1908 . 
197 
Why Apple Seedings Vary. 
Why do the seeds from apples vary so? 
Why should not all the apples on one tree 
—apart from others—give uniform seed¬ 
lings? 
Ans. —The cultivated apple has been 
evolved by ages of critical selection 
from uncounted millions of seedlings, 
most of them, in all probability, the re¬ 
sult of natural cross-pollinations. Ac¬ 
cording to the most widely accepted 
theory the ovule or seed germ retains in 
more or less dormant form the charac¬ 
teristics of all its ancestors, which re¬ 
appear from time to time according to 
fixed numerical laws. Even if all the 
blooms of an isolated apple tree are fer¬ 
tilized with their own pollen the result¬ 
ing seedlings will vary over a wide 
ratio, individual plants reproducing the 
differing characters of near or remote 
ancestors, though there would naturally 
be less variation than if immediate 
cross-pollination had taken place. By 
raising repeated generations from self- 
pollinated apple blooms and selecting to¬ 
ward a fixed ideal the tendency toward 
variation could, in time, be measurably 
reduced. 
Grafting the Mulberry. 
One of our readers in Kentucky wants to 
know if it is practical to graft the heads 
of young Russian mulberries that are now 
12 to 15 feet high with Teas’ Weeping 
variety. ITe also wants to know whether 
the native mulberry is a suitable stock for 
the same. Could mulberries be budded either 
at the conventional time or iu the Spring 
with dormant buds? He says that the per¬ 
simmons which did not bud kindly at the 
usual season made almost a perfect union 
when using dormant buds. Can you tell 
us anything about this mulberry grafting? 
Ans. —I think there will be no trouble 
whatever in grafting the Teas’ Weeping 
mulberry on both the Russian and native 
species as stock. The mulberry is not 
difficult to graft or bud. My suggestion 
is to try the grafting this coming Spring, 
and any that fail may be budded on 
the young sprouts next August. Dor¬ 
mant budding in Spring with buebwood 
that has been held back in cold storage 
is a practical method as well. I never 
tried it with the persimmon, but I be¬ 
lieve it will succeed. I have tried graft¬ 
ing the persimmon very late with such 
wood, after the stock had begun to 
grow. But the most successful per¬ 
simmon grafting I ever did was on small 
seedling stock in nursery rows, by dig¬ 
ging a few inches under the ground and 
setting the grafts there. Nearly all of 
them made fine growth. 
H. E. VAN DEM AN. 
Changing Alternate-Year Trees. 
II. A. G., Alt. Vernon, Me .—I have a few 
apple trees which bear alternate years. I 
wish to cut and graft scions from them so 
that the scions will bear when the trees do 
not. Will it be best to cut them in the 
bearing or non-bearing years? 
Ans.— We have a lot of trees top- 
worked with scions from Newtown Pip¬ 
pin trees that bear regularly on alternate 
years, and have another lot top-worked 
with scions from trees in the same or¬ 
chard that bear on opposite years, thus 
having apples from the same orchard 
annually. As soon as these trees come 
into bearing, we can tell if they will 
carry out the habit and bear in alternate 
years the same as the trees from which 
the scions were taken. My opinion is 
that this habit of alternate bearing is 
the result of circumstances. Most 
trees that bear heavily one year,‘will not 
bear the next unless the soil is suffi¬ 
ciently supplied with plant food to en¬ 
able them to perform the double func¬ 
tion of bearing fruit and developing 
fruit buds at the same time. The fruit 
buds develop on the second-year wood, 
and the annual or alternate bearing after 
the first spurs are formed is a result of 
nutrition. If the trees bear heavily, or 
overbear, the fruit spurs cannot perfect 
or mature blossom buds, hence a year 
with no fruit follows, when the trees 
are again able to perfect a large number 
of fruit buds to bear a crop the next. 
This order may be changed by a frost 
or a heavy storm at the time the trees 
THE RURAb NEW-YORKER 
are in blossom, that may prevent the set¬ 
ting of the fruit. That year the fruit 
buds would again be developed and bear 
the following year, thus reversing the 
bearing years. Without having yet 
reached results of this experimental 
work, my opinion is that it will make 
no difference in what year the scions are 
cut and set, for the manner of handling 
the trees that are grafted will largely 
determine when they will produce fruit. 
Nutrition is the real problem in the case, 
and this is determined by the pruning, 
fertilizing, thinning, and the culture 
given. * GEORGE T. POWELL. 
Building a Greenhouse. 
A. D. F., Benson, Nebraska .—I would 
like to get information in regard to the 
construction of a greenhouse, for lettuce 
growing. The lay of the land will not 
permit of a sidehill house, hut I want to 
get a good substantial house, at a moderate 
outlay. What are the dimensions and grade 
of glass generally used, preference in size 
of house, if any, benches, mode of heating, 
hot water or steam, for 0,000 or 7,000 
square feet of glass, and probable cost 
of heating apparatus? I have several hun¬ 
dred hotbed sash, but the scarcity of ma¬ 
nure and the condition of the roads at times 
limits the possibilities in this direction, 
and besides they are not on a paying basis 
but a couple of months or so in the year. 
