178 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



slope, and if I could get it, a clay soil. Plant a tree from two to three 

 years old and two to three inches deeper than when taken up. Mulch 

 thoroughly after planting and protect the trees from stock. In locations 

 where the orchard is exposed to the sun I would have my trees headed 

 low. Some recommend leaning them a little to the southwest when 

 they are planted. I can see no reason why, if trees and small fruits are 

 properly planted and properly cared for, the grower cannot be well 

 paid for his expense and trouble, and enjoy these luxuries of which many 

 deprive themselves by not giving the necessary attention they should to 

 horticulture in Minnesota. 



REPORT OF M. PEARCE, CHAIRMAN OF THE GENERAL FRUIT 



COMMITTEE. 



To the Officers and Members of the S. H. S. of Minnesota: 



Early in the spring I received a notice from Secretary Green, stating I 

 had been 'appointed chairman of the General Fruit Committee. As my 

 name as such did not appear in our report I supposed it was a mistake 

 and gave it no thought. Late in the fall I received another notice from 

 the secretary requesting me as chairman to look after the^ fruit reports 

 for our winter meeting. I wrote about two hundred letters to the mem- 

 bers of the fruit commission and other parties over the state, requesting 

 a report on the various kinds of fruit from all. I received numerous let- 

 ters and some reports, the most of them were of but little interest to the 

 society. From the contents of the letters received it is very apparent 

 that there are large portions of the state where there is but little or no 

 fruit grown, especially in the western part of the state. The great fruit 

 belt at present is west of the Mississippi river, extending about 150 miles 

 west. From this belt the apple reports are very satisfactory. The crop 

 was unusually good. Some parties grew over 1,000 bushels of the best of 

 apples, which they disposed of in many instances at $2.00 per bushel. 

 Apple growing in Minnesota has taken a big boom. 



The grape crop, as far as I can learn, was good. From reports around 

 Lake Minnetonka, not less than 150,000 lbs were grown last season. 



The strawberry crop was nearly a failure last season, owing to excessive 

 wet during the time they were in bloom. The raspberry crop was in- 

 jured some by drought. About 75 per cent, of a full crop was harvested. 

 Blackberries were also injured about 50 per cent, by drouth. Currants 

 very good. 



REPORT OF J. C. KRAMER OF GENERAL FRUIT COMMITTEE 

 FOR HOUSTON COUNTY. 



Mr. President and Members of Minnesota State Horticultural Society: 



My brothers, I herewith send you my feeble report hoping that the 

 society will accept it. I do not have a good report for last year (1890). 

 The strawberry plants came through the previous winter all right, but 



