Report of the fruit committee

FIRST REPORT

ERtHT COMMITTEE

MONTREAL

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1876.

PRICE, TWENTY-FIVE CENTS.

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WITNESS" PRINTING HOUSE, ST. JAMES STREET.

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The EDITH and LORNE PIERCE
COLLECTION of CANADI ANA

Queen's University at Kingston

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FIRST REPORT

OF THE

FRtHT COMMITTEE

MONTREAL

ami #©rtliiltiral |§il@lf

1876.

PRICE, TWENTY-FIVE CENTS.

IJtowtradi :

"WITNESS" PRINTING HOUSE, ST. JAMES STREET.
1876.

Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2013

http://archive.org/details/reportoffruitcomOOmont

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At the Annual General Meeting of the Montreal Agricultural
and Horticultural Society, held on the evening of the 22nd
December, 1874, the advisability of publishing a fruit list contain-
ing the names and varieties of fruits suitable for culture in this
section of Canada, was brought before the attention of the meet-
ing by Mr. Chas. Gibb. All present agreed upon the utility of
such a list, but no action was taken. At the next annual meeting
held on the 13th December, 1875, the matter was again brought
before the members with the result of a committee being named
to collect all the information possible relative to the culture of
different fruits, and the varieties which experience has proved to.
be best suited to our climate as well as profitable to the grower.
The Committee was as follows : — Messrs. J. J. Gibb. Captain
Raynes, Capt. Swaile, J. Jordan, S. S. Bain, R. Imrie, J. Middle-
ton, J. S. Murray, M. H. Seymour, Jas. Morgan, jr., Chas. Gibb,
J. Archbold, Wm. Brown, J. H. Springle. James Day, and James
Gorman.

It affords the Committee of Management of the Society great
pleasure to be able to place in the hands of its members and the
public generally, the result of their labors. The most exact
information has been obtained, and no effort has been spared to
make the Work as far as it goes, thoroughly reliable. The Society
are specially indebted to Messrs. Middleton, Archbold, Brown,
Jordan and Spriggings, for the valuable information given by
them, and their regular attendance at the different committee
meetings. Also to Messrs J. E. Guilbault, Capt. Raynes, G. L.
Marler, Wm. Lunn, Archibald Ferguson, and many others, for
much valuable information. Finally, to Messrs. J. H. Springle,
Jas. Morgan, jr., and Chas. Gibb, Secretary of the Fruit Commit-
tee, for their valuable reports, but especially the latter, who has
given a great deal of valuable time, and manifested an interest in
the work for which the Society cannot but feel deeply indebted.
The committee hope that the present fruit list is but the fore-
runner of others fuller and more complete, and that the informa-
tion now given to the public may be found of practical use, and
serve to encourage many to persevere, who, from improper selec-
tion or some other cause, have not been successful in the cultiva-
tion of fruit heretofore.

W. FREDERIC KAY,
HENRY S. EVANS, President.

Secretary and Treasurer .

Montreal, June, 1876.

CONTENTS

Introductory,

Apples, Summer Varieties,
Autumn, "

Early Winter,
Late Winter,

Crabs,

Apples, Extra List,

Crabs, " " - ' -

Pears, Preliminary Essay,
" Catalogue,

Grapes,

Cherries,

Plums,

Finis,

PAGE

5
6

9

12

13

17
iS

20
22

25

■ 33

35

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■ 33

FIRST REPORT

OF THE

Jrotopl j^ricuttut[at and horticultural Xoctetg,

1876.

The first Committee on Fruit, appointed by the Montreal
Horticultural Society, held its first meetings (probably four in
number) at the house of the late George Sheppard, Notre Dame
street, during the winter of 1854. No report was published, as a
result of their general discussions, but a collection of fruits was
painted in water colors in preparation for the P2ris Exhibition.
The second Committee on Fruit was appointed at the General
Annual Meeting of the Society, held in December, 1875. It has
held a series of meetings to discuss the different varieties of
fruits, which have proved best adapted to the neighborhood of
Montreal. The present fruit list is a compilation of the conclu-
sions arrived at during these meetings, and in the course of
subsequent investigations.

A brief description is given of each variety, such as will serve
as a guide to intending planters or propagators. Of some varie-
ties, not already described in the American Horticultural works,
we would have wished to have given full and minute descriptions,
but this is impossible at this season, when the fruit is not before
us.

We would express our obligations to Downing, Warder, and
other authors, for affording us models, as methods of description,
and for enabling us to identify varieties and trace their history.
At the same time, however, all the different descriptions of Apples
and Plums hereinafter given, except of course in the experimen-
tal list, are taken down, word for word, from the different members
at the committee meetings, the Secretary acting merely as a
machine in the matter, so that a truly local report of the condi-
tions as existing here, is the result. The paper on Pears, however,
partakes more of the nature of an individual report, many of the
varieties mentioned having been untried by any other member of
the Committee. In the article on Grapes, the author took much
pains to add experience to his own.

We much regret, through unforeseen circumstances, the non-
appearance of our paper on Small Fruits — a paper so important
to us in this northern climate.

To those in the Province of Quebec, outside Montreal, we
would say that, when we state a variety to be hardy in the more
or less sheltered gardens of the city, we do not therefore suppose
it to be equally hardy in the exposed adjacent districts.

6 —

SUMMER VARIETIES (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER).

BLINKBONNY :

This was raised by the late Robert Cleghorn, in Blinkbonny
Garden, between Sherbrooke and Berthelot streets, Montreal, and
what was in all probability the original tree was only cut down
two years ago in the garden in the rear of the house of Mr. C. D.
Proctor. It was bearing fruit at that time. Mr. Cleghorn posi-
tively stated that the tree grew from the seed of the Fameuse. It
looks more like a seedling of the Early Harvest. The tree fruited
as early as 1827, and was propagated soon after. It is a thrifty
grower, forming a spreading open head of medium size ; it is as
hardy as the Fameuse, and bears well every year.

Fruit : Medium to small, oblate or roundish oblate, basin
very shallow, calyx closed, core small. — Skin : Whitish yellow,
often prettily blushed on sunny side. — Flesh : White, rather
firm, moderately juicy, pleasantly sub-acid. Its use is for the table
only. It is not profitable for market, but a tree might be planted
for home use. — Season : From August 25th to September 15th.

DUCHESS OF OLDENBURG :

This is a handsome fruit of Russian origin, and well suited to
our severe climate. It bears often in unfavorable seasons, when
others, alongside of it, fail. It also bears early, sometimes before
it has been taken from its row in the Nursery, and the heaviest
crops do not kill, but only stunt it at worst. The tree is vigor-
ous, and forms a somewhat upright, spreading head, needing
little, if any, pruning. It is thus a valuable variety to grow for
market, or for cooking. For the table it can hardly be recom-
mended, being acid without sweetness or richness. Hence the
sheltered gardens of Montreal do not sing its praises, as those in
the less favored districts of our province, who profit by its hardi-
ness, and fair, even sized fruit.

Fruit : Above medium size, roundish-oblate, beautifully
streaked and splashed with red. — Flesh : White, juicy, somewhat
harshly sub-acid. It ripens not long after Red Astrachan, and
its use is mainly for the market, or the kitchen, and only second-
arily for the table.

EARLY HARVEST :

This tree from its quality, and the early date when it ripens,
is invaluable southwards of us. It is, however, hardly satisfactory

here. In some cases indeed it has appeared quite hardy, and has
borne regular, moderate crops for many years, and shows every
sign of being long-lived. But generally it is found tender in the
nursery, and quite short-lived in the orchard, so as to need frequent
renewal. It bears early, but seldom heavily.

Fruit : Medium, roundish, somewhat oblate. — Flesh : White,
tender, juicy, of a rich, sub-acid taste. It ripens from the tenth of
August, and is valuable for table or kitchen, and therefore a tree
or two should be planted for home use.

EARLY JOE :

After a limited, but fair trial, this variety has proved itself
hardy and fairly long-lived. The tree is small, and therefore very
suitable to garden culture. But it is hard to get, for its growth
is slow and unsatisfactory in the nursery, and therefore nursery-
men avoid it. It bears well and earlv, ripening unevenly, from
September ist to 20th.

Fruit: Below medium size, roundish. — Color: Yellowish,
splashed with red. — Flesh : Yellowish, tender, juicy, rather crisp,
fine grained, high flavored, and decidedly the finest quality of its
season.

IRISH PEACH (Early Crofton) :

Our experience is limited to one tree twelve years planted, but
this variety has proved hardy and satisfactory in the nursery, and
so we mention it in the hope that it may be experimented with,
as a fruit of fine quality, ripening just before Early Joe. It grows
slowly, and forms a spreading head. It bears early, and regularly,
but moderately, every year.

Fruit: Below medium size, roundish-oblate. — Color: Greenish-
yellow, dull red in the sun. — Skin : Smooth and thin. — Flesh :
Yellowish, tender, crisp, juicy, mildly sub-acid, with a vinous
flavor. — Use : Dessert.

KERRY PIPPIN :

This Irish dessert apple has been grown here, to a limited
extent, for forty years. It is hardy and long-lived, and grows
slowly into a spreading head of medium size. It may be planted
close, so it is adapted to gardens. It is an early, heavy and
yearly bearer, ripening during September.

Fruit : From below medium to small, round, yellow, marbled
and splashed with red. — Flesh : Yellowish, very firm, crisp,
juicy, sub-acid, of the first quality. — Use : Dessert.

