78 ANNUAL REPORT 



The flowers are white at first and gradually chaoge to a purplish 

 hue before they fall. They are large and occur in corymbs, with 

 smooth peduncles, and during the blooming season, they perfume 

 the whole air with the scent of violets. The fruit is flatly orbicu- 

 late from an inch to an inch and a half in diameter, of a yellowish 

 green when ripe, which occurs in September, and gradually be- 

 comes more yellow and somewhat translucent with age. It is of a 

 firm texture, extremely acid, and has sometimes been employed in 

 the manufacture of cider and preserves. 



Successful experiments have been made in uniting this tree by 

 grafting and budding, with the common apple; but the time is so 

 long for bringing it to perfection that no particular advantage can 

 be derived from such a_ union. It has been suggested, however, 

 that new and valuable varieties might be obtained from seeds pro- 

 duced by fertilizing the flowers with the pollen of the vigorous 

 growing pippins, or those of the Siberian crabs. 



Setting aside all other considerations, this tree from the beauti- 

 ful character of its leaves, the fragrance of its blossoms, together 

 with the lateness of their appearance, and the deep green and de- 

 pressed form of its fruit, it is a most desirable object of culture 

 and no shrubbery should be without it. 



MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. 



Our secretary should open correspondence with all the State 

 Horticultural Societies in the several Northwestern States, with a 

 view, if possible, of arranging dates for annual meetings, so that 

 no two will come in the same week. 



A new use for annual and life membership fees is presented to 

 your notice for creating a fund to offer as premiums for the 

 encouragement of special work with particular objects in view, 

 such as bringing to notice some new native fruit, or hybridizing 

 the native crab, with some long keeping pyrus malus variety of the 

 apple, and many other things that would be of incalculable value 

 to the interests of horticulture. 



Provision should be made for sending delegates from our society 

 to other kindred societies, that they may bring back and impart 

 valuable information to us and them. 



I notice one good feature in the Wisconsin report of 1888, and it 

 impresses me as being very practical. I refer to the placing of the 

 recommended lists of fruit trees, shrubs and plants on the first 

 pages of their report where they will attract notice at once, and 

 worthy of adoption by this society. 



Another matter of considerable importance to all horticulturists 

 is the necessity of obtaining lower freight and express rates on all 

 their products; and there should be a committee formed for that 

 purpose to confer with those of kindred organizations to bring 

 about the desired result, if possible, for lower freight and express 

 rates means increased profits to all who send their produce to 

 market by this method. 



