HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 71 



are some varieties which do reasonably well there, except during 

 an unusually severe winter now and then. But there are other 

 fruits that succeed better there than farther south, especially 

 among the small fruits. With these it seems to me, lie your 

 strong points and if your people will only take them in hand 

 more vigorously, I see no reason why they may not enjoy the 

 fruits of the earth as well as the residents of milder climes. 



The grape, when properly handled, that is, covered during the 

 winter, will yield most abundantly and fruit of the most de- 

 licious quality, as I have had repeated opportunities to judge. 

 The cranberry is one of the fruits which seem especially adapted 

 to culture there. Immense tracts of land now given up to the 

 straggling growth of nature may yield an annual revenue of 

 millions of dollars. At the Paris exposition, next year, we hope 

 to in some measure enlighten the people of foreign countries as 

 to the value of this fruit, and open the way for an export trade 

 in which your people ought to participate. 



The blueberry which grows wild almost all over Minnesota 

 might be turned to account in a commercial way much more 

 than is now the case. By properly treating the wild plantations 

 they may be made very profitable, as has been done in New 

 England, and the quality of the fruit as well as the quantity per 

 acre greatly increased. This may be done by cutting off the 

 other growths of bushes, trees, etc., and burning over the ground 

 while it is quite wet, and yet the grass dry enough to carry the 

 fire. This will tend to kill everything but the grass and blue- 

 berry roots which will grow vigorously, and the second year, yield 

 abundantly. This fruit has not been, and it seems, can not be, 

 successfully transplanted and grown under cultivation. 



There are many other wild fruits which may be improved and 

 turned to practical account by your people. 



The Russian fruit question is one which interests you intensely 

 and it has been my constant aim to determine their value and 

 give your people the advantage of this information. Bulletin 

 No. 2 is perhaps a step in this direction, and I wish to say that 

 there are a good many copies in my hands yet for distribution 

 which may be had upon application. I send you one hundred 

 copies to hand to those who may wish them at your forthcoming 

 meeting. 



Believe me, most sincerely, 



H. E. VAX Deman. 



Pomologist. 



