]82 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



hood was confounded in the next. Why it should kill one tree and 

 leave another of the same variety, age and condition, only fourteen 

 feet awaj', uninjured, is beyond my comprehension; yet there is 

 undoubtedly good and sufficient cause, could we only read it aright. 

 It is all subject to the inexorable laws of nature, and when we haVe 

 full}' learned these laws in this respect, then can we successfully 

 combat this disease. In traveling this year in Iowa, I noticed three 

 different orchards on the north slope of quite a steep bluff and not 

 far above the bottom lands of a creek near b3% the height varying 

 from fifteen to fort}' feet above the valley, with a heavy growth of 

 timber above them to the top of the bluff, probably some 100 feet 

 or inore. In none of these orchards could a trace of blight be seen, 

 though when we got on the prairie, the orchards were streaked black 

 with blight. I know not of what varieties, but it was fair to assume 

 that the orchards probably in that section varied not greatl}' in their 

 varieties, at least those of about the same age, from what I have 

 seen at other points. lam confident that there are locations that 

 can be planted with comparative safety from blight, but I would 

 advise all planting to fight shj' of blighting varieties. 



One of the lessons of 1896 was in attending the horticultural show 

 at the state fair. There, the number of varieties raised in this state 

 was a surprise and to an amateur like myself, confusing — being too 

 large to comprehend — and needed a study of days instead of hours. 

 Any state in the Union might well be proud of the exhibit. I think 

 one of the chief elements of interest was the large number of seed- 

 lings exhibited, and I trust it has tended to give confidence that 

 out of these and similar seedlings may reasonably be expected 

 the Minnesota apple of the future. If the crosses originated by 

 Mr. Gideon, using the crab for one parent, have produced such 

 results, may not we expect much more from crosses with some of 

 the hardy Russians, that seem to possess all the power of the crabs 

 to withstand our climate and many of the better qualities of the 

 standard apple? With the intelligent cross fertilization now going 

 on, may not our mouths water in anticipation of the delicious 

 apples yet to be the portion of the goodly people occupying this por- 

 tion of God's footstool. 



In summing up thelessons learned, I would suggest that amateurs 

 confine themselves to planting staminate strawberries only, as there 

 are many failures owing to not knowing how to set when two vari- 

 eties are used, thus in the grand result obtaining more berries than 

 when staminate and pistillates are used. In planting an orchard, 

 plant one at all events, but if j'ou have it, plant on the north or 

 northeast side of a steep hill, no matter how steep, if you can climb 

 up it. Take chances on being able to get the apples down, for if you 

 have the proper varieties you will have apples and lots of them. 

 However, in selecting your varieties shun blighting kinds, no matter 

 what virtues they possess, for in the end they will cause j'ou trouble. 

 Find out from your neighbors the kinds they have not prone to 

 blighting and get all other evidence you can. Shun a Transcendent 

 crab as you would a pest-hovise, and if you have any on your place 

 you cannot do your trees a kinder act than to cut them out. Another 



