102 Archhold on the failure of the Apple Tree 



culties of various kinds are easily evaded by either of these ex- 

 treme vifews; but with the fact before him of specific diversity and 

 its manifestly long continuance on the one hand, and the remark- 

 able migrations of some species on the other, the true naturalist 

 must be content to work out the problems presented to him with 

 the data afforded by the actual observation of nature, following 

 carefully the threads of guidance thus indicated, not rudely 

 breaking them by too hasty generalisations. 



ARTICLE VIT. — On the failure of the Apple Tree in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Montreal. — A communication to the Committee 

 of the Natural History Society of Montreal. By Joun 

 Archbold. 

 The failure of the apple trees in the neighbourhood of Montreal, 

 and I believe in all the Island, is a sad calamity as regards do- 

 mestic luxury, as well as in a commercial point of view. I have 

 seen Montreal, in its palmy days of apple-growing, export its 

 thousands of barrels of Pomraes Crises, Bourassas, and Fameuses. 

 These were the principal sorts sent to Europe, the refuse of which, 

 as well as the great quantities of wild apples, that is apples 

 from seedlings, always found a ready market at Quebec and the 

 ports below it, at remunerative prices. With these facts clearly 

 before us, it is not to be wondered at that strict enquiry should 

 be made by all who feel the least interest in the culture of the 

 apple, as to the cause of its decay. I have been a resident in 

 Montreal since 1832, and for the last twenty -five years have 

 lived on the south-eastern slope of the Mountain, on the Cote 

 St. Antoine road, and have acted in the capacity of gardener at 

 Mount Pleasant, the then residence of the late Joseph Savage, 

 Esq.; also at Rosemount, the residence of the Hon. John Young, 

 and subsequently at Forden, the residence of Capt. R. T. Raynes, 

 and of the late Charles Bowman, Esq. ; one of the most zealous 

 friends and supporters of Horticulture, in his day, that Montreal 

 could boast of. All these places were noted for the production 

 of fine varieties of the apple, the pear, and the plum. The latter 

 place, Forden, in particular, used to yield about fifteen years ago, 

 from 1000 to 1500 lbs. of fruit, but the last three years have made 

 sad havoc with the trees, and unless some reaction in the growth 

 takes place, there will not be one of the old trees living three 

 years hence. I noticed the decline of some sorts of the apple 



