340 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



and raspberries were the most commonly used of the small fruits. 

 Injury to trees by raspberries and currants was reported by one 

 orchardist. 



The effects of cultivation were generally beneficial, for as a 

 general rule the vigor, growth, health and productiveness of the 

 trees were increased. Some of the growers thought that tillage 

 was conducive to blight, while others were unable to detect any 

 such correlation. 



In seeding down, clover or red clover was again the most 

 popular legume, as it was used thirty-three times, while alfalfa 

 was used six times, alsike twice and white clover once. Of the 

 grasses, timothy was sown in eighteen cases, Junegrass in six 

 and self-seeded in eight, and red top in three. Again red clover 

 and timothy took the lead as being the most popular combination. 



Twenty-two, or forty per cent, of the orchards were used 

 as pastures, although chickens were the only offenders in three 

 cases. Hogs, calves, cows, sheep and horses were reported, the 

 hogs being the most prevalent. Some injury was reported by 

 both hogs and calves and also benefits from the former on ac- 

 count of their tearing up the sod. 



Twenty-one of the orchardists reported that they removed 

 the grass, six that they removed a part of it, and seven that they 

 left the grass for a mulch. Forty-seven out of the fifty-five 

 applied either manure or a mulch, and only three growers 

 removed their grass without adding manure. The amount of 

 manure added, of course, varied with each grower, but in nearly 

 every case some benefit was obtained. A few of the benefits 

 noted were as follows: It retained moisture and increased the 

 size and number of perfect fruits, prevented deep freezing, 

 reduced the amount of sod, increased the growth, vigor and 

 health of the trees, kept down weeds, prevented washing of the 

 soil and provided a good crop of grass. 



It is readily seen that the orchard practices in this section 

 are similar to those in the southeastern section. Young or- 

 chards are cultivated and intercropped, and later when they com- 

 mence to bear they are seeded down. Manure is also applied to 

 most of the orchards. 



The third, or northeastern, section sent in six reports, and 

 this small number is probably closely correlated with the impor- 

 tance of the fruit industry of this region. All of these orchards 

 have been cultivated, but now two are in sod. The remainder 

 are intercropped with small fruits and vegetables. Small fruits, 



