108 ANNUAL REPORT 



traveled in the west and found varieties alive and doing well in one 

 man's care, and dying or dead in another's for want of care. 



Mr, Sias, Those orchardists in Carver county are largely Ger- 

 mans, educated to take good care of trees. The success there is 

 more due to this than to the varieties or location. 



The motion of Secretary Gibbs, as amended by Prof. Porter, wa"* 

 then adopted. 



The following is an abstract of the discussion on varieties while 

 the foregoing motion was pending : 



President Smith inquired if Grimes Golden could be raised in 

 Minnesota. Charles Downing calls it the best apple in America. 

 It is not very hardy, but does fairly well in Wisconsin, and if we 

 can make two trees live out of ten or twenty we think it pays to 

 raise it for its delicious quality. We also raise excellent Bell- 

 flowers in the vicinity of Green Bay. 



Secretary Gibbs. The best pear orchard in Wisconsin is at or 

 near Green Bay, but on elevated land, and has the ameliorating 

 influence of the large body of water contiguous. Much tenderer 

 varieties can be raised there than here, though on the summits and 

 northerly slopes of our river bluffs I think almost anything can 

 be raised by top working on hardy seedlings if we can get them. 



Mr. Pearce. Fifteen years ago the yellow Bellflower was bear- 

 ing in Olmsted county. It is an excellent variety and I intend 

 to try it again. It did well up to the year 1872-73, when the 

 trees mostly winter-killed, and it has not been popular since. 



Mr. Brimhall. I have tried Grimes' Golden Pippin and am con- 

 vinced it is not hardy enough for this climate. All killed in win- 

 ter of 1872-73. Location high, timber soil. 



Mr. Pearce. I recommend a trial of Bellflower by nurserymen. 



Mr. Grimes. I do not think the Bellflower haray enough for 

 this climate. 



Mr. Phillips. That is my opinion. 



Mr. Pearce. I can ripen it in less days than you can the 

 Wealthy, and am not afraid of any variety winter killing if I can 

 get the wood well ripened in the fall. 



Mr. Brimhall. The time spent on half hardy varieties is worse 

 than thrown away. 



Mr. Grimes. Plumb's Cider stands well. Fameuse becomes 

 black-hearted and feeble. Tetofsky is too slow a grower and not 

 ▼ery desirable. Wealthy and Duchess and our new seedlings are 

 the apples for Minnesota. 



