STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 157 
Sr. Perer, Mrnn., January 23d, 1880. 
Prof. C. Y. Lacy, Secretary Minnesota Horticultural Society: 
DEAR Str—During the season of 1879 the fruit crop in this vicinity was 
very much reduced by the frost or rather freeze, which occurred when the 
-apple trees were in blossom. Nevertheless I think there was a larger crop 
-of standard apples than ever before. The storm of July 3d made sad havoc 
in some of the Le Sueur county orchards, notably that of L. B. Carpenter, 
of Lake Emily. He and several others had many trees, some very large ones, 
torn up by the roots, twisted off or otherwise injured. In some orchards no 
damage was done except shaking off the fruit. Notwithstanding all of these 
backsets, several hundred bushels of standard apples must have been raised 
within a radius of fifteen miles of this place. 
Varieties: Duchess, Tetofsky, Haas and Wealthy, and some Walbridge, 
Pewaukee, Fameuse, and Ben Davis. The more tender varieties named were 
generally raised near some of the lakes in the timber in Le Sueur and Blue 
Earth counties. The Transcendent was not so plentiful as in former years, 
-as it has blighted badly on our prairies, and in some localities in the timber. 
There were a few nice pears raised in the timber, but I have not been able 
to learn the locality and do mot know the variety. They were probably the 
Flemish Beauty, although it is not hardy except when protected by a lake 
in the timber. The Duchess and Haas seemed to be the most plentiful; the 
Wealthy only beginning to bear. The plum crop was a failure, owing to the 
frost. Currants were :a moderate crop. Raspberries a failure, owning to 
winter-killing mainly. Strawberries were a short crop on account of the 
frost. Large quantities of strawberries and blueberries, and some raspber- 
ries wereimported. Grape crop was caught by the freeze in the fall. Stand- 
ard apples were bought by our grocers at from $1.25 to $1.50 per bushel. 
Transcendents and Hyslops at 60 to 80 cents. Strawberries sold readily at 
15 cents. Currants,about $2.00 per bushel. 
Those who raised fruit for sale claim that the land devoted to its culture 
yields a larger profit one year with another than any other crop. 
MR. STORRS’ REPORT. 
The Secretary. I have a report from Mr. Storrs, but it is quite 
long and he has given considerable of it before. Perhaps he 
could give us the new things in his report verbally. 
Mr. Harris. I move the report be accepted without reading, 
because of the want of time, as is often done. 
Motion was seconded and carried. The following is the report: 
Wuiystep LAKE, Mrnn., Jan. 13th, 1880. 
Mr. President and members of Minnesota State Horticultural Society : 
In this my annual report, I will give a brief history of my failures and 
-successes in trying to grow fruit in Minnesota. 
