DIVISIOX OF HORTICULTURE 625 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



DATES OF BLOOMING OF DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF APPLES. 



In pianting or laying out a young orchard, the question of the system of arrang- 

 ing the different varieties is one of the important considerations. It is known that 

 certain varieties of apples are practically self-sterile, and in fact, some investigators 

 have gone so far as to state that very few varieties of apples are self-fertile to any 

 extent. This opens up the question, therefore, of whether it is really advisable to 

 plant large blocks of only one variety of fruit; or whether it is not better to have two 

 or three varieties in the same area. Of course, there are many large blocks of a single 

 variety which are bearing excellent crops, thus showing that these single variety areas 

 can, in some cases, yield good results. On the other hand, one variety areas have been 

 known never to produce a really profitable crop, while in the same neighbourhood, a 

 number of trees of the same variety planted among other varieties have continually 

 produced profitable yields. The conclusion, therefore, is that while some varieties 

 are capable of self-pollination under field conditions, other varieties are not capable 

 of such to a profitable extent. 



To date, comparatively little is known regarding which varieties are, and which 

 are not, capable of self-fertilization, so that there is no very accurate key or list to 

 which a grower can turn to obtain information on this point. Some information 

 will be found in that part of this report dealing with plant breeding. It is known 

 that practically any commercial variety of apples will cross with or fertilize any other 

 variety. This then sttggests the planting in close proximity of those varieties which 

 bloom together, that is come into full bloom on the same day. It will be readily 

 seen that a variety which does not come into bloom until a day or so after another 

 particular variety, stands less chance of being fertilized by that variety, than if they 

 had both bloomed on the same day. As notes on the dates of blooming have been 

 taken at the Central Farm for a number of years, a source of information is at hand 

 which will give a good idea as to the difference in the dates of blooming of early and 

 late varieties. 



Following is a table, showing the date when each variety began to bloom, when in 

 full bloom and w^ien out of bloom during the last five years. 



Ottawa. 



