350 ANNUAL REPORT 



EXPERIMENT STATION AT CARVER. 

 By Chas. Luedloff, Superintendent. 



With great pleasure I send my report of results in horticulture the 

 past year. I begin with the apple as our leading fruit. I cannot say 

 much about the fruit crop, because the old trees are all dead, as they 

 are also in the surrounding neighborhood. Next spring I will re- 

 plant, for a new beginning, with one and two-year old Russians. 



The little Russians I experimented with last year suffered greatly 

 from the effects of drifting snow, most of them being broken down. 

 I had to cut them back, but most of thera made a growth of four 

 feet and over, in a very dry season, none of my trees blighting. There 

 is a prospect of getting more durable trees from the Russian kinds 

 than from Minnesota and Wisconsin seedlings, as the latter kinds do 

 not ripen their wood early enough to enter the winter in good condi- 

 tion; most of my seedlings were lost on account of this. 



It is evident that a seedling may flourish and bear well in its native 

 place for many years, but when propagated and transplanted in a dif- 

 ferent soil and location, it ma}' prove to be a failure. 



All new seedlings recommended to us should first be tested at every 

 experimental station, and we must also test the Russian in the same 

 way. In this way we will reach the point we are seeking sooner, and 

 find the hardiest kinds for general planting. 



My plum crop was good, but the fruit was not as large or of as fine 

 a flavor as in previous years. Most of my trees are the best of na- 

 tive and seedling varieties; besides these I have under culture the 

 Weaver, De Sota, Newton Egg, Peach, Forest Garden, Miner; Wolf 

 and Speer are new. My Russian plums not being quite as hardy, I 

 cover them, as I wish to use them for crossing with the natives, and, 

 if it is possible, to get a kind with firm flesh that will be good for 

 drying. 



The strawberry crop was poor; the first picking was middling; 

 after this the berries were small and of a poor flavor, the plants were 

 nearly dead on account of the drouth, but happily on the first of July 

 we had a heavy rain, more following later, and before winter the 

 plants were in a splendid condition, with a good prospect for a fine 

 crop next year. 



My grape crop was fine in quality and quantity, over thirty kinds 

 bearing. The best are Barry, Rogers No. 43, Rogers No. 33, Brighton, 

 Beauty of Minnesota, Eldorado, Worden, Rochester, Duchess, New 

 Haven, Green's Extra Early and Martha. But it should be stated as 



