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Morton, J. A., Director for District No. 10, Wingham.............-...--..---+.-. wy. fot
Panton, M.A., Prof. J. H., Agricultural College, Guelph .............. . es Stee
DOLE t ri Lb, (Le QS ES 0 a ve Gar ee ce, SS, eR 0 ee 126
OSE oe a ee eI, a a 30
NINETEENTH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Phil e GROWERS “ASSOCIATION
OF ONTARIO.
To the Honorable the Commissioner of Agriculture -
Dear Si1r,—lI have pleasure in transmitting to you the Nineteenth Annual Report
of the Fruit Growers’ Association of Ontario, a volume containing an immense amount
of the most valuable information on the subjects of fruit, flowers and forestry.
Three public meetings for discussion have been held during the year, continuing for
two days each. A most careful report of these meetings has been made by the aid of an
able stenographer, which will, no doubt, aid materially in the progress and development of
horticulture and sylviculture in our country.
A volume of The Canadian Horticulturist for 1887 also accompanies this Report, a
monthly journal which is highly appreciated by the members of our Association as a
medium of communicating individual experience in practical horticulture,
Trusting that the earnest efforts of the past year may be esteemed worthy of your
approval,
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
L. WOOLVERTON,
Secretary.
OFFICERS FOR 1887-88.
PRESIDENT:
2 EE LU re EI en ee Goderich
‘VicE-PRESIDENT :
SSS ON ee en St. Catharines
SECRETARY-TREASURER AND EDITOR
LE EELS SLES a ee oe uetaeed Grimsby.
DIRECTORS :
eo SS WD Orit John Croil, Aultsville. :
Agricultural Division No. 2...... ane are te epeuee ota: ates A. A. Wright, Renfrew. . ™*°4
Asrientsural Division No, 3.1)... 025 ee he wets Rey. Geo. Bell, LL.D., Kingston.
Pamemtntal aivision NO. -4.5...5. 5... essed ewes P. C. Dempsy, Trenton.
emmcuitenl PiIVISIOn INO, Di... ee eo ee eee oe Thos. Beall, Lindsay.
meerricusural Wivision UNG. 9G). 20s. le she ee Se esse oe W. E. Wellington, Toronto.
MAMICOMMMEMOINIEION INO: AF. onc... cece ot tenes s Murray Pettit, Winona.
ericultum) Division No. 8.25... oe Sy ce eee A. H. Pettit, Grimsby.
meterlorat aviator, NO oO. 2 nie ee we eek seme s Fred. Mitchell, Innerkip.
Pee veo NO. LO ss loos 5 cele ane coin es J. A. Morton, Wingham.
memmculnural-ivision NO. It eT J. M. Denton, London.
merenitiral Division No. 12... -....2- 2.0.6 selon Albert Hill, Wyoming.
Sereultural Divison Noo 15... 2. eee ect eo G. ©. Caston, Craighurst.
AUDITORS :
MMI Ee ete tic Mee hk «vc ce kone Cole ne cee eee Crown Hill.
RR CM a ie bs gn 5d SS Lis ow ww gin ws sj a.sc0 sea aie = shot eae gee
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE :
The President, | The Vice-President.
The Secretary.
FINANCE CoMMITTEE :
EE OURS Se en reer SET Grimsby:
NM aM NT aloe ain vind ae8 kn nad ss oe cd ais one Ua oa ee Winona.
IOI 5s. 7 MMMM Nef RNG! siatule a das Sees one voces cash ve te Lindsay.
THE PRESIDENTS ANNUAL ADDRESS.
At the annual meeting of the Association, held at Grimsby, in the county of Lincoln,
on the 28th and 29th of September, 1887, the president, Alex. McD. Allan, Esq., of
' Goderich, delivered the following address :
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, MEMBERS OF THE ONTARIO Fruit Growers’ ASSocIATION :—
Probably no point in this Province could have been so appropriately chosen for our
annual gathering as this beautiful village of Grimsby, embedded in the midst of the
fruit Eden of Ontario.
A few amongst us, whose heads have grown hoary under a weight of years, can look
back to the early days when this great Niagara district, as well as the rest of our Pro-
vince, was largely a forest, broken only by occasional small clearings and rough roadways
leading to small villages of seldom more than a dozen cottages each. Society, as under-
stood now-a-days, had no place in our country then, and yet these. old pioneers assure us
that those were among their happiest days. Along with the hardest of daily toil they
held converse with nature and all her charms. Neighbours were dear to each other, they
consulted together in everything ; their feelings and interests were the same; a universal
friendship prevailed.
“* There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,
** There is a rapture by the lonely shore,
‘* There is society where none intrudes,
‘* By the deep sea, and music in its roar—
** We love not man the less, but nature more
“ Tn these our interviews.”
And yet now-a-days we frequently hear of those whose great desire is to leave the
farm and seek the town or city in quest of so-called society. The question is often
asked, “ Why do young men Jeave the farm?” Looking at this question from a horti-
cultural standpoint, I am satisfied that, amongst other replies, it may be answered that
early training has much to do with it. If boys were trained to give a reason for every
piece of work done ; to know something of the science of tilling the soil, the “ whys”
and “ wherefores” of everything connected with agriculture and horticulture, and above
all, to create in the youthful mind a desire to search more deeply into nature and its
great works, we would hear less of this desire to keep aloof from the industry of agri-
culture. Interest each child in some plant or flower, and as he or she grows older that
interest will grow, and the desire will become keener to search more deeply into nature’s
great fields. There is nothing that will make so marked an impression for good, for
tender, refined feeling in our children as to lead them into a study of the works of our
great Creator in the forest as well as the fruitful fields, orchards and gardens. These
early lessons are remembered through life, for the interest is kindled in school days when
habits are forming. The school house as well as the school yard should contain a sort of
Kindergarten or object lesson, and every child should have some special tree, plant or
flower to care for. I believe this matter should receive the deepest attention, not only
from all parents, but also from our educational departments and seats of learning, and I
trust this Association will continue to work towards such a desirable end. I believe our
common school system of studies is getting beyond the requirements of our country and
its best interests, inasmuch as it is calculated to induce our young men and women to leave
the field and orchard and seek some profession or other calling in life. Agriculture and
its sister horticulture demand the brightest and best of our sons and daughters, and the
best interests of our country demands their study and labour too. [If an interest in these
studies were created in schools I believe ere long we could find a more general desire, and
a more intelligent desire in the rising generation to excel in these sciences. Such a
study would tend to make better men and women of our children. Lead a boy to take
an interest in the cultivation of some tree, plant or flower and you make an impression
upon his young mind that will deepen with age ; it will have an elevating tendency in
his nature, a refining influence on his character that will, as he grows older, lead those
he comes in contact with, to point up to him as one of “‘nature’s noblemen.” Under
the influence of such studies we would have fewer criminals and a more prosperous as
well as a better and happier people.
Since our last annual meeting it has been my pleasant Jot to assist in representing
Canada at the Colonial and Indian Exhibition in London, England, in the interests of
fruit growers and shippers. As you are already well acquainted with the nature and
extent of our fruit display on that occasion, it is not necessary to enlarge upon that.
Suffice it to say that it was at once the largest and finest display of fruits ever seen, not
only in Britain, but in all Europe. Our Dominion Government could not have done
anything to so thoroughly correct the erroneous impressions of our country held by the
people generally in the old world as by placing before them to see, feel and taste the
luscious fruits of our orchards, gardens and vineyards. That exhibit did more for our
country than all the literature and emigration agents could have accomplished in a
quarter of a century. Our fruits told dwellers in Britain of a climate far superior to
anything they had given Canada credit for, and the variations of that climate stretching
from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Some years ago I made the statement at one of our
meetings that I believed we could grow the finest apples in the world. My experience
in Britain’s markets, where I met apples from almost all other fruit growing countries,
has confirmed the impression. We have struck the happy medium in climate and soil in
order to produce apples of the highest degree of excellence in flavour, form and colour.
Our apples have taken the British buyers by storm, and consumers there will not
purchase any others so long as they can obtain a suitable article from us. Britain wants
the best, and the best only. There is no better market for a choice article, and I do not
know so poor a market for an inferior article. Canada has gained a good name for generally
honest culling and packing, and it is absolutely necessary that we do not allow a spot to
I wish my words could reach the ears of every orchardist as well
I would entreat of them, not only for their own best
tarnish our character.
as shippers in our fair country.
interests, but also for the sake of the fair fame of our country, to exercise the greatest
care in the cultivation, selection and packing of our fruits. Let the grower see to it
that he leaves nothing undone that can be done to excel in the production of the choicest
fruits, and that when he comes to dispose of it, to allow nothing pass to the shipper but
the best. Above all things, teach your children to be scrupulously honest in picking and
culling out the apples ready for packing. Never encourage a child to think it smart to
get a spotted or wormy apple off on the buyer, by hiding it in the middle of the basket
or barrel. Be honest towards your children, yourself, your customers and your country,
and you will not only have the satisfaction of reaping reach pecuniary rewards but of
being a benefit to your country, a guide to your associates, and an instructor for every-
thing that is just and right in your own family. Let the shipper see to it also that he
acts in strictest honesty with his customers. Let the brand always indicate truly what
the barrel contains. Let every specimen be sound and clean for a good brand of fruit.
And if a choice lot is wanted, they should be made of even size and good colour in the
barrel. Under no circumstances let the brand indicate anything better than the fruit in
the barrel fairly demands. A more difficult question now comes, namely, to whom shall
we ship? All the fruit markets of Britain are full of so-called fruit brokers, whose only
desire seems to be to make their commissions, and they always do this, no matter how
they may sacrifice the interests of the shipper. This class of brokers are what we know
as curbstone brokers, and are irresponsible. In conversation, they are quite persuasive,
“child-like and bland,” as Bret Harte would put it ; but do not trust them. Then there
is a large class of brokers who, although they are financially responsible, they have not
the accommodation to hold fruit in storage, or they do not care to so far consider the inter-
ests of the shipper as to hold for favourable markets, but force everything off at auction
no matter what may be the state of the market. By all means, it is to our best interests
to avoid this class. There is a class of brokers again, who are interested in retail fruit
stores, the result of which is that when they handle fruit on consignment the interests of
the shipper are cruelly sacrificed, and these retailers are supplied at prices that ensure
large profits to the broker. But there is still left a thoroughly responsible and trust-
worthy class who do all they can to protect the interests of the shippers, and where there
is any possibility of realising prices that will ensure profit to the consignor, they will
invariably accomplish that desirable end at a very reasonable cost. You will find this
class of dealers often at the dock or railway depot examining the goods sent, and trying
to make sale to some retailers without incurring cartage or market expense.
During my four months’ stay in Britain [ visited all the fruit markets, searched out
the various classes of dealers and their ways of doing business, and hence I know wheveof
I speak. It would take up too much space to attempt to name firms, but at any time
I will be pleased to give every information in my possession to those who desire to ship,
I can recommend good responsible houses in most of the chief towns and cities, whose
business records have been looked into or tested. Generally speaking, it is a mistake to
ship on consignmeut to any but the three great distributing centres of trade, I mean
London, Liverpool and Glasgow. There is another important point I desire shippers to
notice, it is this: That the experience of the past has shewn that fruit shipped to London
direct by water, has received much more damage in transit than when shipped vid Liver-
a, a PSSST ey ed AS ‘
pool and thence by rail to London. It is a very common thing to find in cargoes shipped
direct to London by water, barrels with only a few pecks in them, and from the fact that
the few left are clean, fine samples, it is natural to conclude that they have been tam-
pered with either when passing up the Thames or when in charge of the dock com-
panies. I have made frequent visits to the docks to see cargoes discharged, and almost
always remarked an amount of careless handling that was startling. Barrels of apples
standing in the storage sheds open and passers by having every chance to pilfer that
could be desired. I remonstrated with these dock companies, and for the time being
things were attended to better ; but, no doubt, when my back was turned the same eare-
lessness was repeated. [ would, theretore, advise shippers to ship to London always wid
Liverpool. ‘This has a further advantage of an extra market, as if the consignee in
London finds he can sell to advantage considering the difference in freight by stopping
the cargo and disposing of it in Liverpool, he will do so. British railways are a huge
monopoly, the result of which is that they so combine in freight charges as to put it
beyond the inter ests of shippers to send consignments direct to inland cities and towns.
They do not carry at a proportionately low rate compared with our through rates to
British ports.
Our markets for apples are extending, and there is no doubt but they will extend
still farther within a few years, as the high flavour, beauty in form and colour and keeping
qualities of our apples becomes more widely known. A very fine line of business was
opened last year with buyers for the markets of Norway, Sweden and Denmark, and
by exercising care in selecting and packing, this trade can be largely increased. I am
confident that by proper management a good trade can be established with these countries
in dried fruits as well as canned goods. Then, with the connection of a fast line of
steamships on the Pacific Ocean with our Canadian Pacific Railway, our apples will find a
profitable market in the far East. There is still another market nearer home that will
prove one of the most important to growers in Ontario. I refer to our own great North-
west. Even now, although the population is small and very scattered, the trade has
assumed wonderful proportions. And it has one very desirable feature, in that it isa
market for our early and fall apples, that would otherwise be of comparatively little value.
Of course there are some fall apples that we can ship to Britain profitably under some
circumstances. If the British, Belgian and German crops are short, then our fall apples,
if carried in good order, will command about the same prices in Britain that winter sorts
bring. But if there is a surplus in the countries that supply Britain with that class of
apple, as well «s a fair crop in Britain herself, then we must seek another market for
early and fall kinds. The same thing does not hold good to the same extent as regards
winter varieties. Nearly all the kinds grown in Belgium and Germany for export are
what we would call fall cookers ; they have very little if any colour and their flavour is
generally somewhat insipid. The result is that however large these crops may be (the
British crop included) they cannot find profitable sale when our .winter fruit appears in
the markets. Of fall varieties we have one that is sure of ready sale at high prices. I
refer to the Gravenstein. Even this season it has sold as high as $6.00 per barrel ; St
Lawrence has made $4.20, and Colvert $4.05 for good samples.
7
If our ae companies would provide a cold blast for the compartment where
fruit is stored it would be a boon to shippers and consumers alike, as that would ensure
fruit carrying without the slightest damage by heating. The introduction of a cold blast
would not necessitate much if any expense to the Company, and would, I believe, greatly
facilitate and ensure the interests of all concerned. With its aid we could successfully
ship such apples as Duchess of Oldenburg, and realize high prices. And if the market
demand would permit, even such pears as Clapps’ Favorite, Bartlett, Flemish Beauty and
Boussock could be shipped.
In shipping our winter apples, shippers would find it greatly to their advantage to
provide good storage so that varieties could be sent forward in proper season when the
market demand is best for each particular variety. It is folly to send a mixed cargo at
an early season, as there is then no proper demand for a long keeping kind. Shipments
should continue through winter until early spring. Such a season as the present, if I
were advising shippers as to the order in which special kinds should be shipped, it would
be thus : In September and first week of October ship all Twenty-Ounce, and Ribston’s, and
Blenheims; follow this with Kings. Send some Baldwins and Greenings through
November and December, finishing shipments of these kinds in January. The first Spies
should be sent forward in December, and continued on through January into February.
Ontario and Wagner will also cover the same season. Hold the Russets until March, if
possible, along with Mann, and send them forward then as the demand rises, taking care
to examine every barrel before leaving the storehouse to see that there is no decay or
shrinkage. Other kinds that I have not named can be sent forward in their proper season
for using. But the time for shipping must be determined each season according as the
crop matures early or late. It is invariably a good time to ship extra large and fine
specimens about the first of December, so as to get the Christmas market on or about the
15th of that month.
In any case, it pays to store long keepers here rather than ship early, as they will
realize much better prices, besides keeping better in this dry climate that in thé damp and
clammy winters of Britain.
The large grape crop of the present season and the exceedingly low prices, causes
the growers to ask what are the prospects of obtaining markets for an increasing supply ?
I firmly believe that if proper cold storage can be secured on the steamships, Britain will
soon prove to be a good market for our open air grapes. But as the taste for them is
one that must be acquired largely, such a trade must be approached with all due care.
The only class of grape consumers in Britain are those who can afford to pay very high prices
for hot-house varieties, and those who are satisfied with the poor quality of the ordinary
Spanish white grape of commerce. I have no doubt at all that our grapes would find a
ready class of consumers if once introduced in competition with the Spanish grape. It
will be necessary to test various ways of carrying our grapes and various packages, so as
to ensure their arrival in perfect condition. Those packed in berry boxes tightly enclosed
in a case containing some ten or a dozen such boxes, carried better than in any other way to
the Colonial at London last year. The square boxes used last year for apples and pears were
not after all so serviceable as good neat barrels. Fruit could not be packed tightly in the
boxes, and hence bruised badly. Undoubtedly the barrel is by far the best package yet tried
for apples fand when the quarter hoops are driven down far enough to allow the barrel roll
upon them, it saves the fruit from bruising in the bilge of the barrel.
I cannot too severely condemn employees of railways and steamships for the rough
mannerin which they handle every kind of fruit package. Of the fruits shipped to the
Colonial Exhibition, fully ten per cent. of the apples were damaged, twenty per cent. of
pears, and ninety per cent. of plums and grapes. The express companies were no exception.
It is high time that something were done to compel these corporations to exercise neces- °
sary care in handling packages.
Both growers and shippers will be anxious to hear something about market prospects ,
Reports in the newspapers have been discouraging alike to grower and shipper, but as I
was receiving widely different reports at the same time, I concluded that the published
reports were from a class of fruit brokers who would like very well to see shippers make
a little profit in order to hold their trade, and hence they sent out werd that export apples
shouldbe purchased at thirty to forty per cent. lower than last year, as the British and Euro-
pean crop was very large. These brokers would like to see shippers make their profit on
this side of the ocean by reducing the price to the grower, instead of in the markets of
Britain. No doubt early prospects were in favour of a generally good crop in Europe, but.
what are the facts now? Britain passed through a long, tedious and severe winter, a
cold, backward spring, and a summer of unusual heat and drought. It is generally
admitted throughout Kent (and this county sends more apples to the London market than
any other) that the aggregate yield of marketable fruit will not exceed an average crop,
and these are mainly early kinds. In midland counties prospects are less favourable than
last year. Orchards have suffered severely from continued drought and blight, and
growers agree that the crop will be under an average. The west or cider counties report
a small crop of doubtful quality. In the north, where the cultivation of the apple is
only nominal, indications point to an average crop of fair quality. Taken altogether, we
are safe to conclude that the apple crop of the United Kingdom will not exceed that of
1886, with quality and size of samplesinferior. Another point I may here mention that
is well worth remembering ; it is this: that British apples are mostly cookers, and it is
rare to find an apple grown there combining both cooking and dessert qualities. This
and a most important point, they concede readily to Canada.
Advices from the chief shipping ports of France, as well as the interior, agree that
the quantity of apples suitable for the English markets will about equal that of last year.
In the south-west Rennets and Dieudonne’s promise fairly, but it is admitted by shippers
that the quantity available for export is yearly less important ; it is said that the shade of
the apple trees is injurious to the vines amongst which they grow, and that when the
trees die out they are not generally replaced.
Reports from the apple sections of Belgium and Holland indicate an average yield of
early kinds, which are all disposed of before this date. Late varieties, which are exten-
sively grown for the English markets, are a fairly good crop, and shippers claim the
winter export trade will be fair. The outlook in Germany is favourable, but advices
from Hamburg, Stettin and the interior cannot at present be relied upon with any degree
of certainty. Howeyer, the quantity available for export is never large, and it is probable
that local consumption will exhaust the supply.
Shipments of early apples from Fortugal commenced in June. Prices ate low owing
to the inferiority of this fruit. Crops are reported light, and arrivals after September, if
any, will have no influence on the British markets.
Therefore, I conclude that shippers should make more money in the British-markets
this year than was realized last year, and if they fail to do so it must certainly be on
account of the inferiority of their brand.
After visiting many orchards in various parts of Britain and discussing apple-growing
with growers and dealers, I have arrived at the conclusion that British growers have
become discouraged, and hence the fact that hundreds of acres of orchards are sadly
neglected, and are in a state of decay. Many kinds have been grown that are mere cum-
berers of the ground. Indeed, for siany years past, there has been a practical dearth of
home grown apples in the Brisish markets, in consequence of inclement weather in the
autumn preventing the maturing of the wood, and keen frosts in late spring destroying
the blossom. Apple growing in Britain is rapidly waning, and there are some like indica-
tions throughout Europe. In the United States the crop varies as it does in our own
country. We do not find that competition in our own North-west that we have had on
account of the smallness of the crop, even of early fruit in Missouri. The apple crop for
all Western States, taken as a whole, is under the average considerably. In New York
there will be about half a crop, with Newtown’s scarce, and in the Eastern States the
crop is scarcely any better. Altogether, the apples for export from the States will be
under that of last year considerably.
The Nova Scotia crop is scarcely up to a half.
Our own crop for export will be under that of last year, but the sample of fruit will
be better. There is rejoicing all over our land by growers and shippers on account of the
absence of the fungus spot, even Fameuse is perfectly clean this year, and contrary to
earlier expectations samples will be fully up in size with superb colouring.
A word still to the shippers and I leave this question. Packed and ready for ship-
ment, it is for the exporter to decide with promptitude, if he has not already done so, as
to the market to which he will consign his fruit. It is a mistake to have fixed ideas on
this subject. Putting all your eggs in one basket means success or failure, and is opposed
to the best rules of business. It may be difficult for shippers to come to a decision as to
the best market to take. Too much reliance should not be placed upon market reports
mailed from broking firms, for they are, as a rule, apart from prices actually realised,
couched in language sufficiently encouraging to induce shippers to consign to Liverpool
when they should take London or Glasgow, or vice versa. Market forecasts too are
usually held out as one would wish them to be, rather than as they are likely to be. The
necessity of always making arrangements with the steamship agents well in advance of
contemplated shipments, in order to avoid being shut out, must also be borne in mind.
Those who have had their fruit shut out, and have been compelled to await the following
steamer, know from experience the value of this suggestion. Influence shouid also be
brought to bear on the agents in regard to the storage of the fruit. Apples should never
be stowed under or mixed with general or any other cargo, and they should always be
stowed away from all heating influences,
Among new fruits likely to find a place in general cultivation, I would name my old
friend Mr. P. C. Dempsey’s new pear, which I shall here name “ Dempsey.” It is a
cross between Bartlett and Duchess D’Angouleme, and bears not only the markings of
both parents well blended together, but also flavour and’ season of ripening well defined.
I believe this pear will yet come in as one of the most valuable on our list. I earnestly
wish growers would strive, by hybridization and the growing of seedlings, to produce a
winter pear of size and excellence. Take for your aim, for example, the Vicar for size
and Josephene De Malmis for quality. Mr. Dempsey has also produced a new apple,
the Trenton, by crossing the Golden Russet and Spy. The Trenton has the appearance
as if of the Fameuse family ; form and size goes with the Russet parent ; flavour richer
than Fameuse and colour more intense and covering.
In plums, I do not know anything that has taken my fancy for general purposes as
the Prune, grown at Collingwood. I have had an opportunity of tasting the fruit this
season and, if I may judge by the few specimens sent to me, [ must pronounce it much
superior to the well known German Prune in flavour. It is of good size and in general
appearance resembles German Prune, and is a splendid shipper. Growers in Collingwood
report that they can make more money out of this than any other variety.
The system of judging fruits at Fairs must be improved upon and conducted scientifi-
cally or exhibitors will not derive any practical benefits, and growers will be kept in the
dark, as in the past. A scale should be adopted with maximum points for each variety,
the highest number being the maximum of the most valuable fruits. A scale of one to ten
would cover all, and if introduced and used by all judges, we would find a decided
improvement in the growing of only the best kinds. All fruits should be judged upon
points, and the man who is not able to give such a judgment should not be employed.
The single judge system would have the effect of weeding out incompetent men, and I
believe the sooner it is adopted by Exhibition Associations, in the horticultural depart-
ment at all events, the better for all concerned.
The English sparrow is still widening its field of mischief. This season I lost two
trees of Huling’s Superb plums by the sparrow, and many others complain of its depreda-
tions among the piums and grapes. As soon as the fruit ripens well they seem to pick
holes to extract the juices, probably to quench thirst; at all events they take a marvel-
lously short time to destroy a crop of plums. My two trees of Huling’s Superb were
loaded and I was not able to find a whole plum in three days from ripening. Growers
are reporting some new feature of evil in the sparrow from time to time, and I hope this
Association will take the matter up at an early day, and if possible suggest a remedy.
After a winter of more than usual severity and a summer of extraordinary heat and
drouth, we are early into fall weather. Already we can almost say :
‘* Leaves are dead and woods are red,
Autumn skies are soft and pale.”
The orchardist should make early provision for winter.
Our thanks as fruit-growers are due to the Dominion Government for the good done
11
in our interests and for our country through the Colonial Exhibition. Personally, I
would not feel that I had done justice if I neglected to refer to the very many courtesies,
the prompt attentions and interest in the welfare of Canada, expressed in the actions of
Sir Charles Tupper, our High Commissioner, who was ever ready and willing to do all
that was possible in every way to advance the fruit interests of Canada. Nor can I for-
get the cheerful attentions and quick, executive ability of Mr. C. C. Chipman, the Cana-
dian Accountant in London. And I feel under deep, personal obligations to Mr. J. B.
Thomas, of Covent Garden Market, London, one of the oldest and foremost fruit dealers
of Britain, for innumerable acts of kindness in assisting me to gain information concern-
ing the trade.
And now, my friends, before closing, let me ask one and all to work, speak, write
and think for the interests of horticulture. Enlist the sympathies of your friends and
neighbours ; spread everywhere the necessity of cultivation, more planting, growing only
the best varieties, and buying and selling honestly. In our Association we want all
classes of our people, especially do we want the influence of woman, and I believe even
now our women are fairly enlisted and willing to work for the grand elevative interests
of horticulture. Let us work up enthusiasm in our subject, and thus solidly and surely
elevate the standard of everything that is good. There is room always for improvement,
and we should never rest fully satisfied with the results of past experiments, but go on ©
working up to a high ideal and encouraging others to work too.
“ Let us act that each to-morrow
Find us farther than to-day.”
12
THE WINTER MEETING.
The Winter Meeting was held in the Town Hall, Chatham, on Wednesday and
Thursday, the 9th and 10th of February, 1887.
The President, A. McD. Allan, Esq., in calling the meeting to order, expressed a
hope that the local members and visitors from the County of Kent, of whom there was a
fair attendance, would freely avail themselves of the opportunity of taking part in the
debates of the Association, one of the especial objects of holding the meeting in Chatham
being that points in regard to fruit culture in the County of Kent might be brought for-
ward.
A CIVIC WELCOME
Mr. H. A. Patterson, Mayor of Chatham, then extended a welcome to the Associa-
tion, on behalf of the Town Council and inhabitants of Chatham, in the following
terms :—
GENTLEMEN,—It affords me great pleasure to have the honour of welcoming your
Association to Chatham. I have no formal address to offer—no written address,—but
will, in a few words, offer you that welcome on behalf of the inhabitants of Chatham.
There are few parts of this Dominion in which the fruit-grower has so many things
lavished upon him by nature as in this County of Kent, and I much regret that a far
more lively interest has not been evinced in this meeting by the fruit-growers of this
vicinity, though I am confident that later on in your proceedings you will find a great
increase in attendance. [again bid you welcome io Chatham, and am confident that
your treatment here will be such that you will go away, feeling that Chatham is at least
not the most forsaken place in the world.
The President, on behalf of the Association, thanked the Mayor for the cordial wel-
come extended, assuring him that the meeting at Chatham had been looked forward to
with interest by them, and would doubtless be long remembered. They were well aware
that Chatham was the chief town in one of the most important agricultural counties of
the Province of Ontario, which was saying a good deal, and that the County of Kent was
making its mark in the Province. He felt assured that the attendance, though com-
paratively small at the time of opening, would be larger during the progress of the meet-
ing, and that the discussions carried on would be marked by ardour and ability. As he
had other remarks to make at a subsequent stage of the meeting, he would not now tres-
pass further on the time at command, but proceed with the programme. .
THE FRUIT GARDEN FOR HOME USE.
The Secretary read the following paper, contributed by Mr. B. Gott, of Arkona :
GENTLEMEN,—The word “ garden” comes to us through the Anglo-Saxon tongue
and is derived from the old German gart, and signified a piece of ground enclosed for the
purpose of growing vegetables, flowers, etc., for the family. The Latins used the word
« hortus” for the same purpose, hence also we have our significant word “horticulture.”
I may be allowed to remark, in the first place, that as the word garden purports so our
ideas always point to an enclosed or guarded piece of ground in which flowers, vegetables,
ee ———
13
fruits, etc., are ia ee cared for and grown, We, therefore, have but little sympathy
either with the teachings or practices of some in our day, who discard the idea of an
enclosure and place their feeble efforts at gardening anywhere in the open field without
marks or protection, and are at once liable to the inroads of cattle and depredators, and
to be changed from year to year. On the contrary, we say, fence a spot of ground, large
or small, somewhere on the farm most convenient and best adapted for the purposes
designed ; let that spot of ground become sacred to those purposes and forever known as
the home garden, and untrod by depredators of any kind and unbrowsed by hungry
cattle, or untouched by devouring pig. There the various fruit, floral or vegetable
relics, peacefully, securely and tenderly rest and thrive from year to year, and
there are planted for future bloom or fruct the newest and choicest importations and the
latest purchases obtainable, There the members of the family stroll at eventide and
there they walk at early morn to see the late developments. There they practise their
interesting art and tickle the fertile earth, and there they learn over new lessons of use-
fulness and genial profit. From thence they minister to each other wonder and delight,
and foster the good of each.
The fence about the plot, whether square, rectangular or oblong in form, or whether
large or small, may be both ornamental and useful, but, of course, the useful is the
essential idea. It should be straight, strong, light, and as durable as possible. The best
garden fences are made of good cedar posts and durable pickets, but many beautiful,
serviceable fences are lately being made of posts and wires, ornamentally fashioned, and
are recommendable if not made of barbed wires. The idea attached to a fence is protec-
tion to that within and freedom from harbourings of all nuisances and all destroyers. It
need not necessarily be very expensive, but it must be effective and as durable as possible,
not necessarily close and high, like an old English fence, to hide from view all that is
within, but it must be strong and it may be as beautiful as possible. The requirements
of the home garden differ very greatly in accordance with the position, the intelligence,
the character and the number of those composing the home. ‘The best idea of home to
us is that of an assemblage of friends and those we love under a common roof. It is the
habitation of a family of friends mutually working for each other’s good and well-being both
here and hereafter. Let us then picture to ourselves such a home amongst the middle classes
of our beautiful country, where we have many of them, and consisting of eight persons of
different ages, father and mother and six children, half boys, a circumstance not by any
means difficult to find, and may fitly be called a model family. The family so constituted
will require then a plot of ground liberal in its dimensions, the form and shape of it makes
but little difference, but it should be convenient and a rich, well drained loamy soil.
The whole should be thoroughly and systematically planted with all the various and best
fruits of the season. I shall not attempt in this connection the larger or orchard fruits,
as apples, pears, etc., since these cannot properly be brought into the list for home garden
culture. Neither shall I take into account here the questions of culture and prepara-
tion of soil, laying out the beds their sizes and shapes, or whether there shall be any beds
at all or not. Our duty will be rather the consideration of the kinds of fruits to plant.
I would suggest that regularity of design or plan be adopted as may best suit the loca-
tion and the family tastes and needs. The old forms cf dividing the plot into exact
squares with posts from 6 to 8 feet in width, leading all round and the borders of these
squares regularly planted with gooseberry or currant bushes, raspberry or strawberry
plants need not necessarily be followed, but I would strongly recommend a system or
plan of some sort simple and easily worked, and according to which even the visitor
may know how to find the class of fruits he is in search of. I may suggest, too,
some flowers in the garden. I do not know here how far you will be disposed to agree
with me, but on account of my prevailing whim, I venture to broach it. I do so much
love to see the flowers “‘that ever turn towards the sun,” as the Helianthus and the
ever-varied and gay-coloured Phloxes, with many other favourites, that [ should be
strongly tempted to stick them into every vacancy to bloom by the pathway. And then
they are such an attraction, you know.
The implements and accessories of the garden should be plentiful and efficient. The
ordinary implements for stirring the soil, and keeping it well pulverized and free from
14
weeds, must be close at hand for ready and constant use whenever needed. Implements
for pruning, training, grafting, shearing, clipping, etc., must also be in good condition
and ready for use in proper time and season.
I would further suggest that a cheap but serviceable greenhouse be provided. Perhaps
you will think this superfluous, but in the experience of many years it is found to be advan-
tageous and profitablee How many new kinds of fruit plants you recelve In an
enfeebled condition, or perhaps in the cold of winter, could be nursed and cared for here
and brought safely through? Again, how much profitable testing, experimenting and
propagating may be quietly done here, even in the slack months? This is all very inter-
esting and very profitable. In this connection cellars and storehouses are absolutely
needed and must be provided. These must be ample and commodious, free from excessive
dampness and from frost and vermin. Theirinside must be well ventilated and pure,
and provided with slatted slide boxes and cribs for the hardier fruits, and commodious
shelves for the smaller ones during the winter. These must be directed by circumstances.
I should like to say a word or two about fruit preservation. This is one of the most
important questions connected with the whole subject of fruit supply. The methods of
canning and preserving that must be understood are now so many and so varied that this
alone would form an ample theme of itself ; but they must be all known and practised
in order to have a liberal supply of good and wholesome fruit for the table whenever the
supply outside is no longer obtainable. Evaporation by means of artificial process, as
is now practised, is one of the best methods for supplying the larger and fleshy in all
seasons. For the berries and other delicate fruits, canning and conserving are the
methods most resorted to, and eminently good and satisfactory. After those necessary
digressions that will meet your approval, I shall come at once to speak as briefly as
possible of the fruits themselves in order.
