73 



growth ; others received during the summer were budded. The whole collection 

 wilh additions as received, will constitute an instructive group when contrasted with 

 the seedlings of Eussian origin. 



PEARS, 



Very few of the cultivated varieties of American and West European pears 

 prove hardy in this section. Nearly all belonging to this class have been more or 

 less severely injured by winter since planting in the trial orchard. This injury- has 

 mainly consisted in the loss of part or the whole of the growth of the preceding 

 year. Others, however, have been killed outright. The orchard has been treated 

 in the same manner as the apple orchard, and the soil is well suited to peai- culture. 



The following varieties have shown least injury from the cold of winter thus 

 far, indicating that,under favourable circumstances, they might be grown to a limited 

 extent in this and similai latitudes : Flemish Beauty, Bartlett, Beurre Hardy, Beurre 

 d'Anjou, Doyenne, Boussock, Goodaie, Josephine de Malines, Seckel, Vicar of Winkfield. 

 It is probable that other varieties will he noted later, as developing hardiness in an 

 unexpected degree, as the work of testing goes on. Pears have been almost wholly 

 untested in this vicinity up to the time of planting them on the Experimental Farm. 



In this connection, it may be added that interesting results are looked for, when 

 the work now in hand — that of top-grafting the hardiest Eussian sorts with the best 

 varieties of the present cultivated pears — has been brought to an issue. This is a 

 line of experiment that has not yet been entered upon in America, and from which 

 it is hoped the colder sections will leap much benefit. 



RUSSIAN PEARS. 



iSTearly all varieties of this class have come through the last two winters unin- 

 jured, and strong hopes are entertained for their future usefulness. Through the 

 kindness of Prof". Budd, I have been able to make a considerable addition to the 

 collection already in oi'chard, and expect to be able to extend the work in this line 

 next spring. 



The following notes are made on trees planted eight years ago at Abbotsford, 

 all of which have grown vigorously, and give every indication of perfect hardiness : 



Beesemianka (No. 508 and 3 M). — Tree a strong upright grower, with remark- 

 ably bright green health}- foliage. It has shown no sign of blighting in the east, 

 but has been affected to a limited extent by this disease in the west. A few speci- 

 mens of fruit were borne this year, but dropped before an idea of the quality could 

 be ascertained. 



Sapieganka. — This is even a stronger grower than the last and more spreading in 

 habit. The twigs are thick, bark a bright olive in colour. This would appear to 

 be a grade less hardy than the last. It has not come into bearing yet. 



Gakovka. — This seems to be the hardiest of the class. From close observation 

 of its habits in widely separated localities I believe it will succeed wherever the 

 Duchess apple can be grown. It is a rapid grower of upi'ight habit and strictly 

 determinate in regard to ripening its wood in the fall. I cannot speak of the fruit. 

 Prof. Budd says : " The fruit is large and handsome, but is mainly valuable for 

 culinary use, for which it is not excelled. Though pleasant in flavour the flesh is too 

 film for desert use until over ripe." 



Lemon. — The characteristic of this tree is the fact of its having almost invari- 

 ably a central leader from which the side branches are thrown. This forms an ideal 

 head. Annual growth has been strong. Shoots large. It is said to be a cooking 

 pear. Not fruited yet. 



Limber Twig. — Prof. Budd says this succeeds best on dry, upland soil. It has 

 done well at Abbotsford on gravelly soil. The bark is light green, buds peculiarly 

 long and sharply pointed. Not fi-uited. 



Kurskaya. — This is said to have been first introduced by the Meunonites of 

 Minnesota. In general appearance and habit of growth it much resembles Besse- 

 mianka. The fruit has not come under my notice. 



