TWENTY-SIXTH SESSION. 
95 
First, then, we cannot expect long keeping apples by crossing with the 
Russian type, because a high northern latitude with its short summers has 
fixed in the race the habit of early maturity; and when grown in our longer 
and hotter summers they mostly drop from the tree before their juices are 
perfected, and hence are low in quality. In very many cases they are also- 
seriously subject to blight. This habit in the Russian apple of dropping so- 
early, is a serious defect, and any attempt at a scientific development of the 
apple, that does not take into account the prime importance of working with 
varieties that hang well to the tree will fall far short of the demands of a 
prairie region. It is all the more important because our climate at times, 
and in some seasons is of such a rushing, hurrying nature, that it hastens, 
maturity in cereals and fruits with great rapidity. For instance in the 
present season varieties of large dent corn growing from seven to ten feet 
high, are ripening in from ninety to one hundred days from planting. Just 
here the scientific experimenter has one of the greatest obstacles to overcome 
in the production of improved apples, pears and plums for this valley; for 
if our fruit will not hang on until it is fairly ripened, there is neither 
pleasure or profit in growing it; and the same cause that hastens the maturity 
of our grains and fruits, will leave its impress upon the generative forces of 
the fruit buds with which we are experimenting. 
Secondly, the development of the Siberian apple is well under way and 
from one to three generations of crosses will undoubtedly produce apples of 
great value. Perhaps the Siberian and Russian cross will be best for the 
north and the American for the southern part of the territory. But as far 
as is now known, some of the hybrids with the American apples are fully as 
hardy. Peter M. Gideon has produced some valuable Siberian hybrids for 
experimental work, but being crossed with the Russian varieties we may ex- 
pect early apples only; but accidental crosses with Golden Russet and other 
American apples have produced several early as well as better and longer 
keeping sorts, that add greatly to the list for scientific work. Several of them 
are of large size and hang so firmly to the tree that it requires a high 
wind to blow them off. In fact, the occasional appearance' of Siberian 
varieties hanging firmly to the -tree renders it of special value in the develop- 
ment of improved fruits for this climate. Besides this, their fruit buds are 
more hardy than that of any other apple with the possible exception of our 
native crabs. 
Thirdly, the development of improved varieties from purely American sorts 
is both natural and highly practical for a large portion of this valley. It 
will no doubt, be a surprise to many to learn that with me, the Perry Russet', 
a tree representing one of the best and most distinct families of American 
apples has produced more hardy seedlings in proportion to the number grown 
than has the Oldenburg. Some of the seedlings of the Oldenburg are very 
hardy, but as a rule, its seedlings reproduce neither its hardiness or pro- 
ductiveness, and with rare exception its seedlings are. of the color of the 
pollinating variety; foreshadowing its lack of individual force or its mongrel 
character. Another variety, the Malinda, so far as I am able to judge from 
seven to sixteen years’ experience, has also produced fully as many hardy 
trees as the Oldenburg. It is a long-keeping American apple originating in 
Vermont; fruit hanging firmly to the tree. This tree is a fine example of the 
superiority of individual plants, over others for breeding purposes. Its seed- 
lings follow with marked uniformity the" general expression of the parent 
tree, though they are more vigorous and of far better habit; while its fruit 
