114 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 



SELECTING, PRESERVING AND PLANTING SEEDS 

 FOR GROWING APPLE SEEDLINGS. 



R. H. BUTTERMORE, LAKE CITY. 



Respecting- the above topic, I would state first, that my experience 

 is somewhat limited in comparison with that of those extensive 

 nurserymen who plant apple seeds by the buahel. Apple seeds 

 should be selected from hardy apples that were grown in Minnesota 

 or in other northern states; otherwise my observation is that the 

 seedlings will be delicate and subject to blight, too tender for root- 

 grafts or grafting upon. I have planted seeds from apples that had 

 been grown down east^ and when up some of them blighted, and 

 the next winter terminated the existence of most of them. The 

 practice of planting them, I believe is the chief reason that we have 

 so much blight and so many unmatured trees in the late fall, caus- 

 ing " black-heart" and other fatal diseases. 



It is not bushels of seeds that we should plant (because we get 

 them easily in eastern states) and get them to grow long enough to 

 sell for dollars and cents — but our aim should be to persevere in 

 the best known means to secure hardy, delightful fruit. 



I have noticed a great many sprouts coming up in the spring 

 around the trunk, of some of my apple trees, evidently from the 

 grafted stock, and before the next fall they would all be blighted to 

 the ground. The same occurs every year; it seems to me that the 

 original stock were from eastern grown seeds. 



About preserving apple seeds for planting the next spring. Some 

 have adopted different modes. Some think it better to put them in 

 damp dirt in a cool cellar; others store them in the house; others 

 put them in the ground when they are fresh and use care not to let 

 them dry before or after planting. I believe the last plan is the best. 

 The most successful mode of preserving apple seeds is of great im- 

 portance, and I would suggest that Prof. S. B. Green would please 

 give us his experience on the above topic. 



As for planting apple seeds I believe there is no mystery about it. 

 As I stated before, I have not had the experience that others have 

 had. The most satisfactory way, it seems to me, is to put them in 

 the ground as soon as it will work well in spring. Plant them 

 three-fourths of an inch deep, in rows about three feet apart and 

 thick enough in the row so that if some of them fail they may be 

 still thick enough. In dry weather they should be moistened with 

 lukewarm water by pouring it in a little trench about half a foot 

 from the seed drill. It should be done after sunset. 



I would submit the whole subject to the "Question Box," as it is 

 one of great interest to apple raisers. 



The Western Horticultural Society, Winnipeg.— This vig- 

 orous young association held its annual meeting February 10. We 

 note that the name of Wyman Elliot appears on their program. 

 Personal intercourse with the officers of the society gives assurance 

 of the faith they have in growing fruit in their country, with its 

 rigorous climate. The Minnesota society draws a number of 

 members from that section. — Sec'y. 



