STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 31 



Crescent beats all for production while Countess is a profitable fer- 

 tilizer. 



Vick and Piper give abundant promise, but if their promises are not 

 redeemed better than last year they Avill go under with many others. 



Blackberries are a failure unless protected; the Dewberry is easiest 

 covered and the earliest to ripen, gives a good crop when well culti- 

 vated. The Snyder and Stone's Hardy are showing an occasional 

 branch in bloom when unprotected. Taylor's Prolific, Ancient Briton, 

 Western Triumph, Early Harvest, Stayman's Early and many others 

 have shared a like fate. Acres have been mowed and burned — there is 

 no safet}' except by covering, and even then there isdanger of uncover- 

 ing just before a prize and get the tender buds nipped. 



The grapes are promising full, when well cared for — there is no use 

 trying to raise any fruit without care. 



Truly the horticulturists' path is strewn with thorns beside those 

 on roses. 



Geo. J. Kellogg. 

 Janesville, Wisconsin, June 15, 1885. 



A letter was read from C. Hamilton, of Ripou, Wis., regretting his 

 inability to be present at the meeting and enclosing a paper on small 

 fruits, furnished by request, and closing with good wishes for the sac- 

 cess of the Society, etc. The paper referred to will appear further 

 along in this report. 



FRUIT REPORT BY ANDREW PETERSON, WACONIA. 



The following report on Russian varieties of fruit, from Mr. Peter- 

 son of Waconia, was then read: 



Waconia, Carver Co., Minn., June 19, 1885. 



S. D. Hillman, Secretary, etc. 



Dear Sir: I am very thankful for the program and the letter you 

 send me, but am sorry to say that I cannot be at the meeting, as I 

 shall not be at home at that time. I send you a short report on the 

 condition of apple trees after the past severe winter at my place. 

 Most of the Wealthy are entirely killed and the rest are so badly dam- 

 aged they will probably die another year. The Duchess is damaged a 

 good deal. Some of the Russian varieties, perhaps eight or ten, are 

 injured more or less; some of them I suppose will die. Little Seedling 

 and Transparent are not hardy trees. The Christmas apple seems 



