STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 37 



edge gained, for the nuitnal benefit of themselves and those amongst 

 whom they cast their U)ts. 



And a further benefit is derived from the new varieties of trees 

 (new to this country) now growing in an experimental way at the 

 eight hundred sub-stations in Iowa. Some of these fruits will un- 

 doubtedly prove valuable, and all parts of the State will soon be sup- 

 plied with at least a few varieties suited to the different localities. 

 And while we freely admit the money value of this Experimental 

 Station, it is to the people at large that we should look for improve- 

 ment in the future. It is undoubtedly coming and soon will be real- 

 ized, for we are hiying a foundation on which will be reared a super- 

 structure that will be worth millions in the Northwest, to say noth- 

 ing of enhanced comfort, health, beauty and refinement that must 

 necessarily follow a successful and enlightened horticulture, and 

 which can not be computed in dollars and cents. 



In relation to the eight hundred sub-stations I will say that 

 eighteen are under the supervision of the State Horticultural Society 

 (all others report to Prof. Budd), the members thereof selecting the 

 localities and the parties to conduct the experiments, who are sup- 

 plied with stock best adapted to the different parts of the State from 

 the home station at Ames, the different parties being required to 

 give good care and culture and report success from time to time, and 

 in certain cases to furnish scions or plants for other parties. 



And the professor further says there is, in his opinion, great 

 things in store for Southern Iowa, Illinois and Missouri, as far south 

 as tile apple tree is liable to winter-kill, in seedlings grown from 

 cross-fertilization, using the hardy Russian stock as a foundation and 

 building u])on it with our long-keeping winter varieties. In this 

 way he thinks we can get a winter apple of sufficient hardiness for 

 the localities above mentioned. They have only recently, within a 

 year or two, started on this branch of work. 



Question — Has experience suggested any changes that would 

 be beneficial in starting a station of this kind? 



Answer — Yes, if the State could be induced to appropriate 

 84,000 or $5,000 for this purpose if would be eminently beneficial. 

 Then something could be done proportionate to the needs of a State 

 like Illinois, and the i)arties ccniducting the experiments would not 

 be hampered for means, and could make available the benefits aris- 

 ing from such a station much sooner than they could if compelled 

 first to earn the greater portion of the money with which to ])rose- 

 cute the work. 



As my visit to Ames was to investigate the practical workings 

 of the institution, it will not be expected that I can say much in de- 

 tail about varieties, but will say in a general way that the i)rofessor 

 is growing a large amount of stock; doing all the w<n-k with two 

 hired men, except what the students do. The apple is the leading 

 kind of fruit experimented with, several hundred varieties being 



