me Duch 49 1 Browery 1
Kourk’s Anis B+ ss Fall OrangeSd. 2B Transparent 1 Ex
EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 185
Smoky Arcad 1B— Thompson No. 29 1B— Dartt’s Porch _ 2 BX
Little Hat 1B- DHNo.5 1 Phoenix Duch. Sd. 1 Ex
Gaines’ Swedisher 1 Ex Quaker Beauty 2B— Florence 1 Ex
Seed 1 Ex Phoenix crab 24 1B+ HartSeed (Sias) 1 B—
“« & 1Ex Martha crab 1B Va.'crab 1 Ex
* F, BX replaced Tubb’s Iron Clad 1B— Richland Winter 1B
NG) 1Ex Patton’s Greening 1 Seed I 2B
ce 1Ex DH No. 26 1B— “* 2
area) 1B Gideon’s No. 6 1 Winter crab 1 Ex
CR 2B Blushing Maid 1Ex Wild crab (Fluke) 1 Ex
Ba AL 1B— Seed A 1 Leudloff 1
Grosco Skalanka 1 Okabena 1Ex Wolf River 1%
21 Vor 1 Thompson No. 38 1 Seed R 1 B—
Rinouski 1 Rus 148 1 MeMahon 1% B—
Yellow Sweet 1 ** 693 1 DH No. 24 1
Herron 87h 1 Nix Ii Dp ewe nke Lp 1
Hare Kipka 2B— Romna 599 1 Sma 1 1
Aromatic 977 Q Shephard 475 | es Dee Be Py 1
Anisette 185 1Ex Grand Duke 2 ef aie 1B
Rus 222 1 Sweet Streaked Pan Shaye ECS oo ale 1
Reinette Red 1B— 41 Vor 1 No name(Pat) 1
Stupka 3B— Red Streaked 3B Hislop Sd. Wint. 3 B+
Lubs Reinette-or Green Glass 187 1B Lowland 1 Ex
= Queen 1 Rus 149 1B Prof Goff 1
White Skrute a4. 1Ex N. W. Greening
== Round White 1 Pear 267 1 B— (Plumb) 1 Ex
Saxonia 2B+ Green Butskara 2 Yearly’s Wimter 1
Antonovka 1 German Collville 1B— Peftfer No. 11 Zz
Aport Orient 1B— 31T 1B— Acker’s Duchess 1
Moscow 1B— Ostronskoe 1Ex DH No. 10 1 Ex
Red Titka 2B Rus 223 1 B— Plumb’s Russet 1B
Rus No. 450 2B— S216 1D BiNor 7 1 B—
eee 87, 1 DH No. 22 2B+ Barr’s Yel. Sib. 1
‘Thompson No. 37 1 l)uchess Seed 1Ex Gideon’s Aug. 2
. No. 24 1 DHNo.3 1B— Phoenix No. 12 1
DISCUSSION.
Mrs. Stager: I want to ask something right here about the
experiment stations. I believe they are to decide at the ex-
periment stations what fruits are best adapted to those locali-
ties where the stations are located. I believe there is an ex-
periment station at St. Cloud. We have never had any reports
from that place, or known whether anything has been done to
help it or not.
Sec. Latham: Mr. Meyers was the gentleman in charge of
the reformatory at the time the experiment station was estab-
lished. Ihada letter from him lately, speaking of his removal.
He has been superseded by another gentleman, and since that
nothing is being done there,, Ithink it would be best to drop
it from the list of stations.
Mrs. Stager: People around there would like to have some
place to go to see how things ought tobedone. When the trees
and fruits were shipped to St. Cloud, they lay there until the con-
victs came out and planted them,and most of the small fruits were
put inside the reformatory grounds where nobody could ever
see them; and while our people were anxious to learn all they
could about the matter, yet the experiments carried on there
were of no help to them. There are several parties there, if
they had a chance, who would be willing to take fruit and take
care of it for the good of the people outside.
186 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Pres. Underwood: I suggest that Mrs. Stager call this mat-
ter up at some time when Prof. Green is present.
Mr. Harris: Speaking about experiment stations, we have
none too many, and I supposed they had one at St. Cloud that
was a great benefit to the people there, and I am sorry to learn
they have none.
Mr. Dartt: I will say that I have not been able up to the
present time to send any report to Prof. Green, and I have no
report written out, but the law requires that I should report in
person to your society, and I am here, and if there is anything
in regard to the station you want to know you can put me
through a course of sprouts, if you not ask me toabuse my
neighbors or tell too big a lie. I will answer any reasonable
question.
Mrs. Kennedy: Iwillask Mr. Dartt if he has any trees to
sell?
Mr. Dartt: Yes.
Mrs. Kennedy: I propose we all buy some of them, because
we take it for granted they are good.
Mr. Dartt: I have finally concluded to sell trees on my own
account. There are trees of hundreds of different varieties,
and I have concluded to sell them. Ishall not sell them extra
cheap, but just a fair price, and what money comes in will go
into the state treasury, so there is not much of an object for
me to boom anything, or try to sell anything that is no good,
and Iam not mean enough to run down anything that is good
to keep anybody else from selling—I do not feel as though I
were. lam there to find out what fruits are good, and to tell
all their qualities, good or bad, and that is what I intend to do
just‘as fast as the information comes. I have a good many
varieties there; but as yet none of them have borne, and I am
not prepared to say much about them. We have not had areal
hard winter since I commenced, and I cannot swear as to the
hardiness of anything I have got. Some of the Russians ap-
pear to be more hardy than the Duchess or the Hibernal. I
may say that in an orchard of 800 trees, probably, composed of
three hundred varieties, I go through each fall—and I also did
this last fall—and mark every tree so far as the quality is
concerned. There is one thing Il have got that I am encour-
aged in. Ihave three Longworth pear trees. I have had
them three years. They have made a growth of some three
to three and a half feet, and they appear to be just as hardy
as any apple tree I have in the orchard.
Mr. Brackett: When will they fruit?
Mr. Dartt: There is some prospect of fruit this year. I
have never seen any pear trees bearing. If there is any
other question, anything I know, I will answer.
— 2
EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 187
NEW ULM STATION.
C. W. H. HEIDEMAN, SUPT.
CLASSIFICATION OF THE SEXUAL AFFINITIES OF PRUNUS
AMBRICANA VAR.*
THE PROBLEM.
The uncertainty of the regular annual fruiting of plums in the
Northwest, where only the native Prunus Americana in its many
varieties has been found sufficiently hardy to endure the climatic
conditions, has long been a difficult problem in horticulture.
Writers on the subject of plum culture have attributed as the cause
of the more or less non-productivenes “the influences of domes-
tication and consequent high culture,” “self-sterility,” etc., etc. The
beneficial effect of cross-fertilization has been hinted at and pro-
posed as the remedy for all cases of infecundity. Mixed and close
planting of the varieties to better ensure cross-fertilization has
been suggested by nearly all of them. Reports of various horti-
cultural societies are filled with instances of the beneficial effects of
cross-fertilization, but, reading between the lines, as many or more
instances of the failure of good results fron cross-fertilization have
been recorded. Cross-fertilization, therefore, unless it be effected
in the direction of the natural affinities of the varieties, does not
completely explain why certain varieties, even with the aid of cross-
pollenation, may be prolific one season and the next produce no
fruit at all; why one season the fruit will be large and fine, the next
inferior in size and quality; why an unusually fine variety in the
woods and thickets will be worthless when removed from its sur-
roundings, even with subsequent best of care and culture.
About ten years agoI began making artificial crosses for the
purpose of breeding improved varieties. My grounds contained at
least two hundred trees, mostly selected from the woods and thick-
ets along the Minnesota and Cottonwood river bottoms, together
with a few horticultural varieties of P. Americana. I soon found
that many of my desired crosses were difficult to obtain. I ob-
served numerous adaptations to ensure cross-pollenation, together
with differences in morphology of the stamen and pistil. Crosses
between certain forms were fully fertile, while with others negative
results were invariably obtained. Reciprocal crosses between
varieties and between species were not equally fertile. I determined
to go into the matter systematically,keeping a careful record of each
cross made and noting the result, raising hundreds of seedlings and
again experimenting with them.
*A paperread before the Minnesota Academy of Natural Sciences, Jan., 1895,
188 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
Prunus Americana and other species of the prunus vary much in
their wild state in flower, fruit, foliage, season of maturity and
other botanical characteristics, so much so that an enterprising
botanist might easily pick up in the thickets of almost any natural
area where they abound a dozen or more varieties with characters
so distinct from the type as to entitle them to the distinction of
specific varieties.
The writer has no desire to inflict upon scientific botany any
further division of the botanical characters ofa species which is
already sufficiently defined, but only offers his classification for the
purposes of this paper in the interest of economic horticulture.
CLASSIFICATION. e
Adopting le nomenclature used by Darwin in his “ Different
Forms of Flowers on Plants of the Same Species” and classifying
as to morphology and function, we find the following fairly well
defined forms in addition to the hermaphrodite form of botanists.
DICHOGAMOUS GROUP.
Proterogynous, (plate 1, fig. 1) on which the stigma is ready, for
fertilization and has passed the receptive stage before the pollen
matures.
Proterandrous, (plate 1, fig 2) on which the pollen ripens and
matures before the stigma is ready for fertilization.
HETEROSTYLED GROUP.
*
Long-Styled, (plate 1, fig. 3) on which the pistil is nearly twice the
length of the stamens.
Short-Styled, (plate 1, fig. 4) on which the stamens are nearlv
twice the length of the pistil.
BISEXUAL GROUP.
Gynodicecious, (plate 1, fig.5)on which the flowers in morphol-
ogy consist of perfect flowers, but mostly females with anthers
aborted and only a few grains of pollen, and these smaller and most-
ly aborted. '
Andromoncecious, (plate 1, fig.6) on which the flowers in mor-
phology consisit of perfect flowers, but mostly males with most of
the pistils wanting or only present in a rudimentary form.
These divisions in morphology and function are generally well
defined, but sometimes graduate into each other. The hermaphro-
dite form, which is the only one capable of self-fertilization, is now
scarcely found ina wild state. Most of our cultivated varieties of
P. Americana are transition forms of this and are somewhat dif-
ficult to classify. Some of the horticultural varieties certainly be-
long to the next, and a few are certainly heterostyled. Dichogam-
ous varieties are more frequently met with in nature.
The p roterogynous form iseasily distinguished by most of the pis-
tils pr ojecting through and above the petals,which fora day or two
remain incurved over the still immature stamens,thus mechanically
preventing the ripening of the pollen, and fertilization, if accom-
plished at all, has generally been effected before the petals expand. I
EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 189
PLATE 1. Flowers of Prunus Americana slightly enlarged.
190 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
have also noticed in intense forms of this and the next aconsiderable
difference in the time in which the stigma became receptive and the
pollen mature after exposure to air and sunshine.
The proterandrous form is also easily distinguished from the fact
that the pistil, before the petals expand, is found curved within the
corolla, the stigma being irverted and partly within the calyx tube.
About twenty-four to thirty-six hours after the petals expand and,
usually, after the pollen on the anthers has all dehisced, the pistil
gradually assumes an upright position and becomes receptive, and
as the stigma does not become receptive until after an exposure to
the influence of light and air for at least an hour or two, self-fertili-
zation is prevented. The peculiarities of the two dichogamous
forms not only in a measure mechanically prevent self-fertilization
but certainly prevent the maturation of the pollen grains and stig-
matic secretion at the same time, and this alone in the more intense
forms is sufficient to prevent self-fertilization. With respect to
heterostyled plants Darwin* says: ‘“Unlessit be proved that one
form is fully fertile only when it is fertilized with pollen from
another form, we have not complete evidence that the species is
heterostyled. But when pistils and stamens differ in length in two
or three set of individuals, and this is accompanied bya difference in
the size of the pollen grains or in the state of the stigma, we may
infer with much safety that the species is heterostyled.” If the above
test is correct, then a few individuals of our species are heterostyled,
and many more are tending in that direction. Bisexuality is clearly
defined in many individuals in nature, the male form being more
numerous. I have frequently met forms entirely devoid of pistils.
Now and then, I have found forms which do notappear to come un-
der any division of the foregoing classification. Forinstance, I have
a tree which for three years has produced flowers, each of which had
two and, in a few instances, three apparently perfectly developed
pistils. So far no fruit has set, although I made last spring a
number of hand crosses to determine its affinity. These freak forms
are the exception, and with them this paper has nothing to do.
POLLINATION AND FERTILIZATION.
The fruit buds of P. Americana are developed on the spurs and
spur-like branches of the current season’s growth. The following
spring, on approach of steady warm weather in May, the buds swell
and expose from one to five flowers in a simple umbel-like cluster,
The period of bloom and the time when pollination may be effected
generally extends over two or three days, and in cool and cloudy
weather it may extend overa week. Pollination is effected by the
aid of wind or insects. Within from two to twenty-four hours after
the blossom has fully expanded, or in the dichogamous forms after
the pistil and stigma have been exposed to light and warmth, the
stigma becomes receptive, as may be plainly seen with a glass of
moderate diameters by the glistening secretion on the stigma. Pol-
len ripens during clear, warm weather in about the same time’
varying slightly in the different varieties. Within three or four
* “ Different Forms of Flowers on Plants of the Same Species.”
EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 191
days after fertilization has been effected, the petals drop off and the
calyx tube is parted over the now slowly swelling ovary and drops off,
When pollination has not been effected, the blossom continues fresh
for several days,although the stigma may have become covered with
dust and withered and become non-receptive, and it finally drops
off, the peduncle remaining fora day or so longer. The peduncle
lengthens to nearly its full length from the time the blossom bursts
from the bud until fertilization is complete and, when legitimately
fertilized, enlarges in diameter. When fertilization has been illegit-
imately effected the peduncle does not enlarge in diameter as much,
and the slightly enlarged ovary usually falls, together with the pe-
duncle, within from three to twenty days after fertilization. The
season of full bloom ranges in different varieties over a period
of about ten days. The past season, 1894, my earliest blooming
varieties were in full bloom May 2d and the latest May 10th.
The actual time in the life of a blossom during which fertilization
may be effected scarcely exceeds two hours and is not, as many sup
pose, during the whole life of the expanded flower.
LEGITIMATE AND ILLEGITIMATE FERTILIZATION.
From the many artificial crosses that I have made and recorded, I
long ago became convinced that fertilization might be effected in
different degrees and that many plants had the power of throwing
off such ovaries as were fertilized by pollen lacking in sexual af-
finity and that this wasespecially truein P. Americana. Itshould
be borne in mind that the production of seed is the chief end of the
act of fertilization and the vivification of the ovule is the primary
object of pollination. By systematic crossing and hybridizing, I
determined that the union of the reproductive elements of two trees
possessing the proper selective affinity for each other readily pro-
duced a stronger developement of the ovary; a union of this kind I
shall call legitimate.
Itis well known that by crossing distinct species fertilization is
effected with more or less difficulty; that reciprocal crosses of the
Same two species vary in the intensity of fertilization. As tothe
union of the reproductive elements of varieties lacking in sexual af-
finity for each other or in which the reproductive elements have
become too greatly differentiated and the development of the ovary
either fails entirely or is below the normal, I shall use the term il-
legitimate, and in the same sense as used by Darwinin his “Different
Forms of Flowers on Plants of the Same Species.” The simplest
test to determine the sexual affinity of any variety, and one which
Ihave never known to fail when done under proper conditions, is
to take séveral sets of flower clusters and pollinate each individual
stigma with pollen of a different form. The union of such crosses
as possess the proper degree of affinity will prove fertile, while the
union of those lacking in affinity will prove sterile. No matter how
many of the flowers of each cluster are pollinated legitimately or
illegitimately, the result will be as above. If all of the flowers of a
cluster are pollinated legitimately, they will all set fruit, barring
accident, of course. This experiment may be modified by many
different combinations.
192 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
RESULT OF SELF AND CROSS-FERTILIZATION.
In the diagramatic chart following (plate 2), I have attempted to
give in the simplest and most condensed manner the results of sever-
la thousand artificial hand pollinations madeby me during a period
of five successive years, together with some earlier data and obser-
vations, all made in a very careful manner and carefully recorded,
the details of which would be too long and burdensome for this
paper. Most of my data for pollinations made with pollen of the
andromoncecious form on the long-styled heterostyled form were
accidentally lost, and at the time of compilation consisted of but
three records. I am unwilling at this time to state positively that
pollination in the above direction would produce legitimate fertil-
ization; I have, however, on the basis of incomplete data and from
theoretical conclusions,indicated the probable rule by a dottedline.
The central column represents the form of pollen used; the lines
between the different forms indicate the directions in which fertil-
ization is positive or negative, or,in probably more expresssive
terms, legitimate or illegitimate. Of the forty-nine possible combi-
nations, or directions. of pollinations but one form, the hermaphro-
dite, is fully fertile with its own pollen. Including the hermaphro-
dite form, cross-fertilization is legitimate in only thirteen directions
Thus it will be seen that among the seven forms of P. Americana
pollination is possible in forty-nine directions, thirty-six of them
giving negative or illegitimate results, and that there are only thir-
teen directions in which cross-fertilization is possible.
I know of no group of plants more favorable than the genus
Prunus for the study of the order of evolution from the hermaphro-
dite stage to the higher stage of bisexuality. Their organs of re-
production, asI have shown, present a number of peculiarities of
morphology and function, unusually interesting and significant
and at the same time unusually intelligible, nor are these peculiar-
ities exhibited to the same degree by any other group of plants. A
study of these numerous adaptations to insure cross-fertilization
must necessarily end in the conclusion that our species is gradu-
ally approaching a state of diceciousness, and, fortunately for our
discussion, there appears to be no missing link in the chain.
With these numerous adaptations and structures to prevent self-
fertilization and to insure cross-fertilization in view, we are pre-
pared to understand why, in the several cases, self and cross-fertil-
ization is possible, and why impossible; why cross-fertilization is
possible in acertain direction, while the reciprocal cross may be
sterile, and, finally, by what means our species is gradually becoming
dicecious. The wedge of variation, having gained a hold of our
hermaphrodite form, still in existence and capable of self-fertiliza-
tion and forced by long continued self and occasional cross-fertili-
zation, produced the earliest types of our dichogamous group which
the better insured cross fertilization. In the proterogynous form, the
pistil, protruding through the still undeveloped petals and stamens
and receiving the advantage of sunlight, air and warmth, was en-
couraged to greater development, the stamens being correspond-
193
194 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
ingly retarded. In the proterandrous form, the stamens received
the benefit and the pistil was retarded. Through successive genera-
tions, the influence of the law of balancement has been at work, the
evolution towards a separation of the sexual organs has fairly start-
ed, and we have the foundation in the proterandrous and proterogyn-
ous forms for the pistillate and staminate forms ofa future dicecious
species. Simultaneously with the development of the pistil and re-
tardation of the stamens and vice versa, came the further adapta-
tion of difference in time of maturity of the reproductive elements,
with an additional protection against self-fertilization.
The development of the reproductive organs, aided by the law
of balancement, continued, and we have developed the heterostyled
group. What was before accomplished to quite an extent by purely
mechanical adaptations, is now accomplished by a differentiation
in the reproductive elements. So greata differentiation in the re-
productive organs surely caused a differentiation in the sexual ele-
ments.
Our species has now become divided against itself. The dif-
ferentiation ofthe reproductive elements was followed by still further
development and retardation of the reproductive organs—and we
have nearly reached the bisexual stage, not only in morphology
butin function. Wenow have only astep further to the complete
separation of the sexual organs.
In the earlier stages of the dichogamous group, self-fertiliza-
tion was possible but mainly prevented by mechanical adaptations
to insure cross-fertilization. In the heterostyled group self-fertil-
ization is prevented by the great differentiation in the reproductive
elements, and the sexual affinity destroyed. There can be no doubt
that the differentiation into species was accomplished by variation
of form, foliage, cell structure, etc., without a corresponding differ-
entiation of the sexual elements. We know this from the fact that
distinct species will sometimes cross, but not freely, in a reciprocal
direction. I have myself, within the past ten years, produced hy-
brids between P. angustifolia and P. Americana; between P. do-
mestica and P. Americana; between P. Besseyi, Bailey (P. pum-
ila, Lin.) and P. hortulana, B.; between Cerasus avium rar. and
P. Besseyi, B. I made several hundred crosses to produce hybrids
between our sand cherry (P. Bessey1) and horticultural varieties
of Cerasus avium. Pollen of C. avium var.on P. Besseyi invar-
iably proved sterile; reciprocal crosses set fruit, but they failed to
germinate, the seed containing only a trace of the aborted ovule.
When I finally used the pollen of a proterandrous form of P. Bess
ona short-styled form of C. avium fertilization was effected and
developed a normal fruit, the seed of which germinated and pro-
duced an undoubted hybrid. The reciprocal crosses of the same
varieties failed to fertilize a single ovule out of over fifty crosses
made. I had applied the same principle in the production of hy-
brids between P. hortulana and P. Besseyi with fair success. The
successful crosses just mentioned were made with pollen which had
not been too greatly differentiated, on a pistil which, in accordance
with the theory advanced for the evolution of the different forms,
tea
PER ee er yl ieP eee ek on Neate
EVERGREENS. 195
had been retarded. The unsuccessful crosses were made with dif-
ferentiated pollen on a pistil not sufficiently differentiated. Finally,
we must conclude that the means by which the bisexual forms have
been produced, though gradually and necessarily very slow, are
identical with the forces that produced the different species. In the
crossing of the different species, we find that by applying the same
rule for cross-fertilization we can trace the genealogy back to the
forms wherein the differentiation of the sexual elements had not
destroyed their affinity. From these experiments we deduce the
following:
CONCLUSIONS.
Self-sterility of Prunus Americana in the heterostyled and bisex-
ual forms is caused by the great differentiations of the sexual
elements.
Pollination by wind and insects cannot be controlled to any extent.
Mixed planting, therefore, unless it be done with respect to the nat-
ural affinities of the varieties, may produce the most disastrous
result for the horticulturist.
Other species of Prunus observed show these characteristics of P.
Americana, and it may be possible te bring them together and un-
der a similar classification.
Finally we have gained some knowledge in the summary produc-
tion of hybrids.
This study is necessarily preliminary to further investigation
touching horticultural varieties of P. Americana, etc.
EVERGREEN TREES.
E. H. S. DARTT, OWATONNA.
In this world of ours we value things according to their abund-
ance or scarcity. If gold was as plenty as iron, its value would go
till the term sixteen to one would become obsolete. So of the beau-
tiful evergreen tree. In regions where nature has provided for all
its requirements, it is so very common; but when we approach the
borders of what used to be known as the great American desert)
we look upon it as athing of beauty,and we are anxious to study
out some plan by which we can make it a joy forever.
Excessive drouth is a great impedimentin the way of the success-
ful growth of trees. How shall we counteract its influence? I would
say, first, by preparing a very deep, rich, mellow soil—fora rich soil
‘will generate and retain moisture much better than a poor soil;
next,by thorough cultivation, stirring the soil frequently to the
depth of three inches during periods of drouth; next, by irrigation,
which must be continuous and thorough, for a little water like a
little learning is thought to be a dangerous thing, for it quickly
evaporates and leaves the ground in worse condition than before it
was applied. In watering a tree, it is thought best to make a slight
depression about it and give a three foot tree three or four pail-
fuls, increasing the amount according to the size of the tree. Then,
replace the soil or mulch and let it rest forten days or two weeks,
196 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
when, if drouth continues, water again. The first watering should
not be delayed too long, for, if a tree begins to wither, watering is
not likely to save it.
Another way of guarding against drouth is to protect trees from
the force of hot winds and the direct rays of the summer’s sun.
This may be partially done by driving stakes and stretching can-
vas two or three feet from the tree on the south and west. The best
protection is an open windbreak on the south and west from thirty
to fifty feet from the tree needing protection.
If we can plant on a north slope orhillside, the hot winds will
have less force, and the sun’s rays will strike so obliquely as to do
little harm.
In drouthy sections, we find it advantageous to plant such var-
ieties as are known to be good foragers and make rapid growth.
Where it is difficult to make trees grow at all, we can scarcely tol-
erate slow growing or short lived trees; but there are places where
this class of trees can be used to good advantage. Many lawns and
parks are ruined by too many trees planted for immediate effect
and want of courage later on to remove enough of them so as to
give those remaining ample room. It were better in lawn planting
to have an eye to the future and plant a few trees for permanent
growth and then fill in for immediate effect with dwarfs and such
short lived trees as balsam firand white birch, which are likely to
look well for a few years and die out as soon as the space would be
needed by other trees. No tree or man can take on majestic
beauty without room to expand. What would Lincoln have been
but for the rebellion?
As an ornamental tree for favorable localities in southernMinne-
sota, I place the Norway spruce at the head of the list. It is quite
sensitive to extreme cold and issometimes killed when small or has
its branches killed at the snow line, making it difficult to get trees to
limb down to the ground except in highly favored localities. When
we get it up a little from the ground, it makes a rapid growing, ro-
bust tree and stands drouth well. Trees thirty years old, about
Owatonna, seem in perfect health. White spruce comes next. It
can stand more cold than the Norway, is less likely to turn brown
in spring,and I don’t know as it has ever been winter-killed here;
and, until the lessons of the past season of severe drouth, we gave
it first place. Side by side with the Norway, and subjected to exactly
the same conditions and treatment, fully twenty per cent. of the
white spruce died, while of the same number of the Norway spruce
(about three hundred) not a tree was harmed.
From this we may conclude that varieties are not likely to with-
stand great extremes of both heat and cold and that the natural
place for white spruce to grow most successfully will be a little to
the north of that of the Norway spruce. If we are near the south-
ern limit of the former and near the northern limit of the latter it
will be hard to determine to a certainty as to which is best for our
immediate locality.
The Colorado blue spruce is the most beautiful evergreen or
ever-blue tree that I have ever seen. In hardiness, it seems about
EVERGREENS. 197
equal to the white spruce. Ofa lot of seedlings, not over twenty per
cent. are likely to be blue enough to be decidedly ornamental.
Consequently, the bluest trees command a very high price. It
seems a little queer that the development of blue in trees greatly
enhances their value, whilst in men the opposite is true. The
bluest men are of least value; still, some may prefer a man who is
very blue to one who is ever-green.
The Douglas spruce has sometimes had its new growth injured
by late spring frosts. It is of quite rapid growth, and in hardiness
we are inclined to class it with the Norway, but of its real value we
know little. \
The Scotch pine is the most reliable among our well known ever-
green trees. It is of very rapid growth while young, stands drouth
well and is very desirable for windbreaks and for timber. Its wood
is coarse-grained, hard and brittle, admitting of smooth turning
and fine polish. Finished in oil it equals in beauty the celebrated
Georgia pine. Like men and women, its beauty fades with age, and
as a lawn tree it is a nuisance, as cones of the right size toclog a
lawn mower keep dropping the season through. Young trees are
sold cheaply and are easily grown.
The white pine, our great timber tree, is a little more ornamental
than the Scotch pine but is less likely to thrive in exposed situa-
tions, but with a little protection it is very desirable.
The Austrian pine is not quite hardy but is likely to stand as well
as white pine, and its very dark green foliage makes it very desir-
able by way of contrast.
The red pine is very promising,and with its long spines and rank
growth is quite a novelty, and is likely to rank high as an orna-
mental and timber tree for this section.
The dwarf mountain pine is perfect in hardiness and with a
little training makes a beautiful and reliable lawn tree.
The balsam fir is very pretty but rather short lived and not likely
to do well without some protection.
The American arbor vite is one of our leading trees for ornamen-
tal planting in hedges and as single specimens. It cannot stand
severe drouth in greatly exposed situations even after having be-
come well established.
The golden arborvite is about like the American in hardiness,
but most persons have an aversion to evergreen trees that turn
yellow.
The Siberian arbor vite appears to be more hardy than the Amer-
ican and is worthy of further trial. Several other types are of
slower growth than American and about the same as to hardiness.
The northern red cedar is perfectly hardy, but I have several
times bought those said to be grown from northern seed and in every
instance have found myself sold, as nearly all died.
The European larch, though not an evergreen, is usually bought
with them, and, being so very hardy and sucha rapid and symmet-
rical grower, it should be largely planted for timber and ornament.
The larch should be planted as soon as the frost is out in the
spring, and evergreens from the first to middle of May.
RAY cet ey eee SOLS OEM a PRON SEES eT ee ee
198 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
The most essential pointin regard to transplanting evergreens
is that the roots be thoroughly moistened as soon as possible after
they are taken out of the ground and kept constantly moist till they
are re-set ina well moistened soil. Ifall the conditions necessary
for the successful growth of evergreens can be secured for fruit
trees, growth will be assured.
APPLES.
J. S. PARKS, PLEASANT MOUNDS.
Asa member of the committee on apples, I have very little of inter-
est to report to the society. I commenced early in the season to
enquire and look about for something new and worthy in the way
of seedling apples or experience with new and untried varieties.
I caused a notice to be inserted in the public press of this part of
the state asking for any information about new or rare kinds of
apples, but received no response.
The season just past was a fairly good one for fruit in this part of
the state. The dry season caused fruit to be rather smaller than _
usual, but a good crop of apples was secured, anda large amount
was put upon the market that brought remunerative prices. In my
own case I raised over one hundred varieties, several of them seed-
lings that appear to have some merit, but none that so far appear to
be of sufficient worth to put forward for public favor. A few varie-
ties that are keeping well in our warm cellar would seem to be good
keepers and may prove valuable after more thorough trial.
With us the keeping problem seems to be more difficult than the
raising. We have been troubled with the bitter rot and a sort of
scab rot in the cellar,that has destroyed some varieties entirely, such
as the Snow and the Talman Sweet, that should have kept sound
long after this date. Ourcellar is large and well aired but rather
warm, which may be the trouble. There have been no insect pests
appearing to injure our apples; but the hot, dry weather or some
other cause has caused the blight to be more severe than for several
seasons past.
CONDITIONS FAVORABLE FOR FROST.
A clear, still night succeeding a day on which strong northwest
or west winds prevailed and there isa manifest lowering of the
temperature.
The average dates of the last killing or damaging frost in the
agricultural regions of Minnesota ranges between May 2nd in the
southeast and May 28th in its northwest portion. ;
ic)
* Biosraphy.
JOHN H. STEVENS.
(SEE FRONTISPIECE.)
John H. Stevens was born on the 13th day of June, 1820, which will
make his age seventy-five years this month. His father and mother
were natives and citizens of Vermont, but he was born in what was
then called the Eastern Townships of Lower Canada, which were
settled by people of New England a few years previous to his birth.
While yet a minor, he went tothe lead mines near Galena, III,
After some years there, he moved to Mineral Point, Wis., from which
place, in 1846, he went to Mexico, returning in 1848, at the close of the
war, In April, 1849, he came to Fort Snelting and made aclaim that
year on the west bank of the Mississippi, which included the pri-
mitive and original site of Minneapolis. This city has heen his
home ever since.
Throughout his whole life he has been engaged in and always
taken a lively interest in agriculture, and especially in horticulture.
He was an intimate friend of John A. Warder and other prominent
horticulturists, pomologists and agriculturists. He has been
called to many offices of trusts and responsibility since his resi-
dence of forty-six years in Minnesota.
He became a member of the Minnesota State Horticultural Society
first in 1868 and was created an honorary life meanber in 1880, being
one of three gentlemen, as the record stands, who were at that time
so honored, and the first names placed on the life roll, with the ex-
ception of that of a lady, Mrs. Wm. Paist.
He has been a constant attendant at our meetings and an un-
wearied worker in the cause, though he ever declined to accept the
honors of office, often tendered him, till at a very late date he finally
accepted the office of vice-president, which he continues to hold.
During the years 1893 and 1894, he was president of the State Ag-
ricultural Society and in that capacity engineered, in the face of
much discouragement from the adversity of the times, one of the
best state fairs ever held in Minnesota; certainly the cleanest froma
moral standpoint, as he refused point blank to countenance any of
the weaknesses that often disgrace such occasions.
No man is better known throughout the Northwest as an
earnest friend of the tiller of the soil than ‘‘Col.”’ Stevens,and
we hope that many peaceful years may be allotted to him in the
decline of his life in which to fully realize the gratitude and
affection of those for whose interests he has ever unselfishly
labored.
200 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
THE HORTICULTURAL EXHIBIT AT THE STATE FAIR.
(I take pleasure in publishing the following communication from the secretary of
the State Agricultural Society.) SECRETARY.
HAMLINE, MINN., May 22, 1895.
A. W. LATHAM, SECRETARY—Dear Sir:—A copy of the premium
list of the State Agricultural Society for the fair of 1895, to be held
September 9 to 14, 1895, has just been mailed to each member of your
society.
I desire to call particular attention to the horticultural portion of
the list as this has been revised with the purpose of drawing
out a full display of fruits, vegetables and flowers from all parts
of the state. Wyman Elliot, an officer in both the agricultural and
horticultural societies, will have charge of the exhibit, and with the
support which he will have from both organizations, it is safe to
predict that the horticultural display will be one of the prominent
and attractive features of the coming fair. Permit me to urge that
each member of the horticultural society interest himself and con-
tribute something toward the general result and thus help to make
the exhibit all that it ought to be and one that will stimulate the
more rapid growth of ourconstantly developing horticultural in-
terests.
The prospects of a great fairare exceedingly bright. The board
of managers intend that it shall be instructive, entertaining and
fully representative of all the great commercial and industrial
interests in the state; furthermore, the people generally are taking
an interest init. Itis apparent that better times are at hand; that
there are to be more abundant crops and higher prices, and under
these conditions it is safe to predict a successful fair.
Yours with respect, E. W. RANDALL, Secretary.
PEACH CULTURE IN MINNESOTA.
G. F. FLATIN, SPRING GROVE.
Peaches can certainly be grown in the open air in Minnesota if the
right precaution’ is taken to protect the trees in winter. The best
winter protection is to lay down the trees. This is done by digging
away the dirt from the side to which the tree is to be laid down;
then bind the tree down to the ground, fill in the dirt around the
roots, cover the main stem with earth and then cover the entire tree
with straw.
The amount of straw necessary will depend on the size of the tree,
I have used about one load of straw for three six year old trees.
In the spring remove the covering and dirt, lift the tree and re-
place the dirt around the root.
To prevent the trees from blowing over, tie to astake. Small trees
may be left without a stake. Always bind the treein the same di-
rection when laying down.
The profitableness of the culture of peaches will depend on the
supply of straw for winter protection. When straw is plentiful and
of little value, peaches may be grown profitably for market or home
use.
Home grown peaches picked ripe from the tree will always de-
mand a good price in the market, as no peaches shipped in will
compare with them in quality.
ae
‘
Your orner.
THE PRESENT STATUS OF THE MINNESOTA FRUIT
CROP.
In reply to an inquiry of President Underwood he sent mea box
containing branches of various kinds of fruit, and, if sign language
can be safely interpreted, it means that apples are blossoming and
setting fruit fairly well; grapes are somewhat injured by the frost
and will produce about one-third of a crop; gooseberries and cur-
rants have set well, especially the North Star currant, which shows
extraordinary development, ‘SECRETARY.
(The following letter came later.—Secretary.)
There seems to be a good show for all kinds of fruits at
present writing. The greatest injury was done to strawberries,
grapes and plums. The first three frosts did it, the others being
light. They got hit worse out in the country—that is, harder frosts,
—but they were not so far advanced as here. Two men from south
of Rushford were here Saturday, and say that apples are a good
crop there, and, yet, frost killed the oaks.
The damage to strawberries by frost this spring will average at
least one-half of the fruit, the Jessie, Sharpless, and Princess being
hurt the worst, and the Michel’s Karly is not in very good condition.
The Warfield seems to be in better condition than any other variety,
and Haverland next. Parker's Earle seems to be in pretty good
order for a staminate variety, and Mt. Vernon, Capt. Jack, and
Wilson are pretty fair.
We think that straw covering is a good protection against frost.
Some of our plants were uncovered early and some late, and we find
that these that were uncovered latest are in the best condition. In
regard to location, we consider ground that is high and dry very
good for this purpose, as where the ground is low and damp the
frost has injured the plants more.
Lake City, Minn., May 27, 1895. J. M. UNDERWOOD.
Owing to the last season’s drouth andthe cold, dry winter,the most
of the blackberries and red raspberries were so badly injured that
they have been cut off to the ground; consequently, no fruit this
year. Black raspberries not quite so badly injured, but will be
a very light crop; strawberries wintered fairly well, but the late
frosts have destroyed one-third to one-half of all blossoms and
buds that were out; fortunately, only a part were far enough along
to be destroyed, and we hope, if nothing farther overtakes them to
injure, to have one-half to three-fourths of an average crop of straw-
berries. . M. W. CooK.
Rochester, May 24, 1895.
202 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
My fruit is not all destroyed. My prospect is good for a fair crop
of apples; my cherries the same; currants good; also, raspberries
on new lands; blackberries a failure; strawberries but little injured;
grapes badly killed. M. PEARCE.
Chowen, May 26, 1895.
Apples uninjured by the frosts, the older varieties not bearing
much, Hibernal and many of the Russians very full of fruit; plums
in some situations ruined by frost, but at our place the greater share
of the crop is safe and fine, the Cheney especially promising; grapes
frozen back, but appear to have.a good reserve of fruit buds that
may yet give us a fair crop; raspberries quite generally winter-
killed, but showing less injury from frost than might be expected;
strawberries very unpromising—winter injury and spring frosts
have reduced the prospect to a fourth ofa cropor less. In general
the hope of a faircrop is still left us. CLARENCE WEDGE.
Albert Lea, May 22, 1895.
Strawberries all, or nearly all, gone by the late frost; red rasp-
berries died last winter on account of last year’s drought; black
raspberries look quite good, and I will have two-thirds of a crop;
blackberries all dead; apples not hurt. Will havea good crop of
Wealthy and Longfield and other Russians, Duchess and crab
apples; will not bear heavy, but trees in good condition.
Rochester, May 22, 1895. R. CC. ISSEES
In some places on high land and well sheltered by trees, there will
be some apples and plums, but in many places the crop of apples,
plums and cherries will bea total failure. Strawberries and rasp-
berries were seriously injured by the frost. The fore part of May
the fruit prospects were never better for everything but raspberries;
they were badly winter-killed. The frost of May twelfth destroyed
the most of the fruit and froze some of the gooseberries and currants,
Winnebago City, Minn., May 22, 1895. S. D. RICHARDSON.
The apples are all right except on very low ground where the late
frost took them; my blackberries show a good many dead canes;
raspberries are killed about half way down; strawberries did not do
well last summer and are pretty thin, but are blooming good; goose-
berries and currants are very full; grapes got frozen very badly—
my Mocre’s Early stood it the best of any. I think the apple crop
will be a big one. 5S. CORP.
Hammond, May 23, 1895.
I estimate the average apple crop at one-fourth, mine the same;
plums one-eighth; strawberries one-half; raspberries one-eighth;
currants one-half; North Star currant well loaded. Transcendant
crab not bearing this year; Minnesota crab blossomed full and is
getting to the front as a crab apple. EK. H.'S. DARE
Owatonna, May 23, 1895.
,
Sen
cae ite Baie Mt i te eee Sarge eee
“ = . 7 a
YOUR CORNER. 203
The frost of the 12th madea pretty clean sweep of all fruit, and
the next two or three have about finished the business of any ex-
cept very late kinds. Currants will be about a quarter crop; all
red raspberries in this part of the country were killed to the
ground at the beginning of spring. Think there may be a few
plums. Mrs. J. STAGER.
Sauk Rapids, May 23, 1895.
Frosts have occurred nearly every morning for twelve days, and
garden vegetables and nearly all fruits have been seriously in-
jured. Strawberries promise but 25 percent. of an average crop;
black raspberries 60 per cent.; red raspberries 60 to 75 per cent.;
currants and gooseberries 60 per cent.; blackberries nearly average;
grapes 10 per cent., and many vines killed to the roots; plums about
25 per cent. of average; apples 50 to 75 per ceut., according to loca-
tion. Nursery stock and young orchard trees suffered considerably
last winter from root killing; wild fruits and nuts nearly all killed
by frost. J. S. HARRIS.
La Crescent, Minn., May 23, 1895.
Red raspberries uncovered are almost entirely killed; black rasp-
berries are not injured so much; currants and gooseberries will be
a fair crop; grapes aud strawberries are not much injured; plums
will be a light crop; apples are promising a large crop.
Eden Prairie, May 24, 1895. JOHN R. CUMMINS.
The outlook for fruit in this locality is not very good. The rasp-
berry canes came through in very poor condition and will not bear
over one-third,of a crop—the dry weather last summer affected the
bearing canes; strawberries are not much better, as they set very
few good plants last season—will probably have one-half crop;
blackberries are looking fairly well and promise to bear a very
good crop; currants are loaded with fruit and prospects good for
an immense crop; grapes are set full of fruit, but were probably cut
down one-fourth on account of frosts; gooseberries are good; apples
and plums set well with fruit. C. W. SAMPSON.
Eureka, May 24, 1895.
All fruit killed by frost except currants, gooseberries and grapes,
which will be from one-fourth to one-half of a crop; raspberries
killed by dry weather last fall; vegetables badly damrget ©:
growing weather.
Alexandria, May 24, 1895.
Apple tress »-
Cae
204 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
I think the continued frost has injured the fruit crop. Strawber-
ries that were uncovered early are destroyed, nearly ruined; where
not uncovered but worked themselves through the mulch, may
prove a fair crop. Grapes all at present ruined; plums are nearly
ruined; apples are not so much injured; raspberries and blackber-
ries were badly killed in the winter and must be a light crop. The
dry weather last year and dry, cold winter without snow have done
most to cause a light crop this season. Wn. DANFORTH.
Red Wing, May 24, 1895.
The raspberry canes are badly killed where they were not covered,
and the crop will be almost an entire failure; the strawberries on low
land were badly injured; currants will be a fair crop; the apple crop
will be light,the Duchess and a number of new Russians on my own
ground being good, but generally the crop will belight—the Wealthy
remarkably light; it does not appear to be a Wealthy year.
Viola, May 24, 1895. Wm. SOMERVILLE.
The fruit trees on my place—that is, apples, plums and cherries—
blossomed a good deal this spring, but at least two-thirds of the
blossoms were damaged by the frost, and also the grapes. So I
don’t think there will be much fruit this year.
Waconia, Minn., May 24, 1895. ANDREW PETERSON.
There are going to be a few Duchess and Wealthy and some
Virginia and Early Strawberry—other varieties are very scarce in
fruits, but all making a good growth of wood, which, after last
seasons freeze and drouth, is much more acceptable than a big
crop of fruit and no trees left. Small fruits, or, at least, straw-
berries and raspberries, are going to be a very light crop in this
vicinity. J. P. ANDREWS.
Faribault, Minn., May 25, 1895.
Strawberry crop nearly ruined; thinkiny seriously of plowing the
old beds up. Grapes damaged by frost about twenty per cent;
currants and gooseberries about the same; raspberries and black-
berries uninjured; plums not seriously hurt—think the trees as full
as they ought to bear. Can’t see that apples are injured in the least;
trees unusually ful); if not injured by blight, crop will be the largest
for years. E. J. CUTTS.
Howard Lake, May 28, 1895.
(Communications were received from several other members, too late for this
issue.—Secretary.)
A COMMENDATION.—“I cherish the warmest regard for your leading
spirits with whom I used to meet twenty years ago, a few of whom
remain. Their discouragements were great and their courage and
works were grand, and truly they have borne good fruit.”
Cordially yours,
Wauwatosa, Wis., May 20, 1895. J. S. STICKNEY.
YOUR CORNER. 205
WISCONSIN FRuIT Nores for the Minnesota Horticulturist.—
Work at twenty institutes and a continual correspondence the past
winter convinces the writer that there never was a time since his
connection with the work of the Wisconsin society that there was
more desire forinformation on horticultural subjects than at present.
Our legislature wisely appropriated four hundred dollars at its last
session to establish and equip a trial tree station at some northern
central point where it would be of value to the entire state south of
its location. Prof. Goff and the writer spent several days the third
week in April examining some points about the latitude of Min-
neapolis—north of the forty-fifth parallel. We found fine fruit soil
and good trees of the hardy varieties that had been planted from
one to sixteen years; found Duchess, Wealthy, Wolf River, Hibernal,
Tetofsky, No. 20 and a few others full of blossom buds and starting
from the terminal buds. High land, suitable soil and hardy varie-
ties are the main requisites.
I have planted six seedling pear trees this spring as a memorial
to my esteemed friend and our co-worker, Geo. P. Peffer. It seems,
so far at Pewaukee, to be free from blight, very hardy, about the size
of Flemish Beauty, though not so good in quality. I found a top-
worked tree last season in Jefferson county, well loaded with pears
and no signof blight. It was worked on apple stock, and the stock
resembled the Northwestern Greening. I secured cions, after samp-
ling the fruit in the fall, and have top-worked a few trees with good
success, choosing the same variety of apple stock that I found them
on. I am also trying it on Virginia crab, and, if that proves a success,
I am far from pronouncing pear growing-at least this variety, a fail-
ure in Wisconsin. I have top-worked Scott’s Winter, Wealthy,
Newell, Utter and Bret’s No.1 with a few for trial this spring. My
top-worked Wealthys promise a full crop, but blossoms are ten days
in advance of last year. The Grimes’ Golden has borne annually for
three years with one top-worked. I find trees that suffered in 1894
from frost while in blossom are taking the present season to re-
cuperate and show no signs of bearing fruit. A. J. PHILIPS.
West Salem, Wis., May 4, 1895.
PUMPING FROM DEEP WELLS.—A. F.S., Nebraska.—We have some
rich table lands, but they are high, and the swells vary from 100 to
200 feet and more. Would like to irrigate, if only a garden spot.
Can you give us the experience of those who have tried deep-well
pumping? Give depth of well, size of cylinder and discharge pipe,
power used, amount irrigated, and the success.
My pumping plant consists of a 7-inch 50-foot-deep well; 5x20-inch
brass-lined Macdonald cylinder; 24-inch discharge pipe; 12-foot
Dandy Steel Windmill, and reservoir 25x36 feet, four feet deep.
This plant watered 2% acres last season, when the rainfall
amounted to but 5 3-16 inches from April1 till November 1. We
raised a variety of vegetables and fruits.
Used vegetables and fruits all we wanted in their season and
canned fruits and kept vegetables to abundantly supply our wants
until they are grown another season. : :
Vegetables sold $375.06 and fruits $18.35; and in spring set strawber-
ries, grapes and other small fruits that gave no income, amounting
to % of an acre. This plat is included in the 2% acres, total
amount irrigated. J. F. GANSON, Lodge Pole, Neb.
”
_ Seeretary’s Porner,
ADDITIONS TO LIBRARY.—There have been a large number of vol-
umes added to our library since the beginning of the year, the
titles of which will, probably, be published in the next number of
the “ Horticulturist,’ and we hope to have space in the later numbers
for this year to make extracts from them of such topics as are of.
value to horticulturists in Minnesota.
A CORRECTION.—In the biography of Mr. J.S. Grimes, appearing
on the first page of the last (May) number, Mr. Grimes is made to
appear asa relative of “Little Horse Harry.” This is a provoking
blunder on the part of, first, the typesetter, who can hardly be ex-
cused, as the copy was typewritten; neither does the proof reader
desire to shirk the responsibility of such an error, as everybody
knows this gallant revolutionary officer was “Light Horse Harry,”
one of the most noted military characters of that era in history.
SECRETARY RANDALL’S LETTER.—
Please note carefully the Jetter in this issue from the secretary of
the State Agricultural Society, Mr. E.W. Randall. Heis taking hold
in earnest to make the next fair a success, and we believe he should
and will receive the support of every good citizen of the state in his
work. Look over the list and see what you have to take or send
and plan to be represented at the next state fair. It should be the
cleanest fair ever held in the state, as liquor selling within a mile
of the grounds and pool selling were both abolished by the last
legislature. This is what we want, and let us show it by our acts.
AMATEUR FRUIT GROWING.—I wish to call special attention to
Prof. S. B. Green’s work on Minnesota fruitsentitled “Amateur Fruit
Growing.” This work is written from a practical standpoint, with
reference to its application to that interest in Minnesota. It is a
very good and safe guide to this industry in our state and should
without fail be found on the table of every fruit grower, amateur
aes eal ‘ate, The price is low—
NOTICE OF
_Suinmer N{eeting, 1895.
The summer meeting of the Minnesota State Horticultural Society
will be held Thursday, June 20, 1895, at the State Experiment Station,
St. Anthony Park, Minn.
It has been two years since a meeting of the society was held at
this point, and the changes which have taken place in the interven-
ing time will have much to interest those who have heretofore
attended our summer meetings held there. Those who have found
it inconvenient to attend these summer meetings, hardly realize how
much they have missed. At this point is located the experiment
station, under the patronage of the United States government, and
here are conducted a very full line of experiments intended to cover
all branches of agriculture, including, of course, horticulture, stock
growing and kindred industries. There is very much to be seen and
learned at this point, and especially in horticulture at this season
of the year, the opportunity is a very full one.
As usual, the forenoon will be spent in the examination of the
grounds, and at one o’clock the members will sit down to a picnic
dinner, to which all who attend, as is customary, are invited to con-
tribute. The flowers and fruits which always appear in profusion
at these gatherings, will be used to adorn the tables and to please
the palate.
Following the dinner hour will be the announcement of awards,
and the usual afternoon meeting, at which a few short papers may
be read, followed by discussions and impromptu speeches. No
formal program has been prepared. Itis suggested that a pertinent
topic for consideration at this time is “Late Spring Frosts and
their Relation to Fruit Growing” and members are invited to come
provided with thoughts on this subject.
Your attention is especially called to the liberal premiums offered
208 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
for strawberries,and it is hoped thereby to secure a very full exhibit
of this fruit.
Bring your family and friends to this gathering, which will be an
very informal one, and is intended to offer an opportunity for re-
newal of acquaintance and mutual encouragement in the good work
of the society. é
The grounds may be easily reached from either St. Paul or Min-
neapolis by trains over the G. N. Railway, stopping at St. Anthony
Park depot. Visitors from Minneapolis on the Interurban Electric
line, should get off at Cromwell avenue; those from St. Paul, should
take the Hamline car and get off at Raymond avenue. Carriages
will be in waiting at these points during the forenoon to convey
parties to the grounds.
For further information address
J. M. UNDERWOOD, President, Lake City.
A. W. LATHAM, Secretary, 207 Kasota block, Minneapolis.
PREMIUM LIST.
All exhibits must be entered with the secretary and in place by 12 M., to be en-
titled to compete for premiums.
Exhibitors competing must be members of this society and the growers or
makers of the articles exhibited. The fruits, flowers and vegetables éxhibited
must have been grown in Minnesota and must be correctly labelled.
No premiums will be awarded on unworthy exhibits.
Ist prem. 2d prem. 3d prem.
Collection of cut roses, out door grown...... .......... $4.00 $3.00 $2.00
i ie ct ISTEeCNHOUSES/~ 7 Lhe te nen ce cisnes 3.00 2.00 1.00
G as LCAuvertadt-u plots than tein iGoremodeacs onde 3.00 2.00 1.00
Bouquet of greenhouse flowers........... a RR ras Cet ae 3.00 2.00 1.00
a AMT Al fl OW EES sslmtencaiccie! deeadison sm ortonteneie woe 3.00 2.00 1.00
1) Vay cel lire Versi es Renae cp Shor mn OO OCRDU Ore OCOD DCUO RAMEE RIGO SS 5 5.00 3.00
STRAWBERRIES.
Each variety exhibited, 1 quart...........1st prem., $1.00; 2d prem., .75; 3d prem., .50
VEGETABLES.
Collection, not less than six kinds..... .......1st premium, $3:00; 2d premium, $2.00
Asparacus, three bunches. -....0< se ewses nocd. ue 1.00 as .50
IBEGtS Stace isis ware eaiscrtarteae en mel ren etamraced Sone tiNe aes st 1.00 us 50
Cabbacesstharee rates kc doaemeet erie ctemrericrs te 1.00 50
Cucuinmhers) Sixsceacs cer cca oues the cetacean maar 1.00 us 50
Green peas; to PeCkneescjcas. wary sineiouleisen tomate = ee 1.00 tf 50
A EEA CO rg SUCK a aievssarevs ele eye ua iaccie Siete’ « ate ctekttote waters nate etre < 1.00 “ 50
NEw potatoes) to"DeCK. sce. va ceis cuts lade Cniv sisreisldetele f 1.00 af 50
ONLONS) 4 DECK .wesamenes seeenaiee deve eaiecioke tee 1.00 $ 50
PIE plANE FSI as. e we Feges ow tee ctors sinas wets ees cee as 1.00 ss 50
RAGUSIES £18 15q Moc hae. rete te cto pearetare eae epee ree aie ee 1.00 u 50
Summer Sqiwa sh yee sees seiies ese ones come eee ° 1.00 isi 50
MENUS HSU = ee nsec: dees claws ee seidesa ene wake code eatemintare = 1.00 pe 50
Sf SUITE
VIOLA, MINN.
An Honorary Life Member of this Society.
(For biography, see index.)
THE MINNESOTA
HORTICULTURIST.
VOL. 23 JULY, 1895. NO. 6.
| _Summer N{eetings, 1895.
WISCONSIN STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
BY A. J. PHILIPS, SECRETARY.
The meeting was held at Grand Rapids under the auspices of
the Wood County Horticultural Society. This is one of the
many places in northern Wisconsin where the cutting off of the
pine timber, the drying of the cranberry marshes and the burn-
ing of the blueberry bushes, is compelling the people to seek
some new avenue or pursuit, and, with a soil well adapted to
the cultivation of small fruits, that seems to be a subject in
which the people manifest much interest.
The meeting opened with a fair audience, which continued to
increase through the day and evening. The greatest regret
we experienced was the failure of Proff. Goff to be present,and
many were disappointed. The corresponding secretary read
an interesting paper from Mr. Tobey, of Sparta, on the outlook
of small fruits since the drouth of ’94 and the frosts of ’95. It
showed that though much damage had been done the interest is
unabated. Mr. R. J. Coe, the treasurer, presented a valuable
and instructive paper on the new varieties of small fruits. Mr.
Boynton, who has been giving away evergreens to the children,
read a good paper on ornamental tree planting. Mr. Fred Har-
din read a paper describing his experience in starting a fruit
farm and managing a trial station.
The evening program opened with paper entitled ‘“‘Our Wild
Flower Shows,” written by MissCornelia Porter,of Baraboo. It
was full of good reasons why a wild flower and apple blossom
show is a good thing to interest children in ‘their school work.
210 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
A paper which seemed to please the audience was read by Miss
Lulu Philips, of West Salem, on ‘Horticulture in Connection
with our Common Schools.” She was invited, by a resolution,
to read the same paper at Madison at next winter’s meet-
ing. Mrs. Campbell, our ex-treasurer, who has read so many
excellent papers to our society, again favored us with one on
‘“Why Women Should be Interested in Horticulture.” The
health, pleasure and profit of the business were ably presented.
Mrs A. S. Roberts read a paper entitled ‘‘ Chronicles, Second
Chapter.” It was well prepared and alluded to many of the
citizens in a pleasing way.
President Kellogg gave some valuable suggestions to those
present on the handling and marketing of small fruits. The
large acreage in the vicinity of his home at Ripon being nearly
all handled, shipped and sold by their fruit growers’ associa-
tion, thereby insuring better prices and a better grade of ber-
ries. The secretary read an old story under a new name, the
“Commandments of Apple Growing,’’—the principal points be -
ing that if you desire to raise apples you must select good soil
and location, buy the best trees possible and then plant a few
trees every year as sure as spring comes. The subject of irri-
gation was discussed by Mr. E. Wolcott of Sparta, who has a
plantation of about three acres of small fruits which he has
successfully irrigated with an artesian well.
The show of strawberries was excellent when one considers the
fact that the cry from all over the state after the severe frosts
of May 11th, 12th and 13th was, ‘‘strawberries and grapes all
killed.”” The Thayer fruit farm,of Sparta,secured the first pre-
mium on best collection and G. J. Kellogg,of Janesville,second.
One noticeable feature of the exhibit was that a smart old
gentleman named Tennant, who only lacks a few weeks of be-
ing ninety years old, picked a nice quart of both Warfield and
Haverland himselfand brought them to the meeting and received
the first premium on both. The show of flowers and roses was.
fine. Mr. Kellogg, of Janesville, secured first on collection and
on moss roses. Mr. Scott, of Grand Rapids, secured first on
house plants, and Mrs. Townsend second. Their plants were
fine. A Mrs. Jones showed some beautiful white roses, The
show of vegetables by Mr. A. S. Robinson was fine, and,though
he had no competition, it was well worthy of a premium. The
general verdict was that all present had a good time. Reso-
lutions thanking the citizens of Grand Rapids and the local so-
ciety for courtesies shown, also to officers of state society for
+ “eiy
<< *
WISCONSIN SUMMER MEETING, 1895. 211
holding the meeting there and invitations to come again were
passed, after which the meeting adjourned.
(Through the courtesy of the secretary of theWisconsin society the following papers,
read at the summer meeting just held, were furnished the ‘“ Horticulturist’ for pub-
lication. They are worthy careful perusal. Secretary-)
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF APPLE GROWING.
A. J. PHILIPS, WEST SALEM, WISCONSIN.
(Ikead at Summer Meeting, 1895, Wis. State Hort. Society)
I. Thou canst have no other fruit more easily grown, handsomer
in appearance, more attractive or that contains more of the elements
that tend to produce good health or prolong life than the apple,
which has been called by men of all nations, kindreds and tongues,
and very properly, too, the “king of fruits.” And to grow it success-
fully in the north, you must plant some good trees every year.
Il. Thou must not select the low, frosty ground for thy orchard,
neither shalt thou plant it on poor, sandy soil or barren places,
neither on land that has been made too rich by alluvial deposits
these many years, for this will cause the young trees to grow too fast
and make the branches thereof to be tender. If thou doest the fore-
going which I have commanded thee not to do, then as Moses’
father-in-law said to him, so will the practical apple growers say to
thee, “Thy way is not good, and though thou shouldst plant some
trees every year thy success nor thy profits will not be great in the
cold north.”
III. Thou shalt select high, well drained land with a clay soil,
and if it contains stones, even limestone therein, it will do no harm;
but I say, verily, it will be a benefit, for moisture will be formed and
the dampness caused by the rains of heaven falling on it will
thereby be retained in the soil around and about the trees, causing
the little rootlets to grow and multiply and the tree to bear fruit in
the appointed time, even though a drought should prevail in the
land. As Moses built an altar onthe hill, so, if thou wouldst avoid
frosts in the spring-time, thou hadst better plant thy orchard ona
hill, and, if thou shalt heed this commandment and plant a few good
trees each year, then shalt thou and thy household have plenty of
apples.
IV. Thou shalt select varieties that the chief men and the elders
have found by years of experience and trial of even twenty years or
more to be of sufficient hardiness to withstand any cold that may
come upon them; also select those which have not cumbered
the ground and have not been ordered cut down by the
master or owner of the orchard because they were unprofita-
ble and bore no fruit, but consult with those of thy fellows who are
well acquainted with the various kinds—and above all take heed what
I say unto thee and listen not to the smooth talk of the stranger who
comes within thy gates and tries to sell thee worthless trees grown
in far-away lands or distant parts of the earth, which are not well
212 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
suited to thy climate and which would prove an experience to thee
that would be grievous to bear and, perchance, cause thee to break
the third commandment given by Moses to hispeople. By doing as
I have commanded thou mayst be filled with horticultural knowl-
edge and wisdom and be found willing to impart the same to thy
fellows, and then thou wilt be called wise and good hearted; and by
planting a few good trees each year thou wilt not only have apples
for thine own use but have them to give to the unbelievers in apple
growing.
V. Thou shalt not select and plant the apple as the favorite fruit
for thyself and thy wife, thy children, thy man servant or thy maid
servant or for the stranger sojourning within thy house, and select
thy best site and the best varieties, and then suffer thy orchard to be
neglected and grow up to weeds and briars or become the abode of
thine or thy neighbor’s horses and cattle or allow thy sheep to
gnaw the bark off the trees or the swine to break the roots asunder,
for, verily, I say, this will cause damage, loss and disappointment to
thee and thy household; but, on the other hand, thou must enter
into the congregations of the horticulturists and ask questions
one of another and learn the best and most approved way to culti-
vate and protect thy trees, in order to have them grow and bear
fruit,even fifty and one hundred fold. Thou must be willing to
learn of thy fellows and not be a stiff-necked people, saying thou
dwellest in a land abounding with milk and honey, and thinking
there is no need of apples for food; for without them the health of
thyselves and thy families will be impaired, and thy days not reach
three score and ten years; but heed what is said in this command-
ment and set a few trees each year, and thou wilt raise apples in
abundance.
VI. Thou must cultivate and prune thy trees well in the early
part of the season, rising up with the birds in the morning so that
thy work will be done before the heat of the day oppresses thee. and
ever remember the commandment given to the children of Israel to
do the work in thy orchard in six days and rest on the seventh, and
thou wilt find thy orchard a much better place to rest on the Sab-
bath, where thou canst hold sweet communion with nature’s God,
and admire thy growing trees and plants, than to rest on the banks
of some stream trying to murder the innocent fish or in the fields
or woods shooting for sport helpless birds or looking on at a game
of base ball. In sojourning among thy trees on the Sabbath, look-
ing at the growing or eating the ripe fruit, thy thoughts will wander
back to pleasant hours spent with those whose counsels and efforts
furnished thee with many of the trees in thy orchard. These to
thee, if thou hast been a student of horticulture, will be sweet
recollections that come only through the medium of growing
apples by planting some good trees every year.
VII. Thou shouldst honor those that hold meetings and sit in
council for thy benefit, and ever remember that to have an abun-
dance of apples for thy family thou must follow the rules already
laid down, and, in addition, thou must not plant all thy trees in one
season, thereby getting more on thy hands than can be properly
s Tile. > laa tel ee 9 ee 8 le eel OAT eee
eate r oe, Steere raid wae . ; af ae
WISCONSIN SUMMER MEETING, 1895. 213
cared for, and, perchance, a cold winter might immediately follow
and destroy them, much to thy disappointment and loss; but as
thou plantest thy other crops so shouldst thou plant thy trees, some
each year, as I have repeatedly commanded, and success will surely
crown thy efforts, and thou wilt be blessed with an abundance of
apples during all the years that thou sojournest in the land of thy
fathers.
VIII. Thou must not kill thy newly planted trees with kindness
—that is to put alarge quantity of water about the roots every day,
as itis death to them to be continually in water; but must plant in
moist earth, made so by rains and snows or by water carried from a
well or spring; and after planting thou must immediately place
some straw or litter about the tree to keep said moisture there and
not allow the tender roots to dry up and wither. Thou must
also educate and learn thyself or thy boys, or have the same
done by others, to increase the hardiness and longevity of thy
trees by budding and grafting them onthe most hardy and vigor-
ous stocks that thou canst find, ever remembering that the stock
must be free from the dread disease called blight and must be a
rank, strong grower to keep pace with the top. This work will not
only be useful and beneficial, but it will interest thy sons in the
business of apple growing; and by planting some of these hardy
trees for stocks each year to graft and bud onto, thou wilt be
able to change some of thy trees for the better each succeeding
year; and by spending a few hours each week pruning and trim-
ming them, they will soon have shapely tops and produce more
apples and live longer than the same varieties on their own roots.
IX. Thou must not depend on getting apples for thyself and
family by buying or stealing them from thy neighbor, providing
thou hast a suitable location for an orchard, but if thou hast in
thy possessions no good place, then it will be better and more
honorable to thyself and to thy family and much more satisfactory
to thy neighbor to buy his apples for a price, even if it be paid in
silver, than to steal them, and thy family will be more likely to
havea better supply. Remember, if thou plantest an orchard in
the way I have commanded and carest for it asI have directed, that
when the young trees begin to bear they be not allowed to injure
themselves by overbearing; better, by far, pick off some of the
fruit and cast it away,than to allow them to destroy their vitality
by an overburden of fruit. When thy trees begin to bear be sure
and fertilize so that the roots will have abundance of nourishment.
X. Thou must not covet thy neighbor’s orchard, but plant one of
thine own on the best site obtainable, planting varieties as heretofore
commanded, and in addition find those that have borne profitably
in thine own neighborhood for many years before and after the
hardest winters; then take time in the eleventh month and cut off
the past season’s growth of cions for grafting; then procure roots of
one year’s growth, and in winter when the blasts of the north make
it unpleasant to remain on the outside, thou canst sit by thy fire and
do thy grafting and set some of them in the ground the coming
spring right where thou intendest thy orchard to grow. These
214 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
never being transplanted, will make better and longer lived trees
than transplanted ones, and it will only delay bearing one or two
years at most.
Now, take heed to what I have commanded, and ever remember
that the most important commandment is to plant trees every
year, that thou and coming generations may have plenty of apples,
and they will call thee blessed.
NEW VARIETIES OF SMALL FRUITS.
R. J. COE, FORT ATKINSON, WIS.
(Read at Sum mer Meeting, 1895, Wisconsin State Horticultural Society.)
This subject of varieties is, to my mind, one of the most important
questions the fruit grower has to deal with, and this is especially
the case with the commercial grower.
It has been my firm belief for some years that we are growing too
many varieties of nearly all the small fruits to meet with the best
success. This is especially true of the strawberry. Now, do not
think that Iam not in favor of new varieties, for I most certainly
am. I believe that every fruit grower should test every new variety
of promise that is introduced, for by this means only can he deter-
mine what varieties are best for him to grow. Prove all things and
hold fast to that which is good, is good business sense for the fruit
grower, but to discard those varieties that have no particular merit,
or are no better than the ones you already have, is even more im-
portant and requires a good deal more courage, for it seems hard,
and is hard, to pay a big price for a thing and after giving it good
care and attention find it no better, and, perhaps, not as good as some
we already have, and have to throw it away. But this is the only
way we can hope to meet with the best success. Everybody is
struggling to be in the front rank, and we must keep up with the
procession or be hopelessly lost in the crowd. Now, I thinkitis
perfectly safe to say that not more than one variety out of every
twenty that are introduced ever becomes popular or is generally
profitable.
Twenty years ago I started growing strawberries for market, and
planted that year two varieties, the Wilson and Green Prolific. The
next year I added Downer’s Prolific and Triumph de Gand, and the
third year I added about sixteen more varieties, more than one-half
of which I do not even remember the names of now. I have been
growing berries ever since, and of all that list of twenty varieties
we are only growing one today, the old time Wilson. If you will
take almost any small fruit catalogue of fifteen or even ten years
ago, you will find few of the varieties are well known and perhaps
popular today, and by far the greater part of them are only a mem-
ory.
In the discussion of varieties there are three distinct classes of
growers to be considered, all having practically the same object in
view, namely, the best possible results for the efforts put forth. The
ener eee ae. pa ae
WISCONSIN SUMMER MEETING, 1895. 215
first is the grower for the distant and large, or wholesale, market;
second, the grower for the home, or near, market, and third the pri-
vate gardener, or one who grows for his own home use. To those
who grow for the distant or large market and ship their fruit to one
wholesale house, it seems to me very important that they have but
two or three varieties, forin this way only can a uniform product
be sent to market, and thus the best success be attained. If your
dealer can know that every crate of berries bearing your brand is
just like every other crate, he can send them to his customers with
perfect confidence, and you have established a reputation. If your
berries are all good, your reputation is good also, and if they are
poor, youwill find itout when the returns comein. While I would
not like to name the varieties—for every grower must determine
this for himself—there are certain things that it would be wise to
observe.
First, that your berries must be firm enough to ship the distance
you are from your market and arrive in prime condition—sound, dry
and fresh appearing.
Second, that they should be of at least a fair size; all other things
being equal, the larger the better.
Third, that the berry should be of an attractive color. I do not
believe a faded, washed-out looking berry will ever be popular in
any market.
Fourth, that the pistillate and staminate varieties that are grown
together should be as near alike in size, shape, firmness and color
as it is possible to get them, and if you will have every fifth plant of
every row a staminate of about the same size, color, etc.,as your pis-
tillate, you will get a more uniform product than is possible if planted
in alternate rows, and the fruit picked all together.
Fifth, that in order to be uniformly profitable it must be a healthy
plant, a good grower and able to produce a large, or at least a good,
crop, under the varying conditions it must necessarily meet with at
the hands of the different growers.
Sixth and last, but not least, that the condition in which the fruit
arrives on the market depends as much upon the grower as it does
upon the variety itself. While it is true that many varieties will
never be really profitable or what a good berry should be, it is
equally true that no variety can possibly be at its best in the hands
of the careless, shipshod grower.
The grower for the home, or near, market where he can put his
fruit into the hands of the retailer or consumer, may have a much
wider range of varieties than the shipper.
Some of our very best home market berries would be very nearly
worthless if they had to be shipped far. For the home market we
may grow the largest varieties, even if they are not firm enough to
stand much rough handling, and then, too, it does not matter so
much if they are not all of exactly the same color. What we have
to look for then in the home market berry is health and vigor of
plant, great productiveness, large size, attractive appearance and
good quality, and when we have it grown to put it on the market
fresh, bright and clean looking,
216 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
While the market grower most of necessity consult the taste of
of those to whom he expects to sell his fruit, as well as to grow the
varieties that will give him a profitable crop, the man who grows
his own fruit is bound by no such narrow limits. He may not only
grow more varieties but may indulge his owntastes and fancies an d
grow some kinds that would be unprofitable for market but may be
just what suits him. It is to many a great pleasure and satisfac-
tion to have the very finest that can be grown, regardless of the
question of profit.
RASPBERRIES.
What I have said about strawberries holds good with raspberries,
but not to so great an extent, for there is not so much variation in
size, color, etc. In the blackcap class they all look a good deal
alike, and different varieties may be shipped together without de-
tracting from their market value.
What we have to look for then is good size, good shipping quali-
ties and health vigor of plant, hardiness and productiveness. I
may be pardoned, perhaps, if I nametwo or three varieties that
seem to me to meet these requirements toa marked degree. With
us the Palmer is worth all the other early kinds that we have
tried put together, because of its fine fruit and great productive-
ness, and, what is very desirable in an early berry, it ripens its
whole crop in a short time, coming on the market when prices are
high.
The Ohio is always profitable because of its good shipping quali-
ties, rank growth and great productiveness.
Prof. Budd says of the Older “it is by far the most valuable black-
cap grown.” It certainly is wonderfully productive of very large
berries and seems to be heat and drouth proof and entirely hardy
every way. If it hada little more firmness, I think it would stand
well up toward the head of the list of blackcaps.
Of the older reds, the Cuthbert is the standard for growth, pro-
ductiveness and quality and is, probably, better known and more
largely planted than any one variety, and is, perhaps, the best with
which to compare new varieties. In our own experience, however,
the Brandywine has been the most profitable of all, never failing
to give us a good crop of large, firm, bright, attractive looking
berries that always meet with a ready sale.
There are two new raspberries to be introduced this season, a de-
scription of which,it seems to me,would be of interest to all growers
and lovers of fine fruit. The first of them is the Loudon, a Wiscon-
sin production, which originated with and is named after Mr. F. W.
Loudon of Janesville, who is also the originator of the Jessie and
Hoard strawberries. It is said to be a seedling of the Turner fertil-
ized with Cuthbert. In growth and appearance of cane and in size,
color, shape, firmness and quality of fruit, it very much resembles
Cuthbert, and has the added value of keeping longer in good condi-
tion after being picked. The secretary of our state society, Mr. A. J.
Philips, picked fruit of the Loudon on Thursday and, after carrying
to different parts of the state, finally used it in his own home the fol-
Pe Oe ee ee Sigel eee MR ee
ah Lah oi
"4 ¥ . - 4
WISCONSIN SUMMER MEETING, 1895. 217
lowing Monday, at which time he says was in very fair condition.
Iis special point of, superiority over Cuthbert seems to be greater
productiveness, better keeping qualities, a longer fruiting season
by a week or ten days and greater hardiness.
The second variety is the Columbian, which originated with Mr. J.
T. Thompson of Oneida, New York. It was raised from seed of the
Cuthbert that was grown by the side of the Gregg and is believed by
the originator to be across between the two, and I think with good
reason, as it seems to have some of the characteristics of both. As
I saw it on the originator’s grounds the past season, it was simply
wonderful in growth of cane and productiveness, so much so as to
be very hard to believe without seeing it. It resembles Cuthbert in
shape, is somewhat darker in color,a little larger in size and very
firm, and never crumbles or fallsto pieces in picking or handling.
In quality it is equal to the Cuthbert,and the originator claims it to
be the best berry for canning purposes ever grown. It resembles the
Gregg in that it never suckers like the reds but propagates from the
tips, which to my mind is a great advantage. The berry will hang
to the bush long after it is fully ripe, and will finally dry up if left
without picking. I saw a third of an acre of Columbians that had
been allowed to grow without any summer pruning, that stood ten
feet high, and I was told that it picked 2,800 quarts of berries, or at
the rate of 8400 quarts per acre. Of course, it remains to be seen
whether it will do this in other places. If it will, it is by far the most
valuable variety ever produced.
BLACKBERRIES.
The only varieties of blackberries we have grown to any extent
“are Snyder and Stone’s Hardy. They are too well known to need
any description. Ancient Briton is doing well in most parts of
our state and is very popular where best known. We have tried
Erie and Minnewaski, but neither proved valuable with us.
CURRANTS.
This fruit has been grown very little for market purposes,
but to the few who have grown it, it has proved very profit-
able. As there seems to be little difference in the prices they bring
in market, itis safeto plant the varieties that yield the best crops.
The demand for white ones is quite limited, and it would not be
wise to plant largely of them.
GOOSEBERRIES.
Of late I have become considerably interested in gooseberries,
and have been trying some of the newer ones, and it may be of in-
terest to some of you to know how they compare with the best of
the older ones. I have fruited so far the Industry, Red Jacket,Colum-
bus, Golden Prolific and Triumph. Triumph is too weak a grower
and too uncertain a cropper, unless it may be in very favorable sit-
uations where it may have partial shade, a heavy soil and high cul-
ture. Under these conditions it frequently produces splendid crops.
Red Jacket is a very strong grower and a heavy yielder. (Dr. Hos-
kins, of Vermont, says that he picked a half bushel of Red Jackets
ei ak |
218 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
from a single bush the past season.) Its berries are the color of the
Houghton and about one-third larger than the Downing. Itis not
of fine quality, being quite sour and thin meated. It is hard to
pick, the thorns being stiff and long and the berries growing all
through the bush.
Golden Prolific is a strong, stocky grower and a good yielder of
nice, golden berries, about like Red Jacket in size and quality.
Columbus is of the largest size, golden color and good quality.
The plant is a sturdy, stocky grower and productive. I have a good
opinion of this variety and think it will prove valuable.
Triumph. This pleases me the most of all the varieties we have yet
fruited. Itisa strong, free grower and enormously productive of
very large, yellow berries of the best quality. It is the easiest to
pick of all I have seen, the fruit being so large and so thickly set
along the branches that they can be picked by the handfuJ. There
are very few thorns on the old wood, and those on the new wood are
not very strong.
GRAPES.
There is an almost endless number of varieties, all of which, I sup-
pose, are of some value in some places, but after trying nearly fifty
of them, have come to the conclusion that the man that plants
Moore’s Early, Worden and Concord for black, Brighton for red and
Niagara and Moore’s Diamond for white, has a better assortment
than if he had the whole list. I do not know about other markets,
but find in our own home market that the black varieties will out-
sell the white ones. If I could have but one market variety, I think
it would be Concord.
In conclusion, then, I would say to the market grower; get, and
thoroughly test all the promising new varieties as they are intro-
duced, giving them only such care and attention as you are able or
willing to give to your main planting, and keeping in mind all the
time that only about one in twenty will prove of more value than
the ones you already have. When you have become satisfied that
the new one is better in every way than the best old ones, then, and
not until then, is it advisable to plant largely of that variety.
EVERGREENS FOR SHELTER AND ORNAMENT.
W. D. BOYNTON.
(Read at the Summer Meeting, 1895, of the Wisconsin State Herticultural Society.)
As a practical people living in a severely practical age, let us first
consider this subject from the point of utility. Looked at from
this standpoint, we have several good reasons for advocating the
general planting of evergreen shelter belts, among them the fol-
lowing:
First. For protection against the cold winds and driving storms
of our severe northern winters and securing a more even distribu-
tion of snow. Second. As a retainer and conservator of moisture
during the long, dry spells, which seem year by year to become
2 ig
WISCONSIN SUMMER MEETING, 1895. 219
more severe and trying inthis section of the country. Third. For
the protection of our stockyards and grounds, that the life of both
man and beast may be made more comfortable and profitable.
To serve the first named purpose, we should partially enclose our
orchards, gardens and grounds, particularly on the west and north-
west, with an almost solid body of sturdy evergreens. If planted
thickly, say five or six feet apart, this belt, or screen, will not attain
great height, which is not necessary ordesirable. Fifteen to twenty
feet in height answers the purpose admirably. By leaving this en-
closure open on the south and a portion of the east and north, a free
circulation of air is assured. Our most trying winds and storms of
winter, coming as they do from the west, southwest and northwest,
would be much modified by this protecting belt of evergreens. No
doubt, you have all observed the effect of sucha shelter belt. Itis
not at all like a high board fence ora wall, which the wind sweeps
over and drops down, and on again, and if it chances to be a driving
snow storm leaves a huge drift to mark its impeded course; but
when this driving snow storm enters the living wall of green, it
seems to be chopped up fine by the millions of needles of the coni-
fers, and the snow sifts down on the inside gently and evenly as
though there were no driving storm outside. In this way an even
distribution of nature’s great protecting blanket, snow, is secured
for our plants and shrubs within.
The second reason for the general planting of evergreens for shel-
ter in point of utility is that they are conservators of moisture. This
has been made very plain to me in the last two or three years in my
evergreen nursery, and I can best illustrate my point by giving
some ot my own experience and observation. Among my blocks of
evergreens from which we dig and ship each season, tracts of land
are annually vacated which,in the order of rotation observed, we
plant to ordinary farm crops or to small fruits which we wish
for plants or fruit. Whatever I have planted in these narrow vacated
plats has thriven remarkably well and has formed full, heavy crops,
notwithstanding the severity of the drouths of the last two seasons,
Last season, for instance, our crops of strawberries on these small
plats were the largest we have ever had; while other patches on
lands quite similar in character, where the evergreens were lacking,
were badly dried up and produced little, if anything. I can only ac-
count for it by the presence of protecting bodies of evergreens. I
would say here that we have no large evergreens in these fields,
nothing as a rule over four or five feet high, and most of them much
smaller, but as the growth is solid and close to the ground, those
drying winds could not lick up the moisture and carry it away.
Now, a single row of large, wide-spreading evergreens will do
much to retain moisture and protect lands to leeward from the
sweep of the drying winds. I firmly believe that it would pay the
fruit grower to plant rows of evergreens north and south at dis-
tances of, say, thirty rods apart, with the trees six feet apart in the
row. They are not grass feeders and do not exhaust the adjacent
lands as do the Lombardys, for instance.
The third point named in way of utility is the protection afforded
et
220 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
to our stockyards by the presence of these belts of evergreens. It
would be idle for me to press this point, for every owner of a horse
or cow is well aware ofits truth. All animals need exercise in the
yard, and it is good economy to protect them from the fierce winds
while they are getting it. Here again I say thatit would pay the
farmers well to plant a sheltering belt of evergreens.
WHAT AND HOW TO PLANT.
For the shelter belts before mentioned, we should plant the hard-
iest and most rapid growing varieties. Throughout the Northwest
the list for this purpose has practically simmered down to the
Scotch and white pines and the Norway spruce, with the Norway
spruce far in the lead. The Scotch pine ranks next in demand, I
find. This latteris the most rapid growing of all the evergreens,
but is rather coarse growing in habit. The Norway spruce is a fairly
rapid grower, heavily rooted, safe to transplant, more symmetrical
in form and decidedly the favorite as an all around evergreen, both
for shelter belts and single specimens. All things considered, I
would advise the planting of Norway spruce three feet high for our
shelter belts. These can be had for about twelve to sixteen cents
each if bought direct from the nursery, which is the right way to
buy trees and plants of all kinds.
Never set evergreens in a stiff sod. If possible, have the land pre-
pared one year or more ahead. That is, if it is now in sod, plowa
strip where you intend to plant your shelter belt ten to twelve feet
wide and work it thoroughly this summer if you wish to put out
your belt next spring. Land should be in fairly good condition
but not freshly manured. By having a strip worked up the width
just named, you will be able to cultivate both sides of your rows,
and this is what all trees want. Cultivate this row just as you
would arow ofcorn. No extra care is needed. Don’t cultivate deep
enough to disturb the roots nor close enough to sway the tops
much. Aside from these precautions, Il would add nothing to the
manner of corn culture. I find it all right for my trees. Cultivate
for three or four years and then seed down, if you wish, and it will
be allright with them. Plant only in the spring.
Send your order in to the nursery, so that your trees may be
shipped just as the buds are swelling nicely. Take the cover off
the box as soon as the trees arrive, wet down thoroughly, tops and
roots, before removing from box. Plant as rapidly as possible,
using water freely on both tops and roots, taking care not to get the
soil so “mushy” as to allow the trees to sway about in the wind.
Water heavily every few days if a dry time comes on soon after
planting, and water occasionally through the first summer. Use
only good surface soil against the roots in planting, and tread
heavily above the roots after all the dirt is in place. Thorough
firming of the soil about the roots is one of the principal points in
successful tree planting.
EVERGREENS FOR ORNAMENT.
We find the list for this purpose quite an extensive one. In addi-
tion to those named for shelter belts, I would particularly mention
WISCONSIN SUMMER MEETING, 1895. Ah
the arbor vitaes for low ornamental hedge purposes—of which the
American justly takes the lead—the spruces, white and blue, the red
cedar, Austrian pine, cluster pine and balsam fir. For its compact
growth, beautiful color and symmetrical shape, I would place the
blue spruce at the head of the list for single specimens in lawn
planting. For grouping in parks and large grounds, the pines and
Norway spruce are excellent. As a rule,these single specimens have
to be planted in the sod. If properly done, this is all right, but it is
a waste of time, effort and money to chuck an evergreen or any other
tree, in fact, into a tough sod, where only a small hole has been dug
barely large enough to receive the roots. The right way is to cut
out a nice, true circle, at least four feet across, peel off the sod and
replace with nice mellow earth, spading the whole up together thor-
oughly and deeply and plant as before directed, keeping the ground
within this circle well cultivated for two or three years and then al-
lowing it to grass cover.
Another excellent use for evergreens, especially in suburban
grounds,is the screening of unsightly objects,such as out-build-
ings and the unsightly back yards of adjacent lots. Here, again, the
spruces are excellent,and should be planted about the same distance
apart as directed for the shelter belt.
One word of caution to those who are planting in lawns and small
grounds, and I will bring my paper on this subject to a close, and,
that is, to carefully take into consideration the ultimate size and
spread to which your tree will attain. Don’t plant too thickly. A
cluttered lawn or yard is an abomination, both unsightly and un-
wholesome. Few have the courage to take a tree out after they have
grown itfor years. Plant sparingly and seek to develop perfect
specimens.
HORTICULTURE IN CONNECTION WITH OUR
COMMON SCHOOLS.
MISS LULU PHILIPS, WEST SALEM, WIS.
(Read at the Summer Meeting, 1895, Wisconsin State Horticultural Society.)
To be plain and practical we will define horticulture as the grow-
ing of fruits, flowers, vegetables and ornamental plants. By far too
many of us find when we engage in the active business of our lives,
that while our education in grammar, history, philosophy and al-
gebra has been thorough, that some of the minor studies have been
sadly neglected, which would add so much value to us as teachers
and citizens. While there may be exceptions,I believe the boy
who is taught early in life to plant and care for trees and flowers
on the school ground will be more interested in his studies and will
have more respect for his teacher, if the latter will take pains to ed-
ucate him in the work. Hewill give better satisfaction and com-
mand better wages to work in the garden or on the farm, or will be
better fitted to be the owner or manager of the farm and home.
He would also be more likely to grow fruit for his family or beau-
2a MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
tify his home, where his wife spends her time and his children re-
ceive their first lessons in life, than he would had his attention
never been called to these things onthe school ground. I believe,
also, that the girl who is taught to care for and love plants and
flowers on the school ground will have something instilled in her
mind that will better enable her to fill her allotted sphere in life,
whatever it be.
I once applied for asituation to teach school where two teachers
the winter previous had made failures. The clerk said: “I do not
care for your certificate or your education, what I want to know is,
have you got sand.” He did not even ask if I knew anything of
horticulture. He said, “Our school money was thrown away last
winter—the boys raised the ‘Old Harry,” was his expression, “whit-
tled up the desks, climbed out of the windows, ran home during
school hours.” To make along story short, he said, “If you can teach
the school and keep order, I will pay you. If not, you can quit and
gohome.” My father was with me, and intimated I had better let it
alone, but I hadan ambition to try itand engaged to teach on those
terms, provided the other members of the board consented. But I
confess when I went to the schoolhouse and saw the condition of
things, my courage nearly failed me; but the contract was made,
the board agreeing to put the house and surroundings in proper re-
pair, and I agreeing to keep them so if I could.
School began,andas soon as I could I began with the assistance of
the smaller boys and girls to arrange and make flower beds and
beautify the grounds. As the larger boys began to come, I found
them to be quite as willing to assist in caring for the plants and
flowers as they formerly were to destroy the property. I taught °
there three terms and had the satisfaction of knowing I had no seri-
ious trouble with any pupil and could have held the position longer.
The board said one thing was certain, if I could not accep the posi-
tion another year, the one who did must continue and care for the
flower beds.
I would say to you this evening that, from the standpoint of
a teacher, it is far more pleasant and gratifying to be out among
the boys weeding the flower beds and transplanting flowers
than it is to see them playing marbles for keeps or learning to
smoke or chew tobacco. When parents realize the fact that the large
majority of the children in Wisconsin receive the larger part of their
education in the common schools, they ought to feel the necessity of
instituting the inquiry, “What system of education will best fitthem
for usefulness?”’, and the study and practice of horticultural pur-
suits is, in my opinion, one of the best plans to adopt. The nature
lessons, which should be conducted in all of our schools, I find can
be made very interesting. One pupil, I have in mind, that it seemed
impossible to reach until one day we had a lesson on leaves and the
different ways they were situated on the branches. He came the next
day with a splendid lot of branches, showing that he was interested
in that line of study.
If we endeavor to advance our work more and more along this
line, the education will be more practical, our school will be
WISCONSIN SUMMER MEETING, 1895. 223
better, teaching more pleasant, horticulture will take a long stride
in advance and members of the state society will not say, “We have
no more members than we had twenty years ago.” What pleasanter
thought for a young man to cherish when he leaves the place of his
birth than to realize that he helped to plant trees and flowers on
the school ground and around the old home. My father says that
some of his pleasantest hours are spent in his memorial orchard,
which recall the pleasant hours with such horticulturists as Peffer,
Wilcox, Tuttle, Plumb, Springer, Kellogg, Dartt, Smith, Daniels‘
Hirschinger, Cook, Hatch, Grimes, Jewell, Sias, Gaylord, Patten,
Gideon and others.
Horticulture inculcated in the minds of our children at school,
will show itself later in beautifying the cities of the silent dead.
How much our hearts have ached in seeing those places neglected
and growing up to weeds! But I am glad to say that within the last
few years there has been a marked improvement in our country in
their care. Like other reforms, the ladies have taken hold, and flow-
ere are blooming on every hand. A former resident of the town
where I live, who is now dead and lies in our cemetery, was once
one of our school officers. He planted a nice lot of elm trees in our
school yard at his own expense, and they now afford a pleasant
shade. Are not these living monuments to the memory of Mr. C. C.
Palmer?
In conclusion, let me say: Do we as teachers, to whose care the
fathers and mothers of this state commit the training of their dear
ones, do all we can to benefit ‘their children? Can we not in addi-
tion to their other studies instil in their minds a love of horticul-
ture? I have not much fear ofa girl or boy who brings a beautiful
bouquet (like the one on the president’s desk) and places it in the
school room. In the spring I generally take a plant to school, and
you would be surprised the way they come with their plants. We
hardly realize what flowers express. I understand that the most
noticeable token of respect on Memorial Day at Viroqua to the
memory of Wisconsin’s beloved ex-governor and soldier, Uncle
Jerry Rusk, was the magnificent floral display, his work in agricul-
ture and horticulture represented by a large plow made of beauti-
fulflowers. Then, let us unite horticulture with our common schools
in such a way that they cannot be separated! Then we will have
model schools, model school grounds, and that will create a desire
for model homes and model farms, where fruits and flowers abound.
Then, perchance, it will be heralded abroad that Wisconsin has
model teachers, and by their help and co-operation, you, the mem-
bers and friends here assembled, may in future years be impressed
with the belief that you have a model horticultural society.
(One other paper, of equal value with the foregoing, on account of lack of space
will appear in the August number. Sec’y.)
224 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
SUMMER MEETING, 1895.
MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
BY MISS E. V. WHITE, MINNEAPOLIS.
The summer meeting of this society was held at the State
Farm School, St. Anthony Park, June 20, 1895. Although no
attractive program had been prepared or particular effort made
to advertise the meeting, yet the friends gathered in goodly
numbers, there being over a hundred present, making as large
an attendance as often gathers at the summer meeting. The
beautiful day and the easy reach from the Twin Cities proved
attractions enough, to say nothing of the warm welcome which
the members knew from past experience would be accorded
them by their hosts, the professors at the station. The officers
and members of the executive board were nearly all present,
and many of the old familiar faces, without whom it would
hardly seem possible to have a horticultural meeting.
Many availed themselves of Prof. Green’s invitation and were
shown about the grounds and fields of the Station to examine
the growing crops and see anything that was new in the way of
cultivation or of machinery. The ladies and others not wishing
to venture into the hot sun gathered on the lawn under the
trees to renew old acquaintance or to examine and enjoy the
excellent display of fruits, flowers and vegetables entered to
compete for premiums.
The exhibit of flowers was very fine indeed, and special men-
tion should be made of the large and handsome collection of
out-door roses from the grounds of the Jewell Nursery Co., at
Lake City. Notwithstanding the unfavorable season there was
a very large show of strawberries, including all the principal
varieties (see award of premiums further on). Lunch was served
at about one o’clock, which was, as usual on these occasions,
in the nature of a basket picnic. Following came an informal
program of after dinner speeches, at which President Under-
wood presided.
(Of the following responses only a few notes were taken, as our reporter was
unable to be present.)
President Underwood gave a kindly greeting to the members,
suggesting to those who were not members that they ought to
become so. He also referred to the previous pleasant meetings
at the farm school, this, the largest, speaking well for the place
of meeting and for their entertainers. Col. J. H. Stevens was
. a
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MINNESOTA SUMMER MEETING, 1895. 295
first introduced and asked to respond to the toast, ‘‘Our Hosts,
the Professors at the Experiment Station,” he responded briefly
somewhat as follows:
Colonel Stevens: I don’t know what I can say on this beau-
tiful June day where all about is so propitious, but I wish to
bear willing testimony to those professors whose labors are
fraught with so much that is beneficial to Minnesota. I never
speak ill of a man if I can help it. I believe in the old adage,
‘‘The laborer is worthy of his hire.”” And I am glad to say that
this beautiful farm, started under the auspices of Professor
Porter, whom we all revere and who has recently gone to his
long home, has found in Professor Green a man worthy to fol-
low in his footsteps. All the professors seem especially
adapted to do the work before them. Everything speaks for
itself,—the beautiful growing crops, garden, the trees,
everything indicates that it is under the tutelage of men worthy
of their hire. And to these men who have thus labored so
effectually we offer our most sincere thanks.
Under ‘‘Thoughts of the Hour” Prof.S. B. Green gave an in-
teresting resume of the work and present condition of the farm
school. Among other things, he said: ‘‘It affords me great
pleasure to see you here today, and all my colleagues are in
thorough sympathy with your aims. Every one wants to see
this work brought to a successful issue in this state. So we
are always glad to see you and will do what we can to entertain
you when you see fit to visit us. I didn’t know what my subject
was until I got up, but as ministers sometimes take a text and
then talk about what they please, that is what I am going to
do, and I shall talk about what we are doing at the farm.
‘There has been a serious loss of trees that have stood the
winters well heretofore, while cherries, apples and plums
never came through the winter in better shape. Strawberries
and raspberries are not doing well. They were somewhat in-
jured during the winter and, also, by the drouth of last year,
but were not affected by this season’s frost. Learning a lesson
from last summer, we are paying more attention this year
to vegetables, especially to potatoes and tomatoes. We are
also paying a good deal of attention to garden machinery and
garden tools. A great many letters come to us on garden sub-
jects, five times as many as ever before. There are a great
many letters about potatoes. The prospect is that potatoes
will be down pretty low this fall. We are carrying on experi-
ments not only in varieties, but in combating the rot and blight.
226 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
‘‘As to our school work, perhaps it was never so successful as
the past year. There were 200 in attendance at one time,
with a total enrollment of 365. Seven years ago when you met
here, there was just one student in the department of agriculture.
The girls’ department was introduced a year ago. This year a
dressmaking department was added which bids fair to be very
popular. The instruction to girls comprises lessons in domestic
economy, physiology and hygiene. ‘There was not so large an
attendance this year as last, but we think the work more of a
success, as while there were fewer from the Park, there were
more from the agricultural district surrounding. The course
lasts but six weeks. We think this will eventually result in
admitting girls to the regular school.
“The last legislature made an appropriation of $65,000 for new
buildings. One building is already started to be used as a dor-
mitory and for cooking. We shall now be able to get along
some time, but, if the school continues to grow as it has in the
past, it will not be so very long before further room will be
needed. The capacities of the dairy building will be nearly
doubled; other buildings will be sheep pens and barns, and
there will be minor improvements about the place.
‘Tt is not so good a time to show off the place when there are
so many people. There is not time to go over halfofit. I
have 16,000 plants. Prof. Hays has a great many thousands in
his department. 'Then the work is so scattered that it is diffi-
cult to show it in ashort time. We shall be glad to have you
come at any time and study the work.”
Mr. F. H. Nutter was called upon to respond to ‘‘Should the
Useful always Be Made Beautiful?” He spoke as follows:
When my attention was first called to this question I understood,
of course, that I was expected to maintain the affirmative side, but,
as I farther considered the matter, [encountered a dilemma of mag -
nificent proportions; my inner consciousness said to me—‘ You
claim to be useful as occasion may offer, therefore—’; so you see
the difficulties which ensue when we attempt to carry the simplest
proposition to a logical conclusion. Fortunately, however, the
question has an impersonal side which may be pursued with safety,
and to that we will turn for a few moments.
It is often insinuated that this land of ours extends but a chilling
reception to the fine arts, and there, doubtless, is good reason for the
charge toa certain extent, but we may plead in defense that in the
hurly-burly of building up a new world many things are neglected
that when we have time to stop and take breath will probably re-
ceive different treatment.
Every one who is interested in machinery has often taken pride in
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>. dane Man the, he, > pad: " Ss 7
MINNESOTA SUMMER MEETING, 1895. 227
the examination of some master piece of Yankee ingenuity, perhaps
a loom, a locomotive or a printing press, especially if it stood along-
side of its counterpart of English or Continental origin; the first of
lightand graceful design and bright with paint and polished metal,
the latter, simply strong, to be sure, but heavy and clumsy, and
funereal of aspect with its coat of dark paint; and been ready to
claim that the American does not hesitate to try at least to combine
use and beauty, if sufficient inducement be offered, especially, we
must confess, if that inducement be of a financial character.
But when we turn to the surroundings of our country homes, we
find nothing in the comparison in which we can boast; to be sure, we
may plead that when the years of our natural life are measured like
theirs by the millenium rather than by the century or even decade,
as is now the case, things will be different; we can also call attention
to the severe climatic conditions we have to combat, and safely as-
sert that,if ever we should be so situated that three days of rain,three
of fog and one of cloudy weather would be styled a pleasant week,
we would be able to produce lawns equal to those of “ Merrie Eng-
land.”
Let us, however, return to our subject. Why is it that to most
minds the two terms, use and beauty, seem so incongruous? Is it
not on account of a misconception of the true meaning of the word
“beauty?”
To too many minds this word suggests grandness, an overloading
with inappropriate ornamentation and, what is perhaps worse, an
unrenumerative expenditure of time and money. To these I would
say that true beauty in anything will not interfere with its highest
usefulness; when it does the essence of its beauty has departed.
How then shall we apply this to our homes? First, for what are
our homes established? The political economist will inform us
that the home is the unit from which the nation is made up, but we
will not consider it in this connection.
To many of us the home is the scene of our daily business, and so
nothing will beautify it which interferes unreasonably with our
regular task; but to all, the true home stands asa place of refuge
to which we turn when our day’s work is over to gain in the com-
pany of our family and friends the rest and strength, both bodily
and mental, which shall fit us for the toil of the morrow, and itis
for the purpose of obtaining the restful surroundings we so much
desire that we turn to the trees, the shrubs and the flowers for their
grateful aid. So we planta group of trees and shrubs here to hide
the barnyard or the shop, that the thought of our usual employ-
ment may not force itself too prominently on our resting time; we
search the swamps for the woodbine or bittersweet to give the pleas-
ant shade for the veranda; we place a couple of evergreens to frame
a distant view, and so place upon the walls of our private art gallery
a picture, ever changing with the home or the season; and, perhaps,
on the borders of the lawn a bed of hollyhocks, larkspur and
monkshood will remind the elders of the old homestead in the
East.
228 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
And, then, as we rest after the day’s toil and gain fresh strength
and courage from the breezes which rustle the foliage and bear the
perfume of the flowers, our minds turn with gratitude to the good-
ness and bounty of the Great Artist and Gardener, who at the
creation united to its fullest extent the useful and the beautiful,
and with his omniscient judgment pronounced it all “good.”
The president next introduced Dr. M. M. Frisselle, who was
announced to speak of ‘‘The Development of Horticulture.”
The Doctor said that the secretary had added, after assigning
him a topic, that he could alter it, or speak of anything he
pleased, and so he took the occasion to tell in a very pleasant
speech something of the development of horticulture from a
biblical standpoint. He said:
I will speak of the development of horticulture, and I will be
brief, asI don’t know much about it, for I want to say only what I do
know. No matter how far back in the history of the world we go,
the clergymen claim to know all about it. This world has existed a
good deal longer than some have supposed; some say 60,000 years,
and perhaps that would not cover it. I don’t know what they did in
horticulture 60,000 years ago, but I will come down to the Garden of
Eden. Everybody knows all about this. The clergymen have told
us all aboutit. The fruits and flowers there are reported to be very
fine, but I mistrust their being so fine as reported. I believe they
had no such roses as these. They had fig trees, but those had no
blossoms that showed. I don’t believe they had any strawberries,
and on the whole, I don’t believe the horticulture in the Garden of
Eden began to compare with that of today. Getting along to Noah,
we find he had a vineyard. I know there is a good deal of enjoy-
ment in a vineyard, because I have one myself. Noah and his boys
enjoyed cultivating their vineyard. We even know that he got
“high” on the fruit of the vine. They must have grown some pretty
good grapes. I have seen a variety of grape called the Syriac, with
clusters more than a yard long. I believe in the growth of the
" grape.
Solomon did something in the way of gardening and of beau-
tifying his ground, and I think was a pretty fair horticulturist,
You know the ladies did a good deal in husbandry in those days, and
he had a good many ladies to help him, and I think all the fine work
in his garden was done by the “wife.” Then there is Nebuchadnez-
zar. Lalways hked Nebuchadnezzar for one thing—not that he ate
grass—I think he ate salad; but I have always liked him for one
thing; he always tried to please his wife. She came from a moun-
tainous region, and when he brought her to the prairie country, he
built for her the hanging gardens which are so famous in history.
I think that I shall speak the sentiment of the ladies, when I say
that Nebuchadnezzar after all had some good qualities. In Egypt
they did a good deal in agriculture, but I don’t suppose they could
quite equal this place. They didn’t have greenhouses, but they had
a good many leeks and onions. The Israelites groaned some when
they went out to Egypt, because they didn’t have enough onions.
ere
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MINNESOTA SUMMER MEETING, 1895. 229
Apples in those days were not like ours. They had no Wealthys or
Jonathans. There were the apples of Hesperides, but they were a
kind of orange. They cultivated olives. The olives of Palestine, of
Syria, of Spain, all have a history.
Coming down to our country, we see how slowly things develop,
yet every year we see a wonderful improvement. Things are grow-
ing better, sweeter, larger. In fifty years I don’t know where we will
land, but I presume we shall be a great deal happier than we are
now in the products of our gardens and our orchards.
The next on the program was the rendering of a poem, ‘‘The
Dignity of Labor,” by Miss Dixie Smith, which was given with
rare expression and was much appreciated.
Mr. J. T. Grimes was appropriately called upon to respond
to the toast ‘‘Horticulture from the Standpoint of a Veteran.”’
He began by saying that as veteran means ‘‘something old,”
he supposed he would answer. He drew a manuscript from
his pocket from which he read as follows:
Ladies and Gentlemen: I am expected to make a few im-
promptu remarks, and being taken by surprise, of course you can-
not expect much at my hands.
What do I know about horticulture from the standpoint of a
veteran? Veteran, I suppose, means old and worn-out, and in that
respect Iam able to fill the bill. I might as well state before I be-
gin that “I was borned in the Old D’minion, right dare among de
niggers, but was fotched up among de white folks, and know’d
some of de fust families berry well.” They always wore seedy hats
and manifested a general appearance of that sort, talked politics
exclusively and knew but little else.
