NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS FIELD STATION, 1913-1922 1% 
about 40 per cent of those that started died within three or four 
years. The trees that survived appeared to become more hardy and 
resistant with age, but as yet none have produced what might be 
called a good crop of fruit. Crab apples generally have been more 
productive than standard apples. 
The first variety-testing orchard was started in 1913, when 180 
trees representing 12 varieties were planted. A stand of 166 trees 
was obtained, but only 55 survived the first winter. Through winter 
injury and damage by rabbits the remaining trees were in such poor 
condition that they were discarded in 1916, and the test was a failure 
notwithstanding the fact that such hardy varieties as Hibernal, 
Virginia, and Transcendent were included. 
Another variety test was started in 1914, in what is designated as 
the ‘‘main orchard.” It included more than 500 trees, set 16 by 
241% feet apart. The varieties were Hibernal, Yellow Transparent, 
University, Patten, Longfield, Malinda, Northwestern Greening, 
Peter, Okabena, Oldenburg (Duchess), Wealthy, Adno, Hibkee, and 
Sereda apples and Red Siberian, Yellow Siberian, Whitney, Minne- 
sota, Transcendent, Florence, Hyslop, and Virginia crabs. Of 540 
trees planted 502 started to grow, but only 213 remained in 1918, or 
42 per cent of the number that started growth. As the showing was 
so poor and damage by rabbits so severe all remaining trees except 
a few crabs were discarded in 1918. 
Detailed annual notes covering winter injury, growth, height, and 
fruitfulness have been taken for every tree in the above test, but such 
records are too extensive to be presented here. The Transcendent 
and Virginia crabs, survivals of the 1914 plantings, gave the best 
results. About 73 per cent of the former and 70 per cent of the latter 
varieties are now growing vigorously and producing some fruit. 
A variety test was started in the “hillside orchard’’ in 1914 and 
1915. Hibernal, Blushed Calville, Charlamoff, Anisette, Acid 
Repka (Repka Kislaja), Oldenburg (Duchess), Simbirsk, Antonovka, 
Gipsy Girl, Ostrakoff, and Volga Anis apples; and Lyman, Whitney, 
Phillips, Transcendent, Hyslop, and Virginia crabs being included. 
Less than half of those planted are now alive. Hibernal, Virginia, 
Lyman, and Transcendent seem to be the hardiest and most thrifty 
growers of the varieties tested, but most of the trees in this exposed 
orchard are in poor condition. 
One of the most successful plantings was started in 1916. It con- 
sisted of 100 Hibernal apples and 100 Virginia crabs. Of the original 
number planted 88 Hibernals and 80 Virginia crabs are now alive, 
the former averaging about 6 feet in height and the latter about 8 
feet. No apples and only light crops of crabs have yet been produced. 
It is planned to top-work to other varieties some of the trees in this 
orchard. This may increase fruit production by giving better 
pollination. 
Variety tests have also been conducted under a system of close 
planting in hedgerows, one planting being made in 1918 and one in 
1919. Standard varieties, for the most part, were used in the 1918 
planting; whereas a number of Prof. N. E. Hansen’s productions and a 
number of Canadian productions are being tested in the 1919 plant- 
ing, which included more than 50 varieties of apples and crabs. 
About 50 per cent of the trees set in the 1918 planting and 73 per 
