Trees, Fruits, and Flowers of Minnesota, 1916 Informative Summary

Overview:

The book “Trees, Fruits, and Flowers of Minnesota, 1916” is a collection of articles and reports from the Minnesota State Horticultural Society covering the period from December 1, 1915 to December 1, 1916. It offers a snapshot of horticulture practices and challenges in the state at the time.

The book dives deep into topics like fruit breeding and the development of new varieties, emphasizing the search for hardy apples and plums adapted to Minnesota’s harsh climate. It discusses orchard management techniques, including pruning, spraying, and thinning, providing insights into the importance of these practices for successful fruit production. The book also delves into marketing strategies, highlighting the benefits of direct sales and the growing importance of cooperative marketing associations.

Key Findings:

The Importance of Hardiness: The book emphasizes the need for hardy varieties of fruit trees and plants that can withstand Minnesota’s cold winters.
Spraying is Crucial: The book stresses the importance of spraying against pests and diseases as an essential practice for successful fruit production.
Marketing Challenges: The book highlights the difficulties in marketing fruit, particularly the need for standardization and the benefits of cooperative efforts.
The Rise of Everbearing Varieties: The emergence of new, everbearing varieties of strawberries and raspberries is discussed, offering hope for more consistent fruit production.
Top-working Techniques: Top-working, the practice of grafting desirable apple varieties onto hardy rootstocks, is presented as a viable solution for improving fruit quality and hardiness.

Learning:

The Importance of Research: The reader will learn about the ongoing research and development of new fruit varieties by the Minnesota Fruit-Breeding Farm.
Orchard Management Techniques: The reader will gain valuable knowledge about essential orchard practices, such as pruning, spraying, thinning, and the use of cover crops.
Marketing Strategies: The reader will understand the challenges and opportunities in marketing fruit, including direct sales, cooperative marketing, and the need for standardization.
The Value of Horticulture: The reader will appreciate the contributions of horticulture to the farm and home, enhancing both economic and aesthetic values.
The Importance of Local Adaptation: The reader will recognize the need for selecting and growing varieties that are well-suited to specific regional climates and soil conditions.

Historical Context:

The book was published in 1916, a time when Minnesota was experiencing significant growth in its horticultural industry. The state was actively seeking to develop new and hardy fruit varieties, especially apples and plums, to withstand its harsh climate. The increasing demand for fruit, coupled with the challenges of pests and diseases, spurred innovation in orchard management techniques and marketing strategies.

Facts:

Early fruit breeding efforts: The Minnesota Fruit-Breeding Farm was established to develop new varieties of fruit that could withstand the state’s harsh climate.
Hardy apple varieties: The Wealthy, Duchess, Patten’s Greening, and Northwestern Greening were some of the hardy apple varieties recommended for Minnesota orchards.
The Surprise plum: The Surprise plum, despite its lack of productivity, was considered a valuable variety due to its resistance to curculio and brown rot.
Marketing challenges: The book highlights the difficulties of marketing fruit, particularly the need for standardization and the benefits of cooperative efforts.
The emergence of everbearing varieties: New everbearing varieties of strawberries and raspberries were becoming increasingly popular, offering potential for more consistent fruit production.
Top-working techniques: Top-working, the practice of grafting desirable apple varieties onto hardy rootstocks, was seen as a viable solution for improving fruit quality and hardiness.
The use of windbreaks: Windbreaks were considered essential for protecting orchards and farms from harsh winds and frost.
The importance of spraying: Spraying against pests and diseases was recognized as an essential practice for successful fruit production.
The value of horticulture: The book emphasizes the contributions of horticulture to the farm and home, enhancing both economic and aesthetic values.
The importance of local adaptation: The book recognizes the need for selecting and growing varieties that are well-suited to specific regional climates and soil conditions.
The importance of research: Research and development at the Minnesota Fruit-Breeding Farm aimed to improve the quality and hardiness of fruit varieties.
The rise of consolidated schools: Consolidated schools were becoming more prevalent in rural areas, offering a wider range of educational opportunities and serving as community centers.
The importance of soil fertility: Maintaining soil fertility through the use of green manure and commercial fertilizers was recognized as crucial for successful horticulture.
The impact of the San Jose scale: The San Jose scale was a serious threat to fruit orchards, and prompt action, through spraying or removal, was recommended.
The need for pest control: Controlling pests and diseases, such as the plum curculio, was crucial for maximizing fruit production.
The benefits of windbreaks: Windbreaks, especially those composed of evergreens, were valued for their ability to protect crops and livestock from harsh winds.
The value of co-operative marketing: Cooperative marketing associations were seen as a promising solution to challenges in fruit marketing.
The importance of standardization: Standardizing the grading and packing of fruit was deemed essential for obtaining higher prices and building a strong reputation for Minnesota products.
The evolution of the apple industry: The apple industry in Minnesota was experiencing growth, with increasing commercial orchards and a growing focus on producing high-quality fruit.

