1 84 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIET\. 



CHOP TALK NO. 2. 



WVMAN ELLIOT, MINNEAPOLIS. 



I have selected a few rambling thoughts for your considera- 

 tion. The question is often asked what is the prospect of 

 fruit raising in Minnesota. There is not the least doubt we 

 shall become extensive producers of fine commercial varieties. 

 The "doubting Thomases" are growing fewer and fewer each 

 year, and where only a short time ago apple trees were planted 

 by the dozen now it is not uncommon for thousands to be planted 

 with faith. If varieties are judiciously chosen they will live and 

 produce fruit abundantly. As the saying is, "here is the rub," 

 to choose just the right kinds. Purchasing should be given the 

 greatest care that we may obtain those adapted to soil and en- 

 vironment; new and untried varieties should be used sparingly, 

 just a few for experiment, selecting the largest number from 

 those kinds most productive and having the greatest commercial 

 value. Of course the grower must consider hardiness, for a tree 

 that does not possess this qualification is of little value in this 

 rigorous climate. Next is productiveness, the greatest desidera- 

 tum. We must aim to select those kinds that possess the great- 

 est number of desirable qualities for our particular location. 

 Some varieties have a greater range of adaptibility than others, 

 hence it is necessary to exercise care in selecting varieties for 

 each locality. There is considerable truth in the saying "The 

 .man who is fit will do well in horticulture, the unfit one will be 

 a failure anywhere." Not every person who engages in growing 

 fruits for a livelihood will meet success here or anywhere, be 

 the natural conditions ever so favorable. Any horticulturist who 

 expects to grow, harvest and market his products with hap- 

 hazard, accidental, easy, "don't care" methods may expect to be 

 always complaining of loss of crops, low and unsatisfactory 

 prices, and all his business ventures failures from start to finish. 

 Much depends on the ability, tact and energy displayed in plan- 

 ning every minute detail of the work. The greatest success 

 comes only to those willing to concentrate mind and give ener- 

 getic, painstaking effort to accomplishing the desired results. 



Self-sterility in Apples. C. B. S., U. S. Dept. of Agri., in 

 Orange Judd Farmer, Vol. 39, No. 20, page 428. I call your at- 

 tention to this article as it has a direct bearing upon the discov- 

 ered mistake of planting a large block of one variety of apples. Ac- 

 cording to this statement apples, plums and other fruits, many 

 kinds of them, are self-sterile, and those varieties which are self- 



