356 ANNUAL REPORT 



EEPOET FEOM CHIPPEWA COUI^TY. 



By 0. E. Saunders, Granite Falls. 



I regret very much that I am unable to attend the meeting of 

 the Society, but duty calls me elsewhere. I notice that a report 

 is expected from me, so I send a brief one. 



The past season was a severe one on fruit in this section. The 

 severe drought came on so early in the season that it was disas- 

 trous to both plant and fruit. A very large per cent of newly 

 set Dlants and trees were killed outright, as they dried up before 

 they had become established. In favorable locations the straw- 

 berry crop was good, but in dry situations it was much injured. 



Raspberry canes, especially the reds, were badly killed back, 

 which weakened them so that they were not able to set a heavy 

 crop, and the drought prevented the perfection of much that 

 was set. In the early spring the cnaes looked all right and gave 

 promise of a good crop, but in Aj)ril we had one or two very hot 

 days, and afterward they failed to stai't on the npper jjarts. We 

 think this was more probably the cause of killing than the win- 

 ter. 



Currants and gooseberries gave a heavy crop. 



There are but few grapes in bearing hereabouts, but they give 

 promise of doing well under proper conditions and care. 



Apple trees came through the winter in fair condition and 

 have done fairly well through the season. But few standards 

 are in bearing, yet we are still planting, and hope to make apple 

 growing something of a success. We do not get very jubilant, 

 over the prospect; but, on the other hand, we do not despair of 

 success. We are endeavoring to stndy the conditions that sur- 

 rounds us horticulturally, that we may make our labors a success. 

 Of one thing we are very sure — no country can excel in quality 

 and flavor Minnesota smill fruits; so if the apple problem re- 

 mains unsolved, we are not to be deprived of all home-grown 

 fruits. Success to the ''State Horticultural Society." 



REPORT PROM MEEKER COUNTY. 

 By G. W. Fuller, Litchfield. 



The past season, has been a very successfnl one with every- 

 thing except the raspberries. For the first time the Turner 

 failed us. The winter did not seem severe, but there was 



