Kristine, I’ve a great book on “Sweet & Hard Cider,” “Making it, Using it, & Enjoying it” By Annie Proulx & Lew Nichols; 1980 by Storey Communications, Inc. ‘Ninth printing, August 1993. – Garden Way Publishing. In the chapter, ‘Apples for Cider’ there are extensive lists, photographs and descriptions of early apple and cider production across Canada described, as “Canadian Apples.” Found some books here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/ ... ition=used

Each (lower Province) is described, from east to west. With “recommended apples in 1916,” since I recognize most, they’re definitely not specific to cider making. Quote: “It’s interesting to compare today’s suggested varieties with those of more than sixty years ago, with an eye to bringing back some of the antiques renowned both for table and cider. Through the use of improved rootstocks and pest controls, some of the weaknesses that led to their demise can be corrected. The recommendations for 1916 were made by the late W. T. Macoun, first Dominion horticulturist, in The Apple in Canada, and were selected from general lists by the authors as known varieties used for cider.”

I suspect Mr. “Macoun” is who the “Macoun Apple” is named after, of which I have a graft (one of my Dad’s favorites)! …here we go: “Macoun apples are a cross between the McIntosh and Jersey Black varieties.[1] The Macoun (sometimes pronounced "McCowan") was developed at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, by R. Wellington. Named after Canadian fruit grower W.T. Macoun, it was first introduced in 1923, and has been regarded as one of the finest eating apples in the Northeast. Macouns are also very popular at roadside stands and pick-your-own farms.” So I’m learning, too

Of the “Canadian Apples” section of this book there are four great old photos from “National Photography Collection, Public Archives of Canada, PA; #’s: 21474; 41831; 84584; & C 63307." The rich and descriptive history moves from east to west with one notation reading: “Nova Scotia’s early orchards developed along the Annapolis Valley. One of the varieties planted by Charles R. Prescott in Wolfville in 1812 is still recommended today, the early Gravenstein. Two other varieties he planted, but which do not appear either in Macoun’s 1916 suggestions or current recommendations, are the Rhode Island Greening from the United States, and the Blenheim, which Prescott imported from England.”

An interesting note (on page 88), and ‘recent’: “Manitoba has not yet evaluated its apple varieties as cider cultivars. “We’re still struggling to succeed in growing them,” Provincial fruit specialist P.J.Peters says, adding, “Most of our varieties are cross-bred with crab apples in order to breed in hardiness.” The apples that succeed should make good cider.” I’d assume breeding and early cultivation would be dependant on an ‘industrial use,’ as cider is described in the book as a once thriving market, cider apples may be a good lead to some of the earliest cultivars…

Apples “Recommended for Saskatchewan and Alberta in 1916 are said to be “Same as for Manitoba” – which include: ‘Duchess of Oldenburg’ and ‘Antonovka.’ “Crabs” listed are: ‘Transcendent’ and ‘Hyslop.’ “(all in only the most favored situations)”

Another quote, from page 89: “Orchards planted on the plains must have shelter. This is of primary importance, before the other requirements of hardiness, drought tolerance, and early bearing are considered. The greatly increased number of varieties available today is as compared with 1916, and the success of fruit growing, can be attributed to the development of shelterbelts as well as hardy rootstocks. Saskatchewan spearheaded the drive to plant protective wind-, snow-, and erosion-controlling breaks around fruit trees starting at the turn of this century. Two years before Macoun made his 1916 recommendations, the Forest Nursery Station at Indian Head and its Sutherland substation began a program of distributing shelterbelt trees to farmers free of charge.”

‘Next door,’ in British Columbia, you begin to hit into what ‘we’ can grow down here in the Willamette Valley, their 1916 list includes; Alexander; Cox’s Orange Pippin; Duchess of Oldenburn; Gravenstein’ Fameuse; Delicious; Esopus Spitzenburg; Jonathan; McIntosh; Northern Spy; Ontario; Rome Beauty; Wealthy: Winesap: Wolf River & Yellow Transparent. … it also refers to the Long Ashton Research Station and the Research Station in Summerland, you may attempt to contact them.

Hope that helps… It’s a great book, @ $12.95 it’s been useful to me.