THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN 
761 
heaters, of more careful selection of varieties and more 
thoroughness in packing, handling, and the desirability of 
co-operation in the marketing of the product. 
With examples of individual growers securing $30,000 
from a peach crop, and Elbertas bringing $1.75 per carrier, 
and the knowledge gathered from experience that “brown 
rot” can be prevented by spraying, and that carefully 
selected orchard sites are relatively immune from late 
frosts, the peach and apple grower of the Ozarks of Missouri 
and Arkansas is attacking the problem of fruit culture with 
renewed vigor and enthusiasm. We are delighted to wish 
the good men, the strong men among the newcomers as 
well as the pioneers in this region every success; and success 
is sure to come in proportion to the application of intelli¬ 
gence, energy and good judgment. 
BECHTEL’S 
DOUBLE- 
FLOWERED 
CRAB 
For several years one of the handsomest 
small trees on the Cornell University 
campus has been this form of the Western 
or Middle State crab—Pyrus Ioensis. 
This type of native crab is a variation 
of the eastern Pyrus Coronaria—by 
some considered merely a variety, while by others regarded 
as being sufficiently distinct to give it specific rank. The 
writer is of the opinion that it should be regarded as a 
variety rather than a species. 
The type is found growing in the Mississippi Valley, is a 
small, compact tree with a rough bark, which is laid on in 
longitudinal plates and which tends to scale off as the tree 
attains age. The blossoms are single, abundant and 
moderately fragrant. The special form which bears the 
name of Bechtel, the introducer, is as double as a rose, with 
blossoms, two inches or more in diameter, of a delicate 
pink tinge, deliciously but not heavily fragrant. The tree 
produces its annual crop of rose-like blossoms with great 
regularity. It blossoms a week or ten days before the 
King apple-a mid-season variety—and remains in 
blossom for a considerable period. This year the cold 
weather held the tree in suspense for a long time, and during 
this period when the buds were gradually unfolding it was 
an exceedingly attractive object. On account of its hardi¬ 
ness, its ease of propagation and its suitability from the 
point of stature to small lawns and park planting, this 
beautiful arborescent form should be much more extensively 
planted and more widely known than it is at the present. 
It may be multiplied by grafting or by budding on the 
ordinary apple stocks, but I expect that it will do better 
on Paradise or Doucin than American or French seedlings. 
DWARF 
STOCKS 
We are frequently asked what our 
preference is in reference to the kinds of 
dwarfing stock available to the com¬ 
mercial grower. In England and Europe 
while there are a number of types em¬ 
ployed, Paradise and Doucin are more extensively used 
than any other. Again, in England much more considera¬ 
tion is given to the question of stocks and their influence 
on the tree than has yet come into vogue in this country; 
but we are bound to reach the same condition before many 
years. It is usual in Europe to propagate trees for special 
purposes. When the smallest form of tree of a given 
variety of apple is required, the Paradise stock is used. 
This is a diminutive form and literally starves the scion. 
When such trees are planted in such manner as preclude., 
the possibility of rooting from the scion, the stature re¬ 
mains very small. On the other hand, if planted deep, 
they are likely to emit roots from the scion portion, and 
will soon approximate their natural habit of growth. 
The Doucin stock is considerably more vigorous and a 
larger growing tree than the Paradise, and to this extent 
influences the growth of the scion. When trees are grown 
after the so called pyramidal form and frequently when 
strong espaliers are required, Doucin may be employed. 
In this country, it seems to us that we are not yet ready for 
the refinements in the use of these various stocks, and 
when a person desires a dwarf, they want the extreme on 
the diminutive side. Therefore, the Paradise is the form 
which is likely to give the greatest satisfaction. There is a 
good deal to be learned in reference to the adaptations of 
stocks to soils and climatic conditions, and we believe that 
right here there is an excellent field for experiment station 
research. 
Many nurserymen have been aware of 
PURE INSECTI- the commendable efforts being made by 
CIDES AND chemists, fruit growers, and the best of 
FUNGICIDES the fungicide and insecticide manufactur¬ 
ing interests of the country, to secure 
the passage of a law to govern the manufacture of pure 
insecticides and fungicides. 
More than two years effort has been placed upon this 
movement, and it is gratifying to report that the bill 
passed Congress last session and has since been approved 
by the President, and is now known as the “Insecticide 
Act of 1910.” This bill goes into effect on the first of 
January, 1911, and regulates the standards of insecticides 
and fungicides in so far as interstate commerce is con¬ 
cerned. In this respect, it has the same status as the pure 
food law. In other words, all goods of this kind which are 
shipped from one state to another must conform to the 
standards required by the national law; but the law does 
not cover the manufacture and sale of insecticides within 
the state. To meet this contingent, some of the states are 
now contemplating further legislation. In certain cases, 
standards differing from the national standard are being 
erected. This is a serious jnistake, and is certain to cause 
grave confusion. All nurserymen are asked to interest them¬ 
selves in the formulation of such bills with a view to stand¬ 
ardizing them in accordance with the national bill 
already in effect. Attention is called to this matter 
in another column of the Nurseryman by the execu¬ 
tive committee which had charge of the insecticide 
and fungicide bill. The good work of this committee 
should not be vitiated in any way by hasty and faulty 
state legislation. 
The Publicity Committee on cherries is considering 
ways and means for the carrying on of an effective 
campaign. 
