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TREES, FRUITS AND FLOWERS OF MINNESOTA
1916
[Illustration: MONUMENT ERECTED IN LOBBY OF WEST HOTEL,
MINNEAPOLIS,
Place of annual meeting of the society, December 7 to 10. Height of
monument, 10 feet. Number of bushels of apples used, twenty-five.
Enlarged seal of the society on its front.]
Embracing the Transactions of the
Minnesota State Horticultural Society
from December 1, 1915, to December 1, 1916, Including the Twelve Numbers
of "The Minnesota Horticulturist" for 1916.
Edited By The Secretary,
A. W. LATHAM,
Office and Library, 207 Kasota Block,
Minneapolis, Minn.
Vol. XLIV.
[Illustration: MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY "PERSEVERANTIA
VINCIMUS" ORGANIZED 1866.]
Minneapolis
Harrison & Smith Co., Printers
1916
While it is not the intention to publish anything in this
magazine that is misleading or unreliable, yet it must be
remembered that the articles published herein recite the
experience and opinions of their writers, and this fact must
always be noted in estimating their practical value.
THE MINNESOTA HORTICULTURIST
Vol. 44 JANUARY, 1916 No. 1
President's Greeting, Annual Meeting, 1915.
THOS. E. CASHMAN, PRESIDENT.
This is the forty-ninth annual meeting of the Minnesota State
Horticultural Society. Nearly half a century has elapsed since that
little band of pioneers met in Rochester and organized that they might
work out a problem that had proven too difficult for any of them to
handle single handed and alone. Those men were all anxious to raise at
least sufficient fruit for themselves and families. They had tried and
failed. They were not willing to give up. They knew they could
accomplish more by interchanging ideas, and, furthermore, if they were
able to learn anything by experience they wanted to pass it on to their
neighbors.
Those men built better than they knew. The foundation was properly laid,
and the structure, while not finished, is an imposing one. A great many
people believe that this structure has been completed, that we have
reached our possibilities in fruit raising. This is only half true. We
are still building on this splendid foundation erected by those few
enthusiasts.
None of those men are left to enjoy the benefits of their labor. The
present generation and the generations to come are and will be the
beneficiaries, and I believe as a tribute to their memory and the good
that they have done that we should fittingly celebrate our fiftieth
anniversary. At this time I can not suggest how this should be done; I
simply make this suggestion in hopes that it may be worked out.
I was in hopes that a home for this society might have been erected this
year or at least made ready for the 1916 meeting. This would surely have
been an occasion worthy of the anniversary which we hope to celebrate.
The building committee appointed by the last meeting went before the
legislature and tried with all the eloquence at their command to make
the members of the legislature see the necessity of appropriating
sufficient money to build a permanent home for this organization. The
members saw the force of our argument, but we could not convince a
majority of the appropriation committee that they should deviate from
their plan of retrenchment which seemed to permeate their every act.
We were disappointed but not disheartened. We were promised better
success in the 1917 session. So we are living in hopes, and I firmly
believe that if our efforts are renewed at that time that this and the
auxiliary societies may have an opportunity of meeting and transacting
business in a home that, while it will belong to the state, will be for
the use of these organizations, and that we may be able to take up our
abode in it not later than the winter meeting of 1917.
Secretary Latham has prepared an excellent program for you. Many friends
of this society are with us again, full of enthusiasm and vigor, and I
know that we will have one of the most successful meetings ever enjoyed
by this organization.
Owing to the fullness of the program, I should consider it an imposition
on my part if I should attempt to make an extended address at this time
and will hasten to call on the gentlemen who are to contribute to the
success of this meeting.
[Illustration: New varieties of strawberries originated at the Minnesota
State Fruit-Breeding Farm.]
Annual Meeting, 1915, Minnesota State Horticultural Society.
A. W. LATHAM, SECRETARY.
Did you attend the 1915 meeting of this association, held in the West
Hotel, Minneapolis, four days, December 7-10 inclusive? Of course as a
member of the society you will get in cold print the substance of the
papers and discussions that were presented at this meeting, but you will
fail altogether in getting the wonderful inspiration that comes from
contact with hundreds of persons deeply interested in the various phases
of horticultural problems that are constantly passing in review during
the succeeding sessions of the meeting. With such a varied program there
is hardly any problem connected with horticulture that is not directly
or indirectly touched upon at our annual gathering, and the present
meeting was no exception to this. In all there were sixty-nine persons
on the program, and with the exception of Prof. Whitten, whom we
expected with us from the Missouri State University, and whom sickness
kept at home, and one other number, every person on the program was on
hand to perform the part assigned to him. Isn't this really a wonderful
thing where so many are concerned, emphasizing as it does the large
interest felt in the work of the society?
The meeting was held in the same room in the West Hotel which was used
for the banquet two years ago. It seats comfortably 250, and was
approximately filled at all of the sessions of the meeting. At the first
session there were in attendance about 200 when the meeting opened at
ten o'clock Tuesday morning. Later in the morning the seats were
practically all filled. Making allowance for the change in the personnel
of those in attendance at the various meetings, it is easily within the
limit to say that between 400 and 500 were in attendance at these
meetings.
Immediately adjoining the audience room on the same floor, and opening
out of the spacious balcony, were the various rooms occupied by the
fruit exhibit and the vegetable exhibit. The plant exhibit was in two
alcoves on this balcony, and the cut flowers were displayed along either
side of the balcony, making altogether a wonderful showing of nature's
floral products. The accommodations for this meeting were almost ideal,
and judging from the expressions of the members we have never been more
happily situated than on this occasion. I have endeavored to draw a
plan of the arrangements at this meeting and submit it to you, not for
criticism, but to assist you in understanding the situation.
