Although the late spring frosts of 1878 very considerably lessened the
quantity of apples, they probably had the effect of improving the
quality of those that remained, by the thinning out which the fruit
received. There has never been a finer display of apples at any of our
Provincial Exhibitions than that presented in the Horticultural Hall
this year. The quantity of fruit which was entered for exhibition was so
much in excess of previous years, that the building designed to contain
the horticultural products was quite inadequate, and the managers found
it necessary to remove the flowers to the Dairy building. When the
exhibits were finally arranged, the grand gathering of apples, pears,
plums, peaches and grapes was a most magnificent sight, and told a tale
of the fruit producing capacities of our country, for which every true
Canadian may well be grateful. It is something indeed to have one’s lot
cast in such a land as ours. Such rich and luscious fruits, beautiful to
the eye and exquisite to the taste, in such variety and profusion, are
not the least among the valuable products of our soil and climate.
It may be interesting to the readers of the CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST to
take a glance at the varieties of apples and other fruits that in the
opinion of the judges merited the highest honors. Such a review is often
not only interesting as a matter of curious inquiry, but of no small
importance to one who is seeking to acquaint himself with the best
varieties, so that he may have some guide in the selection of sorts for
his own planting. Prizes were offered for the best collections of thirty
different kinds of apples, and of twenty different sorts; for the best
six varieties of fall and of winter for table use, and for the best six
sorts of fall and of winter ripening apples for the kitchen. In so large
a number as thirty or even twenty different kinds, it is not to be
expected that only those of the highest excellence will be shewn, yet
the number of varieties of apples now in cultivation is so great that a
collection of thirty sorts should not contain any kinds of inferior
quality.
The collection of thirty varieties which received the first prize was
grown near to St. Catharines by one of the active members of the Fruit
Growers’ Association, Mr. Allen Moyer, of Jordan Station. It was
composed of the following sorts: Alexander, a very large and showy sort
introduced from Russia, and which thrives well in Ontario, particularly
in the northern sections, ripening in November, and is valuable for the
kitchen. Baldwin, a native of the State of Massachusetts, quality “very
good,” keeping well through the winter, tree tender in the colder
sections, but where it is not affected by the winter an early and
abundant bearer, and considered one of the most popular and profitable
of market apples. Ben Davis, a variety that has not been very
extensively grown in Ontario, but one that has a reputation at the west
for being very hardy, bearing young and abundantly, fruit fair, even
size, carrying well, and keeping until March, but quality not above
“good.” Blenheim Orange, an old English sort, large, handsome, showy,
sells well, and is a good cooking apple until January. Cayuga Red
Streak, also known as Twenty Ounce Apple, very large, showy, cooking
fruit. Cranberry Pippin, a handsome apple that keeps until February, and
is esteemed for the kitchen. Chenango Strawberry, also known as
Sherwood’s Favorite, a very pretty, oblong conic apple, of “very good”
quality, ripe in September and October. Colvert, a large oblate, fall
cooking apple, the tree is a handsome grower and immense cropper. Esopus
Spitzenburg, one of the very “best” in quality, of good size, and bright
red color, keeping until March and April, but the tree is not a good
bearer, except on limestone soils. Fall Pippin, many years ago this was
one of our best late fall apples, excellent for table and for cooking,
keeping until Christmas; for some years it has been liable to spot and
crack, but where it escapes this spotting it is an excellent fruit.
Gravenstein, a very handsome and popular September and October apple,
excellent for the table and for cooking, tree bears early, and is very
productive. Golden Russet, a profitable market apple, medium size, “very
good” quality, keeping well until May. Gloria Mundi, a very large,
greenish yellow, November cooking apple. King of Tompkins County, a
large, dark red, winter fruit, “very good” in quality, but not proving
to be as profitable a market sort as was anticipated. Melon, or Norton’s
Melon, an apple of the “best” quality, very tender flesh, and agreeable
flavor, but the tree is a very slow grower. Pomme Grise, a favorite
Canadian Russet, small in size, but of “best” quality. Rhode Island
Greening, a very well known and exceedingly profitable and popular
winter apple. Ribston Pippin, one of our “best,” of good size, handsome
appearance, and commanding the very highest price in the English
markets, ripening here in October and keeping until New Years. Roxbury
Russet, also called Boston Russet, a very late keeping sort, of “good”
quality, and popular in the markets. Rambo, of medium size, quality
“very good,” thriving best in light, sandy soils. Swayzie Pomme Grise,
in quality very “best,” size medium, keeps until May and June, a
valuable Canadian dessert fruit. St. Lawrence, another popular Canadian
apple, thriving best in the colder sections, ripe in October, quality
“very good.” Swaar, a very fine fruit, quality “best,” tree tender in
our colder sections, thriving best in a warm sandy loam, fruit ripe in
March and April. Snow Apple, also called Fameuse, an exceedingly popular
Canadian fruit, quality certainly “very good” if not “best,” handsome
dessert, keeping into January; the tree is hardy, and the fruit finer
flavored when grown in the northern districts. Northern Spy, a fruit of
high quality, almost “best” when well grown, keeps all winter, retaining
its spicy sprightly flavor to the last; tree comes late into bearing,
and requires high culture. Talman Sweet, the best sweet winter apple for
cooking that we have, tree hardy and productive. Vandevere, or properly
Newtown Spitzenburg, handsome, medium size, quality “best;” in damp,
cold soils the fruit spots badly, but in warm limestone soils it is free
from blemish, keeps until February. Wagener, medium size, very tender
juicy flesh, quality “very good,” is becoming popular, and likely to be
extensively planted, ripe in January and February. Yellow Newtown
Pippin, quality “best” when well grown, succeeds best in a warm
limestone soil, fruit very apt to spot and become scabby in our climate,
and although the fruit sells for the very highest price in the English
market, is not likely to prove a profitable variety here. Yellow
Bellflower, large, oblong, quality “very good,” ripe in January and
February, not profitable for market.
