The Canadian Horticulturist. 



225 



THE GIBB CRAB. 



Sir, — Last season I was persuaded to set out a good many Gibb crab apple trees. Can 

 vou tell me whether the Gibb has any better qualities than Hyslop, Montreal or Toronto 

 Beauty? (i. W. Keebee, Agassiz, B.C. 



HIS hybrid, or supposed hybrid, Siberian crab, was intro- 

 duced into the Province of Quebec some fifteen years ago, 

 by the late Chas. Gibb, of Abbotsford, in whose honor it 

 was named by the originator, Mr. G. P. Peffer, of Pewaukee, 

 Wis. Mr. Gibb says : " It is a seedHng of the Siberian, 

 fertihzed by Fall Greening. The fruit is large in size, aver- 

 aging two inches across by an inch in depth. I have grown 

 specimens which were three inches in diameter. The skin is yellow, with a 

 blush of dull red on one side. Flesh, remarkably yellow, crisp, and juicy, with 

 a rich mingling of acidity and sweetness. Its astringency is hardly perceptible 

 unless specially looked for. The flesh is quite firm, but breaking — though not 

 melting — until it becomes mellow and ceases to be crisp. Its thinness of skin 

 and sprightliness of flavor are Siberian characteristics, which make it a favorite. 

 It has borne heavily with me for the last four years, and is my favorite canning 

 crab. It is as yellow as a Crawford peach, and has much of the richness of a 



\ .V. 



Fig. 53. — Gibb Crab. 



Fig. 54. -Orange Crab. 



plum of the Yellow Gage type, yet too sweet for constant use. Season, from 

 September 15 to 30th." In the IViscofisin Horticulturist for 1884 this is classed 

 among the "six best crabs." Wherever this has been introduced in the Pro- 

 vince of Quebec it is highly esteemed as a canning crab. It is thinner skinned 

 and much less astringent than either Hyslop or Montreal Beauty, in fact, less 



