S B DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. DIVISION oIf POMOLOaY. Bulletin ]¥o. *2, BEPOE^T thh: ^t:>a_t^ta.tio]S" RUSSIAN AND OTHER FRUITS EXTREME NORTHERN PORTIONS OF THE UNITEI) STATES. PREPARED UXDKIl TflE DrRECTION^ OB' THE COMMISSIONER UK AOKICULTITRE. WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PEINTINli OFFICE. 18 8 8. ■sah Rnnk ■ (4.rH DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. divisioint of pomology. Biilletiii ]\o. S. 6^^ ^ REPORT yr THE a.d^i>ta.tio:n" RUSSIAN AND OTHER FRUITS EXTREME NORTHERN PORTIONS OF THE UNITED STATES. PEEPAKED UXDEK TUE DIRECTrO:N' OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTUEE. WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, 18 8S. 15349-BU112 rc^i^ ^ ^1 ^^"^ MAR 31 19:3 D. ot 0. o - ^ ^ LETTER OF SUBMITTAL. Sir : The report which I herewith send you has been made with the utmost caution after having personally inspected many of the orchards in Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and more eastern States, where Kussian fruits have been growing for many years. I trust that it may serve the purpose which you had in mind when you delegated me to undertake the work. Very truly, yours, T. T. Lyon, South Haven, Mich. Prof. n. E. Van Deman, Pomologist U. S. Department of AijHcnlturc. LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. Sir : In obedience to your orders, the following report upon the sub- ject of Russian and other fruits in the Northern States, has been pre- pared, and is herewith respectfully submittetl for the information of those who are especially interested in the cultivation of fruits in the extreme northern i)ortion of the United States. Horticulturists in those sections have long sought after varieties of fruits which can be grown there successfully, and it is hoped that this report, i^repared by one of the oldest and most expert i:»omologists in the country, will be found of interest and value, and that it may be of benefit to the cause of practical pomology. Very respectfully, H. E. Van Deman, Chief of Division of Pomology. Hon. Norman J. Colman, Commissioner of Agriculture. 8 THE ADAPTATION OF RUSSIAN AND OTHER FRUITS TO THE EXTREME NORTHERN PORTIONS OF THE UNITED STATES, CLIMATIC INFLUENCES. At the extreme east, Maine stretches northward as far as latitude 47° 32', while adjacent, at the west, New Hampshire reaches 45° 11', and Vermont and New York extend only to 45°. Still, as the distance from the ocean increases, and the elevation is also necessarily increased, the extremes of both summer and winter temperature become greater, while the rain-fall is preceptibly diminished. From eastern New York westward, the north line of the United States drops rapidly down to the region of known and successful fruit culture, and seems not to require discussion for the present purpose till we reach Michigan ; along the easterly shore of which State the national boundary trends almost directly northward. Still the climatic influences are so far modified by the adjacent waters that, throughout what is known as the lower peninsula of Michigan, almost without ex- ception, the climatic peculiarities likely to affect the culture of at least the hardier fruits compare favorably with those of central New York and southern New England. Such climatic conditions do not undergo essential change till after passing to the upper peninsula, about lati- tude 46°; and not fully, even then, till after passing westward of the more direct influence of winds from oft" the waters of lakes Michigan and Superior. Throughout the Michigan portion of the northern peninsula the in- fluence of the waters of Lake Superior is unmistakably felt in the tem- perature of the winds coming across them ; while they may doubtless be assumed to exert a very considerable influence upon the climate of northern Wisconsin, so far especially as northerly and northeasterly winds are concerned. Passing westward from Lake Superior, Minnesota extends north to the national boundry in latitude 49 degrees, as do also the Territories of Dakota and Montana, east of the Eocky Mountains, as well as Idaho and Washington Territory upon the Pacific slope. As we pass westward, beyond the influence of Lake Superior, the cli- mate undergoes a gradual modification beyond that chargeable to mere increase of latitude, becoming subject to the unmitigated influence of polar storms in winter, with their extremes of coldj and, in turn, in 5 summer, to the dry atmosphere of the Plains, with increased liability to droughts, which not infrequently are of extreme severity. The diminished percentage of atmospheric moisture westward of the Lakes is also very noticeable, becoming less as we pass westward till we approach the crests of the Rocky Mountains, beyoud which, in Idaho and eastern Washington, similar conditions of dryness exi^t, till we reach the Cascade Mountains — a continuation of the Sierra Nevada range — west of which a mild climate occurs, with a copious rain-fall. In Idaho, irrigation is believed to be more or less important to suc- cessful fruit culture, since by means of this the business becomes, to some extent at least, independent of climate. In eastern Washington the general conditions are understood to be similar to those of Idaho, although in both the general temperature is milder than in the same latitude east of the Rocky jMountaius, while as we approach the Pacific extreme cold rarely if ever occurs. Fruit culture west of the continental divide, in the latitude of Idaho and Washington Territories, is yet in an undeveloped state, and the capacities ot these regions in this respectare but imperfectly understood. The discussion of the subject will therefore be mainly confined to the regions eastward of the Rocky Mountains. Westward of Iowa and Min- nesota very little is yet certainly known respecting the adaptation of the country to the cultivation of fruits, except perhaps in eastern Nebraska, where the pomology assimilates closely with that of northern Missouri and Iowa. The probabilities, therefore, so far as the regions farther west are concerned, will be mainly expressed by results in the States of Iowa and Minnesota. FRUITS ADAPTED OR ADAPTABLE TO A l^ORTIIERN CLIMATE. Of the fruits more or less perfectly adapted to successful cultivation in the region under consideration it will only be necessary to consider those which are, or promise to be, of value either commercially or for domes- tic or culinary purposes. Among these, named as nearly as practica- ble in the order of their maturity, Avill be found the Straw^berry, Rasp- berry, Dwarf Juneberry (Serviceberry), Cherry, (Uirrant, Gooseberry, Blueberry (including the Huckleberry), Blackberry (including the Dew- berry), Mulberry, Cranberry, Apricot, Plum, Peach, Apple, Quince, and several nuts. THE STRAWBKIiRY. This fruit is said to be indigenous as far north as Behring's Straits, and is successfully grown in all the settled parts of the region under consideration. Few" other fruits, however, vary so greatly under changes of soil and climate, so that the success of a variety in a given locality can only be certainly ascertained through actual trial. Experience, therefore, must necessarily be the surest guide to the choice of vari- eties for a given locality. No better rule can probably be devised for the selection of varieties for an untried locality than to select those that most nearly approach the native tyi)c iu character, and especially in hardiness of their foliage, since such may be expected to better with- stand the hardships of this northern climate ; although even these will doubtless require the shelter of mnlch during winter, unless the snow shall sufitice for the pur^iose. Probably in no other class of fruits has there been a more utter blending or mixing up of original classes or families by continued cross- fertilization. Hence there must necessarily be much difficulty in the selection of pure varieties for additional crossing, as well as uncertainty in the selection of desirable varieties for planting from the indications of their foliage. Still, a thick, coriaceous foliage may in this, as in the larger fruits, be fairly assumed to indicate ability to withstand extremes of temperature, as well as of aridity. It is also highly probable that the necessity which, iu case of the tree fruits, has compelled a resort to reproduction for the origination of varieties capable of withstanding the trying climate of the extreme Korch, will be found more or less desirable in the case of the strawberry; since, although indigenous, it naturally occurs iu sheltered situations, while under cultivation it is usually void of such protection. At the East there are few, if any, indications of essential differences of experience between the northern and southern portions of JSTew Eng- land so fiir as the varieties of the strawberry are concerned, although it may fairly be assumed that protection, either by mulch, or by a cov- ering of snow, will become more and more essential as we go northward, while, other circumstances being equal, the same varieties will, as the rule, be found similarly successful in both regions. At the Northwest, however, the diversity, as well as the severity, of the climate is far greater, to which umy be added the fact that through- out much of this region there is practically little experience u]mn which conclusions may be based. The reports and recommendations of growers in these regions, more- over, afford indications that they are made mainly from the market stand- jjoint of mere profitableness, rather than from that of the grower for fam- ily or amateur puposes. Be this as it may, the varieties most highly commended for planting throughout the region are almost exclusively those more generally commended elsewhere by growers for the market. Selecting from these the twelve most generally recommended for i)lant- ing in Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Dakota, and westward, their rela- tive popularity is found to be, as nearly as may be, in the following pro- portions: Crescent, 35; "\Vilson, 19; Glendale, 12; Charles Downing, 11; Manchester, 10; Phelps (Old Ironclad), 10; Vick, 8; Captain Jack, 7; Downer, 7; Cumberlaml, 4; Countess, 3; Kentucky, 2. The fact that occasionally the Crescent (usually considered pistil- late) is the only variety recommended in many cases, thus leaving it destitute of a pollen-supplying variety, would seem to justify the sus- picion that the recommendations n^^ay not iu all cases have been made 8 with due deliberation ; while the notable omission of varieties generally recognized as representatives of quality, and hence adapted to supply the requirements of discriminating tastes, may be supposed to indicate a too-general control of the societies in the regions in question by purely commercial growers. In Minnesota the growing of this fruit for market purposes has been found profitable as far north as Moorhead and Glyndon, about latitude 47 degrees north, where a seedling has been originated which i)roves so valuable, that it has received the name Manitoba Wonder. THE KASPBERRY. Of this fruit, two nativ^e species only — Ruhus strigosus and E. occident- alis — are recognized as possessing economic value, so far as their fruits are concerned. The European B. Idceus is found to be incapable of with- standing the extreme heat, cold, and aridity of most American climates. Strigosus, in its wild form, exists in abundance from the Great Lakes to the sea-board and northward, where it is generally protected against extreme cold by an ample covering of snow. Philadelphia, Clarke, Herstine, Outhbert, Hansell, Superb, Turner, and Marlboro, supposed