Part 49
Mr. Graves: Mr. President and members of the Minnesota Horticultural Society: I am very pleased to be here this morning and listen to this program and these deliberations. I expect to spend some enjoyable days with you, and on behalf of the Wisconsin Horticultural Society I am pleased to bring to you their greetings on this occasion. Thank you. (Applause.)
President Cashman: We hope to hear from you later, Mr. Graves, and would be pleased to have you take part in our deliberations. I presume that there are other delegates here, but if so they have not been announced. If there are others I hope they will hand their credentials to the secretary so we may call on them later.
Meeting adjourned until 1:30 p.m.
December 7, 1915, Afternoon Session.
_The Minnesota Orchard._ Discussion led by J. P. Andrews, Faribault, Minn. (See index.)
The President: Ladies and gentlemen, the time has now arrived to continue with the regular proceedings of the society. Mr. Rasmussen, president of the Wisconsin State Horticultural Society, is with us and will be on the program later, but we will have a few words from him now. (Applause.).
Mr. Rasmussen (Wisconsin): Mr. President and members of the Minnesota Horticultural Society: I didn't expect to be caught this way. I was going to be real shrewd, I was not going to let you know I was coming. I told the secretary of our society not to let you know I was coming, but he notified your secretary that I was coming and that is the way they happened to get me on the program. I was going to sneak in and get all the good out of it and was not going to give anything back; I will admit that is not a fair game. I feel about like a fellow who had to make a talk at a banquet. He said he was not a speaker, but they insisted. They would not let him back out. So he got up and feeling kind of shaky, like I am now, he reached his hand down to get hold of his chair, as he thought, but touched his wife's shoulder, and she got up. She thought she had to. He started, "Ladies and gentlemen, this thing was forced on me. (Laughter.)" So this was kind of forced upon me. I know that your program is full so I will not detain you any longer. My time is tomorrow, and I will take you through my garden tomorrow. (Applause.)
The President: We are all pleased to have Mr. Rasmussen with us, and we hope we will hear from him often during the deliberations of the meeting. I was pleased indeed to see so many present this forenoon. Secretary Latham thought he had plenty of room for all who might attend, but I don't think there was a vacant chair here this forenoon. I was pleased indeed to note so many new faces, so many young men present. You are the people we want to see. The older men have always contributed and done their part and have made these meetings a grand success, but it will soon devolve upon the younger men of this society to take their places. We want you to help them at these meetings, and I was glad that you did so this forenoon. We hope that the young men will feel at home and that they will continue to take part, that they will ask questions and tell us about their successes and their failures, and I hope the older members will help make it pleasant for these young men.
We will take up the subject of fruits this afternoon, and I am now going to call on a plum specialist, a man that we look to to tell us about the plum troubles in this state, Mr. Dewain Cook, who will tell us about the "Plums We Already Have and Plums That Are on the Way--the Brown Rot a Controlling Factor," Mr. Dewain Cook, of Jeffers, Minnesota. (See index.)
Discussion.
The President: We have heard of some of the troubles of those that plant plum trees. The next speaker will probably tell us how to meet those troubles, how to combat the plum pocket fungus. We are fortunate to have with us a scientific man that makes a study of these subjects. I refer to Professor Stakman, of the University Farm, St. Paul. "The Control and Cure of Brown Rot, etc.," by Prof. E. C. Stakman. (See index.)
Discussion.
The President: I will now call on Mr. C. A. Pfeiffer, of Winona, to talk to us on "The Surprise Plum a Success." (See index.)
Discussion.
The President: "Thirty Years in Raspberries," by a gentleman that knows how to make money by the raising of raspberries, Mr. Gust. Johnson, of Minneapolis. (See index.)
Discussion.
The President: We will now call upon Mr. Simmons to tell us about "My Orchard Crop of 1915--from Start to Finish." (See index.)
The President: As you know, Mr. Simmons is one of the most successful orchardists in Minnesota. Do you wish to ask him any questions?
Discussion.
