w, employed as
representative for some concern and required to travel over this state,
earning a livelihood for myself and family. The nature of my first work
on the road necessitated my attendance (a large portion of the time) at
Minnesota farmers' institute meetings, where I came in contact with
those gentlemen employed in that work, and among the number our friend
Clarence Wedge, of Albert Lea, and other personal friends, such as O. C.
Gregg, the founder of the institute work, Mr. Greely, Mr. Trow and
others. It was among these gentlemen I got my first desire for a piece
of land, and was advised by them several times to get a piece of land,
and if I could not afford to buy a large piece, to buy a small piece,
which latter course I was compelled to adopt. I became imbued with a
desire to grow fruit and was particularly interested in the subject of
horticulture, and eagerly devoured all the literature obtainable on the
subject, and listened very attentively to all discussions on the subject
at these meetings.

In 1897 I moved to Howard Lake and succeeded Mr. E. J. Cutts in the
nursery and fruit growing business. Mr. Cutts was well known to a great
many. He died just prior to my residence in Howard Lake, where I got in
my first practical experience in the fruit-growing business. After
conducting this business for about twelve months, I disposed of it and
bought a home in another part of town and at once set out about 200
apple trees and other small fruit. Gradually I acquired more land and
set out more trees, until today I have about 1,600 apple trees, about
1,000 of which are at bearing age. I made one grand mistake however, as
a great many other growers have done and are still doing, I planted too
many varieties. I used the list of tried and recommended sorts issued by
the State Horticultural Society (long before I became a member) and
planted accordingly and, like many other growers, have my quota of
Hibernals, Minnesotas, Marthas and other sorts which experience has
demonstrated are not nearly as desirable as other varieties.

I have demonstrated to my entire satisfaction that it is profitable and
perfectly proper to grow also small fruits in a young orchard. In my
second orchard, containing about 600 trees, I planted the trees 15x30
feet and later the same season set out raspberries 3x6 feet, occupying
all the space in the rows and between the rows, and for two successive
seasons I grew a third crop between the ra