REPORT OF THE EORTICULTURIST 115 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



Efforts have been made to obtain fruit of the apple since that time, but -n-ithout 

 ruccess. 



In April, 1904, the following item appeared in the Prince Edward Island Farmer: 

 'In a recent issue of the Farmer we published the result of an experiment in apple 

 growing by which a noted Colorado orchardist, after seven years of experimenting, 

 had succeeded in producing a seedless apple (The Spencer Seedless). It was noted 

 that the tree bearing this scientific wonder bears no blossoms and that the fruit 

 resembles a navel orange. Last Saturday, to our surprise and pleasure, we received 

 a box of seedless apples grown last year in the orchard of Mr. Hugh Ramsay, Port 

 Hill, P.E.I., with the explanation that similar apples had been grown yearly on the 

 same tree during the past thirty years. Examination shows that the apple is entirely 

 solid, there are no seed chambers, nor any semblance of seed; it is well formed, richly 

 flavoured, and a good winter keeper, the samples received being firm and fresh al- 

 though stored in ordinary barrels. The tree bearing this peculiar variety was full 

 grown and bearing heavily when Mr. Ramsay came into possession of his farm thirty 

 years ago.' 



After this article appefa'cd we wrote to the Editor, and also to the owner of the 

 fruit, asking for specimens, but unfortunately the best were gone, the specimen 

 received being small and the quality, judging by the fmit tested, not more than 

 medium. The core was small and was situated nearer the calyx than in ordinary 

 varieties, the cartilagenous parts of the core, or carpels, were not as thick as in the 

 varieties with seeds. There were no seeds in the specimen exam.ined. I have tried to 

 obtain fruit of this apple since, but without success. 



Wlien attending the annual meeting of the Prince Edward Island Fruit Growers' 

 Association on December 2-0, and 21, 1904, a specimen was shown me of a seedless 

 apple grown by Jesse A. Wright, North Bedeque, P.E.I. This apple was past best 

 condition, but was seedless with a small core confined to the calyx end of the apple. 



At thfe Flower, Fruit and Honey Show held in Toronto on November 6-10, 190G, 

 a number of the Spencer Seedless apples were exhibited and agents were in attend- 

 ance taking orders for trees of this fruit. The Spencer Seedless apple is said to have 

 originated with Mr. J. F. Spencer, Grand Junction, Col., U.S.A., but it is believed by 

 good authorities to have originated in Virginia as a chance seedling. 



As trees of the Spencer Seedless apple were being offered at $2-50 per tree those 

 attending the Ontario Fruit Growers' Association thought it would be in the interests 

 of Canadian fruit growers to have an unbiased judgment on the merits of this fruit, 

 hence a committee was appointed consisting of H. H. Groff, Simcoe, Chairman ; D. 

 Johnston, Forest; E. Morris, Fonfhill; W. H. Dempsey, Trenton; and W. T. Macoun, 

 Ottawa. This Committee reported as follows: — 



* We secured specimens from the exhibit at Massey Hall, which showed the fol- 

 lowing objectionable characteristics in apparent contradiction to the printed descrip- 

 tion. Although the core is smaller and less distinct than in the average apple, there 

 is still sufficient to make the process of coring a necessity. The practical absence of 

 the calyx tube leaves an abnormally large and deep opening reaching to the core, 

 thereby involving loss of flesh nearly equal to a normal core, as well as affording a 

 harbour for injurious insect pests. The specimens examined by us showed this space 

 to contain an objectionable mold-like accumulation. They also gave well developed 

 seeds, though fewer than the normal apple. As to size, the specimens seen by us 

 were abovit equal to our Fameuse, or Snow, and those tested for quality and flavour 

 were about equal to Ben Davis. We believe that our inspection warrants the advice 

 that trees of this apple should only be purchased as a curiosity.' 



Having procured some specimens of the Spencer Seedless apple, I took a full 

 description of the fruit on my return from Toronto. 



The following is the description made: — 



'Spencer Seedless Apple. — Medium in size; oblate to roundish, flattened at ends, 

 Bomewhat angular; cavity deep, medium width, russeted; stem short, slender; basin 



16-81 