PEACH OF MONTREAL {Pomme Peche) :

L.Hamel, of St. Hilaire, formerly gardener to the late Col.
De Rouville, states that he remembers this tree in Normandy
fifty years ago ; and it appears indeed to have been imported by
the late Francis Des Rivieres from France, and to have been

— 8 —

first propagated below where Terrace Bank now stands. The
importer's gardener named it " Irish Peach," but it is not known
under that name, nor is it the "Peach," "Irish Peach," or
" American Peach," described by Downing, nor has it been
recognized as any old variety by that author, or by the Committee
on Nomenclature of the American Pomological Society. It has,
in fact, no right to the name " Peach," so perhaps it is best to
call it " Peach of Montreal."

Tree : Extra hardy and long-lived, grows freely in the nursery,
and in the orchard forms a large spreading head ; it bears early,
and in alternation heavy and moderate crops. — Fruit : Above
medium, oblong-conic. — Skin : Greenish-yellow, with reddish
blush, where exposed to the sun. — Flesh : White, tender, juicy,
sub-acid, pleasant. — Quality : Second-rate, or, as some think,
first-rate. — Use : Table, kitchen and market. — Season : Begin-
ning of September. It bruises easily, and shows its bruises; yet,
if carefully handled, it may be grown very profitably for a near
market.

RED ASTRACHAN :

This variety was, says Downing, introduced with the White
Astrachan into England, from Sweden, in 1816. It is a handsome
apple, and, indeed, one of our most valuable fruits. It grows vigor-
ously, forming a large, upright, close head. In some instances, it
proves long-lived, and trees are to be found bearing good crops in
an old age. But, as a rule, it is not thought quite so hardy, or long
lived as the F?meuse, as it is often found to injure at the forks, in
which cases large branches die. Complaints too are made not
only of this decay of large branches, but of its being non-pro-
ductive. In cases, a dry, sandy soil seems the cause to blame.
On deep, gravelly, moist soil, the fruit seems finer and more
abundant, and the tree healthier.

Fruit : Medium in size, crimson, with a lovely bloom. — Flesh :
White, often stained with red, crisp, tender, juicy, and pleasantly
acid.— Use : Table, kitchen, market ; bringing, in the last named,
a higher price per bushel than any other apple, so that they are
almost, if not quite, as profitable per tree as Fameuse. It ripens
from August 15th to September 5 th, and so unevenly, that the
same tree has to be picked over, at first daily, and then twice or
thrice a week for three weeks, which is not a disadvantage in a
perishable fruit for a near market.

ROSEAU (so called):

Mr. J. E. Guilbault states, on the authority of the late Father
Richard, that the Seminary of Montreal imported this tree from
France. If so, this must have been upwards of fifty years ago.
It is not the " Roseau" of Downing, nor probably the " Roseau
d'Automne," nor the " Autumn Rose" of Coxe, as described by
Downing.

— 9 —

Tree : Quite hardy and long-lived, a strong, but moderate
grower, forming an upright, close head of medium size, and an
early, yearly, moderate bearer. — Fruit : Of even, but medium
size, oblate; basin wrinkled. — Color: A very dark red. — Flesh:
White, stained with red, crisp, juicy, sub-acid, rather high
flavored. — Use: Table, market. — Season: September 15th.

WHITE ASTRACHAN :

This is a free-growing, extra hardy, long-lived tree. It forms
a large, but very upright head, and therefore maybe planted close.
It bears early, and to judge from trees twenty years old, is re-
markably productive.

Fruit: Medium in size, roundish, slightly conical in shape. —
Color: Greenish white, with a few very slight tinges of red. —
Flesh : White, tender, but often water-cored, and wanting in
juice and acidity. However, as it ripens five days before Red
Astrachan, and as the tree is very productive, it may, if handled
with very great care, be grown with profit for a near market;
also one tree for home use is desirable. It does well where the
soil is too light and dry for Red Astrachan to thrive on. The
fruit ripens unevenly, but not nearly so unevenly as Red Astra-
chan. When the latter enters the market, White Astrachan
sells only at reduced prices.

AUTUUHT APPLE

ALEXANDER :

This fruit, as its name suggests, is of Russian origin. It is
usually considered hardy and long-lived, though found by some
to tend to decay at the fork?. It bears early, and heavily every
alternate year.

Fruit: Very large and handsome, too coarse and acid for
dessert, but valuable for cooking, and so readily salable that we
do heartily recommend it as one of our most profitable varieties.
For a fall fruit, it keeps and travels well.

CELLINI :

An English variety, said to be a seedling of the Stirling Castle.
It is a strong, vigorous grower, forming an upright, close head.
The tree grows large, bears early, and regularly, although moder-
ately, every year.

Fruit : Large, oblong, even in size, bears carriage well. —
Color : Deep yellow, mottled and blotched with dark red. —
Calyx : Very large and open. — Flesh : Slightly yellow, firm,
crisp, juicy, mildly and pleasantly sub-acid. — Season : September

— 10 —

to end of December. The tree has so far proved profitable, and
is worthy of further trial.

HAWTHORNDEN :

The new shoots formed by these trees yearly are hardy, but
the tree is short-lived, as it dies from overbearing. Tree is small,
and slow of growth, and can be planted ten feet apart, and there-
fore is fit for garden culture. It crops early and heavily.

Fruit : Medium sized, oblate in shape. — Color : White, with
a blush on the sunny side. — Flesh : White, firm, juicy, mildly
acid, and readily salable, mainly for kitchen use, keeping its form
well when cooked. — Season : September to December.

JOHN RICHARDSON (so called) :

This large handsome fruit was imported from England or
Scotland more than forty-five years ago. The original name was
lost, and it was called after the importer.

Tree. — Strong and thrifty in growth, with an upright, though
gradually spreading head ; not early to bear, but bearing a more
than moderate crop regularly every year. — Fruit : Large, at times
very large, but mostly even in size, roundish-oblong. — Color :
Greenish-yellow, mostly covered with stripes and splashes of red.
— Flesh : Yellowish, fine-grained, tender, juicy, mildly sub-acid,
and pleasant in flavor. — Use : Kitchen, market, and perhaps the
table. — Season : September 15th, till November.

KENTISH FILLBASKET :

This variety is a vigorous grower, forming a large spreading
head. It has shown itself quite tenacious of life, and bears early,
and every year more or less.

Fruit : Large to very large, roundish-oblate. — Color : Green-
ish yellow, with a very faint blush. — Flesh : Yellowish white,
firm, coarse-textured, acid. — Use : Kitchen and market, shipping
pretty well to the latter, and always finding a ready sale. Keeps
till December.

KESWICK CODLIN :

This variety is an old English cooking fruit, is pretty hardy and
fairly long-lived. It forms a medium-sized tree of upright growth.

Fruit : Medium to large, somewhat oblong and conical, and
ribbed about the eye. — Flesh : White, tender, juicy, acid. — Use :
The kitchen, for which it hardly has an equal, although it is a
tree not recommended for profit. — Season : It ripens gradually,
and may be used from September 10th to October 10th.

KING OF THE PIPPINS :

This is believed to be true to name, though it is much larger
and more highly colored here, than when grown in England. The
tree is hardy, a strong, vigorous grower, and forms a spreading

— 11 —

head, forced open by the weight of the fruit. It is an early, and
an annually heavy bearer, killing itself with overbearing, so that
it is not long-lived.

Fruit : Large, sometimes very large, and never runs to small,
even when heavily bearing ; when large it is roundish-conic, when
very large oblong-conic. — Color : Yellowish green, mostly
covered with dark red, and slightly marbled. — Calyx : Large and
open. — Flesh : Yellow, firm, juicy, sub-acid. — Season : Septem-
ber ioth to December. — Use : Kitchen and market.

MCGREGOR'S BAKING :

This is a seedling raised by the late John McGregor, over
forty years ago, on his property " Summer Hill," on the Cote des
Neiges road. It grows strongly and vigorously into a large tree
with a spreading head, and bears an early, but moderate crop
every year.

Fruit: — Of medium, even size, oblate form, smooth surface,
and greenish-yellow color. — Flesh : White, crisp, juicy, coarse,
acid. — Use : Kitchen, but salable in the market. — Season : August
25th to September 30th.

ST. LAWRENCE :

Mr. J. E. Guilbault has supplied us with the following strange
history of this well-known tree : The late Samuel Gerrard, when
living in St. Sulpice street, about the year 181 5, on land now occu-
pied by the Parish Church of Notre Dame, had some rotten
apples thrown on his manure heap. This was carted to the gar-
den of the late Henry Shrouder, on ground now owned by Mr.
John Molson, on the corner of Sherbrooke and St. Lawrence.
From these seeds sprang a number of seedlings, of which the St.
Lawrence was one. The original tree is still alive, and bore two
or three bushels last year. The trunk is about twenty inches in
diameter, but only one small branch is left on it. This veteran
tree must have fruited as early as 1828, as buds were taken from
it in 1829 by Mr. Wm. Lunn, under the name of Hogg's Seed-
ling, Mr. Hogg having been probably the gaidener at that place.
The St. Lawrence is hardy and long-lived, attaining a large size,
and therefore not to be planted too close. It is not an early
bearer, but a yearly bearer of moderate crops. Strangely enough
it is, in rare cases, a heavy biennial bearer. It is not as profitable,
and therefore not so much planted as Fameuse.

Flesh : White, very tender, very juicy, fine grained, rich and
luscious. To the south of us, it has been described as second or
third-rate, but here it has none to surpass it as a table apple, not
even the Fameuse.

12

FAMEUSE:

We are unable to throw any more light upon the origin of
this favorite. Many old and valued opinions here incline to the
belief that two distinct apples have been grown under this name.
The Committee do not hold to this view. On the one hand, there
were, many years ago, orchards about Montreal, which bore a
Fameuse colored much less highly, and that in distinct stripes.
It was less salable than the red, and so buds were procured, and
these orchards, when enlarged, were enlarged with the red. But
that the red produces the red, and the striped produces the striped
from the bud, the Committee are not ready to state. On the other
hand, the Red Fameuse will, exceptionally, bear striped apples,
and vice versa, and one apple-grower in Huntingdon County even
affirms that he has the two budded from the same tree.