We were greatly disappointed that Prof. Whitten was detained at home by
illness, but others from abroad took up the time so that there was
really no interim as a result of his absence. We were fortunate in
having with us the last day and a part of Thursday afternoon Sen. H.M.
Dunlap and Mrs. Dunlap, and their parts on the program were listened to
with intense interest, and I am sure much good was gained for our
membership from the service they rendered the society, which it must be
understood is a gratuitious one--indeed that applies to all of those
whose names appear upon the program. That is one good thing about the
horticulturist, he is willing to tell what he knows for the benefit of
others. To hold any other view than this would be too narrow and selfish
certainly for the true lover of horticulture.
The exhibits were in every case in excess of what we anticipated.
Notwithstanding the light crop of apples in the larger portion of the
state, there was really a fine showing, and quality was very high. Of
boxes of apples there were shown eleven, and of barrels of apples six,
for each one of which exhibits some premium was paid, as besides the
first, second and third premiums in each case there was also a sum to be
divided pro rata. There were twenty-nine pecks of apples exhibited, for
which premiums were also paid in the same way. Four collections of
top-worked apples were on the list. Premiums were awarded to forty
seedling apples, an exceedingly good showing for the season. As to the
number of single plates shown the record is not easily available, but
the accompanying list of awards will give information as far as they are
concerned, there being of course many plates to which no awards were
made.
The vegetable exhibit was an extraordinarily fine one and filled
comfortably the convenient room assigned for its use. It was excellently
managed by Mr. N.H. Reeves, President of the Minneapolis Market
Gardeners' Association.
As to the flower exhibit under the fine management of W.H. Bofferding,
it was so much better than we anticipated that it is hard to find words
suitably to express our thought in regard to it. Besides the splendid
collections of plants and the large display of cut flowers from the
state, there was shown from several eastern parties rare flowers, many
of them new productions, which had a great deal to do with the
beautiful appearance of the balcony, where all of these flowers were
shown.
[Illustration: Sketch showing arrangement of hall and adjacent rooms,
&c., used at 1915 Annual Meeting, in West Hotel, Minneapolis.]
Mention ought to be made of the monument erected in the center of the
lobby on the ground floor of the West Hotel, a structure ten feet high,
containing at its base some dozen or fifteen single layer boxes of
choice apples and on its sides something like twenty bushels of apples
put on in varying shades of red and green with a handsome ornamental
plant crowning the whole. The seal of the society decorated with
national colors appears upon the front. The picture taken of this
monument is shown as a frontispiece of this number. It is incomplete in
that the photographer cut off both ends of it, which is unfortunate in
results obtained. Nevertheless it helped materially to advertise the
meeting and was a distinct ornament in the lobby.
As to subjects in which there was a special interest on our program, the
only one to which I will here refer is that of "marketing," which
received particular attention from a considerable number of those on the
program or taking impromptu parts at the meeting. The Ladies' Federation
assisted us splendidly on the Woman's Auxiliary program, one number,
that by Mrs. Jennison, being beautifully illustrated by lantern slides.
Delegates from abroad as usual and visitors were with us in considerable
number. Prof. F. W. Brodrick came from Winnipeg, representing the
Manitoba Society; Prof. N. E. Hansen, as usual, represented the South
Dakota Society; Mr. Earl Ferris, of Hampton, Ia., the Northeastern Iowa
Society; and Mr. A. N. Greaves, from Sturgeon Bay, Wis., the Wisconsin
Society. We were especially favored in having with us also on this
occasion Mr. N. A. Rasmusson, president of the Wisconsin Horticultural
Society, and Secretary Frederick Cranefield of the same society. If all
the members of that society are as wide awake as these three the
Minnesota Society will have to look to its laurels.
I must not fail to mention Mr. B. G. Street, from Hebron, Ill., who was
present throughout the meeting, an earnest brother, and gave us a
practical talk on "marketing." Our friend, Chas. F. Gardner, of Osage,
Iowa, managed to get here Friday morning after the close of the meeting
of the Iowa Horticultural Society, which he had been attending, and so
spent the last day of the meeting with us. Welcome, Brother Gardner! The
meeting would certainly have been incomplete without the presence of
those old veterans and long time attendants at our annual gatherings,
Geo. J. Kellogg and A. J. Philips, both from the Wisconsin Society. We
need you, dear brothers, and hope you may long foregather with us.
As to that war horse of horticulture, C. S. Harrison, of York, Nebr.,
what would our meeting be without the fireworks in language which he has
provided now for many of these annual occasions. The wonderful life and
sparkle of his message survives with us from year to year, and we look
forward eagerly to his annual coming.
There were three contestants who spoke from the platform in competition
for the prizes offered from the Gideon Memorial Fund as follows:
First Prize--G. A. Nelson, University Farm School, St. Paul.
Second--A. W. Aamodt, University Farm School, St. Paul.
Third--P. L. Keene, University Farm School, St. Paul.
Their addresses were all of a practical character and will appear in our
monthly.
Prof. Richard Wellington conducted a fruit judging contest, in
connection with which there was a large interest, and prizes were
awarded as follows:
D. C. Webster, La Crescent, First $5.00
P. L. Keene, University Farm, St. Paul, Second 3.00
Marshall Hurtig, St. Paul, Third 2.00
At the annual election the old officers whose terms had expired were all
re-elected without opposition, and later the secretary was re-elected by
the executive board for the coming year, so that no change whatever was
made in the management of the society. J. M. Underwood, being absent in
the south, was nevertheless re-elected by the board as its chairman for
the coming year.
A pleasant event of this gathering was the presentation of a handsome
gold watch and chain to the secretary, a memento in connection with the
termination of his twenty-fifth year as secretary of the society, which
expression of appreciation on the part of the members it may well be
believed was fully appreciated by the recipient.
