72 ANlfUAL llEPOttT 



one gets up, here or hereafter, and tells us they can pick out the 

 seeds that are pollenized by such and such a variety. If that can 

 be done there will be another step in advance in raising trees from 

 seed to better satisfaction than we have known before. 



In support of his statement that isolation of blossoms will enable 

 a tree to reproduce its fruit in kind, Mr, Peffer said, The wild 

 crab never mixes with anyother apple, because, although the petals 

 are cup-shaped, they fold inwards closely and the pistils are not 

 exposed to pollenizing from other varieties that may bloom near 

 them. 



A member asked if the wild crab was not later in blossoming 

 than any of the other members of the Pyrus family. 



Mr. Peffer says not. 



Colonel Stevens wanted to know if the Soulard was a wild 

 crab. 



Mr. Peffer. It is. 



The Secretary. With us the Soulard is rather late in blossom- 

 ing. I noticed it last spring the same time as Talman Sweet, and 

 thought then that if we could sweeten Soulard with Talman by 

 cross-breeding, and get Soulard hardiness into the seedling tree» 

 we might have a good thing. Will somebody try it by hand pol- 

 lenizing next spring, aud save the seeds in the fall for planting, on 

 Mr. Peffer's plan in his forthcoming prize essay? This hand pol- 

 lenizing is as easy as to plant a Mower seed or to tie up a nosegay^ 

 and should be taught to children as a recreation and a pleasant 

 study in flowers and fruits. School classes in botany would find it 

 an improving exercise. 



On motion of Col. Stevens a vote of thanks was extended to Mr. 

 Peffer for his valuable paper. 



Mr. Underwood inquired why it is that some blossoms are less 

 injured by frost than others. 



Mr. Peffer. They have more wool on them. 



Mr. Underwood. Why will Wealthy blossoms kill by frost in 

 some places worse than in others? 



Mr. Peffer. It may be owing to location. Elevations and 

 depressions of ground largely affect temperature and the circula- 

 tion of the air. 



Mr. Underwood. Last spring we had abundant blossoms of all 

 varieties in our orchards. The Duchess, and most of the other 

 varieties were either all killed or injured, while a Wealthy orchard 

 adjoining the Duchess, escaped and bore a good crop of apples. 

 Yet in this orchard where location, elevation, culture, age, and all 