We had no horticultural societies then; they are all creatures of a
later yrowth. Our fruits were all seedlings, and no one supposed
that we could improve on nature.
We now claim that some of our best fruits have originated from
sports widely different from the parent tree. All the sports we
knew anything about at that time were our fast young men. If one
tree happened to bear better fruit than the other, all the boys in
the neighborhood knew about it, and the owner must be content
with what he could get. Hence, he did not care to improve his
fruits—not even for the sake of the boys.
I was there, and I know we used to have glorious times at the ap-
ple parings which were held around in the neighborhood, and
where each boy paired off with his best girl, or at least tried to. We
had no such thing as fruit dryers then; the sun did the business
with the assistance of the flies, the bees and the bugs. The fruit
was placed upon scaffolds out of doors, or hung on strings about
the old fire place. Pumpkins were sliced and strung up in the
same manner to dry, and such delicious pies Auntie could make!
Auntie, you understand, was nota real name, but meant par excel-
lence, and denotes the highest degree of honor bestowed upon the
darkey cook.
wre
230 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
The fruits grown at that time were not very inviting, and, conse-
quently, there was little market for them; in fact, no one thought of
growing fruit for that purpose. I never saw acultivated strawberry
until after [was grown. There were some wildones growing alonga
ditch in my father’s meadow, and he used to trounce me for tramp-
ing down the grass to get a taste of those berries. Is it any wonder
that I am such an enthusiastic horticulturist ?
I believe it was Massachusetts that first set the ball in motion,
with such men as Marshall P. Wilder in the lead.
What has been the result? Horticultural societies have been
formed and extended throughout every state and almost every
county in the union.
What are we doing? Experimenting, not blindly but scientific-
ally,in the production of newer and better varieties of fruits and
flowers, always holding fast the best, until something better is at-
tained.
I shall not attempt to show the vast increase of business and
wealth attached to the growing of fruits. Look atthe business done
by the railroads in this department alone! What immense quanti-
ties are handled and shipped in every direction where there is a de-
mand and a market. The North requires theearly ripened fruit of
the South, besides the tropical fruits which are grown there exclu-
sively; and the South in turn looks to the North for the later fruits
and also for her supply of winter apples, besides many other fruits
which cannot be grown there toany extent. Transportation is so
direct, quick and cheap, that each section of the country may be
said to produce every variety of fruit through the exchange of
trade, as though it had been grown upon its own soil.
But how has this wonderful result been brought about? Through
the means of influence of any particular section or society? No;
but through the united efforts of all the societies of all the states
combined, working together for the commongood. This concerted
action ina measure controls the markets, systematizes the handling,
packing and shipping of fruits, regulates charges, commissions, etc.
Now, let us turn to Minnesota, as one of those states having a dis-
tinct, yet undivided, interest in common with all the others stated.
She has been the child of circumstances from her birth, located so
far north as to be almost beyond the limits of fruit-growing. It
has been said, and I believe truthfully, that any country that could
not grow its own fruits sufficient for the common wants of the
people could never attain to a high state of civilization.
Does anyone here suppose, if all the difficulties that lay in the
way could have been foreseen, that any one of these veterans would
have been crazy enough to have attempted to form a horticultural
society in Minnesota? But necessity knows no law. We must have
fruits, and we went it blind; oftentimes reaching out our hands in
error, expecting a prize, but receiving only a blank. When I look
into the face of experience, it reminds me of the chaplain in the
Confederate army who prayed most fervently that the Lord would
give the soldiers more courage, when a veteran cried out, “We have
courage enough already, pray for victuals.”
MINNESOTA SUMMER MEETING, 1895. 231
Ye veterans, who have been fighting so long against such fearful
odds, gaining a little here and a little there, begin now to see the
silver lining that skirts the cloud that reflects the light from the
opening gates of heaven!
But, in order to carry out this great work, there must be united
effort on the part of every member of this society, and I would
especially call your attention to the efficiency of our lady members.
Nothing in life stimulates to action so much or makes our burdens
so light, as the sound ofa happy voice with the light of a pleasant
eye. Those who wish to attend the apple paring should always
come in “pairs.”
Our younger members, in all probability, will not be required to
sacrifice time and means with so little reward as those who have
preceded them. The work of the society has been so well laid out
and so skillfully managed, that there is not a thing beneath the sun
but you have dreamed of in your philosophy. We have the State
Experimental Farm right here, that is doing a grand work in the
interests of horticulture,and then we have auxiliary stations in
different parts of the state, that make their annual reports to the
central head station. All these reports come before this society
and are published in its transactions, and in addition runners are
sent abroad everywhere to spy out the land and gather in the goodly
fruits for the benefit of the commonwealth at large.
In regard to myself, I can only say that my pride runs parallel
with that of a friend of mine who always boasted of having been
born in Boston, and declared if he had to born again a hundred
times he would go straight back to Boston every time. I have no
wish to live my time over again, not even to correct the “mistakes
of Moses;” but, if the mantle of youth could be thrown around me
again, I should fall in with this society and pitch my tent within
some garden of roses.
‘The Modern Woman in Horticulture” was responded to
by Mrs. J. M. Underwood in a pleasing, summer day soliloquy
as follows:
A dayinJune! A perfect day! A blissful day! A literal day of
rest! At peace with all the world! Just the day for communion
with nature, knowing that the desire is reciprocal, for that she
claims recognition from man is evident on all sides! It is Sunday:
The duties of the past week are over—not all accomplished that had
been laid out, but time limits everything and sixteen hours cannot
be crowded beyond a certain point. The duties of the coming week
hover around furtively striving for recognition, although notified
early that this was a day of rest. The soft mellow air with undulat-
ing motion gently lulls every sense, and they too retire into spacey
and useless human nature lies inert. A spirit of unrest from the
north comes floating through the air, stirs the peaceful quiet and
asks what the “Modern Woman” is doing in horticulture? Whether
it is an honest desire for information that prompts the inquiry, or
simply that doomed to the misery of eternal motion it would there-
fore involve others in the same restlessness, is a mystery, the solu-
232 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
tion of which may be possible on a practical work-a-day, but
disturbs not the present delicious spell of mental inactivity.
All alone—yet not alone—a sharp pointed pencil and paper of
snowy whiteness for company. No one to speak, or to speak to.
What wonderful ideas may not be drawn from the universal source!
Just the moment for inspiration, but it cannot be forced. The mind
must beina receptive condition,utterly devoid of personal thoughts,
in fact of all thought, perfectly passive. All is in readiness; what
willcome? The beautiful blue of the sky tempts many a winged
creature to try the exhilerating effects of a strollinether; thereis no
necessity for undue exertion today, and they wander dreamily about-
How beautiful the scene that greets the half-closed eyes! The
group of Norways at the left towering way above the house looks
protectingly down, assuring immunity from danger of intrusion
in that direction. The oaks at the right, with motherly branches ex-
tending, a long way from the trunk, seem to urge the grateful shade of
their foliage as free to the wearied toiler. The long branches of the
weeping elm sway sleepily to and fro,and one of unusual length,
carrying an oriole’s nest near the end, describes an arc of several
feet, but moves so slowly and noddingly that the influence is conta-
gious and the care-troubled mortal on the veranda slowly but surely
succumbs, and the head, empty of thought and ideas in unison»
swings gently to and fro.
A passing zephyr whispers, “The Modern Woman,” and the inane
mortal slowly nods in response. The bee, going slowly to and fro,
in deference to the day, hummingly repeats the phrase and starts
into life the thought, what isa “Modern Woman?” The first effort
at solution is put to rest by wondering if the oriole will make a
mis-step and fall in trying to reach the nest on its upward swing.
The same breeze brings such a delicious, permeating fragrance
from the rose-bed that the whole personality seems wrapped in it,
and for the time being all consciousness seeins centered in the
heart of a rose,and sweet communion is held with the power that
makes such loveliness and sweetness possible.
“In Horticulture!” laughingly sings out the robin. “In what?”
calls the quail. The feathered tribe all at once are imbued with the
power of speech and mortal woman is dumb in their presence
Frequent repetitions bring the speakers no nearer to an under-
standing,and the catbird, hidden in the evergreen hedge,an amused
spectator of the scene, mockingly screams and bursts into rollick-
ing bubbles of musical laughter that brings confusion to the dis-
putants,and the misunderstanding is more pronounced. The
brown thrush, sitting on the topmost twig of the tallest Norway,
meditating on the beauties of nature, suddenly feels moved to
plunge into the light wave of restlessness that rolls in from the far-
away disturbance on theocean of activity and pours forth unlimited
remonstrance and advice, and in fancy the ear not only hears but
the eye sees the notes and words as they come tumbling down from
that airy height and float around like thistle down, now here, now
there, and causing no greater disturbance. His thoughts seem to
follow the same course marked out by the robin and quail, for the
MINNESOTA SUMMER MEETING, 1895, 233
words and syllables, though oddly mixed in their lofty tumble, are
as follows: “Culture, culture, horti, horti, mod-mod-modern, horti-
culture, horticulture, woman, modern, culture, horti,’ and so on,
until there was a whole basketful of them and they, seemingly,
covered the ground, and the dazed human being, sitting in rapt
astonishment at the sudden evolution and revolution in nature
whereby the birds are furnished with the power of speech, is dimly
conscious of existence, and queries, wistfully, What has “Horticul-
' ture” to do with the “Modern Woman’?
Mr. William Danforth was called upon to give ‘‘“Some Late
Thoughts from the Fruit Fields.” Mr. Danforth spoke briefly,
but touched upon a subject in which all were deeply interested.
Referring to the drouth of last year, and the results as seen
this season in the runners not having taken root, he said he
had learned the lesson to prepare for the dry weather, and he
believed the drouth’s ill effects could in a great measure be
counteracted. All were much interested in the description of
his well, which has just been prepared for irrigating purposes.
A number of questions were asked Mr. Danforth, which drew
out the following points: The well has a bore of six inches
and is 496 feet deep. It isa flowing one and is situated at Red
Wing on a bench of land of the same height as the city, about
55 feet above the river. It is an iron water, rather soft, of
about 50 degrees temperature, good to drink and not too cold
or injurious for the plants, at least no ill effects had been seen
from this summer’s use. This well has a capacity of three
barrels a minute and will water an acre of land in a day. A
two-inch pipe is used to carry the water to the field. It is car-
ried part of the way by ditch and partly above ground, which
tends to raise the temperature somewhat. The entire expense,
with pipe and valves, was about $500. The 500 feet of two-
inch pipe cost $78, the valves and other attachments $16, and
100 feet of two-inch hose $34.
Mr. A. J. Phillips, secretary of the Wisconsin Horticultural
Society, being present, was called upon to say a word of
friendly greeting. Following Mr. Danforth, he described the
well of Mr. Wolcott, of Sparta, which was sunk last year.
Having lost his berries two years ago from drouth, he sank an
artesian well, which cost about $300 and is half as deep as Mr.
Danforth’s. It has a capacity of three barrels a minute. The
water is conveyed in a two-inch pipe. Mr. Wolcott thinks the
well paid for itself the first year and says that if he could not
have a well he would not try again to raise small fruits. Last
year, after mowing and burning his vines, he turned on the
Py EL Le ee ee ee i ee
rote - +4; n
- a
+ Soe
234 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
water and let it run for three days. Some thought he was put-
ting on too much water, but this year he finds that those vines
which were farthest from the water are bearing the lightest.
He ran the well every day through the drouth of last season,
and this year his berries are much ahead of those of his neigh-
bors.
In regard to the relationship of the Minnesota and Wisconsin
societies, Mr. Phillips spoke of the enjoyment always experi-
enced in visiting our meetings. He used to be a paid member
of the society, but was now an honorary member for a term of
years, which, he believed, was about out. He did not know
whether he could get in again or not. He said; ‘‘We who at-
tend these meetings always feel that we take away more
than we bring. Our summer meeting has closed. I have
thought perhaps that our summer gatherings were better than
yours, as we have prepared programs and make more elaborate
preparations. But after the experience of today I don’t know
but I shall have to pronounce yours the better plan. We had
to wait two days before eating our berries, while you ate yours
the firstday. We thought we had the finest showing of roses
that could be brought out; but your people have beaten us here
today. But our strawberries are ahead of yours. We thought
our berries were all killed, and it was a surprise to go to our
meeting and find such a fine showing of berries.
Professor Green struck a keynote when he spoke of train-
ing the young in the principles of horticulture and of what
Minnesota is doing in that direction. I was pained when I
read the other day of the hundreds of children engaged in the
bottling works of the city of Milwaukee. I am ashamed of it,
as Minnesota and Wisconsin are always rivals. But I thought
of what we are doing in the direction of making children in-
terested in horticulture by the giving away of plants. And
we are in hopes that this will offset in part the wickedness of
the bottling work. We get some very amusing letters. The
secretary had said that he would fill no applications that came
after the fifteenth of May. A letter came from the northern
region, however, which we had not the heart to refuse. It
was from three children in the same family. 'The youngest
was a boy of seven who wanted two evergreens to beautify his
home. We feel quite proud of our work in this direction.
Iam very glad to be with you today and hope the relations
between our societies may always be pleasant. I meta young
man on the train coming here today. He said he was trying
MINNESOTA SUMMER MEETING, 1895. 235
to be a horticulturist and asked me what was the best thing
todo. I gave hima ‘Minnesota Horticulturist” and told him
the best thing he could do was to subscribe for the magazine.
He said he would do it.
Mr. Wyman Elliot, in responding to the toast, ‘‘Let us Re-
turn to the Soil,” spoke somewhat as foilow:” There are
many ways of treating this subject. One way is to return to
the soil an equivalent for what we get out of it. But perhaps
the thought of the thought of the secretary was that there
should be more people from the cities returning to the rural
districts. And this is a grave question at the present time.
He who hears the complaints and woes of today must think
that the city is not the most fitting place for the poor. I have
thought that if we could organize or colonize some of these
people on small areas of land, with some one to instruct them
in what to do, their lot might be made much better than what
itis now. We have in Minneapolis over 7,000 laborers who are
seeking employment today. The most have families, and
many have known what it is to want for bread the past winter.
It is a question that comes to us who are connected with city
affairs, for these come every day begging for work, and we
can't do much. Our hands are tied. Isaid to one big man,
‘The best place for you is in the country.’ He said he had
been there, but could find nothing todo. So the problem is
unsolved. Yet we believe that more should return to the soil,
and that a way should be provided. I venture to say that no
one here who has been cultivating the soil has gone without a
a meal of victuals the past winter. I think perhaps it is within
the province of this society to start some kind of a movement
for getting the people from the congested quarters of our cities
nearer to Mother Earth, and suggest that between now and
our next winter meeting we see if something cannot be done
in this direction.”
Mr. J, S. Harris was then called on from the topic, ‘‘The
Coming Apple for Minnesota—Will She Come and When?”
He said: ‘‘We don’t know much about the early history of
Minnesota. When Colonel Stevens or I or some one else
discovered it, it was occupied by a great trust of savage tribes
who were engaged in raising buffalo or hair from the heads of
the white settlers. When Colonel Stevens or I discovered it
about fifty years ago we thought it was like the land of
Palestine. Those who first came were fruit lovers, and they
brought with them the apple and other fruits from their East-
236 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
ern homes. But it was soon shown that their apples were not
a success. That other apple that grows on the pumpkin vine
seemed to be the only apple that would flourish. But there
was Peter M. Gideon. He sent down to Maine and procured
some seed,and we have the Wealthy. That was a great advance
and showed that an advance could be made. The Wealthy isa
pretty good apple, but it does not quite fill the bill, and is not
the coming apple. Another apple has come up. It has been
heralded on all sides. It is the Peerless, and many are plant-
ingit. But that is not the coming apple. The people are
awake to the importance of having an apple that is adapted to
the climate of Minnesota, and on all sides there is the disposi-
tion to try seedlings. We will never be satisfied with what
may satisfy the states south of us, or even Wisconsin. At the
experiment station here they are awake on the subject and
have promising seedlings. I have no doubt that there are
seedlings now growing that will be better than anything we
now know of. The coming apple is not yet here, but it will
come. I may not live to see it, but there those here today
who will see it. It will be more beautiful in color than the
Wealthy, more juicy than the Baldwin and will have the flavor
of the strawberry and peach combined.
A resolution relating to the death of Professor Edwin D.
Porter was moved and adopted as follows: ‘‘Whereas, The
death of Professor Edwin D. Porter has removed from us a
most useful and beloved member :
Resolved, That in his death our society and horticultural in-
terests have met a great loss, and that a committee consisting
of Dr. M. M. Frisselle, Messrs. J. S. Harris and C. L. Smith
and the secretary be appointed to draft resolutions of respect
for publication and to be forwarded to the family.
In passing the resolution of respect to Prof. Porter, Mr. C.
L. Smith was accorded the floor for a few words. He referred
to the part Mr. Porter played in securing the location of the
farm school on its present grounds, saying: ‘‘I know some-
thing of the long fight that occurred in connection with the
transference of the school. I think Prof. Porter builded bet-
ter than he knew. I have been throughout this country, and
no state in the Union has a better location for such a school
than we have. We have a model school of agriculture that
other states may imitate but cannot excel. I believe that the
state of Minnesota could do no better than to erect a monument
at this place in honor of the man who was so instrumental in
bringing the school to its present high standing.”
OP ee See OE Sey ae,
7,” ¥ ‘
MINNESOTA SUMMER MEETING, 1895. 237
The idea of perpetuating in some suitable form the memory
of Prof. Porter was heartily received, Messrs. Harris, Jewett
and others expressing their concurrence, the latter suggesting
that a memorial in the shape of a building which might bear
the name of Porter Hall would be a more suitable monument.
The time was approaching when members found it necessary
to be leaving, yet others were loath to close what had proved
to be so pleasant an session. Before the separation, Mr. Gould
asked for a few minutes, which he took advantage of by return-
ing some of the lavish compiiments which Mr. Phillips had be-
stowed upon our state and society, suggesting that in some
things Wisconsin was a little ahead, and that he proposed going
over to study and learn from his neighbor over the river.
Mr. Harris referred to the recent death of Mr. D. A. Robert-
son, one of the pioneer members of the society and instrumental
in its organization, suggesting that at the next meeting suitable
action be taken in regard to the matter.
The meeting adjourned at 4:30 p. m.
AWARD OF PREMIUMS
At the Summer Meeting of 1895.
FRUIT.
STRAWBERRIES.
Articles. Exhibitor. Premium. Amount.
IaGker Marler. 4.i.<ci. sus ceke G. Aobrmsonns jis sak ec Secand jose $ .75
VATIREIr a V2) ICG lee ee G. Chandler &Son....Second....... Ba)
PiiGivel’ s Hanhy sco ariel lec « « Pea! oi | Mee ee ee 1.00
BGG ErWOOG.) 3. spas ccckaeee. $6 “oh DECOM s sents .75
CUE (SY y7 I a onan ee CAs SAL Pen E we. See .ts < PES Gr cate, 2 1.00
REALE CINE 13 ~ sic,s td stale wolelecntays Pe See Toys wee pet Ne AIG sees 35.0)
IGTOZ Te] 0 EE NERS ee ee een are eer ae OT gM tad caters tae BiALSt mies 1.00
PMMRIA NEE Fins ss asia al rese ise ok Wind, My. ONS).e6a 2. aac iPetie)o Jonas 1.00
PVN AIN CEN Cat atts aioe onic ee MM eta rstrateke sees IPTESt Saas ae 1.00
PEL TRA GALI Tice, ae ceie'e oapa%s Mame OR ah POR are BCR tetera 1.00
abies arlersc. sic ecc0 oc EOP Ege Ta ie ange (Thirds sas! 50
IRE CEEWOOGs . aie wicles s ois atetals ‘ a5 Ea ae Birstes sane 1.00
HOONGEE sary cite talichatereia Ste tyson iim Nie: th Set Ate second iaees a7 fs)
SE 1b 02106 (es os Rane Oi ae ee SE gta ee ee yar BiG tietoeto nie ats 1.00
UAy MAL SOU seins ess «0 Ra Botte? GO SRC SECOTE sapretaecd io
SlasterGemy ose! ven. . Se CER on a iat Secondhacaew: WD
NE GAGET Cre Ma astsie tisionis 6 bie Ns DEN oh i Bir Sieartn ac. 1.00
SG ANGLOLT ee caer cretion oss Me At Ae Mee ete 3 Os EGS taeeanier ae) 1.00
POV lis ase itaeer series at sa Eom See etste Second :..)..'.2 ahs
“ASAI (0 Va gece nse aa ea Win OaAtOrtiie a ee ae Second....... niles
SEMPRA Lara ste eons ohre Sacinstes le ve He tll | alow ache co oaths Second....... =D
238 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Articles. Exhiditor. Premium. Amount.
Grescent,.: as casenaveun aaeaen Wim. Danforth........ Secondiee.se $ .75
MOnATCH: .. sae «aes e es ob AS 4° So Seager Becond).....45 Leen
Michels Barlyiict¢. 2 lesc.cn. Sete tl he eae Second 2. 1d
Warielaers,....cder scene oe oe A. HH. Brackett... Pirat.. ceo 1.00
LA VERLAG os fore cites etac a eters So fds Le) Gee Second.... 75
TVOMCLG aids 5 othe oh ae cig nape Secs SME ety Sot eh: Bt Pare. 24.5 toee 1.00
ER EMID ACA sas eles ics, Ra trepeter ev Naatoe a Th eae mee, - RE 5 3h ke 1.00
Captsackssn.cteceasers eee MAR ace te ce et! 1g) Bae ge 1.00
FEE HIRC CBE oho 0c cintaies sts ane Pee one eS eis eracee Siem Hirst: jc fou 1.00
REA CENE cu dikrsc naar estes pists Can hems SAN J i it. 2 ae 50
MinVernon si sc co5deemees ss Sepsd a, Xv she ete Barts 2 2 sage 1.00
Barker Barle: 5. Soi. ueiseids oe Bp” Sa Se ddy wees Second:.s.2se8 .75
MU ViCtTNO Re so cictrtedise en os Jewell Nursery Co....Second....... 75
iHaverland.- i1 soc ate tee. 5 ogee oi (ag <) MBRES BN Lo: 1.00
BES OSU (pelt a as ee .-« -SeCON . 5... wa Seen
IPTC ESS ace sae has toshee es s oops Eitd <i aac .00
Wire Demiaw so oct Bion ah is Biret.273 sees 1.00
Wirorkimans): «dices teks ares ts ao Pirst. Sl o.issee 1.00
Bederwoods. coe: .tas<t ane te Third.3o:.cer .50
| DEGIET ORR Os Base Brice ee a Pirstipoces 1.00
GOOSEBERRIES.
ecm os sas arts oeiee ys Wo eE Os oon canara Birst.oo Agee 1.00
qT CE Cs C) spe Mein ae Wem A BAe OHO oo arene wei Second’ -.o5e 50
Downie) vis osc an eee -jewell Nursery Col... Pitst:...c, 000 1.00
SHG 8 eoses Sees tore: mine terns wets “ eee bIbatee ccna 1.00
J. S. HARRIS,
J. T. GRIMES,
J. P. ANDREWS,
Awarding Committee.
FLOWERS.
Cut roses, out doors........ BYGSGonld? ease. Third .. eee
Carnations: trtjecicec riche co aee SF obi y Lvb late pes Dhitd 352243 1.00
Bouquet, greenhouse ...... PM se Ore Second 7-45 2.00
Bouquet, annuals.......... SAE Zonet stoic ehane eta Third: Saas 1.00
Bloral desionss. 2. 720.58 wae a i oenle ates Nac POh soem 5.00
Cut roses, out doors........ Jewell Nursery Co....First......... 4.00
Bioraldesiowia. y.c6.2 ene eae yon SB COM. aaa 3.00
Carnations. sancdae ects 5 5 es LES braeiayaienicrete 3.00
Bouquet, annuals .......... Mrs. A. A. Kennedy :. First. ..../..t. 3.00
Roses; OUT GOOLE... nisi535 <6 E. Nagel & Co......... Beeond:.. <a tce 3.00
Roses; creenhouse:....... 2. OFS SASS A Beier eased Biretic) chaise 3 00
CATIATIONS » caster. eos oe eiele store Ba Te Sere iset yo Second. 2 sace 2.00
Bouquet, greenhouse ...... 60S] VoD CAMs bt a First... 2.525% 3.00
Bouguet, annuals. )...25.2: ae RM py, SoS, Secord. 2-5 2.09
C. W. SAMPSON,
Mrs. A. A. KENNEDY,
Awarding Committee.
©,
4
2
ide
Rh i aed le i’ Ae
MINNESOTA SUMMER MEETING, 1895. 239
VEGETABLES.
Articles. Exhibitor. Premium. Amount.
(Sareea | OY (2s 6 Senn GEOR eIer CG Chandler & Son... First. so...-es $ 1.00
OS es eae |e ad 2 (7 Bits rg oeeane 1.00
EMR eRe ache acer ecto Calsra wie igs a) SRS he a RItSt eke 1.00
DER ETABER NS irerears, Si oiaiein\a lec 0:0 «ince fe a oe aeee Second’. ssc. 50
DNRC TIAL e fo ain cafe ic wis sta oie oo AE nein beat: So's 5 <i Recommended.
AMUEIEES eso at's 25 «:alevee's 0’ Seas Gel eM Ors sahoebial aS ermaee Second): s.a4 .00
ERIN 2's vn. ksimin als cic c's sisie's Mrs. A. A. Kennedy ..First .......:. 1.00
REEEMERSIV EB oc 10 ae ac sae oles ae ope “ SE ECON Cn tae . 50
OS ee cere Wir yOnsiercles sai eel Bitetcccweu 1.00
MON ATRE Ss ales fe visa askin ese PETA EeM are cizi Cie etesialte SECONG.o ave -00
( DUEXC UAC 2 Vo OSA an er Sarge a Neha ee DECOM. tin octas 2.00
PePMEMEELONEN 6 2804 sida e nein biden i. A Osteroren. 5.02% PIGS. dian ot 3.00
PERAE Rs a chet sofa. sSiatare alate ol onal abs SR raps O55 8 hor 4 Second. . 232. .50
MBeCUMbDErS...0.65.6506 50.00%. RP edt hee tee Second). <2.-+ .50
RTS SAL TNG FA occ kgs Sarai ols Wm. Mackintosh..... Second... .2i~< 00
ReMIMGHOW EES), ).\5255 cceecce ee os Ue a eee t lube tiene Bret) ieetece: 1.00
PINE TAOED iy jcia, o' selg ta hin aelels' C. W. Sampson .. ©... Seconds. 225.2 2.00
PREEEIUA PIG: gia biocs dws bac als © eee et Beat eek A ie te TEE Seconds hice .50
eres rate Pert SN iat cicista aie’ cuits ale MNS HET ILS Later oroe ote Second.:../.. 50
MERE? ALP, siete) wid dha'e) viet hear ake ‘os He BYVBassey4scc.ce ns Birst 2s. 1.00
RETRIEVE ec accross ce cio wales SoU at MAL Du atete oh eho creas Devic) tyne Me BN 1.00
SUE CG. i Seceno ob Acree s stkvela OA ee nope ee = Rinsh.:c tesheaes 1.00
SUTETISUS: crocs aiciaecis hoa edees ees Py aiaatbin Soles PTGS. ben cb chee 1.00
E. NAGEL,
ANNA B. UNDERWOOD,
Awarding Committee.
STAMP OUT THE ANTHRACNOSE.
Blackberry and raspberry anthracnose, orrust,is produced on the
canes in the form of small, round or elongated whitish patches,
slightly flattened and bordered with a ring of dark purple. These
patches gradually increase in size and number, and finally destroy
the new growth or stunt it badly. Upon the leaves it is often visible
as very small yellowish spots surrounded by a dark border, resem-
bling those on the canes and leaves. The fungus producing the
disease passes the winter in the diseased canes and leaves, a fresh
crop of spores is produced from the old spots in the spring, and the
new canes and foliage are readily affected.
The raspberry anthracnose soon becomes deeply seated in the
canes, and no fungicide can reach it. The disease can be greatly
retarded by cutting out and burning all diseased wood. It
should be cut out in winter or very early spring, below the lowest
diseased spot. If the canes are then sprayed before the leaves start,
with a solution of sulphate of copper, using one lb. to 25 gals.
water, and if necessary sprayed two or three times during the sum-
mer with Bordeaux mixture, very little damage is to be feared.—
Farm and Home,
— oe, Ae
yg es ©
> 4
xperiment Sytations, 1895.
i
MIDSUMMER REPORTS.
CENTRAL STATION; ST. ANTHONY PARK.
PROF. S. B. GREEN, SUPT.
DROUTH.—The destructive effect of the terrible drouth of last
summer showed very plainly in the severe winter killing of many
plants that ordinarily would not be injured by cold weather. Trees
growing close together and on dry land suffered most, and forest
trees suffered more than apple, cherry or plum trees. The forest
trees that were most injured are European white birch, European
larch, black walnut, butternut, catalpa, wild black cherry, white
pine, balsam fir, Norway pine; and many red and scarlet oaks
growing in gravelly soil died. Strawberries and red raspberries
were severely winter killed, although protected as usual, and that,
too, where this trouble had never been experienced before. The
bluegrass on very dry land also killed out. Trees and shrubs that
were watered during the drouth show no unusual winter injury.
Many other minor instances of winter killing could be cited, but
they all go to show that we have far more to fear from a lack of
water in the soil than from cold weather in winter.
THE LATE FROSTS.—The late frost this spring, which came just as
the fruit buds of our grapes began to show, seriously injured them,
though it did little other injury here. Our strawberry plants were
not yet in flower when it occurred, and plums, apples, currants and
gooseberries had set their fruits and, consequently, were not seri-
ously injured. The flowers of several Russian pears were killed.
No other serious injury was done by late frost to crops at this
station.
SMALL FRUITS.—The small fruit crop here will be somewhat light,
owing to the poor condition of the plants last autumn. Red rasp-
berry canes that were covered with mulch only were, in many
cases, seriously injured, while those covered with earth are all
right. Blackcap raspberries covered with mulch or other material
are in good condition and promise an abundant crop. Currants and
gooseberries promise a good crop, the Champion gooseberry being,
perhaps, more promising this year than any other variety growing
here. Blackberries have set much fruit and look well. Juneberries
of the most valuable kinds are heavily loaded with fruit, as is their
usual custom. Among raspberries, it is interesting to note that
the Logan berry has wintered well where buried and has set a fair
amount of fruit. The same is also true of the Columbian raspberry,
which is certainly a very strong growing kind, and in other ways
seems to bid fair to equal the reports of the originator.
aS eee ee ase a Te. fe * @-*, fo
EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 241
TREE FRUITS.—Russian cherries are many of them fruiting well
for the first time and the outcome will be watched with interest. The
Wragg cherry, at this writing, June 17th, is ripening its fruit, which
is large and of good quality. The birds seem especially fond of it,
and it has to be protected from their ravages. Our plums were never
more heavily laden with fruit at this time of year, and all varieties
promise good crops. In this connection, it isinteresting to note that
the dry weather of last season caused many small plum trees to
flower this spring by checking their growth. This was quite con-
spicuous in a block of about 700 yearling plum grafts, many of
which set fruit this year.
Most of our apple trees produced few blooms, but those set very
well,and some varieties, notably those of the Duchess type, will bear
quite a little fruit. The orchards never looked thriftier at this season
of the year than they do now, and they are making a strong and
rapid growth. The grounds of this experiment station never looked
better, and each year adds to the beauty of the place by the growth
of ornamental specimens and by generalimprovements. It is fast
assuming the park-like appearance so desirable in grounds of this
character. Three new buildings are to be erected this year at a total
cost of about $65,000, and a reasonable sum will also be appropriated
for improving the grounds adjacent tothem. The labelling of the
ornamental trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants with their common
and botanical names is being made more complete, and has now
come to be looked upon as a necessity.
VEGETABLES.— The experiments with vegetables this year are be-
ing carried on in amore complete way than usual. Variety tests
are being made ona considerable scale with potatoes, tomatoes
celery and onions and with other vegetables in a small way. The,
experiments with potatoes also embrace the use of fungicides to
prevent rot and blight; those with tomatoes, the use of fungicides
to prevent tomato rot; those with celery are experiments in surface
and sub-irrigation and those with onions experiments in transplant-
ing onions. The experiments with varieties of potatoes is being
carried on simultaneously in McLeod and Lyon counties, and the
result will, therefore, be of much value and interest.
Experiments are also being madein the use of several different
kinds of fertilizers. The results from the application of commercial
fertilizers has not generally justified their use on an extensive scale
in this section of the country. This year a special experiment was
made in the use of nitrate of soda for spinach with excellent results.
Fertilizers containing a _ large
amount of the nitrates have long
been looked upon in the older sec- &
tions of the country as being espec-
ially valuable for early spring use
on leaf crops. Our grain crops in
this section, while increasing in the
straw, have made little corres-
ponding increase in the yield of
grain. Applied to spinach at the
242 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
rate of about 200 pounds per acre, the result was very marked. The
land receiving it yielded at least three times the crop produced on
land receiving stable manure. The illustration herewith brings
out this difference quite plainly.
Potato machinery is being madea special study this year. Six
horse potato planters and two hand planters have been tried here
this year, also three potato cutters, and we have several potato dig-
gers and sorters now on hand for trial this autumn, and more are
to be obtained before the crop is gathered.
FORESTRY EXPERIMENTS.—Experiments in forestry are ever sub-
jects of interest to our people. The forestry plantation at this time
is of much interest. Some serious losses of trees were sustained
last summer, but these have been replaced by hardier kinds. The
different kinds of native oaks are receiving considerable attention
and are doing well.
In addition to the plantation here of about five acres, over four
acres have been planted in different kinds of trees at our new ex-
periment station in Lyons county. This plantationis divided into
plats for the purpose of trying the value of different hardy trees in
furnishing protection to those more tender. The work has been
very successfully inaugurated.
ALBERT LEA STATION.
CLARENCE WEDGE, SUPT.
Although there has been nothing in the past eight years that has
given our trees anything like an adequate test of hardiness, as the
term is usually understood, there may be something of value ina
detailed report of the behaviour of the varieties that we have fruited
within the past few years. The soil at this stationis a clay loam,
with a retentive yellow clay subsoil, and the site of the orchard is
becoming yearly more sheltered. The indications given and opin-
ions expressed in this report must not be taken as at all conclusive,
and will have little value except as taken in connection with like re-
ports from other observers.
The trees have nearly all been kept in cultivation with growing
crops or nursery stock between therows. We mention the behaviour
of several varieties that are pretty well out of the experimental stage
in Minnesota in order that some intelligent comparison may be made
with the newer sorts.
THE OLDENBURG.—This variety is perfectly at home in this loca-
tion, and in this vicinity many trees about thirty years old may be
found that are in perfect health. It seldom bears more than speci-
men apples before the ninth year. Our oldest tree, set twenty years,
has acquired the usual bad habit of the variety of overloading with
fruit in alternate years. Three years ago wetried to break up this
habit by picking off nearly half the fruit when the size of hickory
nuts, but without effect, as the tree did not bear a solitary apple the
following year. A year ago when it was again overloaded with fruit,
we made a more determined effort and shook off fully three-fourths
of the apples when fairly formed. This severe thinning made but
EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 243
slight change in the habit of the tree, which bloomed very sparingly
this season; and we are inclined to think that in the bearing years
the effort put forth in the production of bloom alone is so great that,
if any considerable fruit is allowed to mature,there will not be vital-
ity enough left in the tree to prepare buds for acrop the following
season.
We placed several barrels of this fruit in cold storage last August,
taking care only that all were sound and free from bruises. They
were removed for family use at various times during the winter,and
the last barrel taken out some time in January was in excellent
condition and remained so when placed in our house cellar for two
weeks or more. The experiment seemed to indicate that this variety
if placed in cold storage directly from the orchard and kept until the
beginning of winter weather could then be transferred to a cool
house cellar and keptin good condition for a month or two, thus,
with light expense, allowing us the use of this most popular and
reliable fruit during nearly one-hali of the year. Thecost of cold
storage at Albert Lea is 15 cents per barrel per month.
WEALTHY.-—This variety set fifteen years has proved far less heal-
thy than the Oldenburg. Sunscald and blight have crippled the
trees, and of late they have shown injury in the forks, which ap-
peared after the heavy crop of 1892 on fine trees that were otherwise
in perfect condition. We have observed that the fruit appears to
keep much better as the trees attain age, and that in cold storage
its fine flavor is retained well through the winter. Top-working
would seem to be the remedy for most of the defects of this tree.
TETOFSKY.—This variety set fifteen years has proved nearly as
hardy as the Oldenburg, but somewhat more subject to sunscald.
It is a profuse bearer in alternate years, and still furnishes our first
ripe apples.
HIBERNAL.—Set eight years, this variety is in the most robust and
perfect conditionin every part ofthe orchard. It blights somewhat
more than the Oldenburg but never seriously. It has generally
borne good crops at from five to seven years from setting and spe-
cimen apples muchearlier. The fruitislarge and russet about the
stem, showing almost half as much striping as the average Olden-
burg; it hangs well to the tree and ripens well together, instead of
dropping as the Wealthy isinclined to do. It keeps about with the
Wealthy, and is regarded by us as fully equal to the Oldenburg for
all culinary purposes, and in its proper season is relished as an
eating apple by fully half the persons who taste it. In common
with all varieties at our place, the crop of 1894 ripened prematurely
and showed less beauty and quality than usual. Wishing to get
the opinion of experts as to the value of the fruit, we sent the follow-
ing questions accompanied with a basket of the apples to quite a
number of our leading horticulturists, with the special request that
the replies might not be flattering:
1. How do you like the Hibernal as a stewing apple?
2. Asa baking apple?
3. Asa pie apple?
4. Is it anapple you would care to buy if offered in the market at
the current price?
244 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Replies were received from every person to whom fruit was sent
and are given in full below.
From President Underwood, of the Minnesota State Horticultural
Society:
1. It is very nice.
2. Good.
3. As good as any.
4. Itisnot an attractive looking apple; unless I knew it, would take
a better looking one.
From President Kimball of the Southern Minnesota Horticultural
Society:
1. We like the Hibernal very much as a stewing apple.
2. They are very nice as a baking apple if enough sugar is used.
3. They are the best apples we ever had for pies.
4. They are a variety we should buy if they were in the market at
the current price.
From President Burnap of the Northeastern Iowa Horticultural
Society:
1. First rate. It is nearly as good as Duchess and needs a little
more cooking.
2. Only fairly well, the skin seems ‘tough and has a slightly un-
pleasant flavor.
3. It is prime, I know nothing better.
4. I believe it will make its own way in the market as a cooking
apple without any help from anybody.
From Prof. Samuel B. Green, horticulturist of the Minnesota Cen-
tral Experiment Station:
1. Itis as good a stewing Bats as any I know of.
2. Very good, indeed.
3. As nice as any I know of.
4. I would answer most emphatically, yes. Last winter (1893-4)
we could not buy as good cooking apples as the Hibernal at any
price. I am sure that as soon as this variety becomes known it is
destined to be a popular market sort.
We also submitted a basket of this fruit to five of the most expert
cooks of Albert Lea and received the following written answers to
the above questions:
1 .“It is very nice.” “The Hibernal stews quickly.” “Excellent.”
“Desirable.” “Think they are fine.”
2. “A good baking apple, as it is baked in so short a time thor-
oughly done.” “It is excellent, juicy and tart.” “Think it equal to
the Duchess.” “Excellent.” “Desirable.” “Bakes up soft and juicy.”
3. “A good pie apple.” “Itis very good; of nice flavor.” “Better
than Duchess.” “Desirable.” “Equal to the Duchess.”
4.“Yes.” “Yes, sir.’ “One that I would take in preference to
most on the market.” “Desirable.” “Yes, every time.”
Aside from the prospective value of this variety as a hardy ana
reliable home and market apple, the tree seems to be of great value
as a stock to top-work more tender varieties, as it seems to make a
smooth union with a great many varieties and is inclined to push
them into early bearing. We have in fruiting on this stock at this
4
A
“7
:
:
‘
EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 245
station, Malinda, Newell’s Winter, Haas, Plumb Cider, Peerless; all
making perfect unions and in every case more fruitful than the
Hibernal.
CHARLAMOF.—One tree of this variety, set ten years, has proved
almost as healthy as the Hibernal. Its fault seems to bea tendency
to blight, but it has never, in our worst seasons, been injured
seriously; always ripens its wood perfectly and is today the picture
of health. It has been a regular and very early bearer of apples
that would ordinarily be taken for the Oldenburg, ripening at the
same time; they are, however, more conical in form, firmer in flesh,
of a peculiar, rich, vinous flavor and hang to the tree with great
persistence. We do not find that the fruit keeps better than the
Duchess, and it quickly loses its choice flavor when put in cold
storage. It should be stated that our Charlamof is of spreading
habit and light colored bark, the same as that reported by Andrew
Peterson, M. Pearce, C. G. Patten and others, and quite different from
that had by J. B. Mitchell, Wm. Somerville and A. G. Tuttle.
LONGFIELD.—Set eight years. This variety appears to be fully as
hardy as the Wealthy and less subject to blight and sunscald. Its
low spreading habit would of itself tend to prevent the latter. It has
been the earliest and most prolific and persistent bearer of all on
trial, one of the trees having borne a barrel of apples seven years
from setting. The fruit will average somewhat below medium, but
the quality is choice, and it keeps its flavor in the cellar rather
longer than the Wealthy. Italso,at the close of the season, hangs bet-
ter to the tree,so that the entire crop may be gatheredat once. Seems
likely to be a valuable home and market apple for our section.
REPKA MALENKA (No. 418).—Set eight years. This variety is, at
least, as hardy as Wealthy and blights butlittle. Treevery upright
in habit and splits down rather easily in the forks. It seems likely
to be a good bearer, but not particularly early. Have not, as yet,
had more than a peck from a single tree. Fruit decidedly below
medium in size, fairly well colored and by far the best keeper of
all we have fruited. In quality, while possessed of no particularly
fine flavor, it is a fairly agreeable, mild acid, eating apple in the lat-
ter part of the winter and avery excellent cooking apple at any time.
We think this deserving a general trial as an all winter keeper for
the home orchard.
RUSSIAN GREEN (NO. 382).—Set ten years. This tree is of the Anis
family, and there is none hardier in our orchard. It is almost free
from blight, although at two different periods trees within four rods
of it have been killed to the ground by blight. Although trimmed
quite high, it has never shown sunscald. It has borne a few apples
for the past five years and would, we think, have been well loaded
the present season had it not been injured by the freeze of May.
The fruit is below the medium size, rather prettily colored and ofa
very refreshing, pleasant flavor, especially when kept in cold stor-
age. Inthe cellar it keeps about a month longer than the Olden-
burg. If this tree provesa good bearer, it will be very valuable on
account of its ability to resist cold.
ANTONOVKA.—Set ten years. We lost two of the three original
trees and are not able to say just what was the cause of their death,
246 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
The remaining tree has always been reasonably healthy, although
somewhat subject to blight. Its first fruiting was about a peck of
magnificent apples, which it bore last season. Fruit large yellow, of
refreshing,brisk,acid flavor and will keep a month or so longer than
the Oldenburg. If the tree was free from blight, it would doubtless
be of great value, as the fruit would sell on sight and would not dis-
appoint the buyer.
YELLOW SWEET (NO. 167).—Set eight years. A very hardy and per-
fect tree, has never been injured by cold or blight. Has bornea
few specimen apples for several years, but set its first real crop th®
present season, which was largely destroyed by the freeze. This is
a fine large, sweet, apple, of the choicest quality, that ripens nearly
with the Tetofsky, but keeps far better. These who enjoy a good
sweet apple as wellas the writer will prize this variety highly, even
if it does not bear as well as could be desired. There seems little
room for doubt of its adaptation to a large share of our state. The
fruit is in color light green with a bronze cheek.
SUMMER LOWLAND (No. 579).—Set eight years. A fine, vigorous tree
with particularly handsome foliage. Appears to be as hardy as the
Wealthy and very free from blight. So far a shy bearer. Fruit
about medium in size, very handsomely colored, mild acid, fine
quality. Keeps some better than Oldenburg. Of doubtful value.
WHITE TRANSPARENT.—Set eight years. A tree of medium hardi-
ness that is very subject to blight. Hasso far proved a shy bearer,
and for this reason and because it ripens much later than Tetofsky,
we think this may not be the true name of the trees we have. Fruit
of fine quality, size and appearance.
CZAR’S THORN.—Set ten years. Fairly hardy, of slow growth and
somewhat subject to blight. An early and good bearer. Fruit
medium size, sweet, rather dry and insipid in quality and ripens be-
fore the Oldenburg.
OSTREKOF (4 M).—One treeset nine years. A vigorous hardy tree
and seems to be much subject to blight. For some reason this tree
did not start into good growth until about three years after it was
set,so that, although it appears to be an early bearer, it has never
blossomed freely before the present season. It has only bornea
single specimen, enough however to prove that it is» the true
Osterkof.
PATTEN’S GREENING.—Set five years. This variety is of vigorous
growth, seems to be very free from blight and gives promise of
being an early and good bearer. Judging from the color of the
wood after the past few winters, we should place the variety as
decidedly less hardy than Duchess or Hibernal and, perhaps, not
hardier than Wealthy. Fruit of fine size, green when picked but
turning to a fine yellow in the cellar. Quality very fair as an eating
apple and particularly choice for cooking. Keeps till Thanksgiving
or later.
PEERLESS.—Set four years. This variety is of vigorous growth
and remarkably free from blight, but judging from its failure to
properly ripen its wood and tendency to make a late fall growth, we
are inclined to place it as far less hardy than the Wealthy and
decidedly inferior to all our best varieties.
EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 247
The above are the varieties which we have had longest on trial
and which we judge to be of greatest interest to the readers of our
reports. We have scores of others that are just coming into bear-
ing that will be reported on as their behavior seems to call for
notice.
The following are the dates at which each variety ripened its crop
in 1894:
Tetofsky, July 29; White Transparent, August 8; Oldenburg, Au-
gust 12; Charlamof, August 12; Russian Green, August 17; Volga
Cross, August 17; Whitney, August 17; Martha Crab, August 24;
Wealthy, August 26; Brier Sweet crab, August 26; Hibernal, Au-
gust 28; Antonovka, September 4; Elgin Beauty, September 4; Long-
field, September 7.
WINDOM EXPERIMENT STATION.
DEWAIN COOK, SUPT.
As I made no report of this station’s work for the last winter
meeting, I shall have to report backalittle. The plum crop of’94 was
what might be called fair. The Desota, as usual, bore a heavy crop
of undersized fruit. The Wolf seems to be my best market plum;
it is pretty sure to bear a good crop of large plums that are less in-
jured by the curiculio, or plum gouger, than most other varieties.
The apple crop for '94 was very light. Apple trees do_ not
come into bearing as young in our black prairie soil as they do on
the hill soil. At this station we have more alkali, or potash, in the
soil than we have any particular use for; it has a tendency to retard
the formation of fruit buds on the apple trees and the ripening of
the new growth of all fruit trees and plants. The Okabena bore the
best of all the apples in ’94, taking the age of the tree into considera-
tion. I have something over one hundred varieties of apples grow-
ing. I wish to call attention to what I call the Barney apple as an
extra long keeping apple. It is a seedling, originating only nine
miles from here; fruit, small in size; tree, as hardy as any. I put two
of the apples in my cellar last April,and I have one of them yet.
The quality of the apple is good.
The past winter was not hard on the fruit trees; in fact, fruit trees
never wintered better. The Winsted Pippin was the only variety of
apple I noticed that killed back any. Our notes show that some-
thing over sixty varieties bloomed the past spring. The Wealthy
on our soil proves a shy bearer while young—we have many trees of
this variety of bearing size that failed to give us any bloom what-
ever. Among the newer varieties,we are fruiting this year the Oka-
bena, Daisy, Hotchkiss and Patten’s Greening and several varieties
of the newer Russians. The apple crop here for ’95 will be very
small on account of the May frosts. The past not being a test winter,
I cannot report much upon the hardiness of various varieties.
With the exception of the tardy bearing of the Wealthy, lam much
pleased with the behavior and fruit of the Duchess, Wealthy, Whit-
ney and Minnesota. The following crabs have proved vigorous and
free from blight, viz: Martha, Virginia, Pride of Minneapolis and
Og ti a as na
: ~
. 2a
248 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Compton’s No.3; we have discarded on account of blight the Hys-
lop, Transcendent, Beeche’s Sweet, Lake Winter, St. Anthony Red
and Gen. Grant and are holding the Early Strawberry for farther
trial, but think it, too, will have to go.
We had quite a number of pear trees bloom, but the frost took all
the fruit, and my best trees of these Russian pears are giving out
without bearing a specimen fruit. I have about concluded to
declare pear growing a failure here.
I had some hopes of the Russian plums but after some ten year’s
trial of several of the best varieties selected by Prof. Budd, I dont
believe they are worth the ground they occupy. In grubbing out
the trees this spring, I found them all nearly dead. As they are not
hardy, are unproductive and in fruit inferior to our best natives, I
believe that we have no use for the Russian plums in Minnesota.
I still have some hopes of the Russian cherries; I had six or seven
varieties heavily loaded, but the frost took aboutall. I have some
723 Oriel that are now ripe.
I have cut down all of the Russian poplars, as none of them were
as promising as the cottonwood for this section.
The laurel leaved willow (Salix laurifolia) has developed a species
of blight that I am afraid will do damage to other varieties of trees
as well. Be careful how you plant it.
Plums will be about one-fourth of a crop. Desota is ahead as to
productiveness. I can recommend the Wolf plum, both the cling-
stone and freestone varieties,as being a most profitable plum, especi-
ally for market. Owing to May frosts, small fruits have fared but
little, if any, better than the tree fruits. Wesupposed that the grapes
were ruined entirely, but most of them have made a second growth
and are now in bloom and witha late fall we may get a few grapes
yet. The Worden gave the best satisfaction, followed by the Con-
cord and Moore’s Early. Our soil is too black for best results with
the grape.
Owing to the dry season of 1894, our new strawberry plantation did
not produce as many plants as was desirable, and for the same rea-
son, probably, most varieties are less productive this season than
usual, although the plants wintered in good condition. Herein we
learn a valuable lesson; we should choose those varieties that will
form fruit buds in a dry season as well as make plenty of runners,
or new plants. The best varieties I have in this respect are the Be-
derwood and the Crescent, the Bederwood taking the lead,as they
attend strictly to business. Warfield comes in third or fourth with
the Cumberland at the foot. Capt. Jack is vigorous and productive,
but the fruit seems inclined to sunscald. In old beds the bloom
was about all killed by frost, while those set the spring of ’94 were
not in bloom and were not injured so badly, and we are now doing
our first picking.
The currant will be from one-third to one-half a crop, Stewart
Seedling being very poor;the North Star, Victoria and Red Dutch be-
ing a little better; the Long Bunch Holland and White Grape being
the best.
In gooseberries, the Houghton is ahead for productiveness.
a
PROPEL aes ey, oe ae NA
EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 249
The dwarf Juneberry, as usual, is bearing a heavy crop, and that
: in spite of the May frosts. Anyone can grow the PURE Perey: and
birds do not bother them more than other fruit.
I have one hundred seedling Dakota sand cherry bushes, set the
spring of ’93 on black and heavily manured soil. They are proving
a wonder in vigor and productiveness. Like the Juneberry, they
have no fungus or insect enemies.
It is not an easy matter to report upon raspberries so that the
public will understand thesituation. As arule,all raspberries have
been a failure in this section, not only this season but for several
seasons past, and, on account of the fungus disease known as
anthracnose plants are more healthy on the hill soil than upon our
nearly level prairie. Plants that are fully exposed to the winds are
most affected, while those growing in sheltered places are affected
much less and those in the shade usually none atall. Winter pro-
tection does not savea diseased plant. I have done some spraying
with Bordeaux mixture with good results, but that is a preventative
and notacure. I have six hills of the Shaffer’s that looked last fall
as though they were doomed,they were so badly affected. I then cut
off the canes of two of the hills near the ground, pruned two more
of the hills rather close and left two of the hills untouched.
Now, the result is that the two hills cut off at the ground are
growing vigorously and there will be a few berries on the new
growth; those that were pruned now promise a good crop; those
that were left untouched look as though they were about dead, roots
and all. No winter protection was givenin any case. The Hansel
red raspberry is now beginning to ripen and is my first early; the
Palmer will begin to ripen in a couple of days, making it my best
early blackcap; the canes also excelin vigorous growth and hardi-
ness; the Souhegan is a success as a main crop berry.
The dwarf Rocky Mountain cherry proves to be a variety of our
Western Sand cherry. My two plantscame from the introducer at
Fort Collins, Colorado, the spring of 1893. They bloomed full the
past spring but no fruit—too much frost. They are perfectly hardy
in the most exposed place, and they bloom a little later than the
Dakota or Nebraska sand cherry. The fruit of this cherry will, no
doubt, prove variable, as seedlings of it have been introduced
instead of plants from the original tree.
EUREKA EXPERIMENT STATION.
C. W. SAMPSON, SUPT.
My grape vines came through the winter in good condition, I
took them out of the ground April twentieth, and the buds immedi-
ately started and madea healthy growth. The severe frost we had
May eighteenth did not hurt them in the least, as they were located
on high ground and very near the lake. My first vines bloomed
June fifth; variety, Durant Amber. I noticed the leaf hopper was
quite bad on the young vines, but the recent hard rains seemed to
drive them away. I have one vine of the Telegraph about six feet
long which had set eighty bunches of grapes, and I noticed that
the grapes fell off from every single cluster. My grapes are all set
very full of fruit and promise well fora full crop. Moore’s Early
are unusually well set to fruit.
Latina
i ae
Pe ee re Sa FT
250 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
MINNESOTA CITY EXPERIMENT STATION.
O. M. LORD, SUPT.
STRAWBERRIES.—The varieties received from the state department
are doing well. The Vandeman does not seem to be adapted to sandy
land; the Jessie is doing fairly well; also Princess, Warfield, Beder-
wood, Capt. Jack, Crescent and Downer. The Timbrell is not at home
here. The Bubach has heretofore done well but gave no blossoms
this year, though the foliage is fine. I am ata loss for the reason,
Parker Earle is loaded. On trial, the Princeton Chief, Weston, Ar-
row, Mary and No.7, Greenville. The Lovett will be discarded if it
continues to stick its nose in the sand.
CHERRIES.—The trees appear to be healthy and are making a fine
growth. The young fruit was injured by the frost, and the most of
it has fallen off.
PLUMS.—A few varieties are bearing quite well. The Forest Gar-
den and Cheney suffered severely with drouth last year, while some
of the contiguous Russians did not suffer. The Rollingstone and
Desota are, as usual, full of fruit. No other varieties are bearing
heavily.
The gooseberries received last year died with the drouth. Those
in bearing are full, viz: Pearl,Red Jacket and the Columbus, the last
named being of very large size.
RASPBERRIES.—Palmer, Gregg and Nemaha promise a heavy
crop. Of reds the Turner and Cuthbert are very fine. Shaffer was
not covered last winter and was badly killed, but will give a partial
crop. The Cuthbert, Logan and Columbian are growing finely.
MONTEVIDEO EXPERIMENT STATION.
LYCURGUS R. MOYER, SUPT.
A very dry summer and autumn was succeeded by a very dry and
cold winter. Through the coldest weather there was little or no
snow on the ground. It wasa “test winter.” So dry was the season
that many of the soft maples (Acer dasycarpum) planted along the
streets in Montevideo died. Box elders, too, were greatly injured,
and this spring shows many dead and dying branches.
SOME THINGS THAT HAVE FAILED.
Among the many failures on the prairies of western Minnesota
we might note: Deutzia gracilis, Lonicera Halleana, Althea, Caly-
canthus Floridus, Chinanthus Virginica, Spiraea Japonica, Elaeag-
nus longipes, Lonicera Belgica, Salix Napoleonensis, Ampelopsis
Vetchii, Pyrus Japonica, Laburnum, Ligustrum vulgare, Cornus
Mas, Cornus sanguinea, Salix laurifolia, Salix acutifolia, Aesculus.
SHEPHERDIA.—The first shrub to bloom on our grounds this
spring was the buffalo-berry. It bloomed about the middle of
April. Our bushes proved to be all staminate, so we do not look
for any fruit. They were evidently made from cuttings from a
staminate bush. We have not succeeded in raising the shepherdia
from seed. Doubtless, the open prairies of western Minnesota are
too dry to make the propagation from seed a success.
Wy is 1 ieee) ae
al o ,
-
Pa Ee I I ee re EV
EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 251
The shepherdia argentea is an ornamental shrub of value for
planting in situations where it is safe to employ a silvery leaved
small tree.
SPIRAEA.—We feel disposed to modify our former unfavorable
reports on the spiraeas. No shrub on our grounds has attracted
more attention this spring than Van Houtii’s spiraea. The plant
was for days a mass of white bloom. This spiraea was grown
without irrigation. Most of the other species need an artificial
supply of water here.
PHILADELPHUS.—There is much confusion in the nomenclature of
the different species of Philadelphus as supplied by the average
nurserymen. This confusion is added to by careless people who
apply the name syringa to the Philadelphus, instead of to the THES;
where it properly belongs.
The common mock orange, Philadelphus coronarius, was the first
to bloom with us. It does not seem to be quite so hardy as some of
the other kinds. Philadelphus grandiflorus is very satisfactory
with us. A closely related variety or, possibly, species is one brought
by Prof. Budd from Russia and numbered by him 144 Veronesh.
At the present writing it is the most striking shrub on our grounds
—a grand mass of beautiful white bloom. A species brought from
an Eastern nursery some years ago under the name of Philadelphus
cordatus, and which is probably Philadelphus Gordonianus, is
about two weeks later than the other species. It suffered some dur-
ing last winter but is going to bloom freely. By planting these
different species one can be well supplied with the flowers of the
mock orange for at least four weeks.
* PHYSOCARPUS.—Physocarpus opulifolia, or nine bark, formerly
included with the spiraeas, is very satisfactory with us. During the
flowering season the bush is covered with umbel-like clusters of
white flowers, and when the flowers have passed away the reddish
fruit pods make it fully as beautiful.
CARAGANA.—The different species and varieties of the pea shrub
are very satisfactory with us. They are somewhat slow about get-
ting established,but this year nearly all the species bloomed. Their
yellow, drooping flowers in early spring are very attractive.
AMELANCHIER.—The Juneberries are early bloomers and this year
they were unusually attractive. They were unaffected by thespring
frosts and are bearing a heavy crop of fruit. Lovett’s Success Is
doing the best with us.
Morus.—The Russian mulberry passed through last winter with-
out very serious injury, but the frosts of May struck it, and it is not
producing its usual amount of fruit.
SYRINGA.—The common lilac. Syringa vulgaris is one of the
hardiest shrubs ever planted in western Minnesota. There ought to
be hedges of it on every farm. Small root sprouts of this lilac set
out on the open prairie a year ago,along with box elder, survived the
drought and the winter, where even the box elder was completely
root-killed. The white variety is fully as hardy. The Persian lilac
(Syringa Persica) comes into bloom at an earlier age than the com-
mon lilac. It is perfectly hardy and desirable. Syringa Josikaea is
doing well here, but has not yet bloomed. A variety of the common
yi
252 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
lilac, brought by Prof. Budd from Russia, and the variety Chas. XII
are both doing well. The Japanese tree lilac, Syringa Japonica,
seems to be hardy.
ELH AGNUS.—The silver berry of the farWestis not doing very well
with us. Perhaps our bluff-side station is too dry forit. The Rus-
sian olive, Eleagnus hortensis songorica, is one of our most prom-
ising shrubs. Landscape architects need not hesitate to plant it
wherever a small sized silvery-foliaged tree is desirable.
PRUNUS.—Prunus padus of Europe resembles the choke-cherry
but is not so upright in its growth. It blooms freely and is now
loaded with fruit. The Russian plums, Long Red and Long Blue
and the Bessarabian cherry arelooking well but have not yet fruited.
Prunus pumila, the sand cherry, bloomed freely, but the May frosts
destroyed the fruit. The Ostheim and Suda Hardy cherries are
quite promising. The little Morellos have nearly a'l succumbed to
the drought.
SAMBUCUS.—The native red-berried elder,Sambucus racemosa,is an
ornamental shrub of merit and does well here. The golden-leaved
form of the European sambucus nigra is now in bloom here and is
quite attractive. Although not quite hardy, it starts vigorously
every year and possesses some merit. The cut-leaved variety seems
to be more tender.
GYMNOCLADUS.—The locust does not seem to bea success here, but
its near relative, the Kentucky coffee tree, continues to do well. Itis
a very attractive tree.
CONIFERS.—The dry and cold winter took away our single large
Norway spruce and seriously disabled our black spruce. The white
spruce still survive, but they bear the marks of battle. The Colorado
blue spruce were severely browned but have all started vigorously
again. The balsam fir trees lost their leaders and are seriously
crippled. A large, well established, native juniper died outright,
but it stood near a row of cottonwoods. The Scotch pine is healthy
and vigorous.’ Our Pinus ponderosa is not old enough to report on
but looks well. The Mugho pine (P. Montana) continues to do well-
ROSES.—The old fashioned Scotch and blush roses do well with us
without winter protection. The yellow Scotch rose is very satisfac-
tory, too. Most of the moss roses do well witli some winter protec-
tion. One of the most satisfactory roses we have is Seven Sisters. It
is classed as a climber, but we have no trouble in taking it down and
covering it winters. Rosa rugosa is very hardy, and Rosa Wicher-
iana promises well.
LA CRESCENT EXPERIMENT STATION.
J. S. HARRIS, SUPT.
Our report at this time is necessarily very brief. As is well
known, the drouth of 1894 was so intense that trees of all kinds
made a much lighter growth than usual, and many varieties failed
to develop their fruit buds, and the late autumn rains, although not -
sufficient to insure the perfect safety of the trees, caused a starting
of the buds anda late flow of sap. Raspberries and blackberries
were affected in the same manner, while strawberries suffered still
EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 2538
more, plants continuing to die out during the entire summer, and
few new plants were formed until late fall;and such did not become
strongly rooted. Fortunately, the winter was not exceptionally
cold, and the damage not as great as generally feared. Orchard
trees generally came through without apparent injury but did not
bloom nearly as full as in 1894. Nursery stock suffered consider-
ably from root-killing of one and two-year old trees, and the sup-
posed hardier varieties, as Oldenburg and Patten’s Greening, much
worse than the more tender varieties. The roots of blackcap rasp-
berries and blackberries were considerably weakened and are not
throwing up the usually strong canes for next year’s fruiting.
FRUIT CROP AND PROSPECTS.—The strawberry crop has been very
light, not exceeding one-fourth of an average, and beds two or more
years old have borne better than the plantations made last year:
Quite severe frosts occurred on several mornings after plants had
bloomed and set fruit, which, owing to lack of vigor in plants,
wrought great injury. The Bederwood and Crescent were injured
worse than other varieties; on the Bederwood the foilage suffered
greatly and the pollen was rendered abortive for fertilizing pistillate
varieties. The varieties suffering the least were Warfield, Michel,
Parker Earle and Haverland. Raspberries gave promise of an
abundant crop, which was lowered fully one-half by the frost.
With favorable conditions blackberries may give nearly our average
crop. Grapes suffered fully as bad as the strawberry, but favorable
weather following has brought out a new growth of canes and a
promise of nearly a half crop if fall frosts do not occur too early.
The apple crop promises to run from about one-fourth to one-half
of afullcrop. Cherries, currants and gooseberries are all carrying
a fair crop. The show for native plums is better than at first ex-
pected. The Cheney and Rollingstone being better than Desota,
Hawkeye, Forest Garden and many others.
No reports can be made of the varieties of small fruits added
to the list last season. The Royal Church raspberry lived but did
not make a very strong growth. They did not receive any injury
from the winter and are carrying a little fruit. Of older varieties,
the Shaffer appears to have been injured the worst, and the planta-
tions of all kinds set in 1894 worse than those that were a year older,
except where poor or no cultivation was given.
ADDITIONS MADE THIS SEASON.—One hundred and forty-eight
apple trees were planted in the experimental orchard; 35 of the
varieties are such as we have not before put on trial, and about a
dozen of them are seedlings not on trial in any other station. We
have found the Red Queen (Russian) more tender than the Wealthy
and about as subject to blight as the Transcendent crab and not
worthy of further cultivation; also a few seedlings that have not
received names or descriptions will be dropped from further trial.
About twenty additional varieties have been added to the nursery.
No new varieties of strawberries except the Herbst and Sparta have
been planted for testing. The Columbian, Loudon and Logan rasp-
berries have been furnished us by Prof. Green, of the state station.
254 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
SAUK RAPIDS EXPERIMENT STATION.
MRS. JENNIE STAGER, SUPT.
This spring I received from the experiment station at St. Anthony
Park one dozen Russian apple trees, two each of Silby’s Nos. 5 and
99, Duchess, Greenwood, Patten’s Greening and Tonka; of plums,
one each of Forest Garden, Lyman and two each of Homestead,
Rockford, Desota, Weaver and Rollingstone; of raspberries, one
dozen each of Ohio and Nemaha; of shrubs, berberry, thunbergia,
golden spirea, spirea prunifolia, spirea Van Houttii and upright
honeysuckle; of ornamental trees, one each of golden cottonwood,
laurel willow and golden willow and quite a number of seedlings;
Scotch pine and white pine; of grapes, one Amina, three Herbert
and two each of Winchell, Brighton and Ohio besides a basket of
greenhouse stock. With the exception of one white pine, all have
lived and have made an exceptional growth, owing to the frequent
rains we have had this spring.
In the north part of the village most of the currants and fruits are
killed, while at this place owing to the many trees around, especi-
ally a windbreak at the north, we shall have a medium crop of cur-
rants, gooseberries and grapes. We thought at first we should
have neither apples nor plums, but right in the same orchard where
half of the trees have not a plum left on them from the frost others
hang so full we have been obliged to remove some. Also the Rus-
sian apples that we thought ruined, as the petals turned black with
frost, hang full of apples; so it appears the frost did not harm the
heart of the bud. From my experience with apples up north here,
I think the Russians are the only ones we can successfully raise,
and only the hardiest of those. I also think we can raise some of
the Russian cherries, as: I have some of them in fruit. The red
raspberry crop is a complete failure, but black raspberry plants
that were taken up late have the promise of a faircrop. While my
strawberry beds are nearly ruined owing to the drouth of last year,
at the Reformatory and other places where there was an abundance
of water, the yield will be enormous.
One thing I noticed about the frost of the twelfth (the severest of
four we had in succession), it seemed to go in waves. While pota-
toes, peas and everything was cut down in one place, two hundred
feet away a bed of gladioli,a foot high,and other flowers, some
quite tender, entirely escaped. Also, one neighbor had everything
on the place frozen,and just across the street not a plant was
touched.
WHITEWASHING WITH THE SPRAYING PuMP.—The useof Bordeaux
mixture in the spraying pump suggests that the machine can be
used to good purpose in spraying whitewash upon greenhouse
roofs, barn basements and fences. We now apply all the whitewash
upon our large glass roofs by means of apumpand nozzle. The
whitewash is made in the ordinary manner, of lime and water, and
is diluted to about the consistency of thin cream. If alargesurface
is to be covered, especially if it is difficult to reach, a direct delivery
nozzle, like the Boss, or a common discharge nozzle, is used, and the
operator stands several feet away. But if it is desired to cover the
surface evenly and neatly,the McGowen nozzle is most satisfactory.—
Canadian Horticulturist.
~ DHiosraphy.
WILLIAM SOMERVILLE, VIOLA, MINN.
(SEE FRONTISPIECE)
The subject of this sketch was born in Beaver county, Pa., in the
year 1819. He came with his parents to Ripley county, Ind., at six-
teen years of age, where he worked at the carpenter's trade for a
period of five years. He then bought forty acres of land in the tim-
ber and began clearing a farm, adding thereto from time to time
until he became the owner of 200 acres. His wife’s health becoming
impaired, and a change of climate being deemed desirable and to
her advantage, he sold his farm and removed to Olmstead county,
Minnesota, in the spring of 1860, purchasing two claims, partly of
smooth prairie and partly of grub land. Inthe spring branch lay
twenty apple trees that had been purchased the preceding fall from
Mr. A. W. Sias, who was then canvassing in that part of the country
for a New York nursery. He grubbed out the hazel brush and set
the trees, the varieties being Talmon Sweet, Golden Russet, Wine
Sap and one Duchess of Oldenburg. (The last mentioned tree is still
alive and in bearing condition.) Being resolved to grow fruit, if pos-
sible, he prepared the ground and in 1862 gave Mr. Sias an order for
two hundred more trees, including fifty of the Duchess. The latter
were set in his orchard in the form of a square,where they still stand
in a healthy and thrifty condition. The other varieties have long
since disappeared.
In the winter of 1872-3, he was a member of the state legislature.
In the years 1874 and 1875, he was employed by the Hon. L.B. Hodges -
as foreman to set trees along the line of the St. Paul & Pacific Rail-
road, at Willmar, Benson, Morris and other towns along that line.
Having experimented with Eastern fruit trees and become dis-
couraged with the results, in 1877 he started asmall nursery of apple
trees and evergreens. Scions were obtained from seedling fruit
trees which had withstood previous trying winters, anda small sup-
ply was also received from the Agricultural Department. In 1880an
orchard of some 200 trees was set, including a number of Russian
varieties. These trees all grew well, but the seedlings were mostly
killed by the trying winter of 1883-4. A few trees in the orchard and
nursery escaped where well protected on the north by a willow
hedge, but the Russian varieties withstood the test, and these still re-
main in a fruitful condition. Encouraged by this experience, he
added thereafter some hundred or more Russian varieties and a
limited number of the better varieties of seedlings, and he now has
some 2,000 trees. This experimental work he has conducted inde-
pendent of outside aid, seeking to obtain a few of the best varieties
_for hardiness of wood and fine quality of fruit, which farmers can
set with some degree of certainty.
Mr. Somerville was on the staff of the Minnesota Farmers’ Insti-
tute, as lecturer on horticulture, for somethree years. Heexhibited
fruit at the first state fair heJd at Rochester. He was one of the first
or charter members of the Minnesota State Horticultural Society
with J. S. Harris, A. W. Sias and others,and was afterwards made an
honorary life member of that society.
_ July (Calendar.
J. S. HARRIS,
(The calendar for June was duly prepared by Mr. Harris, but at the last was
necessarily omitted. Sec’y.)
ORCHARD AND NURSERY.—Overbearing is injurious to many
varieties of apples and plums. Any trees that have set more fruit
than they can carry to maturity must be relieved, or their vitality
wili be so lowered that they will perish, or become greatly injured
in a following hard winter. Such trees should be relieved by thin-
ning the fruit early this month. Removing one-half or more of the
fruit may save the life and usefulness of the tree and does not ma-
terially lessen the bulk of the crop at maturity but improves the
quality and value.
The earliest summer apples begin to ripen in this month; none of
them should be allowed to go to waste, and windfalls should not be
allowed to lie upon the ground to afford breeding or feeding places
for bacteria and insects. Wormy apples should be picked off when-
ever seen and, together with the windfalls, fed to the hogs or other-
wise destroyed.
Necessary pruning may be continued through most of this month.
The head of atree should be kept open enough to admit air and sun-
shine to the interior. No ironclad rules can be applied to the opera-
tion, but some definite object should be kept in view. Care should
be taken that too much foliage is not removed at one time and that
the trunks and larger limbs will not be exposed to the midday sun,
or sunscald may follow.
Trees in the nursery should be looked after frequently and pre-
vented from forming one-sided heads, and where branches start that
would form sharp forks, one should be removed at once. Grafts
will need to be looked to frequently. They must not be interfered
with by surrounding branches, some of which may need to be cut
away,and such as are growing too rapidly or spindling up are bene-
fited by pinching out the point, or terminal bud. Good nursery
trees cannot be raised in with grass and weeds,hence frequent culti-
vation should always be given.
INSECTS.—Any nests of tent caterpillars that have been overlooked
should be destroyed at once. There are two or more broods of the
codling moths each year, the brood that does the greatest damage
trying to getin its work during this month. No matter how thor-
oughly the trees have been sprayed, some of the larvae of the early
brood have escaped destruction and matured in the young fruit.
When the worm leaves the fruit to undergo its last transformation
to a moth, it seeks some place of concealment. Placing bands of
hay, cloth or paper about the trunks of trees affords them a favorite
place, and by taking off the bands once a week and killing the worms
and chrysalides found,much of the later damage will be prevented.
Young orchards should be kept well cultivated, and in older or-
chards, grass and weeds should be mowed frequently,and not taken
off but allowed to remain upon the ground as a mulch.
JULY CALENDAR. 257
STRAWBERRIES.—For this year the strawberry season is generally
over. Taking but one crop from a plantation is strongly advocated,
and then turning under; but we believe it more profiitable to run the
bed two seasons. To prepare a bed for carrying over as soon as the
last picking is made remove the coarse mulching, mow, rake off and
burn the old vines and dress the beds with old manure and ashes or
tankage; then plow and harrow the alleys between, narrowing the
rows down to ten inches or one foot, and keep all weeds out. If
the season is favorable, the spaces plowed up will fill with new
plants from the runners by fall, and the old ones may be dug out; if
not, they will widen out the rows which may be retained for bearing,
leaving the alleys the same as the previous year.
The cultivation of new beds must not be neglected, as plants that
have been starved in a thicket of weeds will never fully recover. It
pays to spend a little time in directing the runners and pegging them
down where plants are wanted and encouraging them to make plants
early. Where plants have failed to grow, the vacancies should be
filled in with some of the strongest plants as soon as well rooted,
taking them up with trowel or spade without disturbing the roots.
RASPBERRIES.—Raspberries should be picked as fast as they ripen,
and no cultivating must be done while the picking season lasts. Al-
ways use clean new boxes for the berries that are to be sent to
market. Good fruit and attractive packages make a profitable com-
bination.
CURRANTS.—The fruit of currants is best gathered as soon as ripe
to prevent loss from birds and insects. The currant worm is two-
brooded, the second brood feeding upon the foliage quite late. After
all the fruit has been gathered, a thorough spraying of the bushes
with the Paris green solution will destroy them more completely
than any other remedy. Shoots that have borers in them should be
cut out and burned.
BLACKBERRIES.—The young canes for next year’s fruiting should
be cut back to the height of two to three feet early in this month, and
the surplus shoots are to be treated as useless weeds. If the planta-
tion has been well cared for, go through it once more with a horse
and cultivator, leaving the ground between the rows level, and apply
a liberal mulching of green clover or clean straw, and no other
working will be needed until after the fruit is gathered.
GRAPES.—In the vineyard tie up the fruiting canes as needed, and
discontinue the pinching in of laterals early in the month; also, re-
move surplus shoots early and be careful not to let young vines
carry too much fruit by removing a portion of the clusters before
they begin to draw too heavily on the plant. If any rot or mildew
appears, give another spraying with the Bordeaux mixture or the
copper carbonate solution.
Those who intend to exhibit fruit at fairs should make early selee-
tions of specimens and protect them against birds and insects and
also encourage them to the most perfect development.
VEGETABLES.—In the vegetable garden, hoeing and cultivating
should becontinued to encouragea vigorous growth and keep down
weeds. Asparagus plants are now storing up energy for next year
and should be kept in vigorous growth. They may be greatly helped
by the application of liquid manure. Beans, beets, carrots, cucum-
bers, early sweet corn, radishes and turnips for late use may be
planted from first to middle of the month; also cabbage and cauli-
flower may still be set for late use. For this climate it is best to get
out the celery early in the month. Newly set plants should be
shaded for a few days until the roots have taken a hold upon the
soil.
ecretary’s (Yorner.
At the last meeting of the executive committee several matters of
interest to the members were transacted, to which your attention is
here called:
RESIGNATION OF TREASURER DaAy.—Mr. Ditus Day, who has so
long and faithfully filled the office of treasurer of this society, has
seen fit to tender his resignation. We all regret very much parting
with Mr. Day in his official capacity, as this relation has always
proved an agreeable one. The vacancy was filled by the board by
the appointment of Mr. F. G. Gould, of Excelsior, to serve the
remainder of the year.
A NEW EXPERIMENT STATION.—An experiment station has been
located at the residence of Mr. Wm. Somerville, Viola, Minn. A
number of the experiment stations of the state are located in posi-
tions not very favorable to pomology, and the success in Mr. Somer-
ville’s locality would indicate the probability that this place is espec-
ially well adapted to successful fruit growing, and we all know that
Mr. Somerville combines in himself the qualities needed to make a
successful fruit grower. We hope for very interesting reports from
this new station.
BacCK NUMBERS OF THE “HORTICULTURIST.”’—There are several
hundred copies of last year's HORTICULTURIST still remaining in
this office, and there are a hundred or two also of each month of this
year’s numbers to spare. The secretary will be very glad to send
these surplus numbers in any quantity, from one to a hundred, to
any address as sample copies, without expense to the receiver.
Could you use any in your neighborhood, either by distribution
among your friends or at some gathering, or are there parties
somewhere in the country to whom you would like to have copies
sent? Please assist me in placing these in good hands where salu-
tary results may follow.
SUPERINTENDENTS OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS.—The executive com-
mittee decided that, in recognition of the gratuitous services of the
superintendents of the experiment stations and to insure their very
helpful attendance at the annual meetings, hereafter the traveling
expenses of the superintendents of unpaid stations should be
returned to them, provided they made full detailed reports of every-
thing of interest to our society growing at their respective stations-
The interest of our meetings is much increased by the presence of
these practical investigators, and, as their work is entirely gratui-
tous, the only thing in the way of compensation being the small
amount of experimental stock sent them from the central station,
this is no more than a proper recognition of the obligation of the
society to them. We hope hereafter to have a full attendance of the
superintendents.
;
|
,
y
SECRETARY’S CORNER. 259
LIBRARY.—The contemplated list of additions to the library will
have to be put off until another number, being crowded out by the
many important papers appearing in this July number. The list is
steadily growing.
MIDSUMMER EXPERIMENT STATION REPORTS.—Do not fail to read
very carefully the reports contained in this number. They are the
kernel with the shell cracked and taken off, and are really the most
important papers that come into our hands. The advantage of
their seasonable publication must be apparent to all.
SECRETARY PHILIPS, OF WISCONSIN.—It was a pleasure to meet
at our summer meeting, Sec. A. J. Philips, of the Wisconsin society,
who came directly from their summer meeting of the day before.
He has kindly turnished HORTICULTURIST a report of their meeting,
with a few of their papers, which are printed in this number. The
reports of the two meetings both appear in this issue, which is a
happy arrangement for us. We get in this way the benefit of the
practical common sense of our Wisconsin neighbors. Their society
is growing in numbers and also very much in interest, thanks to ~
the push of the secretary and other workers in their association.
WHERE WERE THEY ?—Some of the familiar faces at our gather-
ings were missing at the late summer meeting. Prof. W. M. Hays,
always a regular attendant, was away locating a new experiment
station; Prof. Lugger was doing a good work planning a raid on |
the grasshoppers in the country. Amongst others who are usually
present but were detained elsewhere were Professors Brewster and
Pennell. Prof. Green himself came pretty nearly not being there,
so near that he started for Boston late in the afternoon of that day
and was not present at the meeting of the executive board held
at the close of the session. He has well earned a vacation and, we
hope, will enjoy it to its full.
COMMUNICATION.—“The fruit trees blossomed very heavy this
spring, but since the late frosts the young apples have dropped so
badly that I think we will not have more than half a crop of Duch-
ess or Wealthy and there are few Transcendents in our orchard
or hereabouts. From most of the apple trees in this vicinity the
crop will be very light.”
C. L. BLAIR.
St. Charles, June 25, 1895.
Judging by the correspondence of this office’ the above is a very
fair statement of the condition of the apple crop in the state. Not
over halfa crop is to be expected and in some places cut down be-
low that. If Mr. Wedge’s suggestion is true, that the tree exhausts
itself in the act of blossoming, this does not necessarily increase the
probability of a large crop next year from trees of which this is the
bearing year. Howis this? And let us hear from the fruit crop
prospects in your locality. SEC’Y.
260 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
SAVE FRUIT FOR THE NEXT ANNUAL MEETING.—The Executive
Board has authorized the secretary to arrange with the fruit grow-
ers of the state to send their fruit here to Minneapolis to be placed
in cold storage and kept for that occasion. The express charges
on such fruit and also the cold storage charges will be paid by the
society, and the exhibitor will be entitled, as well,to any premiums
he may secure by reason of the exhibit.
We want to make a show of several hundred plates at our next
meeting. If you wish to aid in this endeavor, please correspond
with the secretary at an early date, stating what varieties you can
probably furnish, and shipping tags, etc., will be sent you.
N.B. The society is not to be responsible tor any charges except
where previous arrangements have been made through correspond-
ence with the secretary.
Only five or six specimens of a kind are needed for an exhibit.
Wrap each specimen carefully in paper, without bruises, and put
all of one kind in a paper bag by themselves, properly labeled.
To insure their keeping well, the fruit should be gathered while
still very firm and solid.
Please make the list as large as possible in number of varieties.
Send as many varieties at once as possible to save express charges,
as it will hardly pay’to pay the charges on one or two varieties at
atime. A premium list will be announced later. How many will
help us in making a great show this winter?
The annual meeting, you know, is changed to the first Tuesday in
December.—Sec’y.
TREES NEED SLEEP.—In the larger cities, where shade trees are few
and scattering, electric lights seem to have no visible effect upon
their foliage. In the towns and viilages, however, many of which
have their electric light systems, the effect is very noticeable, the
leaves appearing as though they had been subjected to the blight-
ing breath of a harmattan. The question was recently discussed
at a meeting of the Eastern aboriculturists, the conclusion being
that the trees need darkness in order that they may sleep, and that
being continually kept awake and active they have been worn out
and made prematurely old by the action of the light. That this is
probably the correct solution of the mystery of the drooping leaves
may be judged from the fact that similar trees in the neighborhood
of those affected (although not exposed to the illumination) still
retain their color and seem bright and strong.
SHE HAs DONE WELL.—California has a woman horticulturist
who has made a record of which she may well be proud. She is the
widow of Henry Barrolgoit, once a wealthy banker. His bank failed,
he gave up all his property, and died soon after. His widow then
undertook to make a living by raising flowers for the San Francisco
market. She succeeded so well that she now owns 140 acres of land,
all under cultivation. Seven acres are in chrysanthemums; twenty
acres are devoted to violets. She personally attends to every detail
of the business, and her success demonstrates what a plucky and
intelligent woman can do when thrown on her own resources.—
Amateur Gardening.
OWATONNA, MINN.
Taken in 1895, aged 70 years.
(See biography, page opposite.)
THE MINNESOTA
HORTICULTURIST.
VOL. 23 AUGUST, 1895. NO, 7.
os iography.
E. H. S. DARTT, OWATONNA, MINN.
(SEE FRONTISPIECE.)
E. H. S. Dartt was born in Salisbury, Addison county, Vermont,
Nov. 24, 1824, making his present age seventy years. His ancestors
were English,and Eliphalet, Joshua and John seem to have settled
in Connecticut about the year 1700. His great grandfather, Joshua,
removed from Boulton, Ct., to Surrey, N. H., before the revolution,
and his many sons were active participants in the struggle for inde-
pendance. His grandfather, Josiah Dartt, and his father, Josiah
Dartt, were early settlers at Weathersfield, Vt.
In July, 1844, the subject of our sketch made the trip alone from
Goshen, Vt., to Dodge Co., Wis., being eighteen days on the road.
Wisconsin was the frontier then, and he accepted with keen relish
‘the novelty and the vicissitudes of pioneer life. Two years
later he settled at Kingston, Wis., where he married and
remained till 1868, when, with a view of securing better school ad-
vantages for his children, he visited all the leading towns of Minne-
sota, having previously visited Kansas, and finally settled at
Owatonna.
During his residence in Owatonna, he has been closely identified
with all the improvements, and especially in the planting of trees,
which go so far in beautifying acity. He served two terms, six years,
as a member of the board of education, at one time being its presi-
dent. In politics he is a staunch prohibitionist,
When a boy in Vermont he learned to graft apple trees and has al-
ways since had a strong inclination to engage in horticultural pur-
suits. In Wisconsin he became a member of the State Horticultural
Society in its infancy, and his orchard there contained more than
1,000 well cared for trees. Hearrivedin Minnesota in time to become
a charter member of the Minnesota Horticultural Society, and his
orchard here at one time contained over 5,000 trees, though now re-
duced to about 3,500.
After the School for Indigent Children had been located at Owa-
tonna, he conceived the thought of an experiment tree station on its
grounds. «The state horticultural society recommended it, and the
262 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
legislature provided for it by law, and Mr. Dartt received the ap-
pointment as superintendent. To this interesting charge then Mr.
Dartt is now largely devoting his time and developing a work al-
together congenial to him. We believe this, his latest work, will
prove to bea fitting and lasting monument to the labors of a life
given to horticulture.
Mr. Dartt has held many offices of importance in connection
with this society, notably that of vice-president from his dis-
trict, which he has occupied for sixteen years and fills at
this date.
His has been an eminently practical life,and in the society he
has always been looked upon as a working member, one of
those, if there was anything to be done, whose assistance could
be counted upon.
Though his three score years and ten are already past, his
temperate and wholesome life gives assurance that he will be
with us many years yet to encourage by his counsel and cheer
and enliven by his ever ready and pleasant wit.
May life’s richest and crowning blessings fall upon the gray
heads of those who gather with us.—SEcy.
OWATONNA EXPERIMENT STATION.
MIDSUMMER REPORT.
E. H. S. DARTT, SUPT.
I send a brief approximate statement of the amount and condition
of the stock now growing at the Owatonna tree station. I estimate
the whole number of trees at 15,000, about 12,000 being apple and
crab trees and the remainder being largely evergreen, shade and
ornamental trees. There are about 800 varieties of apples that have
been grafted, besides a large number of seedlings. A majority of
the seedlings are of crab origin, being grown largely from Minne-
sota, Quaker Beauty and other crab seeds. These crabs were grown
in close proximity to Duchess, Wealthy, Tetofsky and other apples,
so that valuable crosses are likely to develop.
As it was not expected that I would raise trees to sell, I intended to
graft just enough of each kind for a fair trial, increasing the num-
ber somewhat on best known varieties. In grafting 6,500 last winter,
about 1,000 Duchess and 1,000 Hibernal with 50 to 100 of severak
other leading sorts were grafted with a view to supplying the local
demand. Most trees are in fine condition, and especially the root
grafts above mentioned. In the orchard niany varieties blossomed,
but the fruit was mostly destroyed by frost. A few apples remain
of about thirty-five varieties—the Duchess showing most fruit.
Blight has touched but lightly up to the present time.
Plums in the orchard are doing fairly wellin growth, and most of
the trees are producing fruit, but there is not likely to be more than
a quarter of a crop on account of injury by frost and worms. Of a
OWATONNA EXPERIMENT STATION. 268
lot of plum trees grown from nuts from plums of large size and
good quality, about forty are bearing, and a few of them are likely
to be of some value.
One cherry tree, which I call Budd’s Autograph, is moderately
well loaded with fruit of small size and apparently poor quality;
some others are looking well and some poorly.
Russian pears are not doing very well, but the Longworth is mak-
ing a very rapid growth and seems as hardy asa crab, but is liable
—and, I might say, likely—to be knocked out by our next hard
winter.
The dwarf Juneberry is bearing heavily every year, but the fruit
is all gobbled up by the birds.
We are trying one experiment from which we have reason to expect
very favorable results: we are girdling fruit trees with a view to
bringing them into early bearing. We have noticed that trees that
have received serious injury often blossom profusely, and we may
infer that checking the flow of sap tends to fruitfulness. A limb of
an apple tree of considerable size was girdled last year,and this
year it was full of blossoms, with not another blossom on the tree.
The girdling of a limb by the label wire produced the same result,
and a limb on a small orchard tree also girdled by the label wire
has several apples on it at the present time. With these facts in
sight, we have girdled quite extensively this season.
It is the present plan to leave trees enough for an orchard on all
ground covered with nursery trees, and,there now being many times
more trees than can remain permanently, girdling may be practiced
in a reckless way, as, if half the trees are killed, no harm will result.
On very rapidly growing trees,it is likely that the girdling will need
to be repeated every year or two, whilst,with slow growing or tender
varieties, it may berisky to girdle at all. A Duchess tree girdled
this rear will likely bear heavily next year; the year after, or the
second year after, the wound may be completely healed over, and
the effects of the girdling be gone. Who knows that we may not by
this girdling process not only hurry up tardy bearers, but by study-
ing up the nature of different varieties, we may regulate to some
extent the annual production. Wonderful are nature’s laws and
hard to understand. The best time to girdle is not yet known, but I
regard May and June as perfectly safe, and the range is probably
much wider. My method is to remove aring of bark, one-eighth to
one-quarter of an inch wide below the limb. I have placed wires
tightly about some trees which are expected to do the girdling next
year. I have also used a saw, running around the tree spirally,
without completing thecircle. This seemsto be the most expedi-
tious and practical, produces the same effect and can be readily
worked on large trees as well as small.
I notice that trees girdled the first of May have thrown out sprouts
profusely and have not increased in size below the girdle, while
there are no sprouts and the tree is much enlarged just above the
girdle. This seems to prove the theory that elements of growth
come almost entirely from the atmosphere, moisture only coming
from the soil.
264 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
HOW THE BADGERS GROW FRUIT.
F. G. GOULD, EXCELSIOR.
In the early spring Mr. Chas A.Sampson, of Eureka, and I decided
to go into Wisconsin to inspect the methods of the fruit growers
there and see how they handle their business and also to examine
any new sorts of especial merit, the much praised Loudon raspberry
being the principal one, which we desired to inspect in the fruiting
season. We met Mr. A. J. Philips, secretary of the Wisconsin State
Horticultural Society, at the summer meeting of our society and
informed him of our intention to visit some of the fruit growers in
his state, also of our desire to see the Loudon raspberry at the most
favorable season. A few days before the Fourth of July, Mr. Philips
notified us that the twelfth was the date decided upon as the most
favorable to inspect this plant in fruit. We found Mr. Philips at
his home in West Salem, Wis. Mr. J. S. Harris was there, having
preceded us by one train.
Mr. Philips was around early in the morning, to take the
party out to his farm and orchard six miles north of town. Our
way lay through well-tilled farms. Large fields of grain, and grain
of magnificent growth, bordered our way. The last mile was a con-
tinuous ascending grade,averaging six feet tothe hundred. On the
summit, which is comparatively level, is located Mr. Philips’ farm
of 300 acres, near the center of which is his fifteen acre apple orchard,
A portion of this orchard is planted along the borders of the
farm roads, where it has a perfect exposure to sun and air.
The elevation above the surrounding country is 300 feet, more or
less. Most of the trees in this orchard have been topworked, budded
or grafted, on the Virginia crab. The larger trees, including
Wealthy,,. McMahon White and many other sorts are carrying a
heavy crop of fruit. These trees, excepting the Whitney and the
Oldenburg, draw their sustenance up through four to six feet of
Virginia crab stock, or trunk. Mr. Philips believes this crab stock
tends to earlier and greater productiveness and also imparts a
more robust habit to less hardy sorts. This orchard is carrying a
splendid crop of apples.
This topworking of the apple is fairly well tested here, and result :
is convincing that itis a valuable improvement upon the common
methods.
We next visited the Thayer fruit farm at Sparta, where our party
were nicely entertained by the Messrs. Tobey and Herbst. I must
not omit the ladies, Mrs. Thayer and Mrs. Tobey, who participate
in the management of this, the largest and best equipped small
fruit farm in the Northwest.
We devoted one-half day to the inspection of the various fruits
and other things ofinterest. Strawberries are planted by a machine
at the rate of four acres per day and about 6,000 plants to the acre.
The principal fruits grown are strawberries, raspberries, blackber-
ries and gooseberries. The drought of last year, together with the
absence of the snow protection, left the plants at the beginning of
this season in a weak condition, and the fruit crop this year is com-
. paratively light.
POINTERS FROM THE SEEDLING FRUIT COMMITTEE. 265
The new seedling gooseberry, Queen, is a healthy looking plant,
and its fruit is extra large andclean. I hope it will retain its char-
acteristics when tested in remote localities. The Loudon raspberry
is bearing fruit here and we had an opportunity to pass upon its
merits, the fruit having been left on in anticipation of our visit. I
was well pleased with the looks of the plant and better pleased with
the fruit, which I will describe as of the color of the Turner, a lively
true scarlet, and conical in form. It is firm in texture, the size of
the Cuthbert or slightly less. The flavor to my taste is a sugges-
tion of the Turner, but slightly inferior to that standard of exquisite
flavor in the red raspberry tribe.
Considering also its productiveness and apparent hardiness,
I believe this new raspberry marks another mile-post in advance
of all the well known sorts.
POINTERS FROM THE SEEDLING FRUIT COMMITTEE.
J. S. HARRIS, CHAIRMAN.
A.J. Philips’ Orchard, West Salem, Wis., Thayer’s Fruit Farms. Sparta, Wis., Loud-
en’s New Seedling Raspberry, Janesville, Wis., etc.
On the morning of July 11th,in company with Messrs. F. G. Gould
and Chas. A. Sampson, of Excelsior, we visited the orchards of A. J.
Philips, which are situated on the top of a bluff about six miles
north of West Salem, Wis. The elevation where the orchards stand
is from four hundred to five hundred feet above the bed of the Mis-
sissippi and La Crosse rivers and has good air and water drainage
in all directions. It occupies some twenty to thirty acres of ground.
The leading varieties grown for market purposes are the Duchess
of Oldenburg, Tetofsky, Wealthy, McMahon White and Whitney
No. 20, but trees of fifty or more other varieties are growing in
greater or less numbers and generally doing well.
Mr. Philips is paying considerable attention to topworking some
of the nearly hardy varieties upon the Virginia crab as a stock, and
is meeting with gratifying success. The Utter,or Cooper, upon this
stock so far a grand success; it makes a good union, is very produc-
tive and free from blight. The Wealthy, Wolf River, Grimes’ Golden,
Tetofsky, Haas, Northwestern Greening and several others are
also doing better than upon their own roots and trunks, besides
coming into bearing much earlier. The Malinda is fruiting on the
third year after grafting, a saving of about twelve years’ time over
root grafts of this variety. The original tree of the Avista apple is
in this orchard and is now bearing its twenty-eighth crop (about
twelve bushels) and looks sound and hearty enough to produce
good crops for many years to come. In portions of the orchard
trees are somewhat scattered from tender varieties having been
killed out, and in all such cases the remaining trees are more robust
and are producing larger and better crops, besides suffering less
from blight, an object lesson that shows the fallacy of too close
planting. In this orchard the Whitney No. 20 is used as border
trees and fence posts, and is proving one of the most valuable sorts
in the collection.
266 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
The afternoon of this day we spent in looking over the Thayer
fruit farms and other fruit plantations at and around Sparta, Wis.,
now famous for its more than 500 acres of small fruits, 100 of which
are on the Thayer farm itself. This farm is managed on business
principles and has proved a success from the beginning, but we do
not believe in monoplies in the fruit or any other business. It
affords employment and helps out the living of a great number of
people and can, probably, produce and handle the fruit cheaper
than smaller firms, but it also tends to discourage men and women
with small capital from engaging in the business, which in the end
is against the large class of consumers. We favor growing the
fruit by individuals according to their ability and facilities for do-
ing it well and having a system of co-operation in the marketing of
it. Owing to the extreme droughts of ’94, the plants did not make
the usual growth or go into winter in the average condition, which
combined with the severe frosts that occurred in May of this year
has very much shortened the present crop, and some varieties are
nearly a failure. However, currants and gooseberries have been an
exceptionally fine crop. Everything is being given the most thor-
ough cultivation. The season’s growth of plants is healthy,and the
prospect for next year’s crop is very encouraging.
Some of the promising things seen here are the Sparta and Herbst
No. 2 strawberries. The Columbian and Loudon raspberries, and
the new Queen and Red Jacket gooseberries are on trial and all
promising. Visitors to this place receive the most cordial treat-
ment and are shown everything of interest and are concisely told
how everything is done, and, if at allapt scholars, are well paid for
their visit.
After viewing a few smaller plantations and seeing irrigation in
practice on the two acre plantation of Mr. Wolcott, Mr. Philips, Mr.
Sampson and myself took a night ride to Janesville, Wis. Early on
the morning of the twelfth we were joined by L.J. Kellogg, of Ripon,
Geo. J. Kellogg, Janesville, and Messrs. Coe and Converse, of Fort
Atkinson, who are members of a special committee of the Wisconsin
Horticultural Society, and at once proceeded to the fruit farm of
F. W. Loudon to see, examine, taste and learn all we could about
the Loudon raspberry. It is without doubt the most wonderful
raspberry of its class (Rubus strigosus) that has been produced
since the improvement of this valuable fruit began. It originated
with Mr. Loudon (and bears his name) from seed of the Turner
raspberry pollenized by the Cuthbert, and presents all of the good
points of both parents, and some that neither of them have,ina
marked degree. The seed was planted in 1880, and the original
plant first fruited in 1881. The plantsare strong,vigorous and healthy,
with an abundance of fibrous roots that enable them to endure
droughts well and continue in bearing longer than the average
season. It does not produce suckers as freely as most of the’ red
varieties. The canes are shorter jointed and more stocky than the
Cuthbert, and it appears to be more hardy, having endured sey-
eral winters without protection and come through without injury
when the mercury dropped to 26° and 30° below zero. The drouth
‘
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HORTICULTURAL FRAUDS. 267
about Janesville this season has been intense, but a three-fourths
acre plantation of this variety in its second year of fruiting is a
sight not soon to be forgotten. The canes were literally loaded to
their fullest and bending to the ground under the weight of the
fruit. The fruit is very large and of an attractive red color that does
not fade. The flavor is the finest of all raspberries, the fruit not
dry and seedy, but possessing a firmness and consistency that en-
ables it to stand shipping safely a thousand miles. The fruit hangs
well on the plant after it is ripe, is not easily beaten off or injured
by rains and keeps longer after picking than any other variety we
have ever seen. None of our party were expert pickers, but several
of them, being timed, managed to pick a full quart each in five min-
utes. Good pickers could have averaged a hundred quarts per day. We
are told that last year a plantation of them yielded at the rate of 200
bushels per acre, and we should estimate that the patch will not
fall much below that. The foliage this year shows no indication of
weakness, and the yield of fruit is more than double that of other
varieties adjoining on the same farm. We cannot but believe
that Mr. Loudon has given the worlda most valuable fruit, and that
no fruit grower can afford to be long without a patch of it.
Mr. Loudon is now seventy-five years of age and has spent many
of the best years of his life in trying to improve our small fruits by
raising seedlings. He is the originator of the Jessie strawberry and
several others not yet on the market. A genial old man, whose
works will live long after he goes to his reward. He has sowed for
others to reap.
HORTICULTURAL FRAUDS. (A TALK.)
E.H S. DARTT, OWATONNA.
Mr. President: I think this topicin our society is altogether
out of place; yet if we have any frauds in our society it is our
duty to point them out and bring them prominently before the
public. Now, it has been said that ‘‘There are tricks in all
trades but ours,” and I think that applies and should be
understood to mean that we have been foolish enough to ex-
pose our own tricks. You know that ‘‘A house divided against
itself cannot stand,” and if we go to work exposing these tricks
here we shall get into trouble; we shall accuse some member
of something he has or has not been guilty of, and he will ac-
cuse us of something we are or are not guilty of, and we will
get up a regular family quarrel, and family quarrels of all
things should be avoided.
This topic was assigned me by yoursecretary. I suppose he
went on the theory that ‘‘It takes a rogue to catch a rogue,”
and I went to thinking the matter over and wondering what I
should say or what I should write. I thought of all the mem-
Me “ss tw Vii eee ee he is Be a a a!) oy ao
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: t ire
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268 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
bers of the society, and there is not one of them I hate; there
is not one of them I want to kick unless he kicks me first, and
I did not have any heart in my work. Icould notthink of any
thing I ought to say, so I stopped writing, and I thought I
would come up here and offer an excuse for not saying any-
thing, and I don’t know but what I have said enough already, —
but if you really want me to say something about horticultural
frauds I will try. I will first make my confession. (Laughter.)
Pres. Underwood: That will cover the ground. (Laughter.)
Mr. Dartt: Will that be all I need to say?
The Owatonna plum is an extra good one, large size and
good quality. It came from Red Wing, brought to Owatonna
by Dr. Johnson. I got the sprouts from him. I told himif he
would dig me up a lot of sprouts I would give him other nur-
sery stock in exchange, and he brought me a lot of them. I
cultivated them, sold some of them, gave some of them away,
and when they got to bearing they bore a very inferior wild
plum. Consequently, I was instrumental in perpetrating a
horticultural fraud. I have confessed, own up and plead inno-
cence; I did not know I was selling a bogus tree, and I am try-
ing now to get down to the genuine article, but whether I will
live long enough to compensate the public, long enough to make
good the fraud I have perpetuated, I do not know, but I am
afraid not. If I was sure of that, it would be a consolation, —I
would give them a great lot of them, would grow them for a
hundred years and peddle them out. I have heard things just
as bad of other fellows, other members of our society. I heard
that the agent of a nursery company sold a begonia to a lady,
and it grew, and after a while it proved to be a pie plant.
(Laughter.) Of course, the agent came around again and the
lady showed it to him, and after she showed it to him she told
him to ‘“‘git,” and I suppose he ‘‘got.” (Laughter.)
