FRUITS, ETC. AT THE S. D. EXP. STATION AND ELSEWHERE. 367 



sand cherry type, with a perfect purple foHage, which would 

 seem to indicate that in this we have a desirable ornamental 

 plant. It is certainly interesting to note how the purple-leav- 

 ed characteristics of the plum appear in this progeny so closely 

 resembling the sand cherry. 



The Compass cherry seedlings did not seem to show any 

 decided improvement over the original tree, and the fruit seem- 

 ed verv much inclined to injury by brown rot. 



The Beta grape has stood here for several years without 

 covering and is highly thought of. They are making a point 

 of raising seedlings from it, but are also working for the im- 

 provement of the best types of native wild grapes that they 

 have been able to obtain. 



They have quite a large plantation of raspberries, from 

 which have been selected those plants that are most desirable. 

 Sunbeam is a variety which Prof, Hansen sent out last year as 

 being a decided improvement in hardiness and general de- 

 sirability for ordinary use in this section, and it looks well. I 

 noticed, however, that there was appearance of anthracnose on 

 the canes, but only to a small amount. The fruit is firm but of 

 a purplish color that I fear will not take well in the larger mar- 

 kets. 



The Minnetonka Iron Clad raspberry seems to be doing 

 well in this section, even without winter covering. 



The Siberian sand thorn (Hippophae) was fruiting heav- 

 ily, its branches being perfect ropes of yellow fruits about the 

 size of an ordinary rose hip, and is decidedly ornamental. It is 

 easily propagated from seed. 



The plum rot seemed to be doing a great deal of damage 

 in this section to many varieties, and all the seedlings of Ode- 

 gard plum were conspicuous by their loss of foliage, due to 

 the presence of shot-hole fungus, to which in this section this 

 plum seem' to be especially susceptible. 



An interesting plum cross that has fruited this year was 

 that between the P. simoni and the common sand cherry. The 

 fruit is flat, and the foliage glossy, like that of P. simoni. 



Prof. Hansen makes a special point of starting many trees 

 and plants used in his experiments in tubs and doing his cross- 

 ing work early in the year in the greenhouse. These plants 

 are kept through the winter in storage cellars and are not 

 brought into the greenhouse until the latter part of the winter. 



