STATE HOETICULTURAL SOCIETY. 427 



north of the Litcle Altai mountains, and of Northern China. He 

 states as a fact that apples are cultivated there. 



I have seen it stated that the Duchess of Oldenberg is of Siberian 

 origin, from which country it was introduced into Russia. We 

 have already ascertained that the Russians trace the origin of 

 some of the varieties of apples they cultivate to China ; and 

 some of the travelers from whom I have quoted, state that the va- 

 riety of apples they saw in Russia are unknown to other parts of 

 Europe. 



The Russians have maintained for more than one hundred and 

 fifty years overland commercial intercourse with Northern China, 

 which extends to the 50fch parallel ; and as the Chinese are the most 

 skillful horticulturists in Asia, and probably the most ancient in 

 the world, we may reasonably conjecture that many varieties of 

 fruits growing in Russia were derived from Northern China, a por- 

 tion of the globe about which very little is known, but which I 

 have no doubt affords a magnificent field for horticultural ex- 

 ploration. 



I have been able to find but one author, Pere du Halde, who 

 gives an account of Northern China. Du Halde says the same 

 kinds of fruits are raised there as in Europe, and particlarly men- 

 tions apples and pears. This is in Manchooria, from which came 

 the present ruling race of China, a race of very ancient civilization. 

 The climate of Manchooria, is as hyperborian as that of Minnesota, 

 and we may reasonably seek in that country for valuable varieties 

 of fruits that could be successfully naturaliz-d to our soil. 



I think that our experience thus far shows that, as a general rule, 

 the varieties of fruits best adapted to our climate must be obtained 

 from the interior of continents where the climate is similar to our 

 own. 



We have been disappointed in our efi'orts to naturalize apple 

 trees which grow in the Canadas even north of Quebec, and in 

 Maine. 



There has been, it is true, some success in varieties from those 

 regions, but in fact, general failure. Success with thera depends 

 upon highly favorable circumstances, and the best methods of cul- 

 ture and protection. 



For general success we need other varieties, which, like the 

 Duchess of Oldenburg, are as hardy as our native forest trees. 



We cannot be content to await the production of valuable new 

 varieties, which may not be possible in a life time. 



Our naturalized Duchess of Oldenberg is a fall apple, lasting but 



