Sir : I have the honor of submitting to you my second annual re port as chief of the Division of Pomology, and hope it may be received by yourself and by the public with due allowance for the limited funds and clerical assistance at my command. It is my aim to servo the cause of practical and scientific pomology in such a way as to accomplish at least a part of the good you and many others had in mind when the division was established. The year 1887 may really be said to be the first in which I have had opportunity to get the machinery of this division into good working On the 1st day of February of this year Mr. Charles L. Hopkins, of Florida, was appointed as clerk to assist me, and on August 1 Mr. William H. Prestele, of Iowa, was appointed as artist of this division. The very small appropriation of $3,000 for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1887 (the same amount as for the previous year), did not permit me to undertake any very large work, especially as the salaries of these two persons and all other expenses of the division had to be paid out of it. The steadily increasing correspondence of the office has been a heavy burden. Up to August 1, when Mr. Prestele took his place here, there was no one to make drawings of the fruits which were being daily received for study and comparison, except myself, and I had neither sufficient time nor proper skill to devote to it. Prior to that time I was only able to make pencil drawings of the more important varieties received, and a careful record and minute description of them; but since then a part of the drawings have been made in India ink, and others have been reproduced in water-colors, all in the most skillful manner, showing the natural size, shape, and color of both exterior and interior of the fruit, with the leaves and twigs characteristic of each. These are invaluable for comparison and reference, and a portion for publication. A photographic apparatus has been purchased, which will be used to take views of such trees, orchards, vineyards, or other subjects as it may be necessary to preserve, or present in published form in the reports.
A compound microscope of high power, together with necessary appliances to be used in connection therewith, have been secured for the use of the division. Also a very good microtome has been purchased with which to make sections for microscopical study. It is my desire to make use of every possible means to investigate and study the complex* questions of a pomological character, or such as are directly connected therewith, as they may arise. For instance, the pollen of different botanical species and of the varieties of each species should be examined, and their physiological characters and differences well understood. This is very important in the study of the scientific principles which underlie practical pomology. In accordance with your directions, there have been prepared for publication within the present year the following manuscripts: By Mr. P. W. Reasoner. of Manatee, Fla., a report on "The Condition of Tropical and Semi-Tropical Fruits in Florida and the Gulf States;" by Mr. W. G. Klee, of Berkeley. Cal., a report on "The Condition of Tropical and Semi-Tropical Fruits in California, Arizona, and New Mexico". These two reports, together with a few notes by myself upon the same general subject, and colored illustrations of Japanese plums and persimmons, constitute Bulletin No. 1, of the Division of Pomology. It has been in the hands of the Public Printer since December 1. Also, by Mr. T. T. Lyon, of South Haven, Mich., a report on "The Adaptation of Russian and Other Fruits to the Extreme North and Northwest Portions of the United States." This report is also in the hands of the Public Printer and will be issued as Bulletin No. 2. It was my desire to have both of the above-named bulletins issued promptly, and it is to be regretted that the want of sufficient appropriations should have delayed their publication. An article was prepared by W. H. Ragan, of Greencastle, Ind., entitled "Our Fruits, Native and Introduced," which gives information of a character that should be issued by this Department, and it is now awaiting publication.
A monograph has been prepared by T. V. Munson, of Denison, Tex., entitled "The Native Grapes of the United States." This is a scientific treatise of an unusually valuable and interesting character, and should be published with illustrations in colors, showing a portion of the branch, leaves, fruit, flowers, and seeds of each of the twenty-one species native to this country. A part of the original illustrations to accompany the text have already been prepared, and it is my purpose that the artist, Mr. Prestele, shall prepare, during the next fruiting season, an accurate, typical, and life-size water- color painting of each species, with a view to the whole being published in the highest style of art. Certainly this subject is one that deserves to be placed before our people in the most lucid manner possible. It is my earnest desire that within the next year this matter shall receive the favorable and necessary action of Congress to enable this work to be done.

