BOARD OF HORTICULTURE, MONTANA. 35 



state and the consequent neglect of the law's mandates; and just as the in- 

 dividual interests are neglected the common interest will languish and 

 perish. Very Respectfully, 



ROBERT B. SMITH, 

 Helena. Governor. 



Convditions vary so much in this mountain countiy that it is almost im- 

 possible to get the vast amount of information we have gathered boiled down 

 so as to be of use to every one and any one. To begin with I have found 

 causes of success and failure to lie in two main directions, choice of loca- 

 tion, and choice of varieties. That is to say the more tender varieties in fa- 

 vorable locations came through the winter of 1898-99 sound to the tips, wher* 

 the hardiest varieties failed on unfavorable locations. The difference in dis- 

 tance being often a few hundred yards. The most favorable location is a 

 northerly exposure with an easterly shade. That is the slope must be to the 

 north and a mountain or timber belt must shade the ground from the morn- 

 ing sun, in winter especially, till late in the day. This easterly shade seems 

 more important than the northerly slope. Orchards set in cleared land and 

 surrounded by standing timber have as a rule, suffered but seldom, both on 

 account of the shade, and the protection affonded from winds, causing the 

 snow to lie better. The influence of large bodies of v/ater such as the Plat- 

 head lake have proved highly beneficial in moderating extremes of tempera- 

 ture and sudden changes. 



Thus it is seen why many varieties have been reported dead from one 

 orchard, and as bearing from another, and renders difficult any attempt to 

 cut down our long lists of fruits, especially apples, to a few varieties suitable 

 to our market. Another condition is, I think, very important. Early autumn 

 frosts have this year particularly, and have before, caught all the late keep- 

 ing apples on the tree over all this western country. A great deal of this 

 fruit did not show enough injury on the outside to prevent marketing, but 

 on cutting open the injury shows, and I have heard many complaints from 

 purchasers. This leads one to question whether Montana fruit growers, who 

 are able to place on the market fall and early winter apples months after 

 they are gone in other states, had not better leave late keepers alone, and 

 by making use of cold storage hold over their fall apples, v/hich can always 

 be gathered before danger of frost and not run the risk of spoiling the mar- 

 ket with injured fruit, thinking a frost or two does not hurt the apples. 



CHOICE OF VARIETIES— Had it not been for this late frost the late 

 keeper that would have come out in the lead over this district this fall, is 

 the much abused Ben Davis. It has proved perfectly hardy in bud and tree, 

 but the fruit suffered more from the fall frost than any other. Mcintosh 

 Red, which was hurt in the Bitter Root valley, has proved perfectly hardy in 



