358 ANNUAL REPORT. 



Our worst fears are being realized in regard to the Wealthy. 

 On account of its early bearing and magnificent fruit we had hoped 

 until quite recently that it would at least pay the cost of cultiva- 

 tion, but its dying proclivities seem so great that we have resolved 

 to plant no more. 



The crops of crab apples and plums were very materially 

 diminished by a severe late frost. And it may be regarded as a sin- 

 gularfact that they are more susceptible to injury by late frosts 

 than Duchess and Tetofski. 



We hear of winter seedling apples scattered over the country,, 

 and there can be no doubt that the liberal premiums offered by our 

 societ}' will bring out something of great value to our state. 



Many varieties of crab apples which have been highly recom- 

 mended are worthless or nearly so to me in orchard. And I 

 am the more confirmed in the opinion that no variety 

 of apple or crab should be recommended by our society 

 without thorough, varied and prolonged orchard tests. And 

 that our apple and crab lists would become more reliable 

 if a greater number of orchardists widely dispersed and fewer 

 nurserymen were engaged in their revision. Not that nur- 

 serymen are less trustworthy, but they sometimes fail to see the 

 true inwardness of the stock they have to sell. 



Small fruits have been nearly a failure — strawberries producing 

 hardly half a crop, with Crescent at the head for profit; and 

 grapes usually failed to ripen before frost. 



[ very much regret that facts do not warrant me in making a 

 more cheering report at the present time, but I promise if I live a 

 hundred years I will do my level best to help beat the elements- 

 and make Minnesota a No. 1 fruit State. 



E. H. S. DARTT. 



REPORT OF SEEDLING FRUIT COMMITTEE. 



During the last year I have spent considerable time in looking 

 up seedlings and new varieties of fruits with a view to finding such 

 as may prove hardy and worthy of propagation and dissemination 

 in this state. It being an off year for fruit, I am not able to make 

 a very definite report upon the value and quality of some of the 

 varieties. One of the trees of Wm. F. Dunbar, of Caledonia, Hous- 

 ton county, mentioned in my report for 1883, appears to be abou 



