HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 233 



It is said the pear (pyrus communis), grown generally through- 

 out continental Europe, is sour and bitter, and scarcely fit fur 

 use. 



The common grape vine (vitis vltifera), is a native of central 

 Asia. From our common northern fox grape (v. labruska), sprung 

 most of our valuable tame varieties. 



Our favorite fruit the common apple (pyrus malus), as is well 

 understood, has been brought to its present degree of perfection 

 by a long and tedious process. The European crab apple is 

 supposed to be the kind from which all others have sprung. 



And thus we find that nearly everything of use for food, of 

 vegetable, fruit, or grain, has been improved by careful cultiva- 

 tion and propagation, and by the use of scientic, or experimen- 

 tal methods, which in some instances have been continued 

 through quite extended periods of time. We therefore do not 

 doubt that great and lasting benefit will be derived from the ex- 

 periments to be conducted, and from the information to be 

 gained at agricultural stations which have lately been established 

 in our own and other states. We trust that sure and constant 

 progress may be made in this direction. 



METEOROLOGY. 



Much has been said and written concerning the peculiar and 

 somewhat phenominal climate of Minnesota. Meteorology is a 

 subject of never-failing interest in all its many phases. This 

 science is much better understood than formerly, since it is now 

 made a subject of scientific study and investigation. 



We merely wish to call attention to the importance of gain- 

 ing more accurate information. We daily make some observa- 

 tions of the weather, and yet how little do we understand the 

 laws that govern, or control these many changes. In order 

 to succeed at raising fruit, the industry must be adapted to 

 a large extent to the latitude, the conditions of the climate, and 

 the environment. It has been often said that efforts made at 

 growing any of the larger fruits in Minnesota, such as the apple, 

 peach or pear, must be attended with very serious difiBculty, 

 rom the contingencies which exist in a changeful and very try- 

 ing climate. Our atmosphere is dry and bracing, and great 

 extremes of temperature are found at every season of the year; 

 although it may be said perhaps there are few places to be found 

 that boast a greater number of pleasant and sunshiny days than 

 in Minnesota. 



Vol. IV— 30. 



