f*fa. ;
sterility could be corrected by massing with other varieties. Its fruitfulness would then depend upon this intermingling, and not upon the peculiarities of certain seasons. But let this be as it may, there can be no harm in intermingling varieties in the row, but the massing in thicket form but a few feet apart for the purpose of cross-fertilizing to produce fruitfulness is little better than a fad. The following is a list of the most commonly accepted valuable varieties of this class. Miner. — This is also known as the Hinkly, and has also many other names that are purely local and of no value here. The plum is too well known to require an extended description. It is as has been said before a shy or spasmodic bearer, varying greatly in this respect in different localities. This is much more the case while young than when it attains considerable age. It is especially remark- able for the great age and great size to which it attains, especially if on its own roots. Prof. McAffee said: "It is the only plum tree that will make saw logs." I have seen these trees with a girth of trunk at the ground of 44 inches, and a spread of top of 30 feet. It is among the hardiest of this class and is a good and symmetrical grower. The fruit ripens among the very latest, sometimes being caught by early frosts. In quality so far as I have tested these plums, it stands first. Size of fruit about same as Desota or at times some larger, 152 PLUMS. and very uniform. Color a deep cherry red. It has a tendency to crack open at the time of ripening if the weather is very moist. Wild Goose. — Believed to be the most popular of its class, but its value is in the more southern lati- tudes, being too tender for the north. Tree upright changing to spreading as it attains age, quite thorny, and an early and abundant bearer. Fruit light red, size of Miner as grown in the south, but in the north is quite small. Ripens very early which gives it its greatest value, and is of very good quality when fresh from the tree, but when over- ripe is watery and insipid. Forest Rose. — Closely resembles the Wild goose but is more scarlet in color, later and of better qual- ity, especially as a dessert fruit. Robinson. — This according to Prof. Budd has been known as the Bassett and as this variety is frequently referred to as of merit, it is believed that this name is still used by many. The true Bassett plum is so poor, small and inferior in every way, as to be of no value, and the correction should be made for the reputation of this most excellent plum, the Robinson. Like the others, however, it it is not reliable very far north, but for this fault of tenderness, it would lead all the Chicasas. In habit it is almost a counterpart of the Pottawattamie, both in tree, leaf and fruit. The principal difference being in the color of the shoots, those of the latter being more brown, while the former are brighter, and have a pinkish cast. The fruit also ripens PLUMS. 153 some earlier and is much handsomer and of better quality than the Pottawattamie. The first fruit ripens in this latitude about the first of August, but the picking season will last nearly through the month. The habits of growth of the trees are some different, the Robinson being more spreading. Its fault is in making bad forks if not closely watched. Maquoketa. — Originated near the river of that name in eastern Iowa, and is decidedly the best of all the Chicasas for canning. Fruit is much larger grown in central and southern Iowa than further north. Is supposed to be a seedling of the Miner, which it closely resembles. Milton. — New and perhaps the earliest variety in cultivation. Tree an upright and fine grower, and bearing large crops of large fruit of finest quality. Its large size and fine quality and appearance, and early season make this a valuable variety. Seed- ling of Wild Goose. (Terry.) Charles Downing-.— Another of the same origin as the last. Fruit very large, light red and of excellent quality. Tree rather spreading and very productive. Crescent City. — New. Tree very upright and handsome grower, and an immense bearer of med- ium sized fruit of fine quality. Color dark red, fine variety for market. Seedling of the Miner. (Terry.) Hammer. — This is a new variety, the original tree of which has only fruited two years. Fruit is 154 PLUMS. large; color pale yellow or whitish on the shady side and bright red on the sunny side. It promises to be a very valuable variety. Tree is a fine, rather upright grower, and so far as tested, a good bearer. Fruit is of an excellent quality. A seedling of the Miner, though its broad and heavy foliage shows that it is crossed with some variety of the American family. Moreman. — This variety originated on the Atlantic coast and is possessed of some value. Fruit medium in size, of the brightest red, and is so glossy as to have the appearance of being var- nished. It is an immense bearer, and the fruit will keep for two weeks more after ripe. One of the latest varieties we have which adds to its value. The descriptions of the last five varieties named are from H. A. Terry of Iowa, who is as good authority on this fruit as any in the west. They have not yet been fruited at this station. JAPAN PLUMS. Much discussion is had upon the origin and value of these very interesting plums. My exper- ience so far with them is almost neutral. Trees have not had proper care, but have given strong evi- dence of great usefulness, though at present it is not advised to plant largely much north of central Iowa. The Burbank Ogon and Botan have been fruited, and while smaller than was anticipated are very handsome, and of good quality. Dr. Dennis, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has made a PLUMS. 155 specialty of them, and is very warm in their praise; says they have fruited full after twenty-six below. It is believed that they will be of great value in the south, and as far north as stated, but there is another possibility, perhaps probability, that they will make excellent fathers for seedlings from our natives, by cross-fertilization, and this is being practiced very largely in some parts of the south, especially by P. J. Berkmans, of Augusta, Ga., and J. L,. Normand of Marksville, La. But few varieties will be noticed, and those only which have been grown in the north and recom- mended by reliable growers. Abundance (Botan). --Trees strong, handsome upright grower, and early and abundant bearers. Fruit as grown here about i ^ inches in diameter, oblong, bright red with a heavy bloom. Flesh yellow, very sweet, rich and juicy. For eating from the hand it is excellent, but for culinary pur- poses it lacks acidity and tone. Best for dessert. Season, August. Burbank. — This is practically, both in fruit and tree like the foregoing, but the fruit is yellow and sweet, more globular, and much in quality like the first. Both these are hardy at Concord. Season late, July or early August. Satsuma. — Tree a fair grower, but not as good as the others. Fruit is smaller but of good size, and a very small pit; purple to dark red in color, with a heavy bloom; flesh dark red with red juice, and very good quality. Season, late August. 156 PLUMS. Ogon. — Is not more than hardy enough for southern Nebraska, and is tender and worthless in the northern part of the state. Fruit larger than the Botan, nearly round, or slightly flattened, smooth, bright golden-yellow and of best quality. Season, early August. There are many varieties listed that have not been tried sufficiently in the north to determine their value, such as KeJsey (tender), Simoni (worth- less), Willard (very early twenty -six Botan) Nor- mand, Chabot, Baily, Yellow Japan (said to be hardy at the north) Hattankin, Sweet Botan, Shira Shomo -and others. CHAPTER XI. Peaches and Apricots. IT is believed that peaches can be grown success- fully and profitably as far north as the apple can, by giving winter protection. They are so grown near Scotland, S. D. , and quite successfully still further north without, any protection whatever. There are two ways of affording this protection. (1) by laying down and covering with earth and (2) by training on a low trellis made for the pur- pose, to be covered by litter and snow in winter; the latter is preferred. To lay them down it is necessary that they should be planted with this in view. Plant one year-old buds and instead of spreading the roots out in all directions, flatten them, say north and south, mak- ing them all lie east and west. It will be better to choose some spot for the orchard where it can be irrigated, to soften the ground and facilitate the the work of laying down. The ground being wet the tree is partially undermined both on the north and south side and the tree is quite easily crowded over to a horizontal position, where it is fastened by stakes and covered, first with some coarse litter 158 PEACHES AND APRICOTS. and following with some earth and clods to keep it in its place. When taken up early in May, the tree should not be raised to a perpendicular position, but only raised a few feet, as it will do as well and be much more easily put down the next fall. There will be a difference in the time to take the cover off in different latitudes. The proper time is when there is the first indication of growth, which will be seen, as many of the twigs will be exposed. It is also well to place some litter under as well as over them to prevent the buds from rest- ing on rhe ground where they are apt to rot if soil is very wet. This process of covering can be repeated till the trees are five to eight years old and large enough to bear two or three bushels of fruit each. There is another method adopted by Peter M. Gideon by which he has been able to grow them successfully in Minnesota for many years. Prof. Budd also recommends this plan. A tree of one year's growth from the bud is used, which will be from 3 to 4, and perhaps 5 feet high. In the fall this is trimmed up to a single stem; that is, all the side branches are cut off. The tree is now laid down as has been directed, by softening the ground with water and partially undermining it, when it is covered as directed. The next spring the covering is removed, and a forked stake is driven over the trunk about midway to prevent this part of the tree from rising, when the top is PEACH KS AND APRICOTS. 159 raised in a curved position, and staked there where it is allowed to grow nearly naturally. The advantage in this plan is that the laying down each fall does not necessitate the disturbance of the roots, and the long curve, by partly bending and partly twisting will readily yield to pressure, and take a horizontal position. This may be repeated several years, and when too large to handle practically, one of the lower branches may be sub- stituted for the original tree, which will be cut away, and the same operation repeated with the new tree. To train upon a trellis. — Suppose we have a single row of trees along the east or south side of a grove, or other obstruction that will catch snow, and if by a grove far enough from it so that the roots will not reach out and rob our trees. Set a row of posts with the row and about 2 feet from it, and 16 feet apart. Set another row paral- lel with the first, and about 6 feet from it. These posts may all be common fence posts, but may be cut in two in the middle, if of good length, so that when set they will stand up about 18 inches. Nail some 2 by 4 strips along the tops of these, edge up, and it will be well to support them in the middle also, by nailing on a piece of board there, one end resting upon the ground. This done we will staple a smooth fence wire to one corner and take it across and back, stapling at each side, till the whole frame is covered, and the wires being in the middle about a foot apart. This l6o PEACHES AND APRICOTS. is to hold the trees under, and in place of this wire any pieces of boards may be used, but the wire is cheaper and better. If the wire is used it will be necessary also to prevent spreading in the middle to get some long light poles, or "bats" from the lum- ber yard and staple them on midway between our stringers, and running parallel with them. The trellis is now done and the next and last operation is bending the trees down and thrusting them under it. The peach is a rank grower, and if no further attention is given it, it will soon grow up through this trellis to such a height as to prevent covering it practically. It will be necessary frequently dur- ing the summer to look them over and bend back and under the wires such shoots and branches as have grown long enough to admit of it. A little labor applied at odd times during the summer will keep these perfectly under subjection so that few shoots will be above the trellis. In this position covering is an easy matter. A good load of straw from the machine will cover twenty to thirty trees. If they should get in addi- tion to this a good covering of snow, which in this position is quite likely,* it will add to the probabili- ties of a crop, though there is little danger of failure without it, even less than there is in the peach countries, as there are always enemies to the peach there that we shall not meet here. Should the trees set very full of fruit it is advis- able to thin it out considerably, and we shall get PEACHES AND APRICOTS. Ibl more fruit in weight, and of a much better quality than if they are all allowed to mature, and the strain will be less upon the trees. The best ground for this orchard will be the highest practicable location that the place affords, and the ground should not be very rich . In time, if fruit is not up to size the ground can be fertilized by a liberal top dressing of well rotted stable manure. The hardiest and most successful varieties for this system will be the Alexander, Wager, Hill's Chili, Tong-Pa, Kilbourn and Salway. The Pop- lar is a very hardy peach, but small and of only fair quality. The trees may be planted in this manner 6 to 8 feet apart, and if in course of time they become too much crowded, each alternate one may be cut away, but they will bear several good crops at this distance. It is believed that the peach will, in the near future, be grown successfully and profitably as far north as 42, and without protection of any kind, giving a crop once in two or three years. They have been grown here at times, and a few specimens of the Poplar were grown in 1890 after the intense cold of January in that year, in which the mercury sank to 34 below, and at several times in the same winter it was more than 20 below. It is a singular fact that the same cold wave that gave that very low temperature here gave the same at Wymore, Nebraska, which is nearly to the Kansas line. The 1 62 PEACHES AND APRICOTS. peach makes its wood and fruit buds the same year, and if the wood or main branch is not killed we can depend upon the buds every year, and when the season is favorable a crop of fruit will follow. It is conceded that it is not necessarily the degree of cold that kills the buds. Under some circum- stances they will go safely through more than 20 below, while at other times, as in the present win- ter, from 1 6 to 18 has destroyed them. Just what the conditions are that make such a difference in the ability of these buds to withstand this cold at one time and to be destroyed by a much lesser degree at another time, is not positively known, consequently we do not know what we should try to supply. I have noticed in examining these buds in different winters that when the buds in the fall are very solid and appear to be well stored with starchy or glutinous appearing matter they are in condition to go through the winter better than when they seem dry and husky. In such condi- tion as this they kill at a not very low temperature^, The same is true of the cherry and apricot. It is believed that a lack of moisture in the earth at the time the buds are maturing is the one great cause of their weakness, and if we could con- trol this, which we frequently can, we shall have reduced the risk from this source to its lowest terms. In this connection let us refer to ' ' Adaptabilty of Varieties, etc.," in chapter 2. Natural trees from pits planted where they are PEACHES AND APRICOTS. 163 .0 grow, have proved, as a class, much hardier both in tree and fruit bud than the budded varieties. For this reason \ve recommend those who live much north of the peach belt, to plant pits from northern grown fruit. There is little loss, even if no fruit whatever is produced, while the chances are that the little ground occupied by the trees will at frequent periods give good returns for its use. If nothing better the trees will be worth their room for firewood, as the peach will make it nearly as rapidly as any of the trees that are planted with that express object. Plant in the fall as soon as the fruit is borne, plant in rows, 6 to 8 feet apart, and the pits a foot or more in the rows. The first winters they should all be covered, after that let them try which has the best right to life, and the weak ones will be cut out from year to year and in this way those remaining will be thin enough, perhaps, to bear several crops with little attention. To illustrate this: A Mr. Joseph Katiffman, who lives in Township 98, Range 55, in Turner Co., S. D., planted a number of peach pits from Nebraska grown fruit in about the year 1881, and in 1891 had a crop of from 8 to 10 bushels, and had fruit for his family in '92 and '93, and some at various times previous to this. When we consider that these trees went through more than 30 degrees below in the winter of 1889- 90 and bore this fine crop of fruit in 1891; it seems little less than marvelous. 164 PEACHES AND APRICOTS- There is one variety that reproduces itself true to variety from seed, and this is the tree, if any, that will in the indefinite future, as prophesied by one of our best horticulturists, be the one that will "Grow in the north, side by side with the apple." This may seem improbable, but we must, from the facts we already have, admit that it is easily possible. The variety referred to is the Wager and the pits will in a year or more undoubtedly be upon the market. RUSSIAN APRICOT. In 1890 the Iowa Horticultural Society passed the following resolution unanimously: That the Tree Blackberry is a fraud, and the Apricot, Prunus Simoni, Salome apple and Keiffer pear are too tender for general planting in Iowa. As a whole little exception can be taken to this, but the Apricot (Russian) deserves a little better fate than to be ranked with the balance of the list. Even in this the resolution was judicious at that time, as varieties had not, and have not yet even, established a positive character by which they could be fairly judged. Our first experience with these trees dates back to 1885, when several seedlings were planted, and a list of named varieties were top worked on the Miner plum. These varieties were Alexander, Catharine, Alexis, Budd, Gibb and Nicholas. These have become large trees, but have only borne PEACHES AND APRICOTS. 165 an occasional specimen of fruit. From this it is believed that the plum is an uncongenial stock for the apricot. To add to this testimony, many of these varieties budded at the ground surface on the common wild plum stocks grow finely till an inch or more in diameter when they broke off under the strain of a moderate wind, as directly as though cut off with a saw. It is surmised that the apricot is condemned too soon, and more for the reason that it is worked on an uncongenial stock than from reason relating specially to the tree itself. From the first its hardiness of tree has been apparent. In this it is the equal of our ordinary apple list at least such as Winesap, Ben Davis, Jonathan, etc. The trouble seemed to be in tenderness of fruit buds which killed usually at from 18° to 20° 'below, about the same as the peach. In the winter of 1891-2 there was a degree of cold most uncommon here of 34° below. At the time of the next thaw following this it was discov- ered, greatly to the surprise of all, that the fruit buds were very little injured, and some fine fruit was grown the following summer. This effectually closed the argument of tender fruit buds. There is upon the ground of this station one seedling apricot eight years from the seed, that bore about one bushel of fruit the past summer (1893), after a hard, dry winter in which 28° below was recorded. This tree is 15 feet high, has a spread of 12 feet and a circumference of 22 inches. 1 66 PEACHES AND APRICOTS. The fruit is greenish yellow, about i ^ inches in diameter, free stone and very juicy and sweet. It is a fine dessert fruit. It is believed that there is no established variety of this tree that can be safely recommended at present for this latitude, but as there are many not tried here, this may be an erron- eous conclusion. We advise every one to plant the pits, or one or two year old seedlings, and, unless all indications so far given by this tree are delusive and deceptive, we shall soon have a fruit here that will solve the problem, "The Peach for the North," whichisatthe present time enlisting the best efforts of some of our best horticulturists and experimenters. When we succeed in growing the Russian apri- cot as far north as the apple is grown, there will be little; or at least less need of the peach, for it will take its place for most purposes. Too much importance cannot be attached to this matter. This fruit will in the next ten years make for itself a permanent place in the list of hardy northern fruits. The pits can be bought at many of the larger seed stores, and can be planted either in fall or spring. If in the spring, they should be cracked carefully, and planted about 2 inches deep. If planted in the fall before drying, and the ground is moderately moist, they will burst the shell by the action of the frost. The kernel of the nut or pit is equal to the almond in quality, only being smaller. PEACHES AND APRICOTS. 167 There is a variety originated with Budd, that it may be well to refer to, named by him Shense, but also called Acme. The originator of this variety says it is u From seed sent me by N. W. Clima. It is the only hardy apricot I know of, that bears a large fruit of excel- lent quality. The tree is hardier than any of the Chicasa plums." There is little doubt of the accu- racy of the above, but the fruit buds may prove tender. Again, it is not certain, nor even probable, that the trees propagated from this will be as hardy as the original seedling. The same is true of many other fruits, and especially apples. There are many that are perfect ( ' Iron Glads' ' when standing as natural seedlings, that are worth- less propagated by any known method. CHAPTER XII. Cherries. /CHERRIES are divided into two general classes; ^^ sweet and sour. The former comprise the Mazzards, Hearts and Bigareaus, and, as they do not succeed in the west will not be considered, except to make the remark that in rare cases the Gov. Wood has produced some fruit. This belongs to the Bigareaus, is light greenish in color and faintly blushed. It is nearly sweet. I have not tested this variety in northeastern Nebraska, but have not heard of its succeeding anywhere in the state. In quality it is better for all purposes than the Dukes or Morellos, having acid enough to make it a good culinary fruit. Prof. Budd says 26 Oriel is a sweet cherry from Central Asia and will thrive and fruit anywhere the Richmond will do well. It is on the grounds at this station but not yet sufficiently tested to give an opinion. The sour cherries that are common in the, west are among the surest of all the orchard fruits, and require the least attention. • If there is such a thing as the lazy man's fruit it is the sour cherry. This tree will succeed where the apple will not thrive 169 170 CHERRIES. well. In the shifting and drifting sands of the northwest "'Sand Hills" it is almost as sure a crop with a fair share of attention as their native sand cherry. What has been said under the heads of ' ' Orchard Management' ' and 4 ' Making the Orchard' ' wijl apply to the cherry as well as to the apple, with this exception: they may be planted much closer, say for most varieties 8 feet north and south by 16 feet east and west. Should the trees after years inter- fere too much each alternate one may be removed, but this will rarely become necessary. The cherries as well as all other stone fruit is propagated by budding. They are mostly worked on the Mahaleb stock. In planting a cherry there will be a necessity of observing where the point of union is between the stock and the bud, or tree that has grown from it, and set the tree a little below that point. The Mahaleb cherry, while very hardy in root or stock when below ground, is tender when exposed above. It is frequently the case that this wood is left several inches above the ground surface and in such cases in a severe winter it is apt to kill and leave the tree worthless, with a good root and perfect top, but a dead section of a few inches near the ground. In such cases the tree will leaf out and blossom weakly, but soon dries up, as its food is cut off both from above and below. There is another point here to be remembered also. If the tree is planted so deeply that a con- CHERRIES. 