66 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



wild red cherr3'aiid Juueberry growing' quite cormiiou among the 

 irregular fissures in the immense rocks. We were somewhat sur- 

 prised to find on the very top of one of the highest and dryest of 

 them a dwarf but healthy basswood. The rift in the rock from 

 which it sprung could not have been more than six inches wide> 

 and exposed as it was to the dry winds froin all directions it did not 

 seem possible for it to get moisture enough to last it from one rain 

 to another. We think it not unlikely that the basswood would stand 

 with the ash and elm as a drouth resister. 



We have noted the need of some shrub or bush that would spread 

 rapidly for the purpose of making a forest floor for our prairie 

 groves, something to grow between the trees after cultivation 

 ceases, that will hold the leaves and snow, shade the soil and make 

 natural forest conditions. We have been able to think of nothing 

 better than the red varieties of raspberries, that propagate so rapid- 

 ly by suckers. Can not some thoughtful member of our society 

 suggest varieties and methods for carrying out this important 

 branch of forestry? 



Near Gaylord we found an orchard that has been planted twelve 

 years. The Duchess were in almost perfect condition, measuring' 

 twenty inches in girth; Tetofsky excellent, sixteen in., not very fruit- 

 ful; Transcendent, thirty-one in., good condition; Wealthy, twenty- 

 two in., perfect, bearing one bushel per year. We learned from our 

 landlord of several successful fruit g'ardens at some distance. 



THE WISCONSIN TRIAL ORCHARD. 



EXTRACT FROM REPORT BY SECRETARY PHILIPS. 

 The state of Wisconsin having made an appropriation of $500 "for 

 the purpose of locating and starting a trial orchard," Secretar}-^ A. J. 

 Philips and others have selected a location near Wausau, "on the 

 farm of Mr. Edwin Single, who takes charge of the orchard subject 

 to the direction of the officers of the state society. The lease runs 

 twenty years or as long as the land is used for trial orchard pur- 

 poses, rent to be 85 per acre each year as fast as the laud is used, the 

 amount of land to be ten acres if desired by the societ3^ All revenue 

 from crops raised on land are to be paid to the state society treas- 

 urer, after expenses are paid. The land is to be kept fenced by Mr. 

 Single, and no stock allowed to run in the orchard. There are bear- 

 ing trees of Duchess, Wealth}', Haas and No. 20 near Wausau and 

 young trees in the vicinity are looking very well. The laud is high 

 and heavy clay and was once heavily timbered. It lies nice, sloping 

 a little to the north. My idea is to set a few trees of each of our har- 

 diest varieties each year for five to ten years, also to set some trees 

 each year of a good variety for topworking, and work as soon as 

 possible, also to plant some grafts each 3'ear of the same varieties, 

 so that three distinct experiments will be going on at the same 

 time on the same ground; and the trees should be staked and pro- 

 tected when planted. Nurserymen of this and other Northern states 

 are asked to contribute a few trees of anything new they desire to 

 have tested, and notify the secretary of the Wisconsin society on or 

 before April 1. 1896, when shipping directions will be sent." The 

 secretarj^'s address is West Salem, Wis. A. W. L. 