As to the distinctive marks of the two, after comparing a great
many opinions, it might be said that the Red Fameuse (" Fameuse
Rouge," "the" Fameuse or Snow Apple of Ontario and the
States) is rather the smaller, and more oblate (some few say more
oblong) than the Striped Fameuse (or "Fameuse Barre"). The
former has its flesh firmer, its skin thicker, and it keeps longer.
Some exaggerate these differences, some have never observed
them. Some say the striped is more delicate and high-flavored
and sucre; others that it is insipid in flavor, and greenish-white
in flesh. From this we may conclude that it is the more variable
in flavor. Nearly all think the red the most productive, and all
say it is the most salable, and so profitable. On the other hand, the
Fameuse Barre might well be grown, where the soil brings out
its fine table qualities.

Some apple growers in Missisquoi, Brome, Abbotsford and
Belceil agree in the main with the above-mentioned points of
difference.

The Fameuse is perhaps the best bearer we have, often bear-
ing enormous crops. One tree, which stood in front of the
Montreal General Hospital, once bore 14 barrels, of i\ bushels to
the barrel. These sold at $6 a barrel, or $84 for the crop. The
late John McGregor, of Cote des Neiges road, stated that he had
gathered 22 barrels from one tree.

When orchards covered what is now the upper part of the
City of Montreal, the demand for apples was smaller, and Fameuses
fetched from $2 to $2.50 per barrel, and, on one occasion, 100
barrels, shipped by a party to Quebec in 1837 or 1838, fetched
only $1 a barrel on the wharf.

— 13 —

But, for many years, the price has been steady at $3 to $4 for
a barrel of 3 bushels, without any sign of reduction in years to come.

HOLLAND PIPPIN :

We are not sure, that we have this true to its name. In one
spot there are eight trees, planted twenty years, which have been,
and are, a very satisfactory investment to the owner, having been
hardy and vigorous growers, with fine, open, spreading heads,
and apparently long-lived. It is not an early bearer, and its
heavy crops alternate with light ones.

Fruit : — Large, might perhaps be called very large, nor do they
seem to vary much in size ; is apt to fall if too ripe. — Flesh : White,
pretty firm, bears carriage fairly, although, when bruised, the
bruises show. — Flavor : Sub-acid. — Use : Cooking and market.

HUBBARDSTON'S NON-SUCH :

A limited trial of this " None-such " seems to show that it is
neither hardy nor satisfactory.

MANX'S CODLIN :

This old English variety of Apple has been grown here in a
limited way for many years.

Tree. — Hardy and productive, with open spreading head. —
Fruit : Large, roundish-conic. — Color : Yellowish-red. — Flesh :
yellowish, firm, fine grained, juicy, sub-acid, rather fine flavored.
— Use : Kitchen ; after January for the table, and keeps till Febru-
ary, or even March.

PEARSON'S PLATE :

A celebiated English fruit, imported by the late Henry Corse,
and grown to a very limited extent for forty years.

Tree : — Is very hardy, and lives to a good old age, is a vigorous
grower, forming a spreading, open head of large size. It is not
early to bear, but bears profuse and moderate crops alternately. —
Fruit : below medium, roundish conic. — Color : green. — Flesh :
Yellowish, remarkably juicy, tender and rich. — Use : Table, not
market. — Season : Till October or November.

X.

BLUE PEARMAIN

A strong, but slow grower, forming a large spreading open
head. It is a late, and shy bearer, but seems to bear better
in a heavy soil. A tree or two might be planted for home use.

Fruit : — Large, even-sized and handsome, round. — Color :

— 14 —

Dark purple, on a greenish yellow ground, and finely bloomed. —
Flesh : Yellowish, rather rich and aromatic, and yet having a
mild sub-acid flavor. — Use : Table. — Season : Till April.

BOURASSA :

Some incline to the opinion that this tree is of Canadian origin.
On the other hand, L. Hamel states that it was grown in Nor-
mandy fifty years ago. Like the Pomme Grise it seems to be
" running out." At any rate it is no longer here what it used to
be. The tree is a hardy, crooked grower, never more than me-
dium in size, and needs more than average pruning. It is tardy in
bearing, and produces a very moderate crop (annually) of fruit,
often uneven in size. It was once a good bearer of fruit more
even in size. The fruit shrivels if not kept in a cool, dry cellar,
and occasionally where it rots, tastes bitter. In spite, however,
of what is here said against it, the Bourassa might be very spar-
ingly planted for home use, because it does still bear a certain
amount of good fruit, of handsome appearance, and rich aromatic
flavor.

DOMINE :

This is a pretty hardy tree, a strong, slow grower, and
forms, eventually, an open, rather spreading head, though the
tree is under-sized. It is rather an early bearer, and, every second
year, produces an enormous crop, hanging in clusters, on short
spurs, along the larger branches.

Fruit : Below medium size, oblate, brownish-red. — Flesh :
Yellowish, firm, very crisp, rather juicy, sub-acid, rich and of a
fine and somewhat aromatic flavor. — Use : Dessert, not being very
salable in market. — Season : Till April or May.

GOLDEN RUSSET, (of Western New York):

A quick, but slender grower, forming a large, spreading, round-
ish head, requiring rather constant pruning. The fruit starts from
the ends of the maiden shoots, giving the tree a " weeping''
appearance. It may be known from other varieties, as these
young shoots are covered by numerous small white dots,
which neither the American G'olden Russet, nor the Roxbury,
Perry, Egyptian or English Russets are described as having. It
is an early and moderate yearly bearer, but seems specially sub-
ject to attacks of the Codlin Moth.

Fruit : Medium sized, and even in the size of the fruit. —
Flesh : Yellowish, firm, rather fine grained, juicy, sub-acid.

Useful for all purposes, shipping well, and being exportable
to England. As to profit, it brings the same price per bushel as
Fameuse, but hardly so profitable per tree, as it does not bear so
heavily.

JONATHAN :

Our experience in Montreal extends to one tree sixteen years

- 15-
old, and a number of younger ones. In the nursery, it produces
a rapid growth of slender wood. In the orchard it is spreading,
and well-nigh M weeping " in habit, but even oft the exposed north-
ern slopes of Huntingdon County it has proved not only fruitful,
but hardy and satisfactory in every way, showing it to be adapted
to our northern climate.

Bearing qualities : Rather early and every year (nearly) good.
— Fruit : Below medium size to small — too small, in fact, for the
Montreal market, but being a beautiful little dessert fruit of the
highest quality, keeping till spring, we esteem it most valuable,
and hope it will receive a fair trial.

KING OF TOMPKIN'S COUNTY.

after a limited trial, seems unfitted to reign to this climate.

NORTHERN SPY :

There is a rather general complaint that this tree only bears at
an advanced age, and often dies before it reaches it. We know,
however, of twenty trees, sixteen years planted, which began to
bear in their twelfth year, and are now making a healthy show
for a long life. On the dry, gravelly soil, and exposed northern
slopes of Huntingdon County, it proves hardy and productive, and
not so very tardy in bearing ; hence its failure in sheltered spots
in Montreal may be partly owing to soil and locality. The tree
is very upright, and forms a close head, which must be severely
thinned.

Fruit : Large and uniform in size, at any rate on young trees.
— Color : Greenish-yellow, striped, and often covered with red. —
Flesh: Yellowish, firm, juicy, crisp. — Keeps: Till June. This
is a most valuable fruit. We wish we could recommend the tree
more highly.

POMME GRISE :

There are no legends even about the origin of this fruit. L.
Hamel, alluded to before, states that he knew of it as growing in
Normandy , half a century ago, under the name of Reinette Grise,
and Aug. Juenon, gardener at the Seminary, says tkat he has
seen it grown there under the name of Reinette Grise, or Reinette
Grise du Canada, though those described by Downing
under these names are quite distinct. Once it was
hardy, long-lived, and a good bearer, and planted largely
for exportation to England, for which purpose it fetched often $8
a barrel. The tree is now sometimes unhealthy, and though an
early, yet an uncertain, bearer. Nor is the fruit in demand at
extra prices for exportation, as it is superseded by the Golden
Russet. Nor has the fruit that excellence in quality which it used
to have, although still fine in grain, and pronounced rich in flavor.
It m%y be planted sparingly for home use.

— 16 —

RIBS TON PIPPIN :

On light soils this tree is not hardy nor long-lived, being often
affected with black sap canker. On heavy soils, the soil for
Ribstons in England, it is more hardy and healthy, bearing finer,
but not more, fruit. Even this fruit, however, cannot rival the
Ribston Pippin of England, and it is not profitable to grow for
the English market, but has proved profitable in exceptional in-
stances for the Canadian market.

TALMAN'S SWEET :

Hardy and productive, but not salable.

YELLOW BELLFLOWER (Belle Fleur) :

This variety, recognizable by its slender, drooping shoots, is in
some cases found to be neither hardy nor long-lived, dying out
often branch by branch. In other instances, and these in a heavy
soil mostly, it proves hardy.

Fruit : Rather large, and pretty evenly so, coming early and
in fair quantities ; oblong, slightly conical. — Color : Deep yellow,
with a faint blush. — Flesh : Yellowish, fine grained, crisp, juicy,
sub-acid, and of the highest flavor. — Keeping qualities : Excellent ;
its season being till March or April. It is thus valuable for home
use, but, though salable, not recommended for profit.

THE BALDWIN, RHODE ISLAND GREENING, AND ESOPUS
SPITZENBURGH

have not been mentioned in this list, as they are considered
unsuited to this climate.