Mr. Cashman: We are very much indebted to Mr. Simmons for this splendid paper and for his advice. We must hurry on to the next subject, which is "Fruit Growing a Successful Industry in Minnesota," by A. W. Richardson, Howard Lake, Minn. (See index.)
The President: I am sure you will all agree this was a very instructive and interesting paper. We have about three minutes in which to discuss it.
Discussion.
Two lantern talks followed--one by Earl Ferris of Hampton, Ia., on "Evergreens," and one by A. G. Tolaas on "Diseases of the Potato."
December 8, 1915, Morning Session.
Discussion on "The Vegetable Garden," led by H. J. Baldwin, Northfield, Minn. (See index.)
N. H. Reeves, president Minneapolis Market Gardeners' Association, in the chair.
President Reeves: We will now have a paper on "Growing Beans and Sweet Corn," by P. B. Marien, of St. Paul. (See index.)
Discussion.
The President: We will now listen to a paper on "Growing Vegetables for Canning," by Mr. M. H. Hegerle, president of Canning Company, St. Bonifacius. Mr. Hegerle not being present, we will ask Mr. Rasmussen, president of the Wisconsin Horticultural Society, to tell us "How We Grow Vegetables in Oshkosh, Wisconsin." (Applause.) (See index.)
President Reeves: Is Mr. Hegerle in the room?
Mr. Hegerle: Yes.
President Reeves: Then we will listen to Mr. Hegerle's talk on "Growing Vegetables for Canning." (See index.)
Discussion.
President Reeves: "Greenhouse vs. Hotbeds, Investment, Care and Result Compared," by Mr. F. H. Gibbs. (See index.)
President Reeves: "Growing the Tomato," by C. W. Purdham, market gardener, Brooklyn Center. (See index.)
Discussion.
President Reeves: We will now listen to a paper by E. W. Record on "Asparagus by the Acre." (See index.)
President Reeves: You will be entertained with a demonstration of the coldpack method of canning fruits and vegetables by Professor R. S. Mackintosh and Miss Mary L. Bull.
After the demonstration the session adjourned until 1:30 o'clock p.m.
December 8, 1915, Afternoon Session.
Question and answer exercise on "The Flower Garden," led by Mr. G. C. Hawkins, of Minneapolis.
The President: I regret to have to announce that one of the big guns who was to be with us on this afternoon's program, Professor J. C. Whitten, of Missouri, is unable to be with us on account of sickness. Secretary Latham received a letter from him just a short time ago, stating that he was sick abed and the doctor would not permit him to leave. We have another very able gentleman whom I will call upon at this time to take Mr. Whitten's place. His name is H. G. Street, of Hebron, Ill., who will tell us about "Marketing Fruit Direct." (Applause.) (See index.)
Discussion.
The President: We appreciate very much this fine paper by Mr. Street. We have another very important subject this afternoon. We will have a paper by Mr. W. G. Brierly, Assistant Horticulturist at the University Farm, on "The Manufacture of Cider Vinegar on the Farm." (Applause.) (See index.)
Reading by Miss Mary Bonn.
The President: We will now turn the meeting over to the Garden Flower Society and request the president, Mrs. Ruff, to take the chair. (In the absence of Mrs. Ruff, Mrs. E. W. Gould presided.)
Mrs. Gould: Our first number will be a paper on the Minnesota State Flower, by Mr. E. A. Smith, of Lake City. (Applause.)
Mr. Smith: I wish to add one word to the name of my paper and that is "Flag," so that it will read "Minnesota State Flower and State Flag." I have the two subjects so closely associated that I can not separate them. (See index.)
Discussion.
