[SAUNDERS] FRUITrGROWING IN THE NORTHWEST ISS 



In 11 gai'den at Moi'den, in southern Manitoba, I saw growing in the 

 summer of 1895 several specimens of Transecndani crabs and of a small 

 variety of ap})le which was probably a seedling. Transcendant crabs were 

 also seen in the garden of Mr. A. P. Stevenson, of JSTelson, near Morden ; 

 but in both these localities protection and shelter of a most exceptional 

 character Avas afforded by neighbouring woods. The height above sea 

 level is also much less here than at Brandon. The Transcendant crab 

 has also been ripened in gardens in Winnipeg. 



On the flat prairie farm at Indian Head, N.W.T., similar experiments 

 to those at Brandon have been conducted — some of them on the exposed 

 plain, others in the shelter of belts of young trees or hedges — and all 

 these have likewise failed. The only variety of crab which has succeeded 

 and endured the climate without injury, both at Brandon and Indian 

 Head, is the berried Pyrus. Pyrus baecata, a very hardy species from 

 Siberia, the fruit of which is very small, not much larger than a cherry. 

 Efforts are now being made to improve this crab in size and quality, by 

 cross-fertilizing it with the hardiest sorts of apples and the larger crabs. 

 Nearly 200 of these cross-bred sorts have been produced, and have 

 been planted in a closely set orchard at the Central l^xperimental Farm, 

 for test. Judging from the experience which has been had with other 

 cross-bred fruits, it is expected that, among these many varieties, some 

 will be found with larger and improved fruit, likely to be hardy and of 

 value to the settlers on the Northwest plains. This work is now being- 

 enlarged and many additional crosses with the hardiest sorts of apples 

 obtainable have been made during the present year. 



The wild plum and the sand cherry are the most valuable and promis- 

 ing of the native fruits belonging to the genus. Primus, and efforts to Avar d s 

 the improvement of both of these are in progress along similar lines. 



The three wild fruits named, all of Avhich are quite hardy in Mani- 

 toba and the Northwest Territories, are subject to a considerable amount 

 of A^ariation in regard to the size and quality of their iruit. The trees of 

 Pyrus baecata aurantiaca as raised from seed, bear fruit varying in size 

 from that of a large raarroAvfat pea to above that of a large cherrj^, and 

 in colour, from j'ellow to bright red. » 



The wild plum also varies ranch in size, colour and quality, some 

 trees producing red fruit and others yellow, and Avhile some of the fruit 

 possesses A'ery little astringenc}^, other samples are scarcely edible. 



The sand cherry is subject to similar variation, bushes being occasion- 

 ally found with fruit of more than double the size of the ordinary form, 

 with a lai-ger proportion of pulp to stone and Avith a superior quality 

 of flesh. As a rule, the fruit is black, but occasional yelloAv A-ai'ieties are 

 found Avhich jjossess fair quality. 



When fruits are thus subject to very free variations under natural 

 conditions, Ave may expect still greater gradations in character Avhere the 



