THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN 
79 
fruit and plant Notes. 
THE SPENCER SEEDLESS APPLE AGAIN. 
In the last issue of the National Nurseryman we had something 
to say in the editorial columns on this subject, and we are further 
moved by inquiries from correspondents and by the audacity of the 
promoters of this seedless, coreless and heartless enterprise to add • 
another word, on the subject in the present number. 
After our brief article in the April number went to press the editor 
of the Rural Hew Yorker in his issue of Marcli 25 devoted an entire 
page to showing up the apple in its true light and from an entirely 
disinterested standpoint. The specimens examined and pictured 
by Mr. Collingwood and Dr. Van Fleet 
not only contained carpels (core divi¬ 
sions) but these were strongly de¬ 
veloped. One of the apples contained 
a seed and an extra or adventitious 
core near the calyx. As to quality, 
the examining committee decided 
that it was inferior, hardly as good as 
Ben Davis. So much for this evidence. 
It was reported during the autumn 
that specimens of the apple were 
exhibited and created a sensation at 
the World’s Fair, St. Louis. It is 
interesting to learn what Prof. Taft, 
the superior judge in charge of pomo¬ 
logy at this exposition, has to say 
about this seedless wrnnder. He re¬ 
ports as follows in the National Fruit 
Grower for April: 
“The specimens were presumably 
the best that could be secured, but 
the size was so small, being but little 
more than two inches, and the texture 
and flavor so inferior, as compared 
with other varieties from Colorado, 
that it seemed to have little merit 
as a commercial sort, especially as 
the coloring was so light and dull a 
red as to be unattractive. The apples 
shown in July appeared to be seed¬ 
less, but it was evident that they had 
been selected, as about one-half the 
fruits shown in November had from 
one to three seeds in each specimen. 
While the core was but slightly de¬ 
veloped all of the specimens had 
broad, deep and leathery basins that 
are a serious objection.” 
This is an excellent piece of evi¬ 
dence, though hardly favorable for 
the creation in question, but we have something additional. The 
writer is able to present in connection with this article a photograph 
furnished by Col. G. B. Brackett of the Division of Pomology, Depart¬ 
ment of Agriculture, Washington, which was made from specimens sub¬ 
mitted to that division for testing and examination. This photograph 
shows one wormy specimen, (the upper one), and one developed core. 
In referring to the specimens examined by him, Col. Brackett writes: 
“The first specimen cut contained the larve of the codling moth 
and one perfect seed, with all the core formation.” Col. Brackett 
further adds that the additional specimen left was allowed to ripen up 
before testing, but when cut was found to have decayed around the 
core, and that there was a clear separation between the core line and 
the flesh, showing that the no-core claim was entirely unfounded. 
Here then are opinions by disinterested parties of the value of the 
fruit of this untried and newly developed freak. Yet in the face of all 
this, the enterprising company is going ahead as if the seedless new¬ 
comer were a proved and assured success. The following clipping 
illustrates one way of exploiting a new and untried novelty. 
“ Within a few days a deal will be closed by the Spencer Seedless 
Apple Company for a farm of about 100 acres, near Winchester, on 
10 acres of which 150,000 trees from southern Michigan, Indiana, and 
northern Ohio will be planted at once. And within four years, if 
promises of the management hold good, ‘there ain’t going to be’no 
core,’ and the seedless apple will take its place with the pitless plum 
and naval orange. This company will not put apples on the market. 
Its purpose is to only sell trees, and after the first crop is out the seed¬ 
less will be common property, as there will be nothing to prevent 
those who buy trees now from selling either trees or buds, as they 
please. It is understood that a number of Winchester and Frederick 
County men have bought stock in the new company .”—Mortinsbura 
(W. Va.) World. 
Our excuse for giving so much space 
to this matter is that we believe that 
nurserymen will be frequently ap¬ 
pealed to by planters for information 
on this subject, and we feel that they 
should be in possession of the facts, 
which are herein presented.—J. C. 
ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS. 
It is claimed by J. Woodward Man¬ 
ning that the first specimen of Berberis 
s to-day on the 
of the Bussey Institute of 
Harvard College, Jamaica Plain, Mass. 
This specimen is about twelve feet in 
diameter and four feet high. It is the 
parent of 'the first 50,000 plants set 
out in America. This plant demon¬ 
strated the value of the shrub in the 
United States, and later importations 
of seed have been made direct from 
Japan. 
Berberis Aquifolium. Here is an 
interesting shrub, which is rarely ap¬ 
preciated, largely because it is usually 
planted in unsuitable situations. It 
is variously called Ashleaved Barberry,' 
Mahonia, and Oregon Grape. In the 
north it is appreciated as one of the 
few broad leaved plants which takes on 
evergreen habits. The leaflets are 
oblong-ovate, strikingly shiny, dark 
green in midsummer, shading into a 
dull bronze in late winter. The flowers 
are borne in erect f'asicled racemes, of 
bright yellow color, striking in contrast 
with the rich green of the foliage. 
The flowers are followed by grape-like 
clusters of blue berries. 
This plant should not be set out 
in windswept or sun-exposed situa¬ 
tions. Its home is on the northern Pacific coast, Oregon and 
British Columbia. In cool, moist mountain retreats, partly shaded it 
is thoroughly at home, and a thing of great beauty. If some care is 
given to selecting partly shaded situations, the plant will thrive and 
bring much pleasure in the eastern part of the country. 
RAILWAY FACILITIES TO WEST BADEN SPRINGS. 
Nurserymen will soon begin to study ways and means of attending 
the 30th annual convention of the American Association of Nurserymen, 
which occurs at West Baden Springs on the 14th of June next. The 
New York Central lines and the Monon Route will give a through car 
service from Rochester, N. Y., to West Baden Springs. The special 
train will leave Rochester on June 12th at 9:45 p. m., arriving at West 
Baden 5:55 p. m., June 13th. The fare is 1.* for the round trip from 
Rochester. Price of Berths from Rochester through to West Baden 
is $4.00. State rooms can be secured for $14.00. The train will go by 
way of Green Castle, Ind., where it will arrive at 12:44 p. m., on the 
13th, leaving at 2:28 p. m. It is very gratifying to know that such 
excellent provisions for the comfort and convenience of those who 
attend the convention are available. This should assure a large at¬ 
tendance from points in Central and Western New York. 
Thunbergii stand 
grounds 
THE SEED!,ESS APPLE. 
SHOWING A WORMY CORE. 
Courtesy of Division of Pomology, Department of Agriculture 
of Washington. 
