THE CANADIAN' HORTICULTUUIST. 15 



Bonne d'Ezee, if our memory serves us correctly. Tliis variety had 

 not been extensively disseminated, and conse([uently was but little 

 known. It is classed as j^ood to very good in (quality, ripening from 

 September to October. Who is to blame for this attempt to put off 

 an old variety by giving it a new name we can not tell. 



(2.) What is the character and value of the Lady Apple? It is being brought to 

 tl»e attention of planters just now by the tree agents, and I would like to know what 

 is its claim, if any, to public attention. 



The Lady Apple is an old variety, of French origin, that has been 

 in cultivation in America for half a century. The fruit is very small, 

 with a smooth glossy skin, bright yellow in the shade, but having a 

 most brilliant red cheek on the sunny side. The flesh is white, crisp, 

 juicy, and of a mild jjleasant flavor. It is in demand during the 

 winter, and especially during the holiday season, in the large cities, 

 such as Xew York and Philadelphia, for table decoration and as a 

 dessert fruit, on account of its small size and great beauty. When 

 selected with care,*so as to be free from all blemishes, it brings some- 

 times as much as fifteen dollars per barrel in New York ; yet, in the 

 writer's experience, it is very apt to be affected with the same black 

 spots that appear on the Snow apple, which sadly mar its beauty, and 

 make it quite unsaleable. The tree is an abundant bearer every other 

 year. 



(3.) Has the Beaconsfield Grape proved to be the same as the Champion? 



We received a letter from a gentleman residing in Montreal in 

 which he says that after testing it as grown near Montreal with 

 samples received from Ontario, he is perfectly satisfied of its identity. 

 We are also informed that a large number of Champion Vines were 

 bought up about Charlotte and Rochester last spring and shipped to 

 Montreal. Mr. L. W. Decker, whose vines Mr. Menzies claims are 

 identical with his Besconsfield, says, " I bought my first Champion 

 vines in 1871, from Shanley and Gallagher. This is the same Gallagher 

 who is now in the Beaconsfield scheme with Menzies." 



(4. ) Is the Champion really a valuable grape, and how does it compare in quality 

 with the Hartford Prolific or the Concord ? 



In the climate of western Ontario, where the Hartford Prolific and 

 Concord ripen well and regularly every year, the Champion will not 

 prove to be a profitable grape, on account of its comparatively inferior 

 (quality. There are much better grapes which ripen as early, and these 



