304 ANNUAL EEPORT. 



Autumn Streaked, Eevel Pear, Duchess, Tetofsky, Wealthy, 

 Eollins Pippin, Elgin Beauty, EoUins Eusset, Longfield, Yellow 

 Transparent, White Transparent, Green and Eed Transparent, 

 Philips' Sweet and Sour Seedlings, Wolf Eiver and others. 



4. "Describe the character of the injury." First, as a rule, the 

 fruit buds are killed; second, much of the wood is so discolored 

 by the extreme low temperature of the past winter that too large 

 a proportion of it will be converted into heart wood. 



5. "What is the condition of Eussiau varieties in your local- 

 ity'?" Answer — They average a trifle better than American 

 sorts. 



6. " Have you, or do you know of any that have withstood 

 the past winter without injury ? ' ' Answer— Xo. 



7. "What is the condition of Siberians and hybrids?" An- 

 g^'er — They have withstood the effects of the past severe winter 

 better thau all others, but none have escaped some discoloration. 



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." Answer 

 — Were I obliged to answer the above by yes or no, I should say 

 no; but I think, perhaps, the Hart apple comes as near filling 

 the above bill of requirements as anything with which I am 

 acquainted. It is supposed to be a seedling of the Talman Sweet, 

 fertilized by the Duchess, and originated in the township of 

 Dover, Olmsted County, Minnesota. 



9. "State character of soil, exposure and what j)rotection, if 

 any to trees." Answer — Clay loam soil, high, northern exposure, 

 and mostly surrounded by evergreens. 



10. ' ' What is the present condition of strawberries, raspber- 

 ries, currants, blackberries, and grapes?" Answer — All O. K. 

 and prospects for a good crop of fruit. 



Providing the bark of a tree is alive, it is truly wonderful to see 

 how small an amount of sap wood is actually necessary for its 

 welfare and support. The idea that a "black-hearted" 

 tree is ivorthless is about played out. I never had a stronger 

 abiding faith in successful fruit culture in Minnesota than I 

 have to-day, notwithstanding the fact that our trees will in- 

 crease in heart wood this year more rapidly than ever before. 

 We shall watch hopefully for the "survival of the fittest," grasp 

 these with confidence and thankfulness, and proceed to astonish 

 the croakers in the future as we have in the past, both at Phila- 



