300 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Ist on collection of 10 varieties of strawberries and many other prem- 

 iums, also first on 6 varieties of gooseberries, but the fresh picked 

 strawberries in nearly every case took Ist on plates. There were 16 

 competitors for prizes and nearly one hundred entries. 



On the second morning- the visiting guests were given a ride to the 

 40 acre fruit farm of Parsons & Loope, and it was a sight to be re- 

 membered to see the Longfield apples loaded to breaking, a goodly 

 showing of Wealthy, McMahon, Duchess, etc., and the fruit little in- 

 fested with insects. There were acres of strawberries which were 

 giving good returns, but to think of making money on small fruit 

 and carrying it 28 miles overland to market was a discouraging feat- 

 ure; still they made it pay, and their acres of raspberries will give 

 them lively times later on. Everything had wintered well, very 

 little root-killing, and while the thermometer ranged from 20 to 46 

 degrees below zero, everything above ground wintered without in- 

 jury. This proves that it is not the cold that kills but other con- 

 ditions of the atmosphere in winter. 



J. Perriam, of Chicago, and A. Simonson, of Racine, were with us 

 during the meeting, and a better summer convention I do not re- 

 member, considering the local attendance and the large exhibition 

 of fruits. 



HOW TO SECURE A DECIDUOUS TREE BELT. 



T, A. HOVERSTAD, CROOKSTON. 



No one questions the wisdom of planting tree belts around the 

 homes on the Minnesota prairie. The trees in such a belt, like so 

 many soldiers, stand guard and furnish protection against the 

 storms so frequent in the northwest. Being an urgent necessity, 

 beauty in such a planting is a secondary consideration. In short, 

 a tree belt is "useful rather than ornamental." It should furnish 

 protection against the north, northwest, west and southwest winds. 

 This will necessitate the belt to be planted on the north and west 

 sides of the house. 



The planting should be in two parts, that may be called respect- 

 ively the snowbreak and the windbreak. The snowbreak should 

 form the border and consist of two or four rows of trees. The rows 

 on the north side of the house should extend east and west, and 

 those on the west side of the house north and south. A space of 

 one hundred feet should be allowed between this and the windbreak 

 inside to allow ample space for the snow to collect. The windbreak 

 should be one hundred feet to eight rods wide and should be in 

 length co-extensive with the snowbreak. The rows in the windbreak 

 should be at right angles to the direction of the rows in the adjoin- 

 ing snowbreak. 



Having selected the land, thoroughly subdue the Sod by raising 

 two or more crops on the land, and if the soil is compact subsoil 

 before the trees are planted. The trees should be set out in the 

 spring, and care be given to each individual tree when it is planted. 



