EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 169 



has attracted much attention. A drawback to the use of mulch was 

 this year found in the presence of the leaf hopper in great abund- 

 ance. These insects pass the winter in leaves and trash, and it has 

 been mentioned that their presence is a sign of slovenly cultivation. 

 However that may be, the mulch on the land is certainly objection- 

 able on account of harboring- these pests. 

 The grape was verj^ free from diseases the past season. 



JUNEBERRIES. 



This fruit is proving to be well adapted for cultivation and pro- 

 duces abvmdant crops in the garden. The Osage, Alpina, Chester 

 Center and Success are the varieties that have been fruited. Of 

 these, the earliest and best is the Success. I believe this variety 

 could be profitably grown for market were some practical measure 

 devised for keeping off the robins, who are very fond of it and are 

 not easily kept from eating it. Quite a lot of Juneberry seed has 

 been sown with the hope of getting improved varieties. 



CHERRIES. 



These have made a -very satisfactory growth but have not fruited. 

 I regard the introduction of this fruit with much interest. Besides 

 the work here, there is a full set of promising known kinds in charge 

 of the station at Minnesota Citj', where they are doing well. 



SAND CHERRY. 



This fruit was not as productive as usual, but it still produced 

 quite a large quantity. I regard it as of much prospective value 

 and think we shall realize many improved varieties within a few- 

 years. As reported elsewhere, we have probably a hj-brid between 

 it and the Desota plum. 



STATE EXPERIMENT TREE STATION. 



OWATONNA. 



E. H. S. DARTT, SUPT. 



The winter of 1892-3, though not very severe, -was somewhat pecu- 

 liar. The snow line killing was greater than it has been for several 

 years. I think it is caused first b}^ hard freezing, then bj^ the reflected 

 heat of the sun from the snow toward spring, thawing trees suddenly 

 and continuing the drj^ing process. Nearlj- all one-year-old trees 

 and some two-year-old trees were killed nearly to the ground, whilst 

 the same varieties four to six feet high were unharmed, except a lit- 

 tle killing at the tips of the branches. Trees of considerable size 

 are often killed in this way. It is sun-scald. Xurserj^men some- 

 times plow up to their one-year-old trees to prevent it, and boxing 

 and tree protectors will save the larger trees. 



The Russian Mulberry, which has been killing back considerably 

 in past winters, having got up a little from the ground, escaped injury 

 and set fruit. English and Scotch Elms, six to eight feet high, had 

 branches killed back a foot or more, indicating that American varie- 

 ties are best here. The Laurel-leaved and Golden Willows are the best 



