QUESTION BOX. SECRETARY: What is known of the Peerless? P. F. KINNE: It proves to be a late fall apple and not large enough to have any special value. SECRETARY: Is Gideon's Bert a winter apple? Its quality? P. F. KINNE: Do not know Gideon's Bert, but the apple known as Gideon is about the same season as the Wealthy. A fine, large yellow apple with beautiful blush; of good quality. SECRETARY: What would you plant in a town lot in apples, plums and cherries where a man can plant only a dozen apples and plums and one-half dozen cherries; also for a commercial orchard in this northern county, Palo Alto. W. A. BURNAP: On town lot, apples-Two Tetofsky, 3 Duchess, 4 Wealthy, 3 Malinda; plums 2. Forest Garden, 4 DeSoto, 3 Stoddard, 3 Wyant. Cherries, none. Commercial orchard, one-half Wealthy, one-half Duchess. QUESTION: What is the value of Carolina Poplar as a street and yard shade tree? M. J. WRAGG: The Carolina Poplar in tree much resembles the Yellow Cottonwood, only it is free from cotton, which is one. of the great objections to the Cottonwood. I am confident that it will prove a valuable street and lawn tree for planting in Iowa. Its tendency is upward and is greatly benefited by being top backed quite severely at planting. While at Indianapolis, Ind., last season my attention was called to the beautiful avenues planted with this variety of Poplar. QUESTION: How are Cut Leaved Birch propogated? M. J. WRAGG: In this country they are mostly grown by being budded on seedlings of the White Birch (Betula alba). A few years ago we grew quite a number of Birch and we had the best success with what is called spring budding, that is, we cut dormant buds during the month of March from the C. L. W. Birch and kept them in a cool ice-house until the middle of May, at which time we inserted the buds in the stocks of the White Birch, which were then about the size of a lead pencil. The results were very gratifying. It requires much skill and attention to grow them as they are quite rapid in growth and require staking and protection to keep the wind from breaking them down. QUESTION: What size evergreens would you recommend when a man wants to set only a few for ornament, also when a windbreak is desired? M. J. WRAGG: This question is often asked me and I have always said that for wind-break planting where the planter had free access of tillage by plow so that trees could be given as good cultivation as corn or potatoes that the best size was trees 15 to 18 inches or 18 to 24 inches, twice transplanted stock preferable; but in planting on the lawn we would recommend 2 to 3-feet evergreens, digging quite large holes, planting them at least 5 inches deeper than they stood in the nursery, firming the soil very hard about the roots, filling up the hole loosely on top and then mulch with manure or something which will retain moisture. FRUIT LIST FOR 1901. The following tabulated fruit list is made up from reports sent the Secretary by members of the society and others in the various counties within the northwest district, each one reporting such varieties as have proved adapted to his locality. It must be borne in mind that this list is made up of individual expressions for which the society disclaims all responsibility, but it is doubt. less the best guide for the prospective planter that is possible to be obtained at present. In the markings the plan used by the northeastern society is here adopted: One (1) indicates the variety is perfect in hardiness and quality; two (2), of less degree, etc.; E. S. stands for early summer; S, summer; F, fall; E. W., early winter; W, winter; L, late; M, medium. Buena Vista county-L. A. Clemons, Storm Lake. FRUIT TABLE. Webster county-W. C. Haviland, Ft. Dodge. Buena Vista county-L.A. Clemons Storm Lake. Cherokee county-H. L. Felter. Washta Webster count-W. C. Haviland, Fort Dodge. Number reporting 2 M. E Season. Quality. 2 M 1 L. M. M. |