Forget-me-nots, F. H. Ellison, Minneapolis, first premium, $1.50.
Gailardias, F. H. Ellison, Minneapolis, third premium, $0.50.
Grass Pinks, F. H. Ellison, Minneapolis, second premium, $1.00.
Iceland Poppies, F. H. Ellison, Minneapolis, second premium, $1.00.
Dielytra, Mrs. Frank Moris, Lake Elmo, first premium, $1.50.
Delphinium, Mrs. Frank Moris, Lake Elmo, third premium, $0.50.
Foxgloves, Mrs. Frank Moris, Lake Elmo, second premium, $1.00.
Grass Pinks, Mrs. Frank Moris, Lake Elmo, first premium, $1.50.
Delphinium, Mrs. H. B. Tillotson, Excelsior, second premium, $1.00.
Foxgloves, Mrs. H. B. Tillotson, Excelsior, third premium, $0.50.
Iris, Mrs. H. B. Tillotson, Excelsior, third premium, $0.50.
Gailardias, Guy C. Hawkins, Minneapolis, second premium, $1.00.
Dielytra, Anna E. Rittle, St. Paul, second premium, $1.00.
Iceland Poppies, Mrs. E. W. Gould, Minneapolis, third premium, $0.50.
Gailardia, E. A. Farmer, Minneapolis, first premium, $1.50.
Foxgloves, Mrs. J. F. Fairfax, Minneapolis, first premium, $1.50.
Iceland Poppies, Mrs. J. F. Fairfax, Minneapolis, first premium, $1.50.
Iris, Mrs. E. W. D. Holway, Excelsior, first premium, $1.50.
Delphinium, Mrs. H. A. Boardman, St. Paul, first premium, $1.50.
Forget-me-nots, Mrs. H. A. Boardman, St. Paul, third premium, $0.50.
Iris, John S. Crooks, St. Paul, second premium, $1.00.
Canterbury Bells, Mrs. Chas. Krause, Merriam Park, second premium, $1.00.
Grass Pinks, Mrs. Chas. Krause, Merriam Park, third premium, $0.50.
Canterbury Bells, J. A. Weber, Excelsior, first premium, $1.50.
Forget-me-nots, Vera P. L. Stebbins, second premium, $1.00.
Oriental Poppies, F. H. Ellison, Minneapolis, first premium, $1.50.
Pansies, F. H. Ellison, Minneapolis, first premium, $1.50.
Pyrethrum, F. H. Ellison, Minneapolis, second premium, $1.00.
Sweet Peas, F. H. Ellison, Minneapolis, first premium, $1.50.
Sweet William, F. H. Ellison, Minneapolis, second premium, $1.00.
Shasta Daisies, Elizabeth Starr, Excelsior, third premium, $0.50.
Lilies, Mrs. Frank Moris, Lake Elmo, third premium, $0.50.
Oriental Poppies, Mrs. Frank Moris, Lake Elmo, second premium, $1.00.
Pansies, Mrs. Frank Moris, Lake Elmo, second premium, $1.00.
Lilies, Guy C. Hawkins, Minneapolis, first premium, $1.50.
Perennial Coreopsis, Guy C. Hawkins, Minneapolis, first premium, $1.50.
Pyrethrum, Guy C. Hawkins, Minneapolis, first premium, $1.50.
Lupine, Mrs. E. W. Gould, Minneapolis, first premium, $1.50.
Shasta Daisies, Mrs. G. T. Brown, St. Paul, second premium, $1.00.
Sweet William, Mrs. J. F. Fairfax, Minneapolis, third premium, $0.50.
Lupine, Mrs. H. A. Boardman, St. Paul, third premium, $0.50.
Oriental Poppies, Mrs. H. A. Boardman, St. Paul, third premium, $0.50.
Pyrethrum, Mrs. H. A. Boardman, St. Paul, third premium, $0.50.
Shasta Daisies, Miss Flora Moeser, St. Louis Park, first premium, $1.50.
