TRACING THE GIDEON APPLE SEEDLINGS. 83 



would prove of great value to northwestern pomology; but when we 

 consider into whose hands they were consigned, with the probable 

 ignorance of many of these would-be fruit growers as to the plant- 

 ing, care and management of fruit trees at that time (1887 to 1890), 

 is it any wonder we find no better results? If these trees had had 

 such careful handling, care and environment as the one hundred 

 trees sent to Mr. T. J. Lightly, of Oakland, Freeborn county, Minn., 

 the result would have proven far different. Here was an instance 

 where intelligence was exercised, producing more fine varieties from 

 that one order than from four-score of orders as ordinarilv man- 

 aged. 



Out of this list of trees there are now growing twenty or thirty 

 kinds superior to many of the named sorts under cultivation, some 

 of which demonstrate the prepotency of the Wealthy to give a dis- 

 tinguishing mark to its progeny. 



There are many valuable points of interest to the student in 

 pomology in following up the history of these seedlings, often ob- 

 tained through the helpful suggestions that come from thinking, 

 practical people, that I would like to have said in this report. I 

 think enough has been indicated of the importance of the work to 

 awaken a desire for further investigation. 



In looking over these seedling orders I discovered, listed with 

 them, quite a number of named seedlings that Mr. Gideon had sent 

 out from time to time, and as far as I am able to judge, the follow- 

 ing are a list of what he propagated for distribution: August, Blood 

 Red, Excelsior, Florence, Gideon, Gracie, January, Lou, Martha, 

 Moulton, October, Peter, Rebekah and Wealthy. If there are other 

 seedlings of his growing that have been named and distributed, 

 parties having such information that is reliable would confer a favor 

 by sending the name and where growing to our secretary. 



REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON GIDEON SEEDLINGS. 



WYMAN ELLIOT, CHAIRMAN. 



Making an intelligent report upon the many seedlings and 

 grafted varieties growing and fruiting upon the Peter M. Gideon 

 farm would require more time than your committee has been able 

 to devote to that subject in one season's examination. The chair- 

 man has visited the farm six times during the season, once with R. 

 S. Mackintosh, from the State Experimental Station. 



There are four orchards that have been planted at different 

 times, and we will designate them by numbers, as Nos. i, 2, 3 and 4, 

 in the order in which they were planted. 



