Better known as the Summerland Research Station, three types of research are carried on: breeding to develop new tree fruit and grape varieties, cultural practices to obtain optimum fruit quality and increase yields, and harvesting and storage. Apple varieties developed at the station include Spartan, Shamrock, Sinta, Sumac, Summerrec, and more. The Spartan apple is well known and was developed by Dr R C Palmer in 1926 as a cross between the Newton and the Macintosh.
