42 HI.ST<>RV OF HORTICITLTLJRE IN MIXNE-OTA. 



Tti-elfHi. — [{' yuii luivc fruited any new secdlinj^s. or varielios of grafted 

 fruit, that you cauuot name, will yon send me a sample of the fruit in season 

 of fruiting, and, if possible, previous to our annual meeting, which occurs 

 on the second day of the State Fair. 



Thirtcpnth. — Have you any superior varieties of natives small fruits, viz : 

 Plums, ('herries, Raspberries, &c., which may seem to you worthy of general 

 introduction. If so please send specimens. 



At the Convention it was generally understood, that members should 

 forward the names of such persons as they thought would contribute the 

 desired information. But with a very few exceptions they have not only 

 fiuled to do so, but have failed themselves to send answers to those questions. 

 Not one-twentieth of the circulars sent out have been answered. I l^-n c 

 received a few A^ery good communications ; but not one-hundredth part of 

 what the importance of the subject demands, and the comparative success in 

 various portions of the State, w^ould warrant us to expect. 



The following summary presents the essential points of the conmiunications 

 received. Other communications than those mentioned were received ; but 

 those presented serve to give the experience of the whole. 



COMMITNICATIONS. 



Wra. L. Lincoln, of Wabasha writes: 



I have planted Red Astrachan, Fameuse, Northern Spy, Price";* Sweet, and Crabs. 1 

 think these and Tallman's Sweet perfectly hardy, and suited to our climate. 1 have fruited 

 Red Astrichan and Hysiop Crab. My grounds are a quarter of a mile from tae Mississippi 

 river, sheltered on the south and west by bluffs. Soil, a sandy loam with clay subsoil well 

 enriched with stable manure. T mulch trees every Fall with coarse manure. Prune in Sprinfr, 

 after trees are in blossom. Have grapes— Hartford Prolific now ripe, August 30th; vines 

 strong and healthy. I cover them in Winter with straw. 



R. C. Cady, of Freeborn County : 



Has planted Fameuse, Golden Russet, Perry Russet, Saxon, Tallman Sweet, Bailey's 

 Sweet, Red Astrachan, Sweet Pear, Duchess Oldenburj,', Price's Sm eet, Fall Harvest, Fall 

 Orange. Smoke House, Peach apple, St. Lawrence, Early Harvest and Russian. All these 

 are doing well, and appear healthy and hardy. Has fruited Duchess Oldenburg. Price's Sweet, 

 Munson"s Sweet, and the Crabs. Have some seedlings doing well. Early Richmond, .May 

 Duke, Early Purple and Common Cherries have done well; also Flemish Beauty Pear. 

 • Location: High prairie— soil, sandy loam, with stiff clay subsoil. Eastern exposure, pro- 

 tected by artificial grove. Cultivate ground in hoed crop. Do not give late cultivation, as 

 it induces too late a growth. Plants trees at same depth as they stood in the nursery. Has 

 had best success with trees when well mulched in November, with manure. 



John Dean, of Blue Earth City, has planted Duchess Oldenburg, Perry Russet, Fameuse, 

 Red Astrachan, and Tallman's Sweet. These are well tested and hardy with him. He has 

 other varieties not well tested. 



His ground- are a high undulating prairie: soil, a sandy loam on clay subsoil, protected by 

 an artificial grove, (iives same cultivation as for corn, ceasing about the middle of July. 

 J. ate in autumn plows dirt up to trees. Prunes in June. 



J. R. Drake, of Northfield, has planted nearly all kinds kept by nurserymen. Finds Red 

 Astrachan, Duchess Oldenburg. Fameuse and Perry Russet quite hardy. Has fruited a num- 

 ber of seedlings, some of them quite promising. Has about a dozen trees in bearing. His 

 ground is high prairie, sandy loam swil on clay subsoil, eastern exposure, enriched with well 

 rotted manure. He considers cultivation necessary to success. Thinks corn a good crop to 

 raise in an orchard. T>ost one orchard by seeding down to gras-*. Mulches with rattnure. 

 Prunes lightly in June. 