The hall was brilliantly decorated with the national colors, which had
never been used before at any of our annual gatherings. What can be more
beautiful than the stars and stripes entwined with the colors of foliage
and flower. Never has our place of meeting shown so brightly or been
more enjoyed than in this favorable environment.
During the meeting upon the recommendation of the executive board there
were five names by the unanimous vote of the society placed upon the
honorary life membership roll of the society, as follows: John Bisbee,
Madelia; J. R. Cummins, Minneapolis; Chas. Haralson, Excelsior; F. W.
Kimball, Waltham, and S. H. Drum, Owatonna.
The meeting closed with seventy-five members in the hall by actual count
at 4:30, and we certainly hated to say the parting word to those whom we
earnestly hope to gather with again a year hence.
What can we say about the crowning event of our meeting, the annual
banquet? Two hundred and two members sat down together and fraternized
in a most congenial way. Gov. W. S. Hammond was the speaker of the
evening and greatly enjoyed. All the other numbers on the program were
on hand to perform their parts. Here follows the program and you can
judge for yourself. Why don't you come and enjoy this most entertaining
event of the meeting?
PROGRAM.
Prof. N.E. Hansen, Toastmaster.
Grace Rev. J. Kimball, Duluth
Opening Song Trafford N. Jayne,
Minneapolis
Why Wake Up the Dreamers--Aren't They
Getting Their Share? Prof. E. G. Cheyney,
University Farm, St. Paul
Reading Miss Marie Bon, Minneapolis
What Joy in the Garden, Provided E. E. Park, Minneapolis
Every True Horticulturist Has a Private
Rainbow with a Pot of Gold at the End Mrs. T. A. Hoverstad,
Minneapolis
Song s. Grace Updegraff Bergen,
Minneapolis
The Joy of Service Gov. W. S. Hammond
What Care I While I Live in a Garden A. G. Long, Minneapolis
Song Trafford N. Jayne,
Minneapolis
Never Too Late to Mend--Unless You
Are "80," A. J. Philips, West Salem, Wis.
Reading Miss Marie Bon
Right Living and Happiness--You Can't Have
One Without the Other, T. E. Archer, St. Paul
Closing Song Trafford N. Jayne, Minneapolis
* * * * *
"DON'TS" ISSUED TO PREVENT FOREST FIRES.--1. Don't throw your
match away until you are sure it is out.
2. Don't drop cigarette or cigar butts until the glow is extinguished.
3. Don't knock out your pipe ashes while hot or where they will fall
into dry leaves or other inflammable material.
4. Don't build a camp fire any larger than is absolutely necessary.
5. Don't build a fire against a tree, a log, or a stump, or anywhere but
on bare soil.
6. Don't leave a fire until you are sure it is out; if necessary smother
it with earth or water.
7. Don't burn brush or refuse in or near the woods if there is any
chance that the fire may spread beyond your control, or that the wind
may carry sparks where they would start a new fire.
8. Don't be any more careless with fire in the woods than you are with
fire in your own home.
9. Don't be idle when you discover a fire in the woods; if you can't put
it out yourself, get help. Where a forest guard, ranger or state fire
warden can be reached, call him up on the nearest telephone you can
find.
10. Don't forget that human thoughtlessness and negligence are the
causes of more than half of the forest fires in this country, and that
the smallest spark may start a conflagration that will result in loss of
life and destruction of timber and young growth valuable not only for
lumber but for their influence in helping to prevent flood, erosion, and
drought.--U.S. Dept. Agri., Forest Service.
Award of Premiums, Annual Meeting, 1915, Minnesota State Horticultural
Society.
The list of awards following will give in full detail the awards made in
connection with the fruit exhibit:
VEGETABLES.