The year 1887, was somewhat peculiar. In the States of Ohio. Indiana, Illinois, and parts of several adjoining States, where? apples are usually very abundant, the crop was almost a total failure. In Connecticut it was very heavy, and in western New York, and most of the New England States and parts of Michigan, there was a plentiful supply. The northwestern part of the southern peninsula of Michigan, which is commonly called the "Grand Traverse Region" produced a large crop for the amount of orchards planted. The climate there seems peculiarly well adapted to the growing of apple; and especially late keepers. The samples grown there were the very last to disappear in this office, which was about the 1st of June. Missouri. Kansas, northern Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, and western North Carolina had about half a crop in some localities, the fruit, in size and quality, not being up to the standard, because oi the unusual drought which prevailed.
Very good keeping apples were sent me from Tennessee and Mississippi, and summer apples of very fair quality were received from Louisiana. In the region embraced by Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Dakota, and northern Nebraska the successful culture of the apple has been almost despaired of by some, owing to the ruinous effects of the remarkably severe winters of the past few years. Others are as hopeful as ever, and are replanting their orchards in firm belief that they will gather abundant crops from them. Some depend on Russian varieties imported by this Department in 1870 and those brought over at later dates by other parties; notably among these Prof. J. L. Budd, of Iowa Agricultural College. Others place but little dependence on these Russian varieties because of the poor quality, the early ripening of their fruit, and their peculiar susceptibility to the attacks of blight. Many of those most sanguine of success are looking to a race of new' seedlings, which shall be the result of crosses between the best apples known and either the hardiest Russian varieties or crabs. It is thought the good qualities of the fruit of {he former and the hardy constitution of tree in the latter may be blended in the coming generation. Tedious and painstaking efforts are being made in this direction, especially in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Feeling the importance of the subject, and with a view of learning just what is the real condition of the fruits of this territory, Mr. T. T. Lyon, of South Haven, Mich., who is a pomologist of eminence and entirely disinterested motives, was commissioned, under the supervision of this division, to carefully examine and report thereon. On the Pacific slope the apple crop was fairly good. Oregon and Washington Territory produce apples of remarkably large size and of better keeping qualities than those grown in California. The latter State, however, grows a greater supply of apples than most persons suppose. Nevada, Idaho, Utah, and New Mexico also grow apples to some extent. Colorado has many orchards beginning to bear.

In my opinion this little favorite surpasses Carolina June, Early Harvest, and all the other early apples I know. It is as early as any, begins to bear soon after planting, and seldom fails to bear a good crop, even when most varieties fail.
The tree has a beautiful round head, the branches are stout but not heavy, with very distinct gray dots upon the new growth. It is essentially a family apple beginning to ripen with the very earliest and continuing for about six weeks. It sells well in market, but is more especially a dessert variety. Originated in New Jersey.
Size, small, 2 to 3 inches; shape, flat to round, regular; surface, very smooth; color, white, with stripes and splashes of the most delicate tints of carmine; dots, very small; basin, wide, abrupt, and rather deep, regular; eye, small and colored; cavity, narrow, regular, not russeted; stem, usually quite short; core, large, closed, regular, meeting the eye; seeds, numerous, short, and plump, light brown; flesh, white, with rarely a tint of pink next the skin, fine grained, tender, crisp, juicy except when overripe; flavor, subacid, very pleasant; quality, as good as the best of the early kinds; season, from June to August, in the central States. The illustration on Plate 4 is from a specimen grown on my own farm at Geneva, Kans.

This variety originated with Mr. Thomas Morchal, jr., of Crowell, Benton County, Ark. In the spring of 1884 he dug up a sprout from the stump where a Ben Davis tree had been broken down, and planted it. In the fall of 1887 this tree bore over a bushel of apples, and the specimen from which the drawing and description were made was sent me by G. F. Kennan, of Brightwater, in that county, but was grown on the original tree. Size, large, 3 to 4 inches; shape round, regular, but sometimes unequal; surface, very smooth, light yellow, covered with suffused bright carmine; dots, small, light, on raised basis; basin, deep, wide, abrupt, regular; eye, small, closed or nearly so; cavity, wide and deep, russeted but little; stem, short, slender; core, regular, closed: seeds, large, long, dark; flesh, white, tender; flavor, subacid; quality, good; season, November to December, in northwestern Arkansas.

This is a new variety brought to my notice by Charles P. Augur, of Woodbridge, Conn. The original tree stands near that place on a slaty hillside in a pasture belonging to Timothy Fowles. It is what might be called an open grower, and carries its fruit mainly on the outside branches. It bears annually and abundantly. Mr. Augur has sent cions to various States, and hopes to get favorable reports from them in due time.
Size, medium to large, 2½ by 3 inches: shape, round or nearly so. slightly conical, irregular but not ribbed or angular, unequal; surface, smooth, greenish-yellow thinly and partially covered with dull mixed red and darker splashes and blotches; dots, scattering, medium size, gray, prominent; basin, quite shallow, slightly folded: eye, Open, shallow; sepals, short; cavity, shallow, narrow, heavily and widely russeted; stem, short; core, small, nearly closed, clasping the eye; seeds, numerous, plump, light brown; flesh, yellow, a little coarse, but tender; flavor, mild subacid, pleasant; quality, good; season, in Connecticut, November to January.

