MONTANA STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE 59 



Grapes may just as well be passed up as far as any practical 

 results are concerned. 



Most varieties of currants* and gooseberries handled by the nur- 

 series seem to do well, but the Downing and Houghton gooseberry 

 and Cherry and "White Grape currant may be relied on, therefore I 

 would advise planting more of those than any other variety. 



I always pass up the blackberry in favor of the dewberry, using 

 the Lucretia variety. The Cuthbert and Columbia raspberry may 

 be grown by laying and protecting the <^anes in winter. I have not 

 tried the new sorts, however,, which some claim stand the winter fine. 



I cannot recommend too strongly that the Senator Dunlap straw- 

 berry be used for the planting for home use and market, but if one 

 cares to have them drizzle along all season some Everbearing may be 

 planted. The Perfection is probably the best of this class. 



I cannot close Avithout saying something about the forest trees 

 and shelter belts for the eastern part of the state, or rather the colder 

 part of it. There have been hundreds of thousands of poplars planted, 

 and thousands of dollars worth of time spent in caring for them. 

 They do well for a time but just when the planter thinks he has a nice 

 grove they begin to fail and are soon gone. 



After twenty-five years' experience I want to advise the farmer 

 to pass up all the poplars under their various names, Carolina, Cana- 

 dian, Norway and "Sudden Sawlog," and plant the poplar mother 

 nature has given us, ' ' The Sturdy Cottonwood. ' ' 



The ash, elm, box elder, all of which are native in many parts 

 of the state, should also be used, but aim to get the trees or seed from 

 your own river or creek bottoms and brush coulees. 



The Carriganna or Siberian Pea and Russian Olive are hardy 

 and may be used for shelter and hedge. 



The Silver Leafed poplar belongs to a different class and may 

 be planted. 



O. S. CHILCOTT, 

 Silesia, Montana. 

 December 30, 1918. 