Lilies, Mrs. Chas. Krause, Merriam Park, second premium, $1.00.
Pansies, Mrs. Chas. Krause, Merriam Park, third premium, $0.50.
Lupine, Miss Marion Prest, St. Paul, second premium, $1.00.
Sweet William, J. A. Weber, Excelsior, first premium, $1.50.
JOHN HAWKINS,
JOHN A. JANSEN,
Judges.
Collection named perennials, J. A. Weber, Excelsior, first premium, $6.00.
Collection named perennials, F. H. Ellison, Minneapolis, second premium,
$4.00.
Collection named perennials, Mrs. Frank Moris, Lake Elmo, third premium,
$2.00.
MRS. H. A. BOARDMAN,
MRS. WM. CRAWFORD,
Judges.
Vase of flowers by child, Mrs. F. E. Kidd, Minneapolis,
first premium, $2.00.
Vase of flowers by child, Matilda Gantzer, St. Paul, second premium, $1.00.
MARTHA A. WYMAN, Judge.
Vase of any kind flowers, Mrs. Frank Moris, Lake Elmo, second premium,
$1.00.
Vase any kind flowers, Miss Marjorie Knowles, St. Paul, first premium,
$2.00.
Vase any kind flowers, Miss Flora Moeser, St. Louis Park, third premium,
$0.50.
J. A. Boies, Judge.
Vase of flowers arranged for artistic effect, Mrs. F. E. Kidd, Minneapolis,
second premium, $1.00.
Vase of flowers arranged for artistic effect, Mrs. S. A. Gile, Minneapolis,
first premium, $1.50.
Vase of flowers arranged for artistic effect, F. H. Ellison, Minneapolis,
third premium, $0.50.
Basket outdoor grown, Elizabeth Starr, Excelsior, third premium, $1.00.
Basket outdoor grown, Mrs. S. A. Gile, Minneapolis, second premium, $2.00.
Basket outdoor grown, Mrs. H. A. Boardman, St. Paul, first premium, $3.00.
M. EMMA ROBERTS,
CARRIE L. WILKERSON,
Judges.
STRAWBERRIES.
Collection, six varieties, H. G. Groat, Anoka, first premium, $5.00.
Collection, three named varieties, H. G. Groat, Anoka,
first premium, $3.00.
Collection, three named varieties, E. A. Farmer, Minneapolis,
second premium, $2.00.
Progressive, Mrs. H. B. Tillotson, Excelsior, first premium, $1.00.
Bederwood, H. G. Groat, Anoka, first premium, $1.00.
Dunlap, H. G. Groat, Anoka, second premium, $0.75.
Crescent, H. G. Groat, Anoka, first premium, $1.00.
Warfield, H. G. Groat, Anoka, first premium, $1.00.
Warfield, Mrs. M. A. Rohan, Minneapolis, second premium, $0.75.
Senator Dunlap, J. F. Bartlett, Excelsior, first premium, $1.00.
Minnesota No. 3, J. F. Bartlett, Excelsior, first premium, $1.00.
Minnesota No. 3, A. Brackett, Excelsior, second premium, $0.75.
Americus, A. Brackett, Excelsior, first premium, $1.00.
Progressive, A. Brackett, Excelsior, second premium, $0.75.
Superb, A. Brackett, Excelsior, first premium, $1.00.
Best named variety, Mrs. H. B. Tillotson, Excelsior, first premium, $2.00.
Best named variety, H. G. Groat, Anoka, second premium, $1.00.
Best named variety, Mrs. John Gantzer, St. Paul, third premium, $0.50.
Seedling, A. Brackett, Excelsior, first premium, $3.00.
THOMAS REDPATH, Judge.
Experiment Work of Chas. G. Patten, Charles City, Ia.
GEO. J. KELLOGG, LAKE MILLS, WIS.
June 6.--I have just spent four days with our friend Patten. He has
7,000 surprises on seventeen acres of experiment orchard dating back to
1868--every tree of the 7,000 has a history.
