236 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Raspberry Diseases in Minnesota. 



G. R. HOERNER, ASSISTANT IN PLANT PATHOLOGY, UNIVERSITY FARM, ST. PAUL. 



Many varieties of raspberries have been brought to a high 

 state of development in this country. Co-ordinately with the 

 development of the host plant, so have raspberry diseases de- 

 veloped. The extent of this development has been such that a 

 thorough study of these diseases, with the end in view of com- 

 bating their ravages, has become a necessity if the successful 

 growing of this excellent fruit is to continue. 



The first federal report on raspberry and loganberry pro- 

 duction in the United States in 1899 shows an estimated national 

 planting of 60,916 acres, with a production of 76,628,107 quarts. 

 Minnesota is credited with 1,115 acres and 1,252,930 quarts. 



The last available federal statistics, for the year 1909, esti- 

 mate the national planting at 48,668 acres, with a production of 

 60,918,196 quarts, at a valuation of $5,132,277. Of this total 

 Minnesota grew 1,388 acres, producing 1,340,469 quarts, at a 

 valuation of $178,689. 



For this short period of ten years these figures show a 

 decline in the United States of 12,248 acres devoted to the crop 

 with a consequent decrease in production of 15,709,911 quarts. 

 Estimating the value at the same rate per quart as in 1909, there 

 is a reduction in financial returns of approximately $1,335,342. 



Although Minnesota's total acreage and yield increased, 

 there was an actual decrease in production of an average of 158 

 quarts and a consequent loss of $20.54 per acre. 



No later figures being available, it is impossible to state 

 whether the acreage and yield has increased proportionately, 

 whether the yield per acre has been reduced or whether the 

 actual number of acres devoted to this crop is on the decline 

 as a result of the effects of disease. 



However, Mr. E. C. Magill, recently of Wayzata High 

 School, in a report on a survey of the raspberry industry in 

 Hennepin county for the past season, states that in four main 

 berry growing districts only one is increasing its acreage. 

 Many fields in the remaining three districts are said to have been 

 already abandoned and others in such poor condition that the 

 plants should be taken out. 



A number of varieties have been grown in Minnesota with 

 varying degrees of success, and although weather conditions and 

 poor cultural practices may be responsible for some decrease in 

 yield, failure to recognize the importance and serious nature 



