12 
extreme north as Siberian Crabs, and it is not improbable that by 
crossing the Rinki with some of these hybrid Crabs, or with the hardi- 
est varieties of the common Apple, a race may be obtained more 
valuable for the cold parts of North America than any of the Apples 
which can now be grown in some of the northern states and in the 
northwestern provinces of Canada. 
Malus floribunda. Of the fifteen species of eastern Asiatic Crab- 
apples, with their numerous varieties and hybrids, not one is more 
satisfactory as a garden plant than this tree. It is a low, bushy, 
round-topped tree not more than eighteen feet high which year after 
year covers itself with bright rose-colored flower-buds, which are fol- 
lowed by pink and finally by white flowers. Nothing is known of the 
history of this plant beyond the fact that it was sent to Europe by 
the Dutch naturalist Von Siebold before 1856 when the name first ap- 
peared in his catalogue of Japanese plants. Mr. Wilson, however, did 
not see it in Japan, and it does not appear to be known to Japanese 
botanists. It has been suggested by different authors that it might 
be a hybrid, various species having been named as its possible parents. 
Its hybrid origin is not improbable for seedlings show considerable vari- 
ation, especially in the time of the falling of the fruit. On plants propa- 
gated by grafting from those originally introduced by Von Siebold the 
fruit drops early in the autumn, but on some of the seedling plants 
raised in the Arboretum the fruit remains on the branches until 
spring. There are several large plants of these seedlings in the neigh- 
borhood of the Administration Building which through the winter fur- 
nished large quantities of food to many different kinds of birds. A 
seedling of M. floribunda which appeared spontaneously many years 
ago in the Arboretum has larger flowers and fruit than that plant, 
and is evidently a hybrid with some form of Malus baccata. This 
hybid has been named M. Arnoldiana and is one of the handsomest of 
all Crabappies. 
The old Crabapple Collection is on the left-hand side of the Forest 
Hills Road, but the largest number of these plants will be found in 
the new collection at the eastern base of Hemlock Hill. 
In subsequent bulletins attention will be called to the most interest- 
ing species as they flower. 
An illustrated guide to the Arboretum containing a map showing the 
position of the different groups of plants has recently been published. It 
will be found useful to persons unfamiliar with the Arboretum. Copies 
of this guide can be obtained at the Administration Building in the 
Arboretum, from the Secretary of the Massachusetts Horticultural 
Society, 300 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, from The Houghton, 
Mifflin Company, 4 Park Street, Boston, and at the office of the Harvard 
Alumni Bulletin, 50 State Street, Boston. Price, 30 cents. 
The subscription to these Bulletins is $1.00 per year, payable in 
advance. 
