GENERAL FRUITS. 147 



GENERAL FRUITS. 

 FOURTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



M. C. BUNNELL, NEWPORT. 



In order to advance horticulture in Minnesota, I deem it neces- 

 sary that each member should give his bit of experience, so that 

 one another can profit by it. When one fails in a certain branch of 

 horticulture, he might oftentimes have avoided that failure by 

 learning the experiences of others. I think I can easily account for 

 the poor success that many farmers have in growing fruit, espe- 

 cially apples. 



In the first place, they have to learn as to the location, soil, etc., for 

 planting the standard apple, giving the orchard a high location, 

 clay soil and a north slope, if possible; on the contrary-, they give the 

 orchard a south slope or, perhaps, plant on low ground and where 

 the soil is not of a clayey nature. Manj' have seemed to think that 

 it was necessary that their orchards should be in warm locations to 

 avoid the cold north winds, but from past experience thej' are find- 

 ing out the errors of their ways. Plant the orchards on high ground 

 and protect them more from the sun than from the north winds. 

 We all have to learn by practical knowledge how to become suc- 

 cessful fruit growers in Minnesota. 



Every farmer may not have all the requisites for growing an orch- 

 ard that 1 have mentioned. If not, thej* should use other precau- 

 tions. To keep the sap from starting too soon in the spring, mulch 

 well, keeping away from the body of the tree. When planting in- 

 cline the tree to the southwest a little, so as to prevent sun scald; head 

 the trees low, and you will not have a long, naked trunk for the rays 

 of the sun to injure. Cultivate the first few years and then, if nec- 

 essarj', seed with clover and keep thoroughly mulched. 



The apple crop in Washington and Dakota counties was nearly a 

 total failure — a few scattering Duchess and Wealthy- and a sprink- 

 ling of crabs. Plums were a much better crop (and, by the waj', I 

 would say that good plum trees are becoming more in demand as 

 the farmers find out their hardiness and productiveness.) The De- 

 sota. Forest Garden, Weaver, and some Rollingstone are the varieties 

 being planted. Occasionallj- I find a tree with its foliage infested 

 ■with little green lice; kerosene emulsions properly diluted and 

 applied will kill the insect. 



Grapes mature well. A large portion planted by the farmer are 

 Concords, though some are trj-ing the Moore's Early. I consider 

 the Brighton a good variety for Minnesota. Plant a few Janesvilles 

 for earlj', some of the Wordens and a few Agawams. 



I am inclined to think the currant culture will receive less atten- 

 tion by many on account of the ravages of the worm, still by giving 

 a little time and labor you can get rid of them by appl3'ing hellebore 

 at the proper time. The scarcity of the crop made a good demand 

 for them, and the price runs as high as $4 per bushel. To get the 

 best returns from currants, I would recommend thorough cultiva- 

 tion; manure well and prune out old wood when necessary. I would 

 like to know if there is any one in this society that has cultivated 



