252 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Crimson clover winterkilled and did not do well on Lard clay soil. 

 Canada peas and buckwheat and blue peas and buckwheat gave satis- 

 factory results, both mixtures making a good growth and the peas 

 remaining green until winter. The growth of the Canada peas and 

 buckwheat was so great as to interfere with gathering the winter 

 apples. Winter vetch and winter rye formed a perfect mat of vegeta- 

 tion and remained green over winter. They did not grow high enough 

 to interfere with gathering winter fruit. Mammoth red clover formed 

 a dense covering and remained alive over winter, comparing favorably 

 with winter vetch and winter rye. Dwarf Essex rape made a very 

 rank growth, sufficient to interfere with gathering fruit, and seemed to 

 furnish a hiding place for mice, which girdled several of the trees. 



Experiments with fruits, J. L. Btjdd (Iotca Sta. Ept. 1896-97, 

 pp. 127-130). — The author reports results of introductions of hardy 

 plums, peaches, cherries, apples, pears, and ornamental plants. The 

 Russian plums introduced in 1883 are of greatest value in the south 

 half of Iowa. Home of the Russian cherries have proved superior to 

 other varieties in hardiness and in size and quality of fruit. The Rus- 

 sian apples are of greatest value in the extreme north. "In Minnesota 

 the whole recommended list at present are Russian varieties or Russian 

 seedlings." One of the greatest benefits of the wide distribution of 

 these apples is the opportunity thus afforded for both .natural and arti- 

 ficial crosses with old standard varieties and the production of hardy 

 varieties of good quality. Some of the Russian pears have proved per- 

 fectly hardy on high ground in northern Iowa. This is especially true 

 of Gakovsky. In southern Iowa Mongolian Snow has done well. The 

 peaches introduced from Asia have given good results in the southern 

 part of the State. Among ornamental plants, many roses, snowballs, 

 spiraeas, honeysuckles, lilacs, etc., have proved hardy as far north as 

 Manitoba and Indian Head. 



In regard to hybrid fruits and shrubs the author says : 



"Our most promising crosses and hybrids are from prepotent ironclad mothers 

 that come near to reproducing from seed. As examples, we crossed the blossoms of 

 the wild rose of east Europe (Rosa rut/osa) with polleu of our best garden varieties. 

 The results have been a surprise, as in one generation we have secured double flowers 

 and yet retained maiuly the vigor and hardiness of the wild rose. With the goose- 

 berry we crossed the blossoms of the wild species of Manitoba with pollen of the 

 Champion. In this case about all the hybrids bear fruit of the size of the Cham- 

 pion, yet we retain mainly the hardiness of bush of the mother plant. 



"With the apple we have used prepotent mothers, such as Hibernal, Duchess, and 

 the Anis, and pollen of our best-known winter varieties. As far as yet fruited the 

 fruit largely follows the variety used for pollen, and leaf and tree mainly follow 

 the mother. In our work of hybridizing the plum we have used our best native 

 varieties for mothers and the pollen of the Japan varieties, mainly for the reason 

 that the European sorts do not seem to cross readily with our native species. With 

 cherries and other fruits we have adhered to the same principle of using prepotent 

 ironclad mothers and pollen from the best known sorts." 



Report of the horticulturist, H. L. Hutt (Ontario Agr. Col. and 

 Expt. Farm Ept. 1897, pp. 91-120, Jigs. 11). — A report of the work in 