The strawberry, in its earliness, its simplicity of treatment and ready growth, and
in its fine and delicate internal and external qualities, must be the first on the list of
desirable fruits for family use. In obtaining plants of this fruit the question of length
of season should be in view.
We advise to secure good healthy plants, as near at home as possible, and plant
them in the spring of the year, in rows 2 feet apart and 12 inches in the rows, on good
dry previously prepared soil. I cannot now detain you by descriptions of the
varieties mentioned, but shall simply state the names of those I think the most deserving
of notice and in the order of their qualities and season of ripening. For early, Canada,
Bidwell, Crescent, Ontario, Manchester, Daniel Boone, Wilson and Mr. Henderson’s.
new one ‘“ King of the North.’ For medium, the Crimson Cluster, Henderson, both
new ones. For late, Prince of Berries, Maggie and Jewel. The last mentioned is Mr.
Augur’s new strawberry from Connecticut, and is by many strides the most valuable and
promising berry I have yet seen. The whole of those named need not necessarily be
planted at once, unless the demand is for novelties and variety, but enough of them may
for good family supply.
The raspberry is properly the succeeding family fruit of the season, and cannot now
be dispensed with. It is very popular, easily grown on almost any soils, and possesses so
many réally good qualities of merit, that it asks or need no recommendations from me.
The varieties, like those of the strawberry, are fortunately very various and very many
to choose from. For early reds, the Hansell, Marlboro’, Herstine, Turner, Red Antwerp.
and Franconia. For late, Clarke and Cuthbert, the last having more good qualities in it”
than any other one berry amongst us. For early, black, Tyler, Souhegan, Seneca. For
late, Mammoth Cluster, Gregg and Shaffer. For beautiful yellow or white nothing
can be finer than Caroline and Brinckle’s Orange. The last mentioned is the highest
and best flavoured of all, and although a little tender in the cane, yet by selecting
favourable spots to grow it, or by laying it down in the winter, it may be made
eminently successful.
The blackberry, for family use, is not so greatly favoured as the fore-mentioned, and
chiefly for the reason that the canes cannot be made so snug, neat and inoffensive as they,
but the fruit is most delightful and highly relished. Though we acknowledge, to some
extent, the justness of this complaint, yet we insist that there need not be so much com-
15
plaining if proper methgds of pruning and training are adopted. It is well known that
the Americans grow acres upon acres of them, and without unusual trouble. The new
Canadian blackberry, called Gainor, is said to have many good qualities, and we know
the Snyder to be almost all that could be desired. But no blackberry has appeared with
such large, fine and delicious flavoured fruits as the famed Kittatinny, which you may
lant.
; Gooseberries are becoming more and more a popular fruit, in great demand, and
no family fruit garden could, for a moment, be considered well stocked without a liberal
supply of these in their best sorts. The new American gooseberry, Industry, offered by
Mr. Barry, is known to be very good, hardy and productive. Good things are also said
of Prof. Saunders’ Pearl. We have had a large experience with Houghton, Smith’s
Improved and Downing, all very good. The English sorts Crown Bob and White Smith,
may be grown, with care, and are then very large and fine. All these sorts may be
improved by sulphuring as a precaution against mildew, etc.
Currants must also form a part of every collection of family fruits. They are good
growers, sure bearers and always reward the care and attention given to them. The
famed Fay’s Prolific is good, but is nothing better or different, as we can see, from
the older and tried sort called Cherry. Both will yield results as nearly identical as
possible. Raby Castle and Old Red Dutch are very prolific and good. For black, Lee’s
Prolific and Black Naples can be relied upon. For white, the White Grape and the
White Dutch are both delightful and will fill the bill.
I scarcely know whether I shall have space or whether you will forbear with me
should I include in this list the popular and delicious fruits known amongst us as cher-
ries, plums and peaches. They are all very attractive, and in their place and season,
there is nothing that can supplant them. All families like them, and when the fruit can
be had in proper quality and quantity they are very profitable. But there’s the “ rub,”
for during the last few years past these tine fruits have been conspicuous by their absence,
and in many localities they were not very encouraging. Nevertheless, it may be well for:
a family to attempt a few of them in their most desirable varieties.
Hardy grapes are, perhaps, the most popular fruits produced amongst us, and can
be grown so easily in greater variety and greater excellence in all the colours of red, white
and black than any other. It is our firm belief that any family owning but a small
piece of ground can make grapes the best fruits to plant, and can grow more of them
than any other. . Even outside locations all along by the fences, and even the walls of
the buildings, may be made very serviceable for grapes, and the general appearance of the
whole improved by them. We would advise then, every family, by all means to plant
some grapes. Plant a sufficiency for the liberal use of the family and enough to last till
grapes come again. For a family as presupposed, a vineyard of say 50 plants, well cared
for, will give them a return that will be at once grateful and gratifying. Plant two-year-
old plants in well prepared ground eight feet by twelve feet, thoroughly cultivate the
ground and keep it clean. In two years the vines will begin to show a supply of tempting
and delicious fruit. If in the open air ground, they should then be trellised by planting
eight feet posts in the rows between the plants, and firmly fixing three wires to them, and
have the canes fastened to these. We have known vines trellised thus to produce 20 lbs,
each the third year. Last year our own 200 vines produced an average over the whole
of 224 lbs., and realized for us a good sum.
The varieties of grapes are now very great and very different, and the choice of
these is a very important matter. For black, we give the preference to Moore’s Early
as the best early grape on the list, and Worden’s seedling next. Concord is the most
popular and is a very good and profitable grape. Wilder is very large and very good, known
also as Roger No. 4; it is, indeed, the largest grape in cultivation amongst us. For red,
we say Brighton is at the head of the list ; it is also very profitable. Lindley and Delaware
are good and should not be omitted.. We fruited Jefferson last year, and it is very fine
indeed. For white, the claimants are being multiplied, but the best in our culture is
Lady, and the next Jessica. Niagara has a good deal said about it and it may be good,
and we know that Golden Pocklington is so. From*ourjreading of the recommendation,
we should think that the new grape “‘ Empire State” is something immense, that’s all we
16
Ce OE ESS ESE
know about it. Any family who takes these fine fruits and succeeds with them to any-_
thing near their capabilities, will be so far pleased with the results that they will not
regret any amount of labour or pains spent upon them.
Of nectarines and quinces, I do not know how to recommend them. The nectarine —
is, indeed, a very desirable fruit, but it is in vain to try to grow it in exposed places or —
where you cannot succeed with plums. Quinces are not grown as much as they should
be, and for the reason that their use is not understood. It is a question just where —
they come in, in family economy. The best quince is the Orange that can be nicely
grown in favourable places.
Of mulberries, dewberries, huckleberries and cranberries, it is scarcely necessary —
for me to speak, as almost all families are already pretty well acquainted with them. It
is well known that in the case of cranberries that they cannot be produced only in
special favourable locations. Huckleberries are in varieties, and can be made serviceable
and good. Dewberries have not been very successful, but the late new one called |
Lucretia is very fine and good. Mulberries are also in variety. Downing’s everbearing
is one of the oldest and best. The newer one called Russian has a good deal said about
it, but though smaller than the other, is in nothing better as we can see. It would be
well to plant some of these fruits by way of experimenting, for it is quite possible to
learn much by mere experimenting. Some locations are better suited to their needs than |
others, and so in what I might fail might be another man’s abundant success. In this
way we each of us add something to the general fund of knowledge, one of the prime
objects of life, you know.
You will say of figs and oranges, that this sounds too much south to be relishable in
our snows, but we have tried them, and, in a small measure, have succeeded ; but we
must acknowledge that the luxury is hardly worth the expense. The best way to do
with these is to have them in large tubs and remove them to frost-proof underground
cellars in winter.
Hardy nuts may be made profitable in properly planted orchards, but it is only in
some sorts that they can be used for family gardening. It is a great pity that some of
our fruit and best nuts are forbidden fruit to us by our climate. I believe that the
filbert nut may be grown in sheltered and favourable locations, but not to such perfection
of size and quality as in England. I would recommend its being tried. The same
remarks will apply to the Spanish chestnut, a rich and desirable product when it can be
procured. I believe, too, that under very favourable locations and conditions the American
hard-shell almond might be profitably produced, and so also with the Japan persim-
mon. Why not experiment in these fine nuts? But what I hang my fancy over the
most is the American peanut. I do most decidedly think that this serviceable nut. may
be grown, if properly considered. And now I think I have exhausted my list and my
task is done, how well, you will judge. Not half has been said that might profitably
have been said, but I haveaimed at being but merely suggestive, confident in your mature
wisdom to fill up anything lacking on my part. Let us hope that our efforts at producing
good fruits may be steadily progressing as is our country.
F. W. Wi1son.—It gives me great pleasure to have the privilege of being present
at this meeting, as I have always taken a very lively interest in the proceedings of the
Association ; and felt great satisfaction on learning that the present meeting was to be
held in the town to which I belong. Speaking of fruits best adapted to this county, I
may say that my experience leads me to the conclusion that, for the basket, the Marl-
borough for an early red raspberry, and the Cuthbert for late, are the best, while one
not mentioned at all—the Ohio—is the best black. It is hardy, productive, of good
colour, and well adapted to our climate ; the bushes are well shaped and stand up well
and I think it is in every way the best black raspberry of all. The Souhegan and Gregg
are also good. ‘The Ohio is also a good evaporating raspberry, which is likely to be of
great advantage in disposing of surplus stock. Of gooseberries, I think the Downing is a
long way ahead of any of our well tried varieties. I believe that the Industry, which I
Ee ee ee
~
Gitige: ore is =
—
17
have been growing, is going to be one of our best. It is a very fine red fruit, and almost
mildew proof. In grapes the Champion is the most profitable, but it is almost unfit to
eat ; therefore, for home use. and markets we wish to hold, I would prefer Moore’s Early,
the Worden and the Concord as the best black grapes, and the Lady and the Niagara as
the best white.
The Presipent.—Have you any vineyards in Kent!
Mr. Witsox.—Very few. In the southern corner of the county, among the islands,
they grow very large quantities, some in this county, and some in the adjoining county of
Essex. I was never there to see myself, but I believe on the islands there are many
hundreds of acres. Plums are almost a failure here; I think the Early Canada is the
best, because the hardiest. For cherries I believe in the Early Richmond, which is much
the best variety of English cherry, on account of its extreme hardiness and productiveness.
Mackenziz Ross.—I believe I am one of the oldest members of the Association in
the County of Kent, and may fairly claim the honour of being the father of the Horticul-
tural Society in 1877. We are very much indebted to Mr. Smith for sending us two
things, the Niagara, and another white grape giving promise of great things, the little
Jessica—which is going to take the lead of any other grape. I do not do much in small
fruit, but there is a berry—the Shaffer—of which I had a large quantity last year, and
realized fifteen cents clear, while others were going for five cents.
A. R. Everett.—The Hansell and Cuthbert are the. best red raspberries I have
tried. The Mammoth Oluster was prominent for a long while, but it does not stand out
now like the Gregg, which is as good as the Ohio. In grapes I have the Delaware. In
strawberries I have had success with the Sharpless and Urescent. I have grown the
Wilson and the Crescent together, and the Crescent has yielded me almost one-third
more—a hundred bushels to the half acre—last year, and the land was not in the best
condition either. With cherries I have not had much success ; of gooseberries [ never
tried many, but the American varieties seem to be the best. I think the old Duchess is
the best white grape I have. I have tried black currants—Lee’s Prolific—and they did
first rate.
A MemBer.—Did you find the Gregg perfectly hardy here?
Mr. Everert.—It has been with me.
F. W. Witson.—I have great respect for the opinion of Mr. Everett, who I know to
be a highly practical gardener, but I must adhere to what I have said about the Ohio,
which, with me, has done very well. When speaking before I omitted to make any
mention of strawberries, a fruit for which the soil of this county is particularly well
adapted. I have been growing about eighteen kinds, covering an area of about a quarter
of an acre, and I gathered from them last year a crop amounting to 192 bushels per acre.
The PrestpENT.—Do you give the preference to any particular varieties 4
Mr. Witson.—For bearing I think the Orescent is the best, with the Wilson and
Bidwell next, and then, probably, the Manchester. The James Vick I find inclines too
much to vines, and does not grow much fruit. It fertilizes well.
Mr. Smiru.—Did you ever attempt to grow it away from other varieties }
Mr. Wixtson.—No. In fertilizing it is necessary to select varieties which bloom
within three days of each other; the Manchester and the James Vick, and the Wilson _
and the Orescent grow best together. The Sharpless I find almost a failure ; it grows the
best berry, but scarcely any of them. Peaches do not succeed very well here. The
Spanish chestnut, I think, would be a profitable fruit to grow in this section, and the
dwarf English walnut, which comes into bearing at about three years of age, and with
fruit fully as large as the ordinary English walnut, is a lowheaded tree, and said to be
giving great satisfaction in other parts of the country where similar conditions to those
prevalent in this county are found.’ ;
Mr. BarkweELu.—The Concord is the best grape, but the Lady is good and takes my
fancy. The cherry currant succeeds well, and is a fine grower. In black currants I grow
chiefly the Black Naples variety. I think, for strawberries, nothing can beat the Wilson
and Sharpless. In raspberries the Mammoth Cluster appears to do well enough with me.
In cherries I have the English May Duke, but it does not seem to do very well; the blight
affects it ; I would like to know what we can do for that.
2 (F.G.)
18
' Mr. Witson.—My experience is that the only early cherry that will give any satis-
faction is the Early Richmond.
Mr. BarkweEtt.—In regard to grapes, the Concord is the grape grown by all large
growers, but I believe for proiit, after that, the Champion.
The PresipENT.—Do you recommend the Champion for home consumption #
Mr. Witsoy.—No, the Champion is good for somebody else to eat, but I don’t want.
the job; but it is a good grape to make money out of, if you can get somebody else to
suck it.
Mr. Mackenzie Ross.—I find that the Champion gives more money, because it goes.
into the market here two or three weeks earlier than any other variety, selling for fifteen
or twenty cents a pound; and I think most of you will go in for what yields the most
money. It is not a very luscious fruit, but for a person so constituted that he wants
some acid early in the season the Champion is all right.
The SecRETARY.—You will observe that the subject of grapes comes up for discussion
further on in the programme, under the head of “Grapes for the market.” We are at
present discussing fruit for home use—everyone wants to know what to plant in order to
secure a supply for their families. Keeping that in view, I would suggest the following
list, which will give a family a variety of the different colours of grapes for home use. For
black grapes I would suggest Moore’s Early, the Worden and the Concord ; I would leave
out the Champion altogether, because Moore’s Early is just as early, and a grape of good
quality ; while the Worden just comes between the two, and the Concord can be kept
for a long time. For white grapes I would recommend the Niagara and the Empire State.
I had the privilege, with Mr. Smith, of testing the Empire State at Rochester, and its
quality is excellent, which, for home use, is a most important consideration. I would also
add the Pocklington, though I do not think it succeeds very well everywhere, not being
as hardy as the Niagara, but at Grimsby we have had good success with it, and some very
fine shipments have been made. Among the reds I would suggest the Lindley and the
Brighton. There is one criticism I want to make on this paper in regard to the home
garden, and that is the idea of fencing in a little square with a high fence, for a home
garden. That was the kind of garden I had to begin with—the kind my grandfather had,
and which was the prevailing kind in days gone by, when they had more time to work
with the spade and hoe, and pull weeds by hand, than we have now. In a garden of this
description, into which you cannot get a horse, and in which the fence is in your way,
you must do everything with a spade and hoe, and my memories of the past are that it
was pretty hard work. I have now torn away all this fence around the garden, so that I
can get a horse and a little plough in, and [ plant everything in the garden for home pur-
poses in nice long rows, side by side, so that I can cultivate nearly everything with a
horse, and do as little digging as possible. Besides this, where you have a fence all
around the edge of your garden it is sure to be a mass of weeds, unless you have more
time than I have ; and it also harbors insects.
Mackenzie Ross.—I propose, Mr. Secretary, that you add to your list of grapes the
Jessica, which is one of the most delicious I know of. And then there is the Lady, which
cannot be beaten.
A Memsrr.—I think the Triomphe de Gande is the sweetest berry we have, and the
Orescent and Wilson next. In currants I think the White Grape and Cherry are both
good home fruits, but not very profitable. I have not tried Fay’s Prolific. In black-
berries I think there is nothing better than the Kittatinny. The dewberry is a nice
fruit for the home garden, and should be more looked after than it is; I tried one and
found big berries on it. They stand the winter well, and if cultivated would, I think
° : ’ ?
yield a large crop. As for the garden itself, I would have a long fence, but fenced in.
The Secretary.—You would have it so that a horse could be got in?
A Memper.—Yes ; you could work it easier and better, and with more satisfac-
tion. I believe in long rows. :
Mr. Dempsey.—I will give you my opinion of what the home garden should be, and
how and where to select it. I would select, if possible, a site that was long, as has been
already suggested, and which might be cultivated with a horse; and I would have it, if
at all practicable, thoroughly protected from the wind. The question arises how ita
should be done. I would plant firm trellises for all my little apple trees and pear trees.
and grapes, running the whole length of the garden, north and south, so that the sun
might shine on both sides of them at different times of the day, and then cultivate
between these rows. You can grow any variety of fruit on trellises just the same as in
any other way, and grow them in any form you like. I assure you a garden planted and
kept up in this way is one of the most ornamental spots you could visit, and people will
come trom long distances to see it. All you will need to do yourself will be to cultivate
the piece of land between the trellises with a horse, and it takes very little time for a
‘man to do that. You will find the ladies will get into the notion of looking after these.
trees on the trellises, and do all the pinching and tying necessary. It is good and healthy
for them, and they take a great pride in training these plants. As to varieties, I think I
heard a man advocating the Champion as a grape to be grown for profit. When I heard
that I felt like sticking up the danger flag. I think we should do everything in our
power to stamp out any fruit that is unfit to eat, as was said of this grape. (Applause.).
But it is not profitable after all, because parties who buy them this year will not buy
them next year, at least that is my experience. I have only fifty vines, and I thought at
one time there was going to be some money in the fruit, but I find in our little town of
Belleville the Champion will not sell for anything, I hardly think people who knew them
would carry home a basket if they were given to them. ‘There is only five or six days
between them and the Worden, and we can surely wait that long.
The Presipent.—What about Moore’s Early ?
Mr. Dempsey.—It does not produce enough fruit, it is very shy bearing. There is
nothing for an early grape to equal the Worden. There are a great many varieties of
grapes, but I would advise any person who wants to plant them to go to their neighbour’s.
ground and make their selection while they are ripening. What will ripen in your neigh-
bour’s ground is safe enough for you.
MackenziE Ross.—Talking about tearing down fences ; of course a man’s property
could be protected without fences, but we have fences here. I consider there is something
better than that, and that is trees. Some trees we have are not fit for the purpose ; soft
maple are the worst trees that can be planted, because they run all over the ground, and
their roots are very injurious to other trees. Scotch pine makes a beautiful shade and
shelter ; I am fenced from the west, north-west and north by them, and am under the
impression that we are very considerably warmer on account of it.
Mr. Witson.—I quite agree with Mr. Ross as to the necessity of shelter from the
north. I also found that where we had maples we had to put about three times as much
fertilizer around as anywhere else.
W. E. We.iincton.—I have been listening to the remarks so far made with interest,
but I think we have been a little mixed; that is to say, some of us have spoken
more in regard to the market than for home purposes. And then, again, we have not
been definite enough as to localities, which is a very important element, because what
may be recommended for this county or counties where they have about the same climate
as here, will not do for places further east. I think it will be necessary for every speaker
to define distinctly the locality he resides in, and give us a general idea of the climate.
I make this remark because I have been frequently met with the complaint made by
subscribers to the Horticultwrist who take the report and are interested in fruit grow-
ing, ‘‘ You are not explicit enough as to the climate that certain varieties are adapted to ;
while some recommend them as being very successful, others will give a very contrary
report ; but we do not know from reading the report what is the cause, whether it is the
effect of the soil or climate.” Now, for a home garden in such a climate as you have
here—as far as [I understand it—I should recommend in raspberries the Herstine, Cuth-
bert, Gregg and Caroline, and last, but not least, Shaffer’s Colossal ; in regard to which I
quite agree with Mr. Ross, who, I believe, is the only gentleman who has mentioned it.
I thins for home use it is one of the finest varieties that has ever been introduced. As
_a market berry it will never become popular, its colour being against it with the masses,
but for home use it is unsurpassed. It is very large in size, and has a peculiarly sprightly
or acid flavour, which makes it invaluable for canning, This season, after trying all the
20
varieties raised,—because in our own home we use a great deal of canned fruit—I have
come to the conclusion that Shaffer’s Colossal surpasses every other variety. The Caroline
has not been mentioned. It is a yellow variety, of good quality. This is the first year
we have fruited it extensively, though we have had it out for several years in limited
quantities. For a shipper I do not recommend it, but for home use it is of good quality
vand is rendered very attractive for the table by its beautiful appearance. I am sorry to
say that Iam unable to agree with Mr. Wilson as to the Ohio. I am not speaking
merely of my own personal experience, but I Snd from my own experience and that of
others, that, as a general rule, it isa small berry, and in no way to be compared with the
Gregg, which I consider.is ahead of all the black-caps that have ever been introduced,
except it may be the Hillborn, which we have not yet tested to any great extent. From
what I have heard of the Hillborn, I am inclined to think it may possibly supersede the
Gregg on account of hardiness. Samples of it which I have seen were equal in quality
to the Gregg, and surpassed it in appearance on account of its bloom and glossiness, I
am also told it is hardier. The Gregg is a little on the tender side, but I think in this
section, or sections west of Hamilton, that may be classed in the Niagara District, it may
be termed perfectly hardy. It succeeds further east,—in Montreal,—but there the snow
fall protects it. It also succeeds in the vicinity of Toronto, unless when we have
unusually severe winters. In grapes for home culture and the table, I would not want
either the Pocklington or Niagara, neither of which are in my opinion a high quality of
grape. I would put in my garden Moore’s Early, the Jessica, the Empire State, the
Brighton, and a grape that has not been mentioned, Rogers No. 4, which I consider the
best of the Rogers’ varieties, being both productive and of good size. I would recommend
it both as a home and market berry. Then there is another variety that I would strongly
recommend, but only in sections where the Concord will ripen ; the Vergennes, which is
a grape of good quality and excellent appearance, and valuable for the home garden.
Now, we come to gooseberries. I think most of the speakers this morning have looked
at gooseberries from a market point of view solely. Oertainly the Downing and Smith’s
Improved are old and reliable varieties, but we have another, the Industry, far surpassing
them, and, so far as it has been tested, well adapted to this country, having been tested
widely in the United States. At a large horticultural meeting which I attended last
June in Washington, it was spoken of as the leading gooseberry, and I am strongly in
favour of it, both for home and market uses. Its productiveness is enormous, its quality
good, and its size and appearance will always make it valuable. In currants, the Oherry
and White Grape have been the leading varieties, but I believe Fay’s Prolific is superior,
not only for its productiveness, but for its size and appearance. In quality itis much like
Cherry. White Grape is superior to either of them in quality. The best red currant for
quality is Moore’s Ruby, a cross of Cherry and White Grape, originated by Jacob Moore,
the originator of the Brighton Grape. This is superior in quality, but not quite so large
as the Cherry, though more productive than either Fay’s or Cherry, as far as our testing
of the last three years has demonstrated. In strawberries for the garden, I value the
Manchester very highly. Crescent, I am not fond of, except for the market. I don’t
consider it of high quality, and, for the garden, I would prefer berries of a superior quality.
T consider Manchester, as I have said, at the head of the list, but in addition would plant
the Bidwell and the Sharpless, and also the Wilson, than which, when fully ripened,
there are few better berries.
Mr. Brat (of Lindsay).—You spoke of the Caroline raspberry ; how does that com-
pare with Brinckle’s
Mr. Wetuineron.—I do not think it is fully up to Brinckle’s Orange in quality, but
that is a different question in most sections. I intended to have spoken of the new
Golden Queen. We have not tested it sufficiently yet to speak positively, but from
reports I think it is a berry destined to be largely sought after. It is said to be a seed-
ling of the Cuthbert, —at least it was found in a plantation of Cuthbert and has the same
appearance,—and, what is very desirable, it has good shipping qualities. I would not
recommend anyone to plant largely of it until further tested for a year or two, but at the
same time I am satisfied they would be safe in trying it in small quantities. From what
T have learned of it I believe it is going to be a very desirable variety, and in its colour
21
will be quite the equaleof the celebrated Cuthbert, which I regard as the best red rasp~
berry for general use that has ever been introduced.
Mr. Witson.—Different people have different experiences, and that has a good deal
to do with their opinions. I have not at all withdrawn my idea that the Ohio is the
best black raspberry. The Mammoth Cluster is dwindling out, and the Gregg, though a
good berry, is not nearly as good in colour as the Ohio. As for the Caroline, which I have
been observing for several years, although it is hardy and a heavy cropper, it will not
keep, and if you cannot take the berries just when they are ripe, they are gone.
Mr. Wetuineton.—They are not shippers. I spoke of them only for home use.
Dr. McCutty.—tThe berry that did best with us last winter was an old-fashioned
one, not much spoken of now—the Mammoth Cluster. It was a dry season, and its flavour
was superior, though it was not so large as some other berries. A gentleman who lives.
near me had the Gregg and other improved berries, and it was freely admitted that the
dry weather affected mine less than the others. We were thinking that we would have
had to take a back seat with our old Mammoth Cluster, but we did not have to do it, for,
taken all in all, it held its own with any other berries we had on the lake shore. In
regard to strawberries, I was glad to hear another old kind spoken of, the Wilson, for I
believe it is the best market berry we have in this section of the country. The Triomphe
de Gand I have not heard mentioned this morning, but it certainly has not lost its name
with us yet, and I understand from gentlemen who grow it in our section that they get a
cent a quart more for it in this market than any other variety, and sometimes sell all
they have before there is a market for the others at all, which is a very great triumph,
indeed, I think.
The Prestpent.—Leaving aside the market, what do you consider the best for home
use ?
Dr. McCutty.—TI like the flavour of the Triomphe better than that of any other berry
I have ever had, though, of course, it is not an early berry. There are some new
varieties—the Sharpless, for instance —which are very nice, but I doubt if they are equal
to the Triomphe, though growing larger; I don’t think the taste is superior to the
Triomphe, though the berries are very fine. I have not had much to do with berries.
except for my own use, and the old Mammoth Cluster did so well last year that I have.
thought perhaps I could not get anything better.
The PresipENt—Do you grow currants }
Dr. McCuLty.—No; we grow a great many other things, and currants require so
much care that we have given them up. We grow a great many cherries, which take the
lead of almost everything. We grow just the common Kentish cherry ; they are very
fine. I have one kind that comes in later than the rest, which I have not been able to
find anywhere else ; I do not know its name, but it is a very red cherry, growing in
clusters, sour in taste, but pleasant in flavor. It is a good bearer, bearing every year ;
and if I knew its name I should be inclined to have a good many more.
The PresIDENT.— Do you grow any grapes ?
Dr. McCutty.—I do not, but my neighbours grow the Concord largely. Of course
there are other grapes grown, but it seems to take the lead. We have not fruited the
Pocklington or Niagara yet. They are high in price, and we thought we were doing
more for the nurseries than ourselves in buying them, and did not go in for them.
A. M. Smira—tThere is a raspberry which has not been mentioned, I think, which is
valuable not only for home use, but for the market, on account of its earliness and good
qualities. I refer to the Souhegan, which comes in ten days befor you get the Gregg and
some other varieties. In regard to the Caroline raspberry, I must beg leave to differ a
little from Mr. Wellington. It certainly is a hardy, productive and fine-looking berry,
but, as far as my judgment goes, most insipid in taste; the most insipid in the whole
collection.
President Lyon, of the Michigan State Horticultural Society, was invited to address
the meeting, and did so in the following terms: I am a little out of my own
territory this morning, but I have discovered that a little difference in the
geographical or political situation of my state and this province does not make
much difference in the people. Although we are supposed to be talking exclusively
22
about fruit for the family, we find it almost impossible to forget altogether the “almighty
dollar,” which is, of course, a very important consideration, and cannot be kept entirely
out of sight, even in the discussion of what to grow for home use. I observe this par-
ticularly in strawberries, which is naturally the first fruit we talk about, being generally
the rst we eat. Some years ago, not very far from here, I received four varieties from
Mr. Arnold. I have not heard it mentioned it here to-day, and yet with me, after seven
‘or eight years’ experience, one of these, the Alpha, is preferable for an early strawberry.
It is of good quality and fair size, and ripens early. There are two or three others a little
earlier, but they are unproductive, and, even for family use, we must have something
fairly productive. [ hear a number of varieties of other fruit spoken of, and am rather
‘surprised at hearing some of them recommended for the home garden, particularly the
_ Gregg raspberry, which, to my apprehension, is one of the poorest berries of its class.
‘grown, as far as quality is concerned. It is productive, and you get money for it in the
market because it is large. If you were to hand out half a dozen apples to a child he
would pick the biggest one, even though it was good for nothing, and it is the same way
in the market ; and we have to remember that fact when talking about berries and other
fruit for our own use. We would hardly think, in our state, of growing the Gregg for
home use. It is a late berry, coming along a little later even than the Mammoth Cluster,
which is far better in quality. The Souhegan and the Tyler seem to be so nearly identical
as to be practically the same. I would add one or the other of them for family use,
though they are not, perhaps, so profitable. I think a good deal of the Caroline and
Brinckle’s Orauge for home use. It is perhaps true, as has already been said, that
Brinckle’s Orange is nearly out of the question by reason of its unproductiveness and
want of hardiness, but as to the Shaffer—we always drop off the extra handle and call
Shatfer’s Colossal the Shaffer—it is one of the most vigorous and productive we have, and
of good size. I call it a good market berry. The market will require a little talking up
before people will accept it, but when once it is known in the market it commands a good
price, and is probably as profitable as anything we have. I certainly consider it very de-
sirable for the home, because it is productive, large, and of good quality. There has been
a fruit mentioned here, which, it seems to me, will bear more consideration than it has
received, though it is comparatively new—thedewberry. There are a number of varieties
which are comparatively unproductive and undesirable, but within the last six or eight
years we have taken up the Lucretia, which for the past five or six years has borne very
fine crops. It possesses the merit of coming in at a time when thers are no blackberries
in the market, and on that account seems to me to be very desirable. It is a difficult
berry to handle, but for our own use we find it good. I have not heard many cherries
mentioned. The Montmorency is somewhat superior in size, and fully equal, it seems to
me, to the Early Richmond and the Kentish, and I know no reason why it should not in
part take their place. It ripens a little later than the Early Richmond, but is very
similar in most respects. In regard to grapes, I will venture to ask the question, why
the Lady was not introduced into the family list ? It is comparatively unproductive, but
it seems to me to do better as it gets older; and being a child of the Concord, possesses
the hardiness, though not the vigour of that variety; and when you come to the particular
taste required for the family, the fruit, it seems to me, is head and shoulders above every-
thing else. It is earlier than Moore’s Early with us, or any other satisfactory variety that
has been well tested, and I think should occupy a very prominent place in the list for the
home garden, where you do not want so much quantity as a suitable quality. We are
yearly thinking more and more of the Brighton in our state; it is being shown extensively
‘at our fairs, and is very highly esteemed, as well for its quality as its productiveness. I
know it has been claimed that it is a little liable to mildew, but [ do not think the difficulty
‘in that respect is a serious one, and it seems to me worthy of a prominent position. The
Worden, within the last two or three years, has taken a more prominent place with us
than formerly, on account of its being earlier than the Concord, and at the same time
equally hardy and productive. I think it stands quite well with us. I do not like to
speak of quality when discussing the Concord, for I don’t think it is quite so high as some
of the gentlemen have placed it. I think more of quality than I do of quantity when you
‘come to the home garden. I was a little surprised when [ heard the Empire State men-
‘tioned ; I would fike to know if it has been really tested in this province at all. It has
not been with us, so far as I have learned. We have heard a great deal of it, but have
not tried it far enough to recommend it for any purpose.
Mr. We.tuinaton.—We have fruited it for two years.
President Lyon.—It takes a number of years fruiting to settle the qualities of any
new variety. I notice in gooseberries that the Industry is coming intofavour. There is
-one thing, however, which I notice in almost every foreign variety—They succeed for a
few years with reasonable treatment in good soil, while, unless they have special care,
they soon after fall under the influence of mildew. It is only by special treatment from
persons who know how to handle them we can permanently succeed.
A. M. Smirxa.—I will supplement the remarks of the last speaker in regard to the
Industry, by saying that a year ago last spring I raised some plants, and a couple of them
which were planted in a corner were almost forgotten, and consequently neglected. When
I came to investigate these plants last summer I found a few berries on them, and they
were badly mildewed.
ON SMALL FRUITS.
