144 ANNUAL REPORT 



REPORT ON SEEDLING FRUITS. 

 Bi/ G. W. Fuller, Litchfield. 



I siDent but a week with the committee, and during this time 

 we found no seedling apples of any value showing any more 

 hardiness than the Wealthy. The trees which bore the apples 

 (Hart's seedlings) which took the premium at the state fair, 

 were in a very bad condition, showing clearly that they are not 

 sufficiently hardy for our use. We found a few Russians both 

 in Olmsted and Carver counties, which looked very promising. 



The hardiest seedlings I found are in Meeker County. One is 

 in Cedar Mills, belonging to Mr. Baldwin, and is evidently a 

 seedling of the Gen. Grant, rather larger, of better quality, and 

 of the same season. But the tree is very much better, perfectly 

 hardy, and has never blighted. It is about thirteen years ol9, 

 and has borne every year since it was three years old. Another 

 seedling is in Greenleaf and is owned by Mr. Mills. It is fifteen 

 years old and has never shown any disease or failure until last 

 season, when a severe wind broke down a part of the tree, re- 

 vealing rottenness of the heart. The habit of the tree is very 

 much like the Tetofsky, but the apple resembles the Wealthy. 

 'From knowledge thus far gained I can not feel very hopeful 

 of success in the line of seedlings. Still we should continue the 

 experiment. 



Mr. Cutler. Mr. President, I believe this committee has done 

 as faithful service as we could expect, and I move this same com- 

 mittee be continued the coming year, with the same appropria- 

 tion for expenses necessarily incurred. 



The motion was adopted. 



DISCUSSION. 



President Elliot. I would like to hear from Mr. Brand as to a 

 seedling apple which he has on exhibition here. 



Mr. Brand. I had hoped the committee would make some re- 

 port as to this variety known as the Peerless. 



Mr. Harris. We intend to examine the tree at the first op- 

 portunity. 



Mr. Brand. This apple was exhibited at the state fair in 

 1878, at the meeting of this Society two years ago, at the 'New 

 Orleans Exposition, at the last state fair, but so far no mention 



