HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 131 



Mr. Underwood. The whole secret in setting evergreens is in 

 "firming" the roots. Whether water is applied or not the 

 gronnd must be firm around the roots. Then the rootlets will 

 start out and have something to work in; and if set firm, that is 

 the whole secret of success. I puddle the roots well and set 

 them firm. As a nurseryman planting more or less trees I have 

 never had any trouble in following these rules. 



Mr. Sias, from the committee on Russian Apples, presented the 

 following: 



EEPORT 01^ RUSSIA:N^ APPLES. 

 By A. W. Sias, Rochester. 



Mr. Fresident, Ladies and Gentlemen: 



We have been crowding the Russian apple too far south. 

 Make its southern limit, latitude 42° and the northern 60°, and 

 we will have as the centre of the Russian apple belt, latitude 

 51°. The southern limit would be on the northern line of the 

 State of Pennsylvania, running west near Chicago and Cedar 

 Rapids, Iowa. The centre would be a little south of Yeronesh, 

 Koursks, and Warsaw, Russia; Winchester, England; passing 

 through lakes Winnipeg and Manitoba in the British possessions. 

 Confine the Russian apple to this belt, and you can maintain its 

 good reputation much better. 



The most convincing opponents of the Russian apple are to be 

 found south of this parallel. Minnesota planters will find room 

 for about a dozen varieties from the hardiest and best of the 

 Russians, for some time yet, while the seedling growers are 

 "proving up" on their rich claims. Had you taken all of the 

 Russians from the tables at the state fair last fall, the exhibit 

 would have been meagre indeed. 



At Xora Springs, la., last month, there was a call from the 

 convention for a committee of six to make out a list of about 

 twelve varieties of the most popular Russians. Prof. J. L. Budd 

 was made chairman of the committee, while the balance was 

 composed of some of the best posted men in the state. Tour 

 humble servant had the honor of a place on the committee also. 

 We had no trouble in making up a list of twelve that we were all 

 agreed on as being as hardy, or more so, than the Duchess. Prof. 