to be seedlings of this species, and also va- rious others, some of which are partially or wholly of Idicus parentage are, or have been, more or less popular. Those of native origin maybe expected to prove moreor less successful even upon the Western plains, with irrigation where moisture is deficient, and with artificial protec- tion where snow is uncertain. Occidentali^ has a more limited range northward. Its stronger and taller growth subjects it more fully to the influence of extreme cold, while its less flexible canes render its artificial protection more difficult. It can scarcely be expected to succeed at the extreme Korth, except by the employment of effective means for winter protection. With this precaution, almost any of the jiopular varieties, such as Doolittle, Souhegan, Tyler, Ohio, Hopkins, Gregg, and many others, may be expected to prove reasonably successful. There is also a class of varieties, among which are New Ilochelle, Shaffer, and others, possessing the habit of occidentaUs, but with fruit in color and quality intermediate between this and strigosus, which, by many are supposed to be hybrids, and which may be expected to succeed at the North under treatment similar to that suggested in the case of occidentalis. The varieties of this fruit relied on at the extreme North are mainly those which are also popular farther South, although several seedlings of the region are locally commended and planted. At Menominee, Wis., on the northwesterly shore of Green Bay, report says that all raspber- ries must be covered in winter, while at Stonewall, Manitoba, Mr. Thomas Frankland, of that province, states that blackcaps are grown without i)rotection. This, if true for that locality, must very probably be due to an ample covering of snow in winter. 9 The popularity of vaneties, as indicated by reports of societies and the commendations of growers, is expressed in the following figures: Blackcaps. — Gregg, 10; Doolittle, 7; Tyler, 7; Mammoth Cluster, Gj Souhegau, 4; Nemaha, 2; Ohio, 2; Golden cap, 1; Beebe's Golden, 1. Varieties of strigosus. — Turner, 23; Cuthbert, 14; Philadelphia, 6; Marlborough, 5; Hansell, 4; Brandy wine, 3; Crimson Beauty, 2; Thwack, 1; Eeliauce, 1; Clarke, 1; Superb, 1. Supposed hybrids. — Shafler, 9; Caroline, 1. DWARF JUNEBERRY. The dwarf juneberry {Amelanchier canadensis, var. rotundifolia), occa. sionally known as service berry or shad bash, is occasionally planted, and has been, by some persons, sold to planters as blueberry or huckle- berry, to which the fruit has considerable resemblance, although far less desirable so far as productiveness and quality are concerned. The i)lant is of easy cultivation, and entirely hardy, being indigenous at the extreme North. In one of its forms it becomes a tree 20 to 30 feet in height. In this form the tree is usually less productive and the fruit smaller. Professor Budd, in 1886, states that while it is a great favorite with birds, " when grown in large quantities, say 2 or 3 acres, what the birds will take will hardly be missed; but in small lots it will probably not be profitable. * * * We have at the college about twelve distinct species, from Germany, Central Asia, and Eussia. They are all small, from 2 to 4 feet in height, and some of them very fine." THE CHERRY. Our improved varieties of the cherry are reputed to have sprung from a wild species, botanically known as Prunus avium, which is suj^posed to have been the parent of our modern Heart, Bigarreau, and Duke va- rieties, and from Prumis cerasus, from which are supposed to have originated the Morellos, The former can not be considered hardy, either north or west of southern New England and New York, and only partially so in south- ern Michigan ; while from one cause or another the entire class utterly fails farther westward and northward. The Morellos, which in average seasons have been at least partially successful in the latitude of northern Illinois and central Iowa aud to some extent even farther north, were sadly injured during recent try- ing winters, compelling the conviction that for the regions northward and westward their failure may fairly be deemed a foregone conclusion, except, perchance, in specially -favorable localities. Within comparatively a few years several varieties, among which may be named Leib, Ostheim, Wragg, and perhaps others, have been put forward as having successfully withstood these trying paroxysms, and for this reason have attracted much attention. Upon inquiry, several, 10 if not all, of these are reputed to have beeu incidental importations from central or eastern Europe, and to have inherited their hardiness from the typical varieties of those regions. Under these circumstances the Iowa Agricultural College, through J. L. Budd, its professor of horticulture, made a careful study of the cberries of central and eastern Europe during the summer of 1882, to- gether with comparisons of the climate with that of Iowa and the adja- cent regions. Becoming assured that certain of the typical cherries of Silesia, Poland, and southern Eussia were superior in quality to those hereto- fore successfully grown in Iowa, and, moreover, that the similarity of climatic conditions warranted the hope that they would also prove suc- cessful here, and also, upon similar comparison, that certain varieties or types of this fruit from Vladimir and Kazan, still farther north, might be expected to withstand the climate of central and northern Minnesota and Dakota, during the spring of 1884 about forty varieties of cherries were successfully imported from those regions, planted in orchard at the college, and their propagation commenced for the purpose of dis- tribution and trial in the ISTorthwest. It is by no means warrantable to assume, in advance of thorough trial, that these novelties are to be relied on to supply the existing need, al- though a very recent examination, not only of the original trees planted in the orchard at the college, but also of those now in nursery there, made since the extreme heat and drought of the past summer (1887), shows their growth to have been strong, while the rich, glossy foliage was as healthy and i)erfect as could be desired, thus pretty thoroughly demonstrating the fact of their sufficient hardiness in this latitude, to- gether with their ability to resist the depletory influences of extreme aridity. The effect of the change often or fifteen degrees of latitude upon their productiveness, and possibly even upon the quality of the fruit, can only be certainly determined by their actual fruitage through perhaps a series of years. Uncertain as the result of this experiment must, so far, be considered, it seems to offer the chief apparent prospect for a home supply of this desirable fruit for the extreme North and Northwest east of the conti- nental divide. Of the varieties thus imported and on trial on the college grounds, Professor Budd lists and describes Vladimir, Bessarabian, Lutovka, Nos, 23, 24, 26, and 27, Orel; the varieties given by numbers being of the Bessarabian race. Another class of varieties, which are designated as the Ostheim Weichsel family, includes Strauss Weichsel, Fraueudorfer Weichsel, Susse Friih Weichsel, Spiite Amarelle, Griotte Precoce, Griotte Douce Precoce, Griotte de Ostheim, and Cerise de Ostheim. He also describes the following as being of mixed race : Briisseler Braune, Shatten Amarelle, Konigliche Amarelle, Vilna Sweet, Doube 11 Natte, Amarelle Bunte, FouchcS Morello, Herozog's May, Herzformige Weicbsel, Litbaucr's Weichsel, Sklanka, lied May, Eed Muscateller, Juue Amarelle, Amarelle Bouquet, Griottc du Nord, Grosse Lange, Double Yellow Spanish, Gla«kircbe Kurzstielige. Wbile the professor deems it probable tbat several of tbese may uot succeed above tbe latitude of southern Iowa and northern Illinois, be is yet of tbe oi^inion tbat otbers will prove hardy enougb for central and even nortbern Wisconsin, Minnesota and Dakota — a region in which tbe only indigenous representatives of this fruit are tbe worthless Sand or Mountain cberry [Primus pumila) and tbe Cboke cherry (P. Virginiana)- Tbe most successful variations of this fruit in tbe settled portions of tbe Northwest, as indicated by tbe reports of societies and tbe prefer- ences of planters, are indicated by tbe numbers attacbed to names of varieties, as follows : Early Kichmoud, 11; Englisb Morello, 9 ; Wragg, 5 ; Ostbeim, 5; Late Eicbmond, 3 ; Montmorency, 3 ; Vladimir, 1. Dr. T. H. H.oskins, of nortbern Vermont, in tbe American Garden, says : "Tlio Kentish cherries, early aud late, with several of the Dukes and Griottes (Mazzards) endure even our hard winters, and sometimes become quite large trees yet rarely produce a full crop of fruit. » * * We are hoping much from the re- cently-imported Rus&ian, Polish, aud north German cherries and plums ; but in order to get high qaalitj', in addition to hardiness of tree and bud, the same ^york of cross- ing may be necessary as in the cases of the i>ears and apples. That good results can be realized in a reasonably short time in such experiments has been frequently proved ; aud a great field is open for those rightly situated, who will enter upon the work seriously and follow it up perseveringly." THE CURRANT. Botb tbe Black currant [Ribes nigrum) — a native of nortbern Europe and Asia — and tbe Ked currant {Ribes rubrum) — a native of nortbern America — will doubtless be found abundantly bardy at the extreme North ; at least wben given a sbady location, and assisted by irrigation in regions in wbicb moisture is deficient. Botb are of extreme northern origin, and will doubtless be found proof against injury from low tem- [)eratures. The Missouri Currant {Ribes aureum) is valued cbiefly for ornamental purposes. It is found wild in Kansas, and also as far northward as Da. kota, aiul if not indigenous, it must bave been introduced tbere at a very early i^eriod. Tbe wbite currants are considered to be mere varieties of tbe red cur- rant. Naming tbem in tbe order of their apparent popularity, numbers are attacbed to indicate tbe relative values, as indicated by reports and dis- cussions: Ked Dutch, 13; Fay, 12 ; Wbite Dutcli,9 ; White Grape, 9 ; Victoria, 9; Gberry, 7; Long bunched Ilolland, G; Black Naples, 5; Stewart, (a local seedling), 2; Lee (black), 1. 