432 ANNUAL REPORT. 



hybrids, so called, thus furnishing the best possible plants, as 

 far as we know, for the successful propagation of the blight, and 

 at the same time crowding the market with fruit, as a rule of in- 

 ferior size and quality, that will seldom command over one-half 

 the price of a good, standard apj)le. When Chas. Gibb, of Ab- 

 botsford. Province of Quebec, and Prof. Budd, of Iowa, shall 

 have succeeded in bringing our long list of Eussian fruits out of 

 the mist and fog that surround them, and shall have boiled 

 them down and seasoned them, to our taste, then I predict we may 

 safely substitute them for our Siberian crabs. Yes, and for the 

 most of our so-called hybrids, too. 



EEPOET FEOM WILLIAM SOMEEVILLE. 



Under date of May 17, 1885, Mr. Somerville, of Viola, Olm- 

 sted County, writes: 



' ' With regard to the condition of fruit trees, would say that 

 one can now determine with some degree of certainty as to the 

 amount of injury sustained from the severity of the weather of 

 the past winter. It was the most trying winter to trees in orch- 

 ard ever experienced, with a single exception, during a residence 

 here of twenty-five years. From recent examinations, find that 

 my Eussians, of which I have about fifty varieties, have with- 

 stood the test remarkably well, and most of them are compara- 

 tively uninjured, either in twig or bud. Duchess, with me, is 

 all right, also most of the hybrid varieties; Haas virtually dead, 

 although it has heretofore proved to be hardy in this locality. 

 Elgin Beauty shows the least injury of any of the Minnesota 

 seedlings; is less affected than Wealthy, which gives indications 

 of more or less injury." 



Mr. Somerville' s orchard is situated on a gentle northern ex- 

 posure; soil, rich clay loam, and is surrounded by evergreens, 

 wind breaks and natural groves. 



This closes the reports received on Fruit Prospects in Spring 

 of 1885. 



It should be stated that the article from Eed Eiver Valley 

 (page 296), was written by Mr. E. M. Probstfield, of Moorhead. 