171 siderable portion of the variety is below the ground surface, it will strike roots from this wood and from these roots suckers will grow up around the tree and will in time spread to great distances and make a forest of brush that is good for nothing, and the parent tree is robbed of its support and is of little value either. These sprouts of course are the same as the variety from which the roots have spread, and if transplanted and the sprouts from these kept down, the trees will be of considerable value, but not as good bearers as when on Mahaleb roots, and on the whole they are very much of a nuisance, on account of their sprouting proclivities. The cherry should be headed back very severely at planting. If the whole top, or a great portion of it is left, the tree will seldom succeed. It will start to grow almost as soon as it is given the light and warmth, and the owner is apt to think that it is a success when in about a week he will observe that his tree is dying, and will be at a loss to know the reason. Practically the reason is that he did not head it back as directed, but the explanation of the effect is that the buds burst into leaf before the roots had commenced to grow, and the evaporation above could not be supplied from below fast enough to maintain its water supply. In * 'heading back" do not cut off two year old wood, but only that of the last year's growth, and cut from two-thirds to three-fourths of each of these shoots off. It is necessary, in order to get the best results to CHERRIES. keep the trees cultivated and in good growing con- dition. Weeds and grass should not be allowed to mat under them. A good tool to work the ground in this or any other orchard is the disc harrow. It keeps weeds down ; does not ridge up to the trees, and keeps the ground loose and friable. On poor or moderately thin soils it will be well to feed occasionally. To do this spread the surface with fine stable manure, and leave it there. The roots will find it all. Do not undertake to plow it under. If your trees are on a piece of very good ground they will not need this for many years if ever, and if over fed there is danger of injury to the trees. On the Missouri drift soils, and on the higher lands the cherry will be productive for about twenty years; but on the black soil on the Mississippi slopes, about half that time is their average life. In making orchards of mixed fruits, where there has been in some cases a failure on account of the soil being clear sand, there has never been a failure of the cherries especially, and the plums generally. Both thrive well in the sandiest of lands. Varieties — will be described first in their order of value for all purposes. Early Richmond. — Tree a rapid spreading grower, forming a symmetrical, nearly round or slightly coni- cal head, is a very early and prolific bearer; fruit a light red, usually borne in pairs, is very juicy and rich. The stem adheres so firmly to the pit or stone that with care the fruit may all be gath- CHERRIES. 173 ered, leaving the stems and pits still adhering to the tree. This cherry succeeds under more unfav- orable circumstances than any of the others. English Morcllos. — In habit of growth much like the Richmond, but slower, and ultimately makes heavier branches and a larger tree. This tree may be distinguished from the former while dormant by its shorter growth of shoots, and its larger and blunter fruit buds. It does not come into full bearing quite so quick as the Richmond, but becomes equally as good a bearer. Fruit is one- third larger than Richmond, and from three to five weeks later. Even when ripe it may safely be left upon the trees for two weeks more with improve- ment. In color it is a very dark red becoming nearly black when fully ripe, and very rich, meaty, flesh slightly astringent, and with a very small pit. One of the recommendations of this fruit is that the birds seldom molest it. It seems to be a little too sour for them. For culinary purposes this is the best of all the sour cherries. Ostheim. — There are several varieties of the cherry called by this name. There is but one genuine, though the others have more or less merit. It is dwarfish in tree, and like the most of the Russians or North German cherries, is more like an over- grown bush than a tree. It is more in tree and fruit like the" English Morello than the Richmond, although not so good a grower, and finer limbs and twigs, and more upright, but still a spreading habit. It blossoms the earliest of any of the cherries, and 174 CHERRIES. will at times be caught by a late frost. ( It is a strange fact, however, that in the spring of '91 we had a frost so severe as to form ice the thickness of window glass while these trees were in full bloom and they were not injured, but bore a full crop of fruit. This will seldom occur.) When in blossom the tree is like a snow bank, almost purely white. Fruit size of Early Richmond or a trifle smaller; ripens between the two first described, or but little later than the Richmond; is very dark purple and very much better and sweeter than either of the others described. Late Richmond. (Kentish, or Late Kentish).— This is regarded as next in value. Tree better grower than either of the others, and more upright. Fruit very closely resembles the Ostheim, only lighter red. Quality about the same, or a little more acid. Its time of ripening is in this latitude July 10 to 25. With the above varieties where they will succeed, it is not plain what will be needed of a much larger assortment, and consequently there will be no further practical need of describing them. The list that is still kept up by the western propagators and which are recommended by many would be taking them in their order of value: Montmorcncy, Dyehouse, Olivet, Riene Hortense, and Belle Mag- nifique. It is not thought that these will be of value north of latitude 41 which is about the mouth of the River Platte. Below this line in some places the Montmorency is considered only second in CHERRIES. 175 value to the Early Richmond. These are all grown in different parts of the northwest, but if they succeed generally, they are not better than those above described. There is another list of cherries belonging to the same families as above claimed to be much more hardy, and to be capable of profitable production much farther north than the others. They are known as Russians, and are peculiar to that country and to northern Germany. Many of these are upon the grounds of this station but have not been suffici- ently tested as yet to warrant a conclusive opinion. The list will be that recommended by reliable horticulturists of the different northwestern states, who have made a study of them and are best quali- fied to speak for them. There are growing at this station, including the list given below, eighteen varieties, all of which have produced a few specimens, and all seem to be closely allied to the Richmond and Morello, and in time of ripening, color and quality fluctuate between these two sorts, but some of them are of slightly better quality. They are all hardy at Concord. What experience we have had confirms the reports of their value over a wide range of country, especially in the north. Given in the order of their value for all pur- poses: Brussalaer Braune, Oriel 23, Lutovka, Griotto du Norde, June A mare lie, Kings Amar- clle, George Glass, Besarabian, Shadozv Amarelle, Oriel 27, Spate Am arc lie and Shubianka. 176 CHERRIES. Giving them in the order of their ripening we shall have: Oriel 23, June A., Kings A., Bruss- alaer Braune, Lutovka, Griotte du Norde, Oriel 27, George Glass, Spate A., Shadow A.y and Shu- bianka. A description of the last named is given from Prof. Budd of Iowa. "Still another class of late dwarf cherries will prove of value in the dry por- tions of northwest Nebraska. This is represented by our Shubianka and Oriel. They form bushes rather than trees, and bear finely when only 3 or 4 feet high. The leaves are small but firm; the twigs small — too small for grafting; and the habit is that of a large currant bush ; but the fruit is as large as the Early Richmond, with very small pit, firm, dark colored flesh, colored juice, dark purple skin, and very mildly sub-acid when ripe. These bud very nicely on the Bird Cherry (Prunus Penn- sylvanicd) and I think will do as well on the Dwarf Mountain Cherry (Primus Pumilld). On these stocks they would stand on the sandy lands of northwest Nebraska and southeast Wyoming. ' ' Sand Cherry (Prunus pumilld). — This is found growing wild in great profusion in the northern and central parts of Nebraska, and generally over South Dakota. Its habitat appears to be the sands, and poorest lands, but does not take unkindly to good soil and cultivation. It grows from i to 2 or 3 feet high, branching out into a strong bush like the black currants; is perfectly hardy as far north as any one will care to grow fruit of any kind, and CHERRIES. 177 very productive, though in the richer soils it is somewhat less so than in those more natural to it, the sands. The fruit is borne on stems like the cultivated varieties, grows frequently to the size of the Early Richmond, and is nearly black. It is astringent uncooked, but loses this generally when so treated. This is recommended for a stock upon which to work some of the Russian varieties, and it may be a success for this, as the buds take readily, but we think the principal value of this very odd freak will be recognized for its own fruit, which is suc- ceptible of improvement to almost any degree. If it is not improved beyond what it is now- which is improbable — it will still command the attention of northwestern planters and nurserymen, as the fruit in many cases is really good and brings a good price in the market. It buds readily on our native plums making a hardy, graceful weeping tree that is very fruitful. Choke Cherry. — Here is another fruit that should not be neglected much longer. Like the foregoing it is entirely hardy in the extreme north, but it is more dwarfish in these higher latitudes. It is also astringent, which is relieved by cooking. The tree grows to about 8 or 10 feet in height, under favorable circumstances, but is more com- monly found little more than half that. The fruit is borne in racemes, like the black cherry, and can be grafted or budded upon it, but probably not upon the sand cherry. It is light 178 CHERRIES. and sometimes dark crimson when fully ripe, and at times nearly black, and I have seen specimens that would measure y2 inch in diameter and almost free from astringency. Those who have the oppor- tunity should choose the pits from these best varie- ties and plant, and by selecting and continuing we may get a fruit that will rival or surpass the Dukes and Morellos. The fruit when cooked has a pecu- liar nutty and aromatic flavor that is pleasing to all. The tree is very ornamental, always standing erect with straight smooth stems, beautiful heavy blunt leaves, and when in blossom it is very orna- mental, and very fragrant. Its weak point for the lawn is its tendency to spread by suckering. This is not the Choke cherry of botany which is P. Vir- giniana, this being P. demisa. CHAPTER XIII. Small Fruits. STRAWBERRIES. SOME one has said: "Doubtless God could have made a better fruit than the Strawberry, but doubtless God never did." Best of all, it can probably be grown through more latitude than any other fruit. Growing as it does so near the ground it is easily covered, and in this condition the sever- ity of the winter has but little effect upon it. It can almost be said to thrive wherever wheat can be successfully grown. The person who is to grow strawberries, or any of the fruits that will be described in this chapter, for market, on an extended scale will provide him- self with some of the many works devoted specially to their culture; but as this is for the home and home maker, we can only give such directions as will be necessary for his guide to this end. These plants are of two general classes; Stami- nate and Pistilate. The former are bisexual, hav- ing both stamins and pistils, and require no other than their own pollen to produce fruit; while the latter have only the pistils or female organs and 179 l8o SMALL FRUITS. require a staminate variety near them for this pur- pose. (See Fig. i, page 87.) As "Nature abhors self-fertilization" it is found that the results are not so good where we rely upon the former alone as where both are mingled. These words are abbreviated by the use of "S" for the former and "P" for the latter, and are generally used in the proportion of two of the pistilates to one of the staminates. They may be mingled in the same row for home use, but for market the rows are alternated, in order to keep the fruit separate which adds to its appearance. It is also recommended that the same rule shall be followed for the home as well. Try to forget that there is to be a "strawberry bed" but plant in long rows. This is not so necessary in town, in small gardens as in the country where there is supposed to be more room for this purpose, and the object is to save hand labor by using the horse and cultivator. (This will apply equally as well to all such veget- ables as are usually grown in "beds".) Select a good piece of rich ground that is not foul with weed seed, and has not been manured recently with cow manure, as it is apt to be full of white grubs, which are very destructive to the plants. Plow it deeply and carefully to turn under all trash upon the top that may contain foul seed, and smooth with the "planker" or clod crusher, one of the cheapest and best of all the farm imple- ments. The ground being smooth and in the best possible condition, stretch a line across and walk SMALL FRUITS. l8l back on it which will furnish sufficient guide for the planter, with no line in his way. Lay off all the ground in this way, and we are ready to plant. If both sexes are to be used, plant the Stami- nates in the first row and follow with two rows of the Pistilates and repeat till all are planted. We have found the spade to be the best tool to do this with. A man goes before, walking backward, and pressing the spade into the ground draws it back till there is sufficient room between it and the wall of earth back of it to insert the plant. The roots must be spread out fan shaped, and the plant placed as near as may be in a natural position. This is done by an assistant, and as the spade is withdrawn, the man will with his foot press the ground from him and downward till it is firm about all the roots. This is sometimes done by the assistant with the hands. It matters not if it is done well and no cavities left about the roots. Set about i foot in the row. The plants may be carried in a shallow vessel, sometimes water is kept in it but this is not neces- sary, and makes the roots harder to separate. Never wet the crown of the plant before setting. If they are dry when received, wet the roots only, and especially if the weather is very dry, clip off most of the large leaves with knife or scissors before planting. This may generally be done while they are in the bunch. Strawberries should be cultivated often and the ground kept not only free from weeds but in a good 1 82 SMALL FRUITS. friable condition. Cultivate once a week and always after a rain as soon as the ground is in just the right condition. The matted row is the best system for home cult- ure. This consists in allowing the runners to root along the line till they have formed a close row of from 12 to 15 inches wide. Such afield is good for about three years, when there will be a decrease in the size and quantity of fruit. To renew this, there are several ways. One of the best is to let the runners go free the third year, then in July after all the fruit has been gathered, mow the whole as if it were a meadow and when dry burn it off. This will not hurt the young plants, and is generally practiced yearly by some ol our best growers. The next year the cultivator will be used to plow up the old rows, keeping the new for the succeeding crops. During the summer mow some prairie grass before it has matured any seed and let it cure in the cock, for winter covering. Do not cover till the ground is frozen slightly. These plants will grow up to this time and if covered before growth has stopped they will smother out. It is generally enough to cover till all plants are out of sight, but more will do no hurt. This material will not blow off easy, but if there is danger of it a few corn stalks or other heavy matter may be scattered upon the covering. There is a time when the first fruit commences to color that the plants require water to produce a SMALL FRUITS. 183 good crop. If there is no rain at about this time, and the beds can be irrigated from some well tank or otherwise it will assure the ripening of the crop. Sometimes a plantation may be located with this in view, placing it on ground near to and lower than the water tank. After the first year the field is not cultivated till the fruit is picked, then it is kept in good condi- tion by cultivating and pulling the weeds or mow- ing and burning as above, following with the cul- tivator. Should there not be sufficient rubbish upon the ground to burn rapidly it will be well to scatter on a thin coating of straw. A fair yield of strawberries is about 2,000 quarts to the acre though there are records of 200 bushels or over 6,000 quarts, the Crescent and Warfield No. 2 having given the highest amounts. Both are pistilates, and fertilized with Capt. Jack, Piper or Jessie. A few only of the best varieties will be de- scribed. Bcder Wood, S. — Where one does not wish to take the trouble of arranging a plantation with both sexes this is the best variety for the Missouri valley, and gives universal satisfaction. It is a good pollenizer, and can be used with any other variety blooming at the same time as a "help meet." It is especially good with the Warfield No 2. Ivight red, conical, early, large to very large, good quality, and fair shipper; makes runners very freely and is very productive. 184 SMALL FRUITS. Jessie, S. — Dark red, conical, medium to late, larger than above and of better quality, not so good a shipper and not so productive, though in the Mississippi valley it is considered one of the best. Parker Earle, S. — Named in honor of Mr. Earle of Texas, who originated it. It is one of the most promising of the newer sorts, and has become standard with many of our best growers. Ivike the Jessie it ripens uniformly and colors all over alike. It is claimed to have produced 12,000 quarts to the acre. In color and size much like the B. Wood, but ripens later, and is a better shipper. Capt. Jack, S. — This is one of the older tried sorts, and is very good, and can be used with good effect as a fertilizer of most of the desirable varie- ties. Is dark crimson, medium size, very good quality, an excellent shipper, but not as prolific as the B. Wood or Earle. As it cannot be expected that the plant which furnishes its own pollen can have the ability to also compete with those females who have only the fruit to produce, we intersperse these as has been described, and the following list is believed to be sufficient for all purposes. Warfield, P. — The only berry that has been able to dislodge the Crescent in productiveness, and as it is of better quality it is for all purposes, where it has been tried, its superior. Deep red, colors all over, very conical, medium to large, and holds out in size well to the last picking. This and the B. Wood will make an excellent combination for all purposes. SMALL FRUITS. 185 Crescent, P. — Too well known to need descrip- tion. It has a place in all the large growers plan- tations, and is a most excellent and very prolific variety. Quality is only good. Its principal merit is in its productiveness and shipping qualities. Is fertilized by Jessie and Capt. Jack. Bubach No. 5, P. — This is the largest of the productive sorts, but as grown here is of poor qual- ity, and will not ship to any great distance. Is coxcomb shaped, light red, and a very strong grower. Specimens grown here have measured 2^/2 inches in diameter. Is fertilized with Jessie or Beder Wood. Haverland, P. — This variety has the reputation of standing drouth better than most of the others. It is a strong grower, and roots very deeply, and is free from rust which attacks many of the others in the eastern states, but which at present has given little trouble in the west. Early, productive, and large to very large, ripens evenly, and is a good shipper and market berry; blooms with the Beder Wood, which will make a good fertilizer for it. RASPBERRIES. These are of two families, the Antwerp and black cap. The former are generally red, and called Antwerps (rubus strigosus), while the latter are black, purple or yellow, and known as Black caps, or Thimble berries (R. occidentallis). In ordi- nary language these are known as the red and the black, though the color should be different. The. l86 SMALL FRUITS. former propagate from sprouts thrown up from the roots of the parent and are called suckers, while the latter do not sucker, but propagate by the recurved tips taking root in the soil. These are called tips, or, more properly, stolons. They are among our most valuable hardy small bush fruits, but, like the blackberry, they do best in sheltered positions. Where the canes (bushes) are liable to winter killing, in latitude 42 or south, it is believed to be generally due to the drying and wrenching winds of winter more than to the intensity of the cold. This is also true of the grape. Where there is this liability it is an easy matter to cover them and in this manner insure a crop almost without peradventure. If planted in an orchard of trees large enough to be of considerable shelter, they will not generally need further pro- tection, or they will do in the place least favorable to the apple orchard, where well sheltered from the north and west winds. Prepare the ground as for strawberries, and plant for a considerable field 4x8 feet; cultivate as for corn. For a small lot for home use they can be grown in a matted row system, or an approach to that method. Plant 2 feet in the row and the rows 8 feet apart. The nurseryman hears more complaint from the planters of the failure of the raspberry than any other plant or tree. This is measurably so of the snowball, and for the same reason, namely, the great mass of fine roots which they bear. If these SMALL FRUITS. 187 are properly spread out and earth worked among them, they will grow if received in good condition; but if stuffed into a hole, with no earth in contact with any but the outside roots, those in the center will soon mould and heat and, of course, die. There is another great cause of failure to get the plants to grow. There is left on all plants of the black cap family a part of the old cane from which the tip grew merely for the purpose of a handle for bunching, etc. It is not necessary and is only left on for convenience in handling. This is, per- haps, 8 inches long. Many planters presume this is to make the future plant and set the stolon proper so deep that the new plant which is to grow from the crown down in among the .fine roots will never get through to the ground surface. They must be planted deep enough so they will not dry out, and at the same time not so deep that the buds, which will always show at the crown, cannot readily force their way through. The canes will usually make quite strong bushes the first year and give something like one-fourth to a half crop the succeeding season. They are also apt the first year to run on the ground and not form the bush habit. No stolons should be allowed to take the first summer, as it weakens the plant too much. The first fall cut the canes back to about a foot all around from the crown, and the next summer, as the new canes grow up stocky and thrifty, pinch off the ends when at about 2>< to 3 feet high, and keep up this 1 88 SMALL FRUITS. practice, not allowing them to grow higher than this. By this treatment they will branch out and better mature their wood; besides they will inter- lace with each other and make a self-support. The raspberry makes its wood one year, bears its fruit upon it the next, and dies soon after the fruit is gathered. This old wood, being of no further use, should be cut out and burned. If they are not to be covered for winter, a heavy mulch applied to the ground between the rows has been found of great benefit in preventing winter killing. Much of this damage is due to drying, and the mulch holding the moisture in the ground, and by some process which we are not acquainted with this moisture is supplied by the roots to the tops, even in the freezing weather of winter. The above instructions are given expressly for the care of the black caps, but is applicable to the red in every particular except to the difficulty of transplanting. If the suckers are allowed to grow freely from the red raspberries, there will be but little fruit. They must be kept down, and there will be a very heavy and desirable crop. The raspberry will yield about one- half as much fruit to the acre as the strawberry. (See "Black- berry" for directions for covering.) Turner. — This is the best and hardiest of all the reds. Fruit is light crimson, good size and of the first quality. Cuthbert. — Very much like the Turner, but not SMALL FRUITS. 