a 
= 
bo 
ns 
Sr 
GENERAL FRUITS. 
REPORT ON GENERAL FRUITS. 
M. C. BUNNELL, ST. PAUL. 
To the Members of the Minnesota State Horticultural Society: 
My report will be brief. Iam sorry that I cannot be with you at the 
- quarto-centennial meeting, which, no doubt, will be interesting to all 
horticulturists. I think we can look back since the organization of our 
society and see that there has been great advancement in horticulture in 
Minnesota. 
The growing of standard apples has been discouraging to many, owing 
to their lack of knowledge regarding right location and _ soil best 
adapted to them, and the consequence is, they stand ready to condemn 
Minnesota as an apple-growing state. 
My experience has led me to believe that a north slope is the best. 
If you can’t get a north slope, select an east slope. What we want is to 
prevent the flow of sap too early in the spring. Then I would recom- 
mend a heavy clay soil in preference to any other, so as to give the tree 
a steady growth, so the wood may ripen well before winter closes in. If 
one has not a hillside, then mulch the trees heavily and keep the frost in 
as long as possible. 
’ Now, as to the blight, it is a mystery what causes it. Various opinions 
are formed relative to it. A Mr. Masterman, of Oakdale, Washington 
Co., tells me that trees whose roots run close to the surface blight worse 
than those whose roots run deep into the ground. If that thought be 
correct, then I should think good heavy mulching would prevent it ina 
great measure. My idea would be to have the orchard located on high 
ground with a clay soil and a good circulation of air. The trees would 
not then be so likely to succumb to the ravages of the blight. 
The Transcendent seems to suffer worse than other varieties, although 
I have noticed the blight among the Whitneys and Wealthys. The 
Duchess still takes the lead as a hardy tree, and in many locations in 
Washington and Dakota counties they produce well. The Early Straw- 
berry is appreciated by all those acquainted with the fruit. The planter 
wants a few among his varieties. Some Minnesotas are planted. The 
Okobena is being introduced, and the farmers are trying a few of them. 
Mr. Adam Saches, of West St. Paul township, Dakota Co., reports to 
me picking 123 bushels of crabs from twelve trees, mostly Transcendents. 
He marketed them at St. Paul, receiving from $1.00 to $1.50 per bushel. 
His Duchess brought him $1.00 per bushel. I don’t see how any one can 
claim that it does not pay to plant fruit trees in Minnesota. 
Herman Kernkamp, of Woodbury, Washington Co., reports his Wealthy 
trees bearing well the past year; his Whitney blighted some. His Desota 
and Weaver plums bore a fair crop and brought him a fair price, notwith- 
standing the abundantcrop. I noticed the little green lice infested some 
of the trees. 
The warm weather we had in September ripened the grapes so that 
there was a very good crop. 
