(^alei^dar for -April. 



O. M. LORD, MINNESOTA CITY. 



The snow at this date, March 27th, probably averages six inches 

 in depth all over southern Minnesota, indicating- a rush of work for 

 April, and the weather prophets predict a very wet month. Both 

 these conditions affect materially our problems of work, but a wet 

 or backward spring is not necessarily fatal to the production of 

 fruits, especially those indigenous here, or those that are adapted 

 to our climate. If the weather is favorable at the time of polleniz- 

 ing, we may confidently expect a crop, other conditions being 

 favorable. 



Most fruit growers conclude that drouth has more to do in the de- 

 struction of fruit than any other climatic condition ; so that if 

 moisture is secured and held, we may hope for success. The ques- 

 tion then is how-to hold it to the best advantage. Shallow cultiva- 

 tion and mulching are the best means we can use. 



It is not best to disturb the mulching on the strawberries until 

 the plants begin to grow and show signs of wanting sunlight, un- 

 less plants are wanted for setting, when all the mulching should 

 be removed as soon the ground does not freeze at night. Early set 

 strawberry plants make the best growth during the whole season, 

 as a rule. If the ground has been kept clean and properly mulched 

 in the fall, nothing is gained by spring cultivation. But cultivation 

 of bush berries is an absolute necessity, and this should be con- 

 tinued till the fruit is well set, especially after a rain. Red rasp- 

 berry canes should be cut back, taking off at least one-third of last 

 year's growth. This is most convenient after the leaves have start- 

 ed, so that all injured or undesirable canes may be removed. The 

 past winter has been severe on all tender varieties of fruit. Unpro- 

 tected blackberries are probably killed. If April should prove to 

 be wet, protected blackberries may suffer from rotting of the 

 buds, if uncovering is delayed too long. 



Native plums should be grafted before the buds start, or as soon 

 as freezing nights are over. Scions are best if cut a day or two be- 

 fore using. The trees may be safely transplanted, even after the 

 leaves have'formed. 



Grapes also need attention as early as possible, especially the 

 cuttings. If the cuttings have a short portion of the two-year-old 

 wood left onin transplanting and are put where they are designed 

 to stand, they'will probably come into bearing sooner than the or- 

 dinary cutting transplanted. 



Wood ashes>re very de8irable.;to apply on all our fruit plants, 

 except.where the soil contains' alkali. Though not always neces- 

 sary to incorporate them with the soil, they appear to do the plants 



