146 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



any longer. Set out the plants, keep thetn from being- choked by- 

 weeds, pick and enjoy the fruit — no secret or hidden road to success. 

 Pears are not raised to any extent; the few that have been tried 

 have proved a failure. Apples gave the smallest return for several 

 years, in fact we might call them a failure for this year, being af- 

 fected like the small fruits by the unfavorable weather conditions- 

 Still the planting of apple trees is on the increase, and, with the in- 

 crease in the nuinber of bearing seedlings, success in apple culture 

 is going to perch on the banner of Minnesota. 



GENERAL FRUITS. 



FOURTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



J . G. BASS, HAMLINE. 



I should be glad to make an encouraging report from the fourth 

 congressional district; I am sorrj' to saj'- I cannot in all respects. 

 The past season was not a favorable one in our vicinity for those en- 

 gaged in horticultural pursuits. Our apple trees produced very few 

 blossoms, and what few survived were not vigorous enough to carr}- 

 the fruit to that state of perfection desired by the members of this 

 society. The result was nearly a total failure, as far as my informa- 

 tion extended. 



In looking over the progress made by this society from its organ- 

 ization to the present time, it animates and gives us new life and en- 

 couragement. Our past trials and victories are not complete. Let 

 us press on till we succeed in propagating hardy varieties that can 

 stand the climate of our adopted state. 



The different varieties of plums bore a good average crop; those 

 standing at the head of the list are the Desota,Rollingstone and the 

 Rockford. There are many other good plums growing in our state; 

 let us hunt them up and propagate them, for they are hardy trees, 

 their fruit is not to be despised, beautiful to look at on the trees and 

 when fully matured, delicious to the most of the human family. 



Currants were nearly a total failure, as many of the bushes were 

 nearl}^ ruined by the currant worm the j-ear before and dug out as 

 worthless. 



Strawberries in the spring looked promising for a good crop^ 

 blossomed well and set full. After the first few pickings the dry 

 season was more than they could stand, and the last of the fruit 

 failed to mature and dried up on the vines. 



Blackberries shared the same fate. Raspberries, especially mj' 

 own, were little better than a failure. 



Grai)es on the Experimental Farm, I think, produced a fair crop, if 

 the large number of paper sacks tied on the bunches are anj' criterion 

 in arriving at the facts. Education is necessary, it is co-existent 

 with man's life, it goes on in all positions of life one may be called 

 to fill in the shop, on the farm or with the pen. Obstacles must be 

 met and conquered, we are not advancing unless we meet them. So 

 I say to us all who are interested in the welfare of this society and 

 the state of Minnesota, speed on, make haste, let that be our deter- 

 mination! 



