The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-05-26


have been published long ago, Is may be
seen from its date. It contains some im-
portsnt queries 10 reference TO the capacity
Of Minnesota for fruit.growing. And as
the writer, whoi 10 probably recent settler,
doubtless represents large mass OF our
farmers, In bis want Of information a. TO the
results Of experiments 10 fruits-we com.
mend bis interogatories to the attention Of
practical horticul,urisis in our vicinity,
who will doubtless be glad TO communicate
the results Of their experience On this sub
jet. The general reply, however, has been
many times anticipated in the facts already
elected and published by the press. APP
pies, pears, pl ums, and cherries thrive well
in Minnesota. when proper attention is paid
to analogies Of climate in the selection Of
the plants. We have seen apples Of Mime
sofa growth as large and handsome as any we
ever saw although as the country has been
no recently settled and agriculture Is 20 new,
there has not yet been time to develope the
full capacity Of the climate for fruits. One
or two young orchards are all that we know
or and Of these, only a few trees are ad
vanced to the period Of iruition.
On the other hand, experiments in apple
growing have been discouraged by some
early failures, the principal cause Of which
was the attempt to transplant TO Minnesota
the trees OF Illinois.
Our summers from the greater length Of
the per iod exempted from frosts and from
the ample measure Of vegetative heat, are
far better adapted TO fruits than the same
parallels OF latitude farther East. Nova
Scotia which lies in the latitude Of Central
Minnesota with q much more variable and
colder sumner climate. Is covered with
thrifty orchards whose luxuriant product
supplies the West Indian markets with their
favorite apples.
But the cold, dry, bright winter Of Min.
nesota 10 the principle element Of limitation
in the culture Of the apple. The trees raised
in the moist and chilly atmosphere Of I'LL
nois ARE quite too sensitive for the steady
frosty glare OF our winter sun. whose heat is
absorbed on the Southern side Of the tree
ill the sap almost palpitates beneath the
rind, while the shady Northern side Is crack
ing with the irost. The difficulty Of pro-
curing trees Of the same climatic physiology
and the risks which they have run in trans
portatlon from distance has been the main
obstacle TO the extensive cultivation OF
apples. The other fruits mentioned by I'll. "
are raised without any difficulty whatever.
Some species Of cherries and plums, are
native and to the manor born"
The wild red plum grows in little gar.
dens throughout the Minnesota valley, on
trees Of the sise of the ordinary domestic
plum tree, and which fairly droop with their
rich burden. II 10 delicious fruit, and
forms valuable preserve with which VIZ
are concerned to see that III" is not IA.
miliar.
PLANvisw, MINI. Feb. q, 1853.
To ths kdHors Poseer aud D~moerai
Permit me. through the medium Of your IA
per, TO make some Inquiries in regard to fruit.
raising In Minnesota Many are anxious to
know whether apples can be raised TO advan
tage In our climate. II this cosld be positively
answered In the affirmative. from experience
and good authority. II would send . thrill Of
Joy TO the heart Of many y settler on the pleas
ant prairies Of Minnesota. Persons who have
come nom apple.growipg countries. aud have
been IN the habit Of luxuriAting on the rich
fruit VI well cultivated orchards, can scarcely
feel at home in Minnesota, until they are as
sured that the same Injuries can be produced
here to reasonable extent. Satisfy N inneso.
uans that their country will become . fruit
growing one and you will do more To encour-
age improvement-to make pleasant and hay.
py homes, than would the discovery OF a rich
gold mine in our midst. Will some Of your
readers Who have had experience 10 the culture
OF fruit trees In Minnesota give the result Of
their laborsf What say the saint Paul nursery
mcn' II any have succeeded In raising fruit,
let US learn how, and what Kinds. Which have
done best, native trees or those from Eastern
nurseries When 10 the best time To transplant 7
II.