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

E. W. MAYMAN, SAUK RAPIDS.

[Illustration:  Residence of E. W. Mayman, at Sauk Rapids, Minn.]

This district comprises quite a large area, and a large amount of fruit of various kinds is raised.  Besides the reports received, I visited a good many places where fruit is being raised and intended visiting more except for unfavorable weather.  From all sources the reports were that all fruit trees, vines and other plants came through the previous winter in good condition, and that all fruit trees budded and blossomed earlier than usual.  April being such a warm month caused this condition—­and indications were for a record-breaking crop.  But this was all changed after the severe freeze of May 17th, which destroyed nearly all blossoms of apple and plum and what promise there was of cherry and grape.  The frost again on June the 8th did great damage to raspberries and strawberries, currants and gooseberries.  From all reports received and from my own observation at my place I can sum up briefly as follows: 

Apples not more than five per cent. of crop; crab apples, no crop; plums, from ten to fifteen per cent. of a crop; cherries, very few planted except the Compass and crop very light; grapes, not very extensively raised, Collegeville having the largest collection so far as I know, and at that place while the new growth had been frozen off still a second growth of new wood was formed and gave a light crop of fruit.

Blackberries:  No crop reported.

Raspberries:  There is in this immediate vicinity upwards of twenty acres or more planted of several varieties, but the crop was very light, and from other places the reports received were the same.

Strawberries:  There is also quite a large acreage planted in this vicinity, but the crop the past season was very poor, except for the everbearing variety planted for experimental purposes.  This variety did well and continued to fruit to November 1st.

Currants and gooseberries:  Reports gave no crop to speak of, and at my place and in this vicinity while there is quite a large planting there was no fruit.  This, of course, was owing to the frost as before stated.

Very little nursery stock has been planted except in small quantities here and there, yet there is great interest taken in fruit raising.

In regard to blight, none to speak of according to reports, and everything indicates a good healthy growth.

As to spraying there seems to be little done along that line, although some orchards have been sprayed.

All trees and shrubs and perennial plants planted the past season, as well as those previously planted, made an exceptionally good growth, owing, I think, to the cool, moist spring and continued cool summer.  And, all wood maturing early, everything, I think, has gone into winter quarters in very good condition, and other things being favorable we may expect a good crop of everything next season.