304 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



2-3 EDWARD VII., A. 1903 



Martha Seedling No. 1. — Tree a vigorous grower very shapely and hardy. Fruit 

 light yellow in colour when ripe, with the faintest suggestion of red on the sunny side. 

 Shape flattish, calyx persistent, flavour very sweet and juicy, almost comparable to 

 Transcendent ; an abundant bearer, about two-thirds the size of the Transcendent 

 crab — altogether a most satisfactory variety. Ripe about the middle of August. 



Marlha Seedling No. 2. — Tree fairly vigorous, though somewhat more spreading than 

 the foi'mer and hardy. Fruit deep yellow in colour with bright red streaks on sunny 

 side. Shape conical or elongated, and slightly ribbed. Calyx persistent. Flavour slightly 

 astrino'ent and drier than the former, rather large seed cavity, fairly productive and of 

 about an equal size with the former. Ripe early in September. 



Martha Seedling No. 3. — Tree fairly vigorous and shapely, quite hardy, fruit deep 

 yellow throughout when ripe. Shape quite flat, calyx persistent. Flavour sweet but 

 somewhat dry, small seed cavity (only a few fruits were produced this season) slightly 

 smaller than the preceding varieties. Ripe middle of August. 



TONKA APPLE. 



One tree of this variety mentioned in last year's report set a few specimens of fruit, 

 which were stolen long before they reached maturity. These incidents are extremely 

 rec'rettable and make our work in these lines very dillicult. 



TOP GRAFTING. 



A considerable amount of grafting was accomplished during the past spring— and 

 results were very satisfactory. Scions were received from Mr. H. L. Patmore, nursery- 

 man of this city consisting of Duchess, Wealthy, Pride and Transcendent. These were 

 top grafted on the stocks of Pyrus baccata, and nearly all made a good union. The 

 seasons "•rowth averaging two to two and one-half feet. The scions were taken from 

 trees w^hich have successfully withstood the test of several winters^^— and it is hoped they 

 will prove hardy with us. The operation commenced as soon as the wax could be worked 

 in the open, and continued at intervals until the buds expanded. It would appear from 

 the results that early grafting is desirable. Considerable root grafting was also done 

 with Tonka and Wealthy apples on Pyrus baccata. 



TRANSCENDENT CRAB. 



The tree of Transcendent crab growing on Hillside Plot mentioned in previous 

 reports came through the winter of 1901-2 unscathed and a fine crop of fruit was set. 

 The product was an unusually fine sample of this crab, rather above the average Mani- 

 toba frown Transcendent in size, and entirely free from any disease. This specimen has 

 now proven hardy for several years, but this is the first time that any fruit has matured. 

 Ripe about August 25. 



PLUMS. 



Althou"-h the plum trees, set exceptionally well the past spring (owing to the 

 absence of spring frosts) a large proportion of the crop was destroyed by the fungus 

 disease (plum pocket). The coolness of the season gi-eatly retarded the ripening, and 

 although a fair crop of the native plum (Prunus -nigra) was harvested, the imported 

 varieties (Prunus americana) failed to produce ripe fruit. A careful examination of 



