258 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The committee on observation reported the Warfield and Beder- 

 wood as the most profitable strawberries, the Northwestern Green- 

 ing as the best winter apple, and that it is desirable to spray for the 

 codling moth. 



In the reports from local societies it was shown that there is a 

 great deal of interest taken by the members in local organizations, 

 and I was impressed with the thought that it is done at the expense 

 of the state society. Having given their time and money to the local 

 society each month of the year, they find less time for work and 

 interest in the parent society. 



On the subject of picking and marketing apples, it was recom- 

 mended by several members as follows: 



Mr. Hirschinger: "Draw on a boat to a shed to sort; face both 

 ends of the barrels; sell in car lots; use refrigerator car." 



Mr. Barnes: "Pick and put in a cool shed; sort and sell each 

 grade by itself; make firsts sell the seconds; sell culls for what they 

 will bring; do not mix red and green apples. 



Mr. Hatch: "Pick when the seeds are brown; go over the trees 

 two or three times if necessary; use one-half bushel basket to pick 

 in; do not pack windfalls; face both ends of the barrel; put in a 

 bushel and shake the barrel, then a half bushel and shake the bar- 

 rel and so on until the barrel is full; head the barrel in the orchard; 

 pick cool, pack cool and keep cool; ship summer apples in ventila- 

 ted barrels; it does not hurt to pick apples when wet." 



Prof. Goff: "Apples should be sorted better; do not crowd in poor 

 or small apples; sell them as firsts and seconds. Make your own 

 barrels." He ordered a car load of material, paid 6 cents and board 

 for making, or 7 cents and the man boards himself. Cost of the 

 barrel, less than 20 cents each. Apples sold from $1.50 to $3.50 per 

 barrel. He recommends spraying for the codling moth. 



Mr. Reed recommends the local markets as likely to bring the 

 most money. 



It was reported that 100 cars of apples were shipped from Baraboo 

 last fall, forty cars from Waupaca and 2,500 bushels from wagons. 

 On "Wednesday and Thursday, the young men of the horticultural 

 school were excused from their studies to give them a chance to 

 attend the meetings of the horticultural society. Led by Prof. Gofif, 

 they gave an added interest to the meetings. The professor made a 

 strong plea for a better quality in fruits. In the discussion that 

 followed, it was claimed that quality was sacrificed for hardiness. 



On the subject of currants, J. S. Stickney, speaking from twenty 

 years' experience, "recommends deeply trenched soil; would not 

 manure too heavily; too much wood, too little fruit; prune severely 

 in fall or spring, also in summer for renovating old plants; eight 

 acres of Prince Albert produced 900 bushels, that netted $200.00; long 

 Bunch Holland not good— too dry and sour; Fay not good; is 

 looking for a new variety; Pomona recommended as good, better, 

 best; Wilder highly recommended." Mr. Reed says Pomona, Wilder 

 and Knight's Improved are the same. Mr. Stickney and also Mr. 

 Barnes recommend London Market. Berry boxes in sixteen quart 

 crates recommended for currants. 



