120 ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
built, and the fruit is very firmly attached to the branches. They are 
hence well fitted to endure the strong winds which sometimes prevail 
on the open plains. The fruit, however, is very inferior in quality 
and very small, about the size of a cherry. (See fig. 1.) 
Having found in this species a tree with 
the degree of hardiness desired, experiments 
were undertaken with the object of increasing 
the size and improving the quality of the fruit 
by cross-fertilizing it with some of the hardiest 
and best varieties of apples grown in Ontario. 
The first experiments made in 1894 were with 
the Tetofsky, Duchess and Wealthy, and, as 
opportunity offered, other sorts have been used 
and thus this work has been gradually ex- 
tended. Thus far the introduction of the 
blood of the larger apples has not appreciably 
lessened the hardiness of the trees, and all 
the varieties tested at the experimental farms, 
both at Brandon and Indian Head, have passed 
through the winters uninjured. ; 
In the character of the foliage, colour of the wood and form of 
growth of the cross-bred trees, there is much variation, some resem- 
bling the varieties of cultivated apples used as the male, while others 
are more like the wild form of the female. More than fifty of these 
cross-bred sorts have fruited, and nine or ten of them are of such 
size and quality as to justify their propagation for more general 
distribution. 
Among these the following are worthy of special mention: 
Charles. Pyrus baccata female, with Tetofsky male, planted in 
orchard at one year from seed, April 28th, 1896. The tree has grown 
rapidly and wintered well. In the spring of 1899 it bloomed freely. 
The flowers were deep pink in bud, large when open, pinkish-white, 
petals wide. The fruit set well and ripened about September 3rd. 
Size of fruit 1°/,, inches across and 1°/,, inches deep, distinctly 
ribbed, calyx persistent. Colour a uniform yellow and very attrac- 
tive. Flesh yellow, solid, crisp, juicy, with a pleasant flavour, mildly 
acid and very slightly astringent. Skin rather thin, fruit bakes well. 
Pioneer. Pyrus baccata, female, with Tetofsky, male. Planted in 
orchard as a yearling tree, April 28th, 1896. It has grown rapidly 
and it blossomed freely in the spring of 1899. The blossoms were 
pink in bud, large and pure white when open, petals wide. The fruit 
set well and was ripe September 21st. 

Fig. 1. 
-PYRUS BACCATA. 
