38 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETr. 



much more hardy than the Baldwin and Greening, and cannot there- 

 fore be grown far north. If Russets are desired, therefore, in those 

 sections, that of western New York must be chosen. When we 

 come to amateur apples, that is, apples grown only for home use, 

 the old American Golden Russet and Hunt Russet are the ones to 

 choose for the east, though it would not be a bad thing to try the 

 Egyptian or Bagby Russet of southern Illinois, a good keeper, even 

 there, and of such high, rich flavor that it has been called the best 

 of all the russets. Like the Hunt and old American, it is only of 

 medium size, but the tree is productive. 



Among russets that are not keepers, but are of the highest quality 

 as dessert fruit, and are quite hard}' far north, (though not stricth" 

 " iron clad,") we would like to call attention to two sorts which we 

 have growing in our own grounds. The}- are both Canadian in 

 their oiigin, unless, indeed, they came originally from France. One 

 is the Whitney Russet, a thrifty variety, fruit medium size, yellow, 

 with thin russetting, and an occasional shade of crimson in the sun. 

 Downing has this as a keeper, which cannot be correct, as it is a 

 fall apple in northern Vermont. In qualit}' it can hardly be sur- 

 passed. The other is the Bourassa, (pronounced Boo-ra-saw,) 

 which is a very poor grower when root-grafted, but does well top- 

 worked on a strong stock, and then produces bountifully of apples 

 varying remarkably in size on the same tree, but all with a dark 

 russet coat and a rich crimson cheek. In quality- the Bourassa 

 leaves nothing to be desired, being, when well grown, rich, soft- 

 fleshed, and very pear-like in qualit}^ Its season is September. 



Discussion. 

 Hon Z. A. Gilbert, Secretary of the Board of Agriculture, was 

 called upon, and in reply, said : While I think there are many 

 points in the first paper by Dr. Hoskins deserving attention, I 

 hardly know what one it will be most profitable to discuss at this 

 time. There is, however, one point which at this moment suggests 

 itself as worthy of consideration ; and that is. his reference to the 

 Russian apples. I was especially pleased with the remark that for 

 long keeping varieties we must look to our own seedlings, and not 

 to the varieties of Russian origin. He has experimented with the 

 latter enough to make his opinion of great value, — and it corres- 

 ponds with the experience of others. 



