36 ANNUAL REPORT 



vest time it will be harvested and threshed, the graia carefully 

 weighed and measured and the results reported. Then we tried 

 the experiment of thin and thick sowing. We have strips sown 

 with a bushel, a bushel and a peck, a bushel and a half, a bushel 

 and three pecks, and two bushels to the acre. Then we have 

 another set, illustrating the effect of medium, early and late 

 seeding. One set, I think, only seeded about ten days ago. 

 Then, in this strip uj) here, you will find two or three rows con- 

 taining samples of the leading varieties of spring wheat. Among 

 them are twelve hybrids obtained from Prof. Blount, of Colo- 

 rado. You know his wheat took the gold medal at New Orleans. 



Now, to show the effect of thin seeding; as you pass over the 

 ground you will see that it is in some places completely covered^ 

 while in others it is almost bare. One can see at a glance the 

 practical results. 



You pass over here in this corner and you find three hun- 

 dred and sixty varieties of potatoes; you will find plenty of 

 potato bugs, also. 



In the other corner of the field you will find an orchard of 

 Russian ajiples. We planted these trees a year ago, from a sup- 

 ply of such Russian varieties as were found by Prof. Budd and 

 Mr. Gibb. We have duplicates of these growing from root 

 grafts, in the nursery. The idea is that if there is found to be 

 anything of value when they come into fruiting, we can duplicate 

 them, by the hundreds, in the nursery. These varieties of apples 

 will be grown for distribution among the farmers and horticul- 

 turists of the State. We have attempted, also, to grow the differ- 

 ent kinds of strawberries, etc., with what success you must judge 

 after a visit to the grounds. 



We propose to grow small quantities of everything in the shape 

 of fruit, flower and vegetable, of grain and grass, and of stock, 

 that can be successfully grown in the State of Minnesota. We 

 will do this, in order that our students may know the difference 

 between a cabbage and a turnip, a beet and a parsnip, by 

 actual contact with them. 



Prof. Porter here referred, at length, to the experiments being 

 conducted in the line of feeding stock, etc. Continuing, he said: 



In stock we expect to have on the place illustrations of all the 

 leading breeds of animals; as yet we have only two breeds of 

 cattle, the Holstein and the Shorthorns. And if any of you will 

 remain here until between four and five o'clock you will have an 

 opportunity of seeing them brought up. We have about sixty 



