The following suggestions by one of the Directors of the Fruit Growers’
Association, are taken from the _Morrisburg Courier_, and deserve
careful attention from all fruit growers who have to contend with a
climate similarly severe:
To any one of common observation, I think it must be evident that the
cultivation of the orchard has not been a success among us. Old
orchards, with few exceptions, are comparatively worthless, and their
place is not being well supplied. Appearances are that our farmers will
soon have to procure from a distance, and at unnecessary expense, their
supply of that most healthy and favorite of all fruits, the apple, which
they should have in abundance, and at little cost, at home. The fault
does not lie in that trees enough have not been planted; nurserymen and
tree planters can vouch for that. The natural question comes to be,
wherein lies the cause of failure? Many reasons are advanced, such as
poor trees, our severe winters, &c. No doubt these have much to do with
it, but much can be done to help us out of these difficulties. I suggest
first, that we want hardy trees, and if I succeed in naming to your
readers trees really hardy for this neighborhood, I think I will have
gained one point. Any little knowledge I may have in the matter I have
learned from observation, and rather dear bought experience. When I
planted my first orchard, I thought I had so well posted myself up in
the opinion of good authorities, that success was a certainty, but soon
discovered my mistake. As to varieties, Downing names hundreds that will
thrive well in his favored climate on the banks of the Hudson, that are
of no value to us here. The same may be said of many of our large
growers in the West, and other milder climates. Some trees succeed here
that are worthless in the Ottawa valley. Many trees are classed in the
catalogues as hardy that will not stand our Winters; of these I’ll name
a few I am convinced will never be profitable with me, nor do I think
they will thrive in our neighborhood, viz: Rhode Island Greening,
Wagner, Northern Spy, Baldwin, and Spitzenburg. I have tried them all
repeatedly, and they will not answer; I wish they would, as they are all
first class apples. True, they are all hardy kinds, but not hardy enough
for our locality. Under favorable circumstances some of them might live,
but my advice is, leave them alone. Then most catalogues give us long
lists of so called hardy apples, (too many to mention), that are
worthless here; I’ll pass them over, and name some of those I have
tried, and have no hesitation in recommending. As to Summer apples I can
say little, as, excepting a few for family use, I don’t consider them
profitable. Red and White Astracan, and Brockville Beauty are good
kinds. Tetofsky and Early Harvest are well recommended. Autumn apples;
Fameuse or Snow, St. Lawrence, and Duchess of Oldenburg, are quite
reliable, and deserve all the praise they get. Seek-no-Further is a good
apple, but I have found the tree short lived. Emperor Alexander is well
spoken of. Winter apples; here my list will be small, but I think
reliable: Talman’s Sweet, Pomme Grise, American Golden Russet, and
McIntosh Red. Of the latter variety it is said in the _Canada Farmer_
for 1875, p. 125: “The parent tree originated where it now stands, in
Matilda, Dundas Co. Ont., some seventy years ago, and has borne every
year since the oldest inhabitants can remember, and is still perfectly
hardy, the apple also being good in every respect. It has been
propagated from, and distributed in the neighborhood, and evidence is
given of the most positive character, as to the hardiness,
productiveness, and longevity of the tree, and the quality, size and
keeping properties of the apple.” I have not had this variety long
enough in my orchard to speak positively of its bearing qualities, but
the few apples I have had, are equal to the description, and my trees
are healthy and hardy. I planted in faith sixty trees last Spring, and
ten some years ago. I would be inclined to try a few of the Baxter and
Peach Apples, both Winter kinds, and well spoken of.
Many of your readers, when they come to the end of my list, will say
(and they are right,) the number of Winter apples, the good long-keeping
fellows we like to have in the Spring, are reduced to very few. I don’t
pretend to say the above are all the good Winter apples that will
succeed here, but it is all I have found to succeed, and I will feel
under obligation to any one in these counties who will name one or more
other kinds faithfully tried and found good. Although my list is small,
there is in it enough to have a good supply of apples nearly the year
round, for home consumption and the market. When speaking of the very
limited number of varieties that will succeed here, an experienced
nurserymen gave me the advice which I will pass to your readers: “Buy
your Winter apples; grow and sell Fameuse to pay for them.” I believe
the advice on the whole to be good; would, however, recommend planting a
few of the kinds above recommended. The Fameuse I consider decidedly the
most desirable tree to plant, a hardy tree, an early and abundant
bearer, and a universal favorite. Last Fall, from two trees of this
variety, I gathered 17 barrels of apples, and sold them for $51. “Tall
figures,” perhaps some will say, but true.
Charles Downing, the great American Pomologist, says that the McIntosh
Red is an apple of medium size or above, skin whitish yellow, very
nearly covered with dark rich red or crimson, almost purplish in the
sun; flesh white, fine, very tender, juicy, sub-acid, refreshing, with a
peculiar, slightly quince-like flavor. In use from November to February.
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