EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 163 



able lots of raspbeiries at the station the past season. Their fault 

 seems to be that, like their parent, they do not propagate rapidly, 

 thoug-h I believe this difficult}' will be done awaj- with when we 

 have sufficient plants so that we can afford to make root cuttings. 



(6) Fungicides have been used on gooseberries, potatoes and 

 strawberries. Bordeaux mixture had but little apparent effect on 

 the strawberries, while the foliage of the gooseberries seemed to be 

 much increased in vigor by the application of liver of sulphur at 

 the rate of one-half ounce to one gallon of water. The j'ield of 

 potatoes was increased an amount equivalent to forty bushels per 

 acre. Particulars of this latter case are given in a paper herewith. 



(7) Experiments have been made to show the amount of water in 

 mulched soil and that not mulched, and verj^ marked results have 

 been obtained. 



(8) Different methods of protecting tree trunks from sunscald, 

 mice and from sudden changes of temperature have received atten- 

 tion, but thej' will be reported on later in a bulletin. I wish, how- 

 ever, to call 3-our attention to the newl}^ introduced wood veneer, 

 which is verj' useful for this purpose and is inexpensive. 



(9) The subject of evergreen seedlings has received some little 

 attention, and the great advantage of the high screen over the low 

 screen for protection has been again conclusively shown: Special 

 pains is being taken to get a stock of Piauspoaderosa for distribu- 

 tion and sale in order to have it thoroughly tried in this state, and 

 about five thousand seedlings of it have made a good start the past 

 year. 



(10) The work in planting and care of the forestry plantation has 

 been productive of good results, until now it is an object of much 

 interest to visitors and promises to give much interesting data in 

 the near fixture. 



APPLES. 



The apple trees at the station are just commencing to bear fruit, 

 and attract much attention from visitors, and will undoubtedlj' lead 

 to valviable results. In the Russian orchard, which is a term used 

 to designate the 5'oung orchard on the level prairie at the station, 

 has been planted 300 varieties of Russian origin. Some of these 

 have blighted to death, others have winter killed; but many of the 

 remainder are proving to be of wonderful hardiness and of appar- 

 ent adaptability to this climate. I would especially call attention 

 to the following kinds which have fruited here the past summer. 

 There are other verj- promising kinds that are not mentioned, as 

 they have not 3'et fruited. 



Lieby. This is, perhaps, the hardiest tree that produces large 

 apples and is free from blight. It is much hardier than Duchess of 

 Oldenburg, which it somewhat resembles, and should be tried on 

 ever}' farm in the state. Season, December. An excellent cooking 

 apple and not to be despised for eating out of hand. 



Anisim (18 M). An early winter apple of best quality. The tree 

 has not been very extensively tried, but it is apparently' as hardy as 

 the Lieby and less liable to blight. Fruit about the size of Wine 

 Sap, which it resembles. 



