186 HORTICULTURE, FORESTRY, FLORICULTURE 



ment of the botanical relationships of the crabs will suffice our pur- 

 pose here. The Siberian or true crab-apple belongs to the species 

 Pyrus bacatta, which is a native of Asia. The larger and more im- 

 proved varieties of cultivated crabs are thought to be hybrids of these 

 true crabs and our common apple (Pyrus mains) of Europe. They 

 are generally referred to Pyrus prunifolia, a name used by botanists 

 to designate this race of hybrid apples. Our native American crabs 

 have yielded several cultivated varieties, thus adding to the list apples 

 of a type altogether distinct from the older well known varieties of 

 crab-apples. A number of the small apples of the common apple 

 type (P. malus) are often erroneously spoken of as crabs. In fact, 

 the term crab-apple is often applied to any small apple not adapted 

 for dessert use. In the notes below, we make no attempt to classify 

 the different varieties, but adopt the simple method of treating them 

 in alphabetical order. 



Culture of the Crab. The best culture methods for this group 

 of fruit is not unlike that required by our common varieties of apple. 

 They are not as vigorous in growth, and will therefore need less 

 pruning, and may be planted much closer together than the common 

 apple ; 20 to 25 feet apart each w r ay is a good distance for the trees. 

 Those varieties which belong to the Siberian group, such as Red 

 Siberian and Lake Yellow are upright in habit, and are slower 

 growers than those of the hybrid type, and therefore may be planted 

 even closer than above directed. (Va. E. S. B. 132.) 



A Few of the Better Varieties of Crab-Apples. Blushing Maid 

 Heavy and sure bearer of good quality. Hyslop (America) 

 Beautiful red Crab of fair quality ; productive ; late. Lake Yellow 

 Above medium size, productive, rich and fine quality ; excellent vari- 

 ety. Maiden Blush Fairly good variety; rather large size; fair 

 quality, but light bearer. Montreal Beauty (America) Good bear- 

 er, handsome and of fair quality, though not rich. Quaker Beauty 

 Good quality ; only fairly productive. Queen Very heavy bearer; 

 showy fruit, of fair quality; medium size; late. Red Siberian 

 (France) Well known early variety; one of the best in quality; 

 very productive. Soulard (Missouri) Sure bearer; fairly produc- 

 tive; fruit harsh, astringent. Transcendant (America) Early vari- 

 ety of best quality ; good bearer and showy fruit. Whitney (Illinois) 

 Early variety; fine quality; free from astringency and excellent 

 for eating out of hand. (Va. E. S. B. 128.) 



APPLES ON THE SMALL FARM. 



Gathering the Crop. After the family has been supplied with 

 all the apples needed from the family orchard, there is generally a 

 demand in our markets for all surplus from the time of the earliest 

 ripening throughout the year, and for this reason the farmer should 

 know how to handle this surplus to the best advantage. The proper 

 stage of maturity at which it is best to take the fruit from the tree, 

 if for sale, will be governed somewhat by the distance to the market 

 to be supplied. If near by, and requiring no shipping, the fruit may 

 be left on the tree until nearly mellow, which is the best condition 

 for summer and fall varieties for dessert purposes. But if to be 



