Pomology, Gardening, Forestry, Horticulture, Rural Architecture, Bees. 



Vol. I. DES MOINES, IOWA ; LEAVENWORTH, KANSAS, FEBRUARY, 1870. No. 2. 



MARK MILLER, 



Editor and Proprietor^ - - Des Moine^^ 



J. A. NASH, Assistant, 



DES MOINES. 



J. STAYMAN, Leavenworth, Kansas. 



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Introduction 



In introduciug ouiselves to the readers of 

 the PoMOLOGisT in tlie capacity of Assistant 

 Editor, it will be expected that we are able to 

 present some new matter, or introduce old 

 matter in a better and more acceptable form, 

 but when neither is accomplished we cannot 

 help but look on the woi-k as a failure. We 

 do not claim to be able to compile or jjrepare 

 what has been previoasly said or written 

 and make it more intelligible or acceptable, 

 but we hope to be able to give much orig- 

 inal matter and condense previous facts into 

 general principles, thereby giving certainty 

 for uncertainty and foots for fiction. The 

 POMOLOGIST is not designed to take the place 

 of older and perhaps more able journals, but 

 to supply a new demand wliich is iudi.spen- 

 sable — if we wish to make any proficiency 

 in fruit growing, which has been in doubt 

 and obscurity so long. 



We do not expect to be exempt from the 

 ordeal of criticism, neither do we desire it, 

 for wliatcver is not absolutely certain mu.st 

 be placed in doubt, and the sooner tlie public 

 know the facts the better. If the Pomolo- 

 GiST but causes the reader to think before 

 he acts, it will save much time and expense 

 in a pursuit which has di.sappointed the 

 hopes of many and blasted their energies for 



We do not think the diflSeulties of fruit 

 growing unsurmountable, but for the want 

 of correct knowledge of the character and 

 habits of dillerent varieties and species of 

 fruit, their laws of growth, development and 

 maturity have beenovei'looked. Classifying 

 all under the same conditions, we have been 

 disappointed and have groped our way 

 slowly but surely to that point of success 

 which we hope to be able to present to the 

 Western fruit grower. 



To the fruit growers and gardeners of 

 Kansas, we ask your support and co-opera- 

 tion in a work devoted to your interest. We 

 have never had an opportunity to express 

 our views even upon the subject. .Ileuce, 

 we do nut only give you a chance, but offer 

 you a place and ask you to give your views 

 freely. Any question you wish answered 

 we hope to be prepared to do through the 

 PoMOLOGiST without delay, within our 

 sphere. 



We should be happy to receive specimens 

 of all new fruits worthy of cultivation, to 

 make drawings of them and describe the 

 fruit, &c. J, Stayman. 



Leavenworth, Kansas. 



For the Western Pomologist, 

 Western Missouri as a Fruit Country. 



Ed. Pomologist: — I shall endeavor to 

 keep you posted in regard to pomological 

 progress in this portion of the Missouri 

 valley, and shall greet the Western Pomol- 

 ogist with special interest. It tills a want 

 of fruit growers, and must bi^ a success. 



We hope soon to be connected by rail with 

 Des Moines. The Missouri Valley Railroad, 

 heading towards Des Moines, is now com- 

 pleted to Marj'.sville, within twenty miles of 

 the Iowa State line, and will soon be run- 

 ning to tliat point. We hope our Iowa 

 friends will complete it to Des Moines, and 

 thus we shall be neighbors. 



This portion of the Missouri valley is the 

 home of the apple. The soil is a rich, 

 light mould with marly clay subsoil; and 

 we have moisture sufficient to grow fruits of 

 good size, and soft, dry breezes in August, 

 September and October, that perfect the 

 flavor of our fruits. The Missouri river is a 

 long ribbon of water, winding through vast 

 grassy plains, bordering on what was for- 

 merly called the American desert, which is 

 now covered with nutritious grasses, which 



become very dry in the Fall ; and the winds 

 blow almost continually from the southwest 

 in the latter part of Summer and Fall. This 

 mellifluous influence, in conjunction witli 

 our excellent fruit soil, enables us to produce 

 apples unsurpassed in weight, beauty, and 

 flavor. This section seems to be favorable 

 to the production of new varieties, which 

 the report of the Missouri State Horticul- 

 tural Society, at their last meeting, fully 

 shows. We have some that far eclipse the 

 Baldwin and Newtown Pippin in their 

 palmiest days. The most delicious fruits of 

 the Old World are grown in the Barbary 

 States, over which the tempered winds of 

 the desert blow ; and our Lord planted the 

 first garden of fruits upon the Assyrian 

 hills, watered by the Euphrates, over which 

 "spicy breezes blow from Araby the 

 Blest." So the valley of the Missouri, border' 

 ing the dry and airy plains of the West 

 win yet produce the most delicious fruitg 

 of America. 



I herewith hand you an item clipped from 

 a report of the last meeting of our Missouri 

 State Horticultural Society, which may in- 

 terest some of your readers : 



" The following new varieties of long keeping 

 apples were exhibited before the Missouri Hor- 

 ticultural Society, by Geo. S. Park, of Park- 

 ville, Platte county, Missoori: 



"Park's Keeper" — An excellent variety; re- 

 tains its flavor till June or July. A fine large 

 red apple, resembles the "Large Striped Pear- 

 main,' the "Missouri Superior," and "McAfl'ee 

 Nonesuch," but is found to keep loHgeij. Ip val- 

 ualile for commercial orchards. Sells for 50c a 

 bushel more than the "Genitanu"' 



"Lawver." — .Just introduced. A most beau- 

 tiful apple; large, dark red; fine acid— rich 

 cranberry flavor. Saleable and profitable. 



" Goodyear."— A seeding of the " Ben Davis ;" 

 a little better than the "Ben Davis." It is an 

 early and proliflo bearer, and keeps till June 

 and July. 



'•Ella Park."— A dark red apple, medium 

 size, a brisk acid. Keeps till new apples como 

 in yearly. An apple of great promise. 



Also a new seedling, just discovered, that 

 keeps two years ; promising well— recommend- 

 ed for trial. 



One was exhibited that had been kept in per- 

 fect condition over the last summer. Also, Mr. 

 Park's plates of " New York Pippins," "Yellow 

 Bellefleurs," "Campbeliist-s," ;"NewtowB, Pip- 

 pins," and "Genitans," weie unjsurpassea ; 

 sliowing tliat Western Missouri is second to no 

 section in fruit growing. Itsiieuts to produce 

 new varieties that are unsurpassed in beauty 

 and flavor, with more speoiBc gravity ilian the 

 old varieties." 



Geo. S. Park, 

 ParkviUe, Platte County, Mo. 



Remarks. — As many of the old, 

 standard sorts of apples show signs of 

 degeneracy^ It stands the pomologists, not 

 only of this grand frttit growing region of 

 the West, but of the whole country, to be 

 looking after and spying out new and val- 

 uable sorts to the fruit grower. 



