328 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



treated thus, many seeds will not sprout until spring- of the second 

 season. It can also be propagated by layers and cuttings but is 

 rather difficult to start by the latter method. The seedlings trans- 

 plant readily, but the tops are rather tender for the first couple of 

 years. 



Where larger trees are transplanted for street or ornamental pur- 

 poses, the trunks should be protected for a number of years, as they 

 are very liable to sun-scald. For timber plantings seedlings about 

 three feet high are the most desirable. 



The European species is much similar to our own, but has a 

 smaller leaf and bark of a brownish tinge, and it is doubtful if it is 

 as desirable a tree for this section as our native species. 



Basswood is a very white, light, close-grained wood and is used 

 considerably for interior finishing, carving work,barrel heads, and in 

 the manufacture of cheap furniture, carriage boxes, etc., commonly 

 sold as whitewood. A few years ago quantities were used in the 

 manufacture of paper, but as it made a poor grade, very little is now 

 used, spruce being the tree sought after mainly for that purpose. 

 It furnishes a good quality of charcoal and is prized by the manu- 

 facturers of gunpowder. 



The name basswood is probably derived from a corruption of the 

 word bast — the inner bark of the tree — which is used for a variety of 

 purposes. Before the use of raffia became popular in nursery work, 

 this bark was used extensively in tying. In Europe considerable 

 is still utilized in the manufacture of mats, cloth, fishing nets, etc., 

 by the rural population. 



THE IDEAL WINTER APPLE FOR THE NORTH. 



CLARENCE WEDGE, ALBERT LEA. 



(Read before the Southern Minnesota Horticultural Society.) 



By the word "ideal" in our title we do not wish it to be inferred 

 that we have in mind a fruit of such rare combination of superlative 

 qualities as to make it stand only as an end to strive for, an ideal of 

 perfection that we can never hope to attain; but it is rather our de- 

 sire to place before you an apple the sum of whose qualities will 

 satisfy the demands of our market and the reasonable desires of the 

 home at a profit to the northern orchardist; in short, a variety that 

 might occupy the place among us that the Baldwin does in the east 

 or the Wine Sap in the south and west. Thanks to the persistent 

 and heroic efforts of the generation of orchardists now about to 

 leave us, the question of a summer and fall supply of the best of all 

 fruits for our climate has reached a very satisfactorily solution. 

 There will, of course, be reverses and discouragements, and we shall 

 have to renew our orchards jnore frequently than is necessary in 

 some climates more congenial to the apple, but we are proud to say 

 that today there is no excuse except ignorance and improvidence 

 left for the man, living on fairly elevated clay soil, within the boun- 

 daries of Minnesota, who is not enjoying an abundance of 

 apples, from August to December, picked from his own home 

 orchard. 



