Spring 1911 : some new fruits originated by N.E. Hansen in the fruit-breeding laboratory of the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station and some new alfalfas

Historic, Archive Document

Do not assume content reflects current
scientific knowledge, policies, or practices.

—

il 1911

lew Fruits

‘Originated by N. E. Hancea in the Fruit-Breeding laboratory of the South
Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station

Sprit

ce

i

and

Some New Alfalfas

N. E. HANSEN

proterecn of "Horticulture in the South Dakota State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts; and Agricultural Explorer for the United States

as : Department of Agriculture, 1897-8, 1906-7, 1908-9.

INTRODUCTION.

The object of these experiments is to originate better and hardier
fruits for the prairie Northwest than any now known. ‘10 pve compelled
to protect fruit trees and plans is Horticulture on Crutches and hence to be
avoided if possible.

This department does mot conduct a commercial nursery. The plants

sent out are either originated here as the results of fruit-breeding experi-
ments, or imported from — ‘Russia, Siberia or other northern regions of
* Europe and Asia. My policy is to offer each kind only until well intro-
duced, leaving | ‘the main work of propagation to the commercial nurseries.
The Bee ‘sent ont: pti ign, areal. here; There Value eiscwhere cal

wal

Ai ?
in “due Season whan ‘reduested.

5 Se Those interested in- experimental ORoricalitns for® ‘the prairie North-
eo * wesit t should order early, as the stock is limited. On late orders please
hd sae? if selection of varieties is left to me.

: - The past season has not advanced our knowledge of new fruits, owing
to the untimely late freeze which caused such widespread loss of the fruit
crop in the Mississippi valley. The ‘experiments in breeding hardy fruits
at this station are now second to none in extent. The new Fruit-breeding
Laboratory granted by the last Legislature includes an ‘area of 40x115
feet under glass, which greatly facilitates the work. ‘Some 500 lots of
hybridized seed were planted this fall, the result of the past season’s work.
Special attention is now being- paid to the apples, as the most important

problem of all is a hardy winter apple. After fruiting a multitude of apple
seedlings and after wide travel in many lands, I believe the future is full
of hope in this line and that the ene -for apple is on the way and almost
here,
The varieties offered in hans list are some of the successes with stone ~
fruits, the failures are represented by the ashes of many huge bonfires.

In the following cuts, the fruit is shown natural size, with oné or two
pits or with fruit cut to show pit.

Special Note—To give these Sioux Indian names their native melody,
pronounce the vowel A with the long Italian A, as in “arm.”
TERMS, CASH WITH ORDER.

Positively no credit given except to Government Experiment Stations.
Add 25 cents to orders for less than $3.00 to pay for moss and packing:
_ Stock is shipped by express carefully packed in moss.

No Orders Booked Until Paid For.
No Plants Sold In Less Than the Quantities Specified.

=

The money received from the sale of plants makes it poteihle to carry

on the fruit-breeding work on a larger scale than would otherwise be pos- —

‘sible. A work of tremendous magnitude and importance is being done with

-yery limited means; this charge helps to cover cost of propagation and aison AS : i
serves to keep the stock out of oie hands of the careless planter who is . eighths inches in diameter.

= really interested in the work. | , eh

“ Do not send ‘Weal checks.
NES! omen Address

NL EL HANSEN,
-Bxperiment Station, art South Seas

| of vigorous growth and forms fruit buds freely on one-year-old shoots in
| nursery;

as one-year-old trees from bud;
‘many places.

OPATA.

“pougquet”’). First sent out in spring of 1908
these bore freely the following year in
The excellent quality of the Opata makes it worthy of wide
Female parent, the Dakota sand

Opata (Sioux Indian for

popularity for table and culinary use.

cherry (Prunus Besseyi); male parent, the Gold plum, a very large hybrid
- Japanese variety originated by Luther Burbank and for which Three Thou-

sand Dollars was paid when first introduced. Opata is 1a plum tree in habit

foliage large and glossy. Fruit, one and three-sixteenths inches

\in diameter, dark purplish-red with blue bloom; weight one-half ounce;

\
{
\

/

- flesh green, firm; flavor very pleasant, combining the sprightly acid of the

sand cherry with the rich sweetness of the Gold plum. Hxcellent for
‘eating out of hand. The thin skin can be chewed and eaten, as it is
entirely free from.acerbity. Pit very small, as is seen by the above cut;
geason extremely early. Our best Opata fruits in 1909 were one and five-
A very strong grower in nursery and orchard

and an early and heavy bearer. At this station in 1909 Opata was fully

Ss CR j iil i ; Banner
Remit by Bank Drait, , Postotfice on Heeae a Manitoba No. 1 plum, although dull red, was not ripe enough
| :

Trees, one year old, Puce on native plum root, each $1.00; six trees
for $4.50.

