HORTICULTURE. H67 



The culture of cherries is precarious. The Early Richmond has been succes^sfully 

 ,i,'ro\vu in a few southern counties, otherwise the general exjierience with this fruit is 

 unfavorable. It is believed a waste of time to attempt to grow quinces, apricots, 

 peaches, or pears in the State. Russian apricots are hardy, but the blossoms are 

 killed by late frosts. Some sorts of Russian pears are also i)erfectly hardy, but are 

 killed by blight. Raspberries, blackberries and dewberries have failed to make 

 satisfactory growth at the station. Currants and gooseberries, however, are easily 

 raised and have proved perfectly hardy without winter protection. Red Dutch, 

 Victoria, and White Grape are the best varieties of currants, and Houghton the best 

 gooseberry. Strawberries can be successfully grown. No grapes other than the 

 native wild sorts have thus far been successfully grown. 



Extensive experiments in the breeding of native northwestern fruits at the station 

 are underway. It is believed that the native Juneberry, sand cherry, buffalo berry, 

 gooseberrj^ cherries, plums, grapes, currants, strawberries, raspberries, etc., can be 

 bred up equal in size and quality to the cultivated varieties. Over 100,000 fruit seed- 

 lings of these different sorts are now being tested on the station grounds. Special 

 attention is being given to the improvement of the native sand cherry (Prunus besseyi) . 

 Some 75 varieties have already been selected as being worthy of propagation. 



Crosses of 225 varieties of strawberries have been made with the wild strawberry. 

 In this connection the author notes that the ever-bearing strawberries imported from 

 France winterkilled, but that the hybrids of this sort with Dakota wild strawberries 

 proved hardy. Settlers in South Dakota are urged to plant and cultivate the native 

 fruits before investing heavily in the tender varieties common in nurseries. Many 

 suggestions are given on methods of work in improving the wild fruits. 



"Wind-breaks are considered very essential, and the native plants, such as ash, elm, 

 boxelder, and hackberry, are commended for this purpose. Imported trees, such as 

 white willow, Russian golden willow, and for large thorny shelter belts, the Russian 

 wild olive, are also noted as valuable. Planters are cautioned against securing trees 

 from States farther south, singe these are nearly certain to winterkill when planted 

 in South Dakota. 



Special care is necessary in setting out evergreens on the lawn. Trees not more 

 than a foot in height are recommended. Larger evergreens may be successfully 

 transplanted in late winter with a frozen ball of earth attached to the roots. In 

 general spring planting for all trees is recommended. Evergreens most likely to 

 succeed are the Black Hills or Ponderosa pine, the red cedar of northern regions, 

 and the Jack pine from northwestern Minnesota. Where several rows of evergreens 

 are set the rows should be at least 16 to 20 ft. apart. The poplars, especially cotton- 

 wood and Certinensis, are considered particularly desirable pioneer trees for use 

 until better sorts can be established. Suggestions are given on the care of street and 

 lawn trees, and in planting on hardpan. 



Of several varieties of tomatoes tested Earliest of All, Early Ruby, Early P)ird, and 

 Early Leader are considered desirable sorts. Peppers and eggplants can be success- 

 fully grown when the plants are started under glass. Directions are given for mak- 

 ing a cold frame and for planting a nxnnber of different sorts of vegetables. 



Trees and shrubs for English gardens, E. T. Cook [Loyidon: George Newnes, 

 Ltd., 1902, pp. 471, pis. 129). — In this work the author brings out specially the beauty 

 in trees and shrubs and their usefulness in landscape gardening. Directions are 

 given for the propagation and pruning of the various ornamental trees and shrubs 

 commonly grown in Great Britain, and of i)lanting and caring for them. 



The etherization of plants, T. Jannock {Gard. Chron., 3. ser.,34 {1903), No. 

 875, p. 240). — The author reports that he etherized lilacs August 24. By Septembei 

 18 the etherized plants were in full bloom and foliage. Lilac blooms from etherized 

 plants were finer and lasted longer than those from retarded plants. 