A paper on this subject by P. E. Bucke, of Ottawa, was then read, as follows:
Whilst the warmer portions of our climate is devoted to the growth of a general fruit
dist, in the colder portions of the Dominion an intensified attention should be given to
those fruits which can only be raised with a fair amount of success. The principal hope
of the horticulturist in the clear and bracing air of the lovely valley of the noble Ottawa,
as far as twenty years of practical experience has taught me, is still centered in the small
fruits, including grapes. It seems strange to me that so many look ujon this berry busi-
ness with contempt, whilst others treat it with indifference, and the rest of mankind with
neglect. Where people can and do cultivate the larger fruits successfully, the three rural
states above referred to may be pardoned, but where no others can be extracted from the
generous soil, the free air and the azure sky, owing to climatic influences, it seems a shame
when the breast of mother earth gives us the opportunity of sucking the sweets of these
delicious and promptly responding fruits, that they should be so slighted, neglected, or
forgotten. There are no fruits which give so long a period of freshness, or which supply
the gap at that season when this article of diet is so much required by the human system,
June, July, August, September and October are the seasons of the strawberry, the rasp-
berry, the gooseberry, the currant and the grape, and it is during these months we have
what is called the “heated term,” when fresh fruit is so acceptable. Every farmer, every
gardener, every man who has a city lot, every man who has a thousand acres, every man
who has a brick-yard or a saw-mill, should also have his small fruit patch. We all know
hhow much facilities have increased for shipments, how much they have been improved by
the various means of handling, by the diversity of packages suitable for the various classes
of fruits ; but no one will for a moment contend, that knows the difference, that fruits
shipped at all are to be compared for a single instant, either for brightness of colour or
purity of aroma, to those which are gathered and placed on the table by the same delicate
hand. I think I hear some of the shippers in the audience say, ‘My dear Bucke, you
are talking nonsense ;” but I know,. and I say in these election times, without fear of
‘successful contradiction, that by far the largest majority will say I am right when I give
my vote for fresh-picked fruit for immediate table use. And I further say, there is not
an inch of inhabited territory in Canada to-day, except some original character has placed
his mansion on some high and lofty boulder, that cannot be made to produce four or five
months’ fresh fruit for the season when it is most required, and with proper canning it
can be made to last the family throughout the year. What then shall we plant? First,
some well-tried varieties of strawberries, such as Wilson’s, Manchester, or Crescent,
Second, raspberries—Franconia for early, Cuthbert for a good cropper and later berry;
and if you want more raspberries, plant more Cuthberts. Shall we plant currants? Yes;
Fay’s Prolific. This variety gives longer bunches, which makes it more easily picked, and
the berries, with high cultivation, are very fine. Shall we plant white currants? Yes;
24
a few bushes of White Grape, just to eat fresh. They look like pearls amongst the cream
and sugar setting; when thoroughly ripe are juicy and sweet, but the colour does not suit
the tidy housewife for canning or jelly, so we will only have a few bushes for fresh fruit.
Shall we have black currants?! Yes; we will have Lee’s. Not that it is so prolific that.
it has been cracked up to be, but it is sweeter and has a nicer flavour than the old
Naples. There is nothing better for a first class roly-poly pudding. What shall we have
next? We will have some gooseberries. Whatsorts! Well, Smith’s and Downing—the
latter to plant in the shade of trees or fence, as they do not endure the sun so well, and
further, when they are to be had, the Oonn and Ottawa. Well, Professor, what next ?
Why, some grapes, of course. What are the most successful cultivated at Ottawa? In
favoured localities almost any variety may be grown with a fair amount of success, but
for general culture we will recommend a few Champions; they are not by any means a
first-class berry, but they are sure to ripen, and make an excellent wine. Do you recommend
the use of wine? Yes, “home made ;” but not sherry or any imported, doctored stuff.
Then we will plant Moore’s Early, Rogers’ 9, 14 and 15, also some Brightons. What
about the Niagara and Pocklington? Both good grapes, but too late for the north.
How sweet are the cornfields that spring from the earth,
Mauch sweeter the flowers that grow from hid roots ;
Of all the rich blessing that follow us north,
The best is the fairy-like, healthy small fruits.
The meeting then adjourned at 12.30 until 2 p, m.
On resuming in the afternoon a Committee on fruits was appointed, consisting of
Messrs A. M. Smith, F. W. Wilson, and W. E. Wellington.
QUESTION DRAWER.
The Question Drawer was then opened, and the following questions read and answers.
given.
KNOTTINESS IN PEARS.
Question.—Is there any well ascertained cause or remedy for knottiness in the fruit
of the pear 4
Mr. Dempsey.—I can only answer that question by saying I do not know. There
are varieties which are all knot. We imported several varieties some years ago, which
were said to be very fine in Europe, and there is nothing but knots in them now, and
they are unfit to eat. I made some experiments last year upon an apple and pear tree,
and may say I was successful in a small way, but I cannot at present give any certain
remedy.
THE ONTARIO APPLE.
Qurstion.—Is the Ontario Apple attracting attention, and is it a profitable fruit for
shipment to Britain 4
The Presipent.—The Ontario, as far as export is concerned, is a new apple. Not
very many were exported this year, but | sold fair quantities of it sent from different
shippers at prices ranging from seventeen shillings to twenty-two shillings per barrel.
It is an apple that does not spot, and in the future will command a high price in the
British market ; where, as far as it is known, it is well thought of now. I am confident
that in the future it is going to be a valuable apple, as it has points in its favour as between
the Wagener and the Northern Spy, which make it valuable. Shippers sending it have
lost little or nothing in the shipping, as it carried well; and I consider that the prices it
brought, for a new variety going into the market, were extra good.
25
MULCHING.
Question.—Do you approve of mulching strawberries, raspberries, currants, goose-
berries and blackberries with sawdust ; if not what with, and when ?
A. M. Smira.—It all depends upon what kind of sawdust. I do not think pine
sawdust is a very good article for mulching. If you get hardwood in a decayed state it is
a very good thing for raspberries or anything of that kind. My habit of mulching straw-
berries is generally to cover them with a good coat of straw in the fall of the year and to
rake it between the rows. Sometimes I have run it through the straw cutter, and
scattered it under the leaves atter the first weeding, before the ripening of the fruit.
The Prestpent.—Would you use straw also in the raspberries ?
Mr. Suira,—Well, if you can get it, you can use to advantage decayed sawdust and
chip manure. I have had access to the yard of the Great Western Railway, where they
have stored and sawed large quantities of wood, and the sawdust and bark and chips have
been allowed to remain and decay. I find that a very good mulch for raspberries.
Mr. Witson.—I do not mulch raspberries in winter, but strawberries planted near
them. I manure up around the strawberries in the fall, and then, in the spring, bring it
right off into the raspberries. The raspberries seem to need it much more in the summer,
and the strawberries in winter.
Mr. Evererrs.—The reason I put that question in the box was because I mulched my
strawberries with soft wood chiefly—elm, oak and bass ;—and they did first rate.
Mr. Lyon.—I think it is very desirable to mulch strawberries late in the Fall,
for the purpose of protecting them and bringing them through the winter in good condition.
I am not an advocate of mulching anything during the growing season. I regard that.
kind of mulching as simply an excuse for neglecting and not cultivating them, and I
believe cultivating will do more than mulching in the way of inducing growth. As to
raspberries and blackberries I do not know that I would mulch them at all; I would
rather use the cultivator; I do not know that any good effect is to be derived by
mulching them in winter. It may be different in this climate, but in mine I would not.
do it at all,
RASPBERRY CULTURE,
QueEstion.— What causes Blackcap berries to fruit on the tops of new canes !
A. M. Smrru.—It seems to be the early growth that generally fruits in the fall ; some
varieties are more inclined to do that than others.
The Secrerary.—I suppose the bushes made a mistake, and thought it was next year.
A Memper.—There are certain varieties of Blackcaps that invariably produce a
second crop from the canes grown that season, and I suspect that the tendency is so nearly
general that when a peculiar season comes round it produces the same effect upon others
that do not usually do it.
The Secretrary.—lI think it is entirely owing to the nature of the season. If there
is an early growth and a rest that can be compared with the winter’s rest, and later in the
season such climatic influences as would induce their development, it would be like another
season, and thus tend to produce fruit.
Mr Wi.son.— While the raspberry is being discussed it might not be out of place to
ask what is the prospect of the new raspberry that has been so much talked about and
advertised, and which bears two or three times in the summer—the Earhart.
Mr. Wetiinetoxn.—I know nothing definite about it ; only what I have read in the
Rural New Yorker and some other papers. The Rural speaks rather favourably
of it ; they have fruited it, and think it is worthy of propagation.
LOW HEADED TREES.
Question.—Which are the best for large fruit, low headed trees or high, taking
cultivation and picking into consideration 1
The Secretary.—I have had some experience in regard to this question. For the
sake of picking and so on—a lazy idea, I suppose—I left a good many trees with low
26
heads. My experience has proved to me that it was a yreat wistake, for I have been
pruning them up higher and higher ever since. [find them most inconvenient ; I do not
approve of low headed trees for cultivation, eertainly.
The PresipeNT.—Did you find any difference in the fruit of the low headed tree and
the high ?
The Secretary.—l have not found any advantage.
Mr. WetLiInaton.—I cannot agree with the Seeretary in that. I believe that the
best and proper way is to grow trees low headed. In the first place the stem of a high
headed tree is exposed to the sun, especially early in the season, and to the action of the
wind in Autumn, which I believe has a very injurious effect on its life and health
generally. A low headed tree is its own shade to its stem. As far as cultivation is con-
cerned it is true that it is easier with a high headed tree, but I would take my chances
on the low headed one, and use hand cultivation where I could not get the cultivator in.
The PrestpENT.—What would you designate a high or low headed tree ?
Mr. WetLineron.—Ycu will tind them all the way from seven to ten feet in some
orchards. ‘They are all heights, but in taking them from the nursery I consider a tree
headed at five feet is the right thing, and you can prune them a trifle higher than that as
they grow, and as you make the shape of your tree.
The Secrerary.—Mr. Wellington and I do not differ so very greatly ; I would con-
sider that a rather high headed tree. I think we should have mentioned what trees were
referred to, whether apples, pears, peaches or other trees. I have been in the habit lately
of heading pear trees as low as possible; they grow in a very upright way, and therefore
you can get near them even though the branches are very near the ground. I have found
it of great advantage to allow the branches of pear trees to grow low, because very often
they are troubled with the blight, as you all know, and in that case by cutting off the tops
_ of the trees you will have a good tree left.
Mr. We.tuiINcTon.—That applies with even greater force to the peach tree. I believe
I can extend the lite of a peach tree one third or a half by growing it as a low headed
tree, and also produce better fruit than on a tall scraggy tree, such as is commonly seen
in peach orchards.
Mr. Perrit.—t1 quite agree with that. The tree will grow better, and you will get
a better class of fruit.
Mr We urneton.—I have trees branching as low as four feet, and even three, and
I find everything in favour of the tow headed tree. Take it in the spring of the year,
when the sun is bearing strong on the trunk of the tree, and there is a long stem exposed
to it, a sharp frost afterwards bursts the bark, and I have not found the same effeet in low
headed trees.
Professor Panron.—I should say a peach tree should have a trunk of about a foot
and a half, and an apple tree between four and five feet.
Dr. McCutty.—On the Lake Shore we had them so low that we could not cultivate
them, but that plan was given up after a number of years, and I only know of one large
orchard with trees growing in that way now. We have come to the conclusion that under
the present circumstances we can get a great deal more fruit by having the trees trimmed
up higher, and the rule now is to trim them up so a horse can pass under the trees with-
out the harness and hames carrying off the bark. With a peach tree it is different; my
own experience is altogether in favour of the low-headed tree. When frosts were severe
on young trees, if I had low buds near the ground, the trees would start and grow after
the tops were killed; I saved the tree by having the branches low. I am in favour of
heading them low for the first. few years until the wood becomes firm. I think it is the
better plan when trees are young to branch them low. Apples, I am in favour of trim-
ming high.
The Presipent.—What length of trunk do you call high ?
Dr. McCutty.—So that a man’s horse can work freely under thé tree.
The Presipent.—You don’t require to run the horse very closely ; would five feet
be high enough ?
Dr. McCut.ty.—No ; it would require six feet to allow the animal to pass freely
under the tree.
Mr. Everergs.—I differ from you entirely. I have seen more trees blighted by
_ ‘being long and leaned over with the wind than in any other way. There may be a little
more hand work in having them low, but it is the best.
Mr. Dempsey.—There are several advantages derived from having trees low headed-
In the first place, we look upon the tree as a lever and the surface of the soil as the ful-
crum, and when the tree becomes a full foliaged one, the stress will come very much
more on the roots in a high-headed than in a low-headed tree. I have planted low and
high-headed trees at the same time, and, although the low ones would be much smaller,
perhaps two or three years younger than the others, I have invariably found that they
doubled the high ones in growth. This is a very great advantage, I assure you, in the
low-headed over the high-headed tree. I prefer a tree about fcur or five feet high, and
for cultivation, a good cultivator that can be swung under the tree. Then use the hoe
freely ; it does not hurt us to hoe a little bit. I do not think it is wise to plough too
close to the trunk of a tree, because a certain quantity of the roots would be destroyed
that way.
F. W. Witson.—If cherry trees are very low it is difficult to gather the fruit.
Cherry trees should have a stem about four feet high, and apple trees between five and
six feet. There seems to exist here some difference of opinion as to what a high or low-
headed tree is, Mr. Wellington thinks five feet is a low-headed tree, while others believe
it is pretty high. I think it should be about five or six feet. If it is less it runs on the
ground, or at all events, so close as to spoil the fruit.
Mackenzie Ross.—I have an orchard that was planted in 1873, mostly Greenings
and Ribston Pippins. I have some Ribston Pippins as pretty as ever you gazed upon,
and I cultivate them every year. One year I’ plant it with potatoes, and the next year
with corn. I contend that we get the best fruit from low trees. In the first place a
storm kas less effect on a low tree than on a high one, and then you can gather the fruit
much easier. We see many fine articles in the papers about people losing their fruit
trees when they are young, and what is the reason of it? It is simply because they do
not clean them up. Some of our fruit growers should be ashamed to see their orchards,
with brush piled up almost as high as the tops of the trees, harbouring rats and mice and
other vermin. If you keep your trees clean, and before the winter sets in hill them upa
little bit with good earth, mice will never destroy them.
The Presipent.—I think you are right. What would you consider a low-headed
tree ?
Mackeyzige Ross.—Beginning from three feet. When you have a one-horse plough
you can squeeze it in very close to the roots; then if the boys come along with a hoe they
ean clean that out ; then go back with the hoe and pack earth in, adding a pitchfork or
two of light manure on the top, which retains the moisture and prevents the sun from
penetrating into the roots. That is my mode of culture, and I prefer a low tree.
BLIGHT IN PEAR TREES.
Question.—To what cause may blight in pear trees be attributed, and what is the
best mode of treatment ?
Mr. Dempsey.—Kither cut the blight away or cut the tree down, and get it out of the
way a3 fast as possible.
The PresipeNtT.—That is the universal experience with blight ; the knife is the only
remedy.
Mr. Everetts.—lIs it necessary to destroy the tree altogether ?
The Prestpent.—The moment you observe the blight, cut down below it. You
will find sometimes that you will have to cut pretty close to the roots to get below
the blight.
Dr. McCutty.—In 1872 I bought forty pear trees. I did not come into direct pos-
session of them, but had the privilege of attending the trees. I hired a man from the
28
village, and we got some of the best, fine rotten manure we could find to put around the
trees. After doing this with part of them we left, and did not go back. As far as we
went with the manure those trees all had the blight, and where we had stopped, the
blight stopped. This led me to the conclusion that the manure was one of the causes,
and I have never put any manure to any of my pear trees since, and I have been very
little troubled with blight. Whenever I see any indications of blight now I immediately
use the knife, and put the wood in the cooking stove. One of my neighbours had a nice
little orchard close to his barn, where the ground was saturated. He lost all his trees ;
they died off one or two at a time, till now he has only one tree. I had some very fine
pears at the time, and he came over to me and wanted to know how it was that he could
not grow pears as I could. I told him what my former experience had been, and that
probably the close vicinity of his orchard to the barn was what caused the blight.
Mr. Ripter.—I had four pear trees, two of which were very large. They stood two
and two together at about a hundred yards apart, and when I first got the place two of
them were bearing very heavily. There was then a heavy sod around them. After a
while I thought that in order to make them bear better I would let the hogs go in and
root aroundthem. The very next spring after I did that the blight took them, and
destroyed both of the trees. I believe if I had left the sod growing strong my pears.
would have lived longer.
Dr. McCutty.—I work my pears nearly every year with a plough, and I do not find
that cultivating the soil has any ill effect on pears. They get no manure.
The SecretTary.—I think the cause for blight now assigned by scientists is bacteria
—a very minute form of life, whether animal or vegetable is scarcely known, which is
hardly to be detected by the most powerful glass ; and to which, also, are attributed many
of the diseases of the human system. Scientists profess to have discovered that in all
cases of blighted limbs these minute organisms are present, and they are assigned as the
cause of the blight. If that is true it is possible that what has been stated by members
here to-day is also true—that when pear trees are manured very heavily with barn yard
manure, a very soft, succulent growth is induced, which would be more subject to the
entry of these germs or minute forms of life, and therefore it might be explained in that
way.
i Professor Panton.—I might say that I have here a diagram, showing the bacteria
to which the Secretary has referred. Pear blight, like all similar troubles, has raised
much discussion and many theories as to its cause. In the earlier stages of the discussion
it was attributed to certain conditions of the weather, and then the theory was advanced
that it was caused by aninsect. That insect does sometimes bring about something of the
nature of pear blight, but still that is not now considered to be the cause. Then came
the frozen sap theory—that the alternate frost and fine weather brought about in the sap
conditions of a more or less poisonous nature. Then there was the fungus theory, whick
I think Prof. Mills upholds, but of which, I think, no specific description has been given.
The latest researches—and they seem to have been pretty accurate, and carried on with
great care—trace its origin to the presence of these bacteria—exceedingly small organ-
isms. Wherever trees are blighted these are found in the sap, and healthy branches
inoculated with that sap become blighted. When the same sap was strained, and these
organisms eliminated, the inoculation was not productive of blight, but wherever these
bacteria are found in it it produces blight. It is not the same as the bacteria that bring
about rottenness, because these minute organisms in the juice of growing pears will
multiply at a great rate, which the ordinary bacteria off decay will not do, their proper
condition being in decaying matter, or matter which is about todecay. The experiments
have been carried on with great care, and now they have got to the source of the trouble
the difficulty presenting itself is as to what is the remedy. So far the best results have
been obtained from trying to work on the condition of the tree. There are three things _
which have to be considered in regard to all these fungi—the atmosphere at the outset.
That is something almost beyond our control, but certain conditions of the atmosphere
are very favourable to fungous growth. Then there is the tree or plant affected—to
watch its growth and vigour, and then, again, there is the growth of the fungus itself.
29
So far nothing seems to have been discovered that will work upon the fungus, but they
are working on tiie vigour of the tree. The tree needs to be grown vigorously, but not
luxuriantly, since the latter condition, as the Secretary has said, is the one in which they
would be more subject to the entry of these microscopic organisms. In the case which
has been mentioned, where so much manure was used, a condition of extreme succulence
was induced which was favourable to the entry of this small organism. The whole thing,
at present, seems to consist in bringing about a healthy, vigorous, but not too luxuriant
growth. A specific cure to kill the thing itself has not yet been obtained. What has
been mentioned is best—the knife. In cutting it is necessary to cut quite a piece below
the blight ;—to prevent the disease you must go down till you come upon the green,
natural sap. If there is the least bit of the sap left that is discoloured the tree will go
on and die ; you must cut the green, healthy wood below.
THE BEST MARKET PEACHES.
QuEsTIoN.— Which are the six best varieties of market peaches; three early and
three medium to late ?
The SzoreTARY-—We have a good deal of experience down at Grimsby most years,
but last year—I might say for the last three or four years—we have not had much
opportunity of testing any variety. From my own experience of those I have tested I
consider the following ones very reliable and satisfactory, although there are other sorts
which [ am growing but have not yet fruited. For the three early ones I would recom-
mend the Alexander, Hale’s Early, and the Early Crawford. The latter is certainly the
best early peach, as far as quality is concerned, but it is not so hardy as the others; we
frequently get a crop of Alexander or Hale’s Early when we do not of the Early Craw-
ford. The others are also earlier ; indeed the three come in succession, the Alexander
first, then Hale’s Early, and after that the Early Crawford. For medium to late I would
recommend the following three varieties :—the Old Mixon which immediately succeeds
the Orawford, the Smock, a late peach which when it matures—and it does most years—
is very fine, and the Lemon Cling, which, if you do not have too many, is a very good
market peach.
Mr. Pertir.—I cannot add anything to Mr. Woolverton’s list. I think for six
peaches you could not go astray on those he has mentioned.
A. M. Smira.—lIt is so long since I have grown any peaches that I am hardly in a
position to say much, but if I were confined to six varieties I think I would prefer the
Rivers to Hale’s Early, which I do not consider a reliable peach.
A MemBer.—What about the Early Barnard ?
The Secretary.—I have grown it in years gone by. It is a very excellent peach as
a rule, if the tree is not neglected. It is a very fine yellow peach, but not equal to the
Crawford, and for that reason I discarded it. In regard to the Early Rivers, it is rather
delicate, and shows bruises very easily, which is the principal objection.
Dr. McCutty.—You have not mentioned the late Crawford.
The SrcreTaRy.—It does not bear very well.
A Memper.—What do you think about Hale’s July ?
The Secretary.—l have not fruited it.
The Memper.—It will bear earlier, keep longer, and is a better producer and shipper
than any other grown. They produce more or less every year. This year they were a
full crop.
Another MemBer.—What about the Foster.
The SecreTary.—lIt is very good. It comes in withthe Early Crawford nearly. I
do not think it is superior to the Early Crawford.
Mr. Witson.—The Early Canada appears to be hardy, and I think the Foster here
is a better peach than the Crawford. 3
30
THE APPLE IN KENT.
The following paper was read by Mr. F. W. Wilson:
The first apples raised in America were on Governor’s Island, in Boston harbour, in
1639.
In Kent we have the standard of excellence for their culture. We have the soil,
climate, lake protection and shipping facilities to make it the fruit garden of the world,
and we are making great strides toward that end.
Every man, woman and child in Kent should be thankful to our government for
having our interests so well represented in the metropolis by the amg and efforts of
our ex-president, Prof. Saunders, and his assistant vice-president, P. C. Dempsey, our
present president, A. McD. Allan ‘and others. The people of Kent were certainly too
careless of their display at this great Colonial and Indian exhibition. Though there have
been no prizes given for fruits sent: the best collection from Kent were from Mr. Ross,
containing, according to our best and latest government reports, only thirty-five varieties
of apples, two of pears, one of peppers; while Mr. P. C. Dempsey alone showed sixty
varieties of apples, twenty-four of pears, twenty-eight of grapes, two of currants, six of
gooseberries, one of plums and one of cranberries—122 varieties in all.
Orchards of good winter varieties of apples produce an annual average crop, at low
estimate of first and second class fruit, of the value of $100 per acre. And the pig feed
and pasture in orchard would pay for all the work at trees and fruit. The hogs do much
benefit by destroying the codling moth and other insects. If the cultivator evaporates
his own fruit he gets much more than that from it all.
I believe that the most profitable varieties of apples in this locality are, in order of
merit, the Baldwin, Ben Davis, R. I. Greening, Golden Russet, Northern Spy and
Pheenix. They are much better than any of the new Russian and ironclad apple trees,
which are used in the northern parts of the country where these better varieties will not
succeed. It does not require an ironclad apple tree to stand the climate here.
One of the greatest mistakes made in our climate is we do not pick our apples soon
enough. With the list mentioned we can start in the latter part of September with
Greenings and Ben Davis, and finish with Baldwins, Golden Russets and Northern Spy
about the middle of October. They should be handled very carefully and tastefully,
having light stepladders, and wire hooks for hanging the baskets on either the limbs or
the ladder. Begin by gathering the fruit off the outside of the tree before climbing into
it ; youare not liable to shake so many down this way. Instead of pulling the apples off
with a jerx and breaking off the bud along with the apple, so that you will not have
fruit for the next year or two, turn the apple up and it breaks of quite readily, and you
can do it rapidly. Put the apples gently into the basket and pour them into piles very
carefully and cleanly. Use only very neat, clean barrels, and keep the different varieties
and qualities separate. Don’t put in any very inferior stock. Shake down frequently
and press closely into barrel, placing the layers near each end with the stems toward the
end. - After the barrels are nailed tightly and honestly stenciled, keep them on their side
in preference to standing on end. It is generally most profitable to sell early, so that the
fruit can be placed on the foreign markets before the, arrival of apples from the more
northern localities, and before the flood of oranges from Spain. The British people prefer
a bright red colour, while Americans are suited with Greenings and even Bellflowers.
There are now over 7,000 acres of apple orchard in Kent county, and its export in
1886 was about 50,000 barrels of first-class apples and 15,000 bushels of bulk fruit for
evaporation in York state, besides a large amount for plenteous home consumption for a
population of over 50,000 in Kent, and a large amount of cider, vinegar, waste and pig
feed. Wherever people are there is a demand for fruit. It is the most beautiful and
valuable food in the world. Dr. Tanner’s first food after forty days’ fast was fruit. Fruit
was the first, original and natural food of man. Many live on it only. It is a luxury,
_ necessity, appetizer, stimulant, nerve tonic, food and medicine all in one.
The best temperature in which to keep this flower of commodities is as near freezing
point as possible without actual freezing In this way they will keep all year round.
‘Cleanliness is next to godliness” as well in the fruit garden as with ourselves.
31
We should be careful to have clean fences, to keep out all brush, weeds, ete., and wash
the trees in early part of June with a solution made as follows: ‘™ Mix as much baking
soda into water as it will dissolve, and then mix with soft soap to the consistency of or-
dinary house paint, and opply with a brush.” It will make them shine with health and
vigor, and destroy bark lice and keep away borers. The best preventative for apple spot
and codling moths is to spray the trees when the blossoms are falling, and again a week
later with a solution of three ounces of Paris green and three pounds of hy pophosphites
of soda to each thirty-gallon barrel of water, throwing the spray so it falls on the upper
side of the leaves.
[ consider fruit culture to be the finest occupation in the world. I must have been
born a fruit grower, for when a boy I was almost always to be found among the fruits, so
I can heartily say, as did Robbie Burns, “ Be aye stickin’ in a tree, Jock, it’ll aye be
? 9)
growin’ when ye’r sleepin’.
ARE APPLE ORCHARDS PROFITABLE?
This question was taken up in connection with that of fruit culture in the County
of Kent, and elicited the following discussion :
The Secretary.—Are apple orchards profitable? If I am to answer that question
in accordance with my experience of the last three years, I say most emphatically, no ;
they are not. They have been profitable, but for the last three years I do not think our
orchards have averaged a bushel a tree in the yield, and they have been decidedly un-
profitable. I have a neighbour in Grimsby who has an orchard of six hundred large trees,
which have been twenty-five years planted. I speak of him particularly, because he hag
Baldwins. In all that time there have been three or four good crops, which paid well,
and had such a yield been continued every alternate year, the orchard would have been
very profitable; but the owner of that orchard is now feeling thoroughly disgusted with
apple culture, and inclined to sell out and get away somewbere. I remember the time in
our own orchard when there was never a failure like this at all. We have taken in one
year from one Greening apple tree twenty barrels of apples. This, perhaps, would seem
a little astonishing, but it is an enormous tree, and, I suppose, about seventy-five years of
age. Now, as to what is the cause of the present barrenness in our orchards in that section #
There have been a good many different theories. I was over at the Rochester meeting a few
weeks ago, and the same complaint was general in the state of New York. All the reports
coming in were to the effect that they had never been so unfortunate before, and every kind
of theory was suggested as to the cause. One man thought it was due to an electric storm
at a certain season, another that it was attributable to a lack of manure. a third that want
of cultivation was the cause, and so on. Most of the speakers agreed in attributing the
failure, during the last season particularly, to the apple aphis, which had been very
abundant. I do not know if the people of Kent were troubled in that way, but we in
Grimsby suffered with it just in the same way. When the apples were small, just about
the size of a hickory nut, the trees were full of these little green aphides. It was held
by some that these little insects sucked the juices of the leaves and stems, and thus caused
the leaves and apples to fall off. I noticed a paper that was read the other day at the
meeting of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, in which, speaking of the degeneracy
of orchards, the reader held that they were running out ; that many of the varieties we
have cultured so long, the Spitzenberg, for instance, were run out. I do not know, how-
ever, that that isa settled question. We can only theorize, of course, and I have been
inclined to attribute the failure to a disease we do not understand fully, that has affected
them with these minute fungi, whose dreadfully destructive powers we are only just
beginning to appreciate. . I think, perhaps, they have something to do with it. The
leaves and fruit have both been found to be affected by them, and it is quite possible that
the trouble is due to causes so small that we, who are in the business of cultivating fruit
trees, are not able to quite understand them. Iam in hopes, however, that our scientific
friends, who are making a study of these things at the agricultural colleges and ex peri-
mental stations, will find some means of re-invigorating our orchards by checking these
fungi, and that in the not distant future we shall again see prosperity in apple culture.
32
I have not yet given up all hope in the apple orchard, Mr. President, though I have felt very
much discouraged during the last three or four years.
Mr. Petyam.—lI planted an orchard with something like $130 worth of trees I got
from the McGill Brothers. I planted all kinds of roots between them. I afterwards
sowed it with timothy and got hay off it for four years, and the blight struck it more or
less every year. Since that I have had only grass, and I have not seen a sign of it. A
very important thing is good trimming—to scrape the trees and keep this scruff off them.
I wash my trees, and keep the bark clean and bright ; I use a lye soap suds lotion. In
the last eight years there has not been a sign of blight, either in apples or pears, and I
have all varieties.
The Seoretary.—Is your orchard in pasture ? :
Mr. PetHam.— Yes, for the last four or five years. For eight years I got hay off, and since
that it has been in pasture. During the last four years I have spread the manure from
the animals there.
The Prestpent.—Do you generally get a medium crop every year ?
Mr, PetHam.—I get a beautiful crop almost every year. They vary a little, and I
could hardly tell the average, but the trees are fit to break down sometimes it is so large.
I do not believe in leaving too much top; if you have too much wood your fruit is bound
to be small. There is more in working them, and keeping the bark clean and smooth.
The PresipenT.—Do you sell in the local market ?
Mr. PeLuam.—Yes ; chiefly in different parts of Kent.
The PresipEnt.—Do you find many refuse fruit among your apples, or do they gen-
erally turn out pretty smooth ?
Mr, PeLHam.—All pretty smooth.
The Presipent.—Are you troubled with the codling moth in the apple !
Mr. PrtHam.—A little, but I watch for it.
The Presipent.—Do you do anything to prevent its ravages ?
Mr. Peruam.—No; only the washing and seraping.
‘The Presipent.— What do you do with the fruit that drops ?
Mr. Petuamu.—I feed it to pigs. I pick it up immediately, for if you do not, that is
where the harm comes in. Do not allow fallen fruit to lie there.
The PresipEnT.— You are keeping it in pasture ; what stock do you pasture there ?
Mr. PetHam.—Horses, principally. Since it has been in pasture I have not seen a
‘limb affected, either pears or apples. I do not believe in allowing a tree to grow too high;
from five to six feet, so you can get under it, [ find best.
The SecreTary.—This gentleman who has just been speaking seems to have struck
on an important point—that is, with reference to keeping the bark of trees clean by some
means or other, I noticed recently that an experiment had been tried by a gentleman
residing in England who was very much troubled on account of moss and kindred growths
on the trees of his orchard. He used kerosene, and washed his trees in the fall with it,
and then in the spring scraped them clean, which was very easy to do after applying this
kerosene in the autumn. He said the result was most astonishing, both in the growth of
the trees and the qualities of the fruit. Perhaps some gentleman present here can give
us some information in regard to this article, whether it would be safe for us to apply it
freely to the bark of trees.
Prof. Panron.—I am not prepared to say from experience, but one thing is certain,
it would drive off insects.
Mr. Evererr.—I would not like to try. it very heavily. I once made use of it to
kill insects and it killed the tree. Soap-suds, however, I have found to be a good thing.
Prof. SAunpErs.—I think the use of coal oil in its undiluted state could not fail to
be detrimental to the tree--you would get rid of the tree without any trouble. If the
kerosene is emulsified by shaking it with soap or milk—a very violent shaking for a
considerable time will convert it into a cream or butter—it can be used with water quite
safely, either on the trunks or foliage of trees, stronger, of course, on the trunks than on
the foliage. I have known, however, several instances in which kerosene was applied to
destroy insects, where its application in the undiluted form resulted in the destruction of
the trees also.
33
CURE FOR BLIGHT IN FRUIT TREES.
The Secretary then read the following extract to which he had referred :
The Rev. Henry P. Dunster states that in six fruit-growing counties he found in all,
except a few new-planted orchards, that the trees were covered with mosses, lichens, and
in a state of canker and neglect. He asks, “Can anything be done to renovate our present
orchards?’ He says that when fruit trees are found in this miserable condition, the
reason assigned is that they are decaying from age, or, if this theory be contradicted by
the known age of the trees, then that their roots have worked to a cold, dead soil. Neither
of these is the true reason. ‘Trees said to be past their prime are capable of renovation,
and the roots of plants find the soil that suits them as skillfully as the ferret follows the
rat. He attributes the decay to the state of the bark, which fails to supply to the head
of the tree what is necessary for growth and fruit-bearing. Moss, lichens and other
parasites consume for their own support the sap as it rises, and deprive all other parts of
vitality. The roots are generally healthy, whilst the tree slowly dies. Trees die, not
because their roots fail to support them, but they die, alas / as many poor waifs and strays
of humanity die, the victims of a neglected and unclean skin. The remedy for this is the
a) plication to the bark of a substance powerful enough to cleanse it, but leave the tree
not only uninjured but with increased vitality. That substance is petroleum, or that
preparation of the natural oil so called, which is known to commerce under the name of
parafline, the oil now so commonly used in our domestic lamps. Marvellous results have
followed from its use. The discovery was accidental. An apple infected with American
blight eriosoma, appeared to be dying. It was intended to give it a coat of common oil,
bus the oil lamp not being at hand, paraffine was tried, not without misgivings. Almost
pint was used with a painter’s brush wherever the blight appeared. All traces of the
blight were obliterated, »nd the moss, I believe, soon turned black and died. The
following spring the bark was scraped clean, care being taken not to hurt the inner
tissues. The success was complete, and resulted in a good crop. :
Prof. Saunpers.—I am reminded, after hearing that, of the story of_a certain
naturalist, who described the lobster as ‘‘an insect which is red, and walks backwards.”
