THE IMPROVEMENT OF OUR NATIVE PLUMS. 233 



Prof Sandsten : We do not need to increase tlie hardiness of 

 native plums. 



Mr. Elliot: The cross should be hardier. 



Prof. Sandsten : Of the domestica ? 



Mr. Elliot : No, if we are crossing the Abundance and the Bur- 

 bank, we would get something from one side and something from 

 the other side. 



Mr. Geo. J. Kellogg (Wis.) : You have nothing better than the 

 Surprise all things considered. 



Prof. Sandsten : I do not like to say that because we have 

 trouble in getting them. I know Mr. Kellogg has been kicking 

 because he could not get any. 



The Chairman: Don't you think the Surprise is a good tree? 



Prof. Sandsten : It is the best all right. 



Mr. S. W. Davis : The Surprise is not good in the western 

 part of the state; it does 'not bear much fruit. 



Mr. McLeran : Did Prof. Sandsten say the seedlings are cut 

 and then grafted back on their own stock? 



Prof. Sandsten : Yes, that is what I said. 



Mr. Elliot: Would you not stand a better chance of getting 

 quicker fruitage by budding them on a fruiting tree ? 



Prof. Sandsten : Yes, we have done that, but we want to see 

 the fruiting tree. 



Mr. Elliot: Would it not produce fruit quicker? 



Prof. Sandsten: Yes, on an older tree. 



Mr. W. L. Taylor : Is the Surprise prolific with you ? 



Prof. Sandsten : Yes, very. 



Mr. Kellogg : How did the Surprise compare this year with 

 other plums? 



Prof. Sandsten : I don't know ; it is due entirely to the season. 



Mr. Benjamin: Are the Japanese better than the hardy plums? 



The Chairman : Mr. Anderson has been wonderfully suc- 

 cessful with them at Lake City. 



Prof. Sandsten : We have them at the Wisconsin station too. 



Mr. Benjamin: Grafted on the native kind? 



Prof. Sandsten : On several kinds ; on the sand cherry and on 

 the native kinds too. 



Mr. Elliot: Does it not increase the hardiness? 



Prof. Sandsten: Not very much. 



Mr. O. F. Brand : In growing new seedlings if we take the 

 seed from a tree that is very productive and brings to perfection 

 an immense crop of fruit', will that make any difference in the ]~)ro- 

 ductiveness of the seedling? 



Prof. Sandsten : Seed from a productive tree is preferable to 

 anything else. There is one thing that has not been emphasized 

 here, that is the individuality of plants. Plant's are individuals 

 just as much as you and I are individuals, and we sbould look 

 upon plants in that way and select from individual trees that have 

 the best qualities. In planting seed you should consider that 

 point. 