Statistics:

Minnesota’s apple production: The book mentions that Minnesota produced 800 barrels of apples in 1915, and in previous years, 7 carloads in 1913 and 4 carloads in 1914.
The value of a home garden: The book estimates the value of a half-acre garden at $50, with a total value of over $7,000,000 for the state.
The cost of labor for a garden: The book estimates the labor cost for a three-quarters acre garden at $15.
The importance of clover: The book states that a single acre of clover can capture 120 pounds of nitrogen from the air, which would cost $24 to purchase as commercial fertilizer.
The impact of the plum curculio: The book cites data from the National Conservation Committee, showing an average annual loss of over $8,590,769 for just three fruits – apples, peaches, and plums – due to the plum curculio.
The value of a municipal forest: The book suggests that a municipal forest of 10,000 acres could generate a net annual revenue of $50,000 to $100,000, in addition to its recreational benefits.

Terms:

Hardy: The ability of a plant to withstand cold temperatures, drought, or other environmental challenges.
Top-working: The practice of grafting a desirable variety of fruit onto a hardy rootstock.
Windbreak: A row of trees or shrubs planted to protect crops and livestock from harsh winds.
Cover Crop: A crop planted to improve soil fertility, prevent erosion, and suppress weeds.
Mulch: A layer of organic material (straw, leaves, etc.) applied around plants to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and moderate soil temperature.
Dormant Spray: A spray applied to trees and shrubs during their dormant period (winter), typically to control pests and diseases.
Canker: A localized area of dead tissue on a tree trunk or branch, often caused by bacteria or fungi.
Scab: A fungal disease that affects apples and other fruits, causing lesions and blemishes.
Codling Moth: A destructive pest of apples that infests the fruit with its larvae.
Plant Lice: Small, soft-bodied insects (aphids) that feed on plant sap, causing damage and weakening.

Examples:

The story of John Chapman (“Johnny Appleseed”): The book cites the story of John Chapman, a legendary figure who planted apple seeds throughout the American wilderness, highlighting the importance of seed planting and propagation.
The experience of Harold Simmons: The book features Harold Simmons, an apple grower, who describes his successful methods for pruning, thinning, propping, and spraying apples in his orchard.
The experience of Gust Johnson: The book highlights Gust Johnson, a retired fruit grower, who shares his decades of experience in growing raspberries, illustrating the challenges and rewards of fruit production.
The case of a farmer who learned from a boy: The book highlights a story about a farmer who learned a valuable lesson from a boy, emphasizing the importance of open-mindedness and learning from others.
The success of the Bay Lake Fruit Growers’ Association: The book showcases the Bay Lake Fruit Growers’ Association, illustrating the benefits of cooperative marketing in achieving higher prices for members.
The story of Ezra F. Pabody: The book recounts the life and legacy of Ezra F. Pabody, a Minnesota horticulturalist and city missionary, highlighting the importance of community service and the impact of one person’s efforts on others.
The experience of C. S. Harrison: The book features C. S. Harrison, a veteran nurseryman, who shares his passionate beliefs about the power of horticulture, emphasizing the beauty and wonder of nature and the rewarding nature of the craft.
The success of the Surprise plum in Winona: C. A. Pfeiffer shares his positive experiences with the Surprise plum, demonstrating that this variety can thrive in certain localities despite its overall lack of productivity.
The failure of fruit in the Fourth Congressional District: J. K. Dixon shares his experience with the devastating impact of frost on fruit in his district, emphasizing the importance of taking preventative measures.
The story of Wm. Mansfield and his tree tomatoes: The book recounts the story of Wm. Mansfield, a dedicated tomato grower, who developed a tree tomato variety and provides detailed instructions for growing it.

Conclusion:

“Trees, Fruits, and Flowers of Minnesota, 1916” provides valuable insights into the challenges and triumphs of horticulture in Minnesota at the time. The book emphasizes the importance of selecting hardy varieties, employing proper orchard management techniques, and developing effective marketing strategies to ensure a successful fruit industry. It highlights the pioneering work of the Minnesota Fruit-Breeding Farm in developing new varieties and the crucial role of research in addressing the challenges faced by growers. The book also emphasizes the importance of community involvement, cooperative efforts, and the need to cultivate a love for horticulture for the betterment of farm homes and the surrounding landscape.

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