For twenty-eight years he has been working on the Chinese sand pear and
has brought out a race that is blight-proof, perfectly hardy and of good
size and quality. He is not yet satisfied, but has 5,000 cross-bred
seedlings of many crosses that are about three feet high, ready for
transplanting in orchard rows next spring--and he has not room to set
them. The state of Iowa does not appreciate his labor or value the work
he has done and is doing; they are not giving him the money or men to
carry on this work.
Beside the pear experiments he has hundreds of crosses of apples that
are very promising and just coming into bearing. These are scattered all
through that orchard of 7,000 trees, with the pears, and nearly as many
plum crosses. Some plums are heavily loaded this year that are of
wonderful value, and one of the great points is that they have escaped
the bad weather in blooming time, while all our standard varieties
failed--and I believe the hardiness of bloom will insure fruit on his
best kinds when others fail in bad weather.
He is breeding form of tree in all these fruits--see his paper in the
last volume of Iowa Hort. Report. His crop of apples is light, but many
crosses show some fruit. Some pears and plums are loaded. Eugene Secor
says, "Patten is greater than Burbank."
* * * * *
WINDBREAKS ON FARM PAY DIVIDENDS.--Windbreaks are usually more
or less ornamental on a farm, and add to the contentment of the owner.
But it is not generally known that windbreaks actually pay dividends. At
least studies made a few years ago in Nebraska and Kansas indicate that
windbreaks are profitable. The state forester will soon study their
influence in this state. It must be admitted that windbreaks occupy
space that could be profitably devoted to agricultural crops, and that
the roots of the trees and their shade render a strip of ground on
either side of the windbreak relatively unproductive. Yet in spite of
these drawbacks, efficient windbreaks undoubtedly do more good than
evil.
The windbreak reduces the velocity of the wind, and, consequently, the
loss of soil water from evaporation from the soil surface and from the
field crops. This is equivalent to additional rainfall, just as "a
dollar saved is a dollar made." It seems from investigations made by the
United States Forest Service that the greater yield of field crops and
apples behind the protection of a good windbreak is enough to warrant
every farmer in the prairie states in planting windbreaks.--W.J.
Morrill, Colo. Agri. College.
MIDSUMMER REPORTS, 1916.
Collegeville Trial Station.
REV. JOHN B. KATZNER, SUPT.
The weather conditions of last winter were not any too favorable for
plants and fruit trees. In fact the cold was at times severe and long
continued, reaching its maximum with 38 degrees below for one day. The
total subzero weather for the winter amounts to 489 degrees, of which
January figures with 285 and February with 168 degrees below. This is
some cold, no doubt, and yet our hardy fruit trees did not suffer. But
other trees not quite hardy suffered more than usual. This is
particularly noticeable on my German pear seedlings. The wood of the
branches as well as of the stem had turned black down to the ground. All
the imported European varieties of pears are dead and ready for the
brush pile. Prof. N.E. Hanson's hybrid pears have suffered just a
little. This, however, may be due to the unripe condition of the wood
rather than to cold. They had been grafted on strong German pear stock,
made a vigorous growth and were still growing when the frost touched
them. Another season they may be all right. All our cherry trees, too,
are almost dead and will be removed and their place used for a trial
orchard.
It was of great advantage to plants and trees that we had much snow,
giving them good protection in root and stem two feet up. But this deep
snow helped the rabbits also in reaching the lower branches of the apple
trees. They were very active during the winter months and did much
damage by biting off the buds and smaller twigs from those branches, but
did no injury to the bark of trees otherwise.
Spring was rather cold and late. Up to the middle of May there was not
much growth of any kind. But we started work at the station as soon as
the ground could be worked. Apple and plum grafts made last winter were
set out. The orchard was gone over and trees pruned where needed. The
grape vines were uncovered and tied up on the trellis. A liberal
dressing of manure was worked in around vines growing on poor soil. More
than a hundred Alpha grape vines were planted along a students' walk for
their future benefit. The everbearing strawberries were looked after and
a new bed was started. Some apple trees were planted in the orchard to
replace others. Quite a number of German pear seedlings were grafted
with hardy varieties an inch below ground. We expect this will give us
healthy and hardy trees and fruit in due time.