Now, there is a fraud that is perpetrated, and I think it was
perpetrated at our last state fair. It was the rule at that fair
that nobody should draw a premium on fruit that he did not
grow himself: I have evidence that goes to show that there
were premiums drawn on fruit that was not grown by the ex-
hibitors. One tall man said in a joking way that he had
bought out the Rochester fair and that a certain sandy whisk-
ered man had bought out the La Crosse fair. I have evidence
in my possession to show that ‘“‘There is many a true word
spoken in jest.” (Laughter). Now, I concluded that as the
man who is said to have bought out the La Crosse fair took
Soe ee ee a es
:
HORTICULTURAL FRAUDS. 269
the first premium, that the La Crosse fair was a bigger con-
cern than the Rochester fair. If that was the true way of it,
absolutely true, I think those exhibitors were excusable. They
were excusable on the ground that our society here educated
them right up to that point. (Laughter). For the sake of the
men not growing their own exhibits, it was thought best at the
state fair to offer a large premium, that they called ‘‘sweep-
stakes.’ That encouraged men to beg, buy, borrow or steal
fruit to place on the table for exhibition. Now, these men had
practiced that and made their fruit exhibits and had received
their money; they had had a great deal of training in that line.
They say ‘‘Itis hard to teach old dogs new tricks,’ and these
men had become so accustomed to that sort of thing that they
could not leave off all at once. (Laughter). Now, the strong
probability is that by another year they will get all over it,
and they will not exhibit any fruit that they have not grown.
I guess I have said enough, and Iam perfectly willing that
any of the other frauds should step in and make their confes-
sions. (Laughter and applause).
Pres. Underwood: Are there any other confessions to make?
Mr. Harris: I have no confession to make in reférence to the last
state fair. There were only two specimens of Wisconsin apples
there to my knowledge, one an Avista from A. J. Phillips, the other
a Northwestern Greening from some source. All the appJes I ex- °
hibited there in competition I grew.
Mr. Dartt: I want to offer a strong hint: “The bird that is hit
always flutters.” (Great laughter and applause).
Mr. Richardson: I had seriously thought of saying a word or two
on this subject, but now that neighbor Dartt has given out this hint
I shall keep still,as [am anurseryman. (Laughter).
Mr. Harris: I will acknowledge that the plate of apples that Mr.
Richardson brought there helped me very much, as he was kind
enough to set it on my table.
Mr. Richardson: Mine were not entered.
Mr. Dartt: Harris’ were entered. (Laughter).
Pres. Underwood: We would like to hear from Mr. Wedge.
Mr. Dartt: I do not think Mr. Wedge isafraud. (Laughter).
Mr. Wedge: I have not come prepared to state the case which our
president has in mind, but all of us in the southern part of the state
that are all interested in horticulture have had our righteous souls
vexed by the frauds that have been perpetrated by agents claiming
to represent nurseries in northern Illinois, the Princeton Nurseries.
Their scheme has been advertised all over the state, selling almost
everything and delivering almost anything. Farmers paying about
eight dollars for nursery stock that might possibly be of the value
of two or three dollars. The law we have had, the law which pro-
tected our people from those frauds and which has worked fora
number of years to keep such peopie out of the state, by a test case
270 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
brought at Albert Lea came under the ruling of the supreme court
of the state, and they decided that our law was unconstitutional. I
do not believe I need to go into the details of the case at all, but I
believe we, asa society, ought to appoint a committee that would
recommend legislation similar to that we had, only that should
stand the test of the courts, which can very easily be accomplished,
and which will work a great saving to the people of the state. It
seems an outrage that such frauds should escape unpunished, as
they do. Ido not know thatI have anything more to say. Ifyou
have any questions to ask in regard to this matter, I shall be glad
to answer them. I think we ought to talk this thing up now.
President Underwood: If we have anything to say, let us say it
briefly.
Mr. Harris: The question has now come toa point where a man
is privileged to say something. There is no doubt there are frauds
perpetrated on the planters of Minnesota. A nurseryman from
some other state, or even in this state, gets hold of something, gives
ita new name, or his agent claims it is propagated by some new
process, which makes the story ten times more plausible; he sells
it and he commits a fraud, and it wasa fraud of that kind which
created so much excitement in this state. One apple they advocated
was the Salome apple. It is a small, red-striped apple, of good
quality and a good keeper. There is no evidence that it is a good
bearer. Itcan be bought for $4.50 per hundred of men who have
stock on hand. The agent camein and sold those trees to planters
for fifty cents to one dollar apiece, claiming they were budded—if
they were budded, they were a bigger fraud than if they had been
on their own roots.
We ought to have some law in this state that would prevent men
from coming upon us and imposing upon those who are ignorant
of fruits and the methods of propagation, making fraudulent repre-
sentations to them, taking a dollar from them where twenty-five
cents ought to pay the bill; and we ought to have laws like they
have in California, requiring stock to be inspected before it is sent
out. We have frauds enough already,and we ought to have waked
up before and put them out. Iam in favor of this society appoint-
ing a committee to define what we want, and to ask the legislature
to pass an ironclad law that will put a man in the jug either for
selling an old variety under a false name or deceiving the planter
in any way. There is another remedy, and thatis a law compelling
every man who is a farmer in the state of Minnesota to join the
State Horticultural Society, attend its meetings and read its reports;
and then there will be no law necessary against frauds.
Mr. Dartt: I am afraid if the plan conveyed in that last remark
was carried out, it would not work well. Iam afraid it would spoil
the effect of what he has said before. That would show clearly
that we are figuring to get money into our treasury by compelling
them to join our society. If he had changed it a little and said we
should have a law requiring all fools to be killed, that would be
more to the point. If we had such a law—that all fools in the state
should be killed—then that would be a block in the way of those
fraudulent fellows transacting their business, because they sell to
HORTICULTURKAL FRAUDS. . 27]
fools only; they do not sell to anybody else. Now, I think the law
he has asked for would be impracticable. Of course, we would
like to have our business protected; we would like to have all the
frauds kept out or killed—don’t care much which—but there are so
: many things in the way, so many branches to be protected, that
E itis impossible to protect them all by law in the way that this gen-
‘5 tleman proposes.
i, Ihave thought that the nurseryman and the jeweler, the watch
Ps tinker, were about on a level in their ability to perpetrate frauds on
2 the public. I know of a man who was coming down this way from
‘ Dakota, and on the way he found that his watch had stopped. He
. took it to a jeweler to be repaired and put in running order. The
7 jeweler opened it, put on his eye-glass, and said, “Thereis a jewel
broken in your watch; it cannot run untilit is fixed.” He supposed
the man would leave his watch to be repaired. The man happened
to be in a hurry, so he asked the jeweler how long it would take to
fix it, and the jeweler said it would take a day or two. The man
could not wait that long,so he came on to Owatonna. (They are
all honest in Owatonna, and some of you may be living there.)
He took it to a jeweler there who put on his eye-glass and looked
into the watch. Then he took his little pincers and picked a little
hair out of the hair spring, a little piece of hair that had become
entangled in the hair spring, handed it back to the man, and it was
allright. Wecould not go to work and pass laws preventing watch
tinkers committing fraud; it would be impracticable. I think the
~
Gh ae? + 3/5 5 aga is
7 best thing we can do is to educate our people to just as high a
7 standpoint as we can and take things as they come. (Applause.)
= Mr. Harris: I would suggest to Brother Dartt that instead of hav- ~
: ing the fools killed we have them educated.
* Mr. Pearce: An old fellow used to tell me that experience taught
us that fools could learn as well asothers. I think we stand on an
equal foundation. Fraud is punishable in any form in this state.
All we have to do is to take the proper course of law, and we can put
a any kind of a fraud through. People must become educated; they
must learn to know what the law is; they must use their own minds,
their own judgment. Until they do that, we-can passall the laws we
wish, and still they will be defrauded. Now, we want no law except
what we have, a law to punish fraud. We want our Wisconsin
nurserymen to come in and sell; we want Iowa nurserymen to come
in and sell; we want everybody to come into our state and sell their
Z goods, if they do it honestly, if they tell just what it is, so that
every man,every one that buys trees or fruits can tell just what they
are getting. Now,I want to stand on my own responsibility, account-
able for everything I do, and that is just where every nurseryman
should stand. I am not accountable for other frauds; I am not ac-
countable for what another man does; if you go to deceive and de-
fraud, aminnocent. I hope this matter will rest just where it is.
Mr. Kimball: I feel much interested in this matter, and feel like
doing something to help protect my friends and neighbors. What
Mr. Pearce says may be true, but when a party comes in from
another state and represents to my neighbors that this or that is the
proper thing to do,and they have not the experience to know whether
E
:
Jie MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
it is or not, but take him at his word and expend forty, fifty or sev-
enty-five dollars for something that is worth less than half as much,
or practically worth nothing to them, it is not so much a question of
the money lost as it is of discouragement to the man or to his neigh-
bors who engage in anything of that kind. Here is one of our
neighbors who pays fifty to a hundred dollars for the best kind of
fruits or trees, as he supposes, and they are an entire failure. He
might as well throw his money away; and he will become so dis-
couraged that he will never want to take hold of anything of the
kind again, even if he knows it is good. The question of punishment
of fraud is not so easily got at as some people suppose. An agent
comes in and sellsa bill of goods, and after a long time you find
you have been defrauded, but you cannot get at the man—you do not
know where to find him; and the man who has expended and lost
fifty to seventy-five dollars will not spend another hundred to pros-
ecute the man who has defrauded him. You would not do it,andno
one else will do it, and the consequence is the entire neighborhood
is discouraged. Wecan not expect to punish such frauds.
I have no ideas as to the form of law that is necessary in this case,
but I think it should require those who wish to sell stock, some one
that can be got at, to give the necessary security that they are re-
sponsible, and that they are responsible for the acts of their agents.
We have our state law for the preservation of game, and it is proba-
bly all right. Some claim it is manipulated largely in the interest
of sportsmen and not a benefit to any one as a matter of support.
We have game wardens all over the state,and it becomes almostim-
possible to ship game out from any part of the state. I donot know
under what terms these game wardens work, but it strikes me we
might have wardens appointed to make it their business to look
after the agents who come into this state to sell nursery stock and to
see that they give bonds. Theyshould have certain districts to work
in and should be deputized to catch onto these agents as they come
into the state and see that they are complying with thelaw. It may
not be practicable, but if there is any law passed that might be one
of its provisions, that there should be wardens appointed to catcn
onto those agents who come here for fraudulent purposes. In our
neighborhood there has been more or less of this fraud perpetrated;
trees have been sold for a dollar apiece that were absolutely worth-
less for our part of the country; still by talking smoothly they could
make the people believe they were all right, get them interested and
induce them to buy. Some of the trees that were sold for a dollar
apiece could have been bought from most nurserymen for twenty
to twenty-five cents apiece.
Mr. Philips, (of Wisconsin): I agree with Mr. Kimball that this
is a matter of a good deal of importance. We are just now looking
to you people a little to see what you are going to do in reference to
this matter. I had a letter last Saturday from one of our prominent
horticulturists saying he wanted me to watch closely the Minnesota
people to see what they were going to do, and to send him a copy
of the law you proposed to enact just as soon as I could. We need
a law, anda good one. I know of agents who have traveled about
during the past season and induced men to buy what they claim as
"= ae) °.
~~
HORTICULTURAL FRAUDS. 273
the Florence apple, said to have been originated by Mr. Gideon, of
Excelsior. They showed it on their sample books as a large apple,
as Jarge as or larger than the Wolf River. They say itis hardy, does
not blight and a good keeper. The factof the matteris,it is a small
apple, smaller than the Transcendent. Well, people buy those
trees, pay fifty cents apiece for them, when they are entirely worth-
less to them. You may call them fools if you will, but that does not
help the matter any. A great many buy to get rid of the agent.
People are buying those trees; a lot of them have been sold in Wis-
consin.
Men will buy trees, but after they bear they swear they will
never buy another tree. A man told me last winter, “1 never had
but one tree agent tell me the truth. He was selling the Salome
apple, and he said it would keep all winter, and it will, for there is
nothing on the place will eat it. He told the truth that time.” Those
agents go into localities where they have no horticultural meetings
to sell their goods; they know all such localities. They sell them
what they purport to be fine, large apples, budded on some hardy
stock, and when they come to bear they are little, worthless things,
no good on earth, and they curse the whole business. Itis all right
if a man can be placed on his own responsibility; there should bea
power behind the throne; some one should be heldresponsible,or run
the fellows out of town. We have plenty of nurserymen who are
selling good trees of their own throughout our state. We should
induce people to buy from our own nurserymen and run those fel-
lows out who travel through the country and tell anything to sell
their stuff.
Mr. Brand: We havea law on our statute books, or I do not know
that it is a statute law either, but [ know there was a case brought
before the supreme court of the state twenty years or more ago that
applied to this whole question of fraud. A man had ordered a bill
of trees from a Minnesota nurseryman, grown in Minnesota, so the
agent represented, and when he delivered the trees he furnished
trees from Wisconsin, and the man that had ordered them neglected
to go after them. He was sued in the justice court, and judgment
was rendered against him; but heappealed it tothe district court,and
the judgment of the lower court was reversed, and the grounds on
which it was reversed was that the man undertook to introduce evi-
dence to show that fraud was intended and was not permitted to do
so. The agent was beaten in the district court and carried it to the
supreme court, and the supreme court sustained the decision of the
district court that the man should have been permitted to introduce
evidence showing fraud. It is plain to my mind that if evidence
were allowed to be introduced to show the nature of the fraud, as
the supreme court decided there might be, these agents could not
get judgment even in a justice court, and this would furnish the
farmers of the state a sufficient remedy, and I do not believe there
is necessity for any fnrther legislation.
The reason why we had the last law—and 1 believe I had as much
to do with it as anybody—was this: I had been traveling in a num-
ber of different states, and I knew they had a law with the same pro-
visions, and it operated as a scarecrow to keep a good many of those
274 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
frauds out, and for that reason I proposed it here; and [I stated at
the time that I believed such a law could and would accomplish
much good; it would give us the same benefits it gave to other states.
I believe we have had considerable benefit from that law. The law
might have been stronger, but the legislative committee that was
appointed to go before the legislature was fooled by the lawyers, ior,
as I understood it, they submitted it according to the way they paid
them. I should want a good lawyer to give an honest opinion, and
we had better pay him a good fee. Lawyers have an interest in hav-
ing unconstitutional laws passed. That is apart of their business;
and if there is to be any further legislation on this subject, we had
better make provision to engage one i the best lawyers we can find
and pay him for his trouble.
Mr. Kimball: Mr. Brand brings up the question in regard to the
punishment of fraud. But suppose a man buys trees in good faith,
sets them out and finds out two years afterward that he has been de-
frauded; it is then too late to take steps to punish,and,if he could,
he would not take the trouble to do so. When they find out they are
are defrauded, how many farmers are going to spend several hun-
dred dollars to go to Illinois and prosecute the party who committed
the fraud? How many are there who, after such a time had elapsed
could secure the evidence to convict? There is not one manina
hundred that purchases trees throughout the country, after having
paid for them, who could offer any evidence that could be used ina
legal form to show that he had ever purchased trees from the agent
who defrauded him.
Mr. Dartt: My friend here seems to want some hook on the agent,
somewhat inthe same manner they confiscate the game that is
contraband. Now, I rather think he would have no right to confis-
cate the stock the agent proposes to sell, Lecause, if he did, he would
have to prove that it was worthless, and he could not do that. So
how are you going to get at him?
Mr. Ferris (of Iowa): I have had considerable experience with the
budded tree men in our country. They canvassed our county a good
many years. The state experiment station received the first speci-
men of the Salome apple. The apple is a trifle larger than the Tran-
scendent, and the tree in hardiness compares about with the Snow.
They agreed not to sell the tree for five years, and at the end of that
time they had quite a stock. I bought the entire stock for four cents
atree. I sold it for ten cents a tree. The apple that many paida
dollar for, I sold for ten cents. The tree was not as hardy as the
Plumb Cider. The trees that were delivered were part Ben Davis,
part Walbridge, part Snow and part Salome, but as a rule they were
Walbridge. I did not make any protest on the fraud, as I considered
one Walbridge worth half a dozen Salome.
In my town I have run a nursery for twenty-five years. I made it
a point to attend to my business as well as I would wish any one
else to attend to his business. I have done the best I could, but I
have had so many failures that I do not feel like bragging about
what I have done,myself, at least. There are so many things I have
been engaged in that have been failures, that I feel more and more
every year like sticking to the old standby. These budded tree men
HORTICULTURAL FRAUDS. 275
£o came to me,and I showed them over my nursery, used them like
- gentlemen; and then they went out and said they had examined my
nursery,and I had acknowledged I set budded trees, not root grafts.
For the last seven years I have shipped apples by carloads to Min-
neapolis. They said I was too smart to grow root grafts.
One of the best of our most intelligent men,whom I had known and
who had been in business for twenty-five years in our town, bought
a lot of their stock. I said to him, “Your orchard has been a suc-
cess, why do you buy that?” He said he thought it was worth try-
ing. When the trees were delivered my partner came to me and
said he wished I would go up and expose their fraud, and this man
came to me and said he wanted me to come and tell him whether
his trees were budded or not. I went up there to the depot where
they had the trees,and there was one man there who had boughta
small bill and paid forit. I looked over the stock and knew enough
to know a black-hearted tree when I saw it. I asked him if he would
take forty cents fora tree I picked up. He said he would; I paid
him the money, took out my knife and whittled right down to the
root. I came tothe root graftin perfect shape. One of the agents
tan across the room and wanted to know what I was doing. I told
him it was my tree,and I had paid forit. He said, “Don’t you touch
a tree that belongsto me.” There were twenty men in there at
least, and I said Iwas going to show those men who had bought
trees howthey had been defrauded, and that I would put up two
dollars to their one that every single tree they had there was noth-
ing but aroot graft. [told the agent right there he lied and he
knew he lied, and I told the farmers he had got their money under
false pretenses. The agent left town, and we have never had a bud-
; ded tree man there since, and I take a little pride insayingit. They
took it up and advertised it in the papers how we had exposed the
frauds that came into our state.
I think this is the proper way to meet those things; investigate
them and expose the fraud. I think,if we were not quite so delicate
in what we said when we know a fraud is being committed, it might
be very beneficial to those people who are being defrauded.
; Pres. Underwood: Is there any one else who would like to say ~
anything on this subject? Weare discussing horticultural frauds.
- Mr. Wedge: Mr. Dartt seems to think that if we will depend upon
. education we can overcome this evil, as it is only fools that are
taken in. Heis very much mistaken in that matter. There may be
horticultural fools among the better posted farmers—level headed
men who are not often taken in by frauds of any kind—but our
state is not blessed with a great many horticultural wiseacres, The
. greater share of our people are fools, horticulturally speaking, and
it will take a great many years to educate them. If the budded tree
:. fraud is discovered and becomes a stale thing, then they handle
; the seedling fruit or old root grafted trees; there is no limit to
: fraud. I apprehend that members of the State Horticultural Society
4 are not taken in by these frauds, but you must remember that our
S membership is not one-tenth per cent. of the people of the state;
No, not one thousanth of one per cent.
276 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Now,in regard to this law. There is no law that will shut frauds out
completely, but itseems to me itis the province of the law to shelter
the ignorant and the weak from the strong and the cunning, and
there is more need of protection in this direction than in any other.
I think our people have been defrauded in this matter more than in
any other way, especially within the last year or two. I think we
should have a law that would place a limit somewhere on agents
who are selling nursery stock throughout the state. It is a factthat
Eastern firms are advertising for agents and are so careless that
they employ agents that cannot be trusted. It seems to me that the
nurserymen of the state—and all nurserymen—in sending out agents
ought to be required to give bonds somewhat similar to those re-
quired under the late law which has proved unconstitutional. The
reason it was unconstitutional was because it discriminated as
against persons. The nurserymen in the state had advantages
over those outside of the state. The law which I would propose
would bea law which would place those nurserymen doing busi-
ness in the state, no matter whether residents in the state or outside
of it, under the same restriction, and require bonds similar to those
required under the late law. It has also appeared to me that it
might be a good thing, possibly, for the law to require that
all fruit trees, apple, plum, cherry, pear, etc., sold within the state
should be labeled as to the place of their growth; each tree should
havea label attached toit. Our people are ready to pay a good
price for good trees. They are not so particular about the price
they pay, but they want something hardy and good; and we ought
to protect them in their desire for something hardy and give them
an opportunity to deal with men that are under certain restrictions
to furnish them what they desire.
Mr. Dartt: Mr. Chairman,it seems to me that there would bea
great deal of impracticability about any law that we could invent. It
looks that way tome. A few years ago the matter of fraud in sell-
ing fruit trees was agitated, and I heard there was a plan on foot,
or an effort made in the legislature, to get a law passed to punish
nurserymen that sold black-hearted trees. There are a good many
that think a black-hearted tree is good for nothing. I thinka black-
hearted tree, if it has a good growth throughout, may be a good
tree. If that law had passed there would be no safety for me to sell
trees at all, because if I sold them without cutting them open to
see whether they were black-hearted there might be a black heart
in them, and some other fellow would cut them open and find it;
andif I cut open all my trees, I could not sell them; sol would have
to stop entirely. That would be very impracticable, and so would
all these other proposed laws; Ithink we would find a certain im-
practicability in allofthem. Our friend Pearce has got about on
the right track.
Mr. Wedge: I think perhaps it would be well to have some mo-
tion made in reference to this subject, that we could bring this mat-
ter toa vote. I move that the State Horticultural Society express
itself in favor of a law similar to the late law that was on the statute
books, which would protect our people from horticultural frauds,
A cena
a
3
HORTICULTURAL FRAUDS. Sit
and that our committeeon legislation be asked to draft and secure
the passage of such a law.
President Underwood: You can now talk to the qnestion, but be
as brief as possible.
Mr. Wedge: My suggestion, which I thought you all understood,
was that the law should provide that all nurserymen doing busi-
ness in the state should have their agents put under bonds. Their
business is all on the same footing.
Secretary Latham: I feel entirely in sympathy with the motion
of Mr. Wedge, but it seems tome if it was changed a little it would
be a little more practicable. I think a committee should be ap-
pointed to draft such a law; let it be submitted to the executive
committee and then turned over to the committee on legislation to
secure its passage Ifa law could be drawn here, to be submitted
to the society, it would be all right.
Mr. Pearce: The only thing necessary is to have a law to prevent
fraud; not to prohibit any other nurseryman to sell here, but to
make the law which we already have stronger against fraud.
President Underwood: I think we understand the true sense of
this motion. Itis not to prevent anybody from selling, but it pro-
vides for the privilege of selling on the part of any nurseryman, in
the United States or out of it, and requires them to give bonds for
the faithful performance of their business and the honest ful fill-
ment of their promises. Now, the question is on the matter ofrefer-
ring it to the committee on legislation, and Mr. Latham’s suggestion
is that it be referred to the executive committee.
Mr. Wedge: We want the sense of the society as to presenting it
to that committee.
Secretary Latham: I think, perhaps, it would be better for Mr.
Wedge to have his motion provide that the chair appoint a com-
mittee to frame such a law, and then refer it to the executive com-
mittee for approval, to be by them turned over to the legislative
committee. The legislative committee is selected to work legisla-
tion through.
Mr. Wedge: Iaccept Mr. Latham’s suggestion and change my
motion accordingly.
Mr. Dartt: I believe ifthis bond theory is adopted in your law, it
will be declared unconstitutional because it restricts trade. It says
to a poor man, “You cannot go into the nursery business unless
you are able to give a bond.”
Pres. Underwood: They do the same thing by all the saloon-
keepers in the state.
Mr. Dartt: The saloonkeepers make more money than the nur-
serymen do. They are sure to berich, or else their backers are. I
do not believe you can pass any law that will compel me to give
bonds before entering upon legitimate branches of trade,
Mr. Clark: I am a commercial traveler. I travel in Montana
where I have paid them $1,700 in license for the privilege of selling
goods in that state. That law was afterwards declared unconstitu-
tional. In another state they had virtually the same law, and some
commercial travelers went to jail for refusing to pay the license.
278 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
The case was carried to the supreme court of the United States and
there declared unconstitutional. The goods they were selling were
legitimate; and I think the same rule would apply in the nursery
line. [have my doubts whether you can formulate a law requiring
a commercial traveler to pay a license or make him give bonds
where he comes from another state with his goods or sample
articles of commerce. I think trees are articles of commerce. You
may pass such a law, making it apply the same to a nurseryman
here in the state as to a nurseryman outside of the state, but I do
not believe it would be held as applying to those outside; it would
be decided unconstitutional, and then you would be in a worse fix
than before, because you would be required to pay license and the
other fellow would not.
Mr. Gould: The older members of the society will remember that
a dozen years ago when this question or a similar one was up for
discussion, I opposed the whole business, and it turns out now that
I was correct in that, because the law was no good. I believe it
casts a stigma upon the business of selling nursery stock. I am
not speaking in defense of myself or my occupation, because I do
not stand as a nurseryman, but I believe, as I always have believed,
that the nursery business is as honorable as any other business,
and Iam almost out of patience with this whole matter. I do not
see why the people are not well enough posted to get along and
guard against and defend their own weaknesses without having a
law enacted to protect them as if they were so many children; and
as some speakers have stated before in reference to this matter, I
believe it will be a difficult thing to frame a law that will amount
to anything. I think nurserymen should have as good a footing in
those matters as other people. I do not see why they should be
held under legal enactments to keep their trade. I think this so-
ciety above all others should not be a party to such a thing. If
people in other occupations think it worth while to bring these
matters out that we are discussing here, let them do it, but to do it
ourselves I think is beneath our dignity.
Pres. Underwood; The question is now on the appointment of a
committee of three to draft a law to be submitted to the executive
committee, to be approved by them and afterwards submitted to the
committee on legislation to secure its enactment.
On being put to vote the motion to appoint such a committee
prevailed.
¥
3
‘e
> oa
7
HOW TO ADORN HOME GROUNDS. 279
HOW TO ADORN HOME GROUNDS.
kK. H. NUTTER, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT, MINNEAPOLIS.
On this occasion, to introduce what I may have to say in regard to
the improvement and ornamentation of the grounds immediately
surrounding our homes by any extended argument as to the desira-
bility of such a course of action, would be entirely uncalled for; still,
there are many in our state who go to make up the field through
which the influences of this society must be felt e’er it has accom-
plished its full mission, who do not yet appreciate the need of any
such a work; and who, however much they may complain as to the
dreariness of their surroundings and deplore the haste with which
the children when they come of age leave the old home for the
crowded cities or the fondly hoped-for land of promise in the farther
West, still do not dream that there is anything that they can do to
mitigate, if not to entirely undo, the evil.
The time has now passed in which “Uncle Sam is rich enough to
give us alla farm,” and so a check will be given e’er long to the
drifting mania which has so distinguished our land, and the mass
of population will become more fixed in their habitations and modes
of living. The old homestead will then become a more important
factor in family life, and the owners will work more zealously with
the thought-of future generations before them, unless, indeed, by
that time some of our enthusiastic reformers have so arranged
things that nobody can own anything.
Scorching summer winds and blinding winter blizzards soon con-
vince the pioneer that the broad prairies, which under the smiling
sun of May or June appeal so strongly to the poetic imaginations,
have their drawbacks, and it is easy to persuade him of the utility
of windbreaks of growing trees, but when this, the initial task of the
adornment of his home is accomplished, how many seem to think
that all has been done that could be expected. To be sure there are
many tasks awaiting the home builder, and the strictly ornamental
work may well be asked to wait a while, but we would urge the fact
that a little forethought and careful planning may so arrange the
necessary details of farm life that the useful and the ornamental
may both be achieved at the same time. If the house or the other
buildings are still to be located, that may and should be done with
due thought of its results from an artistic standpoint and, also, as
utility is a prime factor in the application of all true art, in such a
manner as not to interfere needlessly with the covenient perform-
ance of the daily duties of the home.
The question of health should be one of the first to be considered,
and in our scheme of home ornamentation all necessary measures
should be taken to secure ample supplies of fresh air (which is very
easily done in this country), of sunlight and, of still greater impor-
tance though often sadly neglected, plenty of pure water and a sys-
tem of drainage that shall preserve the water supply and all the
vicinity of the dwelling from the slightest contamination by sewer-
age and other household wastes. Too often has the ‘mysterious
Providence” which has desolated some happy home, only been the
outcome of man’s carelessnes and ignorance.
280 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
The insidiousness of this danger is well shown by an incident sc-
curring inan Kastern state. A gentleman of wealth purchased a
location for a seaside cottage where it was literally founded upona
rock, the cellar was excavated in the solid granite and so was the
cesspool, and at a considerable distance a well was sunk through
the solid ledge until an abundant supply of cold sweet water was
reached which was the boast of the place. After the house had been
occupied for some time,a sudden and very fatal epidemic of typhoid
fever broke out, not only in the family -but among those who had
been their guests, and raged to such an extent as to attract the at-
tention of the state board of health, who instituted a thorough in-
vestigation, and at last it was discovered that a minute open seam
in the granite intersected both the cesspool and the well, and the
drinking water, while still clear and sweet to sight and taste, had
become in reality a deadly poison.
One other point in regard to the location of the house, I wish to
touch upon, and that is the prevailing notion that it is necessary for
everything to stand “square with the world” as the saying is, and
that sectional and other government survey lines are ordained to be
the ruling factors in the location of roads, buildings and other im-
provements; to be sure there is no reason to disregard them un-
necessarily, but if some advantage is to be gained, as the introuduc-
-ing of some particularly pleasant outlook from a veranda or living
room window into our scheme of improvement, or getting the health
giving sunlight into all our rooms, or the utilizing of some advan-
tageous line of approach for the drive, let us not hesitate to ignore
the north star and the compass needle.
The important points above mentioned having been fixed upon,
we are ready to begin the more strictly ornamental part of our work;
and it is well to insist that to obtain satisfactory results this work
should be based upon a well considered plan in which the com-
pleted task has been pictured out in the designer’s mind; and while
it may not be drawn out upon paper, still even a rough pencil sketch
will be of great assistance and, perhaps, may call the operator’s at-
tention to some important point which had been entirely over-
looked.
As the skeleton of our design, we first must consider the drives
and paths, although every place may present special problems
of its own. There are certain maxims which may be observed in
nearly every case, although none of them are like the “laws of the
Medes and Persians, which altereth not.”
Drives and paths are a source of expense both in construction and
maintenance, and also have an intrusive appearance wherever they
encroach upon the lawn, so, at the beginning, we will agree to intro-
duce only those which are absolutely neccessary; the same reasons
will also lead us to avoid bringing them across the lawn in front of
the house or to make a carriage turn opposite the door, unless
special reasons, as topography of ground or a considerable amount
of calling on the part of those who come with carriages, exist.
The curved line of beauty is the ideal of most every one, yet very
few appreciate the narrow margin which exists between a straight
line and one which in practice will appear abruptly curved and dis-
HOW TO ADORN HOME GROUNDS. 281
torted; in fact,a line which when drafted seems almost straight, will
when placed upon the ground, be found by the novice to havea
surprising amount of curvature in it.
a The drive, therefore, should be in the line of the most traffic and,
Re having entered the gronnds, should approach the house in a very
a nearly direct line, governed by the topography of the ground, and
Be” passing by the side of the house, proceed onward to the barns or
es other farm buildings, if located in that direction.
Paths we will taboo,except where absolutely necessary,for reasons
of economy and to avoid cutting up the lawn, though in places of
considerable extent a path winding through the border plantations
and enclosing the broad expanse of open lawn may be desireable.
5. Abrupt grades will prove fully as objectionable as distorted lines,
P and,especially, at entrance and house, the drive should be as nearly
level as possible with due regard for drainage; and as water is the
; deadly enemy of good roads, care should be taken that none shall be
es allowed to remain on or near the driveway.
: All questions of construction and grading of lawns or roads hav-
i ing been settled, we now come tothe part of the work which too
te many have considered more ornamental than useful, the planting of
By our grounds; and the scheme must be a matter of special consider-
ae ation in each case.
There are few locations which do not present us with features in
: the landscape which we at once divide into two classes, one to be
a: preserved and incorporated into our design for improvement and
the other which must be concealed, if possible; and by the proper
arrangement of our trees and shrubs we must bring about the de-
sired results.
If there be some distant lake or tree-crowned bluff or other point
= of interest which may break the monotony of the view, let us take
¥ care that no growing tree or shrub is placed so as to at last intercept
it, even if we have to leave a gap in the windbreak which is so dear
to the pioneer’s heart, for by a little care in placing the removed
trees asflankers we can probably save the view and atthe same time
keep out most of the obnoxious gales; as, however, a picture is un-
4 finished till properly framed, so we may so arrange our planting
that the prospect which was pleasing before becomes doubly so if
seen through an opening guarded by drooping evergreens or under
the overarching branches of some graceful elm.
I was much struck a few weeks since by the results obtained by
the setting out of a couple of large trees in an open field in sucha
-. way as to enclose a certain portion of what had been before a broad
, and rather monotonous lake view; the vista of water with the distant
et wooded shore seemed to start into view as when one focuses a tele-
a scope or field glass.
7 If, as sometimes happens, the distant view is attractive, while be-
tween it and us there are objects disagreeable to look upon, we may,
perhaps, introduce low growing shrubberies, which, while they blot
out the foreground, do not interfere with the prospect we wish to
preserve.
"
282 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Many localities in this prairie land, however, do not possess any
very attractive features, and in such cases the usual windbreak of
growing trees, if it enclose land enough for our purpose, is of much
value to us, for it becomes the frame of the picture we would create.
The sides of the same towards the house should he added to by the
irregular planting of trees and shrubs, projecting out into the lawn
like promentories into a lake, to enclose quiet bays of sunlit sod, so
arranged that as we pass from room to room in the house or
through the grounds we may obtain constantly changing views.
An occasional choice tree may be placed on the lawn, but care
must be taken not to overdo it, nor to arrange them in mathematical
order, while thick planting close to the house will generally prove
particularly objectionable; it is well, however, to introduce near to
and around the house groups of low growing shrubs, which serve to
unite the buildings with the grounds in such a way as to make both
a component part of the picture, rather than conveying the idea of a
temporary structure, as is often the appearance of a building on the
bare prairie.
As to choice of varieties of trees and shrubs for our planting,
little need be said in this presence, but I fear that I may meet the
disapprobation of the nurserymen by advising that no experiments
be tried with interesting and enticing novelties till all the main
features of the design be brought out in such absolutely handy and
reliable species that any failure of new and untried varieties may
not serve asa blemish upon the whole. Although nursery grown
specimens are of course preferable for transplanting, no one need
despair of the results who will, with due care, draw upon the re-
sources of the fields and woods in his vicinity. In a comparison
which I have made of a catalogue of one of the largest nurseries of
the country with a recent state botany, I find that 39 varieties of
trees and 33 varieties of shrubs therein recommended for ornamen-
tal purposes are found native to some partof Minnesota; and,doubt-
less, Some varieties and “sports” are now growing in our vicinity
which will prove of value for our purpose, wherever they have been
brought to light by some intelligent and interested observer.
It is by the thoughtful selection and arrangement of the proper
varieties that the full beauties of our plantations are to be brought
out through the changing seasons; if flowering shrubs are our
hobby, then an assortment which would fill the season from May to
October should be made,while if autumnalcolor be desired,our scar-
let oaks, maples, sumachs and other native species cannot be ex-
pelled; shrubs and vines with bright colored and persistent berries,
as the scarlet-berried elder,the blackelder,tree cranberry, woodbine
and bittersweet are of much value; and if we wish to brighten the
winter landscape, in addition to our hardy evergreens, we can sum-
mon to our aid the golden willow, the scarlet dogwood and the
moosewood,or striped maple,to finish the much desired color effect.
The flower lovers may claim that our scheme has neglected their
particular interests, and so it has, for only in exceptional cases will
there be found time to care for annual plants; but to those whose
tastes run in that direction, the introduction of perennial flowering
HOW TO ADORN HOME GROUNDS.
plants in masses around the house or in connection with the shrub-
beries will be a desirable addition which may be made in perfect
harmony with the rest of the work.
Personally, I must confess a great dislike to some of the modern
uses of foliage and other plants in what wouldin fireworks be
styled “set pieces,” notwithstanding the fact that I have recently
seen in reputable gardening journals directions for constructing
on the lawn a full rigged sloop, and alsoa floral sawbuck and log
of wood; though, perhaps, an inborn antipathy that I possess to
the last named articles may prejudice me against them,even when
veiled with flowers.
But I fear some may say, “You are firing over our heads, and talk-
ing of these things on a scale much too large for us to undertake.”
I would reply, that my endeavor has been to bring out briefly the
principles of art as applied to landscape work, that each may select
the point which may be of the most immediate benefit to him and
also, as I have already hinted, form an ideal towards which all his
labors may tend; so,if this coming season there be only a group of
evergreens set out ora vine or two transplanted from the woods,
it may be done after due consideration of final results and witha
proper comprehension of the capabilities of the place.
Thereare other lines ofthought
which naturally spring from our
subject, especially in connection
with organized work for village
improvements, cemeteries and
parks and play grounds, all of ~
~ | which havea reflex influence, at
3 least,on our homes and home
grounds, but we cannot consider
: them at this time.
The drawings which I place
before you were not prepared to
show the only way and, perhaps,
not even the best way of treat-
“> ing the tracts thereon shown,
but principally to give the meth-
ods of preparing designs suchas I have suggested. So I will close
by a brief explanation of the plans.
In all of them the star-shaped characters represent evergreens,
the masses shaded with dots represent low shrubs which will not
grow to sucha height as to prevent our looking over them, while
those shaded with parallel lines indicate shrubs of larger growth,
which in the center or at the back of the groups may develop al-
most into small trees. The other characters show the location of
deciduous trees, single or in groups, as the case may be. The dot-
ted lines show the lines of sight, or vistas, before mentioned which
must be kept free from all obstructions.
eT RRS Eh. ON TY eee ee Oe ae
284 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Figure 1 is supposed to be a
ss = Sear ee Erg
tract of level land in an uninter- PS Bord Pe
esting locality, where we make 9 & $7
our picture all within our pro- yg ¥
tecting tree plantations. y
Figure 2 shows a place where
the house is located on the
point of a plateau some 30 feet Soe
above the street, thus necessitat- vy they Hl
ing quite a detour in the drive |. ee
to overcome the grade as it ap- Ky.
proaches the dwelling; the hill- eke ee os re See S| |
side up which it passes, being 93 i ss ete
thickly planted with evergreens, sam SFIS LS
has the effect of a wooded glen, |
To accommodate foot passengers, a path affords a more direct way
of reaching the house, while openings in the boundary plantations
enable us to view the distant landscape.
In figure 3 an interesting hillside compels us to violate one of the
Fic 3. rules already laid down, and
ee carry the drive back across the
lawn in front of the house. Here
we also get distant views in dif-
|ferent directions, the openings -
| through the trees in the rear and
to the left of the house being
filled with low shrubberies to
conceal some unsightly objects
jw aie ie near at hand.
1a SNe srl | And, finally, I wish to reiterate
\Y eae nt ita Ny! |i what I have already stated once
ee or twice, that what has been
ee said and shown in this connec-
es tionis not intended to set forth
rules to be always strictly ad-
hered to, but rather to suggest methods which in practice should
be modified or not, as thoughtful study of each individual case
may indicate.
\ iN
DISCUSSION
Pres. Underwood: This is one of the most interesting and
important papers we have had; it is now open for discussion.
If you have any questions you wish to ask Prof. Nutter, you can
do so now.
Sec’y Latham: Mr. President, I am very much interested
in this paper. I brings out in avery clear and concise manner
the possibilities of landscape gardening as applied to our homes,
and I hope we shall be able to publish these three maps and,
perhaps, the one that is now in the other room, in our maga-
HOW TO ADORN HOME GROUNDS. 285
zine, so our members may have an opportunity of studying the
subject. It will certainly be profitable employment.
Pres. Underwood: We are glad to have this interesting sub-
ject talked upon. It is one that interests me very much, too.
I remember how often I have seen farm buildings, as well as
buildings in our cities located without any thought as to im-
proving their surroundings. I shall never forget the visit I
paid a farm belonging to a very intelligent farmer. The first
place I came to when I reached the place was the barnyard. —
I had to open a gate to drive through the barnyard, and
then I hitched my horse in the barnyard with the possibility
of having him kicked to death by the other horses; and then I
had to open a gate and go through the hogyard, and finally I
came to the yard where the house was located. Of course, not
all farmhouses are so situated, but a great many of them have
no suggestion of beauty or adornment about them. I hope
every one who takes our magazine will have the privilege of
reading this article and seeing how these grounds are laid out
and get the benefit of these suggestions.
Mr. Elliot: Doubtless this farmyard which the president
has so graphically described was one that was arranged with
a special view to keeping out tree peddlers. (Laughter.) But,
setting aside all joking, how many times do we see in the.
prairie and in the wooded countries how by a little taste and
effort they could arrange their buildings in suitable locations
and with a little labor and time they could make pleasant homes
that would be surrounded by trees and in after years would be
cheerful and beautiful. I think, as a general rule, the farmers
of Minnesota do not give these things enough thought and
attention. It takes but alittle time to plant a tree and a
little exercise—but most of you have trees right in your groves,
or they are to be found in almost any locality. Of course, those
people who are engaged in the nursery business or in garden-
ing appreciate these things more than does the average farmer,
but some of the farmers have wives who have tastes in this
direction, and they will be interested in having some orna-
mentation around their homes.
Mr. Pearce: I am located in a place where there is much
pride taken in trees and yards. It is a subject that I have
studied a great deal. Ihave a great many trees growing in my
grounds. Trees should be arranged in a certain way. The
various trees should be put out with a special object in view.
You must have a variety of trees, but variety isnot all. There
286 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
is just as much difference in trees as there is between one and
two—just exactly the same difference. I do not suppose that
any one has been more careful in the selection of trees than I
have been. I have there the white birch; it is a weeping tree;
it is beautiful. People ask me, ‘‘Where did you get it?” It is
a native right here. Here are elms, magnificent elms, branch-
ing out in every direction. Everybody admires them who has
any taste for trees. An oak is not what you want. The
branches of an elm shade and protect the roots. They branch
out in a horizontal direction just as far as the limbs reach out.
It isthe same way with the white birch; and I might go on and
name the ash and the boxelder. From most of these you can
get a tree that will suit you. I have seen trees growing in
yards that people thought were beautiful, that I would not
want in my yard; they were disgusting to look at. Itis all in
intelligence in selection; it is all selection.
Another thing I want to notice. Every improvement I make, I
make it a point to conceal by it—to hide everything that is beau-
tiful—, and it seems agood deal more beautiful, and the sur-
prise is a good deal greater to find it all at once. That has
been a study with me. And then when you come to orna-
mental roses—I think they are the most beautiful flowers I have
got; there is nothing like the rose. You want to get hardy
roses. The most beautiful roses are the Jacqueminot, Madame
Plantier, Baltimore Belle, Seven Sisters, Prairie Queen and
lots of others. You just want to arrange them right. I have
heard hundreds of people in passing by my house in carriages
when these roses were in bloom, and they came on them all at
once, they would just scream! The pressure was too great;
they couldn’t stand it. It is all in the way itis fixed up. I
can make a paradise outofa place. I can make such a place
that the children will say, ‘‘Pa, you shall never sell it... What
do you think of it? Whatdo you think of it? (Laughter and
applause. )
Mr. Moyer: Iam very glad to see these maps here, and I
think we should all be very glad to see these maps of Prof.
Nutter’s published. The great trouble in tree planting in
western Minnesota is that the trees are all planted in straight
rows and only one variety at that. This might be much im-
proved by setting them out promiscously without any particu-
lar design.
ie ee
“a a
OUR WILD FLOWER SHOWS. 287
OUR WILD FLOWER SHOWS.
MISS CORNELIA PORTER.
{Read at the Summer Meeting, 1895,of the Wisconsin State Horticultural Society.)
In considering the subject of “Wild Flower Shows,” it presents
itself to me in two phases: the influence past exhibits have had in
awakening an interest in our native flora, and the possibilities
which lie in future exhibits to make this interest an incentive to
learn more about our wild flowers.
Our local wild flower exhibits had their origin in an experiment.
Four years ago, in the spring of 1891,a few of our flower-loving
citizens conceived the idea of such an exhibit for the purpose of
interesting the school children, especially the botany classes, in
this work. Accordingly a meeting was called to consider the feasi-
bility of having a wild flower show. The ladies were requested to
be present, but only one was in attendance. Arrangements were
made at this meeting for an “Apple Blossom Show,” to be given the
16th of May. Wild crab apple blossoms were to be made the prin-
cipal feature of this exhibit. Four premiums were offered:
1. To any member of the botany class for the most tastefully ar-
ranged basket of wild flowers, a choice painting.
2. Plants and seeds to the amount of $1.50 to any scholar for the
most tasteful arrangement of wild apple blossoms.
3. Plants and seeds to the amount of $1.50 to any scholar forthe
prettiest show Of wild flowers.
4. By the horticultural society, $1.00, to any member for the best
grown pot plant in bloom.
Owing to the uncertainty of the result of this experiment it was .
decided to have the exhibit at a private home, and Mrs. Crouch
kindly opened her house forthe occasion. Since the exhibit was to
be given chiefly for the benefit of the schools, only pupils were per-
mitted to make entries for premiums (with one exception, that of $1.00
given for the best grown pot plant). Early on the afternoon of May
16, the flowers began to come in, and before evening the number of
entries. surpassed all expectations. Although the exhibit con-
sisted mostly of wild flowers, yet the display was greatly enhanced
by choice cut flowers and pot plants from the gardens and green-
houses of our home florists.
Encouraged by a large and varied collection of wild flowers and
the large number of people in attendance at this “Apple Blossom
Show,” the horticultural society made extended arrangements in
the spring of 1892 for a repetition. They decided to hold the exhibit
at the courthouse. The number of premiums was increased from
four to eleven. The increase of displays which followed these in-
ducements justified the action. The following year, being the year
of the World’s Fair, it was decided to postpone the exhibit, but in
the spring of 1894 the horticultural society again made preparations
for a wild flower show. So generously had the pupils responded to
the offers of the horticultural society at the previous shows, that
twenty premiums were offered, five times the number offered three
years before. With one exception the premiums were upon wild
flowers, and the fact that of the twenty premiums offered, eleven
288 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
came from as many leading business firms is significant of the re-
cognition this movement received. This exhibit was the best of the
three. One hundred and thirty entries were made, and the court-
room was found too small to arrange the collection to the best
advantage, nor was the seating capacity equal to the increased at-
tendance.
The above facts show that these wild flower exhibits have been
potent in arousing a vigorous interest; yet, this is the least of the
good work done.
The botany classes of our high school have used these exhibits
to good advantage. Pupils in collecting their fowers have not
only become enthusiastic upon the subject, but have learned to
observe more carefully. The finding of a new plant created a desire
to know its name; and the name, so often the result of some peculi-
arity, led to a closer inspection of the plant. Children from the age
of seven to seventeen and over have been engaged in this work. In
consideration of this fact a suggestion may be made here in regard
to having a primary and senior class of exhibits. The children
gather their own flowers and, unless a thoughtful parent help, they
also arrange them. The efforts of these little ones should hardly
be judged with those who have had several years of experience in
this work.
Not only the children but adults have been benefited by these
shows. People came to be entertained but went away surprised at
the large number of kinds of wild flowers found in the vicinity of
Baraboo. Many a flower of modest color hidden in tall grasses or
in the shadow of fallen logs escapes the eye of the careless rambler
through fields and woods; but purpose sharpens the eyes,and these
retiring piants have not escaped the boys and girls, intent on col-
lecting flowers for our wild flower shows. Each year has brought
an increased variety. The late frosts of 1894 must have killed many
of the earlier flowers, still this spring found the greatest variety of
all. Thus the exhibits have given some idea of the range of our
flora; and, yet,but asmall fraction of our flora has been represented.
Coming, as they have heretofore, in the spring of the year, our
shows have brought into notice spring plants only. The majority.
of our summer and fall flowers are generally unknown. Would it
not be advisable to vary the time ot the exhibits during successive
years and introduce midsummer and fall display? At these the
fruits of the spring flowers could be given a place. So many plants
are recognized only by their blossoms. A display of fruits would
in a measure correct this fault. Those who visit the woods from
April to November know that in midsummer and in September
are found some of our choicest blossoms. The fringed gentian,
dainty as it is, scorns the summer heat and opens only to a late
September or an October sun. It thrives best when there is a touch
of frost in the air. In the fail also are found the brilliant fruits of
the bittersweet,the wild honeysuckle, jack-in-the-pulpit, rose-hips
and hawthorn. Such exhibits given at different seasons would give
a better knowledge of our plants.
at
S 7
ot
<
FARMERS’ INSTITUTES. 289
The literary programs have thus far been a partof the move-
ment, and added much to the entertainment of the public. Yet,
would not the end of these exhibits be promoted if these programs
were made up of prize papers, always with a generous sprinkling
of music? For example, let there be a call for a paper upon the
hepatica. The plant is to be observed in its habitat, and its habits
are to be thoroughly studied. Thusall material must come through
observation, and the paper must of necessity be original. Thecom-
petitors should be confined to a chosen grade, a date should be set
at which time these papers are to be in the hands of the judges.
The paper adjudged worthy of the prize should hold a place on the
program. Thus some ten subjects could be chosen, one adapted to
each grade of our schools, including the first primaries. These
little folks are capable of much more than is generally credited to
them. This plan would involve some tiresome work for the judges,
but we presume on the philanthropy of those who have so nobly
inaugurated and encouraged this movement for the benefit of the
school children, and feel confident there are those among them
who would pay even this tax upon their generosity. Certainly this
measure would prompt many to take part in a work the value of
which cannot be overestimated.
FARMERS’ INSTITUTES.
A DISCUSSION.
Mr. O. C. Gregg: I am in hearty sympathy with your so-
city in this matter. I want to sum up the suggestions that ~
have been made here, and read you a letter from Mr. McKer-
row, of Wisconsin, in regard to the Wisconsin system, which,
as was said here, if adopted by Minnesota would be an improve-
ment. I want to give you some facts. In the first place when
this institute work began I went to Madison to Mr. Morrison
and talked with him and also attended their institutes and
studied their methods. I received some very plain instructions
from him. I got some suggestions from him of value; but I
want to say right here—and I could give you the details—I went
deliberately to work contrary to his instructions and began the
institute work in Minnesota. I violated some of his instruc
tions for seven years. You know whether our institute work
in Minnesota has been successful or not. Why did I differ with
Mr. Morrison? Simply because I saw that our conditions were
different from those in Wisconsin. Minnesota had been until
that time a wheat growing state, and I submit to you this
morning that a wheat field is not the place to gather hog ex-
perience. Now, in the second place, I will give you some
statements, and I can back it up by the best men in Wisconsin.
ERT SOR RS Re yaa Oe, me
-
290 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. :
One of the leading men of Wisconsin said to me: ‘‘Mr. Gregg,
don’t you make the mistake of Wisconsin by attempting to run
four corps over your state.” I will not give you names. I
could give you the names of some of the leading men of Wis-
consin who talked to me in the same strain, but I have not
time to do it here. I want tosay right here I appreciate
the interest you take in institute work. I have a list that I
hold in sacred remembrance, and that is a list of people who
helped to establish the institute work in Minnesota. In that
list I put the body of the horticultural society, so any sugges-
tions you may make, any criticisms you may have to offer will
be all right. .
Mr. Elliot: How can we push our horticultural work with the
institute work to the best advantage?
Mr. Gregg: In the first place, let me tell you we have got to be
close observers; we have got to take people as they come. You
must remember the speaker on the platform must understand the
audience. You take the theme of horticulture this morning and
put yourselves in the place of the audience. This is not a represent-
ative institute audience. You understand better than I can tell
you that some papers that would interest you asa body would not
interest an institute audience—and before such a paper was finished
there would not be enough left of the audience to pronounce a
benediction on. There is adifference of opinion. You must remem-
ber I was cradled in the church, and this is one kind of missionary
work. 5
Mr. Gould: What would you propose as the best method of intro-
ducing this question before those institute audiences which you
are supposed to instruct?
Mr. Gregg: Do you members fully appreciate what we have al-
ready done? We issue every year a book of twenty thousand copies.
These books are electrotyped; it takes twenty thousand pounds of ;
paper—over a carload of paper. Compare that circulation with the
circulation of your literature. The difficulty is to get good men to
take the platform; I must make some changes in the corps now.
There are some when they take the platform act like a wet blanket
on the audience. But we have some grand workers. One is a
classic in hogs, another is a poem in poultry: Theodore Louis and
Mrs. Tilson. I want to say right here that our friend Somerville,
with his peculiar ways, his farmer look and his granger talk has
done more for horticulture than more than half of you have any
idea of. I:might refer to the criticisms that were continually com-
ing tomyears. “Gregg,can’t you do some more?” “Have you got
another Somerville?” The minute he gets up to talkhe getsin his
farmer certificate all over, and the farmer thinks he is going to get
the truth, and he gets it, too. We must understand the people; we
must study their natures; and if we do this and impart some of our
enthusiasm to them by a good, warm, hearty hand shake—if I donot
have a flock of people around the platform, I think I have made a
mistake.
FARMERS’ INSTITUTES. 291
Dr. Frisselle: As I understood Mr. Gregg in the discussion of this
matter, I think he gave us the idea that onecorps of institute work-
ers was sufficient in this state. We hada little discussion this
morning in regard to putting more workers in the field. There are
eighty or more counties in the state, and one corps is not sufficient
to do the work as it should be done. Some here have spoken about
the work in Wisconsin, and I would like to ask the chair to ask Mr.
Collins, the editor of the Northwestern Agriculturist, who has some
knowledge of the situation in Wisconsin, to say a word in regard to
the matter.
Mr. Collins: Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen: I have been
interested in this work of extending our institutesin Minnesota, and
have been in correspondence with parties who are informed on the
subject, and, before I continue, [ desire to say that there is no greater
admirer of the work of the institute in Minnesota than myself, but
at the same time I feel that there is a demand for more of the same
kind of work. There are eighty counties in the state, and it is im-
possible for one institute corps to cover it well. The entire state is
taxed for the support of this work, and the entire state has a right to
receive instruction from the state. Agriculture in the Northwest is
undergoing a great revolution, and we who are engaged in the work
of keeping track of the work of agriculture are interested in know-
ing that that revolution takes its course. It is impossible for one
broom to sweep back the flood, and it is impossible for one man or
set of men to keep this revolution in its proper course. I know of
no other state in the Northwest which confines its institutes to a
single corps. All other states surrounding us, all of them, have
adopted this other plan, and why it is that the conditions are so dif- .
ferent in Minnesota that we can have but three or four workers in
the field to teach the farmers that there is something to do besides
raising wheat or even dairying or raising poultry, I do not know.
It seems to me there must certainly be more men like Mr. Somer-
ville. There must be men in all branches of the work who can do
good, and the idea of having a single corps in the field is like the
idea of publishing a book instead of a newspaper. It is the contin-
uous dropping of water that wears away the stone rather than the
flood. It is the repeated work of educating farmers, getting farmers
together and talking about and discussing these matters rather
than coming before them and lecturing to them. If we can get the
farmers together it will create the work. Here are countiesin which
there is no great demand for institute work; they do no realize of
what value an institute would be to them, what it would do for
them. If we can send one institute corps there, even if it does not
rank with the present standard, it will create a demand in time for
more instruction.
Mr. Gregg: They may have this system of having more than one
corps in the field in other states, but that is not saying that they are
successful. I know they are not. Iam going to give you a name to
back what I am saying. The present director of the Iowa Experi-
ment Station, Mr. Smith, in a conversation I had with him recently,
told me the present system of institute workin lowa was an absolute
292 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
failure. I know all about their work there. Mr. Smith says it isan
absolute failure; there is no economy about it; and just as quick as
they can do so they are going to adopt the system we use in Minne-
sota. I have thoroughly studied this condition; I have nothing else
on my mind, and we must observe all those things that go to make
the work successful—and [ tell you it is quality that counts and not
quantity. (Applause).
Mr. Somerville: I am too old to be flattered, but I know there are
a number of people who in all probability could fill the place I have
occupied a great deal better than I. I did the best I could. In re-
gard to the institutes in Iowa, I have just been there, and I have
been over the state considerably, and they claim that their insti-
tutes are a failure, in part, and they hold their institutes almost to
empty chairs. Then, again, as I said this morning, Mr. Gregg
makes a book. He issues about twenty thousand copies of that
book each year, and I am sorry to say there has not been interest
enough taken in that work to put more of our horticultural matter
in that book than has been done. The people of the state are en-
titled toit. I have been to an institute where there have been six
hundred books distributed. The people want the books and every
person is entitled to one,and they should have them,and we ought to
put more of our horticultural work in Mr. Gregg’s book, because it
has a wider circulation than the book that is gotten out by this so-
ciety. There has been more advancement in the interests of horti-
culture in the last four years than everbefore. I can show you over
two hundred letters at my house today from people all over the
state wherever an institute has been held, inquiring of me in regard
to horticulture—and we certainly ought to have that kind of things
printed in that book for the benefit of those people who are inter-
ested in horticulture, but who are not reached by the publications
of this society. I have letters from all over the state. I have had
ten to fifteen men at my place from all over the state to see whether
my works corresponded with my talks,and they have generally
gone away satisfied that I was a granger with hayseed in my hair,
and that what I said was true. We should encourage every effort
that is put forth to get the farmers waked up to this interest of
horticulture.
Geo. J. Kellogg, (Wisconsin): Reference was made to the work of
institutes. It it astonishing that you have not more than one man
in Minnesota that can hold an audience. We have plenty of them
in Wisconsin. If you want any workers we can furnish you a dozen
or more. We have practical men who understand the work, men
that are right up to the times. I have not heard of a failure of an
institute. We havea horticulturist at every institute, and he is on
every program. I think, for the size of the state and the work that
needs to be done, you should carry four institute corps in Minne-
sota, and I do not think they would be a failure either.
> ey -
E
pple B ulletin for 2\ugust.
A. J. PHILIPS, SECY., WISCONSIN STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
As practiced by himself.
This is condensed, andifany one cancullout anything that they can
apply to their particular case, location or surroundings, do so. If
not, write and tell me why.
1. Stop cultivating among your grafts, young trees, vines, bushes,
etc., so as to give them the best possible chance to ripen their wood
for the coming hard (or mild) winter, and,if they persist in growing
too late, pinch off the tips of the leaders.
2. Get old hay, straw or listen to your wife and cut the weeds
around the house and fences and put all that around the bearing
trees and some manure with it when the June or other grass is tak-
ing possession and try and have the soil aroundall trees so that the
rains can nourish the roots instead of running somewhere else.
3. Begin picking the apples from the heaviest loaded trees as soon
as they will do to cook and take them to market, for there is many a
good housewife who will be too glad to get them to make a pie to
please her husband, who knows that you cannot raise applesin Wis-
consin or Minnesota. This will keep the trees from breaking down
and make the man better natured, and those left will grow larger,
and, though it is more work, you will get more money from the crop.
4. Do not believe allthat a man says when he tells you to pinch off
half the apples and throw them away and expect the balance
when ripe to weigh as much as the whole would have done in case
none were picked and expect the work of the tree in ripening the
fruit and perfecting the remaining seeds to be only half as much—
this can’t be done in my orchard, only partially.
5. In picking your apples to ship or sell at home, sort them care-
fully—better give the poor ones to some family where the children
have no apples than to send them with the good ones. Placea layer
of average apples, stem end down, in the end of barrel that is to be
opened, and see to it and learn your boys or hired help to be careful
that the apples run alike through the barrel. You need not wast ink,
paper and time to write this to the commission man or other cus-
tomers; they will find it out quick enough.
6. Do not make a fool of yourself and kick the tree peddler off from
your premises, who callson you this month. It will discourage him
and do you no good. Invite him into the house and ask him whose
trees he is selling, and, if you find they are to come from the south
or east, tell him in a kind, fatherly way that Wisconsin and Minne-
sota can grow all the good apple trees they need, and that home
grown trees for several reasons are better for the Northwest, espec-
ially if they have been grown on clay or limestone land, and quietly
tell him when it comes to the new improved varieties that the two
states I have mentioned are right up to the front.
994 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
7. Do not scold the boys or girls who pick your fruit this month
because they eata mellow apple occasionally. Remember two things:
first, that this is the first fruit of the season and tastes awful good,
and, second, that you were once a boy yourself and liked apples and
even took some on the sly and hid them in the haymow until they
were good. Better by far to find a boy with some apples in his
pocket taking them to his mother, sister or best girl, than to see him
with a vile cigarette in his mouth. Boys, think of this and govern
yourselves accordingly.
8. Do not idle your time away this month and then try to do your
budding to improve your trees in November, because it can’t be
done; but as soon asthe buds are matured enough to grow and you
find the young limbs with sap moving freely, go right atit. If you
cannot do it, get some of Prof. Goff’s students or some apple
grower to show you how. Do this now for two reasons: first, be-
cause you are six months ahead in the work of next spring’s graft-
ing, and, second, if your bud fails to grow you can next spring
graft the same limb. Don’t you see? Remember, one young tree
well budded or grafted, is worth ten or twenty old ones, because a
bud or graft in this climate will not do well on an old tree.
9. This month is a gocd time to cut the suckers and sprouts from
about the trees and gather the brush out of the orchard. Pull the
yellow docks, thistles and burdock, and take the whole mess to some
meadow you intend to plow, and there, without any regrets or com-
punctions of conscience, burn it up, root and branch, and scatter
the ashes to the fourwinds of heaven, or carry them to the straw-
berry bed or put them around the tree that you expect to pick the
apples from to beat your competitor at the fair, or put them around
your Columbian or Loudon raspberries.
i0. This is one of the very best months of the year to save
one dollar of your apple or other money and send to me at Salem,
Wis. It will make you a member of the Wisconsin State Horticul.
tural Society, whose report will be sent you free as soon as pub-
lished. It will also make you a subscriber for the year to the
“Minnesota Horticulturist,” any number of which is worth a
dollar to the horticulturist. This will keep you posted so youwill
not be imposed on by every Tom, Dick or Harry who tries to sell
you worthless stuff with high-sounding names.
This is my first monthly bulletin, and should it be my last, try
and remember something I have told you, especially the last, where
I said save a dollar and join the Horticultural Society (if youare a
Minnesotian join the Minnesota society, of course). Get the best
thoughts from the best horticulturists, and it will make you a better
father, husband, citizen and fruit grower.
~
Rete
A\ugust (Calendar.
J. S. HARRIS.
beta?
ORCHARD.
From this date until all growths have ceased, cultivation in the
orchard should be discontinued, nor should pruning be done in
this month except to rub off water shoots and buds that start
a where branches will not be wanted. Sprouts from the roots and
pe about the base of the trunk should be removed whenever they ap-
_ ~+pear. Budding is generally best done in this month. It must be
a done while the bark of the stock will raise easily. August is gen-
” erally the most trying month on newly planted trees, and they
_ should be kept liberally mulched. Where they have long bare
-_ trunks,it is well to wrap them with white cotton cloth or give them
; a coat of whitewash to retard evaporation and prevent sunscald.
3 : INSECTS.
a The worms of the codling moth are now in the windfall apples
— which should be kept picked up and fed to the hogs or otherwise
destroyed. Bands and other traps upon the trunks of the trees
should be looked to once a week and the worms that are under or
in them destroyed. It is also in order to search for and destroy the
borer.
NURSERY.
In the nursery continue cultivation, hoeing and shaping the
trees up to the middle or twentieth of the month, but after that
time let them rest, or a late fall growth may be stimulated.
STRAWBERRIES.
The new beds should be kept scrupulously clean of all weeds and
grass. In cultivating gradually make the cultivator narrower, and
always go in the same direction between the rows. This is to avoid
tearing out the runners and newly rooted plants. Old beds to be
kept over should be well manured and kept clear from weeds.
RASPBERRIES.
ie All things considered, it is best to remove all old canes as soon as
the picking is ended. All surplus canes and suckers should be taken
ie out in order to give those retained for fruiting the fullest chance
be for development.
BLACKBERRIES.
The blackberry harvest is now on. Fruit for shipping long dis-
tances must be gathered before it is over-ripe, but for home use
should be fully ripe. Ifthe canes for next years fruiting were not
headed back early, they may be pinched back to four or five feet at
0 ep rae ee es
296 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
once, but no later pruning should bedone. Four or five canes are
enough for each stool, and all others should be removed. Cultiva-
tion should not be continued later than the middle of the month.
KITCHEN AND MARKET GARDEN.
Weed killing will still be required. A weed that goes to seed now
means a full supply of young plants to stock the ground next sea-
son; wherever a portion of the crop is removed, an occasional run
of the cultivator will help to keep them down and improve the con-
dition of the soil. It is better to sow rye or buckwheat on such
patches and plow them under before seed is ripe than to leave the
ground bare.
IRRIGATING WITH CLAY TILING.
(A good Suggestion.)
“T am more than than satisfied with my sub-irrigation plant. I
have been running my pump all winter, and have my three acres all
soaked up and in fine shape for gardening in the spring. Last
spring I put in 300 feet of tiling, and I found that I could raise any-
thing I planted. Some say itis too expensive. My garden is in town,and
if I had to build a reservoir on it the land that I would have to use
for that purpose would almost buy the tiling. As I pump direct
into the tiling, this does away with the reservoirs.
WELL
31N.| 31NCH FARM DRAIN TILE WITHOUT SOCKET
340 FT. LONG
250 FT. 4 IN. VITRIFIED SOCKET SEWER PIPE
DIAGRAM OF ARRANGEMENT OF TILING.
“T have my tiling so arranged that I can wet any part of my gar-
den whenever I choose. My tiling (38-inch) is laid 16 inches deep,
and the moisture comes up to the top when thoroughly soaked. I
have a well 43 feet deep. I use a5-inch pump and a 12-foot mill. I
can lift 800 barrels per day, and there is no evaporation, as it pumps
direct into the tiling.’—Irrigation Age.
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STATE FAIR, 297
FRUIT EXHIBIT AT THE STATE FAIR.
COMMUNICATION FROM WYMAN ELLIOT.
DEAR FRIEND AND FELLOW MEMBERS:—As many of you know, the
State Agricultural Society has honored me with the office of First
Vice-President in that association, and, as some duties go along
with this honor, on account of my acquaintance and interest in
horticulture, they have made me superintendent of that department
for the coming state fair.
I should have been better pleased to hold this position at a time
when the management had more money to put into premiums and
the fruit crop was better, but with the assistance of my friends in
horticulture, which, as ever, will, lam sure, be heartily given, we
shall make the best of the somewhat unfavorable conditions and
make up for it by greater efforts.
On account of the finances of the Agricultural Society it was
found necessary to cut down the premiums somewhat, but Iam led
to believe this reduction is only temporary and hope that the
amounts offered will still be sufficient to recompense you in fair
degree for the trouble you are put to in making an exhibit.
Let us show that ourinterest in our great pursuit is not altogether
a mercenary one by taking hold and making the show of fruit this
fall a worthy successor of the splendid exhibit of a year ago! Good
will surely come of it, if we make an exhibit in this spirit, and the
rightful demands of horticulture will be more readily and fully
recognized.
I wish every fruit grower in the state would write me at once giv-
ing a full list of all the varieties of fruit they can furnish, and if any
of the fruit will not keep well till the date of the meeting, arrange-
ments will be made to place it in cold storage here without extra
expense. :
What have you gotto help out the display? Let us take hold
with a will! Yours fraternally,
Minneapolis, Minn., Aug. 1, 1895. WYMAN ELLIOT.
SETTING TREES LATE.—About four years ago we received from a
distant nursery, a bundle of trees that had made such a start in leaf
that we despaired of our ability to make them live. We did not,
however, throw them away but carefully rubbed and picked off the
shoots which had made the most growth, and leaving them nearly
bare carefully set them in orchard. Upon making comparisons in
the fall of that year we found that those late-set trees had made
fully as good a growth as a hundred or more which were set much
earlier, and today, they are as fine trees as any we have in orchard’
Since that experience we have been much less careful to set trees
when entirely dorment, and find, that, if all or nearly all of the fol-
iage is removed and the roots guarded from exposure with extra
care, there is little danger of loss. We moved three large trees of
the Choke cherry this season when they had made a growth of
nearly six inches and were in full bloom. They are now pushing
out new growth and show every sign of making good trees.—N. W.
Agri.
_ Seeretary’s ( Yorner,
VOLUMES RECEIVED FOR THE LIBRARY SINCE JAN-
UARY 1, 1895.
Experiment Station Record, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Vol.
V, Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, Vol. IV, No. 5.
Swine and Sheep-Breeders’ Association, Ontario, Ann. Rep., 1893.
Farmers’ Institutes, Ontario, Ann. Rep., 1893.
Good Roads Association, Ontario, Ann. Rep., 1894.
Peninsular Hort. Soc., Delaware, Ann. Rep., 1894.
Treatment of Plant Diseases, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1891.
Agriculture of Massachusetts, Ann. Rep., 1893.
Wisconsin Exp. Station, Tenth Annual Report, 1893.
Minnesota Agricultural Club, etc., 1860.
Wisconsin Exp. Station, Ninth Ann. Rep., 1892.
Wisconsin Exp. Station, Fifth Ann. Rep., 1888.
Wisconsin Exp. Station, Second Ann. Rep., 1884.
Wisconsin Exp. Station, Eighth Ann Rep., 1891.
Wisconsin Exp. Station, Sixth Ann Rep., 1889.
Dairymen’s and Creameries’ Association, Ontario, Ann. Rep., 1894.
Poultry and Pet Stock Association, Ontario, Ann. Rep., 1894.
Western New York Hort. Soc. Report, 1895.
New Jersey State Hort. Soc. Report, 1895.
Minneapolis Park Com., Annual Report, 1894.
Missouri Botanical Garden Report, 1894.
Missouri Botanical Garden Report, 1895.
“Alfalfa” Growing-Agri., Kansas, 1894.
Agriculture—Wheat Feeding, Kansas, 1894.
Agricultural Report, Kansas, 1894.
Forestry Report Kansas, 1880.
Forestry Report, Kansas, 1886.
Forestry Report, Kansas, 1885.
Forestry Report, Kansas, 1883.
State Board of Agriculture, Kansas, Ann. Rep., 1881 and 1882.
State Board of Agriculture, Kansas, Ann. Rep., 1883 and 1884.
State Board of Agriculture, Kansas, Ann. Rep., 1885 and 1886.
State Board of Agriculture, Kansas, Ann. Rep., 1887 and 1888.
State Board of Agriculture, Kansas, Ann. Rep., 1889 and 1890,
Fruit Grower Association, Ontario, Ann. Rep., 1894.
Agricultural College, Ontario, Ann. Rep., 1894.
Economic Entomology, Dept. of Agri., 1890.
State Board of Horticulture, Cal., Ann. Rep., 1892.
State Board of Horticulture, Oregon, (biennial), 1893.
Florida State Hort. Soc., Ann. Rep., 1893.
Florida State Hort. Soc., Ann. Rep., 1894.
“a
=
SECRETARY’S CORNER. 299
Illinois Exp. Sta., Ann. Rep., 1891-4.
Indiana State Horticultural Soc., Ann. Rep., 1893.
New Jersey State Hort. Soc., 1894,
Colorado State Board of Hort., Ann. Rep., 1893 and 1894.
Florida State Horticultural Soc., Ann. Rep., 1892.
Minnesota Dairy and Food Commissioner, Ann. Rep., 1884.
Insects Injurious to Agriculture, Lugger, 1893.
Library Bureau Catalogue.
Agriculture of Pennsylvania, Ann. Rep., 1893.
Agriculture of Pennsylvania, Ann. Rep., 1894.
Manitoba Central Farmers’ Institute, Ann. Rep., 1894.
Ohio State Hort. Soc., Ann. Rep., 1893-4.
Illinois State Hort. Soc., Ann. Rep., 1894.
New Jersey Ex. Station, Ann. Rep., 1892.
Indiana State Hort. Soc., Ann. Rep., 1894.
California Board of Horticulture, Ann. Rep., 1893-4.
Sec. Dept. Agri., U. S., Ann. Rep., 1893.
Society of American Florists, Ann. Rep., 1892.
Society of American Florists, Ann. Rep., 1893.
Society of American Florists, Ann. Rep., 1894.
Nova Scotia Fruit Growers’ Association, Ann. Rep., 1892.
Nova Scotia Fruit Growers’ Association, Ann. Rep., 1893.
Nova Scotia Fruit Growers’ Association, Ann. Rep., 1894.
Chemistry and Economy of Food, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, 189).
Farmers’ Conventions, Tennessee, 1893.
Missouri State Horticultural Society, Ann., Rep., 1893.
Nova Scotia Fruit Growers’ Association, Ann. Rep., 1895.
Columbus, O., Horticultural Society, Journal of, 1894.
Minneapolis Park Commission, Ann. Rep., 1893.
Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society, Rep., 1894.
Ontario Fruit Growers’ Association, Ann. Rep., 1894.
Wisconsin Experiment Station, Ann. Rep., 1894.
FRUIT AT THE STATE FAIR.—The prospects for an exhibit of fruit
at the coming state fair are not as flattering as we could wish, and
we must make up for it this year by a little self-sacrifice and extra
effort. On account of the connection of our esteemed fellow mem-
ber, Mr. Wyman Elliot, with the fruit department, if for no other, we
should make the necessary exertion to make our exhibit a success
I have the personal assurance of Secretary Randali of the Agricul-
tural Society that another year the fruit premium list will be put
back where it ought to be, and certainly more will be gained in the
end by coming out in force and keeping up the exhibit of our depart-
ment with heartiness. Weshall thereby increase our influence with
the public and with the management, and all the sooner secure the
just demands of horticulture.
Let us take hold with a will in this work.
Please note a communication from Mr. Elliot on another page in
this number.
300 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
-
FRUIT EXHIBIT AT OUR NEXT WINTER MEETING.—Did you notice
the article in reference to this subject on the last page of the July
Horticulturist? If not, read it at once and put yourself in communi-
cation with this office. We want to make this a grand exhibit and
need the co-operation of all the fruit growers to do so. Grapes and
plums, as well as apples, may be stored for this purpose. Plums
will keep till then, if packed while hard.
If not already received, apply tothe secretary for shipping
tags.
Arrangements have been made to store fruit with G. A. Dole’s
cold storage warehouse, 410 Washington Ave. N., Minneapolis.
NOMENCLATURE.—J. S. Harris is chairman of the committee on
nomenclature for the Minnesota State Horticultural Society. Heis en-
gaged in making a “Catalogue and Fruit Album,” of all varieties of
fruit grown in the Northwest, and would be glad to receive typical
specimens of seedling apples, native plums and any other new or
unknown fruits, for examination. Address him at La Crescent,Minn.
NOTES AT LAKE CITY BY A. J. PHILIPS, SECRETARY,— Friday,
the 21st, I spent at Lake City on the grounds of the Jewell Nursery
Co.; here the frost was light compared to many places in Wisconsin.
Apples, especially Duchess, Wealthy and Okabena are bearing good
crops; twenty thousand young plum trees in one plai, that have
grown four feet from the ground this season, are a fine sight. They
have grown so fast that all have had to be staked. Mr. Underwood
has found a new plum in northern Minnesota that promises so well
that I have taken the liberty to call itthe Bonanza. It is the largest
of wild plums and topworks readily on all plum stocks. Every graft
they had put in seemed to be growing and very thrifty. If the
quality is good it will be a valuable acquisition to the plum family.
Fifteen acres of apple trees for digging the coming fall are on
their grounds. I am often asked for a variety of apples that will do
well on sandy land. I always say I know of none, but I found the
Okabena trees looking very well and bearing heavy on a very sandy
hillside. This may be a valuable variety on sandy soil if not planted
too far north.
Mr. Underwood has done what many other men in Minnesota
and Wisconsin might do; he has cut off the timber on a high
hill, some of it too steep to plow, and, digging a place like a ter-
race for each tree, has planted an orchard. The trees that are of the
hardy varieties look healthy and a number are bearing this season,
four years from planting. One hundred and fifty Northwestern
Greenings are in the lot and look well. It was planted as an experi-
mental orchard, consequently has too many varieties; one thousand
Duchess, one thousand McMahon and one thousand Virginia for top-
working are to be his next planting, which I consider wise. It will
be some work to get the apples down the hill, but, he says, he will
risk that if he can only grow them,”
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EXCELSIOR, MINN.
An Honorary Life Member of the Minnesota State Horticultural
Society and the present Treasurer.
THE MINNESOTA
HORTICULTURIST.
VOL...23 SEPTETDIBER, 1895. NO, 8.
AN EXPERIMENT IN IRRIGATION.
PROF. E. S. GOFF, WIS. EXP. STATION.
As is well known, the strawberry plant quickly suffers from an
insufficient water supply—an event which,in our climate, frequently
occurs in June, the most critical time for the strawberry harvest.
Rather late in the summer of 1893, arrangements were made for ir-
rigating our small fruit grounds from Lake Mendota, to which they
are adjacent, and in 1894 our strawberry beds were irrigated. A
rotary pump, of a claimed capacity of fifty-five gallons per minute
at one hundred revolutions, was connected by a three-inch suction
pipe with the water of the lake, and a two and a half-inch discharge
pipe was laid from the pump to the strawberry plantation, where it
connected with a line of wood troughs that served to distribute the
water to the different rows. The pump was operated by a ten horse-
power threshing engine, though one of half this capacity might
have done the work, The results of this experiment proved so sat-
isfactory that it seemed well to describe it in some detail, not that
the method is new but that the subject is one of great importance to
the small fruit growers of Wisconsin.
The ideal ground for irrigation slopes regularly but very gently
in two directions, though such land is by no means the only kind
a a a
Kia. 48.—Showing method of irrigating strawberries.
302 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
that may be successfully irrigated. The soil should be well culti-
vated at the beginning in order that the water may be readily ab-
sorbed by it,and the cultivator should be fitted with teeth that
make a light furrow on each side of each row of plants.
This half-tone illustration will help the reader to understand many
details of the work, as we performed it. The water falling from the
distributing troughs in small streams flows slowly along the shal-
low furrows on either side of the strawberry rows, permeating the
mellow soil as it proceeds and soaking in among the roots of the
plants without puddling the surface, but leaving it more porous and
permeable to air than after a rain. The attendant with his hoe
directs the course of the streams as they need it, walking the while
on dry. ground. There is no undue packing of the soil and no
puddling of any part of it.
The distributing troughs are an important part of the outfit,
hence these are described in detail. They are made of inch boards
of common quality, which need not be dressed. As the bulk of water
decreases in its forward movement through the troughs, those
farthest from the supply may be made of narrower boards than the
others. Our troughs are of two sizes, the larger being made of one
twelve inch and one ten inch board, and the smaller of one ten inch
and one eight inch board. The boards should be nailed together
strictly at right angles, and cleats should be nailed across the top,
one at the center and one near the ends of each trough, to keep the
boards from spreading.
As will appear from the illustration, the end of one trough sets
inside that of the next. Some trouble was experienced in prevent-
ing leakage at these unions, but generally a little dirt or a strip of
building paper placed between the overlapping boards stopped the
escape of water sufficiently at these points. Theends ofthe troughs
are supported at the proper height by stakes driven in slanting
and crosswise of each other; each of these stakes has a row of small
auger holes through its center about three inches apart, so that by
slipping an iron spike through the pair of stakes at the proper
point they are readily joined together at the desired height. The
stakes are driven into the ground sufficiently to prevent them from
falling over sideways, and a tie strip, not shown in the illustration,
should be pinned across from one stake to the other just at the sur-
face of the ground to prevent the bottoms from spreading or from
settling too far into the ground, as they are sometimes inclined to
do after the soil becomes wet. This tie strip should have a row of
small holes along the center like the stakes, to which it is attached
with spikes,
The water flows from the troughs through three-quarter inch
augur holes or one side, near the bottom and spaced three and a
half feet apart. It is important that these outlets be under ready
control, in order that the water may be evenly distributed to the
different rows. This is accomplished by a little device made of two
small pieces of thin galvanized iron. One has a three-quarter inch
hole through it, half an inch from its lower edge, and the side edges
are bent over so that the other, which has its upper edge bent for-
“= Se
, 7
AN EXPERIMENT IN IRRIGATION. 3803
’
ward ata right angle to form a handle, may be slipped in and thus
form a gate to shut off the hole more or less at will. This device is
tacked with clout nails to the inside of the trough so that the hole
exactly coincides with the one through the board that forms the
side of the trough. lf the attendant discovers that one row of
strawberries is receiving more than its share of water, he partially
closes the gate at the end of this row, and if another row is receiv
ing too little, he opens its gate more. A sufficient length of trough
should be used so that the holes can discharge all of the water de-
livered without being open to their full capacity.
We have found it more satisfactory to apply the water slowly
over a large area at once,and thus give it ample time to soak into the
_ ground, than to apply it faster over a small area. From ten to
twelve hours of pumping were required to thoroughly wet the soil
for one-fourth of an acre of strawberries, and the water gen-
erally came through the two and a half inch pipe under consid-
erable pressure. This will convey some faint idea of the large
amount of water required for irrigation in dry weather.
EFFECT OF IRRIGATION UPON THE YIELD.
Our strawberries were irrigated for the first time June 11, just as
the fruit was beginning to ripen. Atthis time no rain had fallen
since May 23,a period of eighteen days, and the plants were just
‘beginning to show the effects of the drought. The plants immedi-
ately resumed their fresh and vigorous appearance and yielded a
fine crop of excellent fruit. No further watering was needed until
after the picking season, the drought having been relieved by rain
on June 16. A portion of our strawberry plantation was left with-
out irrigation as a check by which to judge the benefits received
fromirrigation. One plat of eighteen rows of Warfield and Wilson
was irrigated on Junell. (These rows were also irrigated August 2
and 8, 1893.) A second plat of nine rows of the same varieties planted
on the same day and with the same stock of plants, was not irrigated
atany time. Therows were 50 feet long. Multiplying the yield of
the rows not irrigated by two to make the area comparable, we have
Bet Stli rt Ated oy Tele er coset sali ara cte Gatcjacme ate Oaanwele 496.6 quarts
BELOW NOt Wriodted: YIClGed Figs oljs..01< 5.5 <isnie netics caves « 252.8 quarts
Bimerence in favor OL Atri SattOn. mes cen os biel cba koe ds 243.8 quarts
The effects of the irrigation appear conspicuously from the ac-
companying graphic diagram. The difference in yield does not ex-
press the whole benefit from the irrigation, since the berries from
the irrigated rows were decidedly larger than those from the rows
not irrigated, which much enhanced their market value.
Irrigated....... A RA a
Not irrigated .. . (agate
From the limited trials thus far made it would be difficult to ac-
curately estimate the cost of irrigation. <A fairestimate of thelabor
required would be three men, working one day, for each half acre
irrigated. This includes the labor of running the engine, of set-
ting up and removing the troughs and the distribution of the
304 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
water. The fuel and interest and wear and tear of pump, engine
and fixtures must be added. There isno question that the irrigation
of our strawberry grounds proved highly profitable, since the crop
on other plantations in the neighborhood that were not irrigated
proved nearly a failure.
After the berry harvest, the plantation looked so well that, though
it had already borne two full crops, it was decided to mow and burn
it over, thin out the plants in the rows and allow it to remain fora
third crop as a further experiment in irrigation. Almost no rain
fell until near the middle of September, and, with the exception of
the check rows, the beds were thoroughly irrigated on July 12 and .
16 and August17. The plants made a most vigorous growth, and
during the latter part of the summer, when the severe droughthad -
destroyed nearly all green herbage, presented a most refreshing ap-
pearance, looking far more promising than spring set beds that had
not beenirrigated. The check rows, on the other hand, were nearly
ruined—long vacant spaces appearing in some of the rows, where
every plant had perished from the protracted drought.
A BUG MACHINE.
Mr. S. D. Willard, of Geneva, N. Y., herewith describes the “bug
machine” which is used on his place in killing the curculio. It
consists of an inverted umbrella-like contrivance made of sheeting,
having a diameter of 9 to 11 feet. This is mounted on a two-wheeled
wheelbarrow, and it having a slit in one side ending at the inverted
apex, the man who operates it can readily push it under a tree until
the trunk is in the centre. Then with a long, paddled stick, the
operator strikes the limbs a quick blow and the curculios fall upon
the sheet, and the wheelbarrow is moved on to the next tree. Just
under the centre is a tin drawer into which the insects are brushed,
and at the end of the rows the box is removed.
At point X two of the arms come near together, leaving a space,
however, wide enough to pass the body of the tree between. The
The dotted line under figure B represents the body of the tree when
the machine is set for jarring. The distance across the sheet, for
instance from E to X, is from 9 to 11 feet; in the machine here shown
9 feet. A represents the wooden arms that support the sheet, all
diverging to one centre midway between the wheels, beneath which
is a tin drawer that is pulled out to D, and the bugs dumped into a
fire box and burned.
OUR WILD FLOWERS. 805
OUR WILD FLOWERS.
MISS SARA M. MANNING. LAKE CITY.
In the bright days after the April snows, we begin to notice the
soft color of the budding willows, while out on sunny hillsides the
grass is springing green, and the furry buds of Pasque-Flower are
unfolding their delicate sepals of lavender and purple. These buds
blossom almost as soon as they have ventured above ground, af-
terward the stem lengthens and the flowering fruit waves abovea
tuft of deeply-cleft leaves. At the same time in low ground the queer
little brown and purple hoods of Swamp Cabbage, which cover a
crowded mass of small flowers, are peeping out from the wet soil-
Soon the little hoods fall to the ground and decay, the thick root-
stock sends upa clump of heart-shaped leaves, broad and viny, sur-
rounding a cluster of globular fruit. In April, too, comes the shy
Spring Beauty (Claytonia Virginica) in moist open woods. The root
isatuber, the simple stem has two narrow opposite leaves anda
small raceme of deeply-vined rose-colored flowers. Another dainty
blossom is Harbinger of Spring (Erigenia bulbosa), which has white
flowers in a leafy umbel. Inrich woods is Bloodroot, so called from
its root of orange red. When it comes up, the lobed leaf is rolled
around the scape, which bearsa single flower. The two flesh-colored
sepals which enfold the bud fall when it expands, leaving the pure
white petals a contrast tothe golden stamens. Later a one-celled
pod is all that is left of these little short-lived children of our shiv-
ering spring.
As the month nears its close, the drooping buds of Hepatica are
forcing their way out from the tangle of their own green and crim-
son leaves of last year. Like several other species of our spring
flowers, the leaves delay their appearing, sending the blossoms
forward to spy out the land. As they come through the ground
they are clothed all up and down their stems with a covering of
silky fur, which falls off, and the flowers in tints of pink or blue open
in the sunshine, soft green leaves appear with rounded or acute
lobes, according to species, which, when the flowers are gone and
only bunches of seed remain, grow long-stemmed, dark and glossy
green,all summer showing where we may find these lovely blossoms
another springtime. All about the roots of oak trees is Wood Ane-
mone, its buds bent upon the surrounding involucre of leaves or
the star-like blossoms looking upward. Rue-Anemone, its clustered
tubers seeming to flourish on stony ground, waves its blushing
blossoms and many leaflets about the brown lichened rocks, where
mats of white Rock Cress cling firmly to their surface and purple
stems of wiry Cliff Brake fill the crevices.
May comes with its freshness and promise, bringing flowers of
many hues. The trees are putting on the tints of springtime—the
bronze of the maples, the soft crimson of the young oaks, the ever
varying shades of buff, grey and olive which come before the denser,
darker foliage of a few weeks later. Beneath the trees Brake, Ostrich
Fern and Flowering Fern are uncoiling, throwing off their light
brown or green woolly coverings, preparing to grow tall and
spreading, thus adding their graceful beauty to every woodland
hs
4g
ae e NT ERE ne Tae EEE ee RIAN TE ere ge
306 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
scene, while on sheltered slopes of the bluffs more rare and fragile
species will soon cover the mossy ledges. On their deeply-shaded
bluffsides we find at this time the Canada Violet, which is a leafy-
stemmed, white violet, the underside of the petals just tinged with
purple; Decentia with finely cut leaves and slender stems of creamy
hearts; wild Sarsaparilla spreading an umbrella-like leaf above its
low greenish umbel; the creeping root-stock of Wild Ginger sending
up hereand there two broad leaves,underneath which the red-brown
flower clings closely to the ground, as if wishing to escape notice,
Small white spikes of Mitrewort and two-leaved Solomon’s Seal
grow upright among the moss. In less shaded spots are Bane-
berries with close racemes of white flowers. Our two species which
resemble each other rather closely in blossom are quite distinct in
fruit, one having bright red berries and the other waxy white.
Shooting-Star (Dodecatheon media) is a little wild thing of the
Primrose family which always seems to have a startled air. To the
same family belongs the dainty Star Flower (Trientalis Americana)
found also at this time in the deep woods. Among bleak
rocks gay Columbine nods in the face of the east wind. With it are
early Meadow-Rue with many drooping leaflets and quivering
stamens, and Bellwort with clasping lily-like leaves and pendulous
flowers of pale yellow. Beside the little stream that twists and
sparkles in the sun,the banks are golden with Marsh Marigold, while
paler Buttercups (Ranunculus repens) creep over the ground by
long runners. Where tall trees throw their shadows, downy yellow
Violet hides its purple, striped flowers beneath its leaves, and Jack-
in-the-Pulpit under its curving spaths stands close to the water.
Here, too, are the two-edged leaves of Sweet Flag, its leaf-like scape
bearing about midway the spadix of greenish flowers, also the
sword-like leaves and variegated blossoms of larger Blue Flag. In
some places the ground is covered with purple and white mottled
leaves of Adder’s Tongue(Erythronium Americanum),with its flowers
light yellow. The closely related Dog’s Tooth Violet, which has
smaller flowers just touched with pink, is occasionally found; also
beds of Gold Thread, known by fibrous orange roots,leaves of shin-
' ing evergreen and one-flowered scapes.
Out on sunny hills, azure Larkspur sends several tall stocks from
its strong roots, each terminating in a long racem? of spurred flow-
ers, and wild Indigo (Baptisia leucophaea) hangs its large creamy
clusters among its low-diverging branches. In sandy soil are light
and dark blue flowers of wild Lupine, long-tubered, straw-colored
flowers of narrow-leaved Gromwell (Lithospermum angustifolium)
and golden Corydalis with blue-green foliage. As the month leaves
us, the bell-like blue flowers of Greek Valerian are in the woods,
light purple wild Cranesbill in the meadows, orange Puccoon in
dry soil, white panicles of northern Bedstraw along the ridges, vio-
let Wood Sorrel in plowed land, Strawberry blossoms flushing the
hillsides and everywhere beautiful blue Violets sprinkling the
grass.
June is the month of beauty, the month of the sweet wild Rose,
which grows in fragrant jungles all up and down the hillsides,
while many other beautiful shrubs blossoming at the same time
OUR WILD FLOWERS. 307
make scenes of wayside loveliness. Wild flowers now come with
bewildering rapidity. Painted Cup makes itself known in the woods
by an array of brilliant scarlet bracts, which hide the small flowers.
Larger yellow Lady’s Slipper is often found with it, and occasion-
ally the smaller species (Cypripedium parviflorum), which has nar-
rower and more pointed leaves and both petals and sepals more
shaded with brown. Small white Lady’s Slipper and showy Orchis
are rare and delightful little plants of the same family. Green
Orchis (Habenaria bracteata) grows among graceful Maidenhair
Ferns, in damp ravines, and small two-leaved Orchis (Habenaria
Hookeri) near mossy ledges where tender swaying Harebells are
mingled with lace-like ferns. In partially shaded nooks is white
Wake Robin surrounded by its whorl of three leaves. The petals
flush to rose color a day or two after opening. Often parasitic on
roots of trees are waxen Indian Pipes (Monotropa uniflora) which
because of its ghastly appearance the Indians named the “Ghost
Flower.” The stems grow in clusters from a bunch of rootlets. The
whole plant is a dead white, resembling a fungous growth, but it
turns dark even with the most careful handling. Purple and white
Vetchlings climb by their tendriled leaves upon the bushes of the
hillsides, where also Hedge Bineweed trails and twines its long
stems and Morning Glory-like flowers.
In cool shade are beds of Pyrola with rounded evergreen leaves
and wax-like spikes of white flowers. Beside streams Solomon’s
Seal swings its rows of green bells beneath its fern-like stem, where
at the same time are pink Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum Virginicum),
blue Skullcap (Sentellaria versicolor), white feathery clusters of
False Spikenard (Smilacina racemosa) and Marsh Bellwort too frail
to stand clinging to the high grass. Among well-known plants of
southern bluffsides and prairies are Butterfly Weed which grows
in large clumps and is conspicuous because of its clustered um-
bels of brilliant orange, Ground Cherry, its drooping bells brown-
centered, Meadow Parsnip with flat umbels of small yellow flowers,
and Spiderwort in many shades of purple and blue. Flowering
Spurge attracts attention by the petal-like involucre of white bracts,
and Psoralea (Psoralea argophylla) by stems and leaves of silvery
whiteness. Where the soil is richer are Sanicle (Sanicula Mary-
landica), which has greenish compound umbels, spreading mats of
Seneca Snake root (Polygala Senega), tipped with white pointed
spikes, beautiful wild Phlox and three-flowered Avens (Geum triflo-
rum), a striking piant both in blossom and fruit. In June there are
Fleabanes, Groundsel, Cane Flowers and a few other species of
compositae, forerunners of the great host waiting to invade the
land in late summer and autumn.
In July the scent of Clover blossoms fills the air. All the wood-
land paths begin to be obstructed by tangled undergrowth or shut
in by Sumach bushes. Vines wander over shrubs or garland the
trees making bowers of beauty. In ponds and water that flows
softly are sweet-scented Water Lilies, which open their pure blos-
soms early inthe morning, closing them again in the afternoon;
at last the closed flower is drawn down to ripen the seed beneath
308 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
the surface. Very still water is covered with the leaves and bright
blossoms of yellow Pond Lily. Bordering these ponds are Water
Plantain (Alisma plantago), which has many small white flowers
and broad cordate leaves, and Arrowhead (Sagittaria variabilis), so
named from the form of the leaves; its white flowers are arranged
in whorls of three around the stem.
In meadows above the high grasses are yellow Loosestrife, white
umbels and large pinnate leaves of Meadow Parsnip, loose pani-
cles of Swamp Saxifrago, rose-purple heads of Swamp Milkweed and
Turk’s-Cap Lily, its spotted sepals rolled backward. Half hidden in
the grass are pale purple Gerardia, much deeper purple Mimulus
and crimson heads of Milkwort (Polygala sanguinta). Early in
July showy Lady’s Slipper lifts its purple and white moccasins
above the thick growth of ferns on our northern bluffsides. It
has a coarse leafy stem but by far the prettiest flower of the genus.
The tossing white sepals give them an alert look, as though they
might suddenly fly away. With it we find orange-red Lily, Zyg-
adene (Zygadenus elegans) with long grass-like leaves and graceful
greenish sprays, and spreading Dogbane (Apocynum androsaemi-
folium), which has rich dark foliage and drooping rose-colored
flowers striped with red.
Another choice plant is Grass Pink (Calopogon pulchellus); its
flowers are beautifully bearded with white,purple and yellow hairs.
Ladies’ Tresses (Spiranthes Romanzoffiana) isa rare plant of the
same family, which also has grassy leaves and small pure white
flowers. One occasionally finds its haunts in some cool bog or ra-
vine. The Pulse, Verbena, Figwort and Mint families add many
species to July plants of woods and prairies, among which are pink
and white Prairie Clovers, tall Vervains, Speedwell (Veronica Vir-
ginica), which has clustered white spikes, wild Bergamont, so
noticeable all through the woods for its many flowers of light crim-
son,and wild Mint (Mentha Canadensis) with white balls in the
axils of the fragrant leaves. An especially pretty plant which
grows inthicketsis Starry Campion (Silene stellata), the fringed
petals showing ata glance that itis a member of the Pink family,
as is also Catchfly with its sleepy flowers.
In August Sunflowers and the earlier Goldenrods and Asters are
blooming on the edges of the wood and along the banks of the little
stream that threads the woodland ways beside you, where are blue
Lobelia, tall Bellwort, Grass of Parnassus, its petals striped with
green, and Jewell-Weed (Impatiens fulva) grown into large bushes,
hanging its irregular orange flowers against the dark foliage.
Cardinal flower, shyest and showiest of our wild flowers, lights up
the swamp lands where bushes bend to the breeze and Cat-Tail Flags
grow erect and strong. Shallow pools are dotted with the white
stars of Water Crowfoot (Ranunculus aquatilis, var. trichophyllus),
whose leaves with thread-like divisions are beneath the surface. Wa-
ter Polygonum (Polygonum amphibium) roots in the mud, and its
bright pointed spikes grow upward through the water on which
float the long-petioled, shining leaves. In springs are the spreading
branches and bright blossoms of Monkey- Flower (Mimulus Jamesii),
Pe eS eee EMS eee ce Soper ae ee ee
oi ;
OUR WILD FLOWERS. 809
also true Water-Cress, escaped from cultivation. False Dragon-
head (Physostegia Virginiana) bends its wand-like stems and bright
pink flowers where in the springtime the water overflowed. Here,
’ too, are yellow Chrysanthum-like flowers of larger Bur-Marigold,
é (Bidens Chrysanthemoides). Carpet-Weed (Mollugo verticillata)
= forms round mats upon the sand, and Water Hemp (Acnidatuber-
fs culata) straggles over the gravel. The lake shore banks are at some
: points golden with Partridge Pea(Cassia chamaccrista)whose bright
flowers have six purple and four yellow anthers. The leaves are
. sensitive. Toward the last of the month the throng of compositae
‘ rapidly increases. There are various species of Thistle, Blazing
. Star, Rosin- Weed, Rattlesnake-Root, Hawkweed, with Lettuce, Thor-
oughwort, Ironweed, Snakeweed, Boltomia, etc.
In September days there are Asters in all shades of lavender, pink,
purple, crimson and white, and Goldenrods of many species, blos-
soming in royal profusion everywhere. The Fringed Gentian
withers in the meadows where the leaves and ferns are all golden
brown with autumn coloring, but we find the blue, closed Gentian,
that flower which always seems in bud. The yellow Wood Sorrel,
which began to blossom weeks before,is still clothed with its bright
flowers. We detect a faint odor of Violets, like a memory of spring,
and discover that it comes from the chocolate-brown clusters of
Ground Nut,a late blossoming vine. Two other vines which blos-
som until late September and add to the tangle by the streams are
one-seeded Bur-Cucumber and wild Balsam Apple. In the woods
Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis Margaritaceae) still keeps its fresh
look among the great mass of plants gone to seed.
When October air lays chill over the autumn-tinted landscape, ~
making the stretch of trees look shadowy in the distance, the whole
3 country is gold and scarlet-russet and brown with the changing
leaves. On bluffsides are a few later Asters and one last species of
Goldenrod (Solidago latifolia.) The light blue five-flowered Gentian
blossoms among the dark rocks, while in open woods the latest of
our wild flowers, the Gentian (Gentiana proberula),which has petals
so deeply blue, looks out from the frost-reddened leaves. In our
late summer and autumn walks, instead of the bright blossoms
which used to greet us, we find an interesting and bewildering array
of ripened fruits and seeds and form an intimate acquaintance with
burs of various kinds. We notice the bursting pods of the Milk-
weeds as the brown seeds with their tufts of silky hairs float away
on the breeze like a colony of fairy balloons, or the Tumbleweed as
it bounds over the prairie before the winds, knowing that these are
a few of the many and wonderful ways provided for the dissemina-
; tion of seeds.
e In the white days of winter,we find the overarching branches bare
R or with the withered leaves of last year still clinging tothem. It
is then we learn to understand shrubs and trees better than when
robed with leaves. We see the sturdiness and strength of the
: widely spreading Bur Oaks, the graceful outline of the Elms and
: how readily they bend to the blast, the ashy gray of the Poplars
4 against the mottled hillside and the white gleam of the Birches.
+ ey ee ne Mee Ue oe eh ree oe hide So kre
% oe ee - P ‘
310 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Each tree and shrub has its own peculiar traits, and each may be
recognized as an old friend of the summertime by its mauner of
growth or coloring.
“A year of time!
What pomp of rise and shut of day,
What hues wherewith our Northern clime
Makes autumin’s dropping woodlands gay,
What airs out blown from ferny dells,
And clover bloom and sweetbrier smells,
What songs of brooks and birds, what fruits and flowers,
Green woods and moonlit snows, have in its round been ours.”’
THE FARMERS’ INSTITUTE AS A METHOD OF TEACH-
ING THE FARMERS HORTICULTURE.
(A DISCUSSION. )
Mr. Wm. Somerville: Mr. President; For a number of
years I have been a member of the State Horticultural Society
—since it first started—,and when we have met together from
year to year we would talk over our successes, discourage-
ments and disappointments, but it was always on the inside of
our own circle, and we never had any method of getting it
before the farmers of the state, until the farmers’ institute was
started. Now, the farmers really are the ones that need the
teaching; they are entitled to it. We get appropriations, state
appropriations, for our horticultural work, and we get state
appropriations that the people have to pay for our institute
work, and it is those who have to pay these appropriations
that want and ought to know how and when to take care of
trees, fruits, plants, etc. Those of us who meet together here
from time to time get some information from each other, but
the books that are published by the society containing our
deliberations very rarely get outside of our own organization,
hence, it is only a small percentage that get the needed
information. Since the farmers’ institutes have been started
there has always been some person provided to represent the
horticultural interest, and I claim that of all interests repre-
sented in the farmers’ institute, that interest should stand first,
because farmers know more about feeding their hogs corn and
feeding the cows on their farms than they do about taking
care of trees and raising small fruit on the farm. Hence, I
hold that as fast as there is more teaching on this subject,
many farmers will become interested in this matter.
