STATE HORTICULTUEAL SOCIETY. 361 



a most valuable fruit. Its beauty and excellence is not yet ap- 

 preciated. I think, here in this part of the county at least. Vic- 

 toria has large, nice clusters, and will hang on the bushes the 

 longest of any variety without taking harm. 



The currant is being planted more the last year or two and 

 will always succeed better than most other fruit in consequence 

 of its generosity, always giving you fruit with ever so jDOor treat- 

 ment. I must add that Stewart's seedling currant is likewise 

 very valuable on account of its large size, good quality and pro- 

 ductiveness, and will be planted largely when its value is better 

 known. 



GRAPES. 



The past season has beeu a great year for the growth and ripe- 

 ning up of grapes in Minnesota. I have been raising grapes for 

 fifteen years and have not seen a better one. The season being so 

 dry but little disease made its appearance on the vines. The 

 Dela wares still take the lead in planting for market. I think 

 Moore's Early and Worden will largely sujiersede the Concord 

 for market in this climate. Of the newer grapes the Empire 

 State, Jessica and Xiagara, have made a nice growth of well- 

 ripened wood, promising me some fruit another season. But the 

 planting of the vine is limited to certain localities, and to a few 

 enthusiasts who are in love with the calling; not but what our 

 earliest, hardiest grapes can be grown in many localities all 

 over our great State, but extra care and attention are demanded 

 to succeed in this direction. 



Then let us ever encourage planting the vine both by word 

 and deed, so that when our labors on earth are done we may 

 know one little sj)Ot has been made more beautiful and fair by 

 our having lived. 



EEPOET FEOM EAMSEY COUXTY. 



Bij Wm. E. Brimhall St. Paul. 



Apples in this county were a light crop, rather under size and 

 irregular in form. The Duchess is the hardiest variety and they 

 winter kill more or less every winter. While young and healthy 

 they are the most profitable fruit grown here. To grow them 

 successfully requires a high location and good cultivation and 

 the trunks of the trees should be shaded from the sun. A piece 

 of a fence board, four feet long, sharpened and driven into the 

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