Mr. Smith: I now come to the point in my paper. I move you, Madam President, that the Minnesota State Horticultural Society and its auxiliary societies through its secretary present the following resolution to the next legislature of the state for adoption at that time: Resolved, that, whereas the State of Minnesota has adopted a state flower which, on account of its being a native of the woods and bogs, is not generally known or recognized and, whereas, the State of Minnesota in 1893 adopted by legislative vote a state flag, which emblem is not generally known to the residents of the state, and believing that familiarity with the state flower and the state flag will do good and create loyalty to the state and Union, be it resolved, that we, the Minnesota State Horticultural Society and auxiliary societies, do hereby petition and pray the state legislature of Minnesota to have printed an attractive picture of the state flower and the state flag, properly framed, and present a copy of it to each public school of the state with the request that it be placed upon the walls of the school room, also that it be furnished free of cost to such other public buildings as may be deemed advisable.
I trust, Madam President, that this resolution will not only be seconded but it will meet with the unanimous approval of the society.
Mr. Hawkins: I second the motion.
Mrs. Gould: I do not know that we could vote with the Horticultural Society. This is not a meeting of that society but simply a meeting of the Flower Society. Will some one enlighten me?
Miss White: Madam President, if we could not vote as a society, could we not vote to recommend this resolution to the Horticultural Society?
A Member: Yes, or to the two societies to be taken up at their business meeting, perhaps.
Miss White: Recommend it be passed by the parent society.
A Member: Madam President, why should it not be the flag itself and not a picture of the flag?
Mrs. Gould: Will you make that motion?
Miss White: I move that the resolution as presented by Mr. Smith be endorsed by this Garden Flower Society and referred to the parent society for their adoption. I will offer that as a substitute.
A Member: I second the motion.
Motion was carried.
Mrs. Gould: Our next subject is "The Pergola, Its Use and Misuse, Its Convenience and Expense," by Charles H. Ramsdell, of Minneapolis. (See index.)
Mrs. Gould: Our next paper is "Hardy Perennials," by Miss Grace E. Kimball, of Waltham. (See index.)
Mrs. Gould: This spring our president, Mrs. Ruff, offered prizes for the best papers on planting for color effect. The judges after reading these papers carefully selected three. Miss Starr is first, Mrs. Tillotson second and Mrs. Boyington third. These papers will now be read, Miss Starr giving the first one. (See index.)
Mrs. Gould: Mrs. Tillotson will follow with her paper. (See index.)
Mrs. Gould: Mrs. Wyman will read Mrs. Boyington's paper. Mrs. Boyington was unable to be with us today. (See index.)
Mrs. Gould: Mrs. Countryman will read a paper written by Mr. Swanson on the judging of flowers. (See index.)
Mrs. Gould: Our meeting will close with Professor Washburn's talk on "Bird Conservation," which will be given with slides and music.
Professor Washburn gives lantern talk.
December 9, 1915, Morning Session.
Half hour question and answer exercise on "Truck Crop and Garden Insects," led by Professor Wm. Moore. (See index.)
The President: The committee on fruit list has been working very hard trying to determine why we have particular varieties on the list and the changes, if any, that should be made. Mr. J. P. Andrews, the chairman of the committee, is the man who has been doing most of this work, and we will be glad to hear from him at this time. He is quite radical and in favor of many changes as you will note when he reads his report.
Mr. Andrews: There are very few changes, and you know it has been the policy of this society rather to be conservative and not jump at anything until we know what it is. (Reads new fruit list.)
Mr. Andrews: I move its adoption.
Motion was seconded and carried unanimously.
Mr. Andrews: I would like to call attention to the fact that a great many criticize that we do not change the list from time to time. I have thought that for a long time. Two or three years ago there was a little move towards making it so we could change it. We are putting up some nice, big premiums for late winter apples and early winter apples, and there are undoubtedly some seedlings that would be all right to put upon the list if we knew more about them. It seems to me it is foolish to pay those premiums and then drop it right there. We do not know any more about whether they are hardy or not than if they had been grown in Missouri. They may have grown well through some protection or favorable location, but when you commence grafting from a seedling it does not give satisfaction as a grafted tree and in different localities of the country.
We want to know whether the new seedlings are hardy enough for this climate, not that they are simply of good quality to eat and perhaps will keep. We find that out here, but we do not find out anything about the hardiness.
