32 ANNUAL REPORT. 
highly colored and flavored fruit, harvested at its full maturity, carefully 
picked, free from blemishes and bruises, in clean baskets, and transported 
to market ina spring wagon, will command a ready sale, and at remunera- 
tive prices. In my experience the supply has never exceeded the demand. 
Over-production 
And there is little danger that in the future, fruit growing will be carried 
to excess. It is a fact that at present fruit is one of our principal imports, 
and from the fact that much of the earlier fruit, and all the small fruit is 
picked and shipped before its maturity, to say nothing of the injury which 
it receives in transit, it will be seen that when it reaches the consumer it is. 
of an inferior quality, and much of it possibly unfit for use. 
One has only to inspeet the fruit on sale in the jobbing houses of our 
cities, or sold in large quantities at auction houses, to be convinced of this. 
The moral is this: That we should produce all the fruit necessary for home 
consumption so far as we are able to do it, and so far as the conditions of 
our climate are favorable. 
In this way we shall retain at home a large amount which is now sent 
abroad for fruit which could just as well be produced here. And more than 
this, in the case of some varieties of fruit, we can create a demand for 
abroad. It would not be a surprise if in some fruits we should excel our 
neighbors, and that we, by Minnesota fruit, will have a reputation as high 
as Minnesota wheat and flour. 
Conclusion. 
In conclusion allow me to remark that my experiments in fruit culture 
have not engaged my special attention, nor have they absolved much of my 
time. This branch of industry has rather been an incidental one with me. 
I have bestowed less attention to this department than to any other. If any 
part of my business has been neglected it has been this. The results of my 
experiments, therefore, furnish no correct data for forming a correct judg- 
ment of what is possible to be done in this branch of industry. 
But enough has been realized to convince me that it may be made not only 
a remunerative industry, but one that possesses rare attractions, and cor- 
responding enjoyments. 
Very respectfully yours, 
W. E. BRIMHALL. 
DISCUSSION. 
The paper was declared open for discussion, and the following 
remarks were offered. 
Varieties. 
Mr. Harris. Think the paper is a goud and practical one. 
Think some varieties are cultivated with profit by some persons, 
but thousands of dollars are sunk in fruit trees. A Wisconsin 
friend told me he would plant 999 Duchess of Oldenburg and one 