PROFIT.

Best Kinds in Order of Preference :
i. FAMEUSE.
2, 3. RED ASTRACHAN AND ALEXANDER.

4. DUCHESS OF OLDENBURG.

5. ST. LAWRENCE.

6, 7. PEACH (of Montreal) & GOLDEN RUSSET of W.N.Y.

— 17 —

=1:

MONTREAL BEAUTY :

This beautiful crab is a seedling raised by the late Robert
Cleghorn, a short distance S.W. of the original " Blinkbonny"
apple tree. Trees, says Mr. Guilbault, were propagated from it
as early as 1833. They are strong, vigorous growers, hardy,
though not equal to the Transcendent in this respect, and long-
lived. The tree is rather large, with a head which is very close
and upright, until the weight of fruit presses it downwards and
open. It bears heavily, but not early. On young trees the fruit
is large, for a crab, very oblong-conic. On older trees the fruit is
oblong to roundish-oblong, and truncate. In old age the fruit is
still fine and salable ; its color is yellowish-green, mostly covered
with red. The basin is wide, shallow, even ; the calyx is closed ;
the segments are medium in length. The flesh is yellowish-
white, tender, rather juicy (but mealy if over ripe), sub-acid, very
slightly astringent. It ripens about the middle of September.
This variety seems almost unknown outside the Province of
Quebec.

MONTREAL WAXEN :

This tree has been known as " Cleghorn's Wax," as it was
raised by the Mr. Cleghorn mentioned above, and propagated by
him as early as 1833. The tree, though it suffered severely from
blight last season, is hardy and long-lived, but never large ; a
rather slender, but vigorous grower, with a spreading, almost
straggling head ; having its young shoots of a yellowish-brown
color ; bearing early and profusely.

Fruit : Large for a crab, very oblong-conic on young trees ;
in old age, rounder, smaller and less marketable. Color : Pale
greenish-yellow, with handsome blush. — Basin : None. — Calyx :
Closed — Segments very long. — Flesh : White, crisp, juicy, pleas-
antly sub-acid, with little or no astringent properties.

Montreal Beauty is the name under which this variety is pro-
pagated in Ontario and the Western States, and under which it
appears among collections of fruits in their exhibitions. It ap-
pears that Mr. Cleghorn brought two trees, which are still in
bearing, of Montreal Waxen to Mr. Lunn, and said it was raised
by himself, but called it the " Montreal Beauty ;" since then, it has
under this name been propagated by Mr. Lunn, per Mr. Middle-
ton. But by whom were scions of this name sent to Ontario and
the States ? They certainly were not by the above mentioned

— 18 —

names, or by any one except by mistake. Possibly Mr. Cleghorn
may have done so, as he was in the habit of sending scions in
many directions ; the author of the error, if not Mr. Cleghorn, is
unknown. The error itself is of very early date, for not only is
the Crab, described as the " Montreal Beauty," known by that
name by all the oldest pomiculturists here (excepting Mr. Lunn
and Mr. Middleton), but it was grown and propagated by the late
Messrs. McKenzie, Sheppard, Danse, McKerrher and McGregor
under that name.

RED SIBERIAN :

This variety is grown to a limited extent for Crab Apple jelly
in and near Montreal.

(The following Apples and Crabs have not been tested, but
are proving so useful in the extreme climate of the North Western
States, that they seem to deserve special mention, in the hope
that they may be experimented with here. The Committee does
not profess any knowledge of them, but they have commissioned
their secretary to describe those varieties whose strong and weak
points have been duly weighed. He alone is responsible for what
follows about them.)

IN ORDER OF RIPENING.
TETOFSKY :

This is the apple which stood at the head of the list of " iron-
clads " in Minnesota, after the disastrous winter of 1872-73. It
is a slow grower. Accustomed to the short seasons of Northern
Russia, it makes a rapid growth in spring and early summer, and
then at once prepares for the surely — coming winter.

Tree : Small, suitable for gardens ; comes into bearing early,
and is an annual bearer. — Fruit : (says Downing) medium size,
oblate-conic, sometimes nearly round. — Color : A yellow ground,
handsomely striped with red, and covered with a whitish bloom.
Flesh : White, juicy, of a sprightly acid, fragrant and agreeable —
In quality : Good.

Tetofsky has been fairly tried in Huntingdon County. It is
not found so salable as Red Astrachan. It is also more perish-
able, and therefore is recommended by the State Horticultural
Society in Minnesota for " general cultivation in limited quanti-
ties for home use." Like White Astrachan, with which it ripens,
it is a valuable early fruit for unfavorable localities.

— 19 —

WEALTHY :

This valuable apple was raised by Peter M. Gideon, of Excel-
sior, Minnesota, from seed grown in Maine. It is the only winter
apple, except Stewart's Sweet, which, since 1873, the Minnesota
Horticultural Society has found hardy enough to be recommended
tor " all localities." It therefore might prove specially valuable
in those parts of the Province of Quebec where now only Crabs
and Duchess are grown. But it is also able to compete with
others in quality, and therefore may perhaps be found universally
valuable. Downing describes it as a spreading tree, hardy,
healthy and vigorous, and producing a beautiful and excellent fruit.

Fruit: Medium, oblate or roundish-oblate, smooth in skin. —
Color : Whitish-yellow, shaded in the sun with a deep rich red,
and in the shade with obscure broken stripes, splashes or mott-
lings. It is sometimes entirely covered with crimson, and dotted
with many white specks. — Flesh : White, sometimes stained with
red, fine, tender, juicy, vinous, of a lively sub-acid, and on the
whole, pronounceable as " very good." — Season : December to
February.

BEN DAVIS

has been grown very largely in all kinds of soils throughout the
Western and North- Western States. It is not first-rate in quality,
but its early productiveness, its fair, even size, its keeping and ship-
ping excellencies have made it a great favorite. In hardiness it has
been taken off even the " favorable locality" list of Minnesota,
and, although it is upon the Wisconsin " Commercial" list, it has,
somehow, seemed to be losing caste. It is expected to be on sale
in Wisconsin this spring, and to be shipped a little south, where
it does better, to Illinois where it is in great demand, being one
of the most profitable varieties grown. In Huntingdon County,
however, it has decidedly proved a success, and has been, as else-
where, an early and a heavy bearer and very profitable.

Fruit : Medium to large, roundish. — Color : Almost entirely
overspread, splashed and striped with two shades of red. — Flesh :
White, tender, moderately juicy, sub-acid, pleasant ; " good to
very good," says Downing. In Huntingdon County it has
proved rather wanting in flavor. — Season : December to April.

PEWAUKEE :

This is a seedling of the Duchess of Oldenburg crossed with
Jonathan, and was raised by Geo. P. Peffer, at Pewaukee, Wis.,
from which it takes its name. It did not gain admission to the
" Favorable Locality" list of Minnesota, but is placed upon the
" Commercial" list of the Wis. Hort. Soc. A number of valuable
opinions agree in stating this tree to be quite as hardy as
Fameuse.

Tree : A rather vigorous grower ; an annual bearer, so some
say ; a heavy biennial bearer, so say others ; very productive, say

-20-

all. Does well on rocky uplands and on maple land. — Fruit :
Says Downing, medium to large, roundish-oblate. — Skin : Bright
yellow, striped, splashed, and mottled with light and dark red
over most of the surface, covered with a thin, greyish bloom, with
many large and small light dots. — Flesh : White, a little coarse,
breaking, half tender, juicy, sub-acid, slightly aromatic, good. —
Season : January to May.

WALBRIDGE

is now proved to be the undescribed Edgar Red Streak of
Illinois. The tree is a vigorous, upright grower, but weeps from
the weight of fruit. The twigs are soft and hold their leaves till
late in autumn ; it is, nevertheless, said to winter well. Good
authorities in the severe parts of the North-Western States, at
any rate, say it is a most hardy long-liver. It is placed alongside
of Fameuse on the Minnesota %< Most Favorable Locality" list,
and upon the " Commercial" list of Wisconsin. Many say it is
slightly more hardy than Pewaukee, and decidedly more so than
Ben Davis.

Tree : Not an early bearer, but a very heavy biennial bearer ;
in fact, too heavy. It does well on rich prairie soil, as (so
say several) on dry, rocky ground also. But the latter some-
times makes the orchardist complain of smallness of fruit. The
Wis. S. H. Report for 1872 describes the fruit as, medium to
large, globular to roundish-flat. — Surface : Smooth, greenish
yellow, covered with dull red, mixed and striped with bright red
on the sunny side. — Flesh : White, firm, mild, sub-acid. — Quality :
Good. — Skin : Quite tough. — Season : March and April. ; till
May or June say the various opinions consulted last year.

EARLY STRAWBERRY :

This variety was propagated by P. A. Jewell, of Lake City,
Minnesota, and is placed on the list for " General Trial" by the
Minn. Hort. Soc. It is said to bear heavily alternate years.

Fruit : Nearly the same size as Transcendent, and with much
the same shape, and length of stalk. — Skin : Thin, and mostly
covered with stripes and splashes of red. — Flesh : Tender, juicy,
pleasantly sub-acid, and without being astringent. — Use : Table,
and (as it ripens with Red Astrachan) perhaps for market

— 21 —

although it requires very careful handling ; of decided value for a
summer fruit, where only crabs can be grown. It is not subject
to blight.

