Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-01-02
RUSSIAN FRUITS FOR AMERI-
CAN PRAIRIES.

A short review of Professor Budd's "Bul-
letin," appearing under the above title in
No sc of this paper, is construed by some
of our horticultural correspondents as a
hearty endorsement by the writer of the re-
view, of the views of Professor Budd on this
| question. To quote from letter in hand :
''+ There are many agents now in our
state offering such fruits at the fabulous
prices of 81 10 Sl.50 per tree" and they
will use such articles as the one referred to
as an endorsement of their stock: and en-
couragement for people TO buy"
1t was the intention of the writer of the
article in question to offer only bare state
ment of the contents of Prof Budd's inter-
esting little phamphlet, and mainly in the
Professors own words. Unless such refer
ence TO that work is itself an encourage
ment TO the tree peddler, the only comfort
be would in the article in question would be
found in the last paragraph, which, on Sec
oDd reading, has been found susceptible of
misleading Interpretation; although, if
read as was intended. c., that the early
dissemination of trees of these varieties
among the intelligent horticulturis.s of the
northwest will soon show 10 what extent
they are valuable, and how far the enthusi-
asm of Mr.. Budd is warranted, there
WYNN bt AOAhO phb encouragement
to the tree buyer to pay the prices quo
ted.
Moreover, the kansss horticultural, if he
has read the rural papers, and examined the
catalogues of the dozens of reliable nursery
men who have these trees TO sell at usual
prices, will never be gulled by the misrep-
reservations of the tree peddler into paying
81 TO Sl.5O for rare apple trees, Russian or
othel wise; for he will know that they are as
readily propsgated and grown as many
other varieties, and should accordingly be
sold at corresponding prices. Further, for
the tree buyer who will not make use of
such ordinary means Of information there is
no school but experience; and, if he does
not buy Russian trees at S1.50, he will pay
that amount, many times perhaps, for some
other peddler's goods of equal reputation,
and his bank account will be no less light at
the end of the years, without encourage
ment.
Our friend, who is one of the most promi-
nent of the horticulturists of this state, as
well as candid and sincere gentleman, will
pardon us for publishing the following ex-
tracts from his letter, which contain facts
that, while generally known among those
familiar with the progress of horticulture,
may be new to some of our readers.
mt VI trees
of the Russian apples into this state some
ten years ago, and their absolute failure both
in tree and fruit, should be lesson of eau
ton and proof of their non-adaption to
our soil and climate. Some ten or twelve !
years ago the nursery firm of Ellwanger & /
Berry, Rochester, y. T., whose very name is !
a sufficient guaranty for 4onor, integrity and |
with the horticulturists of the |
United States, thinking that there might be |
valuable TO our people in the |
Russiaa fruits, sent an agent into that coun-
try, who spent the entire summer among the |
orchards for the purpose of selecting, during
the fruiting season, such varieties AS were |
most promising for introduction here
Cions of such, numbering over 100 varieties.
were taken. and tried in their vast and most
thoroughly conducted experimental gre unjs
At Rochester; and these are the results as
reached and published in their catalogue for
1884, viz: We have spared neither trouble
nor expense TO ascertain the true value of
hese apples. After having fruited many
If them several times upon our grounds, we
ire Of the opinion that few, if any, will be
'sluable for this or similar climates
where the choicest apples can be successfully
crown. But in the colder regions Of this
country. where only the hardest varieties
uttccu. Trey VIII prove QcSlr-
Ible. All the sorts which have borne fruit
hus far are summer or early fall apples"
''Such is the verdict of firm qualified in
very respect for the experimentation as no
,tber firm in the United States is, and who
we're even anxious TO find valuable acquisi-
ion TO our present lists, even at great costs;
nd ] would further say that | am of the !
pinion that the conclusion Of that firm ,
,poD this class of fruits has been the cause |
f their exclusion from the catalogue of the
american Pathological Society, as Mr.. Bar
y is the chairman of its committee on the {
ruit lists of the society. /.
THE conclusions of Messrs. Ellwanger &
larry have been reached by thorough tests
nd after period of years which would en- {
BILE them to reliably determine the charac- q
sr of the varieties under treatment, and =
hese conclusions, also, | presume we're .
realty against their expectations, and a
ore disappointment, as many hundreds of ]
ollars were invested in the effort."--Prof I
openoe, in Manhattan Industralist.