st of the late blossoms
blighted, which seems to be a weakness of this variety.

On November 5th our strawberry beds were all given a mulching with loose
oat straw for a winter protection.

The several varieties of grape vines originating at the Minnesota State
Farm on trial here have all made a vigorous growth. We have them all
pruned and laid on the ground, and we intend to give them no other
winter protection. They are in a sheltered location. In spite of the
various freezes early in the season we got samples of fruit from most of
the varieties. Minnesota No. 8 seems to be the earliest to ripen its
fruit. The wild grape flavor is noticeable in all these varieties.

The various varieties of plum trees sent here from the State Farm made
vigorous growth the past season and are looking healthy with the
exception of Minnesota No. 21. Of the five trees of this variety each
one has a great many galls on the body of the tree. It is probably what
is termed black knot, only the galls have not turned black yet. They are
apparently of too recent growth for that. It is probable that we will
plant other trees in their places next spring.

* * * * *

PAINTING OF SMALL TREE WOUNDS USELESS.--It has long been the
custom for horticulturists to recommend, and fruit growers to use,
dressings of various kinds on the wounds of trees when branches are
removed in pruning. A few years ago the New York Experiment Station
decided to conduct some experiments to determine whether such practice
was really of any value or not.

From results of this work, which have recently been published in
bulletin form, it is concluded that the use of white lead, white zinc,
yellow ochre, coal tar, shellac and avenarious carbolineum as coverings
for wounds under five inches in diameter is not only useless, but
usually detrimental to the tree. This is particularly true of peaches,
and perhaps of some other stone fruits, which, according to
recommendations, should never be treated at all.

The substances mentioned often injure the cambium layer to such an
extent that the healing of wounds is greatly retarded. Of the substances
experimented with, white lead proved to be the best and is recommended
wherever anything is used. But it is not thought worth while to use even
white lead for wounds two or three inches or less in diameter, though it
may be advisable to use it on wounds where very large branches have been
removed.

On