.The Canadian Horticulturist. 107 



Black Barbarossa Grape. 



6^4. Sir, — Please tell me where I can obtain the Black Barbarossa grape, as I don't 

 see it offered for sale by any grower. I would like to have your opinion as to its hardiness 

 and adaptability to the Canadian climate ; also how it acts under glass ? I have just built 

 a vinery and would give it a place among others if its worth while. 



Reply by Prof. L. H. Bailey^ Cornell University. 



Black Barbarossa is one of ihe Vinifera class, and is only adapted to culti- 

 vation under glass in the north. I do not know who handles it, but should 

 write EUwanger & Barry for it. 



Plums and other Fruits in Wellington. 



Sir, — As I have not written to the Horticulturist for a long time, I will now ask 

 your indulgence for a few remarks anent the destruction of plums in this neighborhood 

 (North Wellington) last winter. As there seems to be no report about it, so far as I can 

 learn, I would say the damage done was extensive, about 75 per cent, being killed to the 

 ground. The Lombards suffered most, and, were it not that the young unbearing trees 

 shared the same fate as the bearing ones, I would blame its heavy-bearing propensity as 

 thecause of its being more attacked than others. However, it must be remembered that 

 it is more extensively grown here than any other variety. The following varieties were 

 killed with me : Lombard, Yellow Gage, Jefferson, Niagara, Saratoga, Shipper's Pride, 

 Glass' Seedling, General Hand, Washington and German Prune. 



The following were uninjured : Pond's Seedling, Duane Purple, Smith's Orleans, and 

 Damson. I might remark that I consider the Smith's Orleans the best all-round plum that 

 I know of ; it is hardy, a good bearer, of good quality to eat out of hand or to preserve, 

 and large in size. I ought to say that some people attribute the death among our plums 

 as being caused by the trees shedding their leaves the summer before, and had to go to the 

 wall by weakened vitality. This view seems to have truth on ite side, as the trees have 

 lived through more severe winters than last one. 



It is now about twelve years since a disease killed off a large number of our best plums- 

 It happened in summer, when the trees were loaded with fruit. The leaves dropped off, 

 and the plums rotted on the trees ; likewise, a very disagreeable smell was emitted from 

 the diseased sap. I for one looked in vain for a solution of the mystery from you wise 

 men of the Horticulturist, but they either had not heard of it, or did not take enough 

 interest in the matter. It may be of use to those who may purchase plum trees, to know 

 what sorts are most subject to black knot. The following kinds I have had for years 

 without any sign of it, viz. : Pond's Seedling, Duane's Purple, Smith's Orleans, Yellow 

 Gage, and Jefferson. The Lombard, Damson and Saratoga are so much subject to it, that 

 they should never be planted. 



I must not omit to state that the much lauded Pearl gooseberry turned out to be 

 nothing more nor less than the Downing, with me and others. Mr. Smith may have made 

 a mistake in digging up the Downing in place of the Pearl. 



F. W. PoRTKR, Mount Forest. 



Note. — Mr. Smith tells us that when the Pearl is allowed to oveiload, the berries are 

 not larger than Downing, which they much resemble, but that it excels all its competitors 

 in productiveness. 



