140 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



accompanied by frost in some localities, prevailed, and in conse- 

 quence the apple trees set only a little fruit. This was especially 

 the case in the northern part of the district, where apples have been 

 few but of very good quality. In the southern part of the district, 

 although the crop was short yet trees standing protected against the 

 cold east winds during bloom, or in otherwise favorable locations, 

 yielded some very good crops of Duchess, Wealthy, Patten's Green- 

 ing, Hibernal, Gideon, University, Charlamofif and Peerless. As a 

 general statement. Duchess and Wealthy have done the best, and at 

 least for one grower brought a full crop. 



Pluins have been reported from half a crop to almost a failure. 

 To the unfavorable climatic conditions insects have added their dep- 

 redations. As soon as the leaves unfolded in spring, the aphis be- 

 came very numerous and sucked the very life out of the tender 

 leaves and shoots. In some orchards the plum trees appeared as if 

 attacked by blight on the new growth ; then too, after blooming, 

 as no pruning was done, the curculio and other insects got in their 

 work, and as a result the plums were mostly punctured and de- 

 formed, small and of poor quality. Cheney, Surprise, Stoddard, 

 and Hawkeye in the more southern counties, seem to have done the 

 best. 



It seems cherries are not grown much in our district. One 

 of the reasons may be that the varieties now planted are scarcely 

 hardy enough. This year they were mostly worthless, and the few 

 that did grow were not enough for the birds. Early Richmond, 

 Ostheim, Wragg and Compass cherry proved to be the best. 



Grapes have been more or less a disappointment. In the nor- 

 thern part of the district none or only a few are raised, and some 

 of the growers have become discouraged and will make no further 

 attempt to raise this fruit. In other locations more favorably situ- 

 ated, the crop was at best only fifty per cent. The bunches were 

 large, but the crop was light. Beta, Concord and Janesville pro- 

 duced the best results. 



Blackberries also were not plentiful this year. While with some 

 the canes came out in good condition when spring opened, with oth- 

 ers, however, they were almost completely killed. Hence some 

 picked an average crop, whereas the crop for others was rather 

 light or a complete failure. Why it so happened I am unable to 

 say ; it may have been due to the fact that the plants were not proper- 

 ly protected during the winter, or the frost in May perhaps injured 

 them. 



Raspberries in general have been a little better than blackber- 

 ries. Some growers took the precaution to cover the canes late in 