SAPA.

Sapa is the Sioux Indian for “black” and alludes to the color of the
skin, flesh and juice of this remarkable hybrid, which was offered in the
spring of 1908 for the first time. (See Bulletin 102.) This represents a
new departure in stone fruits for the prairie Northwest. The fruit has
the rich dark purple-red skin, flesh and juice of its sire, which is a very
large Japanese plum of the Satsuma type, originated by Luther Burbank
of California and by him named the Sultan. The female parent is one of |
our selected seedlings of the northwestern sand cherry (Prunus Besseyi),
a favorite fruit of the Dakota Sioux Indians. The tree is plum-like in
habit, forming fruit buds freely on ome year trees in nursery. One year
irees sent out in the spring of 1908 bore freely in 1909 in many places.

Specimens of the Sapa grown in Minnesota took first prize as a seedling
plum at the Minnesota State Fair in 1909. In 1909 our best Sapas at
Brookings were one and three-eighths inches in diameter, weight five-,
eighths ounces, on one-year-old trees set the preceding year and |
a heavy -ercp. The rich purple’ color of the skin is dulled at first iby b
overspread with a thin gray, which disappears as the fruit attains full |
ripeness. Season extremely early. Stock available for spring, sixty-two
trees, transplanted, 4 to 5 feet, each $1.00. One-year-old budded trees, each
$1.00; six trees for $4.50.

EZAPTAN.

I have a number of seedlings of the same pedigree as the Sapa, much

the same in character of fruit, but differing somewhat in tree. Perhaps
several are needed for better pollination in mixed orchards. It seems
worth while to offer for the first time a few trees of the Hzaptan (Sioux
Indian for “fifth’’), remarkable for its early and heavy bearing. Color of
fruit in 1909 of a dark purple and with less grayish overcast than that of
Sapa; perhaps averages smaller than Sapa but this will be better de-
termined with further experience. Quality delicious, color black purple-red
from skin to pit the same as Sapa. Trees one year old, each $1.00.

é

FOUR NEW HYBRIDS. ;
Wil! Plum x Chinese Apricot—Hanska, Inkpa, Kaya, Toka.

\

= HANSKA. 2

First introduced in the Spring of 1908. As exhibited at the South
Dakota State Fair three years in succession, the fruit of this variety has
been much admired for its beautiful color, which is bright red with heavy
blue bloom, firm yellow flesh, good quality and rich fragrance;
1909 was one and one-half to one and nine-sixteenths inches in diameter.
When cooked the strong apricot flavor is brought out to perfection, entirely
unlike any native plum. The flat shape also distinguishes it from all the
cther hardy plums grown in the Northwest.
of our wild Northwestern plum (Prunus Americana) ;
popular in the orchards of California. Hanska is Sioux Indian for

“tall,”
alluding to the extremely rapid, growth in nursery and orchard.

Inkpa and Kaga, of the same pedigree as the Hanska, were offered

for the first time in the spring of 1909. The three varieties are much alike
in fruit and rapidity of growth, but further trial is needed to determine
which is the best one.
four varieties of this pedigree for better pollination of the blossoms, the
same as many other plums.
“apex” or “acme;” and Kaga signifies “pitch a tent.’
TOKA. 3

Offered for the first time. I have some.15 varieties of the same gadieres:

The female parent is a seedling
the male parent is”
the large, firm-fleshed, fragrant, apricot-plum of China (Prunus -—Simoni),

It may be that it will be best to plant some of all

fruit in -

Inkpa in the Sioux Indian language aS

as Hanska, Inkpa and Kaga, all of which bore a heavy crop in 1909, when |

native plums were almost a total failure.
in character of fruit but differ somewhat in tree.
seedlings closely in the nursery and orchard, I cannot help noticing that
some are spreading, while others are very upright in habit, much like the
Prunus Simoni itself. One is of such erect strong, stocky ‘growth, really

a model nursery. tree, that I deem it worthy of trial. My field notes state:

“Simoni habit in nursery. The nicest looking tree in nursery and orchard.”
Toka is the Sioux Indian for “adversary.” An early and heavy bearer.

Trees of the Hanska Type Available for Spring, 1911.

