126 Appendix. 



The <ibove list is only tentative at best. Investigators are a unit in declaring 

 That, other conditions being favorable, nearly all varieties are more or less im- 

 proved by cross-fertilization, hence a liberal mixing of varieties in a plantation is 

 to be recommended : provided, they are capable of inter-pollination, for it must 

 not be forgotten that not only are varieties self-sterile, but that they are also 

 cross-sterile. Until much more information is obtained in detail as to the con- 

 <liut of particular varieties under the varied conditions to which they are subject, 

 implicit confidence cannot be placed upon the reputed behavior of other than a 

 few of the varieties most widely grown, as Ben Davis, Winesap. .Ton.ithan, Rome 

 Beauty. 



In view of this condition, a point of much interest to the apple-grower is the 

 relative periods of blossoming of the inter-pollinating varieties, for with a knowl- 

 edge of this at hand there may be planted side by side such varieties as will inter- 

 pollinate and blossom during the same period, thus effecting cross-fertilization, and 

 thereby doing away with the troublesome question of sterility, and at the same 

 time deriving the best possible results as to size and quality Of the crop at a pos- 

 sible minimum of loss. If the plantation is of such size that three or four va- 

 rieties may he grown to advantage, so far as marketing the crop is concerned, 

 then the problem becomes one of getting such first-class varieties as will succeed 

 on the proposed site, inter-pollinate and blossom at the same period. If it is not 

 possible to get flrst-class inter-pollinating varieties that will blossom at the same 

 time, it may be possible to get an inferior variety at slight disadvantage, as to 

 marketable value, that will pollinate the better varieties. Under such conditions 

 The insuring of a crop of the best grade fruit of two or three choice varieties at 

 .m expense of one inferior variety would be considered a judicious procedure. In 

 view of this condition as to the relative blossoming periods of varieties, the work 

 done at the Delaware station affords some interesting data. 



Investigations made in 1900 indicated that Stayman. I'aragon, York Imperial, 

 and Missouri Pippin are self-sterile varieties ; that Stayman and Paragon will not 

 inter-pollinate : that Stayman can be fertilized by Missouri Pippin or York Impe- 

 rial, and that ^Missouri I'ippin and York Imperial will inter-pollinate. 



In tool the same station made investigations upon a larger scale. The fol- 

 lowing varieties, located in three different orchards, were observed : Astrachan, 

 Sweet Bough, Early Harvest, Early Ripe. English Russet. Fanny. Gilpin, Graven- 

 stein, (crimes. Fourth of .Inly, I/ily of Kent. Missouri Pippin, Nero. Paragon, Red 

 Streak. Stark, Stayman, Strawberry. Williams' Favorite, Winesap, Yellow Trans- 

 parent. 



Only two varieties of tliis list proved to he self-fertile — Sweet Bough and 

 Fourth of July — and these are of no jiractical commercial value. It was noted 

 also that of this list the early varieties were the more self-fertile. Only one winter 

 variety — Gilpin — was at all self-fertile. Where duplicate trees of the same variety 

 were observed, it was noted that there was a difference of degree of self-fertility 

 between the individuals. In conclusion the author notes : "It is essential that 

 varieties blossom together if they are to be planted for inter-pollination. Apples 

 are more stable in their blossoming habits than other fruits, especially plums. The 

 length of the blossoming period of a given variety may vary with the season and 

 with the care of the trees. The treatment of the soil has a considerable effect 

 tipcm the blossoming period. For example : Light soil, devoid of humus and lack- 

 ing in tillage, shortens the blossoming period. Good tillage, plenty of humus, and 

 fertilizing material in the soil prolong the blossoming period. Spraying to pre- 

 serve the foliage is also a factor in lengthening this period. It appears that the 

 blossoming period is apparently very largely governed, other conditions being favor- 

 able, by the length of the flower-forming period of the previous summer and fall."* 



For several years a record of the college orchard has been kept with this point 

 in view : namely, to ascertain what varieties blo&som at the same period. The fol- 



*'l'liis idea corresponds closely witli that expressed on page 1.32 under the cap- 

 tion, "Tillage." 



