The work in crossing

Abstract

<p>To obtain improved varieties of fruits which shall be hardy in Iowa, several thousand successful crosses were made during the past season, mostly upon apples. About one thousand seeds of these crosses, representing nearly fifty varieties, are now preserved in damp sand to be planted next spring. The crosses were mainly of the best American winter apples upon Russian varieties growing at the College. In this work I was aided by the Director’s assistant, Mr. John Craig, and by the following students of the Agricultural College: Mr. F. W. Mally, Mr. J. G. Abraham, Mr. E. A. Sheafe, Mr. Albert McClelland, and Mr. Fred L. Lightner. The selection of the varieties to be crossed was made by the Director and Prof. J. L. Budd. Thanks are due to G. B. Brackett, Denmark, Iowa, N. K. Fluke, Davenport, Iowa, John Saul, Washington D. C., O. R. L. Crozier of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and others, for" pollen which they kindly furnished.</p> <p>It is not expected that all the crossed varieties will prove worthy of propagation, but it is believed that a much larger percentage will possess the desired qualities than with chance seedlings. The young trees will be carefully studied, and those found sufficiently hardy and vigorous will be grafted on older stocks to bring them into bearing at an early date.</p>