THE TRANSCENDENT

has been singularly overlooked in and near Montreal, though
doing well in many parts of the Province. The tree is a very
thrifty grower, forming a large spreading head.— The fruit is
large for a crab, roundish, perhaps slightly oblong, with a long
stalk. — The skin is covered mostly with a rich crimson color, and
is thin in texture. — The flesh is yellowish, crisp, juicy, sub-acid,
somewhat astringent. — Its use is for cooking and market, not
being recommended for cider in Minnesota, where it is largely
grown. — Season : Latter part of September and throughout
October. The great productiveness, size and beauty of this
crab, guarantee good returns to its cultivators in any market
where crabs are salable.

HYSLOP

is doing well in different places in the Province of Quebec.
Is thrifty and somewhat spreading.

Fruit : Very large for a crab, roundish, very dark red, cover-
ed with a lovely bloom. — Flesh : Yellowish, firm, moderately
juicy, but very dry when kept too long; sub-acid, astringent. —
Use : Kitchen and market. — Season : October and November.
There are many whole orchards of Transcendents and Hyslops in
Minnesota, and their fruit forms an important item in the crop
of the State. Hyslops are very handsome, and better keepers,
and so fetch a higher price than Transcendents, but the latter are
so productive that when they sell at $1.25, and Hyslops at $1.50
a bushel, the former are more profitable per tree. Both are
somewhat subject to blight in the West, but not so to any extent
noticed by me in this Province. These crabs might be grown
with large profit for the manufacture of jelly.

ORANGE

was propagated by P. A. Jewell.

Tree : Thrifty grower, and said to be an annual and abundant
bearer. — Fruit : Larger than Transcendent. — Stalk : Long. —
Skin : Of medium thickness. — Flesh : Firm, said to be crisp, juicy,
very mildly sub-acid, pleasant, not astringent ; said by Warder
to be rich in flavor. — Use : Table, and salable in some markets,
only its color being against it, while it is really a nice eating crab,
keeping till Christmas. It is on the Minnesota list for " General
Trial."

CHARLES GIBB.

PRELIMINARY ESSAY

ON

tar h\ku in Iff fwiwr oi tuUi

In preparing a list of the varieties of Pears suitable for culti-
vation in this part of the Dominion of Canada, it seems to me pro-
per to take advantage oi the occasion for making a few remarks
on the conditions which a long experience in fruit culture dic-
tates, as necessary to be observed for growing Pear trees with
success in this Northern climate. This seems the more necessary
from the circumstance that there is a kind of mystery which be-
clouds the subject here. An impression prevails that in conse-
quence of the settlement and clearing of the country, and the
disappearance of its forests, a change or modification of climate
has taken place, which is unfavorable for the growth of varieties
of fruit which formerly flourished here in great abundance. It
is well known, for example, that the early French colonists planted
a great many pear trees which were evidently suited for the
climate, for they grew to a great size and lived as long as such
trees do in parts of the world considered to be the natural home
of the tree, and produced, for two or three generations, abundance
of fruit. These magnificent trees — which, for anything they showed
to the contrary up to within the last fifty years, seemed likely
to live for another century — have all disappeared ; and I don't
know at present of a single specimen remaining in Montreal,
where formerly they might be counted by the hundred.

It is very remarkable also, in view of the above, that during
the last fifty years the raising of new varieties of Pears has been
carried on in France, Belgium, Great Britain, and other parts of
Europe, and in the United States, with an enthusiasm, persever-
ance and intelligence which has no parallel in horticultural
history. Upwards of fifteen hundred varieties of Pears have been
raised, about one-third of which merit the attention of those who
desire large collections, while one hundred, or perhaps even fifty
varieties, would comprise all that are suitable or desirable for
general cultivation. Of these new varieties there has been plant-
ed within the last forty years, at least twenty-five thousand trees
on the Island of Montreal alone, and I am confident I am within
the truth in stating that there are not five per cent, of those trees

— 23 —

now living, and not two per cent, of them in a healthy condition.
In the face of such a deplorable failure as this, it is not sur-
prising that parties who have planted Pear trees should come to
the conclusion, that the modern varieties are too delicate and
short-lived for this climate, and that the only way to succeed is
to procure trees of the old varieties from Europe. The facts are,
however, against this view of the case, for it is found that not
only have these old varieties died out, but young trees grafted
from them have not succeeded any better than the new varieties.
I have propagated trees on the hardiest wild Pear stocks from all
these old varieties that I could obtain scions from, some of which
must have been over one hundred years old, and these young
trees were just as delicate and short-lived as the modern kinds,
while the fruit of these latter was very superior in quality, size
and appearance.

To account for this general failure of the old as well as new
varieties, it has been suggested that the clearing away of the forest
trees has deprived the orchards of the shelter from the inclemency
of the climate which they formerly had, and of a portion of the
moisture, which the soil retained much longer when less exposed
to the sun and wind. But these suggestions, although important,
are altogether insufficient to account for a failure so general and
complete as Pear growing in the Province of Quebec has proved
to be, and we must look further for a rational and satisfactory
solution of the mystery. Let us consider for a moment, then, the
conditions under which these magnificent Pear trees of a former
generation grew and prospered, and supplied the markets of
Montreal with fruit for so many years, and contrast it with the
conditions under which modern Pear trees have been and are yet
cultivated. In the former case, we find that Pear and other fruit
trees were planted in the original soil as it was cleared and had
been used for agricultural purposes. Enriching the ground with
stimulating manures, previous to planting the trees, was never
thought of, and all the nourishment given afterwards was Nature s
own top dressing of decayed foliage and melted snow with a suffi-
ciency of sun and air. With this simple, natural treatment, the
trees made, it is true, but a small annual growth ; but the wood
of that growth was well ripened, and thus enabled to bear the
severity of the winter without injury ; and when the trees came
into fruit-bearing, this was a further security against too rapid
growth, and thus the health and longevity of the trees became a
certainty, without the aid or intervention of the orchardist, who
only troubled himself with gathering the iruit.

How different from all this has been the modern planting,
cultivating and managing of Pear trees, during their brief sojourn
from the nursery to the grave ! Horticulurists have taken
the same means to grow fine Pears as they take to raise
fine crisp, succulent vegetables ; first, the ground before
planting must be saturated with manure; after planting, rich

-24-

top dressings of manure are added. The young trees, gener-
ally procured from some nursery in a warmer climate, have been
propagated and grown in similar highly manured soil, and are in
consequence, as large when two years old as they ought to be in
this climate dXfour years old. Their frothy, half ripened wood,
is unable to stand the severity of our winters, and the result is, a
large proportion are killed outright. Some few of them make a
small growth the next year, and ripen their wood and live, and
perhaps will make a similar small and successful growth the suc-
ceeding year, but having by this time got well established in the
rich, highly manured soil, it makes the next season a magnificent
growth, which delights the heart of the horticulturist. This
satisfaction is, however, but the prelude to bitter disappointment ;
the splendid growth has not had time to ripen during our short
summer, and is almost sure to be killed during the succeeding
winter. The cause of the destruction is also rendered more
obscure, from the trees at the commencement of spring showing
no sign of having received damage. It is only after the warm
weather has started the tree into growth, that the affected parts
begin to turn brown, and the growth, which had begun with vigor,
becomes suddenly arrested, that the horticulturist becomes
aware of his misfortune. This, however, is but the first step into
trouble; for, owing to such a quantity of young wood being de-
stroyed by this " fire blight," as it is called, the growth of the tree
is thrown out of balance, and its whole strength is directed to the
branches; and shoots which were not affected by the blight, or a
quantity of new shoots, are started below the blighted parts. Now
this strong growth and these new shoots are certain not to ripen,
and so the destruction caused by the second winter is greater than
the first, and the tree may as well be removed, for it is almost
impossible to do anything with it afterwards.

(For similar reasons it is absolutely necessary to avoid prun-
ing Pear trees heavily, because it creates irregular growth and
consequently unripe wood. The tree being a strong grower and
gross feeder, it is above all things necessary, not only to have the
growth evenly distributed over the tree, but to keep the growth
well in check by pinching off the ends of all shoots once or twice
during the season, so as to have the wood growth ripened and
finished by the first of September.)

The mode, then, of properly cultivating Pear trees in this
climate, may be pretty clearly inferred from what has been stated
above, and but few additional remarks are necessary to close this
preliminary essay or preface to the catalogue, prepared under the
auspices of the Montreal Horticultural Society, of fifty varieties of
Pears suitable for cultivation in the Province of Quebec.

Soil. — Aspect. — Shelter. — Planting. — Cultivation. — Any well
drained and cultivated soil, from clay to strong loamy sand, will

— 25 —

answer (except gravel, and a gravelly sub-soil should also be avoid-
ed). The ground should be spade trenched all over,instead of mere-
ly digging holes for the trees. The southern or south-eastern gentle
slopes at the base of mountains, answer admirably, and shelter, if
not existing, should be provided against the coldest winds of
winter,by planting a close border of evergreens. In addition, the
Pear trees themselves should be planted much closer together
than is customary, or is recommended in treatises on fruit cul-
ture, as by this means they help to shelter each other in winter.
Planted only from eight to ten feet apart, the trees will grow and
fruit for many years without incommoding each other, and after-
wards the least valuable can be cut out, to afford the necessary
space for those which remain. The trees should be procured in
the fall, and laid in by the heels for the winter, and well covered
with good surface soil. It is also proper to remark that trees of
seven or eight years old should be chosen in preference to
younger ones, because trees of the usual size are liable to be
broken down with the snow and ice of winter. The removal also
and replanting of trees of this age has a tendency to early fruit-
ing, and the great object is to get the trees to fruit early, so as to
check a too vigorous growth, and ensure the ripening of the young
wood. After the trees begin to bear, a light top-dressing of lime,
wood ashes and ground bones mixed together, should be given
every fall before the snow comes. This will cause a short, stocky
growth to be made, which will ripen early.

