STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 429 



Guyot divides climates generally into two classes, the maritime or oceanic, 

 which cover the seaward slopes of continents with the humid atmosphere of the 

 sea, and the interior or continental climates, where a dry atmosphere prevails 

 such as reigns over the interior plains of Asia and America. 



Now, the climate of Minnesota is a blending of these two m summer; while 

 in winter the arid interior atmosphere generally prevails. It is in a correspond- 

 ing geographicnl situation in the Eastern Hemisphere, that we must seek for the 

 climatic parallel of Minnesota, both as to heat and moisture. We long ago 

 pointed out the striking coincidence both of temperatures and rain measures 

 betwi en the climate of Minnesota and Central Russia, and it is here that Col- 

 Robertson is led by his researches in natural history to look for the apples, pears, 

 plums, and cherries which are suited to the peculiar conditions of our Minnesota 

 climate. The subject is one of such great importance as will justify practical 

 investigation. For our own part, we do not in the least doubt that Col. Robert- 

 son has got upon the right track, and that not in Illinois nor even in Northern 

 New York, nor in Lower Canada, but in the interior of Russia and Siberia, are 

 to be found the nurseries which will supply our fruit growers with the future 

 orchards of Minnesota, 



EXPLANATORY. 



Under advice from aiembers of the Executive Committee the 

 Secretary had solicited and obtained from the authors several ex- 

 cellent papers on general agriculture, read at the meetings of other 

 societies during the past winter; but, it haviugbeen intimated that 

 their publication in the Horticultural Report might be open to 

 question by the Legislature as being unauthorized by law, it has 

 been decided reluctantly to leave them out, and to limit the report 

 strictly to matters of horticulture and forestry. 



Among these papers, the following were and are believed to be 

 of much value to Minnesota farmers: 



'"Minnesota as a Dairy State," by 0. C. Gregg, of Camden, Lyon 

 county; "Practical Truths by a Farmer's Wife," by Mrs. S. E. 

 Curryer, of Lake Crystal, Blue Earth county; "Brains in the Dairy," 

 by L. B. Hibbard of the Farmer s Revieiv, Chicago — read at the 

 Mankato meeting of the Northwestern Dairy mens' Association; 

 and "Wind as a Farm Motor," by C. D. Fox," of Beloit, Wiscon- 

 sin — read at the February meeting of the Wisconsin State Agri- 

 cultural Society. 



Reports of the two societies mentioned, containing these papers, 

 will be solicited in exchange, for the benefit of members of the 

 Horticultural Society who may wish to read them. 



