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152 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
kept entirely free from the ravages of insects by using the orchard 
for a chicken yard. 
Mr. Lord: I had a theory once that chickens would eat the 
curculio, and I fenced them into my plum orchard, but I could 
never induce one of those chickens to eat acurculio. In that 
part of the orchard where those chickens were was the only 
place the curculio destroyed the plums. (Laughter). 
Mr. Harris: I have about a dozen trees where the chickens 
have their runs, and from those trees I get the worst plums. I 
advised Mr. Lord once to put in pigs, and I came pretty near 
having heavy damages to pay. 
Mr. Lord: Pigs will eat plum trees from the root up. They 
will effectually destroy a plum plantation all except the heart 
wood. They will eat all the outside off and even eat the roots. 
Mr. Gibbs: I left out of my remarks something [intended to 
say, something that J consider of the utmost importance, per- 
haps the most important thing, and that is, in planting our or- 
chards we ought to remember that some of our best plums are 
shy bearers unless pollenized by other trees, and I would want 
to see that every other tree was a good pollenizer. I would 
give that matter careful attention, and look to the necessity of 
so arranging the trees with that end in view. 
MEADOW VALE HORTICULTURAL CLUB, 
ANNUAL REPORT. 
A, W. KEAYS, SEC’Y, ELK RIVER. 
The second annual meeting of the Meadow Vale Horticultural 
Club occurred on October 30th and was the best the society has 
held. The programconsisted of splendid music and songs, addresses 
by the president and members of the executive board, reports on 
fruit and election of officers for the ensuing year. The secretary’s 
report showed that the trial grounds contained 850 apple trees, in- 
cluding 44 varieties; 400 plums, 21 varieties; 43 cherries, 8 varieties; 
also a large number of grapes, currants, gooseberries, raspberries, 
and 41 varieties of strawberries, besides some of the latest novelties. 
Small seedling peach trees set last spring have made one in. in 
diameter of new wood the past summer. 
Apple and cherry trees, set in the spring of 1896, have made a 
splendid growth and ripened their wood well. Among the apples 
that look promising for this section are Longfield, Hibernal, Weal- 
thy, Charlamoff, and Martha and Virginia crabs. We expect to 
bring out some new and valuable seedlings in the near future- 
Nearly all the trees purchased from traveling agents have died, 
They were, probably, southern stock, although represented to be 
grown in this state. 
The officers for the coming year are: President, Chas. A. Hill; 
secretary, A. W. Keays; treasurer, F. E. Ingbretson; executive board, 
Geo. Keasling, Hiram Bailey, Albert Heath, A. C, Bailey. 
