298 ANNUAL REPORT 



SEEDS. 



Of seeds of Catalpa and Hop tree grown at Charles City, Iowa, 

 and planted last spring not one grew. Seeds of Kussian Apples 

 planted in the fall of '88 germinated poorly, only about fifty hav- 

 ing grown. From Thompson's seedlings there are a few more and 

 a like number from other selected seeds. Seeds received mid- 

 winter, soaked, put in moist saw dust and put out to freeze and 

 planted in the spring grew better than those planted in the fall. 

 I have hopes that many seeds that have lain dormant on account of 

 drouth may come up next spring. Pomace from five or six bush- 

 els of Greenwood crabs has been planted. I have received a few 

 apple seeds from Vermont and am promised another lot from 

 Tompson's, Iowa, seedlings and a few from other sources. Seeds 

 of Soft Maple, Box Elder, White Ash, Burr Oak, White Oak, Na- 

 tive Thorn, Butternut and Black Walnut have been planted. The 

 Butternut succeeds much better than Black Walnut. 



ROOT GRAFTS. 



Eighteen hundred root grafts were set last spring comprising 

 about seventy-five varieties of the most promising apples and crab 

 apples that could be obtained. Geo. P. Peffer, of Wisconsin, con- 

 tributed several varieties, some of which are crosses by hand 

 fertilization. A good stand and average growth has been secured 

 some of the most vigorous having made a growth of 2| feet. They 

 were well cultivated to August 1st when oats were sown among 

 them for winter protection. Preparations are now made for graft- 

 ing about forty thousand the present winter. One hundred and 

 fifty varieties of Scions are now on hand about fifty of which are 

 Ptussian and one hundred of other varieties. As late acquisitions 

 I may mention two new seedlings from A. J. Philips, of West 

 Salem, Wisconsin, who contributed two-4 year trees of each kind 

 from which an abundance of Scions have been taken. Bardwell 

 & Haviland, of Fort Dodge, Iowa, have donated a pretty full list 

 of Mr. Gideon's seedlings for trial. If these trees are of great 

 value in Minnesota the original trees should be producing remu- 

 nerative crops at Excelsior. 



SEEDLING APPLES. 



Many promising seedlings have been obtained from noted grow- 

 ers and experimenters scattered over the northwest, most of which 

 present a fine appearance. From one hundred seedlings present- 

 ed by Mr. Gideon and a like number of our own growing we have 

 cut Scions from twenty of the best looking trees. Eight kinds 

 were grafted last winter and twelve will be grafted this winter. 

 These varieties are lettered from A to U. We have grown a few 

 Duchess and Tetofsky Seedlings but more of the crabs. We have 

 placed forty seedlings of the Greenwood Crab in nursery row for 

 trial and one hundred of the Orange crab. We have now more 

 than five hundred seedlings of the Orange crab and as many of 

 other kinds. What shall I do with them? Shall we test the hard- 

 iness and bearing qualities of all or shall we use most of them for 

 stocks. 



