STATE HOKTICTJLTURAL SOCIETY. 321 



pire State variety of grapes, for this locality, ahead of almost anything 

 else, on account of earliness. It has not been known to be attacked 

 by disease, even when planted by other varieties that were diseased; 

 in this respect it is like the wild grape. It is a vigorous grower, being 

 a cross between the Clinton and Hartford Prolific. It will be extensively 

 cultivated, especially in this country where we have a comparatively 

 rigorous climate. 



He had raised Downing's gooseberries, which had fruited abundant- 

 ly, and considered it the best variety, although the past season it had 

 developed some mildew. 



Mr. Underwood. I have tried Downing's two or three times, but 

 with me it freezes out badly. It is rather a spraggly grower, does not 

 look like the Houghton, the American, or Smith's, is a more thorny 

 and an open grower. 



Mr. Smith. About four-fifths of the bushes sold for Downing's 

 are Americans. 



Mr. Stubbs. The Downing shows a good many limbs coming from 

 the ground and the berry is large and handsome. 



Mr. Elliot. The Downing that I have is heavier in thorn and limb 

 than either of the other kinds that have been named, is an upright 

 grower and has given me no trouble with winter-killing. 



The name of William McHenry, of St. Charles, being called, the 

 assistant secretary said that it was stated by Mr. McHenry, in a letter, 

 submitting a paper to be read at the meeting, that the Russian Mul- 

 berry was a humbug. 



The following report was then read : 



REPORT OF 0. M. LORD. 



MiNNESOrA City, January 15, 1886. 

 To the State Horticultural Society: — 



In attempting to report progress from one of the experiment stations, I am re- 

 minded of tlie criticisms on the management of the University farm. The critics 

 are like the boy who desired to see a miracle by planting a pomegranite seed and 

 immediately plucking the fruit. They would ignore entirely the element of time. 

 A chemical experiment may show its result in an hour or a minute and be satis- 

 factory, but the most trifling experiment in agriculture requires at least a year, 

 and in horticulture v?ho shall say how many years? Our beginning was small, and 

 at the end of two years there is little to report except growth and a few additions. 

 The object of the Society in appointing stations was to secure reliable information 

 for the benefit of the people at large, in regard to the cultivation of fruits. In order 

 to secure a variety of soils, and climatic and other natural conditions for experi- 

 21 



