136 ANNUAL KEPORT 



QUESTION BOX. 



Has any one raised the Russian mulberry in Minnesota? If so, 

 with what success? 



Mr. Woolsey. It has not succeeded on our grounds. 

 Mr. Pearce. I went with Col. Stevens to Mountain Lake, Cot- 

 tonwood county, to see the Russian Mulberry, The place is peo- 

 pled by the Mennonites, from Russia. They grow the mulberry 

 for food for silk worms. Plant out in rows from seeds and cuttings, 

 and cut down every two years, and feed to the worms. 

 They are hardy, I arranged for 20,000 cuttings. Had notice 

 published that I had them. I got them last spring. Some 

 grew and others did not. I have some two feet high or more. 

 Do not regard it as a forest tree, but as an ornamental tree 

 it will be valuable. Fruit is good. I have a few cuttings saved 

 last fall that I shall put out and think they will grow. 



Mr. Underwood, The cuttings should be started in hot bed or 

 cold frame. Have grown them extensively and successfully in this 

 way, but would not risk them in open fields. Have been most 

 successful when the cuttings were taken in the fall. Think they 

 are as hardy as those started in the field — probably more so, 

 because more vigorous. Have grown plants three feet high and 

 well limbed this year, 



Mr. Pearce. The cuttings should be, when planted, of the last 

 season's growth. Older cuttings do not do so well. They can be 

 made to grow by proper care in open ground. 



Mr. Poole, Jameson currant cuttings if placed in the ground 

 as soon as soon as the leaves fall, will root the same season. 



Mr, Underwood, I presume mulberry cuttings would do the 

 same. 



The committee on recommendations of President's address and 

 Secretary's report, reported as follows: 



Your committee on the President's address and Secretary's re- 

 port, would respectfully submit and recommend the following sug- 

 gestions therein contained: 



1st, That a standing committee of five be elected on seed- 

 ling fruits and that the Professor of Agriculture be chairman of 



