348 AlfNUAL REPORT. 



from first-class to worthless, regardless of size. And later we grew 

 another lot of seedlings from the same tree, the surroundings not 

 so good, the Pearmains having died in the time, and not one in ten 

 proved hardy, and not one of the hardy ones produced a good fruit, 

 showing that a good cross in the apple, like in all else, is sure to 

 tell for good, and accordingly the selections were made for the 

 State orchard, and they who get the trees will chance of something 

 new and nice. 



Then aside from the seed growing orchard, we have another on 

 the State grounds of about 500 trees, set with choice seedlings to 

 stand until they bear fruit, to see what the fruit may chance to be, 

 and from it we anticipate something extra. 



Also have a pear orchard that at one time contained about 500 

 trees — less than 100 left, and the success of those not very flatter- 

 ing, yet I have hope of successful pear culture in Minnesota, but 

 that hope is in the Russian pear that I am getting from the Iowa 

 experimental grounds. They have stood without the loss of a bud 

 where our most hardy ones, side by side, same age, killed to the 

 same snow line, and with those Russians I shall refill the grounds 

 in full faith of success; and also anticipate setting another apple 

 orchard on the grounds, composed entirely of Russians from the 

 Iowa experimental grounds. 



The grapery on the State grounds contains about 2,000 vines, 

 mostly in bearing, comprising some 50 varieties; and from seed- 

 lings, from seed of our own growing —some first quality, but a large 

 majority worthless. 



And of the raspberries on the State grounds, the Gregg and 

 Cuthbert do the best. The Turner is not there, but on our own it is 

 all that could be desired in a berry — a luxury that every family 

 should have. 



Of strawberries we have a great assortment, and another year can 

 say better than now what is best. 



PETER M. GIDEON. 



Excelsior, Minn. Dec. 18, 1883. 