189 so hardy and not as good quality. Is a valuable sort where they are to be covered. Shaffer1 s Collossal. — This is a cross between the reds and blacks, and is a dark purple, very large, nearly double the size of the Turner and of excel- lent quality. Is very difficult to propagate, as the tips will not take root unless pinned down, and then frequently do not. It is not as hardy as the Turner, generally killing every winter in the northern half of Nebraska. It should have winter protection. Souhegan. — Is the hardiest of all the black caps and stands at the head of the list for the north. Canes are intensely thorny, more so than any of the others. Fruit of medium size and best quality. It will stand in many places without protection, but if it is found to injure can be covered there- after, with the loss of but one crop. Tyler. — Same as Souhegan. Gregg. — In the Mississippi valley this is the most profitable berry grown. Is at home on the black soils of that locality. It is the largest of all tli9 true black caps, and when fully ripe has a purplish tint. Quality best. Does not succeed so well in the northern Missouri valley where it is too tender. Older. — These have been planted largely by us in the last year, but as yet it is too early to give a description on their merits, but copy the descrip- tion given by a large grower, who is perfectly reliable: "This originated in northeastern Iowa about 10 190 SMALL FRUITS. years ago. I have now grown it four years. Last season I kept an account of all my raspberries as I picked them, and the Older produced 50 per cent more fruit than any of them on the same amount of ground. The Older is jet black, no bloom, about as large as the Gregg, three days later than Tyler or Souhegan in time of ripening, and about six days earlier than Gregg. S. T. Ballard, of Wisconsin, says of the Older's good qualities in the Kansas Review: " 'First — Its hardiness to withstand all the win- ters as far north as the Wisconsin line, where I am growing it,and perhaps as far north as L,ake Superior. " 'Second — It is perfectly drouth-proof, always ripening all its fruit into fine berries, when Gregg, Ohio, Tyler, Souhegan and Milbourn dry up and not half be fit to pick. ' ' 'Third — It will produce more fruit to a yard of row than any other berry. It ripens six days in advance of the Gregg. ' ' 'Fourth — The berries average larger than any other the season through. They are coal black, with the richest and thickest of juice, and the smallest seeds of any black cap, hence is best for table use and canning.' "So far as my judgment goes after fruiting it for four years, I think Mr. Ballard' s estimate is correct. ' ' The Doolittle, Mammoth Cluster and Hopkins have merits, but with the above it is not thought that they will be necessary. SMALL FRUITS. 1 91 BLACKBERRIES. With a little care this fruit may be grown suc- cessfully wherever Indian corn is a success, and, with laying down and covering in winter much further north, provided there is sufficient rainfall. An extended drouth at or near the time of ripening is fatal to the fruit, as it dries up badly. For this reason it will be well in selecting the location for the small fruit patch to locate it where it can be irrigated from the tank or well. In most parts of South Dakota where there is cheap artesian water this will become an easy task, and is one of the many advantages that this highly favored state enjoys, yet seems not to be fully appreciated. The presence of an artificial or other pond near the orchard or fruit garden is of great benefit, aside from its value for other purposes. Where this fruit is raised along garden fences or the edges of timber belts, without cultivation, as it frequently is and very successfully, too, the danger of these drouth periods are greater than where grown in cultivated land checked off like corn. Where there is plenty of rainfall the blackberry succeeds well grown in the cottonwood groves, provided that the trees are not too close and the ground is good. They will probably succeed as well in the orchard or in the ash groves, but they are a failure in the box elders. In the above it is supposed that they are to be grown by what is known as the "slip shod" manner, that is, no particular work except planting and 192 SMALL FRUITS. picking the fruit. I have seen some fine planta- tions of this kind that produced large quantities of fruit. One patch is now in my mind, near Wisner, Nebraska, consisting of about three-fourths of an acre, that has not for years made a failure, except from drouth causes. They are grown in an old cottonwood grove; the trees are very large but not very close. The entire patch is a bramble, the old dead canes are not even cut out, but they make a growth yearly of 8 to 10 feet in height and are very productive. These are the Snyders ; but there is in the same grove a smaller patch of Kittitinnies that only bears at rare intervals. This mode of growing is only a makeshift, but is much better than nothing, and many are so situated that they will follow this plan and almost get something for nothing. The better way is to devote proper time and space to them, and make a success. If near a market they will always be in demand at good prices, and will be found to be a much more profitable crop than wheat or corn. If not near a market we have found that among the neighbors there has always been a good market for any surplus fruit. Select a piece of good land, not the black muck of the river bottoms, but a rich clayey loam. Plow deeply, aud put it in the best condition. The ground may be laid off with a corn marker and the plants set only in each alternate row. This will make them something like 4x8 feet apart. If practicable let the rows run north and south. SMALL FRUITS. 193 There are but two varieties of this fruit that nave been sufficiently tested in the northwest that can be recommended, the Snyder and Ancient Briton; plant half of each kind alternating the rows. Good plants will always have at the bottom of the cane a cross section of root. Where the plants are carelessly taken up this cross root is pulled off and left in the ground, leaving only the stub for the purchaser. Such plants rarely grow, and it is essential that we get a stand the first planting. Keep the cultivator running; keep down all weeds and keep the ground in the best condition. If we get a good growth this year we may look for nearly half a crop ot fruit the next season. If in a section where there is danger of winter killing by leaving them up, we will cover them in October or November. Three men will be required to do the work to the best advantage. The first with a heavy pair of buckskin gloves gathers the canes into a bunch, and as he presses them down one takes a spadeful of earth away from the roots in the direction that the plants are being laid, while the other puts his spade in deeply on the opposite side, cutting some of the roots, and the plant is easily bent close to the ground. It will be enough generally to pin them there or secure them by laying on some branches of trees. In this condition they will generally go through the winter all right, but if in a very cold and windy climate it is better to cover lightly, either with earth or some litter that will protect them better from the drying wind. 194 SMALL FRUITS. Three men will lay down and cover about one acre per day. The distance apart as above will give about 1,400 plants to the acre. The third year they will be in full bearing and will with good care yield about 3 to 4 quarts to the bush, and in some cases have produced more than double that. The Snyder is somewhat hardier than the Ancient Briton and will be the only plant proper for the ' 'slip shod" system. It will not yield like the latter, nor hold out the size of fruit to the last picking like it. Both are" excellent fruits, and good shippers. In placing the canes back the next spring, do it early, and do not try to get them to stand upright. Those laying near the ground produce the best and most fruit. If the patch is thoroughly mulched so as to keep down weeds and suckers, it will add to the yield and save the labor of cultivating. This will also, in case they are not laid down be a great preventive of root or cane killing. Cut the old wood out as soon as the fruit is off and the bushes begin to fail. A strong knife welded to the shank of a hce, and used on the handle, the blade standing at a right angle to it will be found an excellent tool for this work. CURRANTS. This fruit, like the strawberry and gooseberry, is one that will thrive in the extreme northern limit of the wheat belt, is easily cared for, and no farm or town garden should be without a yearly supply. It requires the best of ground, and a partially SMALL FRUITS. 195 shaded situation. The north side of a board fence or row of wild plums, or, better, Russian Mulberrier will furnish this. For field culture plant rows 6 to 8 feet by 2 to 3 in the row. The ground must be of the best, and then they will be benefitted by a yearly application of stable manure. Keep them cultivated and the ground in a loose, mellow condition, in order to keep it moist. A heavy mulching of sawdust or partly rotted straw, applied in the fall after the leaves have been shed, will insure a crop which in other cases might fail. It will be left on indefinitely, and save culti- vation. This is especially desirable in sandy lands, and in places where they cannot have the shade referred to, as it prevents the ground from becom- ing -too hot, and supplies some moisture to the foliage. The currant starts to grow very early in the spring, and if young plants are received that show much starting of the buds the tops should be cut off to near the ground. The same treatment should be given if they appear to be dry when received. This is very important. The White Grape is the best of the white varie- ties, and with us has. been the most prolific of any. It is also for home use the best of any in quality, but is not so good as a market variety as the red ones, as the fancy of the consumer is for the reds. The Victoria stands first of the latter class, is a very strong grower, and makes the largest bush of 196 SMALL FRUITS. any, sometimes standing 3 to 4 feet high ; is prolific as any, and ripens ten days to two weeks later than the Red Dutch, though comes to bearing later. Red Dutch. — One of the oldest of the well-known varieties, and can always be depended upon to do well, but especially so in the heavy black soils of the Mississippi valley. Long Bunched Holland. — This should be tried to some extent by every planter. Where it does well it is one of the best, but in many places does not bear well. It is thought to do better on the heavy clay soils than on the bottoms or prairies. Slow grower while young. Ripens late. Black Naples and Lee* s Prolific have proved to be the best of all the black varieties, but have not with me been worth cultivating in Nebraska, while in eastern Iowa and western Illinois they are valuable. La Versalles is a red variety that is in favor with some, but with the varieties above described will not be necessary. GOOSEBERRIES. As hardy as the currant, and too well known to need much description. It is easily grown treated as has been described for the currant. Its natural home is in the open forest, and rich compost soils of the partly shaded and protected ravines, and along streams. It will not give so good results if allowed to become matted in the rows with grass and weeds as is too frequently the case, and will repay well any extra care that may be given it. SMALL FRUITS. IQ7 The cultivated varieties are much superior, both in size, quality and productiveness, to the wild ones. They may be planted in rows 5 feet apart and the plants set 4 feet in the rows. Larger and better fruit is obtained by judicious pruning in the fall after growth has ceased. Mulching is also of benefit) and is resorted to by many, on account of the diffi- culty of working closely among the canes, where the thorns are somewhat irritating. The gooseberry plant starts the earliest in the spring of any of the small fruits, and if received in a much advanced condition, will not be apt to grow under any but the most favorable conditions. If the tops are cut off to near the ground as soon as planted they will grow readily, and no loss is occa- sioned by it, for it is generally the case that this, or any other plant treated in this way, even if received in the best condition is benefitted by it, and the plant will be as large in the fall as if it had not been cut back. This is of importance. Of the European sorts the Industry has given the best results of any, and in some places has been highly praised. The fruit is very large, frequently as large as a large wild plum, and of excellent flavor, but it is better to try them very lightly, as, like all the other foreign varieties introduced here, it is subject to mildew. Where the varieties described below are easily grown its principal value is in its oddity. The bush grows upright and strong under favorable conditions; in leaf and expression it is like the Downing. 198 SMALL FRUITS. Downing. — The largest of any of the American sorts (and this has foreign blood in it), and stands at the head of the list for the west for all purposes, though with some the Houghton is classed as first Bush quite upright when young, drooping some- what when in fruiting, has large and strong spines, from which it is readily recognized from the Houghton. Fruit is very large, oblong, sometimes i inch the long way by ^ to ^ the other; greenish yellow when ripe and very handsome. Houghton. — Purely American, and one of the largest and surest croppers. Little more than half the size of the last named, it will bear in bulk as much or more. Fruit more of a pinkish cast, and partly transparent, showing the seeds through the skin. The bush is of a trailing habit, and when in full bearing fruit is apt to lay on the ground. Smith1 s Improved. — Is not so good a grower as the Downing, which it resembles, both in bush and fruit, though the fruit is not so large, and of light green color when fully ripe. Is of good quality. Shy bearer in Illinois. DEWBERRIES. A variety of tne blackberry, and is a runner or creeper, sometimes called Running blackberry. In this vicinity they have done no good, while on the clayey bluffs near Sioux City they have been very successful. It is well to try them in a small way, for where they succeed they are very valuable, as SMALL FRUITS. 199 they are enormously productive, and are very easily covered for winter where this is necessary. The vines should be cut to about 12 to 15 inches from the hill in the fall before covering. They do not sprout like the high bush blackberries with this treatment, but if the tops are cut away entirely they will throw up sprouts at some distance from the hills. The lyticretia is the best variety thoroughly tried, but the Bartell is highly recommended. DWARF MOUNTAIN JUNEBERRY. A variety of the old serviceberry or shadberry of the New England states, but is much superior in all respects. It grows but about 4 to 6 feet high and is perfectly hardy. It is also a fine ornamental tree or shrub, bearing an immense load of pure white fragrant flowers very early in the spring. These are followed by a load of dark red or purple berries the size of large peas, and very much the same appearance as the huckleberry. It is fre- quently sold for them, and I am of opinion that some western nurserymen, not being acquainted with that fruit, have done it innocently. It is no more related to the huckleberry than it is to the hickory. The former is of the genus Vaccinium, while the juneberry is Amelanchien. It propagates by suckering, but not to a very considerable degree. The young plants from the nurseries are generally destitute of any but the main root, and it is necessary before planting to 2OO SMALL FRUITS. cut the tops to near the ground to insure their growth. BARBERRY OR BERBERY. Does well in the west, but not as productive as in the New England states, where in many parts it grows wild, and is very prolific and very handsome. The bush grows to the height of 6 to 8 feet, and is covered with spines, which are not troublesome, as they easily break off when pressed. It is little grown in the west, and has the reputation of pro- ducing the rust that starts in the wheat fields. It is generally thought that this is an error, but inves- tigation has determined that this rust is identical with that of the wheat. The fruit is the shape of a grain of rice, but hardly as pointed, deep crimson and borne in racemes, and is largely used for preserves, jellies, or other purposes, being much like the currant in acidity, and very pleasant. It has a large seed which lessens its value for many purposes. The purple-leaved variety is used much for ornament, having bright purple foliage. It also bears fruit, but not so profusely as the other. BUFFALO BERRY. This is confined to the northwest, indigenously, where it grows along the river bottoms, and is easily distinguished at a great distance from the silvery leaves. It is irregular in habit, and grows to the height of 10 feet or more. The tree is dioecious, purely, requiring the two sexes together SMALL FRUITS. 2OI to produce fruit. The berries are some what smaller than the currant which they much resemble both in taste and appearance, being, however, slightly more astringent, and are borne upon short racemous sprigs. The fruit is used for the same purposes as the currant. It is, when removed from its natural habitat, apt to be a shy bearer, but when every- thing is favorable it is immensely productive. CHAPTER XIV. Grapes. is no better fruit for the home garden A and none more easily grown in large quantities than the grape, and there is none more wholesome. Its habit is such that it can be trained to the trellis or upon the building, occupying but little space upon the ground ; it recommends itself as strongly to the villager with his small cottage and few feet of land as to the one with more ample room. Some of the principal requisites of success are a proper location, thoroughly prepared ground, deep and careful plowing and smoothing, good cultivation and judicious training. Most of the good soils of this section are proper for this purpose, but a warm sunny location, with some protection from the north and west as groves or belts of timber, is a desirable one. The rows should be run east and west, as this gives the greatest amount of sunlight to the ground between them. Put the rows 8 feet apart and the plants from 8 to 10 feet in the row. A good one year old vine is preferred to start with. Before planting cut back all the top to one or two buds, and the roots to about 8 to 10 inches. 203 204 GRAPES. We have practiced cutting them much shorter than this and had the best results, and it saves time in planting. These vines are grown from cuttings as will readily be seen, and this cutting should be entirely covered when planted. It has been in the ground for one or two years and has become practically a root instead of a cane as it was. The root of the grape is very sensitive to drying', and if the greater part of this cane-root is left exposed to the air there will be great loss. There is no one thing that causes so much loss to the planter as this. Slant the cutting to the north at an angle of about 45 degrees. Spread the roots out in a natural position but do not make the mistake of placing them in a downward direction. The root of a grape keeps near the surface, and should not be given much of a downward direction below the bottom of the cutting. They must not be allowed to dry, for they will perish in the sun or wind almost as quickly as those of an evergreen. Cultivate thoroughly but not so deeply as to interfere with the roots which run very near the surface. It will not be necessary to put up trellises till the third year, though there will usually be some fruit the second. It is better to set the posts for the trellis about 16 feet apart, and they should be extra length, say 8 feet or 10 would be better, so that when firmly set in the ground the top wire can be 6 feet from the ground. These should be set about a foot or more GRAPES. 205 north of the line of grapes. Use three plain fence wires, the first 2 feet from the ground, one at the top, and one midway. The best fruit will be that which grows the highest. The first and second year do not encourage the vines to climb, but rather keep them as close to the ground as possible. Do not let them spread toward each other, but by staking or weighting, make them all take the same direction. For instance we are on the south side of a row facing it; all vines in this row should grow to the right or left, it matters not which. By this system the vines can be much more easily laid down, and they have the same room as if trained fan shaped, which is usually recommended. There is another object which we accomplish by this; the main canes are for some distance parallel with the ground and close to it. However large they may grow, there will never be any trouble to cover them, as is the case where they are taken out in an upright position, in which case this wood gets so large in a few years, and so rigid as to preclude laying down. Where this is the case with old vineyards they can be renewed by allowing new canes to grow from nearer the ground and when large enough the old ones are removed. Take only three canes from the plant, two is better than four. The lowest of these will of course be carried the furthest horizontally, the middle one next, and the top one but a few inches or a foot. Spread these out upon the wires, giving as near as 206 GRAPES. may be the same amount of space to each, so that when they commence growing they shall cover the trellis evenly. The great fear of the planter is that he will not be able to prune properly. There are several methods employed, but the principle, or the object to be obtained is the same in all cases. Had we not departed from nature, by crowding too many vines upon the ground, it is my opinion that little or no pruning would be required. I have seen a Concord vine that had escaped from its straight jacket, and climbed a dead apple tree, produce more and better fruit than would ordinarily grow upon 4 or 5 vines as ordinarily pruned. Nevertheless, -there are reasons why the close planting is the better. We shall get a full crop of fruit sooner from the same ground than if we plant only one fourth as many vines, which would contemplate waiting till the vines had become as large as the aggregate of the closer planted ones. The amount of fruit where a close pruning system is pursued will be regulated by it. If we allow too much fruit to set it will be smaller, of inferior quality, and is apt not to ripen. Each bud or "eye" is an embryo branch or lateral, which when developed will produce, about three bunches of fruit. In pruning keep this in view. Large strong vines will of course be allowed to bear more than smaller ones. The temptation is always to save too many of these buds, presuming that more buds will bring more fruit. GRAPHS. 