His statement was found to be true with the exception of three particulars, first the lobster
is not an insect, second it is not red, and third it does not walk backwards. In all other
respects the description was perfectly accurate. The gentleman in the present case says
the tree derives its nourishment through the bark, which is quite a new idea, and one
which I would like to see demonstrated—I think it would be very difficult to bring for-
ward any proof of that being the case. We all know that the bark decays and falls off,
and is more a protection than a source of nutriment to the tree. If he visited British
Columbia, where the atmosphere is very moist, he would see the youngest trees covered
with moss and linchens, and continuing to growand bear fruit under the circumstances,
He confounds parafiine and petroleum, which are two distinct things, and does not re-
congnize the difference. Those who are familiar with the process of refining coal oil will
know that it consists of lighter and heavier oils, which are at decidedly different points
as to temperature. The heavy oils approximate more nearly to the vegetable oils, and
we all know it is safe to apply linseed oil; it may therefore be that the paraffine oil he
uses is a heavy oil; in which case it is quite different from what we know as petroleum or
‘burning oil. I think it is quite probable, or at all events possible, that the application
of some of the heavier coal oils might not have this detrimental effect, which I should
expect to see result from the use of any of the ordinary burning oils we use. This
Englishman, like many of his countrymen, has come to conclusions on insufficient premises
—I do not mean that to apply to all Englishmen, but I have associated with some English-
men, across the water, who came to conclusions on very insufficient premises, and who,
like people everywhere else, required some little enlightenment.
The Secretary.—It looks reasonable to suppose that moss and similar growths
would extract a certain amount of sustenance or strength from the tree, and that it would
be advantageous to remove them.
Prof. SaunpErs.—It is reasonable on the surface, but these mosses have no roots
that penetrate the bark to any extent—they attach themselves mechanically, and derive
3 (F.G.)
34
their entire sustenance from the atmosphere. There is no drain on the life of a tree
covered with them, though I do not think it can be said that they are conducive to the
health of a tree, and I think it is very much better to remove them as we would remove
dirt from the human skin. We know that children who are brought up in dirty alleys
often grow up robust and healthy, but that is not the result of the dirt, but of exposure
to the open air. I do not think dirt is detrimental to health, otherwise we should not
find so many exceptions as we do in the course of investigations.
Prof. Panton.—It is easily seen that lichens cannot take much nourishment from the
tree, for we find them on stones as well.
Mr. Witson.—I would like to hear Professor Saunders’ opinion as to what -is the
best substance to apply.
Prof. Saunpers.—I can only give my own opinion in reply to that. For a number
of years I have used the following with good effect—a mixture of either soft or hard soap
—it is immaterial which—and water in which some washing soda had been previously
dissolved, about as much as the water would take up; make the mixture about the con-
sistency of ordinary house paint, and apply with a brush from the base of the tree to the
crotch, and sometimes over the larger branches. This will be found exceedingly useful
in keeping it clean, and will also prevent the borer from depositing its eggs on the bark
of the tree, which is of much more consequence than the presence of moss and lichens.
The application might be made in the first ten days of June ; it will form a sort of glossy
coat or varnish over the tree, which is distasteful to the borer, and will prevent it from
depositing its eggs on the bark, as well as in the tree.
Dr. McCutty.—I think, from my observation as a resident of this county, that the
production of fruit is not in as healthy a state as some years ago, for which I think
several reasons might be given. One of the reasons is that it is not as much looked after,
owing to the low prices which have been common—it is not such a fruitful source of
revenue to the grower, and for that reason he is looking around after something else.
Another reason is that a few years ago many of our orchards were just coming into full
bearing ; they were, if I may so speak, in their prime, and were not fully developed and
covering the land. Now they are fully developed and the land is too small for them ;
there is not a sufficient amount of air and the sun’s rays reaching the tree to enable them
to come to full perfection, and a great deal of the fruit is stunted.
Prof. SaunpERs.— What distance are the trees apart?
Dr. McOutty.—All distances. A fruit tree agent comes along and wants to sell
some trees, and he persuades the farmer to crowd as many into a given space as he con-
scientiously can, and in this way the farmer gets a few more trees on his lot than he
otherwise would have done. Many orchards in my part of the country are planted as
close as 25 or 30 feet, and some are planted 20 by 30, and the trees have grown so that
they are interlacing one another, and many of them dying on that account. Mr. Sander-
son, the owner of one of the best orchards on the Lake Shore, cut out one half of his
trees. The previous year one half of his fruit was bad, and, as he said, he was determined
to have less fruit and yet more fruit. The result surpassed his most sanguine hopes, and
he realized a much larger revenue from the orchard. On the Lake Shore they will not
now think of planting trees closer than forty feet square, and if you asked them why,
they will tell you, ‘“‘ We have the open space in which we can grow crops, and we find at
the same time that we get more perfect fruit and more of it.” We crop our orchards
every year, and manure too. It takes the bulk of the manure to manure the orchards :
the trouble is that the orchards are starving for manure, and have to get it on a great
many farias on the Lake Shore at the expense of the rest of the land. The farm yard
manure has all to go to the orchard, and they grow the finest fruit you can imagine, but
where they do not get it the fruit is not of the same excellent quality, and we have a
larger number of orchards than we have the means of fertilizing. It has gone so far that
I have heard farmers swear—you know they do break out sometimes—that they would
cut down the rest of their trees that they could not manure ; that the land was not yield-
ing them what it would if in the natural state without an orchard at all, and T believ,.
that will be the result, that many will eventually cut down their orchards. When tree,
die they are not planting any in their places, the vacancies are not filled up any more
35
As I have already said, there are many causes why fruit in this county is not in the con.
dition it was some time ago, but at the sanie time let no one imagine that this county does
not grow fruit. Last year some thirty or torty thousand barrels of apples were shipped
from this county, one man putting out ten thousand, and another six thousand barrels —
just one half the thirty thousand, and a little more. We grow an immense quantity of
apples here, but the great trouble is the want of trimming ; they are not properly pruned.
A great many of the trees grow up just like bushes, no trimming of any account being done
to them at all, and the deep soil of this county is sufficient to grow a tremendous brush
top in an apple tree, and a tremendous crop of apples besides, in spite of all these defects,
Another reason why apple orchards are not in their proper state is because proper sites
were not selected, the orchards being all put upon the highest portions of the ridge,
There is a high ridge, and all the water dips this way for twelve miles, and for half a mile
into the lake. They planted their orchards on the highest part of this land, and in dry
summers these trees are dried out at the roots ; [ have seen trees totally die in our orchard
for want of moisture. If we had them on lower ground. where the water would reach the
roots, and manured them, we would have magnificent crops, because orchards situated in
those places have borne well when ours on the ridge are lacking. I think it a great mis-
take to plant orchards in such a position, and am of opinion that one of the greatest
elements of success in the culture of apple orchards is the selection of a suitable sit-, and
then to give proper attention to pruning and so on. It has occurred to me to ask the
question whether: the shell bark is a protection to them, or whether it is a harbour for
insects, and would be better removed, perhaps there is some gentleman here who has some
experience tat will enable him to say. Of course this new, fresh bark is exposed to
the blasting winds of winter, and I have often thought that perhaps the removal of the
shell bark was hurtful to trees. Of the different varieties of apples the Greenings are the
favourite with us. There are other good apples too, such as the Russet, which is a favour-
ite. The Ben Davis is not a very great favourite; wethink most of the Baldwins,
-Greenings and Russets, and there are men in our section who out of a thousand trees have
planted nine hundred and ninety-nine Greenings. The Spitzenberg we do not grow at
all, it does not amount to anything with us, but in from the shore, on clay ground, they
can grow the finest Spitzenbergs I have ever seen,
APPLES AS FODDER FOR STOCK.
The PresipENT raised this subject by the question,—How do you use your refuse
apples 4
Dr. McCutty.—I mostly feed them to the stock on the farm. We gave a large
quantity of apples as a bonus to assist a man in establishing an evaporator at Buckhorn,
but last year he did not run it ; although he seemed to get very fair prices for the fruit, it
did not pay.
The Presipent.—Have you ever considered the question of feeding stock with refuse
apples 4
Dr. McCutty.—No, only in a general way. I have found that to feed about a bushel
to a milch cow a day, makes a considerably larger flow of milk, but I have never tested
it by weighing the milk or testing the cream or butter. At the same time one needs to
be careful, for it will founder cows too ; I have seen cows eating when we were making
cider, and seen them foundered several times. 5
The Secretary.—Professor Mills has said that the elements of a perfect food require to
be in the proportion of one to five, that is one part of albuminoids to five of carbo-hydrates;
and I have read somewhere that the apple contains about that proportion, and is therefore
a perfect food. If that is the case, it is a matter for consideration whether it would not
pay us, or the farmers who scarcely know whether their orchards are profitable or not, to
grow apples solely for feeding purposes. A gentleman at Rochester (Mr. Brooks) stated
that even if farmers could not sell their apples at all it would be the rankest folly to cut
down their orchards. He said that a good proportion was two quarts of meal to four
quarts of apples, and that cattle would do as well on this food as they would if fed wholly
36
upon meal. He said further that a gentleman of his acquaintance had put up one thou-
sand bushels of apples last fall, and fed them all to his stock with the best results.
Prof. Panron.—I do not think that an analysis of the apple would show that it con-
tained the proportions of the necessary elements requisite to make it a perfect food ; the
difficulty is that the apple contains a great excess of the carbo-hydrates over the albumi-
noids, and is far from being in the proper proportion. At the same time, when fed with
something else rich in albuminoids, such as meal formed from ground peas, or oats, or bran,
it makes an excellent food, but fed alone the apple contains too great an excess of carbo-
hydrates to make it a successful food. As Dr. McOully has remarked, a great deal
depends upon judicious feeding. If you started out to feed apples to cows that had not
been accustomed to them, and fed them half a bushel or so a day, the results would
probably be serious and not at all satisfactory ; but if you commenced with small propor-
tions and worked up to about half a bushel at a feed with some meal—pea meal, or made
from a mixture of peas and oats—to raise the proportion of albuminoids, you would have
a very good feed stuff, and in that way, | think, the excess of apples that cannot be
disposed of in the market might be successfully and profitably got rid of.
Dr. McCutty.—How would bran do?
Prof. Panton.—Very well; that is where the whole thing rests. The analysis of the
apple reveals too small a proportion of albuminoids to carbo- hydrates, smaller than one to
five, and to make up for this you must add bran or something rich in albuminoids. You
must not bring animals into it at once, but by degrees work them up td it, which may be
done with safety, and the experience of those who have tried it in this way has been that
it is instrumental in increasing the flow of milk and its value as well.
Prof. SaunpERs.— There is one point in connection with the use of apples in hits
manner that has not been brought out—their healthfulness in moderate quantities. That
is a point which I think needs to be emphasized. If you feed apples judiciously to stock
and cattle it will produce in their constitution a degree of health and vigour which will
enable them to make the best use of the other food “that is given them, and to draw moré
good from it.
Dr. McCutty.—The most successful effort I ever made in raising calves was by giving
them plenty of milk and allowing them to run in the apple orchard. I never saw animals
thrive so well as they did under’ those circumstances. A gentleman told me last fall that
his sons had been endeavouring to make a certain calf they had gain three pounds a day in
weight, and they fed it for thirty days in the manner.advocated by the professor, with plenty
of ground oats, bran and such like, at the same time allowing it to run among the apples.
At the end of ‘the time they only lacked ten pounds of being able to fill the bill, and this
gentleman said he felt sure that the apples had a great deal to do with their success.
Witi1am Macponatp.—I have a great many opportunities of talking over these
matters with farmers, and have come to what is to me a satisfactory conclusion. In the
first place, I almost invariably find that cattle-feeders feed them to cows, and very seldom
to fattening animals; for this, I think, a very good cause can be assigned. There is in
milk, in some shape, a large percentage of phosphate of soda, in which apples are also
rich, and this, taken in conjunction with the fact that the milch cow is an animal whose
nervous system—which is chiefly composed of phosphoric acid and soda—is extraordinarily
developed, may have the effect of supplying the necessary constituents. Another thing, if
fed in winter they are very valuable as a succulent food alone, much more so than roots.
The acid in the apple is very cooling, and has also a medicinal effect. This agrees with
the experience of those who keep apples till early in the spring, and feed them in the
warm weather ; they find extraordinary results from their medicinal effects when changing
from dry grain fodder.
Mr. Witson.—I would like the Professor to tell us what is the best feed to use with
apples—peas, oats, shorts, bran, or what? There are many who have orchards, and, as he
says, the proper way is to bring stock up to apples gradually, it would be interesting to
know the best feed to use with “them.
Prof. Panron.—Peas first, and corn and bran by weight, taking a pound of each,
Mr. MacponaLp.—Put new process bran and peas, “I would not recognize corn at
all, and shorts is somewhat inferior to bran.
37
FRUIT GROWING IN KENT.
Mr. Mackenzie Ross.—The question has been asked, ‘“‘ What kind of fruits can we
grow in Kent?” For my own’part, [ make more money out of early apples than out of
late ones, and [ think every fruit grower will agree with me when I say, I think our fall
apples are the finest we possess. I never fail in making from 80 to 100 cents out of a
bushel of Duchess of Oldenburg. It is a handsome, hardy apple, and comes into bearing
when it is young. The Red Astrachan is a littie too acid, and the crop is very often
inferior. I would feel very sorry to be without the Russian apples. I havea few, planted
in 1873, the first of which is Peter the Great. I have also the Grand Duke Constantine,
Count Orloff, Grand Sultan, Nicolaieff and Red Transparent. They are the handsomest
apples I have, and I always get twenty or thirty cents a bushel more for Russian apples
than any others. They are very beautiful and smooth, and always perfect, and I have
very fine crops. Then, of course, the old Early Harvest is no longer considered worth
planting. Then we have that eharming apple called the Kentish Fillbasket and the
Beauty of Kent. Then there is another charming apple, the Gravenstein ; I am sorry
that in this part of the country it is not a late apple. Then we have the Sweet Bough.
I remember when travelling through this county in 1873, selecting fruit to be sent to
Boston, coming to a gentleman’s orchard, and he said to me, “There is an apple that
won’t hurt you if you eat a bushel of them.” I never saw a more beautiful apple than
the large Sweet Bough. Then comes the Hawley and then the Alexander; and what is
more beautiful than the St. Lawrence? The Rev. Dr. Matheson once said to me that it
could never be properly grown out of the Island of Montreal, but I have seen samples in
the garden of the warden of the County of Kent that were astonishing. The Ben Davis,
though an extremely handsome apple, I consider very inferior. Then we have the Swayzie
Pomme Grise, the Russett, the Hastings, and I believe if I went on I could name over a
hundred varieties in my own collection. 1 don’t think I have too many. Some people, if
they were going to put out a hundred apple trees, would plant ninety-nine Baldwins ; and
Ihave seen one gentleman cut down a charming orchard of Ribston Pippins to make room
for the Baldwin.
The Presipent.—Does the Ribston Pippin do well here ?
. Mr. Ross.—It does, and the Blenheim Pippin. As I have said before we consider
the County of Kent, with genial climate, has no superior for growing either apples or
pears. I would say to those gentlemen who have no Russian apples, by all means get
some. Unfortunately they all come in early, but they are most charming fruit.
Mr. Lanerorp.-—I have an apple orchard, but I don’t make much money out of it,
and I have been thinking whether it would not be better to cut it down, and make more
money out of the space in some other way—in raising crops of some kind. I have proba-
bly a thousand trees, and for the fruit of at least one hundred of them I cannot get a
buyer at all, either the trees are not the right kind or the buyers don’t come here. In
regard to my orchard, I have been very much pleased at what [ have heard to-day, and
now have a notion not to cut it down; after hearing of the good success met with at the
Colonial Exhibition I think probably there will be a market for our apples, and we shall
find them more profitable.
The Presipent.— What varieties do you find best and grow most of?
Mr. Lanerorp.— Unfortunately I have a good many Talman Sweets, and they seem
to be a dead letter.
The PresipENt.—The only market for them is the Boston market.
Prof. SaunpERS.—They are splendid growers ; you should top-graft them.
Mr. Bocier.—I am more interested in plums than inapples. I have a small orchard
of plums, and my experience is that the Lombard is the best. I brought several varieties
on the market last year that I considered were finer, but somehow the Lombards always
sold first. The only trouble I have with my plum trees is that they are generally over-
loaded. I lost a good tree last year from that cause. One year, when the hogs and cows
had been kept out of the orchard the year before, I found a number of curculio, still in
the chrysalis state. I let my fowls in the orchard and they scratch up the gronnd and
38
destroy them—as soon as I let the hogs and fowl in I would see the fowls after-
wards under these trees every morning. The hogs, I find, are remarkably fond of the
unripe fruit, and will travel all over picking it out. .
Mr. TyLer.—I am in the southern portion of the County of Essex, about sixty miles
from here and three-quarters of a mile from Lake Erie. Iam principally growing peaches
aud apples. I have sixty-five trees now, from one to five years old, all of which are looking
well ; and I had a very good crop last summer. Most of my apple trees are in bearing;
it is eleven years since they were set. I have a number of Greening and Baldwin trees,
some Golden Russet, Sweet King, Northern Spy and Ben Davis; the early and late
Crawford Peach, the Smock, Alexander and Waterloo. I had somewhere about 5,500
baskets of peaches. I marketed some in Chatham, some in Windsor, some at home;
about 800 baskets went to London, some to Hamilton, and fifty or seventy-five baskets, I
think, to Brampton. I feel inclined to go on with peach culture.
A MemsBer.—Do you cultivate your peach orchard ?
Mr. TyLer.—Yes, but as a tree gets larger I do not go so close to it. The soil is
very poor—sand and gravel—and I use barn yard manure, what little I do use. Peach
trees, I think, are better without manure.
Mr. Perrit.—Are there a considerable quantity of grapes along the shore?
Mr. TyLErR.—Yes, quite a number. I have one vine of Moore’s Early, the Concord
and the Delaware.
Myr. Perrit.—What number of acres do you think are occupied in vineyards on the
islands ?
Mr Tyxer.—I could not tell.
President Lyon —What is your practice in pruning peach trees ?
Mr. TyLer.—I would run them up one foot from the ground, and I would cut away
very few of the lower limbs.
The Presipent.—Are you troubled with winter killing.
Mr. TytEr.—No. In 1883 winter killing hurt me, but it was a hard winter, and
there was a very heavy storm came and swept the snow off, and the trees were exposed
all winter.
Dr. McCutty.—What is your principal early peach ?
Mr. TyLter.—The Alexander.
Dr. McCutty.—How does the Crawford grow 3
Mr. Tyier.—I¢ grows very fine and fast, but I think it is not worth cultivation.
The Presipent.—Is it not a good grower ?
Mr. TyLer.—It is a good grower, but it grows no peaches. It is five years old, and
I don’t think I have averaged half a dozen peaches a year. The Early Rare Ripe fruited
very well; I am growing some seedlings I have been cultivating,
Mr, Evererrs.—Have you the Mountain Rose Peach ?
Mr. Tyter.—Yes, I have some. It is a middling good peach, not a very good flavour
LI think. It is below the siandard in quality, although it sells very well. I have the
“Old Mixon, which is one of the best, of course ; you cannot get many of them.
A Memsper.—I come from a county where they have. been trying to grow peaches
without much success. ‘en or fifteen years ago a number of parties went into peach
‘culture on the Lake Huron shore. The locality was thought to be favourable, but winter
killing interfered so much that we had almost abandoned it.
The Prestpent.—What about other fruit ?
The Memser.—We have light soil up there, and have to study what is best adapted
for it. 1 went up there expecting that the favourable influence of the lake would help
me a great deal, bus as regards preventing spring frosts it has very little influence. It
keeps oft fall frosts, however, to some extent, and I think perhaps if we paid more
-attention to grapes the influence of the lake might help us. We are going into straw-
berries and raspberries, and I was interested in hearing the opinions expressed as to the
varieties of small fruit, although the matter under discussion relates of course to small
fruits for families more than for markets. We are encouraged, however, to believe they
can be grown on our light land.
The Prestpent.—Do you make a specialty of any kind of fruit?
39
The MemsBer.—I have tried pears. [am afraid, however, that they will not do; the
soil is too light. The trees did well when young, and have not been troubled with blight,
but they seem to be lacking in vigour, and I am afraid pear growing is not going to bea
success on that light land. Neither is apple growing to the extent small fruits and grapes
will be. Mr. Hill, an acquaintance of mine, is growing small fruits in another part of
the county, on a different soil.
Mr. Hii. —During the last two years I have taken an interest in fruit, and this is
my first visit to a meeting of this association. I have for several years past had pleasure
in reading the Horticu/turist, which I believe has been the means of interesting me
in fruit, to make money out of it. When I first went into the centre of the County of
Lambton I interested myself in pears extensively for an ordinary person, having some
three or four hundred trees. A good many of these have had the blight, some kinds more
than others. The Dr. Reeder is a very excellent flavoured pear, and has stood the vlight
excellently, and another kind called the Beurre D’ Anjou is almost free from blight ; but I
have not found growing pears a success. I have lately gone into the culture of small
fruit, and hope in the course of two or three years to give you some experience in that line.
The PresipentT.— What kind of small fruit ? :
Mr. Hii1i.—Strawberries and raspberries. ‘lhe last two years I have been reaping
the harvest of two acres each year. Last year I sold off the two acres $640, and the pre-
vious year $630. ‘Two years ago I planted the Turner, which is hardy and ripens quite
as fast as I want a raspberry to. I find it too soft for the foreign market, however, but
as we have a good local demand, 1 get them there in good shape. Last summer was my
first real crop of the Tucner. I had about two acres, about a quarter of which is injured
in a way I will speak of again, and out of the two acres | Jast year took $200. Ihave a
large number of Cuthberts which seem to be bearing. I am going into blackberries exten-
sively, as I find they will be a good market berry, though not so good for home use. In
growing my strawberries I just take one crop. I plant them in rows about four feet apart,
and about a foot and a-half in the row; cultivate them thoroughly with a horse cultivator,
and encourage all the plant I can, doing as little hand work as possible. I cover with
straw and rake off in the spring late, so as to keep the plants back as much as possible.
By doing this I find I have larger fruit, and get one or two cents per box for it more in
our market than is given for that from any other place. My fruit is both larger and pet-
ter in quality. I have grown several varieties, and find none so good for the market as
Wilson’s Albany.
A Memper.—Have you tried-the Crescent !
Mr. Hity.—Yes, but there is one fault with it. It ripens earlier than the Wilson,
but the fault I have with the Crescent is that it will not stand shipping. The Wilson
will stand much better. I like the Manchester and the Wilson best of all.
The Presipent.— Do you pick the Wilson when perfectly ripe, or wait till it becomes
darker ?
Mr. Htixi.—I caution the pickers to have them well ripe, and those who bring in a
basket of fruit poorly ripened don’t get paid for picking it; it is just set aside. I get my
pickers from the town and pay them by the box, from a cent and a half to two cents over
the rest. I have little cards printed “ one quart,” ‘two quarts,” “six quarts,” and so on,
and we have a little card so many quarts, and we just hand out this ticket to the picker
and take the basket.
The Presipent.—Did you ever try crates instead of baskets ?
Mr. Hiit.—No ; I have seen them tried, but don’t like them. In my raspberry
patch, about a quarter of an acre of it on the lowland, which is my best soil, my raspber-
ries turned yellow and produced hardly any fruit, while on the soil just a couple of feet
higher, the canes are very strong. I hope some of the professors will be able to tell me
the cause and advise me what to do. [I think the strawberries were more profitable than
raspberries. I would suggest that in preparing a plantation the plants should never be
taken from the crop in the field, as in that way you take the outside plants, which are
very poor. The plan I would adopt in future is to have a piece of soil well adapted for
growing roots, and keep it especially for growing plants, and never touch my field at all ;
have a place specially for plants, dig them all up, and plant again.
40
A Memser.—Did you grow raspberries in hills or rows ?
Mr. Hitt—In rows six feet apart, and from thirty to thirty-six inches in the row,
keeping them all perfectly clean and thoroughly cultivated. We take out a lot immedi-
ately after the fruit is off. The tendency of raspberries, of course, is to bend down, and f£
this year took the precaution to have my man when thinning out, which I think is neces-
sary, especially for the Turner, take out the leaning ones as well as those that were weakly,
so my plantation has perfectly straight canes ; all standing up quite straight.
Mr. Witson.—Don’t you think old plants bear earlier in. the season !
Mr. Hit1.—They might, but I could realize fully two cents a box more for mine.
The red ones grow up probably about two feet. The Turner shoots do not grow up so
high in the first plaze, but sprout out lower down, forming a very heavy branch—very
heavy at the base.
A Memser.—How many plants do you set to the acre of blackcaps ?
Mr. Hinz.—If you plant them about six feet and a half apart, and about three and a
half feet the other way, about 1,800 plants, perhaps, to the acre.
THE QUESTION DRAWER.
On reassembling in the evening the question drawer was opened, and the following
questions read and discussed :
THE PEACH LOUSE.
Question.—Is there anyone present who knows the habits of the peach louse, and
what is the best way of destroying it ?
The Secretary.—lI have not met with a peach louse ; we have an apple bark louse.
A Memper.—lIt comes in the month of July, and is very small, like what you find on
the cherry.
The Prestpent.—We have something about the same among the peach growers on
the western shore. I suppose it is the aphis ; I expect that is what is intended. There is.
just one process that applies to all these as well as aphides on the apple or cherry tree.
In our vicinity its spread has been prevented by destroying it on its first appearance.
A Memper.—I have done so, and it has ‘not spread a great deal; I find it on some
trees much worse than others.
MULCHING PEACH TREES.
Qurstion.—When is the best time to mulch peach trees, and when should the mulch
be removed ?
The Secretary.—I have never been iu the habit of mulching peach trees at all. I
don’t understand what purpose there can be, unless to protect the roots in winter time.
They don’t require mulching in summer, because we keep them cultivated. I suppose the
writer refers to the winter season, to protect the roots.
A Memser.—The object is to keep the tree back in the spring—so as to make it late
in the spring. It is not liable to a change of weather during the winter.
The Presipent.—A friend of mine told me not long ago that he tried growing two
or three varieties of peaches in the County of Perth, where they do not grow naturally at
all, and, as the frost set in late, he had water under the trees, and he allowed it to freeze
well and covered it with a strong, heavy mulch. But at the same time he just killed his
trees in the spring by holding that on too long, all except one tree on the north side of
the building, where it was naturally frozen till late in the spring. That tree did well and
bore fruit. The action of the sun on the heads of the trees while the root power was dor-
mant, evidently had the effect of killing them.
Dr. McOutty.—I thought the gentleman referred to planting trees. We mulch as
soon as possible after planting, in order to retain the moisture.
:
41
EARLIEST FREESTONE PEACH.
Dr. McCutty.—The Early York comes in earlier than the Crawford, and I think it
is one of the best peaches in the country. It is good for the market, not being easily
injured by transportation, and it is of very fine flavour. We have two kinds here, a small
variety which is very productive, and a large kind called the Honest John, a most mag-
nificent peach in every way, its only fault being that the market requires a yellow peach.
For my own part I think the white peaches are superior to the yellow. I am told, too,
that the Yellow Rare Ripe is an earlier peach than any other.
A. M. Smiru.—The Early Purple is the earliest perfect freestone peach I know of,
but it is small. We used to cultivate a peach at Grimsby called the Honest John, which
was a yellow peach, and ripened fully a week ahead of the Early Crawford. There seems
to be some confusion about the Honest John, there being several called by that name.
We had some flesh and some yellow coloured. I believe there is a peach known as the
Schumacher, that is claimed to be a freestone. Do you know anything about it, Mr.
Lyon ! ;
President Lyon.—-It is quite an early peach, but not of very good quality ; it is a
freestone peach. |
THE DOMINION STRAWBERRY,
QueEstion.—What do you think of the Dominion strawberry as a market fruit ?
A. M. Smita —In our section where we are near the market we have nothing that
pays better, but it is not a very good shipper. It comes in after the Wilson, and with us
is very profitable, but it will not “stand shipping too far.
NITRATE OF SODA FOR STRAWBERRIES.
Question.—Could nitrate of soda be profitably employed in growing strawberries,
on light soils; and if so can a constant’supply of the unadulterated article be obtained in
this country #
Prof. Panton.—-I don’t know that it has ever been tried. It might be applied with
a certain degree of success but I cannot speak from experience. In regard to its being
obtained pure I could not say. [I think it is worthy of trial], but it would be risky for
too light sandy soil. I would like to mix something with it, some farmyard manure, to
give it more retentive power. I know it has been found excellent on grass land and
some of the cereals. The quantity for ordinary crops is about two hundred pounds to
the acre. Dried blood has a wonderful effect on Strawberries, not on the berry immedi-
ately, but between the rows.
MackeNnzIE Ross.—About a year ago I had about a thousand loads of hight soil
drawn on to my place and ploughed it in, and I venture to say there were no better
strawberries than I had that year. The first year it was a little too hot. The Sharpless
_ under this manure did tremendous.
by market gardeners down at Carleton, but they have to watch for fear of it burning, and
they try mixing it with farmyard manure with very good results. By itself they are
very much afraid of it.
' FRUIT PRESERVERS.
Quzstion.—Are fruit preserving powders or liquids being successfully and profit-
ably used ?
Prof. Saunpers.—I shall have to ask whether the idea is to bring out the use
of solutions or powders for preserving food to be eaten afterwards, or merely for
exhibition.
The Secrerary.—I think it is for use.
42
Prof. Ssunpers.— As far as my experience goes I should say that I do not yet know
of any fluids for preserving fruits so that they will retain a suffivient proportion of tbeir
natural qualities to make them so palatable as to be attractive on the table for eating
purposes. Salicylic acid is perhaps the least objectionable of any, and I do not think the
acid has anything to do with producing the insipid character of the preserved specimen,
I think water has more to do with it. I think that water without the addition of any
chemical at all would entirely destroy the freshness of the fruit, that is its freshness and
flavour for the table. [I do not look for the introduction of anything of that sort that
will prove of much value. I think, however, that these solutions are exceedingly valuable
to fruit growers and institutions where it is necessary to preserve specimens for future
reference, so as to indicate the size, form and general appearance of the fruit, but I don’t
think we are going to get anything better than a strong solution of sugar to preserve our
‘fruit so as to preserve the natural flavour and fitness for the table.
Mr, Brauyt.—I think there is one exception. I have seen in my own house goose-
berries preserved or kept for three years with nothing but water; of course kept in air-
tight jars, and just as nice when taken out as the first day.
Prof. SaunpDEers.—That would not apply to ripe gooseberries-
Mr. Beatut.—I don’t know. These were just ordinary fruit such as you would obtain
for preserving, not ripe. Of course the water had been boile first, and allowed to cool,
and they were kept in air-tight jars.
Prof. Saunpers.—The character of the green gooseberry is hardly such as to tempt
anyone to eat it raw, and it has not such a flavour as [ was thinking of. [am glad,
however, to learn that they can be preserved in that way, because it will be useful in
preserving samples.
Dr. McCutiy.—I referred in the question to preserved specimens such as we have
here to-day ; not for domestic purposes. I have seen fruit preserving powders advertised
that would keep green fruits fresh any length of time.
Prof. SaunpErs.-—The use of these powders is comparatively old; they have been
‘going the rounds this last five or six years, and as far as I have seen they are all salicylic
acid, sometimes coloured so as to disguise it, and sometimes mixed with sugar. I know
‘some years ago, when they were first introduced, people who were desirous of preserving
their grapes and other fruits paid twenty-five or fifty cents for the receipt, and took it to
-a druggist, and found they were buying salicylic acid, and they did preserve them, so far
_.aS appearance was concerned anyway. The law of diffusion of fluids, where the fruit is
ripe, always results in a lot of water finding its way into the fruit, and a lot of saccharine
matter finding its way out. The result was that at the end of a year nobody wanted to eat
‘the grapes, and the business died out after the tirst year—nobody tried it a second time.
Now, in regard to Dr. McCully’s point, that of preparing solutions to preserve fruit for
exhibition purposes, it will take some time to explain. I have worked at it some months
with different kinds of fruits, and the results attained varied with different kinds of
fruit. I find that any fruit of light colour—yellow or white fruit—will preserve best in
a solution of sulphurous acid, the acid you realize the presence of by the nose when you
light a match. Now that frequently averts any tendency to decomposition, and the
form. and colour and character of yellow peaches, yellow apples, and yellow raspberries
and ripe gooseberries is preserved, and all fruits of that character preserve
admirably in that fluid ; and pears, also, will preserve in it in such a manner as to excite
admiration. They are a little more delicate looking than is natural, but of course for
exhibition purposes that is no detriment, for they certainly retain their form and attractive
brilliancy. That was the fluid used at the Colonial Exhibition for all that class of fruits.
I learned subsequently that it has been used in some German collections in a similar way,
and the fruit kept for several years without any change. At the time I left the Colonial
Exhibition the fruits had been in the fluid some four or six months, and did not seem to
have suffered at all in appearance. The green colours were not so difficult to preserve ;
some were preserved by salicylic acid and some hydrate of chloral, varying from three
to five per cent. in strength ; others in boro-glycerit~, which is a mixture of boracic acid
and glycerine, also about five per cent. instrength. These two solutions were found to be
the best for green and also red fruits, but the success attending the preservation of red
43,
colours was only partial, in some instances very partial. I do not think there is any pro-
bability of our being able to find a chemical to preserve the red colour of, fruits under
such conditions as had to be submitted to at that exhibition, where the fruit were
exposed to the sun light all summer long. Some of our red apples could hardly be
recognized on account of the lack of colour. That is a class of experiments I hope to con-
tinue carrying on, and in the course of time I may be able to give the results of
my endeavours in that direction. I do not wish to depreciate the results we obtained
at the Colonial, for, apart from a purely horticultural standpoint, the fruits were very
beautiful, and considered admirable by the great bulk of the public, but they would not
have withstood the criticisms of a horticultural expert. Still, on the whole, the exhi-
bition was very fine, and a grand success. Solutions of salt, I have since learned, are
perhaps better for the preservation of plums and such fruits as will sink in a solution
of salt than the others I have named,*bnt I found that solutions of salt were
not well adapted to apples and pears, because the specific gravity of the fluid
was so great as to force the specimens to the top, and no matter what devices were resorted
to keep them under, the pressure required kept them out of shape, and they burst and
were destroyed in that way. There were many difficulties in the way, which were all
surmounted in a way which I think did credit to the country. With regard to the
strength of the sulphurous acid, the strength I used was about one-half, or in some in-
stances one-third the strength it is ordinarily found in commerce. That is, it is a water
saturated solution of the acid, and that diluted with one or two parts of water. The
salicylic solution was made by dissolving a drachm of the acid in a small quantity of
alcohol—about an ounce or two, and adding to that solution a gallon of water. It would
partially precipitate, but if stored some time would almost all dissolve, and the small
portion that did not dissolve was separated by straining through muslin.
