130 ANNUAL IlEPORT. 



When I fifist came here I was told to set them close to my trees; I 

 did it but I wouldn't do it again. 



Mr. Tuttle. I have had pear trees blight in a field, on ground 

 that never had been cultivated. It was an idea we had several 

 years ago that pears on cultivated ground wouldn't blight, I have 

 trees on cultivated ground and uncultivated, and I can see no differ- 

 ence. They blight just as bad in one place as another. When a 

 pear tree blights it is one of the worst of trees. We used to grow 

 trees that never had a particle of blight, that bore good crops of 

 fruit. I have trees that never blighted a particle, that are twenty- 

 five feet high. I believe trees, generally, after .they bear good crops, 

 to be more liable to blight, but I have little faith in varieties that 

 arc originated in this country. If I had as much faith in the Rus- 

 sian peais as I have in the Russian apples I would look no further. 

 I am trying the Russian pear; it seems to be perfectly hardy, but 

 whether it will stand the blight, is a question to be found out here- 

 after. 



On motion, the meeting here adjourned till 7 o'clock p. m. 



EVENING SESSION. 

 Tuesday, Januaky 19, 1886. 



The meeting was called to order at 7 o'clock p. m. by President 

 Smith. 



A paper by Wm. McHenry, on Blackberry Culture in Minnesota 

 was read by the Assistant Secretary. Following is the paper- 



BLACKBERRY CULTURE IN MINNESOTA. 

 By Wm. McHenry, St. Charles. 



Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: 



As it is impossible for me to be with you at this meeting and feeling a great interest 

 in the cause of horticulture, I will try in a brief manner to comply with the wishes 

 of your Secretary and others. 



My motto is "Wliat one man has done another can do." 



What varieties of blackberry are best adapted to culture in Minnesota? or have 

 we any variety hardy enough to bear well in Minnesota without protection? I answer 

 No, if so trot it out, for it is worth "millions." 



I know when I make the above assertion I tread on many corns, for nurserymen's 

 catalogues are full nf testimonials of certain kinds that need "no protection;" and 

 yet which it is alleged bear immense crops of lucious fruit. There are few of my 



