Raisin Grapes. 215 



Fruit in Minnesota. 



ED. Western Horticulturist : I have delayed a report to learn the extent 

 of damage done by the last winter, and in the meantime see what stood best of 

 the hundreds of varieties on my grounds. The winter was the hardest I have ever seen 

 in the State, having spent twenty winters here, and for nineteen years had trees ou 

 trial. Of the first 850 apple trees set, one only remained up to the last winter, but 

 now is dead, also many others that had stood unharmed for ten to fifteen years 

 shared the same fate. The past winter has taken the term (iron clad) from many 

 varieties, nothing entirely unharmed, but, of course, some more injured than others ; 

 and cannot advise the rejection of anything from its last winter's fate, as a like 

 winter may not again occur in the next hundred years. But those that stood best, 

 and will bear fruit on trees that are large enough to bear, are, as to hardiness, about 

 as follows: Wealthy, Duchesse, Fameuse, St. Lawrence, Green Newtown Pippin, 

 Tetofski, and Early Pennock, with a few late seedlings, the fruit not having 

 attracted special attention. The average hardiness of crops was a little better, 

 though all making a strong growth were hurt more or less, making them a more easy 

 prey to the ravages of the blight, that has struck in at a fearful rate, and a month 

 earlier than ever before, having begun in May ; and the frequent rains and sudden 

 changes favorable for its continuance. 



Our seedlings grown from the Duchesse, the Wealthy, and our best crab, of which 

 we have more than a thousand, bid fair to stand any degree of cold ; and no doubt 

 but, out of the multitude, will get some extra fruit that can be relied on as far 

 north as trees grow. Certain, many of the seedlings are more hardy than grafted 

 trees from parent stock of the same age — the past winter having made no impres- 

 sion on many of the most thrifty. 



- A few remarks as to the Wealthy, a seedling of my own growing, would not be 

 amiss just here, seeing it is first on the list of our most hardy varieties. Some 

 may suppose I have an axe to grind, but I have neither trees nor cions for sale, nor 

 any interest in its sale, other than as I sell fruit from our orchard trees, as I have 

 planted largely of it, and will graft and bud many more now in orchard row of less 

 value. Tree rather a strong grower, forming a handsome head, early into bearing, 

 and bears profusely every year ; fruit large, unsurpassed in beauty or flavor, so far 

 as we have seen or tasted ; season, early winter, with care will keep all winter ; 

 propagated by the most of nurserymen in the northwest. No one need apply to me. 



Pears all killed near to the ground, that are not entirely dead. Grapes that 

 were covered, all right ; others all dead to the ground, but putting out new shoots, 

 not injured in root. Raspberry vines partially injured, only a moderate crop. 

 Cherries a failure this season, but trees not killed. Native plums promise a fair crop. 



Excelsior, Minnesota, June 9, 1873. Peter M. Gideon. 



Raisin Grapes. — In view of the great success of raisin grapes, and the demand for 

 cuttings in California, the Pacijic Rural Press cautions purchasers to be on their 

 guard against unscrupulous venders of spurious sorts. 