[Illustration: Patten's No. 108 in blossom at Collegeville Station.]
A friend of mine sent me from Los Angeles, Cal., four fine large cherry
trees: the Tartarian, Napoleon Bigarreau and Early Richmond. These are
one year old budded trees; they have made in the congenial climate of
California a growth of about eight feet and are an inch through the
stem. They arrived the first week in March. It was cold yet and the
ground covered with a foot of snow. As we could not plant them, we
applied water to the roots and kept the trees unpacked in the cool root
cellar till planting time. They are growing now, but next spring we
expect to see their finish. Another variety of sweet cherries was sent
to the trial station from the mountains of Pennsylvania and planted in
the nursery, but we expect that will meet the same fate. From the U.S.
Dept. of Agriculture we have obtained scions of a pear, No. 26485,
which were used in budding some German pear seedlings, as also ten
plants of Prunus Tomentosa No. 38856. This is a Chinese bush cherry, and
though the fruit is of little value, yet the plant is said to be quite
ornamental.
In forestry work 200 arbor vitae were set out, more for ornamental
effect, and in open places of the woods several thousand Scotch pine
were planted. This planting was also extended partly around the opposite
lake shore to improve the landscape during the winter months, when
everything looks bleak and dreary.
This station has received quite a liberal supply of new stock for trial
from the Minn. State Fruit-Breeding Farm, viz.: June bearing strawberry
No. 3, everbearing kind No. 1017, raspberry No. 4 and everbearing sorts
Nos. 30 and 31; of plums, Nos. 35, 9, 21, 1, and sand cherry crossed
with Climax; of apples, six Malindas, Nos. 38, 32, 29, 25, 12 and 12.
They are fine large trees and were planted in the trial orchard. Ten
smaller apple trees which we received were set out in the nursery and
after a year or two will find their place in the orchard. These trees
are labeled: Gilbert, Winesap, Russet Seedling, then Nos. 90, 271, 269,
16, 7045 and A1. All of this stock has been carefully planted and is now
doing well.
The only variety of fruit trees which bloomed before the 20th of May was
the Akin plum. Most all other trees were getting ready to bloom, but it
was really too cold for them to open their flowers. From that time on
the blooming became more general among the plums and later among the
apples. The trees which did not bear last year were full of flowers.
Some of the new plums, too, had quite a number of blossoms, and we are
watching with great interest what the fruit will be, as we intend to
propagate the best ones in a small way for home use.
Of small fruits we have now on trial five varieties of raspberries and
also three sorts of strawberries, Nos. 3, 4 and Progressive. This will
give us a good chance to judge of their relative value as to hardiness,
quality and quantity of fruit.
The truck garden is taken care of as usual, but is far behind other
years in growth and development of vegetables on account of the cold
spring. If it were not for our greenhouse and hotbeds, I think we would
yet be without radishes and lettuce.
The same may be said in regard to the planting of our lawns. The plants
were all ready in the greenhouse, but the planting had to be deferred as
long as there was danger of frost. The flower beds on the lawns were
finally planted, the designs are very good, but it will take some time
yet till their beauty can be seen and enjoyed.
Judging from present conditions, we may get a pretty good crop of
fruits. The time for the late spring frosts passed by without doing any
harm. The weather during blooming was favorable for setting a good crop
of apples and plums. The grapes, too, show up well and promise a good
crop, and the strawberries and currants are doing splendidly.
Jeffers Trial Station.
DEWAIN COOK, SUPT.
June 13.--_Plums_--Much rainy weather during the blooming period was
undoubtedly the main reason why the plum crop of 1916 will not amount to
very much. Only a few of the Americana have set any fruit whatever.
However, the Terry and the Wyants carry considerable fruit.
