STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 313 



day reveal no signs of future usefulness, but are simi)ly "cum- 

 berers of the ground." The Wealthy, Duchess, and Peach are 

 a shade better. I find the least discolored wood in the Early 

 Strawberry, a variet3% by the way, of the hybrids, having but 

 few equals as a dessert apple in this country. From this variety 

 am hopeful of a fair crop of fruit. 



The Turner raspberry comes out of winter quarters without a 

 blemish — never looked better. Brandy wine and Philadelphia 

 in good condition. Blackcaps: Ohio, Tyler, and Lonegan in 

 splendid condition. Am hoping for a bountiful crop of rasp- 

 berries. 



Grapes, if protected, are all right, and the unprotected ones 

 are all wrong. 



Strawberries, in appearance, are all that can be desired, and, 

 barring untimely frosts, or droughts, we are sure of a fair crop. 



Currants ditto. 



With all my misgivings with reference to apples, I am still 

 hopeful that time and favorable conditions may yet find deliver- 

 ance for our precious varieties of the apple, that just now seem 

 to be in so much danger. The Russian varieties that are being- 

 introduced in Minnesota will, I think, in due time solve the 

 problem of apple raising in our State. 



FROM SIDNEY CORP. 



Hammond, Minn., May 5, 1885. 

 My trees have gone through the winter all right; did not lose 

 a tree by winter killing. When your first letter came, I exam- 

 ined my trees and found the wood some colored, and buds in a 

 condition too backward for me to be able to state correctly; but 

 now I find the wood all right and a prospect of a good bloom 

 with exception of a few very tender sorts. I have but three of 

 the Russian varieties in bearing; they are all right, they are the 

 Yellow Anis, Autumn Streaked and a white Russian apple name 

 not known, of the Tetofsky type, but far superior in tree, and 

 equal in fruit. The Autumn Streaked is one of the very best 

 summer apples that I have ever raised; the Anis is under size. 



FROM F. G. GOULD. 



Excelsior, Minn., May 5, 1885. 

 I have observed the condition of fruit trees and plants to some 

 extent in this neighborhood this spring. It is too early at this 

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