269 



APPLES. 



In the fall of 1890 all apple ti'ces then living were wrapped in straw and tar 

 paper for protection during the winter and early spiing. On 15th April, 1891, this 

 covering was removed, and it was found that most of the trees had come through 

 the winter with little or no injury. From the 15th to the end of April the weather 

 was warm, and caused the trees to swell their buds very rapidly. During the second 

 week in May several very sharp frosts occurred, causing great injury to all the fruit 

 trees in their then advanced stage of growth. From the effects of this severe check, 

 nearly all lost a considerable part of their wood, and several trees were killed. 

 Since then the season has been very favourable, and apple trees have all made good 

 growth, and most of the wood is well ripened. 



Four hundred apple trees, comprising 140 varieties, were planted in 1889 ; of 

 these 272, of 102 varieties, are still growing. Although growing slowly, some of the 

 trees are apparently quite hardy, and the severe cold of winter does not affect them. 

 They are still very young and have not yet borne fruit. 



These trees were piocured from various sources, and it is noticeable that the 

 farther north the trees have been raised the more hardy they are hei-e. The seed- 

 lings raised at Ottawa from seed procured in Russia, and planted here' in the spring 

 of 1890, are very promising. Although unprotected, they came through last winter 

 and spring without injury, and it is hoped that from these some varieties may be 

 obtained that will grow successfully in this province. 



From the following tables it will be seen that very few apple trees have been 

 lost during the past year. Where trees had died in the orchards, they have been 

 replaced by others from the nursery rows, and an additional orchard has been 

 planted with 100 trees, placed 10 feet apart. 



Apple Trees growing in Bush form, on low Stems. 