Hanska, 65 trees; Inkpa, 115 trees; Kaga, 58 trees; Toka, 136 trees.
All the above stocky, extra heavy, 2 to 3 years transplanted, 5 to 7 feet,
each $1.00. Aes

The Hanska Quartette.

Special Offer:

special offer, as the stock permits. The foregoing list shows that the stock
on hand will only permit fifty-eight complete sets of this kind. Those who
already have one or more of these varieties will thus have a Se es. to
test the others.

The present indications are that Hanska, lee Kaga and aoe will i

become standard market varieties because they present a remarkable com-

bination of vigor of tree and early bearing with large, choice, handsome »

fruit.

ETOPA. Stee ae res
First sent out spring. 1908 as” “one.
aes same Ee

Etopa is Sioux Indian for “fourth.”

vue ae thers, These bore Aneely in ae in tes Seo

One each of Hanska, Inkpa, Kaga and Toka foe $3. 00. eat
On late orders only one, two or three varieties can be included in this an

They are all very much alike
In observing these

h
host

aveeltent in quality. and remarkable io: the intense black, purple red color
of skin, flesh and juice. Skin thin, free from acerbity. Mr. A. P. Steven-
son of Dunston, Manitoba, writes: ‘“Htopa ripened some very fine fruit
on September 12, 1909, I think a lot of this variety, it is the best yet
fruited here.” Only 22 trees available, transplanted trees 41% fit., each $1.00.

'SKUYA.

Skuya is Sioux Indian ‘for “sweet.” First sent out, spring, 1908. FEe-
male parent Red June, a large early Japanese plum; male parent, De Soto,

Wisconsin. Fruit red and yellow, quality excellent and delicious; pit very
small. Total stock available, 15 transplanted trees, stocky, 6 feet,
each $1.00.

a SANSOTO.

“HYBRIDS OF SAND CHERRY AND DESOTO PLUM.

At this station I have fruited over five hundred seedlings of the Com-
pass plum in the endeavor to secure an improvement on that well-known
variety. These seedlings run back either to the native plum (Prunus
Americana) or to the native sand cherry (Prunus Besseyi) which definitely

_ proves that there is no trace either of the Miner plum or Morello cherry in

tts: ancestry. Although the seedlings as a class bore heavily, none were

ips

a _ enough of an- Senn poversuet hon. aie Compass to make them worthy ot
( OI

¢ A sou iiyesiomn Wiswoneine 7 have raided many better seedlings.

(Prunus. Petecerney Feet
In the fall
‘of 1907 thirteen of these were under propagation in the station nursery
_ which fruited heavily in 1909 as budded trees. All these are of strong.
growth in “nursery and formed abundant fruit buds the first year. Some
were destroyed since they combined the bad qualities of both parents in
quality of fruit and large size of pit.
market plums.

a total failure. Two of these were names Sansoto and Cheresoto, (made

‘up from the words sand cherry and De Soto), and were introduced in the

spring of 1910. These two are much alike in fruit, but differ somewhat in
shape, Sansoto being round, while Cheresoto is longish with a minute bristle
or prickle at the apex, which it no doubt inherits from the sand cherry.
The size was about one and three-eighths inches in diameter, color shining
black when fully ripe, with heavy blue bloom; flesh cling, yellowish-green,
sprightly, pleasant; skin thin and free from acerbity; pit small.
is a perfect mingling of the sand cherry and De Soto in looks and flavor,
having the size of De Soto and color of the sand cherry. Both are very

strong growers in nursery. The sand cherry hybrids as a class bloom later

"7

the color is as bright and the growth equal if not BUDS MEY.

than the plum, which is characteristic of the sand cherfy. -

— 3 Sansoto and Cheresoto could not compete with Opata and Sapa in -

quality were they of the same season, poe they come in after the Opata

oe and Sapa are ripe and gone.

Available stock:
heavy trees, each $1.00.

Sansoto q iL, Cee ses oe transplanted, 6 ocr extra

"a

PURPLE LEAF SAND CHERRIES.

‘An event for landscape gardeners.
with pollen of the Purple Leaved plum of Persia, (Prunus Pissardi), we have

a number of beautiful shrubs following the sand cherry in stature and glossi-

ness of leaf, but with the rich purple-red color of foliage which gives the.
Persian sire such wide popularity. Im the spring of 1909, three of these

seedlings were first introduced as Purple A, Purple B, and Purple C. Last

year Purple A was named Cistena (Sioux Indian name for “baby”).
Further experience shows that Purple B is also worthy of a name since
The name now

given to Purple B is
: STANAPA. ¥

which is made up ‘tren two Sioux Indian words meaning “purple leaf’.

their brilliant coloring. =

Y For the spring of 1911. oe have 86 igopear transplanted plants of. Stanapa
ages on native via Wee Puce each $1, 00.

