138 Nebraska State Horticultural Society. 



some way of doing the w«rk in winter, as this winter piece-root graft- 

 ing explains why American apple trees are considerably cheaper than in 

 Europe, with their cheaper labor and higher priced laud. It may be 

 that whole root grafts, with very short scions, may answer very well, 

 but I regard it essential that the whole root system should be of the 

 crab. 



As to whether pure Pyrus baccata or hybrid crabs are best for 

 stocks, is probably largely a matter of locality. For a considerable 

 district, such as northern Iowa, Nebraska and southern Minnesota, 

 probably either will do. As we go northward the one essential is abso- 

 lute hardiness, which is found only in the pure Pyrus baccata. 



Where shall we get seedlings? There are many old trees of the 

 Yellow Siberian, Red Siberian and Cherry crab scattered about over the 

 northwest. These have been neglected of late years, bing suprseded 

 by the larger fruited hybrids. Fruit of these neglected trees should be 

 gathered, and the seed saved. 



How shall we get a constant supply of the seed? Every nurserj-- 

 man should have an orchard of these small fruited crabs, especially for 

 raising seed. One advantage of an orchard of pure Pyrus baccata 

 would be that there would be less temptation to put the small fruit 

 on the market. 



I present this subject to the Society at this time to set you to 

 thinking on the subject. I do not anticipate that you will change your 

 commercial methods of piece root-grafting in the southern part of the 

 state, as root-killing winters do not come often enough, but at the 

 north it would be indeed wise to look into the matter and experiment 

 for yourself. Meanwhile, do not forget the crutches every fall, by 

 which I mean a good mulch, applied before severe freezing to protect 

 the tender roots. And tender roots are indeed the lame part of suc- 

 cessful apple culture in our prairie northwest. 



DISCUSSION. 



MR. C. S. HARRISON: I notice that Professor Green has these 

 cross seedlings of Hybermal, etc., that are very satisfactory for southern 

 Minnesota at least. What is your experience with them? 



PROFESSOR HANSEN: It is a question of snowfall. They have 

 more snowfall than we do. In Iowa, Missouri, etc., when there was no 

 snow, apple grafts were killed. The whole thing simply brings up to 



