cam, es 
~~ fe 
=e 3 
WINDOM TRIAL STATION, 65 
The plum rot is another very destructive enemy that we have to contend 
with. Some of the wild plums were entirely destroyed by the rot, no kind 
being entirely exempt. We have gathered all of the dried mummyfied 
plums, and as yet we know of no other way of fighting this pest. 
As to varieties for market, I believe the Wolf (freestone) takes the lead. 
Year after year it excels the De Soto in bearing, in size and in selling qual- 
ties, and the tree seems to be just as good. The Hawkeye, Black Hawk, 
Wyant and New Ulm are also the best of sellers as well as good bearers. 
These, with the Wolf, sold here at $2.00 per bushel; the De Soto, Spree, Roll- 
ingstone, Wood and a few others sold at $1.50 per bushel. The Cheney did 
better than usual, yet we got no good plums from them, although we have 
a dozen or so bearing trees of them, as well as a lot of other trees of other 
varieties of that class. They seem to set fruit very well, which grows very 
rapidly early in the season, what escapes the plum pocket and is not claimed 
by the curculio and rot. As they get large so early they seem to about quit 
growing several weeks before they ripen, and they furnish an ideal breed- 
ing place for the curculio. We have had the Cheney bearing quite a num- 
ber of years, but we have never had any of the fruit that we could use, or 
any of the fruit to sell. If we had no curculio I think we might grow the 
Cheney for cooking purposes. 
One lesson that I have thoroughly learned the season just passed is 
this: that when the plum trees get to bearing size, it will not do to plow 
among the trees. While it does no injury to the trees it reduces the size 
of the fruit, and may destroy the crop, mulching with manure being a much 
better way. 
I am also of the opinion that plowing close to the apple trees retards 
their bearing or reduces the crop. 
In closing this report I will say that I have made very good headway in 
the last two years in making this station an object lesson to all visitors, 
not only in growing fruit but in the way of ornamentals as well. Of the 
Rocky Mountain and other evergreens and ornamental shrubbery sent me 
from the central station last spring all grew except one silver cedar, and are 
now looking first rate. 
I think there is enough moisture in the ground to carry trees through 
the winter all right. 
The new railroad town of Jeffers is only three miles from this station. 
NORTHEASTERN IOWA HORTICULTURAL SOCITEY, 
ANNUAL MEETING, 1899. 
W. E. FRYER, DELEGATE, MANTORVILLE. 
Your delegate to the Northeastern Iowa Society arrived at Cresco at 2 p. 
m. Tuesday. just in time to take a drive with the other members of the so- 
ciety about the city and out to the nursery of Upton Bros. Trees at this 
nursery seemed to be in fair condition, and no signs of root-killing. 
Thursday forenoon we were driven out to the nursery of Mr. Mitchell, the 
home of the Red Warrior, Cresco, etc. The only root-killing at this place 
was a few one-year trees on exposed elevation. Some varieties were quite 
badly discolored, but all hardy varieties were in good condition. 
The Red Warrior is a very thrifty grower, and one-year trees were on ex- 
hibition that were well rooted on the scion. Cresco is the county seat ol 
