360 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
this most abundantly. From the slight opportunity offered for 
observations, the writer does not care to pass any private opinions 
as to the merits of this process, but apparently the girdled trees are 
as thrifty as the ungirdled (excepting as to blight in some varieties 
in the nursery) and much more prolific of fruit. Mr. Dartt will un- 
doubtedly carry this experiment—his present hobby—to much 
length, and his experience gives promise of being a valuable contri- 
bution to what is as yet known on this subject. In the meantime 
he has no patent on the process, but it might be prudent for others 
to “go a little slow” and await developments. 
The writer has only commendation for the condition of the expe- 
riment nursery and the methods followed in developing it. From 
the opportunity offered for superficial examination, they seem to be 
practical and to give promise of results either of a negative or 
positive character, and as such of value to northwestern pomology. 
Here are being tested probably all the varieties of apples being 
planted in this section and as many seedlings as are obtainable, 
and the results reached are recorded as the sifting process proceeds. 
Will the “survival of the fittest” give us ultimately anything of 
value? Thatis the problem Mr. Dartt is earnestly trying to solve. 
Probably other members of the board who spent more time at Owa- 
tonna on this occasion than the writer will comment more in detail 
as to this interesting work. 
THE CANADA COLUMBINE. 
CHAS. E. PARNELL, FLORAL PARK, N. Y. 
The Canada columbine, Aquilegia Canadensis, is a very beautiful 
native perennial plant belonging to the natural order Ranuncu- 
lacae. Itis one of our prettiest wild flowers, being found in rocky 
woods throughout northern United States and Canada, where it 
attains a height of from one and a half to two feet, having bi-pinnate 
leaves with lobed leaflets, Its period of bloom is during the months 
of May and June, the individual flower being about one inch in 
length, scarlet without and yellow within, a rare combination of 
color. 
This columbine takes kindly to cultivation and is much improved 
by careful culture in the mixed flower border, where it should be 
given a partially shaded situation and a deep but moderately 
enriched sandy soil. It should be given a light mulch of some 
littery material during the winter months, and an occasional top 
dressing of well decayed manure is decidedly beneficial. Propaga- 
tion is effected by seeds which may be sown as soon as gathered, or 
as early in the spring as possible on a nicely prepared border ina 
shaded situation. Sow thinly, cover slightly, and as soonas the 
young plants are large enough to handle let them be removed to 
another border similarly prepared and planted in rows eight or ten 
inches apart each way. During their season of growth keep them 
well supplied with water, also clean and free from weeds, and early 
in the autumn carefully remove them to a permanent position in 
the flower border. Good strong plants can be procured of dealers 
in hardy perennial plants at moderate prices, and the plants can 
also be safely removed from their native homes at any season of the 
year, except during their season of bloom. 
