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Bechtel's Double Flowering 
American Crab 
Perfectly Hardy Flowers like Roses 
One of the most desirable ornamental trees is Bechtel's Double 
Flowering Crab Apple. The blooms so closely resemble roses in form 
and coloring that a glance at the foliage is almost needed to convince 
the observer that they are glorified apple blossoms instead. The color- 
ing is light flesh pink, varying occasionally to deep rose pink. They 
possess a most delicate and refreshing fragrance, more grateful to many 
than the odor of roses, which is occasionally so irritating as to cause 
systems of a "cold in the head," 
Bechtel's Crab is a horticultural variety of Pyrus loensis or Au- 
gustifolia, the wild crab apple of the Prairie States. It makes a small 
spreading tree, commencing to bloom on interior spurs when only four 
or five years old, and everywhere, almost to the tips of the branches, 
with increasing age. There are practically no off years, as the blooms 
are sterile, rarely, if ever, setting fruits. An established tree is an 
object of beauty and pleasing fragrance for weeks each year. The in- 
dividual blooms are nearly two inches across, coming out in large 
clusters later than orchard apples, and are quite enduring, defying sun 
and rain for many days. They last excellently when used as cut flowers, 
if taken as the buds are opening. 
Bechtel's Double Flowering Crab is one of the choicest ornamental 
trees that can be planted, suitable alike for the lawn and the most 
elegant public or private park. Trees should bloom in a year or two 
after planting. They have few insect enemies. 