As for the fruit derived from this method of cultivating Pear
trees, I can only say that I have raised, in Montreal, as fine,
handsomely colored and perfectly ripened specimens of Flemish
Beauty, Virgalieu, Beurre" d'Amalis, Belle Lucrative, Lawrence,
Glout Morceau and Easter Beurre, as I have seen at the Porao-
ogical Exhibitions in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, or in
Belgium, France and England.

CATALOGUE.

:o:

Doyenn* d'Et£ : — The earliest good pear ; small size, round-
ish.— Fruit : Grows in clusters, slightly russetted. — Color :
Yellow, with red cheek ; stem long, fleshy next the fruit. Ripens
from ist to 15th August. Does well on Quince, but for this
climate is better on Pear stock.

26

Osband's Summer. — Size : Small to nearly medium, pyri-
form. — Fruit : Melting, excellent. — Color : Golden yellow, cloud-
ed and dotted with crimson. Ripens during August, fruits early
on quince stock, but is more satisfactory on pear stock in this
climate.

Supreme de Quimper. — Size : Small to full medium, round,
russetty, and red on the sunny side, and dotted with russet
specks. — Flesh : Melting, aromatic and good. Ripens latter
end of August and early September. I have only grown it on
pear stock, on which it succeeds admirably.

Rostiezer. — Size : Small, pyriform, with long, slender stalk.
Fruit: Excellent, covered with russet, moderate bearer, and
succeeds best on pear stock. Ripens beginning of September.

Beurr£ Goubalt. — A fine, hardy pear from France. — Size :
From small to medium ; roundish-obovate in shape. — Color :
Golden yellow, with brownish-red blush, and dotted with brown
specks. — Flesh : Melting, juicy and sweet. Ripens beginning of
September.

Beurr^ d'Amalis. — A splendid large pear of excellent qual-
ity, but requires attention, as it ripens rapidly and soon decays.
Fruit : Oblong pyriform, greenish-grey in color, slightly russetted
and changing, when ripe, to light yellow ; should be gathered as
soon as it changes color, which will be a day or two after it
attains its full size. — Flesh : Melting, aromatic and excellent.
September.

Tyson. — A small, but excellent pear. Tree : Hardy and bears
well. — Fruit : Oblong, pyriform, melting and good. September,

St. Ghislain. — Size: Small to medium. — Color: Clear gold-
en yellow, with an occasional blush of crimson. The tree grows
almost as upright as a Lombardy poplar, fruits early, and bears
well. I have grown it on quince, on which it does well, and
gives remarkably beautiful fruit, but it will only become a large
permanent tree on pear stock. From the tall, upright habit of
the tree, the fruit is rather difficult to gather. It ripens latter
end of September.

Summer Bon Chretien. — A large, fine pear, which has been
grown in Montreal for over a hundred and fifty years past, but is
now, from unsuitable cultivation, so difficult to keep alive, that
the fruit, which was formerly sold by the barrel, has disappeared
entirely from our markets. The fruit is large, irregular pyriform.
with an uneven surface and smooth skin. — Color : Golden yellow

— 27 —

with crimson blush. — Flesh : Crisp and juicy, with a sweet,
pleasant flavor. September.

Belle Lucrative. — Size : Medium. — Shape : Varies from
roundish to short pyriform. — Color : Golden yellow, with crimson
and sometimes purplish stripes. — Fruit : Beautiful, and of excel-
lent flavor. Ripens beginning of October. Does well on quince
and better on pear stocks.

Flemish Beauty. — Unquestionably the finest pear known
for this climate. — Size : Large to very large ; have grown speci-
mens which weighed over sixteen ounces. — Form : Varies from
regular pyriform to roundish obovate. — Color : Pale yellow, with
crimson blush, and often partially covered with cinnamon russet.
Quality : Melting, delicious, and first-rate. It has the reputation
of not keeping very long, but I find little difference in this respect
with most of the autumn varieties, having had it in first-rate con-
dition from the last week of September to the end of October. I
have, contrary to general opinion, had great success with growing
this fruit on the quince stock, and the fruit is, if anything, finer
looking, but the tree does not fruit earlier on the quince, nor is
there any advantage in using that stock.

Clapp's Favorite. — Said to be a cross seedling of Bartlett
and Flemish Be ,uty ; seems to be a hardy, thrifty variety, and to
deserve an extensive trial. I have not yet seen the fruit, but
have heard it well spoken of as an early autumn and very valu-
able acquisition, ripening early in September.

Heathcote.— A hardy American pear ot scarcely medium
size ; said to be a seedling of White Doyenne, but not so good.
Fruit: Roundish obovate, juicy and good. Color: Dull yellow.
October.

Howel. — A fine large American pear of excellent quality ; it
has proved quite haidy with me, and seems to deserve extensive
cultivation on pear stocks. Fruit : Large, varies from short
pyriform to roundish obovate. Color : Clear, pale yellow, with
dots of russet. Flesh : Melting and rich. October.

White Doyenn^ (or, New York Virgalieu). — This splendid
old pear, which used to be brought in boatloads to the New York
markets, is now scarcely seen there, the tree having failed from
some unknown cause along the Atlantic coast. I have seen this
pear in France and Belgium, and in Covent Garden Market in
London, but have never seen such beautiful specimens of it as
have been grown in Montreal. The tree is not quite so hardy as
Flemish Beauty, but will stand the climate well, if cultivated as
recommended in this report. The fruit is of medium size, and

— 28-

of the finest quality ; it varies in form from short pyriform to
roundish obovate. Color : Bright yellow, with blotches and
stripes of crimson. Ripens middle of November, and lasts till
middle of November. This is one of the very few varieties which
in this climate is deserving of cultivation on the quince stock.

Ananas d'Et! — A fine autumn pear of medium to large size,
and excellent quality. Skin : Rough, yellowish-green, dotted
with large russet specks ; pyriform in shape, and tapering regu-
larly to the stem. Flesh : Melting and buttery, with the rich
flavor peculiar to russet pears. Ripens in October.

Baronne de Mello. — An excellent russet pear, melting and
high flavored. Size : Medium to large. Shape : Regular pyri-
form. Skin : Rough and russetty. This variety seems likely to
take the place of the old Brown Beurre, a highly esteemed French
pear, now but little known. Ripens in October.

Parsonage. — An American seedling of great merit. Size :
From medium to large ; short pyriform in shape, and with a short
thick stem. Flesh : Juicy, melting and rich. Ripens early in
October.

Fondante Charmeuse. — A fine Belgian pear of pretty large
size and excellent quality. Shape : Pyriform. Stem : Long, and
somewhat fleshy next the fruit. Color : Light-yellow, with crimson
blush.

Onondaga. — A hardy American pear of large size and good
quality. Shape : Roundish, or obscurely pyriform. Skin :
Greenish-yellow, covered with grey dots ; somewhat variable in
quality, but when in perfection, it is melting, juicy and excellent ;
grows well on pear or quince stocks ; ripe in October ; will keep
through November.

Graslin. — A large French pear of excellent quality, but apt
to decay on young trees, while the skin looks quite green ; as the
tree becomes older, the fruit stands better. It is a hardy variety
and deserves cultivation. Fruit : Greenish-yellow, juicy, melting
and rich. Shape : Irregular pyriform, contracting suddenly
towards the calyx of the fruit, which is ribbed and irregular.
Season : October.

Gansel's Bergamot. — An English pear of the finest quality,
and by far the highest flavored and best of all Bergamot pears.
It is a seedling of the Autumn Bergamot, the most ancient and
permanent of all varieties, for it is supposed to have been grown
in the gardens of ancient Rome ; and this seedling of it, which
was raised one hundred years ago by General Gansel, looks as
if it would last as long as its parent. The fruit is of medium size,

— 29 —

roundish obovate, melting, aromatic and buttery, and gritty round
the core ; it is also variable in quality on young trees. The tree
is easily distinguished from all others by its small leaves with
mealy edges, and the light grey color of the bark. Ripens com-
mencement of October.

Duchesse d'OrlIsans. — A fine, first-class pear, juicy, melting
and aromatic. Size : From medium to large, pyriform. Skin :
Yellow, with crimson blush. Ripens in October and keeps well.

BeurrIs de Capiaumont. — A fine hardy tree. Fruit : Of
medium size and excellent quality, long pyriform, tapering to the
stem. Skin : Smooth, yellow with russetty red cheek. This
pear was cultivated in Montreal with great success more than a
hundred years ago ; the last old tree of this variety grew in the
backyard of some premises in Notre Dame street, belonging to
the late Duncan Gibb, and was cut down some ten years ago.

Louise Bonne de Jersey. — A beautiful fruit of the highest
quality, considered to be the most successful of all pears on the
quince stock, for it fruits early and bears abundantly ; for these
reasons it seldom lives on the quince stock in this climate more
than three or four years, whereas on the pear stock I have had
trees twenty years old, thrifty and sound, and bearing as fine fruit
as dwarf trees. Fruit : Regular pyriform, bright yellow, with
crimson cheek, and has a peculiar sparkling, vinous flavor. Ripens
in October and keeps well.

Frederika Bremer. — A fine hardy American tree. Fruit :
Medium to large, roundish, bright yellow, crisp and juicy, and of
good flavor. Ripens in October.

Jalousie de Fontenay. — A fine handsome pear of excellent
quality. Tree : Hardy and prolific on pear stock. Fruit :
Regular pyriform, bright yellow with occasionally a crimson
cheek. Ripens in October.

Beurr£ d'Anjou. — A French pear of the finest quality ; it
succeeds well on the quince stock. The tree has a peculiar
upright growth ; the young shoots are very stout, and should be
pinched back in July to ripen the wood early. The fruit is
obovate, sometimes short pyriform brownish russet color, not
very attractive in appearance, but melting, buttery and high
flavored. Ripens, October and November.

