240 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



PECAN — Hickoria olivceformis. 



This, in common with most, if not all the genus, is difficult to trans- 

 plant. Trees were planted in the spring of 1888 which, failing, fresh 

 nuts, the growth of that year, were obtained from near the northern limit 

 of this fruit, in southeastern Iowa, in late autumn, and planted at once, 

 where the trees were to stand. These vegetated freely in the spring of 

 1889 and have since made slow but healthy growth, though left through 

 successive winters without protection. 



A few of what are known as Paper-Shell Pecans, of Texan growth, were 

 received last autumn through the National Division of Pomology, and 

 imbedded in sand preparatory to being planted the coming spring, as a 

 means of comparing the relative hardiness of trees grown from northern 

 and southern seed. 



WALNUTS. 



ENGLISH WALNUT OR MADERIA NUT-Jitg la ns regia. 



Two trees of this were planted in the spring of 1889, one of which 

 failed and was replanted the following spring. The two are yet in grow- 

 ing condition, though not growing strongly. 



Praeparturiens (a dwarf variety of the foregoing) was planted in the 

 spring of 1890, coming safely through the past winter. 



JAPAN WALNUT— Juglans Seiboldi. 



Trees of this were planted in the spring of 1890, and came through the 

 past winter uninjured. They have made a vigorous growth so far, giving 

 promise of ready adaptation to our soil and climate. 



RHUBARB— Rheum Rhaponticum. 



No additions have been made to this plantation since it was planted. 



The purpose in selecting the varieties was to compare the relative earli- 

 ness of the varieties, and the general desirability for culinary uses. 



The Early Scarlet and Early Crimson can scarcely be said to be earlier 

 than Linnaeus, which has so long stood at the head of the list, so far as 

 popular preference is concerned. 



Whether any of these varieties are to be preferred for forcing, or other 

 similar purpose, has not been made the subject of investigation. 



So far as size, quality, and productiveness are concerned there is appar- 

 ently little occasion to look beyond the Linnaeus. 



ASPARAGUS — Asparagus officinalis. 



Of asparagus six named varieties, twelve plants of each variety, were 

 planted in the spring of 1890. 



Owing to the dioecious character of the plant, it seems questionable 

 whether a variety, according to the usual signification of the word, is pos- 

 sible, except in an accommodated sense, as the result of continuous selec- 

 tion, for the development of a special type or strain. 



The trial and comparison so far indicates few if any differences between 

 the six alleged varieties planted, except in the single case of the Palmetto, 

 which produces decidedly larger and taller shoots than either of the other 