12 THE GOOSEBERRY. This fruit, also known botanically as Bihes, is essentially American and nortlieru in its habitat ; appearing on this continent under several forms. The single English species Bibes reva-cris^ja, so generally grown in England as a garden fruit, is believed to be the only species of Euroi)ean nativity. It proves unable to withstand the heat and aridity of our American climate. In the cool, moist climate of England it has sported into a great number of varieties, some of which are of very large size. Comparatively slight improvement has, so far, been effected with those indigenous to America. Among the improved varieties from this source are Houghton and Mountain seedlings. Downing and Smith are more recent originations, of larger size 5 which give indications of a possible hybridization with the Euroj)ean species. Industry is a very recent introduction to American growers. It is an alleged seedling of the European species; but is said to be so much less liable to mildew, as to warrant the hope that it may prove adapted to this climate. Its permanent exemption is, however, still a matter of doubt. Even the purely native Houghton occasionally, under unfavorable conditions, is found to suffer from mildew ; which is the chief obstacle to the success of the European species here. The improved natives, including Downing and Smith, are abundantly hardy in central Minnesota; although at Minneapolis the Downing, for some cause not understood, has shown a lack ot productiveness. There can, however, be little doubt of the success to the American va- rieties at the North and West, if grown in shaded situations, with the re- quisite conditions of coolness and moisture. Houghton, Downing, and Smith are the varieties which seem to be more generally popular. The gooseberry is now, however, extensively grown in the Northwest. THE BLUEBERRY. The Blueberry (Vacchiium) (which formerly included the Huckle- berry, now Gaylussacia), is so peculiarly exacting as to soils and sur- roundings, that but rare, and generally ineffectual, attempts have been made to subject it to cultivation and improvement; although few of the smaller fruits are more highly valued where it is known and accessible. It is essentially a Northern plant, and the fruit is abundantly produced in the region of the Great Lakes, and eastward to the seaboard. Some, at least, of the various species occur farther west, in localities in which suitable soils and other needful conditions occur. THE BLACKBERRY. The Blackberry {Ruhus villosu.s) and its near relative, the Dewberry, [Ruhus canadensis) are indigenous throughout the northern States, gen- 13 erally iu partially-sheltered locations, or in tracts of land but recently burned over. From such localities immense quantities of this fruit annually find sale in the markets of large cities and towns. The fruit thus so pro- duced has been so abundant that, until recently, little attempt has been made to improve it, and this little mainly by selection of choice seed- liogs. A few of those most liiiely to jirove hardy enough for the North and West are Snyder, Taylor, Stone, Wallace, Western Triumph, An- cient Briton, and perhaps a few others. The habit of the plant is to produce its fruit-buds for the ensuing crop near the top, where the injury in winter is most likely to occur, with the frequent result of a i^artial, or possibly of an entire, loss of the crop of fruit, liven the so-called hardy varieties are by no means entirely exempt from such loss when fully exposed during winter. In fact, when it is recollected that the blackberry is naturally an under- growth, we may be allowed to doubt if, with the habit of fruiting al- ready mentioned, there is ground for hope that a variety capable of withstanding a full exposure during occasional crucial winters is even among the possibilities. If iu the more moist and equable climate of the region of the Great Lakes it is found practicable and profitable to protect the fruiting canes in winter, there must doubtless be increased occasion for such practice in the drier atmosphere and severer winter temperatures farther west and north, where quite probably, even with the hardiest varieties, the plants may require to be well covered with snow, mulch, or earth, to avoid the alternative of a loss of the crop of fruit. The low spreading habit of the Tajior, Stone, and perhaps others, is advantageous for such purpose ; while the stout upright growth of many others increases the liability to break the canes in the process of laying down. The trailing habit of the dewberry would, in a snowy region, insure an ample covering; while, if needful, they may be easily covered with earth or mulch. There are several varieties before the public; but of those dissem- inated and fully tested, the Lucretia is the only one that has received general and satisfactory indorsement. The following varieties are more or less grown in the Northwest ; the numbers indicating their relative popularity : BlacJcberries. Snyder, 21; Ancient Briton, 11; Stone, 7, Taylor, 2; Thornless ( ? ), 2 ; Kittatinny, 1 ; Wallace, 1. Deicherries. — Lucretia, 4, and a local seedling yet unnamed, discovered by Dewain Cook, of Windom, Minn.,* 1; also one recommended at Sparta, Wis., as productive and excellent, 1. THE MULBERRY. The Black mulberry [Morus nigra), said to have originated in Central Asia, and to have been introduced into southern Europe more than a * This variety has recently beeu named Wiudoui. — H. E. Van Dejian, 14 thousand years ago, is reputed to be the parent of what is now known as the Eussian Mulberry, which is the only species requiring notice in this connection. Having been introduced into the West by the Mennonites who emmi- grated from Russia, it has manifested a degree of hardiness superior to that of any other mulberry. Its limit northward on this continent can not yet be said to have been determined. The fruit can not be said to possess any special present value, and its prospective importance must depend upon the chance of improvement by new originations from seed. Even in this direction the probability of improvement is apparently very remote.* THE CRANBERRY. The Cranberry ( Yaccinmm macrocarpon) belongs exclusively to the North, where it assumes much importance as a commercial fruit. It is largely grown for market from New Jersey northward to and including the British provinces. The business in New Jersey and Massachusetts is mainly confined to the sea-coast. Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota possess superior natural ad- vantages of both soil and climate for the purpose 5 and, although iu these States the interest is less fully developed, the production of this fruit here is being rapidly increased. Many marshes throughout both peninsulas of Michigan were natu- rally well stocked with the cranberry; and, although during the settle- ment and development of the State many of these have been drained and converted into arable land, large tracts are still in their pristine condition. In Berrien and Ottawa Counties, and probably elsewhere, considerable tracts have been prepared and stocked with the vines with profitable results, and the business seems likely to increase. Probably the most extensive plantations are to be found in WiscoQ- sin. It is estimated that in four counties in the central part of this State there are fully 50,000 acres of marsh adapted to the growth of this fruit, much of which is already in process of improvement for this purpose. The usual process here seems to be to clear the ground of brush, and bj' partial drainage to enable the plants to take possession of the soil, which they are said to do within a comparatively short jjeriod, thus avoiding the expense of preparing andi^lantiug the ground and cultivating till the plants have covered the surface. A tract of 1,080 acres, owned by a company who have already invested a considerable sum thereon, is being improved upon the following plan: At the upper side of the marsh a reservoir of ample capacity is created by digging a ditch across the slope (which is very slight), throwing the earth upon the upper side, thus constructfng an embankment or dam, with sluices and flood-gates at convenient points, by means of which the water may be accumulated and turned upon the space below at pleasure. *A11 of the many varieties I have observed iu several Western States were too small and poorly flavored to be valuable except as bird feed. — H. E. Van Deman, 15 Below, aiid at right angles with the einbaukineut already spokeu of, a ditch is dug nearly centrally through the marsh of suflhcient capacity to receive the waste and surplus water. The earth from this ditch is used to construct an embankment upon each side thereof ; and the water therein is maintained at a depth and width sufficient to float a small flat-boat, which is employed for transporting matericil, as well as for collecting the fruit when picked. The lower end extends to and within a building, which serves as a storage and packing room for the fruit when picked and awaiting transportation. The marsli below the reservoir is cut up by side and cross ditches into blocks of five or more acres, each of which is capable of being sep- arately flooded from the reservoir and ditches above by means of sluices, as already described. When a new block has been prepared the sluices entering it are left open, and it is kept flooded during the growing season, with the result that the trees, shrubs, and bushes growing thereon are killed. The sluices are then closed, the trees and brush, if any, removed; and the cranberries that may be already thereon left to take full possession. In case of a block not sufficiently stocked with natural plants for the pur- pose, the ground is carefully fitted as for a farm crop; a lot of rooted plants are cut into sections, which are sowed and harrowed in, in the usual manner of farm-sowed crops; usually with a favorable result. Little seems to be known respecting the status of cranberry culture in Minnesota, beyond the fact that the fruit is indigenous and abundant in its wild state, and that a very considerable amount is supplied to commerce. That it is less abundant in the wild state in Dakota and Montana can scarcely be chargeable to unfavorable climate, but rather to a lack of the peculiar conditions of soil and moisture indispensable to the growth and prosperity of the plant. Mr. E. Eeeves, of Waverly, Iowa, in a report to the State Horticult- ural Society for 188G, page 152, says, " The Highland cranberry ( Vibur- num opulus) is not grown as much as it should be. It is a native of our part of the State and is perfectly hardy. It does best on a moist soil, is readily grown from cuttings, and bears good crops of fruit, nearly equal to that found in the markets." The plant is indigenous as far north as British America, but is usually accounted but a poor substitute for that already described. This fruit, however, seems quite unlikely to become a competitor of the ordinary cranberry. THE APRICOT. The Apricot [Prunus Armeniaca), is reputed to be a native of Armenia, and to have been brought into southern Europe in the time of Alexan- der the Great. Seeds of a species (or variety?) differing, at least in hardiness, from the varieties of southern Europe were brought to this country from 16 southern Russia by the Mennonites some years since. These have been generally reproduced in this country, and considerably dissemi- nated as seedlings, which are found to vary greatly in quality. More recently some Western nurserymen have made selections from the best of these and have undertaken their propagation. The apricot has hitherto proved to be so uncertain a fruit at the North, that a variety of even tolerable quality, that shall prove success- ful north of the Middle States, will no doubt be welcomed as an acqui- sition. It must, however, be admitted that the question of the value of this new introduction anywhere in this country or for any purpose is yet to be decided ; while it can scarcely be hoped that it will succeed north of central Iowa, and possibly some portion of southern Michigan, where in favorable situations the more common varieties of this fruit fail more especially on account of very early blooming. Professor Budd, of Iowa (who is by some persons thought to be occasionally excessively enthusiastic respecting the prospective value of Eussian fruits), says in a bulletin of 1885: We find not in Russia, however, any varieties of the apricot equal to their best plums. We believe the best apricots of the world, for our climate, are to be found in north Bokhara and northwest China, [adding] We are sending out for trial plants of a variety from the hill country northwest of Pekin, China, which seems specially promising for the parts of the West south of the forty-first-parallel. Among those thus named, propagated, and catalogued are the follow- ing six varieties introduced by Carpenter & Gage, of Nebraska : Alex- ander, Alexis, Budd, Catharine, Gibb, and Nicholas. The following