Oswego BeurrIs. — A valuable American pear. The tree is
remarkably hardy, and well adapted for a northern climate. The
fruit is of medium size, roundish, sometimes russetty, buttery,
melting, juicy and high flavored. Ripens, October to November.

— 30 —

Napoleon. — One of the finest pears in existence, and succeeds
well in this climate. Fruit : Medium to large size. Skin : Smooth,
clear, light yellow. Shape : Regular pyriform. Flesh : Very
melting, high flavored, and the most juicy of all pears. Ripens,
November.

Wilkinson. — An excellent American pear, small to medium
in size, pyriform shape. Skin : Clear yellow, with red cheek.
Flesh : Buttery, juicy and good. The tree is very hardy and
prolific. Ripens all through November.

Sieulle. — A fine French pear of medium to large size, pecu-
liar roundish shape. Skin : Yellow, with greenish dots ; not very
attractive in appearance, nor a very early bearer. Flesh : Crisp,
juicy, and melting. Ripens in November.

Grey Doyenn£. — An excellent russetty pear, somewhat like
the White Doyenne, and almost equal in quality. Flesh : Deli-
cious, melting, and buttery, and ripens in early November. The
tree is supposed by some to be hardier than White Doyenne. I
have seen no difference except that the former is less succeessful
on quince stocks.

Doyenn^ Defais. — An excellent French pear, not so large or
so good as White Doyenne^ but the tree is hardy and suited to
this climate. Fruit : Hardly medium size ; clear yellow color,
and crisp, aromatic and juicy. Ripens early in November.

Soldat Laboreur. — A fine French pear of medium to large
size, and first-rate quality. Color: Bright yellow, and covered
with russet dots. The shape is peculiar, diminishing very rapidly
from the centre to the stem. Ripens early in November.

St. Michael Archange. — The tree of this variety is hardy
and prolific. The fruit is long pyriform, a little one-sided.
Color : Clear yellow, with russet dots ; grows best on pear stock
in this climate. Ripens late in October.

Mollet's Guernsey Beurr£. — Originated in the Island of
Guernsey, and is an excellent, high-flavored fruit of medium size.
Color : Russetty yellow with red cheek. It ripens all through
November.

Doyenn£ Boussock. — A large French pear of very excellent
quality. The tree is hardy, and comes into bearing early, and
should be grafted on the pear stock for this climate. The fruit
resembles the White Doyenne in shape and color, but is larger,
and the skin is more rough and uneven. Ripe in October.

Urbaniste. — This is a beautiful and excellent pear, but
unfortunately it is a very late bearer. I have had trees twenty
years old before giving a single fruit. On this account it is better
to graft it on the quince, and to keep all strong-growing shoots
well pinched back, so as to throw the growth all over the tree.

— 31 —

{The junction between the stock and graft should be buried at
least three inches below the soil, and should have a small collar
of soft clay pressed round it after the tree is planted ; by this
means the quince stock will be kept from rotting, as it will be sure
to do, if the junction is planted just at, or below the surface of the
ground, as is frequently recommended ; the surface of the ground
should then be mulched, but no manure applied). The fruit of
this variety is pretty large. Color : Light yellow, dotted all over
with russet dots. Shape : Short pyriform. Flesh : Melting,
juicy and rich. Ripens in November.

D^lices d'Hardenpont of Angers. — A fine French variety
of excellent quality. Fruit : Medium to large, broad at the base,
and diminishing gradually to the stem. The tree is a slow grower,
and likely to do well in this climate. Ripens in November.

Winter Nelis. — The finest early winter pear. Fruit : Small
to medium in size, roundish to short pyriform, covered with light
cinnamon russet. Flavor : Exquisite, melting and buttery, and
juicy. Ripens early in December, and keeps well.

Lawrence. — This fine winter pear originated at Flushing,
Long Island, and is one of the most valuable of modern varieties.
It is full medium size, and pyriform in shape. Color : Clear,
uniform, light yellow. Flesh : Melting, buttery, juicy and
aromatic. Ripens in December and January.

Glout Mor§eau. — A magnificent French winter pear. The
tree is hardy, but very late in coming into bearing. It grows
well on quince stocks, and is one of the very few varieties which
in this climate can be grown to advantage on that stock, if culti-
vated as already described. The fruit is from medium to large
size, contracting suddenly towards the calyx of the fruit, which is
ribbed and irregular. Color : Clear greenish yellow. Flesh :
Melting, buttery, juicy and high flavored. Ripens all through
December and January.

BeurrHJ Langelier. — A fine winter pear from the Island of
Jersey. Size : From medium to large, short pyriform. Color :
Pale yellow, with light red blush. Flesh : Tender, crisp, juicy
and good. Ripens, December and January.

Easter BeurrH). — This is considered by many the finest late
winter pear ever raised, and when it is well grown and properly
ripened, there is no other pear of the season that approaches it.
The tree does not succeed well in the United States, however, and
it seems to be difficult to get the fruit to ripen there. Here
in Montreal, the tree seems to be hardy, and its fruit well-grown,
and no difficulty experienced in ripening it. The fruit varies in
shape from obovate to pyriform. — Color : Dull yellow, with
sometimes alight crimson blush. — Flesh : White, melting, buttery,
juicy and rich. I have had, in the month of March, as fine

- 32-

specimens of this pear, and as well ripened, as I have ever seen
in France or Belgium. The fruit ripens from February to April,
and has been kept till June.

Pound Pear. — This fine old variety is extensively grown in
the United States for cooking, and, with a little care in its culti-
vation, it will grow well here. The fruit is very large, dark green
in color, and covered with greenish specks. The shape is regular
pyriform. The flesh, hard and dry, but very valuable for cooking
purposes, and for its long keeping.

Columbia. — A fine, large winter pear, of excellent quality)
originated in New York State. Shape : Obovate pyriform. —
Color : Golden yellow. It ripens in December, and will keep to
the middle of January.

Vicar of Winkfield. — There is great difference of opinion
respecting the value of this pear; many horticulturists in the
United States think very highly of it. It succeeds best here on
pear stock, and in poor soil, (by which I mean soil that has been
cultivated, but not enriched to any extent with manure), for the
tree is apt to make a strong, rampant growth, which will not ripen.
The fruit is large to very large, long pyriform in shape. — Color :
Light greenish yellow, tender, crisp and juicy when just ripe, and
it ripens all through December.

Belle Epine Dumas. — A fine French pear of first quality. —
Size : Medium to large, smooth skin, of clear greenish yellow ;
short pyriform in shape. — Fruit : Is melting, very juicy and rich.
Ripens early in December.

Passe Colmar. — An old French variety, of large size and
excellent quality, but the tree is so productive, that at least one-
third of the crop should be removed. The fruit is obtuse
pyriform in shape. — Skin : Bright yellow, covered with russet
spots. — Flesh : Is buttery, melting and juicy, with a rich aromatic
flavor. Ripens from November to January.

Note. — In describing the colors of pears in the above catalogue,
I have given the color when the fruit is ripe. The color of
winter pears, when gathered, is, in most cases, dark green, and
dull brown on the exposed side, which, afterwards, ripen up to the
colors I have described. Autumn, and especially summer pears,
should, as soon as they begin to change from green to yellow, be
gathered and ripened in the house.

JAMES H. SPRINGLE.
Montreal, April 13th, 1876.

— 33 —

OBAFHS

Success in the culture of the Grape does not so much depend
upon the nature of the soil as upon its condition. Should the
ground be wet, or sour, no manuring, pruning, or care will make
the vine profitable ; and, on the other hand, it may be said, that
however suitable the soil and situation, it is essential that pruning,
pinching back, thinning, and protection in winter be carefully
attended to.

We should recommend beginners to start with but few varie-
ties, not more than one or two of each ; should they be successful
with these, they may, in the course of a few years, by layering or
other methods, raise from their own vines enough to plant acres.
As to selection, one will naturally choose such plants as have
shown themselves most suited to the soil.

We would remind our readers that all vines of the same spe-
cies do not always show a like result, even when planted within
twenty yards of each other ; several instances having occurred in
which one vine bore abundantly, while another, alongside, from
some unknown cause, has remained sickly and weak. No species
ought to be discarded as worthless previous to giving it a fair
trial.

Some vines, which in a low situation are subject to mildew,
are perfectly hardy and free from that disease when tried on a
higher level. Instead of removing the old vine, it is preferable
to start fresh plants from layers, selecting for these such spots as
show the greatest difference of soil.

We would recommend the following rules :

ist. — Ground thoroughly under-drained.

2nd. — Well pulverized garden soil ; the richer the better.

3rd. — A southern exposure, where the full benefit of the morn-
ing sun may be had. Fruit will ripen at least a week sooner, if
grown against a wall or fence. Protection by means of a belt of
trees or fence, against the cold north and east winds, is a great
safe-guard in our northern climate.

4th. — A covering of from four to six inches of earth or other
material in winter.

5th. — Constant, but not severe pruning; a certain amount of
foliage being requisite to bring fruit to perfection.

The renewal system (/. e.} that a cane should be allowed to
grow to replace the fruit-growing cane of the same season, which
is cut out in the fall,) has proved the most successful.

6th. — That the vine should not be allowed to overbear, which
under good cultivation it is sure to do ; the consequences being
seriously felt in succeeding years.

34

The following varieties are most highly recommended by our
correspondents this year : —

ADIRONDAC : — Bunch, large, shouldered, and of fine form ;
berry large; skin thin; free from pulp, and of excellent
flavor. The vine is not a vigorous grower, and requires to
be well protected in winter.

DELAWARE : — Bunch small, compact ; profuse bearer ; hardy ;
color of berry, red ; flavor sweet ; a general favorite.

