EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 289 



REPORT OF EXPERIMENT STATION AT MINNESOTA CITY. 



BY O. M. LORD. 



Received, last spring, from Mr. Kramer, La Crescent, a sample of 

 Princess strawberry plants for testing. The plants have made a good 

 growth, but have not multiplied largely. Received from our State Sta- 

 tion pear trees, Early Harvest blackberry, also some poplars and willows. 



From A. W. Sias, Rochester, six varieties of apple trees, and from the 

 Iowa Agricultural College three varieties of plums. From J. S. Harris, 

 La Crescent, three varieties of apple trees. Plum scions received from sev- 

 eral parties, all failed to grow. Also quite a quantity of seed failed. 

 Among the fruits produced this year for the first, were the Spear, Wolf, 

 Hawkeye, Forest Rose, and several seedling plums. Of apples, the Wal- 

 bridge, White Transparent, Golden Russet, Fulton and Shockley. The 

 last named and some others were planted as an experiment to test in 

 some degree the theory in regard to acclimating trees. If trees of tender 

 character can be acclimated to withstand severe cold, the process is at 

 best a very slow one. 



The Haas apple is supposed to have originated in South Carolina, and 

 has proved as hardy in this vicinity as any of the old standard kinds. 

 The Shockley originated in Georgia, a description of which may 

 be found in Agricultural Department Report, 1869. The tree ap- 

 pears to stand the climate as well as several other kinds that have form- 

 erly produced good crops here. Some trees from northern Alabama have 

 borne several good crops in this vicinity, which would indicate that the 

 ability to stand the climate depends upon the character or habit of the 

 tree in maturing its new growth before cold weather. Much stress was at 

 one time laid upon the necessity for trees to shed their leaves and go into 

 winter quarters early, and upon that habit was based their capacity to 

 withstand the cold. That this is not true is shown by the Wealthy, 

 which is the very last among a large number to shed its leaves, and to 

 reason by analogy our very hardiest oaks frequently retain their leaves 

 all winter. 



If, however, the leaves of fruit trees at the advent of winter are green 

 and the new growth succulent, they perish of course. 



REPORT FROM EXPERIMENT STATION OF LA CRESCENT, MINN. 



BY J. S. HARRIS, SUPERINTENDENT. 



A number of the newer varieties of Russian apple trees procured from 

 J. L. Budd, of Ames, Iowa, a few years since, blossomed in 1890 for the 

 first time, and a few of them carried fruit to maturity. Of the number is 

 1st, Antonovka; fruit, above medium in size; form, fiat, conic, somewhat 

 ribbed; color, a greenish yellow in shade, and a brownish yellow in the 

 sun; the stem is short, set in a yellow, russety cavity; calyx, half open; 

 basin, deep ribbed; core, half open; flesh, pale yellow, firm; flavor, pleas- 

 ant acid. The season this year was November; would probably keep 

 longer if picked early. The trees are on deep, rich, cooley soil and appear 

 vigorous and healthy, showed but little blight. 



2d. No. 1227, Gipsy Girl: fruit, medium, round, mostly bright red, a 

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