In-
my opinion these purple-leaved sand cherries will win great favor for single
specimens or groups on the lawn or for dwarf ornamental hedges, owing to

a well known native plum (Prunus Americana) originated in southwestern |

Others show promise of value as late |
They fruited heavily in 1909, when native plums were almost _

The fruit |

By crossing the Dakota saint cherry —

CHERESOTO.

SCIONS.

{ Scions of all the hybrid plums listed in this circular are now in cellar

{ready for top-grafting or for crown-grafting out doors in early spring on
native plum roots. Scions are intended mainly for expert nurserymen, as

{in the hands of amateurs they usually give disappointment only.

| Price of scions, 10 feet for $1.00, 100 feet for $5.00. No scion order for

| less than $5.00 will be accepted.

South Dakota Sand Cherries

SAND CHERRY SEEDLINGS.

In the work of improving the native sand cherry, hybridization with

| Japanese plums gave the quickest results as is shown by such varieties as

native plum roots,

Opata and Sapa. However, the work of improving the sand cherry by
selection from many thousands of seedlings is still under way, the fourth
and fifth generations are now under cultivation. The fruit of some of these
selected varieties compares favorably with California cherries in size. The
pressure of other work has prevented the propagation of any of these
for distribution for several years past, with the exception of one very
large-fruited variety which I hope to offer in due season. I am now en-
deavoring to work out a cheaper method of propagation than budding on
a necessity for future work. In response to many
inquiries we can spare a few mixed sand cherry seedlings of the third
generation, small one year plants, at $3.00 per hundred, ‘They vary greatly
in size and quality. Most of them will be no improvement upon the wild
ones, but for high dry land in their native home west of Pierre they will
serve a useful purpose for new settlers. The fruit of all these seedlings
is good enough for sauce, and an occasional one will have choice fruit,

On low rich soil in a moist region they mildew and are unproductive. We
use sand cherry seedlings also as dwarf stock for plums and peaches 1
our fruit-breeding experiments, and have had good results from indoor,
erafting of native plums on sand cherry seedlings, using a long scion and
whole root, so that the plum may soon be on its own roots. ies

HARDY RASPBERRIES. - “

Out of fourteen thousand raspberry seedlings fruited at this station
the Sunbeam is the only one that has been named and introduced. It |
now stands out as the hardiest red raspberry in cultivation. The Sun-"
beam was first sent out in spring of 1906 and is now so extensively grown
by nurserymen that I will not need to continue its propagation. The fema
parent of Sunbeam is a wild red raspberry from Cavalier county, North
New York. The male parent, Shaffer's Colossal from New York.

The Sunbeam is now on the recommended Fruit List of the Minne
sota and South Dakota State Horticultural Societies.

HARDY STRAWBERRIES.

. aoe "
An immense number of strawberry seedlings have been raised at this |)

station in the endeayor to originate a “busy farmer’s ‘berry,’
hardy without winter mulching. These are mostly hybrids of the wil
and cultivated varieties. Two of them have been sent out so iar, Sout
Dakota. Nos. 1 and 2. The pressure of other work has prevented the
propagating of the larger-fruited seedlings. Several hundred different ao
lings are still retained. Both Nos. 1 and 2 have the habit from their wild

one that a

parent of setting too many plants, but they are extremely hardy. Fruit one-
ineh in diameter when plants are not allowed to get too thick.

Alfalfas

It is prob-

ably best to fruit the beds only one year.

Some New

N. E. Hansen and party coming into Semipalatinsk, August, 1908, from a
oe of 400 miles through the steppes of South- '
western Siberia.

