232 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SCHlirv 



means provided whereby the introduction of new varieties could 

 be controlled so that only worthy ones would be placed on the per- 

 manent list. 



It is a fact that each section or region has developed its own 

 list of varieties, for it is well known that varieties have local 

 adaptations, and this should be borne in mind by prospective plant- 

 ers. I presume you experience the same difficulty in Minnesota 

 that we have in Wisconsin : namely, the invasion of nursery agents 

 from outside states, selling trees wholly unfit for our conditions. 

 This is especially true in regard to plums. The eastern nursery- 

 men are not well enough acquainted with our local conditions and 

 demands ; consequently in selling plum trees our experience at least 

 indicates that the domestica and Japan plums are invariably recom- 

 mended and sold to our growers for hardy plums. The conse- 

 quences are very disastrous to the development of plum growing. 

 Our farmers and growers have become discouraged and gotten the 

 idea that all plums are tender and subject to winter-killing. The 

 same conditions are true, though to a less extent, in regard to ap- 

 ples. In spite of agitation and influence through our papers, a 

 large number of these tender trees are sold annually in our state. 



You will naturally ask, along what line or lines lies the future 

 development of our native plums? Surely not along the lines we 

 have been working, for I firmly believe that we have nearly reached 

 a limit. Most persons will agree with me that there is no greater 

 difference in quality and fruitfulness among our improved 

 varieties than among the native trees in the forest. This fact would 

 indicate that the improvements made have been due almost en- 

 tirely to the improved conditions under culture. The future de- 

 velopments and improvements must come from definite crosses 

 with the best types of either tlie domestica or Japan plums. Per- 

 sonally I have great hopes of hybrids with the Japan varieties. 

 \\'hat we need in the native plum is not so much larger size as bet- 

 ter handling and shipping qualities. Then, too, there is room for 

 improvement in quality. A medium sized plum is better in many 

 respects than a large size, especially for preserving and canning. 

 So while large size is a desirable quality, it is less important than 

 fruitfulness, good shipping qualities and flavor. 



Mr. C. S. Harrison (Neb.) : Do seeds grow better if you plant 

 them immediately after they ripen? 



Prof. Sandsten : I don't know. I did it one year, and they did 

 not give as good results as they did by stratifying them. We are 

 mainly planting seeds of small seedlings. 



Mr. Elliot: What is your object, to increase the hardiness? 



