398 ■ EXPEEI MENTAL FARMS 



4-5 EDWARD VII., A. 1905 

 TONKA CRAB. 



This variety still continues hardy and the original tree from whi-ch our scions 

 were obtained again fruited the past season, but by reason of its out-of-the-way loca- 

 tion and the consequent difficulty of protecting it the fruit was again stolen before 

 it had gained maturity. A sufficient number of trees have been grafted, however, to 

 perpetuate the variety, some of which show promise of fruit next season. As these 

 are in a fenced orchard, we will -doubtless have an opportunity of testing the mature 

 product before long. 



TRANSCENDENT CRAB. 



Several of the trees in the Pyrus orchard have been top-grafted v.dth the Transcen- 

 dei't crab and have now passed through three winters. So far they have proven quite 

 har&y, and this season some of them fruited for the first time. The fruit was of good 

 siz3 and entirely free from blemish. This is encourcging, as not many years ago we 

 found it difficult to winter the Transcendent. Probably much of the success of the 

 experiment is due to the splendid stock of the Pyrus baccata, the hardy Siberian 

 crab introduced by the exi)erimental farms. 



PRIDE OF MINNEAPOLIS. 



Scions of this variety were received from 11. L. Patmore in 1902, and top-grafted 

 on Pyrus baccata. Though spoken of highly, we do not see very much to recommend 

 it, judging by the fruit produced this year. It is thoroughly hardy, is very late, and 

 of poor flavour, and not equal to the Transcendent crab in size. 



PYRUS BACCATA. 



A very heavy crop of fruit was again harvested from this variety, many of the 

 trees producing quite large fruit of fair flavour. 



PLUMS. 



We have again the pleasure of recording a very heavy crop of this fruit at the 

 Brandon farm, the majority of the trees being so heavily laden as to weigh the 

 branches to the ground. The most interesting feature, however, was the fruiting for 

 the first time of three native varieties, superior to anything we have yet noted, both 

 in earliness and flavour. Three trees, received from Mr. M. Major, of Winnipeg, 

 ripened their fruit early in August, fully two weeks earlier than any other trees on 

 the farm. The product was of comparatively large size, deep red in colour when 

 ripe, the skin very sweet and juicy, with no signs of astringency, while the stone was 

 not out of proportion to the flesh (a serious drawback to many of the types under test.) 

 Tlie first fruit of all three trees was nearly identical, and consequently we have given 

 them the same name, viz,, ' Major.' Another tree of exceptional merit was received 

 from the Souris district, and though not quite equal to the former, is well worthy 

 of propagation, and has been given the name of ' Souris.' The last one worthy of spe- 

 cial mention is the only yellow variety yet fruited at the experimental farm. When 

 ripe, this is a light yellow in colour, with a few faint reddish dots on the sunny side. 

 The flavour is qiiite distinct, very sweet and this plum has been named ' Brandon.' 



The first of these varieties is greatl.y superior to the average native plum 

 and is delicious either as dessert or for preserving. Of the seedlings of the American 

 plum (Prunus Americana) only those of ' Cheney ' have been found satisfactory, 

 none of the others ripening early enough, and the larger portion of these late varie- 

 ties have been removed to make room for more promising specimens. A quan- 

 tity of seed was gathered from the earliest and best native trees, was sown this fall, 

 and it is hoped that a sufficient number of seedlings will be obtained to plant out a 

 considerable area, so that further sele-ction may be made. 



CURRANTS. • 



A large number of varieties of this fruit was received from the Central Experi- 

 mental Farm in the spring of 1902. All became well established, and during the past 



