32 BULLETIN 1301, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
flavor and size of fruit are marked, and a number of selections have been made 
for further testing. 
About 38 Prunus tomentosa seedlings set out for testing in 1918 fruited in 1922. 
There was a wide variation in the size, flavor, and texture of the fruit on different 
bushes, and this fruit appears promising for breeding work. The bushes, however, 
are not entirely hardy in severe winters. 
Several thousand chokecherry seedlings are now producing fruit. There is 
considerable variation in the time of ripening, and in the size, color, and flavor 
of the fruit, but none seem to be ‘‘chokeless,’”’ although some are much better 
than others in this respect. None of the seedlings have yet been propagated. 
Seedlings of Prunus maacki have been grown to a limited extent, but this species 
appears to be valueless so far as fruit is concerned. The limbs are brittle and 
break badly, but the trees are very beautiful when in bloom. 
Crataegus.—Seedlings of several species of Crataegus are growing at the station, 
but as yet none of the seedlings have appeared to be of any special value. At- 
tempts have been made to cross Crataegus mollis with pears, Aronia species, and 
Juneberries, but these have failed. 
Currants.—Seedlings of several common varieties of red currants and also 
seedlings of the native flowering currant of the Missouri Valley (Ribes odoratum) 
have been grown for selection purposes. Several selections of the red and about 
25 selections of the flowering currant have been made and are being propagated 
for further testing. Some of the latter selections appear to be of value for the 
northern plains, as they are hardy and drought resistant, producing crops when 
most fruits fail. A few currants have been potted and some hand-crossing done, 
but without success. 
Filberts and hazelnuts ——A few filberts and hazelnuts were potted for crossing 
work, but none of the potted trees lived to bearing age. A number of native 
hazelnuts have been planted, but stands have been poor and only a few are alive. 
These have not borne fruit. 
Gooseberries.—Several thousand gooseberry seedlings have been grown for 
selection purposes, the seeds being obtained both from standard varieties and 
from native plants. Some seeds were obtained from groups where Houghton 
was planted with Industry, Chautauqua, Smith, and Lancashire Lad, so it is 
thought that some of these seedlings are crosses between Houghton and the varie- 
ties named. About 35 selections have been made, partly from native species 
and partly from seedlings of cultivated varieties. The best of these selections will 
be propagated for further testing. Gooseberries were also grown in pots and 
erossed by hand, but only a few seeds and no plants resulted from such work. 
Grapes.—More than 10,000 seedlings of the native wild grape, and a few seed- 
lings of cultivated varieties, have been grown. From these about 30 selections 
have been made for further testing. However, none of the selections from the 
wild grape appear very promising except as hardy material to cross with better 
varieties. A few vines have been grown in pots for hand-crossing work, but no 
seedlings have yet been obtained. 
Highbush cranberries.—A few seedlings of Viburnum lentago and V. ameri- 
canum are growing, but have not yet reached bearing age. No hand crossing 
has been attempted with this fruit. 
June berries—A large number of June-berry seedlings have been grown, and 
considerable variation in time of ripening, size and quality of fruit, and size of 
cluster has been observed. More than 200 selections have been made. It seems 
that this is one of the more promising of the native fruits for breeding work. 
June berries have also been grown in pots and crossed with pears, quinces, 
Aronia species, Pyrus baccata, and Crataegus. Only a few seeds have been 
produced, however, and none have germinated. The potted plants have been 
discarded. 
Peaches.—Several thousand Chinese peach seedlings have been grown, but 
were discarded as worthless except for ornamental purposes. The flowers open 
early and are likely to be killed by frost. The tree is semihardy. Amygdalus 
davidiana, A. pedunculata, and commercial varieties of peaches have been grown 
in pots and used for hand-crossing work. Some crosses made in 1917 between 
A. davidiana and common varieties of peaches were successful, but the resulting 
plants have not yet borne fruit. No other breeding work with peaches is being 
done. 
Pears.—Seedlings of Japanese pears and standard varieties have been grown, 
but none were hardy, and all died before producing fruit. Pears in pots have been 
erossed with Chinese sand pears, Juneberries, Pyrus baccata, and Aronia, but 
only a few seeds have been produced, and none of the seeds germinated. Pear 
breeding has been discontinued. 
