STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 149 



then bring tlie seed here to grow and test the hardiness of tree and 

 qnality of fruit. We want first-class apples, and to get them we 

 must use first-class parentage. And even then scullions will be 

 numerous, from the fact that all varieties of apples are mongrels of 

 many degrees of crossing, and the various relations will crup out in 

 a multitude of forms. But past success is a guarantee for the future, 

 that out of the many some will be good. Our seedlings will average 

 iu quality with Hyslop and Transcendent; but iho.se of first-class, 

 such as we propagate, stand about as one to five hundred, as hard}' 

 Duchess and Wealthy, and of the extreme hardiest about one to one 



thousand five hundred. 



t 



SEEDLING TREES EOU DISTRIBUTION. 



Two years ago this winter was the first time tlie Duchess and 

 Wealthy were seriousl}' hurt, and a like fate befell all the Russians 

 on our grounds, so that not a Russian set an apple on our grounds 

 last year, whilst alongside of them our seedlings carried a fair crop, 

 some of them piofuse, and this year all bore heavy crops; showing 

 beyond a question that the crab infusion is to be the foundation of 

 successful fruit culture in the Northwest. The State orchard, yielded 

 about one hundred bushels of apples this year, all of thena being of 

 our own seedlings ; all else of value failed two years ago this winter. 

 This fall we planted the seed of over one hundred bushels of choice 

 apples, to grow trees for trial purposes. We now have thousands 

 of choice trees on hand for distribution to those who want one, two, 

 three and four-year-old trees from seed. Those who come and dig 

 the trees will get them free of cost, others will have the cost of 

 digging and packing to pay ; and. unless otherwise instructed, will 

 ship free of cost, except as above stated, to any one in the North- 

 west who may so order. The great bulk of the trees are two years 

 old. The cost of digging, boxing or bundling w^ould be about one 

 dollar per hundred. All who get trees will be expected to take good 

 care of them until the3- fruit, and if any prove of extra value, so re- 

 port, but the trees and the profits thereof belong to the cultivator. 

 We onl}' ask the report, that we can note the progress. The trees 

 which produce poor fruit can be top-grafted with any good variety 

 that the owner ma}- select, and thus make permanent trees of value. 

 Those who want large trees had better come and do their own digging 

 and thus save a large bill ; the trees are large for their age and a 

 more promising lot of seedlings I never saw. 



