48 TEANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



Some of our Iowa friends are looking to the Steppes of Russia 

 for a solution of this question, claiming that on those far Eastern 

 plains they have climatic conditions very similar to those of our 

 Northwest. That the types of trees and plants that will endure 

 their dry atmosphere are just what we want on our Western plains. 

 Others are of the opinion that we must look for a solution of this 

 question in hybridization, in raising new varieties to the manor 

 born. That fruits to be thoroughly adapted to any locality must 

 be originated there. 



Still others are of the opinion that the trouble is one of tempo- 

 rary duration, that the unfavorable conditions which we have had 

 for a term of years past will not long continue, and that our old 

 varieties will again be vigorous and answer our purpose as well as 

 they have in the past. But whichever plan you take to solve the 

 question, it will take time to bring around any satisfactory result. 



The thorough testing of any variety of fruit means years of 

 growing and fruiting, and to give even a partial recommendation of 

 a new variety should include more than one season's acquaintance. 



For these reasons I shall say but little in regard to any of the 

 new apples, only giving a few notes of growth and appearance of 

 trees as I have found them in the nursery, hoping that another sea- 

 son's experience will give us more practical knowledge of their real 

 value. 



For several seasons we have had special call for some of our old 

 varieties that were not very popular with most tree planters in 

 former years. 



The reason assigned for wishing these particular varieties was , 

 that they had endured the severe winters and, in many cases, were 

 the only trees that were left in their orchards. Among these vari- 

 eties are Northern Spy, Roman Stem, Maiden's Blush and, in some 

 localities, Minkler, and Cayuga Red, or Twenty-ounce Pippin. In 

 former years most of these varieties were not considered more hardy 

 than many others that have succumbed to these unfavorable winters. 



The testimony of different persons in regard to the matter often 

 conflicts, and the reason why these varieties survived, and the others 

 failed, has yet to be learned. 



For several years I have been growing more or less of the newer 

 varieties, with varied success. With the majority of them my ex- 

 perience covers only two or three seasons, during which time we have 

 had a good growth on our trees generally. Among the Russians, 

 Yellow Transparent, Red Beitigheimer, Belle de Boskop, Longfield, 

 Titus, Enormous, and Switzer have given a very fine growth, having 

 a thick, heavy foliage that promises to be able to resist the ravages 

 of insect and fungus growth. 



Among our newer native varieties I will mention Utter's Red, 

 Wolf River, Salome, McMahon, Sutton's Beauty, Clark's Orange, 

 Arkansas Black, Saxton, etc., which came to us with strong recom- 



