Section IV., 1890. [ 131 ] Teans. R. S. C. 



VII. — Fast Experiences and Future Prospects of Fruit-groiving 

 in the Canadian Korthwest. 



By Wm. Saunders. LL.D., F.L.S., F.O.S., etc., 



Director of Dominion Experimental Farms, 



(Read May 22, 1896.) 



The Northwest phiins of the Dominion, which have become so noted 

 for their fertility and for the tine quality and abundance of the cereals 

 they produce, have as yet contributed but little to the needs of the 

 settlers in the way of fruits. The species native to the countr}^ are not 

 very numerous, and while some of them are widel}^ disseminated, others 

 are comparatively limited in their distribution. 



The wild crab apple, Pyrus coronaria^ has not been found anywhere 

 in Manitoba or the Territories. Among the species of the genus Prunus 

 which occur in that country, the wild plum. Prunus americana, is per- 

 haps the most important. This occurs in ditferent parts of Manitoba 

 and is common in the valley of the Assiniboine River and in other river 

 valleys in the southern parts of that province. 



The bird, or pin cherry, Primus Pennsylvanica, is found all through 

 the plains to the Rocky Mountains ; but in the blutfs and wooded regions 

 in that country' it is commonly a shrub and rarely grows higher than 8 to 

 10 feet. It bears an abundant crop, but the fruit is very small and the 

 'stone or pit disproportionately large. It is. however, collected and prized 

 by the settlers, who convert it into a vevy palatable jelly for table use. 



The western choke cherry, Prunus demissa. ?, is also found on the 

 western plains ; but there it does not usually grow to greater dimensions 

 than those of a large shrub. Macoun states " that this species extends 

 across the entii^e continent, and is found as far north as Lat. 62 on the Mac- 

 kenzie River.'" He also says " that on the southern prairie, amongst sand 

 and along river banks, it produces fruit which vies in sweetness with the 

 far-famed ' Saskatoom ' berries f)f the Plains Indians." 



The sand or dwarf cherry. Prunus pumila, is also a native of the fat- 

 west. It is found in many parts of Manitoba, is common about the Lake 

 of the Woods, and is said by iMacoun to occur "on the prairies to about 

 the 108th meridian and has been found as far north as Prince Albert." 



As representing the genus Pibes, there are two forms of the wild 

 black currant, one yellow flowering, P. fioridum, and the other white 

 flowering, P. Hudsonianum. These are both found in coulées and ravines 

 in the prairie region and northward throughout most of the settled 

 country. In similar localities there iire also found two species of the 

 small, smooth gooseberry, the fruit of which, in both cases, is black 



