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 GENERAL FRUITS. 243 



county fair. It was a bad season for blight, especially on tlie Transend- 

 ents. Raspberries, both red and black, yielded medium crops. Currants 

 and gooseberry bushes hung full. A few blackberries were raised, but they 

 are an expensive luxury for me to grow. There are a few places where 

 some fine grapes were grown. 



I think for a year or two the people have been a little more encouraged 

 about growing fruit, at least they are disposed to try again. 



REPORT ON GENERAL FRUITS, THIRD CONGRESSIONAL 



DISTRICT. 



SETH H, KENNEY, MORRISTOWN. 



On account of press of business it will be impossible for me to be 

 present at the annual meeting. I here mention some of the fruits that 

 have done well the past season in Rice county. First, on the list is the 

 Duchess of Oldenberg, as far as my observation goes. The trees were all 

 loaded and the fruit generally brought good prices. I had several trees 

 about twelve years old "that averaged $4 per tree. All over the county this 

 apple was the most promising of all on the list. Whitney's No. 20 also paid 

 well and generally bore a good crop. Tetofsky bore better than usual. 

 Wealthy — from two trees that survived the winter of 1885 and 1886, I 

 picked one barrel. The last-named trees have had their trunks boxed 

 several years, and have in a large measure recovered their vigor from the 

 above-named winter. Meaders Red Winter bore heavily and are valuable 

 for their keeping qualities. The Transcendents that in the past have paid 

 so well were a complete failure, as far as my observation extends. A 

 blight or mildew attacked the leaf and fruit. Some Snyder blackberries 

 received from Mr. Cutler of Sumter bore a fine crop. The Windom 

 dewberry has been with me a complete failure each year. Strawberries 

 were a short crop. Grapes generally yielded well. 



The orchard of 300 Wealthy and 100 Duchess has been set, with the 

 present winter, three winters. The trunks were boxed and filled to the top, 

 two and one-half feet high and eight inches square, with earth; many of 

 the trunks are over one inch in diameter and eight feet high. I am well 

 satisfied with this experiment, and many of the farmers of Rice county have 

 adopted this plan, after looking over this orchard. It is a safe insurance 

 against seven winters. Each fall I mulch about the boxes with coarse 

 manure. I found the trees that were heavily mulched did not leave out 

 as early as some that were not much mulched. I shall look for some fruit 

 next season. Some have thought the earth left in the boxes would injure 

 the trees, but the results are convincing proof. My past experience in 

 fruit growing in Minnesota has not been a success, but present prospects 

 look better. 



REPORT ON GENERAL FRUITS, FOURTH CONGRESSIONAL 



DISTRICT. 



J. F, ZATTERSTROM, SPENCER BROOK, 



I regret very much that I shall not be able to attend your next annual 

 meeting, and I doubt if I shall have anything of interest to report to such 

 an intelligent body, that will warrant the encroaching upon its equally 

 valuable time. 



