THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST. 



credit of having ultimated a race of 

 apples precisely suitable to our climate 

 — being of a similar character — and we 

 are always liberal to give credit to 

 whom credit is due. Russian apples 

 are of comparatively recent introduction 

 (thanks to the United States Bureau of 

 Agriculture). 



I have now in my collection six 

 varieties, viz.: — Red Astrakhan,* Alex- 

 ander, Duchess of Oldenburg, Tetofski, 

 Grand Sultan and White Transparent, 

 all of . which are very satisfactory — 

 hardy, healthy, prolific and abundant 

 biennial beaiers. 



The Alexander takes well in the 

 market from its large size and fine ap- 

 pearance. The Tetofski, although of 

 recent introduction, takes well, and is 

 highly prized for its fine flavor for 

 culinary purposes, especially in making 

 jelly, at least the ladies, who are the 

 best judges in these matters, say so, 

 thinking they are superior to the ordin- 

 ary Czar for that purpose. The Duchess 

 of Oldenburg is not behind, and, al- 

 though rather acid, is nevei-theless 

 highly appreciated. Sugar is cheap 

 (thanks to our Government). Mallic 

 acid and sacharine form a fine healthy 

 combination — all acid fruits being bet- 

 ter fitted for preserves than sweet ones. 

 The White Transparent, which the Fruit 

 Growers' Association has very judi- 

 ciously disseminated, will certainly be 

 an acquisition, and will be a strong 

 rival to some of the others of the same 

 genera. The Grand Sultan I cannot 

 say much of, having only a few speci- 

 mens on the tree. Yours truly, 



Simon Roy. 



Berhn, Aug. 17, 1886. 



* The Red Astrakhan, although called a Russian 

 variety, was introduced into Britain in 1818 from 

 Sweden, and may have no scientific or botanical 

 connection with the Central Russian variety Pyrus 

 Malus, The habit of the tree and the distinct char- 

 acter of the fruit being different would naturally 

 Slace the origin of that apple to that locality, as no 

 oubt all our other summer apples have their origin 

 from the same place. 



RASPBERRY NOTES. 



BY T. C. ROBINSON, OWEN SOUND. 



First to ripen this year came the 

 Hansell. I consider it very valuable 

 for market purposes. Like Highland 

 Hardy it is not a vigorous grower, and 

 in taste as well as appearance it resem- 

 bles the common wild raspberry. Hence 

 I do not expect it to be popular in the 

 garden of the amateur. But the berry 

 is of good size with me, as thick as 

 Cuthbert, but not so long. The color 

 is most beautiful. It tastes almost as 

 good as Turner, and is very firm. The 

 plant gives a good crop with fair manur- 

 ing and cultivation, seems uncommonly 

 hardy, and it is the earliest raspberry 

 I have tested. I know of no other 

 variety that comes up to this grade of 

 excellence for early market, and have 

 rooted out Highland Hardy in its favor. 



Turner comes in less than a week 

 after Hansell, and is preferable for 

 home use for its sweetness, extra hardi- 

 ness, and ability to thrive under neg- 

 lect. But I doubt if it bears any more 

 than Hansell, and the berries are far 

 softer, unfitting it for a distant market. 

 The canes are generally smooth, and 

 very large and strong. 



Superb is rejected here for poor color, 

 poor quality and tendency to crumble. 



Crimson Beauty is a nasty weed 

 which I can scarcely speak of with 

 patience. Soft, small, sour and unpro- 

 ductive. Few fence corner wild rasps 

 but excel it. 



Cuthbert stands easily as the king of 

 the raspberry family on my grounds. 

 Large, tine colored, firm, delicious and 

 productive, it will be hard to beat. If 

 it were only as hardy as Turner, I 

 would expect nothing better in the 

 next decade, but it is hardy enough to 

 stand the most of our Owen Sound 

 winters. It is quite late in season of 

 ripening. 



Marlboro' has borne a little fruit on 

 one year plants. It does not seem aa 



