STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 259 



hardy sorts that while of lower standard, will yet be of great value 

 to our state. The laws alluded to are not quite as well settled and 

 as free from variation as in animal growth; but the facts so far 

 found, indicate that the process for us in this case is to use the 

 hardy tree of best form and of the common apple race (not the 

 Siberian crab) for the seed-bearing parent, and fertilize the blos- 

 soms of this tree with pollen from the large, good, well-shaped, 

 long-keeping variety, of the best color in fruit we can find, and 

 also, other things being suitable, the hardiest in tree; in other 

 words, that the female parent is most likely to impart constitution 

 and form to the seedling tree, and the male parent the quality and 

 season of the fruit of it. Those who have the facilities can reverse 

 the plan or vary it and note the results. 



Hand manipulation is the surest and most direct road to success, 

 and the isolation of both pistils and pollen" must be as perfect as 

 possible. Top-grafting a hardy tree to a long-keeper (of same 

 blossoming time) so as to intermingle naturally, and then planting 

 the seeds of the hardy sort is liable to give a gain ; but the chance 

 is more remote, as you have that "lusty stealth of nature," of 

 which the bees and the winds are the agents, always to contend 

 with and put aside your designs. 



The new Russians will undoubtedly be the basis of some of the 

 best work in this line, especially for seed-bearing parents. It will 

 pay all our people to study the fruit trees and fruit blossoms, and 

 read the Horticultural Report to assist them in finding ''the motive 

 and the cue" of thought in these interesting lines of study. 



Members can be supplied with back numbers as well as the Re- 

 port of 1884, and any person can become a member by sending one 

 dollar to the Secretary. 



MB. PEFFER'S PRIZE ESSAY. 



The essa}' of Mr. Peffer having contained a number of confusing 

 typographical errors, as printed last year, is herewith reprinted, 

 and its careful study recommended in connection with the forego- 

 ing scheme for the production of a hardy, long-keeping winter 

 apple. 