additional varieties are believed to have been selected and introduced by A. H. Griesa, of Kansas, viz : Byram, Evatt, Preib, Remer, and Smith. Although these have ostensibly been selected for propagation as stated, little is yet known of them beyond what is stated by their intro- ducers. Their real value must depend almost wholly upon the results of extensive trial over an extended region. THE PLUM. The cultivated Plum of the Northern states {Prunus domestica)^ which, according to Dr. Gray, is supposed to have sprung from the Sloe, is an introduction from Europe. It proves hardy and successful from New England westward to and including the lower peninsula of Michigan, although almost universally attacked by the curculio, which usually ruins the fruit, unless efficient means are employed to save it. The fruit is also, in many localities, attacked by what is known as " the Rot," which appears to be either accompanied or caused by fun- gus, which manifests itself in connection with the decay, which usually occurs just prior to the season of maturity, often ruining nearly or quite the entire crop of fruit. The foliage is also frequently attacked, toward the end of summer, 17 by a malady which causes the premature ripeiiiug aud droppiug of the leaves, leaviug the fruit but partially grown and the wood yet imma- ture, in which case the tree is often either injured or killed by the cold of the following winter. By some persons this malady also is attributed to the attacks of a minute or microscopic fungus, although no sufficient examination is known to have been made to determine the question. The branches, aud occasionally even the trunk, of the tree are also liable to be attacked by a fungus known as Black Knot, and botanically as Splucria morhosa, which occasions unsightly protuberances, and, if neglected, is quite sure to ruin the tree, but which may generally be overcome by the prompt cutting away aud burning of the diseased parts, to prevent the dissemination of the spores. These various maladies have proved so serious, that in many locali- ties once considered fiivorable, the growing of this species of plums has been nearly or quite abandoned; although in the northern portions of lower Michigan, in portions of the more easterly States, as well as in Canada eastward of the Great Lakes, either from more fiivorable cli- matic influences or because the inducing causes have not yet reached them, this fruit is still abundantly successful 5 becoming in such locali- ties not infrequently a very considerable source of revenue. Farther westward, either from lower extremes of temperature /or a more arid climate, or possibly from a combination of the two, this spe- cies of plum fails almost wholly. The native plum of the South {Prurius cMcasa), grows in the wild state in Kentucky and southwestward ; and in those regions seedlings of this, among which may be named several known by the common title Wild Goose, have been found productive and profitable under cultiv^a- tion. These have been tested at the North and found abundantly hardy ; but, although they often bloom freely there, either from imperfection of the bloom or from other and unknown cause they almost invariably prove obstinately unproductive, and hence worthless, unless, as some have been led to hope, this defect can be remedied by the adjacent plant- ing of other pollen-producing varieties — a hope vhich as yet lacks the confirmation of actual authentic experience. The native plum of the North {Primus Americana,) is indigenous from about latitude 38° northward, far beyond the limits of the United States. It is quite at home in the lowest lands and along the margins of streams where the lowest range of the thermometer is known to occur. It is al- ways abundantly, if not excessively, productive ; and even in the regions in which the domestka varieties are most liable to the attacks of the curculio, this species mainly escapes ; while in the specimens which bear the mark of the Little Turk, the larvae very generally fail to develop. D. B. Wier, of Illinois, advances the hypothesis, which he insists is borne out by his own experience in the growing of this fruit, that while the curculio freely punctures this class of plums, the larvae very rarely develop ; and upon this circumstance he bases the conclusion that the 15249— Bull 2 2 18 growiug of our luitivo species would probably result iu the extermina- tiou of the Little Turk, Altbough this species iu its wild state can not be said to bo of liigk quality, its productiveness, bardiuess, and freedom from disease, seem to bave directed attention to it as a possible source of improved varie- ties. So far as is known, the only improvement as yet bas been by selection. Even by this mode several desirable varieties have already been discovered ; some of tbem, at least, possessing qualities which in value, nearly' approach the popular varieties of the domestica species. Among these may be mentioned De Soto, Wolf, RoUingstone, and Wy- ant, which are on trial and being disseminated by the Iowa Agricultural Col lege 5, also Minor, Bassett, Climax, Forest Garden, Rockford, and other promising newer sorts in process of proi)agation and introduc- tion. To the foregoing may be added Weaver, introduced several years since, and Pottawatnmie, now just introduced. Thelast two are said to be productive in Iowa, where they originated. In Michigan, with but a limited trial. Weaver shows a lack of productiveness. There is little occasion to doubt the success of plums of this Ameri- cana species throughout the Northwest, at least eastward of the Rockies, except, possibly, where the failure shall arise from a lack of the need- ful moisture in the soil. In his General Notes on Foreign Plums, in bulletin of 1882, Pro- fessor Budd says : The varieties of really good plums, for dessert and culinary purposes, grown in Russia will be a matter of sur^irise to visitors. Even as far north as Moscow and Kazan plums of fine size and quality are grown in great abundance. We have intro- duced a number of line sorts which we are propagating and sending out for trial. Their success with us will not hinge on their hardiness or tendency to iiroduce fruit, but on their relative exemption from attacks of the curculio. We have much reason to believe that such sorts as the Eed and Yellow Arab, Moldavka, Hungarian, Long Blue, Long Eed, Long Yellow, and Skorospelka will not be injured by the Little Turk to a greater extent than our native sorts, as, like them, thej' start the fruit late, and it is developed with great rapidity. In no line of our experimental work do we ex- pect more useful results than in our trial of the best Russian plums. Although the foregoing was published more than two years since, it is not known that any of these plums have even yet fruited in this country. The effect, therefore, if any, of so wide a departure in longi- tude, and the probably more marked result of a transfer southward of 14P of latitude, are yet to be determined ; and since the professor foils to clearly indicate the premises upon which his expectations have been based, there is no apparent alternative but to wait and hope for the desirable results which he seems so confidently to anticipate. In the transactions of the Iowa Horticultural Society for 18SG the Xirofessor says : Of the Russian plums which I am testing I can say but little as yet ; some of them are of the Lombard type in appearance. Our native varieties seem to do well, such as Bassett, De Soto, Climax, Forest Garden, and Weaver. The last named does not seem very productive. The Robinson and Mariauiia I have not tried long enough to speak intelligently about. 19 III the same volume, at page 437, Mr. Bartou advances the idea that— Tbo Miner plum [why uot others also — Writer] ripens its pollen before the stamen is ready to receive it. This difficulty could be obviated by planting another plnm adjacent, which ripens its pollen at just the right time. Some iudicatiou of tbe varieties of iilums under cultivation in this region may be gathered from the following list. Their apparent rela- tive popularity is indicated by the numbers attached : DeSoto, 29; Forest Garden, 17; Miner, 15; Weaver, 9; Wolf, 7; Wild Goose, 7; Eolliug-stone, 5; Maquoketa, 4; Cheney (the earliest), 2; li^ewman, 2; Speer, 2; Marianna, 1; Eobinson, 1 ; Harrison's Peach, 1; Moore's Arctic, 1; Van Buren, 1; Winnebago, 1; Eockwell, 1; Ir^haffer, 1; Lombard, 1; Shipper's Pride, 1 ; Clemmons, 1 ; Oglesby, 1. Several of these are recent introductions, and not generally known and tested. TIIK PEACH. The Peach {Amygdalus Fersica) is reputed to be a native of Persia, and to have originated from the almond. The Nectarine is usually con- sidered to be merely a variety of the peach with a smooth skin. It is known, in fiict, that within a recent period certain existing varieties of the nectarine have been originated from seed of the peach.* The limit northward of the peach-growing region proper at the East may be said to be about latitude 42°; although near the sea-coast, and also in New York and in jiortions of Ontario, the ameliorating influence of the ocean and of Lake Ontario carrj' it somewhat above 43°. Far- ther west, in Michigan, it extends yet farther north; within the more immediate influence of Lakes Michigan and Huron even as far as lati- tude 45° 30'. Farther west, and away from the influence of the Great Lakes, the limit of the profitable cultivation of this fruit occurs much farther south, probably even below latitude 40°, or in southern Illinois and. northern Missouri. At the northwestward of Lake Michigan the i^each, therefore, can only be grown as an exotic. There have been various efforts to devise some cheap and effective process for the protection of the tree against the extremes of cold during winter, which occasionally ruin the fruit- buds and even the trees. So far, however, nothing effective has been devised short of actually laying down the trees and covering them with earth during the winter. Prof. J. L. Budd, in the course of his experiments with hardy Euro- pean fruits, has imported from eastern Asia what he hopes may prove a hardier type of this fruit. In a college bulletin issued in 1885 he says : The peach does not vary as much in hardiness of varieties as the other orchard fruits of the temperate zone. In our experiments we have used the Wager and Hill's Chili as a standard of hardiness of the old varieties, coming originally from Persia. * This I have done repeatedly on my own farm in Kansas. — H. E. Vax Demax. 