HARTFORD PROLIFIC :— Perhaps the most vigorous grower,
and largest bearer of any vine yet grown in Canada. Drops
badly on the slightest touch of frost, especially if allowed to
overbear, but otherwise free from disease.

CREVELING : — Bunch large, but straggling ; berry medium ;
flavor excellent ; skin thin.

SWEETWATER :— Has proved in the hands of some a profitable
grape ; worthy of more general attention than it has hereto-
fore received. Bunch large, and well formed ; thin skinned
and without pulp ; flavor sweet ; color green ; subject to the
attack of the thrip.

REBECCA: — Bunch small; green; medium-sized berry; of fine
flavor ; has been fully ripened, but so far has not proved a
profitable market variety.

ROGERS', Nos. 3, 4, 15, 22 and 33 : — All highly spoken of, and
when they do not mildew, cannot be surpassed for richness
of flavor, size of berry, or beauty of bunch. That these
grapes are destined to take a prominent place in the gardens
of both gentry and fruit culturists we feel convinced.

BLACK HAMBURG, CHASSELAS de FOUNTAINBLEAU,
GOLDEN CHASSELAS :— Are highly prized by a few who
have cultivated them to their entire satisfaction for some
years, yet (especially the former) are condemned by the
Committee, on account of the many failures that have attended
their culture.

CONCORD, EUMELAN, ISABELLA, ALLEN'S HYBRID :

— -Are also highly esteemed by many.

JAMES MORGAN, Jr.

35 —

£f SBBBIIIS

The variety which has proved most hardy and satisfactory is
the LATE KENTISH or COMMON RED. It has been largely
propagated from suckers. The EARLY RICHMOND or TRUE
KENTISH, which has its corolla on the slemy is not known to this
Committee.

ENGLISH MORELLO rather lacks hardiness, but what
appear to be Seedlings of this, have been grown for many years,
and propagated to a limited extent from suckers. The tree
seems as hardy as Late Kentish, and bears alternate heavy and
light crops, say some ; once in two or three years, say others.

Fruit : medium in size. — In color : when fully ripe, reddish-
black, with dark purplish flesh. — Flavor : a rich acid, the acid
becoming very mild when over ripe. Ripens quite late, and is
very saleable.

:o:

Any one making a list of Plums must do so with great hesita-
tion, and little self satisfaction. Trees seldom live longer than
twelve or fifteen years, even in sheltered city gardens, and we are
unable to find any great difference in hardiness among the finer
varieties. We can only speak of the " comparative " productive-
ness of a variety of Plum, for one which bears every year, or
every second year, in one place, may bear but once in three or
four years in another, where the conditions seem almost equally
favorable.

TEN BEST VARIETIES.
DICATATOR (Corse's):

Is an upright, stout and short jointed grower. It is as hardy
as any of its class, but does not bear so heavily as Admiral.

Fruit : Very large, egg shaped, with full round ends. — Color :
Reddish blue, with a light bloom. — Flesh: Reddish, firm, very
juicy, sweet, rich and highly flavored. It bears carriage pretty
well, and ripens the second week in September.

ADMIRAL (Corse's):

This strong, free, somewhat spreading grower, is very pro-
ductive, and as hardy as any of its class.

— 36 —

Fruit : Large, very oval. — Color : Dead blue, with a light
bloom. — Flesh: Reddish-yellow,, firm, juicy, sweet and rich. It
adheres a little to the stone. It ripens the first week in Septem-
ber.

NOTA BENE (Corse's) :

This is a stout, vigorous, and very short jointed grower. It
is more productive even than Admiral.

Fruit : One and a half inches in diameter, and shaped some-
what like a green gage. — Color : Purple with freckles, and but
little bloom. — Flesh : Reddish, soft and perishable ; but sweet,
luscious, and of a finer flavor than any other of Corse's seedlings.

LOMBARD, GREEN GAGE, POND'S SEEDLING, BRADSHAW, WASH-
INGTON (Bolmer's), BLEEKER'S GAGE, and COE'S GOLDEN
DROP.

There seems much difference of opinion as to the comparative
productiveness and hardiness of these varieties. We therefore
name them without describing them.

The following have also done well : Apricot, Blue Impera-
trice, Coe's Late Red, Columbia, Duane's Purple, Early Favorite,
Early Orleans, Goliath, Guthrie's Apricot, Guthrie's Topaz,
Huling's Superb, Imperial Gage, Jefferson, Lawson's Golden
Gage, Long Scarlet (of more than average hardiness), McLaugh-
lin, Prince's Yellow Gage, Purple Favorite, Reine Claude de
Bavay, Smith's Orleans and Yellow Egg.

— :o:

The early mode of propagating Plums was by suckers.
Trees thus propagated have not as good roots as those grown
from seed, and have a troublesome tendency to throw up suckers
themselves. Warder (American Pomology, p. 65) says, that, trees
growing for a length of time from suckers, are remarkable for
precocious fruiting." This has mot yet been observed here. Eut
the propagation of Plum trees from suckers is so convenient,
especially in the country districts, for these short-lived trees, that
we hope it will receive a further trial.

The late Henry Corse carried on a series of interesting
experiments in College street, between 18 10 and 1830. He
planted the stones of the best plums he could get, and directly
they were taken from the pulp. From the seedlings thus raised,
he selected those with large and thick leaves. These were then
propagated by suckers and buds. If we could find any growing
upon their own roots, we should carefully obtain suckers from
them. If not, we should " layer," and thus obtain suckers. In

-37 —

one case, " Washington " layered and suckered, proved more
satisfactory than when budded.

The following are the best varieties grown here from suckers :

FORDEN SEEDLING :

A vigorous grower, bearing heavily every second year. Fruit :
Large. — Shape : Oval. — Color : Blue with fine bloom. — Flesh :
Yellowish and firm, juicy and pleasant. It is a first-class cooking
plum, and ships anywhere. It comes in season about the 15th of
September.
SATJVAGEON (Corse's):

This very vigorous wood maker is more hardy and longer
lived than the average of plum trees. It is as productive as
Admiral.

Fruit : Round, and it is about an inch in diameter. — Color :
Dark blue. — Flesh: Reddish, very firm, moderately juicy; flesh
adheres a little to the stone. — Taste : Sweet and pleasant. It
ripens in October, after other plums are over, and so commands
the highest price. It would ship anywhere. It is doubtful if
suckers are to be found of this variety, and but few buds, but
we mention it in hope.

THE GREEN GAGE SEEDLING (so called):

Grows freely into a small tree, with an upright, close head.
It bears every second year.

Fruit : Small and round. — Color : Whitish yellow, with a
tinge on the sunny side. — Flesh : Firm and juicy. — Taste : Sweet
and rather rich. In the kitchen it is useful, and in the basket it
carries well. It ripens about the 10th of September.

DAMSON:

This small, oval, purple, tart little fruit is propagated from
suckers in Huntingdon County. There it only bears once in
two or three years. But it always commands a high price in the
Boston market.

BLUE ORLEANS :

Thousands of these trees are grown along the north shore of
the St. Lawrence, just below Quebec, and on the Island of Orleans,
on all kinds of soil, from light gravel to a rather stiff clay. They
should be tried here.

Fruit : Small, roundish oval. — Color : Blue, with a bloom. —
Flesh : Greenish yellow, firm, acid. — A cooking fruit of decided
merit. It may be shipped in barrels. — Season : October.

YELLOW ORLEANS:

Also largely-grown near Quebec, is larger, but has much the
same character as the Blue.

— 38 —

CLEGHORN'S BLUE GAGE

is a seedling of the Blue Gage type. It is hardy, forms an
upright head of medium size, and bears good crops.

Fruit : Below medium, oval, with a rather deep suture. —
Flesh : Greenish, firm, crisp, juicy, mild acid. It ships well, and
meets with ready sale. It ripens the end of September.

-:o:

FINIS.

The Fruit Committee of the Montreal Horticultural Society
has done the work assigned to it. Shall it stop at this?

We have no Provincial Horticultural Association, such as they
have in Ontario and Nova Scotia, to make out lists for home use
and for profit, for different localities ; to encourage local socie-
ties ; to gather provincial collections of fruit, &c.

Clearly the Montreal Horticultural Society must take up this
work or none other will.

It is needful to collect the experience of those in our own
latitude, or iso-thermic lines, both to the East and the far West.
This would be greatly aided by our publishing Reports, for then
kindred societies would send us theirs in exchange. Such reports
would add largely to a library, such as that which the Society
decided to establish as early as 1863.

The Seedlings of Quebec (which would doubtless fill up many
a blank in our fruit list) have never been looked up. Those of
merit should be catalogued, and, in time, recommended for trial.
Then, by having lists for tr ial faithfully followed up, our gardens
become experimental, and that on a definite plan.

It is to be hoped, that the wise counsel of the founders of this
Society, in 1847, to have an annually elected Fruit Committee, to
establish a Horticultural Library, and to publish Reports, will be
soon acted upon.

CHARLES GIBB,

Sec. of Fruit Committee.

Ihe Jflontreal Agricultural an6 Horticultural Society.

ORGANIZED, JANUARY, t847.

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP, $2.00 PER ANNUM,

Entitling Members to free admission to the Exhibitions of the Society,
and four single admission tickets.

OFFICERS FOR 1876:

W. FREDERIC KAY, - President.

WM. EVANS, - Vice-President.

DIRECTORS:

Messrs. J. D. Gibb, Messrs. R. Spriggins,

Thos. Irving, John Forrister,

R. Imrie, Major Latour,

S. S. Bain.

HENRY S. EVANS, - Secretary attd Treasurer,

Office, Cor. McGill and Foundling Sts.,

Montreal.