250 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



There seems to be an impression among some of the horticulturists of 

 this state that but little fruit can be s^rownin the arid section west of the 

 big woods, but this is erroneous. We can grow as flnp fruit here as can be 

 grown anywhere in the state, and we shall soon demonstrate it. The 

 Duchess and Wealthy have been our best paying apples and should be 

 planted largely. 



EEPORT OF VICE-PRESIDENT, FOURTH CONGRESSIONAL 



DISTRICT. 



R. S. MACKINTOSH, LANGDON. 



Members of the Minnesota State Horticultural Society: 



The strawberry crop in most parts of this district was rather light. At 

 Afton, Washington Co., some fine berries were raised, but the yield was 

 not large. 



Raspberries and blackberries were about the average, if not below. 

 Plums an entire failure here, and reports seem to indicate that it was 

 general. Our plums are young. They grew well and, as the weather was 

 favorable, ripened the wood well. I measured a few sprouts that were six 

 feet long. We have planted the Desota, Weaver and Forest Garden, all 

 doing well. 



The Duchess apple yielded heavily this season. There are more of the 

 kind planted here than any other, I think, and everywhere the trees were 

 loaded. The market was good, so none were wasted. Other varieties gave 

 various returns, some with fruit, but I think principally with blight. 



When we have secured a few varieties of apples that will stand every- 

 thing when properly cared for, then we shall find Minnesota one of the 

 leading fruit states. 



Grapes are not grown very much in this locality, but what few vines 

 there are yielded quite well. The weather in the fall was very favorable 

 for ripening. I visited one vineyard of several hundred vines that was 

 very promising. (This was at the time when a few were just turning.) 



I hope ere long we shall find more fruits and vegetables grown by our 

 farmers: also more shade trees and windbreaks for protection from the 

 fierce winds of winter and the sun of summer. Among the trees 

 around our houses and in our gardens, let us find more flowers that are for 

 enjoyment and pleasure, if not to appease hunger or fill the pocket book! 

 These things will help solve the problem of making farm life better and 

 pleasanter. 



REPORT OF VICE-PRESIDENT, SIXTH CONGRESSIONAL DIS- 

 TRICT. 



MRS. JENNIE STAGER, SAUK RAPIDS. 



Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen: 



In the last feAv years the planting of trees, vines and small fruits has 

 largely increased. As for apples, I, for myself, am quite discouraged. 

 Out of over one hundred trees, I have only about five that are perfect, 

 two of those being Russians. One of my Transcendents I was very 

 proud of; about eighteen feet high and sixteen inches in circumference; 