2O7 Better have fewer bunches of better quality. This will hold good in any fruit that has a tendency to overbear. By reducing the numbers we shall get the same, or perhaps more in weight that will com- mand a better price, and the tree or vine is relieved of its greatest and most debilitating strain, that of maturing the seeds. Pruning may be done either in the spring or fall. If in the fall, which is preferred, November or late October is a good time. Let us suppose that the vine has been planted two or three years and has three canes 5 -to 6 feet long. There are not at this time any branches to be con- sidered, and we will shorten them to about 3 feet and they are ready for winter cover. The next fall each bud will have made a lateral, and each bearing several buds. - Besides this the main canes will have made an extension of several feet. We will again shorten these to about half their last year's growth, being governed by the growth it has made and the space it is to cover. The laterals will also be shortened to from one to three buds, according to the number of these later- als, and the strength of the vine. When the vine has reached the limits of space reaching to the next vine, it is thought that two buds to each lateral will give the best results. The canes when treated in this way are ready not only for covering, but to go upon the trellis in the spring. It is not best to take them from the cover very early, as the grape starts late, and should be 208 GRAPES. allowed to remain till the buds show some indica- tion of growth, but not till much swollen, as in this condition they are very easily broken off in hand- ling. Tie them up as has been directed, leaving a good space between the wire and cane for expan- sion, and do not pass the cords around the canes as it will grow into them and cut them off. There is a system of laying down without taking from the trellis. Each vine has a trellis of its own consisting of a frame 10 feet long, and as high as required, hinged to solid blocks at the bottom. It has also longitudinal wires. By removing the props it will fall readily to the ground. This is of little benefit as the vines must be taken from the trellis for pruning, and can be done as well from a permanent trellis. The grape arbof is a beautiful addition to the home grounds. It may be costly or very primitive, and cheap in construction, it matters little as it is soon hidden by the mass of foliage and interlacing vines. As the fruit hangs down, it is nearly all in sight from the underside, and there can be no more beautiful sight than that given in one of these shady bowers, tasseled and festooned with purpling clusters of grapes, so sharply defined beneath their canopy of amber and emerald. The best of all sorts for this purpose in a trying climate is the Janesville, which is described below. The object, of course, in laying down these vines is to prevent winter killing, but it comes through the better retention of the moisture in the canes. GRAPES. 209 There are times when vines left on the trellises will go through the most severe winters uninjured, while at other times a less severe winter is fatal to them. When the. vines kill it is not usual that the roots are affected, but in this loss of canes we are set back at least one year. It is believed that the different effect upon the vines in different winters as above, is caused by the con- dition of the ground in the fall as to moisture, and perhaps to the manner in which the canes ripened the previous summer, but in a less degree. It will kill or severely injure plants to freeze them dry, and when there is no moisture, or very little in the ground at the time of freezing, there is danger of a total loss of the plant. This is more especially the case if the plants are young and have not secured a strong hold upon the soil. This is the reason that so many complain that their vines made a fine growth the first year and died the first winter. If there could have been some way to have supplied this moisture, and the vines had been properly covered, this would not have occurred. Even in these dry- est of falls, if the ground has been properly culti- vated there will still be enough moisture retained to carry the plants through, and these losses are generally the fault of the planter. Very many people do not yet realize how important this stir- ring the ground is in a dry climate. It is a mistake to suppose that grapes will ripen in the sunlight better than in a partially shaded position. Many have thought to hurry 210 GRAPES. the ripening process, fearing an early frost, and have picked or cut away the leaves to allow the sun a better chance at them. Instead of hastening it delays it, and if too severely done they will not ripen at all, but burn, sour and drop off. The leaves are the lungs of the plant and as such should be allowed to remain as nature intended. Summer pruning consists of pinching off the growing shoots after the fruit has been all set. This practice is at best very questionable, and as very satistactory results are obtained without it, it should be done sparingly, and then only with a part to learn its effects. Some very rampant growers like the best of the Rogers hybrids might be improved by it if done judiciously. Winter protection. — In parts of the country where there is plenty of rainfall, and the ground is in fairly moist condition in the fall, it is only necessary to lay the vines down and cover with earth, barely enough to say they are covered. This is the usual practice in the Mississippi valley, and the latitude of 40 and below, but further north, in northwestern Iowa, and southwestern Minnesota, and Dakota, it has not proved to be as reliable as the use of mulch of some kind, such as partly rotted straw, corn stalks, &c. Something that will prevent the canes from drying too severely, and will not easily blow off. Many are recommending the putting down and covering the tops only, claiming that the large stems are not hurt by the severest winters. This GRAPES. 211 practice may have been successful at times, and may not subject the vine grower to loss, but the author lost large Concords in 1876 protected in this way, which is a warning that it is not always a safe practice. In varieties the Concord still holds the lead, com- bining more good qualities than any other, though the Worden is a very close competitor. The former is too well known to need a description. It is not of first quality, nor indeed second, though in hardiness, freedom from disease and pro- ductiveness no other grape can show so many good points over so great an extent of territory. To be at its best it should be thoroughly ripened, and when kept carefully for three or four weeks after gathering, it is at least a very good grape. The Worden very much resembles the Concord, both in fruit and vine, but is from ten days to sometimes two weeks earlier, ard of much better quality. Its fault is in having a very thin skin which lessens its value as a market variety, and as a keeper. A great number of varieties are not necessary, though there is generally a disposition on the part of grape lovers to plant every new variety that is presented with a good "pedigree." We will first give a sufficiently large list alphabetically and then name them in the order of their value as we have found them. Agawam (Rogers No. 15). — This together with all the R. Hybrids were obtained from seed of the 212 GRAPES. native fox grape of New England, fertilized by the foreign Black Hamburg. It is light purple, and very large and showy. Quality, good to very good, and a good keeper. Brighton. — Amber or brownish red; berries oblong; medium size or below; bunch very long, shouldered, but not compact. The vine is a vigorous grower, and fruit ripens with or before the Concord. Quality, best. Coe. — This is an old variety that seems not to have taken so good a hold of the public as some others that are far inferior. It is a very early, black grape; bunch and berry small, but an immense bearer and almost as hardy as the Clinton. It is one of the grapes that will do in most locations for the arbor, or where it is not to be protected during winter. It is much better in quality of fruit than the Janesville, and nearly as good a grower. Clinton. — This approaches nearer the type of the wild or ( ' Frost Grape ' ' than any other cultivated variety. It is very hardy; black, bunches small and compact; fruit, below medium size. It has the high vinous flavor of the wild grape, and is valu- able for wine making. Its fault is in bearing a few berries of green fruit in each bunch, which gives it an unsightly appearance. Though the quality is such as to rule it from the list of table grapes, it is, when thoroughly ripe and has been kept for a few weeks, of very fair quality, and by some preferred to the Concord. The leaf is light and thin like the wildings. GRAPES. 213 Concord. — Black, large berry; strong grower; fair quality; hardy, and free from disease. Croton. — A very good, white grape, but quite tender. Not a good grower. Delaware. — This is one of the oldest of the popular pink grapes. It should be in every col- lection; though in some localities it does not succeed well. Bunch and berry very small, but a profuse bearer, and so beautiful as to be sought for in the best markets at the highest price. Quality, best. The vine is a fair grower, but its tendency is to overbear, which, if allowed, will frequently cause its death. Duchess. — This is among the best of the white grapes for all purposes. It succeeds through a wide range; is a great bearer, and best quality. The skin is thick, which makes it a good keeper and good shipper. Bunch and berry medium, and fairly compact. Early Victor. — An early grape of good quality. Black ; bunch and berry small. Not a good grower, but does well on the rich soils along the river bottoms. Elvira. — This grape is to the white ones what the Concord is to the black. It is a standard, and when all others fail can be depended upon to supply the table with a very good crop of fair fruit. Bunch and berry, medium to small. Ripens with the Concord or later. Ruipire State. — A comparatively new grape from New York. It has been, like many others of these 214 GRAPES. new varieties, held at exhorbitant prices. It is, however, among the best of the white class. In quality of fruit it is best, and if we except the Brighton, perhaps the best. Bunch and berry very large; pulp, small, with a very delicious, rather thick and rich juice. It is not as good a grower as some of the others described, but is medium. It is a good keeper. Goethe (R. H., No. i).— Where this excellent grape will ripen it should be in every amateur list. Brown or wine color; very large berry and medium bunch. Quality, best. The best of the R. H. for the West. Lady. — Also a white grape of good quality; closely resembles the Martha, but berry is more transparent and slightly better quality. Good grower and hardy when covered. Martha. — Sometimes called "White Concord" of which it is a seedling. Good grower and hardy; not a good bearer, except in the best of soils. Merrimac (R. H., No. 19). — In quality and time of ripening like Goethe. Black, very large berry; bunch not compact, and many berries fail to mature. Moore* s Early. — Has had too much praise for its value in this locality. L,arge berry and small bunch; ripens unevenly, and sometime before the Concord. Drops its fruit as soon as ripe, and sometimes sooner. Quality, fair. Pocklington. — A very good, medium, yellowish, white grape; good grower, very healthy; holds its GRAPES. 215 fruit well. It has a very sprightly flavor for a white grape, but one tires of it sooner than of many of the others. Wilder (R. H., No. 4).— Too nearly like Merri- mac to require both in same collection. Worden. — Closely resembles Concord, but ripens ten days earlier; better quality; not so good a grower, but very prolific. For a home grape it is one of the three best. Not so good a shipper as the Concord. Among the promising newer varieties not described here are Jefferson, Woodruff's Red, Niagara, Green Mountain or WinchelL These are all undoubtedly valuable but have not been tested by me long enough to decide upon their merits. The following list is given in the order of their value for all purposes: Concord, Worden, Brighton. Elvira, Coe, Duchess. The following is given in their order for quality: Brighton, Empire State, Worden, Delaware, L,ady, Goethe. In time of ripening the following: Champion (not described as quality is too poor), Coe, Worden, Moore's Early, Lady, Pocklington, Concord. CHAPTER XV. Description of Apples and Pears. IN describing the apples as given below, to avoid confusion in terms variously employed to denote hardiness, they will be numbered from one to ten, the hardiest being numbered one, and the tenderest ten, intermediate numbers denoting the different degrees between them as near as may be. It is common in our western horticultural socie- ties to place these different sorts in certain latitudes, but as we have shown in another place under the relationship of hardiness to latitudes, it has been thought better to make the above distinctions. It is well to remark here, that there will no doubt, be exceptions to this classification in indi- vidual cases. Thus: the Ben Davis is marked 5, while there are cases where it is standing, and has stood for years side by side with the Duchess which is marked i. The intention is to convey in the simplest manner what the reputation is in general, of certain varieties mostly grown in the northwest. SUMMER VARIETIES. Tctofski, also known as Russian Crab. — This is undoubtedly of Russian origin, but entirely unlike 217 21 8 DESCRIPTION OF APPLES AND PEARS. any of the latter importations in trie habit of tree. It is a very slow grower, and remarkably stocky. At three years old it is hardly taller than a large year- ling, but heavy in trunk and limbs, which grow very upright, and makes a downward growth of roots, not exceeded by any other variety ; hardiness, i. Fruit medium or below, yellow and slightly blushed, aromatic, acid and hardly good. Ripens among the earliest. Early Harvest.-^r^^ vigorous, and healthy, up- right when young, buf spreading when in orchard. Trunks and larger limbs light colored, but brown strong shoots, frequently produced in doubles. Makes perfect forks and never splits down. Hardi- ness 6. Fruit medium to large, flat, is oblate as grown in the Missouri valley, but nearly round on the Mississippi slope. Yellowish green when grown in the sun and occasionally a very faint blush, but grown in the shade is green. Quality best, both for cooking and dessert, very aromatic. Ripens latter part of August. Pleasant acid. Summer Queen. — Tree vigorous and spreading, a shy bearer in the black soils, but grown in the bluffy lands of the west is very productive. Hardi- ness 4. Fruit is medium, conical, smooth; yel- low striped and splashed red and scarlet; aromatic and spicy, mildly acid, and when taken fresh from the tree it is one of the most satisfying of the summer apples. Is grown largely in the north- east central districts of Nebraska. Red June, or Carolina Red June. — Tree upright DESCRIPTION OF APPLES AND PEARS. 2 19 with slender twigs and dark colored bark and shoots. Hardiness 3, when the trunks are protected from sun scalding, which is its weakness; fruit medium or below, conical, very red, and colors all over; flesh white, sub-acid, juicy and very pleas- ant. Best for dessert. It has the quality of matur- ing fruit while there are barely half grown speci- mens on the tree. Will continue to mature fruit good to the last for four or five weeks. In South Carolina where it originated it ripens in June, but in the north from July last to September i. Sweet June. — Tree upright and twiggy. Shoots slender, and pale green. Hardiness 4, except for the sun scalding as noted in Red June. Fruit medium or below, roundish, though at times coni- cal, light yellow and very smooth; season, August and early September. Very sweet and rich, and one of the best of all the sweet apples. Sometimes called High top Sweet. Red Astrachan. — Of Russian origin. Tree moderate grower when small but makes a very large tree in orchard. Upright diverging, close top with large and wavy leaves. Hardiness 2. Fruit medium to large, flat to roundish, yellow ground covered nearly with smooth red and a heavy bloom. Aromatic, and less acid than many of that race, but not mild enough for the dessert, good for the kitchen, always fair and seldom wormy. Season, August. Duchess of Oldenburg. — Usually call u Duchess." The origin of this apple is in doubt. Its name 2 20 DESCRIPTION OF APPLES AND PEARS. would imply a German origin, but the tree lias the typical characteristics of the Russians. It is taken as a standard of hardiness, and when other varieties are classified by comparison with some well known sort this is usually used. Upright grower while young, but in trees 2C years old the habit is quite spreading where exposed; trunk and limbs are apt to be crooked without any apparent reason why they should be so. Unless grown in the nursery in very good ground the tree is not apt to be chosen by the customers, and frequently re- fused on the delivery grounds, when true to name, hence many other handsomer sorts are apt to go out under that name. It is not a good grower, and seldom makes a full stand when root grafted, fre- quently less than half. Hardiness i. Fruit medium as grown in the Missouri valley, but on the dark soils of eastern Iowa it is very large approaching the Alexander. Round, sometimes slightly flattened; yellow and heavily splashed light and dark crimson; season, September. Quality only good for cooking, but can be used when half grown, is a pronounced acid. When fully ripe and just before decaying it is sometimes used for the dessert, but is not a favorite. Coles Quince. — Moderate upright grower, some- what straggling. Hardiness 3. Fruit large oblate and ribbed near apex. Yellow, mild sub-acid with a peculiarly pleasing quince flavor. Quality best both for kitchen and dessert. Like the Duchess can be used when not fully grown. Very productive. DESCRIPTION OF APPLES AND PEARS. 221 Sops of Wine. — Tree very vigoious, spreading, straggling in habit, making very long swaying branches in nursery,but a very symmetrical tree in orchard. Hardiness 5. Fruit medium, round to slightly conical; light and- dark red shaded, with dark red shading throughout from which it takes its name. Season, August and September in the north, but ripens in latter part of July in southern Illinois. Acid, but of best quality, both for| cook- ing and dessert. Cooper s early White. — (This is not the same as Cooper. ) Medium,spreading in habit, early and abun- dant bearer. Hardiness 7. Fruit medium or below, reddish and pale waxen yellow. Mildly sub-acid but an excellent cooker, and fair for dessert. When fully ripe it is crisp and considered by some as approaching the best. Season, late summer. Peach. (Canada Peach or Montreal Peach.) — Tree very thrifty, upright in nursery, shoots stout and olive color, moderately productive. Hardiness 2. Is grown in central southern Minnesota, where it is claimed to be as hardy as the Duchess. Fruit medium or above, nearly round, sometimes' slightly conical, smooth and glossy. Color, when fully ripe, bright straw color. Fine grained, juicy, tender, with decided acidity like the Duchess, but better in quality. Sometimes it has a faint blush which gives it a peculiarly peach expression. Sea- son same as Duchess. Golden Sweet. — Tree robust, vigorous, spread- ing, round head, early productive. Shoots stout, 222 DESCRIPTION OF APPLES AND PEARS. dark, foliage large dark. Hardiness 3 in deep sandy soils, for which it is peculiarly adapted. Fruit large, round, rich yellow, long slender stem, flesh yellow, melting and fine grained. Very sweet and juicy, with fine aromatic flavor, resembling sassafras. Use baking, market and dessert. Season, August and early September. (I have not seen this tree except in northeastern Iowa, near Delhi, where it was in perfection in the almost clear sands of that locality. It is believed that for such soils, where other varieties so fre- quently fail, it will be valuable for a sweet apple.) Hagloe. (Russian Hagloe.} — This tree was for some years sent cut by some nurserymen as the Duchess of Oldenburg, which it resembles in leaf and color of wood, aside from this it is entirely distinct. It is evidently of Russian origin. Tree strong, but irregular grower; limbs and shoots very- strong and heavy, shoots blunt. In orchard it forms a spreading, flat-topped tree. Hardiness 3 or better. Fruit much like Duchess, but better, less acid. Use kitchen and market. For cooking it is good to very good. Season, August. Keswick Codlin. — Origin England. Tree good, but rather irregular grower, brown shoots that diverge in a peculiar recurved manner. Hardiness 4, when established in orchard 3 or better. Fruit medium to large, ovate often ribbed, clear pale yellow. Quality very good, especially for cooking. Flesh fine grained and juicy. Is a good and productive market variety. DESCRIPTION OF APPLES AND PEARS. 323 FALL VARIETIES. Fameuse or Snow. — Straggling medium grower, poor nursery tree in the north, but it is among the most valuable when once established in the orchard, if sound; does not transplant as well as some. Pro- ductive and with good care is a constant bearer. Hardiness 4. Fruit medium, flat to roundish; specimens grown in the shade will be nearly green, finely flecked with pale red, like the Janet, but as grown in the sun is heavily striped or clear red, and very handsome; flesh almost pure white, from which it gets its name of "Snow." When fully ripe, especially if allowed to ripen on the ground under the tree in the leaves or grass is juicy, and of the finest quality. One of the best. It will, under favorable conditions, keep till midwinter, and I have seen it in prime condition in northeast- ern Iowa in March. To keep good it must be gathered early. Haas or Gross Pomier. — Tree very rank and upright grower, which habit it maintains in the orchard, is very productive, but not an early bearer. Hardiness 2. Fruit medium to large, abruptly conical, being drawn down in a peculiar manner to the apex. Yellow, finely striped and blotched carmine and crimson. Quality fair for the kitchen,but somewhat astringent with an agree- able aroma, but not rich. Season, if allowed to ripen on the tree, September and October, but if gathered early will keep through the greater part of the winter. Very valuable for the north. 224 DESCRIPTION OF APPLES AND PEARS. Wealthy. — Of Minnesota origin by Peter M. Gideon. Tree a moderate grower, somewhat resembling the Duchess, but stronger; will fre- quently show the slight angles in the middle of a shoot without apparent cause. Early and abun- dant bearer/ Hardiness 2 or better. Fruit medium to large, round sometimes approaching oblate; stem and calyx deeply sunk meeting the eye, pale yellow, covered with clear red when fully colored in the sun. Quality very good, both for dessert and kitchen. The most valuable of all apples of recent introduction, seldom has discolored wood, and is at home in a great range of climate. Season, as grown in southern and central Minne- sota, midwinter, but in Iowa and Nebraska late fall. Utter or Utters Red. — Tree upright, moderate grower, and fair to good in the nursery, generally gives a good stand. Hardiness 4. Fruit large to very large, round, slightly ovate, early bearer and annually productive. Is a very profitable fall variety, as its large size and beauty will place it near the head in the market. Bright yellow, nearly covered with carmine stripes, sometimes broken into blotches. Quality good to very good, sub-acid, sprightly, juicy and aromatic. Season, October to January if rightly handled. Plumbs Cider. — Origin Wisconsin. Tree strong upright grower, dark bark and heavy leaves. Hardiness 2 or 3. Makes a beautiful tree in the orchard, always preserving an evenly open top, DESCRIPTION OF APPLES AND PEARS. 