268 



MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Although our blackberries were covered by earth they were 

 gnawed by mice to such an extent as to be seriously injured. 



The winter was especially severe upon a few plants that we 

 have regarded as being exceptionally hardy, and among them are 

 the bull pine, of Colorado, and the Platte River cedar, both of 

 which have suffered far more than any of our native conifers. In 

 rows parallel to the bull pine, the Norway, or red, pine has come 

 through the winter in perfect condition ; and in other rows 

 where the native red cedar and Platte River cedar are together 

 our native ceda^ is in perfect condition while the Platte River 

 cedar is badly injured. 



Among the plants of newer introduction which have come 

 through the past winter in good condition and which I think 

 are deserving a place in our plantings, is Cotoneaster acutifolia. 

 This is a European shrub with bright, glossy foliage, and while 



Autumn flowers in a corner bed. — Pyretheruni Uligniosum and New England Asters. 



it is of no special value for its fruit or flowers, is a most ex- 

 cellent plant for screens and other uses. 



The late blooming tree lilac, known botanically as Syringa 

 Pekinensis, has come through the winter in perfect condition, 

 and is now (June 2^) in flower. It is certainly a grand thing and 

 well worth introducing more generally into our park plantings. 



Among the things that were severely injured the past year 

 was. about fifty feet of hedge row of barberry, which was killed 

 out entirely. I do not know of any unusual condition that ex- 

 isted this year different from many of the eighteen preceding 

 years that it has grown in this place. 



Our herbaceous plants, including peonies, irises and a lot of 

 other similar plants, have come through the winter in fine condi- 



