170 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



"Several years ago I received from the department a small 

 package of Pyrus baccata seeds, which I planted and have been 

 since experimenting a little in grafting scions from them upon com- 

 mon seedlings, and grafting the apple on the baccata seedling. I 

 find to-day upon examination that the scions grafted upon the 

 apple seedlings have emitted a good system of roots, which 

 would insure the tree upon its own roots and a sure safeguard 

 against root-killing. The baccata seedlings grow a wonderful 

 root system, and I have never seen the like before. If we had 

 seeds of this crab to grow our seedlings, the apple problem for 

 the northwest would be largely solved. I notice the Baccata 

 ripens its foliage, and the foliage all drops ofif. This in 

 my judgment is the best evidence of hardiness of fruit trees. 

 I would like to know if the baccata comes into bearing early in 

 its native country, and if the fruit will keep any length of time. 

 I have so far made a good union with every variety I have grafted 

 upon it." 



Replying to Mr. Ivins' question : "The Pyrus liaccata bears 

 at an early age in its native habitat, but I have not heard of any 

 being good winter keepers. The experience of Mr. Peter M. 

 Gideon indicates that we need not expect winter fruit from this 

 species."- 



The second letter is as follows : "Replying to yours of re- 

 cent date would say that in the last three years I have been 

 growing the Pyrus baccata, and I find it of medium growth, and 

 it ripens its wood very early in the fall. With the varieties I 

 have grafted upon it I find the union is good. In digging some 

 of the seedlings this fall, I find they have a very heavy root 

 system branching in all directions from the main root. As to the 

 small Yellow Siberian crab, they have been grown in this county 

 for thirty-five years. Such varieties as Tallman Sweet, Wealthy, 

 Seek-no-further, and others were top-grafted upon them from 

 twenty to thirty years ago, and the trees after bearing fruit all 

 these years are in good condition. They are large and vigorous. 

 I have never seen a tree of this crab, young or old, that was 

 root-damaged in the least by hard winters." 



Is this whole question a settled one ? By no means. I have 

 tried to state the case fairly. Extended trials will be necessary 

 here in the northwest to settle the question. At the worst it can 

 be no worse than to use the common apple seedlings, which we 

 all know to be a failure. A dead orchard means discouragement 

 for nurserymen as well as orchardists. 



Mr. W. L. Taylor : Will a root-graft upon a seedling of our 

 common Pyrus baccata make a perfect union? 



Prof. Hansen : All I can say is that the European propaga- 

 tors condemn the practice, but that does not altogether settle 

 the question with me. Some of our Wisconsin delegates could 

 give the early experience in Wisconsin some thirty years ago 

 that piece root-grafts on Pyrus baccata did not do well. I heard 



