71 



The following may be assumed as a doubtful list, having been injured each 

 winter in a gieaiei- or less degree: Baldwin. Bottle Greening^ Cooper's Market^ 

 Crayibemj Pippin, Chenango Strawberry, Fall Jennetting, Fallawater, Lady Henniker, 

 Maiden's Blush, Northern Spy, Ribston Pippin, Eoxbury Russet, Shannon, Spitzenberg, 

 Swayzie Pomme Grise, Wagner, Grimes' Golden. There is no doubt that individual 

 trees of varieties named in this list, and even in the first one, can be found doing fairly- 

 well in this locality ; but they are exceptional cases, and probably under unusually 

 favourable conditions. It is also doubtless true that we, in the colder sections, can 

 obtain by top-working on hardy stocks a sufficient quantity of fruit for home use of 

 many of these choice old varieties. Experiments in this line using different stocks 

 will be inaugurated as soon as pi-acticable. 



RUSSIAN APPLES. 



Most of the varieties, as given by Mr. Hilborn in the annual report of 1888 

 have made very satisfactory progress up to date. Thirty-five of the later importa- 

 tions of the Iowa Agricultufal College were received from Prof. Budd last spring, 

 and were added to the original planting, making in all 215 Eussian varieties on trial. 

 This orchard was the first to fruit on the Experimental grounds, a number of ti-eesgiving 

 i-pecimen apples this year. Some of them are large, and of fair quality, but further ex- 

 ])erience is needed before a true estimate can be made of their value. In this connection 

 )t may be added that the large and interesting collection of Russian fruit on the farm 

 of the late Charles Gibb, of Abbotstord, Que. (now owned by Wm. Craig & Son) has 

 been, by your instructions, under my observation during the fruiting season ot this 

 ^•ear. The planting of Russian fruits was begun by Mr. Gibb about ten years ago. 

 *Many varieties are now coming into bearing, and it is hoped that by careful obser- 

 vation of the success of the diti'erent varieties in that district, a reliable opinion will 

 be arrived at in regard to their possible success and usefulness in the colder parts of the 

 Dominion. The fruit-growers of the Province of Quebec, especially, had for years 

 been watching with much interest the self-imposed task of fruit testing — "for the cold 

 ,101-th " — undertaken b}' Mr. Gibb, and it will be a source of satisfaction to them, to 

 know that the results which he came so near attaining, will not be lost to the people in 

 whose interest he laboured. It is hoped that, with the added experience of another 

 year, sufficient information will be acquired to enable such facts to be published in 

 l>ulletin form, as will serve as a guide to planters along the northern limits of pre- 

 sent apple culture ; for this is the region where the Russian apple will be of greatest 

 eei-vice. Another purpose which this race will serve, and which will be developed 

 later, is that of giving us hardy stocks for top-grafting. Many varieties already 

 fruited, judging from their poor quality, should be condemned, but will be retained, 

 for the purpose just indicated, on account of their great vigour and hardiness. They 

 will also undoubtedly be the progenitors of a hardier race of apples than we now 

 have, by crossing with our American sorts, or by seedling production. 



The following list is based upon the observation of four years on the grounds of 

 the Iowa Agricultural College, and the experience of last summer at Abbotsford. 

 The varieties mentioned are commended to the careful attention of fruit growers. 



Zolotoreff. — Large, conical, rich carmine with light dots and stripes on the shady 

 side. Calyx open, basin, wrinkled, stem short, cavity, deep, narrow. Flesh yellowish 

 white, tinged with pink when over-ripe, rather coarse in texture, quality medium. 

 Season early September. A fine handsome apple. The tree is a vigorous upright 

 grower with lai-ge glossy leaves. Hardy as i>uchess. Closely resembling this in 

 tree and fruit, ;irc Basil the Gi-eat, and Titovka. 



Golden White. — Large, oblong, ribbed, yellow ground covered with bright red 

 towards cavity, calyx open, basin slightly wrinkled, somewhat ribbed, stem short,thick, 

 cavity 8mall,m some almost closed. Flesh white, c:-isp, temler, juicy. Sub-acid 

 spi'ightl}^, very good season, August to September. Keeps better than Duchess. 

 Claimed by some to keep till mid-winter. Tree a good g-ower of upright habit. 

 Very hardy. 



