HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 77 



duty if we did not develop them by using the most intelligent and 

 pains-taking care. 



Two years ago I had Mr. T. T. Lyon, of Michigan, commissioned 

 to visit the Northwest and look up the condition of Russian and 

 other fruits, and a special report embodying the information which 

 he obtained was published; a copy of the same has been sent to 

 each member of your society, but if there are others who would 

 like to have it, I will be glad to supply them with copies. 



In regard to future work it is my purpose to not only make a 

 personal trip of investigation during the next summer through the 

 Northwest, but if means are placed at my command, I will take 

 steps to have special agents appointed to carefully look up matters 

 of a pomological nature there, and assist and co-operate with your 

 society in this matter. Any suggestions or indications of the feel- 

 ings of your members upon this subject will be highly appreciated, 

 and, if possible, carried out. Yours respectfully, 



H. E. VANDEMAN, Pomologist. 



I think there is one line of investigation that would help us in 

 deciding the possibilities of growing apples successfully in many 

 localities, which would be the procuring of information where the 

 native crab apple (Pyrus coronaria) grows in the thickets and 

 upon what kinds of soils, high or low altitude, aspect, sloping in 

 what direction, and where located in the state. This suggestion 

 comes from a prominent horticulturist, who thinks the shortest, 

 easist and best scheme for successful apple culture in the North- 

 west will come through the hybridizing of our native sorts, and the 

 best, largest and longest keeping Russian varieties with the native 

 crab {Pyrus coronavia.) 



The following are his reasons for his faith: 



1st. For ages past nature has been fitting our wild crab apple to 

 endure all vicissitudes of our cold vigorous climate. 



2nd. It has the thick leaf to help bring it through protracted 

 drouths. 



3d. Its thick, rough bark will guard it against "scald" or being 

 affected by heat or cold. 



4th. Unlike all other species through which we have been try- 

 ing to obtain the "coming winter apple" all of its numerous varie- 

 ties are "strictly winter." 



I. D. Brown, author of " Sylva Americana," describes this crab 

 as Pyrus mains coronavia. The Garland Flowering Apple tree or 

 American sweet scented crab. Pyrus coronaria of De Candolle, 

 DeTorrey, and Gray, andLaudon. Malus coronaria of Michaux; 

 Pommier Sauvage of the French; and Amerikanischer Holzappel- 

 baum of the German. 



This variety is native from Canada to Louisiana. It is found in 

 fertile soils in cool moist places, near the borders of woods, where 

 it usually grows to a height of fifteen to eighteen feet with a trunk 

 six or seven feet in diameter. The leaves are broadly ovate, 

 rounded at the base, sub-angular, smooth on the upper surface, 

 and when fully developed are distinctly toothed. 



