240 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Grafting the Pyrus BaccaTa (Crab) Seedling. — For several years we 

 have raised Pyrus baccata seedlings. Our purpose with these is to test their 

 value as a stock for the apple in this section. It is well known that a great 

 deal of the failure of Minnesota apples is due to the root killing, from which the 

 Pyrus baccata is practically exempt. On the other hand it is well known that 

 when top-worked the Pyrus baccata does not make a satisfactory stock for 

 some of our larger apples, and our experiments are for the purpose of deter- 

 mining the value of this very hardy stock when root-grafted or budded near 

 the surface of the ground. I recently saw a lot of apples that had been grown 

 by grafting in place near the ground on seedlings of the common hybrid crabs, 

 and the growth was very satisfactory. While it is well known that the Wealthy 

 and some other kinds take well upon the Virginia and similar hybrid crabs, 

 experiments seem to be wanting to prove the value of Pyrus baccata when 

 root-grafted. Saml. B. Green, Minnesota State Experiment Station. 



"Horticultural Manual," by Prof. J. L. Budd. — The past twelve months 

 have been prolific in works on horticulture by northwestern writers of note in 

 their particular field. The latest one, to which our attention is now called, is 

 the one referred to in the above heading. The full title is "American Horti- 

 cultural Manual," in two parts, and in its preparation Prof. Budd, of Ames, 

 la., acknowledges the assistance of Prof. N. E. Hansen. The first part, now 

 ready for distribution, covers the "leading principles and practices connected 

 with the propagation, culture and improvement" of all kinds of "fruits, nuts, 

 ornamental trees, shrubs and plants in the United States and Canada." So 

 comprehensive a subject must necessarily be treated in a somewhat concise 

 manner in a volume of this size, 12 mo., 417 pages, but being the fruit of the 

 ripe experience of one whose opportunities have been very great and most fully 

 availed of, it will undoubtedly be found a book of high practical value and 

 worthy the closest perusal. The index shows the widest range of subjects, 

 from which those interested in any branch of literature may gain useful knowl- 

 edge. Price $1.50, and can be had of be publishers, John Wiley & Sons, 

 New York. 



The second volume, entitled ' 'Systematic Pomology, ' ' "is confined to the class- 

 ification and description of fruits," including nuts. We understand this list 

 is to differ radically from some of the very full lists heretofore published, in 

 that it is to be restricted to "varieties recommended at this time by societies 

 and growers, including those of special value locally" or "on trial lists of the 

 northern limits of successful fruit growing." This then, in a certain large 

 sense, is to be a practical list, and as such will be heartily welcomed by a 

 large class who live, not "among the antiquities" but in the growing present. 

 Such a select list of present adaptation if judiciously prepared would find imme- 

 diate use with practical horticulturists. The date of the issuance of this volume 

 is not noted. 



