8 
THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN 
of the display at the Columbian Exposition in Chicago. 
Mr. Underwood has long been known in this section as 
an enthusiastic orchardist, in common with his co-laborer, 
Dr. Jewell. Many of the Russian varieties planted by them 
in the early seventies are still living and bearing in the ex¬ 
perimental orchards. Mr. Underwood has for many years 
advocated the use of the steep hillsides of the Mississippi 
Valley for apple growing, and has started two apple or¬ 
chards upon these locations to demonstrate what can be 
done. One of these orchards has now been planted for ten 
years and has been sold to other parties. Another one of 
larger proportions was begun six years ago and contains 
The Jewell Nurseries. In the experimental orchard, started by Dr. 
Jewell thirty-five years ago. 
now over 2,000 trees. This steep hillside, too abrupt for 
grain crops, seems to afford particularly well adapted con¬ 
ditions both as to soil and exposure for apple growing. 
Last year they marketed 4,000 bushels of choice fruit at a 
large profit. 
INTRODUCERS OF NEW FRUITS. 
The Jewell Nurseries have directly been the means 
of introducing meritorious varities for the North. Im¬ 
portant among these is the Okabena apple, which 
was introduced by them about 1880. The Okabena 
is a seedling of the Duchess, fertilized by the Wealthy and 
The Jewell Nurseries. A young:, experimental apple orchard. 
Utilizing: steep hillside land. 
originated in southwestern Minnesota, near Lake Okabena. 
Although early impressed with its good qualities, it was not 
advertised heavily by them until about fifteen years later, 
when those who had first planted it began to bring samples 
of the fruit to various fairs and horticultural meetings. It 
was then found that a variety of superior merit, by actual 
test, had been discovered. The Minnesota Horticultural 
Society began by putting it on their list of varieties recom¬ 
mended for trial and last year gave it the highest form of 
recognition within its power by putting it in the class of 
the hardiest and best commercial varieties for Minnesota. 
In 1885 The Jewell Nurseries discovered a seedling or¬ 
chard owned by the late J. S. B. Thompson in northern 
Iowa. Control of the entire orchard was secured and a 
number of the best varieties propagated. After a due sea¬ 
son of test in their own experimental orchard and those of 
others in the North, they selected half a dozen from the 
trees collected as being of sufficient value to propagate and 
recommend to their trade. At the head of this list stands 
Thompson’s No. 24, which has been re-named Jewell’s Win¬ 
ter, and this variety is in many respects repeating the history 
of the Okabena. 
Among small fruits, The Jewell Nursery is known as 
the introducers of the North Star currant, which they se¬ 
cured and first offered to the trade in 1886. The policy of 
this nursery of late years has not been to seek control of new 
varieties, but rather to wait until they have made themselves 
a name and then to propagate them extensively when the 
restrictions of the originators have been removed. They 
have, however, offered a prize of $1,000 for a new plum 
and $1,000 for a cherry which shall combine quality with 
hardiness suitable for northern culture. They have been 
assured by leading experimenters that it is not at all im¬ 
possible that such varieties may be secured. The plum, a? 
an edible fruit, is indigenous to all parts of the Northwest¬ 
ern States, and the success experienced so far in the hybrid¬ 
ization of the cultizated cherry with Prumus pumilla var. 
Besseyi, points to the probability of securing a cherry that 
will live and fruit successfully in Minnesota and bordering 
states. 
Here we have, in brief, the story of the struggles and 
successes of a nursery company whose name will always be 
associated with the substantial upbuilding of a pomology 
adapted to the somewhat trying conditions of the Northwest 
Prairie States. 
BEARING PECAN TREE NEAR NIAGARA 
WHO KNOWS? 
FALLS. 
Editor National Nurseryman:— 
Some months since one of our correspondents reported the 
rumor of a bearing pecan tree near Niagara Falls, probably 
on the Canadian side. Thus far I have been unable to obtain 
definite information regarding this tree. It has been sug¬ 
gested, that the tree has fallen a victim to some modern im¬ 
provement and passed out of notice. If such a tree is in exist¬ 
ence or has been, and bore the crop of nuts reputed, it is of 
importance to the industry in furnishing possible information 
for moving the supposed northern limit of the production of 
this nut. 
I will be glad if you can bring this matter to the attention 
of the readers of The National Nurseryman, asking any one 
knowing anything about the tree to report it to you or to 
the Nut Grower. 
Thanking' you in advance for your assistance, I am, 
Poulan, Ga. J. F. Wilson. 
