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ALBERT LEA TRIAL STATION. 49 
The severe freeze near the end of May caused an unusual drep- 
ping of apples that had just set. This dropping continued for 
nearly two we-ks, until some kinds, notably the Yellow Sweet, had 
but a small crop left to mature. 
The Charlamoff has done extremely well, and the fruit seems to 
be particularly relished by those who visit the orchard. 
The Cross (413) bears a better and handsomer fruit than we had 
supposed, and gives strong promise of taking its place upon our 
standard list. 
The Russian Green (one of the Anis family) has entirely cleared 
itself from any hasty conclusion asa shy bearer. Nothing did bet- 
ter in the orchard thisseason. 
The Antonovka is a superb fruit but very difficult to keep, even in 
cold storage, as it quickly becomes mealy and cracks open, 
The Repka Malenka again ripens its fruit, wood and leaf in safe 
season, and drops its foliage with the Duchess—a truly remarkable 
habit in a variety which keeps as well as Ben Davis. 
Patten’s Greening is a yellow apple and should have its name 
shortened to Patten. (Since this report was written it has been so 
shortened by action of the last meeting of this society.) It is strong 
in the points of early and profitable variety, fine,even size, and 
smoothness of fruit and freedom from disease. 
Peerless is strong in its freedom from blight and quality of fruit, 
and in the nursery is, like the Whitney, truly a beauty; but is ex- 
ceptionally weak in its forks and in any indication of hardiness. It 
comes into bearing about two years later than Patten’s Greening. 
Girdling to promote bearing was practiced to a limited extent in 
the orchard. 
PLUMS. ; 
A very satisfactory crop was matured upon our grounds. 
The following list marks the dates of ripening of most of the va- 
rieties fruiting: Manitoba, Aug. 16; Aitkin, Aug. 21; Odegaard, 
Aug. 21; Compass Cherry, Aug. 23; Cheney, Aug. 29; Knudson’s 
Peach, Aug. 29; Forest Garden, Sept. 1; New Ulm, Sept. 4; Wyant, 
Sept. 6; Rollingstone, Sept. 9; Wolf, Sept. 13; Blackhawk, Sept. 14; 
Hawkeye, Sept. 15; Desota, Sept. 18; Miner, Oct. 1. 
The Desota is about as satisfactory a variety as any of its season. 
The Aitkin is the most valuable addition to our list for many 
years. It is at least ten days earlier than Forest Garden, and so 
much superior in quality as not to be mentioned in the same con- 
nection. The last excuse for retaining the latter variety has now 
been removed. 
The Compass Cherry, which may be properly regarded as belong- 
ing in this list, is all that has ever been claimed for it in hardiness, 
early bearing and productiveness. It is uninjured by pocket, 
curculio, gouger or weevil and makes an excellent sauce. It is 
doubtless worthy of a place until something better of its peculiar 
class is produced. 
The Miner planted as we have it, in the midst of other varieties, is 
very fruitful indeed and highly esteemed as a very late variety. 
For culinary use it is particularly appreciated in our family, as its 