Of the Japanese hybrids the B.A.Q. and Emerald have set some fruit--also
the Stella. Of the hybrid plums originating at the Minnesota State
Fruit-Breeding Farm there are only a few scattering specimens on any of
them. Most of them have set no fruit whatever. Minn. No. 6, one tree, is
in a dying condition from winter-killing.
Hansen's hybrids have mostly set some fruit, but not freely. The Hanska,
Toka, Opata and Wohanka are among those varieties making the best
showing of fruit.
While in a general way we consider the rains during the blooming period
responsible for the almost failure of the 1916 plum crop, but, to be a
little more specific, the blight of the plum bloom, or rather the brown
rot fungus, was more generally prevalent and more generally destructive
than at any previous season. As for the fungous disease known as plum
pocket, we have not seen one this season. It has been entirely absent.
As for spraying to control the brown rot fungus, we have and are doing
the best we know. With the exception of about twenty-five large plum
trees that we have made into a hog pasture and could not get at very
well with our gasoline spraying outfit, we sprayed about all our plum
trees (and other fruit trees as well) twice before blooming, once just
as the fruit buds began to swell and again just before they bloomed,
with lime-sulphur solution. We are now spraying the third time, adding
arsenate of lead to the lime-sulphur.
Of grapes sent me from our State Fruit-Breeding Farm all varieties are
looking fine. The Beta we gave no winter protection, but all of the
others we covered with strawy manure. We did this as all the other
varieties winter-killed the first winter after planting, and we did not
like to take any chances with them.
Minn. No. 3 strawberry is doing itself proud. We consider it the best
all round variety we have ever grown and are planting almost exclusively
on our own farm.
The everbearing Minn. 1017 continues to hold place as first best. We set
out some 400 plants of this variety this spring, and they are making
runners freely. Judging from last season, we expect a large crop of
fine fruit from them next September, as well as a great quantity of new
plants.
Apples are in a very satisfactory condition. I need to say but little
about varieties. All kinds of bearing size bloomed full, and most kinds
have set full of fruit. Of such kinds as Okabena, Duchess and Wealthy,
it looks as though practically every blossom turned into an apple.
We received several seedling apple trees from Mr. Chas. Haralson, of the
State Fruit-Breeding Farm. They were all set out, and all are growing.
La Crescent Trial Station.
D. C. WEBSTER, SUPT.
June 17, 1916.--We received this spring, from the Fruit-Breeding Farm,
plants for trial as follows: Malinda Nos. 12, 25, 29, 32, 38, 269,
Russett Seedling, Gilbert Winesap, Nos. 7045, No. 90, No. ----, No. A 1,
everbearing raspberry Nos. 30, 31, and strawberry No. 3. We also
received from other sources Waneta and Lokota plum. Everything received
for trial this year lived and is growing well.
Of the plums received in 1914, No. 6 died last winter. Those remaining
about all bloomed, but only a very little fruit set on the following:
Nos. 3, 5, 8, 10, 14, 20. Native plums have set no fruit this year.
Apple trees top-worked last year did poorly. The trees worked two years
ago did finely and already have quite the appearance of real apple
trees. Some are setting fruit this year, and we anticipate a few fine
specimens of Jonathan and Delicious this fall from them.
In the orchard which blighted so badly two years ago, several trees died
from that cause. A great many are in a ragged condition from the pruning
necessary, and we note with considerable anxiety the occasional
appearance of that dreaded enemy a few days ago.
Last year we had what might be called a full crop of apples, and
consequently did not expect them to do much this year. However, they had
a fairly good bloom, and about one-half of the trees have set a fair
crop. We sprayed twice with so far satisfactory results.
Strawberries in this vicinity were badly injured by ice in winter where
not covered. Ours were covered and now promise a good yield. Began
picking the 14th inst.
We set quite a patch of everbearers No. 1017 this spring. They bore last
fall but chickens picked most of the berries. Superb were unsatisfactory
and winter-killed where not covered.
Carrie gooseberry has set full of berries and plants look fine.
All other trees and shrubbery in general at this station are in good
condition.
