, or seed, and clean the fruit by placing it in a
strainer and pouring water over it until it is clean. Pack the product
thoroughly in glass jars or tin cans until they are full; use the handle
of a tablespoon, wooden ladle, or table knife for packing purposes. Pour
over the fruit boiling water from a kettle, place rubbers and caps in
position, partially seal if using glass jars, seal completely if using
tin cans. Place the containers in a sterilizing vat, such as a wash
boiler with false bottom, or other receptacle improvised for the
purpose. If using a hot-water bath outfit, process for 30 minutes; count
time after the water has reached the boiling point; the water must cover
the highest jar in container. After sterilizing seal glass jars, wrap in
paper to prevent bleaching, and store in a dry, cool place.

If you are canning in tin cans it will improve the product to plunge the
cans quickly into cold water immediately after sterilization. When using
a steam pressure canner instead of the hot-water bath, sterilize for 10
minutes with 5 pounds of steam pressure. Never allow the pressure to go
over 10 pounds.

The Minnesota State Fruit-Breeding Farm.

CHAS. HARALSON, SUPT., EXCELSIOR.

The Minnesota State Fruit-Breeding Farm was established eight years ago,
principally for breeding new varieties of fruit adapted to our climate
and conditions. The aim of this work is to assist the people in getting
better commercial varieties of the various fruits grown in the state, so
that better returns could be secured for the people engaged in the
various lines of fruit growing. Some of the plant-breeding work is
beginning to show results, a few varieties of fruit are being
distributed in a small way for trial in different localities.

A great deal of work has been done with apples. Seedlings have been
grown by the thousands every year with the idea of selecting some
desirable varieties when the trees come into fruiting. Hardiness of
tree, long keeping and good quality of fruit are the most desirable
points we are looking for in our selections. A great deal of crossing
under glass is being done with apples; a number of seedlings, the
results of this crossing work, are planted every spring.

Some of the six thousand Malinda apple seedlings planted seven years ago
have fruited to some extent for the last three years. These show a great
variation in fruit, both in color, quality and long keeping. Some of the
fruit ripens