parviflorus_ Nutt.). The only interesting fact so far developed is that
the hybrids of the two species first named are almost entirely sterile.

Annual Report, 1915, Vice-President, Seventh Congressional District.

P. H. PETERSON, ATWATER, MINN.

From the answers received on blanks sent out I find there was a fair
crop of apples raised throughout this district, with the trees in good
condition for winter. Wood is well ripened up, leaves all shed and
plenty of moisture in the soil.

[Illustration: A productive strawberry field at P. H. Peterson's Atwater
fruit farm.]

All report none or very little blight this year. Spraying is not done
generally, but those few who do it are getting results. In our own
orchard, which was sprayed twice last spring, we have not found one
wormy apple.

Plums, none or a very few. Mr. Bjornberg, of Willmar, reports the
Surprise plum a full crop, others a total failure. Compass cherry bore a
fair crop, but with me it rotted badly, as also did Prof. Hansen's
plums, Sapa and Opata.

Grapes: Not many are grown except the Beta, which bore a heavy crop in
spite of the late spring frosts.

Blackberries: Nothing doing.

Raspberries and strawberries were a light crop. Strawberries especially
were badly damaged by late spring frosts--with me they were nearly a
total failure except the everbearing, which gave us a good crop. And I
want to add that they are here to stay for home use, and possibly as a
market berry. Plants are fully as hardy as the June-bearing sorts. No
matter how many times the blossoms are frozen off in the spring they
will come right out again and give us berries until it freezes up in
the fall.

Currants and gooseberries were a fair crop.

From the reports I gather that less nursery stock has been planted here
than usual, but with good results, as the season has been favorable for
plantings.

The fruit list recommended by the State Horticultural Society can be
relied on in this locality.

There is a good deal of interest shown here in top-working the better
quality winter apples onto hardy trees with good results, and the
Hibernal seems to be the best stock to use--it certainly ought not to be
planted for any other purpose. The apple is a drug on the market, and
those who planted largely of this variety find it difficult to dispose
of the crop at any price.

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STUDYING FRUITS IN ILLINOIS.--Many seedling apples are b