I was with the farmers’ institute for three or four years.
I found this, that they were anxious to get all the knowledge
rey
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* FARMERS’ INSTITUTES. oLL
they could, and from what letters I have received from all over
the state, wherever we have held an institute, in which they
wanted to know how they were to take care of their small
fruits, their forests and all of that kind of things, it has led
me to believe that there has been more done directly in the
raising of small fruits and setting out of trees in the last four
years than has ever been done before in Minnesota. They also
want warning; the country is full of agents from other states
selling bogus trees, and these farmers want to be warned not
to buy trees outside of the state. They ought to know it, and
the only way to get the information to them is to continue
telling them the danger they are in, and that if they get trees
from outside the state, they will be a failure. Our trees
have to be acclimated to our soil. If we go to the South for
our trees, where the trees are growing under different condi-
tion and on different soil, and we plant those trees here, and
the wood is not thoroughly ripened ready for winter, they will
be a miserable failure, and we are retarding the cause of
horticulture by doing so. We ought to do something to stop
those outside agents from coming into our state and selling
such trees, and the farmers ought to be notified to that effect.
They are as thick all over our state now as the frogs were in
Egypt, and through the farmers’ institutes we can do a great.
deal to check those frauds. ;
I find our horticultural society has not taken interest enough
to give Mr. Gregg the horticultural work that ought to go in
his book. We have not given horticulture the space we ought
to give it. For that reason all the papers on horticulture I
have written for this society, I have given to Mr. Gregg to be
published in that book. I claim that all interests ought to be
represented. Iam not here begging for the job, butI do claim
there should be a representative of the horticultural interest
in our farmers’ institutes. The farmer is entitled to the
knowledge and should have it. é:
M. Pearce: I think more good work all over the state can be
done through the farmers’ institutes than in any other way in which
our horticultural society can work; at the same time I advocate
something entirely different from what has ever been attempted in
the farmers’ institutes. I speak from experience. You take a building
that is pretty well filled—two or three hundred persons present—
and you will find that nearly all of them are directly interested in
cattle, hogs, horses, wheat and such products, nearly every one of
them; I may safely say nine out ofevery ten. Asa rule, nine-tenths
of the farmers attend farmers’ institutes just for the purpose of hear-
ing something about those subjects, and the moment you speak of
oie MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
horticulture it falls on them like a wet blanket; over fifty per cent.
don’t want to hear anything aboutit. I have watched the thing just
as carefully as I could,and I could see it on the countenance of every
man present. There might be some fifteen or twenty horticulturists
there, and their faces would glow with animation. I do notcare
who it is that may be speaking, if he knows that there are fifty or
seventy-five per cent of those present who care nothing at all about
what he says, pay no attention to it, he can have no courage at all
to talk; he does not feel like it.
My suggestion is this, and if we will adopt it, we can do an im-
mense amount of good. I want our institute work so far as horti-
culture is concerned held in a place by itself; I want all our straw-
berry growers there, our blackberry growers, every one who is at all
interested in horticulture; I want all the horticulturists right there,
and if it is properly conducted we can draw three hundred per cent.
more there—if each one gets just what he wants, the cow man, the
horse man, the sheep man, the wheat man; they are all interested in
their work, and I claim itis better to give them separate instruction
than to try to hold themall together. Ido not care anything about a
person who has no interest in horticulture—we want only those who
are interested. If those men are educated right up to the work, they
become enthusiastic, they spread over the country in different
places, and they will do good work, and they will do an immense
amount of good by demonstrating what they can do. Now, that is
my system of teaching horticulture in our farmers’ institutes. We
will make thorough men out ofsome. We cannot do one-tenth justice
to the interests of horticulture in the time we now have given us.
We have thirty minutes. One-half the speakers cannot get started
in that time. We want the forenoon and the afternoon. I think by
following those suggestions we can do an immense amount of good.
Wm. Somerville: This institute work is a peculiar thing. You
take the cow interest; you can send a man all over this country to
talk cow, and you can hardly get acorporal’s guard out. You take
the hog interest, and get as good a man as Theodore Louis to talk
about it, and you can hardly get acorporal’s guard out. You take
horticulture and undertake to run that interest by itself, and you
can get still less out to hearit. You must give them a variety of
things. So far as time is concerned, I have never been allowed less
than oneand a half hours; I would talk horticulture, and it would not
throw a wet blanket over the people. If you are interested yourself,
you will get along all right, and you will get the crowd to listen to
you, and you will get them interested enough so they will inquire
about horticulture.
Mr. E. H.S. Dartt: I think I have been imposed upon a little this
morning. My friend over there has been stealing my thunder talk-
ing about fools. He said there were seventy-five per cent. of the
people at farmers’ institutes who paid no attention to us. I have
had alittle practice in that line. In order not to do that, I think
when we get up and look a little wise and know about what we are
talking, we should deal out our wisdom in small doses to suit the
capacity of the audience to digest what we give out. There is an-
FARMERS’ INSTITUTES. 313
other danger; if we dealit out in large doses, if we undertake to
cover the whole question, we will be liable to exhaust our stock of
knowledge, and there would be nothing left of us.
Pres. Underwood: I would like to say a few words on this sub-
ject. By virtue of my office as president of this society I am one of
the directors of the farmers’ institute. A number of our members
have spoken to me about the farmers’ institute, and have asked me,
“What is Mr. Gregg doing, and how is the horticultural interest be-
ing represented?” and I did not feel as though I knew anything
about it, so I wrote a lot of letters to different parts of the state and
talked with Mr. Gregg in order to get myself more directly in line
with the work. While I think of it, want to say that there isa
great deal of force in what Mr. Dartt has said, that people’s minds can
contain only so much. I think itis like listening to a speech or
sermon; when the mind becomes full it does not retain any more,
and the speaker might as well stop. You filla pail full, and you
cannot make it holdanymore. I think, as friend Dartt has said, you
do not want to give the subject too much time. As Mr. Somerville
says, you cannot successfully conduct a farmers’ institute without
having the different branches of horticulture, agriculture, dairying
and the farm interests represented. Iam certain that it has to be
conducted on that line in order that it may beasuccess. Mr. Gregg
has made a success of it, and all we want to do is to be prepared to
present our interests in the best manner possible and in the time
that is alloted of us.
These institutes have to be conducted like an entertainment. You
call together a great lot of people, some hog men, some horsemen,
some cattle men, dairymen, beekeepers and those representing ~
other interests—and in order to make a success of an institute, you
must have these various interests represented—, and you want a
shrewd, sharp, witty, intellectual man, in fact, you want all of those
qualities combined in a man in order to stand up before an audience
and hold their attention and make a success of it. All I want to say
‘is, that as a representative of this horticultural society, if any of the
members can suggest anything to me whereby I may, with any
influence I may have by virtue of my office, further the interests of
horticulture, I shall be glad to have you do so. I shall be glad to
have you talk with me or correspond with me in regard to this mat-
ter as how to best develop our interests in the farmers’ institutes.
That is what Mr. Gregg wants. Be prepared to suggest things, to
hold up his hands, and if we have our minds upOn this matter, we
can do so. In corresponding with the various members of the
society, they have invariably expressed themselves as being satis-
fied with the work that was being done, and had no suggestions to
offer as to what was needed. I can assure you that during the next
year, if we have a mind to—and let us all try to do it—we can greatly
advance our horticultural interest in the institute work.
Mr. Bush: I met Dr. Curryer the other day; he was in our village
to arrange for an institute, and we shall have three or four halls, and
we shall try to bunch our horticultural interests, and dairy interests
and others in each of those halls. The dairy interests will havea hall
314 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
by itself, and the same with the other interests. It is a somewhat
different departure from the work as it has been usually conducted,
bot [ think it is yoing to be a grand success.
Mr. Dartt: I did not understand what question was being dis-
cussed, and if I made any remarks that were out of the way its “fools
for luck.” (Laughter.)
S. D. Richardson: I would like to ask the gentlemen who has
just sat down what he is going to do with an all-around man,a man
who is interested the horse, cow, sheep, hog and horticulture,what is
he going to do with such a man?
Mr. Bush: He would be on the road most of the time. (Laughter.)
Mr. Somerville: Iwill answer you in that particular. Where we
occupy two halls it has been like this. I would talk at one hall and
as soon as my time was out at that place I would go to the other
hall, and the other man would come to the first hall and tell his
story, and in that way they all heard our stories and were interested.
I am aware there will be quite an interest expressed in horticulture
where Mr. Bush lives, and there ought to be some person there to
represent it; that is my neighborhood, and it is said “No prophet is
without honor save in his own country.”
Dr. M. M. Frisselle: I want to say a word or two about this farm-
ers’ institute business. I quite subscribe to what Mr. Somerville
has said, still I think there are one or two other points which might
be brought out in connection with it. Mr. Greggs is a very able
man in this work, and he has donea very grand work throughout
the state. I have attended a good many of the institutes, and I know
from the interest manifested in the instruction given that it was
profitable, and the plan that has always been pursued at the various
institutes of holding the meeting in the same hall and having the
different interests combined is an excellentone. The audience likes
achange. Itis like going outto dinner; we do not like roast beef
all the time, and we don’t like coffee to drink all the time. Wherea
man speaks twenty to thirty minutes on horticulture, another on
hogs or on the dairy industry, the people like it better, and they really
get more good out of it thanif two hours were spent in discussing
one branch.
Here is a point in which we might make an improvement: Our
state is a very large state; the interest in these farmers’ institutes
is largely increasing. It is surprising how the people come for
those books that are published. Every man that comes to the
institute gets one of those volumes. Any volume is worth a dollar,
and they come long distances on purpose to get this book; and while
they get this book they get a good deal of other information, and
this book and this information should be more widely disseminated
throughout our state. I had the fortune (misfortune to the people,
I think,) to be out acouple of weeks With the institute corps, and I
know people who came twenty miles to attend the farmers’ institute,
and some farmers came that distance and went back the same night
in weather as coldas itis today. I do not think I should want to go
quite as far as that in weather likethis. In this large state of eighty
counties or more, and with only one corps of institute workers, it is
FORESTRY. 315
accessible to only a few, comparatively. You cannot reach all the
people with only one corps, you cannot do it. These institutes that
are held in various places will go there this year, and then it will be
two or three years before they will have another institute; they want
it to come every year; once in two or three years is not enough, In
order to give the people what they want and what they need, it
seems to me it would be advisable to put more than one corps of
workers in the field. Divide the state into two parts; two corps
would work just as well as one, In Wisconsin they have four corps,
and I understand they are carried on very successfully indeed. Our
people pay the bills, and who is to be benefitted? The people
ought to be benefitted. We think we can afford to build a four or
five million dollar courthouse in Minneapolis, and the people pay
the bills. This isa large subject. I think the people ought to have
some benefit from the taxation; I think they ought to have more
than they have now, and I donot know how it can be better given to
them than through the farmers’ institute work.
FORESTRY.
REV. O. A. TH. SOLEM, HALSTED.
The intelligent observer who to a limited extent understands the
important significance to our country and our people, both for the
present and {uture, of protecting our forests and the vigorous efforts
being made to promote the advancement of timber culture, cannot
refrain from rejoicing over every little attempt made in that direc-
tion. The great and commendable work done by our society in
constantly agitating the matter cannot be overestimated, and the
interest taken in the progressive work in bringing its importance
before the people is really worthy of highest commendation. The
press to some extent, especially so in the larger cities, have aided us
very much in our work, and the co-operation of our local country
papers has been of great value to our society and the furtherance
of the grand object we seek to attain.
The terrific forest fires of the previous year have opened the eyes
of many to the stern necessity of immediate action, with a view to
protecting our forests from the many enemies that threated to de-
stroy it. We hopethat every owner of a tract of land, however small,
will proceed at once to plant a few trees thereon.
It affords us great pleasure to be able to state that last spring
there were a goodly number of trees set out in this vicinity, and, to
judge from the interest manifested the past year, tree culture will
assume marvelous proportions with the advent of the approaching
spring. The people now are desirous of knowing what varieties to
plant and how to treat them. Quite a number of people have
obtained trees from my nursery, and when occasionally I stroll
around the settlement, these trees, rank and robust in appearance
seemingly, as it were, gracefully and politely greet meas I pass
with the warmth and ardor of old acquaintances. At some places
316 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
do these stately and thrifty trees in their virgin splendor, as it were,
speak to me, saying: “I have received good and kind treatment in
accordance with your instructions to my nurse and proprietor when
I left you;” others invariably say: “Here I stand isolated and
parched, the soil so hard and baked that my roots cannot spread
and work their way through, and the weeds robbing me of every
drop of water that the gentle showers lavish upon me in a bounti-
ful measure, could I but retain it. The cattle are allowed to roam
over my inheritance, treading me down, and I feel so overcome and
despondent that death would be a relief; therefore, I long to die.
I have desired so much to perform my mission in this world, but
have been given no opportunity, and my owner, by whom I was
adopted, must be held responsible for the result.”
When my friends convey such a sprig to the place where they
desire to plant it and I happen to behold its neglectful appearance,
I procure a spade and a wheelbarrow by which to transport loose
pulverized earth, chips or mulch, to be placed around it, and next
time that I come around the very same trees exhibit a prosperous,
healthy and contented appearance.
Formerly the standard rule was to plant cottonwood, now re is
my honest conviction that it is injurious for many reasons to
plant any of that kind. People are now beginning to plant trees of
the varieties foundin our native timber belts here, and where secured
by careful selection they seemingly do well; others gather seeds and
plant them where they desire to have them stand in the future. The
tree agents have no longer the harvest they were accustomed to
gather by their immense sales of cottonwood trees. ThisIcall a
happy sign.
One thing that has destroyed our forests to an alarming extent
is the foolish and absurd practice of converting timber lands into
pasturage. Cattle,horses and sheep destroy the young timber, each
in their own peculiar way. The thoughtful farmer cannot afford to
have his trees destroyed in that way. Here is ample material for
the “press” and it should not hesitate, promptly and without
reserve, to show up the disastrous results from the destruction of
our forests, repeating it at intervals and never letting up until the
people are convinced that it will not do to allow our forests to be
ruined, isolated and destroyed. Hon.S. M. Owen, itis to be hoped
will be presentatour gathering. Thisreport is in the main addressed
to him, and other representatives of the “press” that will permit
their papers to serve the people and our country.
Now “What variety of trees shall I plant?” isa question that natu-
rally arises. Formerly, when a person planted a certain variety and
that particular kind hada tendency to thrive and do well, the people
were not slow to follow suit; they must invariably plant the same
variety or not at all. Others cling to the belief that they must plant
the same kind of trees that they were accustomed to plant where
they formerly lived, for instance, cottonwood trees; they do not
seem to have any regard for climate, latitude or soil, and still less
for the variety most needed in the future.
The prodigy confronts us then, that where the venture has been
made at tree planting we will find the same variety over the entire
settlement, and every grove of timber is exclusively of one variety.
Bs i
ee ee ae ee Ree ey
FORESTRY. 317
Ineed not mention the injudiciousness thereof from a pecuniary
standpoint. How a lover of nature must feel at such unnatural
arrangement! Nature should be imitated here, also.
The next question that arises is, how shall I proceed to plant the
different varieties of trees? In this connection I will say, in a way
thatis by no means a new way, but on the contrary, and that, I
believe, has great significance where the winters are long and cold,
and where we suffer from drought—plant the seed and when super-
fluous trees spring up, thin them out lateron. When we undertake
to move trees, the tender and otherwise delicate roots are more or
less injured, and by transplanting the natural line of the roots is
disturbed, resulting in injury to the future growth, thriftiness and
hardiness of the trees.
When the germ sprouts, the roots form first and grow outward
several feet, as the tree requiresit. What importance or significance
this has in severe drought is easily understood and explained and
is of equal, if not more, importance when coming in contact with
severe cold. While the roots of the transplanted trees are solidly
frozen, the roots of those grown from seed extend to dry earth.
Would it not be considered immodest, I would desire to ask, if any
one has tried the experiment of planting the seed from the hardy
varieties of apple trees in places where trees would grow, thrive
and be expected to bear fruit, and also the grafting process, to ascer-
tain whatinfluence the same would have on the thriftiness and hard-
iness of the trees, etc. I have been unabie to find any report on this
experiment.
My different varieties of evergreen and deciduous trees have in
but few instances failed of the desired results.
In my former report I made mention of the European birch asa
tree of great promise. Ithas greatly exceeded my expectations, and
our soil seems to be adapted to it, as it grows rapidly and seems to
bevery hardy. I arrange these trees in rows between the evergreens
asa pleasant and agreeable contrast to the verdant attire of the
evergreens.
Norway spruce and Scotch pine grow rapidly, but our old trusted
and tried natives, such as white pine and spruce may prove to be
the safest in the end; white pine seems to do remarkably well here.
To our horticultural friends, I will say that I raised a considerable
quantity of small fruit last summer. Could you have seen what
Victoria and Prince Albert was capable of producing in the family
of currants, and, especially, Hansell and Cuthbert in the raspberry
family, you certainly would have admitted that wheat alone is not
the only product that can be raised here. Mrs. Solem very much
doubts that any one living west of Minneapolis can exhibit a fruit
pantry so rich and rare as the one that she ownsand controls. It is
notin the summer only that fruit is delicious and relished.
Now, a word to our bee friends. I hada hive that swarmed, and,
consequently, two was formed of one. Of the first one I took out
ninety-six pounds of honey, and from the second forty pounds
From this it will be readily seen that the Red river valley may be
in time equally as celebrated and renowned on account of its pro-
duction of fruit and honty as it formerly has been for its produc-
tion of wheat.
318 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
A FARMER’S GARDEN.
Fruits and Vegetables,
WM. SOMERVILLE, VIOLA.
We should have one acre set apart for that purpose well enriched
and as near the house as possible for convenience, and we should
have it plowed in the fall. When the ground is dry enough to culti-
vate, we should thoroughly drag and then take a half day for gar-
den work.
First, we want to plant some lettuce, some onions, some peas, also
some potatoes; as light frosts do not injure these, we can plant
early. Ithink it always best to plant in drills, as it is easier to cul-
tivate.
An asparagus bed is needed also. We can buy the plants very
reasonably, or, if we want to grow from seed, we can do that by
putting the seedsin a box, the same as we do cabbage, in the house.
Then, in early spring when the plants are large enough to set out,
it is best to set them in rows and grow them one year; then prepare
the ground the next year, say, a rod square, manure heavily and
then, with a spade, dig it all over at least a foot deep, thoroughly ©
mixing the manure as you spade. Set the plants one foot apart
each way, putting the crown three inches below the surface. The
first summer cultivate with shallow cultivation, keeping all grass
and weeds out; then, in the fall cover all over two or three inches
deep with well rotted manure; then, the next spring sow one quart
of salt,as the salt has a tendency to improve the growth of the plant
and at the same time it stops the germinating powers of the weed
seeds. Asparagus should be in every farmer’s garden, as all it
wants from year to yearis alittle more manure and a little more
salt. Itis the first of garden products in the spring, and you can
keep cutting it to the first of July and do no harm; and there is no
piece of ground on the farm of the same size that will give the same
amount of food.
When we think the frosts are past, we want to set out our cabbage
and tomatoes. When the ground has been well prepared and
enriched, take the garden line and stretch across the garden and
set cabbage plants two feet apart along the line; then move the line
three feet and set another row, if necessary, for late cabbage. For
winter use it is best not to set so early, as they have too long a sea-
son to grow and frequently the heads will burst. To prevent or kill
the cabbage worm, road dust or salt will some times be sufficient,
but this summer I had to apply hot water two or three times, before
I got rid of them. For tomatoes the rows should be four feet apart
and four feet between the plants.
Everything in a garden should be put in rows, so it can be culti-
vated with a horse. Cultivate shallow and often, and a crop is
certain.
Next, we want our beans, radishes, carrots, parsnips and beets;
these also should be planted in rows, so as to be cultivated as much
as possible with a horse.
A FARMER'S GARDEN. 319
Then we want our small fruits. Where we want to plant our straw-
berries, it is well to let no weeds go to seed the year before we want
to use it; then, in the fall manure well with well rotted manure and
plow under; then,as soon as the ground is in condition to work, drag
it until you get it in good shape. Now, you want good.
healthy plants, and you do not want the roots long exposed to the
sun, and not too many varieties—four or five varieties are plenty for
any farmer’s garden. Of the tried varieties I think the following are
as goodasany: Warfield, Crescent, Haverland, Wilson and Captain
Jack. Plant these, first a row of Crescents, then a row of Wilson,
then a row of Warfield, then Captain Jack, then the Haverland.
When you are ready for planting, if there are any dry leaves on
the plants, take them off; and if the roots are too long, cut off to four
inches; put them in a pan of water; then stretch the line across the
garden and with a spade open the ground, separate the roots and
put down the plant where you have opened the ground with the
spade, leaving the crown even with the surface. Set them fifteen
inches apart along the row. Then move the line four feet and set
out the next row the same, making the rows four feet apart and
fifteen inches between the plants. Then you want to cultivate
through the summer frequently and keep down all grass and weeds.
Do not let them fruit the first summer, but pull the blossoms off in
July. When they throw outrunners turn them along the row, so
you will have what nurserymen calla matted row. When the ground
freezes, cover them in that condition till spring. Do not take the
covering off too soon in the spring,so that you may escape the early
frost that might kill the bloom and cause you to lose acrop. Take
it off carefully and leave it between the rows, so as to retain the
moisture they so much need in fruiting.
When you have picked the fruit, take a scythe and mow the bed
off clean and take the mulch and all and putin acompact pile or
burn up. Then take a plow and turn a furrow each way from the
rows, leaving fifteen inches standing inthe row. Do not leave these
furrows open long but witha cultivator or shovel plow level the
ridge down, keeping always as level a surface as possible. When
the ground freezes cover for another crop. The next spring seta
new bed.
Next, we want our gooseberries. We do not want them set too
close together, we want to set them at least five feet apart so that they
can have a free circulation of air for they ate subject to mildew.
For a good fruit I know of none better than the Houghton seedling
or Downing. Leached ashes area good fertilizer and also good to
destroy insects.
Then we want our currant bushes, and we want them set in rows
so that we can cultivate them. We want the rows six feet apart and
six feet between the bushes in the row, giving a free circulation of
air and not allowing them to grow too thick. Keep the old stock
cut out,as the new wood bears more and larger fruit. Keep them
well mulched with leached ashes and cultivate well, and you are
sure ofacrop. The currant worm is the worst enemy the fruit has,
yet they are easily destroyed by mixing a tablespoonful of white
3820 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
hellebore in four gallons of water and with a garden sprinkler
spraying it over the bushes; in ten days repeat, and generally the
end is accomplished. Do this when first discovered. As for varieties,
there are a number of them. The Red and the White Dutch are as
good as any; the Victoria and the Long Bunch Holland are also
good. The White Grape is the most reliable white currant I know
of for family use, but is not so good for market, not having theright
color. The Fay’s Prolific has large fruit but is a shy bearer, and I
do not believe it is adapted to our climate.
The Lake City nursery sent mea new variety called the North Star,
that has fruited with me; it appears to be an improvement on the
old varieties. The fruit is a bright red, large and not as acid as the
old varieties, and from appearance in growth of wood and fruit will
become a valuable accession to our list of small fruits.
Next, we must have our raspberries. There is no smallfruit so
certain of a crop, and which pays so well for the labor given as does
this fruit. It scarcely ever gets injured by frosts, as the fruit comes
on the new growth of wood. We want the ground well prepared. It
is best to plow in the fall; then as soon as the ground is in condi-
tion, drag it till you get it pulverized. Have your sets ready; take
one horse and a plow and run furrows nine feetapart, or take the gar-
den line and stretchit on the ground and set them five feet apart;
then, if you wish, you can plant any hoed crop, i.e. potatoes, cab-—
bage or anything but corn, so that you need not waste the ground.
Cultivate well.
The next spring, set your posts and stretch your wire (common
fence posts are the best). Commence at one end of the row and set
two post eighteen inches apart, then go one and a half rods, and so
on to the end of the row, leaving the fruit row between the posts.
Then, using common, smooth fence wire, put two wires, one two feet
from the ground, the other four, which leaves eighteen inches be-
tween the posts. Then take the team and wagon and draw mulch,
wet straw or coarse stable manure, and fill in between the rows four
or five inches deep. It keeps down the weeds and grass and retains
the moisture in the ground for the benefit of the fruit when it needs
it most.
The advantage of making the rows so far apart is this: you can
in the spring drive between the rows with your wagon with mulch
to put between the rows, and, if the rows were closer together, it
would have to be accomplished with a wheelbarrow if done at all,
and land is cheaper than labor. Mulching saves cultivation and is
better, because it stops evaporation, keeps the ground cool and
retains the moisture better than cultivation; also, keeps down all
grass and weeds.
Varieties of red raspberries. The Turner is the hardiest and will
stand more freezing with less injury than any other variety I know
of. The fruit is medium in size and good in flavor. The Cuthbert
is also a good variety; fruit larger than the Turner and a better mar-
ketberry. Marlboro is alsoa very productive fruit, large, and bright
red, anda vigorous grower. The Golden Queen fruit is large, of a
fine flavor and bright yellow in color, very prolific, but kills back
E A FARMER’S GARDEN. 321
badly if not laid down and covered up. The Caroline is alsoa yel-
low berry, of good size and quality, hardier than the Yellow Queen
for family use. I think Shafer’s Collosal is first choice. The fruit
is large, purple in color; not a good market berry, it being soft and
the color not favorable. It is a hybrid between the blackcap and the
red, and has to be propagated from the tips the same as blackcaps.
For blackcaps, the Ohio is a vigorous grower, fruit large and shin-
ing black, of a fine flavor; a good market berry. Souhegan, highly
recommended, but Ihave none. The Gregg is a good variety. The
Tyler bears fruit not so large as the Ohio, but earlier.
Now for their care after fruiting. I believe, in any exposed loca-
tion, it pays to cover them up in winter. You get more fruit, and
there is more vitality in the canes to mature their crop. All canes
will kill back more or less in the winter unless covered. Yet there
are favorable locations where the snow will drift in and partially
cover, and then I do not believe it pays to cover every winter. In
covering, it is best to remove all old canes out of the hill, leaving
but five or six canes in a hill, then burn what you have cut off, so
destroying any insects that may have been in the old canes. Com-
mence at the end of the row and take some ground away from the
side you want to lay them down; then goto the other side of hill,
putting your foot near the roots of the cane and your spade under
the hill. They are easily bent down. Then to the next hill, laying the
tops of one hill to the roots of the other, till you get your rows laid
down, just putting dirt on the tops to hold them down; then you can
cover with mulchor dirt, and the work is finished. The next spring
you can uncover, commencing at the other end from where you be-
gan laying them down. Raise them with a fork.
Through the summer, when the young canes are growing, they
should never be allowed to get more than five feet high before cut-
ting the tops off. They will throw out laterals and produce more
fruit for the cutting.
DISCUSSION.
Wm. Somerville: Mr. President, I have taken some pains in
writing this paper, not directly for this organization, but for
the benefit of the farm2rs in general, and I have given the
paper I was to have read here to Mr. Gregg to be published
in his book, which is published and issued annually for the
benefit of the farmer. I do not know that the paper would be
practical for the commercial gardener, but it is made up from
my experience as a farmer, in my own garden, at my home,
where I try to make everything as pleasant as I can. I wrote
this paper on that principle, not particularly for those who are
here, but for the benefit of those who are not here to take part
in our deliberations. I look at this matter as though the
farmers were entitled to all the knowledge that we can give
them. We come together here from all parts of the state, and
we talk these things over among ourselves, but there is such a
322 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
small percentage of the farmers that have the advantage of
our knowledge that it is necessary, and highly necessary, that
they should have it, and for that reason I gave this paper to
Mr. Gregg to be published in his book. I have also another
paper which I will hand over to the honorable secretary, and
if he sees fit to put it in his report, all right.
I have long ceased to look to the heavens for rain, but hae
tried to utilize the snow in the winter and the rain in the spring
to the best advantage I could. Ihave done this by thorough
cultivation, forming a dust blanket, a dust mulch, in my garden
where I could not use mulching conveniently, and where I can
use mulching heavily, as I do on my small fruits, I hardly ever
suffer from drouth. Even this last year, our small fruit crop
was abundant; I never had any better—butevery one who is
engaged in commercial fruit growing cannot do this. But I,
living on the farm, have the advantage of wet straw which I
put around my berries, currant bushes and everything of that
kind, and in that way I retain the moisture that the ground so
much needs in a dry season.
Pres. Underwood: These papers on vegetables are now open
for discussion.
Mr. Elliot: I thought each paper was to be discussed.
There was one point brought out in regard to black streak in
Ohio potatoes; I will ask Prof. Green to give us his theory in
regard to that. ;
Prof. Green: I want to say right here that Ido not know
what causes it. It is probably some fungus disease. I wrote
some months ago to Prof. Galloway and Lasked him what he
knew about it. He replied saying he had received specimens,
one from France and one from England, and he asked that I
send him specimens, and I sent themon. We have not as yet
any definite information as to the causes of that disease. Prof.
Galloway will make a very full investigation the coming year.
I do not know that all here are acquainted with that disease.
You cannot tell that the potato is diseased from the appearance
of the outside; the outside looks just as good as it ever did.
When the diseased potatoes are cut open the centers are found
to be black, and of some lots of Early Ohio which have been
examined, 100 per cent. were black-hearted. This is not the
old fashioned black-heart with a swelling in the center, and
the potato does not shrink inside. As to how general this
disease is, I will only say that we had forty varieties of
potatoes tested at the experiment station, and there were very
A FARMER’S GARDEN. 323
few specimens that did not have this dark spot in the center,
and in quite a number of cases it ran up to 100 per cent.
Mr. Brand: What were those specimens?
Prof. Green: I cannot tell just now, but it will appear in
our bulletin. There were forty-two varieties opened the other
day.
Mr. Harris: I think there was one error in the paper on
sweet potatoes, and that was in regard to securing your seed
potatoes from the South instead of states nearer by. For
twenty-five or thirty years | was in the business of growing
sweet potatoes for market and selling plants, and I found that
the further north I could go for ripe potatoes the better it was
for seed, and for more than twenty years of that time I kept
potatoes for seed that were brought from the South as
much as thirty-five years ago. They appeared to come earlier
as the years went on. I think it is safe to say that the further
south you get your potatoes for seed, the longer it will take
them to mature.
Dr. Frisselle: I would recommend going further north for
potato seed.
Mr. Harris: I would notrecommend-going further south for
seed anyway. ;
Dr. Frisselle: They ship large quantities of seed potatoes
from the northern part of the state into Missouri.
THE CHOKE CHERRY AS A LAWN TREE.—Many of our planters
who have moderate sized lawns make the mistake of planting too
large a proportion of the large growing forest trees, and neglecting
those handsome shrubs and smaller trees which would allow more
room for expression and effect. Among this class, there is none
more graceful or desirable than our native choke cherry. Its foli-
age is peculiarly rich, always healthy and comes out among the
very first in the spring; and both when covered with its fragrant
white blossoms and when drooping with its load of shining red
and black fruit, is a very noticeable tree on any lawn. Some years
agowhile making an excursion into the country,we came across one
of these cherries in the back yard of a farmhouse. It lingers in our
memory as one of the rare beauties of nature. The tree was about
sixteen feet high, of perfect form and habit and at that time most
gracefully hung with strings of shining coral. The wild black
cherry, the red cherry and the choke cherry are all very satisfactory
ornamental trees and within the reach of everybody.
Sot SS ara
Sree Us Sea
324 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
MAKING A RESERVOIR FOR WINDMILL IRRIGATION.
(Selected.)
Wind pump irrigation will be depended upon more and more
wherever the rainfall is apt to be deficient. The accompanying
illustration, taken from a photograph, represents a section of one
of the many reservoirs in Mead County in southwest Kansas
which have been used satisfactorily for sometime. The pump is
larger than the average in this locality, having a 12-inch cylinder,
a 12-inch discharge pipe and a 10-inch stroke; it lifts the water 14 feet
at the rate of 175 gallons per minute.
The preparation of the
reservoir is most impor-
tant, and in order to
assist any who contem-
plate such an addition
to their farm improve-
ments, I will tell how I
made mine. Selecta site
higher than the ground
to be watered. Lay
out the reservoir corres-
ponding in capacity to
the power of the pump.
The pump must be
capable of filling it in
two or three days. Re-
move all sod, placing it
beyond the limits of the
walls. Do not use it in
forming the embank-
ment. Then plow and
scrape, dumping where
the wall of the reservoir
iswanted. Continue
until the work is completed, driving over the wall. Leave the inside
sloping so the waves will not injure it. When the excavation is of
the desired size, plow the bottom and pulverize thoroughly. Hitch
a team to a block, road scraper or other suitable object, turn in the
water and begin to puddle by driving along one edge and continu-
ing until the whole surface is puddled. This will cause a precipita-
tion of sediment which will fill the pores of the soil and enable it
to hold water quite well. The bottom will then be 12 to18 inches
lower than the surface of the ground outside, but that much water
must always be left in the reservoir to preserve the puddling, for if
it gets dry or freezes the work must be done over again. If the
reservoir is small, say 30x50 x3 feet, some dirt for the wall must be
obtained from the outside. An outlet can be made of four 2-inch
planks long enough to reach through the wall. Saw the inner edge
sloping and provide it with a valve made of 2-inch board, and on
the same principle as the valve in an ordinary pump.—American
Agriculturist.
TPR Re Re A ANN Ee ea ey, eee
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On
BIRDS HELP THE FARMER.
BIRDS HELP THE FARMER.
[Selected.]
Dr. C. Hart Merriam, chief of the division of ornithology of the
agricultural department, has been for several years engaged in ex-
amining and analyzing the contents ofthe stomachs of hawks, owls,
crows, blackbirds and other birds of North America which are sup-
posed to be strikingly beneficial or injurious to the crops of farm-
ers. The stomachs of over 7,000 birds taken at different seasons of
the year have been already analyzed and the contents determined,
while some 12,000 are still unexamined. The results in some cases
have been remarkable, showing in several notable instances that the
popular ideas regarding the injurious effects of certain birds were
wholly mistaken ones, and that they have been the victims of an un-
just persecution. This has been found to be especially the case with
hawks and owls, for the slaughter of which many states give boun-
ties. Pennsylvania in two years gave over $100,000 in hawk and owl
bounties. Examinations of the stomachs of these birds prove that
95 per cent. of their food was field mice, grasshoppers, crickets, etc.,
which were infinitely more injurious to farm crops than they. It
was found that only five kinds of hawks and owls ever touched
poultry and, then, only toa very limitedextent. A bulletin now go-
ing to the press on the crow also shows that bird not so black as he
has been painted by farmers. The charges against the crow were
that he destroyed the eggs of poultry and wild birds. Examina-
tions of their stomachs show that they eat noxious insects and ani-
mals, and that, although 25 per cent. of their food is corn, it is most-
ly waste corn picked up in the fall and winter.
With regard to eggs, it was found that the shells were eaten to a
very limited extent for the lime. They eat ants, beetles, caterpillars,
bugs, flies, etc., which do much damage. Cuckoos and other black-
birds, kingbirds, meadow larks, cedar birds, thrushes, catbirds,
sparrows, etc., are also being reviewed in the bulletins. In many
cases popular ideas are found to be untrue. In the case of the king-
bird, killed by the farmer under the impression that it eats bees, it
was found that he ate only drones and robber flies which them-
selves feed on bees and which destroy more bees in a day than the
kingbird doesina year. The kingbird, therefore, is to be encour-
aged rather than slaughtered. The cuckoos are also found to be
very useful birds in this country. Because the European cuckoo
robbed nests and laid thereinits own eggs, popular fancy attributed
the same vicious habit to our own cuckoo. He is, however, not de-
praved like his European namesake, but a very decent fellow who
does much good in the destructiou of insects. The result of this
work, Dr. Merriam says, will inure to the protection of beneficial
birds and the destruction of the injurious ones.
Dr. Merriam is also preparing a map showing the life zones of the
United States for birds, reptiles and plants, a work on which he has
been engaged for years.
326 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
ARBOR DAY.
HON. C. M. LORING, MINNEAPOLIS.
An address delivered before the South Minneapolis High School, Arbor Day, 1895.
Students of the South Side High school:—I am glad to be with
you this morning. It always makes me feel as if I were a boy again
to be with young people, and I have no pleasure equal to that of
seeing them enjoy themselves. Some one has said that we are not
as old as we look, but only as old as we feel. That being true,l am as
young as you. On one of my voyages on an ocean steamer one of
my fellow passengers was a gentleman apparently about 70 years of
age, who was so active and energetic in getting up entertainments
to amuse the company that he soon got to be looked upon as the
youngest man in the cabin, and he made us feel young by introduc-
ing games and plays usually indulged in by young people. iasked
him one day how he retained his youthful spirits. His reply was:
“How could I help it? I have eighteen daughters who have kept
me young.”
I was invited here today to talk about trees and not about young
people, but as I associate them together in my mind and have the
‘same sentiments for both, it seems quite as natural for me to talk of
one as of the other.
I think, the first tree I remember much about was the birch. You
will remember that King Solomon said that to spare the rod was to
spoil the child, and as the bible was read in the schools in the good
old days when I was a boy, the teachers seemed to have that pas-
sage very firmly impressed upon their minds, and the birch tree was
the one from which the rods were cut which saved us from being
spoiled. Naturally, you would say that kind of association with
trees would not make us love them very much, but we soon learned
the names of the apple, the cherry, the hickory, the beech and other
fruit and nut bearing trees, which knowledge, by the way, sometimes
brought us into intimate relations with the birch, but the pleasures
ofatrip to the woods overcome our fear of it, and we soon learned
to know and love the trees. Oh! but it was glorious to start off early
ona bright morning in autumn to gather nuts! What did we care
for a walk of six or eight miles? All thoughts of fatigue vanished
as soon as the grand old hickory trees were reached. There we
found the squirrels busy collecting their winter supplies, and the
birds gathered in flocks preparing for their flight to their southern
home, the old leaders flitting from tree to tree, seemingly trying to
marshal the chattering, scolding company into some degree of order
and discipline before the start on the long journey; and, best of all,
the ground covered with the green shells which enclosed the white
hickory nuts that were to furnish us refreshment during the long
winter evenings. The bags were soon filled, and the boys on their
way home, staggering under their loads, reaching home tired and
happy, and their dreams were of the trees and the woods. They
learned lessons in natural history that day which gave them pleas-
ure through life, and they learned to love the trees. . Nearly all boys
and girls have a natural love for trees and flowers. Do you not like
to go to the woods in the springtime to see the young leaves break-
Sd
ARBOR DAY. oad
ing from the buds and the anemones pushing their sweet faces up
through the leaves which have protected their roots through the
cold winter: I know you do, for I have seen hundreds, yes, thou-
sands of young people enjoying the warm spring daysin gathering
them, and there is no pleasure in life that equals it.
But, unfortunately, all children cannot go to the woods to see the
trees and the flowers, and for this reason the builders of cities—if
they are bright, intelligent people such as we have in Minneapolis,
provide parks for them where they can see the beautiful gifts Nature
has bestowed upon her children, and they plant trees on the streets
to beautify them and to promote hea)th and comfort.
“God help the boy that never sees
The butterflies, the birds, the bees,
Nor hears the music of the breeze
Where zephyrs soft are blowing;
Who cannot in sweet comfort lie
Where clover blossoms are thick and high,
And hear the gentle murmur nigh
Of brooklets softly flowing.”’
We owe a debt of gratitue to the man who is now at the head of
the agricultural department at Washington for his efforts in secur-
ing to us this day which is set apart for the consideration of our
beautiful friends, the trees. May the thousands which have been
planted by the school children of our country on Arbor Days grow
to be living monuments that shall for all time keep his memory
green and his name dear to all who shall live to enjoy their shade.
You cannot realize how much pleasure you will derive all through
life for having participated in these Arbor Day exercises, and in the
trees which you assist in planting. After you have grown to man-
hood and womanhood, you will long to see how they have grown,
and they will recall memories of your teachers and schoolmates
which will lighten the burdens of life and make you young again.
Longfellow never forgot the scenes which surrounded him in his
youth, and, many years after he had left them, he wrote a beautiful
poem in which he described them.: He tells us of the trees on the
streets which sheltered him, and of his visit to “ Deering’s Woods”
for acorns; the islands in the harbor; the ropewalk where he saw
men spin rope as spiders spin their webs, the remembrance of which
caused him to weave beautiful thoughts into his poem, which he
called “My Lost Youth.” He says when he recalled these scenes
that his youth came back to him, as the remembrance of these school
days will come back to you.
It is not much more trouble to plant a tree to have it live than to
put it carelessly into the ground to die; yet, I regret to say that too
many thinkthat all they haveto do is to dig a small holein the sand,
just large enough to force the roots into with their feet,and then
expect it to grow. I saw this done in front of one of our school
buildings, and it is being done every spring by people who ought
to know better. A tree must have good soil in which to grow, and
it must have water.
The rules for planting and caring for trees are very simple and,
if observed, will save much dissapointment. The holes into which
the tree is to be placed should be six feet in diameter, three to five
828 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
feet in depth, and filled to within two feet of the surface with good,
rich loam, leaving a mound in the center on which to set the roots.
The roots of the tree should slope downward rather than with the
ends higher than at the point where they leave the tree, as I have
often seen them. They should be smoothly trimmed with a sharp
knife, where the ends have been broken off in digging, and protected
from the sun and wind by damp straw, or covered with loose earth
until planted. The tree should be held in place at the depth at
which it grew, and the roots spread as evenly as possible in the hole.
Then good, rich loam should be carefully and firmly worked among
them until they are covered. The hole, after being filled, should be
covered with heavy mulching.
The trunks of all trees with smooth bark should be protected
from the rays of the sun; in fact, all trees recently transplanted do
better if protected. Straw rope, wound around the tree, is the best
protection, but the wooden guard is much better than nothing. All
trees planted on the street should be protected »y the guard to save
them from injury by the teeth of biting animals. The guards
used by the park board are very inexpensive and are worth
ten times their cost. When the tree begins to grow, it should be very
carefully watched, and, if the season is dry,it should be watered.
Do not sprinkle a little water over the surface of the ground every
day—that brings the fine roots to the surface, where they will soon
dry up—but give them a thorough soaking once in two weeks. By
observing these rules, the work done on Arbor Day will bring last-
ing satisfaction to the tree planters while living, and blessings
upon their heads by the generations who follow them.
I thank you very much for your attention. I hope we shall meet
each other in the parks and on the parkways for many years to come,
and that when the reins of government pass into your hands that
you will continue the work of beautifying our city, and that you will
make it so attractive that none who see it will ever wish to leave it.
Every one admits the importance of out-of-door exercise in promot-
ing and preserving health, and you who have had the advantages
of the healthful recreation of rowing or skating on the lakes of our
parks, will be better able to testify to their advantages than are a
majority of our older citizens.
All of the larger cities of the civilized world are providing play-
grounds for the children, where they can have all kinds of games
and gymnastic exercises, deeming them essential to their comfort,
pleasure and physical and moral development, and I urge you to
use yourinfluence in securing them for ourcity. Keep this in mind,
If the result cannot be accomplished before you cast your votes, let
your first vote be in favor of it,
Demand bathing houses on the river banks. Ask your parents to
go picnicking with you and take the younger children. Load up
the delivery and express wagons and drive to the woods, learn the
names of the different varieties of trees, study their habits and their
wonderful architecture, and you will agree with the poet who sang:
*“Summier or winter, day or night,
The woods are ever a new delight;
They give us health, and they make us strong,
Such wonderful balm to them belong.”
-
4
‘ ESS Lo ee pa ees ~ rege a
FLOWER BORDERS. 3829
FLOWER BORDERS.
PROF. BAILEY, in Cornell Bulletin, No. 90.
I wish, instead of saying flower-bed, we might say flower border.
Any good place should have its center open; the sides may be
more or less confined by planting of shrubs and trees and many
kinds of plants. This border-planting sets bounds to the place,
makes it one’s own; itis homelike. The person lives inside his place,
not on it. He is not cramped up and jostled by things scattered all
over the place, with no purpose or meaning. Along the borders,
against groups, often by the corners of the residence or in front of
porches,—these are places for flowers. When planting, do not aim
at designs or effects; just have lots of flowers, a variety of them
growing luxuriantly, as if they could not help it.
I have asked a professional artist, Mr. Matthews, to draw me the
kind of a flower bed he likes. Itis a border,—a trip of land two or three
feet wide along a fence. This is the place where pigweeds usually
grow. Here he has placed marigolds, gladioli, goldenrods, wild
asters, China asters and—best of all—hollyhocks. Any one would
like that flower garden. It has some of that local and indefinable
330 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
charm which always attaches to an “old-fashioned garden,” with its
exuberant tangle of form and color. Every yard has some such
strip of land along a rear walk or fence or against a building. Itis
the easiest thing to plant it,—ever so much easier than digging the
hideous geranium bed into the center of an inoffensive lawn.
There is no prescribed rule as to what you should put into these
flower-borders. Put in them the plants you like. Perhaps, the
greater part of them should be perennials, which come up of them-
selves every spring,and which are hardy andreliable. Wildflowers
are particularly effective. Every one knows that many of the native
herbs of woods and glades are more attractive than some of the most
prized garden flowers. The greater part of these native flowers grow
readily under cultivation, some even in places which, in soil and ex-
posure, are much unlike their native haunts. Many of them make
thickened roots, and they may be safely trrnsplanted at any time
after the flowers have passed. To most persons, the wild flowers are
less known that many exotics which have smaller merit, and the ex-
tension of cultivation is constantly tending to annihilate them.
Here, then, in the informal flower-border, is an opportunity to rescue
them. Then one may sow in freely of easy-growing annuals,as
marigolds, China asters, petunias and phloxes, and the like. One
of the advantages of these borders is that they are always ready to
receive more plants, unless they are full; thatis, their symmetry is
not marred if some plants are pulled out and others are put in,
and if the weeds now and then get a start, very little harm is done.
Such a border half full of weeds is handsomer than the average
wellkept geranium bed, because the weeds enjoy growing and the
geraniums do not. I have such a border, three feet wide and ninety
feet long beside a rear walk. I am putting plants into it every
month in the year when the frost is out of the ground. Plants are
dug in the woods or fields, whenever I find one which I fancy, even
it in July. The tops are cut off, the roots kept moist, and, even
though the soil is a most unkindly one, most of these much abused
plants grow. Such a border has something new and interesting
every month of the growing season; and even in the winter the tall
clumps of grasses and aster-stems wave their plumes above the
snow and are asource of delight to every frolicsome bevy of snow-
birds.
A NEw GRAPE TRELLIS.—Mr. T. V. Munson, a most successful and
progressive grape grower of Texas, has devised a sort of trellis
which is highly commended by those who have tried it. It consists
of posts, set at suitable distances apart in the row of vines, stand-
ing five and a half feet high from the surface of the ground. To
the top is nailed a crosspiece of 1x6 stuff,two feetlong. Along each
end of these crosspieces a wire is run so that the trellis has two top
wires two feet apart. Eight inches below them a single wire is run,
which is fastened directly to the posts. In using this trellis, a
strong cane is brought up to this lower wire and the top pinched
off and two branches trained to run along the wire, one each way.
Then when the bearing branches appear, next season, they are
carried out at the sides and hung over the top wires. Thus the fruit
hangs down in easy reach for spraying and picking, yet is, at the
same time,in the shade of the foilage of the vine. The bearing
wood is renewed each year by two new side shoots brought out
from the top by the upright cane.
or 1 * ine a
SWEET POTATO CULTURE. 831
SWEET POTATO CULTURE.
J. R. CUMMINS, WASHBURN.
Within the limits of the state of Minnesota there are many districts
adapted to the successful cultivation of the sweet potato. One of
the first considerations of the intending grower must be whether
the locality is likely to be free from frost through June, July and
August. The nature of the soil and subsoil have a great effect in
preventing frosts. On sandy or sandy loam, well drained and suf-
ficiently elevated not to be affected by moisture from streams or
marshes, frosts may not be injurious until October, as was the case
last fall in favored locations. The cultivation of the sweet potato is
entirely different from that of the common sort. The sweet potato
is planted in a hotbed from April 20 to 30, and the plants ought to
be grown large enough to be set out in the open ground by Junel,
as this is generally the earliest date to safely set them in this lati-
tude.
In making up a hotbed atleast two feet in depth of manure should
be used, and two feet outsideof the frames. The soil in the bed should
be six or eight inches deep, and a large portion should be of sand.
Great care must be taken to keep a proper temperature in the bed,
probably about 70° or 80°. Having never raised plants, I will de-
scribe the method as given by acultivator: “The tubers should be
placed lengthwise, end to end, in rows six inches apart, and covered
three inches deep. In two or three weeks, according to heat of bed
each tuber will throw up five to thirty sprouts. As soon as these
are four or five inches high take up the tuber carefully and break .
off the sprouts close to the potafo, so as to save the side roots. The
tubers may then be replaced for the production of a second and
even a third crop of sprouts.” Sweet potatoes from the South are prob-
ably better for seed than from the North, and those that are large
but not long would be best for our soil. There seems to be a ten-
dency here for the tuber to grow long and slim. But for any one
intending to grow a few potatoes, it would be preferable to buy the
plants. They are offered at $2.50 per thousand and, sometimes, at
less. The plants should not be on the road over twelve to twenty-
four hours. In warm weather the sprouts are very likely to heat,
and if this happens very few will grow.
A sandy soil or sandy loam is the best adapted to growing the
sweet potato. They can be grown on clay lands, but in wet
seasons would not be likely to ripen well and would not be sweet.
The ground should be well plowed and harrowed; furrows should
then be opened five or six feet apart, by plowing. one way and then
back. These furrows should be partly filled with manure, the
amount used depending something on the quality ofthe land. The
furrows are then plowed back from both sides, making ridges twelve
or fifteen inches high. These ridges should be gone over with a hoe
or rake and smoothed off. The plants are then set out on the ridge,
fifteen or eighteen inches apart, choosing damp weather to set them.
Before setting out, the roots of the plants should be dipped ina
mixture of soil and water of a proper consistency. Should the
332 MINNESOTA STATE RTICULHOTURAL SOCIETY.
weather be dry and hot, cover the plants with leaves or grass cut, if
possible, when the dew is on. It will require from six to seven thou-
sand plants to set out an acre in the way described. Between the
ridges a cultivator can be run, and around the plants a hoe or tined
hoe must be used frequently until the vines cover the ground.
The sweet potato is sometimes grown in hills three and a half or
four feet apart.. A single shovel plow is used in marking out the
hills both ways. Some manure is placed in each hill, and the hills
made up witha hoe. There is considerable more labor needed in
this method than where grown in ridges. The ridge method is also
preferable in this state, because in dry seasons the moisture would
be retained better. I have tried level cultivation but never had any
success, the potatoes being few, long and smooth.
The sweet potato vine very much resembles wild buckwheat. After
the vines have made some growth, they send out roots which may
make small tubers, but which always injure the main crop if the
vines are not lifted occasionally to prevent this rooting.
DIGGING AND KEEPING.—The vines should not be killed by frost
before digging, as this may injure the keeping qualities of the
tubers. If notready to dig and there is probability of frost, the vines
should be cut off, and the potatoes dug afterwards. Advantage of
dry weather should be taken in digging, and those to be wintered
should be carefully handled, not breaking the skin. The tubers
should be placed thinly ina dry,cool room. A cellar if any way
damp is nota proper place. For keeping them into or through the
winter, they should be packed in boxes in fine and perfectly dry
sand, and placed in a cool and dry room where the temperature
does not go below 40° nor much above 60°. Sometimes they decay in
spite of all care, probably from not being sufficiently dry. The sweet
potato kiln-dried is in better condition to keep over winter. The
sweet potatoes of 1894 were as sweet and in quality as good as the
best from the South. In wet seasons the quality might not be so
good, but in any year they ought to equal those grown in Illinois
or Iowa.
From last year’s experience, the yieldis not profitable, but in
comparison with that of the common potato, the result should not
be discouraging. Since the Burbank Seedling in 1891 yielded on an
adjoining lot at the rate of only 25 bushels to the acre and in other
years 150 to 200 bushels, it would not be fair to judge either by last
year’s crop. Of the 1000 vines planted, at least one-third were
killed by the heat and dry weather in July and August. There was
gathered five bushels, large and small, which would make a yield
of 50 bushel to the acre; nearly one-half were very small; on one vine
were eighteen potatoes, six being large. The annual importation of
the sweet potato into this state must amount to a great many
thousands of bushels, and the money sent out of the state for a
product which there is every probability can be profitably grown
here in many locations amounts to a large sum.
pe OA eer Nw OM ea
HOUSE AND GREENHOUSE PLANTS. 333
yea?
HOUSE AND GREENHOUSE PLANTS.
FRED WINDMILLER, MANKATO.
In this, my first report to the society, I have not fully complied
with the requirements—the greenhouse department I have omitted
altogether. Iam not yet able to give important information in this
branch; also, new plants are not represented, as I did almost no ex-
perimenting last season. Assuming that most members are inter-
ested in house plants, I have made this the sole topic, giving hints
on culture, reasons for failure, best kinds and unworthy stock, as far
as has come under my experience.
Perhaps nothing else occupied the attention of amateurs more
last year than better places for growing plants. We have now plenty
of material to select from, excellent varieties, but all is of no avail if
our quarters are unsuitable. Everywhere we hear the same remark:
“Tf I only had a place for plants.”
Much has been said and written, and now I submit my ideas, based
on observation and experience. Few can build a greenhouse (and
without hot-water heat most fail, even if they have it), while the
window sillis no good. Itis the bay window that needs improve-
ment to fill our want. Large bay windows are everywhere and with
small expense might be made a home for flowers. First, such a
window should be built out as much as possible, to give light from
three sides. Then, the inside walls must be finished in wood, paint-
ed, and without curtains or other troublesome material. Next, the
floor space is to be done with zinc, perfectly water tight, with all the
sills and shelves shedding water into this zinc basin. The whole
window is then best shut off from the room by a glass partition with
sliding windows, which may be opened at will to admit heat in cold
_ weather.
Where city water is available, the next step is easy. Have a con-
nection made, fitted with a short hose anda spray nozzle. If water
works are not there, bolt a little force pump to the wall and proceed
as above. On every sunny morning,it is an easy matter to thor-
oughly clean the plants. You can get the water under the leaves
and above, also in every corner. The red spider is an impossibility
there, and the green fly will not stay-if the water pressure is good
4 enough. In such a place, roses and carnations can be grown almost
to perfection, as moisture is easily supplied. Would it not be lovely
to see bay windows gay with carnations? The key to success is this
spraying. I have at this writing carnations in boxes within three
feet of a hardwood box-stove, constantly exposed to direct radiation,
which often means 80° of dry heat. Yet all are perfectly healthy and
full of flowers, but, of course, they are sprayed daily. Nearly all
plants would flourish in such a window, besides it would improve
; the air in the room.
More plants should be grown in boxes. These are better than pots
or cans, are cheap and easily watered. A very pleasing effect is a
window box properly arranged. The most successful amateurs use
boxes freely both inside and out-doors. New pots should be soaked
in water before using, and saucers must never be allowed full of
334 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
water. Don’t use large pots—for large plants, six to seven inches are _
sufficient, while common ones are best in four and one-half to five
inch pots. ‘
The alyssum, double sweet, makes an admirable box or basket
plant in-doors.
The abutilons must have plenty of root room; prune or pinch
freely. The Souvenir de Bonn is a valuable new one. The Eclipse
makes nice hanging baskets.
Callas must be rested in summer to secure flowers in winter. Lay
them out-doors in summer on the side to dry out and re-pot in Au-
gust. Plenty of water, heat and liquid manure, with small pots;
makes them flower freely. The Little Gem, spotted and common
calla are good kinds. ;
Begonias. Tuberous are most beautiful; they must have moist
air, large pots, light—but little sun, and much water. These plants
are wonderful when well done, but very unsatisfactory if neglected.
They are summer blooming. Mrs. French, Deutcher Ruhm, Lafay-
ette and Louis d’Or are good double varieties.
Rex begonias are not watered over the leaves. Keep them facing
east, west or north; they dislike the hot sun. An occasional
showering or sponging is necessary. Do not fuss with Lucy Clos-
son or Countesse Erdody, but raise Silver Leaf, Rex, Marguise de
Peralta, Mrs. Shepard, etc. Among flowering begonias, Rubea is
first, then Vernon, Metallica, Alba Picta and Otto Hacker are good.
Cannas are showy pot plants. Give them rich earth, sun and much
water. Star of ’91 is still the best for pots,as it is the smallest,
Koenige’s Charlotte is the best new variety. Carnations want a cool
place and sprinkling. Grow Aurora, Fred Dorner and Lizzie
McGowan. The Marguerite carnations are not worth growing. Cy-
perus alternifolius (umbrella plant) is a good all around plant; it
looks like a palm and is tough and hardy; it grows in earth or
water, sun or shade, and is very desirable; it has no insect pest; the
striped variety is pretty. Fuchsias are summer blooming and have
no business in a warm room in winter. Put them in your cellar.
In summer, water freely and give a shady place. Mrs. Hill is the
best white; Phenomenal the best purple and double.
Ferns. The Nephrolepis davalloides and exaltata are very good
house ferns. These make fine pots or baskets. Build a loghouse of
sticks, line with moss and fill with earth for a hanging piece.
Geraniums want small pots and a rather dry, warm place. Heavy
clayey earth is best. The newer single varieties are excellent.
Pelargoniums (Lady Washington) are to be kept very cool in winter
and free from aphis. The common bud dropping is caused by over-
heating. Hibiscus are among the best evergreen, enduring plants.
The flowers are very large and produced freely in warm quarters.
Never let these get chilled; pinch freely and give large pots. It has
no insects and is very desirable summer and winter. Grandiflorus,
Versicolor, Sub-Violaceous, Rubra, Miniatus semiplena are culti-
vated. Hydrangeas are often spoiled by pruning. Never pinch or
prune after a growth is made, as a flower bud is on the top of the
shoot. Keep them shaded and moist in summer and encourage a
soe OE PE Se ee A, SA ay ay
ee
HOUSE AND GREENHOUSE PLANTS. 335
_rank growth by liquid manure. It is verydesirable. Thomas Hogg,
Ramispictis, Otaksa are leading varieties. Manettia Bicolor is
charming in winter ina sunny window. Give it strings to spin upon.
Marguerites (Chrysanthemum daisies) are always in bloom. Give
them sun and plenty of root room. Grow both yellow and white;
also, the double form. Otaheite Orange is a dwarf orange of value,
bearing fruit in pots and iseasily grown and desirable.
_ Primula obconica is the best constant bloomer we have. It is
_very easily grown and satisfactory. The leaves and stems are pois-
onous to the touch of some persons at first, but soon any one can
handle the plant with impunity. Primulas are best near 50° tem-
perature.
In Chinese primroses, the large, fringed white is best. Where only
a few are wanted, the pink and red are not worth growing. Water
the roots freely and keep the plants cool.
Paims. The best varieties are always Latania and Kentia. In
this state,such as Areca, etc., are too easily chilled. In a modern
parlor, palms require much more water than is often given. Soak
them thoroughly if they get dry quickly, and sponge the leaves
once a week.
Roses asarule are not house plants. If you have them, do not
remove blind wood while they grow, as it checks the plants. Sprinkle
the leaves freely and remove the green fly promptly. The Clothilde
Soupert is good in-doors, so is the La France and Agrippina.
Solanum jasminoides is unsatisfactory here,and I have destroyed
every plant of it. It is a shy bloomer and too much bothered by
potato bugs in autumn. I consider it not worth bothering with, nor
the blue one, either.
Water hyacinth is a pretty aquatic, interesting, easily grown and
desirabie. Put some sand or mud ina glass bowl or aquarium, fill
with water and let them float. Keep them warm and sunny,
Lilies. Among these the Harrisii makes the best pot plant. To
kill the green fly, gently stroke the crown with the fingers upwards
twice a week, pressing hard enough to kill the insects inside. This
is important to success. Two bulbs of the 5-7 size in a six-inch pot
are best.
Hyacinths. Single hyacinths are best in-doors, and white, soft
pink and porcelain-blue are the best colors. Get these in named
varieties to secure good stock. The yellow varieties are very satis-
factory.
Roman Hyacinths will bloom for Christmas if potted early, and
are, therefore, much esteemed. They are smaller, send up many
spikes and are best planted in numbers in flat boxes or crocks, ten
to twelve bulbsineach. Freezias must not be put away in the dark
nor frozen, but given a medium warm place right after potting to
induce growth. When up, keep them rather cool. Tulips and Nar-
cissi do best in shallow boxes or crocks, ten to twelve in each, and
should be brought to the light any time after Christmas. The
Chinese Sacred Narcissus is bestin water and will bloom for Christ-
mas. Be sure to secure the bulb with stones to make it stay in place,
and keep the water clean.
Anemones, Ranunculus, Crocus, Oxias, Sparaxis, Chinondoxias,
etc., are not worth growing in the window garden, as there is better
stock for that limited space.
336 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
SECRETARY PHILIPS’ EXPERIMENTS IN APPLE
GROWING.
Written at my request by E. S. Goff, Professor of Horticulture at the Wisconsin
Experiment Station, Madison, Wisconsin.—Secretary LATHAM.
All interested in apple culture in severe climates may see some
valuable object lessons in the orchards of Mr. A. J. Philips near
West Salem, Wis. Mr. Philips, who is the present secretary of the
Wisconsin Horticultural Society, is well known in the Northwest as
a horticultural writer. Some horticultural writers use the pen with
greater facility than horticultural tools, but a visit to Mr. Philips’
orchard very soon convinces one that his opinions on apple culture,
which have been so widely published in the Northwest, are grounded
upon abundant practical experience.
Mr. Philips’ orchard, like all the successful orchards of the North-
west, is a good place to study hardy varieties, because it shows ata
glance the sorts that are capable of enduring severe climatic condi-
tions. If it does not show the scores of varieties that have failed
and been consigned to the brush-heap during Mr. Philips’ 27 years
ofapple growing experience, it does show at once the “ fittest” few
that have survived. But the most important object lessons in Mr.
Philips’ orchard are his experiments in top-working on crab stocks.
Here are to be seen several varieties grown from root-grafts, and
also top-worked on one or more varieties of crab, which offers oppor-
tunity to study the effects of top-working. Much might be written
on this subject, but Ican here touch upon but a few points. Itis
clearly shown that one variety of crab on Mr. Philips’ grounds,
viz., the Virginia, is remarkably well adapted as a stock for the
apple.
Several years ago, when Mr. Philips was starting his orchard, he
went to the nursery of the late Mr. Wilcox, of La Crescent, to pur-
chase some trees. Mr. Wilcox had already commenced top-working
the Virginia crab, and inquired of Mr. Philips if he preferred top-
worked or root-grafted trees. Mr. Philips replied that he had no
faith in top-working and must have the root-grafted trees. After
filling his order, Mr. Wilcox added, “I want you to try my top-worked
trees, and if you will promise to plant out a few and give them good
care, I will make you a present of some.” © To this Mr. Philips agreed
and was presented with a few top-worked trees of some of the same
varieties that he had purchased. Today, the only trees of this
planting that survive are the top-worked ones—the others having
long since been consigned to the brush heap.
But this is not the only testimony Mr. Philips has in favor of top-
working on the Virginia crab. After careful observation through
several years he finds that he secures larger crops and finer fruit
from trees top-worked on the Virginia than from root-grafted trees,
and that when he is looking for fruit for exhibition he has formed
the habit of going first to his top-worked trees, for they almost al-
ways carry the finest specimens.: I observed many varieties top-
worked on the Virginia crab, but failed to find one that has out-
grown its stock, while varieties worked on Whitney No. 20, or the
APPLE GROWING. 337
Siberian crab, have generally outgrown their stocks. The Virginia
crab is sufficiently vigorous to keep up in growth with any of our
apples, and, unlike many crabs, it is almost wholly free from blight.
It branches at right angles to the trunk, and every branch enlarges
at its union with the latter, so that it is well braced in all directions.
The branches of the Virginia crab very rarely split down, however
much fruit they carry. The wood is white and remarkably firm,
which gives it great strength.
Beside his experiments with the Virginia crab, Mr. Philips. is test-
ing a large number of varieties of the apple. Almost all of the more
recent introductions in the Northwest are to be found in bearing on
his grounds, as well asa large number of promising seedlings that
he has gathered from Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. Asa place
to study varieties alone, Mr. Philips’ orchard is well worthy a visit.
His plantings are more extensive than many suppose them to be.
The subject of top-working on hardy stocks, deserve more attention
than it has received. While considerable has been done in this
direction, it is probable that much is yet tobelearned. Mr. Philips’
claim that productiveness is increased by top-working is by no
means incredible, for there is little doubt that grafting often has
this effect. It is probable that grafting generally results in short-
ening the lives of trees, but when the question of trunk hardiness is
involved, there is no reason to doubt thatit may sometimes have
the opposite effect. Mr. Philips’ experiments in top-working on the
- Virginia crab are especially valuable, because they demonstrate
that we have at least one stock that, while fully satisfactory in other
respects, forms an excellent union with a wide range of varieties of
the apple.
Wuy CoTrronwoops Dir.—A friend in Grant county, Minn., says
that his cottonwoods (about 12 years old) died last summer, and he
would like to know the cause. There was a severe drouth in his
locality, and that killed the trees. It may seem strange that hereto-
fore vigorous trees, 12 years old, were killed by one season’s drouth,
but the reason given by Mr. Wm. Somerville, one of the best
planters of forest trees, seems to account for it. Trees growing
from seed have a tap-root, that so penetrates the earth that it finds
moisture to carry the tree through the adversity of a dry summer.
But if grown from cuttings, and most cottonwoods are, there is no
taproot; all roots are near the surface, and the ability of the tree to
stand drouth is reduced to the minimum. The remedy in such
cases is mulching with old straw, slough hay, or anything that will
prevent the soil from drying out. The mulching must not be
placed around the trunk only, but out where the roots are. Bearing
this in mind may be the means of saving valuable trees hereafter.
3838 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
THE ORCHARDS OF MINNETONKA.
NOTES BY A. W. LATHAM, SECY.
In the past week, in company with some friends of horticulture, I
have taken two short trips about the fruit region of Lake Minne-
tonka. The observations made prove very encouraging for the
prospects of apple growing in that section.
The first place visited was that of Mr. M. Pearce, who occupies ten
acres about one mile from the east shore of the lake. This place is
not in what is considered the apple belt of the lake, as his soil,while
ofarich sandy joam, has a somewhat gravelly subsoil. However,
Mr. Pearce is enough of an enthusiast to overcome in large measure
the natural defects of his location, and, for the number of years he
has occupied the tract, he has considerable of interest to show.
Mr. F. G. Gould of Excelsior and Mr. A. H. Brackett of the north
shore made up the party at this place. We founda few dozen peach
trees of several varieties, six to nine feet high, looking very healthy.
They had borne some fruit this year, which had already been gath-
ered and sent to cold storage for exhibition at our winter meeting.
Mr. Pearce seemed full of confidence in his ability to grow peaches,
and his warm soil is as well adapted as any for that purpose. He
has also a few healthy specimens of the Ostheim cherry, about the
Same size as the peach trees. The birds largely gather the fruit
for him.
Mr. Pearce has two plats of this year’s planting of strawberries
and raspberries, including a number of the standard and newer
varieties. These varieties were so equally vigorous and healthy
that it seemed impossible to discriminate between them, as far as
appearance goes, as to which are best adapted tohis location. They
had evidently received the best of care.
The objects of most interest at this place are the fruit trees which
have been double-worked. In his case “double-worked” means the
grafting of the variety which he desires to grow on the stock of
either a Virginia crab or the Tonka, which latter is a seedling of his
own. There werea lot of the Lieby anda few of the Wealthy and
some other varieties worked on the branches of Virginia crab trees
which appeared very healthy and promising. They were bearing
some fruit.
In the nursery there was quite a block of one-year old trees, and
some two-year, also, which had been double-worked in the root graft;
that is,an ordinary root graft was first made witha scionof Virginia
or Tonka and then the variety which he desired to propagate had
been grafted into the Virginia or Tonka scion, all done at the time
of making the root graft,—thus placing two or three inches of crab
wood between the root and the scion which was intended to make
the tree. This is evidently anew departure in the making of root
grafts, and the results will be watched with interest. The yearling
and two-years old trees from this system of grafting are evidently
of more vigorous growth than those of the ordinary root grafts
standing alongside. The experiment so far promises well.
The next place visited was in the clay belt, or what more properly
might be called the apple belt, the place of Mr. George H. Smith at
THE ORCHARDS OF MINNETONKA. 339
Long Lake. Here are one or two hundred trees, mostly Duchess,
Wealthy and crabs, and a few interesting seedlings. This orchard
is standing on a gentle south slope ona rather elevated hill and is
open to the south and tothe west, but is protected on the north
partly bya grove. Most of the trees look fairly healthy and are
very profitable, this year’s crop amounting to two or three hundred
bushels.
About two miles west of this place, mainly on the north slope of
a high hill, stands the orchard of the late Mr. C. W. Gordon, whom
you will recall as a valued member of our society. It is now under
the management of Mr. A. B. Coleman, a sonof Mrs. Gordon. There
are several hundred trees in this orchard, mostly Wealthy and
Duchess, perhaps fifteen years old, or thereabouts. It wasa sight
to see the fruit still on the trees, and a large amount had already
been gathered. The orchard was in grass, but it had evidently been
ploughed in the spring.
The last place visited that day was Mr. A. H. Brackett’s. This is
a new place within sight of Lake Minnetonka, located on high and
quite rolling ground. The berry plantations, covering a number of
acres, were very thrifty and vigorous and showed the best of care,
as did everything about the place. The fruit trees, of course, were
too young to be an object of special interest. Mr. Brackett has
done something in the way of irrigating a portion of his place
with windmill and tank, and the fruit from the part irrigated has
proved a valuable object lesson to him and his neighbors. It will
pay any young horticulturist well to visit Mr. Brackett’s place and
see the advantages of thorough cultivation.
A second trip took me first to Excelsior, where in company with
Mr. F. G. Gould, Mr. A. H. Brackett, Mr. D. V. Plant and Mr. Whitney
of Long Lake, we visited a few of the orchards of this section. At
the old Murray place, ona very high hill, one mile south of Excel-
sior, we found an orchard of some two hundred trees, standing in
sod on an eastern slope. The trees were in the main healthy and
have borne this year a very heavy crop. The varieties are the usual
ones for this section of the country, with the exception of some
half dozen Haas, which seemed to be as hardy as the Wealthy and
Duchess and were heavily loaded with large and highly colored
fruit. This orchard was planted some twenty years ago.
About half a mile north of this orchard is the home of Mr. E.S.
Bardwell on the north slope of the same hill. Here is an orchard
of several hundred trees left over from a nursery planted by Mr. P.
G. Gould fifteen or twenty years ago. The finest Duchess apples by
far that we saw were in this orchard, and the same can be said of
the Wealthy, except they were not as highly colored on account of
the closeness of the trees. These trees have borne a very Jarge
crop of fruit this year. It was from this orchard that the bulk of
the Duchess and the Wealthy were secured that were used in the
Minnesota fruit exhibit at the New Orleans’ Exposition and also at
the late World’s Fair. A peculiarity in the management of this
orchard is accountable, I believe, for the large size of the fruit and
the productiveness of the trees. It is suitably enclosed and used as
. -7s i Fabia es Bae © Bf nd. a eg A = wt el el at, ind
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340 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
a pasture for the hogs, which loosen the ground and keep down the
grass as wellas add to the fertility of the soil.
From here we visited the old seedling orchard of Mr. Peter M.
Gideon, especially to see the original tree of the Martha crab. We
also found there the original trees of the Florence and Mary crabs,
which were of interest, all three of these trees being evidently of
the same age, about twenty-five or, perhaps, more years, judging by
appearance. The Mary was notable especially for the large size of
its fruit,as large or larger than the Canada Red, and the Florence
is a beautiful crab of high color; both varieties were bearing fairly
goodcrops. The Marthacrab was by far the handsomest and most
noticeable variety of crab exhibited at the World’s Fair. It is of
a beautiful, deep blush pink and covered with a heavy bloom. Itis
somewhat larger than the Transcendent. Further description is
scarcely necessary, as itis quite well known to the fruit growers of
the state. The original tree, I understand, is an annual and a heavy
bearer, carrying this year an enormous quantity of fruit. Its beauty,
high color and comparative freedom from blight, make it appar-
ently a valuable addition to our list of crabs, and perhaps it may be
found of especial use as astock for double-working. There were
here and there a dead twig or a short inside branch dead, but noth-
ing that upon close examination seemed to be blight, and judging
by the appearance and what we could learn, it is proof against this
disease.
The only other place visited after this was an orchard planted by
Mr. M. Perry some eight years ago, and now owned by Mr. Alfred
Sherlock. This is on a very high and steep hillside facing the east.
Several hundred trees are making a rapid growth and bearing for
their size a great deal of fruit. The ground is cultivated one way
and set to currants and goosberries. Besides the usual varieties we
found several Longfield,heavily loaded anda half dozen or more trees
of the Excelsior and October crabs, which were an especially beau-
tiful sight. These crabs are almostas large as an average Wealthy,
very highly colored and with a most beautiful bloom. There was
another noteable variety bearing a large white apple, of which we
could not learn the name.
There are some lessons to be learned from these short excursions.
The successful orchards are all standing on high ground. They
were all on some slope, either north, south or east. The cultivated
orchards, either by hog power or by horse power, were apparently
the most healthy and vigorous and produced the finest fruit, that
used as a hog yard being, as regards results, the best of all. A
pertinent query is, Why people who have similar locations—and
there are plenty of them all about the country—don’t plant orchards
by the ten acres, instead of raising grain at a profit of a few dollars
an acre. Thousands of acres about the lake region might produce
in their season all the apples needed for this section and the country
north and west of usata great margin of profit for the grower.
This is evidently the northern limit of profitable apple culture, and
the time will surely come when these hillsides will be used for this
purpose. Why they don’t do it now is a hard thing to understand.
Minneapolis, August 17, 1895.
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AA
REPORT ON NOMENCLATURE. 841
REPORT ON NOMENCLATURE.
J. S. HARRIS, LA CRESCENT, CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEE.
Fruits received for examination.
Aug.1. From Wm. Oxford, Freeburg, Minn. A package of native
plums. The variety is very early, from 20th of July to August Ist;
size large; form round ovate; color dark red; flesh rather soft;
flavor good—said to be good for cooking; stone medium large, thin
and flat, of Cheney type, a cling.
Aug.5. From W.S. Widmoyer, Dresbach, Minn. Two varieties of
apples for naming. Oneis a medium sized, red or red striped on
yellow ground, of fine subacid flavor, which proves to be Sops of
Wine. Trees are generally nearly hardy. It is often known as
Early Washington and is of European origin. The other is above
medium size, flatish-round form; color when fully ripe creamy white
with a few irregular white dots; stem short and stout, set in a broad
green russeted cavity; calyx nearly closed in a broad, shallow, con-
siderably wrinkled basin; flesh white, tender, juicy; flavor pleasant
acid with a trace of subacid; season, August. It is probably of
Russian origin and may belong to the Transparent family; name
not known to us.
Aug.6. From John Carsin, Dakota, Minn. Three varieties.
One isthe Duchess of Oldenburg. Another is a seedling of large
size; form roundish, slightly ridged; color pale greenish-yellow,
striped and splashed with crimson red on sun side; the core is rath-
er large and the seed cells open; flesh a greenish-white and a little
coarse;flavor a pleasant acid; the season is probably September; tree
good. The third variety is medium size in form and appearance,
much like the last; flesh finer and flavor rather better.
Aug. 8. From Wm. Decker, Dresbach, Minn. Extra fine samples
of Russian White Transparent.
Aug. 13. From H. Knudson, Springfield, Minn. Fruit said to be
hybrid sand cherry. The fruit averaged 34,x7% inch in diameter;
form round oval; color dark cherry red; stem 5g inch long in a reg-
ular rather deep cavity, and should judge the fruit will hang to the
tree well; flesh greenish-yellow; skin rather thick; flesh of good con-
sistency and has considerable of the domestic plum flavor without
acidity; stem medium large, thick, oval; fruit keeps better than na-
tive plum.
Aug. 14. From Clarence Wedge, Albert Lea, Minn. Samples of
sand cherry, large size and excellent flavor.
Aug. 15. A boxof native plums,without name or residence of send -
er. They are medium large, round, dark red fruit of good flavor and
appearance, very free from acridity in skin and about the stone. Its
value will depend much upon fruitfulness of tree and cooking
quality of fruit.
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342 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
A TRIP THROUGH THE ORCHARDS OF MINNESOTA.
MADE BY PROF. S. B. GREEN AND CLARENCE WEDGE
IN AUGUST, 1895.
Mr. Wedge and I have been making a short trip through the
orchards of the state with the purpose of preparing a report on their
condition, to be given at the winter meeting of our horticultural
society next winter. We have in mind further journeyings of a like
nature before the growing season ends.
Our worthy secretary, however, has asked me to write up a sort of
preliminary report of our trip which, without giving away all our
“thunder,” shall show something of the condition in which we
found things. We made the trip largely by railroad but carried our
bicycles with us to help out, and found them of very great assistance.
We went in light marching order, dressed in sweaters, but neither of
us seems to be quite up to the point of wearing “bloomers,” as the
boys call short pants.
We started from Minneapolis on Monday noon for Excelsior,
where we visited Peter M. Gideon and looked over his seedling
apples with much interest. Mr. Gideon says it is “right smart hard”
to tell the difference between the Wealthy and Peter apples, but
that the Peter keeps better than Wealthy. From there we pushed
on to Waconia. A severe rain had preceded us which made the
roads almost impassable for bicycles and delayed us so long that it
was nearly supper time when we reached Mr. Andrew Peterson’s
place. It was our intention to have gotten back to Excelsior the
same night, but the heavy roads and threatening rain made this out
of the question. Mr. P. kindly put us up for the night. Among
some of the object lessons here are his Lieby apple trees, which are
very large, spreading fully thirty feet, with a trunk circumference
of thirty inches, but bearing no fruit this year. They have, however,
been very productive, and seemed good for many more years of ser-
vice. The Anisim apples, formerly called Good Pheasant, we found
bearing heavily, though a few of the trees seemed to be root injured.
Now “stick a pin right here” and remember that—I think, without
exception—whenever on this trip we found trees under the name of
Hibernal or Lieby, they looked well and generally bore some fruit,
and the owners believed in them. Our society makes no mistake in
recommending it as the hardiest of the well tried varieties.
Among other varieties represented that showed vigor and fruit-
fulness were Cross, Wolf, Patten’s Greening, White Pigeon and
Minnesota crab. Charlamof was not bearing, but the trees appeared
far hardier than the Duchess. Mr. Peterson’s place is admirably
kept and a great many points of interest were noted.
Tuesday A. M. we bicycled it to Victoria and took the train for Min-
neapolis, arriving there about 9 o’clock. As there were no trains out
of town in directions in which we wanted yo, we went on bicycles to
Farmington, where we visited Mr. Parker, who is located on the
prairie about two miles from town. Here we found Hibernal heavily
loaded with fruit and the tree perfect, and the Whitney, Tetofsky and
Duchess apples and Minnesota and Strawberry crabs doing well. He
ORCHARDS OF MINNESOTA. 343
also has a large number of the best Russian varieties, in a new
orchard, that are looking well. Mr. Parker has a very pleasant home
and his place shows that both he and his wife love horticultural
affairs.
Tuesday night we went to Lake City, where we arrived at 10:30.
Spent the night with the worthy president of our society and the
next day visited his extensive orchards and nursery. We found the
Anisim apple, which was here as usual a tardy bearer, loaded almost
to the ground with nice fruit, and the Hibernal sound and fruiting
heavily. The Duchess fruit had all been picked, but had evidently
been a heavy crop, as were many crabs, notably one of the Pickett’s
seedlings and the Early Strawberry. Here were, probably, fifty young
trees of the Okabena bearing heavily, and the fruit was very perfect.
In fact, all the fruit at this place was fair and quite free from blem-
ishes.
Mr. Underwood has an orchard high up on the north side of a
steep bluff, part of which is grown on “the forest orchard plan,” by
cutting off the original tree growth, planting the apple trees and
mulching without further cultivation. Part of the land is so steep
as almost to preclude cultivation. The trees here looked well, and
it was, in our opinion, a most favorable place for an orchard. The
dwarf savin juniper (Juniperus Sabina) is grown in the nursery
here in large quantities and is a very desirable plant for a low ever-
green windbreak. It is extremely hardy and bears close pruning
well.
Late Wednesday afternoon we spent several hours at Minnesota
City looking over Mr. O. M. Lord’s place, which is very prettily situ- |
ated in the valley near the railroad station. Mr. Lord had two or
three varieties of peaches fruiting well, and we had the pleasure of
testing them. The Japan plum called Ogon looked better than we
expected and has produced fruit, but it is evidently too far north for
profitable culture. Mr. Lord’s plums were very excellent. He thinks
the Rollingstone the finest American plum. He also says of other
plums that Cottrel is a magnificent fruit, and that the Wyant does
very well, but he thinks Iowa parties have lauded it too highly. The
Cheney plum, he says, is one of his best but is a little soft for ship-
ping. Comfort plum was bearing a heavy crop of large, fair fruit.
Mr. Lord has had a very excellent crop of strawberries this season,
and his new bed looks very well. Hehas many varieties.
We next visited Mr. J. S. Harris’ home at La Crescent, which is
picturesquely situated high up on one of the bluffs, surrounded by
fruit and ornamental trees in great variety. Mr. Harris has a great
variety of fruit plants and is making a careful trial of all the prom-
ising varieties he can get hold of. He has many large trees but.
also, an excellent young orchard containing very many varieties.
Here we saw two Flemish Beauty pear trees bearing about a bushel
of fair pears each, and the trees were very healthy. The largest
Duchess tree we have seen is here located and will spread fully
thirty feet. Dartt’s Hybrid apple was heavily loaded. Many varie-
ties of the old apple list, such as Haas and Utter, were doing very
well. The Avista, originated by A. J. Philips, we found blighting
ye Sy iia aS bile phe ES Sel
344 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
badly here, and the same was true of it in the two other places where
we saw it growing. The Pride of Minneapolis crab was also very
productive here. The Cheney plum trees seen at this place are very
large and were bearing a tremendous crop of fruit. It was the finest
thing in the plum line that we had ever seen.
On Friday we visited Mr. Wm. Somerville, of Eyota, Olmsted coun-
ty. He has a large, old orchard of the standard kinds and a good,
young orchard of the newer sorts. We found the Malinda top-
worked on Transcendent bearing heavily, one large tree bearing
probably fifteen bushels of fruit. Sweet Russet is highly esteemed
by Mr. Somerville. One of his Transcendent trees measures fifty-
eight inches and is sound every way. The Striped Anis was doing
well. The trees are large and sound but not very fruitful. Other
trees looking well are the Kourk Anis, White Pigeon, Longfield,
Juicy Bur, Repka Malenka and Rollin’s Prolific.
The raspberries here are in excellent health and very productive.
They are grown in rows seven feet apart and the whole ground
heavily mulched. Mr. Somerville prides himself on his garden,
which was in an exceptionally flourishing condition. He has most
of his apple trees tied together by inarching twigs from one main
branch into another. Some of these grafted branches are several
inches in diameter and make giving away in the crotches almost an
impossibility.
Friday afternoon we took in Mr. R. C. Keel’s place as we bicycled
it from Eyota to Rochester. Mr. Keel hasa very light crop of apples
this year. Here we found the Virginia crab doing especially well.
Several of the trees spread fully thirty feet. Mr. Keel says he pre-
fers this to the Transcendent, as the trees do not blight, and the
fruit keeps longer. The Wealthy is here doing especially well top-
grafted on Transcendent crab. The Gilbert is an apple resembling
the Duchess but is several weeks later; itis productive and healthy,
The Minnesota crab was doing especially well.
From Rochester we drove to Hammond to the home of Mr. Sidney
Corp. The land here is very high prairie. The orchard is enclosed
on all but the east side with windbreaks. His original planting was
made twenty-eight years ago, and of these the Duchess and a few
other kinds are in almost perfect condition. Here we saw large,
heavily laden, thrifty trees of the McMahon, Brett No. 2, Hibernal,
White Pigeon and Anisim apples and Minnesota and Strawberry
crabs. The Avista and Autumn Streaked apples were badly
blighted.
We spent Saturday at the Owatonna Experiment Station. The
work of this station has so often been reported on by its able super-
intendent, E. H.S. Dartt, that it would be superfluous to refer to it
at length here, except to say that his valuable work is originating
many new kinds of apples, and that there is growing here a remark.
ably large and promising lot of seedling apple trees whose future
should interest every friend of horticulture.
PROF. S. B. GREEN.
om ‘
ee ee a ert et A ra Ee
yeptemnber alendar.
BY J. S. HARRIS.
About this time of year every young fruit tree in the orchard or
the garden should be examined for borers with great care, and, if
any bave found lodgement in the stem, they must be cut out or
killed by probing the burrows with a wire. Another washing of
the trunks with strong soapsuds to which a little carbolic acid has
been added will prove a paying investment in cleaning the tree of
moss and destroying the eggs ofinsects. No plowing or cultivating
should be done in the orchard during this month, lestit stimulate
to a late growth or starting of buds.
Gathering of fruitis a leading feature of the work of this month.
All fruit designed for market should be carefully hand picked and
assorted as it is put into clean packages. The man whose fruit is of
a uniform quality and size throughout, instead of small and inferior
in the center of the package, will soon be found out, and he always
finds a ready sale for it. Where trees have been budded, the trees
should not be allowed to remain longer than two weeks, lest the
restriction of the flow of sap cause the buds to start this fall.
The patch of currants and gooseberries should becleaned of weeds,
but the soil should be disturbed as little as possible. Currants
are generally propagated by cuttings which are made and set at
once, or they may be kept over winter by burying out of doors or in
acoolcellar. The cutting should be six or eight inches long and set
with one or two buds above the ground and, about the time winter
sets in, covered with mulching.
Grapes are now ripening. Do not prune or remove any foliage,
expecting to hasten the ripening—it will retard rather than hasten.
Grapes must be allowed to ripen on the vines; they will not ripen
any after being picked. Where grapes are put up for market they
should be thoroughly ripe and very carefully handled; the practice
of putting grapes upon the market before perfectly ripe lessens the
demand and lowers the price. _
Strawberry beds should be kept clean as late as weeds grow for
the balance of the season; very shallow hoeing or cultivation is the
best. As soon as the desired number of plants have rooted keep the
runners clipped off. Late plants are almost worthless for fruiting
or planting in new beds. Old beds that are being kept over will be
greatly benefitted by giving them a liberal dressing of fine barn-
yard manure.
Aid the blackcap and Shaffer raspberries in making new plants
for next spring’s setting by placing a little fine soil over the tops or
pegging them down so they will not be swayed about by the wind.
Wherever orchards are to be planted or new berry plantations
made next spring, the ground should be prepared for them now.
Late weeds thrive vigorously in the rich soil of the kitchen and
market garden, and hoeing and raking should not cease until frosts
aS era aaa
346 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
put a stop to their growth. Mow and burn the tops from the aspa-
agus beds as soon as growth is done, and apply a liberal dressing
of manure. Plants in the amateur flower garden that are to be kept
over for winter’s blooming or setting again next year should be
taken up and potted early, shaded fora few days and protected from
injury by frosts. This is the season of fairs and every wide awake
horticulturist has now an opportunity by attending themto layina
stock of information that can hardly be gotinany other way or place.
All who can should show something to help out the exhibition and
make them interesting for others, as well as post themselves up on
the fruits, flowers and vegetables.
WINDMILL IRRIGATION.—J. F. Monson of Sedgwick county, Colo.,
thus gives his experience with windmill irrigation: “During the
extreme drouth of three years ago an idea struck me to construct a
reservoir and use windmills and pumps to fill it. I selected the
only suitable place on the farm to build the reservoir, which was
sandy or rather gravelly, and it was necessary to build it of stone
and cement it inside. It was made 80 feet in diameter with 4% feet
walls banked up all around on the outside. I dug two wells as near
the reservoir as possible. I had to go 20 feet fora supply of water,
so erected two 12-foot windmills. One of them operates a 4-inch
double acting cylinder and throws a 2-inch steady stream; the other
mill operates a 4-inch single acting cylinder which does not pump
so much as the other. With this arrangement I can irrigate about
10 acres of land. I have raised garden stuff, mostly onions, celery,
potatoes, and have begun to plant fruit trees and small fruit, and it
has thus far paid fairly well on the investment considering my
inexperience in irrigation. I feel thoroughly satisfied that with
experience and good attendance it will be a paying investment.”
How To GET ANNUAL CROPS OF FRUIT.—As a rule apples bear
biennially. Where all of one’s orchard possesses this habit, he has
a flood of apples one season and none the next; thus, he has profit
from his orchard but half the time, and every alternate year must
either purchase apples for family use or go without. It is doubtless
true that the reason for this is,a heavy crop of fruit so exhausts
trees that it takes the second year to recuperate. My theory is that
if the fruit be all removed from a tree or any of its main branches
soon after the fruit sets, that tree or branch will bear the next year.
I have proceeded far enough in the experiment to have ocular
evidence that the theory is correct, for at this writing I can show a
branch of a Baldwin which was stripped of its fruit last June, and
the balance bore heavily, and now the branch is full of fruit and the
rest of the tree has none. A Seek-no-Further tree, partly stripped
two years ago, presented the same feature last season, and continues
it this, on alternate sides.
— PT.
Se
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a
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"= oF
J
, a adh a Yo: | ee
_— J 4
ecretary’s (Yorner,
WHAT FRUIT ARE YOU STORING FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING?—Con-
siderable fruit has already been stored here in Minneapolis for this
occasion, and we confidently expect the best show our society has
made. Whatcan you do for it? Shipping tags will be furnished on
_ application to the secretary.
PROSPECTS FOR A FRUIT EXHIBIT AT THE STATE FAIR.—As far
as known all the usual exhibitors of fruit at the State Fair will be on
hand this fall, though some will not be able to show as well as usual
on account of hail or, perhaps, frost. Every possible facility will
be provided to make it pleasant for the exhibitor, and we are hope-
ful that the display will equal or surpass that oflast year. Shall we
not show the State Fair management that we are in the business for
the love of it?
PREMIUMS ON FRUIT AT THE NEBRASKA FAIR.—A circular just
received from Secretary A. U. Reed, of the Nebraska State
Horticultural Society, indicates the large liberality of Nebraska to
that interest. The premiums offered this year amount to $1500. In
that state the horticultural society has the entire charge of that de-
partment of the fair, arranges the premiums, etc., being allowed a
lump sum by the authorities for this purpose—I think, by the legis-
lature. The plan commends itself much.
VISITING THE ORCHARDS OF MINNESOTA.—Prof. S. B. Green of the
Experiment Station, St. Anthony Park, and Mr. Clarence Wedge of
Albert Lea, are making an extensive tour of the state visiting as far
as possible en route the more important orchard districts, and
taking notes for a full report to be made to the next winter meeting
of this society. Ina brief sketch by Prof. Green, to be found ona
preceding page, he speaks of being at Excelsior, Waconia, Farming-
ton, Lake City, Eyota, Rochester, La Crescent, Hammond and
Owatonna. In an excursion now making, other places are being vis-
ited, including New Ulm, Albert Lea, Winnebago City, Fairmont,
Austin and Faribault.
It has been a long time, if ever, since such a comprehensive tour
has been taken in connection with the work of our society, and the
detailed report and resultant conclusions will be looked for with
great interest. They should bea very safe guide to the prospective
orchardist of Minnesota.
As one practical result of this trip Prof. Green will receive some
light, perhaps, to guide in his experiment work at the Station, and
348 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Mr. Wedge, as horticultural lecturer in the Farmers’ Institute, will
be able to give to the people the information it is the obligation of
our society to gather for them.
WHAT ARE YOUR NEIGHBORS DOING?—On a preceding page is an
account of two short trips by the secretary in the Minnetonka fruit
regions. Reference is made to this here only to emphasize the great
advantage to the horticulturist of seeing what and how others in
his line of work are doing. A few days spent every season in this
way will yield large results in accumulated knowledge and renewed
zeal. Don’t fail to try it.
FRUIT AT THE STATE FAIR.—Have you made your entries for the
State Fair? If not,doit now, and make it a point to show every-
thing worthy on your place, and don’t be deterred for fear some one
may have better. Select the best you have, pack it carefully and be
on hand in good season to set it up yourself and your chances are
excellent; you will at least get knowledge of the greatest value by
contact with the larger and successful fruit growers, who always
attend the fair.
SUPERINTENDENCE OF THE HORTICULTURAL EXHIBIT AT THE
FAIR.—On account of the press of other matters Mr. Wyman Elliot
is unable to give personal attention to this duty, although he has
been honored with the appointment, and at his request the secre-
tary, Mr. A. W. Latham, will assume the management as during
several years past. Any communications pertaining to this exhibit
should then be addressed to Mr. Latham at his office in the city, or,
during fair week, to “State Fair, Hamline, Minn.” Of course, all
entries must be made before the fair opens with the secretary of the
fair, Mr. E. W. Randall, and not with the superintendent of this de-
partment, a mistake that is sometimes made.
THE SECOND TRIP TO THE ORCHARDS.—Just as we goto press and
too late for any detailed report, Prof. S. B. Green is returned from
the second trip which he and Mr. Wedge have been making to the
orchards, referred to in a preceding note. He comes back full of
enthusiasm at the prospects for apple culture in our state. Prob-
ably no further report will be made of those excursions till the
annual meeting in December, but when presented at that time it will
prove, I have no doubt, the most interesting and valuable word
which has come to us on this subject in many years. Minnesota is
evidently at the threshold of a new era in orcharding. Be sure you
plan to attend this meeting.
TOP-WORKING THE APPLE.—Please notice particularly the article
treating on this subject, written at my request by Prof. E. S. Goff, of
the Wisconsin Experiment Station, to be found on page 336 of this
number. It is practical and deserves careful reading.
FARMINGTON, MINN.
A Life Member.
(For biography see index.)
ee Nei NE ede
Sot AA Oe eee
THE MINNESOTA
HORTICULTURIST.
VOL. 23 OCTOBER, 1895. NO. 9.
HORTICULTURE AT THE MINNESOTA STATE FAIR,
1895.
A. W. LATHAM, SECRETARY.
The fair which has just closed was held under auspices altogether
most favorable. Good crops throughout the state, successfully har-
vested, and pleasant weather during the week combined to make
this the most successful fair financially and in point of attendance
in the history of the State Agricultural Society.
The exhibit in which we are especially interested, that of the fruits
and flowers, occupied, as usual, the south half of the agricultural
building, and overflowed in its collections of greenhouse plants
which were grouped around the central fountain. A view from the
gallery at the south end of the hall, belonging to the Horticultural
Society, showed this fountain in the foreground occupying the cen
ter of the hall, backed by a lusty array of vegetables and grains
which made up the eleven county exhibits. On either side of the
hall were banks of flowering plants, etc., composing the exhibits of
the florists. Inthe center of the hall the competitive fruits were ar-
ranged on three parallel tables, with pyramidal shelvesrunning the
length of this half of the hall. On the shelves around the booth
before spoken of were arranged a display ofapples and grapes, and
at either end of the booth on turn-tables were placed the pantry
stores contributed by the ladies, while the bread and cake filled to
overflowing the glass-covered casesin front. The tables were hand-
somely decorated along the center, and upper, shelves with fruit
pieces and flowering plants contributed by the floral exhibitors.
The exact figures of the exhibit are not at hand, but in the neigh-
borhood of two thousand plates of fruit were shown, comprising,
perhaps, two hundred varieties of apples, forty of grapes and a
number of varieties of plums—which were not very plentiful in this
year’s show—three of pears and oneof peaches. The fruit shown
was in the main very handsome in appearance and up to the maxi-
mum in size. The number of exhibitors was about thirty, and
included in their list all the principal exhibitors of the past years
with the exception of R.C. Keel, of Rochester, whose absence was
regretfully noted. Mr. J. S. Harris carried off the palm for the
largest professional exhibit of apples,and as he has almost every-
thing, seedling or otherwise, grown in the state, on his place, bear-
ing or coming into bearing, it seems probable that he will continue
to wear this highest honor indefinitely.
350 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
The leading horticulturists of the state were present in force dur-
ing the week, and it is this which lends so largely such an interest
to the occasion. The premiums secured are always welcome, but
the greatest benefit arising from attendance at the fair is the oppor-
tunity given for fraternal greeting.
One feature in connection with our portion of this fair should be
especially noted, and that is, the attention of the press of the Twin
Cities. Heretofore, our exhibit has received scant notice from them,
but this year all the prominent papers of the two cities have given
considerable space to a description of it and seemed to have sud-
denly awakened to the fact that the horticultural society is making
a fine show and the state is becoming a fruit-growing region. A
few extracts from these notices will be worth preserving in connec-
tion with this description as showing these sentiments. Some of
the articles from which they are taken, were a column or more long,
and during the week there were several editorials occupied entirely
or in part with the fruit exhibit. The following are the extracts re-
ferred to:
‘Some forty years ago the first efforts at fruit raising were begun in Minnesota,
At that time even the most sanguine did not expect that much would be accom-
plished in this climate. Today, however, Minnesota boasts the strongest horti-
cultural society in the United States; and it is owing to the public spirited efforts
of the state society that the present grand display of fruits is presented in agri-
cultural hall. Last year $700 was allowed in premiums to fruit growers. This
year the amount is cut to $500,and yetavery creditable showing is made. A
thousand dollars in premiums would fill agricultural hall to overflowing with
a fruit exhibit that would astonish the citizens of Minnesota as well as the visi-
tors from the East.’’—St. Paul Globe, Sept. 11.
“The most beautiful spot in all the enclosed places in the fair grounds is that
atthe south end Of the agricultural building, where Flora and Pomona have
been madetodo jointdutyin making up theensemble ofa scene that is altogether
lovely.’’—Minneapolis Tribune, Sept. 9.
“At the south end of the agricultural hall is a raised platform, from which an
excellent view of the building and the displays of fruits and flowers may be had.
It is a sight to make any lover of the most beautiful part of the farm and garden
feel a supreme satisfaction. On either side of the building there stretch away
for perhaps seventy-five feet banks of flowers from the greenhouses of the two
cities, while in the center, arranged in pyramidal shelves, show the fruits. And
the fruits are there! Any one whois skeptical about the ability of the climate
and soil of Minnesota to raise apples should see the fruit on exhibition.’’.—Min-
neapolis Journal, Sept. 11.
“The royal apple, king of fruits, is destined to add Minnesota to the most flour-
ishing of his dominions. If any one doubtsit, let him go to the state fair and see
the exhibit in the agricultural hall.’’—Pioneer Press, Editorial, Sept. 13.
“One of the most tempting and bewitchingly beautiful exhibitsis the display
made by the Minnesota State Horticultural Society in agricultural hall. Itis
hard to realize that a state so young could produce such a wonderful variety of
fruits of such an excellent quality as is displayed in thisexhibit. Rendering this
display of fruit more tempting and pleasing is a most beautiful collection of
plants and flowers, artistically arranged. Not only are they displayed in groups,
but they are also distributed among the fruits, lending to the whole exhibita
picturesque beauty that makes it wonderfully tempting and attractive.’’—Min-
neapolis Times, Sept. 13.
“Tf there is an infant industry in this state that ought to be protected, and
which is thriving in spite of the fact that it is handicapped in many ways, it is
the raising of fruit. The success of fruit culture is due almost entirely to the
fact that the men engaged in it are the people who do it because they love it and
are determined to winin spite of everything. They have proved to a demonstra-
HORTICULTURE AT THE STATE FAIR. BDL
tion that the climate and the soil are all right for the more common fruits, and
now they are making a noble effort to force recognition from the state agricul-
tural society. And that recognition took the form this year of a reduction of the
premiums offered for displays. Any one who has seen and enjoyed the beautiful
showing of fruits and flowers in the south end of the agricultural building must
feel something of indignation at the fact that all those beauties are competing
for a beggarly $500 premium.’’—Pioneer Press, Sept. 13.
It is evident that the absence of pool selling and in other respects
the cleansing of the moral atmosphere of the grounds is bringing
into prominence the strictly agricultural elements of the fair
which have heretofore occupied comparatively obscure positions.
It is not that the horticultural exhibit is better than before that the
press have taken so much more notice of it this year,but that ours is
becoming in verity an agricultural fair. With acontinuance of the
present wholesome policy we may expect still greater recognition
of ours and kindred interests tothe great and lasting benefit of the
real tillers of the soil.
MULCHING TO RETARD BLOSSOMING.
In order to test the truth of the old theory that a mulch applied
when the ground is deeply frozen will, by keeping the frost in the
ground and the feeding roots frozen until late in the spring, change
the time of blossoming of the trees so treated, we took three sets of
trees in our bearing orchard last February and mulched half of
each set with litter about ten inches deep extending six feet from
the trunk of each tree. The ground was bare at the time and frozen
to an unusual depth, and, as the frost came out very gradually this
season on account of the lack of usual rains, the ground remained
frozen under this mulch long after it had thawed out about the
other trees, thus giving opportunity for a very perfect test of this
theory. The varieties tested were the Duchess, Wealthy and Whit-
ney, and during this month the mulched and the unmulched trees
blossomed freely and at exactly the same time. To add to the con-
clusiveness of this test we will give an incident in our experience
this season, which seems to make it certain that the time of the open-
ing of the leaves and blossoms is controlled entirely by the tem-
perature of the air and is independent of the action of the roots.