Although this is an old variety of uncertain origin, but probably Orange County, N. Y. , it is thought highly of by many growers. It is not a very showy apple, but well worth a place in a family orchard. The drawing was made from specimens grown by L. B. Pierce, of Talmage, Ohio. Size, medium, 3 to 3½ inches; shape, flat, slightly conical, unequal, regular; surface, smooth, greenish-yellow, with occasional slight show of red; dots, numerous, dark, prominent; basin, shallow, regular; eye, small, closed; cavity, rather shallow, sloping, regular, russeted; stem, short, slender; core, wide, almost closed, clasping; seeds, small, plump; flesh, whitish, tender, juicy; flavor, mild subacid, rich, pleasant; quality, very good; season, September to December, in Ohio.
Use: kitchen and dessert.

Although this apple has been described many years ago by Charles Downing and others, it is of so much worth and comparatively little known to the general public that I venture the repetition. Having originated in Missouri it has become best known in the West. It has, however, been grown in many parts of the country, and is generally highly praised. The tree is quite satisfactory in every way, and there is no yellow winter apple which sells better when sent to market. My specimens are from Abner Allen, of Wabaunsee, Kans. Size, large, 3 inches, and often reaching 4; shape, flat, nearly always unequal, waved near basin; surface, smooth; color, a rich yellow, with very rarely a faint blush; dots, large, distinct, dark; basin, wide, rather deep, waved; eye, generally open, deep; cavity, wide, sloping, not russeted; stem, medium to short; core, large, wide, open, clasping the eye; seeds, large, plump, dark; flesh, yellow, fine grained, firm, juicy; flavor, subacid, rich, aromatic; quality, excel lent; season, December to spring, in Kansas and Missouri; use, dessert and market.

This variety came to me from Mr. B. F. White, of Mebane, Alamance County, N. C. It originated in that county many years ago, and is thought to be a seedling of Abrahm, which it resembles in both tree and fruit in many respects. It is, however, a much better apple in nearly every way.
Mr. Harrison Harbour, of that locality, rescued it from extinction by getting a few buds from the old tree, which was about dead, and setting them in his own orchard. In a few years they bore fruit, and he called the attention of a nurseryman to the variety, who named it in Mr. Harbour's honor. The tree is rather slow in growth but very hardy and long-lived. The fruit is evenly distributed over the tree, and hangs on with tenacity until cold weather. A little freeze does not hurt it. It is pre-eminently a winter apple. Its bright color and rich aroma enhance its value greatly. The illustration (Plate 9, Fig. 1) was made from a specimen sent by the gentleman above named.
Size, small, 2 to 2¾ inches; shape, flat or apparently round, regular; surface, smooth, the yellow under color nearly covered with bright carmine, diffused striped and splashed, a light bloom where not handled; dots, small, indistinct, yellowish gray; basin, abrupt, deep, almost regular; eye, small, open, shallow, segments of calyx reflexed; cavity, medium to shallow, regular; stem, short, slender, straight; core, small, broad, open; seeds, large, broad, dark; flesh, yellow, crisp, firm, juicy : flavor, subacid, rich, very pleasant; quality, very good; season, January to late spring in North Carolina.

This variety originated with Mr. Orange Winter, of Sauk County. Wis., from seed of Perry Russet which it resembles in tree, except that it is more hardy and productive. The buds and leaves are very thickly set along the twigs. It was introduced by J. W. Shoards of Reedsborough, Wis., and given the above name in honor of the originator. I have endeavored to have the name changed to something less common and that would not be misleading as to its season, but this seems to be quite impossible from the fact that it is already widely distributed under that name. My specimens were from Mr. A. L. Hatch, of Ithaca, Wis. Size, large, 3 to 4 inches diameter; shape, flat, a little inclined to one side; surface, a little rough, dull yellow, not blushed; dots, numerous, very small, prominent; basin, wide, deep, waved but not folded; eye, deep, closed; cavity, wide, sloping, not russeted: stem, medium in length and thickness; core, very broad, but closed; seeds, pointed, plump, dark; flesh, yellow, rather coarse; flavor, subacid; quality, good, but not extra; season, October and November in Wisconsin.

In addition to the foregoing described varieties of fruits there have been received at this office hundreds of packages, varying in size and amount from one specimen to a barrelful containing many varieties. I wish to acknowledge the deep interest in the work of this division that has been manifested by thousands of fruit-growers of the country, who have sent specimens and information of a pomological nature. The above-mentioned packages contained fruits of almost every kind known to this country, from the banana, mango, sapodilla, date, and lemon of the most southern regions, to the crabapple, the dwarf blueberry, and cranberry of the north. Alaska and several foreign countries have also contributed. It is highly gratifying to have such hearty co-operation in my efforts to serve the cause of pomology. It is moreover a matter of extreme gratification to me to have had many official demonstrations of your own interest in this work, and I sincerely trust that whatever has been done or may yet be done by this division shall result in the advancement of the interests of those who are producing and consuming our fruits.