SECRETARY'S PORTFOLIO. 533 



many nations have the Northmen, those living in the colder climates, who are 

 fierce in battle, and almost always victorious. These men from the north were 

 firmer-fleshed and more brawny than their southern foes. This peculiarity of 

 the climate affecting the flesh of animals as well as their constitution has been 

 observed by canners of meat, and others interested in a commercial sense. 

 These men claim that the flesh of northern-grown animals is firmer and finer- 

 textured ; also the flesh of northern -grown fruits. All are familiar with the 

 fact that fish taken from cold waters are invariably firm and of a high flavor, 

 while the same fish taken from water in warm weather are soft and flavorless. 



This question has never been clearly answered, Why are seedling fruits apt to 

 succeed best in localities where they originate? But the foregoing facts will 

 throw some light on the subject. The tree that produces the seed became 

 toughened by struggles with its surroundings and more hardy and vigorous 

 than if its surroundings had been milder. The seed partakes of these charac- 

 teristics, and when planted continues to accumulate further hardiness and vigor 

 from its struggles with uncongenial surroundings. Thus the climate may be 

 said to have made or moulded the character of the seedling, which would, there- 

 fore, be better adapted to that locality than to others. Trees at the North grow 

 more slowly than those at the South, and from this cause are tougher. 



Also Northern fruit matures more slowly, and it is a fact not generally ob- 

 served that fruits which mature the most slowly are apt to be the best in 

 quality. Experienced planters of trees and seeds have long been partial to 

 those grown in the North, experience having taught them that these trees and 

 seeds have more vitality and endurance than those grown South. At first 

 thought it seems remarkable that fruit grown in the Sunny South where 

 everything appears to be favorable, should be inferior in quality to that 

 grown in the North, where the conditions are often unfavorable apparently. 

 But the fact remains that it is about as difficult to grow superior apples, 

 pears and such fruits South, as it is to grow oranges and lemons here. The 

 time will come when northern portions of this country now destitute of 

 fruit will be made to produce it in abundance. 



The range of fruit growing will gradually be extended North. This will 

 be made possible by the gradual toughening process previously named. 

 Fruits that have become hardy enough for Wisconsin will become the parents 

 of others more hardy that will succeed in Minnesota. Then those that suc- 

 ceed in Minnesota will gradually be improved upon as regards hardiness, until 

 varieties are secured that will succeed in Northern Dakota. Northern Dakota 

 is very similar in climate to many parts of Russia. This statement was made 

 to me by a native of Russia, while riding with him over the Dakota plains. 

 In those parts of Russia referred to, which are similar to Northern Dakota, 

 fruits are abundant, such as cherries, apples and pears. It is simply a ques- 

 tion of time when Northern Dakota will be devoted to fruits, to a moderate 

 extent at least. 



