GENERAL FRUITS. 245 



REPORT ON GENERAL FRUITS, SEVENTH CONGRESSIONAL 



DISTRICT. 



D. T. AVHEATON, MORRIS. 



Mr. Fresident and fellow members: 



My observations in the line of general fruits have be'fen much less and 

 thorough than I desired to have them. What I have to report will be 

 chiefly concerning Stevens and adjoining counties. You are well aware 

 that this section of the state grows but little fruit. The all important 

 question is, can fruits be successfully grown in tliis section with ordinary 

 care? If the experience of a majority of those who have tried to raise 

 apples should be taken, the answer would be in the negative, but the 

 majority are not always in the right. 



There are probably fewer apple trees growing in this county to-day than 

 ten years ago. This unpleasant fact is, doubtless, owing in a large degree 

 to the planting of tender varieties, the fruits of which look well in the 

 agent's plate-book and which promised to be hardy. Doubtless, many 

 died from lack of proper care and some from blight and other good 

 causes; but experience proved the sad fact that most of the trees went 

 to the brush pile and that only a few of the hardiest ana best cared for 

 survive. The survival of the few show that apple trees will grow and 

 that apples can be raised here. The past season was favorable for the 

 growth of trees. There was little or no tree blight. The apple crop was 

 good, and although the number of trees was limited, the crop in Lhe aggre- 

 gate was considerable. The varieties grown were chiefly Duchess, 

 Wealthy, Whitney's No.20, Transcendent, Hyslop, Beecher's Sweet, Power's 

 Red and other varieties. A few seedlings promise well and bore some 

 this season. Some Russian trees are making a healthy growth and blos- 

 somed for the first time. 



The raising of plums seems to give the best promise of success of all 

 the larger fruits. All of the leading varieties of native plums are grown 

 without any trouble. Some seedlings and some growing wild in the groves 

 are not much, if any, inferior to the better known varieties. The plum 

 crop was nearly a failure, but few trees or groves having any fruit. The 

 trees blossomed full and the fruit set, but soon turned into puff-balls. 

 What the cause was I should like to have you tell. There are a few 

 Lombard plums grafted on native stock, that are thrifty and seem to be 

 hardy and have b^n in bearing for several years. 



There are some tame cherry trees that are thrifty and appear hardy-and 

 are commencing to bear. 



Russian mulberries are growing, but the fruit is of little account. 

 Should think it would make a good hedge. Grapes grow with protection, 

 and the fruit ripens before hard frosts. The Concord, Delaware, Janes- 

 ville and Worden are the chief varieties and all do well. Currants 

 flourish well with good care and do well even with neglect. There was 

 an abundant crop. The Houghton, Downing and Smith's Improved 

 gooseberries all grow with no protection and yield an immense crop. The 

 Turner raspberry proves itself to be a good bearer and very hardy, with or 

 without protection. Blackberries grow and yield a good crop with winter 

 protection. Strawberries were an abundant crop, witli half a chance. Yet^ 

 with all the success that is had with growing small fruits, there are com- 