In 1906 in the course.of my third trip to Russia and second trip through —
Siberia as Agricultural Explorer for the United States Department of Agri-_
culture, I learned that’ three species of alfalfa grew wild in Siberia, and
brought seed of one of them to the United States for the first time. The |
other two species were obtained on my third trip to Siberia in 1908-9. All ”
three bear yellow flowers. My own estimate of these new alfalfas is that
they will extend the alfalfa belt on this continent as far north as we wish
to farm. Also that they will be weeded mainly in regions where our com-
mon alfalfa, native of the mild region between India and the eee
Sea, is subject to winter-killing. oa

My preliminary report “The Wild Alfalfas and Clovers of Siberia, with
a Perspective View of the Alfalfas of the World,’ was published May 28,
1909, as Bulletin 150, Bureau of Plant Industry, United States Department —
of Agricult. re. A copy may be obtained by sending Money Order or Cash, |
ten cents, tu the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office,
Washington, Dic,

So far seed from the 1906 trip has not been available in sufficient quan-
tity for the Experiment Stations, let alone the multitude of private planters
eager to test them. My correspondence indicates the intense and wide- ~
spread interest in the alfalfa question, but farmers must be patient until |
the relative value can be determined and seed of the best ones raised for
distribution.

Seeds will not be available in quantity until the legislature grants suf-
ficient funds for the work at the central station and sub-stations, preliminary
to the work of farmers and seedsmen.

WHY NAMES INSTEAD OF NUMBERS,

Words are usually retained in memory easier than figures, hence I have
given the new alfalfas names instead of numbers. The present plan of
giving each state its own agronomy pee numbers makes it very dif-
ficult to follow up new introductions. In time, however, the agronomists |
will, no doubt, adopt rules of priority in nomenclature as stringent
those of the American Pomological Society. The present lack of r €
in agronomy nomenclature causes confusion, as it inflicts local bookkeepin
on Dational problems. é

Pe ci one kind ve
200° of one kind for

i need eae from_ pele

cago falcata from a region

or fea. ‘alfalfa (Medica
Af land of the Don Cossack

' vigor. act ites fae!

me Ro ine

FOUR ALFALFAS: ‘PURE: BRED AND HYBRID.

One-year-old plants of four varieties are “offered for spring, 1910, two
of the Sand Lucern (Medicago media) group; two of the yelsow-iowered
Medicago falcata of eastern Russia and Siberia. Further experiments will
determine which is the better of these two itypes of alfalfa. Medicago falcata
ranges much further north in Asia while Medicago. media is a natural hybrid
wich occurs where the ranges of the yellow and biue fiowered altaifas
overlap. The crossing occurs freely where the two are grown together.
‘hese hybrid or mute alfalfas are distinguished by wonderful vigor of
growth, and their quick recovery after cutting; also the seed does not -
shatter prematurely. Medicago falcata ranges much further north in Asia
and is no doubt hardier, but the seed is imclined to shatter too early;
this, however, will no doubt soon be bred out by selection. The plants
vary greatly in habit, some being as tall and erect in habit as any plants
of the common biue-flowered altalfa Medicago sativa; while others are of
low semi-trailing habit. Yhe latter may prove valuable for steep slopes -
and mountain pastures, while those of erect habit will, of course, be best —
for mowing. Russian experience shows that Medicago falcata as found
native in eastern Russia and Siberia stands grazing much better than the ~
common altalta; in my opinion, this Siberian type of Medicago faleata ee
BS a nag RIE pod to our Bae ranges. go tats can ae Pets ee ae

with a Salen drill and eSleatine ibe: a Gnesi hoe, ee ‘the: sal
for carrots and beets. The plants made a strong growth and were

up late in the fall and are now heeled in outdoors with manure over Ne
earth. They will be desirable for ‘transplanting three to four feet apar
each way in good garden soil and shouid be given thorough — cultivation. —
This will encourage the production of seed. Transplanting alfalfa plants —
is nothing new as it has gone been DERE in i paris, of India and South
America, : : : de Ss Bier ee

In South Dakota they will be sent |

co-operation with the station in this alf
Department of this station. Planters livin;
the same agreement with me so that I maj
United States Be ns of be =

30 ‘of ane ‘kind ior =
100- of one ‘kind for.

‘Lhe above 20 per cent discount
hand in equal ‘numbers. 2

*

_ Hangen’s Omsk Sense

as my No. 199° ‘of my 1906 trip
in the same place. The plants —
plants in the compact prairi
degrees. A plant of vigorou:
varies somewhat in erect:
ment by selection. 3

Plants grown en (
ot ie Senupalatinsic Z

ered in 1908 on the Trt

were five feet heat ince;

found wild on the steppe:

really a very dark purple
plant of strong, very upr:
years. In my opinion this hybri condit
ued and the ‘Relors: not isolated yy sele

Cherno refers to the dark-colored flowers,
“black.”

ince of the Don river oe on
natural hybrid of M. falc
on one branch, ye 5
braneh; a ee