348 ANNUAL REPORT 



imparting, in a measure, some characteristic of each to the 

 other. So, if we can secure in this cross-fertilization, the 

 combination of hardiness and color in one, with that of flavor 

 and keeping qualities in the other, we may reasonably expect 

 once in a while, to make an advance in the right direction. 

 This fact must not be lost sight of, however, that the chances are 

 about one in 10,000 of obtaining a desirable result, consequently 

 we need to enlist the co operation of every man, woman and 

 child in the state to make that progress which our condition 

 demands. 



With wise and enterprising forethought, our Society has ])lan- 

 ned to stimulate this endeavor by offering liberal premiums to 

 encourage work in growing seedlings, and, since all are really 

 seedlings and the most progress we have made has been from 

 that source, I am quite inclined to think it is the direction from 

 which is to come our best results. Think of the seedling we call 

 the "Wealthy;" thousands of bushels have been raised in our 

 state already. It captured for us the Wilder Medal at Philadel- 

 phia and placed us among the foremost at 'New Orleans, and 

 while it may not be the apple that we are looking for, it has at- 

 tracted the favorable consideration of the foremost pomologists 

 of our land. Then look at the improvements that have come to 

 us through seedlings in our list of crabs or hybrids, as we call 

 them, giving us better flavor, larger size, and longer keeping 

 qualities. There is now rising in the horizon, other candidates 

 for favor; seedlings of the Dnchess are x)romineutly and favorably 

 mentioned by our Seedling Committee, to which we look for im- 

 provement in hardiness, flavor and keeping qualities; I refer to 

 the Okabena, originated by H. J. Ludlow and controlled by the 

 Jewell Nursery Co., of Lake City, Minn., and the Peerless, origi- 

 nated by J. G. Miller and controlled by O. F. Brand, of Fari- 

 bault. 



In connection with this subject, let me refer to an orchard of 

 seedlings in which we have become interested, growing at Grundy 

 Center, Iowa. The history of it is briefly as follows : During 

 the days of our civil war, J. S. B. Thompson left his family, as 

 many others were doing, while he went into the army to serve 

 his country. His wife, in the mean time, visited her parents in 

 New York. While there her father brought her the choicest 

 apples from his large orchard of seedlings, to pare and dry for 

 her western home. With keen forethought, she saved the seeds 

 of the best, and took them with her as well as the dried fruit. 



