410 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 



The plans for fruit experiment provide for the planting- another 

 spring of a large experiment orchard on ground which is being pre- 

 pared for it and which is suitably sheltered, where all the varieties 

 likely to succeed in that locality will be tested under proper condi- 

 tions. Grape vines and other fruits as well are also to receive their 

 due share of attention and are to be given full opportunity. 



The very delicate problem of providing the right quantity of wind- 

 break and at the same time leaving an orchard sufficiently exposed 

 to furnish the necessary air drainage will be carefully studied on 

 this farm, and some definite conclusions may be arrived at 

 which will be of value to all Northwestern prairie farmers. The 

 Coteau Farm stands on a wind-swept prairie elevation, and the rust- 

 ling of the leaves in the willow shelter bordering the residence, with 

 a thirty mile breeze, on the frosty night of September eighteenth, 

 gave the writer some idea of the difficulties with which the prairie 

 fruit grower must contend. The everlasting grind of the drying 

 prairie winds easily reduces the vitality of fruit trees; at the saine 

 time, they must have the air to thrive. Just how little or how much 

 of both, we hope Mr. Gregg may be able to speak understandingly 

 of when farther along in his experiments. 



This station, through the liberality of its owner, is under the 

 management of the state station, and of course its horticultural sec- 

 tion has the benefit of the supervision of Prof. S. B. Green. We 

 shall hear from him occasionally, and we hope also from Mr. Gregg 

 as well, as to the progress of this valuable experimental work. The 

 results there will be an important guide, especially to that portion 

 of the state located on the hills; but probleins of wind protection 

 and air drainage, as well as the selection of varieties, are very much 

 the same in all the prairie portions of our state, varj'ing somewhat 

 with the varying characteristics of different locations. 



Mrs. Gregg in her sphere is not to be ignored. The long array, in 

 infinite variety, of brilliant annual flowers, stretching down and 

 along the two sides of the family garden, bear eloquent testimony 

 to her love for these silent messengers of the infinite. The shel- 

 ter of double windbreaks of willows, planted by Mr. Gregg in his 

 pioneer days and duly matured and encouraged in later times by 

 heavy inulchings of straw, furnishes a quiet nook on this restless 

 hill for Mrs. Gregg and her beautiful flowers. We hope the profes- 

 sor of horticulture may extend his experiments in the direction of 

 the beautiful and the ornamental under Mrs. Gregg's care, as well 

 as provide for what are often, though mistakenly, thought to be the 

 more necessary products of his art. The Coteau Farm is evidently 

 to be an object lesson in brightening and gracing the prairie home, 

 as well as in supplying its table and cellar with the fruit of the gar- 

 den and orchard. 