Carrots Chas. Krause, Merriam Park Second 2.00
Celeriac " " Third 1.00
Cabbage J. T. Olinger, Hopkins Second 2.00
Carrots " " Third 1.00
Onions (red) " " Second 2.00
Onions (yellow) " " Fourth .50
Celeriac Daniel Gantzer, Merriam Park First 3.50
Lettuce " " Third 1.00
Onions (red) " " Third 1.00
Onions (white) " " Fourth .50
Onions (yellow) " " Second 2.00
Onions (pklg) " " Second 2.00
Beets Karl Kochendorfer, So. Park Third 1.00
Carrots C. E. Warner, Osseo First 3.50
Onions (white) " " First 3.50
Beets Mrs. John Gantzer. St. Paul First 3.50
Cabbages " " Fourth .50
Onions (red) " " First 3.50
Onions (yellow) " " First 3.50
Beets Mrs. Edw. Haeg, Minneapolis Second 2.00
Cabbages " " Third 1.00
Celeriac " " Second 2.00
Carrots Alfred Perkins, St. Paul Fourth .50
Lettuce " " First 3.50
Onions (red) " " Fourth .50
Onions (white) " " First 3.50
Onions (yellow) " " Third 1.00
Onions (white) H. G. Groat, Anoka Second 2.00
Onions (pickling) " " Fourth .50
Beets Chas. Krause, Merriam Park Fourth .50
Cabbages " " First 3.50
Lettuce Mrs. Edw. Haeg, Minneapolis Second 2.00
Onions (white pklg) " " Third 1.00
Onions (white) Aug. Sauter, Excelsior Third 1.00
Globe Onions (red) P. H. Peterson, Atwater First 3.50
Salsify Mrs. John Gantzer, St. Paul First 3.50
Turnips (white) " " First 3.50
Rutabagas " " Fourth .50
Parsley Mrs. Edw. Haeg, Minneapolis Fourth .50
Hubbard Squash " " Third 1.00
Potatoes C. W. Pudham, Osseo Fourth .50
Hubbard Squash " " Fourth .50
Potatoes Frank Dunning, Anoka Second 2.00
Pie Pumpkins " " First 3.50
Hubbard Squash " " Second 2.00
Turnips (white) Alfred Perkins, St. Paul Fourth .50
Potatoes Fred Scherf, Osseo First 3.50
Rutabagas " " First 3.50
Pie Pumpkins " " Fourth .50
Parsley Chas. Krause. Merriam Park Third 1.00
Parsnips " " First 3.50
Salsify Chas. Krause, Merriam Park Second 2.00
Turnips (white) " " Second 2.00
Parsnips J. T. Olinger, Hopkins Third 1.00
Turnips " " Third 1.00
Rutabagas " " Second 2.00
Parsley Daniel Gantzer Second 2.00
Parsnips " " Second 2.00
Pie Pumpkins " " Second 2.00
Parsnips Karl K. Kochendorfer, So. Park Fourth .50
Potatoes Aug. Bueholz, Osseo Third 1.00
Hubbard Squash " " First 3.50
Rutabagas " " Third 1.00
Parsley Frank L. Gerten, So. St. Paul First 3.50
Pie Pumpkins " " Third 1.00
Radishes " " First 3.50
E. O. BALLARD, Judge.
COLLECTION OF APPLES.
Collection of Apples P. Clausen, Albert Lea $3.30
Collection of Apples Henry Husser, Minneiska 3.78
Collection of Apples D. C. Webster, La Crescent 3.96
Collection of Apples P. H. Perry, Excelsior 2.36
Collection of Apples F. I. Harris. La Crescent 3.48
Collection of Apples W. S. Widmoyer, La Crescent 3.12
SINGLE PLATES OF APPLES.
Yahnke F. I. Harris, La Crescent First $.75
Utter W. S. Widmoyer, La Crescent First .75
N.W. Greening " " First .75
Malinda " " Second .50
Plumb's Cider " " First .75
Patten's Greening F. W. Powers, Minneapolis First .75
Duchess " " First .75
Malinda F. I. Harris, La Crescent Third .25
Peerless " " First .75
Wolf River " " Second .50
Wealthy " " Second .50
Antonovka " " Second .50
Fameuse " " Second .50
Gilbert " " First .75
Duchess P. H. Perry, Excelsior Third .25
Yellow Transparent " " First .75
Tetofsky " " First .75
Charlamoff " " Third .25
Yahnke " " Second .50
Evelyn " " First .75
Lowland Raspberry P. Clausen, Albert Lea Second .50
Hibernal " " First .75
Okabena Francis Willis, Excelsior First .75
Milwaukee " " First .75
Patten's Greening " " Second .50
Longfield " " Second .50
University " " First .75
Longfield P. H. Perry, Excelsior First .75
Fameuse " " Third .25
Hibernal E. W. Mayman, Sauk Rapids Second .50
Wealthy Sil Matzke, So. St. Paul First .75
Peerless " " Second .50
N.W. Greening " " Second .50
McMahon " " First .75
Yellow Transparent Henry Husser Second .50
Fameuse " " First .75
Walbridge " " First .75
McMahon D. C. Webster, La Crescent Third .25
N.W. Greening " " Third .25
Brett " " First .75
Gideon " " First .75
Superb " " First .75
Okabena M. Oleson, Montevideo Second .50
Peerless " " Third .25
Hibernal " " Third .25
Longfield " " Third .25
University " " Second .50
Charlamoff Henry Husser, Minneiska Second .50
McMahon " " Second .50
Wolf River " " First .75
Jewell's Winter " " First .75
Anisim P. Clausen, Albert Lea First .75
Jewell's Winter " " Second .50
Antonovka " " First .75
Iowa Beauty " " First .75
Yahnke " " Third .25
Borovinca " " First .75
Patten's Greening P. H. Peterson, Atwater Third .25
Malinda " " First .75
Okabena " " Third .25
Lord's L. " " First .75
Lowland Raspberry " " First .75
Charlamoff " " First .75
Duchess " " Second .50
Tetofsky W. J. Tingley, Forest Lake Second .50
Wealthy H. B. Hawkes, Excelsior Third .25
Grimes' Golden P. H. Peterson, Atwater First .75
JNO. P. ANDREWS, Judge.
SEEDLING APPLES.
Early Winter--Arnt Johnson, Viroqua, Wis. $1.45
" " --W.S. Widmoyer, La Crescent 2.45
" " --J. Flagstad & Sons, Sacred Heart 2.15
" " --No. 96--Henry Rodenberg, Mindora, Wis. 1.55
" " --No. 32-- " " 1.85
" " --No. 50-- " " 1.55
" " --No. 82-- " " 2.00
" " --No. 52-- " " 2.40
" " --No. 64-- " " 2.20
" " --Dr. O. M. Huestis, Minneapolis 1.55
" " --Jacob Halvorson, Delavan 1.55
" " --No. 102--Henry Rodenberg, Mindora, Wis. 1.15
" " --No. 138-- " " 1.40
" " --No. 137-- " " 2.00
" " --No. 131-- " " 1.70
" " --H. H. Pond, Minneapolis 1.15
" " " 1.30
" " " 1.15
" " " 1.55
" " --Henry Husser, Minneiska 2.10
" " --O. O.--M. Oleson, Montevideo 1.85
" " --O. K.-- " 2.05
" " --G. N.-- " 1.30
" " --G. S.-- " 2.20
" " --E. T.--M. Oleson 1.70
" " --E. A. Gross, La Moille 1.15
" " -- " 1.90
" " -- " 2.25
" " --No. 1--Arnt Johnson, Viroqua, Wis. 1.40
Late Winter--No. 133--Henry Rodenberg, Mindora, Wis. 3.90
" " --No. 134-- " " 2.75
" " --No. 135-- " " 2.55
" " --No. 104-- " " 3.70
" " --No. 49-- " " 3.25
" " --No. 16-- " " 3.80
" " --No. 12-- " " 3.25
" " W. S. Widmoyer, La Crescent 2.30
" " --Chas. Ziseh, Dresbach 2.30
" " --J. A. Howard, Hammond 4.20
" " " 4.15
" " --F. W. Powers, Excelsior 4.00
" " --J. Flagstad & Sons, Sacred Heart 3.25
" " Henry Husser, Minneiska 3.25
" " --No. 23--Henry Rodenberg, Mindora, Wis. 3.35
CLARENCE WEDGE, N. E. HANSEN, Judges.
