116 



EXPEBIMENTAL FARMS 



7-8 EDWARD VII., A. 1908 



very open, medium depth, slightly wrinkled with five fleshy, rounded masses v/here 

 sepals or petals were; calyx absent, a wide opening extends to the core; colour green- 

 ish-yellov\^, well washed with orange red and splashed with purplish red. though not 

 prominently; dots numerous, yellow, conspicuous; skin moderately thick, tender; 

 flesh yellowish, firm, inclined to woody, moderately juicy; core small, closed. There 

 are really two cores, one above the other; mildly subacid, little flavour; quality 

 medium, about like Ben Davis; season probably mid to late winter. 



Seeds are not always absent, from one to two being sometimes found. While 

 the core is smaller than that of the average apple thet'e is still enough to necessitate 

 coring, and the open cavity having an uniittractive mould-like accumulation necessi- 

 tates cutting this part out, which would offset any saving in the size of the core.' 



The Spencer Seedless Apple Company have sent two trees of this variety to be 

 tested at the Central Experimental Farm. 



Unless a seedless apple is r<8 good or better than a Mcintosh, Northern Spy, King, 

 or Esopus Spitzenburg, it is of little practical value in my judgment, unless for evapor- 

 ating or canning, and as so many culls and windfalls of well known varieties can be 

 obtained for this purpose we do not believe that seedless apples unless of great merii 

 will become popular or useful. It is possible that by crossing seedless apples with 

 varieties of the best quality that something will be produced thaF will be of real 

 commercial value. 



PEARS. 



The only pears that fruited in 1906 were three Paissian varieties. None of tliese 

 are, however, good enough to grow where fruit of the better kinds can be obtained at 

 reasonable prices. 



The Flemish Beauty is the hardiest good pear which has been tested nnd it is 

 hoped that in the seedlings of this variety which have not yei: fruited there will be 

 somo still hardier. There was practically no pear blight in 1906, and little winter 

 killing. 



PLUMS. 



The crop of Americana and Nigra plums was below medium on the whole, and 

 while som.e varieties fruited heavily the crops of others were quite light. The 

 European plum crop was practically a failure. The unfavourable winter, dry weather 

 in sum.mer. Aphis, Shot-hole fungus, and Hips Rot combined to reduce the crop. 



Notwithstanding thorough spraying with kerosene emulsion twice, the aphis 

 could not be completely controlled as the curling of the leaves prevented reachinj 

 them all. The Ripe Rot has been somewhat troublesome during the past few 

 seasons causing considerable injury to Americana plums. All varieties are not 

 equally affected, those with the tenderest skins suffering the most as a rule. The 

 early varieties were but little, if any, affected. The t.rees were sprayed four times 

 with Bordeaux mixture for the purpose of helping to keep this disease under control, 

 but notwithstanding this thorough spraying some injury v/as^ done. Alfchoug-h the 

 plum trees have been very thoroughly sprayed with Bordeaux mixture year after year, 

 the Shot-hole fungus has not been entirely controlled by it. Some varieties are almost 

 immune, while others are usually badly affected. 



Two varieties of Americana plums highly spoken of elsewhere fruited this year, 

 nam.ely: U.S. and Brac.kett. These are fine large phxms, but do not appear better than 

 some alren.dy described. Following are descriptions made of them, also of two seedlings 

 originated at the Central Experimental Farm and named during the past season, 



Lester and Troy: — 



■g-g, .Form roundish; large; cavity shallow, medium width; suture a distinct 



line* apex rounded; yellow almost entirely covered with deep purplish red; dots 



