There were not many fruit trees planted in this district the past year.  For instance, at this station the deliveries last spring consisted principally of bundles containing one-half dozen or a dozen trees each, and the total number delivered in that way did not exceed 200 trees and, according to all information, the planting throughout this district was very light.

I know of only one new orchard started with 700 four and five year old trees.  About 500 are Wealthys and the balance Patten Greenings.  The trees made a good start but were somewhat neglected during the summer, the field being planted to corn and some to barley, and all was handled rather rough.

There was very little blight in this district the past year.  I noticed just a little on two or three Transcendents, and Mr. Jos.  Boll, who has about 1,500 bearing trees, reports no blight at all.

I did no spraying this year, did not consider it worth while, as there was no fruit, and most others felt the same way.  Other years though a lot of spraying is done, and the more progressive ones spray two and three times.

There is plenty of moisture in the soil, and the trees are going into winter quarters in good shape, therefore prospects for apple and plum crop the coming season are excellent.

[Illustration:  Residence of M. H. Hegerle, St. Bonifacius.]

Probably a hundred or more different kinds of apple and plum trees and berries of all kinds are grown here.  Farmers in the past usually bought what the salesman recommended, just to get rid of him; lately though they are taking more interest in the selection, and the Wealthy, Patten’s or Northwestern Greenings, Okabena, Peter and perhaps a few Duchess are about the only apple trees planted now.  Surprise plums, Dunlap and everbearing strawberries are the leaders.

Ornamental shrubs are found here of all names and descriptions and colors, and they all seem to do well.

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HONEY VINEGAR.—­Vinegar made from honey has an exceptionally fine flavor and is not expensive.  A small amount of honey furnishes a large amount of vinegar.  Follow these directions:  Dissolve thoroughly in two gallons of warm, soft water one quart jar of extracted honey.  Give it air and keep it in a warm place, where it will ferment and make excellent vinegar.—­Missouri College of Agriculture.

Thirty Years in Raspberries.

GUST JOHNSON, RETIRED FRUIT GROWER, MINNEAPOLIS.

Of the growing of fruit, it may well be said, “Experience is a good teacher, but a dear school.”

When I began fruit growing, some thirty years ago, I did not begin it merely as an experiment.  I was interested in every branch of the work and, being very much in earnest about it, I felt confident of success.