COLLECTION OF TOP-WORKED APPLES.
Collection of Top-Worked P. H. Peterson, Atwater 4.16
Collection of Top-Worked P. Clausen, Albert Lea 11.45
Collection of Top-Worked Henry Husser, Minneiska 5.23
Collection of Top-Worked W. S. Widmoyer, Dresbach 4.16
DEWAIN COOK, Judge.
PECKS OF APPLES.
N.W. Greenings Aug. Sauter, Excelsior .95
Wealthy H .B. Hawkes, Excelsior 1.10
Wealthy P. H. Peterson, Atwater .90
Fameuse Henry Husser, Minneiska .80
Wolf River " " 1.00
Peerless " " .75
N.W. Greening " " .75
N.W. Greening D. C. Webster, La Crescent 1.10
Wealthy " " .90
Bethel " " 1.00
Scotts' Winter " " 1.00
Wealthy W. P. Burow, La Crescent .85
N.W. Greening " " 1.10
Wealthy E. W. Mayman, Sauk Rapids .80
Hibernal E. W. Mayman, Sauk Rapids .85
Wealthy Francis Willis, Excelsior .90
Duchess " " .55
Okabena " " .55
Milwaukee " " .80
Wealthy P. H. Perry, Excelsior .85
Fameuse " " .80
Seedlings " " .80
Peter " " .85
Wealthy F. I. Harris, La Crescent .85
N.W. Greening " " .95
Seedlings T. E. Perkins, Red Wing .80
N.W. Greenings F. W. Powers, Minneapolis 1.00
Wealthy " " .90
Duchess R. E. Olmstead, Excelsior .55
GEO. W. STRAND, Judge.
BUSHEL BOXES OF APPLES.
Wealthy--H. B. Hawkes, Excelsior 2.31
Wealthy--P. H. Peterson, Atwater 2.17
Wealthy--Henry Husser, Minneiska 2.43
Wealthy--D. C. Webster, La Crescent First 17.72
N.W. Greening--W. P. Burow, La Crescent 2.48
Wealthy--P. H. Perry, Excelsior 1.86
Wealthy--J. F. Bartlett, Excelsior Third 7.57
Wealthy--F. I. Harris, La Crescent Second 12.63
N.W. Greenings--F. W. Powers, Excelsior 1.98
Wealthy--F. W. Powers, Excelsior 2.08
Wealthy--S. H. Drum, Owatonna 1.77
W. G. BRIERLEY, Judge.
BARRELS OF APPLES.
H. B. Hawkes, Excelsior 8.98
Henry Husser, Minneiska 3.52
D. C. Webster, La Crescent First 25.23
W. P. Burow, La Crescent 3.05
Wealthy--P. H. Perry, Excelsior Third 14.37
F. I. Harris, La Crescent Second 19.85
W. G. BRIERLEY, Judge.
COLLECTION GRAPES.
Collection Grapes--Sil Matzke, So. St. Paul First 8.00
GEORGE W. STRAND, Judge.
NUTS.
Walnuts Henry Husser, Minneiska First 1.00
Butternuts " " First 1.00
Hickory Nuts " " Second .75
Hickory Nuts D. C. Webster, La Crescent First 1.00
H. J. LUDLOW, Judge.
PLANTS.
12 Palms Minneapolis Floral Co. First $10.00
12 Ferns " " Third 4.00
12 Blooming Plants " " Third 6.00
12 Ferns Merriam Park Floral Co. First 10.00
12 Blooming Plants " " First 12.00
12 Palms L. S. Donaldson Co., Mpls. Second 7.00
12 Ferns " " Second 7.00
12 Blooming Plants " " Second 9.00
CUT FLOWERS.
25 Carnations (pink) L. S. Donaldson Co., Mpls. Third 1.00
25 Carnations (white) " " Second 2.00
12 Roses (red) Minneapolis Floral Co. Third 1.00
12 Roses (white) " " Third 1.00
12 Roses (yellow) " " First 3.00
12 Roses (red) N. Neilson, Mankato First 3.00
12 Roses (pink) " " First 3.00
12 Roses (white) " " First 3.00
12 Roses (yellow) " " Second 2.00
12 Roses (pink) Hans Rosacker, Minneapolis Second 2.00
12 Roses (red) " " Second 2.00
12 Roses (white) " " Second 2.00
12 Carnations (white) " " First 3.00
12 Carnations (pink) " " Second 2.00
12 Carnations (red) " " First 3.00
25 Carnations (red) Minneapolis Floral Co. Second 2.00
25 Carnations (pink) " " First 3.00
25 Carnations (white) " " Third 1.00
12 Chrysanthemums (yellow) John E. Sten, Red Wing First 4.00
12 Chrysanthemums (any color) " " First 4.00
12 Chrysanthemums (any color) Minneapolis Floral Co. Second 3.00
12 Chrysanthemums (yellow) L. S. Donaldson Co., Mpls. Second 3.00
12 Chrysanthemums (any color) " " Third 2.00
FLOWERS.
Basket for Effect Minneapolis Floral Co. First $10.00
Bridesmaid Bouquet Minneapolis Floral Co. First Diploma
Corsage Bouquet Minneapolis Floral Co. First Diploma
Bridal Bouquet Minneapolis Floral Co. First Diploma
O. J. OLSON, Judge.
Judging Contest of Hennepin County High Schools.
