250 ANNUAL REPORT 



Mr. Dartt said on the highest ground in his orchards trees stood 

 best, but he had recently grubbed out several acres of his orchard and 

 seeded the ground to grass, thinking grass more profitable than apple 

 trees. 



Mr. Smith. What is the soil on that high ground ? 



Mr. Dartt. In one orchard there is a strong mixture of sand, but 

 considerable clay towards the south part I have tried about all the 

 locations in the neighborhood, as well as different kinds of soil. My 

 trees on low ground amount to nothing. 



Mr Pearce. Is the general character of the soil rich or poor? 



Mr. Dartt. Some of it ij^ rich and some of it is poor. Along Maple 

 creek some of the knolls are sandy. I have a knoll in my young or- 

 chard, but the land produces good crops. The grass kills out trees if 

 allowed to form a sod about them. 



Mr. Sias. Mj' question has not been fully answered, as to whether 

 it pays to grow the Duchess ? 



Mr. Dartt. On my best grounds it has paid; on the poorest it has 

 not. 



Mr. Bunnell. But you call your highest ground your poorest ? 



Mr. Dartt. Yes; but 1 have made it rich, and there it has paid the 

 best. The best young trees in the neighborhood are in a hen yard; 

 the ground has been greatly enriched and the trees have grown finely; 

 80 far I have failed to observe any ill effects from excessive use of 

 manure. 



Col. Stevens. I am afraid Mr. Darft, as usual, takes a too despond- 

 ent view in regard to his orchard. I was there a few years ago, and 

 he then said, like Mr. Ford used to, that we never could do anything 

 here in raising fruit; but lo, and behold! we found a fine orchard 

 loaded with apples as ripe as could be. 



Mr. Dartt, How long ago? 



Col. Stevens. Not very long; and since then I have come to the 

 conclusion that Mr. Dartt believes just the reverse of what he says in 

 regard to his orchard. [Laughter.] Another thing; it is well known 

 the European Larch is a beautiful tree and lasts almost as long as the 

 oak. I think he must have the common tamarac instead of the 

 larch. 



Mr. Dartt. I have tried setting the larch top down, but it rots off 

 in two or three years. I find it season-checks. 



Mr. Pearce. The tamarac lasts with us at Minnetonka better than 

 the white oak. Mr. Douglass gives instances where it has been known 

 to last for fifty years. 



