472 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



LA CRESCENT TRIAL STATION, MIDSUMMER 

 REPORT. 



FRANK I HARRIS. SUPT. 



In accepting- the position of superintendent of this station to 

 succeed my lamented father, I do so with a great many doubts, both 

 as to my abihty and leisure to complete the experiments under way, 

 all of which were planned under the personal supervision of the de- 

 parted. Before proceeding further, I wish to embrace this oppor- 

 tunity to thank the many friends who have expressed sympathy and 

 offered words of encouragement in our bereavement. 



So much additional work and responsibility has fallen on my 

 shoulders in settling up the estate and assuming new duties that but 

 little could be accomplished by way of experiment. Concerning 

 condition and prospects of fruit after so mild a winter, I was sur- 

 prised to find red raspberry bushes badly injured, but with this ex- 

 ception everything came through in good shape. I attribute this 

 damage to a late fall growth and immature canes. 



Strawberry vines wintered finely, but were hurt by dry and hot 

 weather in early spring, and the result was a moderate crop but of 

 excellent quality, which sold readily at paying prices. As to va- 

 rieties, the Warfield is still the leader, both as to yield and quality, 

 and Bederwood the most profitable fertilizer, outranking Michel's 

 Early three to one in yield and quality. Splendid comes next and 

 is rightly named, and Clyde and Brandwine were good. I was 

 rather disappointed in Nick Ohmer, Excelsior and Rough Rider for 

 trial and discarded Glen Mary. Raspberries, both black and red, 

 are maturing a light crop of excellent quality, and the Loudon has 

 jumped to the front again. 



It not being bearing year for apples, not much was expected, 

 and while a good many new varieties blossomed not much fruit 

 remains on the trees after the destructive wind storms we have ex- 

 perienced, and that little is poor in quality. 



Plums blossomed heavily, but a light crop only will mature. 



Cherries set a good crop, but the "early bird" harvested it before 

 ripened. 



Grapes are in excellent condition, and a good crop is expected. 



A number of peach trees blossomed profusely and promise to 

 mature several bushels of fruit. 



Blackberries wintered well but are likely to be injured by heat 

 and drouth. 



