326 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



7-8 EDWARD VI i., A. 1908 



TRANSCENDENT. 



The trees of this variety sent to Brandon in the early history of the farm perished, 

 hut of late the trees have become much hardier and bear fruit of excellent quality, 

 and in considerable quantities, especially when grafted on Pyrus haccata. Trees of 

 this variety are said to be doing well in many parts of the province. 



CROSS-BRED AND SEEDLING APPLES. 



While there is a hope that some of the well known varieties of the larger apples 

 will, in time, become acclimatized, yet in all probability the best apples of the future, 

 for Manitoba, will be found among the cross-bred kinds or among new seedlings. 



It is worthy of note that many of the best varieties of cultivated apples, such as 

 the JSTorthern Spy, Baldwin, Fameuse, Mcintosh Red and others are chance seedlings, 

 probably from the fruit of blossoms, which have been cross-fertilized by insects. 



The search for valuable new varieties of seedlings or from crossing is very slow 

 work, yet if but one valuable new apple should result among thousands of failures, it 

 would more than repay all the time and labour spent. By grafting, the new and 

 valuable variety could be multiplied indefinitely. 



We would suggest that farmers should sow apple seeds and plum pits freely and 

 plant the seedlings in orchards or as windbreaks, and in time enough fruit would be 

 borne whicli would determine the quality. One man is as likely as another to hit upon 

 something good. 



CROSS-BREDS AND SEEDLINGS. 



A large number of cross-bred apples have been produced at the Central Experi- 

 mental Farm, Ottawa, from year to year and these have been sent to the Brandon 

 Farm. A large number of seedlings from these crosses have also been sent here for 

 trial. In most cases the Pyrus haccata has been one parent, chosen to secure hardi- 

 ness and it has been crossed with many different kinds of esteemed eastern sorts to 

 secure size and quality. 



Some few of the cross-breds have fruited and although the fruit of most of them 

 does not exceed li inches in diameter they cook well and some of them are good for 

 eating. They are very useful for domestic purposes and deserving of more extended 

 trial. A few of the seedlings have also fruited, but most of them have been too small 

 to be of value, except for the making of jelly. There are still about 1,000 of seedlings 

 of the cross-bred apples planted on the farm, which have not yet fruited. 



RASPBERRIES. 



The raspberry plantation, consisting of several varieties, was a total failure this 

 year, no fruit being produced, as a result of the total killing back of the caiics last 

 winter. The growth of 1905 was exceptionally luxuriant and continued until frost. 

 As a consequence the wood went into winter quarters in a very green condition and 

 was killed to the ground. For several years the canes have been bent down in the fall 

 and covered with long horse manure. This manure was left between the rows as a 

 niu.k'h. Probably the land became too rich, resulting in abnormal and long continued 

 growth of the canes. This is the first complete winter-killing of raspberries for many 

 years. 



STRAWBERRIES. 



The Everbearing Alpine strawberry, planted in the spring of 1905, wintered well 

 and bore fruit continuously most of the summer. The plot was small and the birds 

 and boys made it impossible to get a record of the quantity of fruit. The fruit is of 

 good size and flavour. 