20 Four years ago we imported plants of eleven varieties of the peach from Pekin, China, they having been procured for our use from the hill country northwest of Pekin. They have larger, thicker leaves than our common sorts, ripen their wood earlier in fall, and have proven 30 per cent, hardier than our old sorts. Plants we have sent out for trial have stood well in south Iowa, north Missouri and Kansas. Some of them will prove valuable on the northern borders of the peach belt. Two years ago we received pits of the peach from Riga, Russia, said to have been brought from Central Asia. The plants are now two years old, and show marked variation in leaf, bud, glands of leaf, and habit of early ripening of wood, from the old varieties originally from Persia. We are now trying to secure iiits from north Bokara, in Asia, the most extreme climate, so far as I know, where the peach is grown. The most we expect to do in this line is to make peach-growing possible on the northern borders of the present peach belt. A peacli, said to be a native of Ciiina, and known as Tong-Pa, is re- ported to have been a couple of years on trial in Iowa County, in east- ern Iowa; but witli so short experience, no conclusion has yet been reached respecting its probable value for that locality. Peter M. Gideou, of Excelsior, Minn., has a small plantation of bear- ing peach trees, planted with reference to laying down and covering with earth in winter. In August, 1887, these were in thrifty condition, and carrying some fruit; having apparently been three or four years planted, and from 8 to 10 feet in height. THE GRAPE. The Grape {Vitis) is represented in Europe only by the single species vinifera, although since the advent of the phylloxera in the grape- growing regions of that country importations of American species have been freely made, with the hope that, by their more robust habit, they may prove better able to resist the attacks of this new enemy. This species proves obstinately unsuccessful throughout the eastern United States. A very considerable number of our improved American varieties have nevertheless become tainted with this strain by hybrid- ization, and many of these seem to have derived desirable qualities from this source; although generally, if not always, with increased ten- dency to suffer from mildew— the chief enemy of the viwfera class in this country. Of our American species, Vitis cordifolia — the northern Frost Grape- is indigenous far northward of the United States. By modern botan- ists this is blended with or included in riimria. Vitis lahrmca — the indigenous wild grape of New England — becomes more rare as we proceed westward, occurring very rarely in western New York and Michigan; and, it is believed, wholly disappearing, as an indigenous growth farther west. Vitis ccstivalis can only be said to be indigenous south of the region under consideration ; though occasionally extending sporadically into its southern portions. Within the past thirty or forty years, in the process of improving our native grapes by reproduction and bringing them under cultivation 21 wliile tbere yet remain many varieties which clearly represent the orig- inal species, these species have in many cases become so blended by hybridization, that freqnently nothing short of an authentic history of a variety" would suffice to assign it its correct specific position. As the result of this blending and improvement, the resultant varie- ties have come to be planted indiscriminately throughout the region under consideration; reference being mainly had to their probable ability to mature their fruit within the season, and resort being had to protection in winter in regions in which very low temperatures are to be anticipated. Vitus vulirina (roiundifoUa), which includes the Scuppernong, also candicans. cincrea, monticola, Novo Mexicana^ and rupestris, are Southern species, generally lacking hardiness at the North; few if any of tbem having produced varieties of value for Northern planting. The fact that Catawba and Isabella grapes, perfectly ripened in tbe open air at Excelsior, Minn., on the banks of Lake Minnetonka, were awarded a premium at tbe New Orleans Exposition, was a surprise to very many; since the former especially is not, with ordinary surroundings, consid- ered sure to ripen fully north of latitude 39° or 40°. Tbat these varieties canbe fully matured in tbe open air five or six de- grees farther north, would indicate that tbe summers there are specially favorable for the purpose. A visit this year to the vineyard which sup- plied the specimens in question showed tbat it is favorably situated on dry, warm soil, sloping rapidly to the east and soutb, and that the cul- tivation and pruning were of the best and most effective kind, render- ing the laying down and covering of the plants (wbich is indispensable here) easy and effective. Under only ordinary circumstances, however, many varieties were in an advanced stage of ripeness, and "Minnetonka grapes" were freely offered in the markets of Minneapolis and Saint Paul as early as the ISth of August. That there is little difference between this region and those farther east so far as cboice of varieties may be concerned, is clearly indicated by the following list, tbe relative popularity of each variety being in- dicated by the numbers attacbed to eacb, and tbe varieties being those recommended in the discussions of societies and the reports of com- mittees : Concord, 33; Moore, 27; Worden, 27; Delaware, 12; Pocklington, 12; Martha, 12; Janesville, 12; Agawam, 9; Lady, 9; Cottage, 8; Brighton, 7; Salem, G; Telegraph, 6; Elvira, G; Niagara, 5; Ives, 5; Dracut Amber, 5; Lady Washington, 5; Empire State, 4; Wilder, 3; Woodruff Red, 3 ; Coe, 2 ; Early Victor, 2 ; Perkins, 2; Vergennes, 2; Eumelan, 1; Barry, 1; Massasoit, 1; Lindley, 1; Champion, 1; Jessica, 1; Florence,!; Hartford, 1; Crevelling, 1; New Haven, 1 ; Wyoming lied, 1; Northern Muscadine, 1; Clintoi^ 1; Marion, 1 ; Bacchus, 1; Black Hawk, 1 ; Black Eagle, 1 ; Beauty, 1 ; Red Fox, 1; El Dorado, 1 ; Jefferson, 1 ; Ducbess, 1 ; loua, 1; Rogers No. 33, 1. 22 The impolicy of the very comLnou practice among the originators and introducers of new varieties of sending them out under numbers is strikingly'- manifest in the almost universal custom in the Northwest, in the discussions and reports of horticultural gatherings, to continue the use of the original numbers, sometimes coupled with the name, but quite frequently without such accompaniment, not only greatly to the inconvenience of the hearer or the reader of a report, but also with a greatly-increased liabilit^^ to error consequent upon the use of figures. It would, beyond doubt, inure greatly to the convenience of all con- cerned, if all societies could be induced, in cases in which names exist, to resolutely exclude the numbers from their discussions, and especially from the reports of their transactions. THE TEAR. The Pear of Europe and America {Pijrus communis) is indigenous in Europe and Asia. It had early been subjected to cultivation in Syria, Egypt, and Greece, and thence introduced into Italy during the early days of Rome. From this species comes the great mass of our modern varieties; although there are other species, among which are the Aure- lian(Pj/ntssaZyi/o/m), a native of France; the Snowy pear (Pj/rHswiyaZ/,'^), a native of Australia, neither of which are represented among our cul- tivated varieties, and the Sand pear {Pyrus sinensis), a native of China and Cochiu-China, from which, by hybridization with P. communis, the modern Le Conte, Kiefifer, and others are siqjjjosed to have originated.* Between March, 1879, and some time in 1884, Professor Budd, as the representative of the Iowa Agricultural College, made no less than twelve importations of pear trees or scions from dift'ereut localities in Russia (including Poland) and Germany; also an importation from northwestern China. The varieties included in these importations number sixty-three ; although an uncertain number will probably prove to be duplicates. In publishing lists of the varieties thus introduced the professor remarks : Our experimeuts with the pear niaiuly date from the time of our visit to east Eu- rope, in 1882. With soine of the varieties of central and east Russia our i^rogress has been slow, as the scions had not been packed yjroperly for so long a journey. Yet we now have specimen plants of most of the varieties specially attracting our attention as likely to prove valuable for culinary or dassert uses, and we have sent out for trial many plants of the most promising sorts. Our soil is not favorable for the pear; hence we used our first-planted trees in a rough way, by taking off all the new wood each year for scions. This treatment, com- bined with the severe weather of the last two winters, has given us correct notions as to the relative hardiness of varieties. The following is a list of the varieties of pears imported by Professor Budd, with the names, as reported to i he American Pomological So- * It should be clearly understood that this is the merest conjecture, and that they are almost worthless in quality when grown north of about 38°. — H. E. Van Demax. ciety by Mr. Charles Gibb, of Abbotsford, proviace of Quebec, Canada, at the society's ineetiug at Boston, in September 1887. These names are arranged alphabetically, and accompanied by the Eassian or Ger- man names, to insure ready identification. Until they shall have been printed and compared, there is of course a liability, as already stated, that some of them may prove to be duplicates : Adopted uamo. Russian name. Adopted name. Russian name. Antumn Bergamot. Bergamot Osennui. Lemon. Limonnaya. Baba. Gruscha Baba. Long Greeu (introduced Longae Verte. Bauvier d' Autonine. Bauvier d'Automne. long since;. Bear. Dula Medviedevka. Long Stem. Dolgokvostka Moros- Czar. Tsarskaya. ovskaya. Double Beuric. MaslitchnayaDvoinaya. Lutovka. Lutovka. Dula. Dula. Ogonka. Ogonka. Early Duchess. Duchesse Precoce. Pasovka. Pasovka. Early Bergamot. Bergamot Rannaya^. Polish Lemon. (Jytrymova. Father's Keepsake. Oicovska. Poltava. I'oltavskaya. Peigen. Feigeubirne. Pomerauia. Pomeranzeubirne. ITlat Bergamot. Bergamot Ploskui. Pound (introduced long I'fuudbirue. Gakovak. Gakovskaya. since). Goubalt(introduced long Goubalt. Princess. Princeasbirne. since). Red Bergamot. Bergamot Krasnui. Green Bergamot. Bergamot Zelenni. Saccharine. Sacbarnaya. Green Wine. Griine Weinbirne. Salzburg. Salzburger. Grella. Grella. Sapieganka. Bergamot Sapieganka. Grumkowor. Grumkower. Scented. Duchovaya. Gute Griine. Gute Griine. Seedless. Bessemianka. Honey. Gliva Medovaya (Ho- Strawberry. Semlianitchuaya. nigbirue). Sugar. Zuckerbirne. Juicy Gliva. Gliva Otschen Sotch- Victorina. Victorina Muogoplod- naya. naya. Junfer. Junferbirne. Vinograd. Vinogradnni. Konsun's Bergamot. Korsun's Bergamot. Vsduti Bergamot. Vsduti Bergamot. Kostotchka. Kostotchkn. Waxen. Voskavaya. Krupyanka. Krupyanka. White Livland. Butteibirne, WeissoLiv- Kursk. Gliva' Kurskaya. landische. Kursk Bergamot. Bergamot Kurski. Winter. Osimaya. Large Sugar. Zuckerbirne, Grosse. At the annual meeting of the Iowa Horticultural Society in January, 1887, Hon. C. L. Watrous, reporting for the vicinity of Des Moines, Iowa, says: Of pears there are uoi euougli trees to couut. Young trees of Seedless seeui healtlij' and free from blight. Whether they will bear fruit, or what may be its quality, we know not, but live in hoi^es. Andrew Peterson, of Carver County, southern Minnesota, during the summer of 1886, had several varieties of Russian pears and apples from bis native country, Sweden; but, judging from appearances, he deemed those from Russia the most promising for Minnesota, In January, 1887, he reported the Russian pear trees as showing no injury up to that date; while of sixty varieties imported from Sweden one only is suf- ficiently hardy for Minnesota. Professor Porter, of the Minnesota Agricultural College, reports a few Russian pears as on trial at that institution, near Minneapolis, where they give promise of much value. The seedless pear [Bessemianka) is also reported to be on trial at Ramsey, McCook County, Dakota. 