While examining a long row of Hibernals that was in bloom we
came upon a tree, also in full bloom, that looked pinched and whose
foliage was peculiar, and, upon further examination,it seemed to be
quite loose in the ground. We pulled on it and, behold, it was only
a stub stuck in the ground without so much as a sign of a root.
Pocket gophers had been at work under the heavy mulch and had
used the roots of that tree to eke out their winter supply. The top
of the tree had gone on, and at the bidding of the genial warmth of
spring had performed its proper functions without aid or comfort
from the roots, and had done it at precisely the same time as the
adjoining trees which were enjoying full connection with their
roots. Mulchingis a good thing to conserve moisture and prevent
dry and deep freezing.—N. W. Agri.
MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
PREMIUMS AWARDED AT THE MINNESOTA STATE
FAIR, 1895.
FRUITS.
GEORGE H. SMITH, LONG LAKE, MINN.
Prem.
Duchess of Oldenburg, apple............ 5 2
GEORGE MILLER, FARIBAULT, MINN
Peerless apple... te Sci ce oe
Collection of peealine Boles tevotadins iSiperiand aaa Hybrid Snorer 2
Collection: ofsiberian and hy bridsapplesins ..tesccecenice steele eee 1
Seedling apple, fall variety, never having received a premium at the
Minnesota State Fair ..... poe
A. B. COLEMAN, LONG LAKE, MINN.
Collectionvo£ by brid and Siberia Ap pPlesiprn csc csc vac ateles. + tele maleeisins/s ae sefanme 8
Borovinka, apple ...... SiS coches oes ae ae coseke 3
Wirsinia veralby coccac csc cece tee dee cinae tics cinemetestene acciee cerioine) siiiset ciate cal eitienn acme al
BLAIS WEEE CHA ie warce esse en eee Mela ea Bulge TR ot EIS ene ecco eae eee 2
Hyslop, SUS Sha cats Matayaletaye Sle tars eaearele sseal oe taratee woisibtaiens Wick Bie ielare ota eranta stealer 2
Florence, CARE AEA ere ra Ie SANE O eon EO ET ORAL HGGE DE ace worn 2
JOHN LOUDON & SON, EXCELSIOR, MINN.
Duchess of Oldenburg, apple..... 3
Mire IN as Cha DR eeoancteeais slots he isia'c aie ho sta weston ae since aeeeehe meme elealsee nee 3
WOlECHLOM Of STAPES 2.5 ce 'ecic o's aiuin cine che wis. 6 wie alee tiejelsiel seyenisistoe Mele Siecle ava cie so keeienete 1
AE SAW AIT ST APC versie oie ereverecaie vay stoinsu isi aieleystoterepausjaveerheha si pars taka leis edateniereveieastereiaracste aitte Tbe aia ne 3
Rrichton; | ** 3
‘Concord, #01) RUA ale Sueta ve sehblve of bie velatetes Saw tet lassi dte haraternte reve’ tciet cinerea ls oyerek fatclate tate tear 2
Delaware, ‘ 3
Duchess, HEN erate aie ate cecal Sime Cats WA TOTON oa no SUS UAV TNaT Vat ale oat easels ctataraPo coke tas oiaca het era 1
WV MIPIFE State fora PO ists core saicvs sraickechews slarsteye lan telave nis. c1s Matos ioe cr sree inte arenas ae 1
Herbert, ag 1
Tona, Bor ee een E ahercse oth ais a aieh a ork st ola bane lear hated Sat emi chee EE 1
Lindley (Roger’s No. 9), eran EA Ce eas PE AGG ASCO OS otaG 2
Lady, 1
Massasoit, be 1
Moore’s Early, Bes cner SS, Se ates eS oie ache ae siatola a oretaccranti ts aac aaa a oe nae 2
Niagara, Cheha Sate eich eis io cha SRO See Teen oto Biowasie nian. eee eae 1
Pocklington, B6 PS Gaia: a SSS oid Sener ae AG Cae oid sittaaicrs os nee 2
Pokeepsie Red, Be Allorevala Bn einlota ets aoe Uk aerate aa Tatel ahs vere baveie Sia peleraasoteeteee 1
Wilder, Uy caincnainle Bie ere aheieh tine Deeks cues ee eice ae Sens ee eae 1
Worden, BO Ora aie' Sia gieneavaTOe Trew Re etn SATO Seat teat clea 8 ah ayehetst Oia BRS 1
Telegraph, Sy 1
Cottage, Soe Gp Nec ae INS rs NN AE SCE RIReRME REE cic Cc 1
Wyoming Red, SBS — PN Oe TER AC aN eat te RCRD OM, Yeh prelereleye cinerea ene 1
Aminia'GRoger's/INO.39) 90 (eo eceace tals cleric sactersnioetralaie se ate ialerst atte c neuoiatciton i:
Martha, NS cies De ea ta aicaval nate a relat in RUMEN erates al SHEILTh, ley alaca sus atelate Blase ceteaeetiete 1
Amt.
$1.00
$1.50
gguesuseueys
atl ee sey a ee
SSS
paces ae pe
SSSSSSSS
|)
a
oO
arm
“i
‘aig
PREMIUMS AWARDED AT STATE FAIR.
H. L. CRANE, EXCELSIOR, MINN.
Collection of BOE S2sdcesas sens tacya<srs
BPMN ALADE (ec a Piasesccey «creiace ses ccceics sy enlvewa acess sfrensciacbindnccce baaosle
PEER CSTU tease hye oneae aie os hare ec ecen evan wclatiny oy Je siowesiswise :
_ Concord, ae Ui SSM arr e ek oe i cence stecekyw Seige ce ceeta, datesceme
Delaware, ees eae aoe etc eae als oles
? Duchess. ce
Iona, “S 2
MEMETESEI TIT Gy een hen a oon te ee amin c.cciblain: nied so'tin\ Se wsiebiadedicia vn eawiatvicer eects 0s.
_ Lindley, Ac Mea drtn Sion tte ee BES PES PCE OC Pe ano re Urte Pee
Lady, ROA hmm EY. PRs Serta fs cinco Mee Hse ve wise ava siniernealablos Soho) Ge ea's
- Moore’s Early, erape oe eae ode ee tsigros ae cece carder date ecigtolsly ase a.cale>.<
3 Pe Pockiincton, ERY ome heey a. Ue area tule depen Oan een ulskifainbieineat tale aes asi
Worden, CE eg Leh eee ran y. © cre Mt ea A orate he Pre etciai re and atciay’ tral cih9 356
re.
ee - DITUS DAY, FARMINGTON, MINN.
«Collection of apples (hybrids and Siberians excepted) ..........--.++.+++-
me@ollection of hybrid and Siberian apples... 2.2... 062 ccc ees ceencce: wcccscece
_ Malinda, apple.
Coe cows wees Cees eh een see were ee eseessesreseses seeeee ee seeece
-Talmon Sweet, apple............
MENIGILETICE CLAD. oo. o's) .conjeeine ca cacciacieraatslnedeecsdnncses seen assscuewescsesiecch ones
Sweet Russet, crab.
Martha, crab.. BAS Tae Rigen Sn ohn a hat ARP Ro oem A TE ES ord
oe Barly Beebe, ee Ao ee tee See ie a Rete cies Mad Meee Sas Mathnn a ae oe sie
Collection of Siberian and hybrid seedling apples.................+..- ohare
é J. A. HOWARI), HAMMOND, MINN.
a Collection of hybrid and Siberian apples........... ..2.ceeeeee cece etee teens
___- Duchess of Oldenburg, apple fn ACN Bee oR See anna ie eR Sanh Pe
- Wealthy, Soha hse
Borovinka, Soe sya ch ec eR Aire can a uieaieialefee clan esialeleoele ealeso
a McMahon White, ieee eee ea eee awa ids Ramen ane nee ten wewdae s
Largest hybrid, te
ISR ETS CLAD. oo crs co.cc): citiclawnis «)r'sa alain eles ainis'ad/Saieinle «de cisiaiseieiscia'elees Deact taveee hs
Ree IE I er ce Tap ines, Gis ant auc sin vealds'avne~h 6) wakwaedce’s
Whitney’s, Sa : Wiace
Early Stfawberty. crab.
Minnesota, Set seie ols Aer aeReise Uenidaese spe amiewhe seemed
SIDNEY CORP, HAMMOND, MINN.
‘ Collection of apples (hybrids and Siberians excepted) ...............-..+-
Autumn Streaked, apple Pod ceie, SARE Rak set oe A PR ie Parked Ta Beare SN ae eT
oa Anisim, MF MS ae naa eet a, Go hand Ma aaa eintahe en Sala) oid iacehotoberaratels
¥ Rollin’s Prolific, LeU rte eis wanan eae acetates Peseta eahetel ots aieisbaals ante wis we
4 Elgin Beauty, BO OSE eB ne es EER A aE RIae te Mette aaa
Demet ESty et EC) fot COL are cya lal tnciattcisehe aialalatciste vietaisiara aieiaisieisivlafe sis s'eltmpie area) Galanos 8 bx
McMahon White, FO Oe LST Re) Map ar er tee AOU ORES ets tale cieon glen ata Sta abe ae dat Nore k
Elgin Beauty,
‘ Winter White Pi
Charlamof,
Malinda,
WILLIAM SOMERVILLE, VIOLA, MINN.
Collection of apples (hybrids and Siberians excepted)......... -......0005
‘ Collection of hybrid and Siberian apples... .. 1202. cece ec es neces vac cesc ces
EMS EUS TET Coes oicie 2, oa oe Soa n.s.¢ oe Sota e karate eee eet semue cde pamaacdelsOalsce
+ Longfield, “
Gilbert, MPa nS otek, eianlet wa, clewel asjss/et ad oBrleceel daa be ting « deans ca gauht eee
Red Queen, “ z are Ne ae ee ee oitee SBN RD Ee dl oe bentadatis Ree roe
Rollin’s Prolific, Ses METAR: O55.. cle edine eal ate are este PO ae SES ch BUS: os
eae eM RIS ee Me sone Sot al. dolce hee te Shatae delti's coe sv csnoh moar dein saci s
_ Rollin’s Pippin, RAIA ose lns aig wrote casas cache tals Gam astancnie ae ents cclgarns’s
“oo
igeon, , apple...
ee ay
NHerFrEFNWOrF NN H&E eH
no rho re GO
nmonmwnww
BP reorere ONWN FHF bd
Bee eee
Bsseesszese
—_— —
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‘
a ee eee
; y ’ ’ "ha
3854 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
POW ers) CLAD i pods Paleiseeeaice ve Stall as ees eC eee OEE ORT R ae ere cenit sem eauets 2
Briar ’S weet; Crab cacao sic host Puke as nets fa aoe ee amereeesieie tuieaatos tu enibont ode ml:
Florence, Saisie sieteinaete tes ee iceietee sales Waianae cieiaaatteheterniee cas:cte nic's s Ae tiae 1!
Sweet Russet, “ ........... SN nidialg lea sdaye reveeinle eae RE ee NE ee oateeaidia'e csi are cenit ete OR
Martha, Ne Ste atstarienans Gee eee sla ce cee a tee ore aan rien hike sow eocane th erent 2
O. M. LORD, MINNESOTA CITY, MINN.
Talmon Sweet, apple......... olatoie,’ dinceo a bina tee SERCO REI ELL AOR sisle e's Jtte Sele see al
Collection of apples (excluding Siberians and hybrids) ................... 3
Fall variety of seedling apple, never having received a premium at the
Minnesota state Pair sie tccsxc.ccuse’ coceeeeeaee Bac cts nie pa OweR donate eee 1
Collection OF plains 136.2 bea sec heen > Matar oe ethan eee osorccioeestes cage 1
Desota plumage seo ee oo cane eateelpsindecle cael nee soanenan id cenlotionanre nts tle's sem eerie a
Weaver, a )> seies Sie dale wci’a civ eile eth s Dade ease on abw ees weiclece Raley erence sis sls nidetemeein aemias 2
(CHENG Yaumee eee eens encase anes Ris ciste sieletel> Wis tels\sip\ee eteleleisisintatsciersieete Mevaraleterate APpasoe
Rollingstone, plum........ S askielelemransee Taleo snislsle Sale cieiae) eoaiectnels else toties ie ele
Rockford, be es obra a aclea aaa Sele ceeatele ce cnelessts let dunn iosis aac cea ae emaeee 1
Wolf, Se tatters aitete wate eictelalS bbe ee eee co wa Gast eis Cao anatluiane oe slaterereteretes 1
Ocheeda, Se ea taiste Weiecottan lel tian stetate Ste fale ev ee ici oS Smt ole UA wees enevot ote Seemed 1
ANDREW PETERSON, WACONTA, MINN.
Collection of apples (hybrids and Siberians excepted)........ iueloeoatessie 2
Aart Sire Apple res sia aioe Ais eee aol notes ise mo See OTE Se Tee ese aaa soe aes 2
Christmas; Apple® so. csciceae oa acl cnsnhasioiaonven oe wvgetscere sdlals Seah awe oF ae meee aero 1
Patten’S Greening, Apple orca vies cisesieraois fees treonicinieetesy ates e)s eiamrn teeeie a ani eee 1
M. PEARCE, CHOWAN, MINN.
Winter variety of seedling apple, never having received a premium at
the Minnesota State Fair; before premiums are awarded in this lot,
exhibits of the same varieties must again be examined (by the
same committee, if possible,) at the next winter meeting of the
Minnesota State Horticultural Society, the apples not having been
Kept.inicold Storase tela. onc cc ce cins eee sitet we ceee eciaaine mele ve celamies/calcriomtes 1
J. S. HARRIS, LA CRESCENT, MINN.
Collection of apples (hybrids and Siberians excepted) ........... ........ a
Collection of hybrid and Siberian apples..... ..........-. 2000s WSs pet wee aS!
MELOLS Key. ADDIE soceame ee se tanner ecson cles Reco ae cae e ae srieeine cecum eee Sew ei}
Wealthy, ot oe 3
Borovitikkay. os Soo relsce saeco acs cestenee celae dooce loa del sletas ceveleulencoservaels oie assent eCiciann
Ostrekof, St Waweicen tecnienens Saneeretra suites cae eee atom ciate cee sial'ayelbie ale seralaterelcters 1
PSATEUET OWE Wale tees « winicie ciciale cvwicictotalvie ate exe arclalerciaiatatetsbets terala hictateletemtare neteie eiololee ai stateey Biome
MeMahon whites appleuttosss. 2, case seasons cnceseeces sSiectale fap ibis Pa ertavelnre aceeee 2
Okabena, BO os cheno ioie ere Ste telerals Wi sletereie aratciel a loteta aie tevel are alte evel ate Ye ctete tae aie Sienemmmne
Talmon Sweet, sen Moiatetecee shale twee elelare na elo oie aletam mare's eale castorate tals wale sonata ore atom
Largest hybrid, Soo aiscle aca DE acTeW Hid wai bialbialnts la ote eclovs w ole eisieter are wlaletsie cles aietelacc clammy
Transcendent, Grab ccs .o2-cnies helisceivsiiniv'scelae ot aeisicleincins om seule ios se impeller iste i:
Powers, Rb: PY (Sreke cus valasa ohaeysianctars lores e sla Srara? estar ogsinisc inte sieieeueteleoiem eprieletareierveeiete 1
Whitney’s, SO eer cepts Rice raslawe Sionsatin tere clotesa atin) Febote ciotala ems pee ete tr onatet asusistate tse 2
Collection of seedling apples (excluding Siberians and hybrids)........ 1
Collection of Siberian and hybrid seedling apples............-..e00-- eee 3
Fall variety seedling apple, never having received a premium at the
Minnesota State Wattacesicesmwce ccc darcre ae aeke ote ee cistnte late ele relatele oats eletsre sere stearate 3
Winter variety seedling applejete: ccc. s tenenices taelin ew aasicleivicss nose asieteseise 2
ERICK B. PAUL, WORTHINGTON, MINN.
Okabenay apples oc saicc cerca tow supe ote gad ve sealer erases alah ce caniaio «sie ele’eletsfoeegmes
O. F. BRAND, FARIBAULT, MINN.
Barczest hy brid Apple. cisteracte cc aisietete cle cates stots iere ols ntalatareyn ats Wt -ie)u/ela’einie’o/eigie(si=//aeini tate 1
6.00
6.00
50
00
00
-00
00
-00
2.00
Sood oe ae
1.00
5S bat bet
Ea a ie
S88 Ssarssesges
Go bo
o ¢
SR
a
8
PREMIUMS AWARDED AT STATE FAIR.
JEWELL NURSERY CO,, LAKE CITY, MINN.
Collection of apples (hybrids and Siberians excepted) .... .........-..---
Collection of hybrid and Siberian apples...... ...........
BALIN TG TATTLE nic close siete cts aisicieicsie/a)nie mye cv 4 2: alslo caiera/alcicsaeiele’ sh «woe saya oiele sigjsialainisiel hah pels
PUEBTESOTICI PTE PATIL cate esis oes sear e telat he wieis ec oinlsTat iene els'sl bia 6 dis dis wares ed cweaieis, se eieiwle
REPS TIC eri tra oan s aceite cs sive cigsraiaice ais ver cistns iisivisis eles wipes sine), Pelsleeltuiclelses weayen'e
RI ITESOLS CUS seit naacc encore neremecl cece sie sine s0 ecigserealsasclevelele \s'c\eniamieiarrels scoot
SEM CLAY conti’ sins be ceinie'e ete ats aloclg’e <'s BE eee arte ran edad ame aXee sak aaah Sonie arch
Early Strawberry, crab.......... .. MM acRP TR Cris ass tence cebiceh Bana Aavowbilaccese
STE TEREST SDD retire eins sisi eins cle miso aroiw inte wase'e wiaisloisiejenl sete ai: cisleja/eie) oie
MnTer VarICly SCECIING APPLE) CLC ia. cee ceccces cc bees vase ce cedevconcs
E. H. S. DARTT, OWATONNA, MINN.
SeOuection Of hybrid anid ‘Siberian APPIES. «2s. .ciss cece sececs 6 ceceecccs wees
MERE RS RCT CATD TS LC. dei scrrehcrsre ermine thee ice rats ota ale eaRI a etnies SISOS ale malele vishe.areos AKusieleie balaiars
EERE Cee Ga GE al Prue a Sewell ae ainien ie cielalttominie stevens in eleiste Psielaieta’ ses w-n'evevey soles joie
DME Ete SO Ged OLE Disc cwieleinatele aie clnialeivive)<\s'0's (Gels sivivi <0 stann'aiaiciels/sivislsiolsiayeiciale cele ele wie/eisree. 6 3
JOHN R. CUMMINS, WASHBURN, MINN.
Longfield, apple............
J. T. GRIMES, MINNEAPOLIS.
BME CHT Set CONICAL ofa ninorsate'e: cic arcbais Feletiiole eistelet’ = ieis/elave cic el aetictateeeer <in\clnisinta'e
MRS. GEORGE DORRANCE, FARIBAULT, MINN.
ERAS eich OID LCi ae ol cia narcioren visice Se tine aicied eaiateeeur winced ste wloninws oe evmnfereladirisisivtels iia. 66s
CLARENCE WEDGE, ALBERT LEA, MINN.
RIANA TEAL CSET TCT cisla esi ears chats le nininfetel svafolatelaeMataistsl'c ©) staderaic, vt siSiayete leftists aisle c¥aleteclewerstsiare
BES NSM ES OAL ANY ND IDEO Lai atorse elsistatore iets ig as aie # 8S sd at ricco artis atabe aiaialersteleisle a cioleeiad e\telelelss >
ROIS LA LTIOL cA PLO: siccyscies ¢ olcisien sie cisteaeere aleheieie S epatettina Uses ayaa sicvaaihsleaiautee mcd iterate
REELS Se CUPP TILE Waicis mai vle v's ios 02, w)a/s.0.a\pic'a/s, 010 1a clstn eleieievelsuns
ROTO LENT Tet LeU Detter saa oleae eis al sore shainit 0 fat clara awe es ae melee Sivice clnies a etatovere wislel ef Gcisieva ters ielcereale
SUMRES GLA es pAUPY PLC: cintneiaih olacatr’= cesniwisictut cmeeine, alain sie wioreta sicsalniewias aie vel elo oiniaTe wie ais ale s/claisle ein aalele
GUST. JOHNSON, EXCELSIOR, MINN.
Collection of grapes ..........
PANU ATED py SLADE ssccie cvasiedinc ic cs-cldin} cilnioie'se elbieige.s's
SPEC OLS OT AT Ce ast a naistate lainye\aia edie a vate atic nepal ale bie\siurt aS aiclayeisis)snoleletaie = svsitiass a eh Sie
Meme Sa HIROSE SiN Oi9) yp OAD Stans cals crelvantcisioiceieic ltt Fieisccuslein ese \eielaicibiele Detesevelele’ aie
RUDOLPH KNAPHEIDE, ST. PAUL.
MIPSC ETICLOH ty CLAD Mok maniacs terete hd erence newts eel nieloe ce
Petree CHE ILO fy OT EPC ata o/aie'o'nels ie vcd hata Deals emt ele a chon ote e o:s te pals amisiole ns alsiniaieiales
SMURICRS SEL ERO LA IE Tarerels tare c ls vibicidsiseteisie tic sine pelts cinta toe eiew siete Noes eye anmelden c
SPICE ECE LEON IOV Me rors cretisis hier stele ooin'y wnie sisie s Ree oe ais eioeieeerek con! esis calorie aah eae e site
PRESEN EN MOREL APES Sia <0 yoca.hra'b Sys oom Hig, daleinrelimres at ORG T ER oe msleeeNc oud oe awa wateelane
M. M. FRISSELLE, EUREKA, MINN.
ISTIS HON OLA NC ercics) see's cle a
Delaware} Srape ssicc.s'.cccss es
A. H. BRACKETT, LONG LAKE, MINN.
ISCO UMC RET TreMe PePEe Rete ee Soot ic pion bbl see ea base icnlcis chive eee moe aad ts wenne
hm bo bo
395
$15.00
8.00
1 50
eee Cant ¢
356 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
MARTIN PENNING, SLEEPY EYE, MINN.
Collection of-pliimi8 isd. res cask aos net nee rice NES eee ene aa were oe anes oe
Desota, Play. oes aoe pd oeicee locas ones aaa eae sae Pat Nan ae Pte ate shad ois vic indintote ob eto
Weaver, plum ........ le inmost Cale. 9.5 She's einslae sean eRe Mae A Ree or en Se
New seedling plum, cross of native with domestic, stating parentage..
AUGUST WITTMANN, MERRIAM PARK, MINN.
Collection: of pins Sse os ccceks coe i geese ane ee ee eee ea aa een aeee
FLOWERS.
E. NAGEL & CO., MINNEAPOLIS.
Collection of greenhouse and hothouse plants ........... Sonbsebes o¢ see ceo
Collection of climbing vines, five varieties ........... ..cccc cece ceece-sceces
Collection of five hanging baskets, one of a kind ......................... 5
Collection of tuberous-rooted begonias .... ......-...-..+00- Shisee aad eee
Single specimen pa leat 5.552% sees ao ae- cole e ac rato toe dia ke ots cias eee eeeeReeee
Tuberous-rooted begonia, Single S. feceiac nis oi a oso tees cnn ceen,aolea else v epee
Tuberous-rooted begonia, double........... bie ope ni ctastedieine vals vin cas beteonee
Collection of tri-colored BEES Soteiaee cave apjsicae oot en ccusce eee
Twelve carnations in bloom, not less than five Darieiee Os aie eioiate atom eeeiaa
Collection.of cut flowers inl GeSign) 6600225 awe se coseeelaws ese ee soe atee atemen oie
Asters. Ss Bo Sos ses Siesta oaie tc ad pele nee Sate aoa iaeeclestncen OF seme eae
Gladioli, leva distinet ealaree. SUB Daw eaiacccmeles stirs Seuidemeaeeeme
Carnations: tencwarieviesicnn 2 <c ose ol cosas ke eee lene een sae ee ae soe eee
Ewelve-nch basketiof HOWerS)jfsans uk tn cscs cece cacsrecn, teak semee veerene cet eee
Py ramivd DOnuquet. vecscss wens eon Gees nee rose et ee ceeae Mca e oe danced en eee eee
Hand POUGHEE 322. iets ated ce So bk ie eee rele mae ode ae he oie eRe See Cee ee
Bridal bouquet, white flowers.............. FF duslddvata oats heedceieue Ten eeaboe we =A
WESSLING & HARTMANN, MINNEAPOLIS.
Collection of greenhouse and hothouse plants .. ........ 22.6 sceseeeeeeee
Collection of climbing vines, five varieties.........c20.csccecceccccns coccee
Collection of five hanging baskets, one of a kind................. BASS 4
Collection of coleus, six or more varieties .........-.. 2000s
Geratinms in bloom, tet varieties: 2. 5 cree sehees ool ee oe ree eaten as eee
Collection of tri-colored variegated geraniumis........ 0.2.6. cee eee cece eens
Twelve carnations in bloom, not less than five Varieties....... Se a
Asters, assorted colors, not less than ten kinds............ 0.00. ceceeeeees
Dahlias, assorted colors, not less than ten kindS........... .. eee eeee ee eeee
Pyramid! bouquetrss. jovr taste stab caste ces ome oiteaereen sta devin slate aoe eae Seer eee
Hari dV bouquet: 2.2.02) Seed ns oe sesh Se ce on ee eat es ae oe oe en ree ene
R. J. MENDENHALL, MINNEAPOLIS.
Collection of greenhouse and hothouse plants... ......... .... ..e0-. --
Collection of foliage and decorative plants ............ cee cece ceeeeee ee
F. G. GOULD, EXCELSIOR, MINN
Carnations, ten varietiCss. caccsccgacicdevice Seac welt ae sears sy ea Sele ok aa le Sawa
Twelve-inch basket of Mowers: 2. a. . teks cowwreetseees
JOHN C. FLEISCHER, ST. PAUL.
Collection of foliage and decorative plants. cc cece te suick esc posse teaces
Collection of climbing vines, five varieties. [02 voce aveces w- sees aasoccoecvce
Collection of five hanging baskets, one of a kind ... ............0. cece eens
Geraniums in bloom, ten warlietieS:. uc (cose cacatees at dd encasaidecs cs. iat ane see
Collection of tri-colored variegated geraniums...........-2. ceececeeeeeeeee
Twelve carnations in bloom, not less than five varieties ......... ........
Collection Of cut Howersini Gd ésigneac. seo cece saeco cine me veces caeeeiteer
ROSES; ' SIX VATICEIES Boe es ee cee Oe Docc ets eden tals Sisco lta ame sich o aceme ee cee
be OO et et ek eC et et et OS ot
ft ee RO OD DD wD
Beth ies De
PREMIUMS AWARDED AT STATE FAIR. Bay 4
JOHN VASATKA, MINNEAPOLIS.
Collection of foliage and decorative plants .. .............2.ccceceeceesee-ss 2 $10.00
eoMection Of COleUS; SIX OF MOTE VATICTIES .. 5.0. cio ace cc ccc ces Success aces 3 50
MoMection Of tuberous-rooted. DESONIAG... os. ace cece nc cece cavecccseccces oe 2 1.00
PSOE CITC OHA 20 aol ahs cn vice wise on apne ce 'be' sy cince's tletice acaevecciee omnes 2 2.00
Se TOUS-TOOLE DELONIAS, SINGLE. .0. . cewscon wedcislsa secdccc cacvecesstenccee 2 1.00
BETIS TOOL“ DES OMIAS, COUDIC® os... cok ocopa. hs cee enecec ce. eacdecevecasies%sane 2 1.00
Geraniums in bloom, ten varieties. Tap MeRnie arate Wels eas cuneanranicle, cetacean 4.00
Collection of cut flowers in design.. be BP ae are sat eho wa Ree METI
Asters, assorted colors, not less ae ten hindass Pens cals hows divaek aeiell we ese 3
TSENG SEL ESCISEINICL COLOLE Cos deck as'scrat clos ck ye welsobensaise a calaideseac es cols 2
SRRPIEEONTS CECE ICU ATIC CIOS. se Ce cba s ven b ci Sane oe Sree eee a ayaa pate wales oe 3
EIRP Rte TICUECRY coe cecil Deaf s oe cote ele aa a contd aslo wales ocmte de we edeke Ll
WN ww HN os
SSSSSESSESSESE
IPD yar Se eK Se cas tare ice nde e oS ere pla cio w olatng aaa Reem eA aaa a ceie sien eidwiele's eye wee 2
Beate te CM OAS Ket: OF LLOWETB i cokios els cambio b as og dn eedele sek eh ceri bccseews cio we 2
PEERITATO DOUCUCE ni. << 6% 0 «Ges cca cienne o<ktete SPasloe neem sss auarckaans Stas wh nies
MEMEBERS ET CU ee Sooo. se ad oe oak cana ae Se iowa cain as OU e oRe eS sek olaociciep bask nto calace a,
emt DOUGH ELS WHILE TOWELS nice cc vectne sds cat yacewnjelsveica se crac cess se ecewacey “2
$40.50
MRS. WILLIAM LYONS, MINNEAPOLIS.
RE RUNOT) Ol. CIILEAT ES Sos seas aie cies ses oe eink «lode sa ceatee dateeae parce Coeneed teen Lh $2.C0
PRR CPIOT OL MELA DELEICS \ccticcse sc’ case ane seca cac be anifamcidiectels sees sdevededls 1 3.00
Collection of raspberries .. SA Re Sth kacad Peete wane Sa acbemteceeeer Lk 3.00
Collection of house Bientsai in mene Shia sie fee Sie g/acrenveicle nce ahs de oe idae eae, 3.00
Collection of geraniums in bloom . WN Ros ee, 2 2 2 00
Collection of foliage plants, five yaricties. Melts Sel cician sesielee) Aeleeettas anee Pazsianten nce 1 3.00
Ee PUNAGK ETS 6) DAL sc ei soar cajekn ose erie aoa eae barca iw Vee do ah tints oe Seed aes 1 2.00
ERI EPARMEITE CNITIO ee rer ys cies ci ce! ele see Goan Samet tea eroslene talde cae ota, IL 2.00
: $20.00
MRS. A. S. BABCOCK, ST. ANTHONY PARK, MINN.
Collection of house ae in Eee Been ere re Shaan oe tls eters Sani ceanap eee 1 $5.00
Collection of coleus . oats SHES Seine heal eee Re as Bee elie lee canine one esse 2.00
Collection of factiniae ; in Diccka edt rater Kteaian Soe eee Aenea TRUSS 1 3.00
EES EIGTT OL SERA TI IIIS ITE DLOOIMM 4. 2 axe F650 a0 kare cacl a be-en elav'eee ene ccacee 1 3.00
Collection of foliage plants, five varieties... 0... .... ccc cece cee cece eee ence 2 2.60
SE MEMO EP OME APICES INE) Ate ete toh ais ete einige ccle Re clas ac eia neice joins eae te alntain stalele rao 2 1.00
MEMO NTITIC RE 2 ame de Cena Lh oe ease Scie tak onto lite cancer mally ne hae ls Se noeewceeeu ty 1.00
$17.00
MRS. G. E. COOPER, ST. PAUL.
ESAS es beatles ab mide c aialaialin ean anlar Phos nd cee oi ae Ge ee ate oe ee eereok a ewes oie alae OL $3.00
THE LAW OF COLORS.—Etta M. Budd, in a contemporary, has an
able article on the law of colors, illustrated by a diagram, which is
copyrighted, showing the relationship of colors and the relative
proportion of each in the plant and its flowers, A true definition of
colors has long been wanted, for who can tell us what a red, scarlet,
purple or yellow flower is? Red may, with a degree of propriety, be
applied to a crimson or scarlet flower, of which there are shades in-
numerable. Light or dark are applied to primitive colors to give
something of an idea of the color or shade, when an unknown vari-
ety is described. Mr.S. B. Parsons, of Flushing, N. Y.,has for years
advocated the arrangement of a scale of colors for the use of florists,
so that when a flower was described in point of color the buyer
would know just what he was getting—Florists Exchange.
Ree ee ae en ee ee
$ ne
V cic.
REQUIREMENTS FOR CRANBERRY GROWING.
H. C. LEONARD, M. D., MINNEAPOLIS.
There seems to be at present a slight revival of interest in the
subject of cranberry culture in Minnesota. It seems strange that a
state which has the capability to grow cranberries to the extent thatis
true of Minnesota, should have done so little to develop it. Ifas
great efforts were put forth here as in Wisconsin, we certainly could
produce as many berries and of as good quality as they have done.
While the literature of the subject has become quite considerable, it
is, nevertheless,so very much scattered throughout the reports of
different horticultural, agricultural and cranberry grower’s socie-
ties, and different horticultural and other journals, as to be practi-
cally inaccessible to very many of ourpeople. To those who already
perfectly understand the subject, this paper is not specially ad-
dressed, neither does the writer presume to cover the whole subject,
but rather to try to excite intelligent interest and experiment on the
part of those who may have some facilities for growing a supply of
this very wholesome fruit.
About twenty years ago there was some discussion of the subject
of cranberry culture in this society by O. F. Brand, of Faribault,
and Seth Kenny, of Morristown, and others; but the most exhaustive
discussion was contained in a paper read by Rev. J. E. Wood, of De-
troit, Minn., published in the proceedings of the winter meeting held
in St. Paul in January, 1875. As to other literature, I would recom-
mend “White’s Cranberry Culture,’ written from a New Jersey stand-
point, and “Cranberry Growing,’ by James Webb, of Cotuit, Mass.,
published by the Orange Judd Co., of New York, which, together
with the reports of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, a com-
plete file of which may be consulted at the Experimental Farm at
St. Anthony Park, will give a good idea of the subject as they have
developed it in Massachusetts. The reports of the Wisconsin Cran-
berry Grower’s Association would give one some idea of what they
have been doing in that state. Our climate being so nearly identi-
cal with that of Wisconsin would indicate the experience of Wis-
consin growers as particularly well worthy of our study.
When we observe how the wild cranberries grow, we will notice
that they require a good supply of moisture. We find them grow-
ing, almost invariably, in wire grass marshes or mossy peat bogs.
We do not find them where there is a good sod and a good growth
of valuable grass for hay. They grow above the water in the bogs:
sending their roots down into the peat where it is either very moist
or standing full of water.
Here one thing should be well noted. A peat bog such as wild
cranberries usually grow in, contains very little plant food in a con-
dition to be assimilated. It is really very poor land. If you don’t
,
VEGETABLES. 359
believe it, try draining off the surplus water and sowing redtop or
timothy seed, either of which will not grow to produce a crop of
hay good for anything until the bog has had time to settle down
and rot, which often takes many years. After you get such a bog
to rot, itis good hay land. A piece of land in condition to produce,
a good crop of hay will not do to grow cranberries. Mark this well.
The cranberry, like its near botanical relative, the *blueberry, finds
its most congenial home in areally poor soil. A failure to note this
fact has been at the bottom of many an expensive and aggravating
failure in trying to cultivate cranberries. It is true that many of
the most successful and profitable cranberry farms in the country
have been made out of good hay land; but only by rendering it ar-
tificially poor, especially at the surface, by smothering it with sev-
eral inches of sand. Where the soil isin condition to grow a good
crop of redtop or timothy, cranberry vines will either grow too rank
and produce few or no berries, or else grass will choke them out.
Neither will they grow in a soil that has any clay init. It must be
either a pure vegetable mold and sand, i. e.,a black sand, or unde-
composed peat. It is only in the unrotted peat that we find them
growing wild, but if properly supplied with water a black sand is
quite as good, if not better. A very light covering of pure sand on
a black sand will suffice, whereas, it requires several inches, even as
much asa foot, sometimes, of pure sand to properly prepare rich
vegetable mold so as to produce cranberries instead of hay.
Cranberries must, in all cases, be irrigated, if they are growing in
land that is not already wet. They must be so situated that they
can be completely covered with water all winter, and so they can be
quickly covered at other times to protect them from the ravages of
certain insects and from late spring, summer and early fall frosts,
for the best success.
Neither must there be too much lime in the soil in which they grow
in which respect they again resemble their relations,the blueberries.
Neither cranberries nor blueberries thrive in a strongly lime-
impregnated soil. This may be the key to certain failures in
cranberry plantations in Wisconsin and other parts of the North-
west, viz., too much lime in the sand or water used, or too much in
the soil generally. Lime promotes the growth of grass but is imin-
ical to the growth of the cranberry, the same as clay. Here we see
it crops out again, a grass soil is not a cranberry soil. Nowl
know there are a very great many quite productive wild cranberry
bogs nearly all over the southern half of this state where surround-
ing lands areof clay strongly impregnated with lime, and mostexcel-
lent grass or grain lands; but it may be invariably noticed that these
cranberry bogs are of peat built up of wire grass roots and sphag-
num moss of a considerable depth and without any admixture of
the surrounding clay soil, their situation being such that the soil
and clay washed from the surrounding high grounds can none of it
ever be lodged there. It will also be found that water in sucha
*The cranberry bears about the same botanical relation to the blueberry that
the blackberry does to the dewberry. Itisof thesame genus but of a different
species.
360 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
cranberry bog is never very hard,and commonly quite as soft as
rainwater. Likewise, water used to flood a cranberry farm should
not be very hard and never muddy, nor have any clay in suspension;
otherwise, the cranberries will most likely fail.
Many growers in Wisconsin will tell you point blank that it is not
necessary to sanda cranberry bog in that state like they have to do
down on Cape Cod and other places in the East, and in proof of this
will call to your attention scores of profitable cranberry bogs on
which no sand has ever been used. Upon making a careful exam-
ination, however, it will be found that these bogs are of nearly or
quite pure undecomposed peat, and, so long as they are kept wet
enough so that little decomposition takes place, they will remain
fairly productive, but let them rot enough to set free from the peaty
mould a considerable amount of plant food in an assimilable con-
dition, and you will find them surely and literally “going to grass.”
Any farmer who has a wire grass peat bog or marsh which he can
arrange to flood at will can raise cranberries, and often quite profit-
ably, even though there may be no sand available.
If the piece can be drained dry enough to break it up, so much the
better; if not, it can sometimes be turned pretty deeply and evenly
with a breaking plow just at the time in the spring when it has
thawed six to ten inches deep. The sod thus turned may be pressed
down with a heavy rollerand is then ready to plant. Of course, if it
cannot be drained, the plowing and rolling will have to be done be-
fore it has thawed too deep, else the team will get mired. There are
thousands of acres of worthless wire grass peat marsh in this state
that could be made valuable in this way.
In case the water can not be found at a higher level than the
peat bog itself, one part of the bog may be enclosed by an embank-
ment, or dyke, of sods from the necessary ditches reinforced by clay
hauled from the outside, to be used for a reservoir, while an adjoin-
ing portion may be in like manner enclosed to be planted with cran-
berries. The necessary water may be pumped by windmill or wind-
mills into the reservoir, for use when needed. One good sized
windmill will pump a large amount of water three to five feet high
in aseason. This would do for a small cranberry patch and might
in some cases, no doubt, be made to pay quite well.
Toenter into cranberry growing for a business, however, it would
certainly be better to get your water onto the cranberries by gravity
and select a place where sand is available. Quite coarse sand is
more likely to be free of clay than very fine and, therefore, is more
desirable. In some parts of this state the sand beds have consider-
able finely broken limestone in them, which might render them un-
suitable for a covering for a cranberry bog. This may be easily
determined by dropping some sulphuric acid (oil of vitriol) on the
sand. If it effervesces, there is too much lime there. If there is
much bog iron in the sand used, that may cause a failuretoo. As
already pointed out, in some cases the sand may be dispensed with,
but the water never.
ee ern ahh ica ta tain ain Saba Ll Ue hin eal ee i eat g I,
“
VEGETABLES. 361
CRANBERRY CULTURE.—(A TALK.)
A. D, LEACH, EXCELSIOR.
Mr. Leach: Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen: Cranberry cul-
ture is something of a hobby with me. I live up near Lake Minne-
tonka, and I have a cranberry marsh there. There area great many
marshes in that vicinity that used to be very productive, but they
have been neglected, and cattle have been permitted to run over
them a good many years, and they are run down, and the majority
of them are not worthanything. About fifteen years ago,I boughta
piece of land near Lake Minnetonka, on the shores of Lake Minne-
washta. The land contained a small cranberry marsh, about two
acres, and I determined to see if that marsh could not be reclaimed.
My object in speaking on this subject here tonight is to seeifI
cannot encourage other people who have cranberry marshes in the
vicinity where I live and in other parts of the state to improve those
marshes, for it is a fact that mine has paid me better than any other
part of my farm. This year I obtained more clear profit from the
two acres of cranberry marsh than I received from all other sources
of income from my farm, including my small fruits and vines. I
know there are hundreds of acres within a radius of three miles of
my place that are just as good cranberry marshes as mine. The
simple thing that has ruined these marshes is that people have
neglected them and have allowed cattle to run over them, conse-
quently they are no good, and it seems almost impossible to make
them believe that they are of any value.
I fenced my marsh about fifteen years ago, about the time I
bought the land; I ran a fence around the marsh, and then I con-
cluded to burnit over. The first year I did not get anything from
it, but the second year I picked nearly a hundred bushels of cran-
berries from the two acres, and the third year I picked about half
as many; the fourth year I gota full crop, and for seven years the
marsh paid me at least $100 per acre net profit. In 1890, it had parti-
ally run down again. It had become filled with an underbrush of
birch, and the grass had grown up around that until it was not do-
ing very well, but still it paid me better than any other part of my
farm. I burned it over again, and it burned very hard, in fact, it
burned the vines all up. It was so severely burned that for two
years I did not get any crop. The third year I gota fair crop, and
this past year from the two acres we picked 150 bushels. Atthe
prices for which we sold those cranberries we made a net profit of
$260 from the two acres. My object in calling this matter up before
the horticultural society is that this society might encourage those
who own marshes to develop them, and such men would soon rea-
lize that a one acre cranberry marsh was of more real practical
value than any other ten acres of land they had in their farms.
DISCUSSION.
_Mr. Brown: How do you start the cranberry marshes?
Mr. Leach: I do not know. We have cranberry marshes
all over the state, but I do not know how they are pro-
pagated.
362 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Mr. Dartt: How about the water? Where is your marsh?
Mr. Leach: My marsh lies on the shore of a small lake.
The soil is only good for cranberries; it is totally valueless
for anything else.
Mr. Dartt: Is it too wet for hay?
Mr. Leach: It is too wet for hay; it would only grow a
very thin crop. It is about a foot above the lake and the
marsh will fill up in the spring. About the middle of June
I let the water run off, and the cranberries come in blossom
from then to the 10th of July, and I always thought until this
year that after that time it was necessary to have the marsh
wet all through theseason. I found, however, I was mistaken;
the marsh from the middle of July up to the time we picked the
cranberries was perfectly dry.
Mr. Dartt: Isit covered with ice in the winter?
Mr. Leach: Yes, with ice and water.
Prof. Pendergast: Did you ever try covering with sand?
Mr. Leach: I never did, but [have a neighbor who hauled
some sand to coverhis marsh. I never made any improvements
in my marsh except to put a ditch through it to hold the water,
damming it up to hold the water on the marsh. There is no
expense at all connected with it except the picking.
Mr. Brown: Could we secure vines of you?
Mr. Leach: Yes, if you know how to set them, but Ido not
how know to set them. That is the mostimportant thing I came
here for. I want to know, to find out how to transplant them.
I have heard a good many theories.
Mr. Pearce: There is a marsh near me of about thirty acres
that is produced from a big spring in the center. This marsh
is covered with cranberries. There have been a large amount
of cranberries picked some years, but the trouble is to over-
flow it. Could it be overflowed.
Mr. Brown: How high is it above water.
Mr. Pearce: It is fifty feet above Lake Minnetonka.
Mr. Leach: Is there any outlet?
Mr. Pearce: Nota bit.
Mr. Leach: All you could do, so far as I can see, is to hold
the water that is already there.
Mr. Pearce: It seems to be greatest in the spring. In the
middle there is a spring that never freezes. This spring will
overflow twenty acres; yes, it will flood thirty acres. Thereis
one thing, at the same time there are any amount of cranber-
ries.
wil
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:
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VEGETABLES. 363
Mr. Leach: Are cattle allowed to run in that marsh?
Mr. Pearce: Not any. Can it be improved?
Mr. Leach: I see no way of improving the marsh if there is
no outlet. Most of the marshes, by damming up the outlet
can be readily overflowed until May or June, and this can be
done even in ourdriest seasons. I hope this society will re-
port this matter and try to agitate it until something is done.
I know we have many thousand dollars worth of cranberries in
this state, ifthe marshes receive the proper attention.
MELONS ON SANDY SOIL.
L. H. SCOFIELD, BLOOMINGTON.
Iam not going to pose before this society as an expert in melon
culture, for while my experience in raising melons to eat extends
back to the dark nights of my boyhood, I have raised melons for
market only during the last six years. Our soil, as the title of this
article implies, is a sandy soil varying from a rich sandy loam with
a heavy clay subsoil to a light sand with hardly a trace of clay in
the subsoil. This last is our best melon ground, producing in any
sort of a year a greater quantity and melons of much superior qual-
ity to those raised on richer and heavier soil.
We plow early in spring to start the weeds and plow again about
May 10th. Mark the ground one way with a marker six feet for
watermelons, five feet for late muskmelons and three feet for early
muskmelons; mark the other way with a team and large single
shovel plow furrows six feet apart. This makes the checks six by
six, five by six and three by six. Into the furrow at the check, we
puta large scoop-shovelful of fine, well rotted manure, working it
well into the soil with a spading fork, leaving the hill level with the
ground. In this hill we plant eight or ten seeds, being careful to
tramp the ground firmly over the seeds. Given good seed, this
tramping does more to insure a good stand of plants than any one
thing. Last summer during the dryest time, when the ground
seemed like an ash-heap, by insisting on the tramping process we
got on half an acre of cucumbers a stand, without one missing hill.
As soon as the seeds are planted and before they have time to
sprout, we drag the ground with a light slanting-tooth harrow, being
careful to have the team straddle the rows. This smoothes and fines
the ground so that no crust forms on the hill. As soon as the plant
unfolds its leaves, each hill is dusted with a handful of finely ground
bone mealand land plaster. This stimulates the plant, drives off the
striped squash bug and makes the row so we can see to follow it
with the sulky-cultivator. Thin to four plants in the hill at the
second hoeing, and keep the ground mellow and free from weeds, as
no one can raise a good crop of melons in a weedy field. We aim to
do as much ofthe work with a team as possible, avoiding all the hand
work we can.
,
asf ce id Sati aad ir aaa ede at ah Matas eS
a wal ‘ ad
364 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
As soon as the seed is planted, the trouble begins. We fight
striped squirrels, field mice, white grubs, cutworms, striped bugs,
frost, weeds and two-legged marauders. Shoot the squirrels, use
squash-seed loaded with strychnine for field mice,dig out cutworms
and pinch off their heads, going over the whole field every morning
for several days ina bad season. If there is possible danger of
frost, cover each hill with a handful of straw and leave it on until
the weather moderates. A man will covera good many acres in half
a day.
Varieties. Avoid too many varieties. Two or at most three varie-
ties of muskmelons and as many of watermelons are enough. One
extra early, one late with, perhaps, an intermediate variety to pro-
vide aclose succession. The best early muskmelon I have not found
yet. We have grown Netted Gem, Emerald Gem, Orange, Christiana
and White Japan. The first three are too small and soft; the last
two inferior in quality. The Osage is all right for the medium and
late market, though in a wet year it cracks badly. On sandy land it
is first quality, good size, neither too large or too small, and with
good care it is an extra good cropper.
With us the Peerless (seed fromW. Atlee Burpee) stands first as an
early watermelon from, perhaps, a dozen varieties tried. This strain
of Peerless is a large, oblong melon, and is an extra good handler,
not easily broken, and will not grow hollow-hearted if kepta few
days. Our main crop is Seminole. In season it ranges from me-
dium to late. Itis of extra good quality and good size; specimens
last year weighed forty-two pounds. Itisafair shipper. Its great-
est objection is its light color. I am trying to grow it with a darker
skin.
We try to raise most of our seed, once we have decided upon
a variety. By being careful to keep varieties separate, and taking
seed from only choicest fruits,even the best varieties may be im-
proved from year to year.
We havea small space which we call our trial grounds, and in this
we raise a few new varieties each year. Asa result of our experi-
ments last year, we shall planta trial field of one acre of Melrose
muskmelons, as I believe it to be a gem, judging by a single year’s
experience.
Drainage is an important item in the culture of all plants. All
sorts of coarse material are used for this purpose, but bits of broken
charcoal are better fot this purpose than anything else, because it
helps to keep the soil in the bottom of the pot sweet and healthful.
The smaller sizes of pots will need only a few pieces scattered over
the bottom; three and four inch pots require an inch of drainage,
and five and six inch sizes and upward, two inches and more ac-
cording to their depth. A layer of moss or cocoa-fiber should be
placed above the drain to keep the soil from washing down into
and clogging it.
VEGETABLES. 865
GARDEN VEGETABLES---A GREATER VARIETY AND
CHOICER KINDS.
Cc. L. HILL, ALBERT LEA.
When you visit the garden of the average farmer, you are less apt
to be struck with what you find there than with what you fail to find.
The thing likely to impress you is the fact that any one should be
willing to do without so many vegetable luxuries that might be
growing in abundance at his door. The great need of our gar-
dens is a greater variety and choicer kinds.
Every year,early in their season, we see piles of tender asparagus,
green onions, lettuce and radishes at the market places for the use
of the town’s people. But do our farmers have them in abundance?
We who till the soil are surely entitled to its best gifts, and are in
position to obtain them so much easier than are our city friends,
and may have them in so much fresher, better condition.
The cabbage is so common that it has becomea prominent feature
in the sameness of the garden patches along the country roads; but
its cousin, the cauliflower, a much superior vegetable, is rarely seen
there. Yetit is a hardy plant, and we may have it in all its crispy
freshness for the simple outlay of a few hours of labor and the ex-
pense of a few seed. Yes, the seed are high-priced I know, and that
is the bugbear with some of us. Buta few seed go a long ways,and
what are left over are good for the next year.
Egg plant is almost unknown in the farm gardens of Minnesota,
but for no good reason that I am able to see. The Early Dwarf Pur-
ple will mature in this climate and be ready for the table by the
first of August. It thrives in our rich soil and yields abundantly,
It is a plant, too, that will stand a good deal of drought—a thing in
its favor we are all prepared to appreciate. We may save our own
seed, so the expense is only that of labor after getting a start.
The varieties of beans for the garden are almost numberless.
Among them all, none is superior to the rich limas when taken
fresh from the bush. If too much trouble to get poles for the run-
ning varieties, we now have three or four limas that need no poles.
The largest of these, Burpee’s Bush lima,is really a fine bean. It
needs a season rather longer than ours in which to do its best; but
I have had no difficulty in getting the beans to ripen perfectly for
seed, during the past three years. Henderson’s Bush lima is a
smaller bean; but I believe it to be somewhat hardier and a few days
earlier than Burpee’s.
The ground cherry finds place in some of our gardens only as a
troublesome weed. But there is an improved variety that yields a
fine fruit, and which it pays well to cultivate. Here is a vegetable
fruit well adapted to our climate and one worthy of attention and
improvement through our horticultural society.
The different kinds of melons do not receive half the attention
they deserve. Hundreds of car-loads are shipped into our state
every summer, when we might easily grow our own melons. Tome
there is no great degree of satisfaction in the large, coarse-grained
melon that was picked green and has been shipped one or two hun-
dred miles, bruised in handling, broiled in the sun and held in
366 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
dealer’s hands until the germs of decayand even of disease,have es-
tablished a foothold. At the side of such, place a few of our choicest
home-grown melons, fresh from the vines and make a test of their
comparative merits. Then see if you do not wish that the Southern
melon, which cost you near the price of a bushel of wheat, had fallen
into the hands of some friendly darkey (instead of a shipper), and
that you had grown a hundred melons where the bushel of wheat
was harvested.
There is constant improvement going on in the line of vegetables,
as wellas elsewhere. We are too apt to set our heart on some old
variety and cling to it until the wide-awake portion of the world
has passed far ahead of us with something better. It is to our in-
terest to keep an eye open for new things, and to make an occasional
trial of them, even if they do not turn out exactly as the seedsman’s
colored plates represent them.
It costs so little in either time or money to testa new vegetable.
Itis quite different from putting money into unknown trees for an
apple orchard, where years of care and waiting must pass before
the resultis known. Of course a feverish haste to grab at everything
advertised as a novelty might be as bad as getting into the narrow-
est of ruts. It is only a wisely discriminating outlook for better
varieties that is here recommended, where it may take the place of
an oyster-like contentment with inferior things.
VEGETABLES.
WM. LYONS, MINNEAPOLIS.
As a whole, 1894 was a very disastrous one for market gardeners
in the vicinity of the twin cities. April was very wet and warm, as
was also the first ten days in May; the land was so wet it was almost
impossible to sow seeds, and much of it was sown in the mud-
About May 15th, the weather cleared off, and it became very warm,
dry and windy. The land dried up very rapidly, and became so
hard thatit was almost impossible for the young plants to push
through. As soon as the land could be worked, I commenced to
plant about thirty-five acres of potatoes. The first planting was the
best. I usedthe Aspinwall planter. Several farmers were using the
same planter from one to two days a week according as they were
ready to useit; in this way my planting continued for about three
weeks.
The first ten acres yielded ninety bushels, the second planting
about sixty, the third planting forty bushels per acre; all were
planted alike, the same kind of seed and cultivation. I harrowed
several times before they came up and once after, used a Planet, Jr.
cultivator and worked the potatoes as nearly level as possible.
It continued hot and dry for about four months—only twice in
that time did rain enough fall to lay the dust fora few hours. In
some places local showers did lots of good, but I did not happen
to be init. The result was a partial failure of nearly allvegetables,
and in some instances a total failure.
VEGETABLES. 367
I think the Early Ohio has stood the drouth the best in this sec-
tion and would plant it in preference to any other variety with which
Iam acquainted now, either for a wet or dry season, for early and
Burbank for late.
Produce has been shorter in supply than any other lines in the
hands of commission men; the drouth cut down the receipts of
home grown vegetables and lowered the grade. This had the effect
ofincreasing the amount of vegetables shipped from other states
and the shortage of potatoes have been fully made up by Sship-
ments from the Western states, even Manitoba shipped to this
market about three hundred carloads. When these potatoes were
put on the market, home grown would not sell for hardly anything.
The commission houses did a large and a profitable business,which
is more than I can say for the gardeners and farmers. The drouth
and heat had been so terrible that the average yield in this locality
is not over thirty bushels per acre; many fields were not worth dig-
ging. It isthe greatest failure known since the state was first settled.
From July first to September first a walk in the early morning
along the market streets of the twin cities revealed the fact that
three-fourths or more of the wagons were loaded with Early Ohios
all showing very plainly the marks of the drouth—only about five
per cent were of fair size and quality. About September first it was
noticed that some of the tubers had a black spot or streak in the cen-
ter—those raised on a poor sandy soil being most effected. On rich
loamy soil not over five per cent were affected, but that was enough
to spoil the sale, for no family would buy any until they cut all the
big nice ones in a bushel, and, if one black one was found,there was
no sale. All the early varieties were more or less affected; late
varieties were not affected at all, but were so small and inferior that
they would not sell. I hope this black streak in the Early Ohio has
not come to stay;if it has we will be obliged to discard the best
real early potato I have ever known. I was very much surprised on
entering the horticultural hall at our state fair to see such a fine ex-
hibit of vegetables; in quality the display was creditable but not
as complete asand in many respects not equal toformer years. The
varieties coming nearest the usual standard of excellence were
tomatoes, squashes, melons, pumpkins, rhubarb; potatoes, rutaba-
gas, turnips, cabbages, beets, onions were rather inferior in growth
and quality. Though grasses and other shallow-rooted vegeta-
tion succumbed to such fierce conditions, the wonder was that any
vegetation at all survived; but considerable of it did, and, though
considerably stunted, the staple crops were not failures by any
means; in fact, wheat was very generally up to the average.
UNCOVERINC BULBS.—Remove the manure or leaf mulching
from all bulb-beds, or better still remove the rougher part and let
the finer portion remain. If the plants have been pushing -up
through the mulching and their leaves have got bleached, to remove
the mulching suddenly will be to detroy the whitened foliage; bet-
ter remove the mulching and as you proceed scatter some straw
thinly over the bleached plants, or tree branches will do.—Garden-
ing. ;
OE ee it i a ed a
+
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368 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
REPORT ON VEGETABLES.
J. R. CUMMINS, WASHBURN.
In the way of profitable cultivation of vegetables for 1894, there
will be little to report; owing to the dry weather from May 26 to Sep-
tember, along with the great heat, at times from 90 to 100°, vegeta-
bles were generally an almost entire failure. Early cabbages from
seed sown in hotbed in April, made small heads in October. Peas
sown very early made some crop; sown later, were badly damaged
by the drought and hot weather. The pea bug or weavil is not often
found in the seed in this state. The bug can be destroyed by leav-
ing the peas infected ina building where zero weather can reach
them. Onions from sets did fairly well; but from seed the growth
was small. In dry seasons it is more profitable to grow the onion
from sets.
Asparagus, for a time in May, made a heavy growth. So much
was in the market at times, that when sold it was at a price the low-
est ever known. In growing asparagus, straw should be spread
over the bed and burned in the spring or fall. There is no vegeta-
ble grown at less expense than the asparagus; a bed once planted,
with cultivation, will practically last for years. I have under culti-
vation asparagus from seed sown in 1857, thirty-seven years ago;
which yielded as well as beds planted fifteen or twenty years ago.
Potatoes were very early where they were not injured by the frost
of May 19th. Vaughan’s Early blossomed June 2d. Among early
varieties Gregory’s Six Weeks was the largest; the Ohio yielded the
least, was later and more injured by the scab than other early varie-
ties. Carrots were fair in certain locations, being better on higher
ground than on lower. The Guerende, or Ox Horn,and the Danvers
are probably the best varieties. In the cellar, in winter, the carrot
very often is infected with a rot; the only remedy that I know of is
to handle over the roots, and sort out all rotten or partly so. The
Edwards’ beet is one of the best varieties for table use.
How far it may be profitable to secure our garden seeds from other
states is a question that only a fair trial can settle. The state exper-
iment farm might do something to decide this. There is not much
doubt, however, that the law of improvement of plants and fruits is
that varieties are often made better by cross-fertilization and also
by change of seed.
While the other beans made a very light crop, the lima yielded
well, when not growing among trees. In growing the lima bean,
the rows must be four feet apart, and the hills three or three and
one-half feet apart. The bean must be planted with the eye down,
and the upper part of the bean but little below the surface; four
beans to the hill. Planted in this way the seed, when good, will al-
ways grow; planted as other beans, ten to twenty-five per cent might
grow. The seed grown here, I find, will nearly always grow, while
that from the East will often fail. While the lima must have good
cultivation and soil, great care must be taken in the use of manure,
on account of the vine being very susceptible to the rust. If the
weather in June is wet and cold with sudden changes, the rust may
appear, but with warm weather it disappears. Old, well decayed
<i
VEGETABLES. 3869
manure could be used inthe spring, but that from the stable if
spread in the fall or winter would have better effect. I would not
advise the use of manure from the hog-pen.
As soon as the vine makes the first start to run, poles six or eight
feet long should be set up at an angle, so they cross four feet from
the ground. They should be set at least one foot in the ground, and
leaning over the hill. Cultivate at least once a week, and hoe two or
three times. When they come up, look after the cut-worms, which
are sometimes very destructive. Probably the use of bone or sul-
phates spread on the ground while cultivating will increase the
yield. The lima bean will succeed better on sandy loam, with a well
drained subsoil; and yet the surface soil must be of sufficient depth
to hold moisture. On clay lands the lima will do well in most sea-
sons, but it must be understood that the vines do not yield many
pods until September, and in many localities there are sure to be
frosts by the first or middle of September, when in more favored
districts, such as near large lakes, or when elevated and well drained
and protected from northwest winds, there may be no killing frosts
until October. With me the limavines were not killed until October
17th, though we had frost September 24th, with mercury at 36° four
feet from the earth.
The dwarf varieties of the lima are not so profitable as the pole.
Henderson's Dwarf yields the most and is the earliest. Dreer’s is
next in yield, later, but of better quality. Burpee’s has never done
well here, being very late. None of the true lima dwarfs are so early
as the talllima. The King of the Garden is one of the largest of the
limas, and a heavy bearer; Early Jersey very early; Dreer’s, or Po-
tato, is one of the best in quality, but late; South Carolina very early,
heavy bearer, but small; Burpee’s Black and Jackson’s Dwarf would,
no doubt, be better adapted to general cultivation. They are ear-
lier, but quality not quite so good as the true lima.
OUTDOOR HERBACEOUS PLANTS.
L. R. MOYER, MONTEVIDEO.
Now-a-days the tendency is toward depending almost wholly on
hardy plants for the flower garden and the border, It isa healthy
tendency. Many of our wild flowers are very beautiful; and that it
is becoming the fashionable thing to plant and cultivate them ought
to be a matter of rejoicing to every right thinking person.
However, to us who live out in western Minnesota, some of the
advice given about planting them will have to be taken with some
grains of allowance. The settler on the prairie will not appreciate
the advice given him to plant asters, sunflowers, blazing stars,
golden-rods, Boltonias, cone flowers, heleniums, artemisias and
coreopsis.
These plants are too common, and become tiresome through end-
less repetition. No unprejudiced observer could fail to testify, for
example, to the great beanty of Aster multiflorus, or Aster panicu-
latus or Aster ptarmicoides, but the traveler on the prairie who sees
Peete Anat Ly
370 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
thousands and thousands of specimens in a day’s ride would hardly
advise the planting of more of them. The aster-like Boltonia is a
beautiful plant and would look well planted in front of a dark
shrubbery, but one who has seen acres and acres of it on the prairie
meadows would scarcely care to dig it up and remove it to his door-
yard.
Fashionable plant dealers will tell you that Maximillian’s sun-
flower is elegant, and they will be right, but one who every autumn
day sees the landscape yellow with it for miles and miles would
scarcely care for more or take the trouble to plant it.
The golden-rod has been adopted by some states as the state flower.
The plant dealers will tell you that the golden-rod, known to botan-
ists as Solidago rigida, is the finest of its class. The prairie farmer,
if he listens atall, will smile with incredulity and think it strange
¢hat anyone could call those stiff, yellow weeds in his pasture
beautiful.
No one will question the beauty of the blazing stars, and we are
glad that they are cuitivated and appreciated in Eastern gardens.
The prairie meadows are gay with Liatris pycnostachya and Liatris
punctata, while on bluff-sides and prairie knolls Liatris squarrosa
and Liatris scariosa unfurl to the breeze their purple banners. No
farmer on the prairie will remove these plants to his flower border,
nor will he care much for the equally beautiful Petalostemon viola-
ceus and Petalostemon candidus. These plants are all too dread-
fully common and plebian.
The purple cone-flower (Echinacea Angustifolia) is looked upon
as arare and curious plantin Eastern gardens, but who ever saw
one ina garden in western Minnesota? Helenium autumale, Core-
opsia palmata and Lepachys columnaris are all interesting plants
and in the East are appreciated, for they are away from home there
and not common.
The Eastern landscape artist will tell you to plant artemisia in
proper locations, but no one who has crossed the plains and become
well acquainted with the sagebrush in all its desolate grayness
would ever plant artemisia on the borders of his prairie lawn.
The fact may as well be confessed that no person has ever moved
from a well improved country where gardens are common outona
new prairie farm without experiencing at one time or another a feel-
ing of homesickness. The monotony of the vast stretches of prairie
will at times have weighed down his soul, dwarfing and belittling
the man, or making him discontented and rebellious. In such a
state of mind, it would be idle to expect the settler to admire the
prairie flowers. Something else must be planted in the flower
garden back of the prairie lawn. What shall it be?
I would plant hardy perennials. Among the early flowering plants
there is nothing better than the old fashioned bleeding-heart. (Di-
centra spectabalis). It is perfectly hardy. I would plant pconias,
all the herbaceous varieties, as many as I could afford to buy, not
forgetting the old fashioned red ones.
I would plant German iris in profusion and in all its many varie-
ties, remembering, however, that the family resemblance among
Sa Si a Na ae rl a a a ln
OUT-DOOR HERBACEOUS PLANTS. Oce
them allis very striking,and that the old cheap varieties are as good
as any of them. The dwarf irises are very satisfactory, too. You
- cannot well have too many daffodils—even though they need a little
j winter protection. The old fashioned yellow daffodil, called by flor-
ists, narcissus Van Sion, is one of the hardiestand best. It was this
plant I believe that Wordsworth had in mind when he wrote:
‘“*T wandered lonely as a cloud,
; That floats on high o’er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd—
Ahost of yellow daffodils,
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
~ Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle in the milky way,
They stretched in never ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I ata glance
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
The waves beside them danced, but they
Outdid the sparkling waves in glee:—
A poet could not but be gay
In such a jocund company!
I gazed and gazed but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought.
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude,
And then my heart with pleasure fills
And dances with the daffodils.”
The perennial phloxes are very desirable, especially the scarlet ‘
and the white varieties, but they need water supply; and if you can
get your windmill at work and water them well, you will havea
magnificent show all through the late summer and autumn. They
respond wonderfully to water. The old fashioned moss-pink (Phlox
sublata) in its several varieties is a very useful spring flower. The
achilleas are very hardy and useful. A. millefolium roseum is as
hardy as our native yarrow and produces interesting pink flowers.
Achilea ptarmica var. The pearl is one of our most interesting
white flowers and is perfectly hardy.
Anemones have rarely been planted in prairie gardens, but our ,
native pasque flower, Anemone patens var. Nuttaliana, does well in
cultivation. It is the first flower of spring over a large part of the
state, and is always interesting.
Our wild columbine, Aquiligia Canadensis, does well in the gar-
den if somewhat sheltered. It seems to be more at home in the
crevices of a pile of stones.
Asclepias verticelliata, the whorled milkweed, is common on dry
bluffs in western Minnesota. It is an interesting plant, and is culti-
vated and appreciated in Eastern gardens. It ought to be planted
in our Minnesota gardens.
Many species and varieties of campanula are useful in the prairie
flower gardens. They may be easily grown from seed, and needa
little winter protection. They will flower the second year from the
seed.
OPP OI OT ee Oe an, oe POP ae OUEr seen Mareen ae
372 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
The perennial coreopsis does well in the prairie flower garden
and when once established needs little attention other than to keep
it free from weeds.
Several species of perennial larkspur do well on the prairies.
A deep blue variety, whose specific name I cannot give, is partic-
ularly effective. I raised it from seed in the open ground. A little
winter protection is beneficial to it.
Dianthus plumaries, the Scotch pink, is very hardy and very
beautiful and ought to be in every prairie garden.
Dianthus barbatus, sweet william, may be grown from seed. The
same is true of many other species and varieties of dianthus.
Galium boriale is cultivated in Eastern gardens, but the competi-
tion of the native product gives it rather a cheap appearance.
When the native prairie flora has passed away the galiums will be
better appreciated.
Geum triflorum grows wild on the driest bluffs in western Minne-
sota, and is very beautiful, especially when in fruit. It is cultivated
in Eastern gardens and ought to be here.
The opuntias are native on the rocky ledges of the upper Minne-
sota Valley and thrive when removed toa dry garden.
The Iceland poppies are very hardy and beautiful and ought to
be planted in every garden.
Pentstemon grandiflorus is native in western Minnesota, on river
bluffs near the timber. Removed to the flower garden, it is very
beautiful and effective. Pentstemon albidus grows on the driest
bluffs of western Minnesota. It is animmigrant from farther west,
and ought to succeed in our driest and most unfavorably located
gardens. It produces large, light colored flowers early in June,
and is very striking and effective. It ought to be introduced into
cultivation.
In a remote corner of one’s garden itis safe to introduce Sapon-
aria officinalis, Bouncing Bets. It will grow luxuriantly and suc-
ceed.
Several species of sedum may also be introduced and will be
quite effective. So faras I have tried them they are hardy.
We will not need to plant any silphiums or solidagos or sunflow-
ers in western Minnesota for some time to come. Nature has done
the planting for us with an unusually lavish hand. Itis for us to
look on and admire.
Statice latifolia is hardy at Montevideo and may be safely planted.
Tradescantia Virginica is common to all the prairie regions of
the state. It is very beautiful and deserves a place in every garden.
We have raised hollyhock with good success at Montevideo. We
like the sulpher-yellow double ones the best. They need some
winter protection.
The tiger-lily will succeed anywhere without protection, and it is
possibly by careful mulching to have a good showing of tulips.
But with the best management there are apt to be breaks in your
perennial flower border. You will need annuals to fill these up. L
would plant every spring seeds of escholtzias, asters, poppies, ver-
benas, pansies, balsams and morning-glories.. In addition I would
have a large bed of gladioli and a good supply of water.
FLOWERS. 373
A FARM FLOWER GARDEN.
MISS SARAH J. BUTTERMORE, LAKE CITY.
When spring comes a sunny spot is selected for a flower garden,
sheltered from the north and northeast by trees so that the severe
winds from these points cannot strike with full force on the flowers,
as it is injurious to them; it is surrounded by a close fence to keep
out the chickens. This should be done before the seeds are planted
or even before the beds are moulded out; withouta fenceit is almost
useless to raise flowers. Let the chickeus get into a flower garden,
and it is surprising to see how fast the seed will come up,—somie-
times it will be up in an hour, sometimes more and sometimes less.
The garden having been made, then comes the moulding out of
the flower beds. This can be commenced just as soon in spring as
the ground is sufficiently thawed out to allow working. In regard
to the planting of the seed, one kind of flowers are sufficient to plant
in each row or bed as the best effect is produced in small beds by
massing. Where plants are mixed, the tallest growing should be
planted the farthest back as the beds are at the outside and the
other plants graded down so as to have the dwarfest where they
can have plenty sun and air. Geraniums make a very pretty and
attractive bed in a flower garden, transplanting them from the pots
in the house or greenhouse (but the latter is seldom found with
farmers) to the garden as earlyin spring as danger of frost is over
—into a square or round bed, planting the flowers four inches apart
each way. The plants can be all of the same variety or mixed to
suit the taste of the gardener; my choice would be the mixed.
Pansies, dahlias, phlox, pinks and a number of others are also very
beautiful plants and are perfectly hardy when once started, and, if
properly cared for, will improve each year. The greatest trouble
with annuals is that the seasons are too short.
I must not leave roses out,as a flower garden is not complete with-
out them; they are some of the most beautiful flowers in cultivation,
are easily grown and perfectly hardy. Roses have been very much
improved the past few years. A few yearsago we would have been glad
to succeed in growing a few of the commonest roses in cultivation,
now we Can raise an abundance of the choicest roses thereare. Dig
out all your homely old rose bushes and go to the nursery and get °
new ones to fill their places, as you can get them there of every des-
cription and kind. Go to the nursery the latter part of June, it is
then and there you can see a sight to behold—roses! roses!
lam a great lover of flowers and I think all of the ladiesthat are
here are the same. I do not know how it is with the gentlemen; it
may be that some of them like a thistle blossom better than a rose,
so I will not have anything to say for them in regard to flowers.
I will bring my essay to a close by saying to all of my floricultural
farmer friends that are here tonight, especially to the ladies, as it is
generally the ladies that are the flower gardeners, it you donot suc-
ceed in growing a nice flower garden the first or seeond years do
not get discouraged, for, I think, we farmers here in Minnesota will
with a little care and perseverance, in future years succeed in rais-
ing some of the finest flowers that can be grown in the North.
374 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
DECIDUOUS TREES AFFECTING MOISTURE AND TEM-
PERATURE.
J. P. ANDREWS, FARIBAULT.
We might mention, first, some reasons why we need more trees and
shrubs. Just as it makes the airof a room more moist to have
a wet blanketin it and saturate the carpets with water, so is the
atmosphere made more moist by the evaporation from the leaves
of the trees and the carpet of moist leaves under them. When heavy
rains come, this natural mulching of leaves on the ground holds
the water until the loose porous soil under the leaves has time to
drink it all in, and it goes down five, ten, twenty or more feet, carry-
ing plant food with it to the numberless rootlets that drink it in,
whence it is returned as sap through the circulation of the trees,
leaving the plant food for the development of wood, fruit and seed,
while the water is evaporated through the leaves, making the at-
mosphere more moist and congenial to the health and growth of
plant and animal life, again to be precipitated in the form of rain as
before. But suppose that it falls on a hard, dry, baked field; in
place of being absorbed by the earth, it runs down to the creek, into
the river and ocean, andis lost to the section of country from which
it started, excepting the small portion brought back py the winds.
It is not only necessary for the best interests of agriculture that we
have this more evenly moist atmosphere, but it is our duty to work
industriously and intelligently for this end-
The forest-covered territory is like a great sponge, having for its
breadth the area of the forest and for its depth from the tops of the
trees down into the ground twenty to forty feet, or to the extent of
the roots of the largest trees. No one can question that a sponge
of these dimensions is capable of taking up an immense amount of
water from the melting snows and spring rains, and giving it off in
moisture during the heated period of oursummers. It is not at all
imaginative, it is only common sense.
We have had, during the past year,a sad demonstration of the ex-
treme variation of temperature and moisture—a very nice winter,
and delightful March weather, followed not only by April showers
but by torrents of rain that washed our fields as they haven’t been
‘for years, if ever before.
In May when our orchards were in bloom and fruit setting, the
temperature kept changing from cold to colder, till not only our
fruit was mostly killed, but many trees were severely damaged, and
some killed outright, being most disastrous to the trees that were
fullest of bloom and fruit. Then followed a protracted drought
that, in the language of the fast horseman would properly be classed
asa “stayer,’ and “record beater.” It staid with us from May till
October, for its intensity and long duration beating all former rec
ords. This was very damaging in all parts of the country; in some
parts, most notably on the broad Western prairies, where there was
no forest growth to check the drying winds or pump up water to be
evaporated and moisten the atmosphere, it was ruin.
Now if one-third of the area of those vast Western prairies was
covered with trees, converting it into that big sponge,it would without
Ra ge eo; ee
DECIDUOUS TREES. 5765)
doubt give off sufficient moisture to the atmosphere so that crops
grown on the remaining two-thirds would exceed the total amount
now raised on the whole. And the expense of planting that one-
third would not be so much as the damage incurred bya single
year of failure. Thus this greater expense, or fine, if you please, is
imposed upon us because we have devastated our forests and refuse
to go to the lesser expense of replacing them.
The benefits to be derived from groves and windbreaks, either
natural or artificial, around the farm buildings and in the pastures
are incalculable. In these times we can ill afford to buy coal or
wood or even burn old stumps to have the heat sent hurrying out of
the house by the fierce blasts ofa “norther” that shrieks outside
like a multitude of demons trying to get in, and, in fact, getting in,
not only at every crack of door and window but through the very
walls of the house. Should it be necessary to do any outdoor work
during one of these wind storms, we have to buckle on our shoes,
button and belt on our great coats, tie down our caps, and as we step
out, we involuntarily shrink back as the wind takes our breath away;
for we forgot to tie that in. Go to the barnyard or even into the
barn, and every animal you see stands humped up, looking as
though life was a failure and they were thinking of trying death for
relief.
It costs at least one-fourth more to care for stock under these con-
ditions than when buildings and yards are properly protected by
groves and windbreaks. Besides this there is the additional com-
forts to all the members ofthe family and tothe stock, so that, that,
in itself, should prompt every farmer in the northwest to have a
good efficient windbreak around or, at least, on the west and north
of his buildings and yards. It is the most effective and cheapest
way he can move his farm toa much warmer climate.
Not to be classed as a calamity howler, it is a matter of congratu-
lation that so many of our Minnesota farmers have these protecting
groves upon their premises; and the best crops during the past
year were in those portions of the state where belts of timber and
groves are most plentiful—in fact, in some of the most favored locali-
ties we have had extra fine crops. A noticable feature is that most
of the homes best protected by trees are where once was the broad
open prairie, and experience taught their proprietors to get up a ~
breastwork of trees.
But how often when traveling through what was once a wooded
country we see buildings that were put up under the sheltering
forest trees with their cooling shade in summer, now wholly unpro-
tected, having the trees all cut away around the buildings, making
it look so bleak, bare, desolate—anything but home. It seems these
people who had a grand protection to begin with did not know how
to appreciate it tillit was gone, and with the one idea of clearinga
farm so they could grow wheat, made the great mistake of commen-
cing at their very doorway and enlarged the clearing as fast as
possible.
2 py
376 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
NEW PROCESS FOR KEEPING FRUITF RESH.
DIVISION OF POMOLOGY, WASHINGTON, August 10, 1895.
The result of the experiments made in the latter part of the year
1894 and lately reported to the Horticultural Society of Soissons by
Mr. A. Petit, chief of the laboratory of horticultural researches at
the National Horticultural School of Versailles, deserves the atten-
tion and consideration all of fruit growers.
Impressed with the powerful action of alcoholic vapors on the
mold which generally appears on the surface of fruits in a damp
atmosphere, Mr. Petit noticed that pears and apples kept for several
months in a surrounding saturated with vapors of water and al-
cohol, even were they at the beginning in a state of decay, showed
no signs of mold, while fruits in every particular identically similar
to the former, stored under the same conditions but not exposed to
the action of alcoholic vapors, were entirely covered with it.
Taking advantage of this observation, Mr. Petit applied the prin-
ciple to the preservation of fruits in general, and most particularly
to grapes, because, more than others, the latter are subject to mold.
It was to be foreseen that grapes kept, from the day they are cut off
the vines, inan atmosphere saturated with vapors of water and al-
cohol would, by the retarding of the sweating period, not only re-
main free from mold, but would even retain their natural aspect.
Consequently, should the temperature be constant and low, the pre-
servation could be maintained long and well.
On the 31st of October, 1894—that is, very late in the season and at
a very unfavorable time—Mr. Petit placed, with other fruits anda
bottle filled with 100 cubic centimeters (61 cubic inches) of alcohol
at 96°, some bunches of grapes known as “Chasselas de Fontaine-
bleau,” fresh from the vine, in a brick recipient in the form of a par-
allelopiped, cemented inside and closed as hermetically as possible
by acommon wooden door. In two similar recipients contiguous
to the first, one of which was kept open and the other closed, but
without alcohol, were stored similar fruits from the same trees and
vines. The fruit were laid on wood shavings. The recipients were
built in a very damp celler, the temperature of which varied re-
gularly from 10° to 8° C. (50° to 462° F.) during the whole time the
experiment lasted.
On November 20, the grapes placed in the recipient left open, and
especially so those in the closed recipient without alcohol, were
mostly rotten and covered with mold and were immediately re-
moved. In the recipient containing the bottle of alcohol, the grapes
were beautiful; on one bunch, two grapes had turned brown, but
were firm, full, and free of mold; they did not taste at all sour, thus
differing essentially from moldy grapes, especially those subject
to Penicillium glaucum. The hair hygrometer in the recipient re-
gistered 98°. On December 7, the bunches of grapes in the recipient
containing the alcohol had kept their fine aspect; on most of them,
however, one or two grapes had turned brown and were in the same
condition as those above referred to. On December 24, same results;
on most of the bunches could be seen one or two grapes commen-
cing to decay. At the end of nearly two months, each bunch had
Ee rae Pe Pe ee Se Py eS Fhe ee, tery Py
ve ¢ ~ ‘i. 2 t .
KEEPING FRUIT FRESH. 377
lost but from two to four grapes each and all were in a perfect state
of preservation, the stalks being perfectly green and the grapes
firm, full, and savory, and having all the qualities of fresh-cut
grapes.
At the conclusion of the experiment, 28 cubic centimenters (17
cubic inches) of alcohol at 60° remained in the bottle out of the 100
cubic centimeters (61 cubic inches) at 96°, but, as Mr. Petit remarks
the door of his recipient had not been built with great care and did
not close hermetically, hence a useless consumption of alcohol.
This process offers many advantages. Itis simple, easy of appli-
cation, and cheap, and, if adopted by our fruit growers, would allow
them not only to hold their fine fruit until they can dispose of them
ata fair price, but would also insure them handsome profits during
tlie winter months.
FRUIT WITHOUT SEEDS.
Selected.
Appendicitis may not be so fashionable a disease a few years
hence as it is now. Gardeners are trying their best to get rid of
seeds in fruits. Already we have the navel orange, which is nearly
always seedless. Some varieties of apples havé been produced that
have almost no seeds. They are abnormities. Sometimes they are
called “bloomless,” because the blossoms have no petals and in
some cases lack stamens. The core is very smalJ, and commonly
there is a hollow at the end opposite the stem. These seedless
apples are generally poor in flavor, being grown merely as curios-
ities.
Raisin producers in California are trying to obtain seedless
grapes for raisins. The object in view is to get size and seedless-
ness in the same fruit. You are familiar with the seedless grapes of
Coriuth, which are commonly known as “currants.” The Sultana
raisins of southeastern Europe are likewise seedless grapes. Both
of these varieties are now cultivated in California, but they are
small. A prominent grower in Fresno county is working in this
direction with the Muscat of Alexandria, which is a leading raisin
grape in California. He selects cuttings from those vines which
produce less than the normal number of seeds. Continuing this
process from year to year, he hopes to reduce the grapes to absolute
seedlessness eventually. It is believed that the seedlessness of the
Corinth and Sultana grapes was obtained by similar means.
The banana is seedless, and has been so for centuries, though
nobody knows why. It is propagated by suckers, and possibly it
had no seeds when it was first found in the wild state. The banana
isa modified berry. Cutting the fruit down through the middle, you
will sometimes see a few little brown spots, which are rudimentary
seeds. Occasionally the banana does actually produce seeds. The
pineapple is nearly seedless, being propagated likewise from suck.
ers and from slips. The egg-plant, which is a fruit botanically
speaking, is occasionally seedless. This plant is able to produce
developed fruit, whether the blossoms are fertilized or not.
378 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Horticulturists are endeavoring at the same time to rid fruit
plants of thorns. Some oranges and lemons are very thorny—for
example, the high-priced King orange, which is the best of the man-
darins. Itisrarely seen inthis market. The first trees were brought
to the United States from Cochin China. In Florida its thorniness
has been diminished by selecting buds from branches with the few-
est thorns. Thorns are objectionable because they puncture the
oranges and lemons when the branches are blown about by the
wind.
Efforts are being made to get rid of the thorns on raspberry and
blackberry plants, simply for convenience in picking the fruit. The
thorns are intended by nature to protect the plants from animals.
Cultivators select those plants which by chance happen to be thorn-
less or comparatively so.
GROWING EVERGREENS FROM SEED.
CHARLES. F. GARDNER, OSAGE, IOWA.
Good seed must be procured of the previous season’s crop, avoid-
ing seed that is old. Make examination and see that the germs are
plump and sound. The seeds of the pines, spruces and firs can be
tested in the winter in the same way you would test wheat, oats or
barley to find the number of grains that will freely germinate in a
given number of seeds. Seeds of the evergreens mentioned should
be kept in a cool, dry room until the time to plant arrives. Soak in
warm water from twenty-four to thirty-six hours before planting.
Seeds of the arbor vite should be stratified as soon as picked from
the tree, as drying destroys their vitality; red cedar and all juniper
seed should be stratified as soon as gathered, and remain in the
stratified state one year before planting.
The ground selected to plant evergreen seed should be first-class
soil for corn, as free as possible from weeds or grass. The best way
to secure this condition is to sow acrop of potatoes, with such cul-
ture as will absolutely destroy everything of the weed kind. Plow
and pulverize well in early autumn, then, in about a week afterwards,
throw the ground up in rough beds running east and west. This is
done with horses and plow in such manner that the beds when fin-
ished will be four feet wide and from four to six inches above the
general level. The alleys between the beds should be two feet in
width.
Set good strong posts eight feet apart each way over the entire
ground to be planted. Set them from two and one-half to three
feet in the ground and seven feet high from the ground up.
Brace the outside row of posts all around. Thenrun heavy galvan-
ized wire on the top of each row of posts, north and south, and east
and west; fasten securely with a staple on top of each post where
the wires cross. Cover the whole top with common wire lath fenc-
ing, made with one twist of wire less than common between the lath
to bring them close together. Enclose the sides in the same way,
fastening everything securely with staples to the posts. Instead of
EVERGREENS FROM SEED. 379
using lath, brush can be used by placing the wires two feet apart
and weaving and tying brush to them. The shade must be evenly
distributed so that half or little more than half of the rays of the
sun will be intercepted. After finishing your shading, go over all
your beds with acultivator, and then let it alone until spring comes,
and the ground is dry enough to work well. Scatter a liberal dress-
ing of wood ashes over all the beds, then pulverize thoroughly to
the depth of four inches and finish making the beds, having the
edges straight, beds four feet wide and an inch or so higher in the
middle than at the edges. The soil must be completely pulverized
and absolutely free from rubbish of every kind
You are now ready to sow the seed. Sow broadcast and have three
or four seeds tothe square inch. After sowing a bed,run acommon
garden roller over it until every seed is pressed firmly into the soil,
Cover the whole bed with light colored, fine clean sand to the depth
of one quarter of an inch for the spruces, Scotch pines and firs, and
about one-half inch for seeds like the white pine. Red cedar and
arbor vite seed are taken from the place where they are stratified
and sown, sand and all, then they are rolled and covered as the oth-
ers, with the exception that the arbor vitae seed is just barely cov-
ered with sand, and pulverized dry moss is sifted over them to a
depth of a little less than one quarter of an inch, and the bed care-
fully sprinkled with water through a fine hose.
After every rain the beds must be looked after and sand applied
again wherever it has washed off. The seed germinates in from ten
to twenty days after planting. All weeds must be pulled out by
hand as fast as they appear, as the beds must be kept perfectly
clean. The objectin having the sides enclosed as well as the top
is to keep out rabbits, dogs, poultry and other vermin. A dog or
rabbit merely walking over a bed when the trees are coming up will
destroy thousands. A good boy with a shot gun is a necessary ad-
junct to keep certain birds from digging up and eating up the seeds
and trees; this must be attended to. While the little trees are com-
ing up, if the the weather is dry, the bed must be carefully sprinkled
every evening. Use just enough water to thoroughly dampen the
sand on the beds. Have some dry sand stored away so that during
long spells of rainy, damp, foggy weather you can getitand sprinkle
the beds with it after each shower. This coating of dry sand should
be very thin, not over 1-32 of an inch deep. Pull out the weeds be-
fore they form the second set of leaves. Keep the alleys clean with
the use of the hoe.
The ground occupied by the seed beds should be at least six or
eight rods from any buildings, trees, hedges or other windbreaks.
A windbreak is a good thing tohave around your seed beds, if at a
proper distance. I prefer a distance of about twenty rods or more
to secure good air drainage. The beds must be constantly watched
until the little plants have formed their true leaves. The most
important objects to keep in mind are: first, the birds must be kept
off; second, the weeds and grass must be pulled; third, if the weather
is too dry, sprinkle, if too damp, use the dry sand.
After the true leaves have formed, the plants require little atten-
tion except that weeding must be kept up. Whenthe ground be-
a
380 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
gins to freeze in the fall cover all the beds with wild hay, using just
enough to cover them and no more. This is removed the latter
part of the following April, and the trees will require no attention
during the summer except to be kept clean from weeds. The next
fall treat the beds to another covering of hay and the following
spring you will have, if you have closely followed my directions, in
spite of possibly some severe losses, 2,000 or more trees on each four
feet length of bed, two years old and from three to ten inchesin
height, ready to be transplanted.
MONTHLY REPORT ON NOMENCLATURE AND SEED-
LINGS.
J. S. HARRIS.
August 27th, Received from L. J. Gjemse, Hader, Minnesota, three
varieties of native plums. No. 1. Medium large (1 3-16 inch
diameter); form round; color deep red; skin thick but without
acridity; flesh orange and apricot-yellow and fair consistency, sweet
and excellent flavor; stone medium size, round and thick; nearly a
cling; season, September first.
No.2. Size medium to large (1144 inch diameter); color dark
crimson-red and skin very thickly covered with minute yellow
dots; form round; flesh yellow, juicy, sweet; stone medium round:
thick and very smooth; season, September first.
No.3. Medium (11-16 inch diameter); form round; color yellow,
marbled with red; flesh yellow, with juicy flavor and very good;
stone medium round and thick; acling. We should judge that all
three varieties would cook well, and would fill an important place
between the Cheney and the Desota.
August 27th. Received from Theodore Williams, Benson, Neb. |
plums marked—
Brittle Wood No.1. Size very large (diameter, 15g inches); form
smooth and round; color yellow ground, mostly covered with deep
red and very thickly set with irregular grey dots; suture, a plain
deep crimson mark without any depression; skin thick; flesh orange-
yellow and of good consistency; flavor number one; season, about
Sept. first; stone medium, round and thick; a cling. It keeps well
and will be a good plum for market,
Sept. 3d. From N. FE. Durand. A Russian apple, name of which
proves to be Antonovka.
In quality the Antonovka is one of the best of the Russian apples,
Size medium to large; form roundish or oval, somewhat flattened
at the ends; color, straw or light yellow, with enough fine grayish
dots to give the skin a little rough appearance; stem short, in a
deep, ridged, dark-russeted cavity; calyx closed in a medium deep
ridged basin; flesh nearly yellow; fine flavor, pleasant and good;
core medium; season, September and October. This tree is a sym-
metrical, upright grower, among the most vigorous of the Russians,
and with us as hardy as the Oldenburg.
Ara ent pe ee ee ee Ps ee
Sys 3 Set x Be -
WISCONSIN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 381
WISCONSIN STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY—WIN-
TER MEETING, 1895.
M. PEARCE, DELEGATE.
The horticultural and agricultural societies met at the same time
in different rooms of the capitol; also the legislature was in session
and a large gathering of representative men of the state. On the
whole it wasa grand gathering from all parts of the state; a more
gentlemanly and intelligent class I never met. Wisconsin was ad-
mitted into the union in 1848, ten years before Minnesota. The old
pioneers of Wisconsin are nearly all gone, but not forgotten; their
sound judgment and good works are manifested by their public
buildings and far-reaching institutions, which have brought Wis-
consin to the front.
Irrigation and spraying were two prominent subjects. It was
conceded that windmills were failures for large plantations, unless
reservoirs that would hold large quantities of water as a reserve
in time of need, could be made on high ground.
Good success was unanimously reported from the direct flow of
artesian wells on strawberry and other fruit plantations. Irrigation
in Wisconsin, like Minnesota, is in its infancy, but will not so re-
main. The fruit growers of Wisconsin have too much at stake to
allow their large fruit plantations to be destroyed by drought, and
great efforts are being put forth to overcome the drought in some
practical way.
The spraying of fruit trees and other fruiting plants was ably dis-
cussed. They were not all of one mind onthe subject. Some got
good results from spraying, others thought it did no good. It
was suggested that if spraying could be made universal to destroy
the codling moth, tent caterpillar and other destructive insects
much good would be derived from it. A state law on the subject
was thought to be necessary.
The strawberry, blackberry and raspberry are extensively grown
in Wisconsin; twenty, forty, eighty and one hundred acre planta-
tions of those fruits are not unusual. The growers have organized
shipping associations and send their fruit in refrigerator cars to all
parts of the South and North in perfect condition.
The growing of the apple in Wisconsin does not receive as much
attention as the small fruit, although they have many fine large
commercial orchards which yield good crops of fruit. The indica-
tions are that Wisconsin is going to give more attention to the
growing of apples than she has of recent years. All new seedling
apples of value are diligently looked after and being tested at the
central station.
Wisconsin has many live local horticultural societies, which are
doing much good in the state, and send each year one or more dele-
gates to the state meeting. In this way the most that attend the
annual meeting are practical horticulturists, which is of great im-
portance to a state horticultural society and relieves a few members
from doing all the talking.
Testing new strawberries and originating others is done very
extensively by some growers at much labor and expense. Of the
>
ic 7
ee
382 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
new kinds now at the front are Timbrell, Greenville, Splendid, En
hance and others. They grow the same kinds of raspbcrries as are
grown in Minnesota with a few additions of new kinds, as the Col-
umbia and Loudon.
The Ancient Briton and Badger State blackberries are the princi-
pal ones grown. The latter has been sold largely in Minnesota for
the Ancient Briton. It is a Wisconsin seedling, resembles very
much the Snider, but said to be much better.
Minnesota hybrids and crabs are not grown largely in Wisconsin.
The Wealthy is the only apple of note from Minnesota grown in
Wisconsin, except at the north. The McMahon and what is known
in Minnesota as Giant Swaar are both popular in Wisconsin, and
many of the old varieties which Minnesota discarded after the hard
winter of 1872 and 1873. Grapes are not as much grown for com-
mercial purposes as they are in Minnesota.
The papers read at the meeting were all very good, though some
of them were too long for the occasion. Those of the ladies were
extra good, as they usually are. They hada good program. The
whole time was spent with much pleasure and profit. The fruit
growers of northern Wisconsin think it unjust not to allow them
to exhibit their fruit at our state fairs for premiums. Itisa matter
that acommittee should be appointed and report upon at our next
meeting.
PLANT LICE AND CABBAGE WORMS.—The lice found on cabbage ©
and cucumbers, and the worms on cabbage, may be destroyed by
spraying with kerosene emulsion, taking pains to reach the colo-
nies of lice, especially on the underside of the leaves, where
they are likely to congregate. To do this itis necessary to have a
nozzle arranged so as to throw the spray upward to the underside of
the leaves, or in the case of cucumber vines it may be more conve-
nient to turn the vines carefully over while the spray is being ap-
plied. The cabbage worms will also be killed by the kerosene
emulsion, if wet with the solution, but, when on the inner leaves or
burrowing in the heads of cabbage, it is difficult to reach them
with any direct application. London purple in a solution of 1 1b. to
200 gallons of water can be used until the cabbages are well headed
out, and even then, if applied around the lower leaves on which the
worms are numerous, there will be no danger of poison.
The manner in which the great forest fire limits its ravages is not.
a little curious. According to the prevailing theory, the air overa
burning area, rarified by the intense heat, is pushed upward by the
colder and heavier air ofthe surrounding area. This indraught of
cold air, rushing in from all sides and becoming more and more
powerful, at length drives the flames back upon the center of th
burnt district, where the conflagration ends from lack of fuel.—
Baltimore Sun.
yy
BIRDS. 3883
BIRDS AND THEIR RELATON TO HORTICULTURE.
WM. T. SHAW, ST. ANTHONY PARK, MINN.
There, probably, is no rural occupation affected by birds to the
same extent as horticulture. Not only are birds conspicuous in the
spring or summer for the good or harm which they do, but also in
fall and winter. In studying birds in this connection, we find some
very interesting facts.
It is a common belief that those birds which live upon insects are
beneficial. Now,is there not room for a serious mistake here? When
we consider the fact that many of our insects thus destroyed are
exceedingly useful to horticulture in many ways, we see thata great
deal of harm may be done by insectivorous birds eating such
insects. Hence we see that in order to make a clear judgment of the
relation which birds bear to us, we should study them from an
entomological as well as a botanical standpoint. When studied in
this way some surprising facts are revealed.
Once, the appearance of a hawk or an owl was a Signal to the
farmer to seek some means of destroying it. Now,as has been
shown by careful dissections of very large numbers of crops and
stomachs, there are only a few species among these predacious
birds which are positively injurious, while by far the majority are
of great value in killing rodents and noxious insects. The owls
are deserving of special protection because they remain with us
during the entire year, and also because they capture their food
chiefly in the dusk of evening and in early dawn when many of the
injurious rodents such as mice and hares are running about. The
most injurious insects also fly about at this time.
In studying some of the other families of birds we obtain various
results. Woodpeckers, once thought to be so valuable to horticul-
ture, are now found to be quite indifferent—some are even injurious, -
as the yellow-bellied woodpecker, or sap-sucker; so well known by
the peculiar manner it has of pecking holes in the bark of the trunk
or limbs of trees. Quite frequently a perfectly healthy tree is
selected and the bark is so punctured in order to make traps into
which insects may collect to feed upon the sap that the growth of
the tree is greatly retarded, and in many cases permanent injury is
received. The work of destroying borers is carried on extensively
by these birds, but their aid comes too late, as the damage is done
before the insect can be reached by them.
The English sparrow has received special attention and very care-
ful study andhas been proved to be an enemy to horticulture. Not
only has it been found guilty of doing damage by directly eating
fruit of various kind, but also in destroying buds in large quantities.
Again, we have birds of a very useful nature. The yellow-billed
cuckoo deserves special notice, as it destroys hairy caterpillars in
large quantities. So also is the rose-breasted grossbeak useful, as
it destroys potato beetles. Even this bird is forced to change its
food habits, as it was frequently observed during the past season,
feeding upon green garden peas. Doubtless, this was owing to
severe drouth and scarcity of other food.
384 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
There is still another class of birds, examples of which are the
thrushes and blackbirds, which have the good they do in the spring
counterbalanced by the harm they do thecrops. Much damage may
be prevented by having some early and poor variety of fruit planted
as a hedgerow.
In conclusion, the writer wishes to call special attention to the
importance of protecting the birds of prey. Other birds, as well,
deserve our protection and should only be killed when they threaten
to destroy our crops.
THE ORCHARD.
E. H. 8S. DARTT, OWATONNA.
Mr. President and gentlemen: The best location for the orchard
is found to bea high northern slope tipping down to the north or
northeast, the more the better, provided it is not so steep as to inter-
fere with cultivation. Why is this best? Because our trees are
killed by drouth and on this slope the hot sun and drying winds do
not absorb moisture as rapidly as on level land or a southern slope.
THE WORST LOCATION
is a low sheltered nook where the cooling breeze is excluded
and the sun has free access. Why? Because itis the hottest place
in the daytime and the coldest place at night, consequently, the
greatest and most sudden changes occur.
Many farmers surround their buildings and orchard with a dense
windbreak on all sides, and they wonder why the orchard does not
thrive. Except so far as the ground is partially shaded, thisisa
hard spot for fruit trees, and the good of the orchard requires the
removal of the windbreak on the north and the trimming up or
thinning out in other directions,so as to securea rather free circula-
tion of air, the windbreak being only useful to the orchard by par-
tially shading the ground and preventing fruit from being blown
off.
THE BEST TREATMENT
seems to be cultivation, shallow, near trees, and mulching with
manure at the rate of thirty loads to the acre,each and every fall or
early winter. Cultivation protects against drouth;mulching prevents
rootkilling, and manure keeps up vitality. The bearing orchard that
is not well manured will soon starve to death.
The Transcendent and some other crabs subjected to this treat-
ment might blight to death.
Prune early and lightly in such a way as to secure a low top with
center stem and moderately sized side branches.
If trees like the Wealthy kill down, allow the sprouts to grow up
from the ground without pruning,and they will soon make bearing
trees. But we must be on the lookout that such trees are not eaten
by rabbits or crushed by settling snowdrift.
WHAT SHALL WE PLANT?
After our experiment sations have had a little more time they will
be good authority; but for the present read the reports of our State
THE ORCHARD. 885
Horticultural Society or apply to any orchardist in your own local-
ity. If you find an honest nurseryman (there are many such) take
his advice. It will be safest never to take the word of a canvasser;
whether he sells trees or anything else.
WHERE SHALL WE BUY?
Buy of the nearest nurseryman who has the reputation of being
honest.
The far-fetched and dear bought theory is the biggest humbug in
the world when applied to trees.
Beware of the man who sells wonderful new things at ex-
travagant prices unless you have plenty of money and love to be
sold!
WHAT ABOUT THE PROFITS?
Bad location, worthless varieties and bad management have
spoiled the profits of the orchard in this part of the state, but I will
say for your encouragement that my best acre of Duchess has
yielded a net profit over all expenses of notless than $400. And there
seems to be no reason why any of you with the light now before you,
a fair location and sufficient ability to run a farm successfully
should not make the orchard a source of profit fully equal to that of
any other branch of farming.
BUFFALO-BERRY.—The buffalo-berry that grows here is an all-
winter fruit; the berry is sound and hard. I think there will bea
great many of them planted after farmers find out what they are, as
they serve three purposes—hedge, windbreak and fruit. I know of
no fruit that will make jelly equal to this berry. I understand
there will be a good many of the trees planted in Minnesota, Iowa,
and the Dakotas next spring, and, if so, by 1895 they will prove for
themselves, as they bear fruit the first season if planted early in
the spring.—Farm, Stock and Home.
RESULTS OF SPRAYING.—Mr. B. F. Galloway, of the U. S. Depart-
ment of Agriculture, made a very decisive experiment with fungi-
cides on the grape. A vineyard which had been abandoned for five
years on account of black rot was taken, pruned and cleaned up and
divided into five plats, four of which were sprayed and one not.
The plats treated gave from 93 to 99 per cent. of perfect bunches,
while the plat not treated gave none. The Bordeaux Mixture gave
the best results, but the carbonate of copper was nearly as good,
and was easier to prepare and use and cheaper.
We stir up the soil often in the summer that we may retard the
evaporation of moisture, but the amount of moisture checked in
this way is small compared with that which is taken from the soil
by an ordinary growth of weeds. Therefore, the killing of the
weeds by the plow is of vastly more importance in conserving
moisture than is the mere stirring of the soil.
(-)ctober alendar.
J. S. HARRIS.
Orchard and Nursery.
Now that the apples are all gathered, weeds, grass and every
kind of rubbish that can harbor insects and vermin should be
removed from about the trees and burned.