Mandan, N.D., Trial Station.
(Northern Great Plains Field Station.)
W.A. PETERSON, SUPT.
All plants at this station went into the winter with favorable soil
moisture conditions. Many plants, however, made a late growth and were
still in growing condition late in September.
The winter was a long and severe one, although there was more snow than
usual. The early spring was severe, being both windy, cold and dry. Up
to date (June 9th) there have been very few calm days. Three or four
very severe dust storms did considerable damage by blowing out seeds and
blighting the tender new growth of many plants.
The winter of 1915-16 in this section can be called a test winter, as
much winter-killing both in root and top has resulted.
A large proportion of the apple and plum orchard (60% to 75%) killed
out. There was no mulch or protection in these orchards. Practically all
grapes killed out, even though protected. A few Beta are alive at the
crown. Asparagus (unprotected) suffered severely. All raspberries had
been covered with dirt. They came through perfectly and promise a good
crop.
Strawberries wintered successfully. The South Dakota variety came
through perfectly, even when not mulched. All are in full bloom now.
Practically all of Prof. Hansen's plum hybrids killed out entirely, or
are dead to trunk or crown.
A large number of seedlings of Chinese apricot, Chinese peach, native
grapes, Juneberries and bullberries passed through the winter with
little or no injury. About 1,000 Beta seedlings, lined out as one year
seedlings in the spring of 1915, winter-killed, with the exception of
about seven or eight plants.
Paradise apple stocks wintered safely.
Soft maples that winter-killed to the ground in the preceding year are
good to the tips this spring, even though they had made four to six feet
of new growth last summer.
Many new plantings have been made this spring, especially along
plant-breeding lines. Extensive experiments have also been started with
fruit trees, shelter-belt trees, ornamental shrubs and perennial
flowering plants to determine the factors that influence the hardiness
of plants.
Strawberry No. 1017, from the Minnesota Fruit-Breeding Farm, made an
excellent showing in 1915, and all plants bore some fruit. Only a few
runners were made, however. All plants were potted in fall, so no data
has been secured on their hardiness. Several hundred more plants of this
variety were set out this spring and they made an excellent stand.
Montevideo Trial Station.
LYCURGUS R. MOYER, SUPT.
_Syringa Japonica._--The Japanese tree lilac has often been recommended
by this station, but last winter was unusually severe, and an old tree
obtained from Prof. Budd, nearly thirty years ago, now shows several
damaged branches. Younger trees on our grounds and in the city parks
show no injury. Perhaps this tree cannot be expected to live to be much
more than thirty years of age nor attain a much greater height than
thirty feet. The old tree is throwing up new stems from its roots and
may rejuvenate itself.
_Caragana._--The small shrubby caragana (Caragana pygmaea) was unusually
fine this spring when in full bloom. We received it from Prof. Budd many
years ago. It does finely in the clay banks of Lincoln Parkway in this
city, but it is seldom offered by nurserymen. Caragana frutex, formerly
called Caragana frutescens, is a somewhat taller shrub and not quite so
floriferous. It makes a fine screen. Both of these shrubs are addicted
to root sprouting, and might not please those who care for a stiff,
formal garden. Both may be readily propagated from root cuttings.
_Roses._--Hansen's Tetonkeha rose at this writing is in full bloom and
is a very striking object. It grows to the height of about four feet and
needs no protection. The flowers are large and of a deep pink color. It
seems to be as hardy as the old yellow rose of our gardens, that rose
being now, too, at its best. Among other garden roses Paul Neyron is in
a rather weak condition, Ulrich Brunner is doing a little better, while
Mme. Georges Bruant is doing still better. Rosa pratincola grows on our
grounds naturally, and we have brought in from the edges of the timber
Rosa Engelmanni and Rosa Maximilliani. A friend in Duluth has sent us
Rosa Sayi, and we obtained Rosa Macounii from the Bad Lands of North
Dakota. These roses, as well as the more common Rosa blanda, make an
interesting addition to the hardy border.