REPORT OF MR. TF. S. BLAIR 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



Of the Bigiirreairs the variety Windsor has done the best. It has proven hardier 

 tlian any of the other sweet cherries. The fruit is mottled dark red, firm, juicv, with 

 pinkish white liesh. It has not borne heavily here, although it is said to be an abund- 

 ant bearer. It is ripe after the first week in July. This cherry will probably give the 

 best satisfaction of any of the sweet varieties. Napoleon, also of this group, ripens its 

 fruit earlier. It has a light lemon yellow colour with a reddish cheek. The flesh is 

 colourless and very firm. It has not been so vigorous and hardy here as Governor 

 Wood. 



From trees of the Duke class we have so far not had any fruit. The trees have 

 not done as well as those of the Bigarreau type. 



The Montmorency, Early Richmond and some of the Russian sorts are the best of 

 the Amarelle class. 



The Montmorency is probably one of the best of this group. The fruit is bright 

 red, with nearly colourless flesh, moderately sour. The tree is vigorous and productive, 

 ripening its fruit about the last of July. 



The Early ]-{iclimond is more vigorous than Montmorency but has not proven fruit- 

 ful here. Trees of this variety are found in almost every part of the pi'ovinces and prove 

 in the most of cases to be good bearers. The fruit is bright red, somewhat smaller than 

 Montmorency. The flesh is soft, juicy, and of a rather pleasant flavour when fully ripe. 

 The fruit ripens before Montmorency. The pit adheres to the stalk more firmly than in 

 any other variety. 



Of the Russian sorts Spate Amarelle, or Early Amarelle, and Vladimir are the best 

 of those grown here. These are very hardy and will succeed where the above varieties 

 will not. 



Spate Amarelle is dark red, with flesh somewhat reddened, juicy and fairly good in 

 quality. It is a strong grower and productive. Vladimir is a strong grower, but has 

 not, so far, been productive here. It is said not to bear well on a clay soil, and probably 

 a lighter soil would remedy this trouble. The fruit is very dark red, quite firm and 

 somewhat acid. 



The English Morello and Ostheim are two varieties of the Morello group that have 

 given good satisfaction. The English Morello is not a large growing tree, but is very 

 productive. It does especially well in Prince Edward Island. The fruit is about two 

 weeks later in ripening than Montmorency". When fully ripe the fruit is very dark red, 

 with dark purplish crimson flesh and of a rich flavour, with a slight astringency. The 

 tree has not such an upright head as Montmorency and is more drooping and open. 



Ostheim has dark red fruit, dark flesh and juice, with a mild acid character, nearly 

 sweet when fully ripe. The tree is not a large grower, is productive, and considerably 

 like the English Morello, but is more upright. The fruit ripens with the Montmorency. 



The Montmorency^, English Morello, Ostheim and Early Richmond will probably 

 suit a larger area, and give more satisfaction than any of the other varieties that have 

 so far fruited here. 



PLUM ORCHARD. 



Seventy varieties of plums are now growing here. Many of these ai'e making only 

 fair growth. One row of plums lias been set in orchard No. 2 and these seem to do much 

 better, having protection which plum trees need. The following varieties ai-e those 

 which have fruited and are doing the best here so far. These have all sprung from the 

 European plum Prunus domestica. They are grouped according to the classification 

 given by Waugh. 



The Diamond T}"i:)e. — These varieties are characterized by having fruit mostly large, 

 oval, very slightly compressed sideways, dark blue, with heavy blue bloom, flesh generally 

 yellow, very firm and usually clinging to the stone. Such sorts as JNIoore's Arctic, St. 

 Lawrence, Shipper's Pride cind Quackcnboss come into this group. They are mostly of 

 inferior quality, but productive, firm fleshed and good shippers. 



