292 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
work last winter. The cultivation is done very largely with horses, 
reducing the cost of fruit growing and selling to a minimum. 
Farmers, plant nothing but staminate varieties of strawberries, 
keep the ground well fertilized and mulched, do not allow any 
grass or weeds to seed, keeping them mowed, and you will have 
fruit, while you have vigorous plants and blossoms! I would 
advise farmers and amateurstotry this method. The third crop on 
my grounds this year was the best I had, and I have not cultivated 
or hoed them since the first season. I use the mower as soonas the 
crop is gathered, rake and burn the rubbish, then promptly fertilize 
and mulch during the fall or winter with clean straw. I am well 
pleased with results so far. 
Many of my apple trees which have been out in orchard three 
years show considerable fruit. The plum orchard of 300 trees 
planted two years ago is full of fruit and is complimented by all 
who seeit. There is no excuse for not growing that popular fruit 
in abundance in any part of our state. They are worth planting | 
fora rapid growing “shelter belt” on our western prairies, where 
evergreens succeed only when planted under shelter of other 
trees, and the fruit is always in demand at home or abroad. 
I am anxious to hear from every seedling apple tree in our state 
which isin bearing. If all members of our horticultural society 
would be on the alert for such trees, sending samples of fruit, with 
short history, description, etc., stating season, quality, also how 
affected by blight, vigor of tree, hardiness, etc., to Prof. S. B. Green, 
St. Anthony Park, lam quite certain they would furnish material 
for a bulletin on seedling apples originated in Minnesota, which 
would be very valuable to the entire northwest country. Ihopea 
large collection of such apples will be on exhibition at our state 
fair this fall, and that we may have the bulletin in the near future— 
as this year is very favorable for gathering the required material. 
How about that “1000 membership work?” Let’s all unite in the 
“push sand Soe there!” 
A. K. BUSH. 
APPLE BORERS.—These insects are very difficult to deal with. 
When the borer has entered a tree, it can only be destroyed by cut- 
ting out or with a pointed wire. The best means is to prevent the 
laying of the eggs. This may be done by washing the trunks of the 
trees with strong alkaline solution, such as lye or solution of soft 
soap. The following is recommended: Into a gallon of common 
soft soap, thinned with a pailful of hot water, stir a pound of crude 
carbolic acid. Add to this, after it has stood for a day or so, 30) gal- 
lons of cold water, making a barrel of the liquid. This material is 
to be brushed over the surface of the trees from the ground up at 
least two feet. 
PROTECT TREES WITH PINE TAR.—To keep rabbits from injuring 
fruit trees, mix pine tar and grease equal parts, warm and apply 
with a cheap paint brush to the lower two feet of the tree trunks.— 
J. W. Dunn, Texas. 