Mr. Beatt.—I wrote to you, I think, telling you that a friend of mine had used
Spirits of turpentine ; did you try it?
Prof. Saunpers.-—I did not, because the regulations of the exhibition would not
admit of the use of any inflammable spirits such as spirits of turpentine, on account of the
likelihood of fire in case the bottle was broken. I propose to try it when I have an
opportunity of doing so without risk.
ay
purpose. I think it would be exceedingly interesting if some fluid could be found which
would preserve apples and similar fruits in their natural appearance for this purpose. I
have for quite a time been watching Prof. Saunders’ researches. I have tried salcylic
acid and it has given me the best results, but I found out that there was a tendency to
precipitate the salcylic acid from the solution. The strength was about sixty grains to
the gallon, and I used about a quart of alchohol.
Prof. SauNpERS.—Mine was about one or two ounces, added to a gallon of water.
Prof. Panton.—I noticed that raspberries maintain their colour pretty well in the
salcylic acid. While you could scarcely say it is the natural colour, it is not so bad; but
strawberries lose colour almost in a week or two. So far as my experience with it has
gone, it seems that you might be very much discouraged in trying to dissolve salcylic
acid,
Prof. SaunpERS.—A good plan would be to use a little borax, which is itself an
antiseptic.
COLOURING OF FRUIT.
Question.—Is it practicable to obtain colour in fruits independently of the ripening
or maturing process ?
Prof. SaunpEers.—I cannot see the object of propounding such a question ; I don’t
know anyone who would have experience in that matter.
President Lyon.—The object, I presume, is to bring out the relative conditions under
which colour and ripening are produced. There is an idea, for instance, that colour in
vegetation is the effect of frost. I don’t quite believe it ; I don’t know whether others do
yet.
44
os
Prof. SauvnpERs.—You mean the red colouring matter in the leaves of trees ?
President Lyon.—No, in fruits.
Prof. SaunpEers.—It seems to be a general law of nature that the red colours do ot,
as a rule, obtain until the fruit reaches a stage known as ripeness, or, at least, the stage
of maturity which will be the result of keeping. .
President Lyon.—In our state of Michigan we have great variations in different locaii-
ties, otherwise apparently under about the same conditions, in the colouring of the same
kinds of fruit. The Rhode Island Greening in some places will be without the slightest
colouring, while in others it will assume a most brilliant hue, and the same is true of
almost all other fruits—they colour much more in some localities than others. I have
never heard the cause of the difference explained.
Prof. SaunpDERS.—It was remarked at the Colonial Exhibition this last year that the
fruit from Quebec had a much higher colour than the same from Ontario, and we know
hardy Russian fruits are almost all characterized by brilliant colours, which corroborates
what has been said by Mr. Lyon.
THE INDIAN CETONIA (E£uryomia Inda. )
Question.—There is a kind of bug that has been found on peach trees by a gentle-
man near me. What is it?
Prof. SaunDERS.—I should think it must be the Euryomia Inda, a family of insects
with whose larval history I am not much acquainted. There are several species, all of
which are found feeding on sweet fruits. This species before us comes quite early in the
season, and a later brood make their appearance in the autumn. Of course they don’t get
fruits in the spring, and what they feed on then I don’t know; probably sweet sap, or
wounded trees and shrubs. I know I have found them in such situations. Most people,
I know, think they are bees, for they fly around in the day time. They merely feed on
the ripe fruits; I cannot say whether they puncture sound specimens, or only resort to
those already cracked or punctured by other insects. They have never been sufficiently
abundant to constitute a serious source of trouble to fruit growers.
APPLE PACKING,
QueEstion.— What is the most expedient and profitable way to pack apples for the
market #
The PresipENT.—I don’t know that I can add anything to the advice I have already
so frequently given. The besc way we know of is to pack in barrels, and the most profit-
able way is to include none but first-class specimens. There are certain kinds of apples,
such as the Swayzie Pomme Grise, and possibly the Wagener and Fameuse, which it will
pay to pack in half barrels ; the same shape as any other barrel, but only half the size.
From a test of it which I made in the British market, I believe it will pay well. But so
far as packing is concerned, there is no better way than in barrels. Many have talked a
great deal about boxes, but atter my experience of the past season T still prefer barrels to
boxes. It seems, so far, that in boxes we have not been able to pack the apples so tight
that they will not move, whereas a barrel properly packed is perfectly solid, and they
carry admirably. At the same time, while advocating barrels, I would have them with
as little bilge as possible. There is a barrel that I tried myself some years ago that is a
great idea; it has large quarter hoops, and when you roll the barrel upon these hoops the
bilge never touches the ground at all in the rolling. So far as we examined them there
was very little in the way of bruising ; they carried admirably. Perhaps something of
that sort might be made.
The Secrerary.—What do you think of the barrel without any bilge ?
The Presipent.—I don’t know; that barrel rolls on the top and bottom hoop. L
did try a few Tomlinson barrels ; I think they were made out of whole timber.
Prof. SAunDERS.—- What is the objection to boxes ?
45
The Presipent.—The fruit was not packed tightly, and consequently they shook
about and were bruised more than in the barrel ; there seemed so be a difficulty in getting
them in.
A Memper.—In regard to the time apples should be picked—I think we pick our
apples altogether too late.
The Presipent.—Do you refer to winter or summer apples?
The Memper.—Any apples.
The PrestpENT.—-There is a season of the year we must pick winter apples. You
may leave them as late as you can without danger of frost, but in such a section as this
they must be picked in the late fall. _ All I have to say is that they are sufficiently ma-
tured for shipping purposes when the apple has reached its normal size and colour. A
great many people, I have found, pick their apples and pack them at once. I handled
some apples from a man last year who said he made a specialty of that, and if he did I
hope he never will again, for certainly his apples arrived in the worst possible condition—
all wet and rotten. I believe strongly in what I have always practised myself—leaving
the apples on the ground several days, and always packing in perfectly dry weather.
Rain or any thing of that sort will not hurt them, and there is also this advantage, that
an apple which has naturally colour, but which from being on the inside of the tree or in
the shade has not attained it, will gain the natural colour by being allowed to remain on
the ground for a few days.
Mr. Breatt.—Are summer apples the same as winter apples in that respect ?
The Presipent.—If you ship to a distance you will have to pick them before the
time of ripening. The Duchess of Oldenberg will ship, but you have to pick it before it
is thoroughly matured. Of course, for the local market, I would leave them till thoroughly
matured.
Mr. Ross.—In this county last year we were a month earlier than usual. On the
20th of September, the date of the Provincial Exhibition, fruits were thoroughly ripe,
while those of other sections were green. Probably last summer was the hottest we have
ever experienced, and the apples taken down from the trees blistered from the heat. The
Ribston Pippins fell before they were entirely ripe, and the heat was so intense that the
fruit did not keep on account of being too ripe in the barrel. Although in England it is
one of the best and longest keepers ; in this county it is not. It is matured in Septem-
ber, and will not keep very long. I think we should be governed by the season.
Dr. McCu.ty.—I had some experience i> picking apples too early, and they all puck-
ered down under the skin and shrunk. I am of opinion that there is no invariable date
for apples to ripen. A man will have to exercise his common sense and be a sort of
expert in the business. With us on the Lake Shore it is left a good deal to the buyers ;
when they are ready we are willing to pick them, and therefore they are sometimes picked
too soon, and sometimes a little late. We generally do better to take them a little on the
green side, because we escape the equinoctial winds. Occasionally these winds come along
and knock down thousands of barrels. I know some of the best orchards where Baldwins
were left to get colour, and a big wind came along and they were all shaken onto the
ground, and hundreds of barrels of them were lost. I think we cannot tell exactly, but it
is a good plan to pick winter apples quite early.
The Presipent.—But, as you say, if you pick them a little too much on the early
side they will shrivel. :
Mr. Ross.—Yes, a man must be an expert. I think the most approved plan of pick-
ing with us is to pick them into the barrels, wi:h the barrel on a sort of sleigh or stone
boat, and then to draw them into the stable, or shed, and allow them to stand with the
heads open for a week or so. Keep them dry and cool, and away from the sun. We
sometimes find when we pick our apples, especially Greenings,—and I leave them in piles
under the trees—that if there is the least spot and the skin is broken they will.commence
at that spot, and in not more than three or four days it will have spread all over them;
a ferment of some kind seems to have taken place. If the apple is kept in a dry place, it
is not probable that this would happen in that way. Aud then there are some particular
seasons when atmospheric conditions affect apples in that way, which makes lying out of
doors bad, and sometimes occasions a great deal of loss. In the hot falls, when the apples
46
are left a good while on the trees, we always find more destruction from rot than when
the weather is cold and the apples are not so ripe.
Mr. Lyox.—You send a good deal of fruit across the water, I understand, and
I have heard the opinion expressed, that it would be good policy to send good fruit packed
one by one, each wrapped in paper ; that that course would be profitable. Has that been
done !
The Presipent.— Well, packing in paper has been tried, but I don’t know that I
would recommend it. We only tried it on a small scale. J don’t know that it is neces-
sary ; but as to packing one by one, I believe, no matter what it. costs the shipper to pack,
it is better to pay it than to pack imperfectly. It is better to pick them up one by one,
and be sure there is nothing wrong about an apple—no spot, wrinkle or worm hole, and
to see that the barrel from top to bottom contains nothing but perfect apples. People on
the other side don’t begrudze the price ; they make no question about that. What they
want is to be sure they have a good article, and they don’t want a medium or poor article
at any price. I don’t think it would pay to pack even fine specimens in tissue paper on
an extended scale. It might pay for a few barrels for Covent Garden market, but for
other markets I don’t think it would. Packing in paper might have some effect in pre
venting the spread of disease in a barrel if any of the apples happened to be affected, but
I don’t think there is anything to be gained in general shipping.
Mr. Dempsey.—In rezard to packing in boxes, I think I would rather risk tender
varieties in boxes, not square boxes as we make them, two half-bushel boxes in one, but
a bushel box made in one, square or as near as you can get it. [recommend picking
them carefully, as you suggest. Every apple that has a spot or worm hole should be left
out, and if there is a vacancy in the box which might be filled by a smaller apple, don’t
put it in; it is better to stuff in a piece of paper than fill the vacancy with a medium or
inferior apple. Never send a poor apple, whatever may be the temptation; try to have
every specimen perfect. 1 have seen some varieties of apples sold in England, and so has the
President, from 19s. and from that to 2ls. In the ordinary market here, I don’t think
people would make a shilling difference in these apples for their own use, but the English
are so particular that they will pay any price for a perfect thing. They have plenty of
money, and don’t want our poor fruit ; they have plenty of that sort of theirown. They
can buy their own green fruit for about two shillings a bushel in the market this year, so
you can easily see what nonsense it would be for us to send our poor fruit there to compete
with theirs at such prices as that. Some will say at once, “what shall we do with our
culls?’ One of the largest fruit growers that we have in our county—one who takes the
greates’ t~>uble to select his fruit—has all these culled winter apples, Ben Davis, Russets
and Spys put carefully away to keep till the winter. He is now engaged in grinding them
up into cider, which he is selling at twenty-five cents per gallon. A barrel of apples will
make six gallons. How much more, I ask you, do you get for good apples than he is get-
ting for his culls? He is actually receiving more for his culled apples to-day than we
generally get for our best apples in the fall, so it is utter nonsense for us to think of pack-
ing for exportation poor apples when we can make as much by manufacturing them into
cider ; that is winter apples.
Mr. Wirson.—What do you do with the cider #
Mr. DempsEy.—Sell it at twenty-five cents per gallon by the barrel.
Mr. Wutson.—I had thousands of gallons for ten cents last year, and it was often as
low as three cents.
SALT AS A FERTILIZER FOR ONIONS AND STRAWBERRIES.
Question.—Should salt be sown betore or after planting onions; is it useful for
strawberries, and when should it be applied ?
Prof. Panron.—I should be inclined to sow it just immediately after the onion. I
believe it would have some effect on onions, as it has a good effect on asparagus, celery and
mangolds. Regarding its application, Isay just immediately after swing, not a long time
before, because it is a soluble compound, and would leach the soil. I don’t know. that
there have been any great results. Regarding strawberries, [ could not say from experi-
ence. [hear a great deal about salt as a fertilizer, and from what I can gather from the
United States, it seems to be popular on loamy soil; on clay it is of little or no service.
One of the chief functions claimed for it is attracting moisture, but it seems also to have
a salutary effect in breaking up compounds in the soil ; alkalies and the phosphate of lime
seem to be acted upon to a certain extent. Ihave heard that good results have been
noticed a year afterwards. It is generally believed that you get the results the first year,
but latterly very practical men who have discussed this matter, claim that as good results
have been produced the second year as the year previous. It is claimed for it, and no
doubt there is a good deal of evidence in its favour, that it brings what might be termed
a vigourous growth in vegetation, and it has a tendency, in a soil’-where you are afraid of
a luxuriant growth, to make the plant take a firmer and better hold. This is particu-
larly apparent in the case of low-lying soils, where the sowing of salt seems invariably to
bring about a healthy condition in the plant. A great many have also spoken in its
favour this winter as~ assisting in resisting rust and fungoid growths, and these things.
may also be applicable to the strawberry.
Mr. Witson.—How much salt should be put on mangolds and asparagus, it is not
generally known ?
Prof. Panton.—I heard a person remark that he ‘had actually put as much as twenty
hundred weight to the acre ; that is a ton.
Mr. Witson.—Not for asparagus ?
Prof. Panton.—No. I think the application should be from two to four hundred
weight. I would never say a ton; this person I speak of had done it accidentally.
Some one said he thought six hundred weight was beyond the mark, and this person
said he had seen a ton put on, and it did not entirely kill the vegetation. For a garden
I would recommend about the same quantity, two to four hundred weight per acre.
Mr. Beatu.—I have used for the past twelve or fifteen years half a barrel on 400 square
feet. I think it is better now than fifteen years ago.
Prof. SaunpreRs.—Did you try one part and Jet the other go without ?
Mr. Beatu.—No.
Prof. Saunpers.—I have been taught that wild asparagus grows in brackish water-
or water impregnated with salt on the sea shores of Europe. I was surprised to find wild
asparagus growing in the Alps, thousands of feet above the level of salt water, and:
thriving remarkably well, and I thought we had not reached the bottom facts yet, and
that possibly salt was not so essential as we have been in the habit of thinking.
Mr. Ross.—I have a large bit of asparagus, planted fifteen years ago, and I used to
give ita liberal supply of salt, but lately [ have not given it any at all, and I think I
have better asparagus now. I use very little salt, and I think itis just as good asparagus
as any I see in the country ; I doubt if we require salt for it atall. What you want for
asparagus is plenty of manure. They used to dig a trench three feet deep, and put in
lots of old shoes and rubbish, and then put a lot of manure on top of that. I am under~
the impression that there is nothing like having your land thoroughly pulverized and rich,
then put in your plant and give it plenty of manuring, once a year if possible, before the-
winter sets in. It is a very hardy plant, and as Prof. Saunders has said it is a plant that-
grows in Enrope as well as in the wild west. I doubt very much the necessity of salt
for it at all. It is just an old woman’s notion.
' Prof. SaunpERs.—Mr. Ross is carrying the idea further than I intended to go. IL
did not intend to repudiate salt Some years ago, when running a farm, [ planted pease-
on land, and ran some furrows down and planted asparagus in the furrows the same way
as cora, and with only a top dressing of manure I[ had asparagus on that as fine as any I
ever Saw growing in any beds prepared with all the paraphernalia that has been referred
to. I think as far as that is concerned it is unnecessary.
Mr. MacDonatp.—Salt has another action that has not been mentioned. A liberal
dressing of manure on the surface will, if it is applied too thickly, do more injury thin
good. Salt has the same action as plaster, it dissolves some of the soluble constituents
and carries them down to the roots of the plant, it acts on deep rooted and shallow rooted
plants in different ways, it is beneficial to both clover and grass, but on different principles_
48
In clover it carries the soluble constituents down to the roots, and with grass the chloride
of lime formed from the salt does not injure the grass as much as many other plants.
There are many conditions of climate, cultivation and so on to be taken into consideration
before salt can be intelligently applied, and I think it should never be applied in a greater
quantity than 450 pounds to the acre.
Dr. McCutty.—I have had great success in salting beds of Canada thistles. If you
get right at them you will never be disappointed. I don’t limit the quantity, I am very
liberal in the matter, and [ tell you it is good for Canada thistles.
EXPERIMENTAL STATIONS WANTED.
QueEstTion.—Ought not fruit growers to ask the Dominion and Ontario Governments
to establish one or more stations for testing fruits and experimental purposes ?
Prof. SaunpERrs.—The whole system of experimental agriculture is at present in its
infancy. Iam doing my best to work order out of chaos, and have not reached any
definite conclusions on the-point mentioned, and would therefore rather be excused from
answering,
Mr. Ross.-—I think the County of Kent might show something to them if a station
were established in it, because the climate is congenial to fruit.
Prof. SaunpERs.—It is the intention to make the central experimental station fall
in with the work carried on at the different farm stations by distributing plants and seeds
which it seems desirable under the circumstances to test in the different sections of the
various. Provinces, and thus far it will meet the want indicated in the query; it is im-
possible at the present time to go any further into the particulars than that.
The meeting was then adjourned till the next morning at nine o’clock.
CANADA AT THE COLONIAL EXHIBITION.
In the evening a banquet tendered to the association by the County Council of Kent
‘was held in the Garner House, and after the usual loyal and patriotic toasts had been
disposed of that of “Canada at the Colonial” was proposed, coupled with the names of
President A. McD. Allan and P. C. Dempsey.
Mr. Auian. —The subject with which you have so kindly coupled the names of Mr.
Dempsey and myself is indeed a very comprehensive one, for during the three months we
were over in the old country we saw a great deal. Speaking for myself, it was the first
time I had crossed the Atlantic, and the first opportunity, therefore, I had had of seeing
or personally knowing much about our parent nation. To do full justice to “Canada at
the Colonial” would be a task of many hours, but as the audience present is a’ mixed
one, consisting mainly of gentlemen interested in agriculture and horticulture, it may,
perhaps, be well to touch only upon a few of the features of that great exhibition, in
which they will be specially interested. To begin with cattle, as we have many farmers
here, I had an opportunity at the great Smithfield Cattle Show, considered the
great fat stock show of England, of judging, as far as my judgment goes in such
matters, of the quality of the stock, taking.it for granted that at that show I saw
the best specimens of the particular grades of stock in that country. It was
acknowledged there that they never had a finer exhibition of fat stock, especially
hogs. I must say that according to my judgment our own stock breeders could hold
their own with those of Great Britain in all points but one. Our roots and vegetables
attracted much attention on the part of the farming community in England, and
they were fain to acknowledge that even with their high state of cultivation they
could not grow better or even as good roots as those produced in Canada. At the Smith-
field show the roots were beautifully trimmed up, but compared with ours they were not
the average size, and there was not as much feed to the acre of grain there as with us,
although they manure and cultivate their soil to a far higher degree than our farmers do
49
here. Mr. Dempsey and I felt proud of our roots and vegetables. Then, as to our fruits.
There has been heretofore a very wrong impression prevalent in Britain regarding our
country. The general impression, even among the better educated class of people there,
is that “this Canada of ours” is a land of snow and ice, where polar bears and Indians
may be encountered almost everywhere. I have often been asked if I wasn’t afraid of
the Indians, and on such occasions would sometimes refer them to my head as a specimen
of the Indian’s prowess with the scalping knife. Ido not think our Dominion Govern-
ment could have devised anything more effectual in dispelling that idea of Canada than
was the display of fruits grown in the Dominion made at the Colonial Exhibition. At
the beginning of the season there was nothing but the fruit in jars, preserved in acid,
which were admired very greatly ; but the British public were suspicious of them, and
entertained in many instances serious doubts of their being genuine fruits. The remark
was often made, ‘“ Oh, yes, it is all very well ; it looks very pretty, but for all we know
it may be wax.” I have often heard them when exchanging opinions with each other, express
a doubt as to whether they were really specimens or waxen imitations of fruit. When
the unpreserved fruit came to hand we had often to allow them to taste and see for them-
selves in order to dispel the allusion, and certainly our display astonished them very much
indeed. The display was arranged in such a way as to attract the greatest amount of
popular attention. The building in which it was exhibited was a large conservatory, run-
ning from east to west, and we laid out the fruits, commencing at the eastern end with
Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and the eastern part of the Dominion, province by province,
finishing up with British Columbia at the western extremity, showing the fruit of Canada
from ocean to ocean. They were arranged in groups of provinces, not societies, showing
the province the fruit was grown in and the particular society by which it was sent, or,
if an individual, the name of the person. As far as we could we had the name of the
grower on each plate, giving the name of the fruit and its particular variety, and of such
a display as we had I assure you we felt very proud. I did expect at the time the fruit
was being collected here that our exhibit would be something grand, but in my most
sanguine anticipations I fell far short of the reality ; I never expected it would be so
perfectly grand as it turned out to be. As I said to Mr. Dempsey, after working all
night to get it in order, I felt like going to Oxford street and investing in the highest
plug hat to be found in all England. I don’t know how any Canadian could feel other-
wise than proud of such a magnificent display. "We did our best to give all the
information we could to the people, and to keep our exhibit before them. Wherever you
would look your eye would be attracted by a label with ‘ Canada” conspicuously marked
in gold leaf letters; we wanted to keep their attention upon our country as much as
possible. Other labels showed the particular part of the Dominion from which they
came, and we had also an attractive yellow label with black letters, on which was printed,
“ All Grown in the Open Air by Ordinary Field Culture,” which attracted much atten-
tion, and the thousands of people looking at that and seeing the brilliancy of the colouring
of our fruit as compared with their own, could hardly believe that ours had been grown in
_the open air, the impression, even of the fruit growers being, that we must have employed
some species of hot-house culture to produce such brilliant colouring and colossal dimen-
- sions. Now, from my experience there I have come to the conclusion—and being a
_ shipper myself I feel privileged to make the statement—that our system of purchasing
fruit from the grower and paying the grower has been a wrong one. I suppose the
practice this year has been the same as in former years, the buyer paying as a rule an
average of one dollar per barrel for winter fruit ; that has been the general rule. Now,
I believe the way we ought to buy the fruit is according to its variety. I have made a
calculation upon some few varieties according to the prices obtained in the British market.
_ The King of Tompkins County is worth per barrel in the orchard $1.50 ; Fallawater, $1.30;
Baldwin, $1; American Golden Russet, $1.15; Mann, $1.15. The Northern Spy,
spotted as we have had it this year, is worth about 90 cents, but if you can get a first-class
quality without spot, it is worth $1.40. IfI take the Swayzie Pomme Grise according
to the best prices obtained, it is worth a great deal more—$2 ; but I don’t think I would
be justified in putting it at that. I am quite satisfied, at all events, that it would be to
the interest of shippers in buying hereafter to purchase fruit in that way, if not upon that
4 (F.G.)
50
scale, upon one something like it, paying for each variety as it grows. If you find a par-
ticular variety grown to perfection, pay the growers for it, and in that way there will be
encouragement for them to grow to perfection the kinds which will obtain the highest
price. We did not have much opportunity of testing Grimes’ Golden on the British
market, because we got so little. Rhode Island Greenings would give $1 this year, and,
by-the-by, I think it is going to excel the Baldwin in the British market for price. This
year Greenings came up wonderfully, and I found that the prejudice in the British market
against green fruit is dying out. They are looking more now to quality, and for that
reason I believe that before very long the Rhode Island Greening will bring a higher
price than the Baldwin. I don’t know that it is necessary for me to say much in regard
to packing, except that it will pay a shipper, no matter what it costs him, to cull them
out thoroughly, and secure nothing but the most choice specimens, perfectly clean, and
without spot or wrinkle. Then they should be sized and coloured—that is, all the apples
of one size and colour put together in one barrel, and marked according to what they
are. Be honest with the man at the other side and the consumer, and let your apples
always be fully up to the standard of the brand marked on the barrel, and you will find
the British buyers will pay the highest price for them, and in that way you will realize
better prices than you can by mixing different fruits in one barrel. I would advocate
having three classes or brands, and you will realize better prices for the large and highly
coloured apples, whereas if you mixed smaller ones with the larger ones, and green fruit
with that which is highly coloured, you will only get prices below the medium, not the
average at all. If you cull them out you will get three different prices, and for the poorest
brand of the three you will get nearly as much as you would have done for the mixed
ones, while for the highest quality you will raceive the highest price going. The buyers
in England are on the lookout, and when you have adopted a brand and they find that
the apples are good, they will be on the alert for it, and if a barrel of a certain brand is
found to contain apples inferior to what is represented, they will avoid that brand ; so it
is a point on which shippers cannot be too careful. If in shipping one year your apples
did not turn out to be as good as represented, your next year’s shipments, even though
they might consist of the finest apples that could be obtained, would be injured by it.
Many shippers this year took advantage of the Colonial Exhibition to ship to the London
market in preference to others, and doing so, shipped direct by water. From my own
experience, I would warn them -against doing this, for I found that the experience of
every man there who had received fruit from this side direct to London by water was
disastrous. The fruit was injured on the passage up the Thames, and arrived in the
market fully a week later than if landed at Liverpool and forwarded on to London by
rail, thus entailing a double loss—the loss of a week’s time, and the damage and pilfering
consequent of their having to pass through so many hands. For this pilfering, the steam-
ship companies blame the dock hands, and they in turn blame the custom house officials,
and you can get no satisfaction at all ; and we found that much better prices were always
realized by shipping via Liverpool by rail to London. Besides that, coming up the River
Thames is expensive. The dock companies’ fees were something enormous,—eightpence
per barrel landed on the dock, and then fees to the Duke of Bedford and goodness knows
who not. The railways do charge too high a rate, however, from Liverpool to London at
present, but they are going to pull the rates down. I have talked that matter over pretty
thoroughly with the officials there, and I also suggested that the railway companies should
provide accommodation at their stations centrally located in the city, where buyers could
in a reasonable time buy, and the fruit be disposed of without expense, no rent being
charged if the fruit is disposed of, instead of dealing at Covent Garden market, where
the ubiquitous Duke of Bedford has to be paid a fee of three half-pence on every barrel.
The railways took that up pretty well, the Midland so heartily that they had bought out
half a block and started a new depot expressly for this purpose before I left, so that next
year they will compete strongly for all the Canadian fruit going to London, and there
will be no rent or charge to the shipper, and the fruit can be sold right in their own
depot or kept for a reasonable length of time without charge, a point which will be of
great value to our shippers. Then there is another point. All the last part of the season,
through December, I cabled shippers sending me fruit to ship to London via Liverpool,
51
and I made an arrangement at London that if the Liverpool prices were better than the
London prices, to stop it at Liverpool and sell there. If it would pay the difference in
freight we allowed it to come on to London straight and sold there. Some of the gentle-
men I dealt with in London also did business in Liverpool, and in that way I had the
advantage of two markets ; then, again, in other markets. Liverpool, of course, is the
distributing point ; they handle more than London or Glasgow. I found the markets
varied a good deal with the supply and demand. I had one cargo, I remember, of 14,000
barrels, of which I had advice. The moment the steamer was in the Mersey, I thought
to sell in Liverpool, but prices went up in Glasgow and I sent it on there ; but before
the vessel had arrived at Glasgow I had sold the 14,000 barrels in Copenhagen, Denmark.
I took the night train to Glasgow, had them transhipped, and got my money in Glasgow.
That is the best sale 1 made—32s. That, however, was delivered free in Copenhagen,
but after paying all the expenses there was a very handsome profit left for the shippers,
several of whom were concerned. Speaking of that, I believe that Copenhagen is going
to be a valuable market for this country. Apples from this country have been received
in Sweden, Norway and Denmark before, but I think this year they know them pretty
thoroughly and appreciate them, as we were able to send them a very fine sample of fruit,
At the same time, I am sorry to say that we got some brands in England that were not
up to the mark. The packing generally was good. I find that the packers generally have
got into a systematic method of working and generally pack well, if they would only
cull out properly, and stop the miserable practice of putting in small and wormy fruit in
the centre of the barrel, thinking the buyers will never find them. The buyers are very
particular, and open up one end of the barrel and go down a little way, then turn it over
after closing the barrel and investigate the other end, and if there is any suspicious
appearance they will shake it out to see what it contains. They go through it here and
there until they learn thoroughly the kind of fruit they are receiving from that particular
shipper. Even if they have received several consignments of number one fruit from a
shipper, they will turn over a barrel of his shipments here aLd there, so a shipper can
never expect to escape if he establishes a reputation and then tries to trade on that with
inferior fruit. I tested the matter of shipping in half barrels. I took out a number of
small barrels that are used for shipping Virginia Newton Pippins in ; it would take about
two and a quarter of them to make a barrel of the size of ours. I lined these with paper
and filled them with choice Swayzie Pomme Grise apples, and then went round to some
of the best buyers and handed them a few apples to taste, telling them I was going to
offer a few for the Christmas trade. They were offered there and started at 20 shillings,
running up to 27 shillings the half barrel, the highest price ever known there except for
Virginia Newton Pippins, for which very high prices are paid. That was better than 54
shillings for our barrel, but I do not think a large trade could be done in that way.
There is a certain fancy trade which can be done in Covent Garden market for Christmas,
but the trade would be very limited, of course. There are many other markets opening
out for us, an important one of which is India. I look for the time when the Canadian
Pacific Railway will have a first-class steamship line running across the Pacific, and we
can do a good trade with India in apples. I understand that at the present time the
_ price there is equal to sixteen cents per apple for Canadian apples, It seems that some
American and Canadian apples have found their way to India in vessels carrying ice, and
the prices realized have been sixteen cents per apple. I have been told by officers of the
Indian service I have met, that although the market there would not be a very large one
—because the class of people who could afford to pay for a luxury of that kind are not
numerous—still it would pay, and that some of our varieties that will carry long distances
would find a market there. As far as the distance is concerned, I don’t apprehend any
trouble in that respect myself. With a first-class line of steamers, such as the Canadian
Pacific intend running, I do not think there will be any more risk in shipping there than
to Liverpool. Then we tried France and Germany, and although the prices were not
very extra, they being fruit growing countries and their people knowing little or nothing
in regard to our apples, we got prices that under the circumstances rather astonished us ;
that paid expenses at all events, and in some cases a little over. From all that we have
done and seen, I feel confident that there is market room enough for all the apples we
52
can possibly grow, and I am more satisfied than ever that in this Province of Ontario, or,
“this Canada of ours,” we can grow apples equal, nay, superior to any country in the
world, not even excepting our good friends across the line; for, taking the average of the
market during the last year, our apples sold for an average of three shillings a barrel
more than theirs did. I am under the mark when I say that. On regular market days,
when lots of fruit are being offered, you will see the buyers there in hundreds waiting
around for something to suit them. If any European fruits are offered they are very
indifferent, and don’t seem to care at all. Then when the American fruit is offered the
bids begin to come in, but when the seller announces from his stand that he is about to
dispose of a few thousand barrels of Canadian apples, you will see them crowding right up
to the desk to see what he has to offer, and the bids come in lively then, I assure you. It is
the liveliest business I have seen for some time, to see our fruits sold in Covent Garden and
other markets of Britain. I think I am not far astray when I say that the effects of this
Colonial Exhibition in all our departments will be something grand for our country.
From the conversation we had with farmers and others having sons and friends desiring
to emigrate, we found that they were all anxious to gain a little more information of our
Dominion, about the state of agriculture and horticulture, and they were all much inter-
ested when they came to see our display of fruits and vegetables. Every day we were
told of relatives who were going to emigrate, for they are over-populated there in every
direction, and all had made up their minds to come to Canada. We did our very best to
give them reliable information, to let them know what the country is without overshooting
the mark, and explained to them carefully our climate and other matters of interest. We
did not want them to come here with the idea they were going to land in a perfect paradise
at once, but told them the kind of people we are, and, indeed, from their remarks, I
believe they thought we were about the liveliest people they had ever met ; our methods
were quite different from theirs. That is one point I noticed in Great Britain. You see
the spirit of progress in Canada in all departments of agriculture, horticulture and every-
thing else which is lacking in Britain. People there seem to have the idea that everything
in that country is done and finished, and certainly many things there are brought to a
much more perfect state than they are here. The buildings look as if they were built to
last forever, and the farms and lanes and gardens are very beautiful. But the people have
settled down to that idea, and they are loth to adopt any new improvement. That is a
point in which we have a great advantage in this country. I don’t think I could give
our Government too high a word of praise in speaking of that Colonial Exhibition, and
of everything I observed there of the conduct of our Canadian affairs. I think everything
was done there that could be done to advance the interests of the country in every depart-
ment, and I believe that the result will be reaped at no distant day. I believe that when
the spring opens we shall see a tide of immigration of a better class than we have ever
had before. I am receiving by every mail letters from England and Scotland containing
inquiries as to the prospect here, many of them being something like this: —A young man
writes to say that he has eight hundred pounds to invest, and wants to go into farming or
fruit growing, but would like first to engage with some farmer or fruit grower for the
purpose of becoming acquainted with our methods, and in the meantime look around for
an opening to invest his money to the best advantage. Many inquire in that way, young
men who say they are not afraid of work. They say they were brought up on a farm,
but cannot make anything at home. We have invited them in the warmest possible way,
winding up by telling them that in coming to Canada they will still be under the old
flag always dear to them, and are coming to live with one of the children of the mother
country.
