The winter of 1915-16 in this section can be called a test winter, as much winter-killing both in root and top has resulted.

A large proportion of the apple and plum orchard (60% to 75%) killed out.  There was no mulch or protection in these orchards.  Practically all grapes killed out, even though protected.  A few Beta are alive at the crown.  Asparagus (unprotected) suffered severely.  All raspberries had been covered with dirt.  They came through perfectly and promise a good crop.

Strawberries wintered successfully.  The South Dakota variety came through perfectly, even when not mulched.  All are in full bloom now.  Practically all of Prof.  Hansen’s plum hybrids killed out entirely, or are dead to trunk or crown.

A large number of seedlings of Chinese apricot, Chinese peach, native grapes, Juneberries and bullberries passed through the winter with little or no injury.  About 1,000 Beta seedlings, lined out as one year seedlings in the spring of 1915, winter-killed, with the exception of about seven or eight plants.

Paradise apple stocks wintered safely.

Soft maples that winter-killed to the ground in the preceding year are good to the tips this spring, even though they had made four to six feet of new growth last summer.

Many new plantings have been made this spring, especially along plant-breeding lines.  Extensive experiments have also been started with fruit trees, shelter-belt trees, ornamental shrubs and perennial flowering plants to determine the factors that influence the hardiness of plants.

Strawberry No. 1017, from the Minnesota Fruit-Breeding Farm, made an excellent showing in 1915, and all plants bore some fruit.  Only a few runners were made, however.  All plants were potted in fall, so no data has been secured on their hardiness.  Several hundred more plants of this variety were set out this spring and they made an excellent stand.

Montevideo Trial Station.

LYCURGUS R. MOYER, SUPT.

Syringa Japonica.—­The Japanese tree lilac has often been recommended by this station, but last winter was unusually severe, and an old tree obtained from Prof.  Budd, nearly thirty years ago, now shows several damaged branches.  Younger trees on our grounds and in the city parks show no injury.  Perhaps this tree cannot be expected to live to be much more than thirty years of age nor attain a much greater height than thirty feet.  The old tree is throwing up new stems from its roots and may rejuvenate itself.

Caragana.—­The small shrubby caragana (Caragana pygmaea) was unusually fine this spring when in full bloom.  We received it from Prof.  Budd many years ago.  It does finely in the clay banks of Lincoln Parkway in this city, but it is seldom offered by nurserymen.  Caragana frutex, formerly called Caragana frutescens, is a somewhat taller shrub and not quite so floriferous.  It makes a fine screen.  Both of these shrubs are addicted to root sprouting, and might not please those who care for a stiff, formal garden.  Both may be readily propagated from root cuttings.