(Held at Annual Meeting, December 9, 1915.)
The contest consisted of the judging of three crops, apples, potatoes
and corn. Two varieties of each crop were used.
Each school was represented by a team of three men. Each man was allowed
100 as perfect score on each crop or a total perfect team score of 900
points.
Two high schools entered the contest, namely Central High, Minneapolis,
and Wayzata High. Central High, of Minneapolis, won first with a total
score of 697.8. Wayzata ranked second with a score of 672.
Minneapolis won on apples and potatoes, Wayzata winning on the corn
judging.
Chester Groves, of Wayzata, was high man of the contest.
County Adviser K. A. Kirkpatrick, gives a banner to the winning school.
Judges of the contest were: Apples, Prof. T. M. McCall, Crookston;
potatoes, Prof. R. Wellington, A. W. Aamodt; corn, Prof. R. L. Mackintosh.
Fruit Judging Contest.
(At Annual Meeting, December, 1915.)
One of the important features of the Wednesday afternoon program of the
State Horticultural Society was the apple judging contest. This contest
was open to all members of the society and students of the Agricultural
College.
The contest consisted of the judging of four plates each of ten standard
varieties. The total score of each contestant was considered by allowing
10 per cent for identification of varieties, 40 per cent for oral
reasons and 50 per cent for correct placings.
The prizes offered were: First, $5.00; second, $3.00; third, $2.00. D.C.
Webster of La Crescent, ranked first; P.L. Keene, University Farm,
second; and Marshall Hertig, third.
Score
First--D. C. Webster 87-1/2
Second--P. L. Keene 81-1/2
Third--Marshall Hertig 77-1/2
Fourth--Timber Lake 76-1/2
There were twelve men in the contest.
Judges: Prof. T. M. McCall, Crookston; Frederick Cranefield, Wisconsin;
Prof. E. C. Magill, Wayzata.
Annual Report, 1915, Collegeville Trial Station.
REV. JOHN B. KATZNER, SUPT.
It is with pleasure and satisfaction that we are able to make a material
correction of our estimate of this year's apple crop as noted in our
midsummer report. We stated that apples would be about 15 per cent of a
normal crop, and now we are happy to say it was fully 30 per cent. We
picked twice as many apples as we anticipated. Considering that, as
Prof. Le Roy Cady informed us, the apple crop would be rather small
farther south and that they would practically get no apples at the State
Farm, we may well be satisfied with our crop. In general, the apple crop
was not so bad farther north as it was farther south in the state. This
may have been due to the blossoms not being so far advanced here when
the frost touched them as farther south.
The best bearing varieties this year were the Wealthy, Charlamoff and
Duchess, in the order named. These three kinds gave us the bulk of the
crop. The Wealthy trees were not overloaded, and the apples were mostly
fine, clean and large. The Charlamoffs were bearing a heavy crop of
beautiful, large-sized apples and were ahead of the Duchess this year.
The Hibernals, too, were fairly good bearers. Most other varieties had
some fruit, but it was not perfect; it showed only too well the effect
of frost. More than half of the blossoms were destroyed. Many flowers
were badly injured and though they were setting fruit the result of
frost showed off plainly on the apples. While some had normal size and
form, many of them were below size, gnarled, cracked or undeveloped and
abnormal. Most all of them had rough blotches or rings about the calix
or around the body. Malformed apples were picked not larger than a crab,
with rough, cracked, leather-like skin, which looked more like a black
walnut than an apple.
Of plums only some young trees gave us a good crop of nice, perfect
fruit. The old trees have seen their best days and will have to give
place to the new kinds as soon as they are tested. We have quite a
variety of the new kinds on trial from the Minnesota State
Fruit-Breeding Farm and wish to say that they are very vigorous growers.
Many of them made a growth of four feet and more. We expect that some
will bear next year and we are only waiting to see what the fruit will
be before making a selection for a new plum orchard. We have already
selected No. 8 for that purpose, as one tree was bearing most beautiful
and excellent plums, of large size and superior quality, this year. They
were one and three-fourths inches long by five and one-half inches in
circumference and weighed two ounces each. They kept more than week
before they got too soft for handling and are better than many a
California plum. It seems to us if a man had ten acres of these plum
trees, he could make a fortune out of them. We will propagate only the
very best kinds for our own use and may have more to say about them
another year.
[Illustration: Cluster of Alpha grapes from Collegeville.]
Two or three of the imported pears bloomed again last spring, but the
frost was too severe and they set no fruit. We have lost all interest in
them and so, too, in our German seedling pears. The latter are now used
as stocks and are being grafted with Chinese and hybrid pears. Of those
already grafted this way some have made a growth of four and five feet.
We have been successful in grafting the six varieties of hybrid pears
obtained last spring from Prof. N.E. Hansen, of Brookings, S. Dak., and
have trees of every variety growing. These, too, are very good growers,
have fine large leaves and are promising. From the manner of growth in
stem and leaf we would judge that at least two distinct Asiatic
varieties have been used in breeding. We have gathered a little grafting
wood and next spring some more German seedlings will lose their tops. It
is only from continued efforts that success may be obtained in growing
pears in Minnesota.
Who would have thought it possible that in spite of all the frost and
cold rains we would get a pretty good crop of cherries? And yet this is
a fact. We have four varieties, and among them is one originated by the
late Clem. Schmidt, of Springfield, Minn., which was bearing a good crop
of very fine cherries while the three other sorts did not do a thing. To
get ahead of the many birds we picked the cherries a few days before
they were ripe and put them up in thirty-two half-gallon jars. As the
cherries become very soft when dead-ripe, it was of advantage to can
them when they were still hard. These canned cherries are meaty and most
delicious. We never tasted any better. It is only a pity that this
seedling cherry is not quite hardy.
