246 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 



paratively few gardens where any fruit, whatever, is grown. There are 

 few gardens where fruits are grown for the market. Most of the fruit 

 consumed is grown abroad, 



A good garden among the farmers is the exception and not the rule, as 

 it should be. 



With the success attending the few who are raising small fruits in 

 abundance for their own use and to spare and who are raising apples in a 

 limited scale, the question is often asked: "Why cannot I grow them?" I 

 believe that there is an increasing interest in general fruits, and that 

 each year will show a decided advance.* 



REPORT ON GENERAL FRUITS, SEVENTH CONGRESSIONAL 



DISTRICT. 



REV O. A TH. SOLEM, HALSTAD. 



I would be glad to give an encouraging report from this part of our 

 state, but I am sorry to say I cannot. When I came here ten years ago 

 I was told we could raise no fruits here, our summer was too short 

 and the climate too cold. Some of our old settlers had bought trees for 

 $20.00 and $30,00, but had none left, etc. 



I found lots of small fruits in our woods, and a few years ago I made 

 up my mind I would start on a small scale. The first mistake I made 

 was to order from a traveling agect. Now I order direct, and always have 

 success with exception of strawberries. We generally have a dry spell at 

 the time the strawberries are ripening, hence the result is not encourag- 

 ing. Last fall was very dry, and my strawberries hud a hard time, I 

 went through them with my hand cultivator about twice a week. 



My experience is that we can raise several kinds of raspberries and, 

 probably, more blackberries, if we cover in winter. 



My mistake is that I have been trying to raise fruit without winter 

 protection. 



My raspberries gave a fair crop last year. 



Victoria currant, as usual a heavy crop. 



Cherry currant, poor crop. (The Cherry currant is shy bearer with me.) 



Prince Albert currant, a very good crop. 



Red and White Dutch, a good crop. 



White Grape, a light crop, 



Downing's gooseberry, a good crop, • 



Siberian crab, a very good crop. 



Whitney's No. 20, a fair crop, 



Mr. Pearce of Chowen s^nt me 12 Tonkas last spring. They all made a 

 fine growth and stand O. K. 



REPORT OF VICE-PRESIDENT OF IIRST CONGRESSIONAL 



DISTRICT, 



CLARENCE WEDGE, ALBERT LEA. 



Your vice-president, having reported to the secretary both as super- 

 intendent of experiment station and. as a member of the committee on 

 apples, finds little to add by way of report as vice-president. 



