75« 
THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN 
about through at this time, also about through with our 
pruning, and have boxes all made and tops and cleats cut 
out, and we hope when the time comes to ship out our stock 
we will be in shape to push out without much delay. 
There is prospect for a good crop of apples in our state 
with fair prices for good fruit, and we find a good deal of 
inquiry for the leading varieties, York Imperial, Winesap, 
Grimes’ Golden, Albemarle, Pippin, Bonum, Rome Beauty, 
and Stayman’s Winesap. 
In lists we have sent out to get prices on such stock as we 
have to buy, we find no uniformity in prices, except among 
the grape growers. In some things offered there is a differ¬ 
ence of from two to four hundred per cent in prices, which 
looks very bad for us as nurserymen. We have also quo¬ 
ted stock, which we thought was about market price, and 
have had the parties say that we were away off. 
With best wishes, I beg to remain, 
W. T. Hood. 
Correspondence 
“PEDIGREED” PLANTS 
Editor National Nurseryman: 
The English language is capable of expansion, fortu¬ 
nately, but until another word has been evolved to fit the 
case, I do not see that there should be any objection to 
using the term “pedigree” when describing a plant of 
absolutely fixed type, even if the parentage cannot be 
sworn to as extending over a period of successive genera¬ 
tions. “Pedigree” means also “strain,” and there is no limit 
to the term in the matter of antecedents: Who then shall 
say when a plant or an animal is entitled to be called 
pedigreed, if “known parentage” is all that is required? 
But the analogy between plants and animals cannot be 
drawn to too fine a line of distinction; both are capable of 
improvement by breeding. Varieties sport; they also 
degenerate. Taking into consideration these two facts, it 
will be seen that strict and conscientious adherence to a 
fixed type will alone maintain a high standard in cultivated 
known varieties. 
As an illustration, I am sending you a water color sketch 
of what I may term types of the “French” or “Petite 
d’Agen” prune, so largely grown in California. This variety 
was imported from France in the early history of California’s 
horticulture. The fruits here reproduced were picked by 
me from trees in various orchards in one valley, all being 
known and propagated under one name. The variation in 
vigor and habit was just as strongly marked, as was also 
their prolificness. Whichever, then, of these fixed types 
answers to the authentic description of the variety known 
as “Petite d’Agen,” is it not entitled to the term “pedi¬ 
greed,” as much so as the Polled Angus or Plymouth Rock 
which, answering to the description in every detail of its 
respective kind, is admitted for competition? It is “se¬ 
lected” because it is the true type. If it is the true type, 
and is propagated from exclusively, why is it not pedigreed, 
as a fixed type of a known “strain?” If the term is not 
admissible, will some one offer a substitute, as to say 
“selected” would be absolutely meaningless? Every 
“pedigreed” animal must have a beginning, an original 
type which is referred to for identification. 
Experimental work carried on by such men as Herbert 
J. Webber of the Department of Agriculture, necessitates 
accurate records of various series of hybrids, showing both 
male and female parentage. Only occasionally is a result¬ 
ing plant admitted to be even worthy of further testing. 
Nature does a lot of this kind of work, and the expert 
horticulturist will find varieties of exceptional and distinc¬ 
tive merit. The “origin” of thousands of cultivated 
varieties of fruits is known and recorded. Dr. L. H. Bailey 
has called attention to the degeneration and variation of 
varieties, such as Crawford’s Early. The question then 
arises, are trees raised from these originals or from their 
descendants, having all the marks of the original, “pedi¬ 
greed” or “selected”, or what are they? And what word 
will better explain the true meaning which, after all, is 
the object of words and language? 
Leonard Coates. 
Morganhill, California. 
6xbttritiori9 and Societies 
DRY FARMING CONGRESS, SPOKANE, OCT. 3-6 
The Dry Farming Congress now in session in the pro¬ 
gressive city of Spokane, Washington, will represent the 
most advanced thought and up-to-date ideas on irrigation 
and the management of land under deficient natural water 
supply that the world affords. Not only is the meeting one 
for conference, but it is also one for competition, prizes 
totaling an amount of $10,000 are offered in various com¬ 
petitions. These are mainly for products grown by dry 
land farming methods. Representatives from the irrigated 
sections of Europe, South America, besides all dry land 
regions of the United States and Canada are present. 
This Congress is increasing its scope each year, and there is 
large opportunity for co-operative effort in the various 
departments which it touches. 
WATSONVILLE ANNUAL APPLE ASSOCIATION 
Watsonville, California, the home of the White Winter 
pearmain and fine Newton pippin apples, celebrates an 
ambitious apple show this month. Liberal prices are 
offered for an extensive assortment of apples variously dis¬ 
played. This is good advertising. 
NATIONAL APPLE SHOW, SPOKANE 
As noted in previous issues of this journal, the National 
Apple Show of Spokane will be held November 14-19. 
The prizes in cash, trophies, orchard apparatus, and 
nursery stock aggregate a total value of $25,000, and com¬ 
petitions include carload lots on one hand and single apples 
on the other. 