I think we ought to require a person who has produced a good seedling and gotten a good premium for it to send some of its scions to the superintendent of the Fruit-Breeding Farm for testing and let him send it out to points north of here, between here and the northern part of the state, to see how much hardiness it has. Hardiness is the quality we want more than anything else. We have gotten along so far with the Hibernal, and we ought not to be so particular about quality as about hardiness. They ought to be required to give Mr. Haralson a few of the scions or buds so that he could try them there at the fruit-breeding farm and send them out to more northern locations under number, so that the originator will be just as well protected, and it will add so much to the value of the new seedling that he ought to be anxious to do it instead of holding it back as is now done.
I move you that we have some arrangement whereby those drawing the premiums for the first and second qualities, keeping qualities and eating qualities, etc., shall be obliged to give to Mr. Haralson something to work on, either scions or buds of those varieties, so that they can be tested in that way and we know what they are, otherwise it leaves it for any one to introduce a new variety just about on the same ground that some other varieties have been introduced in the state, made a nice, large thing for the man that introduced them to the public and sold them but afterwards proved a great disappointment to almost every man who ever planted them. I move that we make such an arrangement, and we recommend that the state fair do the same.
Mr. Horton: I second the motion.
The President: It is moved and seconded that some arrangement be made requiring people who enter seedling apples for prizes at the horticultural meeting and the state fair to furnish scions or buds of such varieties to the central station to Superintendent Charles Haralson that he may determine whether the trees are hardy and suitable for this climate or not.
Mr. Andrews: We need this provision so that Superintendent Haralson could visit those trees and see what they looked like.
Mr. Latham: I move that this matter be referred to the executive board to develop a workable plan to secure the purposes which Mr. Andrews has in view.
The President: Do you accept that as a substitute?
Mr. Andrews: I would if it wasn't for this one thing. It was left that way a year or two ago, and it hasn't amounted to a thing. I do not care if it is left to the executive committee if Mr. Latham will vouch for its being put through.
Mr. Latham: Don't you remember as the result of that action we prepared forms to be used by those who examined the seedlings and decided what seedlings should be further tested and all that sort of thing. We have those forms for use if the committee wants to use them.
Mr. Andrews: Those ought to be so as to hold the premium money back until we get some material to test.
Mr. Latham: I will say a few words. It is not such a simple matter as it seems. Here come perhaps fifty people who have grown seedlings. We tell them we are very desirous that all the seedlings in the state that have promise of merit be shown. In the division of the premium money they do not get more than four or five dollars apiece, the best of them do not get more than eight or ten dollars. Then here comes a resolution which says, "Before you draw this money you have to furnish scions to the state fruit-breeding farm with the privilege of sending out to other stations in the state for testing." The average man who owns a seedling that is really a good thing begins to think about it, and we will not get what we want. If a man has a seedling that is better than the Duchess and Wealthy and has hardiness as well there are lots of buyers around here that have their eyes open. There has been a half a dozen I know of picked up in the last few years really first class, fine and hardy. Those trees are being tested out. It would be a splendid thing if we could get a really good seedling, as Mr. Andrews says, but a resolution of this kind will not result in doing what we want to do.
I would like to have it referred to the executive board so they can work out a practical plan. Mr. Andrews is a member of the board. I renew my motion.
Motion is seconded.
The President: The original motion as given by Mr. Andrews is that those people offering seedlings for prizes, before they receive premiums--
Mr. Andrews: The first or second premiums, I said, because that would shut out all of the others.
The President:--before receiving the first or second premiums, that they be required or that they will agree to furnish scions or buds for experimental purposes, these scions or buds to be sent to the central station to Mr. Haralson for the purpose of testing them out as to hardiness, under number. Now, the amendment made by Mr. Latham is to the effect that this matter be referred to the executive committee. We will first put the amendment that it be referred to the executive committee to work out a practical plan.
Mr. Heustis: And report next year.
The President: That they work out a practical plan and put it in operation. Was it your idea that we report next year or that the plan be put in operation?
Mr. Latham: No objection to reporting next year. If they can work out a plan they can also put it in practical operation.