If swine can be fed in the orchard a few days after the fruit is gath-
ered, they will destroy the larve of injurious insects, and much less
fruit will be damaged by them—also weeds and grass are destroyed,
and the soil enriched. Plowing and manuring may be done as soon
as all danger of stimulating new growth is past.
Whitewashing the trees (a pound of copperas being dissolved in
each bucketful of the wash) or a wash of strong soap suds destroys
bacteria and many insects and puts the trees in a good condition
for winter.
Mulching for winter protection should not be done until next
month or until the soil is well cooled off.
Nursery trees for next spring’s planting or sales should be dug
this month, as early as the leaves have accomplished their season’s
work, and part easily from the branches. Store them for the winter
in a cool cellar, with sufficient moss or soil about the roots to pre-
vent drying out, or bury in a dry bank outside.
Trees to be carried over in the nursery are better for plowing be-
tween the rows just before the ground freezes, throwing a furrow
towards each side of the rows.
Those who purchase their trees had better do so this fall, that they
may be on hand for early spring planting.
The making and planting of currant cuttings should not be longer
delayed. Plant them out in a rich, mellow soil, in rows three feet
apart and six inches apart in the rows, with the top bud just above
the surface; later on, mulch with leaves or litter.
Red raspberries and blackberries may be planted this month, pro-
vided they can be given some protecticn through the winter—a
shovelful of earth or peckful of litter is usually sufficient, Clear
the dead canes and all rubbish out of the older plantation, and have
everything in readiness for laying down and covering just before
winter sets in,
Vegetables.
In the vegetable garden, gather beets, carrots and onions before
they are injured by the frost. Cauliflower, cabbage and celery
should remain as long as possible without danger of hard freezing.
Beets keep well stored in pits, onions keep best stored ina dry
cool room, and potatoes in a cool, dark cellar that is frost proof.
After the crops are gathered, the vegetable garden should be
5 SEs eek ye ee Pee ter es ee Pe eS Cee ee eee
Psy ape eR ate be ae 4 : ; :
OCTOBER CALENDAR. 387
cleaned up, manured and plowed, and, if the soil is inclined to clay,
leave the surface rough.
Flowers.
In the flower garden, everything that is tender should be taken
up and put into winter quarters before it is frozen.
Rake off the lawn and remove everything that is unsightly. Be
prepared to dig in fertilizers around hardy herbaceous plants, and
to cover such as need protection.
ZANZIBAR WATER LILIES—We derived great pleasure from our
water lilies last year. Our tank is six feet across and eight inches
deep, and in this we place six inches of rich soil—an old hotbed bot-
tom would furnish the right thing. In the tank we put six plants
in the first week in June, and in about two weeks the first flowers
were open, and the plants continued blooming until the first frost
in winter. There were from six to ten flowers open every day; the
flowers opened in the morning and closed in the evening. We had
one plant in a wooden pail and it bloomed, but the flower was small;
one of those in the tank measured eight inches across, while that in
the pail was only three inches. In some respects the flower is not
equal to our Nymphaea odorata, but the easy manner of growing
them places them a long way ahead of our natives. You have only
to put the seed in a bowl or open dish in which is placed a couple
_ of inches of soil, and keep it covered with water at a temperature of
70° or 80°, and in about two weeks they will have started to grow.
At first the growth is slow and the leaves were only about two
inches across when I planted ours out in June.—Canadian Horti-
culturist.
CULTIVATION VS. [RRIGATION.—J. C. V.—Some farmers claim that
thorough cultivation, and two or three irrigations during the season
is better than more irrigation. (1) Is this true of potatoes? (2) Of
what kind of fruit is it true? (3) State approximate number of times
for cultivation, and likewise for irrigation in each case. (4) How
late should deciduous fruits be irrigated? and (5) how early in
spring.
(1) No, it is not; potatoes, as a rule, should be irrigated at least
once a week until their maturity, then no more. (2) Of no kinds.
All fruits require irrigation, especially during the hottest part of
thesummer. (3) Cultivation ought to follow each irrigation as soon
as the ground is in a fit condition. Cultivation should be once or
twice a week. (4) Deciduous fruits should be irrigated until they
are well matured, and just before and during the ripening season;
if the weather is hot they require more thorough irrigation. Any
intelligent farmer will soon learn when to irrigate, and how long to
keep it up each time. Every farmer knows about when he would
like to seeitrain. Instead of watching the clouds and praying for
it to rain, if he is prepared to irrigate he can answer his own prayer.
—N. G. BLALOCK, M. D., Washington.
ecretary’s (Yorner.
APPRECIATED.—It is always pleasant to know that our work is well
received and so we are glad to note these cheering words from the
“Utah Church and Farm” published in Salt Lake City, Utah: “We
appreciate your paper here very much.”
PICTURES OF STATE FAIR.—It was the intention to publish some
engravings of the state fair in connection with the description in
this number; but a delay in getting them necessarily postpones
them till November.
APPLE SEEDLINGS IN AITKEN CouNTy.—Prof. Green is just back
from a short trip in Aitken county to look up some promising seed-
lings. That is a good way north for the apple, but he speaks of a
number of varieties of the Russians looking well there.
SECRETARY’S OFFICE HoURS.—It has been found convenient, on ac-
count of the pressure of other duties, to change the hours at the sec-
retary’s office from 9 to 12 in the forenoon, as heretofore, tol to 4in
the afternoon. The office days—Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday—
remain the same, but friends calling will likely find the secretary
in almost any afternoon.
FRUIT FOR THE WINTER MEETING.—Quite a quantity of fruit has
been placed in cold storage for this purpose anda good deal more is
stored in the cellars of the members at home, and we may expect a
greater show than we have ever had before at a winter meeting. Be
sure and save any good specimens you have and bring or send them.
PROF. E. S. GOFF, MADISON.—It was a pleasure to meet at our
state fair, Prof. Goff, horticulturist at the experiment station, Madi-
son, Wis. His sunbrowned face indicated the practical character of
the work he is doing. Evidently he is found much in the fields. Our
members have probably noticed the article on irrigation in the last
number by Prof. Goff. He is doing further work in that line of
which we may hope to hear soon.
SOIL FROM THE ORCHARDS.—It has been suggested by Mr. Wyman
Elliot that it would add much to the interest of the discussion of the
orchard question next winter if members would bring, with them
samples of the soil and subsoil of the ground on which their apple
trees are growing, arranged, if possible, as to order and depth as
found there. This is especially desirable from the orchards that the
society committee, Prof. Green and Mr. Wedge, visited lately, and
upon which special reports will be made. Will members please
note this and as far as possible arrange to bring such specimens to
the winter meeting?
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THE MINNESOTA
HORTICULTURIST.
VOL. 23 NOVEMBER, 1895. NO. 10
THE CONSERVATION OF SOIL MOISTURE BY MEANS
OF SUBSOIL PLOWING.
TL. LYON, B.S, A.
From Bulletin No. 43 0f the Agricultural Experiment Station,
Lincoln, Neb.
(The fact shown in this valuable article is clearly of the greatest importance, and
fruit growers would do wisely to heed it. Sec’y.)
The question of water supply for crops has been met and suc-—
cessfully dealt with, both in the case of a surplus and in many cases
where a deficiency of moisture existed. By drainage on one hand
and irrigation on the other, it has been possible where the natural
conditions were favorable to withdraw from or apply water to the
soil according to the needs of the case. Unfortunately, however,
irrigation is not always practicable. Most of the land in Nebraska
would be benefited by a larger application of water to the soil than
is offered it by nature, although a comparatively small area of the
state does not receive an annual rainfall large enough to raisea
crop. As the surface water supply is very limited, and as that is at
present the only supply practicable for irrigation, it is very appa-
rent that we must properly conserve the water obtained by precipi-
tation.
The ordinary methods of soil preparation and cultivation have,
during the past two years, proved inadequate to bring the soil into a
condition capable of retaining, through a prolonged dry spell, the
moisture it received by precipitation. Experiments have shown that
subsoil plowing,* especially if done in the fall, anda thorough cul-
tivation of the land during the growing season will do much towards
conserving the soil moisture, thus enabling the crops grown thereon
to withstand a drought much better than those grown on land treated
in the ordinary way.
The good results of subsoiling on the Experiment Station farm
have been very marked. No experiment was planned for testing the
effect of subsoil plowing, but on land that had previously been
subsoiled for sugar beets and this year planted to corn, the effect of
subsoiling was so strongly marked as to attract the attention of all
who saw it. The subsoiled and surface plowed portions of land
on which the corn is growing are in the same field on the east side
of the farm. It is upland soil, with a gradual slope towards the
east. In composition it isa fine loam with considerable organic
matter. In the fall of 1891 a portion of this field was subsoil plowed
*Loosening the subsoil without bringing it to the surface.
890 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
for sugar beets, and this crop was raised the following year. It was
notagain subsoiled but plowed in the same manner as was the re-
mainder of the field. It is a very noteworthy fact that the position
of this subsoiled land can now be determined almost to a row by
the superiority of the corn growing onit. The stalks on the land
not subsoiled are small,
badly dried up and have
not made any grain, while
those on the subsoiled land
are of good size, having a
fresh, green appearance,
and will give a fair yield of
grain. This, it must be re-
membered, is the effect in
1895 of subsoil plowing
in the fall of 1891. |
Such results are encour-
aging in the extreme. They
show that with very little
extra expense crops can be
raised with much less rain-
fall thanis generally sup-
posed. The subsoil plow-
ing can be done with three
horses, and does not re-
quire much more time than
surface plowing. Thesub-
soiler should follow in the
furrow of the surface plow.
The operation doubles the
expense of plowing, but, as
has been shown, its benefi-
cial effects continue for sev-
eral years. Probably,once
in three years would be often enough to subsoil, but that has not
yet been determined definitely.
In all cases in which subsoiling has been done in the fall that
have been reported to this station, the results have been highly sat-
isfactory. Ifthe effect has notalways been apparent the first season
after subsoiling, it at least makes itself felt in the course of two or
three years. The reason for this is that if very little rain falls after
the subsoiling and before the crop or crops on the land are grown,
as has been the case in the last three years, the small amount of
moisture that is received sinks more readily than otherwise into the
soil and, though retained there, is not easily given up to the plant
roots until the demands of the soil itself are satisfied. After the
practice has once been started, however, the excess of water beyond
the demands of the soil always continues.
Among those who have tried subsoiling in this state are Messrs.
Youngers & Co., of Geneva, who deserve great credit for the enter-
prise they have shown in their experiments on this subject and
SUBSOIL PLOWING. 391
their public spirit in giving others the advantage of their experi-
ence at considerable expense to themselves. The following is their
own description of their experience with subsoiling:
“A field that was subsoiled in the fall of 1891 and cropped to corn
the seasons of ’92 and 93 was planted to oats in the spring of ’94 and
produced a yield of 3914 bushels per acre, while on another portion
of the same field which had been subsoiled in the fall of ’92 and
raised a crop of corn the season of ’93 the yield of oats was 4414
bushels per acre, showing a difference of 5 bushels per acre in favor
of the land which had raised but one crop since subsoiling.
“Now we will compare the results on land on the same farm not
subsoiled. Land subsoil plowed in the fall of 1892 and planted to
corn in the spring of 1893 yielded 75 bushels per acre, while corn on
land not subsoiled, but otherwise treated in identically the same
manner, yielded but 36 bushels per acre. Land subsoiled and
planted to potatoes in the spring of 1893 yielded 125 busbels per acre,
while the potato crop on land not subsoiled was practically a fail-
ure. This season (1894) the yield of potatoes on subsoiled land was 96
bushels per acre. The potatoes were planted on the 18th of May,
and on June 23d we had the last heavy rain of the season. From
June 23d to August 16th we had 0.49 inch of rainfall, less than % inch
in fifty-four days, and still we raised a fair crop of potatoes. Rye
on subsoiled land yielded 3014 bushels per acre; on land not sub-
soiled, 2% bushels. Oats sown on land which had raised one crop
of corn since subsoiling yielded 4414 bushels per acre; on land which
had raised two crops of corn since subsoiling, 3914 bushels per acre;
on land NOT SUBSOILED, 17 bushels per acre.”
This was a carefully conducted and thoroughly reliable test, and
one that any farmer can make for himself.
It is easy to understand why subsoiling is peculiarly well adapted
to the agriculture of Nebraska when -the conditions influencing the
growth of crops are examined. In the first place,there is,throughout
most of the state,an annual rainfall somewhatless than that of most
arable portions of the country. Added to this is a very dry atmos-
phereand periods of extreme heat accompanied by hot winds,which
makes the rate of evaporation very high. From the readings of the
wet bulb thermometer, it is calculated that the annual evaporation
from a waier surface is 40 inches in the eastern part of the state and
50 inches in the western part. This is about twice as much as the an-
nual rainfall in the eastern portion and considerably more than in
the western portion. Such conditions make it necessary toremove as
far as possible the opportunity for evaporation of the moisture from
the soil. In order that the evaporation shall be reduced to a mini-
- mum, it is imperative that the water should soak deeply and quickly
into the soil; but to do this the soil and subsoil must be loose.
Hellriegel showed very clearly by experiment the difference in the
water holding power between a loose and a firmly compacted soil.
He took a quantity of loamy soil, and, after dividing it in two parts,
firmly compressed the one, while the otherremainedloose. Hethen
determined the water holding power of each, and found that of the
compact soil to be only 26 per cent., while that of the loose soil was
40 per cent.
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392 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Now, most farmers in the state who have tried subsoil plowing
know that the subsoil is not loose. Although the surface may be so
loose as to blow badly,yet it is remarkable how firmly compacted the
subsoil is at a depth of sixteen inches.
A mechanical soil analysis of the Experiment Station farm soil
lends much aid in explaining the beneficial results obtained from
subsoiling the land from which the sample was taken. * * *
It will be noticed that there is very little sand in this soil,and a
very large amount of silt. These silt particles are nearly as fine as
clay,and it is well known that soils composed largely of silt pack very
firmly, as does clay. In fact, these two kinds of soil resemble each
other quite closely,inasmuch as they are both generally well supplied
with the elements of plant food, but both difficult to work if plowed
when wet. This firmly packed condition of the subsoil has acted in
two ways to deter the growth of the crops grown thereon. It has
prevented the rain water from soaking in quickly, so that water de-
posited by summer rains was largely vaporized before it permeated
the subsoil, and its poor absorbing power prevented its holding
large quantities of water even when these were supplied. The fact
that in this region large quantities of water fall in a very short time
makes it imperative that not only the surface soil but also the sub-
soil be in a condition to absorb it quickly and freely, for, if the
surface alone be used as a reservoir, it is soon exhausted by reason
of the rapid rate of evaporation. It has also served by excluding air
and moisture to prevent the decomposition and nitrification which
render the fertilizing materials in the soil available for the use of
the growing plants. Thus, the plants have only received nour-
ishment from the surface soil, while had the subsoil been loosened
they would have had a much larger store to draw from.
SUGGESTIONS.
Subsoil plowing, although a means of conserving moisture, does
not produce it, and is, therefore, not a substitute for irrigation where
the rainfall is too small to produce crops.
Where there is a hard,dry subsoil, subsoil plowing is to be recom-
mended.
Where the subsoil is loose, gravelly or sandy, subsoiling is proba-
bly unnecessary or may even be injurious.
Do not subsoil when the soil is very wet, either above or beneath,
as there is great danger of puddling the soil,thus leaving it in worse
condition than before. This is one of the reasons why it is better to
subsoil in the fall than in the spring.
Ifthe ground be subsoiled in the fall, the winter and spring rains
have ample opportunity to soak in, that being the season of greatest
rainfall and least evaporation.
Subsoiling in the spring may be a positive detriment if the
subsoil be extremely dry, as in that case the rain water is partially
removed from the young plant by the absorption of the bottom
soil. Ifthe spring rains were heavy, this would not be a disadvan-
tage.
The effects of subsoiling land having a “gumbo” subsoil has not
been ascertained, but, if done at the proper time, it would doubtless
PLANT FOOD. 3893
be beneficial. The “gumbo” subsoil,to a greater extent than any other
found in this state, prevents moisture from penetrating deeply into
the soil, and as a consequence such lands are the first to suffer dur-
ing adrouth. If the “gumbo” could be loosened, it would obviate
this to a great extent.
Understand the nature and condition of the subsoil on your farm
before subsoiling.
PLANT FOOD.—COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS OR FARM
MANURES.
PROF. HARRY SNYDER, ST. ANTHONY PARK.
The question of plant food, together with the most economical
ways of feeding plants, is equally as important as the economical
feeding of animals. In fact, it is more important because animals
are dependent, directly or indirectly, upon plants for food. The
feeding of plants has not required such close attention as the feed-
ing of animals, because in a new soil plants are usually provided
with an abundance of food, but when this necessary plant food is
reduced to a narrow working limit, the question of food becomes a
more serious problem.
In some states and localities which have been settled for a much
longer period than Minnesota, the cost of plant food in the form of
commercial fertilizers has reached very large figures. In many
states the sale of commercial fertilizers is regulated by law, so as to
prevent the practice of gross frauds. New Jersey,in 1893, expended
$1,650,000 in commercial fertilizers, and many other states propor-
tionately as large, if not larger, sums. There is expended annually
in the United States not less than $40,000,000 in commercial fertilizers.
The extensive use of these commercial articles has created a great
deal of interest in regard to their value. Under the horticultural
and agricultural conditions of this state, but little, in fact, nothing
is heard about commercial fertilizers. Inasmuch as they are so
extensively used in other states, we are naturally much interested
in regard to them, especially in relation to the following questions:
1. Is the present use of commercial fertilizers necessary?
2. Will they producecrops which have a greater food value?
3.. Can their use be put off or possibly avoided?
4. How do the commercial fertilizers compare in value with
ordinary manures?
5. What kind of fertilizers are best adapted for certain crops?
These questions are easier to ask than they are to answer, and, be-
fore taking up any of them, let me say that our exact knowledge in
regard to many of the topics is not so complete as could be desired
—in many cases it is quite fragmentary, but we must look theques-
tion squarely in the face and discuss it as fully as our knowledge
will allow.
A commercial fertilizer is a mixture of various materials which
are supposed to be rich in the elements of plant food. The elements
which are the most necessary for plant growth are nitrogen, phos-
phoric acid, potash and lime. In commercial fertilizers these ele-
394 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
ments are present in various proportions. No two brands of com-
mercial fertilizers are exactly alike. Commercial fertilizers are
concentrated forms of the most necessary elements of plant food;
sometimes this food is of good quality, and, then again, it is of
poorer quality.
1. Is the present use of commercial fertilizers necessary? No, not
on an average soil. The reason for saying “no” is that the additional
yield of the crop would not pay the cost of the fertilizer used. In
the states which have been compelled to make use of commercial
fertilizers, there was not originally as much plant food in the soil as
is present in the average soil of our state; hence, our stock of plant
food to begin with is much greater; and then, too, we can profit by
the experience of older states. The liberal use of farm manures
prepared so as to be strony in certain elements of plant food, will
prove much more economical and will keep the soil in better condi-
tion than the indiscriminate use of commercial fertilizers.
The greatest difficulty that we will have to contend with is that of
getting the soil out of condition by using up the organic matter too
rapidly and then being compelled to resort to commercial fertilizers
in order to keep up the supply of available plant food. Although
the organic matter itself does not take any direct part in feeding
plants, ‘ndirectly it takes a very important part. The one weak
point about commercial fertilizers is that they furnish but little
organic matter for the production of humus, and hence they are
generally of only temporary benefit to the land.
2. Will the use of commercial fertilizers produce crops of greater
food value? Yes, but not sufficient to warrant their use for this pur-
pose alone, It is true that the composition of a crop can be influ-
enced by the supply of plant food, just as the composition of the
animal body can be influenced by the food consumed; but commer-
cial fertilizers from $25 to $40 per ton are too expensive to be consid-
ered for this purpose. I do not wish to be understood as saying
that we do not need to use any fertilizers, or manures, but we have
no use at present for the expensive commercial fertilizers. If they
can be obtained cheap enough, all right; if not, we must look to other
and cheaper sources of plant food.
In connection with the effects of fertilizers upon the composition
of the crops produced, the extensive experiments of Laws and Gil-
bert, of Rothamsted, England, are the most conclusive. Ina series
of experiments carried on for twelve years with nine different kinds
of manures, including those rich in nitrogen, phosphates and pot-
ash and their various mixtures, in no case was the essential food
products in any of the crops sufficiently improved or altered to
warrant the use of any of the fertilizers for simply the additional
food value of the crop produced. A complete chemical analysis was
made of the crop from each plot for each of the twelve years. The
experiments upon this point are particularly interesting. The re-
sults are given in a table as follows:
PLANT FOOD. 3895
EXPERIMENTS BY LAWES AND GILBERT, OF ROTHAMSTED, ENGLAND
WITH VARIOUS KINDS OF FERTILIZERS UPON POTATOES.
Average yield per acre for twelve years when each of the |Composition of 100
following manures were used. Ibs. of fresh tubers.
Good. | Small.| Dise’sd; Total. 4 « d
- a 1o
o a ro Alen - sels = 4 2 50
rs| + a S28 | = 1 =o t= (rs A 4 ea a=
elolalolal|ola|o || & a*)_< |4
— |————S§ $| ————_ | | | | | 2 | Fi St ae
Unmanured..........0...6.ceeeee 1 [13%] ...| 5 114) 1 |1934) ee 84) 334
Superphosphate................ | 3] 5. |....| 594|--..] 234] 3 [13% bea aae 1,07) 249
Mixed Minerals.................| 3 | 734]....| 4%|....| 256] 3 [15% basen ts 1.11) .236
Ammonium Salts.............5. 1 |1734| ...| 6%|....] 17%] 2 | 534]] 73-08,26.2) .77) 384
Sodium Nitrate.. ............... 2 | 456]....| 544] ...] 256] 2 [iarg|| 79-05/28.5) © 75) 382
- Ammonium Salts & Minerals] 5 |18%). 7 83g] 6 |144% pean 8s : 1.02) .319
ee pnd peed t 5 173% 6% 94| 6 |13 cain 8} 1.00} .341
Damanured 6 years .2. 5) 3 p2|----| 64]----] 3] 4 | 284] 72.09.27.1) 98) 298
7yts.Parm Manures and Su- } : |
perphosphates.......... .... -| 4 | 74g]....| 636]....] 476] 4 11836] 74.07 25.9) 1.00) .292
_ years Poon eure alone. ) |
years Farm Manures alone. =3/ , / 7 iS
Gycars Superphosphates (| 4 |!5%|----| 6%)----| 9%] 5 L134) 74.0925.1] .93) .339
Sodium Nitrate.............. \ ! | | |
3. Can the use of commercial fertilizers be put off or possibly
avoided?
Yes, by putting something back in the soil for everything that is
taken away. Wecannot expect to continually borrow from nature
and never pay anything back. The fact should be kept in mind that
the four elements, nitrogen, phosphoric acid, potash and lime, are
the ones which are drawn upon to the greatest extent by plants.
lime is present in nearly allof our soils in sufficient amounts so
as not to cause any present or future trouble.
By a judicious use of farm manures, the working supply of nitro-
gen and phosphates can be kept up. Manures rich in phosphates
and nitrogen can be produced by looking carefully after the food
stuffs which are fed on the farm. Beans, shorts and barley all pro-
duce manure which is more valuable than manure from animals fed
on corn or oats. As long asthe organic matter in the soil is kept
up, the want of available phosphates will not be severely felt. The
humus in the soil formed from the decaying organic matter unites
with the complex and insoluble phosphates in the soil and converts
them into forms which are available as plant food. It is cheaper to
work over the insoluble phosphates in the soil, and, by means of the
humus, get the phosphates into an available form, than it is to pur-
chase available plant food in the form of commercial fertilizers.
There is a good stock of unavailable phosphates in the soil which
should be worked over before resorting to commercial fertilizers.
The question of keeping up the working supply of potash in the
soil is a more difficult and serious one than that of the phosphates.
A judicious and liberal use of all of the available supplies of wood
ashes will do a great deal towards solving a part of the problem.
There is a great difference in the value of ashes from various
sources. No doubt a few who have made a trial of the ashes from
A aes,
4
396 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
sawmills have but little faith in ashes. As arule, the ashes from
sawmills, excepting where hard wood is burned, are quite poor in
quality. The fuel is burned with such a strong draft that only a
small amount of the heavy sandy portions of the ash is left, and
then after these ashes have been exposed to a few leaching rains
there is not much of any value left in the ashes. Samples of such
saw-mill ashes are frequently sent to the chemical laboratory of the
experiment station for analysis. The analysis of one of these sam-
ples, which represents about their average, showed:
Potash, 1.20 per cent.
Phosphoric acid, 1.10 per cent.
This is about ten times less potash than isusually foundin good
wood ashes.
In deciding between the use of wood, coal or gasoline, the fertili-
zer value of the wood ashes should be kept in mind.
The ashes from marshes which have burned over in the summer
are sometimes quite valuable, especially when the ashes are from
small timber trees. When the ashes are mainly of sedges and swale
grass they possess but little value.
Another source of fertility which can be drawn upon in time of
need is the large deposit of muck and marlin thestate. In the “old
lake bottoms” there is a large amount of reserve plant food which
can be utilized at little expense. Every hundred pounds of ordi-
nary black muck contains from 1.5 to 2.5 pounds of nitrogen, with
smaller amounts of phosphates and lime. These muck beds, when
they are cured by thorough rotting and airing, are valuable fertili-
zers. Incase the muck tastes a little sour, lime in the form of land
plaster should be mixed with it,so as to correct the acid aad make
the muck decompose more rapidly. Muck will work well on our
sandy loam soils, because there is sufficient lime in the soils to pre-
vent the formation of sour mould.
When there is a large amount of coarse sand in a soil, a dressing
of marl, which is quite common in many parts of the state, will be
very beneficial. The mixed marl and muck will go well together.
The use of city garbage and refuse matter has been advocated for
fertilizer purposes. The richstable manures, wood ashes and bones
are very valuable, but the bulky refuse matter, containing a large
amount of grease, possesses little value, and in many cases they
are a positive damage to the land.
The indiscriminate use of raw city refuse matters, excepting
stable manures, bones and wood ashes, has never proved a wise,sat-
isfactory or economical method of fertilizing.
4. How do the commercial fertilizers compare in value with ordi-
nary manures, as well as topic5, “What kinds of commercial fer-
tilizers are best adapted for certain crops,’ can not at present be
satisfactorily answered on account of the absence of extended expe-
riments upon these lines. So far as our limited knowledge goes,
commercial fertilizers have not proved to be particularly valuable
and beneficial under the horticultural and agricultural conditions
of this state.
In short, the use of the expensive commercial fertilizers can be
put off and even entirely avoided by a judicious use of: (1), farm
to 4 _ ae fee Se pe oe =. fae a ee ee
PLANT FOOD. 397
e manures; (2), wood ashes; (3), bones; (4), prepared muck; (5), marl;
: (6), by keeping up a supply of organic matter in the soil.
a DISCUSSION.
4 Mr. Hitchcock: I would like to ask Mr. Snyder a question
or two. Iam digging out some muck from amarsh. I would
like to ask how it would do to mix tankage with the muck?
Prof. Snyder: It will do very well if you only use asmall
: amount. It must be used with a great deal of care.
Mr. Hitchcock: I have been using a great deal of tankage.
’ Where is the most available place to get sulphate of potash and
: muriate.
: Prof. Snyder: Ido not know in this state, It can be bought
in New York.
: Mr. Hitchcock: I know where to get it in New York, but
the freight is too high. Have you ever had any experience in
mixing tankage with the muck?
Prof. Snyder: Not in this state under our conditions here.
Mr. Hitchcock: What is the price of tankage now?
Prof. Snyder: It used to be sold at $12.00, but it is now sold
at $18.00 per ton.
Mr. Pearce: Which is the best, the muriate or nitrate?
. Prof. Snyder: The nitrate would be the the best,but it is too
expensive. The muriate contains a much smaller amount of
potash than the nitrate.
Mr. Pearce: What would be the price of the nitrate?
Prof. Snyder. It would cost us not less than $35 to $40 per
ton. I doubt whether we could get it at that price.
Mr. Pearce: What would the muriate cost?
‘ Prof. Snyder: $10 to $15 less.
Mr. Pearce: I want about three minutes to talk on a sub-
ject of vast importance to every fruit grower in the state of
Minnesota. I have experimented a good deal with fertilizers,
and I know the good results of these fertilizers on fruit. If we
are raising fruit, we can just as well double the amount per acre
we are getting now and of the best quality. So far as ashes
are concerned, there is no use in trying to gét what we want.
The fertilizers we want and must have we must ship from New
York. We want potash. Every fruit grower that is interested
in fruit should be interested in this matter of increasing the
quantity and quality of our fruit. We must buy our fertilizers
by the quantity and get them at wholesale rates, and we must
have them shipped by the carload. That means that we can
398 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
get them for one-half less, and we will reap in the increased ~
quantity of fruit from five hundred to one thousand per cent.
If there are any fruit growers here who wish to talk this mat-
ter over,I should like to meet them to talk this matter over,and
let us ship a carload and see what the result will be. I think
that is the only way in which we can make fruit growing as
profitable as it should be. We cannot depend upon our fertili-
zers here; we must have them ina more concentrated form.
BARRELING APPLES.—Many of the most profitable operations in
commercial life depends in the first instance upon very simple
facts. Most persons would pass by without observing the barreling
of apples as acase in point. If apples were placed loosely in barrels,
they would soon rot, though passing over but a very short distance
of travel; and yet, when properly barreled, they can be sent thous-
ands of miles—even over the roughest ocean voyage, in perfect se-
curity. Thisis owing toa fact discovered years ago, without any
one knowing particularly the reason, that an apple rotted from a
bruise only when the skin was broken. An apple can be pressed so
as to have indentations over its whole surface without any danger of
rotting, providing the skin is not broken. In barreling apples,there-
fore, gentle pressure is exercised so that the fruit is fairly pressed
into each other, and it is impossible for any one fruit to change its
place in the barrel on its journey. Apples are sometimes taken out
of the barrels with large indentations over their whole surface, and
yet no sign of decay. In these modern times, we understand the
reason. The atmosphere is full of microscopic germs which pro-
duce fermentation, and, unless they can get an entrance into the
fruit, rot cannot take place. A mere indentation without a rupture
of the outer skin does not permit of the action of these microbes.
This is a simple reason why the early observation enabled the
barreling of apples to be so successful._Meehans’ Monthly for
August.
A good wash for atree is as beneficial as the currycomb for the
horse, as the bath for a man—perhaps moreso. Strong soapsuds,
lye and whitewash seem about equal in their good effects. For
small trees the application may be made with a rag tied to a stick—
the boy can do it—but for large trees the spray pump would be best.
For killing bark lice, the spraying should be done just after hatch-
ing timein the spring. Under the scale there are thirty eggs, more
orless, notas large as hen eggs but similar in appearance. As
these hatch they appear as very minute white specks around the
shells, and they spread and attach themselves to the bark and form
new scales. They exhaust the vitality of the tree and ruin it if very
numerous. They are sometimes destroyed by extreme cold weather,
and I do not know that they are troublesome in Minnesota. Once in
Wisconsin I saw the snow in an infested orchard covered with
scales toward spring.—H#. H. S. Dartt.
Pe OR Sie POD IPP ete RUNS EPO ee i LONE eel
$ ie — " : ’ - t )
FORESTRY AND EVERGREENS. 399
FORESTRY AND EVERGREENS.
WM. SOMERVILLE, VIOLA.
Forestry.
Forestry in its full meaning of usefulness as a moderator of
summer heat and winter’s cold and the influence it has on springs,
wells and water courses, is of too great a magnitude for me to at-
tempt todiscuss. Laws should be enacted and means provided, by
government or state, to save our natural forests from the unneces-
sary destruction of the axman and the devouring element of fire,
In this article I will only try to show, from my experience, the best
method of planting and care.
It requires the judgment of parties living in different parts of the
state to fully understand the nature of the soil and the varieties of
trees adapted to such soil. You can take the eastern part of the
state for one, two, three or four tiers of counties along the water
courses that empty into the Mississippi, and all that is necessary
for their growth is to keep out the fire, and in a few years there will
spring up a heavy growth of timber, such as burr oak, jack oak, pop-
lar and ash. Even away from the water courses, on the prairie, the
soil is better adapted to the growth of timber than in the western
part of the state, in consequence of the groves of timber that protect
from the wind. The evaporation is less, as there is the big woods,
or,in other words, the Mankato timber, running from southwest
to northeast to the park region or big timber northeast of St. Paul,
then a heavy belt of timber on Root river on the south, and other
small belts of timber on the different water courses. With the cool-
ing influence the foliage has on the wind, partially retarding its
velocity, this part of the state scarcely ever has what they call hot
winds in Dakota and in the western part of the state; if felt atall, it
is in an ameliorated form, not doing much harm. With these ad-
vantages and individual enterprise, this portion of the state is well
supplied with fuel, posts, and timber for many purposes.
But in the western part of the state the climatic conditions are not
so favorable, neither can we expect large groves of timber planted
by individual enterprise, though on every one hundred and sixty
acres of land there should be at least fifteen or twenty acres of tim-
ber. This can be accomplished in a different manner from what
was generally practiced in setting out the tree claims. They would
stick in cuttings and expect a tree, but it did not come. If we
want to grow timber,we must obey nature’s laws as near as possible.
If we want to grow hard timber like the oaks, we want to plow the
ground in the fall and then in the spring draw furrows four feet
apart, same as for potatoes, and then plant the acorns in the furrows
two feet apart along the row, cover with dirt two inches deep, and
keep the ground well cultivated with shallow cultivation, leaving
the surface as level as possible. Do this for two years and then cover
the ground over three or four inches deep with old straw or slough
hay or anything else that will check evaporation. As they grow,
we must thin out. We must have our acorns on hand, as they have
_to be gathered in the fall and can be planted at that time. It is bet-
Oe I alee iy:
Pe PO Be. ee OME OT ee ee ae Cee Poe ee yee
Te ee
400 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
ter to put them in damp sand in the cellar until spring; they gener-
ally have started to grow by that time, so youcan judge better what
to plant. Jack oak is the most vigorous grower; white oak is the
next best; burr oak isa slow grower.
In 1873, 1874 and 1875 I was with Leonard B. Hodges where we fol-
lowed this method of planting with success, and those trees are forty
or fifty feet high at Willmar, Morris and Benson and other towns
along that line of road. It is best not to set out in any one year more
than we can care for properly; then keep adding on each year, and
we will soon have a fine grove. This grove, if possible, should be
on the north and west of our buildings, so as to protect ourselves
and stock from the cold blasts of winter.
Then there is soft wood that will grow and come in use much
sooner. The box elder when planted close together make a very ©
good timber perfectly hardy, and with care will grow in any part of
the state. The cottonwood isa fast grower anda valuable timber,
but is best to be planted from seedling trees and not from cuttings,
as it requires a vast amount of water to supply their vigorous
growth. Nature has designed them to havea seed, or taproot, run-
ning deep into the ground for water, which they have not got froma
cutting; and with the water supply it receives from that tap or seed
root it keeps life in the tree that could not be retained through a
dry time with surface feeders, such as they have from cuttings.
The white willow tree has been a godsend to the prairie
portion of the eastern part of the state. There is no timber
that will give as quick a return as will this tree. For fuel it can be
set from cuttings in a row from eight to twelve inches apart,
making a good hedge. A better way, if you can get them, is
to get poles and plow a furrow like for potatoes where you
want your row; then lay the poles along in the furrow and cover up,
and there will be sprouts from the poles sufficient to make a hedge
row. There is vitality enough in the pole to keep life and growth in
the sprouts to carry over a dry spell that would be liable to kill the
cuttings. There is the white ash, a fine and useful timber of slow
growth, but itis worthy of cultivation for its timber and usefulness
for mechanical purposes.
Arvergreens.
For windbreaks and ornamental purposes and beautifying your
homes, there is nothing that fills the place of the evergreen. The
foliage always remaining on the trees, always green and bright, en-
livening the surroundings and a protection from winter’s storms,
we can have them to beautify our yards, shaping them to suit our
taste. Wecan have them as trees one hundred feet high with foli-
age from the ground up to break the winter blasts. Itis impossible
to overestimate these trees as a windbreak around farmers’ build-
ings. Evergreens are supposed to be slow of growth; this depends
on the care you give them. While Iam writing this article, sur-
rounded with evergreens, I can look out of the window and see the
balsam fir, the white and Norway spruce, white pine, arbor vitae, red
cedar and Scotch and Austrian pine. A portion I set out twenty
FORESTRY AND EVERGREENS. 401
years ago are now by actual measurement seventy feet high
and five feetin circumference. I do not call that a slow growth for
timber.
In the western part of the state we must Select from those varieties
that are best adapted for western soil. With the experience I have had
by running a small evergreen nursery for sixteen years or more and
shipping to different parts of the state for trial and otherwise, Ihave
found the Scotch pine universally give the best satisfaction. Itisa
very fast grower and can stand more drought than any other vari-
ety I have a knowledge of. The white spruce is next in order. In
my opinion, it is the best of our common varieties of evergreens. The
Norway spruce is a fine tree but not adapted to all soils. The arbor
vitae is a beautiful tree but like the Norway spruce not so well
adapted to different locations and soil.
The care necessary for success in planting evergreens is first: Do
not get large trees—from twelve to eighteen inches isaslarge as you
want them, and once or, better, twice transplanted. Get them from
a responsible nursery where care will be taken. When first taken
up do not expose more than necessary to the sun or wind and when
received use the same precaution, as it will not do to have the roots
long exposed to sun or wind. Get them early in the spring, so that
they can get started to grow before the drought of summer comes
on. Itis the best way to have the ground prepared and take the box
you receive them in to the field. Take out one at a time and put in
the ground. Itis well to have some water, and when you put the
tree in the hole dug for it, put dirt on the roots and thenputa quart
of water in and lift the tree up and down until you get the roots well
mudded. Cover with dirt,leaving the tree two or three inches deeper
than it came out of the nursery row; then mulch with rotted
manure to stop evaporation. If very dry through the summer, it is
well to move the mulch and loosen the ground around the tree, put-
ting back the mulch.
In extreme cases of drought it may be necessary to water; if so,
take away some of the ground near the tree and water the roots well,
but always leave dry ground and mulch on the surface; in fact, the
key to the whole tree planting business is to stop evaporation and
keep the ground as cool as possible. This can only be accomplished
by thorough cultivation to form a dust blanket or by mulching.
Mulching in my opinion is the best. In buying trees always patronize
our home nurseries, and you will always have better results. Do
not undertake to raise from seed, for that requires experience, when
you can buy them by the hundred at from six to ten dollars, once
transplanted.
The poor farmer needs a good winter crab. It must be free from
blight, hardy, productive, of fair size and good quality. How nice
to have three or four barrels in the cellar to be brought up by the
panful all winter long for stewing, baking and eating from the
hand! Liberal premiums will bring out good apples, but a com-
mittee should examine the trees, for many a fine apple grows ona
half dead or a non-productive tree.—F.. H. S. Dartt.
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402 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
REPORT ON EVERGREENS.
D. T. WHEATON, MORRIS.
AsI understand it, Il am expected to report upon the condition
of evergreen trees in this part of the state—not to give theory but
facts.
Such being the case my report will be very brief—evergreens being
few and my observations of the same being limited. It is only now
and then that a single stray evergreen can be found growing on the
prairies, and there are many townships without a solitary growing
evergreen. Occasionally, there is a prosperous wideawake farmer
who has a windbreak of evergreens or one growing, but the most of
the farmers have notatree. Most of the evergreens are found in the
towns and villages, where they add much to the beauty of the place,
and not on the prairies where they are most needed, showing clearly
that expense and care are necessary to secure evergreens.
The reason there are so few evergreens is not that no trees have
been set out but that so few live after being set out. Most of the
evergreens are purchased of itinerant pedlars and are seedling
trees that have been pulled from the woods. Many of the trees are
dead before they are set out, and the rest are but little better. Only
a few live at all,and most of these never amount toanything. When
small nursery grown trees with good roots have been set out with
good care,they have generally grown well. There is no good reason
why evergreens should not be found around every farmhouse.
Care and attention they must have, or the probabilities are that they
will not grow.
Some twenty years ago the railway company passing through this
place set out some evergreens—they may have received some care
for a year or two, but since then they have had no care whatever,
For some years it wasa struggle for existence. Most of those left
standing are fine trees from twenty-five to thirty feet high. There
does not seem to be any good reason why evergreens will not grow
and do well.
Rabbits have caused me the most trouble in growing small ever-
greens. They will soon clean outa bed of small trees. They also
damage larger trees when the snow drifts around them so they can
get to the smal) limbs. Trees of any kind area great addition to the
comfort of living on the wind-swept prairie. Evergreens are doubly
so.
It does not seem as though any farmer after experiencing the
difference between the windy prairie and a good evergreen shelter-
belt would delay longer to set out such a belt around his own
buildings.
As to the best evergreens to set out, I think almost any of those
recommended by this society are good. There are nearly all of
these kinds growing finely on the prairie. The Scotch and white
pines and the white and Norway spruces are the kinds most com-
monly found growing.
EVERGREENS FOR SHELTER. 403
EVERGREENS FOR SHELTER.
A. V. ELLIS, AUSTIN.
(Read before the annual meeting of the Southern Minnesota Horticultural
Society.)
“He who plants a tree, plants a hope,” so wrote the poet,and I would
add to that, not only does he plant a hope but a constant joy, which
in Minnesota, at any rate, we may call a shelter.
If thirty years devoted to the study and propagation of evergreens
be sufficient excuse for me to intrude my views and experience
upon this assembly, then I feel at liberty to present the following
short and very incomplete paper.
Plant evergreens for shelter in preference to any deciduous trees,
always. First, because they give you shelter when shelter is most
needed. The foliage is as dense in winter asin summer, which is
not true of any variety of deciduous trees. Second, because of their
rapid growth and protection from winds and storms almost from
the beginning. The cottonwood, willow and balm of gilead give
little or no protection until four or five years old, and thefirst and
last named little after. A cottonwood is moreover a dirty tree, in-
asmuch as it sheds its cotton annually, the wind blowing it about
the yardand making it during its shedding season a nuisance. It
sticks to everything, and it is hard to get ridof. The cottonwood
will perhaps grow more rapidly, but it does not produce so bushy
a top as the evergreen and, consequently, has not so much value as
a windbreak. The willow makes a better shelter than the cotton-
wood, but a belt of Scotch pines two rods wide is,in my mind, worth
forty rods of willows to protect you from a Minnesota blizzard.
Third, an evergreen belt, besides being a prime shelter, is a thing of
beauty and an attractive decoration to any farm orcity lawn. This
is noticeably a fact in the winter time when all other trees are bare.
There is something unspeakably cheerful in a spot of ground
which is covered with trees that smile amid the rigor of winter and
give usa view of the gayerseason inthe midst of that which is.
most dead and melancholy. How warm and cosy a fair sized
bunch of evergreen trees looks after, for instance, riding for miles
across the bleak prairies with no sight of trees except an occasional
willow or cottonwood windbreak bending sear and cold in the
wintry blasts.
As to the variety of evergreen best adapted for purposes of shelter,
probably the Norway spruce deserves first place, for it is hardy and
a fast grower, andits foliage and limbs will grow thick if a little
care is taken in training the growing tree. The Scotch pine comes
next—itis doubtless much more hardy, but itis also much more
homely. Its foliage is coarse and not so denseas that of the spruce,
moreover the twigs and limbs are not so tough but a big fall of
heavy snow will often break them. Again, evenin planting trees
we must not consider youth and beauty so much as old age—the
latter of which is the longest age in the life of a tree. The Scotch
pine grows ugly as it grows old, while the Norway spruce holds
well the beauty of its youth.
404 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
The American white sprucein my estimation makes a handsome
tree with a richer, thicker foliage than its sister of Norway, but I
cannot think it quite so hardy. My white spruce are all protected
and are as vigorous as any trees I have, but I hardly think unpro-
tected they would stand the fierce storms of wind, snow and ice, our
Northern inheritance from nature, so well as the Norway spruce.
The Austrian pine is too uncouth after it gets its growth to have
a place among the more refined varieties of evergreens, while the
white pine, less widely known, is the kingof pines. Its soft foliage,
its more tender green and its beauty of form should make it a more
general favorite.
These,I think, are the varieties best adapted to purposes of shelter.
In regard to planting a belt of trees for a windbreak, I have ob-
served the following rule with satisfaction. Place the trees eight
feet apart in the row and the rows from sixteen to twenty feet apart.
The trees of the second row should be planted so as to break the in-
termediate spaces of the first row. I consider three rows a good
windbreak, but even one or two will shelter. Trees from one to three
feet high will be found the best for setting. It is with trees as with
children, they should be well looked after when young, carefully
trained and cultivated, and when old they may be left to care for
themselves, and they will rise up and call you blessed.
It Seems to me in such a climate as this, the man who does not
protect his home from the storms of winter and the heats of sum-
mer by these guardians of nature, is neither wise nor economical.
Not only are they a shelter from wind and cold and heat, but from
disease as well—for leaves, we are told, absorb all noxious qualities
of the air and breathe forth a purer atmosphere.
Even a few rows of trees will greatly check the movements of the
winds. They will protect not only the farmer but the crops in his
fields and the fruits in his orchards. They will prevent them from
being blasted or withered by cold or hot winds or from being broken
down by the force of the same. And while you shelter, make the
shelter beautiful by planting the tree called Evergreen—the tree
which does more to turn our winter into summer than any tree that
grows.
To some is given the power to rule, to others the power to write,
but to all is given what Whittier so beautifully describes when he
says:
“Give fools their gold and knaves their power,
Let fortune’s bubbles rise and fall;
Who sows a field or trains a flower,
Or plants a treeis more than all.
For he who blesses most is blest;
And man shall own his double worth,
Who toils to leave as his bequest
An added beauty to the earth.”
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THOUGHTS ON FORESTRY. 405 &S
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; THOUGHTS ON FORESTRY. (A TALK.)
‘ D. R. MCGINNIS, ST. PAUL. :
Ladies and Gentlemen: The splendid papers read do not leave
much for me to say on this subject; they have covered the matter
more thoroughly and in a more practical manner than any papers I
have ever heard on the subject of forestry. There are a few things
: I might add that may shed a little more light on the situation In
the first place, have you ever reflected how little of the world is
entirely forest? Take a map of the world where the forest portions g25
are colored green, and you will see as a rule there are little narrow f
strips of green nearest the oceans,
It is, I regret to say, a fact known to those who investigate it, that
the water supply upon the land surface of the earth is diminishing.
I will point to only one or two cases in point. Fifty years ago there
was a lake covering four thousand square miles in southwestern
Siberia; that lake does notexist today. In the southern part of Sibe-
ria there was a lake into which a large drainage system flowed; that
lake fifty years ago had an outlet navigable for steamboats; about
eight years ago that lake ceased to discharge any water. Withina
comparatively short period of years, our water system in this state
has been remarkably depleted. Devil’s Lake in North Dakota has, to
my own knowledge, fallen eight feet since I was there in 1882. When
the city of Devil’s Lake was started by J. J. Hill in 1882, he found the
depth of water in the bay eight feet, and he said they would startthe
town there; today that bay is dry land.
I do not wish to lookat this matter from a sentimental standpoint;
itis a practical matter. Observations do not prove that rainfall is
increased by forests, except in the very slightest degree. It is the
office of the forest to preserve what rain does fall from being idly
evaporated into the air, and this moisture soaks into the earth and
fills our lakes, ponds and wells—and that is the work,the most import-
ant work which the forest performs. We must look at the practical
aspect of this case. You have got to look at this forest question
from a financial aspect. I can prove to you that if you will set
’ out white pine seedlings and attend to them—and it is very pleasant
_ work taking care of timber—at the end of thirty years you can sell
the stumpage and make from two to ten times as much money as if
you had cultivated the land to wheat. You can afford to wait thirty
years to get that return. The preservation of forests does not contem-
plate letting trees grow up torot downagain. Intelligent forestry
contemplates cutting the tree when itis ready for the usesof hu-
manity the same as wheat is cut when it is ripe.
The solving of the forestry question depends on its preservation
from fire. The axe alone will never exterminate our forests. Let the
lumberman cut that timber; we need that timber, we need it for our
buildings, we need it for shelter, but let us provide that the fire,
which ruins, in my opirion, one thousand times as much as the axe
does, be guarded against. The destruction of timber by fire is
something enormous. If we stop the spread of the fire, we will find
that nature will take care of timber renewal to a very large degree.
The axe alone cannot deplete our forests; fire is the only agent that
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406 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
can do that. It appears to me that our people are not awake to the
importance of this subject. We must have the friendship of the
lumberman inthis matter, because he is equally interested with us.
We must not regard the lumberman as an enemy to our forests, but
we must work hand in hand for the protection of our forests against
fire, and when we have done that the problem will be practically
soived.
KEEPING HONEY AND THE WAX MOTH.
C. THEILMANN, THEILMANTON.
In order to obtain the best honey possible,it must be fully ripened,
Some beekeepers manage to get a crop of surplus honey, but don’t
know how or take time to take proper care of it after they take it
from the hive. Some take it off too early, and others wait until itis
all yellow,or what is called travel-stained. They do not heed the wise
man’s advice, ‘‘there is a time for everything,’ which means that
we should do everything at the right time. This is one of the most
important points in any occupation; we can not make the best suc-
cess at anything, unless we do it at the right time. Especially
must we be prompt and very particular about everything in the
apiary.
Much of the honey put on the market is condemned by the con-
sumers as adulterated, because the beekeeper has spoiled his other-
wise nice honey by his mismanagement, to the injury of himself
and of his brother beekeepers. Much more honey would be con-
sumed and better prices paid if all the honey was managed rightly
Comb honey should not be taken from the hive until all or nearly
all of the cells are capped over. except when the honey season is
over then all the surplus receptacles should be taken off immedi-
ately,and all sections unfit for market should be extracted,and both
comb and extracted should be put in an airy, well ventilated, warm,
(seventy-five to eighty degrees above zero) room for four to five
weeks, when the honey becomes ripe and marketable. Honey treated
in this way will greatly improve in quality and flavor and will keep
good for years. Cold, damp places are unfit in which to keep honey
good.
THE WAX MOTH.
It is a rare thing to find the worms or moth in comb honey when
treated as above mentioned, unless there be some pollen or beebread
among the honey whereon they feast. To my observation there are
three kinds of moths that trouble some bees and their keepers,
though I never had much trouble with them.
One of these moths is a dark gray,almost black,one and one- fourth
inches long by about one-fourth inch thick. This species is: very
destructive when they get hold of a queenless colony; they gather
in big nests in the pollen and honey filled combs, eat pollen, wax
and honey and increase their nest and web rapidly, until nothing
is left but worms and webs.. As far as I know, the winged moth
lays her eggs on the combs where they hatch.
AGS ot RN otal aie ti dat a ice, 2”
REPORT ON BEE CULTURE, 1894. 407
The second species is a whitish gray about one inch long and
> about one-tenth of aninch thick. This moth is the most destruct-
ive enemy to the apiary; the bees—at least some colonies—seem to
hatch and nurse them when young. After they grow large, they live
on the capped brood; they make regular roads under the cappings
: of the brood, webbed in so itis hard for the bees to get at them.
a Every pupa of the bees is webbed fast in the cell where these roads
E are made, and it is hard work for the bees to free themselves from
. the cell after they mature. The wings and abdomen are crippled by
the web, and the young bee is thrown out by the workers. The black,
or German bees are more apt to tolerate this moth than the yellow
races, though they are found in all strains. This moth lays its eggs
mostly on the flowers which the bees visit and theyare gathered by
the bees with the pollen and stored in the cells and are hatched as
above described.
’ The third species isa very minute white moth and is found on
surplus comb honey. It isabout one-eighth of an inch long and the
size of acommonsewing needle. It appears only under certain con-
ditions—when the honey is stored in a damp, close, hot room with
no ventilation. In 1888 I had about 12,000 pounds of honey taken out
of the hives and stored in a hot, close room for about four weeks,
when I noticed signs of little mildew spots onthecappings. A close
investigation showed these little moths. In some places the cap-
pings had many little holes the size of a sewing needle, and but few
worms could be found, except here and there one in the pupa state.
Since then I have kept my honey room airy, ventilated and warm
and have not been troubled withthis moth. This fall I boughta lot
of nice comb honey from one of my neighbors; on examination we
found this honey badly infested with this moth; considerable of it
_ full of these little holes as if punctured with a needle as close as it
could be done. The holes were only in the cappings, but it made it
unsalable, though few of the worms could be found. This honey
was also left in a close, warm room with no ventilation for over two
months.
REPORT ON BEE CULTURE, 1894.
4 C. THEILMANN, THEILMANTON.
Bees, as a whole, wintered exceptionally good, last winter; very
few died, and most of them came out of winter quarters in a healthy
condition. Ilost only one colony out of 225.
The spring was not very favorable for bees, being too cold; al-
though near forest timber, they got enough to make a living and
gradually filled the hives with brood. The white, alsike, red and
mammoth clover all suffered badly by the heavy frosts about March
26th. Most of the clovers were killed outright; the weather being
unusually warm (82°above) the fore part of March, vegetation started
growing, especially the clovers, and the hard freeze following
killed most of it. This made a big gap in the honey bearing plants,
and the bees could hardly make their living until the linden,or bass-
wood,commenced to bloom about June 28th, which it didabundantly,
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408 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
and lasted twenty-one days. This was longer than usual, and it oc-
curred only once before here in twenty-five years. From six to
twelve days is the usual length of time linden trees are in bloom. 3
The linden was the only bloom which gave surplus honey to any
amount, and the bee-keepers had to manage their bees skillfully
in order to get the best results.
I obtained about forty-five pounds of surplus honey per colony,
spring count, from the linden. I kept the bees from swarming as
much as possible. Where the bees had their own way, but little sur-
plus was obtained. After the linden was through blooming, little
surplus was gathered, but most of the beesin this vicinity filled.
their hives well with winter stores of very good quality. The
weather being very dry the honey is ripened fully, which has much
to do with successful wintering. In the state there was hardly halfa
crop.
DISCUSSION ON APPLES.
FROM REPORT OF LAST ANNUAL MEETING.
Mr. Clark: I havea farm in North Dakota. Would it be
impossible to raise trees from planting seeds?
Mr. Philips: Well, if I were ayoung man like you,I know of
no better way to raise an orchard than to plant three or four
trees of the Virginia crabs and then topwork a half hardy var-
iety on them. I could not find anything better than the Vir-
ginia crab for that purpose. If I was a young man, I would
start an orchard.
Mr. Pearce: You struck the nail right on the head.
Mr. Clark: Howis the Transcendent for stock?
Mr. Philips: Itis not as good as the Virginia. 'Two years
ago I sent to Prof. Roberts of Cornell University three differ-
ent kinds of apples. I sent him two kinds grown on the Vir-
ginia crab and the Transcendent, he wanted to see if there was
any difference in quality of the fruit, and he said if there was
any difference it was in favor of those grown on the Virginia.
Mr. Brand: Why is it that a variety originating at a certain
place will do well in that locality but will not do so well in an- :
other?
Mr. Philips: I cannot tell. I have thirty trees of the Wolf
River and they are doing well, but there is no place in Wiscon- i
sin or Minnesota where they bear better or look better than in
Waupaca county where the tree originated, but 1 cannot tell :
you why itisso. I think the water helps the trees. Take it
in Wisconsin and one-half of the apple trees are starving to
death for want of moisture. That old Wolf River tree stands
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DISCUSSION ON APPLES. 409
in a most unfavorable position. The roots are right in the wa-
ter. Our trees do not get as much water as they want.
Mr. Wedge: What is the most reliable indication of hard-
iness that we can get in regard to those new varieties with
these rather mild winters?
Mr. Philips: I like to see them have good solid wood. I
have not found anything that hasas good wood as the Domin-
ion Wonder from Canada.
Mr. Wedge: If one tree ripen up its wood more thoroughly
than another the indications would be strong that it was hard-
ier?
Mr. Philips: Yes, that would be my idea.
Mr. Harris: Have you seen a tree called ‘‘Murphy’s Green-
ing?”
Mr. Philips: Yes; it stands near the Murphy’s Blush. It is
not as good an apple as the Blush. Mr. Chappell thinks a
good deal of it, but the tree does not look as well as the Blush.
Mr. Harris: It is a good apple, but not as good as the Blush.
Mr. Philips: I shall topwork the Murphy’s Greening. The
Patten’s Greening has looked very well with me; I think it
looks very fine.
Mr. Wedge: Would you grade it for hardiness with the
Oldenburg or the Wealthy?
Mr. Philips: I don’t know that I would.
Mr. Wedge: Would it grade about with the Wealthy?
Mr: Philips: Yes, nearer than with the Oldenburg.
Mr. Wedge: The Wealthy is much the better apple; if it is
not hardy, we have no use for it.
Mr. Philips: It blights a little. I discard everything that
blights. Those varieties that are bad blighters I discard. As
much as I have seen of the Repka, it grows very small.
Mr. Somerville: I find the Repka the hardiest of everything
I have, hardier than the Duchess.
Mr. Ferris (lowa): Mr. Tuttle recommended it to me as the
best thing he had.
Mr. Philips: He has recommended that and a good many
other things that he thought well of. He told me at one time
that the Russet Red was the coming winter apple for Wiscon-
sin and Minnesota. He said it was going ahead of anything
there was in existence. I bought all of the trees, because I
thought it was a good thing. I have since grubbed them all
out. Any man that will show it at a fair ought to be prosecu-
ted. Mr. Tuttle does not grow any.
CO a Re Be Ae Pe CRM pT ea Me token ee 2d Seg
410 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Mr. Dartt: Is it the men or the trees that change?
(Laughter ).
Mr. Philips: Both.
Mr. Harris: I want to say one word in regard to that Pat-
ten’s Greening. Wherever the McMahon will succeed it is as
good as Patten’s Greening, and in quality there is not much
difference. After you get west of Filmore county, the McMahon
is not a safe apple to plant; Patten’s Greening is a good deal
better.
Mr. Bracket: Will young trees planted in the vicinity of the
parent tree do better than if planted in other localities?
Mr. Philips: I never said so. I said that where the parent
tree is doing wellin the soil, there was less risk in setting out
young trees of the same variety.
NOMENCLATURE AND SEEDLINGS.
MONTHLY REPORT OF COMMITTEE, J. S. HARRIS.
A basket of apples was sent to us for names by J. M. Underwood,
of the Jewell Nurseries, Lake City. The varieties were placed in sep-
arate paper bags and marked by letters of the alphabet. Letter E
was the Russian variety named Arabka. Fruit large, conic: skin
deep green, overlaid with a covering of purplish red and a dark blu-
ish brown interspersed with numerous small brownish dots; flesh
greenish white, coarse, Sharp acid quality, only medium. The tree
is a vigorous, upright grower and apparently hardy. The seasonis
said to be from December to March,
F is Scott’s Winter; origin, Vermont; when well grown, the fruit
is of medium size, handsomely shaped and splashed with dark red;
flavor rather acid for eating—its principal value is for cooking; its
season is from February to May; ranks in hardiness about with the
Wealthy. It is most valuable as a top graft and a hardy stock.
J is doubtless the Malinda. A medium sized, long, conical apple;
color light green becoming yellow when mature, often with a light
blush cheek; a long keeper and a fair quality of sweet apple if prop-
erly kept. The tree is almost as hardy as the Wealthy but very long
in coming into bearing unless topworked onto hardy stock. Virginia
crab or Hibernal apple make good stocks for it.
K is the Walbridge, valuable only as long keepers. Have not
tested it topworked.
N isa variety known as the Montreal Peach. Tree very hardy;
fruit medium size, round conical, pale yellow with light blush
cheek; season same as Duchess, quality better. It will not bear
shipping.
We were unable to identify the remaining varieties.
At our state fair and at the Wisconsin state fair, there were some
interesting exhibits of seedlings, which we will report upon at the
annual meeting of our society.
FLIES. 411
FLIES.
PROF. OTTO LUGGER, ST. ANTHONY PARK.
Your active secretary gave mea rather peculiar text fora paper.
I do not quite understand why he should have selected such a theme,
as he assuredly knows that “there are no flies on” Minnesota horti-
culturists! Or did he perhaps mean to indicate that they are con-
stantly on the fly, meeting here and there in our beautifulstate. But
whatever were his reasons, I will try to give you the true history,
habits, diseases and other troubles of our great tormentor, the house
fly. Perhaps, such a paper should have been read at a time when
the supply of flies exceeded the demand for them, and not now, when,
as the commercial papers have it, the market in flies is dull. To
study flies we should have them about, so that they could be seen,
heard and felt, as lessons are only well learned by studying the ob-
jects themselves.
The history of the common house-fly has been studied thoroughly
but quite recently. The memoirs of the Swedish Count, DeGeer,
published a little over one hundred years ago, contain the first no-
tice of this interesting insect, while a fuller account was given in an
obscure book by Bouché, a German entomologist, published in 1834.
Both accounts are far from thorough. Dr. A. T. Packard published
his prize essay upon this insect in 1874; this being the first real sci-
entific work uponit. About the same time the question came up:
Is our fly identical with the house-fly of Europe? Strange to say,
when this question arose in mid-winter, all our museums were ran-
sacked for specimens for comparison, and to their great disgust it
was discovered that not a single fly could be found in any American
collection of insects. There was a corner in flies—perhaps the first
and last time in history. Later material was not lacking,as Dr.
Packard could not find any difference between house-flies from dif-
ferent countries.
How long this fly has been living in this country there are no data
to show, and it may have been a passenger on the Mayflower, or
buzzed in the cabin of Captain John Smith’s vessel, or even per-
formed its measured flight near the ceilings in the ancient town of
Pemaquid. At all events, the house-fly is one of the earliest settlers
and is entitled to the liberty it takes every summer with the upper
Four Hundred of New York. Perhaps, it may have been here before
America was discovered, or, when Christopher Columbus wiped his
brow upon landing on our shores, it was ready to settle upon his
nose. The fly is impudent enough to have done so, though our his-
tory has not thrown light upon this subject.
During the month of August the house-fly is particularly abun-
dant, and especially so in the neighborhood of stables. On placing
a fly ina glass bottle she laid, between 6 p. m. Aug. 12, and 8 a. m.
next morning, 120 eggs. They were deposited irregularly in stacks,
lying loose in two piles at the bottom of the bottle. At8 a.m. of
Aug. 14, several were found hatched out and crawling about. The
egg of the house-fly is Jong, cylindrical and a little smaller at the
anterior end than at the other. It is .04 to .05 of an inch long, and.
412 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
about one quarteras thick. The shellis very dense. The eggsthus
laid hatch twenty-four hours after being laid—in confinement they .
required from five to ten hours more,and the maggots hatched in
confinement were smaller than those reared from eggs deposited in
warm manure. For several days the worms living in this dry man-
ure did not grow, sensibly. For lack of direct warmth, but more es-
pecially the want of sufficient moisture and, consequently, of avail-
able semi-liquid food, seemed to cause them to become dwarfed. It
is evident that heat and moisture are required for the normal devel-
opment of the fly, as they are for nearly all insects.
The maggots molt twice, consequently there are three stages of
development, and they become sensibly larger at each stage. After
feeding six or seven days the larva is nearly full grown; its body is
long and slender, somewhat conical ,jthe head and mouth parts being
rudimentary; the end of the body is truncated, and bears two short
tubercles, or spiracles, which contain circular breathing holes with
sinuous openings, the edges of which are armed with fine projec-
_tions, forming arude sieve for the exclusion of dust and dirt. When
about to transform into the pupa state, the body contracts into a bar-
rel-shaped form, turns brown and hard, forming a case,within which
the larva transforms into that of the pupa. Our house-fly having asa
maggot lived a life of squalor,immersed in its revolting food, ap-
pears after a short pupa-sleep of from five to seven days, as a winged
being, with legs and wings where before there were no traces, and
is animated by new instincts and mental traits.
If in its winged condition it is one of the most disagreeable
features of dog-days, and people wonder why flies were ever made
at all, it should be remembered that flies have an infancy as mag-
gots, and the loathsome life they then lead as scavengers cleanses
and purifies the August air and lowers the death-rate of our cities
and towns. Thus, while stables and other filthy places are tolera-
ted by city and town authorities, the young of the house-flies and
the flesh and blow-flies, with their thousand allies, are doing some-
thing towards purifying the pestilential air, averting the summer-
brood of cholera, dysentery, diphtheria, typhus and typhoid fever
which descend like harpies upon the devoted towns and cities. It
may be regarded as an axiom that where flies most abound there
filth, death-dealing and baneful, is most abundant, and filth diseases
such as just mentioned most do congregate.
When the fly leaves its pupa-case, it pushes away the front end of
the case, which opens like a lid, by means of the distention of the
membranous front of the head, which may be seen pushing out and
in as the fly walks rapidly about. When free of its prison, the fly runs
nervously about, as if laboring under a good deal of mental
excitement and quite dazed by the new world of light and life about
it, for as a maggot it was blind, deaf and dumb. Now its wings are
soft, small, baggy and half their final size. The fluid that fills them
soon, however, dries up, the skin of the fly attains the colors of ma-
turity, and it soon flies off with a buzz suggestive of contentment
and light-heartedness born of its mercurial temperament.
When we consider that each female fly may deposit as many as
one thousand eggs, and that in the course of one summer we may
ee
es ed a
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; “
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;
4
BE, ee: CRS Mel eR int OM IWS oes eae
FLIES. 413
have from seven to nine generations of flies, it should not astonish
us that these winged tormentors appear as by magic. The question,
why do flies appear suddenly and in such immense numbers, may be
answered by the statement that they multiply in geometrical pro-
gression,and that a single female in suitable seasons and surrounded
by plenty may produce such a number of offsprings in one year
that it will require thirteen figures to express it. There are millions
init! But flies have not in everything their own way, as will appear
later. As soon as the nights become cool, flies try their very best to
find shelters for the winter, and no matter how carefully we may
protect door and windows with screens they will find an entrance,
to the great worry of our better halves. Sufficient numbers would
thus find a shelter if they did not bring with them at the same time
anenemy they cannot escape, and one that will kill the very great
majority of all house-flies. Only a few escape this general slaughter>
and these few are the ones that may be seen during the winter in our
houses; others will find wintering quarters under rubbish or re-
main in a torpid condition until the warm weather of spring coaxes
them to life. Most flies that escape death in autumn winter over
in their winged form; a few may also hibernate as pupe, though
this is doubtful, at least in Minnesota.
Have you ever observed a genuine house-fly, one with a full pedi-
gree? This question seems absurd, but my experience has been
that really few persons can tell the difference between a house-fly
and other flies so common in our houses. All flies found upon our
walls, upon windows and tables, are called house-flies, yet at least
a dozen species are mixed up in that congregation, all widely differ-
ent, more so than cows and horses. One of the most curious habit
of the genuine Simon-pure house-fly is its peculiar position during
sleep, and once observed it will always be recollected. When we enter
a dark room all flies are sleeping, but only the house-flies sleep
with their heads downwards, the others in a more normal position.
By bringing a light in the room, you may count very rapidly the
number of true house-flies or that of other intruders. Notwithstand-
ing our intimacy with the fly, orratherits intimacy with us, how very
little is really known of it by the plurality of tormented humanity.
Those present always excepted, not 10 per cent of vur fellow citizens
even know how many wings or legsa fly has nor where it spends its
early days in infantile sports. How many know why it so sud-
denly appears in countless numbers to torment the masterpiece of
creation, not caring a straw when or where to attack him? The
minister in church aswell] asthe public speaker, during some of
their most eloquent passages, must scratch their noses as wellas
the poor laborer, who diligently or otherwise digs trenches fora
new gas company. A study of the proboscis of the fly reveals a
wonderful adaptability for its uses and misuses. In this proboscis,
we see a fleshy tongue-like organ, bent up beneath the head when at
rest. The maxille are minute, their palpi being single pointed,
and the mandibles or jaws, are comparatively useless, being
very short and small, compared with the lancet like jaws of
the mosquito or horse-fly. But the structure of the tongue itself
~
ae ee a eid
TET PR Cer gat ee ee ee ee ete eer ane Cee by Cees pee
414 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
{(labium,) is most curious. When the fly settles upona lump of
sugar or other sweet object, it unbends its tongue, extends it, and
the broad knob-like end divides into two broad, flat, muscular leaves
which thus present a sucker-like surface, with which the fly laps
up the liquid sweets. These two leaves are supported upon a
frame-work of tracheal tubes; these modified tracheze end in
hairs projecting externally. Thus the inside of this broad, fleshy
expansion is rough like a rasp, and, as Newport states,
“is easily employed by the insect in scraping or tearing delicate
surfaces.” It is by means of this curious structure that the busy
house-fly occasions much mischief to the covers of our books by
scraping off the albuminous polish and leaving tracings of its
depredations in the soiled and spotted appearance which it occasions
onthem, Itis by meansof thesealso that it teases us in the heat of
summer, when it alights on the hand or face to sip the perspiration
that exudes from and is condensed upon the skin. The microscope
reveals wonders quite unexpected in such a common insect as the
house-fly, but it would take too much time to describe them now
and in detail.
The very fact that flies run over our skin in search of liquid food
is sometimes the cause of diseases. Bad ulcers, caused by some
contagious diseases, are visited by flies whenever they have an op-
portunity todo so. Being a hairy insect,and having upon their
feet sucking pads, bacteria found in such sores must adhere, and, if
another person is visited in turn,such disease spores will be carried
to his skin, and should conditions be favorable the germ of disease
thus brought there will not beslow to act. [had an opportunity some
years ago to study the eggsof atapeworm. Theseeggs were counted
and covered with a watch glass. A piece of freshly cut beef was put
in another part of the same, the watch glass was removed to give
the houseflies access to the eggs, and soon afterwards some of them
were detected upon the flesh, showing that even larger objects could
be carried about by these insects.
During the months of October and November—never in December,
but mainly during the early part of November—itis a very common
occurrence to find the house-fly dead,adhering to walls, window
panes and other poor conductors of heat, firmly fixed by its probos-
cis,and withthe legs spread out in quite an unnatural manner,
thus differing from dead flies in general, which have the legs con-
tracted. In about 24 hours after death a kind of fatty supstance of a
white color is found in the form of a ring projecting out between
each of the rings of the abdomen,andina day or two after the whole
will be found dried and the surface of the wall or glass lightly cov-
ered in a semi-circle, at about 4to1 inch from the fly’s abdomen,
with a cloud of whitish powder. This whitish, fatty substance is
found on examination to consist of a vast number of short, erect fil-
aments growing out from the interior of the body of the fly, between
the rings. These filaments contain large oil globules, often arranged
inarow,and their having been mistaken for spores gave origin to the
name of Sporendonema, applied to this fungus. Mr. Cohn has de-
scribed its growth somewhat minutely and changed the generic
ha”
~~
ga
FLIES. 415
name to Empusa, or rather Empusina, the first of these names be-
ing already occupied. Hestates that the vesical filaments termin-
ate in the abdomen in a continuous,often branched tube and consist
therefore of a single tubular cell. The upper free end, however, be-
comes cut off by a septum, and the terminal cell acquires a compan-
ulate form and a dark color; when ripe it is thrown off with some
force, and a number of these form the whitecloud above mentioned.
You have all no doubt observed this halo or oriole. It always re-
minds me of pictures of certain mediaeval saints in old books; after
having led a more or less saintly life in some wilderness or cave,
they died either of old age or self-inflicted starvation, or were
pinned up like an insect by some heathen (not an entomologist); but
the old masters never failed to paint them with this halo of light
surrounding their reverend heads, thus indicating their belief that
light never could penetrate any further in that particular direction.
Mr. Cohn endeavored in vain to make them (spores not saints)
germinate; and nothing like them were found in the cavity of the
abdomen of numerous flies in which the filaments were traced in
their earlier stages. Mr. Griffith inclines to regard them as peridi-
oles or spore-cases; or they may be stylospores, which after a stage
of rest produce an intermediate mycelial structure, and then give
birth to the ripe spores.
When we turn our attention to the poor sufferer,we observe no out-
ward signs of the disease in its early stage; yet observing carefully
great numbers of flies we soon detect some that differ from the rest by
a moreerectabdomen and by theirawkward methodof walking. At
first they are restless,constantly running and flying about. Ifthe dis-
ease, however, grows worse,their motions become very sluggish and
if you approach them with your finger they either do not fly away
at all or in a very clumsy way, soon settling again. At last they are
unable to walk more than a few steps. About an hour before they
die,all intentional motion ceases,and the fly fixes its proboscis firmly
to the object it happens to have settled upon, only the legs spas-
modically contract and extendin a very unsymmetrical way. The
abdomen gradually swells and shows on its underside a whitish
color; the upper surface of the insect, however, does not change at
all, and no trace is as yet visible of the white rings between the seg-
ments, nor is any white dust to be seen. Gradually all motion
ceases,and the animalis dead. Atter death the abdomen still swells,
and about eight hours later it is so much extended that the segments
are pulled apart, and the fine connecting skin between them becomes
visible. And here a white substance gradually is pushed out from
the interior, so that eventually three white and parallel rings or
belts are formed. The first trace of loose dust becomes now visible
under the insect. The fly remains unaltered in this condition for
several days, only that these belts become more prominent and fre-
quently a white ring is also visible between head and thorax. The
dust around the dead fly becomes denser, the corpse eventually dries
up, the white belts disappear, and the body shrinks, so that the fly
appears as a living one, though wings and legs are covered with
dust. Thus far all the symptoms could be followed with the naked
Pere ee a
416 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 7
eye, but the microscope alone can give us an explanation of the ;
whole process. :
Being afraid that by this time you will be thoroughly sick of the b
Empusa,I will notinflict upon your patience the microscopic history
of the influenza, another disease that attacks our poor domestic fly.
It goes by the name of Jsaria, was first discovered by Meigen, and
has but one good point about it—it kills flies.
To wind up this already lengthy discourse upon diseases of flies,
let me only mention some other enemies—besides yourselves—of
this troublesome intruder to an afternoon’s snooze knowing that it
will please you to hear that the life of a fly is far from being an
eternal round of constant revelry and pleasure, but that it is also
troubled in more than one way. Besides several true worms (Nem-
etodes),it is preyed upon in Europe by two kinds of ichneumon flies
whose larve feed inside of its host, also by a fly-parasite (Astoma
parasiticum). It is a pity that these useful parasites have not as
yet been introduced into this country. We possess, however, already
one fly-parasite in this country (Astoma musearum). You all have,
no doubt, seen small red dots upon the base of the wings of our fly.
This red dot is the parasite just mentioned, and let us hope that it
may increase at the same ratio as all his relatives are in the habit of
doing. Of course we all include
“‘Mosquito, old back-bent fellow,
In frugal freize coat drest,”
in the wish expressed above, and itis a great satisfaction that an-
other species of Empusa attacks it. Good speed to it!
IRRIGATION IN MINNESOTA.
There is such a dearth of water during the dry seasons these
years and when our agricultural and forest crops most need it, re-
sulting in poor harvests, that the matter of irrigating our farms and
gardens must be considered. Necessity drives us to provide some
way by which the surplus water in the spring, usually rushing in
destructive floods and reacting into severe drouths,can be conserved
and economically distributed. The state legislature has not esti-
mated geodetic surveys as of practical importance enough to have
them done ou the scale which our necessities demand. It is certain
that were all the water falling from the clouds and gushing from
the springs and running to waste, harbored in ample reservoirs at
or near our numerous watersheds, and thence made to flow over our
lower lands, under proper management, the uncertainty and cank-
ering anxiety about our crops and trees would be ended, and their
abundance increased almost beyond measure. Where the reservoirs
should be established, will have to be determined by competent
surveyors. 2
IRRIGATION IN EASTERN MINNESOTA.
It is believed the water-falls on the St. Croix, St. Louis, Mississippi
and their tributaries, can be so controlled by dams and canals as to
supply a large proportion of the farms in the eastern part of the
state.
IRRIGATION IN MINNESOTA. 417
= IRRIGATION ON THE PRAIRIES.
Doubt obtains as to irrigation to any practical extent in the prai-
ried portion of our state. We should calculate the fact that it re-
quires but slight descent for successful irrigation, and then where
‘thisis not naturally obtainable it pays largely to force water up to
required height, as is done in some farm districts among the Rocky
Mountains, where actual deserts are thus speedily converted into
Edens.
RESERVOIRS ALSO IN WESTERN MINNESOTA.
According to the annual report of Maj. W. A. Jones, of St. Paul,
engineer in charge of the government works on the rivers of the
Northwest, a great reservoir system on the Red and Red Lake riv-
ers is unquestionably feasible. The Major has already established
five great reservoirs among the headwaters of the Mississippi, and
now suggestively proposes an extension of the system.
“Tt is well known” says the Daily Herald, of Grand Forks, N. D.,
“that the northern portion of the state of Minnesota, and especially
the portion directly east of the Red River valley, is composed, to a
large extent. of a vast number of small lakes, besides Red Lake,
which is of considerable area. These lakes comprise a number of
great water basins forming the head waters of the Mississippi and
Red rivers. The waters east of the “divide” going tothe Mississ-
ippi and thence to the Gulf of Mexico, while the waters to the west
of the same divide, eventually find an outlet through the Red
river to Hudson’s Bay. The topography of the territory comprising
the head waters of the Red river is shown by the investigations of
Major Jones to be admirably adapted to permit the formation of a
large storage reservoir, which will not only allow the vast quanti-
ties of water which occasion the spring floods to be held in check,
but admit of the same water being utilized in increasing the volume
of water during the dry seasons. Red Lake can be utilized in the
Same manner as a storage reservoir by the construction of dams at
the outlet of the lake, which will raise the water two feet above its
normal height when needed, and also by means of dredging permit
the water in the lake to be lowered two feet when needed to keep up |
the volume of water in the river. Major Jones is confident that by
the judicious arrangement of dams and the reservoir system pro-
posed, not only will the inconveniences from floods and low water
be largely done away with, but the Redriver will be made navigable
throughout the season from spring to freeze-up in the fall and the
Red Lake river will be made navigable to the entire distance to Red
Lake.”
WHERE CONSTRUCTED.
In concluding his report, Major Jones says:
“An increase of 1,000 cubic feet per second to a low water discharge
of 350 per second would render further operations under our project
for improvement unnecessary and make an exceedingly fine line of
water transportation.
“In order to furnish this increase to the volume of discharge, the
waters from the watershed of Red Lake could be assembled in one
reservoir, and those from Otter Tail might be gathered in Lake
Oo et hs en Oy
CS NS ie EN NR eee OES Me peed BOR Pr Re NT ag TE Sep ae ye es ee
.
418 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
Traverse as a reservoir by means of a dam at Breckenridge. This
would seem to be a feasible and economical method of solving the
question of the Red River of the North permanently, and hence I
consider the matter worthy of the favorable attention of the govern-
ment. In order that it may be fully investigated and the estimates
called for submitted, a survey will be necessary, for which purpose,
I estimate, the sum of $6,000 will be necessary.
AREA OF THE RESERVOIRS.
Maj. Jones estimates the area of the Red lake reservoir at 1,930 ;
square miles with 9,000,000 cubic feet of water for each square mile, :
or 17,370,000,000 cubic feet of water output in one year. The area of :
the Lake Traverse reservoir is estimated at 2,450 square miles, or ”q
22,050,000,000 cubic feet of water. He further estimates that this |
would add an average of 2,000 cubic feet of volume to the Red river :
at Grand Forks in low water, giving a navigable draft of 5% feet be-
low this city to the boundary line.
NAVIGATION OPENED.
Again quoting from the conclusion of Maj. Jones’ report:
“There is still another aspect to this matter. The stored-up wat-
ers in Red Lake river distributed uniformly during the open season
through Red Lake river would render it navigable for small craft.
One or more dams and locks at the falls near Thief river and at
Crookston, would enable boats to pass up to the reservoir dam;
passing this by means ofa lock, they could proceed to the head of
the lake. From this point to Rainy Lake river, there is a marsh all
the way, a distance of fifty-five miles, and hence a canal could be
cheaply constructed across, and an outlet via Crookston and Grand
Forks would thus be afforded for the timber and other products of
the extensive Rainy Lake country, which at present has no outlet in
the United States.”
The object these gentlemen have in view is the navigation of the
waters mentioned. But a weightier question arises—whether the
reservoir and canal system proposed can also be applied for irriga-
tion; probably not, if navigation only is to be promoted, for there
might not be water enough to go round. But the interests of agri-
culture, which includes forestry as its prime factor, takes the pre-
cedence of navigation. Were the reservoir system extended as Maj.
Jones suggests, and used mainly to head a vast irrigation system,
under right forestation of the spring lands, it would pay a hundred
fold more to the people than navigation at its most prosperous times
of commerce. There is no call for such navigation unless our crops
warrant it,and to warrant it agriculture must have special rights
here, even if navigation must then fall back to the rear.
Hand pollenization of apples has been practiced for many years, its
advocates believing that they can thus secure perfect crosses. This
might be done but for heredity. As far as I know, no valuable va-
rieties for Minnesota have been thus obtained. Give us an orchard
of best adapted apples and crabs and a few swarms of bees, and we
will get more valuable crosses in a day than can be secured by the
hand of a bungling man ina lifetime. It is not best to waste time
in trying to search out the hidden mysteries of God unless a pro-
fessor has nothing else to do. H. S. Dartt.
i Pee ee ee a ee he ee
RUSSIAN APPLES. 419
MY FOUR BEST RUSSIAN APPLES.
J. B. MITCHELL, CRESCO, IOWA.
{Read at a meeting of the Southern Minnesota Horticultural Society.)
I shall have to plead guilty of ignorance in not knowing which
are “My Four Best.”
I could make several lists of four kinds each and still be un-
decided as to which was the best, but if I were to make a dozen I
should put Leiby, No. 230, alias Recumbent, at the head of each list
To me it has no fault, in tree or fruit, except to eat from the hand.
Its other good qualities are sufficient to make this defect insig-
nificant when selecting forthis latitude. The tree is hardier than the
Duchess, as free from blight, grows rapidly, coarse and stout and
is a good bearer, the fruit keeping well towards spring.
To select kinds for the other three places is more difficult. Yellow
Transparent (No. 334) should be in every orchard on account of its
early and prolific bearing of fine looking fruit, although it is less
hardy than some others. Like many others, it has its near relatives
_ so much alike in fruit that I am not sure of being right in selecting
it. Juicy Streaked, 330, or White Queen, either might well take its
place.
Lubesk Queen has no apparent relative and no rival in its beauty
of fruit, it being a purple pink on a ground of waxy white; quality,
medium; tree straight, well formed and hardy and a prolific bearer.
A plate of the fruit at a county fair would exhaust the stock of treesin
the nursery.
Yellow Sweet, 167, should be included in Northern orchards be-
cause of its hardiness and quality. It is sweet, of medium size and
keeps better than I had givenit credit for. The tree is nota rapid
grower, but is straight and smooth and hasa well-roundedhead. It
is not an early bearer.
Rattling Apple is another sweet apple and one that will keep well
into spring, but to select itin place of the above would be to lose
largely in quality of tree.
Lieby (Recumbent), Yellow Transparent or one of its relatives
named, Lubesk Queen and Yellow Sweet would be four, either of
which I would dislike to omit from alist of four best when the ob-
ject was to get distinct kinds combined with hardiness of trees.
Bergamont and Lead Apple, or Wargul, as in my list, belong toa
family of several which appear to be the same variety. The two
named are at least as good asany of that family, and it may be un-
wise not to include one of them in a list of four best. The trees are
thrifty growers and good bearers and among the most hardy. The
fruit is of good size, yellow, medium quality, but I think not as late
keepers as claimed for them.
Thaler may when older claim the place of Yellow Transparent.
As most have the Thaler, I think it is no more or less than the Yel-
low Transparent; as I have it, the tree is darker in bark, of more
rapid growth, freer from blight and endures cold better, but does
not fruit as early. Color, when first ripening, yellow, nearly cov-
ered with pink stripes, but if left on the tree until they drop the color
is nearly a solid, deep red.
420 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Nos. 231, 264, 268, 272, 445, 558, 874 and 971 are all of the Alexander
type, and are large, handsome, red apples, looking enough alike to
be the same. They ripen about with the Duchess. The trees are
tall, stout and fast growers. They bear often at four or five years.
They will stand the most severe winter test, but are quite subject to
blight.
If I were writing without the experience of the winter of 1884-5
and in the light only of the past five or six, others, Jater keepers,
would be given a place with the best. Asitis, I am not sure of my
choice, and, as in the past, Iam still looking in the future to know
which are “My Four Best Russian Apples.”
GRAPE TRELLISING.—T. V. Munson, of Texas, has done much for
grape culture. His system of trellising is a minor item of his work,
but avery important one. It has been the subject of comparative
tests at the Oklahoma Experiment Station, and has proven so suc-
cessful that Prof. Waugh unhesitatingly recommends it for general
adoption. In this system the posts stand six feet out of the ground.
At the top a crosspiece, two feet long, is nailed, and at each end of
this awireisrun. A third wire is run through the middles of the
posts eight inches below these two, so that the three wires setin a
sort of a broad V shape, nearly six feet from the ground. This great
height is an essential feature of the system and should not be mod-
ified. On this trellis the grape vines spread out like they do where
they grow wild in the woods. This furnishes a shade for the fruit,
At the same time the fruit is so far above ground as to be safe from
the intense reflected rays of the sun, which is apt to cause damage
in the hot summers of the arid region.
Once upon atime the writer of this paragraph was invited toa
nursery celebrated for its large business in connection with the
growing of water plants, or, as they are commonly called, aquatics.
As the locality was far away from lakes or ponds, much curiosity
was felt as to how the large quantity of plants was cared for. It
was found that nearly everything was being raised in old kegs or
barrels sunk deep into the earth, and where water could be led into
them by a hose or other methods. The hint may be taken advant-
age of by those who read of the beauty of aquatics, but do not have
lakes or ponds of their own to grow them in. Old paint kegs or any
vessels that will hold water can be buried partly in the earth, filled
with water, and seeds sown, or young plants planted in mud placed
at the bottom of the water. Many of the smaller kinds of water
plants can be grown in this way without any serious difficulty.
The vessels need not be water tight.
Professor Webster, of the Ohio Experiment Station, has been
making experiments to determine whether honey bees are injured
by spraying fruit trees with the arsenites while they are in bloom.
These tests seem to show conclusively that bees are killed in this
way. Apart from the destruction of the bees and the consequent
loss to the apiarist, this would seem to be a bad policy for the fruit
grower, since the presence of bees is acknowledged to be of great
value in securing a crop of fruit by their work in pollenizing the
flowers.—Garden and Forest.
oe, eo eo
‘C68l ‘MUAWALdMHS ‘MIVA ALVLS VLOSUNNIW LV LIGIHXH YdVAD
THE MINNESOTA HORTICULTURIST. 421
“THE MINNESOTA HORTICULTURIST.”
BY WYMAN ELLIOT, MINNEAPOLIS.
Response toa Toast at the Banquet concluding the last Annual
Meeting.
“Our reports taken in homoeopathic doses regulate the system
and create a healthy circulation.”
When that renowned scholar and physician, Samuel Hahneman,
the founder of the system of homeopathy, discovered, in 1790, the
wonderful and various effects his medicines produced upon the dis-
eases of mankind and in the method of administration, either by
concentration, size or frequency of the dose, he little thought of the
radical change and reviving influence this discovery would have in
moulding the concrete ideas of mankind in the next century. Espe-
cially in the method of directing whatever they had to offer, ina
more concentrated form—if not always sugar-coated—in quantity
and quality, that would make it a more attractive dose.
When he discovered that a drug had produced upon man in health
the very symptoms which were required to cure a man in sickness,
it immediately suggested to him the law, similia similibus curantur
(like cures like). :
So, reasoning from analogy, when our large doses of horticultural
reports had been sent forth, year after year, receiving recognition
from the people, the press and our friends, only in limited manner,
your executive board sought to learn the reason why their attempts
for educating the masses were not more appreciated. The quality
of the goods was all right—“all wool anda yard wide’—, but where
was the trouble? They soon discovered that, like the medicine of
the old school physician, given in massive doses, notwithstanding
it generally cured, it sometimes produced opposite results; and af-
ter a long and laborious diagnosis of signs and symptoms, your
board came to the scientific determination that what our members
and the public at large most needed to enlist them in the way of ac-
cepting our horticultural literature must be given in small digesti-
ble doses, and, lest harm might ensue, wisely decided to divide the
usual yearly dose into twelve powders to be given monthly, always
insisting upon their positive purity and educational qualities; and,
like the renowned Hahneman, watch their circulatory effects upon
the horticultural system.
This experimental work, though not by any means considered per-
fect, being yet somewhat crude, has accomplished wonderful effects
upon the thinking masses,and, not unlike the first steps in selecting
the favorite homeopathic drug suited to the disease, it must be
given in the proper form by an able and energetic editor to always
meet the exigencies of the case and produce the crowning results by
aiding the circulation and the receiving of the almighty dollar.
To give you some idea of the appreciation of our monthly after a
few months triaJ, I will quote a few of the kind words that have
been written by our patrons, selected through the kindness of our
secretary, out of many he has received since we launched our horti-
cultural bantling under his energetic and organizing ability as sec-
retary and editor.
S? ig pre, fare i ALS me :
PS ee CEA og NS eh eh etn Te
” nag
Ee.
e
we 3
St A ee ee
ee CO RT ee ee te
SS)
—
aes
”)
Sk ae Pete Ti,
ed Lot
. ee fe eee oe
OE RT Pe a eee Fe,
ae ye ea ee
Fa: ‘v
er SPS ae
A >
Se le
yy we ie Pe tee ee Pee hia : = bo
BS NE LT CN TAP ER ETT Re TT eee
:
499 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Commendations of “ Horticulturist.”
“It is not at all too much to say that the change to a monthly
doubles the value of the reports.”
“Tt is with considerable pleasure I read the monthly report of the
society.”
“T am pleased with the magazine, it is just what I have been
wanting.”
“T heartily endorse the idea of sending out a monthly paper in-
stead of a report only once a year.”
“Your magazine is a splendid idea and deserves a large circula-
tion.”
“T am well pleased wlth the Horticulturist and think it is doing a
grand work.”
“T like the “Minnesota Horticulturist” ever so much, just what I
have long wanted. It is of cash value.”
“ Am pleased with it.”
“Success to the Minnesota Horticulturist.”
“T like the Minnesota Horticulturist ever so much.”
“So able and so full of good things.”
“The monthly Horticulturist is, indeed, a good thing.”
“Tam more than pleased with the Horticulturist.”
“We like the Minnesota Horticulturist so much we wish others to
enjoy it, too, and receive its benefits.”
“It is a very creditable publication, and I think that the grant for
your work should be largely increased by the state, in order that
you might be able to spend more money upon it.”
“T think the new departure of your society, in publishing a maga-
zine, a wise move.”
“The idea of publishing the report asa monthly magazine is a
good one. There is sad need of a reliable horticultural publication
for our section, and I hope the Minnesota Horticulturist will do
much to meet this want. Your state cannot expend money that will
do more good and be of more permanent benefit to its people than
to help support this publication and make it a good one.”
“Tt is certainly a credit to the editor, and a valuable acquisition to
horticultural literature. It is worthy of the support of every horti-
culturist in Minnesota and adjoining states, and we hope it will
have as large a circulation as it deserves.”
J. C. Plumb, of Milton, Wisconsin, contends that what we gain in
breeding for hardiness we lose in size and quality. If he is mad, he
is not without method. Corn gets smaller towards its northern
limit, and lofty trees do not thrive at the top of high mountains.
We will always accept the inevitable when we are obliged to. We
greatly prefer nice, sound, medium sized apples, of fair quality and
of home production, rather than the scabby things shipped in the
past season. Weare inclined to accept Plumb’s theory, just for the
time being, on size, but on quality we will try to beat the world.—
EB. H. S. Dartt.
PEAR BLIGHT. 493
PEAR BLIGHT.
The Secretary of Agriculture gives the following suggestions rela-
tive to pear blight: Pear blight is caused by a very minute microbe
which enters the tree at the blossom cluster or at the tip of the ten-
der growing shoot. It may destroy only the blossom cluster or a
few inches-of the twig, or it may run downward several feet, killing
large limbs or even whole trees. The same microbe causes apple
twig blight and quince blight. Mostof the damage from this blight
is done during the first month of growth, beginning at blossom
time. After running downward for a few inches or a foot or more,
the disease usually comes to a standstill. When it has stopped,a
definite crack forms in the bark, separating the live and dead por-
tions. When the diseased portion blends off into the live part, it
shows thatthe disease is still progressing. Below the blighted por-
tion the tree may be perfectly healthy, as the blight kills only as far
as it reaches. Healthy, thrifty, rapidly growing trees suffer more
when attacked than those not so vigorous. In certain cases the
blight does not stop, but keeps on slowly growing in the bark till
the close of the season. After this such cases continue progressing
slowly, the new blight for each year coming from germs which lived
over from the preceding season’s cases. The remedy for the pear
blight is to exterminate the microbes which cause the disease. This
can be done by pruning out the old blight in the fall or winter, thus
preventing the microbes from living over. In mild attacks, where
there is but little blight, and wherever practicable, it is best to cut
out the blight as soon as discovered. Complete destruction of the
blight should be carried out in the fall as soon as all late growth
has ceased. In cutting out the blight, care should be taken to cut
on the sound wood below the disease.
SOME SEASONABLE HINtTS.—The greedy fruit grower hesitates to
thin his apples, pears, peaches or similar fruits, looking only to quan-
tity as his reward; but the edible quality of the fruit of the over-
bearing tree is never good. Those who have the courage to thin
their fruits in the early stage of growth not only get larger and finer
fruit but also fruit of better quality. In the pear tree,one who tries
the experiment will be surprised to find how vastly superior in
quality is a pear from a tree in which a large number were thinned
while the fruit was still young. The proper time to commence thin-
ning is as soon as the fruit commences to swell. Nature herself
throws off large numbers which she feels she will be unable to bring
to perfection, and in a week or so after this has taken place will be the
time for the good gardeners to help her still further by thinning out
some of the rest.
FERTILIZERS A SOURCE OF DISEASE.—In a recent bulletin Prof. H.
J. Webber says in substance that some diseases including’ those
caused by insects are “apparently influenced by the use of fertili-
zers, organic manures rendering the trees more liable to injury from
this source than chemical fertilizers.” It would be interesting to
experiment with the blight along this line.
DAE MOS Le POST eae Micka, MUNGO ch tar aA Emewe graph eae Pep Sareea Bato
<
° Bisarnaee
DITUS DAY, FARMINGTON.
The subject of this sketch, whose portrait was given in the Sep-
tember Horticulturist, was born in Wilbraham, Mass., Oct. 10, 1817,
making his present age seventy-eight years. He comes from good
old Puritan stock, his first ancestor in this country, Robert Day,
having come across the ocean in the bark Elizabeth from Ipswich,
England, in April, 1634,and settled in Cambridge, Mass. From this
ancestor Mr, Day is in the eighth generation.
His parents started for the then undeveloped West in the winter fol-
lowing his birth, travelling by ox team for forty-two days,and settled
in Portage county, Ohio, where his earlier years were spent. In1836
he was engaged in teaching in his neighborhood, which pursuit he
followed successfully until he came to Minnesota.
Mr. Day came to Minnesota in the fall of 1855 and purchased the
claim in Farmington, Dakota county, on which he now resides. The
spring following, on his return from a visit to his old home, he
brought back a quantity of seeds, cuttings, etc., which he planted,
and the same spring boughta few seedling apple trees, one of which
bore a few apples about 1862. He has always been very much inter-
ested in horticulture from that time to the present, and is strong in
the faith that Minnesota can and will raise as good fruit as can be
found anywhere. He is especially interested in the State Horticul-
tural Society, in which he has been an earnest working member
since 1868. He says that “he feels proud of it, and intends to retain
his membership and attend its meetings as long as the infirmities
of age will permit.” Mr. Day has been treasurer of the society fora
good many years, until the date of the last summer meeting, when
he deemed it best not tocontinue the responsibilities of the office
longer. His resignation was accepted with sincere regret on the
part of his co-laborers in the work.
Mr. Day has been twice married. His first wife, Cordelia Bissell,
to whom he was married August 26, 1840, died December 19, 1844. He
was married again August 16, 1849, to Clarissa Harris, who survived
until January 13, 1889. There are three sons and two daughters now
living.
An indication of the esteem and confidence bestowed upon Mr-
Day in the neighborhood where he resides, is the fact that he has
been elected town clerk there for thirty-four years consecutively:
with the exception of two years at one time, and still retains that
office.
oar
ote Dee pale = hh ~_e iow Fp eee sia
ovember alendar.
J. S. HARRIS, LA CRESCENT, MINN.
The work of November in the orchard and fruit garden is as im-
portant to successful horticulture in this climate as that of any
other month of the year. A man may plant in the spring and dress
and prune and keep everything inthe best of order allsummer long,
and all be done for naught if the autumn work is left undone. The
“Tce King” is surely coming with certain death to many of our fond-
est hopes following in his wake if we are unprepared for him.
This coming has been heralded by biting frosts and blustering
winds sent as advance pickets from his summer home in the polar
regions, and no time should be lost in making his coming harmless
to us.
Drainage is essential for the best results in orcharding. Tile drain-
_ ing may not be necessary with most orchards in this state, but the ©
water from heavy rains must not be allowed to stand around the
trees for it is liable to cause bark-burst by freezing and thawing and
even to rot the bark at the base of the tree. Suitable surface drains
should be provided to quickly carry away all surplus water, Low
places that cannot be thus drained should be filled by grading up.
Suitable protection must be provided. For mice, cleaning up
brush, leaves, weeds and all rubbish that can afford them hid-
ing places and then throwing up a little mound of earth about the
base of the trees, is almost certain protection,and especially, if when
deep snows fall, it is tramped down about the trees. For rabbits,
binding cornstalks or lath about the trunks or winding them with
strips of cloth, strong paper or even hay ropes will answer the same
purpose and incidentally afford protection against sun-scald and
even winter killing. The whitewashing of trunks and larger
branches, alluded to last month, will make the remedy even more
effectual, especially where the heads of the trees are not above the
reach of vermin. Search for the runways of rabbits, and make feed-
ing places for them by placing shallow boxes containing corn and
oats in their way. Later, when snows come, trap them in steel-
traps, box-traps, or deadfalls. Often a small bounty promised to
the boys will induce them to watch the runways on bright moon-
light nights and shoot them as they come to the feeding places.
Hither every tree should be kept correctly labeled ora plat of the
ground made and the name and location of each tree marked upon
it. Now is a good time to examine and readjust labels, and, if
platted, note on the plat the condition of each tree—names and loca-
tions are easily forgotten after the labels are gone unless these pre-
cautions are taken.
The orchard should be fenced in so securely that it will keep out
all kinds of stock. Horses, cows and sheep will do even greater in-
jury to trees in winter than in summer, and even hogs will do no
more good. Young fruit trees once started are too valuable to be
aE Gees te SRS TE NST ten AIOE ee
wr oan ? > ‘ 4 ~ ay" - Hye
426 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
subjected to browsing and horn pruning. Attend to the fence, make L
it secure and close the gates without delay.
Dead and broken limbs should be pruned away at once, and the
wounds promptly covered with paint or grafting wax. Other prun-
ing had better be delayed until towards spring.
Nursery stock for next spring’s planting should be put into win-
ter quarters at once, either by burying ina dry bank out of doors
or packing away ina cool cellar with sufficient covering to prevent
drying or freezing of the roots.
Now is the very best time for pruning and laying down grape
vines. Our space does not allow of a treatise on methods. How to
prune depends upon the vine and the person’s knowledge of its
manner of growth. The most of the present year’s growth has done
its duty; the buds on the cane are next spring to throw out canes to
produce wood and fruit. If all are left,there will be many weak
shoots and little fruit. Of this year’s shoots, cut back one-half of
them to two or three buds and the remainder to two feet. Stronger
shoots will be grown and better fruit produced than if all are lefton
to run wild. Lay down as the pruning is done and cover about the
time winter begins. There is no better cover than fine soil.
Lay down and cover tender raspberries early in this month.
Secure the marsh hay or other covering for the strawberries and
have it on the ground and ready to apply on short notice when the
ground begins to freeze up.
A good coat of manure spread over the asparagus bed at this time
will prevent the frost going so deep and show good results next
spring.
Vegetables stored in pits will need looking after and a gradual
addition to the covering. Cellars where roots are kept should be
looked after and kept as cool as possible without admitting frost
and finally made frost proof when winter sets in. Manuring and
plowing the garden is stillin order. Good soil should be secured
and put under cover for the early spring hot beds.
How TO REPEL FLIES.—A good housekeeper says in the Detroit
Free Press, she learned a good remedy years ago from her grand-
mother, when watching her putting bunches of lavendar flowers
around the room to keep the flies away. She says: “My method is
simple. I buy five cents worth of oil of lavender at the drug store
and mix it with the same quantity of water. Then I put it in a com-
mon glass atomizer and spray it around the rooms where the flies
are apt to congregate,especially in the dining room,where I sprinkle
it plentifully over the table linen. The odorisespecially disagreea-
ble to flies and they will never venture in the neighborhood, though
to most people it has a peculiarly fresh and grateful smell.”
There is no such thing as alternate fruit bearing seasons for trees.
The reason they do not bear in successive years is chiefly from
the fact that they have been allowed to over-bear the previous year.
There is as much reason for thinning out the apples and pears, if
needed, as for hoeing out surplus corn or potatoes.
_ Secretary's | Porner,
IOWA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.—This society isto hold its
annual meeting at Des Moines, as usual, December 10, 11 and 12.
