ANNUAL EEPORT 



Russian plums standing on the south slope were killed entirely, but 

 those protected by the woods are all right. 



Four years ago I imported sixty varieties from Sweden and the 

 first and second years some of them came out all right. Last winter 

 most of them were killed down to the snow line, except one variety, 

 and that is just as hardy as any Russian, aud as it is a long keeper in 

 Sweden,! think a good deal of this tree. 



As to other fruits I would report that last winter was a very h;ird 

 one, and we did not have much fruit this last summer. The raspber- 

 ries had a good deal of damage and very little fruit; the Turner came 

 out all right and fruited well. 



In Carver county there was no fruit last summer except some crab 

 apples. Grapes bore well last summer at my place. 



I have more of the Russian varieties that I have not mentioned here^ 

 but they are too young yet so I can't say anything about them. 



Waconia, Minn., Dec. 21, 1887. 



FORCING HOUSES. 



By J S. Gray, Minneapolis. 



Mr. President and Members of the Minnesota State Horticultural 

 Society : 



I enter upon this essay reluctantly, knowing that there are a num- 

 ber of men in and out of this Society whose experience is much larger 

 than my own; but since those of large experience prefer to keep their 

 knowledge to themselves, I, who claim to know but little, am willing 

 to share that little with those who know still less. 



Wishing to grow such vegetables as lettuce and radishes for winter 

 and spring trade, our land being nearly level, we decide upon running 

 our houses north and south, and while we concede that the east and 

 west built house, with a one-slant roof to the south has the advantage 

 of a more direct sunlight in mid-winter, and therefore warmer in day- 

 time, we claim for the north and south house, span roof, a more 

 equable temperature; the early morning sun in early spring and fall 

 months strikes full upon the glass; at noon it strikes upon the ridge 

 and obliquely on the rafters, making a partial shade; this shade de- 

 creases as the sun moves westerly, until due west is reached, when it 

 again strikes full upon the glass on the west side of the houses. CoN- 

 TRUCTION : Cedar posts squared are set in the ground two feet deep and 