-
REPORT ON THE COLONIAL EXHIBITION.
At a subsequent stage the following report on the Indian and Colonial Exhibition
was read by the President:
GENTLEMEN,—Presuming that a short report of our visit to the Oolonial and Indian
Exhibition, held in London, England. during the past season will be of some interest to
53
you, especially in so far as it relates to fruits and vegetables, we beg to submit the
following :
When assisting at home in the work of collecting specimens for the display we looked
forward with much interest to the time when such display would be arranged upon the
tables at the ‘“Colindries,” as we anticipated that it would be both large and fine in
samples. But although our anticipations were large we were actually astonished at the
result, both as regards the number of specimens and their general fine appearance when
laid upon the tables. It is only repeating the expression of a number of newspapers as
well as many thousands of visitors, when we say that the fruit display of Canada at that
Exhibition, was the largest and finest ever seen together in Europe. The immense con-
servatory of the Royal Horticultural Society was filled completely, and still we had five
hundred plates of apples to exhibit at the Edinburgh Exhibition.
The conservatory in which these fruits were exhibited we took to represent Canada»
and our display was laid out in provinces beginning with British Columbia on the west
andcoutinuing eastwards until it closed with Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, thus
shewing fruits representing the vast stretch of country from ocean to ocean. Each sec-
tion was designated by a large printed card shewing to what province it belonged, and
this surmounted by another on coloured cardboard stating that ‘“‘ these specimens were
grown in open air by ordinary culture.” Besides these large coloured cards were to be
seen in every point to catch the eye bearing the important inscription, “ Canada.” Thus
laid out it was a grand picture, shewing as it did most conclusively that our country is
not, as had been thought by many thousands in Britain a land of eternal ice and snow,
wild Indians and polar bears, but a land possessed of a variation of climates, and scarcely
any too severe to grow some variety of fruit, and most of it capable of producing the
finest samples. It was a living picture that did not appeal in vain to the thousands who
looked upon it so admiringly, it was a picture that eloquently and truthfully told of the
beauties and goodness of our country and its climates, and it was a picture that took a
firm grasp upon the hearts of the people and made an indellible impression upon their
minds.
To give an idea of the extent of this display we give each collection as follows :—
British Columbia, apples, 180 plates ; pears 54 plates; making a total from that
province of 234 plates.
_ Provincial Exhibition, Guelph, apples, 356 plates ; pears, 84 ; peaches, 23 ; quinces,
24 ; plums, 19; grapes, 138 ; making from that exhibition a total of 644.
Bay of Quinté Agricultural Society, apples, 288 plates ; pears, 68 ; quinces, 2, grapes,
80 ; making a total from that society of 438 plates.
West Riding of Huron Agricultural Society, apples, 234 plates ; pears, 66 ; quinces.
4; grapes, 51 ; and plums, 13; making a total from that society of 368 plates.
Besides exhibits from Ontario from individual growers of apples, 49 plates; pears,
22 ; plums, 7 ; and grapes, 13. In all 84 plates.
Or by the Province of Ontario, a total of 1,534 plates.
The Montreal Horticultural Society had apples, 198 plates; pears, 4 ; cranberries, 1;
203 plates.
Abbotsford Horticulttral Society had apples, 47 plates, and pears 11 plates—58.
Dominion Exhibition at Sherbrooke had apples, 76 plates ; pears, 9; and grapes, 16
plates—101; making for Quebec province a total of 362.
Nova Scotia province had of apples, 334 plates; and pears, 3; or a total of 337
- plates.
New Brunswick province had of apples, 144 plates ; and pears 5; ora total of 149
plates ; making a total for the Dominion of 2,616 plates.
54
Besides this display, earlier in the season there was laid upon the tables a small dis-
play consisting of 140 plates of apples, 10 of pears and 4 of plums from the Province of
Quebec ; 134 of apples, 37 of pears and 11 of plums from Ontario ; and 82 of apples and
7 of pears from Nova Scotia. There was also exhibited at the Edinburgh Exhibition a
surplus, being fruit sent from London, Ontario, and the Niagara district, that could not
be got on the tables at the Colonial of 419 plates of apples and 9 of pears; 63 of apples
from Quebec, 10 of apples from Nova Scotia and 8 from New Brunswick. Thus making
in all exhibited during the season, from Ontario, 2,144 plates; from Quebec, 579 plates ;
Nova Scotia, 436 plates ; British Columbia, 234 plates, and New Brunswick, 157 plates.
Making for the Dominion during the season a grand total of 3,550 plates.
When the Exhibition closed we selected from the tables the best specimens for the
Industrial Exhibition at Glasgow, making fully 500 selected plates of apples. Besides |
which a collection sent from Prince Edward Island which arrived too late to be displayed
at the Colonial was forwarded also to Glasgow. All the remaining specimens were dis-
tributed amongst leading citizens, charitable institutions, and wherever we considered that
the most credit as well as benefit would result to our country. In a number of instancee,
both in England and Scotland, we placed small collections of choice long-keeping kinds
in the windows of leading fruiterers with a display card showing that they were of
Canadian growth.
Of the fruit sent over by the Government to test commercial values, we found that
plums sent in bushel boxes did not carry well, indeed there was not enough to make
up one box out of all that was sent over. But while we feel satisfied that had these been
sent in cold storage they would have carried well ; we would recommend that plums should
be sent in smaller packages, and in any case they should be shipped only when not perfectly
ripe. The early pears also were too ripe when shipped to carry by ordinary freight. But
apples carried fairly well and realized good prices for finesamples, Duchess of Oldenburg
and St. Lawrence brought seven shillings per box. We believe that in these cases also
if all had been in cold storage they would have arrived in perfect condition. But grapes
whether in or out of cold storage did not as a rule carry well. Of the varieties specially
observed the following carried perfectly, Prentiss, Clinton, Telegraph, Rogers 44, Arnold’s
hybrids. The following were fair:—Vergennes, Rogers 36, 22, 9, Burnet, Allen’s hybrid.
We could get some fairly good bunches in each box of the following, Delaware, Iona,
Diana, and the rest of Rogers grapes not already mentioned. But Lady Washington,
Concord, Hartford Prolific, Champion and Niagara were so shelled off that it was
only possible to get enough to make a plate or two for the tables. Prof. Saunders’ new
grapes ‘‘ Kensington” and “ Emerald” which were packed in a box with other fruits
carried perfectly. But we believe a large share of the loss (probably most of it) was due
to the roughness in handling the packages in transit, and if the grapes had been packed
in handle baskets we believe they would all have carried fairly well. The express com-
panies deserve the utmost censure for the way such things are handled by them, indeed
the fruits could not have been worse off in this respect had the Government sent all by
ordinary freight. If we were to endeavour to find a market in Britain for our grapes it
would be difficult to introduce them for dessert, as their quality is not as good as that of
the home grown hot-house grapes and those imported from France. Besides cultivating
a taste for them we would require to sell at a low enough price to enable those to eat
grapes who cannot aftord to pay high prices for hot-house varieties. But sufficient has
been seen and tested by manufacturers to assure us that they will become decidedly
popular for wine making, and if the provisions of our liquor Act will permit of it there
will be no difficulty in establishing large manufactories in grape growing districts for the
purpose of wine making. Already one firm has signified its intention of establishing such
a factory provided the law does not interfere. Their intention is to manufacture wines
from grapes and also clarified cider from apples. The tests that have been made have
been eminently satisfactory. One gentleman who used some of our refuse apples in
cider making said that the quality of the juice extracted was so strong that it would bear
twenty per cent. of water added, and then be as good as the juice of English apples. It
was instructive to observe the difference between the British fruits in the market and
the samples shown on exhibition tables, the former being wretchedly small and spotted,
55
while the latter were simply magnificent in size, but fineness of form and colour were
wanting. The samples shown at the Crystal Palace show, as well as those exhibited in
the conservatory at the annual exhibition of the Royal Horticultural Society were all
wall grown fruits, and besides»many of the growers admitted that they required high
cultivation and manuring in order to produce such specimens. Indeed it was most evident
from the spreading eyes and knotted and ribbed forms of the apples, especially that such
was the case. In point of flavour from all the tests we could get, such fruit is very in-
sipid compared with our naturally grown specimens, and there is a wonderful want of
tenderness in flesh in all English apples and pears. An English Duchess of D’Angouléme
is scarcely better than a sweet turnip, indeed they do not pretend to eat it at all, and
many growers who tasted some of our specimens were astonished at their richness.
We hope our steamship lines will be induced to place in all their vessels a cold storage
compartment for shipping our early and soft fruits. Our early apples especially can all
be shipped to Britain successfully, and we believe prices will rule high for them, as local
early varieties as well as those from the Channel Islands and Belgium are inferior to ours
both in colour and flavour.
The Royal Horticultural Society very kindly met and examined a number of seed-
lings and hybrids in our fruit list and their report will be forthcoming. They also
examined many of our regular varieties and will no doubt give their views in their report.
Besides the silver medal awarded to our exhibit last spring that society also granted us a
special medal for our general display of fresh fruits.
But our fruit tables did not claim all the attention of the public when we placed the
roots and vegetables on one large table. Farmers and their sons were continually examin-
ing that table, and certainly it did look most attractive when arranged in three large
pyramids, one on each end of the table and another in the centre with specimens covering
the space between. People seemed quite dazed at the sight and but one opinion was
expressed by all, namely, that England could not produce such fine specimens. We never
before in our experience gave much thought on the question of raising large pumpkins and
squashes, but gentlemen, you should hear us waxing eloquent over a 200 pound squash,
or a rich coloured mammoth pumpkin. Daily when in conversation with people, farmers
and their sons would express their determination to come to our country. Many of the
vegetables were strange to most of the visitors of course, and it was amusing to hear the
questions asked regarding them. But there was intense interest evident in every visitor.
Our green corn attracted very general attention and the enquiry of thousands who had
been either in Canada or the United States and had tasted corn in the ear, was ‘“ why
don’t you send corn over to this country?’ We believe there is a very large market in
England for our table sweet corn, and if cold storage on our steamships be adopted this
is another article that can be successfully shipped. Tomatoes also are wanted in large
quantities, especially the smooth varieties, and we believe high prices will be obtained, as
those in the markets from the Channel Islands do not average so large as ours, nor are
they so bright in colour.
It was remarkable, and to us most interesting, to see that the object of our display
was so universally accomplished in the fact, that everyone spoke out and in their wonder
at the sight before them, remarked that Canada must have a finer climate than had been
- thought when such fruits, roots and vegetables would grow to such perfection. People in
Britain were brought up to think of our country as little better than a polar region, but
now that they are convinced by staring at actual facts and handling the specimens before
them that such is not the case, we look for an increased emigration to our country;
and we will not be disappointed for the people we met and conversed with are evidently in
earnest, desiring to improve their condition in life by changing from an over-populated
country and high taxation to a rising country where there is room for every honest
industrious man.
At the close of the exhibition we divided the roots and vegetables among those who
will exhibit them in their shop windows as long as they remain in condition.
We believe it would pay our Government to send over fruits and vegetables to some
of the exhibitions in inland cities in England, where the population is largely agricultural
I would have the effect of drawing thousands of young farmers to our country who are
56
now either going into other pursuits or emigrating to the United States or Australia ; for
they know more about these countries than they do about ours because Jey have seen
more of their produce exhibited in such a way as we now recommend :
To advertise a country by showing its products is the most convincing, most truthful
and by far the cheapest method.
AuEx. McD. ALuan.
P. C. DEmMpseEY.
Prof. SaunpErs.—I think the thanks of this association are due to the President and
his associate, Mr. Dempsey, for this very full report of the Colonial Exhibition. I_am
much pleased to find that the views of those gentlemen are so fully in accord with my
own in this matter, with regard to the exhibit of grapes. That exhibit, even from a com-
mercial standpoint, was got up more to illustrate the character of our climate than with
a hope of introducing our grapes for actual sale as a source of profit to this country.
When in England, in the spring, we had grapes in bottles only, and people would often
congregate around the stand and wish for an opportunity of handling and tasting these
grapes, and could scarcely believe they could have been grown in the open air in a country
so cold as this, when they in England could not doit. It required a great deal of argu-
ment and persuasion to convince them these things were genuine, and I was so strongly
impressed by this that I thought it would be one of the wisest things we could do to send
over a quantity of these grapes, which could be handed round and tasted by the hundreds
of thousands of people daily visiting the exhibition, and thus demonstrate to them that
these things were solid, substantial realities, and that we could grow these grapes in the
open air. I think the delegation have stated the results very correctly, and pointed to
the fact that it is highly probable that this exhibit will have more direct influence on
immigration for years to come than anything the government has ever done in this way.
I found on inquiry that a large proportion of immigration from Great Britain went to
Australia, and was told that they did not like to go to a climate where they would have
to suffer so much cold as in Canada. The average Englishman does not take any special
pains to make his house warm, and when the thermometer goes down to zero there is
much suffering among those who live in such houses, and they reach the conclusion that
if they suffer so much at home, what must it be in Canada where it is frequently twenty
and thirty below zero. They know nothing of our system of keeping comfortable and
warm, and, in fact, we do not suffer half as much from cold here as people in England do,
THE QUESTION DRAWER.
Business was resumed on Thursday morning at 10.30, when the following questions
were read and discussed :
APPLE BARRELS.
QueEstion.—I would like to ask the President if he noticed when in England whether
the Nova Scotia apple barrels were the same size or smaller than ours ?
The PrestpEnt.—They were smaller than ours. The same barrel has been used for
a great many years there, one containing two bushels and three pecks, I believe. They
were observably smaller than ours in all the markets.
Mr. Evererts.—The same size as the American ?
The Prestpent.—I found that the American barrels there varied in size.‘ I think
the Nova Scotia barrel was the size of most of the American barrels. The standard for
apples is three bushels, the same size as a flour barrel.
~~
57
BLACK KNOT.
QUESTION.
profitable ?
Prof. SaunpERs.—There is so much in the character of the season to influence black
knot, that that is a very difficult question to answer without some preliminary explan.
ation. Some seasons it prevails to such an extent that it would be exceedingly difficult
to keep it under anything like reasonable control. I think as a rule there is no difficulty
in keeping it under control if plum growers are careful to watch for the first indications,
and to remove them and burn the knot, so as to destroy the spores of the tungus which
are forming in that knot. If taken in its inception in that way and watched carefully,
there will be little difficulty as a rule in keeping this class of disease under. There are
exceptional seasons, however, when it is exceedingly difficult. Forty-five years ago now,
almost all of you will remember, not only plum trees, but cherries almost all over Ontario
became go affected with it, especially the common red cherry, that in many districts whole
orchards had to be cut down and destroyed. There are sections of the country where
formerly many cherries were yielded in which none are now grown on account of that and
the following seasons. Since that time it has become comparatively scarce and less
troublesome. When it abounds like that it is most difficult to deal with, because it
requires a great deal of labour in the way of cutting off the affected branches. Still, even
under those circumstances, I think a little more industry and energy in the work would
avail to keep it under control. There is no patent way, however, of getting over the
trouble ; the old-fashioned way of cutting off the branches and cutting out the knots
seems to be the only feasible plan yet. I think a solution of carbolic acid, perhaps, is as
good as anything to apply for the purpose of destroying the spores that may be left in the
branches of trees where the knot has been troublesome, and arresting their power of
germination.
A Memper.—Is there any perceptible indication of the disease before the bark
opens ?
: Prof. SaunpEers.—I don’t know of any way of detecting the presence of the disease
until the bark opens, so that the knot has got a firm root on the tissues of the wood. Unless
it would be possible to indicate in advance where the black knot will break out, I do not
know any feasible method of prevention.
The Memser.—Is there any danger of it spreading? I have seen lately, on the
cherry trees of a man five miles back of me, swarms of them; the trees were literally
covered with them. Some have told me there is a danger of it spreading to the apple trees.
Prof. SaunpERs.—It has never been known to affect any trees other than the plum
and cherry, and there is no probability of its spreading to the apple. The plum has been
‘most affected by it until within the last few years ; in fact, formerly it was regarded as
distinct on the cherry, but closer investigation showed that the same form of fungus
affected both varieties, and was capable of being transferred from one to the other. Why
it has taken a particular liking to the cherry more than the plum is difficult to account
for, but we know in many districts the trees are completely covered with black knot,
especially the sour cherries. The only wise course to pursue when trees are past redemp-
‘tion is to cut them down and burn them, and plant fresh the next season.
Mr. Denton.—Does black knot attack the nectarine and peach and stone fruit
generally ?
Prof. Saunpers.—I think there is no case on record of either the peach, apricot or
nectarine being attacked.
The Prestpent.—Have you heard of black knot in the wild hickory tree? I have
seen it. ;
Prof. SaunpErRs.—It is a distinct form, I think.
Mr. Denron.—I had a nectarine growing in my garden, and after black knot had
attacked the plums it took the nectarine, and [I lost the nectarine ; not that I claim it
died with black knot, but still I found that the black knot had taken it.
Prof. Pantoy.—In travelling through the country I have been astonished at finding
so many trees completely covered with black knot. People don’t try this plan of cutting
Can black knot be sufficiently controlled to make plum growing
down, and some I have found who did cut away the affected limbs, threw them in the
fence corners, which is simply a means of scattering it. There are no less than five
different kinds of spores, three of which have been conclusively proved to produce black
knot. It is a fungus which spreads with tremendous rapidity, and the best treatment is
to cut it off. People don’t do that ; they ask for specific remedies for it, but will not
apply what they are told to it. The best plan is to cut it off and burn it, because if you
don’t burn it you are scattering spores by the million into the orchard.
THE COLUMBIA PEAR.
Question.— What do you think of the Columbia pear? I think it ought to be more
extensively grown. It keeps with less care than any other variety, and longer after being
ripe. I have thirty-six varieties on my place, and have a good chance to judge. I think
the Columbia is as good as any variety i have, and more valuable on account of its coming
in ripe at this season of the year.
Mr. Dempsey.—I do not think it is much approved of in our section. It is very
subject to blight, and I lost a quantity of them, though I am not prepared to say that it
is more subject to it than other varieties. I have lost a large number of varieties. One
of the pears I prefer is the Josephine de Malines ; I am willing to stop right there for a
winter pear. Perhaps just at this point I had better tell you something of the way in
which we enjoy it. We have them yet, and have had since the Ist of December. We
take a small quantity of them for about two weeks in our living room, where the
thermometer is from sixty to seventy, and they ripen up beautifully ; all that one could
desire in a winter pear.
Prof. SaunDERS.— My experience is very limited. There is one feature in regard to
it generally understood—it is very slow in coming into bearing ; it requires many years
growth before you get any fruit.
Mr. Dempsey.—That is correct.
Prof. Saunpers.—It is very good and useful when sufficiently far advanced.
The PrestpENT.—We are all anxious to get returns as soon as possible, but the fact
that a tree is somewhat tardy in bearing is not against it inthe ultimate result. In spite
of that defect it is assuming quite a prominent position as a market variety, because when
it does bear, it is good. One defect it has is that it is not large and somewhat inclined to
drop off, especially in windy localities ; but even then, specimens two-thirds grown will
ripen up and make very nice market fruit. I think as we have so few desirable satisfac-
tory winter pears it would be well to plant this, at least moderately for market, as well as
for other purposes.
BEST MEANS OF DESTROYING THE CURCULIO.
The best means of destroying the curculio, and the question, “ Are any varieties of
plum curculio proof ?’ was next taken up for discussion. :
Prof. SAuNDERs.—The old method of destroying them by jarring the tree and collect-
ing the insects has been largely superseded in many districts by the use of Paris Green in
the proportion of a teaspoonful of the poison te a pailful of water, kept in a constant state
of agitation and sprayed on the foliage of the trees; in the first place, about the time
when the blossoms are falling or the young fruit shooting, and then again in the course
of two weeks, and sometimes making a third application. Most people, however, find
two applications sufficient to overcome the difficulty. How the result is brought about I
am not prepared to say, but it is said that curculio will not attack trees so treated to any
material extent, and by this method as a rule, a crop of plums may be secured. Experi-
ments have been tried—I think the President can tell you more about it than I can—by
59
taking alternate rows of trees, and treating one and leaving the other without. The
results pointed very conclusively to the importance and practical usefulness of this method
of treatment for curculio. In reference to varieties being curculio proof, there are certainly
some varieties which seem to have in the texture of their integuments or the character of
their pulp, some qualities which make it difficult for the curculio to deposit eggs, or if
they are deposited, for the larva to feed on the fruit, and these varieties are more or less
exempt; but they do not as a rule constitute the better class of plums and the
most desirable varieties to grow. I think there are gentlemen here who know more about
that than I do.
The Secretary.—Do you think that the plan which has been tried by a certain
writer would be at all likely to succeed? He says he has wound cotton batting around
the trees for about a foot up from the ground, tied with pack thread, and as the curculio
very seldom flies but climbs the tree, it finds great difficulty in climbing over this cotton.
He says that trees so treated were exempt.
Prof. SaunpERS.—I think the gentleman must be astray in his conclusions. The
eurculio flies quite readily ; I have seen them fly at night as well asin the day time. I
would like to know what means of locomotion from one orchard to another the curculio
has if it does not fly? Ifyou plant a tree five miles from any other they will find their
way to it, and unless they had some appliance for flying they would be a long time in
walking the distance. I do not think that would give any greater security for the plum
against curculio than it would to a cherry against robins. I do not think that remedy
has any practical value.
The PresipDENT.—Quite early in the history of peach planting on the west shore of
the State of Michigan, one of our early planters set out quite an extensive orchard, with
a natural growth of timber between that and another orchard quite a distance away.. He
found he had no trouble in the spring, when they first commenced, until there was a wind
from the direction of the other orchard, and then he had plenty of curculio. The idea
must be that in some way a knowledge of the existence of this orchard had been conveyed
through the atmosphere and they made a break in that direction, and I am quite sure
they did it by flying. A neighbour of mine thought he had made a discovery—perhaps
he had—of a process for driving them away by smoking the trees with coal tar and a
little sulphur, doing it very thoroughly. The curculios left him, but when they found
themselves getting short of pasture, that process did not answer the purpose ; they could
stand a little of it. I doubt if all these experiments are not liable to that objection.
Mr. Everetts.—Will Paris green injure the trees? A neighbour of mine, who is
now dead, thought it hurt the trees.
Prof. Saunpers.—I think there is no danger in using Paris green of the strength
indicated, if the liquid is kept well agitated while being sprayed on the trees. Being a
heavy powder, it will settle in the vessel if not constantly stirred’ I knew a gentleman
who put a quarter of a pound to a barrel, and he complained to me that it had injured
his trees very seriously, but on inquiry I found that he had used the water on the top, and
when he came to the bottom had turned the whole quarter pound on a very few trees,
which were very seriously damaged, of course. That, however, arose from his not having
kept the mixture in a constant state of agitation. The trees upon which he had sprayed
the water—the top of the barrel—were not affected in any way, not even the effect he
expected of killing off the curculio, because the poison was not properly distributed, but all
settled in the bottom.
The Presipent.—Our district was for many years noted as a plum-growing district,
but the plum growers became discouraged by the ravages of curculio and black knot, and
for many years the plum crop was comparatively small. Now, however, they are going
into plums again, and our crop the last two years has been enormous ; plums last year
were actually a drug on the market. So far as black knot is concerned, we do not fear it
much ; we merely cut it off. The curculio does not appear to have the same effect now ;
it is either weakening or leaving us altogether. We have made use of Paris green for
the destruction of the curculio for many years and find it very effectual, using it in the
proportions indicated by Professor Saunders. We never found any difficulty in using it
in those quantities, but if used stronger there is a danger of killing the tree.
60
Take a patent pailful of water to a teaspoonful of Paris green, mixing it with a cup in
the water till it is a perfect liquid; keep it constantly stirred, and apply to the trees
with a fine rose syringe. On full-grown trees, a pail will spray from six to ten trees.
The first application should be made immediately after the blossom drops, when the young
plum is formed, and the second about ten days afterwards. Even if the Paris green did
destroy some of the fruit, it would have been of benefit to our trees this last year, for
they were laden down so heavily that in many instances they were broken down com-
pletely with their crop of fruit. I do not believe, like many, that the Paris green kills
the insect, but I incline to think there is something in the odor of it that drives them
away. I have examined very closely for the purpose of finding that out, but never could,
though examining for that very purpose. So far as curculio proof plums are concerned, I
do not think there is a plum at all that we can call actually curculio proof. There are
varieties that seem to be so perfectly hard at the season of the year the curculio seeks
them, that it does not seem to be able to insert its proboscis into the plum, or, if he can,
the egg does not come to maturity. Such varieties as Yellow Egg, Coe’s Golden Drop
and Moore’s Arctic, I have never found any trouble with at all, simply on account of the
extreme hardness of the plum at the time of year the curculio carries on his operations.
Mr. Ross.—I had the Arctic bearing last year, and it was full of curculio.
Mr. Denton.—I have found that smoking has a good effect ; that making a fire of
rubbish, especially old rags and a little tobacco, forces the curculio to leave the tree.
Whether it kills it or not T am not able to say, but they will leave that bough and fly to
some other. I have found curculio in the city in sugar barrels ; whether attracted by the
sugar or not, I don’t know. I have made up my mind that they fly from place to place.
Mr. Ross.—I was unfortunate in not being present when black knot was being discussed,
and there is something in that connection that I would like to know. Last year I was
invited to Dr. Riddell’s garden with a gentleman by the name of Everetts, I think.
There were a great many nice trees affected, and we cut off one of the affected limbs and
opened the part, and we found in it a grub. We then went through about a dozen, and
found the same in all of them. Perhaps Prof. Saunders could tell us the insect that
deposited that grub.
Prof, SaunpErs.—The larva found in the black knot is that of the curculio, which
frequently deposits its eggs on the knot, on which the larva appears to have the faculty
of feeding and thriving as perfectly as on,the plum itself. This has given rise to the
impression that the black knot was caused hy this insect, whereas it has merely taken up
the knot as a place of residence. In regard to what Mr. Denton has said, anything that
imparts a foreign odour to the plum tree seems to throw the curculio off his track. No
doubt insects have some sense of smell, by which they detect particular trees which bear
the fruits they are looking for—something analagous to our own sense of smell, but far
more acute. I know in many instances the insertion of elder branches, which have a
strong odour, among the branches of the plum has protected the crop from curculio, which
can only be explained by the insect having been thrown off its scent ; it has come to the
conclusion that it cannot be a plum tree on account of the odour. The different plans of
smoking the tree seem to be explainable in the same way, and all have their value ; but
you can understand that where one has an orchard of five hundred or a thousand trees,
to kindle a fire and smoke each one thoroughly would be a rather tedious undertaking,
and in that case Paris green would be a much more practicable remedy. Anyone who
has only a few trees may adopt any of these methods with a certain amount of success.
A Memsper.—Would the introduction of wild plums into the orchard be of any
benefit, on account of their superior attractiveness, to curculio ?
A. M. Smita.—They would be very liable to introduce black knot, which is worse.
Prof. SaunpErs.—I do not think it would be of any avail. The number of curculio
in any district is something not easily determined, and if you offer special attractions for
them they will no doubt come to the entertainment. I don’t think it would be wise to
plant wild plum trees with that object ; I don’t think the insects would confine themselves
to the wild trees.
61
THE SPOT ON THE APPLE.
The following paper was contributed by S. P. Morse, of Milton:
The following observations are local, mainly confined to one orchard. An apple so
diseased as not to be fit for shipping is put down as a total loss, for no man can make a
living at growing culls.
Early Harvest, Fameuse, Rambo and Dominie, 100 per cent. or total loss; Yellow
Bellflower, 50 per cent.; Northern Spy, 30 per cent. ; Rhode Island Greening, Ladies’
Sweet, Twenty-Ounce and Fall Pippin, 20 per cent.; Tallman Sweet, Spitzenberg and Sweet
Bough, 10 per cent. Some other slightly affected varieties exempt from spot, were:
Duchess Oldenberg, Baldwin, Fall Orange, Maiden’s Blush, Fallawater, Grimes’ Golden,
King of Tomkins Oounty, Ribston Pippin, Red Canada and all the Russets, as also all
the Crabs and some seedlings on trial. '
I observed that wherever the fruit was attacked the leaf blight was present, though
not always in equal degree ; that shade, cold and damp seemed to encourage the growth
of fungus; and, that thin-skinned fruits appeared more liable to its attacks than the
thick-skinned. The influence of sun and shade respectively was very clearly proved in
the case of the Fameuse, where closely planted or crowded. Taking my stand on the
south or south-east side, the fruit appeared well coloured and fair, though small. Go to
the opposite side, and a mass of withered, black and frowning faces looked complainingly
down. A Fameuse that happened to stand by itself on a bold shoulder of a high hill
looking square in the face of Boreas, was loaded with small, clean fruit. Yet the leaf
was somewhat injured, the probable cause of the small size of the fruit. The Spy and
Bellflower were most affected at the calyx, so likewise the Twenty-Ounce. These varieties
hang pendent from twigs, which averts the calyx from the light and retains any wet that
may gather on the apple about it. Some varieties, such as the Westfield Seek-no-further
and Swaar dropped nearly all thin fruit, but did not spot. Such varieties as did this
exhibited most damage to the foliage, as a rule. I have not the means of proving whether
this is a new or old enemy, as A. J. Downing fifty years ago mentioned the “spot” on
the Fall Pippin. It is certain that the clearing of the country of forests and some
cosmical changes have caused considerable climatic changes, sufficient it may be to render
our present climate unfriendly to many of our old, and till late, hardy kinds. Some time
ago I called the attention of the Horticulturist to the fact that in this region all the black
ash on high and low lands alike,—trees of second growth as well as those a hundred years
old,—are dead ; they died almost in a day, in the last of May, 1885. A little to the
north and west of this locality, hundreds of apple trees and nearly all the better class of
plums and cherries of all kinds have yielded to the destroyer or the changes the diseases
produce by the changes and the sudden vicissitudes so trying to all living things. Every
variety may be said to have its habitat in which it attains its highest possible develop-
ment. Whatever changes the conditions which go to create this habitat, if destroyed,
destroys the adaptation, produces a retrograde movement and decay. Some other facts
and suggestions present themselves, but I have already made this paper longer than I
intended. At some future time, when I shall have further verified my observations, I
_ may submit the results, if desired.
A paper on the same subject by John Croil, of Aultsville, was also read, as follows :
The above being one of the subjects for discussion at our winter meeting, which I
will be unable to attend, I venture a few remarks, as the disease seems to be worse in our
district than in most places.
I speak rather feelingly on the subject, as my orchard (which my neighbours were
pleased to call one of the best, if not the best in these counties) is entirely ruined. The
trees are the picture of health. The fruit, mostly Fameuse, I had no difficulty in selling
afew years ago at a dollar a bushel ; this year and last, it failed to repay the expense of
gathering.
No doubt the spot is, as you say, a species of fungus, but we have failed to find
either the cause or the cure. Some seem to think the disease will run itself out. The
62
ee eee ee
chances of that seem to be very few. -A disease which has gone on increasing for a
quarter of a century or more, and which is reported from all quarters to be worse now
than ever it was, is a stubborn one.
In the annual report of our association for 1869, p. 71, is the following, being a
report of the fruit crop in the County of Lincoln :—The “black spot,” as it is called, is
worse than ever known before, especially on the Early Joe, Early Harvest and Golden
Sweet, which are nearly worthless. Almost all varieties are more or less affected by it.
The Red Astracan, Rambo, Jersey Sweet, White Juneating, Dutch Mignonne, Duchess
of Oldenberg, Gravenstein, Baldwin, Spitzenberg, Northern Spy, Swaar and Seek-no-
further are slightly touched by it; whilst the Ribston Pippin, Newtown Pippin, King of
Tompkins County, Roxbury and Golden Russet, especially the latter, are good.
Of the above apples the same thing might be said to-day. The workings of the
disease have been very puzzling. If it is in the soil or the atmosphere, what change has
come over these to produce and continue it? Orchards we have here, within a few miles
of us, grafted fruit, with soil and situation seemingly very similar to ours, all of them
like ours close to the St. Lawrence, bearing fruit very little spotted, of kinds the same
and alike cultivated. Within the distance named and under similar circumstances, @
neighbour of mine has a large orchard planted the same year as mine (1869.) This year
his Fameuse, like mine, were badly spotted ; his Tallmans were free from spot. Mine,
which were not affected till now, were this year as badly spotted as the Fameuse. In
rare cases we come across trees of Fameuse very lightly affected ; these almost invariably
are on sandy soil. Ours is a clay loam.
At one of our meetings I showed Mr. Dempsey a sample of my Wealthy apples, and
to my inquiry what apple it was, he replied, if it was not spotted he would say it was the
Wealthy. It was the Wealthy, and from reports I gave you in the December number of
the Horticulturist, you will see that it does not sustain its character of being entirely free
from spot. I hope I may be wrong when I say I fear it will not remain on the spot free-
list. The American Golden Russet has never been known to spot in our district. I
might almost club the Duchess with it, but would have trouble to name a third.
I never saw a tree subject to the spot recover, and as apples spotted to any extent
will not pay the expense of growing, barely of gathering, I believe in the advice given us
in the January Horticuliwrist. Cut them down and burn them is sound, and just such
as I have given to others, but to me it’s like drawing teeth, very unpalatable. I hope
the discussion on the subject may bring good results.
The SECRETARY.—I was somewhat surprised to find the Newtown Pippin classed as
- almost free, and that the Golden Sweet was subject to spot in the County of Lincoln.
