STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 123"' 



choice varieties to endure the sudden and extreme changes so common to the 

 Northwest. Our direct road to success is through the Russians some of which 

 will prove hardy, fair keepers and passable in quality. But our richest results 

 will be brought out as we believe, through some course not wholly unlike the fol- 

 owing which we here sketched for your careful consideration. For site select the 

 most favored location known in America where the richest and choicest kinds can 

 be successfully grown. But to secure the finest flavor and better assist nature in 

 acclimating the new seedlings to the Northwest, we would fix the site on the north- 

 ern limit of sure success. Select sound, vigorous, healthy trees, two or three of 

 the best standard hardy kinds, and top work each with three or more kinds. For 

 Minnesota use the best Siberian, the best Minnesota seedling and the best long- 

 keeping American apple known. Those whose identity has been thoroughly 

 established for hundreds of years both for keeping and for quality. These com- 

 binations could be so formed as to suit almost any taste and all future require- 

 ments. Then just as the trees were about to blossom we would have a frame so 

 made as to readily receive a fine wire screen which could be fastened on leather 

 strips so as to roll up and unroll as the occasion required. These screens could be 

 painted white to keep them from rusting as well as reflecting too much heat. They 

 would only be needed some ten days when they could be taken off rolled up and 

 stored away for each successive year. This would effectually prevent the chances 

 for the trees thus protected being pollenized by spurious kinds through' the agency 

 of bees and other insects. But to make this plan sure and complete there should 

 be no other kinds growing near on the outside for fear the pollen might find its 

 way through the screens. While these are our best thoughts on the subject, we 

 have no doubt but that there can be many amendments made to these suggestions 

 with profit. A swarm of bees might be placed in each apartment to insure more 

 perfect mixture of the pollen. When the fruit is ripe the seeds should be saved 

 and sent as far north as Minneapolis to be grown and cared for properly. By doing 

 this we would soon learn which of the fittest would survive. The south side we 

 would Doard up tight and let it so remain the year through. This would protect 

 much from untimely heat in spring, from oppressive heat in summer as well as 

 from the direct rays of the sun in February and March which causes sun scald. 



We have the strongest confidence that some plan similar to the one we have 

 attempted to describe would lead us directly out of the wilderness and at once 

 secure to us much more valuable trees than we have secured through all these 

 many years of struggle. Trees that have commenced bearing could be secured, 

 and the work commenced at once, and rich results would follow one after another 

 in quick succession. We think this plan simple, and perhaps it is too much so to 

 attract your special attention, but if you should deem it practical then we shall 

 not be sorry for making these suggestions on this the most important part of all 

 that pertains to success in orcharding in the Northwest. It appears to us that one 

 thousand dollars a year would cover the entire expenses for ten years to come; 

 and at the same time relieve the thousands who are now wasting so much time and 

 money on foolish and unwise experiments such as have brought so much ruin and 

 failure over the Northwest. If the great State of Minnesota cannot V>e induced ta 

 lead out in this alone let her make the effort to join with Wisconsin and Iowa and 

 divide the seed and grow each its own as it may deem best 



