300 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



In the year 1903, having planted some of our seed beds too 

 thickly, we had to dig some of the largest seedlings. After having 

 pulled the largest roots, the smaller ones were left almost pulled out 

 of the beds. In the spring, thinking it would be interesting to see 

 how it would turn out, we grafted some of those roots which had 

 been standing without any protection of snow whatever, — the scions 

 had also been out during the winter and were of the same varieties 

 of which my general stock were grown. Although some died the 

 experiment was fairly successful, considering the circumstances and 

 the small size of the seedlings. 



This crab root is very vigorous and has developed in harmony 

 with the other parts of the tree, regardless of what variety we have 

 grafted on it. 



Since the conclusion we came to in the year 1898 and 1899 we 

 have limited the propagation, using since that year stock of this small 

 red crab exclusively for grafting, although we carry on experi- 

 ments with different kinds we have not tried. I want to call atten- 

 tion to the fact that by mulching or covering the grafts many of 

 the trees that died of those other five kinds might have sur- 

 vived the winters, but so far we have never covered any of our grafts 

 — some even having been left in the open without a windbreak on 

 any side. 



In regard to this red crab : We know so far — in the localities 

 where it has been tried — how hardy it is, but we also know that it 

 may get cold enough in certain localities to freeze out any kind of 

 stock, and we have, in order to test it in other places, sent out a lot 

 of trees into the western part of North Dakota, and another lot 350 

 miles northwest of Winnipeg, Canada. 



There is another thing I want to mention in this connection and 

 that is, about getting a tree on its own roots. In getting a tree 

 entirely on its own roots, even if it was practicable, would it not in 

 the long run tend to devitalize the variety? Propagating in that 

 way would practical^ be the same thing as to raise the trees from 

 cuttings. 



Every argument is in favor of sexual reproduction. Now the 

 seedling on which the scion is grafted is a result of sexual reproduc- 

 tion, and it seems to' me that a tree grafted on such a hardy seed- 

 ling stock ought to be a better tree than one grown only on its 

 own roots. 



In experimenting with roots for finding out the degrees of har- 

 diness of the different varieties, it is necessary to plant all at the 

 same time, and under the same conditions and qualities of soil. 