225 and never splits in the forks. Early bearer, and with age becomes very productive, one of the most useful of the fall varieties. Fruit medium or above, conical, and sometimes quite ovate. Yellow striped with red, which it nearly covers. Quality not rich, but very good, pleasant sub-acid. Sea- son, October. Fall Orange. — Tree a rather slow but very stout grower in the nursery and makes a very large and excellent orchard tree. Should be grown more than it is. Hardiness 4. Fruit large round irreg- ular, greenish yellow, and pale yellow when ripe. Good quality especially for the kitchen, being too tart for good dessert fruit, though when very mellow is very good. Season, September and early October. (Some- times known as Holland pippin.) Is grown con- siderably in southeast Minnesota and about St. Paul. Fall IVinesap. — Tree a good, strong, upright grower, rather straggling, dark bark and dark shoots. Good tree in nursery and orchard. Hardiness 5. Fruit medium size, round regular, red stripes on greenish yellow ground, good quality, season Sep- tember and early October. (This is not the same as Fall Wine, nor Sops of Wine.) Colvert. — Strong spreading in habit, "good in nursery and orchard. Hardiness 3. Fruit large oblate. Surface smooth green mixed with light red. Basin and cavity like the Wealthy. Quality good, season, October and November. Good bearer in the west. 226 DESCRIPTION OF APPLES AND PEARS. Benoni. — Very upright grower, shoots light, brown color, fair grower, succeeds best on strong soils. Productive in the west, does well in eastern Iowa and western Illinois. Hardiness 5. Fruit, medium to small, round conical, yellow and striped and sometimes splashed red. Quality very good to best, season September. Day. — Originated in Maine, where it is much grown. (Description by R. N. Day.) Strong, upright grower, and. needs but little pruning. Hardiness 2. (?) Size medium to large; flat, slightly inclined to be conical; color when fully ripe, a greenish yellow. Better than Wealthy in quality, being mildly sub-acid, sprightly, tender in the high- est degree, and very agreeable in flavor. Season, from September 10 to middle of October. Dyer (Pomme Royal). — Tree spreading, moder- ately vigorous, not very productive in the west. Hardiness 7. Fruit, large round, frequently uneven and angular, surface rough like Swaar, and vein russeted, dull yellow, not attractive, but of best quality. Flesh yellowish, juicy and rich, very tender and fine grained. It is among the best des- sert apples grown. It is well to try this in the north, top-worked on some of the hardy stocks. Maiden Bhish. — Tree vigorous spreading, early bearer and productive, is among the most profitable apples grown where it succeeds. Hardiness 10 in nursery and 6 in orchard. If introduced in the north it should be procured from the south, far enough to insure a sound tree, and the tree should be four DESCRIPTION OF APPLES AND PEARS. 227 years old, and very carefully handled. With these precautions it is thought to be a profitable tree as far north as north central Nebraska. Fruit large, flat or oblate, rich, smooth yellow and fine blush on the sunny side. Season, September to October, quality very good for cooking, but not so good for dessert, having some astringency, and too much acidity. Valuable for market. Prices Sweet. — Very strong upright grower, both in nursery and orchard. Is a perfect tree in nur- sery. Hardiness 4 in nursery and 2 in orchard. Its only weakness is like the most of our hardiest varieties: sun scalding where trunks are not pro- tected. In Minnesota is said to patch blight at the inter- sections of limbs, no such trouble noticed in Nebraska. Fruit medium, round oblique conic. Yellow, mostly covered with red stripes ; very sweet ; quality only good. Season, November. Alexander. — A strong upright grower, good in nursery, and makes a very large handsome tree in orchard. Origin, Russia. Hardiness 3. Has been discarded to a great extent on account of its liability to blight. Fruit very large, oblate conical; red streaked on yellow ground. Both calyx and basin are large and deep; quality poor, flesh is coarse and use only the kitchen. Season, October. It is not a good bearer. Autumn Strawberry. — Vigorous and healthy in nursery, and makes a fine round top tree in the orchard. Is a good bearer. Hardiness 4. Fruit 228 DESCRIPTION OF APPLES AND PEARS. medium size, round, and streaked and splashed with light and dark red. Quality good to very good; flesh yellowish, crisp, juicy, acid, with pleas- ant flavor. When ripe it is apt to bitter rot at the core and spread to the surrounding flesh. Lowell. — Tree spreading, vigorous; light green foliage and yellowish shoots. Hardiness 4 or better. Fruit large and even size, round, yellowish green, with a greasy or tallowy excrescence, from which it is often called Greasy Pippin or Tallow Pippin. Quality very good. Flesh tender and fine grained and juicy, with yellowish cast, sub-acid, aromatic. Use, dessert and kitchen, and is a fine market va- riety. Season, August and September. St. Lawrence. — Tree moderate regular grower with heavy solidly welded branches, attaining great size in the orchard. Of Canadian origin. Hardi- ness 3, and extremely productive with age. A very profitable autumn variety, and responds quickly to a good top dressing of some fertilizer. Fruit round, large, rarely conical ; yellow, with most pronounced dark red stripes covering the whole surface which give it a unique appearance and once seen will never be forgotten. Quality very good, though too sour to suit all for dessert; fine for the kitchen. Season, October. Jeffries. — Tree healthy, moderately vigorous, shoots slender, early and abundant bearer. Habit diverging to upright. (Its quality should place it in every amateur list.) Fruit medium to large, flat. Yellow ground splashed crimson. Flesh quite yel- DESCRIPTION OF APPLES AND PEARS. 22Q low; fine grained and breaking or melting, juicy, aromatic and delicious. Quality best; use, table and kitchen. Season, September and October. Mr. Piper says of this variety : ' 'For early fall we have the Jeffries, which is one of the heaviest of bearers. I have taken 4^ bushels off a tree less than 4 inches in diameter. The apples are equal in flavor to a good pear, and are first-class in every respect. Any one who has bought the Jeffries once will buy it again if he can get it. ' ' We have not tried this apple top worked, but think it would be well to try it in some of the crabs and the hardiest of the apples, for the north. Mr. Piper in the same paper says the Wythe Salome and Pewaukee should be top worked, and as the Jeffries is not, we presume that in hard- iness it will range about with these varieties, or better. McMahorf s White. — Tree a fair grower, some- what irregular, shoots and bark light colored and dotted like the E. G. Russet; foliage, large, light green. Hardiness 2. Fruit, large round, some- times drawn in at the apex, like the Haas, though not so abrupt; color light green and yellowish and sometimes faintly blushed on the sunny side. Quality good; flesh, white and juicy, and pleasant sub-acid flavor. Use, kitchen and market. Good bearer. Season, October to through November. This is generally placed on the winter lists, but keeps about with the Wealthy, or later. Peerless. — A Minnesota seedling originated in 230 DESCRIPTION OF APPLES AND PEARS. Rice county; seed planted spring of 1868, from Duchess apple, supposed to be fertilized by Tal- man Sweet. Original tree began to bear in 1875, and has produced more bushels of fruit than any other tree either of apple or crab in that part of the state. It bore 3 bushels in 1878 and kept increasing till in 1886 it bore n bushels. Mr- Harris, the special agent of the government, visited the tree in September, 1 890, reported it as in fine condition. Of the quality of the fruit he said in January following, " It is really a better apple than the Wealthy." Season not given but sup- posed to be fall. Catherine. — Another Minnesota seedling with a great local reputation. Seed from a seedling apple brought from Canada in 1854, to Houston Co. This tree is growing ten miles west of the Mis- sissippi, and six south of the Root river, on a high elevation. The spread of the top is about 30 feet ; i foot from the ground, has a diameter of 16 inches, and has borne as high as 30 bushels at one time. For fear of misleading let us refer to these won- derful seedlings again. They only show the pos- sibilities of these trees as such, and do not give assurance that they can be propagated and be of value in the same latitude. WINTER VARIETIES. Ben Davis. — Tree fine grower, symmetrical, and will yield the largest proportion of marketable trees from a given number of root grafts of any variety. DESCRIPTION OF APPLES AND PEARS. 23! Hardiness 5 in nursery and while young in the orchard, but when established in the orchard and sound, with age, it is as good as 3 or better. This rating refers to the Missouri valley. East of the great inter-river divide it is very tender in the north, especially after it has come into bearing. Fruit, large, ovate conic, yellow ground striped with carmine, shaded to mottled greenish yellow on the shady side. Quality barely good, by some rated poor. Flesh moderately fine grained, not very juicy, very mild sub-acid, and lacks tone in flavor. Season, Decem- ber to late winter, and under favorable conditions till early summer. This is the great market apple of the southwest. It is an early and abundant bearer, and if it were some hardier, and as good as Grimes' Golden it would be the perfection of tree and fruit. It should not be grown in the north on very strong soil, but rather poorer ones on the highest lands, and if care is taken to plant sound trees and get them to a bearing age so, they will be found to stand as well as the Walbrige, and nearly as well as the Wealthy. There are trees near Battle Creek, Nebraska, that have been in bearing over twenty years and are still very sound and look as if they might be good for many more years. Notwithstanding its lack in quality and the prophecy that it would soon be of little value as a market apple ("when people found it out"), it still maintains the lead, though this may not beheld 232 DESCRIPTION OF APPLES AND PEARS. long in the future. Its great beauty, even and uni- form size and coloring will make it a hard compet. itor to crowd off the market. Winesap. — Tree spreading and moderately vig- orous, very dark brown shoots and bark, somewhat irregular. Hardiness 6. Fruit medium to small. As grown in the north it is below medium. Round- ovate, and sometimes flat. Color red to deep red. Quality very good for table and baking, poor for pastry. Flesh firm, and breaking when mellow. Rich acid flavor. Is considered a valuable cider apple in the southwest where it is much grown, and is among the most valuable of the market apples. Willow Twig. — Tree spreading, shoots slender with drooping habit; foliage and bark light yellow. Hardiness 5. Has the reputation of blighting and liability to injury from sun scald. Trunk should be protected if high, and where planted on high well-drained land there will be little trouble with blight. Fruit large, round, yellow, faintly blushed and striped with light red. Quality poor. Will do for cooking late in spring, which is its use, except for market where its long keeping quality, and fine size and beauty will always find for it a good mar- ket. A fair but not heavy bearer. Jonathan. — Tree not a very strong grower. Shoots slender, grayish, with rather sparce light foliage. Buds small. Hardiness 6. Fruit, as grown in the north, medium or below. In the DESCRIPTION OF APPLES AND PEARS. 233 south it is large, round or ovate-conic. Color, waxen yellow, finely covered with blush or finely striped carmine over its whole surface. Quality, best. Flesh, yellowish white, very fine grain, juicy, sub-acid, aromatic with a very pleasant fla- vor. Season, early winter. Rawles Janet. — Tree fair grower in nursery, with an upright spreading habit, shoots, slender and taper; grayish olive colored bark; hardiness, 5; fruit, medium size, round or obscurely conic; color slightly mottled green, and, on the sunny side, more or less distinctly striped and blotched light and dull red ; quality, very good for dessert, poor for the kitchen; flesh, fine grained, brittle and juicy, very mildly acid; season, late winter and spring. Minkler. — Named for S. G. Minkler of Illinois, who originated it. Tree very rank grower and very irregular; bark light color, shoots darker with heavy, thick dark green foliage; in orchard it makes a flat top, with heavy drooping branches; very productive; hardiness 3 to 4; fruit, medium to large, round, greenish yellow, covered with light and dull red stripes. Quality, only good; flesh, greenish yellow, fine grained and melting when fully ripe. Agreeable sub-acid flavor: use, market and kitchen. Rome Beaiity. — Tree, thrifty spreading and pro- ductive; shoots, slender with a high color; in orchard makes a symmetrical round headed tree. Blossoms late, nearly as late as the Janet. Fruit, large to very large, roundish ovate; surface, smooth, yellow 234 DESCRIPTION OF APPLES AND PEARS. striped and mixed light and dull red. Quality, good. Use, market. Flesh yellow, coarse grained, sub-acid and lacks tone. Very popular market apple in the south west. Season late winter. Northwestern Greening. — This apple is of Wis- consin origin, where it is being sought after on account of its fine appearance and reputed hardiness, although the latter is doubted by some who have grown it. However, it is worthy of trial. Size, large, 3 to 3^ inches, shape nearly round, very regular, surface very smooth, often green, but yel- low when fully ripe, resembles Lowell. Dots scat- tering, mostly dark with some very light; basin wide, shallow a little folded or gathered; eye, rather large, open; cavity, mediiim, regular, a little russet in bottom; stem medium, rather slender; core, large, nearly closed; seeds, small plump, grayish brown; flesh, yellow, rather coarse, juicy; flavor sub acid; quality, good. Season, December to February in Wisconsin. (Report of U. S. Pomologists 1886.) Scotts Winter. — We have here a variety that is a seedling brought to notice by Dr. T. H. Hoskins of Newport, Vt. It originated near that place and seems to be esteemed in that locality and in some of the northwestern states for the hardiness of the tree and its brilliantly colored fruit. Although it is a little too tart for dessert purposes, it is liked for cooking. It is called one of our native ironclads. My specimens were from Vermont; size, small, about 2% inches; flat, conical, irregular, surface smooth, light yellow, almost hidden by bright red, DESCRIPTION OF APPLES AND PEARS. 235 blotches and stripes; dots minute, almost undiscern- ible, light colored; basin deep, narrow, waved; eye small, closed; cavity, small, narrow russetted; stem, medium to short, slender; core, small nearly closed, seeds, small plump, light colored; flesh, white, with sometimes a tinge of pink, tender, fine grained, juicy; flavor, sub-acid, quite tart, but pleasant; quality good; season, December to spring in Vermont. (Report of U. S. Pomologists 1886.) Iowa Blush.-Pzrfeok symmetrical, upright grower, both in nursery and orchard; shoots and young trees recurved and olive green color. Under the bark of young thrifty trees will always be found warty excrescences not attached to the trees, but which can be removed, and are nearly as hard as ivory. The outer bark is raised above them, giv- ing the tree a warty appearance. A few other trees, in rare cases, have this characteristic, but this is inseparable from the Iowa Blush. Hardiness, 2; fruit below medium, a perfect ovate in form; very light greenish yellow, shaded and spotted or mottled scarlet on the sunny side. In the middle of these scarlet spots are large white dots which give the apple a unique appearance, and make it one of the handsomest of all apples grown. Quality, for cooking very good to best; for the dessert, only good. Should be kept from the air until ready for use, as it wilts easily and loses its flavor. Season, early winter. This tree is very productive, and its value in the north is what the Rawles Janet is in the south. 236 DESCRIPTION OF APPLES AND PEARS. Grimes Golden. — Fair to good grower in the nursery. Bark, shoots and foliage, light color. In orchard is a very symmetrical roundish upright tree with heavy foliage; hardiness, 6; fruit medium size, symmetrical, or parallel sides with base and apex flattened; irregular; surface smooth at base, russeted near apex, and when fully ripe a dark lemon yellow; quality best; flesh, yellowish green, fine grained, melting and juicy, with a sub-acid aromatic, spicy and refreshing flavor. Use, cooking and dessert, especially the latter. Aliens Choice. — Tree in nursery strong, upright grower, resembling the Haas; hardiness, in nursery, 5, said to be 3 or better in orchard; fruit, medium, roundish ovate, striped with light and dark red; coarse grained, but good sub-acid aromatic flavor. Season, late winter. Wythe. — This is a seedling of the Rawles Janet, which it very closely resembles both in tree and fruit, being very often mistaken for that variety. It will be only necessary to say that it is hardier than the Janet, with larger fruit and a little better in quality, and without the tendency of that variety to over bear; season same as Janet. Said to crack and scab as the tree gets age. Pattens Greening is thus described by the orig- inator, C. G. Patten of Iowa. " A seedling of the Oldenburg planted by us in the fall of 1869, has borne ten years, and in 1888, after all the trying winters, bore fully 5 bushels; stands on trying ground, but made a fine growth; strongly shoul- DESCRIPTION OF APPLES AND PEARS. 237 dered, and as hardy in orchard as Duchess. Fruit medium size to large, and uniform ; color, light to dark green, sometimes shaded with red; flesh white, good eating and a superb cooking apple. Season, January." Walbridge. — Upright, spreading, symmetrical grower, and equals, or nearly equals, the Ben Davis as a nursery tree. Is a stronger grower, with heavy, blunt, light olive-colored shoots, with fre- quently heavy pubescence at their ends, where they will be larger than at points lower down. Buds small and very close on the shoots. Hardiness, 3 or better; fruit medium size, ovate conic, light green, with narrow, broken stripes of light and dull red; quality fair to good; flesh greenish white, fine grained, not juicy, acid and lacks flavor; use, market; season, midwinter. A late bearer. Suttorfs Beauty. --Tree symmetrical, upright grower, with brownish, cinnamon-colored shoots; hardiness, 5; fruit, large, handsome, round, regular; surface, smooth, yellow, mottled and splashed car- mine; quality, good to very good; flesh, white, tender and breaking, melting when fully ripe, and very juicy; flavor, sub-acid to acid, pleasant, aro- matic; use, kitchen, market and table; season, late winter. Salome. — Originated in Illinois, where it is very popular. This tree has been condemned by the Iowa Horticultural Society as too tender for gen- eral planting in the state. This is rather too sweep- ing a condemnation, as it may be and doubtless is 338 DESCRIPTION OF APPLES AND PEARS. of considerable value west of the inter-river divide,* where it is promising grown on high lands, both in the northern and southern districts of the state. The tree in nursery is a moderately good grower, symmetrical, upright, with a very close top; foli- age, light green, large or rather thick leaves, inclined to be ruffly; hardiness, 5 to 6; fruit, below medium size, ovate conic; color, yellow, partly covered with light red, on which are narrow, faint stripes of darker red, very handsome; quality, good; flesh, yellowish white, fine grained, with pleasant sub-acid flavor; use, kitchen and table; season, late winter and spring. This apple corresponds in size, shape and quality to Iowa Blush, but is a bet- ter keeper and not so hardy, probably valuable, but should not be planted at present in high lati- tudes only in amateur lists till it has established a reputation. It is recommended to be top worked on Whitney No. 20 in northern Illinois. Iowa Keeper. — Tree, strong, spreading grower; throws out its branches at right angles to the tree; hardiness, 2; fruit, medium to large, round, with flattened ends ; eye small, calix open ; stem, medium, set in deep, narrow basin; color, yellow, one-half covered with bright crimson; dots, numer- ous, white; season, midwinter to early summer. (Day.) While Pippin (Canada Pippin). — Its origin is obscure, but is supposed to be Canada. Tree, vig- orous, upright, productive; shoots, dark, pubes- DESCRIPTION OF APPLES AND PEARS. 239 cent; leaves, large, dark green above and downy beneath; hardiness, 4; fruit, large, variable in form, mostly round and fair; color, pale yellow; quality, very good; flesh, yellowish white, coarse grained, juicy; flavor, sub-acid to acid; use, cook- ing and market; season, early winter. This apple is much grown in central Illinois, where it is hardy, and it is believed that if introduced* it would prove hardy in north Nebraska and southern South Dakota. Cayuga Red Streak (Twenty-Ounce — not Twenty- Ounce Pippin]. — Tree vigorous, early and prolific, annual bearer, twiggy, like Northern Spy; shoots, slender, highly colored, with large, healthy foliage; fruit, very large, nearly round, surface covered with light red on greenish ground; quality, good; only for kitchen and drying; season, early winter. Talman Sweet. — Tree vigorous, spreading; in orchard it has the appearance of having been pruned out, as the limbs and twigs are few, though regular and symmetrical; early bearer and moder- ately productive; hardiness, 3; fruit, medium or above, round, green in fall, turning to fine yellow in spring; quality, very good; flesh, firm, white, very sweet; use, baking and cider. Not good for dessert where a sweet apple is desired, as the flesh is tough and never melting, even when over-ripe. Has the fault of dropping its fruit prematurely. Pewaukee. — Origin Wisconsin. Tree strong, upright grower in nursery, and maintaining the 240 DESCRIPTION OK APPLES AND PEARS. habit in orchard. Not an early bearer, and in some localities is not profitable on that account. Hardiness, 6; is on the list for northern Illinois, where it is said to do well, while in the Missouri valley it is not hardy in the north ; should be top worked; fruit, large, round, greenish yellow, with dull red stripes and splashes; flesh, very coarse, but pleasant sub-acid flavor; not rich, but generally rated as good; season, early winter. Roman Stem. — Tree moderately vigorous, pro- ductive and desirable for the north. Hardiness in orchard, 4; in nursery, very tender. Trees should be grown far enough south to insure their sound- ness before planting. Fruit, medium size, round, sometimes conical, yellowish green and somewhat russeted at apex; quality, very good to best; flesh, whitish yellow, fine grained, juicy; flavor, mild sub-acid, rich; use, dessert; season, December and January. Wolf River. — Tree, very strong grower; hardi- ness, 6; fruit, large to very large, round or oblate, yellow and covered with stripes of mottled red and crimson; quality, good, with mild sub-acid flavor; season, early winter; sometimes on the fall lists. Mann. — Has proved too tender so far for any place in the west. Okabena. — Origin, Minnesota. Said to be a seedling of the Duchess fertilized* by the Wealthy, in 1871. The parent tree is still standing and is healthy and productive; good tree in nursery being DESCRIPTION OF APPLES AND PEARS. 241 an upright grower, resembling the Wealthy; hardi- ness i to 2. Fruit, medium, roundish oblate; early winter and will probably be late fall grown south of latitude 42° or 43°. Color, yellow, striped, splashed and blushed carmine, very handsome. Quality, good. Flesh, fine grained, tender and juicy. Not sufficiently tested to warrant extended planting but is promising. There is a very great variety of very excellent and hardy seedlings that are being propagated under different names, but it is not thought worth while to describe, for however hardy these original trees may be they do not transmit it to their progeny by any known method of propagating. For this reason it should urge upon the planter and experimenter the advisability of planting these seeds largely, for the regions where apple growing is so difficult. While it is true that the young trees will in nearly every case be very tender, they outgrow this if properly handled the first two years. I would plant the seeds in drills, and the first fall in November bend them over and cover quite heavily with some mulch or litter. The next summer carefully examine them and mark those having heavy, good leaves and a freedom from thorns? and at about the same time again in the fall take them up carefully and cover root and branch about a foot deep, and plant in orchard the next spring. Where good trees from the nursery are sue- 242 DESCRIPTION OF APPLES AND PEARS. cessfully grown in the orchard we could not afford to start our orchard with seeds, but for the territory named and for the purpose of producing new vari- eties, this is advisable. One of the best seedling orchards in the west is that of Mr. Thompson, of Grundy Center, Iowa. While in a bad location, the trees are, many of them, very large, and have astonished the critics many times with their fine, large and good keeping apples, which have taken many premiums. Some of these have been named and are listed, but not yet established of value beyond older sorts as grown in the nurseries. NEW RUSSIAN APPLES. Not having many of these in fruiting we are dependent upon the descriptions and opinions of others. There is no other fruit that has attracted so much attention and elicited so much discussion, and where the conclusions are so varied, and the contestants so positive either one way or the other. After having given this a very careful consideration, my conclusions may not be less positive. It is evident that many of the most conflicting reports may be harmonized. Some are basing their conclusions upon the behavior of certain varieties against the same with others when the names do not refer to the same apple. There is as yet but a moderate number of all the importations that are distinctly and certainly classified, as established the same throughout the United States. For instance, 'DESCRIPTION OF APPLES AND PEARS. 