24 A few pear trees grown from seeds brought from Russia by the Mennonites, are said to be growing in southwestern Minnesota. Professor Budd, in January, 1887, said : I believed six years ago, and am stronger in tlio belief now, that east Europe has many sorts of pear, cherry, and plum which would give perfect satisfaction in the north half of Iowa, and some in Minnesota and the north half of Dakota. It is feared by many that the transplacing of Eussian fruits to the much lower latitude of Iowa may greatly affect their season of matur- ity, and that it may even injuriously affect their quality and, by possi- bility, their hardiness ; but the season of ripening may be deemed less important with this fruit than with the apple. These influences will therefore be more fully considered in connection with that fruit. In advance of a thorough trial. Professor Budd expresses the convic- tion that a very considerable number of the varieties mentioned in the foregoing list will j)rove hardy as far north as central Iowa, while a few of them, among which he names Seedless, Gakovsk, and others are considered to be adapted to a wider, though yet indefinite, range north- ward. Careful and extended experiment, such as he is understood to have already in progress, can only surely determine the correctness of these suppositions. Meantime he suggests a resort to the artificial crossing of the best and hardiest of the older and well-known varieties upon the most promising of these foreigners, with the hope of improve- ment possibly in both quality and hardiness. Speaking with reference to southwestern Iowa, he remarks : With regard to Chinese pears, those who have condemned them get their trees from New Jersey or about Philadelphia. From such experience we are all inclined to condemn Chinese pears. On the college grounds they came through all right. I do not mean the Sand pear, but the Snow pear. Some of them I can recommend for this part of the State. We have Snow pear trees from northwest of Pekiu. Eugene Simons sent fifteen varieties of Suow pears from China to Metz, France. I was there when these were bearing and the pears ripe. Some of them are hardy enough for this part of Iowa; and I do not know how much farther north they will endure the climate. The professor, on another occasion, says : "Our pear, coming from southern Europe, is subject to blight here, but not there; which shows that they are not adapted to our country. We can start from seedlings and work up our pears. But even this is not necessary. We have a sadly-misused pear tree on the college farm, that made during the past year, from 3 to 5 feet of growth, which is entirely hardy and an abundant bearer. This pear has stood everywhere, without any blight, in northern Dakota, near the Eocky Mountains and all over the Northwest. We also have other pears which are hardy and fruitful. In the Prairie Farmer of September 17, 1887, the professor says : On general principles, I can say that Bezi de la Motte, St. Ghislain, and Flemish Beauty will be likely to do as well as any of the old sorts. Of the newer pears from Russia, the Seedless aud Gakovsk are as promising as any for home use or market. It is understood that the last two varieties have not yet fruited in this country. If so, it must be inferred that the foregoing conclusion, involving their productiveness and the quality of the fruit, as well as 25 the vigfor aud hardiness of the trees, is based mainlj^ upon his knowl- edge of tlieir performances in their original locality. Except upon a statement of the reasons for such conclusion, in such case it must be assumed to be rather suppositional than conclusive. A society report from southwestern Iowa, made in 188G, says the pear crop there is a failure, most of the trees being nearly dead. Mr. Denlinger, of Dubuque County, is reported as having on trial the Arctic pear, a Russian variety, which in 1885 made a growth of 3 feet. He also had the Keiffer on trial. In 1886 the Dubuque Society recommended the Longworth pear (a variety very little known) as worthy of trial, also the Seedless and Gakovsk, two of Professor Budd's importations from Eussia. Circumstances would indicate that these recommendations were prob- ably made rather on account of the apparen.t hardiness of the trees than from a definite knowledge of the quality of the fruit as produced in this country. An additional indication of the uncertainty of the more common varie- ties of this fruit even in eastern Towa occurs in a paper by John Evens, read before the Union Horticultural Society in 188C, as follows : I liave planted many pear trees, mostly staudards, but liave not fruited very many. Could get tliem to grow ■well for a few years, or until tliey were old enough to bear, and then the blight would take them. I have had the best success with Bartlett, Flemish Beauty, Sheldon, Tyson, Buffuni, Seckel, White Doyenne, Augouleme, and Lawrence. Secretary Hammond, of the Illinois State Horticultural Society, names Flemish Beauty, Anjou, and Tyson as having proved hardy in the northern portion of that State. Dr. T. H. Hoskins, of northern Vermont, in the American Garden for September, 1887, says of the new Russian jiears : Whatever may be the individual or class merit of these pears as dessert fruit (and we are not likely to find many, if any, equal to the best of our old varieties among them), they are yet remarkably interesting as a class, not only for their superior hardiness against cold and drought, but also from the fact that they introduce a distinctly new strain of blood, so to speak, and one which, by crossing upon those we already have, is likely to give us some superior varieties. The firm glossy foliage, not so thick and firm as that of the Chinese, but yet tending that way, indicates a strong resistant power, not only against heat aud dryness, but also against insects aud fungi. In the many years I have been trying in vain to discover one pear which I could grow successfully in northeastern Vermont, one of the most discouraging things I have noted about all of them (except Keiffer aud Le Conte) has been the defective charac- ter of the leafage. Indeed I think that if it were not for this iusurmountahle diffi- culty -we already have pears hardy enough to grow much farther north than they are with success. Without healthy leaves there can not be thoroughly matured wood ; and it is the weakness consequent upon this which I think has prevented my success with such " almost hardy " pears as Onondaga, Clapp's Favorite, Jackson, Flemish Beauty, and Grand Isle. They endure, as it is, all but our severest winters, and therefore it seems to me that if we could give them a better leaf we could grow them success- fully. Now it haj^peus that some of the Russian pears reported to be best in quality are also the hardiest and have the best foliage. A cross of Seedless, Sapieganka, Dula, Tonkovietka, or Pasovka upon our hardiest sorts named above might confer 26 upon the seedlings that better leaf which is so greatly needed. I trust that some en- thusiastic pear-growers may be sufficiently interested iu the matter to be willing to make these crosses and grow the resulting seedlings to fruitage. This can only be done by those so situated as to be able to grow and fruit both kinds, which we of the "cold North " are unable to do. This last conclusion is but partially true, since even at the " cold North " these new ironclads may be grown to fruitage and the bloom fertilized with pollen from milder climes.* How far north the pear may be successfully grown in America is a problem the solution of which can only be fully accomplished in the re- mote future. Although there is a popular notion that a plant may be gradually brought to endure a climate more exacting than that to which it was originally adapted, experience has long since shown that the capacity for such variation, so far as varieties are concerned, lies within very narrow limits. The process through which important results of this character are to be accomplished must rather be the more tardy one or reproduction and selection, either artificial or natural, through which all the wide adaptations of both animal and vegetable life have been wrought. By the light of science, aided by Intelligent manipulation, the other- wise tardy process of natural selection — the survival of the fittest — may, beyond a question, be greatly hastened. Doubtless, mainly through natural i)rocesses, these Eussian fruits have been brought to an adap- tation to that climate not originally inherent in the species ; and their introduction to the trying climate of our central prairie region thus af- fords to us a vantage-ground — an advanced starting-point — from which results desirable to us may perchance be sooner reached, since it may be fairly assumed that their surroundings hereof climate and soil can not be completely identical with those whence they were taken; and, if so, that new characteristics, only to be acquired through reproduc- tion and selection, are likely to be found needful for their proper adap- tation to the new surroundings. Viewed even in this light, the labors of Messrs. Budd and Gibb must be deemed to be of great value to the pomology of the North, since even should these introductions fail to realize the sanguine hopes of the in- troducers, they will surely afford the foundation, otherwise wanting, upon which the more certainly and rapidly to build a satisfactory superstructure in a nearer future. TUE APPLE. The Apple of Europe and America {Pyrus malus) was introduced in North America from Europe by the early settlers. It is believed to have sprung from the wild crab of Europe, ami was extensively culti- * The writer by this evidently means to refer to the fact that pollen may be aent by mail or otherwise Iroui regions of a milder climate, where the better, but tenderer, pears will succeed. It may not be generally known that pollen of many kinds may be kept for mouths and even years and retain its vital powers. — H. E. Van Deman. 27 vated by the Romans, who are supposed to bave introduced it into England; whence it was brought to this country. The Siberian crab (Pyrus baccata), in various improved forms, is more or less common in this countr}^, especially in regions in which superior hardmess is requi- site. A kindred species, known botauically as Fyrus prunifoUaj is also a native of Siberia. China also has an allied species, known as Pyrvs s2)ectabiUs. Our wild and uneatable native crab {Pyrus coronaria) is common in the northern United States, and a species known as Pyrus rividaris oc- curs west of the Eocky Mountains. The dwarf, or Paradise apple, used mainly as a stock for dwarfing the apple, is considered to be a variety of the common apple. (1) In treating the subject with more especial reference to the apple it appears more convenient to consider the region in question as divided into districts. In so doing it seems proper to commence at the east, designating northern ^STew York, \^ermont, Xew Hampshire, and Maine as the Northeastern District. While the Champlain Valley is found to be morecongenial to fruit cult- ure than most other regions in that latitude and vicinity, the favored location is of but limited extent. Throughout northern New York, Ver- mont, and New Hampshire generally the climate is quite too severe for the great mass of popular apples. Fameuse here being one of the most satisfactory of such, although even this is by no means exempt from occasional injury in winter, while its tendency to scab and crack is a serious drawback upon its usefulness. There is in this northern region an apparent improvement in the texture and glossiness of its foliage, which may be supposed to the more perfectly adapt it to a dry climate, as well as to increase its ability to fully mature its wood in preparation for the occasionally-exceptional severity of winter. Even with such preparation, however, it occasionally fails to withstand the trials of a crucial winter, and for these reasons there is here as elsewhere an anx- ious casting about for a hoped-for substitute. Several recent varieties have been tested by Dr. T. H. Hoskins, of Newport, Vermont, and others, among which Scott's Winter, at present, is thought to be the most promising, at least for the region in