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94 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
NURSERY AND ORCHARD TREES. 
M. PEARCE, CHOWEN. 
Mr. President, I think it is about four years since I have 
written anything for the state society or published anything 
in the horticultural papers of the state in regard to horticul- 
ture. I had almost arrived at the conclusion that I would never 
do it again. Now, what I have written is the way I do my own 
business, independent of what other people do. I read every- 
thing on the subject of horticulture I can get hold of, then I 
simmer it down, compare it with general laws and work on that 
special line. Ihave special objects in view in presenting this 
paper, and you will find it to bea little different from other 
papers, if you will pay strict attention. Some of it is like a 
bird crossing the water, now and then striking wing to the 
water, and if you pay strict attention you may find the bird 
skimming over the water. 
Over forty years experience in growing fruit trees and plants in 
Minnesota convinces us beyond all doubt that apples and crabs of 
good quality can be grown in Minnesota in great abundance. In 
making the above statement it must not be understood to imply 
that all will make a success of growing apples; such is not the case 
in any country. Well qualified, long experience and advice from 
those who are able to impart it, are the best guarantees to success. 
Add to these energy and close observation, and you will succeed. 
For a number of years we have been deeply interested in the results 
of numerous experiments we have conducted with roots of all kinds 
on which the apple and crab are worked, also in grafting special 
kinds of apple and hybrids on special roots and then double work- 
ing them with other varieties. In all of our experiments we have 
had special objects in view, such as preventing the blight, making 
the trees more hardy to withstand drought and cold and using 
a larger and better class of roots than are usually found on fruit 
trees. In some of these experiments, our success has gone far be- 
yond our expectations; in others, it is too soon to state what the 
result may be. 
Our nursery has been conducted for some years as follows:—(and 
we have no desire to return to old methods.) The ground on which 
we intend to set grafts in the spring is plowed in the fall. The plow 
is followed by a sub-soiler, and the ground is then harrowed level. 
If any part lacks fertility, we give it a light dressing of well rotted 
manure. The following spring we go over it with cultivator and 
harrow until it is in perfect condition. The grafts are set to a line 
not less than a foot apart intherow with rows four feet apart. Our 
scions are all cut late in the fall, packed in moist sawdust and placed 
inacoolcellar. The roots on which we intend to graft are packed 
away inthe same manner. Our grafting is usually done in March, 
at which time we also do our top-working in the orchard. In put- 