As most everywhere in the state, our grapes were a complete failure. The
early growth with its good showing of fruit having been frozen in May,
it was well toward the end of June when the vines had recovered from the
shock and were able to grow vigorously again. There were a few grapes on
some of the vines, but they never got ripe. The Alpha showed the most
fruit, and a few bunches were just about getting ripe when the frost
spoiled them. This May freeze was more severe than we thought it was.
The wood of the old vines was not injured, but the one year old wood of
young plants was killed to the ground. The lesson we learned from this
is very important. It may be stated that vines full of sap and in
growing condition can endure very little cold, but when the wood is ripe
and dormant the vines will seldom be injured by sub-zero weather. This
injury to vines from frost might have been averted at least in part by
precautionary measures. In other countries people start smoldering
fires, making much smoke in the vineyard so that the whole is covered
with a cloud of smoke. This raises the temperature a few degrees and
keeps the frost out. Such preventive means might have been used here
very well to save the grapes, but it was not done.
Our currants were not very good; they ripened unevenly and showed that
they, too, were touched by frost. A few bushes were also attacked by the
currant worm.
We never cultivated any raspberries before. But last year we planted
Raspberry No. 8, sent to us from the Fruit-Breeding Farm. This sort is a
very vigorous grower; some canes grew over six feet high. It fruited
this year; it is very prolific; the fruit is very large and of good
quality. It would be quite satisfactory if it were a little hardier.
Not being protected more than half of the plants were lost last winter.
But the everbearing strawberry No. 1017 received from the Fruit-Breeding
Farm is a complete success. They were properly planted and well taken
care of. All flowers were removed up to July 10th and then left alone.
In early August the first berries were picked, and we kept right on
picking till the frost killed the fruit stalks. The growing of this
strawberry will be continued. A new bed will be planted next spring with
young plants that were not allowed to bear last season. The fruit was
all that could be desired, fine, large and of very good quality. It
seems to be of greater advantage to grow the everbearing than the
June-bearing sorts. The everbearing planted in spring will grow a large
crop in fall and bear again in June next year. From the first we get two
crops in fifteen months, from the second two crops in three years. And
to fruit any sort oftener than two seasons is not considered very
profitable.
Most all trees of apples, pears, plums, evergreens and grafts which were
planted last spring, have done very well, and we don't know of any that
failed to grow. The hybrid plums received last spring are all alive. The
same may be said of the 50 Norway pine obtained from the Minnesota State
Forester, W. F. Cox, not one failing to grow. If evergreens are handled
right in transplanting they are just as sure to grow as any other trees.
This year was especially favorable for transplanting on account of the
many rains and cool weather.
This, too, was the kind of weather which pleased our vegetable gardener.
He found it scarcely ever necessary throughout the season to apply water
to the growing plants for their best development. All grew fine and
large. Cabbage heads were grown that weighed thirty-five pounds;
carrots, onions, beets, lettuce and in fact all the different varieties
were first-class. Yet there was something that did not please the
gardener nor ourselves, namely, the tomatoes did not get ripe. We had a
few early kinds all right, but the bulk, the large, fine varieties, were
hanging on the vines still green when the first heavy frost touched
them. It was too cool for them to ripen. The same may be said of the
melons. Not once did we have melons at table this year. They were too
poor to be served.
Our floral plantings were a great success. The many artistic foliage
designs developed wonderfully and were the admiration of all visitors.
Our peonies were a mass of exceedingly beautiful flowers, filling the
air with fragrance as of roses. We are not surprised that these flowers
have gained so much popularity of late, for their great beauty and ease
of culture recommend them to all lovers of flowers. The dahlias, too,
were very excellent; in fact, we never saw them better. They are quite
ornamental in flower and plant. The newer varieties have exceptionally
large flowers, but the plants do not show off so well and bend down from
the weight of the flowers. For symmetry and uniformity of growth the old
varieties are hard to be excelled. Some of the roses were not so good as
desired, the buds got too much rain at times and rotted away. The mock
oranges, syringas and others were all very good, but the spireas
suffered much when in flower from rains. As a whole, however, our lawns
and grounds were beautiful and satisfactory and the new greenhouse has
done good work.
The growing of fruit this year has been a disappointment to many
horticulturists. Indeed, some got quite a showing of fruit in favored
localities, but the majority got not much of a crop to be proud of.
Well, we cannot regulate the weather conditions, but we are pleased with
the thought that such abnormal conditions are not of frequent occurrence
in Minnesota. Yet there is one redeeming feature of the season and that
is, the wonderful growth of plants and trees which gives promise that
with the usual normal conditions our expectations for a better fruit
crop will be realized.
* * * * *
STORING CABBAGE IN THE FIELD.--In choosing a site for a storage
pit, select a ridge, well drained and as gravelly a soil as possible.
The pit should be 6 to 10 inches deep, the length and width depending
upon the amount to be stored. It is well to have it wide enough to
accommodate 3 to 5 heads on the bottom row.
In harvesting the heads, pull up by the roots. Break off only the dead
or diseased leaves, and fold the remaining leaves over the head as much
as possible to protect them. Overripe or cracked heads should not be
stored. The heads are placed in the pit with their heads down and roots
up. The second layer is also placed heads down between the roots of the
first layer. It is well not to have more than two layers, on account of
the weight having a tendency to crush the lower layer.
When the cabbages are put in place they are covered with a layer of
earth. When cold weather comes, straw or manure can be added.
Cabbages can often be kept better in pits than in common cellars.--E. F.
McKune, Colorado Agricultural College, Fort Collins, Colorado.
Wintering of Bees.
FRANCIS JAGER, APIARIST, UNIVERSITY FARM, ST. PAUL.
The winter losses of bees in Minnesota are great every year. Bee keepers
can reduce these losses by preparing bees for their winter-quarters.
