vice-president's report, fifth congressional district. 6i 



that we have got to work out the problem ourselves ; we have got 

 to get a system of horticulture of our own, and we cannot depend 

 upon any other section of the country as a guide. I am glad Mr. 

 Weld brought up this point because there is a kernel of truth in it 

 that ought to be brought out, but I hate to have it go in the record 

 without a little protest. 



VICE-PRESIDENT'S ANNUAL REPORT, SIXTH 

 CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



W. H. EDDY, HOWARD LAKE. 



In preparing a report of the general fruit interests of this con- 

 gressonal district, I am compiling the information in the reports 

 received throughout the district with what I have observed during 

 the past season, in the growth, hardiness, quality and productive- 

 ness of trees, shrubs and plants. 



The apple trees made a good growth. The Wealthy blighted 

 considerably more than any other kind; Hibernal, Patten's Green- 

 ing, Malinda and Okabena stood climatic conditions better than any 

 others of the large apple. The fruit of all bearing kinds was more 

 or less scabby and inferior in size, although the Hibernal, Patten's 

 Greening and Okabena were nearly free from scab or defect in the 

 skin of the apple. 



The crabs and hybrids bore about 50 per cent — the Sweet Russet 

 and Whitney No. 20 bore best with about 90 per cent of a crop. 

 The Lyman's Prolific in tree looks very promising, but the fruit 

 was very scabby. An abundance of moisture with little sunshine is 

 the cause of the inferior fruit to a certain extent. Until we spray 

 our orchards to kill the germis of fungous diseases, we shall have 

 more or less inferior fruit. 



The plums in tree are doing well. Among the be'st varieties 

 here are De Soto, Forest Garden, Wolf, Wyant, Rollingstone, 

 Cheney and Surprise. The Surprise and Wyaiit take the best in 

 our markets. The crop was about 40 per cent. The plum pockets 

 were more plentiful than plums on the' Wolf and the Aitkin. 



Cherries. — A pretty good crop considering the few trees planted. 

 The Homer, Black Morello, Compass and Rocky Mountain, or sand, 

 cherry are among the best varieties. 



Grapes. — The season was too cold and damp to expect many 

 grapes. The crop was about 30 per cent ; quality rather poor and 

 very late in ripening. 



Blackberries. — Bore about 70 per cent. The plants came through 

 the winter in good condition where they were slightly covered. 

 If we want to pick berries, we must cover, mulch, trim and cultivate 

 the plants. 



