132 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
apples are raised are grafting them extensively. The Wealthy only lacks 
two particulars; it is not quite hardy enough, but nearly so; its skin is so 
thin that it does not keep quite long enough. It has a close rival’ in the 
Okabena, which is more hardy, not quite so good in quality and of about 
the same season. This tree was grown from the seed that Mr. Gideon pro- 
cured by cross-fertilization. 
May we not take courage and have a reasonable hope that from some 
chance seedling or, what is more likely to be the case, from intelligent cross- 
ing of varieties, some one will yet raise an apple that will win the $1,000 
prize? 
How to do it? Let every one that has a seedling tree that seems to 
possess the necessary requirements, report it to the secretary of this society, 
and get from him the necessary information how to proceed. Next, let 
every one that has a chance, save seeds from hardy and long keeping va- 
rieties and plant them. As soon as scions can be cut from them, have grafts 
set into some healthy orchard tree, and in two or three years they will be 
likely to fruit and show whether they are valuable or not. 
The most practical thing to do, however, is to set trees with a view to 
securing cross-fertilization of the blossoms. As a suggestion, plant a 
Wealthy and surround it with Duchess or some other hardy variety. The seed 
from the Wealthy apples should produce something hardier than the 
Wealthy, and as the Wealthy and Duchess are both very prolific the off- 
spring should be an abundant bearer. Then to secure a late keeper plant 
this new seedling and surround it with Ben Davis or Malinda. The fruit 
of the seedling should produce seed that would grow a tree with the com- 
bined qualities we are seeking, viz: hardiness, productiveness and good 
quality, to which has been added the late keeping propensity. 
Is not this an exceedingly interesting field for experiment? It seems par- 
ticularly adapted to men and women past the meridian of life, those who 
have learned to be patient and having labored enough to entitle them to 
some leisure they can take time for following the pleasant paths of experi- 
mental horticulture and with this one thousand dollar prize in view. 
It is equally well adapted for furnishing an interesting mark for boys 
and girls to aim at. Save seeds and try it. If you do not get the prize, you 
may still develop fruits that will prove a great acquisition to the list we 
now have. Our friends in the east and south stand as good a chance to 
win the prize as we do here. Let them join in the competition, and I feel 
certain that we shall live to see the prize awarded. 
NATURE STUDY. 
MRS. ANNA B. UNDERWOOD, LAKE CITY. 
Much is being written and said about Nature Study. Many learned pro- 
fessors and thoughtful teachers are analyzing the present day course of 
study, that constitutes the education of the majority of school children, with 
a view to making a change that will give a practical turn to book knowl- 
edge. , 
The colleges and universities of the larger cities set the pace at which an 
education should be forced into a youth, and the towns, villages and rural 
schools follow along the course with varying degree of speed and thorough- 
ness, until in despair of acquiring the quantity they are after the pupils 