The chief known cause for winter losses are: Queenlessness, smallness of
number of bees in colonies, insufficient food, improper food, dampness,
bad air, the breaking of the clusters, and low temperature.
More colonies die from lack of food and from cold than from all other
causes. In fact, most of the other causes can be traced to lack of food
and cold.
Queenless colonies will certainly die in a few months.
If the number of bees in a colony is small the clusters cannot generate
enough heat or keep it generated and the bees will perish. To avoid
this, small colonies should be united in the fall into one big colony.
Bees must have food in the winter in order to generate heat. About forty
pounds of honey to the colony should be provided when the bees are put
into winter-quarters. Should the colony be short of honey of its own,
finished frames may be supplied early in the fall or sugar syrup may be
fed. Bee keepers should keep about one well filled extracting frame out
of every seven for feeding purposes.
Dark (not amber) honey is poor food for bees in winter. All black honey
should be removed and combs of white honey should be substituted.
Experiments made by Dr. Phillips, in Washington, D. C., have shown that
bees consume least honey and winter best when the temperature inside the
hive is 57 degrees Fahrenheit.
Dampness in a cellar causes the comb and frames of the hive walls and
cover to get damp and mouldy, and the bees perish from wet and cold
after exhausting their vitality in generating heat.
Bees need fresh air. Foul air will cause excitement, causing an
overheated condition; and the bees will scatter and die. Any excitement
among bees in winter is fatal. Cellars on high ground, covered with
straw over timbers, are best for wintering bees.
If the bee cluster divides or splits up during the winter, the smaller
clusters will perish from cold. The present style of Hoffman frames
divides the bee cluster into eleven divisions separated from each other
by a sheet of wax comb, with no direct communication between different
divisions except over, below or around the frames. If the bee cluster
contracts during the winter on account of cold the divisions of the
outside frames are sometimes left behind and die. Some bee keepers
perforate their frames to keep an easy passage for bees from one
compartment to another. If kept warm, even weak colonies may pass over
or around the frames without much difficulty. When cold, only the
strongest will be able to accomplish this difficult task. Wintering
bees in division hives or in two story hives, which give them a
horizontal bee space through the middle between the two divisions, is
highly recommended for successful wintering.
[Illustration: Francis Jager, Professor of Apiculture, University Farm,
St. Paul.]
In long-continued severe cold the bee clusters will contract into a very
small, compact mass. The tendency of this cluster is to move upward
where the air is warmer. If enough honey is stored above them they will
keep in contact with it. If the honey is stored at the side, the bees
sometimes lose their contact with it and die of starvation and cold.
This is another argument in favor of wintering in two story hives. Often
they will move towards one corner and die there, leaving the other
corners filled with honey. If you must winter in one story hives give
bees plenty of honey in the fall and place the cluster at one side of
the hive so that they move necessarily toward the honey supply.
Bees should be kept in a cellar at a temperature of about 45 degrees.
The difference in the temperature between the outside and the inside of
the hive will be between 10 and 15 degrees. Very strong colonies, no
matter where kept, will keep themselves warm and will survive any degree
of cold, but there is no doubt that their vitality and ability to stand
wintering will suffer a great deal thereby, causing dwindling in the
spring. Cellar wintering is at present general in Minnesota. The bee
cellar should be warm, dry, dark and ventilated. The bees should not be
disturbed during their winter sleep by pounding, jarring, shaking and
feeding. Mice also may cause the bees to get excited and perish. A four
to one inch wire screen in front of the entrance will prevent mice from
getting inside.
The fundamental principles to guide the bee keeper in wintering his bees
are: First, strong colonies, at least six frames covered with bees when
clustered; second, ample store, not less than forty pounds of honey; and
third, a hive with not less than 57 degrees inside temperature. This
temperature may be maintained outside in a double walled hive or in a
hive lined with flax or felt, now manufactured for that purpose, or by
packing the hives in leaves, straw or shavings--or by putting them into
a warm cellar.
Bees in our climate should be put into winter quarters about November 15
and should not be put on their summer stands in the spring until soft
maples are in bloom.
By following these suggestions winter losses may be reduced to an
insignificant percentage, and these mostly from accidents and causes
unforseen, for bees respond wonderfully to proper treatment.
The Currant as a Market Garden Product.
B. WALLNER, JR., WEST ST. PAUL.
The currant is essentially a northern fruit, therefore does well in
Minnesota.
I plant my currants on a clay loam as it retains moisture and coolness,
which the currant prefers. Their roots run somewhat shallow, and hence
sandy or friable soils are not desirable. Soils such as will prevent a
stagnant condition during heavy rainfalls are essential. I plant my
currants early in spring as soon as the frost leaves the ground and a
proper preparation can be secured. I plant them five by five feet apart,
as they require a thorough cultivation the first two years from
planting.
I plant mangels between the rows the first year; second year continued
cultivation is practiced; third year I apply a mulch consisting of
mushroom manure to a depth of from four to six inches, which answers a
double purpose, to keep out weeds and to act as mulch at the same time.
During a prolonged dry spell the soil is moist under this covering, and
it makes it more pleasant for the picking, as it prevents the berries
getting soiled after a rain during the picking season. You cannot
fertilize the currant too abundantly, as it is a gross feeder and
requires plenty of manure to get best results, as such fruit commands
the best price on the market.
I planted my currants on ground previously well fertilized with well
decayed barnyard manure.
I prefer strong well rooted two-year-old plants. The long straggling
roots are shortened, and bruised portions cut off with a sharp knife.
The tops are somewhat reduced, depending on the size of plants. I set
them in a furrow, sufficiently deep to admit the roots to spread out in
a natural position, fill in with surface soil and pack around the roots,
so that when the earth is firmly settled the roots will not protrude out
any place.