question. The importations by the Agricultural Department at Washington, and the more recent ones by the Agricultural College of Iowa, have been watched with great interest here, and many of the varieties have been or are being tested. Mr. Charles Gibb, of Abbotsford, Quebec, was the associate of Professor Buddin his expedition to central and eastern Europe for the purpose of studying varieties and climates, and it is understood that he has since made a second visit to that region upon the same business. For the purpose of, as far as ijracticable, adapting the, to us, unpro- nounceable pomological nomenclature of Eussia to the needs of En- glish-speaking people, the American Pomologieal Society, at its meeting 28 at Graud Rapids, Michigan, in 1SS5, constituted Mr. Gibb a committee of one to revise and, when needful, to Anglicize tbe names of these in- troduced varieties; an onerous and perplexing task, which he has now completed ; his final report having been made at the recent meeting of that society at Boston. The pomology of the sea-board portion of the State of Maine is so affected by oceanic influences that it does not differ very widely from that of southern New England. The more northern interior is yet a new and comparatively unimproved region, in which fruit culture is yet in a comparatively crude state. It is understood, upon the author- ity of Dr. Hoskins, that there exists there an extensive tract of lake country well adapted to the cultivation of the apple — it being moder- ately elevated, with convenient access by river navigation to the sea- board. Its pomology, when developed, may be expected to assimilate somewhat closely with that of the adjacent inland province of Quebec, which does not differ very widely from that of the extreme northern portions of western New England. (2) The district of the Great Lakes iucludes central and western New York, and thence westward to and including the lower peninsula of Michigan. So varied are the local influences of the Great Lakes westward of eastern New York and thence to Wisconsin and Minnesota, modified as such influences are by the direction of prevailing winds, that a climatic division of this region upon parallels of latitude become impracticable. In central and western New York, and equally in the lower peninsula of Michigan, these influences are so far equiv^aleut to the oceanic in- fluences which modify the climate of southern and eastern New Eng- land, that their pomology is practically identical, and may therefore be considered as mainly without the scope of the subject under consider- ation. (3) The Wisconsin lake district includes a comparatively limited re- gion in Wisconsin, lying along the western shore of Lake Michigan, which derives a very perceptible climatic advantage from such proximity, which would doubtless be fully the equivalent of that realized upon the eastern shore, but for the fact that the prevailing winds of that region are westerly, bringing an increased tendency todrought and to paroxysms of cold in winter which reach the region without the mellowing influ- ences of the open waters of Lake Michigan ; thus creating a climate in- termediate between that of the Upper Mississippi Valley and that of the lake region proper. (4) The Lake Superior district, including the upper peninsula of Michigan, together m ith a strip of northern Wisconsin along the south shore of Lake Superior. Although extending northward beyond the parallel of 47°, this district is yet so favorably affected in climate by the surrounding lakes, that it escapes some of the severity of the cli- mate of regions upon that i^arallel farther west. 21) Althougli fruit culture luis so far received buc slight atteutiou there, the experience already had indicates, as may have been inferred from its lacustrine surroundings and the direction of prevailing winds, espe- cially in winter, that the climate becomes less desirable for such pur- pose as we proceed westward until we pass beyond the lake influence, and come within the typical climate of the western plains. C. D. Lawtou, of Lawton, Mich., who has spent much time in the upper peninsula of Michigan, states that fair apples are grown there, and that there are many fine trees which sometimes bear well. There is abundance of plums, when frosts do not catch the bloom in spring. They are mostly wild red plums, although the cultivated varieties seem equally successful where tried. Pears do pretty well also ; at least he has seen trees loaded with ex- cellent fruit, which matured nicely. He never elsewhere saw Early Eichmond cherry- trees more heavily loaded with fruit than there, wherever they have been j^lanted. The branches needed to be propped up to prevent breaking under the loads of fruit. Currants, gooseberries, raspberries, blackberries, and straw- berries abound. Although this is a cold country, it has much good soil well adapted to root crops, as well as to many of the hardy fruits, which will doubt- less be successfully grown as soon as agriculture shall become a staple industry. At the Chippewa County fair in 1880 a fine display of apples was made, grown from trees of hardy varieties obtained from a Minnesota nursery. In Delta County the last State census reports a ten-acre orchard of bearing peach trees. Marinette, the half-breed granddaughter of an Indian chief, is said to have planted the first apple orchard in Menominee County, which is still in bearing. C. D. Lawton has seen, at L'Anse, Baraga County, fine apples of Fa- meuse, and some of Russian and other hardy varieties, as well as an abundance of other hardy fruits. Trees from the head of Lake Superior, including Oldenburg, Wealthy, Siberian crab, and others were planted in this county in 1862, which are yet doing well and producing fair crops of fruit. Mr. Lawton also reports hardy apples and other fruits successful in Ontonagon County. The State census of 1884 reports 91 acres of apple-orcharding in the upper peninsula. Owing doubtless to the influence of the surrounding waters the or- chards of the peninsula are exempt from blight, or at least so nearly so that the malady attracts no attention. (5) Since westward of the districts heretofore described there are few if any local influences which essentially modify the climate, the south- 30 ern prairie district will consist of uortbern Illinois, the south two-thirds of Iowa, all of Nebraska, and the south half of Wyoming. (0) The intermediate i^rairie district will include the south half of Wisconsin (westward of the lake district), the north one-third of Iowa, the south one-third of Minnesota and Dakota, with the north half of Wyoming. (7) The northern prairie district includes northern Wisconsin (omit- ting the Lake Superior region), the north two-thirds of Minnesota and Dakota, and all of Montana. BLIGHT AND LACK OF ABILITY TO WITIISTAXO THE HOT DRY AIR OF THE SUMMERS OF THE WEST AND NORTH. In the earlier days of apple culture in the northern United States what is now known as blight seems to have been unknown, or if known, to have been confined to the pear. Even at the present day api)le-tree blight, where known at all from Michigan eastward, has not proved specially troublesome. Only farther west, under greater extremes of heat, cold, and aridity, has the malady proved serious and even fatal. A singular, and to some at least an unexpected, circumstance is, that it becomes even more virulent and fatal as we go northward. Practi- cally unknown in Europe, it in many cases proves fatal to varieties in- troduced from that country in our interior American climate. Apparently akin to the blight so often fatal to the pear, like that in- sidious malady, it has so far eluded the discovery- of either the cause or cure; although the comparative exemption of the East and the lake region of the West, including the cold but moist region of upper Michi- gan, together with the observed fact its outward manifestation usually occurs during the heat of the day, strongly indicate that both heat and aridity may be essential to its effective existence. It may also be reasonably inferred that a lack of hardiness in winter may not infre- quently be due to the lack of maturity consequent upon loss of foliage from blight in summer. HARDINESS IN WINTER. Just what peculiarities of composition and structure go to constitute the quality of wood-growth, known as hardiness, s^ems yet to be an unsolved problem. It is nevertheless quite well understood that in the case of the apple-tree, now under consideration, it becomes neces- sary that the season's growth shall have been thoroughly perfected; that the maturing i)rocesses shall have been completed, and that the whole be done well in advance of winter; in other words, that a hardy tree must be one whose growth is quite sure to be thoroughly ripened well within the proper season. Aiming to secure results of this character for his State, as well as for the North generally, Peter M. Gideon, of Excelsior, Minn., some twenty-three years since commenced the process of reproduction and 31 selection, using the Siberian crab as the basis of his operations. The following is extracted from his report to the Minnesota State Horticult- ural Society in January, 1887, as superintendent of the State Experi- mental FraitFarm, which, although perhaps over-enthusiastic, yet gives a correct idea of the processes employed: It is with pleasure that I comply with yonr request to give my views ou Russian and seedling apples. The seedling has been my hobby for the last sixteen years, and the success attained gives me hope that not far in the future the cold Northwest will be one of the leading apple growing districts of North America. Twenty-throe years ago I planted a few cherry-crab seeds, obtained of Albert Emerson, Bangor, Me., and from those seeds I grew the Wealthy apple ; in seven years it fruited, and that fruit convinced me that the true road to success was in crossing the Siberian crab with the common apple, and on that line I have operated ever since, with results surpassing my most sanguine expectations. I did not suppose that in the short space of sixteen years, the time since the Wealthy first fruited, that I should have more than twenty first-class apples, as good as the world can produce, in succession from the 1st of August to March, and in hardiness of tree surpassing all known varieties of the common large apple. But it is done, and in the doing, the prob- lem is solved as to what to do and how to do it, with the material at hand with which to attain yet greater results. At the outset ic was test and try; but now that the problem is solved, it is onward, with great results certain. When I say we have twenty first-class apples, that does not include all that are worthy of cultivation by any means. And now, with such results and only a few thousand trees fruited at the end of sixteen years, what may we not expect atthe end of the next sixteen years with '20,000 or 30,000 choice selected trees from the very best of 8?ed which are not yet fruited, and the seed of over 100 bushels of choice ap- ples jilauted this fall, all to fruit in a few years. Then on planting the seed of the best each year, soon the choice varieties will coiint into the hundreds, and the great Northwest will be the fruit paradise of America. To get the desired cross we plant the selected varieties in close proximity, so that the natural flow of pollen will the more surely do the desired fertilizing, and the seed thus produced is planted, the most promising of the seedlings selected and set in orchards for fruiting, and after fiuitiug the best in tree and fruit is selected from Avhich to grow seeds to try again, and so ou ; at