294 ANNUAL REPORT. 



as possible, in order that the information elicited may appear in the forthcom- 

 ing report of the society. 



1. How has the past winter aftected standard varieties of apples? 



2. What varieties, if any, have received no injury? 



3. What varieties have sustained least injury? 



4. Describe the character of the injury. 



5. What is the condition of Eussian varieties in your locality ? 



6. Have you, or do you know of any that have withstood the past winter 

 without injury? 



7. What is the condition of Siberians and hybrids? 



8. Have you, or do you know of any seedling, or unknown variety of apples 

 which has come through the winter unharmed, or which promises to be of 

 value? If so, state section, township and range, age, locality, with description 

 of fruit, etc. 



9. State character of soil, exposure and what protection, if any, to trees. 



10. What is the present condition of strawberries, raspberries, currants, 

 blackberries and grapes ? Is the prospect favorable for a good crop of fruit ? 



Wyman Elliot, 



S. D. HiLLMAN, 



Committee. 

 Please answer the foregoing as far as practicable and forward to the secretary 

 of the society. S. D. Hillmax, 



Minneapolis, Minn. 



FEOM PETEE M. GIDEOX, SUPEElNTEIs^DES^T EX- 

 PEEIMENTAL FEUIT FAEM. 



Excelsior, Minn., March 28, 1885. 



All varieties of apples and crabs are discolored more or less, 

 but the extent of the damage cannot be told as yet. By next 

 fall we can tell what varieties have the inherent vitality to 

 recover from the shock, and until then I don't propose to com- 

 mit myself for or against anything. 



The following article from the pen of Mr. Gideon will be found 

 of interest in this connection. 



DAMAGE TO FRUIT TREES. 



Editor Farm, Stock and Hom^: 



I have been out to-day examining the apple prospects for the 

 coming season, and am sorry to say that the prospect is anything 

 but flattering. The damage far exceeded that of any winter since 

 we first began the cultivation of the Crab, Duchess and Wealthy. 

 Never before did they discolor so bad, or come so near losing 

 their entire croi^ of fruit buds. All varieties are discolored 

 more or less in their last year's growth, though many of them 