The first prize for the best twenty varieties of apples was awarded to
W. Hill, of Barton, near Hamilton. In looking over the varieties shown
by him we noticed only four sorts not to be found in Mr. Moyer’s
collection of thirty sorts. These are Peck’s Pleasant, good sized, when
ripe, clear yellow with a blush on the sunny side, and having a very
pleasant aromatic flavor, quality “very good,” ripe in January and
February; this variety has not been much planted in Canada, the tree
being so moderate a grower when young that nurserymen will not be likely
to grow it largely. Maiden’s Blush, a very handsome fruit, ripe in
autumn, good only for cooking. Keswic Codlin, a popular cooking variety,
in use from August to October. Dutch Mignonne, handsome russety yellow,
striped with light and dark red, quality “very good,” ripe in January.
In coming down to smaller selections we find that the first prize was
given to Allen Moyer for the best six varieties of fall table apples, in
which he exhibited Gravenstein, Fall Pippin, Chenango Strawberry,
Ribston Pippin, St. Lawrence, and Snow; and that A. M. Smith, of
Drummondville, took the first prize for fall cooking apples, with
Alexander, Blenheim Orange, Cayuga Red Streak, Fall Pippin, Fall
Janetting, and Maiden’s Blush; and likewise the first prize for winter
table, with Ribston Pippin, Pomme Grise, Swayzie Pomme Grise, Spy, Seek
no Further, and Wagener. The six varieties of winter cooking that took
the first prize were Baldwin, R. I. Greening, Yellow Newtown Pippin,
Ribston Pippin, King of Tompkins County, and Spy.
A glance at these lists will show our readers what varieties of apples
ripening in the fall and winter are most esteemed among us, and from
which any intending planter will be able to make a selection suited to
his own tastes and objects. Necessarily an exhibition held late in
September must be wanting in our summer fruits. We look usually in vain
for such varieties as Early Harvest, Red Astracan, Benoni, Summer Rose,
and often fail to find the hardy Duchess of Oldenburg. With a few of
these one can make the circle complete if he wish, and enjoy apples at
dinner all the year round.
We turn now to look at the pears, and learn what varieties are grown in
Ontario that stand highest in the estimation of the judges of fruit. The
first prize for twenty varieties was awarded to Gage J. Miller, of
Virgil, near Niagara, comprising the following sorts: De Tongres, much
resembling the Beurre Bosc in form and color, of large size, and “very
good” quality, ripening in October. Vicar of Winkfield, a large pyriform
fruit, pale yellow when ripe, in use during December and January, very
variable in quality, sometimes “good” to “very good.” Beurre Clairgeau,
large and handsome, fawn color shaded with crimson, quality “good,” ripe
in November and December. Lawrence, of medium size, russeted lemon
yellow, quality almost “best,” in use in December and January. Gansel’s
Bergamot, large, obovate in form, quality very variable in our climate,
sometimes “very good,” often very poor, ripe in September and October.
Flemish Beauty, very large, handsome, quality “very good,” ripe middle
and end of September, tree very hardy, and succeeding well in cold
sections of the Province. Beurre Gris de Hiver, full medium size, “very
good” in quality, ripe in January. Beurre d’Anjou, large “very good,”
ripe in November and December; a favorite fruit with the Hon. M. P.
Wilder, President of the American Pomological Society. Beurre Bosc,
large, handsome, pyriform, quality “best,” ripe end of September and
often continuing through October, tree not hardy enough to endure the
climate of our northern districts. Louise Bonne, large, very juicy,
quality “good,” yet somewhat variable, especially on light soils.
Seckel, a small, well known variety, of the very highest quality, ripe
in September, and continuing in October. Bartlett, a large, yellow,
handsome, well known sort, largely grown for market. Belle Lucrative,
medium to large, very juicy and sweet, quality “very good,” ripe late in
September or beginning of October. White Doyenne, full medium size, pale
yellow, high flavored, quality “best,” ripe in October, of late years
this fruit has been liable to spot and crack very badly, often
destroying the whole crop. Josephine de Malines, medium size, greenish
yellow, “very good,” ripe in January and February, one of the best of
the late winter varieties. Duchesse d’Angouleme, very large, greenish
yellow, quality “good,” ripe October and November; grown on the quince
stock the fruit is of better quality than when grown on the pear stock.
