STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 243 



said that snmll fruit culture has rapidly developed, and those who claim to know 

 whereof they speak affirm it pays a liberal return. We have no accurate data con- 

 y cerning just the quantity of berries raised in Minnesota, suffice to say, the quantity 

 of strawberries alone, produced in 1885, was several times as great as that of three 

 to five years since. The little patches planted here and there have grown (o acres 

 in many instances, producing large and paying crops of luscious fruit which finds 

 a ready market here at home. 



In this connection it may be proper to inquire if this Society should not give some 

 attention to the discussion of all the various methods to be used in order to encour- 

 age and promote this profitable and pleasing industry-the cultivation of small 

 fruit. 



THE PAST YEAK 



j In some respects has been a trying one; perhaps the most disastrous to fruit trees 

 I ever yet experienced. The losses are, however, not confined to northern latitudes 

 Fruit growers hundreds of miles below the southern limits of our State are bitterly 

 complaining. Reports that reach us from Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin and other 

 states would seem_to indicate that losses have been great in all these different sec- 

 tions. For example, an estimate of fruit trees in northern Illinois, reported as 

 dead or in a dying condition, presents the following result: apple trees 56 per 

 cent; pear trees, 65 per cent; peach trees, 95 per cent. This somewhat new and 

 , phenomenal experience has disarranged to some extent the well-established theories 

 entertained and put in practice heretofore, concerning hardiness and ease of propa- 

 gation of certain kinds of standard trees. But while with us there may have been a 

 greater loss of apple trees than heretofore, it also may be said that this result was 

 not entirely occasioned by the extremes of cold experienced last winter, when the 

 thermometer in some localities at times, perhaps, dropped down among' the fifties 

 It 18 believed by some that the continued warm and almost sultry weather experi 

 enced before the cold set in had more to do with the loss of trees than any other 

 cause. Some instances are mentioned where trees were out in bloom just at the 

 time when properly they should have been in good condition to enter "winter 

 quarters." 



As to how far exposure, improper methods of protection, heat and cold diversity 

 of soil, as well as lack of proper care, or cultivation, have each or all . conspired to 

 bring about the loss referred to, we leave with others to determine; suffice to say we 

 must again revise our systems, plans and modes of culture, if we are ever to succeed 

 in growing fruit. The lessons of the past remind us surely it is no "royal" road 

 that leads on to fortune; we need to marshal all our forces and bring to bear the 

 , best experience, the highest measure of intelligence and skill. The very general 

 loss of trees experienced should not discourage wholly nor cause us even to relax 

 our efforts in the least. Of course the chances lessen, and difficulties in the way 

 are much increased, where such extremes of temperature are found; where drought 

 and scorchmg heat prevail to some extent in summer; where heavy winds and 

 storms some times are felt. And yet, despite these drawbacks may we not pursue a 

 course which in a meaure will enable us to overcome them and gain an ulti- 

 mate success at last? It is a vital, all-important question whether we shall give 

 the battle o'er or fearlessly press on to meet and overcome the obstacles which 