I have known the latter for a number of years, and it is almost entirely free. I feel so
much interest in this question that I must ask you to allow me to make a few remarks
also. We begin to feel that this is one of the most serious questions in regard to the future
of our apple culture that can be brought up. I am very hopeful that discussions on this
matter may be helpful to us, because I am certain that unless we can either find varieties
proof against this spot, or some remedy for the spot itself, we shall have to give up apple
culture. Its course with us has been somewhat as follows. It began in the Snow apple,
in which I think I noticed the first signs about 1870, and in our section of the country
it is now utterly useless. The apples are becoming smaller every year and we are cutting
down our trees or else top-grafting them. The Fall Pippin is another of the
same kind, and its history is the same, but with it, instead of getting smaller,
the apples are fewer in number; we do not get a crop on more than half our
trees. Some years ago, in 1874, we shipped a car load of them at a time in
one season, but now we never get more than twenty or thirty barrels of apples off
the same trees. I am sorry to say it is also coming on the Greening, which has been
referred to by our President as one of the apples now gaining favour in the markets of
the old country. They have been worthless, especially in the older orchards, for the last
three or four years, and not only worthless but the crop has been very much decreased.
63
The Rambo is one of the worst, it is as bad as the Snow, and another apple that I am -
very sorry to see beginning to be affected is the Northern Spy. There are a few on the
table, just put there to show you how the spot is beginning to affect them; at the calyx
end you will see how it affects them. I have planted a large orchard of these apples, and
it disappoints me very much. The Spitzenberg does not show so plainly, but it has ceased
to bear a profitable crop. The Early Harvest is another of the very worst ; almost as bad
as the Snow. The Baldwin has not been a good cropper for the last three or four years,
and I am inclined to attribute it to the same cause, although it does not show this scab
to the same extent. The new apple, the Wallbridge, I have not fruited, but I noticed in
the last Montreal report that it is subject to the spot. Altogether only a few varieties
are free with us. The American Golden Russett is clear and beautiful, and the Graven-
stein might be classed on the free list. The Red Astrachan is clean and the Duchess of
Oldenburg is one of the very finest. The King apple is scarcely affected at all, and the
Mann is clear. The Alexander also I think might be put upon the free list. The
Wealthy has the reputation of being free, and the Ribston Pippin is one of the very best
—perfectly free from spot.
President Lyon.—Has anyone had any experience or made any investigation with
reference to the time when this disease originates. I think very littleis generally known
on the subject, and I think it is very important that this shonld be learned if we are to
devise any means of arresting it. I suspect from the little observation I have made on
the subject that it appears very early after the fruit begins to swell, if not early after
the blossom.
Prof. Panton.—It is said to be froma very early period of the apple’s existence, from
the time it is as small as a pea,
President Lyon.—I might add that there seems to be seasons when the disease dis-
appears entirely, even on the varieties most affected ; that is, the Snows sometimes come
out perfectly bright and clear, while most seasons they are entirely ruined.
Prof. SaunpDErs.—I have observed the spot on very small apples, before they are the
size of a hickory nut, and there is no doubt it attacks the fruit very soon after it is
formed. President Lyon has pointed to a very important matter, and that is the character
of the season and its influence on the spot. This last year, in the Province of Quebec,
spot has prevailed to an extent never before known, and that may perhaps account for the
adverse account of the Wallbridge, to which the Secretary has just referred. Heretofore
there has been no difficulty in obtaining large quantities of Fameuse apples near Montreal,
almost if not entirely free from spot, but this last year I had the greatest difficulty in
getting a few bushels to send to the Oolonial Exhibition. Every grower told me that he
had never had such an experience before, it resulted in the almost entire destruction of
their crops, as far as the markets were concerned. It is to be hoped the thing will pass
away there as readily as it has come to them, althongh it is to be feared they may be
troubled in this matter for some years tc come.
The Secretary.—lIt rather increases than diminishes with us, and never entirely
disappears.
' Prof. SaunDERS.—It seems to be worse some years than others ; this last season has
been much worse than any ever known before.
Prof. Panton.— What kind of a season has it becn ?
Prof. SaunpERs.—I have been away most of it, and have had no opportunity of
judging. Ata late meeting of the vine growers in France the subject of mildew on grapes
was investigated by scientific men, and some very useful information was conveyed to the
public on the use of a mixture of sulphate of copper and lime as a deterrent for mildew,
and it might possibly be worth testing in regard to the fungus on the apple. A paper
was read at the meeting of the Western New York Fruit Growers’ Association on this
subject, in which was given the proportions used. I took them down, but I don’t happen
to have it with me, and cannot give the proportions from memory, but the sulphate of
copper is dissolved in water, in the smallest possible quantity, and the lime is taken and
slacked, and exposed to the air in a fine powder, and the solution of sulphate of copper
added to the lime, and the whole mixture dried in the sun. It was tested on the grapes
and they have had wonderful results. I think it is a thing well worth trying. It not
64
only kept the vine free from mildew, but had the effect of invigorating the plant so that
it has held its foliage very late in the season, and retained its dark green colour.
The SEcRETARY.—Some of you, will remember, perhaps, Professor Saunders recom-
mending us to experiment on the apple spot by spraying with a solution of sulphur and
water, and also, I believe, among other remedies, the use of a solution of hypo-sulphite of
soda. I tried the sulphur very faithfully, but could not find the slightest difference in the
trees that were sprayed. I am sorry I did not try the other, as I believe others have met
with a measure of success in using it, and in the last report of the New York experi-
mental station, Professor Arthur, of Geneva, gives his experiences initsuse. The quantity
he used was one pound to ten gallons of water, and he syringed half of each tree with it,
making applications on the 6th of May, the 9th of May, and the 15th of May, with the
following result. The proportion of uninjured fruit on the syringed part of the trees was
greater than on the other, and the fruit was also superior in size, and he adds, which
makes it very practicable for us, it may be applied at the same time the spraying with
Paris green is done ; it can be mixed with the Paris green and water when spraying the
trees for codlin moth. - I would suggest that fruit growers should make the experiment
this summer. I am going to try it, “for I think it is a very important thing. I hope
science will come to our aid, and rid us of this very serious disease.
Prof. SAuNDERS.—Some chemicals are very expensive, but this happens to be a very
cheap one.
Mr. Dempsey.—We had very few first-class apples this year on account of the spot,
but if the same remedy will destroy apple spot that will destroy mildew, I am satisfied it
can be quite easily accomplished. We find that a simple application of sulphur on grape
vines when they are beginning to start their growth is quite sufficient to make a nice,
clean crop. Throw the sulphur on the ground, or so it scatters on the ground, and we
find that we have no mildew, even in the varieties most prone to it. We have also found
it very efficacious to apply sulphate of iron sown broad-cast over the soil. When
this was done we found no difficulty with our grapes. I don’t know whether this will
agree with the scientific developments of Professors Saunders and Panton, but it occurs
to me that there is a possibility of destroying apple spot by an application of either
sulphate of iron or sulphate of copper.
Prof. SaunpeRs.—In this paper to which I have referred the effect of the different
substances was indicated by black lines, showing what proportion of success had attended
these different methods by illustrating the relative good done. Sulphate of iron made a
very short line indeed on this scale. In these experiments in France sulphur also failed
to come up to the expectations formed, but this mixture of sulphate of copper and lime
filled up the scale, indicating that they were almost entirely successful in stemming the
virulence of this disease. I think at the same time that we should test everything likely
to prove of service. The action of sulphate of iron may not be the same on the apple as
on the grape, and therefore both should be experimented with.
Mr. Dempsey.—Could the sulphate of copper not be safely used mixed with Paris
green in spring for the codlin moth and syringed on the tree at the same time, as soon
as we discover fruit on the apple trees ?
Prof. SaunpEerRs.—I have had no personal experience ; I am merely reporting what
I have heard second-hand, and in these experiments the sulphate of copper when used
alone did not give half as good results as it did when lime was associated with it, and the
opinion of the French chemists was that there was some combination between the lime
and sulphate of copper which made them more effective when used in combination than
where sulphate of copper was used in solution by itself.
Prof. Panron.—Of the three mixtures spoken of, sulphur, sulphate of iron and the
sulphate of copper and lime, the latter, as has been said by Prof. Saunders, gave the most
favourable results in the experiments made by the French chemists. Mr. Dempsey tells us
that where he scattered sulphur on the plant and the soil he has found satisfactory results.
If that is an established fact it is worth following up by others, so as to make it still more
definite. I can imagine that the fumes arising from the formation of sulphurous acid as
the sulphur is acted. upon by the sun and atmosphere, would be death to these mildews.
I would not have so much faith on the subject of iron, but of course all of these things
65
have to be judged by the results. I could understand better and be more in favour of
the sulphate of copper and lime, because there the lime may take hold of the oxide and a
certain amount of acid be evolved. I am inclined to favour this mixture of sulphate of
copper and lime nfore than pure sulphate of iron. I don’t doubt sulphate of iron and
lime might be tried.
The Prestpent.—I can corroborate Mr. Dempsey in regard to sulphur on grapes. I
used it for several varieties of my grapes that were affected by mildew. I was in the
habit of sprinkling the sulphur upon the vine, but for the last three or four years I have
practised scattering the sulphur—which, as I think Mr. Dempsey said, is a very cheap
‘ssubstance—all over the soil under the vinery, and I find no difticulty in any of the varie-
ties we have ; no mildew at all. I havea perfectly clean crop of Concords, and even of
the Burnet, which used to mildew all over. So far as mildew in the grape is concerned
we have got fairly rid of it, and I believe with Mr. Dempsey that by following this up in
the same way with other substances, we may attain the end we have in view. .
Mr. Ross.—I have two hundred grape vines, and I never saw mildew on one of
‘them.
The PresipENT.—This is the County of Kent, you must remember.
Mr. Dempsey.—I know a recipe for destroying mildew on the grape. Puta certain
quantity of lime in a bottle, and when syringing the vines put in a certain quantity of
this liquid. I have known that remedy to clear them perfectly ina vinery. It is a theory
I got from an English person.
A Memser.—lIt is a good, practical remedy. Throw some lime and sulphur in the
same pot. We used to have proportions to mix it, but that is not necessary ; nearly equal
parts, or a little more lime or sulphur, it does not matter. After boiling for a few hours
the liquid is put away in a jug to be used in small quantities.
The PresipEnt.—These remedies sometimes fail when applied by simple spraying
without force, and succeed under other circumstances. We can hardly judge of the
preparations spoken of unless we know the circumstances under which they are applied.
I have known cases in which preparations intended to destroy insects have failed when
applied without much force, but succeeded admirably when sufficient force was given to
thoroughly permeate the whole surface.
The SEcrEtTARY.—A question was handed in which I reserved, to be dealt with under
this head : “ Will it pay to spray apple trees with Paris green for codlin moth?” I sup-
pose I may answer that from experience. It certainly does pay, and pay well. Formerly,
when we did not use it, we were becoming discouraged, as we now are with the spot, and
began to feel that if things went on like that we should find apple culture unprofitable.
Tam sure that some years I have had to throw out fully one-third of my apples on account
of codlin moth, and that is a serious consideration. But since we have used Paris green
I don’t think there is one barrel in ten, perhaps in twenty ; so it pays very well indeed,
and the labour is not very great. .
The PrestpENt.— What is your proportion, and how is it used ?
The SecRETARY.—My plan is to use one horse and a market waggon. Some use two
horses, but I find one answers as well. At first horses are very much afraid when you
begin to use the pump; it is rather terrifying to them. I use a pump similar to Field’s
force pump, made at Oakville. I use a coal-oil barrel, which answers the purpose very
well indeed, to which I attach the pump and screw it down fast in the head, in which
also a little opening is left through which to pour in the water, the whole arrangement
being securely tied to the waggon by four ropes, one at each corner. I first mix up the
Paris green well with a smaller quantity of water and put this in the barrel, and then
pouring in the rest, pail after pail, will mix it most thoroughly. Of course I have a stick
for stirring it up every iittle while and keeping it well in suspension. Two men will go
over a large area of ground in a day with this arrangement, By having it mounted in a
‘waggon you can reach pretty high trees. I have tried it in a truck or stone-boat, which
answers for young trees, but in a waggon you can reach the top of quite large trees, and
the spray is distributed beautifully fine all over them.
Prof. Panton.—How many ordinary trees could be syringed with one barrel ?
The Secretary.—Twenty-five or thirty.
5 (E.G.)
66
Prof. SAunDERS.— How much Paris green to the barrel ?
The SecreTaRy.—Three ounces to fifty gallons of water. I was rather careful,
because I found that injurious results followed sometimes from using as much as four
ounces to the barrel. :
A MemsBer.—How often did you go over them ?
‘The SecreTary.—Sometimes not more than once. unless there happened to be a
heavy rain shortly after using it.
The PresipENT.—At what time do you apply it ?
The SecreTaRy.— Almost as soon as the apples are formed, while they are still stand-
ing upright.
Prof. SaunpERs.—Did you find it cleared away the canker worm as well ?
The Secretary.—lI did; we have been a good deal troubled with canker worm, and
at one time it was a question how to get rid of it; but I find the Paris green quite
effectual in that way. I may state also that I have tried London purple and found it.
quite as effective as Paris green as far as I have noticed of it. It certainly mixes with
the water better, but I found that injury resulted also from the use of it too strong, and
have not used as strong a solution as is reeommended by some. I found one-third of a
pound to forty or fifty gallons to be sufficient.
A Memper.—!Is there any brand we can be sure of ?
Prof. SauNDERS.—Owing to the demand for a cheap article Paris green is often
adulterated. Paris green will dissolve entirely in ammonia, and if you have any
sample of doubtful purity take as much as will lie on a five cent piece and put
it in a bottle of ammonia. If it leaves a white powder at the bottom you may
be sure it is not Paris green. When Paris green is pure it is uniform in its action,
and always contains about the same proportion of arsenic. London purple is quite a
different thing, it is a waste powder that arose in the manufacture of aniline dyes, in
which arsenic is one of the important constituents ; and formerly the manufacturers were
obliged to send it out into mid-ocean and dump it to prevent any danger of bad effects.
upon the community. There is no uniformity or stability about it; it is a mixture of
arsenic and lime in variable proportions, some times twice as strong as at others, and for
that reason I never recommend its use. You may get good results in two or three
instances, and on using the same quantity next time you;will find the foliage of your trees
or plants injured. I think when you know of a remedy that is safe, and uniform in its.
action, it is not wise to change for one less uniform in its results.
Mr. DempsEy.—With respect to the use of a nozzle for spraying trees, I believe I
use one a little cheaper than any other [{ have ever seen used. It requires a little practice
to use it properly, but I find it much more satistactory than anything else I have met
with. We simply unscrew the patent nozzle and throw it away, and by clapping a finger
over the ring of the nozzle I can arrange the spray just as I like ; it only requires a little
practice. You can arrange to increase the force of your pump by throwing a smaller
spray, or throw it larger and spread it further if you wish, just to suit the circumstances.
And just here is another point, perhaps I use a more powerful pump than most people
do, a three inch cylinder pump, which will throw water thirty feet high quite easily.
When the poison is thrown up so that it descends like rain it generally strikes about.
all the fruit that is standing erect, and 1 find it has the best effects upon the fruit.
Prof. SAUNDERS.—While on my feet I intended to have referred to one more of the
exact experiments that had been tried in regard to the effect of Paris green upon the
codlin moth and cut worm. Professor Forbes, of Champagne, Lllinois, two years ago in-
stituted a series of careful experiments, taking alternate trees of the same varieties of
fruits and spraying one end leaving the other unsprayed ; keeping a record of the number
of times they were sprayed and all particulars, and submitting each apple from each tree
to a careful examination. The results, as far as I can give them from memory, were that
about three-quarters of the crop was preserved by the use of Paris green on alternate:
trees. It is the only very exact experiment I know of that has been carried on. They
may be repeated in another county with better results.
The SecreTARY.—I noticed the result of an experiment at the New York station.
They used Paris green on the 3rd, 5th and 17th of June, and the result was that of the:
67
trees sprayed thirteen per cent. were wormy, and of those not sprayed thirty-five per
cent. I would iike to bring up the question of kerosene emulsion, to see if any light can
be thrown on that. I tried it last year on some apples and cherry trees, but without
much success, perhaps because I did not use the correct proportions. I only used one
gallon of kerosene to half a pound of soap and forty gallons of water, I find that Prof.
Riley recommends two gallons of kerosene for the same amount. Of course I mixed it
hot, got the soap and water boiling and put the kerosene in afterwards, and «churned it
up thoroughly in barrels. I suppose my lack of success must have been owing to my not
having used enough kerosene.
Prof. SaunpDERs.—Did you churn the kerosene with the whole quantity of water !
The Secretary.—Afterwards ; I mixed it first in the pot. I used one gallon of
‘kerosene, half a pound of soap, and forty gallons of water.
Mr. Evererts.—In regard to nozzles, I have done a good deal of spraying, and the
best nozzle I have ever had yet is one in which the water comes out with a twist, and you
can gauge it in spraying by turning a thumbscrew. I have seen it advertised in the
American Agricultwrist, and they keep them in the hardware stores. You can arrange
to spray the whole side of the tree almost. I do not remember the name of it.
The Secretary.—lIs not there a half moon ?
Mr. Everetts.—No, it is just like a shut-off tap. As you turn one way it shuts off
the water entirely, and the other way a straight stream.
The Secretary.—The cyclone nozzle is arranged with both a round and a half
moon aperture, and by these you can regulate the stream of spray to any size you please.
THE APHIS ON CHERRY LEAVES.
The next subject taken up for discussion was, “The Aphis on Cherry Leaves ; Extent
of the Plague, and best means of checking it.”
The Secretary.—I have had some experience, but I am afraid it is not worth any-
thing, because it was unsuccessful. It was the application I have just been describing, a
kerosene emulsion, which I tried upon ths cherry trees. It did not remove the aphis and
we suffered very badly with it ; indeed our trees were covered with them last season, and
the cherries were largely unfit for shipping. The leaves were just black with them, and
although in former years we have had the same plague we never had it so terribly bad as
last season. I was very anxious to destroy the aphis, but I suppose owing to the fact
that I did not put in enough kerosene to make it thoroughly effective I failed. I shall
try it again, however.
The PresipENT.—Did you try carbolic acid ?
The Secretary.—No, sir.
Prof. Saunpers.—I cannot throw very much light on this question. My oppor-
tunities of testing remedies have not been very great in that line, as the few trees I have
grown have not been badly affected, and the birds which feed on them have made a point
of getting ahead of the aphis. The evidence which has been accumulating, however, in
' regard to kerosene emulsions, points to their being useful, to put it very mildly, for
the aphis. They have been tried for the apple aphis and in many instances found
beneficial, and would probably be so also for the cherry.
The Presipent.—I have tried carbolic acid. I was just going from home when it
appeared, and the trees were perfectly covered with it when I heard of it. I told the
man in charge to make a mild solution of carbolic acid and apply it with a syringe, and
one application of it cleared thé trees most completely. I don’t know what the strength
was; I told him to have it mild enough so it would not injure the trees. It did not
injure the trees, but it cleaned off the aphides and we saw nothing more of them.
Mr. EvEeretts.—In 1885 they were very thick in my district ; and not only they,
but another insect which eat away the fleshy part of the under side of the leaf of my
Richmond cherry trees.
Prof. SaunpERs.—That is a slug, a slimy-looking thing—the pear tree or cherry tree
slug. Hellebore or Paris green will get rid of that entirely.
68
The SrecreTary.—What would be the proper amount of carbolic acid to use in
water ?
Prof. SaunpERs.—The proportion of about an ounce to a quart.
The PresipEnT.—I don’t think my man used so much as that.
Prof. SauNDERS.—It varies so much in its strength in commerce ; it depends upon
whether you get the higher grades or the crude acid, which is a different chemical. You
would have to know what grade of the acid was used before you could advise as to the
proportions.
The SrcreTary.—I have used it for the aphis on the rose.
Mr. Beati.—I was going to ask if you used crystals. Of course I am not a chemist,
but, as I understand it, it is in a crystal state, and there is crude carbolic acid, which is a
heavy fluid. I used that, and I could not use a quarter of an ounce in a gallon but what
it would burn up the foliage.
Prof. SaunpERS.—My remarks apply to the higher grades, in the crystal state.
Mr. Beaty.—You would not recommend the crude acid ?
Prof. SaunpERS.—No, not for purposes such as we are now discussing. The clear
acid—or sometimes it is a little pink—1is the most convenient form to use, and should be
used. It is ordinarily sold for chemical purposes.
The Presment.—I fancy that would be the kind my man used.
President Lyon.—I had a row of forty or fifty young cherry trees attacked by the
slug, and after a day or two found two hundred upon them. Being in haste I applied
road dust right then, and on returning next day found only half a dozen, or perhaps a
dozen left on the whole row. I tried it a second time, and that was the last of them.
They certainly did not get away in any other way than being destroyed by the sand in
each case. There is no doubt of the success of the Professor’s plan, but sometimes it is
troublesome to go to the expense and labour of preparing chemical solutions, and the road
dust or sand will actually effect the object. We have found no necessity for more than
one or two applications.
Prof. ‘SauNDERS.—Your experience does not correspond with that I had. I used to
have an abiding faith in this road dust remedy, but after several applications I found it
did not give the result expected. I thought I would try an experiment, and I took the
branch of a pear tree that was badly affected by slugs, counted the number of slugs, and
kept a record of them. I then took some road dust and was very careful to pepper each
one all over with the dust, and then tied up the branch so that the birds could not get at
it to pick off the slugs. On going back the next day, or two days after, I forget which, I
found that the slugs had crawled out of this covering of sand and dirt and were feeding
away as before on the leaves of the trees. I am not quite sure whether the number was
at all diminished or not, but certainly not to any extent that would warrant me in includ-
ing this as a remedy. I tried a second application on the same insects, and on visiting
them again found they had crawled out a second time, and I thought if they could do that
it was not worth while to pursue the experiment any further, as far as the practical out-
come was concerned. These insects went on and completed their growth as if nothing
had happened. I came to the conclusion that road dust acts mechanically by covering
the slimy coats of the insects with a heavy weight, which causes them to roll off the tree.
When it is thrown on with considerable force a large proportion of them would be dis-
lodged, but while I would not like to be understood as disapproving the remedy, I do not
think it is one which can be relied upon to succeed every time. I think it depends very
largely upon the way in which it is applied.
A Memper.—Have you seen air-slacked lime applied ?
Prof. Saunpers.—No, but I understand it has been used very effectually ; but it is
an unpleasant thing to use.
Mr. Smita.—I effectually rid my trees of a large quantity by sprinkling with
anleached ashes and hellebore, in the proportion of a handful of hellebore to a peck of
ashes.
Prof. SaunpErs.—The hellebore alone would have done it.
Mr. Breatu.—I have used air-slacked lime on cherry trees. I did it for two years,
and it only required one application each year to perfectly effect my object, but on applying
69
pn ee a Sn ee ee Ee
it the third year I found it almost worthless. I began to think over the matter the next
day. I could not make it out how it was, and then I remembered I had made a mistake
in the time of putting it on. On the third occasion I had put it on early in the morning,
when there was a heavy dew, and it had little effect. After this third time I applied it
in the middle of the day, when it was hot and dry, and the next day after that application
there was not a slug to be seen. It requires to be put on during the heat of the day,
when everything but the slug itself is dry.
Mr. Hvuccarp.—About six years ago I found it affecting not only the cherry and
pear trees, but also the mountain ash as well. Lime was the only available thing I could
get at the time, and I tried it in the morning with no satisfactory results, but in the
middle of the day, or any time when the foliage is quite dry, it kills them every time in
a couple or three hours. We have applied it for the last three or four years. It is easily
applied ; anyone can sprinkle it on, and I will guarantee it a good cure.
Mr. Beatt.—I might say that people think the application is objectionable if there
is much wind, but by getting on the windward side of the tree and throwing it high, no
_ unpleasant results will follow,
Prof. SauNpERs.—Supposing there is no wind ?
Mr. Breatu.—I throw it up.
Prof. SAunpERs.—Do you run away then ?
Mr. Beatt.—Oh, no; there is always wind enough if you keep on the windward
side.
Mr. Hucearp.—If you make a little trowel out of a shingle and throw it up mto
the tree it will spread it quite effectually.
President Lyon.—There is a little experience I had with pear trees which may be
useful. Some years ago I had thirty or forty varieties of pear trees planted, two or three
of each kind, planted in a row adjacent to each other. Some of these had very glossy
foliage and the others quite the reverse. I had occasion to pass through them three times
a day during the period at which the slug makes its appearance, and I made it my busines
to look out for them. During the whole season I failed to discover a single slug on any
of the glossy foliaged trees, while the others were invariably attacked. I applied the
remedy of which I have already spoken every time I passed through, and I had no diffi-
culty in keeping them almost entirely under subjection. They always appeared upon the
varieties with the rough foliage.
Prof. SAuNDERS.— What varieties ?
President Lyon.—An old variety, called the Louise Bonne de Jersey.
Prof. SauNDERS.—We suffered very much in the vicinity of London. I know my
_ pear orchard was as if a fire had passed through it when I came back, I was astonished ;
nearly the entire foliage of the orchard was gone. Out of something like a 100 varieties
I could not observe any difference in their liability to its attack.
President Lyon.—I guess if they had been driven to it they might have attacked the
smooth trees with me, but they had plenty of pasture in the others.
The PresipENt.—My experience in regard to road dust tallies with that of President
Lyon. I have used road dust, and find it very effectual in dry weather when the slug is to be
found in large numbers on the trees. I have once in a while thrown in alittle dry wood
ashes with the dust, but generally have taken just the road dust alone.
POINTS TO BE OBSERVED IN JUDGING FRUIT.
Mr. Beatu.—The question I propose is, by what standard shall we judge fruit or
apples. My reason for taking this question up was because of the difficulty which exists
at our township and county fairs in judging, or rather the evil results of the judgments
given there. I have seen so much of this at different places that I have come to the con-
clusion that it is almost like a lottery ; no man can have any idea before hand of what
the results will be, no matter how good his fruit may be he is never certain of receiving
ar er ri i
70
a prize, simply because the taste of one or more of the judges differs from his own, and
for the same reason the prize often goes to inferior fruit. I am speaking more par-
ticularly, of course, of the small societies, the township societies, where only a few prizes
are offered. For instance, a prize is offered for the best variety of winter apples, the best
plate of winter apples. Well, I remember one instance in which there was an excellent
plate of Russets on the table, and another of Talman Sweets, which got the prize as being
the best winter apple on the table, and I have seen other cases just as erroneous in my
judgment. I saw two of the judges in that case afterwards, and asked them their reasons
for giving such a judgment. They said the Talman Sweet was just as large and better,
and in their judgment they thought nothing was equal to the Talman Sweet. If there
was a standard established by this association or some other body having authority mor-
ally, to which they could refer and see that one must be judged by a higher standard than
another, I think it would havea better effect. We know that at large fairs the numerical
system has been almost altogether adopted, but at small places people don’t know any-
thing about that. I think every apple should have a numerical value, for different
purposes. For instance, an apple might be valued at say ten for a dessert apple, but
for market purposes only five or six, and soon. I think it would prove of great advan-
tage if a standard were established by this association, and the judges in small places
would be greatly aided by it in the performance of their duties.
Mr. Wetiineton.—I don’t think any standard would be of much service to judges
who would make such a judgment as that described by Mr. Beall. The only effectual
standard in that case would be to turn them out and appoint better men. As to our
establishing a standard as to numbering, I don’t see how it is to operate. In the case
say of winter apples, there might be a plate of what we would consider inferior winter
apples that would be graded as two, anda very much superior plate very much less, and in
that way you could not give justice to one which might be graded for a particular purpose.
I think the judging of fruit depends a good deal upon the men who are selected as judges,
who should be men having a practical knowledge of fruit ; then they will not run to the
largest apple, but will have some knowledge of an apple’s value as a shipper or keeper or
dessert apple, or whatever purpose it may be used for, and will look to colouring and
average size, and not monstrosity. That is my idea of judging; I don’t think we could
benefit a judge by setting up any numerical standard.
The PresipENtT.—I have had considerable experience in regard to this matter, both
here and across the line, in judging fruits, and ] have always adopted as one particular
point in judging any fruits, to take into consideration the commercial value of each
variety presented. I think that is a point which should never be forgotten in judging
apples or any other fruit. In coming to a conclusion, take into consideration in the first
place, the correct or incorrect naming of the varieties. The judge is supposed to he a
practical man who knows the most possible about each variety, and what a perfect sample
of each variety should be. He takes up an apple off a plate, and looks at it to see if, in
his judgment, it is a perfect sample of its variety ; or, if it is not, how far below that
does it fall, judging all points ranging from one to five, or one to ten, if you please. Give
the proper number of points to each variety, and, adding up the whole, give the prize to
the collection receiving the largest number of points. tn awarding these points, the
general points that each apple should have, in order to be a perfect variety or sample,
should be taken into consideration. Then take into consideration the commercial value.
For instance, those varieties having the highest commercial value will have a chance of
the prize, even if the samples themselves are not quite up to the mark as some other col-
lection consisting of varieties not so valuable in the general markets. The collection
having a large number of winter apples stands a better chance, as a rule, of the prize,
than one made up largely of summer and fall apples, which are not commercially so
valuable as the others for general cultivation.
Mr, Everetrs.—lI think it would give judges a better chance if one were for packing.
another shipping, another cooking, and so on.
71
THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF GRAPE GROWING.
At the opening of the afternoon session the following paper was read by A. M.
Smith, of St. Catharines :
The cultivation of grapes, if not practised by the antediluvians, was one of the first
industries of which we have any record after the flood, and from that time to the present
it has been in many parts of the world one of the most important, and it has furnished one
of the most healthful articles of sustenance known to civilized man, and though many,
like Noah who planted the first vineyard, have imbibed too freely of the fermented juice
of the vine, and like him have shamefully exposed themselves, it still remains, when
properly used, the most beautiful, Iucious and healthful fruit that God has given us.
Though, by the way, I have heard it argued by a distinguished divine, that Noah did not
get drunk because his wine was fermented, but his grandson, Canaan, wanted to have a
little fun and drugged the old gentleman, hence the curse that he pronounced upon
Canaan. Be that as it may, we know that the proper use of the grape always
brings health and enjoyment, while the improper use brings worse curses upon the human
race than were ever pronounced upon Canaan.
I have often thought it would be interesting to know more of the methods of propa-
gation, culture and varieties of the grapes grown by the ancients; whether Noah raised
his vineyard from seeds or cuttings preserved from the flood, the distance apart he planted,
and whether he trained to stakes or trellis, and whether they were all one variety or not.
There can be no doubt of the superior size and productiveness of ancient grapes when we
read of the famous grapes of Eshcol, and from what we know of the climate there and the
varieties at present produced, we have no doubt about their superior qualities; but I
doubt if as many named and distinct varieties were shown at their provincial and horti-
cultural shows, as were exhibited at Toronto, Guelph, London and Hamilton last fall.
Although the grape is indigenous to America and was found in nearly all parts of
the country by the first settlers, and was utilized for wine making in Florida as early as
1564, the varieties were so inferior to those of Europe that the importation of foreign
varieties began at an early date.
The first attempt to establish a vineyard in the British North American colonies was
made by a London company in Virginia prior to 1620, and though in a measure successful,
the varieties did not do as well as in their native soil and climate. In 1683 William
Penn attempted to start a vineyard near Philadelphia, without success, and in 1795
another vineyard on a large scale was planted near there by a company which only lasted
a few years, and it was abandoned. Other vineyards were planted in various parts of the
States, both of native and foreign varieties, and considerable wine was made, though as a
general rule they were not successful until the Catawba was introduced by Major Adlum,
of Georgetown, D. C., when a new era began in grape culture. The Major claimed that
he had conferred a greater benefit upon the American people than he would have done by
paying off the national debt, and, I presume, no one in the grape producing regions of the
United States would now dispute him. This variety and the Isabella, introduced from
South Carolina, were the two varieties first planted on Cayuga Lake, in the year 1854,
which is now known as one of the most famous grape-growing regions in the United
States. On an area of five by twenty five miles on the shores of this lake, there is from
eight to ten thousand acres of vineyard yielding an annual income of nearly half a mlilion
dollars, and although many other varieties have been introduced, a large proportion of
Catawbas are still grown there.
My experience in Canada in grape growing began with these same two varieties
about the same time, at Grimsby. I then knew of no other varieties excepting a native
wine grape, as it was called, something like the Clinton which grew there, and from
which—with the aid of pie-plant juice, sugar and water, with, perhaps, sometimes some-
thing stronger—was made what was called a “ pure native wine.” The Isabella flourished
and ripened well at Grimsby ; the Catawba was too late, not ripening oftener than once
in five or six years, which is too long to wait for a crop even of grapes. But soon other
varieties began to multiply—the Concord, Delaware, Hartford, Diana and numerous
short-lived ones, such as Perkins, Hyde’s Eliza, Northern Muscadine and the
72
famous Ontario, which were preceded by the Adirondac, Walter, Allen’s Hybrid, Martha
and ‘others; and finally Rogers’ Hybrids, Moore’s Early and so on, down to the present
list of Brighton, Pocklington, Niagara, Vergennes and hundreds of others (more or less):
that are now clamouring for public favour.
With the introduction of new varieties the cultivation began to extend, till from a
few scattered vines along the Niagara peninsula, there are now several hundred acres in
- the same territory, and small vineyards are scattered all over the country from Windsor
to Montreal, the product of which is no small addition to the health and wealth
of the country. Foremost in value to the producer, if not to the consumer,
in varieties stands the Concord. Though not the earliest or best in quality, it is
good enough for the masses and it will ripen in most parts of Ontario, and its healthy and
vigourous growth and exemption from rot and mildew, its great producing and shipping
qualities, make it unsurpassed among the black grapes for market. But the Worden, one
of its offsprings, is fast gaining on it in reputation on account of its earliness, it being
about a week earlier than the Concord. Moore’s Early is earlier still, of about the same
quality, though not quite as productive, and would be more valuable to localities subject
to early frosts. Some of Rogers’ black grapes are valuable in some localities and seasons,
but there is too much foreign blood in them to stand our rigorous and variable climate.