I have the different varieties of vegetables 
to market through the Winter months, and 
greenhouse crops would facilitate their sale. 
I generally pay about $2.75 a box for glass, 
sometimes over $.3, and rarely get it for less 
than $2.50, but now it can be bought for 
$1.90 per box, B grade: it may go even 
less than this. I know it is a gamble to 
buy glass for future use, the way it fluc¬ 
tuates, but I believe that when I do need 
the glass the price will be higher than it 
is at present. 
Ans.—A greenhouse for lettuce grow¬ 
ing does not require a higher tempera¬ 
ture than 40 degrees at night, and there¬ 
fore does not need to have a very great 
amount of piping to supply heat. To 
heat an area of 6,000 to 7,000 square 
feet to such a temperature as this would 
require about 1,500 to 1,800 feet of two- 
inch hot-water pipe, and this with a re¬ 
liable boiler would probably cost about 
$350, without any allowance for labor. 
Hot water heating is more economical 
than steam for an establishment of this 
size. Houses for this purpose are built 
in all sizes, some of 10 to 12 feet width, 
and others up to 50 or 60 feet wide, but 
for convenience there is none better 
than a house about 100x20 feet, or 
200x30 feet, according to the area to be 
covered. Benches are not required, the 
crop being grown upon the ground, pro¬ 
vided that the house is well lighted from 
roof and sides. The best glass for the 
purpose is not less than 10x15 inches, 
and B grade would answer very well. 
w. H. TAPLIN. 
poor, scrubby one. 
PLANT 
HARRIS! 
forBiggest Profits 
A 
GOOD tree, a thrifty, money-mak¬ 
ing tree, occupies no more land, 
requires no more care, than a 
--- But think of the difference in results! 
On our 1,000-acre nursery stand millions of trees that will 
Boon bring success to thousands who buy this year. Will 
you bo ono of them? You will be pleased with our 
Attractive Prices for 
the Best Stock Grown .. 
The Harrison Experience, Reputation and Guaranty is back of every tree and plant listed in 
j Wf.guarantee safe delivery to all points as well as complete satisfaction with tha 
Stock shipped. If anything is wrong we’ll make it right. Ask any of our customers if that isn’t so. 
NORWAY SPRUCE 
APPLES 
Millions of apple trees in 
Over 100 varieties, all of the 
choicest grades, developed as 
only the Harrisons’ know-how 
[experience, care and facilities 
can develop them. A few of 
[the popular leaders are: Yel¬ 
low Transparent, Williams’ 
Early Red. Fourth of July, Red 
Astrachan, Nero, Albemarle 
Pippin, M. B. Twig, Jonathan, 
Baldwin, Stayman’s and others, 
from early to late ripenings. 
PEACHES 
Millions of them, budded 
from over 100 varieties of pro¬ 
lific producers, grown on new 
soil in the unequalled peach 
climate of Maryland. We have 
always led the world in peach 
tree culture. Our 1908 stock is 
better than ever. You will find 
what you want among the vari¬ 
eties in our catalog, a few of 
which are: Carman, Belle of 
Georgia, Elberta, Champion, 
Moore’s Favorite, Crawford 
Late, Smock, Salway, Wonder¬ 
ful and Bilyeu. 
STRAWBERRIES 
We are headquarters for 
strawberry plants, growing 
them by the millions on 
our. own soil. Among our 
varieties you will find the cream 
of the standard, money-making 
sorts. Strawberries have been 
a specialty with us for over 20 
years. We will start you right, 
with the right kinds, at right 
prices. A few specials follow: 
Oak’s Early, Early Hathaway, 
Tennessee Prolific, Stevens’ 
Late Champion, New Homo* 
Ekey and Gandy, 
PEAR, PLUM and CHERRY TREES 
GRAPE VINES and ORNAMENTALS 
DON’T BUY UNTIL EXAMINING OUR CATALOG 
Send for It Todav Th is large, handsome book, illustrating, describing and pricing 
... f ou , r . complete, guaranteed stock, should be in the hands of 
everyone who intends to plant this year. We want you to have it whether you buy or not 
Let us send a copy. Write a postal now or tear out this announcement to remind you of it later.* 
Address 
,00X29 
ELLWANGER & BARRY 
Have for upwards of 70 years been 
recognized as leaders in the produc¬ 
tion of High Grade 
<fREES 
Shrubs, Roses and Hardy Plants 
The fame of these great Nurseries has 
extended over the length and breadth of 
this country, as well as to all parts of the 
civilized world. They are prepared for 
the Spring season of 1908 with their usual 
large and exclusive collections at prices 
consistent with the high quality of the 
goods furnished. 
They Have no Agents, 
but sell their products through the me¬ 
dium of a complete Illustrated Descrip, 
tive Catalogue which gives prices aud 
contains full cultural directions. 
Superb New Edition 
of this Catalogue is now ready and will 
be mailed free upon request. 
Mount Hope Nurseries 
Rochester, N. Y. 