each repetition I find there is a gain. The young trees that fruited this year for the first gave a larger percentage of first-class than any lot ever fruited before. By crossing and judicious selection we retain the hardiness of the crab in the tree without the crab thorns, and on top grow large apples without the astringency of the parent crab. And yet by the commingling of the two natures we get an exquisite flavor not found in any other class of apples, especially so when made into sauce. But our triumph is not yet completed. We must — we can, fill up the balance of the year with a continued succession of luscious apples. There is no question as to the certainty of such a result. The past is a guaranty that it can bo done. But the proper cross can not be got in Minnesota— a fact clearly demonstrated in the extensive and expensive trials that have been made in the last nine years in the State orchard. And here let me state that the seedling is inclined to ripen its fruit at or near the time the parent apple did from which the seed was taken ; hence the need of seed from long keepers to grow the same. There are no long keepers of the best quality yet found that are bardy enough to fruit in Minnesota ; but we can take our best hardy seedling farther South, where the long keepers can be grown and there get the cross, and then bring our so edhere to grow, and test the hardiness of the tree andtlie(inality of frnic. We want first-class apples, and to get them we must use first- class parentage, and oven then scullions will bo numerous, from the fact that all vari- eties of apples are mongrels of mauy degrees of crossixig, and the various relations 32 will crop out iu a multitude of forms. But past success is a guaranty for the future, that out of the many some will he good. Our seedlings will average in quality with Hyslop and Transcendent ; but those of first-class, such as we propagate, stand about one to five hundred, as hardy as Duchess and Wealthy, and of the extreme hardiest about one to fifteen hundred. Seedling trees for distribution.— Two years ago this winter was the first time the Duchess and Wealthy were seriously hurt, and a like fate befell all the Russians on our grounds, so that not a Russian set an apple on our grounds the next year, whilst alongside of them our seedlings carried a fair crop, some of them profuse, and this year all bore heavy crops; showing beyond a question that the crab infusion is to be the foundation of successful fruit culture in the Northwest. The State orchard yielded about 100 bushels of apples this year, all of which being off our own seed- lings; all else of value failed two years ago this winter. This fall we planted the seed of over 100 bushels of choice apples, to grow for experimental purposes. We now have thousands of choice trees on hand for distribution to those who want one, two, three, and four year old trees from seed. Among the numerous varieties thus origiuated by Mr. Gideon he names Lou, August, Florence, Cherry-Red, Excelsior, September, Martha, October, Wealthy, Gideon, Peter, and January as especially desirable, and as supplying a succession from the 1st of August to March. Feeling the importance of being able at the earliest possible moment to supply an ample assortment of varieties adapted to the climate, not only are prominent fruitgrowers watching carefully such local seed- lings as come to their knowledge, but horticultural societies also are aiding the work by the appointing of committees and iu various other ways. Such recent varieties appear in the following tabulated list, accom- panied in the proper column by a dagger (+) indicating that they have been reported worthy of trial iu the district to which such column is devoted. Aside from the foregoing, the tabulation comprises only the older varieties of American origin fouud to be more or less successfid in some portion of the region under consideration. In the second district, how- ever, where even the more tender varieties prove successful, note is only made of varieties which, while successful in other and more trying regions, are at the same time popular here, and is marked by an aster- isk (*). This sign in every case signifies that the variety so marked is reported as successful in the district indicated. Throughout the tabulation an interrogation accompanying an aster- isk (*?) is intended to indicate that while the variety is more or less desirable in the district, either from blight in summer or from deficient Uardiness in winter, it is liable to more or less serious objection. 33 Varieties. Northeastern district : northern ' New York and northern New j England. 1 i District of Great Lakes : central and western New York, northern Obio, and lower Michigan. « HI 6 il a o §^ .-H o Lake Supeiior district : upper Mich- igan and a portion of uoitbern Wis- i cousin. P Southern prairio district : u-ortbern ; Illinois, southern two-thirds of Iowa, Nebraska, southern half of . Wyoming. Interniediato prairie district: sontb- era half Wisconsin (west of lake ' distiict), northern third of Iowa, i soutbern third of Minnesota and - Dakota, uoi tliern half of Wyouoing. Northern prairie district : northern Wisconsin (omitting Lake Su]>e- rior legion), northern two-thirds Minnesota and Dakota, all Mon- tana. ... (*?) (*?) (*) (t) (') (t) (*) (*) (') (*) {') (') (*) Bethel (Vermont) (■') V) (*) (f) (f) (t) (') BrettNo. 1 Brett No. 2 Brett No. 3 (*) (*?) Cherrv-Red (t) (t) C) n (*">■) (") Dart (i) (') (*) (•') (1) (■■) V) ('■) (■) (*) (') (*) EI.) V'.) .(*) (1) (t) V) (■) (*) (') (') "'('')" (*) (') (*) (') Higbtop Sweet (Sweet June) Hyslop (*) (•) (*) (*) Iowa lliissett (*) (■) (*) (*) 0) ••■•(*y- (*) ('.') (f) (f) Klein V) ' ('■) Lou ' (*) (*) (') (*) (■) Macintosh Red (*) (*) (*) (') (') (*) (') Maidon'.s Blush Cr;ib (*) (*) {•D (') (*» (') ('?) ( -') (*) (*) Minnesota C) (*) Northern Spy , . (*.') (') (f) (*) (*) Orange Winter (f) 15249— Bull 2- u Varieties. 1 Northeastern district: northern 3 New Yoik and northern New ^ England. Districtof Great Lakes: central and | western New York, northern Obio, and lower Michigan. Wisconsin lake district : west shore of Lake Michigan. 1 Lake Superior district : upper Mich- igan andaportiouof northern Wis- consin. Sonthern prairie district: northern Illinois, southern two-thirds of Iowa, Nebraska, southern half of Wyoming. Intermediate prairie district : south- ern half Wisconsin (west of lake distii(^t), northern third of Iowa, southern third of Minnesota and Dakota, northern half of Wyoming. Northern prairie district: northern Wisconsin (omitting Lake Supe- rior region), norllierii two-thirds Minnesota and Dakota, all Mon- tana. Peach 'Montreal) Peerless roved to be so low, that the general conviction was that their chief value must be suj)posed to consist in their ability to transmit their probable hardi- ness to a progeny of new originations of higher quality. In 1878 or 1879 the authorities of the Iowa State Agricultural Col- lege deputed Prof. J. L. Budd to arrange for the importation of trees, l^lants, and scoius from localities in central and eastern Europe in which, from similarity of soil, climate, etc., he might hope to obtain varieties adapted to the conditions occurring in Iowa and other por- tions of the Xorthwest. In pursuance of this purpose, the professor, in company with Mr. Charles Gibb, of Abbotsford, Quebec, made a lengthened visit to cen- tral and eastern Europe, extending their trip as far as the vallc}^ of the Upper Volga, where, in most essential x>articulars, the climate is nearly akin to that of the valleys of the Upper Mississippi and Mis- souri. As the result of such visit and examinations, besides other fruits, shrubberj', forest, and ornamental trees, no less than nineteen importations of apples were made between May, 1870, and January, 1885, from various localities in Russia, Poland, Germany, and Austria. These, together with those secured from the importations of others, have been extensively propagated at the college, and the product widely disseminated at a nominal charge for trial throughout the Northwest, so far as their success seemed probable, but under an ar- rangement providing for careful reports of results. Complaint is made by President C. G. Patten, of the Iowa State Hor- ticultural Society, and by others as well, that some of the Russian ap- ples are slow growers — a peculiarity which may with some of them prove to be constitutional, having, as they had, their origin at the ex- treme north, where, doubtless owing to the shortness of the growing 37 seasoD, togetlier with the uuusually arid climate, the tree under contin- ued propagation from seed assumed a permanently dwarfish condition, not likely to become changed by the transmission of the variety to a dif- ferent cliniate — a fact likely to prove equally true so far as hardiness also is concerned J although it must bo conceded that in this particular there may be at least apparent exceptions, since at Des Moines, on the grounds of Hon. C. L. Watrous, were found a considerable number of what are considered to bo among the hardiest and most desirable of the Russian apples 5 trees of which, four or five years planted, when cut through, were found to be more or less black-hearted, and many of (hem quite past the possibility of successful growth and permanent usefulness. Similar cases of obvious winter-killing in the case of older bearing trees of Ivussian apples were also seen upon the grounds of A. W. Sias, of Eochester, Minn., as well as in another extensive orchard in that vicinity, and also upon the grounds of President Patten. A change of latitude, accompanied, as it must necessarily be, b}^ a change of climate, and especially in going southward, by lengthen- ing of the growing season, must necessarily change the season of ripen- ing, at least in the case of a winter fruit. This is a well known result of such migration of our native fruits, which must j^rove equally true of these importations, although the extent of such variation can only be surmised in advance of actual trial. There is also in America, and doubtless likewise in Europe, an un- mistakable modification of the character of fruits, doubtless due to mod- ified climate, when transferred inland, even without change of latitude ; but just how much of such change may be due to greater aridity, higher or lower average temperature, more violent extremes, deficient moist- ure in the soil, or to variations of soils, is a problem too comi^lex for satisfactory solution under these varying circumstances; while a change in the season of maturity and possibly the variation of the quality of fruit may be anticipated, and the })robable direction of such variation foreseen, its amount, whether in season or quality, can only be deter- mined by actual trial. 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CD O' O g a|: D I I c % I-; (D D > s a. "a! hj CD a = o E 3 > "a "a 1-5 1 o c c a: "3 CD o "3 1-5 CD C o cS 'Jj 3 GO '3 a s > •Jl 1-^ a ,^ ■1 ■ CD ■ c If ■3 = White Borodovka White Crimean White Naliv White Pelikanoff White Pigeon \v mte Jrteiueite White Kubets White Russett Wliite Skrute Wliite Summer Calvillo \V bite Swan White Sweet a CD U sl (D CD 3^ CD CD 2 a _g ^' 3 i-S 3 /^ ■^ S CD. i "D .s D 9 CL sac- ^-5 2.2 D~ •D "3 O o % 5 b! 4-2 p. = CD ourselves of it we will, indeed, be foolish. After a reference to the value of the Kussiau varieties as the possible basis for further im- provement he adds: The i)roblem for us to solve, after tbe rejection of the tenderest Russians and those most subject to blight, is, W'hicb are tbe best bearers, tbe best keepei's, aiul of the best riiifi ,, 20 Walnut: Black GO Eiitrlish 00