s had the first success with
them he had other plums near them. Perhaps that is the secret. The tree
is hardy and good, and if you can get a crop of plums by having
something else to fertilize them, the Surprise plum is all right.

Pres. Cashman: I think Mr. Richardson has struck the keynote to a
certain extent, we must put them near another variety to pollenize them.

Northeast Demonstration Farm and Station.

W. J. THOMPSON, SUPT., DULUTH.

Last May the Station orchard was set out, the same consisting of about
516 apple trees with a fringe of cherries and plums. The apples
consisted of year old stock (purchased the year preceding and set in
nursery rows) and included these six varieties: Duchess, Patten's
Greening, Okabena, Wealthy, Hibernal, Anisim. Good growth was made the
past season and the stock went into winter quarters in good shape.
However, 20 per cent died, the loss being in this order: Wealthy,
Anisim, Hibernal, Pattens' Greening--Okabena and Duchess were tied for
smallest loss. In addition to the above, we made a considerable planting
of small fruits, principally currants and gooseberries, together with a
limited quantity of blackberries and raspberries. Twelve varieties of
strawberries were set out, each including 100 plants. All made a
splendid growth this season. An interesting test is under way in the
dynamiting work. Alternate trees have been set in blasted holes, a stick
about one and one-half inches long being sufficient to make a hole three
feet in diameter and perhaps twenty inches in depth. It is yet too early
to measure the results of this work, but owing to the nature of the
subsoil in this region, we are looking for splendid results. With regard
to the stock secured from the Fruit Farm, we have not been uniformly
successful. Much of the stock seems to be weak and dies readily from
some cause unknown to us. Next season we should be able to render a more
complete report, as our work will then be fairly started.

Annual Report, 1915, West Concord Trial Station.

FRED COWLES, SUPT., WEST CONCORD.

[Illustration: Fred Cowles at home.]

Of the new varieties of plums that I received from the Fruit-Breeding
Farm most all have done well. The only one that has borne is No. 21.
This one had two plums on last season, and several this. They were a
medium size red plum, very good flavor, and seem to come into bearing
very young. No. 17 is a very thrifty grower, but when it bears that