54 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



native plums and apples. Hotbeds were started and used for 

 forcing vegetable plants. This autumn the forest plantation has 

 been increased by the planting of several thousand Cottonwood 

 seedlings and white willow cuttings. It is proposed to increase the 

 forest plantation to about ten acres, which will include representa- 

 tive hedge plants and give us a good windbreak on the north and 

 west of our buildings. Mr. T. A. Hoverstad, a graduate of the 

 School of Agriculture in 1890 and of the State University in 1894, is 

 in charge of this station. He is much interested in horticultural 

 work and is ably seconded in this by his foreman, Mr. F. F. Pratt, a 

 graduate of the School of Agriculture in 1892. 



At the north-east (Grand Rapids) experiment farm, the horticul- 

 tural work promises to be of more than ordinarj^ interest, for 

 although far north it is a location that is naturally well adapted to 

 the growth of trees and where many native fruits produce abun- 

 dantl}'. A small beginning has been made in setting out fruit 

 plants and ornamental and timber trees. A fine vegetable garden 

 has also been cultivated. On account of our not securing possess- 

 ion of the farm until this spring and the rough condition of much 

 of the land, little horticultural or general work has been started 

 this year, but a nice piece of land has been well fitted for horticul- 

 tural purposes. Mr. Warren W. Pendergast is in charge of this farm. 

 He is a graduate of the School of Agriculture in the class of 1890 

 and of the University in 1896. He is thoroughly in earnest in push- 

 ing forward the horticultural possibilities of the north-east portion 

 of the state. He is much interested also in the advancement of 

 forestry. 



At the Coteau farm, in south-west Minnesota, much advance has 

 been made along horticultural lines. The forest plantation of 

 four acres that was put out there last year has made a most satis- 

 factory growth the past season, and, perhaps, no other feature of 

 the experiment work there has attracted so much attention from 

 visitors. The evergreens planted out last year were very generally 

 killed or seriouslj' injured by the winter except where protected by 

 a covering of earth. In this I have confirmed my previous experi- 

 ence of the great uncertainty of young evergreens as pioneer trees; 

 they should not be planted in very exposed places but may safely 

 follow the liberal planting of decidous trees. 



Sand cherries, wild plums and Juneberries were introduced into 

 this forest plantation, and this season the sand cherries fruited 

 heavily and were an object of much interest and very useful. I 

 really think the placing of such fruits among our tree plantings 

 makes them more durable as well as more productive and interest- 

 ing. The strawberry crop at this farm was a great success this 

 year, which was probablj^ entirely due to the covering of about 

 twelve inches of solid straw which lay over the bed and protected it 

 from severe freezing. A nice collection of apple and plum trees and of 

 ornamental shrubs is in' excellent condition here and proving ob- 

 jects of much interest and value. Prof. O. C. Gregg, on whose farm 

 is located this experiment work, is deeply interested in the horticul- 



