THE HOMES OF SOME OF OUR FRIENDS. 



395 



differs from them widely. It does not seem as thoug^h it could be 

 the location, as many of the surroundings are theoretically unfav- 

 orable to apple culture in this trying- climate, for instance, being 

 enclosed on three sides by higher lands and heavy belts of timber, 

 but the hard fact remains that here is located one of the most suc- 

 cessful old orchards in southern Minnesota. Trees planted over 

 thirty years ago (not a guess) stand in almost unbroken row, and 

 even in this oflf year many of them are well loaded with fruit. To the 

 owner they are evidently endeared and are tenderly cared for, and 

 to this thoughtfulness may be ascribed in large part his phenome- 

 nal success. Some of his trees were yet hanging full, a beautiful 

 sight, of which I noted especially the Rollin's Prolific, Elgin Beauty 

 and Anisim, the last named varietj' loaded down like an overloaded 

 Transcendent crab at its best. 



Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Corp. 



The dinner hour found a hungry crowd gathered about Mrs. Corps 

 hospitable table, but as to clearing it off,even we could only make a 

 few little notches around its edge. The accompanying sketch shows 

 a corner of the residence and the figures of this worthy couple, of 

 whom we hope to publish a fuller sketch at another time. They gave 

 us a very generous, and especially the kindly wife, a very warm re- 

 ception. There was a refreshing frankness about her emphatic way 

 of saj'ing: " I told Sid that I didn't want you to come," though the 

 sentiment seemed to be in glaring contrast with her lavish hospi- 

 tality; but when we saw the hearty but silent laugh of her husband 

 in response, we understood the situation. We hope to visit again 

 with this interesting and genial pair. 



From this thrifty home, mid-afternoon found us on a by-road 

 where the weeds grew as high as the buggy top, but which pres- 