‘A HISTORICAL PALM.—Among the plants to be sold Oct. 24th,
by the executors of the estate of Samuel J. Tilden, of Yonkers, N.Y.,
is a sago palm 200 years old, in fine condition, with 75 fronds three
‘feet long. The palm was formerly in the possession of George
Washington.
DEATH OF THE ORIGINATOR OF THE CONCORD GRAPE.—The orig-
inator of the Concord grape is dead. In that fruit Ephraim W. Bull
has lefta monument that will endure. Yet he died in poverty,though
enjoying comfort in an old folks’ home, where he had been placed
through the efforts of appreciative friends.
PROGRAM FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING.—The program for this
meeting, which is to be held this year in Minneapolis, commencing
Dec. 3, will appearin the December “Horticulturist,” In order to
give the necessary two weeks notice as required by the constitution
this number will be issued November 15th.
DELEGATE FROM IOWA STATE SOCIETY.—Hon. A. F. Collman, of
Corning, Ia., is to attend our meeting as delegate for the Iowa Soci-
ety Mr. Collman was for many years president of that society. We
have known of him in this capacity and many of us met him at the ©
World’s Fair while in charge of the Iowa fruit exhibit there. It will
be a pleasure to renew his acquaintance.
PROF. N. E. HANSEN.—Prof. Hansen, whom our members will re-
member meeting with us two years since as delegate from the Iowa
Society, now occupies the chair of horticulture at the South Dakota
Agricultural Experiment Station. We shall have the pleasure of
meeting him at our coming annual meeting, and hearing of the trip
he made through Europe last year in the interest of his profession.
QUESTIONS FOR ANNUAL MEETING.—If any of the members have
questions they would like to have answered or discussed at the
annual meeting and will send them to the secretary at once, they will
be published in the December number, which on account of its con-
taining the program of the meeting will be issued Nov.15. This
will give an opportunity for their consideration beforehand. By
taking advantage of this opportunity,much interest can be added to
this feature of the meeting.
428 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
HORTICULTURE AT THE STATE EXPERIMENT STATIONS.—A little
idea can be gathered as to the work being done in the way of horti-
cultural investigation and experiment at the government stations in
this country by looking at the bare figures. There are in all fifty-
four such stations and sixty-one persons in connection with these
stations are giving their time exclusively to horticulture,combining
probably, as atthe Minnesota Station, imparting instruction with
the experimental work. There are no figures at hand to show how
many of the 401 bulletins, aggregating 4,500,000 copies, issued by the
stations last year were devoted to horticulture, but a considerable
portion were so occupied. Much of the information gained is neces-
sarily somewhat impractical of application for the actual working
horticulturist and is paving the way for further investigation, but a
very large share is knowledge in a shape suited for present absorp-
tion and use. The influence of such a flood of fresh truth upon the
horticulture of the country must be inestimable.
MONTANA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.—We note with pleas-
ure the organization of this society with Hon. S. M. Emery the sug-
gestor and one of the prime movers init. Mr. Emery is well known
to most of us as an old member of this society and for many years
connected with the Jewell Nursery Co.; he is at present director and
horticulturist of the Montana Experiment Station at Bozeman.
Like other Western societies this one starts out with vigor—and es-
pecially so in having already constructed at Stevensville a perma-
nent exhibition hall, the property of thesociety. We expect to hear
great things of the maturer life of so lusty an infant as this.
NORTHWESTERN IOWA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.—The annual
meeting of this society is to be held at Hampton, Nov. 26 and 27,—so
Secretary Elmer Reeves writes. We are to exchange delegates with
them, but the names are not yet announced.
MINNESOTA GROWN SWEET POTATOES.—Mr. J. R. Cummings, of
the western part of Hennepin county, who is one of our life mem-
bers, left at my house some of the sweet potatoes he has grown this
year. He wrote an article on this subject last year and has had
some experience in the cultivation ot this vegetable. We tested
them by the usual process and found them of excellent quality, and,
though not as sweet as those from the South, they were very dry
and‘mealy and of better flavor. If such sweet potatoes can be grown
in our latitude successfully, this industry should certainly be
encouraged,
SPRAYING THE ORCHARD.—The last report of the Ontario Bureau of
Industries in referring to fruit trees quote many letters from cor-
respondents that contain expressions like these:
“Apple worm very bad on trees not sprayed.”
“People are finding it pays to spray.”
“Spraying is not common, but it is becoming more so.”
“Where spraying was done, there were very few worms.”
Can we draw a lesson from this?
—— Oe.
GEO. P. PEFFER, PEWAUKEE, WIS.
Died Sept. 11, 1894.
THE MINNESOTA
HORTICULTURIST.
VOL. 23
DECEMBER, 1895.
NO, 11
piculture.
MINNESOTA STATE BEEKEEPERS’ ASSOCIATION.
Officers For 1895.
President, J. P. West, Hastings.
Vice President, First District, BAG: Theilmann, Theilmanton.
Second District—Mrs. Bale ‘Livingston,
Chain.
Center
Third District—George Perry, Farmington.
Fourth District—Mrs.
Fifth District—Dr. E. K. Jaques, Crystal.
Sixth District—J. L. Gray, St. Cloud.
Seventh District—J.M. Doudna, Alexandria.
H. G. Acklin, St. Paul,
Beets Win, Danforth, Red Wing.
Treasurer—L. E. Day, Farmington.
Members.
John Murray, Excelsior.
Barnard Taylor, Forestville.
W. H, Putnam, River Falls, Wis-
consin.
H.L. F. Witte, Minneapolis,
John Turnbull, La Crescent.
W. H.Stahman, Weaver,
Miss Kate Howe, Kellogg.
P. Howe, Kellogg.
George Hart, Hagar City, Wis.
W. Erke, Rochester.
J. C. Pope, Mora.
A. F. Colbeth, Hudson.
J.G. Bass, Hamlin.
H. J. Ludlow, Worthington.
Dugan Heintz, Farmington.
J. E. Jackman, Stillwater.
D. B. Messer, Plainview.
Edward R. Pond, Bloomington.
A.S. Lovett, Minneapolis.
John M. Seiler, Chanhassen.
Wm. Bright, Mazeppa,
Frank Moeser, Minneapolis.
J. A. Howard, Hammond.
Nelson Selover, Red Wing.
Mrs. J. W. Blackwell, Alexandria.
Wm. Urie, Minneapolis.
C. C. Aldrich, Morristown.
N= B: Aspinwall, Harrison,
C. H. Pond, Kasson.
H. J. Tingley, Stillwater.
yh Heines, hy dia.
J. A. Holmberg, St. Paul.
A. R. Waldron, Buffalo.
Wm. Dinney, Buffalo.
R. I. Mackintosh, Langdon.
G. H. Auringer, Bonnelsv ille.
F.C. Erkel, Le Sueur.
P. F. Bradford, Empire.
J. W. Thompson, Lester.
Hon orary Members.
Mrs. Geo. N. Hart, Hagar City, Wisconsin.
Mrs. A. A.Kennedy, Hutchinson,
Mrs. J. McClane, Lake Harriet.
Thos.C.Russell,Minnehaha Falls.
Roy Underwood, Lake City.
— a Rida NE ote dee |, | ag ytte PT ee * you
430 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
HONEY, HOW IT SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR MARKET.
W. H. PUTNAM, RIVER FALLS, WISCONSIN.
I shall confine my remarks to the production and preparation
of comb honey for the market. I do not wish or expect to impart
much information to my fellow members, as most of them at least
are experts in this line. The great body of beekeepers, however,
are not members of this or any other association, and they are the
people who need to improve in the preparation of their honey for
the market.
My ideal of a package of comb honey, if a twelve pound case:
should weigh eleven pounds net; if a twenty-four pound case, it
should weigh twenty-two pounds net. The comb of each section
should be confined within the wood of the section, so thatifa
straight edge were drawn across its face, resting on the edge of the
rim, it would not touch the comb. If honey is produced in thisshape,
each individual section can be removed from the shipping case
without disturbing the others. Precaution should also be taken
against leaking. These are qualifications which the market de-
mands, and the successful business man will cater to the trade.
People in other lines put up their goods to suit the purchaser,
and we must do the same if we would make money. For irstance,a
few years ago it become fashionable to color butter. The conserva-
tive people argued against it, and there was no end of clack and
clamor about coloring butter. One of the most successful dairy-
men in my state favored the coloring of butter because, he said, his
customers demanded it, and he added, “if my customers send in an
order for butter colored blue, the next shipment will be colored
blue.” I make this digression to try and impress upon beekeepers
that the end of all our effortsis to make beekeeping profitable, and
if we would succeed we must cater to the trade. I had occasion
recently to criticise a large producer of comb honey. That man
raised nearly four thousand pounds of comb honey in the poor year
of 1894. I bought the whole amount at the price he asked, ten cents
a pound. I had difficulty in disposing of that honey because the
crates were over weight and the sections where not straight,—you
could not get one out without tearing the crate to pieces. When I
had sold acustomer one lot, I could not sell him another. I criti-
cised my friend, the producer, stating the reason why the trade
wanted the scant sections, and got the following reply: “I do
not care to put up honey for the dealer to beat the consumer on if I
can help it.” A long argument might be had on this point, but to
cut it short and state my view of the point, I will say, “Don’t bite off
your own nose to spite some one else; dealers don’t have to buy any
man’s honey unless it suits them, and it will suit if they can make
money onit.’ Moral:—Cater to the trade. :
Then I may briefly state my ideal crate of comb honey to have
four necessary requisites:
I. It must be scant weight. 2. Combs must be straight. 3.
They must not leak. 4. The one pound is the standard.
APICULTURE. 431
How shall we obtain these requisities? If we would compete with
Bro. Thielmann and Bro. Urie at the state fair next fall, we must lay
the foundation now. If we would compete in the markets of the
world, we must make preparation at home long before the bees
begin to swarm.
To accomplish these points we must adopt a section that when
filled full will weigh about apound. I consider the 4144 x44x 7lgin.
the proper size for general use with separators, and I do advise the
use of separators by the general public. The members of this as-
sociation do not need to use separators; they are skilled in their
profession; they look to all the points; they keep their hives level;
they keep their bees strong so that when they go into the surplus
case they fill it and straight combs come naturally. For such bee-
keepers I would advocate the 444x414 x7 to the foot and a full sheet
of comb foundation. The average beekeeper uses about one pound
of comb foundation for a bunch of 500 sections; his bees take care
of themselves; some are strong, but most of them are weak; buta
few bees go into the super at first, they cluster on some section and
there is a vast unoccupied space all around them; honey is coming
in slowly; they draw out the comb, and there is no limit to the size—
it may bulge out on both sides way past the edge of the section and
weigh one and one-half to two pounds. Later, honey comes in more
freely, more bees are hatching all the time, and after awhile the case
is filled. Later, when the bees more perfectly fill the case, some very
straight combs may be found in the same case with some very bad
ones, Had this person used separators, he would have had all the
combs straight, because the few bees would have occupied one or
two sectious somewhere in the center of the surplus case, and when
they had drawn out the combs within about three-eighths of an
inch of the separator, they would have capped it over and gone on
to the next station. In this way the honey of no section can protrude
beyond the edge of the section, and we have gained our first two
points—the combs are scant weight and they are straight; and we
have almost gained our third point, for when the combsare straight
and do not bulge there will be very little leaking. We can guard
againstall leaking if we will cuta piece of newspaper an inch larger
than the bottom of our shipping crate and place itin the bottom,
allowing the edge to turn up all around about one-fourth to one-
halfinch. One more point about preventing honey from leaking:
When honey is first stored in the combs, it is thin and watery; it
needs to be ripened; the water in it needs to be evaporated.
Honey may be ripened on the hive; but, if it is white, it is better to
remove it from the hive, because if left on the beehive the bees
will run over it, and the yellow pollen will fall off from their legs
and soil the combs, and the honey has to go for second quality and
be sold at from one to two cents a pound less. If, however, the
honey is of a dark color or is produced in a region where no buck-
wheat or golden rod exists, it may be ripened on the hive.
The reason why honey should be removed from the hive as soon
as completed, if raised in aregion where buckwheat exists,is that in
the case of buckwheat honey, if dark colored and if only a few cells.
432 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
of dark honey are stored around the edge even of the section, it
places the whole in a second grade.
When honey is removed from the hive, never place it down cellar;
that is the worst thing you could do, because there is always more
or less moisturein acellar. If you place your honey down cellar, I
will tell you what happens. The honey takes on moisture, and, as
two particles cannot occupy the same space at the same time, the
cells are expanded, the capping bursts, the contents of the cells be-
come more watery, part of it oozes out,a chemical process takes
place, and the first you know that honey is all over the floor. You
taste of it,anditis sour. I presume what I have just related takes
place in nine-tenths of the grocery stores in the country. Grocers
are in the habit of keeping their molasses, vegetables and other
produce in the cellar; naturally the honey goes down there also,
The honey is damaged more or less according to the length of time
it has been subjected to this process of taking on moisture; the cus-
tomers pay twenty to twenty-five cents for a comb for that stuff
called honey; they take it home, and they taste potatoes, onions, cod-
fish and everything usually kept ina grocery cellar. That fine fla-
vor that beekeepers talk about is gone—they don’t like honey, any-
way. Then people talk about adulterated honey, and no wonder.
What shall we do? Ripen our honey above ground, in some
dry, clean, warm room. where the air is pure, so that what surplus
moisture there is will evaporate. Ifthe weather is damp and rainy,
use a stove to dry the air; then the honey will thicken and preserve,
its flavor. When you sella box of honey, tell the party not to put
the honey in the icebox nor down cellar, but rather put it on the
pantry shelf. If your customer is a grocer, give him a few pointers
in a friendly way.
And now I come to the fourth point, that one pound is the stand-
ard. The pocketbook argument should have its effect here. First,
if you use an odd size you must expect to pay the supply dealer
from 50 cents to $1.00 extra on a thousand, because it is more trouble
to make odd sizes than regular sizes. Second, you must expect to
get less for your honey.I will show you how much you would lose if
you used a two pound section. Supposing two thousand one pound
sections to cost at the factory $5.00, you could not expect to geta
thousand two pound sections forless than $4.00, and, supposing two
thousands pounds of honey to sell at fourteen cents a poundsin one
pound sections, you could not expect it to sell for more than thirteen
cents a pound in two pound sections; in proof whereof, I quote from
the Minneapolis market report in the Minneapolis Journal, dated Jan-
uary 4th, 1895.
“Honey—the market is slow and prices are steady:—
MannesotaGw hite Clover. 20 96-2 cues essa = oe 36 3 Rese $ .14@$ .15
Wisconsin: White Clover. - asc ssac\-els cle seis te ieiats = 14@ .15
Dark Toney 2.6: 12.-.- psew- ae ae oo ede Bie en ee 10@ 12
Extracted Honey 22.2. cbe-» sk as oe a ee a rae ne . 7@
Two Pound: Combsidracocks apsiet team eee ace Stolen s - 3@i ae
Then we have saved $1.00 on the cost of the sections and we have
lost $20.00 on the honey. $19.00 would bea big Christmas present,
-
.
:
ne
APICULTURE. 433
but it would be just like finding it to a beekeeper who was in the
habit of using a two pound section.
I wish to touch briefly upon how tosecure the greatest amount of
white honey. We hear so many beekeepers say every year that they
did not get any or very little white honey. The plan generally pur-
sued by the ordinary beekeeper is to let his bees alone in the spring
until they begin to swarm, then he hives the new swarm, and after
about two weeks he puts on his surplus cases. A little knowledge
of honey-producing plants and their time of blossoming would
change all this, for be it understood, once for all, that bees do not
make honey,they simply gather it and store it in the hive. In my local-
ity, the first surplus honey comes from white clover in May and
June, followed by a short spell of no honey at all, and then comes
the basswood the last of June and first of July. Basswood blos-
som is all over from July 10 to 15, and then comes another famine-
In order to get white honey in my locality, the beekeeper must
have his bees in condition to gather honey by the middle of May,
he must put on his surplus cases as soon as the bees begin to
build brace combs. It is my practice to tier up as fast as possi-
ble, and sometimes I have two or three surplus cases nearly filled
at swarming time. As soon as a new Swarm issues, I remove the
old hive a little to one side, placing it at right angles to the old
stand. I place the new hive exactly where the old one stood and
place the partly filled section cases on the new hive, and in less than
ten minutes after swarming the cases are again filled with workers,
Each worker carries a sack full of honey with him when the swarm
isSsues—and thirty or forty thousand bees can hold a considerable
amount of honey.
I have weighed new swarms that weigh eighteen to twenty pounds
without the hive, in fact before they had been put into the hive at
all. I have no doubt that two-thirds of this weight was the honey
in the bees. With me bees swarm during white honey flow, and by
following the method here described no time is lost—they go right
on, and more cases may be added. Meantime the old hive is moved
nearer and nearer the new hive, day by day, until they stand side by
side and very close On the seventh day after swarming, in the
middle of the day when the most workers are in the field, quietly
and carefully pick up the old hive, carry it quietly and set down
softly at the greatest distance possiblein the same yard from its for-
mer position. Notice the effect. Almost instantly you will see a
swarm, as it were, collecting around the place where this hive had
stood, they are the workers returning from the field, their home is
gone. They are confused and aimlessly fly about for a few seconds,
and then alight at the entrance of the new hive where their mother is
the queen then reigning; the bees have the same scent, they are
received, deposit their load and go again to the field for more
honey. Likewise, the workers that were in the old hive which we.
moved so carefully do not know their home has a new location;
they go forth but return to the old location; they are received, and
a rousing swarm is the result. No wonder the honey sections fill
up quickly, there are so many workers, But what happens at the
a eT OS OTe PNET ee Oe She tb ey IES eae ae ee, OO eee
434 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
old hive in its new location? Nearly all its working force has been
drained away to the new swarm. In a day or two the new queen
hatches; she has few bees to hamper her actions, she makes a tour
of the hive and murders her sleeping sister queens yet unborn; she
is monarch of all she surveys, and there is none her right to dis-
pute. You will not be troubled with second swarms. No time has
been lost since white honey began to flow, and now we have the
whole working force concentrated on comparatively few sections.
If there is any white honey we get it. After a week or two we can
put sections on the old hive, and all our bees will be in shape for
dark, or fall, honey.
THE HIVE I USE.
C. THEILMANN, THEILMANTON.
Much has been said and written about hives. Some beekeepers
advocate small hives; others, large ones; some use shallow, double
hives, and others high, narrow hives; and each claim that his hive
is the best. It is no wonder that beginners get confused and hardly
know what hive to adopt. I kept my first colony in a gum, or a part
of a tree, my second ina store boxand my third inanail keg. The
first one I found in the woods, in a tree; the other two were swarms
which I found on some wild plum trees near my residence. Two of
these three swarmed the same season, for which I made common
boxes. This made me five colonies the first year of my beekeeping,
without any outlay for bees and but little expense otherwise. I got
some surplus honey from them, though I don’t recollect just ex-
actly how much—but the hives were all full of nice honey.
I never kept bees before and did not know anything about bee-
keeping, but learned enough during the season to know that gums,
nail kegs and boxes were not the things to keep bees in and have
any good from them; so I went and saw a number of other beekeep-
ers, who were scattered around the country, and saw how they
kept their bees.
I did not know of any bee papers then or books on bee culture.
After a number of investigations, I saw a hive which, in my judg-
ment, was best adapted to this latitude and climate, I ordered and
filled with bees twenty-four of these hives the next season, including
the five I transferred from tlieir old homes to the new. This wasin
the summer of 1870. In 1871 I tried the regular Langstroth ten-frame
hive for an experiment, also some other patents, but none of them
suited me as well as the first ones I purchased. Since then I have
adopted and kept it in use exclusively, to this day, and will do so
hereafter unless I can be convinced of a better hive for Minnesota.
I'am free to say that my success in beekeeping is partly due to
this hive. The hiveis called the Minnesota Langstroth. It has a
portico and a cap over the supers, or section cases; the bottom board
is nailed tight to the brood chamber, so it can be used as a feeder
when needed, by tilting up the front three or four inches. This is
the only perfect feeder I have ever tried. It is always emptied by
the bees in a very short time, anda ton of honey or syrup can be
APICULTURE. 435
fed in this way in less than an hour by one man. The hive is sev-
enteen and one-half by thirteen and one-fourth inches, and eleven
inches deep; the frames rest on rabbits, and are fifteen and three-
fourths by nine and three-fourth inches, inside measure. The upper,
or top, bar is eighteen inches long, one-half inch thick and seven-
eighths of an inch wide, with a tongue in the lower side to fasten
foundation to it. The lower bar is seventeen and one-eighth inches
long, stands edgewise in the sidebars, and projects a bee space out-
side of the sidebars. This projection is a most excellent contrivance
in handling frames quickly; it prevents the crushing of bees in
taking frames out and putting them back; neither can the bees
stick the frames fast to the walls of the hive with propolis. There
is a bee space all around the hive, also over the frame. I used nine
frames the first season and eight frames after that. The capacity
of the brood chamber is about the same as a Langstroth ten-frame
hive.
My section case holds twenty-eight seven to the foot sections, has
three partitions, and two-inch wide strips of glass in the sides, with
wooden slides over the glass to see the advancement of sections
without disturbing the bees. I have no use for separators; they are
a hindrance to the bees.
I get straight combs by nearly full sheets of foundation ae by
setting my hives level from side to side, and keeping full of bees.
I do not paint my hives, on account that paint will hold the vapor
of the bees in the hive, which nearly all,if not all of it, will escape
through the pores of the wood if not painted. This is a great
consideration, for the health and welfare of the bees, especially in
winter. The lumber of my hives is planed on one side only, the
inside; the outside is left rough, which prevents the reflection of
the hot sun in summer months; it also prevents cracking and warp-
ing of the wood and, besides,is more durable. A more shallow hive
may give more surplus honey, just for a season, but, for a long run
of successful beekeeping, my hive has stood the test over all others
in Minnesota when properly handled.
WHICH HIVE; EIGHT OR TEN FRAME?
W. I. STAHMANN, WEAVER.
This is a subject of much importance, and one that has been dis-
cussed a good deal, especially the past season. As I have used
both sizes extensively for the past seven years, I will give my ex-
perience and let the beekeepers of this convention ses for them-
’ selves.
In the winter of 1886-87, I had sixty hives of bees in good condi-
tion. About twenty of them were in Langstroth hives, the dimen-
sions of which are 111g in. deep, 17% in. long and 1314 in. wide, using
nine frames 1034 in. deep and 16% long. Forty colonies were in
Simplicity hives;inside dimensions, 914in. deep, 18% in. long and
144 in. wide, using 10 frames 91g in. x 175gin. I did not like either
of these styles of hives, and as I was in need of more hives, I con-
cluded to make a change.
ES Se BR RS EER te ee ee ee ee Sb eet heat eee ee ©
436 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
About this time the question was asked in the question depart-
ment of “Gleanings” “Which is the best size of hive, eight or ten
frame?’ The answers were nearly all in favor of eight frame
hives, also most of the articles written in the journals favored eight
frame hives. As Iwas about to change the style of hives, I also
concluded to change the size. I made 150 eight frame hives, and
put about seventy-five of them in use that season, also using my
old style of hives. My average crop per colony that season was
fifty lbs., spring count. I noticed they made less honey in the
eight frame hive.
In 1888 I started an out apiary on the Zumbro river about five
miles from my home apiary. This wasa better location, more low
lands and timber, while the home apiary was surrounded with grain
farms. I putin use 100 of the eight frame hives this season and
fifty of the larger size. The average crop was fifty lbs. per colony,
the large hives producing about twenty per cent more honey than the
eight frame, and the sections were filled and finished better.
In 1889 I used about 125 eight frame hives and seventy-five nine
and ten frame hives. My average crop being about seventy-five
lbs. per colony spring count, with thirty per cent in favor of the large
hives.
In 1890 I moved to my present location, Weaver, Wabasha Co.,
in the Mississippi valley bottoms, about twenty-five miles south-
east of my former location. That wasa very poor season. My apiary
on the Zumbro bottoms had to be fed until the first of July, and in
the fall were in a starving condition. The home apiary was fed un-
til the first of June and made twelve lbs. surplus per colony, the
ten frame making twenty-five per cent the more.
In 1891 I used ninety of the ten frame and sixty-five of the eight
frame, all in the home apiary, averaging thirteen pounds surplus
per colony, with thirty per cent. in favor of the ten frame hives. In
1892 I had about the same number of hives, the crop averaging
about thesame. In 1893 I used thirty of the eight frame and thirty-
five of the ten frame, an average crop of 100 pounds per colony—and
this is the only season that the eight frame did as well as the ten-
frame hive forme. The hive that gave me the largest yield this sea-
son was an eight frame hive, which was run with six supers the
most of the season and made 200 pounds of comb honey, and no
Swarms.
In 1894 I used thirty eight frame and seventy-eight of the nine and
ten frame, and raised an average crop of 175 pounds surplus per col-
ony, spring count,the large hives making sixty per cent-smore honey
than the eight frame, also filling and finishing the sections much
better. A large number of the ten frame made over 300 pounds sur-
plus, while the eight frame averaged less than 100 pounds,
In the above statements, the number of hives in use each season
was the greatest number in use that season, while the average crop
of surplus is based on spring count, or the smallest number in use
that season,
When first I was about to use the eight frame hive, my theory was
that of many other writers, that the eight frame was sufficient for
APICULTURE. 437
brood-rearing, and the two extra frames in the ten frame hive, which
_is generally filled with honey—I mean the two outside frames—
would go in the sections instead; but I found that they put as much
honey in the outside frames of the eight frame hive as they did in
the ten frame, and instead of the hrood crowding the honey up in the
sections, the honey had crowded that much of the brood out of ex-
istence.
I find that the swarms from the eight frame hives are smaller than
from the larger hives, so much so, that when a swarm gets out un~
seen, I can generally tell what size hive it came from by the size of
the swarm.
Why should there be so much difference in the percentage of
honey gained by the tenframe over the eight frame in different
seasons? Some seasons bees will put more honey in the brood
chamber in the early part of the season than others, and the greater
the tendency to store honey.in the brood chambers in the beginning
of the season, the greater the difference.
In 1893 my bees stored less honey in the brood chambers in the
early summer season than I have ever known them todo. The col-
ony that stored 200 lbs of honey was run with four to six supers,
holding twenty-eight sections, and kept all the frames solid full of
brood most of the season; while in 1894 the tendency to store honey
in the brood chamber was very great, especially in the eight frame
hives.
I have noticed that bees in small hives do not seem to be satisfied.
Their work in the sections compared with the work done in the ten
fame hives gives me that impression. They do not fill the sections
nearly as well, especially the end ones. I noticed this in particular
in 1894. I had quite a number of the eight frame hives that would
not finish the end sections. Four hives in particular that I could
not make start in the end sections at all, but they wou/d finish the
center ones. Although I had more large hives than small ones,
there was not a single large hive that troubled me in that way.
I find they winter just as well in the eight frame hive as in the
ten, and I have had no trouble in having them run short of winter
stores, as they don’t seem to use as much as in the ten frame, but in
the frames that are 10 34 in. they winter best when all are used with
a 3g in bee-space below the frames. The past four seasons, I have
reversed my bottom boards when putting bees in the cellar, it mak-
ing a two in. space under the frames with an opening the full width
of the hive, givinga free bottom ventilation and a chance for bees
to cluster under the frames. With the bees prepared in this way, I
find no difference in wintering in favor of deep frames.
orestry,
MINNESOTA STATE FORESTRY ASSOCIATION.
Officers For 1895.
SEO Wen, Mime AT OIti. i), 5 ina pA mile cise pemngeh sa President,
Jj. 0. Barrett, Brown's Valley... <3. <. sent e reer e eens Secretary.
i, s.: Mackintosh;: st. Anthonyorark o.oo. oasis Treasurer,
Vice-Presidents.
First Congressional District,Wm. Somerville. .. ...... Viola.
Second as ss Adfred “Leery. -.o0 mens Slayton.
Third ip J NP. Brands... so..kss Faribault.
Fourth ef ss R.S.Mackintosh St.AnthonyPark
Fifth cd Wyman Elliot..... Minneapolis
Sixth vs cs HB. AVvereegn: vas eee Carlton.
Seventh ss eS O. AS Th, Solem. t. 223 Halstad.
Jot Stevens 2... cs ase eos Oh eee ee eee Minneapolis.
Sod MG LECH Gale eas tA eS eae: Keema eee St. Anthony Park.
Wins EC DobD yes) os sae oe ot bles ae be come eens Minneapolis,
OB VMS ra i dhs 2 55 Sun's 5 dine wide viata t's AOE Oe aoe Faribault.
TAP ESS Ay CTs 6. a soe ob ae na Io) Dawt Le eee maemo eee Carlton.
THE FORESTRY ASSOCIATION OF MINNESOTA
is organized and exists for the dissemination of knowledge upon
all subjects pertaining to the planting of trees.
Its literature may be had by sending sufficient stamps to pay the
postage. The Forest Tree Planter’s Manual is an invaluable treatise.
It should be the Pocket Companion of every man who is interested
in the planting of trees.
All letters for information on the subject of forestry, cheerfully and
promptly answered. Address, with stamp enclosed for reply,
J. O. BARRETT,
Brown’s Valley, Minnesota
FORESTRY. 439
THE RELATION OF FORESTRY TO AGRICULTURE.
J. S. HARRIS, LA CRESCENT.
The subject of forestry in America is a problem that will not be
put down. The interestin the subject is increasing every day, not
only here, but throughout all North America; and the best and
greatest minds of the country are giving the subject investigation,
and bestowing upon it the thought and labor of their lives.
The first home of the human race was among the trees in the
“Garden of Eden,” and never since has there existed an ideal home
without trees. They are welcome alike to the rich and poor, and
just as indispensable for the protection they afford from the ice-la-
den blizzards of the north and the scorching, withering winds ofthe
deserts of the south. The first homes of free and enlightened Amer-
ica were planted upon the Atlantic coastin a wooded country that
for ages had been inhabited by barbarous tribes, who have always
sought forests as their homes. The first work of our fathers was to
destroy these forests, and the march of civilization westward has
been marked with the most reckless slaughter of trees and robbery
of the earth of her beauty. Trees planted by the hand of God are
things of beauty, and a joyful heritage to them, that should have
been handed down to their descendents.
Similar scenes have been enacted in all civilized countries, and
never a halt called until the danger line was reached, and droughts,
floods, pestilences, famines and other calamities warned the na-
tions that they must go no farther. In our country the destruction
has gone on with greater rapidity than in any other country of the
known world, The effect that this is having upon the climate and
soil, rainfall and drought, and how much it has to do with winter
blizzards and summer tornadoes, will be fully discussed by others.
A few rambling remarks on the relation of forestry to horticul-
ture, and principally upon that branch of it known as pomology.
It is a well known fact that the best fruit regions of North America
have always been, and still are, in the forested regions or in close
proximity to large bodies of water. Itis equally well known that
some of the once best fruit regions have deteriorated greatly—where
once it only required the planting of the trees and protecting them
against stock until they got old enough to take care of themselves
to secure bountiful and unfailing crops of fruit. This was the case
in the New England states, New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio.
In those days nearly every tree planted lived, flourished and pro-
duced fruit. Things have greatly changed since. Instead of the
bountiful crops of former years, now, in many places, a full crop is
getting to be uncertain, and a light or poor crop the rule rather than
the exception. In the early settlement of Ohio and other states
named, the site for the orchard was virtually hewn out of the woods
and the fruit trees planted there, and the failure of the apple crop,
was so rare that for the first twenty years of my life I never heard
of but one instance.
First, large areas of forests were only felled and cleared off to make
room for fields for cultivation; but later, the timber began to have a
COE Pee, RT META, mp TST RM fy ee tae PEE. EUR ee Ee ie oe Oy Te
440 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
money value,and then commenced an indiscriminate slaughter and
robbery of property to increase the wealth of the present genera-
tion. The needs of railroads and manufactures have stimulated the
greed of man, and in a few years more, unless a change takes place,
desolation and ruin will follow the path of the destroyers. The re-
sult shown already is, that many of the old orchards there are only
producing leaves and blossoms and fail to mature fruit of any con-
sequence, so that the crops are nearly always failures.
No doubt there is more than one cause for this effect, but the
prime cause seems to be the excessive and injudicious demolition
of the forests, giving, in their seasons, alternating cold and dry, hot
winds an undisputed chance to sweep over the regions thus made
barren. Sixty years ago the desirability of extra hardiness in any
variety was hardly thought of; today extreme hardiness is one of
the most desirable requisites of a tree.
Now, I do not intend or desire to make any argument out of this
condition of things against growing orchards successfully in states
possessing much less forests than the states mentioned have left at
the present day. In many of these cases the orchards were planted
first,and the barriers of protection against wind and storm removed
afterward. I believe in forest barriers in certain localities and for
certain purposes, but I do not believe that it is necessary that the
major part of any country should be left in dense forests to make
the pursuit of horticulture more successful. A judicious system of
removing the original forests, leaving windbreaks and shelter belts
where needed and locating. the reserve timber lots where protection
is most needed, and the disastrous results would have been obvi-
ated.
In this state there exists a very intimate relation between forestry
and horticulture in all its branches—yes, and every other branch of
agriculture. Whether we ever become one of the apple states and
hold our reputation on the production of the small fruits, vegetables
and grains, depends very much upon the system of forestry pur-
sued.
This is very far from being a treeless region, but in very many re-
spects we are so peculiarly situated that the forestry question is one
of extraordinary moment. Beyond our northern border and extend-
ing,perhaps,a thousand miles northwesterly,to the region of perpetu-
al winter, is a vast plain but lightly wooded and without mountain
ranges to break or change the course of the winds that sweep down
from the Arctic Circle. The winds that reach us from that direction
are neither warm nor overcharged with moisture. On the west, over
the Dakotas, there are no large bodies of water and comparatively
very little timber, and, generally, when the west winds reach us they
come with an insatiable thirst and drink up, instead of imparting,
the moisture we so much need to succeed with horticulture. Again,
to the southwest, over the country once known as the American des-
ert, is a vast, almost sterile region, over which most damaging heat
and blight-laden winds occasionally reach us.
On the north, nature has kindly done her part towards our protec-
tion in locating up towards the border quite extensive forests and a
region of lakes, streams and swamps. Vandalism has already been
FORESTRY. 441
at work there, and the eye of unscrupulous greed is watching her
chance to lay the barriers low, dry up the lakes and streams and
for money convert this fair North Star state into a frozen desert
waste, unfit for human habitation. It is our first duty to see that
proper laws are enacted and enforced to preserve that forest area in-
tact and prevent the lakes and swamps from drying up, and that
course with the benefits that are bound to accrue to us through the
work of our Canadian neighbors in starting groves and windbreaks
to fit their own country for successful agriculture, will preserve to
us the advantages we now have and in the near future help to move
the line of orchards considerable farther northward.
On the west, every tree and shrub planted and luxurious growing’
crop is making the west winds less arid and is greatly to our favor;
while the opening up of farms and planting of timber in Nebraska
and Kansas are already showing its ameliorating effect upon our
climate. What we now most need is not extensive forests but small
groves and suitable shelter belts for orchards, gardens, buildings,
the orchards themselves and the necessary ornamental trees and
shrubbery to make the homes beautiful and attractive. To bring
this about the most quickly, there is need of a better knowledge of
the planting and care of forest trees, and some careful forethought
about the places where to plant them to secure the greatest benefits
and give the most protection.
It is an established fact that orchard trees planted in the proper
relation to a windbreak, either natural or artificial, make a thriftier
growth and stand more upright.
1. The windbreak of timber to a certain extent prevents the snows
of winter from drifting or being blown away, and also saves the
‘fallen foliage upon the ground where most needed, and at the same
time prevents the soil from being so deeply frozen, and, conse-
quently, there is less danger of injury to the roots.
2. The leaf mulch and shade from the timber tend to keep the sur-
face soil from becoming compact, and more of the water from heavy
showers sinks into the ground, penetrates deeper and dries out
more slowly.
3. There being more snow on the ground to melt in the spring,
the soil absorbs more moisture.
4. The buds of trees are less liable to be winter-killed or injured
in extreme weather when properly sheltered, and the trees on the
favorable side of a grove or belt will frequently blossom full when
those upon the opposite side are killed.
3. A windbreak upon the north and west side of the orchard and
garden saves a crop of fruit by sheltering from the northwest winds
that often occur when the trees and plants are in bloom and from
later colder snaps that often cause the greater part of the crop to
blight and drop before half grown.
6. Windbreaks very often save heavily laden trees from being
broken down or uprooted, or the fruit from being blown off in
heavy wind storms. They tend to make orchards more uniform in
bearing. We have frequently seen unprotected orchards barren of
fruit, when those well protected were bearing heavily.
442 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Timber belts and windbreaks are equally beneficial to the growing
of small fruits, and in many places they cannot be successfully
grown without some protection of thatnature. The best grapes are
always nearest to the shelter on the north and northwest. Currants,
raspberries, strawberries and blackberries are always better for pro-
tection on the south and west, and need much less extra winter cov-
ering when thus protected and for the very reasons heretofore men-
tioned, viz., that windbreaks protect from cold, retain snow in win-
ter and retard evaporation of moisture in summer. In many loéal-
ities in this state it would be about out of the question to raise
strawberries without the protection ofa timber belt or hedge.
Also, the kitchen garden is greatly benefited by surrounding it
with atimber windbreak. The soil becomes warmed up and in con-
dition to plant earlier, most varieties will generally mature earlier,
and the yield will be larger and the quality better.
There are some horticulturists who hold to opinions directly op-
posite to mine, at least so far as orcharding is concerned. I have
no reason to question their honesty and will admit that I have seen
injuries result from forest protection, but it can almost always be
traced to an improper relation of the two. The proper relation be-
tween the two varies greatly with the shape, aspect and surround-
ings of the adjacent country. If the country is nearly level, itis my
opinion that a windbreak upon the west side of the orchard or fruit
garden is always beneficial, also on the southwest and northwest;
with ground sloping to the south and higher elevations adjoining
or near by on the north, the windbreaks should be upon the south
and southwest sides and omitted on the north, except for grapes,
strawberries and vegetables.
In ground sloping to the north and northeast—which is generally
recommended—the windbreaks should be on the north and north-
west sides, and, if practicable, the north belt should be upon ground
somewhat higher than the lowest partof the orchard. In all cases
it would be better if there could bea strip of ground between the
orchard and the shelter provided that is a little lower than that
upon which either of them stand. No greater depression than can
be made by two or three plowings of the ground, finishing in the
same dead furrow, will answer a very good purpose. Windbreaks
upon the south side of an orchard may safely stand nearer than
upon other sides, but in no case Should the windbreak and orchard
be so near together that the roots of the trees comprising them will
eventually run together and rob the soil of the nutriment and
moisture needed for the well being of each other.
The inner line of the break on the north side of an orchard should
be at least fifteen feet inside of the next line and far enough from
the fruit trees to prevent reflected heat reaching back to them, and
the trees in this line are better if not standing too close together.
For the orchard alone I think a broad and rather open break of
evergreens and deciduous trees mixed would prove the best; for
most other purposes close planting of evergreens is probably the
best.
Pe Pee nT ean Se he ee Re Be are ene Oe Yee pee ON hed Cee
- er ey ey uA h ory? oo yy es us F
am FORESTRY. 443
; FOREST FIRES.
; H. B. AYERS, CARLTON.
::
Why the forestry question should be of interest to horticulturists
may be a matter of wonder to some, as it once was with me, but we
learn that their study of growing plants has enabled them to see in
the forest things that the lumbermen have not seen, and this in-
sight into the lives of the friendly trees has taught them, in their
endeavor to clothe the prairie with productive crops, the use of trees.
In common with other people, too, horticulturists acknowledge, I
believe, some love of country and some regard for the future of the
land that has nourished them.
It is not so strange then, after all, that the farmers and gardeners,
who havea permanent interestin their communities and in the state,
should take an interest in and demand a better care of the forest,
that, covering our highlands, precipitates the atmospheric moisture
from the northeast and fills our hundred thousand natural reser-
voirs on the hills above us, from which are distributed through
sandy strata a constart supply of pure water to the hundred thous-
and streams that have their sources on the Jower slopes of the high-
lands.
But this is not the only way the forests bring water to us. Con-
trary to the pernicious theories propagated by some business men
for business purposes, forests are not altogether dependent upon
uncontrollable, climatic conditions for their existence; but many
functions of the forest, especially its generous outpouring of moist-
ure and temperate air, tend to form conditions favorable to its own
growth and the growth of other plants beyond its borders. This
principle is recognized by the most intelligent farmers and garden-
ers as well as by tree growers and foresters.
Together, then, let us move to aid our much-abused forest in its
strife with the prairie, even hoping that it may at last extend its
moisture over all our state and neutralize the parching blight of our
southwest winds (which last year were felt well toward the head-
waters of the Mississippi); that it may roll them back and enlarge
the bounds of our fertile and beautiful park region, until it may in-
clude even Martin county and continue on to give relief to the peo-
ple of Nebraska and Kansas.
While the Forestry Association has been busily cultivating a
proper view of what should be done on the prairie and distributing
information and trees for planting, our original forest has been and
is being ravaged by and abandoned to fire.
To discuss the reason for this destruction will perhaps satisfy us
of unwise policies in the disposition of the public lands, of fraudu-
lent claims accepted, of dishonorable practices in stripping and
abandoning lands, of connivances and sharp practices that many
lumbermen smile at, of outright and traitorous thievery, of errone-
ous theories propagated for selfish purposes, of reports of wrong do-
ing ignored by officials, of silence by those who should have made
wrongs known, of investigations that show conclusively that the
lands with which our institutions have been endowed are being sys-
“7 e
444 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
tematically robbed, of reform that is plainly needed in this line, and
not only reform but intelligent, systematic management, which, I
trust, this association will take active and vigorous measures to se-
cure.
The whole broad subject needs immediate attention. But I must
confine myself to the special subject of this paper which is:
THE PREVENTION OF FOREST FIRES.
What is the use of all this talk about forestry and the prevention
of fire? What does it amount to? It is all very nice to have some
subject that sounds well, that sounds patriotic, but what good does
it do?
Such ideas, if not spoken, seem to have been implied by the atti-
tude of too many peuple towards the Forestry Association and
towards the forestry work; but we are glad to say this quizzical and
indifferent attitude cannot now be assumed without downright ig-
norance and culpable inattention to the needs of the day.
The time has passed for doubting whether forests are beneficial
and should be preserved and propagated.
Even the quieting remarks made at our meeting a year ago are far
behind the times today, for, sitting in the ashes of our recent fires,
the people are crying: “The calamity howlers were right, but they
did not tell us half of what was going to happen. We are now ready
for the plain facts. Can’t you help us?”
May we not then at once discuss these questions?
First—Should our forests be protected from fire?
Second—Can it be done?
Third—If it can be done, how?
Our forest furnishes employment to 20,000 men cutting pine and
perhaps a third more cutting fuel, ties, piles, poles, posts, barrel
stock and hardwood. Is it desirable to perpetuate this great indus-
try and not only produce enough material to supply our own wants,
but to bring money from other states and other nations by shipping
our surplus to them as we do now? There can be only one answer
to this question. But what has this to do with fires? Simply this:
The forest cannot be preserved unless the fires are stopped, and if
the fires be stopped the timber will grow again. Some deny the lat-
ter part of this statement, and say after the virgin pine is cut, pine
will never come in again, and the forest is worthless. This is too true
under the present liability to fire, but utterly and perniciously false
if the fires be prevented. Even men of intelligence and prominence
in the lumber business have said: “Why prevent fire? Pine will
never come in again after the marketable timber is once cut.” This
assertion needs the strongest possible denial. The men that make
such an assertion deserve ridicule, and I will say they must have
had sawlogs in their eyes when they traveled through the woods.
This is not altogether a joke; they were looking for sawlogs and
could not have looked at much else; for loggers in cutting often
leave a hundred thrifty and vigorous young pines from four to ten
inches in diameter, and from twenty to a hundred feet high on an
acre after the log timber is cut, and on pine stump land that has
escaped fire three years, thousands of little pine seedlings may be
seen springing up.
FORESTRY. 445
In order to be able to refute such mistatments utterly, I have here
minutes of the exact location where young pines in excellent condi-
tion for timber grown may be seen, and right by may be seen burnt
land cut the same year that could not be put inacondition as prom-
ising for timber for less than twenty dollars an acre. In fact,so
favorable a soiJ, mulch and shade can hardly be made at once on
that burnt land for any price. Several such acres on 16—56—22
were staked off and the trees counted; on one from which 32 million
ft. had been cut three years before, were thirty-two thrifty sapling —
white pine, 8 to 11 inches in diameter and 30 to 80 feet high; ten
poplar 8 to 14 inches in diameter and 60 feet high; 1,600 poplar sprouts
¥% to linch in diameter and 5 to 12 feet high; a light underbrush of
hazel and vine maple; and under all this were 1,267 little white pine
seedlings two years old and 4to 8 incheshigh. Another acre on the
same section has 200 trees of white and Norway pine averag-
ing 8 inches in diameter and 45 feet high. Are not these worth saving?
Many thousand acres of just such trees have been burned on land
that is not in demand for farming at any price. Should such trees
be saved? No one dare say not.
On account of the fires and conditions unfavorable to tillage,
much of such land has no market value. Just what it would have
if safe from fire is a subject that should have careful study.
The fires also damage property having a present market value,
such as standing and other log-timber, camps, camp equipage and
live stock, mills located in the woods and lumber, besides the
homes and lives of our fellow men. Excepting the latter, there is no
loss that compares with the prevention of the future growth of the
forest withits products and its beneficent influences. There may
be many who have some doubts as to what the favorable influences
of the forest are. Here area few that are reasonably certain:
1. Aiding the damp northeast winds in their conflict with the
parching winds from the southwest.
Preventing deep freezing of the soil.
Catching snow by checking the wind during blizzards.
Holding snow in spring by their shade.
Preventing erosion of the soil.
Giving out moisture into the air.
By their moisture, their coolness and their resistance to winds,
promoting rain fall.
8. By promoting fogs, often preventing frosts.
9. Protecting against the cold winds of winter and the hot winds
of summer.
10. Promoting health by purifying the air and the water. (Here let
me say that in the regions burned last season we already have pre-
monitions of fevers, and there are many cases of sickening by the
use of water leached through ashes and deprived of shade and
growing plants).
ll. Regulating water flow. (If the rains next spring be as heavy
as last, we may note a much higher stage of water; for the large
denuded areas will shed their waters quickly).
NOP WD
446 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
In short, the good influences of the forest are many, and together
they are cumulative. It is not within the province of this paper to
enlarge upon them; they have been discussed time and again and
nearly always with the same conclusion. The nations of Europe
have long ago taken effective action. Our federal government and
the Eastern states are regretting they did not do something before
the land was patented to individuals.
Pardon me if I repeat that one of the first things to be done for the
preservation of the forest is to stop the fires. Our present liability
to fire absolutely prevents any hopes of successful forestry. After
cutting, a forest will quickly grow again; after fire, it will not. Cer-
tainly these fires should be stopped and at once.
Can they be? is the next question.
The fire as it raged at Hinckley could not; but each of the hund-
reds of little fires that contributed to it could have been. Preven-
tion, rather than cure, should be sought, and as fires always have a
small beginning and are in every instance caused by man, they
can, with very few exceptions indeed, be kept within control. Ac-
cording to Dr. Fernow’s report for the year 1893, the forest fires in
Prussia during the exceptionally dry year of 1892 ran over only
6-100 of one per cent of the Prussian forest area. There they pro-
tect against fires.
We should have statistics of the areas burned over in Minnesota
during the past season. Lacking such, we must use whatrough
estimates we can get. Iam told by a man who has been through
the region, that within the triangle between Staples, Grantsburge
and Duluth 90 per cent of the land was burned over. My own ob-
servation covers roughly the country between the Mississippi and
the St. Louis rivers and the Prairie river basin above Grand
Rapids. I think 75 per cent of that land has been burned over;.
and from what can be learned of other parts of the forest, prob-
ably 40 per cent of the whole wooded portion of Minnesota was
burned over last year. If we assume this 40 per cent, or 1 in2%
acres, as approximately correct, and compare this percentage as
the result of no systematic protection in Minnesota with the 6-100
of one per cent, orlin 10,000 acres, burned over in Prussia, where
there is protection, during one of the driest years, are we not as-
sured that something can be done?
Others have prevented fires, cannot we? Will the people of Min-
nesota, pioneers nearly every one, and with a record to be proud
of in every other work, lag so far behind in this? I think not if
they will only give their attention to it. It seems to me it all
hinges on this point—attention, for if this subject be studied as
it should, every one will feel it his duty to stop the fires.
How can this be done?
Let me give my experience of last summer: Passing land ofa
friend and seeing that fires were burning on it, [stopped to put them
out. Five or more had been started wilfully; one had gone out, but
four were burning vigorously, both eating into the turf and running
over the surface. With mattock and shovel the fire was put out
within a week, digging shallow ditches through the dry turf at the
FORESTRY. 447
rate of twenty rods a day. Fires can be put out even after they have
gained considerable headway; but the easiest and best way to stop
fire is to prevent it starting; and to prevent them all, all the people
who start them must be reached and influenced. How to reach them
might be left to the managers of such an undertaking; but a few
_ suggestions briefly can be made here.
Every individual should have some influence brought to bear
upon him that will prevent him letting fire get beyond his control,
whether he be locomotive engineer or trackman, farmer or tramp;
lumberman or timber thief, sportsman or pot hunter, white man or
red. The aim must be to prevent wild fires entirely. Legislation is
talked of and is necessary; but it should be remembered that legis-
lation can at best only support a movement. Penalties are not en-
forced unless the people enforce them. Officers cannot be every-
where, and officers may fail to do their duty unless the people urge
them on. There must be a strong popular sentiment in favor of the
work. You ask how can this sentiment be created? My answer may
surprise you, but I think I can say it safely—we have this sentiment
already.
The friends of the forest might be congratulated on this, but for
the fearful price we paid for it.
Yes, I believe every one interested in the woods is anxious that
something be done to make life and property there more safe, but
they have different ideas of what should be done. If we could only
select those measures on which all agree, we would not be far from
right if all were well informed on the subject.
The greatest difficulty, perhaps, lies in the fact that often the re-
striction men would like to have placed on their neighbors is what
they do not like to have tried upon themselves. It is too often irk-
some, when living miles away from neighbors and no one there to
see us, to make any sacrifice for the public good. Settlers clearing
land want to set fire when and where they please. Hunters and
other campers want to build fires where they will be most conven-
ient. Children,some of them gray-headed, like to start a fire wher-
ever it will make a big blaze. Railroad companies do not like the
expense of careful guarding, and locomotive firemen (it is hard to
blame the poor fellows) like to have a good strong draft and are
tempted to take out screens and traps. Section foremen have so few
men to help them that they cannot keep the right of way clear and
have not time to watch the piles of rubbish they burn and see that
no fire escapes.
Considering all the sources of fire, it is evident that there is much
ignorance and there are many errors of judgment as to when a fire is
liable to spread. There is also much wilful and deliberate setting
of fire when it is intended to spread.
The work of prevention will have to be done by those who have
intelligence and love of country and who see friends in the trees
that are devoting their lives to the service of men. The ignorant
must be kindly instructed, the vicious must be compelled to use
caution.
448 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
PRACTICAL ACTION.
But how can every one be reached? Let us not say it is impossi-
ble! That is the lazy man’s doctrine and is entirely unworthy of
Minnesota people. Itcan be done, and done well, if every one will
do his duty. There are now lines of communication established to
every family and every individual through the store and the post
office. Usethese. There are now established, supervisors of all or-
ganized townships. Use these. There are now established schools
for the instruction of every child, who may in turn instruct every
family. Usethese. There are now established constables and oth.
er police officers. Use these. There are now officers of justice in
every township. Use these.
Will the present organization be effective, and can this be added
to their duties and without increase of salary? Try itand see. But
from what source shall emanate the instruction and discipline nec-
essary, or,rather, who will represent the people in this function?
Every efficient system must havea head, A man specially quali-
fied for the position should have control of it, and he should have
ample means to carry out his plans. He should not be obliged to
work at anything else, for it will require all the time and all the en-
ergy of the best man that can be found. He should be empowered
to employ counsel and assistance, especially to collect and distrib-
ute information; and he should be thoroughly supported by neces-
sary legislation.
To begin at once to establish every known valuable feature of for-
estry would be very imprudent and would involve much needless
expense. On the other hand,a miserly policy would be quite as
bad, for the expense would be even greater through loss of the for-
est. Let everything be done consistently, with a reason for every
act,a sound footing for every step,and above all, with a love for
“Our Minnie,’ her people and her trees.
This last clause is sentimental, but sentiment is just what we need.
If there had been the proper sentiment on this question forty years
ago, our forest resources would have been safe. But now as we
pass among the charred remains of the grand old forest that once
stood as a guaranty of our prosperity, those prophetic words of
Scott applied to Marmion are suggested:
‘*Where shall the traitor rest?
He, the deceiver,
Who could win woman’s breast,
Ruin, and leave her?”’
It is the duty of those who have been enriched by harvesting for-
eign timber to atleast leave the forests not wanted immediately for
farming in fair condition to produce a new crop, and not leave
them as they do now, blighted and worthless.
RAINFALL IN MINNESOTA. 449
RAINFALL IN MINNESOTA.
EDWARD A. BEALS.
U.S. Signal Service Station, Minneapolis.
If we could obtain during the growing season the proper distri-
bution of the meterological elements of temperature, sunshine and
rainfall, agricultural pursuits would become an exact science, and
it would soon be possible for us to determine at the time of planting,
almost to the bushel, what yield would accrue from each cultivated
acre.
Ail of these elements can to some extent be controlled artificially:
that of temperature being accomplished in greenhouses through
methods familiar to all; that of sunshine by the electric light, pro-
vided its rays are filtered through glass; and that of rainfall by
means of irrigation, which is a comparatively cheap, practical and
efficient substitute for its deficiency, whether habitual or otherwise.
The control of temperature and sunshine presents difficulties that
render impracticable their application to extended areas; but in
Minnesota this is of no particular consequence, as nature seldom
fails to provide the right proportion of each for maturing those
plants which are of the greatest importance to mankind. In the
case of the remaining element, that of rainfall, we are not so fortu-
nate; although the amount annually received is rarely insufficient,
still severe drouths, doing great damage, are altogether too com-
mon, being largely caused by variability in its distribution.
We should not feel, however, that these occasional dry spells were
due in any way to arighteous discrimination, as there is no region |
in the United States absolutely free from them, even including
those places where the annual rainfall is in excess of one hundred
inches.
The introduction by man of water upon land has, besides a minor
use as a protection against frost, three distinct objects in view, one
of which is the making of tillable land out of barren land through
the sedimentary deposits thus obtained; a second purpose is the
acquisition by precipitation of fertilizing materials held in solution;
while the third and more general use is the making up of either per-
manent or temporary deficiencies in rainfall. It is probable that
for many years to come the only necessity for irrigation in Minne-
sota will be for emergency uses during dry spells, and therefore it
should properly be first introduced on a small scale in connection
with horticulture and gardens.
Not the least of the conditions to be considered before its success-
ful application can be accomplished is the drainage area available,
the proportion of storable to percolating and evaporating water and
the rainfall.
Local evaporation is occasionally the source of rainfall, but in
Minnesota the vapor-laden winds from the Gulf of Mexico, the At-
lantic Ocean and the Great Lakes, perhaps also including those
from Hudson Bay and the Arctic Ocean, largely preponderate in
supplying us with the moisture received. These reservoirs are
inexhaustible, and no fears need be entertained regarding their per-
450 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
manency, even if the rainfall is, according to familiar belief, grad-
ually decreasing.
As the question of rainfall stability has a very important bearing
upon the matter in hand, it is perhaps well to throw what light we
can upon this point before proceeding farther.
The best authorities now agree that the presence of extensive
forests tends to slightly increase the precipitation, and, on the other
hand, deforestation to correspondingly lessen it. Our lands are
being rapidly denuded of timber, and it seems as if this had been
carried on sufficiently to measurably affect the rainfall, provided
any loss from this cause was ever to become appreciable.
The longest rainfall record within the state is that taken at Fort
Snelling, beginning in 1836 and continuing with but few interrup-
tions until 1892. By means ofa St. Paul record kept only a few miles
distant, the missing intervals have been very closely approximated
and the observations made continuous for a period of fifty-seven
years.
I have carefully examined this and found it impossible to detect
the slightest permanent diminution in annualamounts. A further
proofof past rainfall constancy, during thousands of years, is daily
seen in the character of the soil, which in arid regions is predom-
inantly sandy and silty, whereas loamy soils, containing consider-
able clay and known as heavy, have resulted asa rule from an
abundance of rainfall. It will be found that nothing which man
can do will ever increase or diminish, except ina very slight degree,
our annual supply; but the evil effects of drouth will continue to be
felt with increasing severity owing to deforestation and improper
cultivation, the latter causing an accelerated waste in moisture by
evaporation, nearly all of which is carried to distant lands before
again reaching the earth’s surface.
According to the latest rainfall charts, our annual supply varies
between thirty-two inches along the western shore of Lake Super-
ior and nineteen and one-tenth inches at St. Vincent, in Kittson
county. Thereis, generally speaking,a uniformly gradual decrease
in amount from east to west.
Captain Wheeler, in his report upon the United States geographi-
cal surveys west of the 100th meridian, says, “Farming without ir-
rigation may doubtless be safely carried on when the rainfall ex-
ceeds twenty inches.” If we are to accept twenty inches as the
line of demarkation below which irrigation only is requisite, I
need go no farther, as this state contains but a few square miles
of such territory, and the question would then become one of little
interestto us. The better way, however, is to treat the matter as is
done in India, where millions of dollars have been expended by
the government in constructing a system of irrigation which is
availablein districts where the annual rainfall is forty inches or
over, although not expected to be put to practical use oftener than.
once in three or four years.
Some crops and small fruits can not be successfully raised unless
abundantly watered, and a season could hardly pass without the
cereals being at times benefited by moisture; therefore, until irri-
eM ete we ee a ee ie
0 = saa ts
i, §
RAINFALL IN MINNESOTA. 451
gation is introduced, many valuable resources will not only lie
dormant, but our present yields remain far below what they might
be.
Usually irrigation implies that the gain in crop production is ac-
complished through the application to a lesser area of the scanty
rainfall collected from a greater one; butin Minnesota, with its
abundance of natural surface and subterranean reservoirs, it is
quite probable that no section need ever be depleted to supply else-
where, even if the inflow to our lakes and rivers was thereby dimin-
ished and the active area of evaporation correspondingly increased,
as will very likely be the case.
The monthly distribution of rainfall is quite an important factor
which should also be taken into consideration. In the Atlantic and
Gulf states, the fall during one month averages about the same as
another, while on the Pacific coast nearly the entire annual supply
is received between October and April, with June, July and
August comparatively rainless. In Minnesota our wettest months
are during the growing season, from April to September inclusive,
with an average deposit of between seventy and seventy-five per
cent of the yearly amount.
Heavy rains in winter are harmful rather than otherwise, as
they leach out fertilizing ingredients from the soil and are of no
benefit to crops, the seed of which has not yet been sown; there-
fore, if our normal spring and summer supply could always be
depended upon, no better plan of moisture distribution could be
devised, as it is a natural system of irrigation in itself, which
would not require any artificial annex.
The average rainfall during the growing season in Minnesota is
approximately twenty inches and is equal to that received in other
Northern states to the east, except along the immediate coast; there-
fore. when applied to crop production, our yearly rainfall should be
increased one-half, if comparisons are made with those states re-
ceiving their annual supply in equal monthly installments. This
all goes to show that if the employment of irrigation is needed
here, its introduction is of like importance to a number of Eastern
states receiving an annual rainfall one-half greater than ours.
The question of annual rainfall resolves itself into still another
phase of variability besides that of monthly distribution before we
can rightly judge its full meaning.
A yearly fall of thirty inches may also mean a fall of forty inches
for several years, followed by years of twenty inches or less, and
such is unfortunately the case here. Our annual deviation aver-
ages about fourteen per cent of the normal, which means that in
those places having a yearly rainfall of twenty-five inches it is quite
likely the actual quantity received during any one year will be 3%
inches greater or less thanthat amount. Itis also rather a singu-
lar fact that during a long period there will be more years with less
_ than the normal rainfall than years with a greater amount, which
shows that, as a rule, the departures are greater in wet than in dry
years.
Districts having the smallest variability in annual rainfall are
least subjected to prolonged drouths, and we will now see how Minne-
—" . Av - Be Nak i bk
452 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
sota compares with other sections in this respect. Along the Gulf
and Atlantic coast, from New Orleans to New York, this percentage
is lowest, being only eight or nine. As we go toward the interior it
increases to twenty per cent at Omaha, and then going north it
diminishes to fourteen per cent in Minnesota. On the Pacific coast
it is least at Portland, being thirteen per cent, then gradually in-
creases to the south until San Diego is reached, with the large
mean annual deviation of thirty-seven per cent.
With over forty inches of rainfall, irrigation would rarely be of
much benefit, except as a means of fertilizing the soil. The cloud-
iness in these districts is usually sufficient to prevent excessive
evaporation, which is really more of a factor in causing a drouth
than lack of rainfall :
In districts having less than forty inches, it is only a matter of
time before irrigation will become universal, and that force at work
more than any other to compel its application is the steady increase
in population.
It has been pretty well proven that, unless overtaken by some
terrible catastrophe, the world’s inhabitants will so increase in the
comparative near future as to render the obtaining of sufficient
subsistence impossible, and in China and India, where this increase
is now most marked, a moderate drought, reducing but slightly
the yields, causes a dreadful famine and great distress throughout
the region affected.
We here in Minnesota are now at that stage where the inevitable
can be foreseen, but on account of the many complications involved,
including the necessity for new laws and great engineering abil-
ity, no general plan of adoption is likely to be put in practice for
some time to come; and its necessity is not so very urgent, either,
as farmers do make a living as it is, and, while waiting for the new
era of smaller farms and larger yields, a valuable lesson is being
learned in conserving the moisture already available through im-
proved methods of cultivation.
RELATION OF WATER TO PLANTS.
(Prof. B. T. Galloway in an article entitled ‘‘ Water as a Factorin the Growth of
Plants.” summarizes as follows, and in this is found the gist of the whole valua-
ble article. Itis worthy of carefulstudy. Secy.)
SUMMARY.
The facts presented show—
(1) That water makes up the largest proportion of the weight of
green plants, indicating at once its great importance.
(2) That water, with the food which it contains, is obtained by
plants exclusively through the roots, and therefore a well-developed
root system is essential to the best development of the plant.
(3) That the development of root system may be controlled in
various ways, thereby increasing or decreasing their ability to ab-
sorb water and food from the soil.
(4) That a saturated soil is detrimental to the growth of roots; a
CRANBERRY CULTURE. 453
soil about half saturated is most favorable to their growth and
therefore favorable to the growth of the whole plant.
(5) That growth is dependent on the turgidity of the cells, and tur-
gidity is dependent on the absorption of water by the roots.
(6) That the water absorbed by roots is continually being lost by
evaporation from the leaves. If the loss is equal to or greater than
the absorption, the plants will cease growing, and unless the ab-
sorption is increased or the evaporation decreased the plants will
die.
(7) That evaporation may be controlled by increasing the amount
of moisture in the air, by protection from hot winds, and by the use
of certain substances in the soil or on the leaves to enable the plant
to hold on to the water that it has.
Finally, then, an accurate knowledge ofthe relatiou of water tothe
growth of plants will enable us to control more fully the develop-
ment of the plant as a whole, and also the relative growth of its
parts. It will show us how to modify the growth of the plants, that
they may be able most successfully to withstand adverse conditions
and produce the most valuable substance for a given amount of
labor.
CRANBERRY CULTURE.
(Prepared for the ‘‘ Northwest Horticulturist,’ Tacoma, Wash., by James Web-
ber.)
HOW TO SELECT A BOG.
The bog should be in a location well protected from frost, with a
bottom of peat, mud or moss, or it may be of the substance known
in this section as muck-soil, Cranberries will grow well on either
foundation. There should be sufficient inclination to the bog to af-
ford fall enough to allow the water to be drained off to eighteen
inches below the surface. If there is not a brook running through
the bog, there should be a spring ora pond above it, capable of af-
fording a sufficient supply of water to flow it readily. If thereis
water enough to cover the vines completely, it is all that is needed.
The bog, after it is three years old, ought to be flowed (or kept moist)
from the first of November until the first of June, as it is then thor-
oughly vined, and a crop may be expected. There should bea suf-
ficient supply of coarse sand suitable for covering it, near the bog.
A huckleberry, maple or cedar swamp is preferable to the fresh
meadow, for the reason that it costs less to take care of it after plant-
ing. Trees should not be allowed to grow near enough to the
bog to shade it, because it will result in producing rank vines and
but little fruit.
Notwithstanding the fact that most successful bogs, as a rule, are
those located where they can be readily flowed and thus protected
from the ravages of insects and injury by frost, yet there are some
notable exceptions to the rule. There are dry bogs under cultiva-
tion in one of the Eastern states comprising hundreds of acres that
have produced well for years, escaping both frost and the fire worm.
454 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
CLEARING AND TURFING.
Brush or wooded lands should be thoroughly and well cleaned,
having all small roots removed near the surface. Care should be
observed during the dry seasons that bogs which might burn are
not set on fire, or their fertility will largely be destroyed. The sur-
face of the bog, after the trees and underbrush have been disposed
of, is next cut into segments of about eighteen inches square, by
means of an instrument called a tufting ax, made especially for
this purpose. It consists of a thin, steel blade, hatchet-shaped
and about six inches square. This blade is made fast to a stout
hickory handle, some two feet and a half long in the same manner
as a common wood ax.
In expert hands this ax does wonderful execution upon the tough
interlacing roots, with which the surface of the bog is generally
filled. The method of cutting the turf is this: One man cuts across
the bog from side to side in parallel linesa foot anda half apart and
cuts across between the lines at like distances. Two men, with three
or four: pronged iron tooth rakes, catch hold of the turf as the cut-
ter goes along and pull it over after him. After being cut in these
squares, itis desirable that the turf should be turned over very regu-
larly, because the more evenly it is turned over the easier will be the
work of grading. No overseer who understands his business will
allow this part of the workto be slighted. The rakes are much the
same as those used in hauling out muck, and may be found at the
hardware stores.
DITCHING AND DRAINING.
There should be a main ditch, about four feet wide, as near the
center of the bog as possible. When the bog is excessively wet:
other ditches should be run ata distance of five rods apart. When
it is comparatively dry, and there are not many springs, the ditches
may be from eight to ten rods apart.
Wherever springs are found, ditches should be made leading from
them, otherwise they are sure to burst forth and cause more trouble
afterwards.
There should be a marginal ditch running completely around the
bog, about three feet wide at the top, eighteen inches deep and
eighteen inches wide at the bottom. All the ditches must be dug
with slanting banks to prevent the sides from caving. From the
marginal ditch, the other ditches are all made to pitch toward the
main or central ditch. It will be found necessary to clear the ditches
often. Sometimes, if the bog is of good, firm material, they will not
need it for ten years; but if the bog is soft and porous, the ditches
must be cleaned yearly for several years until the bog becomes firm.
A bog well ditched and well drained is less expensive to take care
of than one which is very wet; for less weeds and wild stuff will
spring up in it.
GRADING AND LEVELING.
A bog should be graded and made as smooth as possible, in fact,
as near a “water level” as it can be made—because if it is of a good,
even grade, it will take less water to flood it, and if the supply of wa-
CRANBERRY CULTURE. 455
ter is limited, it is of course essential that this particular should be
closely attended to. If there isa great deal of brake or other kinds
of fern or other wild stuff which is hard to kill, and the bog is high
enough to stand it, having a fall of from three to six feet, then it
will be well to turf the whole of it and have the top removed to the
most convenient place and burnit on the spot. This course will
save a great deal of labor and extra expense in weeding.
The grading should be done as well as if laying down a lawn or
pleasure ground to grass, the object being to get an even coat of
sand over the whole of the surface of the peat or muck. If the sand
should be put on unevenly so that in places there would be seven
inches instead of four, the desired thickness, the vines would make
avery uneven growth. Plants set where the sand is deepest would
be a year or two longer in making a growth through such a coating
than would those planted where they could readily strike their roots
down into the rich muck beneath.
SANDING AND PLANTING.
The sand should be ofa gravelly nature, free from clay or loam
and considerably coarser than that commonly used in making mor-
tar for plastering. s
Sand of this description can not always be obtained; but, whether
finer or coarser, nothing which has an admixture of loam or clay
should ever be used upona bog, for the following reasons: It will
bake down hard and the vines will not grow so vigorously as they
will in loose porous sand; again, the water will not leach through
very readily, and weeds and wild grasses wili grow much quicker
than where the surface allows the water to pass through it quickly.
After the bog has been leveled, as described, an even coat of sand
four inches in depth should be spread over the surface. It is a great
advantage to have the sand in close proximity to the bog, as it saves
the expense of carting. In spreading the sand, it is usual to lay
down some two-inch plank eight inches wide, fora walk, and the
sand is brought on in wheel-barrows.
The planks are laid from sand pit on outside edge of bog to center
and removed as fast as the bog is sanded. The sand is spread by
means of a “spreader,” made of a piece of one-inch white oak (or fir)
board about fifteen inches long by three inches wide and fastened
to a handle.
MARKING FOR THE ROWS.
The marker can be made of a piece of two-by-four inch joist, about
nine feet long, having teeth set eighteen inches apart and a handle
the length of arake handle. The teeth are eight inches long, made
of strong hard wood, driven through holes made in the joist for that
purpose. The implement is made similar tothe common rake, with
teeth farther apart, and the whole made stronger to stand harder
usage.
To mark off a bog, a line is stretched, say six inches from the mar-
gin of any one of the intersecting ditches as a starting point;
ruv the marker lengthwise of that line, and continue to mark to
within six inches, or the same distance of the next intersecting ditch,»
456 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
and so continue back and forth between the shore and central ditch
until that particular section has been gone over, and so on with oth-
er sections. When finished in one direction,the marker is then drawn
transversely across the first markings over the entire sections, mak-
ing the bog look much like a checker-board.
THE PLANTS AND PLANTING.
The cuttings used for planting are usually called “up-rights,” be-
ing the shoots of the running, or main, stems of established vines,
from two to four incheslong, which bear the fruit. Sometimes long
cuttings, about two feet in length, are used, being doubled at the
time of planting. The uprights are mowed off of an established bog,
using a butchering knife. They are cut off smooth from the run-
ners and rolled back in windrows, as one would roll back a fleece in
shearing a sheep. The average quantity of uprights required for
planting an acre is four barrels, but with older cuttings it would
take more, as with age the vines become larger and heavier. When
a vine is eight or ten years old it is about the size of a lead pencil—
but when young it is about the size of the leadin the pencil. Cut-
tings should be kept moist, in the shade or under fresh flowing wa-
ter until planted. Planting is done with the aid of an implement
called the “setting stick.” It is about eight inches long, with a
rounded and bulbous handle about a fourth of an inch thick, made
of hard wood.
The little bunch of cuttings, or “uprights,” is placed upon the
sand, the blade of the “setting stick” pressed upon them, and with a
single thrust of the hand the hole is made and the uprights set or
planted ata suitable depth and in a proper position, that is, through
the covering of sand and in contact with the muck beneath.
In this case, the vines being good, not one in five hundred should
be lost. The cuttings, when set, should not project above the sur-
face more than from one to two inches. When the long runner,
doubled, is used instead of the little bunch of vines, if two feet long
the runner is doubled twice, and then is planted with the setting
stick precisely as uprights,as before described. About four up-
rights in a bunch are set in each corner intersection of the cross
marks. If more are planted, they are apt to heat and not take root.
After planting, the bog should be kept moderately wet for two or
three weeks by shutting down the ditch-dam and keeping the water
back in the ditches to within eight inches of the surface of the bog
until the vines show some sign of growing; then the water may be
removed and the plants receive the benefit of any existing sunshine.
In wet seasons, the water should be kept low.
VARIETIES OF THE CRANBERRY.
One of the most desirable varieties to plant is the “Early Black.”
It is very prolific and a sure bearer, and the vines are not such rank
growers as most other varieties. Another good variety is the “Sec-
ond Early” which ripens about ten days after the Early Black.
There are other varieties of larger berries, but they do not keep so
well.
iia
i
CRANBERRY CULTURE. 457
Some desirable characteristics of the cranberry are outlined in
the proceedings of the twenty-fifth annual meeting of American
Cranberry Growers’ Association, held in New Jersey in January;
1895, by Rev. E. H. Durell. The primary features are productiveness
and soundness. Cranberries should be prolific and uniform bear-
ers. They should be free from rot while on the vines and long
keepers after harvest.
Secondly—the size, color, luster, shape, development of vines and
culinary qualities. The fruit should be medium and even in size,
deep and uniform in color; a clean, smooth, pure, bright luster; ap-
proximating roundness in shape; vines should have a strong up-
right, grow rapidly, mature early and not swamp too much. Fruit
should cook quickly and tender and have the best flavor.
YIELDS AND PRICES,
Fifty barrels of cranberries per acreis a fair yield, but over one
hundred barrels have been picked from an acre. The costof pick-
ing the berries is estimated at from one dollar and sixty cents to *
two dollars per barrel of thirty-two quarts. The cost of screening
is about twenty-five cents per barrel.
NOTICE TO MINNESOTA BEE-KEEPERS.
HASTINGS, Minn., Nov. 9, 1895.
Notice is hereby given that the 7th annual meeting of the Minne-
sota Beekeepers’ Association will be held at Minneapolis on Thurs-
day and Friday, Dec.5 and 6, 1895. I would like to have every bee-
keeper who reads this notice to write me and suggest such questions
as they would like to have discussed. Programs will be sent out as
soon as possible. This will be the most important meeting ever held
by the association, and itis very necessary that every member should
be present, and all beekeepers who are not members are invited to
attend and become members. Don’t fail to write to the president at
Hastings, Minn.
Wm. Danforth, Secretary, J. P. WEST, President,
Red Wing. Hastings, Minn.
DRAINED MARSHES FOR CELERY.
Speaking of drained marshes, Prof. Henry Snyder, in a recent
bulletin from the Minnesota Experiment Station, says:
“On account of the usual abundance of lime, there is but little
tendency for sour mould to form, hence these soils are quite easily
reclaimed. When dry they have a very light weight per cubic foot.
They all have the power of holding large quantities of water, in some
cases as high as 125 per cent., hence, in their usual condition in the
field, they are quite heavy on account of the large quantity of water
which they carry. Many of these places have nearly the same com-
position as some of the best celery muck soils. There is a great deal
of reserved fertility in these soils, which should be placed at the dis-
posal of growing crops, either by drainage and reclaiming or, when
rich enough, as muck, in the way outlined in the preceding article
of this bulletin.”
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460 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
CLIMATOLOGICAL STATISTICS.
Reports for October were received from 66 stations. The average
rainfall from the records of 62 stations was 0.24inches ranging from
0.00 at Glencoe to 0.90 inches at Mazeppa and at Tower.
The average number of days with rainfall was 2.
The average temperature from the records of 62 stations was 41.4°,
The highest monthly mean temperature was 45.8° at Montevideo and
the lowest 32° at Grand Portage. The maximum temperature for
the month was 81 degrees at Moorhead on the 17th. The minimum
was one degree below zero at Ada on the 29th. The absolute range
for the month and the state therefore was 82 degrees. The greatest
local monthly range was 80 degrees at Ada, the least, 46 degrees at
Grand Portage. The greatest daily range was 52° at Ada on the 12th,
and at New London on the 26th, and the least, 0 at Grand Portage on
the 7th.
From the records of 63 stations reporting the state of weather,
there were on an average 15 clear, 9 partly cloudy and 7 cloudy days.
The prevailing direction of the wind as determined from 61 sta-
tions was N. W.
IN MEMORIAM.
MRS. CHAS. G. PATTEN, CHARLES CITY, IOWA.
We are called upon to record the sudden death of Mrs. C. G. Pat-
ten, who died of heart failure at her home in Charles City, Ia., on
the 12th day of October, 1895.
Mrs. Mary Ann Patten was born in Brighton, Me., February 3, 1842;
and was the daughter of Henry C.,and Mary Ann Whittier. She
came with her parents to Green Lake Co., Wis., in July, 1846, where
she lived through her girlhood years. She was married December
28, 1863, to Charles G. Patten, and in November, 1864, the young
couple came to Charles City, Ia., where they have since resided until
her decease. Mrs. Patten was the mother of six children, three sons
and three daughters, and her husband, three sons and two daugh-
ters survive her. She was an amiable and consistent christian wom-
an, was deeply interested in the temperance reform, an active mem-
ber of the W. C. T. U. and a gentle, loving wife, mother and friend
who looked well after the comfort and happiness of her family.
Mr. Patten is well known in this society as an enthusiastic experi-
mental horticulturist and an honorable nurseryman, and in this
hour of sad bereavement he and sorrowing members of the family
have the full heartfelt sympathy of his large number of friends in
the ranks of the Minnesota State Horticultural Society.
J. S. HARRIS.
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MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
464
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466 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
CALENDAR FOR DECEMBER TO MARCH.
J. S. HARRIS, LA CRESCENT.
The principal work of the amateur and farmer horticulturist for
the three winter months is to see that all the November work has
been finished up in good shape, watch out for rabbits and mice and
take proper precautions to guard against damages from them; also,
to see that gates and fences do not get open, broken down or out of
repair; stock in the orchard and garden now will do more damage
by breaking down and browsing in a few hours than can be repaired
in a season’s growth. If the small fruit grower is up with his work,
his strawberry beds are mulched, raspberry, blackberry bushes and
grape vines laid down and made secure, and he has before hima
long season of comparative rest from care, anxiety and hard manual
labor and ample time for reading, study and planning for the next
season’s business.
Not so with the nurserymen and professional florist. With them
much of future success depends upon a winter well improved. The
propagation of plants and care of the greenhouses must not be neg-
lected. The nurseryman will need to cut and secure scions and
get ready for root grafting, which may begin in January. Canvas-
sing for spring sales must be done, or he will find himself left with
most of his stock on his hands, for the average planter has not yet
learned the wisdom of ordering direct from the grower. Labels and
stakes are to be prepared, and everything done that will expedite
the spring delivery and get it off his hands so that his own planting
of root grafts and shrubbery may be done in season.
Other work. Be sure that ladders, boxes, barrels and stakes are
put under shelter for the winter. All implements and tools should
be cleaned and housed. Winter will afford plenty of time forrepair-
ing, repainting and putting them in order for the spring use.
Heavy drifting snows are liable to do damage to low branching
young trees and especially to evergreens, The only way to prevent
' such injury is to shake the accumulated snow off carefully and to
tramp it down firmly around the trees immediately after every
snowstorm, and this will also prevent much mischievous work by
mice.
In case of heavy rains and the melting of snows, the surface water
should be promptly given a chance to run off from the orchard
grounds and berry patches. Surface water in winter is the one
thing above all others that fruit trees and berry plants dislike. Man-
ure is a valuable aid to the raiser of fruits and vegetables, and the
preserving of it and its application to the ground are important
considerations. Winter is a capital time to attend to securing an
ample supply of it. Where practical it should be spread over the
ground as it is hauled out, that it may be ready to give out its val-
uable fertilizing elements with the starting of vegetation in the
spring.
Finally, The winter season is a dull one in the orchard and gard-
ens, but the long evenings and stormy days afford ample time for
cultivating the mind. Good books are cheap, bulletins of the expe-
CALENDAR FOR DECEMBER TO MARCH. 467
rimental stations can generally be had by asking for them, and there
are many papers published that contain matter invaluable to the
horticulturist. It is also the season when most of the horticultural
societies hold their annual meetings. Every progressive horticul-
turist and farmer should be a member of one or more societies.
There is room in the Minnesota society for twenty thousand mem-
bers, and the benefits they would receive by being members would
be ten times more valuable than the cost. This month is a good
time to join. Most of the farmers’ institutes are held in winter, and
every one who possibly can should attend them. Then ask for it,
and more attention will be given in them to instruction on horticul-
ture. Winter is also a good time for starting horticultural clubs,
libraries, reading rooms, etc. A few back horticultural reports
make a good nucleus for the library and reading room. Try it on
this winter! And that all may enjoy a merry Christmas and happy
New Year is the sincere wish of the writer.
A BLACKBERRY-RASPBERRY CROSS.
The Loganberry originated several years ago in the garden of
Judge J. H. Logan, of Santa Cruz, from self-grown seeds of the
Auginbaugh, springing up in the moist, warm soil of that sheltered
district. The other parent is supposed to be a raspberry of the Red
Antwerp type. Raspberries of several sorts grew alongside, and,
in fact, intermingled. The Loganberry shows so clearly the ming-
ling of both types that no horticulturist who studies the fruit has
doubted that it is a true hybrid of the Auginbaugh blackberry with
some large, red, European raspberry. The result is a very sturdy
plant of rambling or trailing growth, needing support to be at its
best, but even in this dry climate it is a vine of unusual substance
and healthfulness, resembling the Auginbaugh blackberry, but
really distinguished from it in the field. The berry is large and
solid, resembling the Auginbaugh in shape and retaining its delic-
ious, wild flavor; it is dark red to purple when fully ripe, and shows
its texture in the easy slipping from the core, and partly in flavor
the raspberry parentage.
Tests made in different soils and in some very dry situations have
shown, so far, that the Loganberry will grow and beara fair amount
of fruit in localities where the gooseberry,currant and high-bush var-
ieties of blackberries and dewberries have entirely failed. As I have
said, plants of Rubus ursinus are sometimes found thriving very
well on dry hillsides, with scrub oak and chaparral, but seldom bear
fruit to any extent in such arid places. In other words, some indi-
viduals of this variable species of Rubus grow in very hot, arid and
barren places, and the original Auginbaugh, though found on a
sandy peninsula, near the bay, instead of on a hillside, seems to
have had the power to transmit this resistant quality, together with
an increased productiveness. The Loganberry is now grown for
market, and the results are said to be gratifying, both in regard to
price and yield._Garden and Forest.
ecretary’s (Yorner.
THE ILLINOIS STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY will hold its an-
nual meeting at Kankakee, Dec. 10, 11 and 12.
NOTICE TO MEMBERS OF COMMITTEES.—A full attendance of mem-
bers of committees is much to be desired at the annnal meeting, but
any that cannot come are urgently requested to assist in the work
by mailing their reports to the secretary prior to that date.
DELEGATE TO N. E. Iowa SociEtTy.—O. M. Lord, of Minnesota City,
has consented to represent this society at the annual meeting of the
Northeast Iowa Horticultural Society, which convenes at Hampton,
Ta., Nov. 26 and 27. We may look for an interesting report of this
meeting.
MINNESOTA BEEKEEPERS’ ASSOCIATION, ANNUAL MEETING—Presi-
dent West of this association wishes members to note that the an-
nual meeting will be held on Friday following the meeting of the
Horticultural Society, i. e., Dec.6; with perhaps a session or two on
‘the day before.
THE GEORGE WASHINGTON PALM—This historic tree spoken of in
the last issue as the former property of George Washington, was
sold Oct. 17 to W. A. Manda, S. Orange, N. J., for $62. As Mr. Manda
is a life member of this society, we can claim an interest in this in-
teresting plant.
FRUIT IN COLD STORAGE FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING.—AII the fruit
now in cold storage at Minneapolis, held for that occasion, will be
delivered at the hall of meeting Tuesday morning, but unless other
arrangements are made, it is expected that each person will attend
to setting up his own fruit.
RESERVOIRS WATERTIGHT BY PUDDLING—A late bulletin on “Ir-
rigation” issued by the Nebraska Experiment Station says: “Small
reservoirs which have been constructed for use in connection with
windmill pumping and whose beds have been thoroughly puddled
by cattle tramping through them, or by other means, are stated by
their enthusiastic owners to hold water as well as cemented Cis-
terns.” “Thus it seems that by puddling the bed of a reservoir it
may be made at once impervious.”
1895 REPORT, WISCONSIN SOCIETY.—The annual report of our sis-
ter society came to hand a few weeks since. Itis a little late in is-
suing, but full enough of good material to amply compensate for
the delay. Many of the papers are of especial value to Minnesotians, _
and we hope to reproduce them later. I note that the president and
the secretary in their reports say very kindly words for this society
and the work it is doing, and especially for the monthly magazine.
Every member of our society would be better off for a copyof the
Wisconsin report.
Pw
og ee ee ae ee ee a
A\ anual Meeting Jan. 1895.
JOURNAL OF TWENTY-EIGHTH ANNUAL MEETING.
(For Program See Page 461, Report, 1894.)
TUESDAY MORNING.
The twenty-eighth annual meeting of the Minnesota State
Horticultural Society, held in Masonic Hall at Lake City, Minn.,
January 8, 9, 10 and 11, 1895, was called to order by President
J.M Underwood. A psalm was read by the president, the Lord’s
Prayer repeated by the audience, and the meeting was declared
duly opened.
President Underwood: lIassure you, friends, it is very pleas
ant to meet you here this morning. It isannounced in the pro
gram that there are to be opening remarks by the president. I
do not know that I have much to say to you this morning, ex
cept to bid you a hearty welcome, and, as you will be more
formally welcomed this evening, it will not be necessary forme
to say much upon the point of your coming to Lake City. We
have had the pleasure of meeting you here at Lake City before,
and we are always glad to have our friends come here, and I
hope the exercises we are going to have during this meeting
will prove mutually interesting and instructive to usall. Ithink
we have been very fortunate this winter so far in that we have
had so little inclement weather, and I hope this will be the oc-
casion of bringing out a large number of our friends from
abroad. We want you to feel perfectly at home among us, and,
if you do not see what you want, ask for it. Wewantevery one
to have a good time. I cannot say more than that, and I hope
we Shall be able to make everything interesting and pleasant for
you all while you are here. (Applause.)
The president appointed the following committee on creden-
tials: L. R. Moyer, Montevideo, J. P. Andrews, Faribault, and
C. W. Sampson, Excelsior.
Secretary Latham: Mr. President, before commencing the
program, I wish to call the attention of the society to a matter
470 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
in connection with the State Agricultural Society, which is in
session at St. Paul today. I received a letter from Prof. Green
a day or two since asking me to bring before this society cer-
tain resolutions looking toward the reorganization of the State -
Agricultural Society on a basis which should permit this and
kindred organizations to have a proper representation in that
society. Prof. Green desires that these resolutions be acted
upon at once and that we telegraph him the result this morn-
ing.
The secretary then read the following resolutions: (See
page 29.)
On motion of Mr. Harris the resolutions were adopted.
Secretary Latham: I have the report of the committee on
credentials. The committee reports that Messrs. C. F. Gard-
ner, of the Iowa State Horticultural Society, and L. G. Kel-
logg, of the Wisconsin State Horticultural Society, are entitled
to represent their respective societies.
President Underwood: I have the pleasure of presenting to
you Mr. L. G. Kellogg, President of the Wisconsin State Horti-
cultural Society.
Mr. Kellogg. Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: I have
very little to say. It affords me great pleasure to meet with
you at this time and occasion. I feel our interests are mutual,
although our climatic conditions differ a little I thank you for
the courtesy you have shown me, and trust I shall become well
acquainted with the horticultural workers of Minnesota while
I stay here. (Applause.)
President Underwood: Ihave the pleasure of introducing to
you Mr. C. F. Gardner, of Osage, lowa, who is very closely
identified with the horticultural interests of lowa
Mr. Gardner. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Minnesota State
Horticultural Society: It gives me great pleasure to meet with
you here today, and I have every reason to believe that the
session you are about entering into will be a very successful
one and very beneficial to us all, and I have come up here to
visit you and to learn all I can in regard to your business here
in the horticultural line. I will not take up any more of your
time, but I will say that Iam very much pleased with every-
thing I have seen so far, and I am certain we shall have a good
meeting. (Applause.)
President Underwood: The next thing on the program is a
salutatory address by Mr. Harris, entitled ‘‘Old Ideas ina New
Dress.” J. S. Harris, La Crescent. (See index. )
ANNUAL MEETING, JAN. 1895. 471
Mr.S. D. Richardson, vice-president of the second congres-
sional district, Winnebago City, then read the following report:
(See index. )
This was followed by the report of R. S. Mackintosh, vice-
president of the fourth congressional district, St. Anthony
Park. (See index.)
Mrs. Jennie Stager, vice-president of the sixth congression-
al district, Sauk Rapids, then presented the following report :
(See index.)
Mr. J. O. Barrett, vice-president of the seventh congression-
al district, Brown’s Valley, made the following report: (See
index.)
Mr. Robert Buttermore, of the first congressional district,
Lake City, then read the following report on general fruits:
(See index.)
Pres. Underwood: We shall not have time to discuss this
report, as itis 12 o’clock, and the society stands adjourned
until this afternoon at 2 o’clock.
SE en Tn)
re a we He Ps
4
TUESDAY AFTERNOON.
The meeting was called to order at 2 o’clock.
Pres, Underwood: Before we begin our program for this
afternoon, there is one thing I want to speak of again. Ido
not want any one to feel as though they could not take part in
the discussions and in the exercises at this meeting because
they are not members. We want you to feel, whether members
or not, as though you had a perfect right to take part in all the
proceedings, and to speak on any subject we may have under
discussion. This is whether you are a member or not; we do
not restrict our deliberations to members only. There is only
one matter in our proceedings in which members only can take
part, and that is the election of officers, and we would be glad
to have you all become members and to help the society by
contributing the nominal sum of one dollar and receiving in ex-
change our monthly magazine and the annual report; but whe-
ther you do this or not, we want you to feel as though you
were a member while you are attending our meetings, and any
thought that occurs to you that may be of interest in the sub-
ject under consideration, any experience you may have had. or
any question you may wish to ask—I hope you will be perfectly
free todoso. The reporter desires that when any one rises to
speak he give his name that the report may be made complete,
and we will try to accommodate him in that respect. We will
et an ie ee
re
472 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
now have the pleasure of listening to a piano duet by Mrs.
Cook and Miss Gillette.
These ladies then very acceptably entertained the society
with an excellent instrumental selection.
Pres. Underwood: We will take up our program this after-
noon where we left off this morning. The last paper read be-
fore dinner was a very interesting repcrt by Mr. Robert But-
termore,of this city. I will say that Mr. Buttermore is a very
successful farmer living about five miles out of the city, and he
is also a very successful orchardist; a man who does things
very well and is quite successful. If Mr. Buttermore were
here, you might wish to ask him some questions in relation to
his paper. As none of the other members of the committee on
general fruits are present, we will next listen to the reports of
vice-presidents.
F. W. Kimball, of the first congressional district, Austin,
then read the following report: (See index. )
President Underwood: Mr. Wedge has a matter of business
to bring up at this time.
Mr. Clarence Wedge: Mr. President and fellow members: On
account of our society being in somewhat of a transition state
at this time, and reaching forward to attempt greater things, it
has seemed to some of us that we were rather outgrowing the
constitution under which we have worked for a good many
years with very slight modifications, and in order to add to the
stability of the society what seems to be necessary in order to
carry out the things we have in view, and also in order to
carry out the idea that was suggested by our friend, Mr. Kim-
ball, of the Southern Minnesota Society, we have prepared with
- considerable labor and thought a revised constitution to submit
to you at this time. As you know, our constitution requires
that in order to have it revised it is necessary to be submitted
to the society a day before it is acted upon. In accordance with
that clause in our constitution, I have this revised constitution
to submit to you.
Mr. Wedge then read the revised constitution. (See page 6).
President Underwood: This matter will be taken up at the
proper time, probably tomorrow.
Mr. Dartt: I would suggest that it be taken up rather early,
so there will be time for discussion. You know we are always
in a terrible hurry toward the end of our meetings.
Mr. Harris: Mr. Dartt will not be ina big hurry, because there
will be good things to eat the last day. (Laughter).
eek i
ANNUAL MEETING, JAN. 1895. 473
Mr. J. S. Harris, of the committee on nomenclature and cata-
logue, made the following report: (See index).
Mr. O. F. Brand, of Fairbault, presented the following report
of the committee on fruit blossoms, cross-fertilization, etc. (See
index.)
R. S. Mackintosh, of St. Anthony Park, next read a paper
on ‘‘Spraying at the State Experiment Station.” (See index. )
At this point in the program Mr. Roy Underwood delighted
the audience with a baritone solo, entitled ‘“King David.”
Pres. Underwood: The time for adjournment has come, but
before we go I want to speak of a few matters of importance.
One is in reference to memberships. All members are entitled
to receive a bound copy of the 1894 annual report in addition
to the monthly magazine which they receive during the year.
The magazine is the same thing as that which is bound at the
end of the year; the report is simply the twelve numbers of the
magazine bound in one volume. I would call your attention to
another arrangement that has been perfected. You will find on
the inside of the cover of the magazine a list of permiums which
will be given by the state experiment station to all new mem-
bers, a choice of ten premiums, and you will find the list on
the inside of the covers of the magazine, so that in addition to
the monthly magazine and the bound volume, you get your
choice of three of these premiums.
Pres. Underwood then adjourned the meeting to 7:30 o’clock
in the evening.
TUESDAY EVENING.
The exercises of the evening were opened with a vocal selec-
tion rendered by Mrs. Young, of Lake City, entitled ‘‘Happy
Days.”
President Underwood: Ladies and Gentlemen: Let me in-
troduce to you Mayor Titzell, who will now deliver the address
of welcome.
Mayor Titzell then welcomed the society in the following
words:
Mr. President, Members of the State Horticultural Society, the
Bee- Keepers’ Association and the State Forestry Association: It
becomes my pleasant duty to welcome you to our city upon this
occasion. We were happy when we read your acceptance, and
we are happier still now that you are here. We stand ready to
fulfil all the pledges and promises we have made. Lake City,
as you know, is a quiet, unassuming and unostentatious little
city, nestling among the hills by the lake. In behalf of the
474 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
common council of the city of Lake City, who have invited you _
here, and in behalf of the citizens of Lake City who have taken
so much interest in your coming, and in behalf of those mem-
bers who reside here, and in behalf of the local horticultural
society, I bid youa hearty welcome. The gates are open, the
latch strings out, and our people are at your service. Our wel-
come and our hospitalities we extend to you without any reserv-
ation whatever. Welcome is our greeting. (Applause).
Mr. E. H. S. Dartt, of Owatonna, then responded to the ad-
dress in behalf of the society as follows:
Mr. President, Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen: It affords me
great pleasure to assure you that this hearty welcome is very highly
appreciated by all the members of our society, and all the more so
because it comes from the beautiful city by the lake.
We think of Lake City as the home of one of the brightest “Jew-
ells” that ever adorned our society. His ways were truly the ways
of pleasantness, and our fondrecollections of him are wont to linger.
He is gone now, but he has left his impress on what we see before
us, fruits and flowers. Smiling faces, friendly greeting and soul in-
spiring song are the best boons on earth to mortals given, and espe-
cially to those of usin whom the rougher elements predominate.
If we can calmly face the southwest and draw in a hot breath from
the American Sahara and then turn to the northwest and face the
Minnesota blizzard without flinching, or, in other words, if we are
ridiculously obstinate and ridiculously aggressive, and if we pos-
sess a great amount of self-reliance, which is but another name for
self-conceit, then we are well qualified for the continuous pur-
suit of horticulture in Minnesota. Those of us who are thus consti-
tuted need not be surprised if we are compared to the prickly cactus
that thrives on the most barren plains or to the persistent Russian
thistle or even to the thorn in the flesh, and the worst of us may
hear something about the fellow with long ears.
Now the best way to avoid trouble with the cactus is to keep away
from it, and to subdue the thistle don’t fight it but quietly stop it
from germinating, and to avoid the thorn in the flesh keep the flesh
away from the thorn, and to quiet the long-eared fellow most effect-
ually I think of nothing better than death. The thought that we
must die to be appreciated is not very consoling, but tardy justice
is better than no justice at all, unless we happen to be in the position
of a certain criminal who, on being assured that he would get jus-
tice, replied that that was just what he was afraid of.
Whilst we feel strong in our prowessas fighters,we are humiliated
by the fact that we are powerless in the presence of one of our own
productions—just wave the olive branch, and we are at your mercy.
You Lake City people have discovered our weakness and you do not
hesitate to improve your opportunity. You have adopted the tac-
tics of a cunning woman when she would subdue one of the lords of
creation. You meet us with sweetest smiles and words full of kind-
ness, pathos and love; wereciprocate these tender emotions of yours
ANNUAL MEETING, JAN. 1895. 475
and feel a soothing, pleasurable sensation permeating our savage
breasts, which, if we mistake not, is the music of the soul vibrating
between us. We are happy, and we feel, like other lucky tramps,
that we would like to stay with you always. But we will borrowa
little of your cunning and tear ourselves away just before you get
ready to kick us out. Then, perhaps, you will say “come again.”
Yes, we had better go, and whenever there comes a lull in the bat-
tle of life we will look back to this happy time and enjoy over again
the pleasures of this occasion.
When Minnesota horticulture shall have reached its final climax,
it will not have been accomplished by any sudden transition or by
the labors of a few, but it will come through the efforts of a great
number of patient toilers who will each add a little to the general
stock of applicable knowledge. This rather slow process will con-
tinue until the victory is finally won.
Whilst we clearly see that we are making rapid strides, yet we
scorn the thought of grasping at honors in advance. So we will
faithfully work on as best we can, paving the way for the rapid pro-
gress of our successors and fully realizing the fact that
“We’re but a link in the great chain of ages,
And brighter far will be the future pages”
than these we write.
President Underwood then delivered the annualaddress. (See
page 13).
Mrs. KE. Chase, of Lake City, very pleasantly entertained the
audience with an instrumental selection on the piano,
Secretary A. W. Latham then read his annual report as fol-
lows: (See page 21).
The annual report of the treasurer, Mr. Ditus Day, of Farm-
ington, was next submitted to the society. (See page 26).
Following the reports a spice was added to the program in
. the shape of a baritone solo by Mr. Jewell, of Lake City, en-
titled ‘‘Night Time.”
Mr. O. F. Brand, of Faribault, next read a selection from
Pliny, entitled ‘‘The Home of Pliny.”
Pres. Underwood: Before our concluding number I wish to
say a word in regard to our program tomorrow. The general
subject is apples, and the remarks that Mr. Dartt will make on
horticultural frauds will be taken up at that time.
Mr. Roy Underwood then rendered a vocal solo, ‘‘ King of the
Forest,” which brought forth rounds of applause.
The meeting was then declared adjourned until 9:00 o’clock,
Wednesday morning.
476 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
WEDNESDAY MORNING.
The first number taken up was a deferred report of the com-
mittee on seedling fruits by J. S. Harris, of La Crescent. (See
index. )
Pres. Underwood: We will now listen to atopic that was
passed over last evening: ‘* Horticultural Frauds,” by Mr. E.
H. 8S. Dartt. (See index.)
On motion of Clarence Wedge, the president was authorized
to appoint a committee of three to prepare a law to prevent
fraud in the sale of nursery stock, to be referred to the execu-
tive committee for their approval and then to the legislative
committee to urge its passage.
Pres. Underwood appointed as such committee Mr. Clarence
Wedge, Mr. L. R. Moyer and Mr. A. H. Brackett.
Pres. Underwood: I will say that Mr. S. W. Ferris has been
appointed as delegate to our society from the Northeastern
Iowa Horticultural Society. He is with us now, and we have
had the pleasure of listening to him. Ifhe has any remarks to
make to the society at this time, we shall be glad to listen to
him for a few moments.
Mr. Ferris (of Iowa): Mr. President, I do not wish to occupy your
valuable time, because I think there are many others here who are
more competent to entertain and instruct you than Iam. Itisa
great pleasure to me to meet with horticulturists. I put in the best
part of my life in that line, and my only sorrow is that I have not
made a greater success of it. A year ago last fall there were some
three hundred cars of apples shipped from our county, shipped from
the part of the county I live in, mostly from three stations. There
was no crop grown that turned me in as good results as the Duchess
and Wealthy. Thereis no tree that bore so well with me as the Har-
ry Kaump. Itis comparatively a new variety, and I have always
made it a practice to go slow on everything until it is thoroughly
tested. I think it is worthy of trial in our section. The Minnesota
bore us an immense crop this year, and I think it is worth propa-
gating. With some of the Russian family I must say we have not
met with the grand success we had anticipated. Prof. Budd claim-
ed to have one hundred varieties better than the Duchess, but Ihave
not found it so. I have one acre of Duchess that has netted me $500
in the last three years,and if I had set out all Duchess trees I would
have been able to pay my debts, at least.
In our state we feel much encouraged in horticulture; we have
new things coming on of which we have great hopes. I believe in
the plan of going slow on new varieties. We still have some hopes
of Patten’s Greening and are planting some yet. I do not know as
much about it as I do of the Duchess. I have a large lot of four
year old trees to sell. Ido not believe in taking anew thing and
putting it out extensively, because in my experience in ninety-nine
f
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ANNUAL MEETING, JAN. 1895. 477
cases out of a hundred, it turns out to bea failure. While I still
have some hopes of Patten’s Greening standing by us for years to
come,I would not advise planting it extensively in a commercial or-
chard. There is no question in regard to the Hibernal and the Lieby
in regard to their hardiness; it is the quality of fruit we like. They
are comparatively free from blight and very hardy.
Mr. Wedge: We greatly appreciate the presence of our
friends from Iowa and Wisconsin, and I move that Mr. Ferris
of the Northeastern Iowa Horticultural Society, Mr. Gardner
of the Iowa Horticultural Society and Mr. Kellogg and Mr.
Philips of the Wisconsin Horticultural Society be made honor-
ary members of our society for one year.
