MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 175 
: 
plant 100 this spring. The Orange was the most valuable tree of 
these varieties ; fruit keeps until January, prolific bearer, excellent 
quality, and was highly recommended by the State Society. He 
also spoke of the merits of the Quaker Beauty, Palmer’s Sweet and 
Woodland Winter. 
Mr. Pearce also spoke highly of the hybrids and thought they 
would take the place largely of standards in this country. They 
bore early and produced abundant crops of fruit. He spoke highly 
of the Orange, and said it was perfectly hardy. An impression 
prevailed that it was impossible to grow apples in consequence of 
farmers having spent hundreds of dollars on trees which had proved 
to be useless. He would recommend the hybrids for general culti- 
vation, also the more hardy varieties of seedling apples. He would 
urge farmers and fruit growers to set them out in large quantities, 
and in five years the State would have a surplus of fruit. The State 
Society had made out a list of *‘ iron-clads.” 
Of this list the Early Strawberry stands at the head. ‘The tree 
is a strong and handsome grower, bearing well alternate years. 
Fruit the size of Transcendent. The Orange grows slower; the 
fruit is larger and keeps much later. The Minnesota bears fruit as 
large as the Russet, nearly white, good quality and keeps till Feb- 
ruary. 
M. W. Cook said he could fully endorse what Mr. Pearce had 
said in regard to the hybrids. They were divided into three classes 
by the State Society, but he considered the dozen or more varieties 
mentioned as hardy and worthy of recommendation. 
Mr. Leland said he had tried everything to get rid of blight and 
succeeded best by growing trees on sod ground. 
Mr. Richardson thought that deep planting would secure the 
same result. t 
A discussion here followed as to the causes of blight, its nature 
and the remedy. 
Mr. Pearce said it was a fungus growth peculiar to vegetation, 
and could be prevented by the use of quick lime. 
GERMAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF RAMSEY CO. 
Sr. Pau, April 10, 1876. 
Mr. Chas. Y. Lacy, Minneapolis : 
Dear. Sirn:—Our “ German Horticultural Society of Ramsey 
County” consists of twenty members, all practical gardeners, en- 
gaged in floriculture, fruit and vegetable gardening. The officers of 
the society are: 
