466 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



10. A root-graft of Pyrus baccata odorata upon the station 

 grounds lost the American seedling root by winter-killing, but the 

 tree was saved by the root thrown out by the scion, which proved 

 hardy. 



11. The Russian method of preventing root-killing by using the 

 true Siberian crab (Pj^rus baccata) as a stock is described. The 

 Russian experience with this species as a stock is that it causes 

 earlier bearing, but dwarfs the tree somewhat in growth. In sec- 

 tions where root-killing is a source of frequent trouble this Russian 

 method deserves a trial. 



12. Until the question of hardy stocks is settled, trees should be 

 well mulched every fall before the ground freezes, to prevent too 

 deep freezing of the roots and consequent winter-killing. 



THE ROOT-KILLING OF NURSERY STOCK. 



PROF. E. S. GOFF, WIS. AGR. EXP. STATION. 

 (From Wisconsin Horticulturist.) 



The effects of the past winter upon nursery stock in the northwest 

 are already too familiar to many of us. Stating the results in brief, 

 — where the ground was bare of snow at the time of the severe freeze, 

 and this includes a tract of country covering several thousands of 

 square miles, one, two and three-year-old fruit trees are more or less 

 root-killed; in many cases, the loss is complete. The damage has 

 not been confined to the nurserymen, and it will not atop with the 

 nurserymen, for much injured stock has doubtless been planted by 

 would-be fruit growers. The damages have not, as a rule, shown 

 much respect for varieties. Exposure, soil or other unknown con- 

 ditions seem generally to have been more potent. Trees growing 

 on sod have probably escaped more often than those on cultivated 

 ground, and those in poorly cultivated nurseries have often fared 

 better than those in well cultivated ones, but in many cases of ap- 

 parent equal exposure, certain trees have been taken and others 

 left. 



I can, of course, say nothing at this time to mitigate the losses 

 that have already taken place, but a somewhat thorough investiga- 

 tion has revealed some facts that may be valuable as a guide to the 

 future. It is true that the blizzard has left in its train a host of 

 anoinalies that cannot be explained by any experience or precedent. 

 Many varieties and species that have heretofore been considered 

 not fully hardy have passed the ordeal with less damage than 

 others that have been considered iron-clad. But ainid much con- 

 fusing testimony, a few principles seem to be brought out that it 

 is worth our while to consider, 



1, The widespread destruction of roots brings home very forcibly 

 a fact that has been too often overlooked, viz., that in the breeding 

 of hardy fruit trees we have two distinct problems in hand, i. e., to 

 produce a hardy top and a hardy root to support it. Neither is safe 

 without the other. We have been trusting to nature to protect the 

 roots by snow, but the past winter is a most effectual reminder that 

 this protection is not to be depended upon. We have said much 



