316 ANNUAL REPORT 



way than in any other; but there is found much uncongeniality be- 

 tween stock and scion, especially in working upon crab stocks, 

 more especially working Russians upon crab stocks, and there is 

 need of more knowledge as to what may be congenial and what not, 

 as a guide to future operations. It is thought that a microscopic 

 examination of cells may refer this whole question to the similarity 

 and dissimilarity of cell structure, and enable us to find out at once, 

 by a comparison of calls of different woods under the microscope, 

 what sorts will be congenial in grafting and what not. If any 

 microscopist having the necessary instruments and facilities will 

 undertake a series of examinations with this end in view, and will 

 furnish the State Horticultural Society with the results in draw- 

 ings and explanations, I will see that sections of woods most use- 

 ful in the investigation are furnished. If, upon a preliminary 

 examination, it should be found that the cells of sorts known to 

 be congenial are clearly similar, and if other sorts known to be 

 uncongenial are clearly dissimilar, then the probabilities would be 

 that a series of extended experiments would be very valuable. 



NEW Ix.EA IN TOP-WORKING. 



G. A. Knowles presents, and President R. P. Speer indorses, the 

 following plan of top- working : "Put winter apples in center, 

 and early apples on outside limbs. The outer fruit is removed in 

 its season, giving the tree a chance to mature the winter fruit left, 

 and yet to store its wood with the elements for enduring the win- 

 ter and for extension of growth the next spring." — Iowa Hort. Re- 

 port, ISSO. 



PROTECTION OF TREES. 



E. Gaylord, of Nora Springs, Iowa, writing under date of Sep- 

 tember 25, 1882, in reference to the cold Christmas of 1879, and 