Being put to a vote the motion prevailed.
Pres. Underwood: I have the pleasure of introducing to you
Mr. Philips. .
Mr. A. J. Philips: Ihave attended your meetings for twenty-
two years. I waselected an honorary member for five years,
and Ido not know whether my time is out or not. I live in
Wisconsin, andI get more good out of your society than I do
out of our own, andIlam gladIlam here. AsI appear on the
program later, I will say no more at this time.
The next paper on the program was read by Mr. M. Pearce,
entitled ‘‘ Nursery and Orchard Trees.” (See index.)
Mr. A. J. Philips, secretary of the Wisconsin State Horticul-
tural Society, then gave the following talk on ‘‘Seedling Ap-
ples:” (See index.)
Mr. O. F. Brand: The report I read yesterday on apple
blossoms was not acted upon. I would like to have the society
take action on it. In that report there were some recommen-
dations. They were that $150 be appropriated annually for
five years as needed, under proper restrictions, three men to
spend five days each in making observations of apple blossoms
and looking after seeds. They to make such crosses as their
judgment recommended and opportunity permitted.
On motion of Mr. Wedge the matter was referred to the ex-
ecutive committee.
Mr. Harris: The committee on obituary has just received a
notice that Prof, EK. D. Porter, dean of the Agricultural College
of Missouri, isdead. Prof. Porter is well known to all of the
members of the State Horticultural Society. Prof. Porter
came to Minnesota tifteen years ago from the East as director
of the State Agricultural College of Minnesota and was en-
gaged in this state for something like ten years. He was a
478 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
man universally esteemed by every one that knew him. He
was one of the most thorough scholars in agriculture and
horticulture we ever had in this state. He took the old state
agricultural farm, which was located near the present state
university, managed to have it turned into city lots and sold
out and received funds enough to purchase the present grand
plant, known as the present state agricultural farm, and made
improvements that are an honor to this state and would be an
honor to any state. A few years ago he removed to Missouri
and was placed in the highest position the state could give
him in the agricultural college. Prof. Porter was a member
of our horticultural society, an active member, a useful mem-
ber, always ready to encourage us in our work to do anything
in our power. At asuitable time resolutions will be drafted to
appear in our publications. His death is a loss to Missouri, it
is a loss to horticulture in the West, and it is a loss to the
world, and in recalling the many happy meetings we have had
together I feel that his work among us was a wonderful encour
agement to the State Horticultural Society.
Pres. Underwood: This is sad news that comes to us of the
death of Prof. Porter, and will be treated as it deserves by the
obituary committee.
The next number on the program was a paper on ‘‘Fruit
Trees,” by Nels Anderson, Lake City. (See index.)
The matter concerning the revised constitution and by-laws
was then taken up, and on motion of Mr. Wedge it was decided
to adopt the revised constitution and by-laws section by sec-
tion. Mr. Wedge then read the entire constitution as it had
been revised by the committee, after which it was again read
and adopted section by section, and then on motion the consti-
tution as submitted was adopted as a whole by the necessary
two-thirds majority. (See page 6.)
A resolution was then introduced providing for a change in
the articles of incorporation to conform to the new constitu-
tion, which was adopted by a two-thirds majority vote of the
society.
The society then adjourned to 8:00 in the evening.
WEDNESDAY EVENING.
The evening program was opened with an instrumental duet
on the piano by Mesdames Chase and Cook, which was greeted
with much applause by the audience.
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5
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ANNUAL MEETING, JAN. 1895. 479
The following paper was then presented:
‘‘Small Fruit from a Commercial Standpoint.” L. G.
Kellogg, President Wisconsin State Horticultural Society,
Ripon, Wisconsin. (See index.)
Pres. Underwood: You have listened to the reading of this
paper; have you any questions to ask?
Sec’y Latham: I would like to say it would be a pleasure to
us if President Kellogg would send us an outline of their plan
for a fruit growers’ association for publication in our magazine.
Mr. L. R. Moyer, of Montevideo, read the following report of
the committee on out-door herbaceous plants. (See index.)
Miss Sarah J. Buttermore, of Lake City, then read a paper
on the subject of ‘‘A Farmer’s Flower Garden.” (See index )
Mr. Jewell, of Lake City, next sang a baritone solo, which
was vigorously applauded by the audience.
“Our Wild Flowers,” by Miss Sara M. Manning, of Lake
City, was a subject that held the close attention of the audience
and was highly appreciated. (See index.)
Mrs. I. 8S. Richardson, of Lake City, favored the assembly
with a song which was beautifully rendered.
Mr. J. P. Andrews, of Faribault, submitted the report of the
committee on deciduous trees and shrubs, including roses.
(See index. )
Pres. Underwood: I think we will pass the rest of these
reports for this evening, and I will now ask you to give your
attention to the next subject on our program:
‘How to Adorn Home Grounds.” F. H. Nutter, Landscape
Architect, Minneapolis. (See index.)
THURSDAY MORNING.
Pres. Underwood: The first paper this morning is the report
of the committee on grapes.
Mr. C. W. Sampson then read the following report of the
committee on grapes. (See index. )
Then followed ‘‘Vine Growing for Profit,” by H. L. Crane,
Excelsior. (See index. )
Mr. Wm. Danforth, then presented the following report of the
committee on small fruits. (See index. )
Mrs. A. A. Kennedy then further continued the report of the
committee on small fruits. (See index.)
‘‘Berries for the Northwest,” was then read by C. E. Tobey,
Sparta, Wis. (See index.)
480 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
The next number on the program was a report on evergreens,
by Mr. E. H.S. Dartt, of Owatonna. (See index.)
President Underwood: I take pleasure in introducing Mr,
A. J. Phillips, Secretary of the Wisconsin State Horticultural
society.
Mr. A. J. Philips (Wisconsin): Mr. President, Ladies and Gentle-
men: WhenIcame here yesterday I did not occupy any time, for
the reason that I did not know just what our president had said when
he came to the meeting. Iam glad to have the chance to meet with
you here at Lake City, and it brings back to my memory the time
when I first became engaged in horticulture. Mr. Jewell, who foun-
ded this interest here, onthe way home from Chicago remained with
me two nights, and it was largely owing to the enthusiasm he had
for growing fruits in the Northwest that I engaged init. I bought
my first hundred Wealthy apple trees of him, and when he sent them
to me he also sent me a few Scotch pines, and two of them are pro-
bably as high a monument to Mr. Jewell’s memory as any that could
be reared, as they are on top of a bluff 250 feet high. That fact has
always carried me back to pleasant recollections of horticulture.
I want to say a word in regard to our Wisconsin society. This has
been one of the saddest years our state society has ever experienced.
Our president, who was our president for fifteen years, and who has
often met with you, was an unselfish man,a grand man, but early in
February we received notice that J. M. Smith was dead. Shortly
after the close of our institute in Menominee, Mr. Cook, who was to
have a paper on planting this year,one of the most enthusiastic
members of our society, was thrown from his buggy two weeks ago
and died ina few days. In thesummer, about the month of July, we
lost another good man, Mr. Peffer. His death was not only a loss to
Wisconsin, it was a loss to Minnesota, it wasaloss to our Northwest-
ern states, it was a national loss. Mr. Peffer was a man whose coun-
sels we were glad to hear and to respect. Mr. Saunders told me that
that old Dutchman knew more than any maneverread. I have often
wondered when I have heard him, and I have often wondered when
I have been at his house, who we had in Wisconsin that could take
his place. Late in the fall, in November, welost another good man;
Mr. Wilcox, of La Crosse. If there was ever an honest nurseryman
in the East or theWest,it was Mr. Wilcox; and when you pass through
Trempeleau, although you may not see any tombstone rear its
proud shaft heavenward, you may see evergreens growing which he
gave to the people, and which area grander memorial to him than
any monument we could erect.
We are going to have a meeting commencing on the 5th of Feb’y,
and we invite you all to come down. We will try to take care of you
and make it interesting for you, and in behalf of our society and of
our president, who is here, I want to thank you asa society, and to
thank the citizens of Lake City for the way we have been used since
we have been here. We want adelegate from your society, andIlam
anxious to know who heis before we go away. We want to get some
one, if we have to pay his board and take care ofhim. We want to
ANNUAL MEETING, JAN. 1895. 481
_ pump him and find out whatheknows. And now, ladies and gentle-
men, I thank you for the attention and kindness you have shown us
while herein behalf of our society.
Pres. Underwood: It certainly has afforded us a great deal
of pleasure to have had the president and secretary of the Wis-
consin society with us at this meeting, and I like their informal
way of coming in and helping us out, and I can assure the mem-
bers of our society that if any of you should have the opportu-
_ nity of going to Madison to attend their meeting, which is to
be held in the capitol building, I am sure that you will find it a
profitable occasion, and one you should all avail yourselves of
if it is in your power to do so.
Mr. Edward A. Beal, superintendent Weather Bureau, Min-
neapolis, then. presented a paper on the ‘‘Studies of Rainfall
in Minnesota in Connection with Irrigation.” (See index.
The next subject presented was, ‘‘ Possibilities of Irrigation
in Minnesota.” D. R. McGinnis, Secretary St. Paul Commercial
Club. (See index.)
The next topic was a paper read by Mr. A. H. Brackett, of
Minneapolis, on ‘‘Irrigating Small Fruits with Windmill and
Tank.” (See index.)
Pres. Underwood: Our next paper is by Mr. E. E. Walcott,
of Sparta, Wis., on his experience in ‘‘ Irrigating Small Fruits
with an Artesian Well.” (See index,)
This was followed by ‘‘Sub-Irrigation,” a paper prepared
by F. H. Nutter, Minneapolis. (See index.)
At this point Mrs. Cook, of Lake City, entertained the audi-
ence with an instrumental selection on the piano.
The next subject presented was ‘‘ Pump Irrigation in Minne-
sota.” Prof. W. M. Hays, State Experiment Station. (See
index. )
THURSDAY AFTERNOON,
J. R. Cummins, of Washburn, submitted the following re-
port of the committee on vegetables: (See index).
Wm. Lyons, Minneapolis, a member of the same committee,
then read the following report: (See index).
The next topic on the program was a paper on ‘‘Sweet Pota-
to Culture in Minnesota,” by J. R. Cummins, Washburn, (See
index).
Mr. Wm. Somerville, Viola, submitted his paper for publica-
- tion, viz. ‘‘A Farmer’s Garden:”’ (See index).
diet AS cae OS
482 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
On motion of Mr. Wedge the society then proceeded to the
annual election of officers, with the following result:
President—J. M. Underwood, Lake City.
Vice-Pres., lst Cong. Dis. E. H.S. Dartt, Owatonna.
sk 2d eZ S. D. Richardson, Winnebago City.
‘s 3d ss Mrs. A. A. Kennedy, Hutchinson.
se 4th f R.S. Mackintosh, St. Anthony Park.
se Sth as J. H. Stevens, Minneapolis.
gf 6th is Mrs. Jennie Stager, Sauk Rapids.
es 7th e J. O. Barrett, Brown’s Valley.
Treasurer—Ditus Day, Farmington.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
Wiyimnanslio’, MirneGa polas? isc. cists oes ociete slelsieterelere oie Germeeere 3 years.
qs: Hateis; Wa Cresceewts <2 se take edie atc sabres oeteaes and sim eee 3 years.
S.b.Green, St-Anthony Farber sec eins dice aeons sec ccnnis oem 2 years.
Clarence Wedec, Albectiledas oic7- teeskc means saddaaeain amor mane 2 years.
Fr-EPAndrews, Partha ly cafe isc is-c pm @ ores cos 5 idnee siearee Peewee 1 year.
ew ecal one uber ahkenats lon Seannota vane adaceursoc Glntdddouseoccst. ¢ 1 year.
Judge Moyer being called on for a few remarks anent his
election as a member of the executive committee responded as
follows:
Mr. President and Members of the Society: I am glad the
western part of the state is represented on the executive com-
mittee, but I have too many duties to perform to make my
services very valuable; however, I willdoe what Ican. (Ap-
plause).
The next paper was read by Mr. Geo. Stout, of Lake City, on
the subject of ‘“‘A Few Thoughts and Ideas on: Gardening.”
(See index).
Pres. Underwood: This finishes our program for this after-
noon. The subject for this evening’s meeting is ‘‘Forestry.”
We will now adjourn until half past seven this evening.
THURSDAY EVENING.
Pres. Underwood: There is one subject I was requested to
call up that was omitted this afternoon. Mr. A. D. Leach of
Lake Minnetonka will talk to us on the subject of ‘‘Cranberry
Culture.” (See index).
At this juncture Mr. W. F. Gardner, of Lake City, enlivened
the occasion with a finely rendered cornet solo.
Pres. Underwood: We will now take up the subject of
forestry. The first topic on the program which we will pre-
sent is a paper on ‘‘Forestry and Evergreens,” by Wm. Somer-
ville.
ANNUAL MEETING, JAN. 1895. 483
Mr. Somerville: This is a subject I would like to talk on
awhile, but I do not feel as if Icould stand up to make any long
talk. I have a paper on that subject which I have handed to
the secretary, Mr. Latham; that will tell about the story I
would tell if I were to talk to you on the subject this evening.
(See index).
‘Forest Fires,” by H. B. Ayres, was next presented.
‘“‘Working Plans of Forestry,” was then read by O. F.. Brand,
Faribault.
(I failed to secure these two papers for publication.—Sec’y.)
Mr. Jewell next entertained the audience with a vocal solo.
J. O. Barrett, Brown’s Valley, secretary of the Forestry As-
sociation, then submitted his annual report. (See index. )
Secretary A. J. Philips then talked for half an hour ina very
entertaining way about Mount Vernon, the home of Washington.
Pres. Underwood: As the hour is getting late, we will not
continue our program any longer. I want to say on the subject
of forestry in schools that lam certain that I can remember
some lessons I received in regard to the condition and growth
of birches at least, and I supposed it had been kept up and was
one of the features of education. But what I want to say is,
that among other interesting things in schools is music, and
we all would like to know something about music. Prof. Pen-
dergast is quite as well posted in musical matters as he is inre
gard to education of the young, and I want him to tell you how
Rubenstein played the piano, before we go home.
Prof. Pendergast then evoked the mirth and applause of the
audience by rendering the selection, ‘How Ruby Played.”
FRiDAY MORNING.
The secretary presented the following recommendation from
the committee on life membership:
‘The committee on life membership recommends the name
of Edson Gaylord, of Nora Springs, Iowa, as an honorary life
member of this society, on account of his life-long service for
the Northwest in the cause of horticulture.”
On motion of Mr. Wedge the recommendation of the commit-
tee was adopted.
At this point E. H. S. Dartt was called to take the chair.
Secretary Latham introduced the following resolution:
‘‘Resolved, That the executive committee be instructed to
secure the passage of a special act of the legislature incor-
= Sieg St Peo ay a 4 > Rises | mh Cat ae has PEt ae ee aS
3 < ;
re
Ay
484 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
porating the society according to the provisions of the present —
constitution.”
On motion of Mr. I’. G. Gould the resolution was adopted.
Chairman Dartt: We will now have the report of the com-
mittee on fruit list.
Mr. Wedge: Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: Your
committee on fruit list have prepared a report. Perhaps it
would be well for me to explain a matter or two in regard to
this report. In the first place the committee decided to recom-
mend nothing that has not been tested enough to recommend
it for general planting or for trial, and to recommend nothing
that was not procurable in the nurseries of our own state. This
is something of a departure from the usual custom.
Following is the fruit list recommended by the committe,
which, after being amended and thoroughly discussed by the
society, was, on motion of Mr. A. H. Brackett, adopted: (See
page 10).
Chairman Dartt introduced to the society Mr. George J. Kel-
logg, of Wisconsin, who made a few remarks as follows:
Mr. Kellogg: Mr. President, I presume some of you have
seen me before. I am sorry I could not have been here
in the first part of the convention, although you may think
this afternoon will be the best part. Iam pleased to meet with
you, and pleased to learn what I can.
Wyman Elliot, chairman of the executive committee, then
submitted the following report of the executive committee to
the society: (See index).
Prof. Harry Snyder, of the State Experiment Station, read a
paper on the following subject:
‘Domestic and Commercial Fertilizers, their Comparative
Value to Horticulture.” (See index).
Prof. Pendergast: Mr. President, I would like to introduce
the following resolution, from the fact that it is demanded, be-
cause the appropriation that we get from the state has to be
used for a certain purpose. We have found it of great value,
but we could make it of still greater value if it were used
where it would do the most good:
‘“‘Resolved, That the executive committee be instructed to se-
cure, if possible, the passage of an act turning over to this so-
ciety as a printing and library fund such a sum as has hereto-
fore been provided for printing our annual report.” This would
give the society the privilege of using the money where it would
do the most good.
Bat.
ANNUAL MEETING, JAN., 1895. 485
On motion the resolution was adopted.
Following is the report of committee on president’s address:
Your committee favors all the recommendations ofthe President’s
address.
Until the finances of the state at large have improved, it is not
thought best to set aside more than $50 a year toward buildinga
Horticultural Hall, or “home” for the society.
LYCURGUS R. MOYER,
Wm. DANFORTH,
R. S. MACKINTOSH,
Committee.
Mr. Wyman Elliot: I have a resolutiou I wish to offer:
‘Resolved, That it is the sense of this society that, when
possible, a lecturer on horticulture shall be a member of the
institute corps at all institutes held in this state.” (For discus-
sion relating to Farmers’ Institutes, see index).
On motion of Mr. M. Pearce the resolution was adopted.
Mr. Wm. Somerville then offered the following resolution:
‘Resolved, That it is the wish of the State Horticultural So-
ciety that the present legislature look with special favor upon
an appropriation that may be asked for the purpose of making
more efficient the school of agriculture in the state of Minne-
sota.”
On motion of Mr. C. Wedge the resolution was adopted.
Mr. J. S. Harris, chairman of the committee on legislation,
presented the following report: (See index).
On motion of Mr. Brackett the report was referred to the ex-
ecutive committee.
This closed the session of Friday morning, and the society
adjourned to the Masonic hall to attend the banquet.
THE BANQUET.
On Friday afternoon, the last day of the session, the ladies
of Lake City tendered the members of the society a banquet.
While without the storm was raging, with the temperature 20°
below zero, within the banquet hall was warmth and comfort,
with beautiful flowers to tempt the eye, the sweet strains from
the orchestra entrancing the ear, and the tables heaped with
choice viands to tickle the palate of the most fastidious epicure.
Covers were laid for one hundred and fifty guests, and the seats
were all taken. After doing ample justice to the bountiful col-
lation provided, President Underwood took his place as toast-
master and announced the following toasts, to which various
members of the horticultural society and citizens of Lake City
responded.
486 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
(1). ‘‘Fraternal relations stimulate our interests, and are a
guaranty of success.”
This toast was responded to by Secretary A. W. Latham.
(2). ‘‘Forestry lends its sheltering arms and makes horticul-
ture more successful.” Hon. J. O. Barrett, Brown’s Valley.
(3). ‘‘Education in horticulture.” Prof. S. B. Green, St.
Anthony Park. ;
Song—‘‘Swim Out O’Grady.” <A. G. Long, Excelsior.
(4). ‘‘Our reports taken in homeopathic doses once a month
regulate the system and create a healthy circulation.” Hon.
Wyman Elliot, Minneapolis.
(5). ‘The true horticulturist.” Rev. E. B. Chase, Lake City.
(6). ‘‘Fools for luck.” EH. H. S. Dartt, Owatonna.
(7). Vocal solo—‘‘The Songs the Children Sing.” Mrs. I. S.
Richardson, Lake City.
(8). ‘The agricultural press.and its relation to horticulture.”
Mr. P. V. Collins, Minneapolis. ;
(9). ‘‘Is woman as well adapted to agriculture as horticul-
ture?” Mrs. A. A. Kennedy, Hutchinson.
(10). ‘‘The relation of the dairy to horticulture. Nothing
is so good company for fruit as cream.” Prof. O. C. Gregg,
Minneapolis.
(11). ‘‘Pioneers in horticulture, acclimated and hardy, they
are affected neither by the drouth of summer nor the cold of
winter, but grandly typify the success we are to attain in horti-
culture.” J. S. Harris, La Crescent. Mr. Harris intro-
duced as a substitute to respond to this toast Mrs. Jennie
Stager, of Sauk Rapids, who recited the poem entitled ‘Johnny
Appleseed.”
(12). ‘Relation of horticulture to social life.” Rev. John
Watson, Lake City.
(18). ‘“‘Badgers and gophers fraternize. Pres. Geo. J.
Kellogg, Janesville, Wis.
(14). ‘‘As the twig is bent the tree’sinclined.” Prof. W. W.
Pendergast, Hutchinson.
(15). ‘Our guest.” Hon. R. H. Moore, Lake City.
(16). ‘Our hosts.” Dr. M. M. Frisselle, Excelsior.
After the close of the banquet, and before final adjournment,
the following business was transacted:
Mr. J. O. Barrett, chairman of the committee on final resolu-
tion submitted the following report:
7 ee a A ee OS et Pee ele ee oe ee eon ae tc ade Boe
zs. + ’ .- 3 ;
ANNUAL MEETING, JAN., 1895. 487
FINAL RESOLUTIONS.
WHEREAS, It has already gone into the history of Minnesota, that
the State Horticultural Society with the State Forestry Association
in joint session, held its series of instructive meetings on the 8th to
the 11th, inclusive, of January, 1895, in Lake City, that is so beauti-
fully environed by the river lake and the forest studded bluffs, made
doubly charming for its rural ornamentation, a city justly credited
for its superior educational facilities and for a nobility of social
character not excelled in the West; therefore,
Resolved, That we hereby tender our sincere thanks to the gener-
ous citizens of Lake City, who have so kindly and pleasantly enter-
tained us in their genial homes, and that we largely owe the success
_ of this annual meeting to the competent manner our president and
his city helpers have provided for our needs and enjoyment with
them during of the best session we have ever held in the state.
ae Resolved, That the question, who shall take our places when our
4 hands can no longer plant, is amply answered in the State Agricul-
Sf, * tural School at St. Anthony Park, assured as we are that when the
ei veterans have gone to the fruit lands of heaven, the students there
3 educated will be qualified to profit even by our mistakes, and will
advance the cause we have loved so well to higher and grander
be results.
e Resolved, That the matter of irrigation, as outlined at the sessions
f of our society, deserves the special attention of our legislature to
3 - advance its special interests.
Resolved, That the hour has come when our legislature must pro-
Bie 2 - vide ways and means by which forest fires shall be prevented, that
woodland property and life shall be more secure in the state, and
that such timely provision is the best possible safeguard to our hor-
ticultural successes.
Resolved, That we recommend the establishment of village im-
provement societies, as organized by Prof. B. G. Northrop of Con-
necticut, and that too in every part of our state, so that our towns
and cities may be made more beautiful and more healthful for such
ornamentation, and more conducive to refinement of character and
patriotic love of country.
On motion of Mr. Dartt the resolutions were adopted by a
rising vote.
Pres. Underwood: I wishI could express to you the pleas-
ure I have felt in having you all here at this time. I want to
express my gratitude to the friends of Lake City who have so
nobly and ably seconded ever effort on my part to bring about
this meeting, and to them in a great measure is dueits success.
I assure you nothing in my experience in all my life has ever
touched me-so much, where I have been taught to feel what it
is to have friends, as the occasion of this meeting of the horti-
cultural society, and I shall always feel as though I should lack
7
Se PTFE SO Weg rt Oe ON, TEN, ee NY
We a a Pe
DON ey ee
488 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
words to express my gratitude for that friendship. I wish I
might tell each one of them how much I value their friendly
advice and assistance.
And now, as I do not think there is anything else to come
before the society, we will bring our meeting to a close by
singing you a song entitled ‘‘Uncle Joe.”
Pres. Underwood sang this song in his hearty way, and the
annual meeting was then declared adjourned.
AWARD OF PREMIUMS.
At the Winter Meeting of 1895 of the Minnesota State Horticultural
Society.
APPLES.
Articles. Exhibitor. Premium. Amount.
CWOWeC Onis si aescse aloes te acciat snore « je Seo Harris. acseece eects Bitstiics ccc ebeweree $5.00
SECC Seite snuck wacine Hive kde awe ciemaiae hi ... Second 2.00
UVC a LEI ci icwcats caine clelcla seedeuptesreeaes ay Sad Sigot Sos wR Wee ESE bo cigs cere aay 1.00
\WiGilloye Keyahaeen Sdn See Saree eAPOr Er oe FRO Corny ab hg eR Poa <ja start OD
j2irbyeay oot OF is (al MARE nena ene Sere Aer eR PN eae Rais DOLE Sty 2os tes teasitoes 1.00
GU ih as AAA ee OSA CCT SCR PEP OPE SEY + Wiel «Geel ab 1a « eset ener eae te RITSEE Saces seee 1.00
Seedhita Prac so aceaiwstancsb.c dee cus venen IBS Tayloreegencosasteeeen Rarst2 ist aa cee 3.00
Meaders Winters: .: 0 ncecte<cc dare oes WS ty eoe ee eee Be As eo T Sites ois. 2s Spee 5 a
1 ovaries oie! V6 Daa saan os or orate ere Clarence’ Wedgel.. c2.<.20 Pirsts7 sicc hectare 1.00
HII DEENA. ck cscs cts areas) ceeecseestae OTD PE at BUTSt 5056 sce os 2 ieee 1.00
AEE DD Ytceinse cicelaaisieseeitie ay cieow ace hee chara’ SE MAS eS eg ote ee. RATS E. ts sactemaaeteee 1.00
Wrealtiny-es os caccwcos coclewes sera Piagatha SE Sd ra catoae Second 50
PAT LONOV Kat. acdc ccc sen eco nee es Se End paces oewee Pirst.02. seh eee 1.00
BI Sing Beaty.cocexs cece aace Soeiien sos rsa ESS Seine tees Past ota See eees ae
OTAGHDELS : eis ace awse et Se ale cesesa's os eset te Bec ee esn IMESt i oise eect 1.00
Mardenv Blush cess cwswcls cise taleec es OO WY, Cheaaee cate Birsts. oote25 eo eooeee 1.00
COMleCHON a ececsic nike one datelonsseecte ‘ .. Second 3.00
2 Ta ita Ee eae Mirae boDecetceoen Ditus (Daye. scteewsaracr sere Second 50
PAA Ss trae vale Botavicie eye ua vice ace cteakee ss 2 Soo ES ti: ache eee cena 1.00
MeadersswWwinter< co.cc cca aeacece - oSigcina.binebiees sees DCCOMG. se. oem aces 50
GAT Aisa neas ceteris sadeesecnsemen ore s Seloefaste Sel tapiowae Gel ET Mian ash ect aes 1.00
@Ghases Winter. caconcscecssuaceeas st de Rig A OO eR erie Pursts.thf sauces 1.00
Mina ta OSO tats cceaies io cin noua comes Ls vista sacra stasiele a ES beds hele eons 1.00
JNO. P. ANDREWS, Committee.
GRAPES.
COleetiOnten ae cere neat oes Hi eCtatie so igite sees sos DO LSb eee berimecenee 5.00
MOVAW ALEC Tne mesa o colns Rtine woes eee JERI OPN etboperieete IT St ie wena ys optenes ee
PITCHESS) <t.cfitvesicdss ass cetece canoe LES Rie Its Mrs ay ele ge SeCONG 7, se esnee 50
BTISH COM. ees oni sees sc ahas se eltesaine ALD We Wee ome ctcatons PALSE Lo. 5 ces bles enon ene
POSES INO} Asc aclans ee sace sosemaes we Se TSE inc TST. Sone se caclo Gees 1.00
Bin Mey es cet se owia te seicaria te ne deeeas SELLS hn Coe ee ee ee ISLES i oi. 8 Steet 1 00
VURTCLA TE Cetra ae dd Ferree eeee sO ate Sra cn Batak wacker irs tctas acsencee ee 1.00
1 Rta fel fd bh a Veg 20) 0 Men ne Seaver: Sor era SSD Sele ghia Bbatcrale ah ciatbetrate SeECOnd: 7.5 cece -50
WOM A aoa k or eeces sities eslapisivactaribeevteciee Sheri Oy Nien as Seer eret cis db got eRe Srrincen 1.00
ASONECOLG. es cena eee oo TES pe Neth te ae peel oes IPLESEA aos ea dae 1.00
WA PAWOItS. csicun soy ste cctecccl siecle td cen © URMEMitI Ss = vie ede ECON Gear atear : 50
A. H. BRACKETT, Committee.
= AWARD OF PREMIUMS, 489
‘ 7 FLOWERS.
Articles. Exhibitor. Premium. Amount.
E Collection of Ornamental and
- Flowering Plants.. ei .. Jewell Nursery Co......... BEStist. sceceots fone 5.00
Tingle Geranium... Me rnin «ois ont eee Rien haere EN d=) SR eR Se 1.00
° Mable Bouquet... .ccs-ccasveccceess Coe tse eee cote Second: so.o.s see cer LL s00
; Collection Cut Garmatans a APS Hers |S Ne ot Sa eae PVLES Ear afeee os 2.00
Beemboral DESig nn... cas sensles cave cceeee AR er tee oN inst tassercsct tee 5.00
2 - Basket of Flowers, BEANS PeOES oak en eat eae Second. oecc.o0 tne 1.00
ee Collection of Roses... Bea Re ae OY ae es Set ae ees Second. ...... 1.00
Tx Collection of Roses.. Pabst eo NAD CL: cote oat voceeacaet First. aoe ete hOO
Beebable Bouquet. ... 25. .2.c2 scent cee AF Ra Westtin easee sueon nea DEES a de Cen aie os ee
ee ket of Flowers... Bictryac Seis 2: ga seo sinwineies ITS Lae, coieteesien ses OU
a Single Begonia.. Pee Se ewell Nusesery: Co da dateetine IPStotis. geaiaem ees 1.00
Collection of Gatnations: ies iietealets By GrGoul dia. censccesstenase SECON ches nace: 1.00
*s MATTIE S. CHASE,
r: MARY E. PATTON,
a JENNIE STAGER,
er Committee.
“as VEGETABLES.
BPIEOET OY Ss Foss tees ee Nils Anderson............. SCCOMNGn2 tacat eens 3.00
) ASIDES BUSS iene ae eee Wm. H. Longsdorf........ Birsbeeasas: eee s es 1.00
SemMarly Potatoes,.......-:-5 151205 «2. H. BP. BUSS€G.....secccscse es Birst sateen es 1.00
Bemeate POtAtOeS.. 6... .. cess ccc tens o's pe Pecans scree LES be ee hs eee nee le OO
PEO TONS) seo atciiled sods does croced outs “ Ee Rant oe DIESE er Ghee eee OU
MTSE TINS 2. S.6 an cise age temic nies, e eines Be: Ci eam ae Sere Seconds ic. os bce .50
“ WEEBEMTINGIS 0. v5 ies 5 <jeinice cate a eclnaisea oe SER TA so coor Pec eR at IRifSE kc eetnee esse 1.00
Se | Ci 0) 1 Reece aces Cart COPE Ae ihe i Saislein'eh atts he pC COL ascinernca nate .50
ES LOTR, onion 5's c00's'0 0j~ cinia cls «ood eie's s+ vison hcg th ri ste slides sare saree SECON en scce vere.) SOU
BCD DALES ooo co liatees sores cee occ cees OP aos pacaceannces BICSt Pree eneceaasietoy ele 00
MELEE OLS eng Fos oo oe ce son as Sola c dene ake Gininains. ae: SMB IrStpasen. tose 1.00
bars i Ad espace ea fh, ae Second....... weaeae OU
oe TLE WE SEE Fa Te RR ee cere Se US aS gn ae Ee Secondins.ccs sae .50
ae » Sweet Potatoes..................... . Sa os een ino Haan Burst s.esizsecetcose 1.00
zh M, M. FRISSELLE, Committee.
a HONEY.
BORSEIDT YG secstce vee rot oaceie coe Secale as Chen matitinn.ocscesnccs First - 5.00
; IUPAC TOC «da cox tole doie sinters wade eats a le TNR Gat oe a First 3.00
“ny (Gra) Ree See NO RAAIERE AS coIBeBE Johremtrrrbilisc. case sac. Second..... mOeyoee 3.00
. WM. DANFORTH, Committee.
PANTRY STORES.
WOMeCTION: (so iibeties sss ala os Se ae DNIL SCAT GELESOIM ts tac vem eres PUES LE aselnes see eerste 6 2.00
' JENNIE STAGER, Committee.
ie
Bx.
a
BS
{
490 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
RECORD OF EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETINGS FOR 1895.
Meeting held at the residence of J. M. Underwood, Lake
City, 7 p. m., Jan. 7.
Messrs. Harris, Andrews, Underwood, Wedge, Day and
Latham were in attendance. In the absence of the chairman,
Mr. Wyman Elliot, Mr. Underwood was elected chairman pro
tem.
The following bills were audited:
R. C. Keel, expenses as delegate to Wisconsin.......... $12.40
A. Terry, ss a mS ‘* South Dakota...... 12.00
E. A. Cuzner, salary as assistant librarian for 1894...... 10.00
J. M. Underwood being called away, J. S. Harris was elected
chairman pro tem.
The secretary’s accounts for the year were examined and
found correct, and his bill for the expenses of the secretary’s
office, etc., audited and allowed, namely,
PVN 3 PACU AID ce pense joey = tte « SLSR, nts eR eee ee $231.25
The books of the treasurer, Ditus Day, were examined and
found correct for 1894, and it it so recorded therein.
Adjourned sine die,
A. W. LATHAM, Sec.
Meeting held at the Masonic Hall, Lake City, at 5 p. m.,
Jan. 11.
All the members of the board were in attendance. It being
the first meeting of the board following the annual election,
Mr. Wyman Elliot was elected chairman of the board for the
ensuing year.
The following bills were audited and allowed:
Mrs. Jennie Stager, expenses as vice-president, ........ $ 5.40
L. E. Day, ge ead Seth aes ogee 2.22
R.S. Mackintosh, ie ees SEN et ate 2.30
Wm. Somerville, expenses as delegate to Iowa........ 16.50
Ditus Day, re ‘* treasurer for 1894........ 7.09
Clarence Wedge, expenses as delegate to Northern lowa,
and executive Committee... <0). os esses see cen 19.90
J. S. Harris, expenses on executive committee.......... 3.15
J. P. Andrews, ‘ re BS ies iat Sai eee io Ose
_
lS a teeell e |
ea
at Se
i
l= Pe Ce
a7 I =
eats oh od es Be ete i
mrt ot pee
<es
.-.
EXECUTIVE BOARD. 491
A. W. Latham was elected secretary for 1895, at a salary of
$600.00. E. A. Cuzner was elected assistant librarian.
It was decided to discontinue the experiment station at St.
Cloud, Mr. D. E. Myers having removed from there. Messrs.
Elliot, Green and Latham were appointed a committee to revise
the list of experiment stations and also to prepare the list of
annual committees for the year.
The treasurer’s bond for 1895 was fixed at $1,000.
A committee appointed by the society on the nursery fraud
law reported, and the report was referred to President Under-
wood for endorsement and transfer to the legislative committee
for action. The committee on legislation was authorized to
proceed to secure the enactmentof any legislation they deemed
necessary to the interests of the society.
Adjourned sine die,
A. W. LATHAM, Sec.
Meeting held at secretary’s office, Minneapolis, at 2 p. m.,
June 19.
All the members were in attendance with the exception of
Clarence Wedge.
Upon motion it was decided that the secretary should enter
- into an arrangement with Minnesota nurserymen to allow them
a discount of fifty per cent. on annual memberships offered by
them as premiums in connection with the sale of nursery stock.
The accounts of the secretary’s office from Jan. 11, 1895 to
June 19, 1895, were examined and found correct, and his bill
covering that period, amounting to $383.17, was ordered paid.
The secretary was instructed to procure some glazed doors
for the library shelves and purchase a typewriter for use in
his office. It was decided to pay the express and storage
charges on fruit to be sent to Minneapolis and stored there for
purposes of anexhibit at the coming winter meeting.
Upon motion it was provided that hereafter the superinten-
dents of unpaid experiment stations should have their travel-
ing expenses paid in connection with their attendance at the
annual winter meeting, provided they make at that time a
detailed reportof the condition of whatever horticultural stock
may be growing upon their respective places. Wm. Somer-
ville was appointed superintendent of an experiment station to
be located at the place of his residence, Viola.
Adjourned to the afternoon of June 20, 1895.
A. W. LATHAM, Sec.
PR a Pe eee re PR NE ree eRe ne ee ee ee eee ee he ee eg
sw Dm ak. = 4 Ps 2 , : e c /
492 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Meeting held at the state experiment station, St. Anthony
Park, at 4:30 p. m., June 20.°
All the members were in attendance except Prof. S. B. Green
and Clarence Wedge.
Mr. Ditus Day tendered his resignation as treasurer, which
was accepted. Mr. F.G. Gould, of Excelsior, was appointed
to fill the vacancy until the next annual election. His bond was
fixed at $],000.
Adjourned to meet upon call of the chairman during the
state fair, 1895.
A. W. LATHAM, Sec.
Meeting held at the agricultural building, Minnesota State
Fair, Sept. 11, at 2 p. m.
All the members were present except J. M. Underwood.
The following bills were audited and allowed:
Ditus Day, expenses and salary as treasurer.......... $16.50
Clarence Wedge, expenses as member of ex. board and
on trip through the orchards of the state............. 22.44
J.S. Harris, expenses as member of ex. board.......... 10.60
L. R. Moyer, ie s se Sie en PR ee eee 12.03
I. Andrews o es RI Se ae hee ee eee 5.00
The chairman of the committee, Wyman Elliot, was author-
ized to audit the account of Prof. Green for expenses on a trip
through the orchards of the state when presented.
The question of the place of holding the next annual meet-
ing of the society was considered, and a committee consisting
of Pres. J. M. Underwood, Chairman Wyman Elliot and Sec.
A. W. Latham was appointed to decide the question and, also,
to prepare the usual program for the meeting.
Adjourned sine die,
A. W. LATHAM, Sec.
iho ig in le a ea ae
LIST OF MEMBERS. 493
LIST OF MEMBERS, 1895.
Annual Members.
... Farmington | Corbett, Prof. Bi ie ns la bod wage Brookings, 8. D
.-- Faribault | Clow, H. § Seiiete, look aa ae ee Dakota
. ..Lake City | Cash, W. H. Fite ae . New Lisbon, Wis.
Pea Hert bod | Orandatl: oJ. .....:..c..c.csccneabraniee Deerfield
ee ate ae Carlton | Cook, Dewain.. eee ee .Windom
Se Hig Crean eee e eiss wae's Harrison OUtiS EHD acsk cen cou ewn a ..++. Howard Lake
| OE Ct od a ea Saratoga |KOGMEG IS. f ccck dence cues «Meclealeciee cocemeemen Waseca
..731 4th ave. N., Minneapolis
lencoe
ee ee ei ee ee
Richfield Center
hE Pere bn Winnipeg, Man.
es Biymogt ave., Mpls.
ieheie 3 Lake City
Past Ware nvitsie elven sp bes ae “Alexandria
WO ata eters eeidiea manne so viele St. Charles
Reesuadeuradeleceeces a brandon; Man,
MEDS Sect te en ewan eeies Long Lake
BeOS chides Cas niecs sida hucseae's 5 “Dover
..Browns Valley
Lake City
Bele oele rai Attila gis bia e0-a.as . Red Wing
EIEN IY, So ia, ois sclera. a3 <0 .. Winnebago City
as oberg. PEO OM te cot iwce's. . Waconia
Blackwall, tea J. OW eous) Fort Totten, N. D.
meroman, AUS... ......2.3.00-- EAS Atwater
oo. atl ka DES a en oa Madelia
.. Station ‘‘ A,” Minneapolis
Blea tahi a dteyic o wieclaimetaye, ve loie wep tae oe St. Peter
Geen ikea cc Cae hati cee ae River
Die Gras) ca ditatassmtssieice8 .Caledonia
: “Alexandria
A Ag la 1121 4th st. 8. E.,Minneapolis
Mniwell, Mrs. Annie................ Hutchinson
IB AUR vee ee Mea ae Ortonville
..2626 Polk st.. Minneapolis
Sete ee eee ee ew ee
-.113 Endicott Arcade, St. Paul
STO Lo ae ae Lac oot = arle
pitniwale diya cites a calc c/a atest os: port
Dede ciekabeR mec Goaleville “Utah
TR > Pre nies As ee mpire
Bu ; Mankato
-Bonwell, Arthur.. lue Earth City
MASE NE A oo cus ooo. os osolstela vei tees sv cvcaes Adrian
_ Baston, J. J. -8t. Louis Park
(25 LIOR Se ore eee ees St. Charles
Brewster, Pr .St. Anthony Park
MSIE TING So ce ac cic ca SeaweencSsaet odes awson
zB uce, Mrs. M. e
Pe Bedford. 8. 8.. 2
= Dimaacist, a Pee
; Buckingham, RWraske senate
MME MN HGH ois o's 6 vi sa pera hee vaceidsrssw cand
BRUTUINS SEY 5s sis'n'n(anis'e' so o's 527 Carroll st.,
Bost, A. A
ot Anthony Park
.. Brandon, Man.
Spencer Brook
. Park en N.D.
Delavan
St. Paul
Rimmel shia a ofe'e Ste Marcie frie ney wads Excelsior
eee vie diet Unione cates Brownsville
Bre cile Glia. a teicraineetie hee diate Excelsior
Rechasats Siciuis OW viegstae, are cies wok Graceville
Mes tele aia BOE ciceuh alulave Seal scialoste ola Richfield
bes on .Farmersburg, La.
- (Box 58), Pelican Rapids
er Concord
.. Lake City
eB non Baber
- Orane, H. a ee Ia Ee Excelsior
Olark, Chas. B....... 505 15th ave. N., Minneapolis
-Oummins, OSpurnv ss asses n see ese Washbura
Mie heii ca suite cele soeetsd osc) sat Lake City
SAGE ORR AE Pe Ouyahoga ns e:
SO eee eee twee eee oe
Cuzner, E. A..
‘Cuzner, Mrs, E. A. Essex and 27th ave. . T Mpls.
Covell. M. F..518 Humboldt ave. N,, Minneapolis
Chandler, E. M. ..28 Wash. ave. N., Minneapolis
Oary.e Mrs; Amne tA cies. Jecsan tae Mandan,
Colburn, N. I., 3022 TORE ELON: ave., Minneapolis
Carlson, E. W.......-...-- .St. Cloud
(Ofoy inl Bil OO: US Me ery ah, isi ‘EB. 5th st. Duluth
Code, Wm.. AAS ..Park River, N. D.
Crooker, Mrs. E. B.. date dusbtto avin anes ee Seaton ee Eureka
Caulter, Jos.. So ae: ..-Park River. N. D.
Catterton, 7 gd (ye Ns ho Piedmont, S. D,
Oa ACA Phere raed a sk en ee ae Excelsior
Obambers, WALLIS. oc .:0. ation soacjomobtenesis cece one Pratt
Ontekmore, ROD: sc..2. 4. esha ee ee meltonls Owatonna
OOS Vs LOIS 25 wiv cies 3 a cleslere metalauleanaslons Hastings
Colgrove, J iclis eta Cel wath erie cecth COLOR Wiebe
Ofaip pr He VAN ee sc egeacaneteten sae ce aoe te Rochester
Ousbing; Als oseaes ove coe nok wuideiecas\s cue nae Byron
WASSY GeO ence yoni tents hale sic dine .Portland
Wedon Wisse cots nesses bok cect s "Taylors Falls
DAMLOGbA, WOM's Soise oscars sos caceatsjocs seis WOO. WANES
Decker, Te AA Ae ge Re ea eae Dresbach
Wien Mins Peed saves. sacieescineiees fa ay Dresbach
Day, L. E... RF Seen ceiSsidnell wore ar neo
Doughty, Ba ot FAR SEU NAD Sy Saga Pare Lake City
Dou bity ie Hes eas nade neeseaes weectray Lake City
Day, WUIGIES Deca ce artes cence eee oes eee Farmington
DG WSO OW) Essie cet eres castle rupee sae ean coe Slayton
Doudna. 8 ee Ieee -Alexandria
Dampier, Wm........ "20 W. 3d st., St. Paul
Dike es Vl. WP. ose ares sacar oc oeaine openca Hancock
Donaldson, R. Dee .Grand Meadow
Dawson, Chas. .... ..400 Sibley st., St. Paul
Dawe PMIChael rs tess. Pah one decom New Canada
DeCon, Franklin.......... .E. 7th st.. St. Paul
Dickerson; Ws disscs seston creves ...Medford, Nap
Doolittle, C. J.. .. Evansville, Wis.
Derby, E. D.... .. Winnebago City
DAclksort Giooksaes soeose nace splemeaweneirns Litchfield
Ellergodt, Ht -..e..-. Lanesboro
Eklof, John.. ab ote capeeteicls’s Cokato
Ensberg, Sic . . Toronto, 8. D.
_Cambridge
Engberg, Rev. ate -
Flatin.G. F . ‘Spring Grove
Fuller. G.W.. ... Lake City
Mvisselle, Des M, M.o:o.c.<s< naeciecanceces Eureka
Frederickson, Lars............. .New Ulm
Hramicland.sUWOSis «2 sessnerned ses Stonewall, Man.
Fleming, aks iets Salsa erataaca ater aerwere Garden City ~
Harbeusdy cee ei enccee tos doce aber Madelia
Frenn, P. yt Berets, cates Wate steers eC Vi ELIE
Francis. Mrs. Alfred.............+.-s.0e St. Clou
EVE NAVE, coe duatclne vies caiceseeciieenle stacw ernie Genoa
WT ADET AAU. 2 ab, cweuee Sas pomtentaes Edinburg, N. D.
Meontsnis, Wee. s asi settee deeccitusw ens Parkers Lake
Fairchild, H. Bars Ba. ps pabe WOES, St. Paul
French, W.S.. Slayton
Gerrish, Allen.. We stars vata cere _.St. Charles
Gould, Cleese tisk Sone ack cee cee oe Lake cay
Gireess| PLOTS), Bi. ss ciadeiews.esiicles att Sac wntts Par
Gamplg. WGhwateseosoneecee ot oe ......ROowland
Gabion, J. a SSE eae te ac A RMCIG a aat Seopsiae tee ote Brainerd
COA bys Le, Or tans senteeicestonaceeeens -Robbineta
Gwinn, J io A Sree . Byron
Gmeiner, Rev.- John,
House of ‘the Good Shepherd, St. Paul
GerGseHs ELONTY cade dese ve ceintssleuace emus Victoria
Gustafsen, Chas. ... ......,.......... Little Falls
GOOdMAN, OW cok. cecnjesiepeanaiinn cineca Faribault
GHASOG GIN EAA cece wee mew. vc busca rants Spring Grove
GBYBON IN Pe cucbiee’s valecick sais’cocinaetiemoees Hastings
CGGSNIOG es OU: ven ea cacen oe ae vane aie Chatfield
Ss Seaicat Nioeti a ih i ad
oe , , ‘ga ~ aa So
494
Giles, G. W.. Jou tecc canes -Zumbrota
Goff, Prof. E.8...... ".Madison, Wis.
Gregg. ORO Ferien Sing 1435 6th st. 8. “E., Minneapolis
Goss, 1 Ci OS are ee ee, oe ee Mountain Lake
Haseltine, E. W.. ..Grand Forks, N. D.
12 IY 6 IN Or ae En ie ate eal ses Albert Lea
Hamlin, MIONZOT SS, pest carat eee -Bpritg Valley
Hitchcock, LRM (ae ay Se epee ae eaver
Hughes. RR aa! Nie SEP Ca ‘Lake City
PAW ALCS A oo. lee aoe ek ade Son sce Hammond
Onn AT PORNS cs tsnes sneer ieties Lake City
Hays, Brot Wissses creer e St. Anthony Park
Hartmann, A. M....201 6th st. N. Bs Minneapolis
PEACE WG aire corte ts en ete od Bloomfield
Hagen, TO EA f See hae Sid dha aha ate eee -Hendrum
Hacklander, WANS Sane cs Warcatnee an "Blue Earth City
ia berole Og. oe Oe oo ae selene Bianesuge
EVILS) § ES 6 De ae A eee EE ee ia
Howie, Mrs. ee E.. eee 4th st., Atchinson, Kah,
Hailand, T .. Rushford
Huseby, eae Ve ep ee ey Sen Adams
LBIDN US TES] 0 open Oe IP i Feo ee i Austin
Holliday, W.-A... 2... Winton P1..Cincinnati, O.
vadrreen NETS GS co croses foc oes Be Cormorant
Haggard. He foci t aves qachomns ee ERE Excelsior
ERGOT EL a 5-2, het eee oe Dawson
eydt, August Jeiekeino Saaeeaee Fort Benton, Mont.
Hendrickson, W. G..........:essess0e 2... Hamline
HIiAIGersOn Moc: .ccs Ses cnc cuee Park River, N. D.
HAGUE EM aba sore cece chaos Ba: Duluth
Hunter, John... Ue cnaeicls Sristeldiets de sone eNO
Jaques, My Wiese Ne ee ee er anievine soak Sa doe _.Crystal
sohnnsons Gus = 553%. 3.50 2020 eae ave. S., Mpls.
PaAcobsony. JS iisn.c-s% a: ie Elbow Lake
Heusont Mrs. 1 Ge)... eee Grand Rapids
Jewett, Z 6 skies .. Sparta, Wis.
Jewett, R. H.L.. ‘Oakland ‘ave., Sc. Paul
Jennerson, Sa Oe Gg eas ieee ag Chowen
Jentoft, C. T..... Bright, S. D
Johnson, J. L.... -. Owatonna
Jensen, Neils..... yler
Pighwmison,sA JA" 62 3. testo :Winnebago City
PAGKEOM, (Depeck se senate is cn tee came Brownton
Mnaphieide, Hy. 5... v0cesec cs ..St. Paul
Mees C53 a svete eisae; os Ree Ee Ibsen
[ECTHe Ti] OPTS ISA || (oe ewes ce ngt etoeians eo Baer 37 Austin
Kennedy, Mrs. A. A Hutchinson
Kennedy, J. Wi.s-:.-5- .. Lake City
LEGE() AH sa 0 Pah ge eee tae - Rochester
Kording, JON s sees Blooming Prairie
SSELTEN AIS RRA oe et ee ee ar a Morristown
Kalbourney WS Ms ss sss.00 sete sebsee secs... Dakeville
KREDI ANEE EGON. cals. BB ste c i shocae olen ce eee Collegeville
ESTO) AT NEST CR hese a ee ae a oe Lindstrom
Kolasky, GooiWa tea ee tan Adrian
FSIS ACO Das sos ete ne ee -Caledonia
PSM UNCEY Ss Ost sic ok mee eee, La Crescent
USTIGYE Soy cal & Bem S apne ar ine fe. ea Springfield
Hen dae SORTs vs cecd co ahecee eee St Peter
LSAT ie 8 (GA ee ep a nny Gee ir Oi Excelsior
Hane SCOR, We Essa. nore cae) Stee Lake City
RemehA I Din sma Siri Cages Excelsior
1 b’ores BA Cah Rae one arene . Minnesota City
ORG WOLersas sess Pee teri ee Excelsior
Lyons, Wm........ eee pels ave., Minneapolis
Lowry, Thos.. Sve .Lake City
HULIRG * Do Oly ot vee ee :.419 BE. 3rd ‘st., Winona
Lietz, 1 We A Os Eta Be BERING pee ats Pens yee Dover
Luke, F. K . Brookings, S. D.
PARES ON Gee pe eee on “box 591. Rochester
Lawson, Wm.. . 614 Westminster st.,St. Paul
Lehman, Chas.. Beh ree ed ntetel tate orn es oe --Mound Prairie
ory, Piaw ere Se ee ..Maple Ridge
Laythe,§ Sh ag IE hte ae freer Kinbrae
Lynn, Jas Me pete etn Ee aoe Camp Douglas, Wis.
Lyons, Mrs. Mary. A ....2924 Clinton ave., Mpls.
inindpere AS 4 s5. 2. ao, oa ee ae ee Brainerd
Longfellow, Abeer. co: .Monticello
Leonard, De Oooh ..1527 N. 6th st., Mpls.
Leonard. Sgt ees Se tiney ia ete ae Washington
Lundwaill. INGISGHe-sace set. ates Bozeman, Mont.
ere aera Fey et ey ee SP Portland, N VD.
Luhmann, GEO Se oe eee Howard Lake
OLGOTE POUT Sauer os tM DN ae ae Excelsior
PUNCCS MA GeO oe. A>: oh Es oe ees, om bie Owatonna
LIST OF MEMBERS.
Larson, JOnns Ato...
Papharme Hoeoss
Se BO
seen ee
Mackintocr: R.5
Moyer, L "RDS 5
Marston, Perrin.. Aes,
Myers, A J... sine neice
Manning, Soloman.. none eee
Middlebrook. Elmer.
Milbradt, A. L eos
Marshall, JOSs.c0 occkenaso eee
Mille. WE lu. 22. nachos
Magnusson, S.....:5.05.+.0s-s00e.00) eee s
Moot, ie eee Sane :
Morrison, Mrs. D......... ” Villa Rosa. “Minneapo
ie as Ellsworth. W
-Good Thund
| 1320 Western ave.,
Winnebago |
re ee
eee ence sees cece ecw eee
Mills. L wegen nisveiw sieges va sania hace ee
Milevaca oe dB Dascese
McKinstry, L. [spre et SRA
McGinnis, D. Ee 3 \e/5:s|6'n 0 \e'=> elete.c us oo BE Bt,
ry, A. ee S10 oon
Met us, Jas. ans eee ee ae eae «ap Clay
Nelson, Haneoe2 coc. eee Fer
Nutter, F. H..
Noehl, John 2s. .c0s2401.2 01 ’
North. Rhéncss0s tet ea Sicaaaee ae
2A 2 O. rete nee 33 W. Sycamore st., St. Paul
Gileniene, BE. L..
Oxford, Wm..
Olsen, Nels M..
Oved?:P3 J oes
Opjorden, O. K......
Orcutt, Wm......
Ostergren, E. ee
Peterson, i Bae EP
Parks, Jas
Penning, Martin
Pederson, H.J..
Peters, W. Goa
Ce oe ee is
uk yattian
..BO 466, St. Pa
Pelewe-A =
Prescott, G.. Hi ...:
Perry, GUS. cate eae
Pitnams (We so cee ..River iails. 3
Pendergast. Wi Wi. .cs. neta eee fae ee in
Powell Hos Mise Sos cee see ee Glenwood, Ia.
Pond) Bait eee - Bloomin oe
Patterson, Jas. ..Gen’l. ‘Delivery,
ayne; S.4D. cscisezescecs J. bo. oa
PrichottpJOhM. soo sccnc.cc el ee
Parker, G. Wi 36. Oe Se eee
Pond) “Hes ea wesc n ch ween
Parker, W. L.
Pope.JeG ess... osc sachet
Powell, F_ N ..Glenwood,
Parkhill, R . Chatfield
Pennell. Prof. C. Sc St. “Anthony Park
Barks; diisnscct ses cne onios ceeeee Pleasant Moun
LIST OF MEMBERS.
495
EAR eran, cia's giana ieee? ow aeeie Lesterievand ye. W. B22. s2c.s cect naseen Eads peal NN. Bs:
‘Se Fees ad Gen Viglen WAT WACKY DAS... sessccde ceases ..Money Creek
Ser fais NeRiaie sin'aiptons flake Oity | Wachling Wim «2... ences cae .Paribault
22h aa eee :; Winnebago City | Willwerth, Peter.................Richfield Center
Lp Ai, ae Winnebago OliysWwieston,. Geos Ar ii. kiece ete nceem east aes Fairbault
eichard, G. A.......403 6th ave.S., Minneapolis WAM Ter Rh red! So iticeasce Sepavenecleees Mankato
hardson, TET a Mer Oley. Mla md sw MES. AME. Was ioi2 los wemrerse deme mea cite Nimrod
PUMPED SEU: =. ce ac ie wens cose cee cles Lake City | Will, Oscar H.. see seeeee----bismark, Ni. D-
PimNassts.s.-.-.s.- «.. Big Stone City. 8. D. WMalieendieG. co. oko. ss, peers: Rose Creek
NMRTI eS Rian e't ss onic crejou waicpinees s0> cos Racine Wolcott, 1D Gt Disearr hs Sete toa esos) Sparta, Wis
EN eh ee ents eee MED] OtON WAGIMOYVON AW. Sos os wales cones sieltha see Dresbach
Bere erage Ria bates Satine mre news Vineland | Wilson, Pdwin.......................-...uake Oity
DA SOO ..Park River, N. D. | Wedge, Clarence..............-.... ssc Albert Lea
eel oiai sie oie) siu,s's 1727" 640 E. 19th st.. City | Witte, H. L. F..........6295th st. N., Minneapolis
J Re SA GOTES .Praha, ONY EO al WRU, DES rca ccc tcck counduce dec ctees (0: SERS D Ea ae
ieee otcccecena-- + ace Wadena, Watt, John. (025 .5.. Rane cia eCe rs Leonard, N. D.
ono) SEALER ee “ Keevilie | Wilcox, A. G......148 Highland ave., Minneapolis
DIN ae cela vs\aale e'syaisiisio mw Saco acess Polican Make) WillfOr@yWiMl 2. cine csc oe n'es ose e pele sens ORM TOL:
.... .. ..9 Wash. N.. Minneapolis | Wright, tik Die core Races Coalsville, Utah
EO AS- TH. ccc y cc eee ee ce ecaees Halstad Woodman. P. M.. Lumber Exchange, Mpls
MUMMPMITAIOIS. WI oo. ccc. ceseceae sep ess Money Creek | Willis, Frank ne .. 202 Chamber of Com., St Paul
Sundberg, NUMAN Re teat n ew | omic ohn Worthington | Woehle. B.. beeen sere oe ....-.- Bloom
MEME AC SO). cries. wis stew cecls velctcnsterces Lake City Wood, BE. G.. "Waseca
Sampson, 6. wy Sat onaaaadie Eureka | Wallner. Berthold..411 8. Wabash, West St. Paul
Scofield. L. He............... 2s eneee. Bloomin tons pWAGLELe GOO tjtew asi -/soleidiececariocwaiaaines Chatfield
ia Prof. Harry. .St. Anthony Park | Ware, E oe acme eye iat =
inyder, Mrs. Harry Shu Anthony bark. | Warner, Do) Hi: 5.0... ocssccclecsemessae so With rOp:
BORIC <2 00 ...Winnebago City Williams: THO ....2c.0<2sicesetuoece Benson, Neb.
Saag siesaile = iene os rsle Winnipeg. Man. | Whitbread, Edw ................. Langdon
oa EOS SUBS SRSA Raper eee aes Sutton | Wittmann, Aug. .... ........ “Merriam Park
Pa ae A bboy faid ely fete Dan ANAS ESE OR ORT D cls Dee & Bh eee UNC" 122): Shiocton. Wis.
: Nelson, Manitoba | Williams, Prof. T. A.............. Brookings. 8. D.
Eee oe Co ttecaenran Slayton | Walrath, H. D.................... Watertown Sv
pou Enc aae ulda
3131 Wenner BVveleMplse | Wenner OMS 2... ormcnncwlcmleo 1s
: ....New Carlisle, 0.
eae Chanhassan Life Members.
SRO SEN SON pera dW 405. <t 85 W. Congress st.. St. Paul
Red Wing | Cummins, J. R.........2....0200005 --- Washburn
**" Galedonia | 2V228, STIS: te Geayaiaae ip Sime ay aes La Crescent
Patt Excelsior | Gardner, Chas. F. oe =e Osage, Ia.
: Center Chain | Gdemse, Le J.... 1.2... ee eee tees eee e ees Hader
; ae ; Harris, H.W. .... ....c0ccceer sees ----tua Crescent
icer, J. M... ae - -- Willmar | Fo pris’ BLT L
- Simpson. Arth CHASE a ly Bs a8 2h obo omanomaanecd CoD anac a Crescent
-Slayton
3 Guaranty Loan,Minneapolis Manda, W.
Simonds, A. G...
Seymour, DRANG Siie cet octas sos Mazomanie, Wis.
Aes .Short Hills, N. J.
Nagel, Eggert :.) la118 W. Lake st., inneave
as if Stager. Mrs. Jennie..............000.% or kapids’
one aoe oecveieess, Parmington Swanson; Aug Sis...) ....ccenrs ce ..St. Paul
Werte as hata Howard Lake Thompson, Mrs. LDAP ohana .oee-- Duluth
SUBSE C RD ce HOE eae Adrian | Lerry, Alfred ..........ss.e ees . Slayton
BeMiy OAs. H..:. 2.02. .cocccc canenees Butternut |) V¥ DGabon, eee. ce aeicictae) feces << cee Morris
y Sarteil, Mrs. Teach Hachecactan .St. Cloud
a Emma ..... ad Sk ..Sauk « Rapids HONORARY MEMBERS.
evens, O. J.. Meh oe orisive aaetanats er ;
: Stark. re 1 K. BO een ak Sonaes Bulvic nit Some Hasty Life Members.
.225 8th ave. S.E., Apis Buds erote Jig lr tciecea. becans<ccematintes Ames, la
Ee teekee se cscsessseaeesOasselton. N. D. | Bowen, Mrs. Jas E
eA or wie statcitone Parl RiversN. oD strand. OF Boe. ccs
Stroble, Christian ............... Winnebago City | Coleman, Hon.N.J.......
.
SEPT TL OPT Yc. ccc c aiccle Laiere-s oe, cs calacss Starbuck | Corp, Sidney............... ss...
BPRPUEIS OT er) AS. 35. vs'ssivecslsieclesivcecscive scans EXcCelstOM | Darth, Mevels iS ocpinscmeee oh elects crete
Smitten, G. W...... WAS Seana s i eae “St. Cloud | Cleveland, Prof. H. W.S........
sions Went Hammond
MEMIMACCET oi. fe ace'e ayuicieaia Cis wee cae ee ccs Long Lake | Elliot, Wyman...................
Tracy, GrAt. see ssssee «Watertown, 8. D. | Ford, Te... Se era
_ Thayer, Mrs. Bene ee Racks Sauk Rapids | Gaylord, Edson.
. Minneapolis
....- Faribault
St. Louis, Mo.
eats Minneapolis
Seaiente Owatonna
arene Minneapolis
San Diego, Cal.
“Nora Springs. Ta.
SEMMOO UI DODD s... 20.2 coc ecesenes eee La Crescent | Grimes, J. T......3209 Nicollet ave., Minneapolis
- Taylor. BRED GE oes deen POFOSUVINE | GIdGOr WE Meo: cc. cch ack ccsloes dames na Excelsior
LAAT Tt 6 eae Micikmanton Gl OSs OMVOET rl Te cen cinee cece cceian Ramsey, 8. D.
STAG Ip. a ee ES paTbase Wise GOUlG she) GMs Secmrncnalsic: cmumietieslesiea es Excelsior
MUMMEETTD OES Wiel Sc cae cc Success os oes .. Brookings &. D. Harris, SRS Gaeatiosisretere ueamietes ... La Crescent
Thompson, 0.H . v sec ercesecseeeeeNew London MiACSV, OHAS Yen. ache screens “Fort “Benton, Mont.
Thorndike, David. Bae Nee Mite doth Waisiescemaec snc canioete che algae Serene Carver
‘Thompson, Thos.. ..Grand Forks, N. D. | Latham, BAN NS es . Minneapolis
BEEP ONG, FLAPLV sc cscica cnocwwae es Janesville,: Wis..|/ Manning; JI.) Wa sie. c.. sc eens Reading, Mass.
Thomas. A. A. 11309 Ashland Block, Chicago, Ill. | Manning, Mrs. J. W.........-...+. Reading, Mass.
MMTESUAPES Cela sos cc's! scvcciee wcols one! aciablaesc Hutchinson | Menden all, R.J. SARC eA .Minneapolis
Becasclaniv cuore chim asialchanave acer ck Stillwater | Manning, Miss Sara eatin Se wires Lake City
ees aa ete ..Fergus Falls | Plumb, Te ae ion meee Milton, Wis.
a Baers .Shako ee Phoenix, F. Reha Mae G SO .. Delavan, Wis.
& Retrisend, G.W.. ‘Baraboo, Paist, Waa ries ts eres sun odes? ersey
Thorp, Freeman.. ..250 State st., Chicago, ll. PORCH RIM Ser te ke Meee koh ec Ne oe Chowen
Meinderwood, J. Ma... -ccccsec ccecseecess Lake Gity | Peterson, Andrew................seccecees Waconia
mmunGerwoOod, ROy...... 2... .50sc-cecne ace Lake City | Robertson, Col. D. A..........-- see seen eee St. Paul
% Underwood, ee AnnaB. See IDE OUDY Al SUOVEDS KOOL. Dey ssces aisieivejeeceisiacie Minneapolis
Van Hoesen, BiB. 0. <0 scess-sss +22... Alexandria | Smith, Truman M......0.........- San Diego, Cal.
PAPA Wises ccine <ccciap acest ota a View, Fla.
Smith,c.L. eae eeu onaDowe
Sargeant, Mrs. He B.. sa aieeb reese oe iake, Clty
BOMOErvVAllC, Winleti esc sacsaes oy eee . Viola
Pes As iO eeet eeave oe ate l ees oene Ba raboo, Wis.
Tilson, ites Ida ie . West pee Wis.
Van Cleve, Mrs.C O...... .603 5th st. S. E.; Mpls
Five Year Members.
B. Waldron, eg 1891...Fargo, N. D.
Si here elected 1891..
. Kellogg, elected 1891....... Janesville, Wis.
. Mitche s elected 1892......:..... Cresco, Ia.
. Hamilton, elected 1892.. .... Ripon, Wis.
One Year Members
Ebilling. so.
. Ferris.. 9 - ristow, la.
: Kellogg... Bead Sie bared 3 Janesville, Wis.
SGaATaner ann cottoenes a uderate ..Osage, Ta.
LIST OF MEMBERS.
Sparta, Wis.
.. West Salem, Wis.
DECEASED.
Life Members.
LBE a ewell, Lake City. .... ;
el ohn A. Warder, South Bend, 0.
B. Hodges, St. Paul......
D. W. Eauphre ey, Faribault..
Marshall P. Wil er, Boston, itacee ves
Chas. Hoag, Minneapolis.............
Mrs. Wealthy Gideon, Excelsior .
Chas. Gibb, Abbotsford, Quebec..
ee Le Cottérell, Dover Oenter.....
E. Wilcox, Trempeleau, Wist:eee
Philip Herzog, Minneapolis........
J.M. Smith, Green Bay, Wis i
neue ie Peffer, Pewaukee, Wis aoe teas
A. Robertson, St. Paul. awe
‘ > a 2 ee ee em,
PES ee See eh
IN DEX
My
im A
B. Page
a Act NNEC TSU AEET Cl 2 (seo Pr ckninrs tne ates toshe ash 4/0, Sera wo & igs) aren wine wine
SAddress of Welcome, Mayor Titzell................cseceee cece ceeees 473
_ Agricultural Society, Minnesota State, Resolutions, etc............. 29
Akin, D. F., Report on Apples, DY........... sce cece e cece ee ee ee eee ees 105
ms Anderson, POU NTE Pe LCCA MY cect cneeale se ieee wea le clap ee wre van eee ats 98
Memeriial Meeting, A. W. Latham, by.........:....sccccecescucnsceecs 11
Seennual Meeting, Journal of, Jan., 1895...............0cceceenee wees
MMT RIY SPA DCTS: OM fe oc ns Faas S's coche or sisngnnnie Sa gv cries nelson 429
Seepple Bulletin for August, A. J. Philips.....................00e sees 293
_ Apple for Minnesota, The Coming, J. S. Harris............... ...... 235
(pple Growing in Minnesota, The Failures and Successes of, Wm.
a Sa NAS I ep eo el a Fao a 89
_ Apple Growing, Sec’y Philips’ Experiments in, Prof. E. S. Goff...... 336
; _ Apple Growing, The Ven Commandments in, A. J. Philips.......... 211
EPC TAS OPTIC. LOM cs aint maioee sles Salo cw als oun ve Faeie «pa Ge bug here Oe o 92
BE MNES ESL S MULE SICAIN OTN) 8s. 65 5'< oie fal cia ciwisth a lols CV attrotetel hale aghiee nro aa coe a 408
E55 PAL URe so soln) is Ou othe an tans once aap vere videiveieto en) oe wae Sieiy we 198
meen pples, My Four Best, J. B. Mitchell...2...... 00.02. ceeecccee eeeees 419
Mempples, Paper and discussions. On. . .... 200.0... sc ceceeeseee se ceew eee 89
meefenples, Report on, Barnett Taylor... ...0.6....sceccececcavescecesues 103
See Iovortion, . WA kine: (055 bres caves aad thle saeeee 105
eae nem SeeMINGS, OOK, GalQnereccs cn Gha ies coes cea déewcss cadences 106
_ Appropriation, Annual, to Minn. State Hort. Soc’y...............-.. 131
a ENGST SY EB SF: on a eee eo a a Se ae ee 326
4 Assistant Librarian’s Report, E. A. Cuzner..:...-......0..c0cc sees es 27
_ Award of Premiums, Summer Meeting, 1895................. 200008. 237
aa “ PRES Press. 505 OLES Tt: HALOS, WD Viste os scaiiee-sicles, Levs7e biel die a erevo.e Gwe gis Ueuaeie shee 443
a B
ee COCs Pye Et a OWED SE DIOOISy DY 5) 0 cio-tles ¢, 6:5 slain Oa be bre ese vte'> 329
- Barrett, J. O., WidecProstdent's EE RVGG WM eels tele oicvcits ph a'meeee a diane 146
Beals, EB. A., Clinepdlosical DAha tOn Oct... WB. DY, s:sicviates.!eejenvaharces 458
a “ Penis, 1. A. Climatological Statistics, DY......5..cccccccccvesececves 460
= Bee Gulture, eTMeG ONO. OMUCILMEATIIM anos cic Fae ie wn mw ecbce sin'se tiaje ateec 407
_ Beekeepers’ Association, Minnesota State, Officers and Members for
a oo eer srs een ies c nosed) = Sots Sp wcla vane Phe agele a 429
Beekeepers, Notice to Minnesota.......... |. rede Ny CTY, thats 457
meenwerries forthe Northwest, OC. BE. Tobey.......5....0.0 cs cscs ceecencece 75
Me ENORTADNY Of JOD BE SteVEDS. so ccek osc ae ec es ev ceeccpecvecscesce 199
- eMEaI PCE: WANGTIN NAV IF crocs Ses occa lncas wae C¥eue bao bcadWaouad, 424
MEATY Ot A HS) DATEL ood. k olor svcct edad ovens asqeceess seek 261
Be EM aRAIC ESL OR Mane Lal CoAT My ete OWS sss aise ace sc. e:aisieca’a «side a ob een'e oo 129
ume La Ot NVR SG ERET VIN Gi cl. atin vigils 4.ocat'e tied v se'v wale om slove'g’ectele's 255
_ Birds and their Relation to Horticulture, Wm. T. Shaw............. 383
E- ame MONET TMSDEA OT! LL oe a hc we dielc Cals aa-sics Gls welew eaee fodnee eke 325
498 INDEX.
- Page |
STARING, PORT IG ce siecle’ «a lerene aisye stee's ster elateremac Var he eesoe eateeinrs 0 vote oy 423
Blackberry-Raspherry ‘Oross: 25% fsa... vane cower keen oat aad nin ccienen 467
Boynton, W. D., Evergreens for Shelter and Ornament, by.......... 218 Sem
Brackett, A. H., Irrigating Small Fruit with Windmill and Tank, .
DY Noh e eb cs ves SRE Le renee Ca Rab ai ted iC Crane re aaa 66
Brand, Oss"), Eroit-Blossoms, by ce sc sneauteeretaes bac ne oon eet eer 1578
Brown, C. F., Report on General Fruits, by............2ccccccccscces 135 a:
Buck; Willard, Notes on Irrigation, by./..3..4 +s.< se 20. ssl eae 68
Ue Ma ening) Ae Pes oie cis nies uo cht dic oices aioe anes Ota celd fa aria Os 304
Bannell, Mf. 'Cs, Small: Pruihs; Dye. 5 cscs cine aioe pas eas eee s Se 42) a
Buttermore, Miss Sarah J., A Farm Flower Garden, by............-.. 373,
Buttermore, R. H., Report on General Fruits, by ................ 000. 132 ye
Cc wa
Galendar Monthly td... aco awleree vee 127, 167, 256, 295, 345, 386, 425, 466 e
Gelery, Drained Marshes for 225 3 bakkie eee eee 457 ae
Cherries in Minnesota, August Meier.............00. vcescccceccnces 4
Climatological Data for October, 1895, Ed. A. Beals ................. 458
Climatological Statistics, Hd. A. Beals .............0..00000. ae 460
Coe, B..Js3 New Varieties of Small Fruits; by. ..0-/.222...5...0-0gaeee - 214 tae
Columbian Exposition, Letter from J. M. Samuels about............ 123-5
Columbian Exposition, Official Notice of Awards at................. 122
Committees for 1895, 150. 6c gon gc kivcs che eee oeeeele eek ee 3
Communication from Secretary HE. W. Randall................22ce0. 200: 4
WONSEUEU OM noi les etnies perk Gxt wee Sleds wae en ea ee 6a
Cook, Dewain, Midsummer Report of Experiment Station, by ....... 2A re
Cook, Prof. A. J., Irrigation in the Eastern States, by.. ............ 69: as
Cowles, Secretary EH. Ds, Letter from) 32. iss: ssa s0as0 oc seaaee a eee 48
Granberry. Culture, Ac D. Wedel ins ccc. ees Sacsctee be eo oe eee 364 5
Cranberry Growing, Requirements for, H. C. Leonard, M. D......... 358 4
Cranberry Culture—selected). i... 3 5.s06- 20. lias Joe's opines oeiee 22 453.
CraneH.-L.;-Vine- Growing for-Profit, Dy: 2s... sss mes njcnteaulelegneseeee 112
Cummins, JR., Report:on. Veretables,. Dy .. i<cesace«s ts acs cee 368. a5
Cummins, J. B., Sweet Potato:-Culture, by +: .2 22.0.4 Seiwa eee 331.
Cuzner, EB. A., Assistant Librarian’s Report, by ........... ....eeee- 21:
D 7
Danforth, Wm., Late Thoughts from the Fruit Fields, by........... 233 eam
Danforth, Wm., Report on Small Fruits, by.......... srhinat Sete sate eea Cig ::
Dartt, E. H S., Annual Report of Exp. Sta., by...... Ab ae eee 181
Dartt,H.2H.S., Biography -Of 2 << vccech so, pater ie oe oat ee a 261
Dartt, Bs .'S.;“Evergreen Trees,Dy=.. vss ss eae se epee 195
Darth; EH. S.; Horticuitural-Wrands,~ bys; hse ais oe eee 267
Dartt, E. H. $., Midsummer Report of Owatonna Exp. Station by... 262
Dratt, E. H. S., Response to Address of Welcome, by................ 474,
Dartt, WOH. Lhe: Orchard,’ by- cs. oescch ne eee ole 384
Day, Dis, Biography Ol 4 xcise..o-eetsinic anes mete oe Pie kde Saal elute eneee Ogee 424
Day, Ditus, Treasurer’s Annual Report, by................ Seen: 26
Day, u...E:; Vice-President’s Reporh,, Dy): cc eo. 2s owe eats oes as See 1433
Deciduous Trees Affecting Moisture and Temperature............... 314
DS
INDEX.
E
Elliot, Wyman, Fruit Exhibit at the State Fair, by..................
Elliot, Wyman, Let us Return to the Soil, by......... ......... eee
Elliot, Wyman, Report of Executive Committee, by.................
Elliot, Wyman, The Minnesota Horticulturist, by...................
meer. V., verercens for SHELLED, DY. ac eee ct ce sewer ewaenece
Empenger, J. E., Irrigating with Vapor Engine, by.................
MMOS Y. TONOre-ONy Jo. FLATTIO Lc ocd vvie'sis se citvis ssiaievvessesvees os
eeTePna, enoru Ol, LD). . WDCALOM sc s..5 linia orp eee eee wee eters
weeerercens for pmelter, A. Vs Wis...) oi. os ie cee mee cn aceseececesses
Evergreens from Seed, Growing, Chas. F. Gardner ..................
Evergreens for Shelter and Ornament, W D. Boynton...............
EERE EPEC HEP PAL brs ¢ oamiaccie stam ievs aad fed Waicn nes hein deat >
RE VeCDOArH, NM iMItES OL, TOP A890. ita sc 00 Ge vee os etre ce tale oe ace
Executive Committee, Report of, Wyman Elliot.....................
Experiment Station, 1894, Annual Reports of..................05 ;
Experiment Station, Annual Report of Central, Prof. S. B. Green...
Experiment Station, Annual Report of Minn. City, O. M. Lord......
Experiment Station, Annual Report of Montevideo, L. R. Moyer....
Experiment Station, Annual Report of Eureka, C. W. Sampson. ...
Experiment Station, Annual Report of La Crescent, J.S. Harris....
Experiment Stution, Annual Report of Fergus Falls, F. H. Fiedler...
Experiment Station, Annual Report of Excelsior, H. R. Lyman.....
Experiment Station, Annual Report of Owatonna. E. H.S. Dartt...
Experiment Station, Annual Report of New Ulm,C.W.H.Heideman.
Experiment Station Report, Midsummer, 1895..................00005
Experiment Station Report, Midsummer, Clarence Wedge.........
Experiment Station Report, Midsummer, C. W. Sampson............
Experiment Station Report, Midsummer, Dewain Cook .............
Experiment Station Report, Midsummer, J. S. Harris...............
Experiment Station Report, Midsummer, L. R. Moyer..............
Experiment Station Report, Midsummer, Mrs. Jennie Stager........
Experiment Station Report, Midsummer, O. M. Lord................
Experiment Station Report, Midsummer, Prof. S. B. Green..........
SMES TIS HIEEOS! th GISCUSSIOM «..cc tae o.acle @ko vine ves dro c waiie Sewis pees
SeREIIOLS “ENSUIGULC, CLG:,° CISCUSSIOM. 2.5 0) a's2s ae aeesesvcees vec hese
Farmers’ Institutes, Minn., Horticulture in, Clarence Wedge .......
SMe VV) RETIN EPICS IMs iia ona wae a tak it hataAle + Sdaalwas wcsisieg accip wes
Fiedler, F. H., Annual Report of Experiment Station, by...........
Flatin, G. F., Peach Culture in Minnesota, Dy.........cccsscecseeces
PMESERIE OPEL ONL MISCL Sox faeicat viehaja ich tone bs Geass Sie basset tenes ees +
ee TEIN. ETOt. Lic bc DANCY: . coc wees boo sake ame ois cc woes
Flower Garden, A Farm, Miss Sarah J. Buttermore..................
Flower Shows, Our Wild, Miss Cornelia Porter...................00-
migwers, Our Wilds Miss Sara M..Maniting.v.%..5.0.02 0c. as cass cc ow ees
MME r gies dE ES APOS Y ooe cock piorvie cia coin 5 «Spids ond wreis Deter siere wari cere
Forestry and Evergreens, Wm. Somerville...............cceceeeeeees
Forestry Association, Minnesota State, Officers for 1895..............
500 INDEX. a a
Forestry to Agriculture, The Relation of, J.S. Harris............... 439
BMNCSUY, PAPO Vil oa. cn aety tose oR en feat ks 438 ri
Worestry, Rev: O} A. Tho Salény; 3 Aivvce vous es 2 ae tee ea 315008
Forestry, Thoughts on; D: R.'MeGinnis’ 0.002... 0... e.00ececls veaee 405
Frisselle, Dr. M. M., The Development of Horticulture, by.......... 228 *
Brosts, saved from, MAY Thayer 2... ack etahe eek snare on oe ne 170s
rtd: BiOssomis, Ox: Bran sik. ies 'e oe ohare acai ele als ales a ie oo 157
Envis/Crop; eresent. state of Che. sce 2s ok oe ew cieaowe nice cw tue? anes 50 Ome
Fruit Exhibit at the State Fair, Wyman Elliot ........... baer 297
Fruit Fresh, A New Process of Keeping):iias.6 ns obs. s ba eee 376.
Fruit Growers’ Association, Ripon, Wis., Constitution and By-Laws
CL LMS Fatiacanel sate aunt arabhans leiataye te tsuels [anata ates Casa matecc ae arate leet Paes cea 83
Fruit, How the Badgers Grow, F. G. Gould: c. .. 20.2 Svcs cs obese ere 264
Fruit in Southwestern Minn., Experience with, Martin Penning.... 146
CULO ISE ASOD. PA ators Sse nce cate ti o.aaae belts Se ae Oe eee ee Sn ee 10
Brit Trees, Nils Ang ersoney. so Sie si secs oe oe eas aie ue 98
Hrait: Without SCOUS. cawaw tse de 2esS vale os) § page hate arco ale Sows che ann 3717-
G Bb
Garden; A: Farmer’s, Wm. Somerville: ix 5 S.¢% sa, ovincihieses esis eee 318
Gardner, C..F:,: Apple Tree Seedlings, Dy. vic... fo... sew penne sp 106 |
Gardner, Chas. F., Growing Evergreens from Seed, by............... 378
Gaylord, Edson, Topworking Hardy Stock, by.............ceeeeeeees 126:
General Fruits, Papers and discussions on........... a woes aa 132. a
General Fruits, First Cong. Dist., R. H. Buttermore ................ 132 oar
General Fruits, First Cong. Dist., J. OC: Walker .....2..5.......0s500 134
General Fruits, Second Cong. Dist., C. F. Brown............ 0.02000: 135:
General Fruits, Fourth Cong. Dist., R. Knapheide.................. 136 as
General Fruits, Seventh Cong. Dist., S. Jacobson........... Gibeiaceees 137° Aaa
Grapes; Papers: and‘ GIsCUssSiONS OM... ays -.s.c ici ss sale = ciate an iore ane ea 107):
Grapes; Report.onC.-Ws Sampson 2.0.05 cscs saute rcateretocen Oe 107
Grapes; Report:0n, Wiles WaChlin v2: ek 2a emis eeele ot earale awe ey
Grape rallisy A NG Wei te saties ¢ fash ve Ss meRac Sance See ema 330: aa
Greenhouse Plants, House and, Fred Windmiller.................... 333 ;
Goff, Prof E. S., An Experiment in Irrigation, by................... 301 8
Goff, Prof. E. S., Philips’ Experiments in Apple Growing, by........ 336°
Gould, F. G., Huw the Badgers Grow Fruit, by..........0. ..-+seenes 264° =
Green, Prof. S. B., Annual Report of Experiment Station, by........ iio
Green, Prof. S. B., A Trip Through the Orchards of Minnesota, by.. 342
Green, Prof. S. B., Midsummer Report of Experiment Station, by... 240
Green; Prof.'S:B., Thoughts of the Hour, Dy. ose. cs «-<. screree 225
Greeting As: We Toa th amy ss. ss season adie etn compel ue cha an nee 1
Grimes; Jie Ds, BIO STAD IY Mois oie wecinw ween eee ree me ee en ea 129: 9
Grimes, J. T., Horticulture from the Standpoint of a Veteran, by... 229
H
Harris,),. S-, Annual Report.of. Hx p.Staz. Byn.c ses ese es ee ee 178 4
Harris; Jo: sOalendare DY. ss ac vteoin Gores 127, 167, 256, 295, 345, 386, 425, 466°
Harris, J.S., Midsummer Report of Exp. Sta., by.............5. +2006 252
Harris, J. S., Nomenclature and Seedlings, by........ 148, 154, 341. 380,410
Harris; J.'S:, Old Ideas in.a New Dress, bytisas sot an ences Soman 315
INDEX.
_ Harris, J. 8., Pointers from the Seedling Fruit Committee, by.. A
is - Harris, J.S., Report of Committee on Legislation, by............+008 28
~ Harris, See ADODOT LOM LOMLOMOLOPY; DY eis ok a’. ccetes ce atelaa dion pe bts b 117
= Harris, J. S., The Coming Minnesota Apple, by...........0.ececeeeee 235
_ Harris, J. S., The Relation of Forestry to Agriculture, by ........... 439 aa
. Hays, Prt Wien Pimp Lrriga tion, -Pyicoccc.ckstesceadabecancumers 56 te
- Heideman, C. W., Manual Report of Exp. Sta., by.....sccsssscseevess 187 s
* "Herbaceous Plants, Ourdoori Li, Moyer oF ns. i cere sce tae cena oath 369 ie
as C. L., A Greater Variety and Choicer Kinds of Vegetables, by.. 365
Hive, Hight or Ten Frame? Which, W.I. Stahmann............... 435 mu
F Seeeruo: The, OC: Mhoilmann. + secs ses verse ce dagucy boct clean pale eses 434 ian
Honey, How it Should be Prepared for Market, W. H. Putnam...... 430 oe
Ee Honey, Keeping, and the Wax Moth, C. Thielmann................. 406 ty
& Horticulture at the Minnesota State Fair, 1895, A. W. Latham...... 349 Be
_ Horticulture From the Standpoint of a Veteran, J. T. Grimes....... 229
- Horticulture in our Common Schools, Miss Lulu Philips............. 221
Seeatorticultural Frauds, B. H.S. Dartt:.......... 0.00. cs cena wees cot ece 267 mi
e ‘Horticulture, The Development of, Dr. M. M. Frisselle.............. 228
_ Horticulture, The Modern Woman in, Mrs. J. M. Underwood........ 231
How to Adorn Home Grounds, F. H. ‘Wutter EM rata a es sate ctcllele tral Speie ent cee
I
5 Iowa State Hort. Soc’y, Delegate’s Report of, Wm. Somerville...... 120
me irrication, An Experiment in, Prof. B.S. Goff..........cccccee ee oees 301
MIRE SI LLGW E8b 10 s.<5 Shc Sate «Sale Gare hee amrilanerecian cube/elidacee'ets 74
Es DP arcimation in the Mastern States, Prof. A. J. Cook. .......2.80.seseee 69
Paarication, Making a Reservoir for Windmill.......6.3...0.0e6eeee ees 324
Beirrication, Notes on, Willard: Buck......ccce-cceececescccececcesvecs 68
PeeLrrigation, Papers ANd GISCUSSIONS OM 2.2... se eta se cee co cece acecenss 49
Reso oniOn. Euitipy ETOL. Wa My TIAVSs os oes iia sued sa cwcs Uedeecswseuewes 56
tb Irrigating Small Fruit with an Artesian Well, E. E. Wolcott........ 61
_ Trrigating Small Fruit with Windmill and Tank, A. H. Brackett .. 66
__ Irrigating with a Vapor Engine, J. E. Empenger......... .....+.e0- 67
a ee ittigating with Clay Tiling, “Irrigation Age”.......0é.ccsncesseees 296
ee: J:
x Jacobson, S., Report on General Fruits, by.......-...+seeeseeee vere 137
a K
mee Kellogg, Geo. Ji, Notes on Small Fruits, by.........0.....0cceeseeess 124
iS Kellogg, L. G., Small Fruits from a Commercial Standpoint, by..... 81
i Kimball, F. W., Vice-President’s Report, by.............csees eevee 138
aM Knapheide, R., Report on General Fruits, by..............eeseeeveee 136
mS . L
Late Thoughts From the Fruit Fields, Wm. Danforth.............. 233
> - Latham, A. W., Annual Meeting, by.....-.......... ee eeee ee eeee eee 11
eemoatham, A, W., Greeting, DY, cs ilecces0sscecec esc ccne ceeeeteceueees 1
i
502 INDEX.
Latham, A. W., Horticulture at the Minn. State Fair, 1895, by......
Latham, A. W., Librarian’s Annual Report, by .......... ...cecesee
Latham, A. W., Secretary’s Annual Report, by..........sceesessee08 4
Latham, A. W., Secretary’s Corner, by....... 206, 258, 298, 347, 388, 427, 468 #
Latham, A. W , The Orchards of Minnetonka, by................... 338
Leach, A; 1).,°Cranberry Culture, bys. <3: geen. scl <-scs cou 361
Leonard, M. D., H. C , Requirements for Cranberry Growing, by.... 358
Let Us Return to the Soil, Wyman Flliot................cceeceneeeee 235
Legislation, Report of Committee on, J. S. Harris................... 28
Letter from: Setretary Hed: Cowles: <i... ss:0ts cans ay pea dek soc 48 z
Le Vesconte, Geo., Cost of Pumping Water, by.............e.see0e- 44
Libtarian’s Beport, Ay W. Latham. .-%s. 2) ooh. of aoe eee eee pA ier
Library, Volumes Received in, since January 1, 1895 ................ 298
Lord, O. M., Annual Report of Experiment Station, by.............. 115-4
Lord, O. M., Midsummer Report of Experiment Station, by......... 250 a
Lord, O. M.,-Piam: Culture in Minnesota, by 3... 2250200: os eee 45
hiering, ©. M.-ArTbor Wage Dy 5s soccis as ocdssae bene. cos Gecase oC 326
Paled lott, ‘Chas, Apples DY sacsas sak oases oases on ee ae a 92-24
ever Prot. Opt, HES. Dy-c Sees. mat = 259 oc bonis oon wees Sao a 41]
Lyman, H. R., Annual Report of Experiment Station, by........... 180
‘yons;-Wim., Vegetables, Dy cos < 0s Ssi.00.o-0k aoe aceeh eke tbes «teen 366
Lyon, T. L., The Conservation of Soil Moisture by Means of Subsoil eae!
Med ONVLIEED WY) 5 3c) ocarataes ste oe elie Ace cere sonia tote ets to oR A Oe Re So 389
ji M
Mackintosh, R.S., Spraying at the University Farm, by ............ 162
Mackintosh, R. 8., Vice-President’s Report, by..........-.+- seceee 144
Manning, Miss Sara M., Our Wild Flowers, by...............-se0008 3050
McGinnis, D. R, Possibilities of Irrigation in Minnesota, by... .... -4Siaae
McGinnis, D:.-B., Thoughts ‘on’ Forestry, DY = os... aces us ease = cic 405°
Meier, Aug., Cherries in Minnesota, DY: 22. 0.512 occa aeee om vere mae 4) oe
Melons on’Sandy Soil, LU. .-Scofleld. > ...:.005. 3. casey tack oes ree nee 363° 22
MGM DOTS AGISTtS:OLs tiascsac o ocod vite aoe ein aia elsos Ore DID a ekerala Done lae eae eto er ae 493. ose
Minnesota Horticulturist, The, Wyman Elliot................ pions 421 Sm
Mitchell, :J.5.,: My Nour Best; Apples; Dys:. <.csisvislon =<, <n)esiviu et tee 419
Moisture, The Conservation of Soil by means of Subsoil Plowing, T.
Wea: Tuy OV BiB. Are 556 ons sais ae wie recess Waa es, oee ane Se eee ee 389
Moyer, L. R., Annual Report of Exp. Sta., by..... S sis ee se Ani > oA 176
Moyer, L R., Midsummer Report of Exp. Sta. by................0e- 250
Moyer, L. R., Out-Door Herbaceous Plants, DY Seon we eee 359
Mulching to Retard BiOSSOMING 2 6th. <j cise Sona eles crapsennrene s og ne tees 351
N a
Nomenclature and Catalogue, J. S. Harris................ 154, 341, 380,410
Nursery and Orchard Trees, M. Pearce.............. IS naa aoe aoe 04.
Nutter, F. H., How to Adorn Home Grounds, by.............2.--00% 219. am
Nutter, F. H., Should the Useful Always be made Beautiful? by..... 226
Nutter, &. H:, Sub-Lrrigation, Dy-c<.2205 vec e cavaw ei areas clas v ola tet ite ees 71
INDEX
O
Obituary of John Jacob Thomas. .... eiinfe's hh Koptanixd Gehan eddee AEE
eerrvar mire, Chas, Gy Patten... 2. oo... . cee ee ees caseeecas lenens
IS ee Gg ata cl piers im ctu ois winless 5 vais eos even nah piety
Officers’ Reports at Annual Meeting, 1895 .............. ce eee cee eee
Seeeeneas ina New Dress, J. S. Harris... 2.2... 2.0... scien s cccccccaes
Orcharding in Faribault Co.,S. D. Richardson .....................
Orchards of Minnesota, A Trip Through the, Prof. S. B. Green.......
Orchards of Minnetonka, The, A. W. Latham..................0c00.
NT Rie TT tc SURE wil’, alata src desis vise ne oso ne Sens ae teak oe
RE 0 EL, SUC VOUS 2 vont ces woth e cnicaib's sales caucacecdiwware
Owatonna Exp. Station, Midsummer Report of, E. H. S. Dartt
{2g
CTCL ATV Sion ain,n% cela co We-wund Sap oe dea cee veRoee beset 198
EEE fhe Ree PCr CRETE ATV: OL eae ico eaihn Ce ners o as ase ves 0ccvecucbne ce 460
meson. Onl pire.in Minnesota, G. EW: Wlatin. ...0.....050.8.0ccccceceee 200
eeeearce, M., Nursery and Orchard Trees, by ...........cceccocceccsecs 94
Pearce, M., Winter Meeting, 1895, Wis. State Hort. Society, by...... 381
ee ons, Martin, Experience with Fruit in Southwestern Minnesota,
8s SPS SERRE CS EAT Pi tn a 146
Philips, x: ic pise Buen Tor AMPUSE a5: .ce-cweteceeek Sede cade eae 293
RRR ir 1: EVOTEVATIOS [IW 0's oe a wag alt Widsnc vq wota Se planks soe wacs 480, 233
Philips, A. i The Ten Commandments in Apple Growing, by ...... 211
Philips, Miss Lulu, Horticulture in Our Common Schools, by ....... 221
_ Plant Food, Commercial Fertilizers or Farm Manure, Prof. Harry
Ep a on in ed Pe es ODL p 393
peu Culture in Minnesota, O. M. Lord.........0. ccc .cccccsseececc 45
Pond, G. H., Garden Irrigation by Ram and Tank, by............... 65
Porter, Miss Cornelia, Our Wild Flower Shows, by .................. 287
Porter, Prof. E. D, Resolutions Relating to the Death of............ 236
Premiums at the Minnesota State Fair, 1895......................02 352
Prescott, G. H., Small Fruits in Freeborn County, by................ 88
President’s Annual Address, J. M. Underwood.................ec000- 13
President’s Annual Address, Report of committee on................ 485
aeeententat OL ATT ee NECOGITI G'S 3.25 !fo-e a cio oe cw oe bee anlsae geome dvidle vt oks 461
Putnam, W. H., Honey, How it Should be Prepared for Market, by.. 430
R
Meeeena ll 10 Minnesota; 1: A, Beals™. i. cA seiess es os abs cance ects ae 449
Randall, Secretary E. W., Communication from..................... 200
Redpath, Thos., Report on Small Fruits, by..............ccccceceeee 41
ME TAY Nis FOTN Seb iis ala’e Sa 'cthsd Se eat ah adie orioigek wae oReccawe oe 233
I NMRIR TEMES RELINEN ISS. 205, ts > % bn inreiaieletote oe Sink Xie SE ee ia ve Se anit ale sla sic es ee 487
Resolutions Relating to the Death of Prof. E. D. Porter............. 236
_ Response to Address of Welcome, E. H. S. Dartt.................... 474
Richardson, S. D., Orcharding in Faribault County, by ............. 90
Richardson, S. D., Our Search after Water, by ..............e0ceeeee 60
Richardson, S. D., Vice-President’s Report, by ............0..e.0005- 142
Ss
Sampson, C. W., Annual Report of Experiment Station, by.......... 177
Sampson, C. W., Midsummer Report of Experiment Station, by..... 249
pampson, C..W., moporh ON Grapes, DY. <6. ...c sce ec ceuedecesas’e sen 107
A
“7 “ wy" =e wT, 5) a
bs) ee ea Sey wir, e's bel eee sg Be Seed &
i.
i
PIF ee Pee
-
ee LAPP TN
504
SAmuUcls: Jd. Ms Leiber feONiss ..aevese vos Sen etme Aenea at's wort a cee
Scofield, bh. H.,; Melons on-Sandy Soil, -Dy..05 15.200 efeandene ss see vwep
Secretary’s Annual Report, A. W. Latham ..........ceneceesccsvaces
Secretary’s Corner, A. W. Latham .......... 206, 258, 298, 347, 388, 427, 468
Seedlings and New Fruits; J: S..Harriss. 5: osc. ces ven vneemnaceune
Seedling Fruit Committee, Pointers from the, J. S, Harris...........
Shaw, Wm. T., Birds and their Relation to Horticulture, by.........
Should the Useful Always be Made Beautiful? F. H. Nutter........
Small Fruits in Freeborn County, G. H. Prescott..................6.
Small Fruits from a Commercial Standpoint, L. G. Kellogg .........
Small Fruits, Report:on,; Thos, Red path 25. ssaie . exw es cok aie dene
Smatishraits;, Mo C, unmelly. sooo. <1. ceisiss eo ametuer ee teen
Small Fruits;-Report on, Wm. Danforth... ..J2 i .2. ¢s<0+,cuscae lean
Small’ Fruits, New Varieties of, R. Jz: Coe s5 5.55620 orice cst cee ostceveene
Small Fruits, Notes on, Geo. J. Kellogg... .cc.5 203 cease td ae oe eee
Small Fruits; Papers:and disCussious OW . 2. ies scenes wise ook eee
Snyder, Prof. Harry, Plant Food; Commercial Fertilizers or Farm
Manteo dierave cd Se eee eit enero eed Be ole p otis ewe reaiels Oe ee eee
Solem, Rev.-O0.-A... Th., Horestry,y DY <5 620 4. sa acetate h ep een eee
Somerville, Wm., A Farmer’s Garden, Dy... s:.<.:,0. sieciieeesoes SU nem
Somerville, Win.; Bicgraphy Of 0% . 2 acc ace ater se oecdanne oss hee
Somerville, Wm., Delegate’s Report of Iowa State Horticultural So-
(OTE AND one Saar et corn SEDO IbAniS DMD oeE re SpaorencdostmonG acoso:
Somerville, Wm., Forestry and WVeCFereens, Dy siace «oie sees e cee cee
Somerville, Wm., The Failures and Successes of Apple Growing in
Minnesota, DY A seb ee co i alewacal ate ws ba @ alten iso hs Sule oii ol stale Rr
Spraying at the University Farm, R. S. Mackintosh.................
Spraying SUMMALy osc ciies ona s dept Re daca ewre s oat we nies eee
Stahmann, W. 1., Eight or Ten Frame Hive, Which? by ............
Stager, Mrs. Jennie, Midsummer Report of Experiment Station, by..
Stager, Mrs. Jennie, Vice-President’s Report, by.............ese.200.
DLCVEDS, gH. PIOSTAPDY ‘OL. 3.0 civics oe w.d es: ag eee ak oemtolo Sahl kas pee
Stevens,-J, b..,-Our Hosts, 8. Dy ss. 22.j1.% 5 ws Doe ce ae aie ieee eee
Sab-lrrigation; Wore Nutters, oc ic. us ss soles sna vole ht epee ees
Sammer Meeting, 1895; Notice:ofs ¢ sc 2.5.2 220 oicw ocd hae ace bin meee eae
Summer Meeting, 1895, Minnesota State Horticultural Society, Miss
Bi, We WANIUO: fo ool Kod cmato dank Oh oeltw es Ae ee Aen ne Pee tee ep eee
PUTS neces Soe a was «adie doe balk oa sein cere is Se ene ES Sine eee oe cies eden
Superintendents of Experiment Stations, 1895............. are Sein oe
Sweet Potato Culture,.J.B. Cummins =. is... Hines pec secees sean
T
Taylor; barnett, Report, on Apples; PY v <5 22 civens ence seme sieiepueeme
Thayer,.M. A;, Saved-froni: Wrosts, Dy... aac oak sn veh wiviwicie's ee eee
Theilmann, C.,. Report on, Bee Culture; Dy... ccc. 5. cee cet atncem oe ati
Thetlinann, 0; Tite Hive FUSE My sists aestete asia oe soe ee
Thomas, John Jacob;sOpituary Ol scsi c6 coy coe, wales ov ca tla onman eee
Thouchts vf the. Hour, Prof. Sy B2Green 6 piece nscteb eisicle wae eine eee
Tobey, C. E., Berries for the Northwest, Dy... 5. 0.2m s<lvcasiplecen
Topworking Hardy Stock, Edson Gaylord ......... Jang cs cos teoe eee
Treasurer's Reporh;- Ditws. Daye. cove cate aeleole aah sm iale csr nema oe ate
U Rteewbod: J. M., President’s Annual Address, by
‘Underwood, Mrs. i M., The Modern Woman in Horticulture, by
~ oa “
= >
V
Vegetables, A Greater Variety and Choicer Kinds, C. L. Hill
Vegetables, Papers and discussions on
Vegetables, Report on, J. R. Cummins
_ Vice-President’s Report, Fourth Cong. Dist., R. S. Mackintosh ....
oY Tice-President’s Report, Sixth Cong. Dist., Mrs. Jennie Stager
Vice-President’s Report, Seventh Cong. Piat, J. O. Barrett
‘Vio ne Growing for Profit, H. L. Crane
= Water, Our Search after S. D. Richardson
Water to Plants, Relation of
- Wedge, Clarence, Horticulture in the Farmers’ Institute, by
Wedge, Clarence, Midsummer Report of Exp. Station, by
Wheaton, D. T., Report on Evergreens, by
i Mes. Miss E. v. Summer Meeting of Minn. State Hort. Society, by 224
“eg
KS Woleott, E. E. , Irrigating Small Fruits with an Artesian Well, by..
61
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