243 some declare that the Hibernal is the same as L,ieby, Ostrakof, Glass, Romna, Pendantear, Silken leaf, and Juicy burr, while others claim that they run in families so closely related that these are or may be many of them separate varieties. That they have as a class been sorely disap- pointing is admitted by their friends, in this that (i) they are more subject to blight than our com- mon varieties, and (2). they are not hardier (with exceptions), and (3) they have not proved to be keepers, but mostly summer and fall varieties, and (4) they are of poor quality. If this were given as a deliberate opinion of the entire lot it would not be necessary to prolong this chapter, but happily there are exceptions to all, or nearly all, the above. Another cause should be noticed that has led to their condemnation. That tree man has seized upon this theme as one showing the finest field for extensive cultiva- tion. He has opened his picture book and made his stake on the "Russians." None know better than the nurserymen how few of these sales have delivered genuine Russian varieties. Even if they have been so, if of the great majority of these varieties, they would be better to be almost any- thing else. President Morrison, of the Minnesota Horticultural Society, gives an instance of a con- versation with one of these brush missionaries who, he said, was "making a specialty of the Russians." He was asked what was his best winter variety 244 DESCRIPTION OF APPLES AND PEARS. and answered, "I am running the Yellow Trans- parent for my best winter apple. ' ' As this is one of the earliest of the summer apples, if they were even delivered true to name the purchaser would not conceive an exalted opinion of the keeping qualities of these much discussed apples. It is the habit of the American people to be very sweeping and radical in their conclusions, either in praise or condemnation, and in the sweeping con- demnation that some have given these trees they are sweeping out very much chaff to be sure, but with it some grains of pure gold. This is a matter of little moment. If they have no need of them they lose nothing. I think it is not claimed that where such varie- ties as the Ben Davis, Jonathan, Winesap, Roman stem, Grime's Golden, Iowa Blush, etc., are easily grown that there is any use for the new Russians, but they cannot be grown everywhere, and the true test of merit in this matter is: Are there any of these varieties that can be grown over any consider- able territory where any of our other varieties can- not be? If a single one can be shown that will take such a place, then the time and money used in introducing the whole lot has been well spent. That there are some, and quite a few, of this char- acter there is no doubt whatever. The principal value of them will be in the extreme north, and especially in the black prairie Lands of the Mississippi valley, where the growing DESCRIPTION OF APPLES AND PEARS. 245 of apples of any kind has been a constant fight, all the way from the seed to the bearing tree, and quite too often a losing fight. Through the kindness of Prof. Budd, of Iowa, a special list has been prepared for this work includ- ing all varieties which are good to best in quality; giving all the seasons of the year; hardy, and as free from blight as our common varieties. Before introducing this list let us drop a word of caution: To get these varieties true to name it will be better to correspond direct with some reliable nursery, or procure them through the Agricultural . College of your state. If the orders are given through dealers the chances are very remote that one, even, will be what is ordered. Another caution will be, that where other desir- able varieties can be grown there is no need of them, and a risk, always, of introducing blight. In the spring of 1883 a bulletin was issued by the Iowa Agricultural College giving an outline of experiments with, and investigations of, some oi the fruits of the steppe sections of east Europe and North Central Asia. Since that time have been made several importations of cions and rooted plants from the parts of east Europe where the summer heat is nearly or quite equal to ours, and they have been sent out by thousands for trial across the continent on our northern borders. The present notes are a summary of the reports received from trial stations and of observations on the College grounds up to date, of a part of the va- 246 DESCRIPTION OF APPLES AND PEARS. rieties and. species under the supervision of Prof. Budd. Blushed Calville. (22 M.) * * * This at the west will prove more valuable than Yellow Transparent. The tree is much hardier, more nearly free from blight, and the fruit is about as early, as large in size, is handsomely blushed, and it is less perishable and better in quality. Anisette. (No. 185.) * * * Of the Duchess family and hardier at the North. An annual and full bearer of fruit like Duchess, but finer in grain, less acid and earlier. Will prove valuable over a large part of the United States. Lubsk Queen. (No. 444.) * * * As hardy as Duchess and noted for beauty and continuous bearing. Fruit, large, smooth, with varied shades of red and pink. Flesh, fine grained, sub-acid and very good for so large a fruit. This is placed with the summer apples because it colors up early and ships well at an early date, but it keeps well at fruit stands and can be easily kept through Sep- tember. Longfield. (No. 161 and 57 M.) * * Tree not hardier than Wealthy, but not so liable to sun scald. On dry ground will prove very profitable up to the north line of the state. An annual and full bearer of medium sized yellow fruit, hand- somely blushed. Will be popular as it never fails to bear, is not excelled for cooking and jelly mak- ing, and pleases all for dessert use. After it has borne two or three heavy crops it should be DESCRIPTION OF APPLES AND PEARS. 247 manured or the heavy crops of fruit will run too small. Season, autumn, but with very early pick- ing, it will keep nearly as well as Jonathan. Gipsy Girl. (56 Vor.) * * * A fine tree in nursery and orchard. Fruit, large, smooth and remarkably handsome. A famous train-boy apple in east Europe. Will be prized over a large part of the country. Season, late fall. WINTER APPLES. Aport Voronezh. * * * We introduce the A'port of Central Russia from several points. It has been sent out as Aport, 23 M. , 4 Vor., and 12 Orel. We have kept these importations separate, but they all appear to be identical. Fruit, large, smooth, yellow, with much red in broken stripes and splashes. Flesh, yellowish white, slightly coarse, sub-acid, aromatic, quality very good for any use. Mid-winter here, and will keep through winter at the north. Ostrakoff. (4 M.) * * * This is hardier than Duchess and less subject to blight. An early, heavy and continuous bearer, and needs manuring to keep up size of fruit after it has borne heavy crops. Fruit, medium to large, even in size, yellow. Flesh, firm, sub-acid and fine in quality. Mid- winter here, and will keep until May on its north limit of growth. Aport. (No. 252.) * * This was sent us by Dr. Regel as the true Winter Aport. It is not identical with the Aport Voronesh above noted. It 248 DESCRIPTION OF APPLES AND PEARS. is proving to be an early and continuous bearer, and promises to be very valuable. Fruit, medium to large, oblate, yellow, with splashes and stripes of red and crimson. Flesh, fine grained, sub-acid, nearly best in quality. Regel. (No. 169.) * * * This was received by the College from Dr. Regel, of St. Petersburg, under the name of Green Sweet. But a mistake was evidently made as this is- not sweet, has a fine color and is a late keeping winter apple. It much resembles Repka Malenka in shape and color, but it is larger in size and of better quality. In season and flavor it is much like Rawles Janet. Zuzoffs Winter. (No. 585.) * * In the Bulletin of 1890 we did not credit this as a very hardy variety. Our recent reports show it to be as hardy as Wealthy and less subject to blight. It is an annual bearer on account of its very late period of blossoming in the spring. Fruit large to very large, beautifully colored, fine grained, tender, mildly acid and nearly equal to Northern Spy in quality. Season about that of Grimes Golden. In tree it is not hardier than Wealthy and it should be top-worked in trying positions in North Iowa. Boiken. * * A variety imported from Tran- sylvanis. It is now a favorite variety in Eastern France. The tree seems to be as hardy as Wealthy, and is an early and continuous bearer. Fruit medium to large, yellow, with handsome carmine stripes and splashes. Flesh snow white, fine grained, sub-acid and best in quality. Season, late DESCRIPTION OK APPLES AND PftAKS. 249 winter. Will be very valuable for top working at the north. THE CRAB APPLES. 'In the past we have propagated and sent out for trial some of the most promising varieties and hybrids of the Siberian crabs. But at this time we have decided that their place is taken by such varieties of the Russian apples as the Longfield, Marble, Recumbent and other sorts. "The Longfield, for instance is superior to any of the crabs for jelly, marmalade, pies, sauce, etc. It is also a better bearer and its fruit has a value for dessert use. The only crab we now pronounce valuable is the one known as Virginia crab, which is only valuable as a stock for top-working, but it is not as valuable for this use as the members of the Hibernal family." GENERAL NOTES. "It will be urged by friends who have had con- siderable experience in growing and fruiting the east European fruits that we have omitted some of the varieties they have found most valuable, and included a number with which they have not been wholly satisfied on account of blight or some other cause. "But it must be kept in mind that this is a report on the varieties and species we will distrib- iite at this time, and that varied soils, elevations and exposures bring us varying reports. The notes as now given are a summary of the behavior on 250 DESCRIPTION OF APPLES AND PEARS. our own grounds and on the grounds of a large proportion of our reporters over an immense area of our country. ' ' We cannot too strongly impress the importance of planting apple trees on the highest and dryest land available, and furnishing no protection on the north and west. If the elevation is not more than 10 feet above the general level of the adjacent lands, it is a great advantage in furnishing air drain- age, equalizing the temperature in summer and les- sening danger from frosts in the blossoming period. Another benefit resulting from the selection of dry soil is that it permits deeper setting, which is a protection to the tender roots we are compelled to use in root-grafting. If compelled to set the family orchard on low, black colored soil, get our selection of best varie- ties for such soil, set the trees shallow and ridge up for drainage and root protection. We sent out low headed trees, and our advice is to keep them low. In setting, lean the trees at a strong angle toward the one o'clock sun. They will have an awkward appearance at first but they will soon become erect. In the above lists, three stars (* * *) indi- cate the variety to be hardier on suitable soils than the Duchess; two stars (* *) indicate the variety to be hardier than Wealthy, except as noted in special cases. One star (*) indicate the variety to be hardy as Roman Stem, except as noted in special cases. (Rttssian a*)f)lc report />;> Prof. BudcC). DESCRIPTION OF APPLES AND PEARS. 25! Excelsior. — This with the three following is a seedling originated by Peter M. Gideon, of Minne- sota, the originator of the Wealthy. Tree from Wealthy seed, strong upright grower, said to be as hardy as Duchess. Fruit, medium to large. Color, light yellow; striped with bright red. Quality, best. Season, September. October. — Strong grower, and profuse annual bearer of large red apples, clear acid, a first-class culinary apple. From crab seed. Gideon. — A good rather upright grower; fruit, medium size to large, yellow with a vermillion blush on the sunny side. Quality, mild sub-acid and very good. November. Peter. — This the originator calls "the best of all apples." The description following, like those before, is his, and some allowance will be made for the possible partiality which might exist on this account. "Origin, Wealthy seed, and in form, size and color the exact duplicate of that apple, but differing in flavor and season, keeping from 4 to 6 weeks longer. The fruit adheres well to the tree, and in tree it is a little hardier than Duchess, yet we would not recommend it as far north as some of our extra hardies, though it stood top grafted in 1884-5, where it made 4 feet of growth and bore apples the following season near the Wealthy and some of the Russians that failed to bear an apple. At the Iowa state fair in 1886 the Peter apple was pronounced by the judges to be superior to the Wealthy in every respect." 252 DESCRIPTION OF APPLES AND PEARS. In a private letter Mr. G. says that this apple was not fully tested when the list was made and that the apple is a keeper; keeping in his cellar when picked early, till August. It will be remem- bered that the Wealthy as grown at his place is a fair keeping winter apple, while in this latitude it is a fall apple, therefore it will not be best to rely on this as a winter sort when grown in 42 and below. As to the hardiness of these apples there can be very little doubt, as the mercury there occa- sionally touches 45 below, and 35 very often. PEARS. It is better for the ordinary fruit grower for home consumption to plant pears very sparingly, as they are not, as a rule, successfully grown in any part of the northwest east of the mountains. There are plenty of these varieties that are hardy enough so far as ability to endure cold is concerned, but when about the bearing size, they are very apt to die with fire blight, or pear blight. This disease is claimed by the scientists to be different from the true apple blight, but that it will spread from one of these trees to the other, there is no doubt in my mind. Flemish Beauty is the best of all the older varie- ties, and the freest from blight, is a moderately strong grower, branching to a spreading top, early bearer; productive, and of very good quality. Bessimianca. — This is of Russian origin, and less liable to blight than the foregoing, but inferior in quality. Tree a slow though regular grower, DESCRIPTION OF APPLES AND PEARS. 253 with very dark bark, and dark heavy foliage. Fruit medium size, green or faintly blushed or russeted; seedless. Kieffers Hybrid. — Cross, Sand pear and Bartlett. Tree a very strong and very upright grower, yel- lowish bark and glossy good foliage. It is tender while young in northern Nebraska, but becomes hardier with age, and will probably be grown to some extent there. Fruit is large and handsome. Not of best quality, but will always demand a good price for market, and is, when fully ripe, fair for dessert. Not as subject to blight as Flemish Beauty. Idaho. — This has come to us from its western home as a priceless gem, but it has proved here to be tender and subject to blight. It is valuable where it originated. Kurskaya. (392.) — Said by Prof. Budd to be very hardy, and free from blight on all soils. Fruit Bergamot shaped, medium size and excellent qual- ity. Russian. Mongolian Snow Pear. — This is hardier in tree than Flemish Beauty, and its leaves are always clean, handsome and perfect. On dry soil it will prove valuable up to the 42d parallel. It is a regular bearer, even in such unfavorable seasons as that of 1892. Fruit above medium in size, and when ripened in the house it is much better in quality than Kieffer, L,e Conte or any of the Chinese pears we have tasted grown in the south. It should be ripened in the house and can be kept until late in autumn. (Bndd.} 254 DESCRIPTION OF APPLES AND PEARS. Whitney No. 20. Apple. Called "Whitney Crab." — Tree, a moderate very upright grower; shoots, dark and stout; foliage heavy dark green; hardiness 2 in nursery, i in orchard; fruit, small to medium, conical, yellow nearly covered with red, faintly striped; quality very good; season, August and September. Hislop Crab. — Tree, strong upright grower, making a round head in orchard. Hardiness, i; fruit, nearly 2 inches in diameter, conical, dark red, almost black, quality good until too ripe, when it becomes mealy and tasteless; season, October to November. There are probably 50 or more varieties of crab apples and hybrids which are crosses between the apple and crab that are of more or less value; some of them for high northern latitudes are very valu- able, but as a class they are very much subject to blight, and their dissemination should on this account be discouraged. The Martha, Gen. Grant, Strawberry, Minnesota, and Briars Sweet are reasonably free from it, but all are too well-known to require description. Yellow Transparent. — (This was omitted in its order and inserted here.) Tree, fairly good grower; shoots yellow; foliage light green; hardiness, 2 to 3; said to blight badly south and east but has not blighted here to any great extent; is an early and good bearer. Fruit medium or above; color, golden yellow; quality, very good; season, August. CHAPTER XVI. Evergreens. r I SHERE is a very general impression that these •*• trees will not grow successfully west of the inter-river divide, especially in the north. It seems to be true of many varieties that they cannot be grown as easily, and do not generally grow as rapidly in this location as in places further east, and along the Mississippi valley. For instance the Norway Spruce, which is among the best and fast- est growing of all in northeastern Iowa, is almost a failure in northeastern Nebraska and southern South Dakota. On the other hand, the Scotch pine seems to do as well or nearly as well here as in the more favored eastern locations. The west- ern cedars also do quite as well, but are not quite as rapid growers. There are several other varieties that do well here and will be described hereinafter. The principal reason for the impression that we can not grow these" trees here is that they have had, in transplanting such inexcusably bad treat- ment that the surprise is, more that any grow, than that some or many die. It is in the first place of little use to bother with any other than a nursery grown tree to start with, 8*5 256 EVERGREENS. and this may not be what we are looking for either. If it has been transplanted several times, or cut under, so as to cause it to throw out a new system of small roots from near the tree, it is a proper tree for our purpose, and with careful handling we will make a success in changing it from the nursery to its new habitation. The object we attain by this transplanting or root pruning, is the cutting off of straggling long roots and compelling a new growth that we can secure when we lift it. If we could practically get all these long roots and preserve them carefully, the tree would be as sure to grow as if we had given it the above described treat- ment, but this is so near impossible as to be so practically. A tree for the lawn should be any where from 3 feet upward, according to the price the purchaser is willing to pay, and the risk he is willing to take with it. After a tree is 3 feet high it is as sure to grow as it will be at any time after, and as it gets more age and size the chances are that we shall get a lesser proportion of roots to the top and thereby decrease our chances of success. Unless staked solidly after planting, too, the larger trees are more apt to be loosened by the winds. Another cause has added to the supposed uncer- tainty of introducing. them, which is the practice of planting them in the lawn or front yard in the grass. This is where they want them, but they do not want to grow there, and will not without many precautions being taken, In many cases EVERGREENS. 257 this yard has been raised by earth from the bottom of the cellar, and as the bottom conies out last this top soil is apt to be too poor to grow even a fair crop of weeds. ' 'Whatever is worth doing is worth doing well1' and it is better to plant but a few trees and do it well than to plant many, half do it and lose the most of them. In making these suggestions, and giving the directions that will follow, it is assumed that the tree is a good one and that the nurseryman has done his duty, which is not by any means the case always. Sometimes trees are sent out in such bad con- dition that no treatment could possibly save them. If every one who reads the foregoing would heed it carefully, and follow the directions, there would be little loss sustained on account of the planter, but we feel like repeating, in order to give empha- sis to this matter of protecting the roots of ever- greens while out of the ground. It seems that the ordinary planter does not believe that the evergreen grower has not exagger- ated in the requirement of absolute protection. When he says that under some conditions an evergreen will be killed by an exposure in the sun of ten seconds or less, it is not thought that it is to be taken literally, but to mean that more care must be exercised in handling them than the ordinary fruit trees. It does mean literally just that, and if the instructions are followed, thousands of trees will be saved where they are lost by pursuing a less rigid attention to the instructions. 258 EVERGREENS. Dr. Lyons says: "We must not even allow the earth to dry on the outside of the evergreen roots, if we want the trees to live." There are plenty of these trees of the best varie- ties that will do exceedingly well in the northwest- ern part of Iowa, northeastern Nebraska and the whole of South Dakota and Minnesota, and when they are placed in the hands of the planter in good condition, and then handled by him as directed, they will be extensively grown as they should be. Fruit and forest trees may be handled more care- lessly and recover, but not so with the evergreen. The sap is resinous, and by some chemical com- bination is held in solution in the fluids so long as they are kept moist, but almost as soon as the outer surface of the roots and rootlets become dry, this resin is deposited in the cells which are thereby clogged, and the tree is as truly dead from that moment as it will be in a month after it is planted when the last needle has dried up and gone, and it stands there a dry and red monument to what was once a "thing of beauty." There is another cause of the failure to meet evergreens here as we do in the Mississippi valley; that is the lack of adaptation of varieties to our cli- mate. We have been groping in the darkness for more than a hundred years; longer than the 'chil- dren of Israel were looking for the promised land. We have tried to acclimatize to our dry atmosphere the eastern trees, and those from foreign countries, EVERGREENS. 