56 



ANNUAL REPOKT 



time to secure varieties that will be adapted to our wants in every 

 portion of our State. We want to conduct our experiments with a 

 view to get apples that will last us the year round, as we must recog- 

 nize that fruit has become an absolute necessity. It is necessary to 

 have fruit upon our tables, and if there is a lack in this direction we 

 are living very poorly. 



We have the native plum growing in our State and in Dakota, and 

 as far north as the Red Hiver of the North, a ad some varieties of the 

 plum are very choice fruit. It seems to me that our experimenters 

 ought to collect together the best varieties that can be found in these 

 northern regions and raise seedlings from them to get the best and dis- 

 tribute the products so that every farmer throughout the State and in 

 Dakota may know that they can grow the native plum in great 

 abundance and varieties that are choice in quality. If we follow up 

 the improvement of any one kind of fruit properly it can be so im- 

 proved as to be fit for use in our kitchens and upon our tables. 



One of the most important things for experimenting upon is for- 

 estry. We want to test the question whether our native trees that 

 are growing in our forests in Minnesota, are better adapted for use 

 than trees that are brought here from Europe; to find out the best 

 methods of culture and planting; to determine which will furnish 

 th ■ cheapest and best fuel, and afford material for lumber and shelter- 

 belts, in the very shortest space of time. These and other questions 

 could be brought out by experiments at these stations. I hope this 

 Society will encourage the work to be done at such stations and that 

 we can have them located where such experiments may be carried on, 

 and if they are properly conducted I will guarrantee that they will 

 not only be of service but that we shall receive much benefit from 

 them. 



President Elliot. I do not think we had better continue this dis- 

 cussion at this time, but take up some of the unfinished correspond- 

 ence. We have a question box and anyone that desires can prepare a 

 question to be brought before the meeting at the close of every session, 

 when if there is time a few minutes can be given to discussion of what- 

 ever the subject may be 



FROM COMMISSIONER COLMAN. 



S. D. Hilbnan, Sexretary, etc. : 



Dear Sik : This section is collecting material for a rei)ort on apple 