Mr. Andrews: I do not think that I am after this now, gentlemen, any more than every one of you ought to be after it. We ought to know more about the hardiness of these trees. This list has stood almost identically the same list for eight or nine years, pretty nearly the same, and we are not getting ahead at all. We do not know any more about the hardiness of these trees we have been putting out than we did before.
The amendment was carried.
The President: This matter will therefore be referred to the executive board. The next in order is the annual report of the executive board, Mr. J. M. Underwood, of Lake City, chairman. Mr. Underwood is sojourning in the sunny south. He has sent a report, however, to Secretary Latham, and Mr. Latham has requested me to read it. This was written at St. Augustine, Florida. (See index.)
The President: Any one wish to make any comments on this report? If not, we will pass to the report of the secretary, Mr. Latham.
Mr. Latham: Do you wish to have the report read or have it published later? It will be published anyway.
Mr. Miller: Let it be considered as read and approved and filed for publication. (See index.)
Motion is seconded and carried.
The President: We will now have the report of George W. Strand, treasurer. (See index.)
The President: What will you do with the report of the treasurer? You have heard the reading of it.
Upon motion the report was adopted and filed.
The President: The next order of business would be the paper by Professor J. C. Whitten but Mr. Whitten is not present, I am sorry to say, and I am now going to call on Mr. O. M. Heustis as he is present to tell us about his "Dwarf Apple Trees." (See index.)
The President: We are very much indebted to the doctor for his interesting talk. Is Professor Mackintosh in the room? I was going to ask him to read a paper on "Successful Cold Storage Plant for Apples," sent in by Mr. Hanson. I am sorry that Mr. Hanson is not able to be present, he is ill at home.
Professor Mackintosh not being present, paper was read by Mr. Clarence Wedge.
The President: Mr. Wedge will have a word for us at this time. He has a suggestion to make.
Mr. Wedge: Ladies and gentlemen, fellow members: Once a year our society has been in the habit of bestowing the highest honor within its gift upon some of the members that have honored the society for so many years with their services and have made themselves in that way so valuable to the public that we feel that they deserve the highest recognition which we are able to give them as a society. It becomes my great pleasure at this time, standing in the place of my friend, Mr. Underwood, who is absent, to propose the following names to you which have been recommended by the executive board for this honor. There are five of them, the names are: John Bisbee, of Madelia; Charles Haralson, our superintendent at Excelsior; Mr. F. W. Kimball, of Waltham; Mr. John R. Cummins, of Minneapolis, and Mr. S. H. Drum, of Owatonna.
Mr. Bisbee has undertaken and is carrying on one of the largest experiments in seedling apples in the Northwest. He seems to be a very quiet member among us, but he is one of the working members who are doing the things that the society most needs.
I do not need to tell you anything about the work of Charles Haralson, the superintendent of our fruit-breeding farm at Zumbra Heights. His work has approved itself to us all so much that I think he really deserves the statement that was made by one of our older members that he has outdone Burbank. He certainly has for this part of the country.
Mr. F. W. Kimball, a very dear personal friend of mine, has been carrying on experiments in orcharding for the past twenty-five years about, in the neighborhood of Austin, Minnesota, and has now removed to Waltham. His experiments there in top-working have been among the most useful and among the largest that have been undertaken in any part of the state. He perhaps deserve the same reputation in our state that our friend, Mr. Philips, has in Wisconsin. I do not want to say this to disparage anybody else, but he has certainly made a very large and very valuable addition to our knowledge of the value of top-working.
Mr. John R. Cummins, of Minneapolis, whom we have with us this morning, is one who has been a very persistent experimenter in all lines. I remember particularly going to his place some ten or fifteen years ago and going over the remarkable collection of ornamental trees and plants that he was growing, many of which I did not think it was possible to grow at Albert Lea, and there he was succeeding with them and developing them at a point 100 miles north of us. We certainly owe him a deal of credit for his perseverance and his enterprise. We are glad that he is with us today.