STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 305 



or by any society. Dr. Regel, fourteen years ago, got specimens of 

 the apples of most of the provinces and published a book describ- 

 ing them as best he could. Had the book been followed by the 

 organization of horticultural societies, and the active labors of such 

 a horticulturist as our Downing, Thomas or Warder, the Russian 

 nomenclature would now be in better shape. As it is we find a 

 ridiculous confusion in names. Outof the confusion we will gather 

 a few sorts which we know are defiant to wind and weather, and 

 which will pass muster in quantit}^ for home use or market. As a 

 rule these are the great commercial ones of Russia, like Anis, 

 Antonooka, Black Wood, Steklauka, etc. Literally the handlers of 

 fruit in the markets have fixed the names in the Volga region for 

 the east, and the handlers of fruit in a few large cities have fixed a 

 few names for the west. Often the names in the east and west 

 do not correspond, but our weeks of study will start us right on 

 the Iowa prairies. With the help of correspondents we are able 

 to establish in various places, we will be able to continue the work 

 we have commenced in the field. 



We find that the collection sent to the Iowa Agricultural Col. 

 lege by Dr. Arnold, of Petrovky Institute, included nearly all the 

 best winter varieties of Central Russia. We also find the Wash- 

 ington list received from Dr. Regel at St. Petersburg, to include 

 the names of some of the best sorts, but for some reason not one of 

 these varieties were saved, or if saved, it has not been fruited to 

 my knowledge in the States.* As a rule, this importation in- 

 cluded the summer and fall apples of eastern Russia, near the 

 coast, and a great number of German varieties with which Dr. 

 Regel was then experimenting. To illustrate, the Antonooka is 

 number 236 of the Washington list, but is number 78 of Dr. 

 Regel's book. It is a strong grower in nursery, a tree that attains 

 size and maintains health on any soil or exposure, and of all the 

 varieties would seem the one to survive and fruit on American soil. 

 If any one has fruited it I hope it will be reported. In color and 

 shape it is like Grimes' Golden, but it averages much larger in size. 

 So near is a medium specimen like Grimes' Golden in color, shape, 

 basin, stem, and cavity, that an expert could not pick it out. In 

 flesh it is some coarser, but it keeps much longer than Grimes and 

 is nearly its equal in quality. 



Of western and central Russia jt is the king apple to-day over an 

 extent of country equal to several of our States. Did the depart- 



*XoTE BY THE SECRETARy.— A. 6. Tuttle, of Bavaboo. Wisconsin, has preserved a 

 number of the true Russians, and expects to make a large showing of the fruit next fall 

 and winter. 



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