Goodale, large, light yellow, “very good,” ripe in October, tree very
hardy. Sheldon, medium to large, flavor rich and vinous, quality “very
good” to “best,” ripe in October. Howell, large, waxen yellow, “very
good” quality, ripe latter part of September and first of October.
Winter Nelis, not more than medium size, yellowish green with
considerable russet, quality “best,” ripe in December and January.
There were some very finely grown specimens of many of these varieties
exhibited by W. T. Taylor, of Rochester, New York, for which he received
the prize for the best ten varieties, with Beurre d’Anjou, Duchesse
d’Angouleme, Beurre Bosc, B. Diel, B. Gris de Hiver, B. Clairgeau,
Bartlett, Louise Bonne, Sheldon, and Howell.
A. M. Smith, of Drummondville, received the first prize for the best
fifteen varieties, which collection contained, in addition to the
Seckel, D. d’Angouleme, B. d’Anjou, Bartlett, Louise Bonne, White
Doyenne, Vicar of Winkfield, Sheldon, and Flemish Beauty, the Mt.
Vernon, medium size, light russet, quality “very good,” ripe in December
and January, tree very prolific. Beurre Diel, large, very variable in
quality on light soils, on clay soil usually “very good,” ripe in
November. Easter Beurre, large, late keeper, ripening in March, quality
“very good.” Buffum, small to medium, “very good,” ripe in September,
does well on sandy soil, though somewhat variable in quality. Glout
Morceau, large, greenish yellow, “good” to “very good,” ripe in
December; the tree is one of the most subject to blight of all the
pears.
The prize for the best six varieties was awarded to Geo. Leslie,
Toronto, who exhibited Beurre Clairgeau, Louise Bonne, Sheldon,
Bartlett, Flemish Beauty, and Duchesse d’Angouleme.
In Plums there was a very good display of varieties, but not the
profusion of exhibits we have sometimes had. The collection of twenty
varieties exhibited by Gilchrist Bros., of Guelph, to which the first
prize was awarded, will give a very good idea of the sorts that can be
successfully grown and that are held in estimation among us. The
collection embraced the Peach Plum, large, light red, juicy, “very
good;” McLaughlin, large, yellow marbled with red, “best;” Duane’s
Purple, large, reddish purple, “good;” Yellow Egg, very large, yellow, a
cooking plum; Quackenboss, large, purple, “good;” Bradshaw, large,
reddish purple, “very good;” Prince Englebert, large, deep purple, “very
good;” Victoria, large, yellow shaded with purple, “good;” Lombard,
medium size, violet red, “good;” Glass Seedling, large, deep purple,
“good;” Columbia, very large, brownish purple, “good;” Prince of Wales,
large, reddish purple, “good;” Marten’s, large, yellow dotted with red
in the sun, “very good;” Red Gage, small, brownish red, “best;” Early
Orleans, medium size, dark red, “good;” Green Gage, small, yellowish
green, “best;” Reine Claude de Bavay, large, greenish yellow, “best;”
Pond’s Seedling, very large, bright red on a yellow ground, “good;”
Saint Catharine, medium size, pale yellow, “very good;” Coe’s Golden
Drop, large, light yellow, “very good.”
There was also a very good display of grapes, unexpectedly good,
remembering the unusual trials through which our grapes passed during
the last season. The prize for the best twelve varieties, and the prize
for the best six, grown in the open air, were awarded to S. Woodley, of
Hamilton. His collection of twelve varieties comprised the Delaware,
small in berry and bunch, light red, sweet and sprightly; Wilder, large,
black, sweet, and rich; Agawam, large, dark red, vinous, and a little
musky; Martha, medium, greenish yellow, much like a Concord in flavor;
Iona, also medium, light red, vinous, and excellent; Rebecca, medium,
light greenish yellow, sweet and pleasant; Rogers’ No. 44, large, black,
sweet; Barry, large, black, juicy, and sweet; Senasqua, full medium
size, black; Concord, large, black, sweet, musky; Creveling, medium,
black, very agreeable flavor; Perkins, medium, copper color, foxy.
The display of peaches was smaller than usual, the fruit having ripened
up so early that little was to be found at the date of the exhibition
wherewith to make a display, and any enumeration of the varieties that
were exhibited would fail to convey any adequate idea of the kinds that
are grown in our peach growing districts.
We close this already too lengthy article in the hope that it may prove
valuable as a guide to many of our readers who are planting orchards of
fruit trees, or seeking to make additions to those they already possess;
and with the suggestion that this annual fruit exhibit affords an
excellent opportunity for becoming acquainted with at least the external
appearance of many of our most valuable fruits.
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