344 



STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



notliini? but the eavly ones, that we have no call for, have proved 

 valuahle. 



1 expect that these views will receive some criticism, and I care 

 not how much ; enough. I hope, so that by the discussion we shall 

 be able to settle upon some facts. We want more facts and less of 

 mere theories and speculations. 



With respect to the extreme hardiness of certain varieties, I am 

 not prepared to speak at this time. My experience in fruit-growing 

 has been largely in the central portion of the State. We have here 

 a large number of varieties of standard apples of superior quality, 

 both early and late keeping, and sufficiently hardy for all pi-actical 

 purposes ; besides a large; class of native seedling varieties of excel- 

 lent quality and perfect hardiness, but generally early ripening. 



What 1 have learned of ihe difficulties of fruit-growing on our 

 northern border has been learned from conversation and correspon- 

 dence with individuals in that locality. There is no doubt that we 

 want for that section varieties of extreme hardiness, but with that 

 we want also the quality of long keeping, which as has been shown 

 is not to be looked for in the Russian varieties. 



Mr. W. H. Pearson, of Vassalboro'. There may be some merits 

 in the varieties of apples so often presented to our attention by 

 " afyents " under the name of " iron clads." Some of them mav be 

 good, but it seems to me that we have gone far enough in that 

 direction. If we confine ourselves to home-grown trees, sowing 

 seeds ourselves, producing trees ourselves, making such selections 

 as seem right, we shall avoid a good deal of useless expense, and 

 shall, at the same time, improve greatly our home-grown apples. 



[At this pdint a brief discussion took place upon certain varieties of apples which 

 had been mentioned or inquired about. As the subject was resumed at a later period, 

 the report is postponed. 



The following extracts from a report made by Mr. Charles Gibb, of Abbottsford, 

 Quo., made to the Montreal Horticultural Society, in 1882, are introduced here as 

 bearing on the subject of the foregoing discussion. This report covers fifty-fivo pages, 

 and contains much valuable information in relation to the fruits of Russia and Central 

 Europe. I have copied only such parts as seemed to be of special interest, including 

 the descriptions in whole or in part of a few of the many varieties of apples mentioned, 

 only regretting that the want of space prevents me from transcribing the entire report 

 to these pages. Sec] 