259 where the air is constantly li timid. Where the conditions even approximated those of the home of the tree, in this respect, there has been the nearest approach to success, as in the Austrian pine; and where these* conditions were the most dissimilar, the failure has been the greatest; as in the Irish Junipers. The white pine is an illustra- tion of the value and vitality of our northwestern kinds, but this has been neglected, for the reason that it was "too common," exactly what should have crowded it to the front. Now, and strange enough quite recently, we have discovered right here at home at the west of us, trees that are unapproachable in hardiness by any of the eastern or foreign kinds, and peerless in beauty. The scholars; the art students of the world; the critics of exclusive New England; the poet, the botanist, all worship at these shrines of beauty. Their loveliness cannot be described in words; one must see them to appreciate them, and if that one has one little spark of love of the beautiful, it will be kindled into a grand fire of devotion when for the first time they stand face to face. These are principally the western White spruce, the Pungens; Concolor and Douglass spruces described hereafter. At present the scarcity and great demand for these trees hold them at high prices, but this will soon change, and when they can be procured abundantly and cheaply, all other kinds will retire before them, and the revolution will be an accom- plished fact 260 EVERGREENS. These hardy and beautiful evergreens are strik- ing illustrations of "the eternal fitness of things." For a grove of evergreen trees they may be from i to i y2 feet high without the necessity of shad- ing, provided they have been transplanted as described. Better always send to the nursery where you know they are grown, than to give orders to unknown parties. This may sometimes do just as well but one time with another it will lead to dis- appointment. If a smaller tree of the ordinary kinds is to be used for the grove it will be safer to shade them in some artificial manner. It is not good to plant them as some do in an improvised nursery, along the north side of a row of willows, as they will reach out their roots and rob our plants. It is well, however, in such a case to plant them in nursery rows, running north and south and quite closely in the row with a view of protecting them partially by the shade of each other. Trees of the size last described can be planted in such a row about i foot apart. In massing them in this way they are more easily shaded, and after two years' cultivation can be planted out where they are to remain. In this way we shall get a full stand in the grove. It will not be necessary to give minute instruc- tions for handling them when first coming into the hands of the planter, he will keep in mind at all times that the roots must not be dried for a single half minute, it is not necessary, and any one can find a way to avoid it. EVERGREENS. 261 If trees are for the lawn it is still a good plan to plant them out first in some cultivated ground for say, two years, when advantage can be taken of a favorable time to remove them to their permanent homes, and it can be done with such care as to make success a certainty. This treatment is not absolutely necessary, as they may with proper care be introduced to the lawn at first. To do this we must dig a hole considerably larger than the roots seem to require, and if the soil is not good carry it away and use earth from some other place where it is good for filling back. When refilled to the required depth, set in the tree with the roots in natural positions, and be sure that the earth is thoroughly worked in among the roots to fill all the interstices. This must be done with the ungloved hand. No water will be required if the earth is naturally moist so as to readily u pack" in the hand. If not it must be made so. The earth being all back in its place and the roots all nicely covered to the depth of 4 or 5 inches, tread it as hard around the roots as it can be made by the stamping, and weight of a heavy man. It will not get too solid. Some use a pav- ing maul, commencing as soon as the roots are sufficiently covered to avoid injury, and pounding as solidly as it can be done, but usually the weight of a man vigorously applied will be sufficient. If in digging the hole it is found that the ground is very dry it should be filled with water and 262 EVERGREENS. allowed to dry away a few times before planting. For this reason it is well to have the holes dug some time before the trees arrive. When they are planted with little care in the sward and fail, the nurseryman is assured that they were well watered all summer. This he thinks is true, but in reality it is more than likely that not one little drop of water has reached one root during the entire summer. I have often likened this watering by throwing on a pail of water to throwing water on the roof of a house to water the house plants within. Try it sometime, throw down one pail of water on the sod, and after it has soaked away we shall find that it has soaked down only from i to 2 inches. To water these trees in such a place we must prepare for it before the tree is planted. Bore two holes down about 2 feet, and about 3 feet apart, with a post auger, or other implement, and plant the trees between them. These holes may be filled with any coarse litter, brick bats, or cobble stones, and about once a mouth during the summer, if there is not a sufficient rainfall, fill them with water and after soaking away fill once more. A board may be placed over these holes to prevent accident as well as to fill them, only they are apt to be removed. Shading will be found beneficial, or rather pro- tecting from the severe drying south winds. This is done easily by nailing together a few pieces of old boards into a square shield some larger than EVERGREENS. 263 the tree is high. A stake is then driven into the ground on the south side of the tree, quite closely, and leaning heavily to the north, to which the shield is nailed. This is a very important precau- tion, and is of little trouble. These shields can be prepared at any time before the trees arrive, and if 5 mall trees are to be used one wide board will answer. Some have been successful by using a barrel with the heads knocked but and a few staves also displaced on the north side. If staked up a few inches from the ground it will answer, but there is danger of placing it in such a shape that the hot sun will get full force into the barrel in a still day, and the protection be worse than nothing. The flat square board shield is the better. These will not be required there but one year, when they can be safely removed. The artificial shading for the small row of trees may be made by setting small stakes at intervals in the row, nailing crosspieces to their tops, and then nailing a wide board to these, or branches of trees, or a lattice of corn stalks or lath. Pruning or Cutting Back is done for the purpose of lessening the evaporating surface of the foliage to correspond with the loss of roots. It also will generally add to the appearance of the tree to shorten it in all around. It will do no harm to cut out the buds, even if the center shoot on such trees as the spruce and balsams are removed by accident or otherwise, new buds, called adventitious, will be 264 EVERGREENS. produced from the cambium layer under the bark and grow through it and replace the lost member. This shortening in should be done severely. Sup- pose a tree has a diameter of head of about 2 feet reduce it to about i foot, cutting so as to bring the tree into a symmetrical form. If you have a hedge of any of the evergreens that is irregular, prune it to the desired shape, but do it while in the growing season, so as to stunt it and thicken it up. Many evergreens make all their season's growth in a month or less, growing very rapidly during this time, frequently 2 inches per day. These are such as the spruces, pines and balsams, while the Cedars, Arbor Vitses and Junipers grow like a deciduous tree through the most of the season. Growing Evergreens from Seed is only per- formed successfully by experts, and is not profitable unless grown in such quantities as to warrant the planter in devoting his whole attention to it. These seeds mostly germinate very readily, but are destroyed by a hot sun in a short time. They require some sun, but it is admitted to them through lattice work, or screens of some kind that will alternate sunshine and shade during the day. Lath frames are made for this purpose, 4 feet wide by about 6 or 8 feet long, the space between the laths is the width of a lath, and the beds 3 to 4 feet wide. These beds should be run east and west, so the lath will be north and south, otherwise some EVERGREENS. 265 of the trees would be constantly in the sun, while others would be shaded the same. Some seasons are much more favorable for doing this work than others. When we have frequent showers followed by hot sunshine, and hotter winds they are almost sure to "damp off," unless extra care is used to prevent it. Damping off is the kill- ing of the young plants at the ground surface, while the roots and tops are all right. This does not occur when they are self sown under the parent tree, and it is supposed that the thick bed of needles which always is found there is the secret of this. We may take a hint from this and cover our seed beds, as soon as the seed is planted, with these needles to the depth of a half-inch. The plants will find their way through. We have used coarse sawdust with fair results, but the nearer we can approach nature the better. The seed should be sown quite thickly, and very lightly covered. The beds should be prepared by working the earth as finely as possible. Some sift all the earth that they use through a sieve of about 1 8 meshes to the inch. When the beds are so pre- pared, and the ground smoothed and patted level the seed are sown, and covered by sifting on more earth till they are covered to the depth of about % of an inch when it is patted down again, the needles applied, and this is ready for the germination. The screens should not be placed on till there is a show of plants pricking through. Should the weather be very dry after the Feeds are planted, it may be 266 EVERGREENS. necessary to water, as the seeds being planted so shallow must be kept in moisture to secure their growth. These plants will remain in the seed beds two years, when the strongest will be removed and the weaker ones allowed to remain another year. They are removed to the open ground and there shaded as has been before described. A light, sandy soil, well mixed witli vegetable mould is the best for these seed beds, and if the soil is tenacious, it is improper and should be mixed as above. It will be time well spent to get leaf mould that is fine and well disinte- grated and mix with sand, and then mix again with about equal quantities of this heavier soil, where such, or similar soils are not at hand for the beds. The practice of Robert Douglass was to shade with artificial bowers, made by setting posts in the ground standing about 8 feet high; to these are nailed crosspieces to support boughs or trees,which are then placed on in sufficient quantities to make a natural broken shade. In the ordinary lath frame seed beds, ic will be well to set small stakes along the edges, to which will be nailed fence boards resting upon the ground on which the lath frames will rest. A very small space will grow an immense num- ber of these trees, and it has occurred to me that these beds for small plantations might be made in boxes and kept under cover in a well lighted EVERGREENS. 267 building. Here the sun, hot winds and supply of rain could be controlled. A pound of Norway Spruce seeds will sow a strip about 4 feet wide by 20 in length and will be about 58,000 seeds. The following table compiled by Mr. Douglass will give the number of different seeds to the pound, and will be a guide in sowing: SPRUCES (ABIES). A. Normanniana, Nordmans fir ....................... 8,000 A. Pectinata, Common silver fir ....................... 8,000 A. Pichta, Siberian silver fir ........................... 40,000 A. Fraseri, Frasers Balsam fir .......................... 43,000 A. Canadensis, Hemlock spruce ..................... 100,000 A. Excelsa, Norway spruce .............................. 58,000 A. Alba,, White spruce ................................... 160,000 A. Concolor, Colorado spruce ......................... Picea pungens, Colorado blue or "silver" spruce..! 10, 000 Pseudotsuga Douglassii, Douglass spruce ......... 45,000 CEDAR. C. Atlantica, African Cedar ............................ 7,000 PINES (PINUS). P. Cembra, Cembran pine ................................ 2,700 P. Strobus, White pine ................................... 20,000 P. Austriaca, Austrian pine ............................. 28,000 P. Silvestris, Scotch pine ............................. 69,000 P. Laricio, Corsicanpine ................................. 33,000 P. Rigida, Pitch pine ...... ,w ............................ 66,000 P. Pinaster, Sea side pine ................................ 12,000 P. Ponderosa, Yellow pine .............................. 16,000 L,arix Europa, European Larch ....................... 70,000 ARBORVIT^ o. (THUJA). T. Occidentallis, American arborvitoe .............. 320,000 ARBORVIT^ ORIENTAUJS (BIOTA O.) Biota Occidentallis ......................................... 33,000 PEAR. Common seeds ............................................. 12,000 ADBle.... ...................................... 12,000 268 EVERGREENS. Scotch Pine. — Is one of the most satisfactory of the coarser kinds and is very easily transplanted. At one time it was considered as a perfect tree for shelter belts, and even for ornament had a place with many. Time, however, has proved it to be less valuable than was supposed. Its fault is in becoming ragged and unsightly after it has stood about 20 years. It is when young very vigorous, and when pruned back occasionally to keep it within bounds is very handsome, and will for these reasons still occupy a prominent place in the lists. White Pine. — Is the timber tree of the great northwestern forests, and for this purpose it has no rival. Those who have been brought up with it hardly appreciate its beauty, as the New Bnglander does not the Hemlock. He has become so accus- tomed to it, and perhaps fought his way to a very poor farm by years of hard toil over the ashes of these trees. It is nevertheless among the most beautiful of all. No other tree has such soft and feathery needles; no other tree can make quite the mournfully delicious music, as the wind sighs through its branches, and the manner in which the long lithe swaying branchlets pack together on the wind side to make it "air-tight" is peculiar to this tree alone. Long live the white pine, the great North American evergreen. It is one of the sad- dest commentaries on the greed and destructiveness of man, that this magnificent tree in its natural forest is slowly but surely fading away before his devastating and triumphal march. The white EVERGREENS. 269 pine forests of New England are of the past, and if the present rate of depletion in the northwest is continued, which it is hoped it will not be, many are living now who will see the last giant fall, and the last immense raft of logs float slowly down the Mississippi. Even now the devastation has reached such a state that the climate of that region is much changed. Where the beech, hickories and pecans grew readily within my memory, they now barely maintain their existence. . It is believed that this tree has been of greater value to mankind than any other, and its perpetua- tion in large tracts is the duty of mankind in return. It is readily grown, and over a very wide area, adapting itself to more different soils than any other conifer. "Ours is no seedling, chance sowed by the fountain, Blooming at Beltane, in winter to fade; When the whirlwind has stripped every leaf on the mountain, The more shall Clan Alpine exult in thy shade. , Moored in the rifted rock, Proof to the tempest's shock, Firmer he roots him the ruder it blow; O that some seedling gem, Worthy such noble stem, Honored and blest in thy shadow might grow." Austrian Pine. — Is so near like the Scotch, as to be distinguishable only by those habituated to seeing both, when the difference is marked. The branches are heavier and more rigid, and the general expression is more rugged and coarse. The buds are quite different, the former being lighter colored, sometimes so bubescent as to be 370 EVERGREENS. nearly white; plump at their base and running to a slim, sharp point, while the latter are longer, blunt and darker colored. It is not hardier than the Scotch pine, but holds its age better. It is considered very valuable in its native home in the mountainous parts of Austria, where it grows to the height of 150 feet in some cases. Yellow Pine (Pinus ponderosa) Dougl., var. scop- ulorum Kngelm. — A medium-sized tree with red- dish bark, and a yellow, rather resinous wood. The leaves are from 3 to 5 inches long; and are in twos or threes. The cones are 2 to 3 inches long, and ripen in the fall of the second year. This interesting tree, which occurs so abundantly in the Rocky mountains, is the only pine native to Nebraska. It forms quite dense forests in the northwestern and northern portions of the state, extending from the Wyoming line along Pine Ridge and the Niobrara river to Long Pine creek in Brown and Rock counties. It occus also on the North Platte river as far eastward as Deuel county. In the Loup valley it originally grew in many can- yons, and remnants still occur in Valley, Greeley and Custer counties. It appears to be wanting in the Republican valley. This is one of the hardiest of the pines. Fine trees occur abundantly upon the sides and summits of the rocky hills of the north and northwest por- tions of the state. Good trees may be seen in Dawes county, growing in the tough prairie sod, with nothing to protect the trunk or roots from the EVERGREENS. 271 heat. A study of the tree in its native habitat shows that it requires very little moisture either in the soil or the air. It appears to be one well suited for planting in the central and western portions of the state. This tree grows in the higher altitudes of the state, ranging from more than 5,000 feet above the sea on Pine Ridge (in Sioux and Dawes counties) to about 2,500 feet on the Niobrara^in Rock and Keya Paha counties). On the North Platte it ranges from nearly 6,000 feet (in Scott's Bluff county) to about 3,500 feet (in Deuel county). In Custer county it grows at an elevation of about 2,500 feet, while in Valley and Greeley counties it descends to about 2,000 feet above sea level. (Univ. Bulle- tin No. 1 8. Prof. Bessy.) This tree must be handled with great care as it is not easily transplanted. Mountain pine. (P. Montana or P. Mugho). — Is a dwarf species found growing throughout the Rocky Mountains, and in Montana. Its foliage, or needles are like the Scotch pine, and its expression is that of a dwarf tree of that species. It grows but a foot or little more in height, and spreads out by the weight of its own branches bringing it to the ground. It holds its color well in winter, and is valuable for such situations on the lawn as require evergreen bushes of this kind. Red Cedar. — A medium, rather slow growing tree that is well known. There are two species found in the west, that, although quite closely 272 EVERGREENS. resembling each other, prove to be practically very different, as that from the north, sometimes called Platte river or Niobrara river cedar is entirely hardy, and among the most valuable of all the evergreens for a hardy wind break, while the southern cedars are tender in the north. The objec- tion to it for ornament is its discoloring so badly in winter when it becomes unsightly. Its timber is valuable for posts, or other uses that require an indestructible material. Fence posts have stood in sandy lands for forty years, and been still quite sound. Silver Cedar. — This is a species from the Rockies, and like so many of those mountain evergreens, has the same silvery cast, which makes it quite dis- tinguishable from the foregoing. It is not hardier, but holds its color better in winter, and is a more beautiful tree at all times. American Arborvitce. — This makes the best and largest trees of all the Arborvitses, though there are others that, for ornamental purposes, are supe- rior. The Arborvitses do not have a foliage of needles like the other evergreen coniferae,but have a two-edged branchlet, with inbricated leaves, is pungent, and the aroma from the bruised leaves is pleasing. It stands shearing into any desired form, and for this reason is much used in ornamental architecture. In its native state it grows well up to the Arctic ocean, generally in low or swampy places, where it attains a height of 40 to 60 feet, and is much used for telegraph poles. Is fairly EVERGREENS. 273 successful in the west, though on dry soils and dry exposures it grows slowly, and browns considerably in winter. Siberian Arborvitcz. — This is a variety of the above, has darker foliage, is more compact, and holds its color better in winter. It grows very slow, and is useful on the lawn where trees or large shrubs of this sort are needed. It has no connec- tion with Siberia. Globosa Arborvittz. — Called also "Roundhead." Is in habit much like the foregoing, but much more compact and symmetrical, being frequently almost perfect globes without shearing. It is lighter color, and valuable as a lawn tree, seldom growing beyond 2 or 3 feet in height. Pyramidallis Arborvitcz. — This is one of the best of all these sports from the American, for orna- mental uses. Its habit is sharply upright, trees 10 feet high, being naturally but 2 or 3 feet in diameter at the ground. It holds its color as well as any and better than the most. It has a habit of sending up several central stems, but they do not show as they hug as close to the main body as if they were tied there. It should be in every good lawn, and will always attract attention and admira- tion. This variety like all the other sports is propa- gated mostly by layering, or from cuttings with bot- tom heat. There is another tree of the same name on the foreign lists that reproduces from seed. We have the plants but a foot high. It seems to be ' 274 EVERGREENS. hardy but browns worse if possible in winter than the red cedars. Norway Spruce. — This has been in the near past perhaps the most popular of all the spruces. Bryant says it is more valuable than either the White or Black, and Michaux says it grows to the height of 150 feet in its native country, and requires 100 years to mature. As an ornamental tree in the State of Illinois and the eastern half of Iowa it is, when young, or was before the advent of the spruces from the Rockies, without a peer, where a grand stately tree of large size is required, but after pass- ing twenty or thirty years it loses its symmetry, becomes ragged and unsightly, measureably, in the locations described, but to a very marked degree in the Missouri valley and west, where it has not the quality of thrift and beauty even while young. White Spruce. — This is so much like the Norway that one accustomed to handling both might not see the difference, yet it is a distinct species and the difference easy to see when the attention is called to it. In Nebraska it is a very much better tree and much hardier and more valuable in every way. This is called the "White Spruce of Wiscon- sin". There is another variety of this, or it is claimed by some a distinct species, which is not established, and not probable. It will be described under the name of the following, Black Hills Spruce. — Foliage is much darker, and more silvery than the foregoing, a slower grower, and the expression of the tree is entirely EVERGREENS. 275 different, being more rigid, and closer topped. Another important variation is in its ability to stand unaided where the Wisconsin variety which is very hardy, frequently fails. It is probably a seedling that has in some manner wandered away to the Black Hills country, where in the last hun- dreds or perhaps thousands of years, it has in con- formity to the law of the survival of the fittest been adapting itself to that climate, until now it stands before us as a practically distinct species, but has not and never will lose its botanical identity. It is one of the most valuable and should and will be largely planted. Concolor Spruce of Colorado. — This is one of the most beautiful of the Rocky Mountain spruces, hav- ing but two rivals, one a peer and the other a superior. We quote and condense a description from the Boston Congregationalism. ('The tree with that bright foliage is the Concolor. As the name indicates it is even colored, the same the year around. But you say, 'What a marvelous beauty this has, ermine and emerald blended. Such a sheen ; a tree dressed in glory ! What is it?' It is a robe of matchless beauty the Great Horticulturist has given these trees, making them the most attractive of any thing on earth. They are held in reserve for these latter days, when nature and art unite to make home and lawn and landscape so attractive to the eye and taste. Note the contrast of this rare color with the deep green of the pines. They are true to their nature — some trees put on 276 EVERGREENS. wonderful beauty while young; but these retain their attractiveness down to old age. But in order to see these trees in all their glory, you should see them while they are bearing their cones. All are dressed in their marvelous attire of silver and green. On one tree the cones are of a deep red purple. What a contrast to the other hues — another has cones of lightest green, and another contrast. The cones grow erect at the top of the tree, and are perfect in form, about the size of an ear of Sweet corn. As they mature these colors seem to deepen, and then from the cones that clear gum exudes; the sun shines, and it seems almost too beautiful for earth. I note that these trees do as well at the east as they do in their own habitat and you will soon have these mountain treasures there. I have tried selecting seeds from the rarest specimen and find that among the thousands now coming up, most of them fairly sparkle with silver." The above description was evidently written by a lover of trees, and while it is somewhat florid, it is not overdrawn, as words are poor for painting a beautiful tree or flower. This description will apply to the Douglass, and with greater force to the Pungens, the most beautiful and hardy of all. Douglass Spruce. — In habit like the hemlock from which it acquired its botanic name, Seudo- tsuga, Tsuga being the hemlock species. Seen at a distance good specimens are taken for the Pungens, and it is said that the specimens grooving at the greatest elevations produce the ENERGREENS. 