190 Horticultural Doings, 



HORTICULTURAL DOINGS. 



The meeting of the Minnesota Fruit-growers' Association was held at St. 

 Paul, Jan. 10, 1867. A very interesting and valuable address on fruit-growing 

 at the extreme North, as practised in Russia and other cold climates, was read 

 by Col. Robertson, by whom it had been prepared at the request of the society. 

 It embodied many facts of great interest, and showed, that, with proper selection 

 of varieties, there is good reason to hope for substantial success in this interest- 

 ing pursuit. The address is of the first importance, and should be pubhshed 

 and circulated through the State. 



At the conclusion of the address, an opportunity was offered, for those who 

 were willing, to state their experience in regard to fruit-growing, or any fact that 

 had come under their observation bearing upon the subject. Statements were 

 made by L. M. Ford, Messrs. Wheaton of Northfield, Smith of Freeborn, Mitch- 

 ell of Goodhue, Nichols of Olmstead, Gov. Marshall, and other gentlemen. The 

 subject is not only an important, but an exceedingly interesting one ; and we 

 are glad to see so much interest manifested. 



A resolution was passed to hold a meeting every Thursday evening during 

 the session of the legislature ; also that the subject of conversation for the 

 next evening should be the winter protection of fruit-trees, grape-vines, and 

 plants. 



Hancock County, Illinois. — It seems that the fruit-growers of this 

 grape-region of Illinois have been stimulated by their success to form a society 

 which has for some time been in active existence. The planting of grapes and 

 other fruits has for some years attracted much attention. About Nauvoo, there 

 are a good many vineyards ; but, at the meeting near the close of the year, it 

 appears, that, predicating upon statistics carefully made in one-half the county, 

 the secretary thinks he can safely estimate the number of grape-vines in cultiva- 

 tion at one million. 



The Committee on Grapes came out very strongly in favor of the Concord, as 

 one of the most satisfactory and valuable varieties. They fully sustain the 

 verdict of the Greeley Prize Committee. The Catawba still holds the first rank 

 among the vineyards, and has borne well where sliglitly protected : they have 

 had little rot, and that on young vines equally with old ones. The Isabella was 

 declared unworthy ; the Clinton highly commended for the production of a red 

 wine, if allowed to hang until well ripened. 



The committee believe that all varieties should have some kind of •nnnter 

 protection, and for this purpose advise pruning in the fall, and a light covering 

 of earth in the vineyard, or a wrapping of straw in the garden. Their account 

 does not include the newer varieties, because, they say, " of the hundreds or 

 thousands planted there within five or six years, the majority are now dead." 



The statements as to the weight of the must, or the grape-juice, appear very 

 high, and must be taken as evidence of the thorough maturity of tlie fruit in 



