•74 



Autumn Bergamot (No, 122). — This has been very satisfactory in point of hardi- 

 ness and vigour at Abbotsford. The fruit is said to be small and highly flavoured. 



SEEDLING PEARS. 



As a pi-oduct from the pear seed imported from the region of the Volga in 

 Eussia — a district in which the pear is found growing wild — one hundred and 

 twenty-five of the most vigorous seedlings were ti-ansplanted in the same manner, 

 and adjacent to the apple seedlings already mentioned. A number of seedlings from 

 othei" sources have also been added and the whole will make a very interesting and, 

 it is hoped a u>-eful collection. The late Chas.Gibb, advocated fiequently the wisdom 

 of growing seedlings from the wild pear of the Volga region, for the purpose of in- 

 tj'oducing a hardier fruit stock than we now have in the French pear seedlings. 

 Owing to the difficulty of obtaining seed in quantity, this line of work has not been 

 attempted by frviit growers, outside of a few pear specialists. 



PLUMS. 



The majority of the older and tiner varieties of this fruit first planted have not 

 succeeded as well as was expected. The partial failure of this class in the first 

 planting was no doubt very much increased by the planting as an experiment a 

 number of varieties in the fall. A severe winter followed, resulting in the death of a 

 considerable number. These failures have, however, in most cases, been replanted and 

 all will receive a lair ti'ial. While many may not make long lived trees, yet they 

 will be useful in furnishing pollen which may be used in the work of crossing with 

 hardier varieties. 



The following list contains those kinds which thus far have stood the test of 

 wiutei-s in this vicinity with least injury. They have all originated from the European 

 plum. Primus domestica and have been in cultivation for a number of years in the 

 fruit growing districts of Ontario and the Eastern States : Reine Claude, Magnum 

 bonum, Yellow Egg, Richland, Glass Seedling, Washington, Nota Bene, Bryanston's 

 Gage, Newman, Pond's Seedling, Lombard, Bradshaw. 



Another class of plums which are more promising in point of hardiness, thougli 

 they have not fruited to any extent thus far, belong to the same species as the last, 

 but are derived mostly from East Europe. The following have come through unin- 

 jured by wintei- killing and give promise of vigoui- and longevity ; Early red, Laie red, 

 White Nicholas, White Otschakoff, Trabische, Voronesh, Hungarian, Moldavka. Most 

 of these have fruitedin the Western States, in many cases the fruit will be found very 

 useful, and in some instances of high quality. 



For a number of j-ears past, a few experimenters in the Western States, have 

 been developing selected varieties of the native jilum of that region — a fruit which 

 has too long been neglected — Prunus Americana. A number of promising varieties 

 ai-e now on the market and will be of much service along the northern limits of plum 

 culture. De Soto, which has so rapidly sprung into popularity of late, is a notable 

 representative of this class. An etfort has been made to secure as large a collection 

 of these as possible. Among them are the following, which appear to be the most 

 valuable : Ilavkeye. Speer, Wolf, Wyant, Bollingston, Forest Garden, Forest Rose, 

 Jas. Vic/i, and Garfield. 



Primus Chicasa. — This is native to the south-west, is less hardy than the preced- 

 ing, and sometimes fails from impei-fect fertilization. As a cooking plum it is unsur- 

 jiassed. Among the prominent representatives on trial, maybe mentioned Mariana, 

 Milton, Weaver, Maquoketa, Mo?-e7nan and Pottawattamie. The last three, ai'e late 

 introductions. 



Japanese plums. — These have not succeeded here, anl while their usefulness for 

 the colder sections is doubtful, yet for the milder portions they are at least worthy 

 of trial in a limited way. 



Seedlings. — A seedling plantation has been started wherein tests in this line are 

 being conducted, and to which constant additions will be made. 



