FARMER’S INSTITUTES. 43 
thoroughly shaken out of it. Would be careful and not uncover too 
early in the spring, so as to escape late frost. 
Raspberries and blackberries I would plant seven feet between 
the rows and four feet in the rows and keep them thoroughly culti- 
vated up to the time they are ready to pick,so as to produce as much 
moisture as possible, that the fruit may mature. The old canes can 
be taken out at any time after the fruiting seasonis over. Before the 
ground freezes in the fall lay down the canes and cover with earth 
for winter protection. 
Currants and gooseberries plant at least six feet between the rows 
and four feetin the rows. Manure thoroughly,and cultivate well in 
order to obtain fruit of the first quality. The culture of small fruits 
is steadily increasing, as growers can readily see the demand for it 
in the markets, and there is no reason why it should not be madea 
pleasant and profitable business. 
HORTICULTURE IN THE MINN. FARMERS’ INSTITUTES. 
CLARECE WEDGE, ALBERT LEA, 
Having spent some weeks with the institute as instructor in horti- 
culture, it may interest the readers of our magazine to know some- 
thing of the state of our art as it appears among the farmers who 
are attending this traveling school of agriculture. 
In the first place we would observe that there is a very general 
feeling of increased confidence in our tree fruits. Orchards of both 
apple and plum have been so reliable in their returns for several 
years past, that even those who have for years been singing the old 
song that “It don’t pay to grow apples in Minnesota” have been 
forced to find different words for their doleful tune. Plums espec- 
ially are coming into general notice as a valuable fruit, and one that 
is entirely at home in our soil. There seems to be little danger that 
our nurseries will grow too large a stock of our standard hardy 
Western varieties. The severe drouths of the past few seasons have 
discouraged a good many in their efforts to grow small fruits for 
home use, and the market gardeners are of little better heart. The 
red raspberry of the type of the Turner seems to be affording the 
most reliable supply of small fruit, aside from the old reliable cur- 
rant and gooseberry. 
In this, the southern part of our state, our leading topics are: 
“The Farm Orchard,” “Windbreaks and Ornamental Planting” and 
“The Farmers’ Plum Grove.” We do not fail to present our society 
as the best source of information in all matters that pertain to fruit 
raising and home ornament, and advise that they economize even on 
their nursery bills and become posted on the best methods of caring 
for the stock they buy. We are endeavoring to impress upon our 
people the need of using business principles in selecting their nur- 
sery stock, and of reasonable care and attention in planting, protect- 
ing and caring for it. The varieties recommended by our society 
are the only ones that are mentioned from the platform, and the 
tendency to plant novelties is always deprecated. 
