146 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



be has the dry and severely cold winter weather to contend with. This 

 has the effect of limiting the number of varieties that he can grow to a 

 a very few of the very hardiest, which usually means that he must con- 

 tent himself with those kinds that are not the best from a standpoint of 

 quality and appearance. 



None of the best quality apples, such as Grimes' Golden and 

 .Jonathan, can be successfully grown in Minnesota except in a few favored 

 locations. The same thing holds true with other kinds of fruits. Almost 

 all of his small fruits must be laid down and carefully covered each 

 winter to save them, which does not have to be done in Nebraska, except 

 in the north and west parts. The influence of the horticultural society, 

 which is co-operating in a harmonious way with the horticultural depart- 

 ment of the experiment station, is widely felt, however, and interest 

 is awakened and fostered in all phases of horticulture. As a result of 

 this interest much is being accomplished and fruits are now being made 

 to grow and bear where a few years ago it was considered very fool- 

 hardy to attempt it. 



Minnesota is in need of some late keeping varieties of apples that 

 will stand its severe winters. Only a few varieties, including the Duchess, 

 Wealthy, Hibernal, Patton's Greening and Okabena, can be recommended 

 for general planting in the state and none of these are what we in this 

 section would call winter varieties. Good cash prizes are offered by 

 the society and by interested individuals for new seedings that will 

 meet certain requirements. One thousand dollars is offered for a seedling 

 apple tree "as hardy and prolific as the Duchess," with fruit equal to 

 "the Wealthy in size, quality and appearance and that will keep as well 

 as the Malinda." 



One hundred dolars is offered for the best seedling plum. One 

 hundred dollars is offered annually (total $700) for seven years for the 

 best late winter seedling apple. Under this last offer the first prize of 

 $100 will oe awarded at the annual meeting of the society to be held 

 in 1912. A similar amount will be awarded at each annual meeting 

 thereafter until seven such prizes have been awarded. These prizes 

 are to be given for seedling apples grown from seed planted not earlier 

 than 1906 and under prescribed conditions. Thousands of apple seedlings 

 are grown each year by members of the society. Much of the seed used 

 for this purpose is from the few hardy varieties that grow in Minnesota. 

 Cross-pollenization of hardy varieties, and other varieties more tender 

 but of belter quality is being done each year by a number of the more 

 enthusiastic members, the idea being to improve both upon the hardiness 

 and quality. These seeds are planted and the trees given careful atten- 

 tion until they fruit, or top-grafting into bearing trees is done as soon as 

 the little tree grows enough wood for this purpose. This hastens 

 matters somewhat, giving fruit in three to six years from the time the 

 seed is planted. 



As a result of the efforts along this line a number of very promising 

 seedlings are now being tested. At the society's fruit show fruit from 



