326 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
THE WEALTHY APPLE. 
A. W. LATHAM, MINNEAPOLIS. 
When, nearly a half century ago, Peter M. Gideon, a resident of 
Excelsior, Minn., dropped into the ground the chance seed from which 
grew the tree now known far and wide as the Wealthy, he conferred a very 
great blessing upon the world. A prominent pomologist is reported to have 
said that “the Wealthy is the best apple originated in the past twenty-five 
years,’ but in the judgment of many well qualified to decide it is the peer 
of the very best apple that grows, at least as to quality, appearance and 
prolificness. 
How fortunate for our state that added to these transcendent qualities 
the tree is also hardy enough to winter in this climate and safe to plant 
as an orchard tree in at least the southern half of the state. As a bearer it 
has hardly an equal in the whole list of standard apples, and the winter in 
this latitude is scarcely ever so severe as to cut off the crop, for although the 
fruiting buds on the tips of the spurs may be injured there are also numerous 
fruiting buds scattered along the sides of the growth of the year before, 
which are very sure to be found alive even when the terminal buds have 
succumbed to the rigors of the winter. 
The tree that bears this splendid apple is not absolutely free from 
faults, and it is well for the planter to consider them. 
It blights somewhat, but experience leads to the conclusion that the 
weakness that comes to the tree as a result of the second fault, over- 
bearing, is largely to blame for this. 
The second fault is overbearing, and in this, which is probably its most 
serious fault, is to be found a cause of injury which often results in the 
early death of the tree from blight, or apparent winter-killing. The remedy 
for this is a conscientious thinning of the fruit at an early stage. This 
would give the tree longer life, as well as greatly improve the size of the 
fruit that remains. 
It is the misfortune of this tree, rather than the fault, that while bearing 
its large crop it is very liable to suffer from the dryness of the ground which 
often prevails at that critical time. The remedies for this unfortunate con- 
dition are two: cultivation to conserve the moisture already in the ground 
and irrigation to supply the lack. 
Cultivation, to be efficient, should be shallow but persistent, beginning 
as soon as the ground is dry enough to permit it in the spring, and repeated 
as soon as dry enough after each rain, and weekly during the periods of 
dryness. Should the ground be still too dry to permit the tree to hold its 
fruit, water may be supplied by irrigation. 
Plenty of water in the ground for some weeks prior to the ripening of 
the fruit is indispensable to the harvesting of a crop of full sized, highly 
colored and richly flavored Wealthys. This may be supplied to the trees 
directly through a length of tile sunk into the ground near the tree, with 
its top even with the surface, one to a tree, and put in to remain. 
Ii now the planter has given the attention he should to his Wealthy 
erchard, as above briefly outlined, has thinned the fruit judiciously, culti- 
vated thoroughly and supplied any extra moisture needed, his fruit will hang 
on (cyclones excepted) and should be allowed to hang on till it takes in full 
measure that wonderful color for which this variety is famous. When the 
