vice-president's report, seventh CONG. DISTRICT. 93 

 VICE-PRESIDENT'S REPORT, SEVENTH CONG. DI3T. 



D. T. WHEATON, MORRIS. 



The climatic conditions during the past year have been char- 

 acterized by extremes of temperature, severe and protracted drought 

 and excessive moisture at times. The conditions have made the 

 season a trying one for fruit growing. The fall of snow over a 

 large part of this district was very light, and the temperature was 

 low, so that the winter was something of a test one ; but tree, bush 

 and vine that had received proper care, with few exceptions, came 

 out of winter quarters in good condition. Apple, plum and plant 

 blossomed full and promised an abundant harvest, but the long con- 

 tinued dry weather very materially shortened the crops, and espe- 

 cially of small fruits. 



Strawberries started well and up to near ripening time were 

 never more promising, but owing to lack of moisture the crop was 

 very short. It was much the same with raspberries. Currants and 

 gooseberries were a fair crop. Few grapes. 



Crap apples were plentiful, and the apple crop was abundant for 

 northern Minnesota. 



Many trees, scattered over the northwest, that have survived the 

 rough usage of man and beast, produced a good crop of fine apples 

 and proved to a gainsaying and doubting people that apples can be 

 grown in northern Minnesota. 



Of apples, the Duchess, Hibernal, Whitney and Minnesota stand 

 at the head, but the Wealthy, Patten's Greening, Peerless, Longfield 

 and others are promising finely. 



The plum crop, both wild and cultivated, was never better. 



The season for plant growth was so dry that little growth was 

 made till August, when heavy rains came. The July rain was not 

 enough to do much good. A large growth was made during Au- 

 gust and September, and it is questionable how well ripened the wood 

 is to stand the winter. 



There was but very little fire blight, owing largely, without 

 doubt, to the prevailing dry season. Too much or too little moisture 

 often is the cause of failure in fruit growing. 



Horticultural interests are looking up and to the State Horti- 

 cultural Society for help. 



FRUIT LIST. 



Apples: Duchess, Hibernal, Patten's Greening-, W^ealthy, Longfield, Peer- 

 less. 



Crabs and Hybrids: Minnesota, "Whitney, Early Strawberry, Tonka, Pow- 

 ers, Pride of Minneapolis, Faribault. 



Plums: De Soto, Wolf, Forest Garden, Rollingstone, Aitkin, Wyant, 

 Cherry, Surprise. 



