DOUBTFUL FRUITS. 61 



During- that year a large number of Eastern European or 

 hardy Russian varieties were planted till over five hundred 

 trees of ninety different varieties were growing with various 

 degrees of promise, the larger number being- one and two year 

 old trees ; surely now, I thought, out of all these varieties 

 some will possess the necessary hardiness to stand our trying- 

 climate. The first tree to carry fruit was a variety named 

 Blushed Calville; this is a summer variety, the best specimens 

 measuring 10^ inches in circumference and of fine dessert 

 quality, color pale yellow, no blush. 



The following- year Lieby, Anisette, Wealthy, Little 

 Hat, Silken Leaf, Ostrekoff and Simbrisk No. 1, all carried 

 fine specimens of fruit. Last spring- ten varieties were more 

 or less covered with bloom, but a late frost on May 23rd 

 blasted all hopes of much fruit. The above is a summary of 

 my experience with the large or Standard variety of apples. 



CRAB APPMS. 



In reviewing briefly my experience with crab apples the 

 prospects of success brightens considerably. I look upon the 

 growing of this fruit with us as being beyond the trial stage. 

 Our crop in 1896 was seven barrels, one tree alone yielding 

 over one barrel. In size, appearance, and quality the fruit 

 was far superior to any of the Eastern grown varieties offered 

 on the market here. Thirteen different varieties have been 

 grown here, a few have gone to the brush pile ; of those left 

 the most hardy and prolific bearers are Transcendent, Hyslop, 

 Sweet Russett, Virginia, General Grant, and Whitney. The 

 latter is a Hybrid and is sometimes classed as a small apple. 



PLUMS. 



We early made a failure of trying to grow the large Blue 

 of the Eastern Provinces up here. The Russian Plums plant- 

 ed in 1890 promised better ; six of the so called hardiest vari- 

 eties were tried, but in three years they were all on the brush 

 pile. 