277 greatest proportion of the silvery tinted speci- mens. It is a very rapid grower, somewhat inclined to DOUGLASS SPRUCE be straggling like the European larch when very young, but when they are I to 2 feet high they stiffen up and grow vigorously. In hardiness will rank about with the Norway spruce. EVERGREENS. Colorado Blue Spruce. Or Colorado Silver spruce (Picea Pungens). — This tree was sent out from the Rocky Mountains where it was found growing in COLORADO BUTE SPRUCE. the best perfection on the eastern side, but on the north sides of the hills and peaks, and at great ele- vations. The oldest tree I have seen stands in Pil- ger, Nebraska, on the farm of I. R. Layton, and is supposed to be about fifteen years, possibly more. It is a very silvery specimen. EVERGREENS. Douglass tells of specimens in Massachusetts, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska, that are 20 to 30 feet high. In color they range from dark to light green, and from light frosty to deep blue. The following is copied from Hill: "This is the king of all the spruces, clothed in royal robes of silver and sapphire, a very Kohinoor among the gems of the Rockies. It is a child of the storm king, growing at an altitude of 8,000 to 10,000 feet above the sea level. It is generally found where there are deep gorges, or on the north of the ranges. We would naturally suppose that it would not endure a sudden change, or thrive in a hot climate. There are fine specimens growing in Washington and also in North Carolina. uThe question arises, since it is not found on the lower altitudes, or among the foot hills, why does it endure such a diversity of soil and climate? The answer is, it could not possibly grow there. The Douglass and Ponderosa and Concolor, all have large seeds and send out a strong plant, and there- fore they are found lower down. Pungens seed is small, 110,000 to the pound. In the higher alti- tudes are frequent showers, and often moss in the woods, and the ground is seldom dry. It is not hot enough to kill the plants, and so, on the north side of the hills and ranges, nature has provided for their propagation. 4 ' The cone of the Pungens is about one-half the size of the Norway, and the needles are short and sharp-pungent, hence the name. They are pol- ished like glass." 280 EVERGREENS. The length of the needles as given above is not as I- would give it, they in my specimens being much longer than the Norway. This was formerly called Menzies spruce. Hemlock. Abies (or Tsuga) Canadensis. — A very beautiful tree and should be in every lawn where they are hardy enough to stand. Holds its color well through the winter, and like the White pine is very soft and flexible. Mehan says, "It would not be exaggeration to pronounce this the most beautiful of all evergreens." But this was in Penn- sylvania, where the climate was just fitted to it. It does not do so well in dry climates and dry exposures. Balsam Fir. — In its younger days this is one of the most popular of the evergreens for ornamental planting. It is perfectly symmetrical, and nearly all trees are uniform in shade, being very dark green, and tapering regularly from base to apex. In the west it loses its beauty when 20 to 30 feet in height, becoming ragged, and limbing off near the ground. If the soil is kept very fertile there is less danger of this. In conclusion let us add here what has been omitted, that there is no better precaution can be taken with so little trouble in handling evergreens than puddling. This consists of dipping the roots of the young trees as soon as they are dug into soft mud, made about the consistency of batter. If of quite stiff clay it is better. No one may claim that he has done his duty in sending out evergreens who has neglected this. CHAPTER XVII. Humbugs. IT is thought that some space could not be used better than in describing some of these "ways that are dark, and tricks that are vain." Before doing so we must ask your indulgence. This will not be of interest to all our readers, for the larger class are fully able to take care of themselves. But there is a large class that, through lack of time or incli- nation to inform themselves and who are very indus- trious and excellent citizens, will fall an easy prey to the deceptive wiles of itinerant humbugs of all kinds, and more especially in this line. It has been estimated that in the purchase of trees alone, through overcharges, and worthless stock some of the states are annually robbed of close to $1,000,- ooo. Verily, * ' the American people love to be humbugged." There is no class of people representing any special industry or profession that can show a larger percentage of honest, upright pains-taking and intelligent people than is found in the American nurserymen. While there are exceptions in indi- vidual cases, the rule stands unchallenged. If we deal directly with them, which can generally be 282 HUMBUGS. done, very few mistakes will be made. To deter- mine where to place an order it is necessary to use the best judgment and not be overcome by the fine talk and blandishments of any one. There are "nurserymen" whose only claim to that name con- sists in their having bought and planted out a few root grafts, and whose knowledge of all other mat- ters connected with the business is very limited. The trees to be planted should be of proper varie- ties, well handled, and laid down in good condition. This is of more importance than that they are grown in any particular locality. Dealers. — Palmerston said "Ireland is my dif- ficulty. ' ' The nurserymen may well say the same of these middle men, and they do say it, and regret the apparent necessity of dealing with them, but see no way at present of avoiding it. Dealers are those who arrange as to terms, price, etc. , previ- ously with some nursery, then hire a lot of men as their agents, make the season's canvass, and then u pack out " at the place named. It is in its best sense a sale at wholesale. If these dealers were all honest there would be little harm done, but they are not always so, and the class of men that they hire are put on a strictly u revenue basis." It will be seen that the nurseryman has no con- nection with any deals with the planter, yet these "agents" represent invariably that they are te agents of the nursery. In some cases nurserymen of otherwise good standing have given to the agents of these dealers certificates of agency, of HUMBUGS. 383 such a nature as to relieve them from any legal responsibility, but drawn in such a way as to give a common person the evidence of bona fide agency. In return for this it is presumed that the dealer pays a better price for the stock. In other cases the dealers have refused to have labels put upon the stock, as they ' ' prefer to make their own varie- ties." In one case a very large lot of pistilate strawberries were bought and billed out alone, either through ignorance- or cupidity. This is worse than robbery. The plants will grow but they will not bear and the labor and pleasurable anticipation of seeing the wife and babies gathering in the heap- ing baskets of crimson beauties, as they looked in the pictures, will end only as it began, in the dis- appointment of a dream. The better plan for all would be to sell through bona fide agents, giving to each one a certificate as such under the court seal, then employ only such men as would obey orders, and make a contract that to deceive any one should cause discharge. The best way would be for every planter to send direct to the nursery, but this is out of the question. The nurseryman has the same right to live that any one else has, and if he depended on dispos- ing of his goods in this way he would be compelled soon, either to give up living or change his vocation. With all the ills surrounding the present system, it is still better than to wait for the trade that would never come. From this we see that under- 284 HUMBUGS. lying all other objections that may be made to this system is the fault of the public, which alone has the power to change it, but which never will. If we could eliminate the dealer and employ agents the system would be relieved of its worst objections. The nurseryman, either through himself or his bona fide agent, is to be commended for going out and rustling for his share of the business. The Salome Apple. — This is still being sold at two to three times its value on the representation that it is protected by a patent, and that but one nursery in the United States has the right to prop- agate it. There is no patent on any tree; never has been, and never will be as long as the people retain their senses. Patent Process. — For the apparent purpose of deceiving, and for no other conceivable reason, a large nursery keeps this prominently before the people, thus inducing their salesmen and the public to believe that no other nursery can propagate in the way they claim to do it. It is only a trade mark; and no one else has a right to use these words as describing any mode of propagating; but there is no patent on any manner of propagating anything; never has been, and never can be. Fancy Prices. — Strange as it may seem the local nurseryman does not suffer in competing against those who put prices down, but the reverse. There is an impression that the higher the price, the better the goods. The same goods are worth so much money, and selling them at double the HUMBUGS. 285 price does not enhance their value. A neighbor bought a bill of Concord grapes for $100.00 which could have been furnished for $10.00 at a fair profit. The State Nursery. — This is another ingenious mode of swindling. The operator lives at the capital, or pretends to, and is the "Superintendent of the State Nurseries." In his attire he is gotten up regardless of expense, has a fine rig and driver. The latter calls at the house of the victim informing him that the state nurseryman has been sent there and he is invited out to see him. On being intro- duced he is met with cold but dignified cordiality. He tells his man that he is fortunate in having some influential friend at the capital who has secured for him some of the state's goods, which are not sent out till they have been tested and fruited five years. The common every day farmer is not proof against such dignity, style and patron- age. He is flattered by the call of this great man and signs gladly whatever he is asked to, and will boast to his neighbors of his luck till he finds that they have all been "selected" in the same way. There is no such thing as a state nursery, and no trees or other goods are grown, or bought and sold for profit, by any state (with the possible exception of S. Carolina). Budded Apple Trees. — This fraud has been exposed so often that there ought to be few who are not posted in it. The operator travels with " two sticks," one he says is cut from a grafted tree, which is very much discolored, while the other is 286 HUMBUGS. sound, and he says was cut from a budded tree. He is made to believe, without a particle of evidence except the word of the stranger that budded trees are for that reason always sound, while grafted ones, for the same reason, are always unsound. A sale is made at two or three prices, but the ordinary grafted tree is delivered in every case. I have examined nearly 100 of these trees and have yet to find one not grafted. The wrong is in the deception, and exorbitant price, as the trees are actually better than if a budded tree was really delivered. Any one can determine by cutting one of these trees whether they are budded or grafted. Examine plate No. 10, which gives the form of a splice cr root graft. Cut into the tree just above the roots, where there is usually an unevenness that will indicate the splice, this will be found and the parts can be separated, as the wood in a graft never grows together, but is encased in new wood which forms over it. Prof. Budd, in State Register, Feb. 18, 1887, says: "As these budded apple tree chaps are well distributed over the state, the real facts should be kept before the people. Trees budded on any obtainable stock, or seedlings, are not worth plant- ing in any part of Iowa, as not one seedling in 500 is as hardy as our common grafted sorts. Hence, if the Duchess of Oldenburg, Wealthy, or Whitney's No. 20, or even the crabs should be budded above the crown on common seedling stocks they will soon go out by root killing. But the wily agent HUMBUGS. 287 claims their trees are budded on French Crab stocks. If so, this is still worse, as the so-called French Crab seed is from the Perry making sections of south France, and their seedlings are as tender with us as the peach. Absolutely there is nothing in the artful story with which so many are now being gulled." Tree Blackberry. — These are sold at the present time at the same price as the following, #3.00 each, or two for $5.00. One hundred should be bought for the price of 'one. They are made by cutting back a strong cane of any common variety and causing it to throw out branches. It resembles a tree, and is taken up in the fall and cellared The next year it bears fruit, and like all other black- berries dies in the fall, so far as the tree is con- cerned, but the root lives, and the next year there will be a crop of sprouts or suckers, like any other. Evergreen Blackberry. — This is not a myth, but is of no value in our climate. In its native home, Oregon, it is a partial evergreen. Half down and balance in fruit when trees bear is another very ingenious scheme. The price is doubled, so that half price is full price, and the operator does not figure on his prospective profits on fruit. Promises outside of the contract, are not binding. If one is promised anything that he relies on he should see that it is written in the order. The only safe way is to demand an exact duplicate of the order. A card with the names of trees and 288 HUMBUGS. amount all bundled into one amount under a " blanket" is of no value. This will also prevent "stuffing" or "padding" the orders, which is sometimes done. Grape Vine Raspberry. Another myth. There is no such thing outside of the prolific brain of the vender. The only thing real about it is the price. Tree Currants. — These are made as shown under "Propagation," which see. They are an oddity, but not worth as much as the bush. They cost but a trifle more and should be sold at the same price. In General, pass by anything claimed to be new and of great value, if there is a great price attached to it. If new it is untried, and if it does prove to be of value, it will be on the general market soon at a reasonable price. It is common in many places where a local nursery has established a good trade, and a good reputation, to try to break it down for the purpose of picking it up by outsiders. In such cases they, either by an explicit agreement or a tacit under- standing, "double up" and all tell the same story, such as, "He has sold out," or "Hasn't some kind of goods that they are selling," or "Is bankrupt," etc. All such stories should be carefully investigated before placing confidence in them. I remember that when a boy, in going to a strange orchard after fruit, I always went first to the trees having the most clubs under them. " Prove all things; l:oM fast that which i3 f^ INDEX. A. PAGE. Abundance plum 155 Adaptability to climate 33 Advantage of small trees. ..57, 75 Agawam grape 211 Agents 42 Alexander apple 227 Alexander peach 161 Allen's choice apple 236 Ancient Briton blackberry.. 193 Anisette apple 246 Aport apple 247 Aport voronesh apple 247 Apples, description of. 217 Apricot, Russian 163 Apricots..., 157 Arborvitae 272 " American 272 1 Globosa 273 Pyramidallis 273 1 Siberian 273 Artificial pollenizing 88 Autumn strawberry apple... 227 B. Balsam fir 280 Bartell dewberry 199 Beder wood strawberry 183 Ben Davis apple 231 Benoni apple 226 Berberry 200 Bessimianca pear 252 Birch, weeping 141 Blackberries 191 " Covering 193 Black heart 31, 77, 111 Black Hills spruce 274 Black Naples currant 1JM5 Blight 106 PAGE. Blushed Calville apple 246 Boiken apple 248 Borers 81, 97 Botan plum 155 Brighton grape 212 Bubach No. 5 strawberry ... 185 Budding 119, 285 Buds on the roots 27 Buffalo berry 200 Buhach HO Burrowing animals 100 C. Canada peach apple 221 " pippin apple 238 Canning fruit 68 Capt. Jack strawberry... 183, 184 Catherine apple 230 Cayuga red streak apple 239 Cellar wintering 45 Chas. Downing plum 153 Cheney t>lum 147 Cherries". 169 " Russian 175 " Soils for 170, 172 " Varieties of. 172 Choke cherry 177 Cion and stock, uncongenial 23 Cion not modified by stock.. 23 Circulation in trees 27 Cleft grafting 123 Climate, adaptability to 33 Clinton grape 212 Coe grape 212 Cole's quince apple 220 Collar, the 21 Colorado blue spruce 278 Colvert apple 225 290 INDEX. Concolor spruce 275 Concord grape 211, 213 Conditions promote hardi- ness 35 Corn stalks for protection. .. 99 Cooper's E. White apple 221 Covering strawberries 182 Crab apples 248 Crescent City plum 153 Cro-s fertilizing 83 Croton grape 213 Cultivating young orchard. 57 Currants .". 194 Curved hedge rows 137 Cut backs 30 Cuthbert raspberry 188 Cut leaved weeping birch... 141 Cuttings 116 D. Day apple 226 Dealers 42, 282 Delaware grape 213 Desota plum 146 Dewberries 198 Dibbles 28 Double working 126 Douglass spruce 276 Downing gooseberry 198 Duchess grape 213 " ofOldenburg 219 Dwarf Mt. Juneberry 199 Dyer apple , 226 E. Early harvest apple 218 Early Richmond cherry 172 Early Victor grape 213 Elvira grape 213 Empire state grape 213 Enemies of the orchard 91 Eng. Morello cherry 173 Enlargement near graft 26 Evergreens 138, 225 For the lawn 261 From seed 264 Groves of... 260 Not moved in fall 52 Pruning 263 Evergreens Puddling 280 " Root pruned .» 32 " Shading 262 " Transplanting 556 " Watering 262 Excelsior apple 251 Exposure 48 F. Fall apples 223 Fall handling 48, 52 Fall orange apple 225 Fall wine sap apple 225 Feeding the trees 64 Flemish beauty pear 251 Flowering shrubs 140 Forest garden plum 146 Forest rose plum 152 Fruit blowing off ,„,, 59 Fruit, thinning the 66 " Canning 68 " Gathering the 67 " Keeping the 68 Fungoids 99 G. Gathering Fruit 67 Gideon apple... 251 Gipsy girl apple 247 Goethe grape 214 Gooseberries 196 Grafting 122 Top 17, 128, 131 Top, stocks for 132 Wax 126 Grapes 203 Arbor for 208 Covering 209 Kinds of. 208 Planting 204 Pruning 206 Ripen in shade 209 Soil for 203 Trellising 205 Winter protection 210 Grapes of most value 216 Gregg raspberry 189 Grime's golden apple 236 INDEX. 291 PAGE. Gross Pomier apple 223 Ground moles 100 Grouping varieties 138 H. Haas apple 223 Hagloe apple 222 Hammer plum 153 Hardiness of trees 33 Hardy trees, list of 36 Haverland strawberry 185 Hawkeye plum 147 Heeling in 50, Hemlock 280 High fertilizing 27 Hill's Chili peach 161 Hislop crab 254 Houghton gooseberry 198 Humbugs 281 I. Idaho pear 253 Industry gooseberry 197 Insects „ 88 Borers 81, 97 Borers not in sound wood 98 Damage by 92 Fruit eating 96 Leafcrumpler 94 Leaf eating 94 Sap suckers 95 Tree crickets 98 Use of. 91 Insecticides 109 Iowa blush apple. 235 Iowa keeper apple 238 Japan plums 154 Jeffries apple 228 Jessie strawberry 183, 184 Jonathan apple. 232 K Keeping fruit 68 Kerosene emulsion 110 Keswick apple 222 Kieffer's hybrid pear 253 Kilbourn peach 101 PAGE. Kilmarnock 141 Kind of trees to plant 45 Kurskaya pear 253 L. Lady grape 214 Landscape gardening 135 Late Richmond cherry 174 La Versalles currant 196 Layering 118 Laying down peaches 157 Location and soil 47 London purple 109 Longbunch Holland cur- rant 196 Longfield apple 246 Lowell apple 228 Lubsk queen apple 246 Lucretia dewberry 199 M. Maiden blush apple 226 Making the orchard 41 Management of orchard 63 Mann apple 240 Maquoketa plum 153 Martha grape 214 McMahon's white apple 229 Merrimac grape 214 Mice 98 Michigan vs. Nebraska trees 15 Milton plum 153 Miner plum 151 Minimum temperature 39 Minkler apple 233 Mongolian pear 253 Montmorency cherry 174 Moreman plum 154 Moore's early grape 214 Mountain pine 270 Mulberry Teas weeping 141 N. Natural pollenizing 84 Northwestern greening 234 Norway spruce 274 Number of trees to the acre 60 Nursery, the 13 Nursery to orchard 37 292 INDEX. O. PAGE. October apple 251 Ogon plum 156 Okabena apple 240 Older raspberry 189 Orchard, making the 41 Crops in the 63 Enemies of 91 In sod 49 Laying out the 53 Making by contract... 43 Management 63 Ostheim cherry 173 Ostrakoff apple 247 Own roots 14, 18, 26 P. Paris green 109 Parker Earle strawberry 184 Pattons greening apple 236 Peaches 157 " Training on trellis 157 " InS. Dak 163 " In the north 34 Pears 251 Pear blight 251 Peerless apple 229 Peter apple 251 Pewaukee apple 239 Planting root grafts 28 Planting trees 53 Plowing with no dead fur- rows 28 Plums 143 " Species of 143 ' ' Varieties of. 143 to 156 Plumbs cider apple 224 Pocket gophers 100 Pocklington grape 214 Poplar peach , 161 Propagation 115 Budding 119 By seeds 116 Cuttings 117 Grafting 122 Layering 118 Root grafting 124 Side grafting 125 Protecting trees 56, 76 Pruning and hardiness 39 Pruning in general 71 Prices sweet apple 227 "Puddling in" at planting. 53 Pyrethrum 110 Q- Quaker plum 148 Quality and hardiness 37 Quassia chips 110 R. Rabbits 98 " Protection from 99 Raspberries 185 " Mulching 188 " Planting 187 " Propagation of 186 " Protecting 186 Rawles Janet apple 233 Record in trenches 50 Red astrachan apple 219 Red cedar 270 Red Dutch currant 196 Red June .apple 218 Regal apple , 248 Replace and use 56 Roman stem apple 240 Rome beauty apple 233 Root grafting 124 Root grafts, cultivating 31 " Firming 32 " Planting 28 " Protecting 30 " Winterkilling.. 29 Robinson plum 152 Rolingstone plum 148 Russian apples, new 242 Russian apricot 164 Russian cherries 175 Russian crab 217 S. Salome apple 238, 284 Salway peach 161 St. Lawrence apple 228 Sand cherry 176 Satsuma plum 155 INDEX. 293 Scotch pine 268 Scott's winter apple 234 Seedling apple 241 Seedlings, tender 14, 17, 20 Self-fertilizing strawberries 180 Shaffer's colossal raspberry 189 Short root and long cion.... 20 Side grafting 125 Silver cedar 272 Small fruits 179 Small trees, advantage of 57, 75 Smith's improved goose- berry 198 Snyder blackberry 193 Soil and location 47 Sops of wine apple 221 Souhegan raspberry 189 Speer plum 148 Spring budding 121 Strawberries 179, 182 Strawberries, fall 32 Stripping in nursery 74 Suckers 26 Summer queen apple 218 Sun scald 80, 102 Superknowledgist 113 Sutton's beauty apple 237 Sweet June apple 218 T. Talman sweet apple 239 Tap roots indispensable 16 Tetofski apple 217 Thinning out fruit 66 Tong-Pa peach 161 Top grafting 17, 128. 131 Turner raspberry 188 Tyler raspberry 189 Type of roots governed by stocks 16 U. Use of insects 88 Utter's red apple 224 V. PASE. Van Buren plum 148 Varieties of strawberries 183 Victoria currant 195 W. Wager peach 164 Walbridge apple 237 Warfield strawberry 183 Watering trees 54 Wealthy apple , 224 Weaver plum 147 Weeds to shade the ground.. 36 Weeping trees 141 " Willow 141 Whip grafting 122 White grape currant 195 White hellebore 109 White pine 268 White pippin apple 238 White spruce 274 Whitewash 104 Whitney No. 20 254 Whole root vs. piece root. .13, 24 Wilder grape 215 Wild goose plum 152 Willow twig apple 232 Wind breaks 5g Winesap apple 232 Winter apples 230 Wintering in cellar... 45 Wolf plum 147 Wolf river apple 240 Worden grape 211 Wyant plum 147 Wythe apple 236 Y. Yellow pine 270 Yellow transparent 254 Yield of strawberries 183 Z. Zuzoft's winter 248