266 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The Mexican Sacred Thistle was sent to us by Congressman Mc- 

 Cleary some years ago, and, although an annual, it seeds itself from 

 year to year. The foliage of the young plants is very striking. 



The Shrub Border. Spiraea Van Houttei must have been in- 

 jured by the spring frosts. It did not bloom so freely as usual. 



Philadelphus coronarius is at this writing just past its best. This 

 is the sweetest scented Mock Orange, although rather small flowered. 

 Philadelphus Zeyheri is now in full bloom, and Philadelphus laxus is 

 just coming on. These species are larger flowered although not 

 so fragrant. Philadelphus pubescens comes into bloom later. The 

 Philadelphuses demand good cultivation and plenty of fertilizer. 



The Persian Lilacs gave us the fullest bloom this season. Syrin- 

 ga villosa is in full bloom at the present writing (June 15), and 

 Syringa Josikaea is just past its prime. The Japanese Tree Lilac 

 will bloom later on. 



Elaeagnus angustifolia is just now in full bloom, and its frag- 

 rance fills every nook and corner of the garden. Some find its 

 pungent perfume disagreeable. If set where it can have a dark 

 background of heavy-foliaged trees it will be a conspicuous object 

 the season through. 



PLEASANT MOUNDS TRIAL STATIONS 



J. S. PARKS, SUPT., AMBOY. 



The past winter was a good one for the fruit raiser in this vicini- 

 ty. Our trees came through in fine conditioh — tender vines and 

 canes not protected did not lose a bud, potatoes in the ground not 

 frozen and now growing. Fruit prospects are fair. Of apples some 

 trees are loaded, others bearing nothing. No Transcendants, other 

 crabs ver}- shy. Bearing plums are one-fourth crop. Small fruits 

 are bountiful and fine. 



Blight is severe, especially spur-blight on some varieties. No 

 insect ravages to note. All vegetation is making a rapid, healthy 

 growth. Top-worked apples and plums of last season as well as this 

 year are doing nicely. The scions and plants from Prof. Green are 

 a fine acquisition to our list of good things. 



April 15th we saved apple seed, and sowed at once, from Bailey's 

 Sweet and other good keeping varieties. May 15 we saved and 

 sowed more seed, and June ist more seed was taken from several 

 more long keeping varieties, mostly seedlings. All were sown at 

 once after taking from the fruit. At this writing, June 15th, all 

 these are growing to a fine stand. We have faith to believe that 

 we can raise long keepers at least, and by taking seed from Bailey's 

 Sweet, Walbridge, etc., grown in close contact to Wolf River and 

 Duchess we hope to get size also. 



