296 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



as are of most vital importance to the horticulturist, and which tend 

 to elevate, refine and improve the condition of the wealth producers of 

 the country. The size and age of trees for planting, modes of culture to 

 ensure successful orcharding, object lessons in pruning, native plums, 

 grapes, evergreens, landscape gardening, humbugs, higher education and 

 many other subjects that our limited space will not permit us to mention 

 were discussed. The papers were generally prepared from the standpoint 

 of experience and careful observation, and were able, clear and convincing. 



Delegates were present from the Eastern and Western Iowa Horticul- 

 tural Societies, and Minnesota was represented by E. H. S. Dartt, of the 

 experiment station at Owatonna, O. F. Brand, Rice Co., and J. S. Harris, 

 Houston Co. 



In connection with the meeting there was a fine exhibition of apples 

 grown in northern Iowa, and a fine display of canned fruits. In standard 

 varieties of apples were found the Wealthy, Haas, Plugnb Cider, Perry Rus- 

 set, Willow, Roman Stem, Wolf River, Utter, and others; also a number 

 of varieties of Russians, and several good collections of seedlings. The 

 largest collection of the latter was from the orchard of Mr. Thompson, of 

 Grundy Co., a dozen or more varieties, large, showy, and generally of good 

 quality. Six varieties were shown in quantity from an orchard in Clay- 

 ton Co., from trees said to be 25 years old, and good bearers, 21 bushels 

 having been gathered from one tree last year, and a good crop this year. 

 None of them may prove hardy enough for Minnesota, but they are evi- 

 dently more hardy than most of the varieties we planted a few years ago. 

 Another collection was shown that originated in Fayette county; two or 

 three of them are excellent. C. G. Patten showed four varieties of 

 Duchess seedlings. The most valuable is probably the No. 3, or Patten's 

 Greening. The tree is believed to be as hardy as the Duchess of Olden- 

 burg, resists blight well, and is an early and free bearer of an apple above 

 medium in size, flat round, yellow in color, and when ripe often with 

 blush on the sun side. The flesh is fine giained and juicy, and of a pleas- 

 ant acid flavor; it is a good cooker, and better than Ben Davis for eating. 

 The variety is said to be doing well wherever on trial. O. F. Brand had 

 a few plates of the Peerless on exhibition. It is a fine looking fruit, just 

 about the right size for profit, and is at this time a good apple for eating. 

 Will probably keep well into January. 



ON HORTICULTURAL MAPS. 



A COMMUNICATION FROM N. H. WINCHELL, STATE GEOLOGIST. 



University of Minnesota, Jan. 13, 1891. 

 President Wyma/n Elliot, Horticultural Society. 



Dear Sir: Agreeably to your request I give a statement of the ground 

 covered by the series of maps which you examined at my office a few days 

 ago. 



These maps, numbering twenty altogether, are based on and express 

 the results of the work of the geological and natural history survey, in all 

 its economic bearings susceptible of such mapping, since its commence- 

 ment in 1872 to 1884. They were made for exhibition at New Orleans, at 

 the late cotton exposition, and had the report of that exposition, which 



