174 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 
bearing their second crop. Other new kinds in the new bed did not 
have as good a chance as those in the old bed and should not be 
condemned on this account. 
The strawberry beds at the station were sprayed with Bordeaux 
mixture in the spring, but they were very healthy,and no particular 
benefit seemed to follow this application. However,it is my opin- 
ion that it willas arule prove profitable to spray at least once with 
this material in the spring, though there may be occasional years 
when there is no apparent benefit. 
Currants. Currants produced a fair crop of fruit. In fact, we 
never have had a total failure of this crop in this state. The borer, 
which has so often injured the stems during recent years, was less 
abundant than usual this season. The currant leaf worm was 
not as troublesome as usual this season. This pest is so easily 
poisoned with Paris green or white hellebore that there is no good 
excuse for permitting its presence on the leaves. The varieties most 
desirable here are the old,well known kinds. Little,if any, progress 
has been made inthe introduction of this fruit, so far as relates to 
growing it in severe climates. The best varieties are Red Dutch, 
Victoria, Stewart and White Grape. Many new varieties are on trial, 
besides over one hundred seedlings of our own raising. . 
Gooseberries. -Gooseberries were a good crop. This fruit is 
easily raised here. The mildew, which is a serious drawback to its 
culture in many localities and, especially, to the growing of the 
better kinds, is easily prevented by spraying the foliage and fruit 
occasionally with a solution of potassium sulphide at the rate of 
one ounce to the gallon of water. The material for an acre need 
cost but a few cents. 
The best variety for general cultivation is the Houghton, but by 
giving winter protection, the Downing, Smith, Triumph and several 
other kinds may bereadily grown. There are many varieties now 
on trial, besides several hundred seedlings; some of the latter have 
produced very large fruit, and their behavior will be watched with 
much interest. 
Juneberries. Juneberries gave us a good crop of fruit. The im- 
proved kinds are very productive and a great improvement over 
the wild fruitin this respect. They are desirable, providing the 
bushes are covered with a netting of some kind at the time the fruit 
is ripening to keep off the birds, who are very fond ofit. We find 
the variety known as Dwarf Success a great improvement over 
other kinds tried. We have now on trial five kinds of Juneberries, 
besides about one hundred seedlings. 
Sand Cherries. This native fruit is regarded as being capable of 
great improvement by hybridization and selection. It varies much 
in its wild state and under cultivation is very productive. A de- 
cided effort is being made by this division to improve it. About 
three thousand seedlings have been raised, and efforts made to 
hybridize it with the native plum, to which it is closely allied. Its 
use as a Stock for the plum and cultivated cherry has been attended 
with favorable results. 
Cherries. We are cultivating about twelve kinds of Russian 
cherries. These are all of the Morello type and are very hardy, 
