55 



Charlottenthaler, Bed Asti-acliaii and Duchess ; and while many growers south of us 

 speak of the Russian varieties as being of little value, those north will continue to 

 sing their praises, for the reason that the trees will survive the cold winters and 

 ripen their fruits before the early frosts. 



The noi'th is essentially the home of the Eussian apple; and when we come to 

 consider that many of the varieties lately imported were selected from Northern 

 and Central Eussia, where apple-growing is made a commercial industry in a 

 climate much colder than our own, being in a latitude six hundred miles farther 

 north than the city of Quebec, we can readily understand the possibility of extending 

 the area of apple culture in the Dominion much farther north than it was possible 

 to do with our old varieties. Hence their value to us, and climates of like 

 character. 



The Duchess of Oldenburg has, for a number of years, been generally cultivated, 

 and so widely popular has this variety become for its productiveness and hardiness, 

 that it is often referred to as a standard in comparison with other varieties ; and 

 yet, among the later importations there are several varieties quite as productive, 

 and even more hardy than the Duchess. This is not only my experience, but others 

 as well. 



A test case of 65 varieties was given by Mr. Gibb in a paper read at Quebec 

 two years ago, in which he said : 



"To test the hardiness of the Eussian apple trees, at their worst, in bleak open 

 prairie exposure, at the Minnesota State Experimental Station at St. Anthony, near 

 Minneapolis, 65 varieties were planted. The soil was rich; and under good culture 

 they made a growth, in 1886, up to 20 and even 26 inches, which, however, ripened 

 well before winter. 



" The winter of 1886-8'7 was unusually severe. Not one variety started from 

 its terminal buds. 



" Sixteen varieties lost 1 inch or less of growth. Duchess killed back some- 

 times to old wood, but usually started buds from the base of the new wood. The 

 verdict was — 16 varieties hardier than Duchess." 



This test was a more severe trial than anything we can give in the same 

 latitude, owing to the fact that after making a forced growth through high cultiva- 

 tion they were subjected to an exposure that we do not experience in our elevated 

 and hilly country. 



We have on exhibition to-day the Arabka — with us, a midwinter fcuit of good 

 size and attractive in appearance, but coarse in texture ; and like many other of the 

 Eussian apples, will prove a profitable market variety. The tree is hardy, produc- 

 tive, and an early bearer. 



Among the Eussian varieties that have fruited so far, we have failed to find 

 what we have long been in search of, and that is, a long keeper of really good 

 quality. Many of the most promising could be greatly improved by crossing with 

 some of the best long-keeping varieties of good quality which are not suflS.ciently 

 hardy for our needs. 



This is a work that should be entered upon at an early date by our Experi- 

 mental Stations. 



" Our friends of the United States are ahead of us in this respect, as they have 

 already entered upoQ this work. 



During the past season several of the State Experimental Stations have 

 poUenized some of the hardiest of the Eussians with old varieties of better quality, 

 with what results time will tell. In any case, we are likely to share the benefit of 

 their experiments; but it is a work that we, too, should enter upon, and be in a 

 position to provide, from our own resources the needs of our country. 



I have confined myself thus far to the Eussian apple, with the view, and belief, 

 that it will fulfil, to a large extent, the requirements of the more exposed parts of 

 the Dominion ; but I do not feel as sanguine in regard to the Eussian pear, plum and 

 cherry — ^pai'tly for the reason that I have seen less of these frnits than the apple, 

 and partly from the fact that what I have seen is less encouraging. True, many of 



