The Canadian Horticulturist. 3^5 



" We have used the Crosby, but so far, I am not very favorably impressed 

 with it." 



" What objection do you find to it ? " 



" With young trees, it does not get large enough, and does not color up 

 quite so nicely as some. We have planted it largely, however, and it may do 

 better when the trees get larger." 



" What three varieties would you recommend a beginner to plant ? " 

 " We cannot cut it down to three varieties and cover the season." 

 " What would be the best one-halt dozen varieties then ? " 

 " Of course, much will depend on the location ; but on general principles, 

 in a peach-growing district, I think that the following list would be about as 

 good as I could give off hand. I would cut out the white, or clingstones, 

 entirely, in so small a list : Early St. John, Early Crawford, Elberta, Late Craw- 

 ford, Lemon and Smock." 



RUSSIAN PEARS. 



The most highly recommended of the Russian pears of the Budd-Gibb 

 importation is Bessemianka (seedless). At the meeting of the American 

 Pomological Society, last fall, in Boston, all who had tested these pears agreed 

 as to its entire hardiness, and placed Sapieganka next. Fortunately, this also 

 is reported to be very good in quality. Both are of medium size, the trees good 

 growers, and most are said to come early to bearing. I have some forty trees 

 of these and other sorts from Russia and Poland. Not all are strictly iron-clad 

 in our " test winters," in fact, Bessemianka seems to be the only one utterly 

 untouched by 40° below zero. But Sapieganka is only slightly hurt, while 

 several others are likely to succeed fairly well. Bessemianka is a free, upright 

 grower; yearling trees set in the spring of 1885 being now from six to nine feet 

 high. As Mr. Gibb had fruit on Bessemianka last year, and mine bloomed this 

 season, it would seem that they are, as reported, early to come to bearing. 

 Sapieganka is the reverse of Bessemianka in being a low, straggling grower, 

 though vigorous. It is distinguished, also, by its red leaf-stalks. The leaves of 

 most of these pears are thick and glossy, though less so than the Chinese pears. 

 — Vick's Magazine for August. 



