102 EXPERIMEXTAL FARMS 



1-2 EDWARD VII., A. 1902 



interlacing, but this could not very well be avoided, as the original trees were planted 

 20 by 20 feet apart and the additional trees set half way between. A satisfactory 

 distance would be about 15 feet apart each way, which would permit of thorough 

 spraying for a long time. The trees, which are rather easily broken and split on 

 account of the heavy crop they bear and the great growth they make when young, 

 are better protected than if they were planted further apart. 



In the report of the Horticulturist for 1900, a descriptive list was published of 

 13 of the best varieties of Nigra and Americana plums which had fruited at Ottawa, 

 covering a season from August 24 to September 25. No new named varieties of 

 special merit fruited this year, but among the young trees are a number of kinds 

 which are spoken very highly of by those who have seen the fruit. 



Seedling Plums. — Many seedling plums are being grown at the Experimental 

 Farm, and a number of the Americana seedlings have already fruited. This year 54 

 trees bore, consisting of 12 Wolf, 7 Yosemite Purple, 6 Speer, 6 Weaver, 12 DeSoto, 

 and 11 Rollingstone seedlings. Of these there were only three which were considered 

 equal or superior to the best named varieties under test. These have been named 

 and are herewith described : — 



Don, Wolf seedling. — Planted in orchard, fall of 1895 ; tree hardy and vigorous ; 

 fruit large, roundish ; suture a distinct line, not depressed ; colour uniformly deep, 

 lively red all over ; dots numerous, small, yellow, distinct ; bloom moderately heavy ; 

 flesh deep yellow, juicy, firm, with a sweet, rich flavour ; skin thick, and tough ; 

 stone medium size, oval, somewhat flattened, cling ; quality, very good. Ripe Septem- 

 ber 28, 1901, and September 27, 1900. Thought to be the best late Americana plum 

 yet fruited here. 



Caro, Wolf seedling. — Planted in orchard fall of 1895 ; tree hardy and vigorous ; 

 fruit very large, roundish ; suture fairly distinct, not depressed ; colour bright red, 

 showing yellow in patches ; dots numerous, yellow, distinct ; bloom light ; flesh deep 

 yellow, juicy, with a sweet, rich flavour ; skin thick, moderately tender ; stone large 

 with an oval outline, but considerably flattened. Ripe September C, 1901, and Septem- 

 ber 10, 1900. More attractive than Wolf and better in quality. 



Bouncer, Yosemite Purple seedling. — Planted in orchard fall of 1895 ; tree hardy 

 and vigorous ; fruit very large, roundish ; suture a distinct line, not depressed ; col- 

 our a uniformly deep purplish red all over ; dot3 numerous, yellow, distinct ; bloom 

 moderately heavy ; flesh deep yellow, juicy, with a sweet, rich flavour ; skin thick and 

 tough ; stone large, flat, cling ; quality very good. Ripe September 10, 1901, and 

 September 22, 1900. 



A promising seedling plum of the domestica group named Amaryllis (No. 219) 

 was received from Mr. Aug. Dupuis, Village des Aulnais, P.Q. It was a medium 

 sized yellow plum of very good quality. 



CHERRIES. 



The cherry crop was a failure this year, the flower buds having been killed by 

 winter. There has not been a full crop of cherries here since 1898, so that although 

 the stocks and wood are hardy, the winters, as a rule, appear too severe for the fruit 

 buds. The wood of the Morello cherries wintered well, as usual, but the Bigarreau, 

 which are tender here, were killed nearly to the ground. The Dukes were not quite 

 so badly affected, although they were much injured. The trees made good growth 

 this year. 



GRAPES. 



The grape vines were uncovered on May 8, and it was found that they had win- 

 tered well. There was a fine show of bloom at blossoming time and it was thought 

 that the crop would be a heavy one, but the wet weather which set in was very un- 



