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160 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
thirty-five pounds in weight. ovalin shape, flesh snew white, melting and supe-— be 
rior in quality to any American variety. Seed ofa large number of varieties was 
saved from melons bought on the spot. 
““A large quantity of pits of the choicest varieties of the Vladimir race of cher- 
ries of east Russia was obtained from carefully selected fruit. These bear fruit 
of large size and excellent quality, and endure forty degrees below zero Faren- 
heit. These trees, however, area distinct race of cherry and must be grown from 
seed or sprouts in the true Russian fashion, as they are short-lived and tender 
when grafted or budded on the common commercial mazzard and mahaleb 
stocks of the nurseries. 
‘One thousand plants, the entire obtainable stock, was secured of a new species 
of raspberries of semi-recumbent habits, only discovered by explorations in the 
mountains of northern China. The fruitis orange yellow in color, of large size 
and of peculiar but very pleasant flavor. The plant has proven hardy at St, 
Petersburg. This is a new departure in raspberries, and it is worthy of general 
trial. 
“Scions of some new hybrids of hardiest variety of the small fruited Siberian 
crab with the hardiest Russian apples, originated by a Russian experimenter by 
artificial cross fertilization. These will be valuable for trial in our northwest, far | 
north of the present limits of apple tree culture. 
“The Russian method of absolutely preventing the root-killing of apple trees 
on hardy stocks, was carefully studied, and seeds obtained for trial. This method 
will, no doubt. prove a great boon toa large part of our northwestern prairie 
states, where root-killing is the main obstacle to successful apple culture. 
‘**From Turkestan, west China and Trans-Caucasia, tative varieties of apricot, 
plum, peach, cherry, apple, pear, quince, grape and other fruits, and a collec 
tion of vegetables were obtained. 
‘“‘A collection of new ornamental trees, shrubs from Siberia, Turkstan and the 
Caucasus. 
“Seeds of plants used in Russian forestry experiments to bind the moving 
sands of the deserts of southeast Russia and Turkestan. 
“Small lots of a large number of new legumes, cereals, grasses, trees, fruits, 
shrubs and ornamental plants, etc., recently discovered by Russian scientific 
experiments.” 
Besides the above there area large quantity of strictly agricul- 
tural products. 
The experiments of Prof. Hanson, at the station under his charge, 
with this material, will be watched with profound interest 
especially by us of the northwest, who have most to hope from 
these explorations. * 
The Secretary of Agriculture refers to his journey as, 
“ A trip involving many thousands of miles of travelin eastern Russia, Trans- 
Caucasia, Russian Turkestan.. Western China and Siberia. The immense dis_ 
tances traveled, the change of climates and food, and especially the overland 
journey in Asia, which was a very rough and adventurous one, tested the endur- 
ance of the man sent on this mission. The trip was a successful one, and many 
promising varieties were obtained. About three carloads of seed will be distrib- 
uted to the state experiment stations and others. These seeds, it is expected, 
will be chiefly of value in the arid regions, the purpose of Professor Hanson’s trip 
being to obtain such as were distinguished for resistance to drouth and heat.” 
PREVENTION AGAINST BORERS.—“The injuries of the apple-tree 
borer may be prevented by applying late in May or early in June 
and twice later at intervals of three weeks, a strong solution of soft 
soap to which has been added a little crude carbolic acid. It willbe 
made more effective and permanent by the addition of a small 
amount of paris green and lime. A paint made of pure white lead 
and linseed oil has also been found to produce excellent results.” 