FREE 
BOOK 
Beautifully 
Illustrated 
Mighty 
Interesting 
If you want to know how to erow big crop 9 of big 
red strawberries and how to eet big prices, send for 
our 1908 book. It tells all about soil preparation, set¬ 
ting, mating, pruning, cuitivating, spraying, mulch¬ 
ing, picking, packing and marketing. All of these 
essential features and many more are explained in 
such a way that you can’t go wrong. It was written 
right out in the strawberry field by a man who has 
made a fortune growing strawberries, and he tells 
you just exactly how he does things. Send your 
address, ' That’s all. The book is free. 
R. M. Kellogg Co., Box 480. Three River*, Mick 
A NEW STRAWBERRY 
Vve have been growing and selling strawberry plants 
m this town over thirty years. We introduced 
Brandywine, Ivittie Rice, Sen. Dunlap, Win. Belt, 
and others of value. Now we are bringing out the 
highland. 
which we expec t to take the lead as a 
JVtOJVTEY-JVEAKlEn. 
Let us tell you about it and forty others.' It will 
cost you but a postal card. 
M. Crawford Co., Box 1005, Cuyalioga Falls, O. 
EVERY HOME 
■E3L 
PEACHES 
We grow millions of peach trees. Special prices 
on the following varieties: Craw. Ea.; Craw. Late: 
&9H kl JSL.Grosby; Engles; Elberta; Fitzgerald; 
Hills Chili: Reeves; Salway; Triumph; Wonderful 
and Yell. St. John. Complete line of fruit and 
ornamental trees, shrubs, plants, otc. Landscape 
work a specialty. Send for prices, 
GREENING’S RIG NURSERIES, 
150 Monroe St. Monroe, Mich. 
pEAS—Alaska $4 bush; Long Island Mammoth 
$4 bu. Onion Seed-Prize Taker $1.75 lb.: Phila. 
Sliver Skin $2 lb. MINCU BROS., Bridgeton. N. J. 
should be adorned with 
I’uIiiih and other leaf and 
flowering plants. We have 44 
greenhouses full. Also have 
nundredsof curloadsof Fruit 
and Ornamental Trees, 
Shrubs, Ruses, Plants, Vines, 
liulbs. Seeds. Rarest new— 
choicest old. Mail size post¬ 
paid. safe arrival and satis- 
faction guaranteed. Larger 
by express or freight. Direct 
deal will save you money: try 
it. Elegant 168-pnge Catalogue FREE. &1 yeurs. 
1200 acres. 44 greenhouses. 
The Storrs & Harrison Co., Boxl68, Painesville, Ohio 
STRAWBERRY PLANTS. 
If you would set the berff send me your 
address. 202 varieties lifted. 
GEO. R. SCHAUBER, Box R., Ballslon Lake, N. Y. 
A VERITABLE GOLD MINE 
43,.>60 quarts SI RAWBERRIES grown on one 
acre, my system. Send for catalogue. 
KEVITT’S PLANT FARM, Athenia, N. J. 
Genesee Valley Grown. 150 
Acres. Established 1869. 
Never have had San Jose 
Scale. “ Not the cheapest, 
but the best.” Catalog free. 
Geo. A. Sweet Nursery Co., DanS'N.y, 
B est of all. The CHIPMAN STRAWBERRY 
Large, Firm, and very Productive. All other 
best new and standard varieties at lowest prices 
BLUE RIBBON WINNERS.-Our R. O R.I. 
Red chickens won at Phila., Pa., Bridgeton, N. j. 
Wilmington, Del., and Charlotte. N.C. Eggs from 
winners $1 and $2 per 15, $6 per 100. Send for large 
free illustrated plant and poultry catalogue. 
W. S. TODD, Greenwood, Delaware. 
TREES 
S 
S6.000 APPLES 
You can do as well if you plant York 
VlgSistate trees, which are free from disease. 
If you want the best trees grown, send for 
Woodlawn Nurseries New Catalogue. 
ALLEN L. WOOD, Rochester, N.Y. 
TRAWBERRY PLANTS THAT GROW, berry. Blackberry. Currant and Grape 
Rlants, and Asparagus Roots in assortment. All stock warranted true to name and of 
grade represented or your money refunded. Descriptive Catalog with “Instructions How to Grow ” 
*ree. €. K. WHITTKN’S NURSKRIKS, Bridgman, (Box 11.) Michigan. 
B06EBS TREES “FIT THE LABELS." BagaSgg ’ 
Y'riiit Trees 
■ 135 7!’ 10 dentil year crop of 1907 from 9 Acres of Apple Orchard planted by the Filler System. 
- OurCatalog will give you a brief history of the orchard by the owner. Send for it to-day. 
I. S. "WILEY < 9c SOW, Drawer 13, Cayxiga, HV\ "ST, 
$2 
F 
RUIT TREES and SMALL FRUIT Plants 
" , , — ' ORNAMENTAL TREES, SHRUBS & ROSES. 
g „ e - s « a « d best fruit growers in the country say our trees and plants are the best and 
Send for catalog : T. B. West, Maple Bend Nurserv, Lock box 287, Perry, 0. 