The same may be said of his red ones, as they are even more subject to mildew and rot,
though in some seasons his Nos. 3, 9, 15 and 22 do wellin some sections. The Delaware,
among red grapes, holds its own as well as any, though I think the Vergennes for hardi-
ness, productiveness and long keeping is going to advance to the front as a market grape,
though of inferior quality to the Delaware. The Brighton, where it escapes the mildew,
is a profitable grape and unsurpassed in quality. In white grapes for market, I think it
will be conceded by all who have tried it, that the Niagara stands where the Concord
does among black for vigour, productiveness, shipping and keeping qualities—head
and shoulders above every other variety, though for earliness and quality, others such as
the Jessica and Lady may surpass it; and what shall I say of hundreds of other new
claimants of public favour? No doubt some of them have come to stay, but the majority
will not be heard of in a few years outside of the catalogues of the enterprising originators.
who are pushing their sale, or from some of their customers who are lamenting over a
waste of time and money in buying them. I would not be understood as condemning the
testing and disseminating of new varieties, but I would make it a criminal offence for a
man to sell or recommend tender or late varieties to plant in a section where he knows
they will not grow, or ripen if they do grow. The great reason why grape culture has
not advanced more in Canada, particularly in the colder parts, is because so many have
tried tender, late and worthless varieties recommended by tree agents and nurserymen,
and because these failed, have come to the conclusion that grapes will not succeed in their
climate. I believe if a careful and judicious selection of varieties from the kinds we now
have were made, that there are but few places in Ontario, where, with proper care and
protection, they would not succeed. Further than this, I believe the time is coming when.
we shall have good grapes that will grow and ripen as far north as our wild grapes grow.
Our late President, Prof. Saunders, tells us that he found wild grapes growing on the
Assiniboine River, in the far north-west. What is there to hinder the selecting of seeds
from the best of these, and crossing and re-crossing them with our best hardy and early
varieties, until. we produce something good that will stand the winters even in that
climate? Cherries and apricots are grown in as cold a climate in Russia, and if apricots
and cherries, why not grapes? I believe when the plans are matured which Prof.
Saunders is inaugurating in connection with our experimental farms throughout the
Dominion, we shall not only grow grapes but other fruits, in sections that we do not even
dream of growing them in now, and that a majority at least of the inhabitants of the
whole Dominion will actually sit under their own vines, if not fig trees.
But it is even now being asked, “ will it pay to grow grapes?” ‘Is there no danger
of overstocking the market ?’ In answer to the first question I would say, yes; at a cent
a pound in the Niagara district, it will pay. Grapes can be grown as cheaply one year
with another as potatoes. Four tons to the acre is about an average yield of Concords or
Niagaras, which at one cent per pound would be eighty dollars per acre. What crops do
73
2
you raise on your farms that pay betterthan that? But aside from their value in dollars
and cents, it pays to have such luxuries around your homes for your children and friends.
There is no fruit more healthful, and there is very little trouble or expense in growing a
few vines, and the enjoyment of having lucious grapes from September till February—as
you can easily have—will well repay you for a few dollars outlay. In regard to the
second question,—“ is there danger of overstocking the market?’—I answer, no. I recently
attended the meeting of the Western New York Horticultural Society, and learned some-
thing of the amount of grapes grown there. One county alone shipped 3,800
tons last fall, at an average price of two and a half cents per pound ; and this was not the
largest yield, two other counties combined producing 16,000 tons, and I wondered where
they all went to, till one dealer from Philadelphia stated that the house he represented
had from the 3rd of September to the 23rd of December sold 332 tons, and then
when I knew there were ten more such dealers in the same city and as many more in
twenty or thirty other cities, I could see through it.
The people in this country are only beginning to appreciate grapes. A few years
ago a ton of grapes would have supplied all the cities in the Dominion, and now there are
dozens of dealers in our cities who sell more than a ton a day, and some five or six tons
of table and cooking grapes, to say nothing of the large amount made into wine.
It is only a short time since our wives began to cook grapes, and perhaps all of
them have not begun yet. But my wife would not think her winter stock of
fruits complete if she had not plenty of canned grapes, besides jellies and unfer-
mented wine ; and, by the way, I think there is a chance for some enterprising
man to make a fortune in some of these Scott Act counties in the manufacture of this
article, and the keeping of grapes for winter use is but little understood. You can just as
well have good grapes on your table from September to February as apples, with about
as little trouble. IL have specimens here on the table that were kept by simply wrapping
the clusters in paper and putting them in open boxes and baskets in my cellar. But I
will not tire your patience any longer, but simply advise you to plant grapes if you have
land enough. If you do not wish to grow for market, grow enough for your own families
and a few to give to the poor, and take the juice in its natural state without running it
through a barrel, and you and your families will be the healthier and happier for it.
President Lyon.—In regard to this canning grapes, man is a cooking animal and
woman preeminently so, and the tendency is to cook what they ought to keep and use
fresh. I would give more for one pound of fresh grapes than for ten pounds canned or
cooked, for my own use.
A Memper.—lIs the Empire State one of the best varieties, or how does it compare
with the Niagara ?
A. M. Smiru.—lIt is a comparatively new grape, and has not been fruited in Canada
to any extent. Mr. Woolverton and I saw the fruit this winter at the Rochester meeting,
‘and I was very agreeably impressed with it. It is very good in quality, but I was a little
disappointed in regard to its earliness. We here in Canada don’t want anything later
than the Concord. The Empire State has been represented by agents to be considerably
earlier than that. I took the liberty of inquiring particularly of the introducer in regard
to that—how much earlier they claimed them to be. He said they did not claim it was
any earlier.
Mr. WELLINcToN.—We have fruited it two years, and as far as that test can be
depended upon I am very favourably impressed with it. I think myself the quality is
the best of the out-door white grapes ; that is my opinion after eating the fruit of a num-
ber of varieties.
President Lyoy.—Do you grow Allen’s Hybrid?
Mr. Wetiineton.—Not extensively ; only for amateurs in this country. I would
not call the Empire State better than the Hybrid. I am speaking of out-door grapes,
74
and I think the Empire State will come within that scope. As far as earliness is con-
cerned, it is not earlier than the Concord. It was claimed that it was, but then it was
ripened under peculiarly favourable circumstances. It is going to ripen about the same
time as the Concord, as far as I can judge. The bunch is large and elongated; the berries
are not quite as large as the Niagara, I think, but it is going to be a good keeper. I did
not see the specimens exhibited at Rochester by the Horticultural Society. I think it is
a grape which will take its place amongst our best varieties. As to the hardiness of the
vine, we have tested that pretty thoroughly. We consider that the Pocklington is as
hardy as necessary, but three years ago it stood in the same row with both the Pocklington
and Concord, and was the least injured of the three. I think that was a pretty fair test,
and wherever I have seen it grown it has stood the winter remarkably well. It is a better
grower than the Pocklington, which will be a consideration of some weight with a great
many.
Mr. Huaearp.—In regard to the over producing, I am prepared to believe that there
are ten times as many grapes used in Canada to-day as ten years ago. I know in the
vicinity I lived twelve years ago (east of Toronto) there were only three or four parties
in the town had any grapes at all. It was then generally believed that you could not
succeed in ripening grapes there. Now, however, you can hardly find a garden without
plums or grapes, or both of them, especially the earlier varieties ; and a finer exhibit of
grapes than that made at the County Fair at Whitby a year ago last fall I have not seen
for years—all grown in the immediate vicinity, white, red and black, and a great many
varieties of them. People are inquiring after them much more now than at any previous
time, and showing an inclination to use them if they can get them.
Mr. Dempsey.—I don’t know that I could add anything to what has been said by
Mr. Smith. I can see no danger of overstocking the markets, because lately the markets
have been steadily increasing with us. The demand seems to increase faster than the
supply, and I am therefore quite encouraged in grape culture, and shall certainly have no
hesitation in increasing my plantation.
Mr. Perrit.—With regard to this Empire State about which so much has been said,
I have not fruited it yet, but I can see no object in going in for it very largely until we
are more fully convinced that it is a grape that will be productive and healthy and will
stand our climate. We have already a grape second to none, +he Niagara, a grape that
has been thoroughly tested and has proved itself all that can be desired. If it has a fault,
it is that it is a little liable to winter kill at the roots when young; but aside from that,
in our section, it is everything that can be desired. I do not just agree with those who
have spoken in regard to overstocking the market. In other countries wine-making has
for many years been a great outlet for a large number of grapes, and if we have that cut
off from us here to a great extent, with the territory there is in Ontario suitable tor grape
culture, I am inclined to think our markets will be pretty well shut. At any rate, we
will see the newer varieties selling at very low prices. I am free to admit that the demand
has increased very rapidly since I began to ship grapes some ten or twelve years ago, but
at the same time the supply is increasing very rapidly too. I have tested a good many
new varieties, but as my experience has turned out, I cannot say very much for some of
those mentioned in the paper. The Worden is growing in favour. Of course we cannot
call it a very new variety, as is Moore’s Early, and of course the old Concord is being
largely planted yet. Among the whites, I would say that the Niagara is far ahead of any
other for profit. I find it the most profitable by far of ten or twelve varieties I had some
years ago. Iam better pleased with the Pocklington now than I was when it was young ;
it took a long time to get any fruit, but now the vines are growing older, it produces much
better. A grape that among the whites is what the Champion is among the blacks is the »
Noah, which, except the Niagara, is the most profitable I have. I always ship it to
Montreal, and it generally gives me good returns. Coe’s Giant is a new kind I have
fruited a few years. It has lately shown signs of tenderness and winter killing, whether
from being overloaded the season before or not, I could not say. It is of fine flavour, and
a very large grape. I have the Early Victor, which is another fine-flavoured grape, but
the clusters are very small indeed, and it is not an attractive grape, nor is it early enough
to be profitable where you can grow the Worden or Moore’s Early. The Jefferson I have
fruited for some years, but I could not recommend it on account of it being so late. The
Duchess I have found rather tender in the wood of the roots, not like the Niagara. The
root seems to stand any amount of frost, but the wood kills; and then it spots too much
with a small black spot, which spoils its appearance. The Prentiss I should not plant at
all for market ; it is too much like the old Isabella. The Lady Washington is a very
productive white grape, but rather late and not good enough in flavour.
Mr. Hueearp.—Speaking of new grapes, there is one that I have not heard men-
tioned, which I consider second to none ; it is the earliest of a lot of twenty that I have.
I mean the Janesville. It is about as large as the Concord and very compact, and it is
as good for sale as any grape I ever saw. To my taste the quality is ahead of the Concord,
and those who have had the privilege of tasting both of them prefer to pay me two cents
more for the Janesville than the Concord, although the Concord is rather larger. I quite
agree with Mr. Pettit’s statement about the Prentiss. I consider it useless in our section,
and the Duchess also has proved nearly so, being too small, too late and too tender for
general cultivation. We have the Champion growing in all its glory, but I do not set
much value on it as to quality ; it is inferior. The Pocklington has fruited with me fora
few years, and this year I was rather disgusted with it, but last season I had a few clusters
of the finest fruit | ever saw. The Rogers grapes do well if covered, but it is absolutely
necessary to protect them during the winter; if you do not they will freeze like to the
ground, and in some instances die out altogether. The Delaware is a standard variety
of great excellence and highly esteemed, and brings the highest price, but the Janesville
is the hardiest, and stands unprotected.
A MemsBer.—What is the best method of preparing the land, and which are the best
kinds of grapes to plant for general purposes ?
Mr. Perrir.—Well, I would prepare the ground about the same as I would for a
crop of corn or potatoes. Lay out the vinery so the rows will be a good length. If you
have only an acre or two make the rows fully twice as long as the vinery is wide, which
saves time in cultivation. I would plant the ordinary plants of grapes about eleven feet
apart ; 1 work my vineries with a gang-plough, and eleven feet is just right for two
rounds on the row. I use nothing else in the way of a plough but that, and that is one
object I have in planting them at that distance, which I think is a fair one. If the ground
required it I would underdrain it, and if in low soil would subsoil it. It pays well to
prepare the ground thoroughly in the first place. In regard to the kinds of grapes suit-
able, that varies a great deal with different localities. In my own section, in black grapes,
I think fully one-half, or even more, are planting Concords. We will say half Concords,
and the other half equally divided between Moore’s Early and the Worden. Of course,
there are a good many No. 4 planted, and some of the other black Rogers, but they are
not as reliable as the three I have mentioned. In red grapes I would plant the Delaware,
Brighton and Lindley, and there are some other of the red Rogers very promising.
Coming to white grapes, for profit I would stop right at the Niagara, although in some
sections not as genial as ours, perhaps some of the more hardy varieties would be more
profitable.
Mr. Evererts.—How many wires on the trellis ?
Mr. Perrit.—I use three ; some are only using two.
Mr. Evererts.—How far apart are the posts?
Mr. Perrir.—A post for every two vines.
A MemsBer.— How high?
Mr. Perrit.—About seven feet.
A MemBer.—How do you like the Kniffen system ?
Mr. Perrit.—With some varieties it takes better than others. Ido not think you
could grow Delawares for any length of time successfully on the Kniffen system. The
Niagara succeeds better with that system than any other.
Mr. Lancrorp.—I would like to ask Mr. Pettit and those who go in for raising
grapes extensively, if it is possible to raise them successfully without a trellis. I have
been in a country where they raise grapes extensively and do not use a trellis, but raise
them on shrubs—what they call a bush.
a, ———
76
Mr. Prrrit.—There are vineries in our section that have been conducted on that
system for a long time, quite near us. I don’t think, however, it has been a success, and
I am sure it would not be for dessert grapes.
Prof. SAunpERS.—How far apart are the rows ?
Mr. Pertit.—I think they would be about eight feet, if not more, perhaps. A great
many of the grapes I have seen are sandy and poor, and don’t come up like those raised
on a trellis.
THE RELATIONSHIP OF EXPERIMENTAL STATIONS TO
FRUIT GROWERS.
Prof. SaunDERs then addressed the meeting on the relationship of the Experimental
Stations to be establishe1 by the Dominion Government to fruit growers. He said: I
shall not detain you for any length of time on this subject, but I think it well on this
occasion to bring to your notice what is intended to be done at the Experimental Farms
to be established by the Dominion Government, by way of feeding and encouraging fruit
growing throughout the Dominion. It would be much pleasanter for me to speak of work
that had been accomplished than of that which it is proposed to do, ‘for, unfortunately,
we all make plans that are not carried out, and one item of actual experience is worth
two or three proposed experiments. In the present instance I cannot point to any work
that has been actually accomplished, further than that in the fruit way we have been
successful in securing a large number of varieties of hardy Russian trees, part of which
have been obtained from Prof. Budd, of Iowa, and others from nurserymen who have
introduced from Russia a large number of varieties. Others have been secured, and it is
the intention—in fact, negotiations in that direction are now being carried on—to secure
standard varieties of fruits to be planted out in an orchard ; both large and small fruits.
It is proposed to proceed on the assumption that we do not yet know what is hardy and
what is not in the neighbourhood of Ottawa, where the central station is located, prac-
tically ignoring the experience we have already gained, and for this reason, that I have
found that the experience of all those with whom [ have talked has been more or less.
mixed up with elements of uncertainty. A man will tell me that he has tried such and
such a variety, and found that it is not hardy. He thinks he got the variety, but will
admit that it came to hand in bad order, and as it did not grow he has jumped to the
conclusion that the variety of fruit is not adapted for his district. That experience may
be valuable or it may not, but I do not think it would be safe for a public institution to
rest upou it. I think that every variety that it is at all within the reasonable range of
probability will succeed, should be tried and a record made of the conditions under which
the test is made, before we can be absolutely sure that it will not succeed. Then, it is
not intended to limit the test to one tree, but to have three in every case, and five in most.
instances ; and some means will be adopted to protect the trunks of these trees. Most of
you have had a large experience and know that young trees, pears especially, are very
often killed by the action of the sun on their trunks in spring time, after severe weather
in the winter. You find a discoloration and disease in the bark which is communicated
to the tree, which often dies from exposure to these variable conditions of temperature.
It will be interesting, I think, to work out the problem of how far some protection—if
nothing more than a piece of board tacked up to shade the tree—will be successful in
preserving it from the bad results of exposure of that sort. Some claim that wrapping
with straw in such a way as not to exclude the air would perhaps tide a tree over the
first two or three years, until the bark thickens and it becomes covered with integumens.
better calculated to resist the extreme temperature and trying conditions to which it is
submitted on first coming from the nursery. I mention this as one of the lines in which we
propose to make thorough tests, with a view to determining whether some of these sup-
posed tender varieties cannot be tided over the period of their infancy, until sufficiently
established to be grown successfully. Then this large collection of trees and vines and
shrubs of a fruit-growing character will have added to them annually such varieties of
newer kinds as ean be obtained, which will be tested and a report of their comparative
merits given to those interested in bulletins, which will be issued from time to time, giv-
77
ing details of the work done. Another point upon which tests are desirable is the effect
of hardy stocks upon scions. Some die, though we cannot see any reason why they
should ; it is just a question if it does not arise from the roots being killed by the action
of winter, and the stocks being tender. Most of our stocks are grown in France, where
conditions of temperature very different from ours prevail. In the North-west we find
the wild plum growing in great profusion, and yet I am told that plums cannot be grown
there—they are too tender. I claim that where there is a wild fruit it is possible to take
it and improve and crop it, and in that way obtain fruit desirable for cultivation and use.
Now, how far our hardier varieties of plums would prove hardy in the North-west
territory, grafted on to the native stocks, would be an interesting question to work out,
and is one that will claim our early attention. I have found in the eastern part of
Manitoba wild grapes, and was surprised at the size some of them grow to—large trees.
It is not supposed that grapes can be grown in the North-west, but, with that as a start-
ing point, I do not see why they cannot be improved as in Ontario and the eastern states,
and made the equal of what they are in the latter localities. Forty years ago we had
nothing but the Isabella, and before that nothing but European kinds, which would not
succeed at all in western New York. Now we have almost countless varieties, some early,
some late ; some adapted to one district, and some to another, but all the outcome of the
practical experiments of fruit growers themselves. It is proposed in these institutions to
help fruit growers, and to take up lines of experiments not so easily carried on by indi-
viduals, which involve the sacrifice of more time and pains than they can devote to such
pursuits, and to endeavour to originate in this country new varieties adapted not only to
Ontario, but to extend the area of fruit culture to more northern regions in the older
provinces, and to Manitoba and the territory further to the west. Another point which
I think will be exceedingly interesting, is the getting together of the wild fruits of the
different provinces of the Dominion, so as to have them grown side by side and test their
relative merits. I found on inquiry that on the Selkirk range of mountains, at a high
elevation, they are growing gooseberries, and the fruit is represented to me as being as
large as the English gooseberry. That is a single instance, and it is likely that by taking
that gooseberry and cross-fertilizing it, its objectionable features—which is a peculiar skin
which reminds one of turpentine—may be eliminated, and we may obtain gooseberries
from that source which will prove of great service throughout the Dominion. Things of
this sort are being continually suggested to me, and we hope to get them together and
make the most of the wild fruits we have, and to originate new varieties adapted to the
provinces in which these grow by improving on these native wild fruits. Then it is pro-
posed to test the value of the different fertilizers on these different fruits, growing them
under varying conditions; to test the value of wood ashes, for instance. We know that
they are valuable, but no experiments have been made to test their relative value by
having one piece of ground fertilized by them, and an adjoining piece left without them.
It does seem to me a matter of regret that our wood ashes should be sent hundreds of
miles to the United States and sold at doub!'e the price we are willing to pay for them,
and yet at which they are considered cheap as fertilizers by those who buy them. I think
this altogether wrong. Ifa bushel of ashes is worth twenty cents in Michigan, it surely
should be worth ten cents in Chatham. There is no reason why they should be carried
away from us and sold at double the price when they might so profitably be made use of
at home. The same remarks apply to our phosphates, thousands of tons of which are
shipped away across the water and manufactured into valuable fertilizers, and used by
farmers with good results. If they are so valuable abroad, there is no reason why they
should not be equally so at home. Then, this association is interested not only in fruit,
but in vegetables and the important matter of forestry. It is proposed that this should
be taken up as opportunity offers, and that associated with the experiments of forestry
tests will be made, not only of trees having an economical value, but of trees for orna-
mental purposes. As has been remarked both here and at our gathering last night, the
cultivation of ornamental varieties of trees and shrubs and flowers has an elevating
tendency, and induces in people’s minds a degree of refinement and culture not easily
attainable by any other means. So, while practical experiments will claim the first and
greatest share of attention, I hope the more esthetic, and, as some people would call it,
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high-toned portion of the work will not be neglected. If we can ascertain not only the
relative economic value of our trees for commercial purposes, but the value also of certain
varieties for their ornamental effects on the landscape, adding charms to the surroundings.
of our homes, it will be a great gain. Sufficient attention has never been given to this
important matter by our farmers, who, if they made the surroundings of their homes
more attractive, would find their sons less prone to desert home and farm for the allure-
ments of a city life. It is one of the greatest mistakes to imagine that the occupation of
farming ig not as respectable as any professional pursuit. There is no higher or more
ennobling occupation in the world than that of farming. The farmer who tills the soil,
bringing forth from it those crops, which, by a beneficent arrangement of temperatures
and seasons a wise Providence has ordained it shall afford, furnishes a foundation upon
which all the civilizations of the world rest, and it is from the products of the soil that
we derive the foundations of all our arts and manufactures ; in short, the most essential
pursuit in every community in every age has been that of agriculture. We know that all
other departments of arts, industries and sciences have received aid from government, but
the actual work done in the interest of the farming community has been comparatively
small. I think this new departure is one in the right direction, and it is my hope that.
the results will be such in the course of time as to convince you of that fact. We are
undertaking to do for the farmers and fruit growers of Canada that which they cannot do
for themselves. That is, carrying on a series of exact experiments, the results of which
will be reported faithfully and honestly, and which will afford opportunities for the judg-
ment of the different varieties of fruit which do not at present exist. The nurseryman
who places his products before us may be honest in his opinion, but when a man has
money in a thing he is liable to be biased, and may fail to see imperfections which are
visible to others who have not any interest at stake. It will be to your interest to have
these things tested at an institution where there will be no monetary bias ; no interest to
be served but that of truth and the good of the community ; and I think the results of
the tests and trials thus conducted cannot fail to save the fruit growers of Canada
the loss of a great deal of money which in the past has been spent on
worthless things, and to materially aid and further their interests and impart a
valuable stimuius on the progress of fruit culture. I think a great work has been done
this year at the Colonial Exhibition in opening up the markets for our apples. The
excellent report submitted by the President to-day shows that markets are opening up to
an extent never before known. In connection with the important question of apples, we
know very little about what our Dominion can do. I was surprised when visiting Nova
Scotia to find what was being done there. It is estimated that from Annapolis alone
there were shipped to Britain and the United States 300,000 barrels, and the Nova Scotia
Gravensteins are considered the finest dessert apples to be had. The same state of affairs
should prevail in British Cclumbia, where pears will grow in the greatest abundance and
free from blight, spot or other disease ; and the most extraordinary grapes grow there
that Ihave ever seen. If, as suggested by our President, we are to have a line of steamers
connecting with India, Australia and New Zealand, there is a large field for work in this
Dominion in carrying on such experiments as [ have been describing. The object will be
to consider the interests not only of Ontario and Quebec, but those of the Maritime and
Western Provinces and British Columbia, and to do all that is possible to be done
towards advancing the interests of fruit growers in all parts of the Dominion. One thing
I particularly request you all to do, and that is to be good enough to send your names to
the Experimental Station at Ottawa for entry on the list of those to whom are to be sent
the Bulletins of the association, the first of which will be issued in a short time. There -
is one point I have omitted which is, perhaps, the most important of any in regard to fruit
growing ; thatis, the getting together of all the seedling fruits which can be found in the
Dominion and testing them side by side. I know you have in this district seedling
apples and pears, some of which may be of value. By all, I do not mean all varieties of
seedling apples and those that are worthless, but everything giving promise of sufficient
value to be worth testing elsewhere, either on account of hardiness or other good qualities.
We would like to get scions, or if possible young trees of such varieties, so that they may
be grafted on fruits and put out in nursery rows until large enough to plant in orchards.
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to be tested side by side. I was pleased to find in Nova Scotia seedlings of plums and
cherries which I think will be of great service to us in the west, and the only way in
which we can arrive at accurate conclusions in regard to them is by the methods I have
endeavoured to detail to you—of growing them side by side in an experimental orchard,
where from year to year their value as croppers and that of the fruit itself can be tested
by careful and accurate notes, made by persons qualified to judge.
THE LATE MARSHAL P. WILDER.
The following resolution referring to the decease of Marshal P. Wilder, was read
and adopted :
Whereas, on the 16th December, 1886, occurred the death of M. P. Wilder, President of the
American Pomological Society, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years ; and whereas, we in Canada, as
well as our friends in the United States, have shared in the beneficent results of his life, devoted as it has
been with the most untiring zeal and in the most unselfish manner to the advancement of horticultural
science.
Therefore Resolved, That we do receive the intelligence of his death with the deepest regret,
recognizing his loss as not merely a local or even a national one, but as a continental one; and that we
extend to his family our sincere sympathy, and order that a copy of this resolution be sent to them by the
Secretary of this association.
Mr. Dempsry.—I had the pleasure of being for several years acquainted with the
late President Wilder, and a more sociable gentleman I never had the privilege of meet-
ing. An enthusiast in fruit culture; he was always ready to try new varieties offered to.
the public, and his reliability in pointing out the results of his tests caused his opinions to
be largely sought for and placed implicit confidence in. Although at such a ripe old age
we could hardly be surprised at his removal from our midst, yet we cannot but mourn
his decease. The gap caused by the loss of such a man from our ranks cannot but be
hard to fill; yet, being a believer in the theory that where the workman is removed
another will be raised to take his place, I believe that it will be filled, and look to Presi-
dent Barry, of New York, as the man who will fill it.
Prof. SAunDERs.—I, too, had the pleasure of a personal acquaintance with President
Wilder. The last occasion upon which I met him was a year ago last December, at which
time I spent a very pleasant afternoon at his house near Boston. He then, in the course
of his conversation, took occasion to impress on me the deep interest he felt in our Fruit
Growers’ Association of Ontario, and the subject of fruit culture all over our Dominion,
as well as in the United States. He conversed freely about Ontario and Nova Scotia,
_ and the general progress made in fruit culture during the past quarter of a century. He
desired me at all times to convey to our people here the sentiments of warm friendship he
entertained towards Canadian fruit growers, and his desire to render them every assist-
ance consistent with his advanced age. He was expecting every year to be his last ; yet,
while able to do anything, he most unselfishly gave his strength and intel'ect to the
advancement of the interests of fruit culture and horticulture generally. He spoke to
me especially in regard to a subject then attracting much attention, which he brought
prominently before the fruit-growing public—the necessity for simplifying the nomencla-
ture of our fruits. He particularly requested me to urge this upon our Canadian fruit
growers. We know it has been proposed to drop many of the unnecessary names of
fruits, and to bring their nomenclature within reach of the memory of men with ordinary
reasonable intelligence. He had also a great horror of obnoxious names, such as “ Big
Bob,” “Captain Jack,” “Jumbo,” and so on, and thought the substitution of something
more euphonious and conveying a more refined impression to the minds of the public was
desirable. I concur most heartily in the sentiments expressed in the resolution, and
desire to add to it my tribute of sincere regret at the loss of one whose life work was
given in so unselfish a manner to the great interest of fruit culture, and whose place it
will indeed be exceedingly hard to fill. .
President Lyon.—My recollection of the late President Wilder runs back as far as
some time in 1860, when I met him at the first meeting of the American Pomological
Society ever held in the State of New York. I have often met him since, and had a deal
of correspondence with him. I do not know whether it is generally known, but I suppose
80
it is, that the late Colonel Wilder stood at the back of the Pomological Society, and that
if he had not done so it would hardly have occupied the position it does to-day ; and it
becomes quite a problem, in my estimation, what its future is going to be now he is lost
to it. I believe, however, that that is partially provided for by his will. Some time
before his death he intimated in his correspondence to me that he had made some provision
in that direction, and I have since learned that he left $6,000, the income of which is to
be devoted to the benefit of the society. This will do very much to supplement what he
had done for it before, during his lifetime. The world seldom produces two such men in
succession in any particular sphere, and there is a very serious doubt in the minds of
many members of that society if his place can be filled. The name of a very excellent
man (Mr. Barry) has been mentioned here in connection with the position, and it is very
likely he will assume it, and if he does I am confident that he will do all that President
Wilder did in his lifetime. At the same time the society has won a very favourable
reputation under the administration of the late President W ilder, and become much
stronger to bear any burdens that may be cast upon it. It is to be hoped its friends will
stand by it, and that it may continue, at least as long as any of us shall remain, to stand
a8 a monument of the worth of its first President.
COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS.
‘The subject of commercial fertilizers for garden and orchard was next taken up, as
in Panton.—After taking a walk around the suburbs of Chatham, and hearing so
much at these meetings of the natural fertility of the soil in the County of Kent, there is
a natural inclination to think that this question is not one calling for any consideration
here. As there may be some unfortunates at present, however, who do not reside a the
cheerful town of Chatham or farm the fertile fields of Kent, a few remarks on the su ee
of fertilizers may not be altogether out of place. A fertilizer, or manure, may be + =
as a substance disposed to increase the fertility or productiveness of the gee er y
supplying food ‘directly or indirectly. Now, it is found that as far as the app ears
fertilizers or manurial agencies is concerned, there are three elements requiring ea ar
observation ; the presence of these elements seems to be necessary for successful plant
growth. They are nitrogen, potash and phosphoric acid—the No P) Pod sometimes eae
them. The other ingredients essential to plant life are likely to be found in ae on
itself, our soil being of such a character that its constituents possess more or less of t =
necessary ingredients, but the nitrogen, potash and phosphoric acid are one 7 sma :
quantities, and it is one or two of these elements we are after in the consideration i
fertilizers. Now, at the very outset there seem to be two classes of fertilizers, one ~
which contains all these things (nitrogen, potash and phosphoric acid), and ee
this class are generally known as complete or general manures. Manures of the = =
class contain only one or two of these elements, and the term special, or specific, a “pp i
to them ; that is, they are for special purposes. It is to these commercial ferti pase a
we have now to direct our energies for a little time. Well, for the phosphoric acu vs
look in bones, in the formation of which there is a large quantity of it, and in a mes:
substance called “apatite,” which, when worked upon by the chemist ei a phuric
acid, produces what is known as superphosphate of lime. Just let us look at 3 ms super-
phosphate for a minute. Bones, as I have already said, contain this acid, and | am a
everyone in the room will agree with me that bones are a most excellent fertilizer. 2 is
phosphoric acid is very powerful, and holds in combination what we in chemistry sa
three molecules of lime ; that is, if we took three portions of lime, this acid is ae
enough to hold them together in chemical combination. When a bone is put into rs
soil, nature, through the agency of rain or the decomposition of Macairars Sew a :
soil, supplies an acid, which is carbonic acid. Now, this acid, acting in t rg a 4
the agency of rain or decomposition, lays hold of one of these molecules “i ae an R.
certain amount of phosphoric acid is freed. The strength necessary to ho x “se “ie e-
cules has now only to hold two, and consequently you get a certain amount of phosphoric
81
-
acid. The chemist says we will put in a stronger acid, and puts in sulphuric acid, which
tukes up two of these molecules and leaves the phosphoric acid altogether free ; and that
is wherein the superphosphate of bones is more fertilizing in a short time than the ordi-
nary bone. Nature is slow and steady in her action on the bone, but the chemist is
quick, and the result is that he gets the use of the phosphoric acid in a very short time
after it is applied to the soil. Now for the potash side of the question. There are two
or three sources from which we seek that element. One is called pottassium chloride,
and another potassium sulphide; but by far the best and to be had right at home, is
ashes. If Prof. Saunders, through the experiments of which he has given us a sketch,
succeeds in impressing the farmers of this country with a sense of their value, he will in
that alone have accomplished a valuable work. It is astonishing that a fertilizing
material of so much strength as hard wood ashes should be thrown aside here, and yet on
being shipped to the other side realize a good price. Ordinary ashes contain a high per-
centage of potash, and also a certain amount of phosphoric acid. Even when leached a
large proportion of potash remains in them, the leaching only taking away twenty or
thirty per cent. So that ashes become a most valuable fertilizer in supplying potash,
and, to a certain extent, phosphoric acid, and whoever throws them away is wasting a
most valuable manurial agent. From calculations made, basing the price of potash on a
comparison with other fertilizers, a ton of good wood ashes is put at twenty dollars, taking
the cost price of these various manuring constituents. The basis of this calculation [
shall refer to further along. So above all things, save your ashes, for it is generally
conceded that for orchards there is no fertilizer that produces such satisfactory results.
In the application of fertilizers to orchards there is an element requiring consideration,
which it is not necessary to consider in farm manuring. In the case of a farm, by the
rotation of crops, while you may lose in one constituent you gain in another, which is
not the case in orchard cultivation or horticulture, where you have the one crop all the
time. If a farmer makes a wrong application the succeeding season’s crop will get the
benefit of it, but in the orchard, on account of the fixed nature of the crop, it can hardly
be looked at in the same way, and the fruit grower has therefore to look more closely to
results than the general farmer. The third ingredient I mentioned (nitrogen) we look
for in nitrate of soda, something we have already mentioned in the compound of ammo-
nium sulphate and in the dried blood to which I referred, which, if it can be obtained, is
a most excellent fertilizer, especially for strawberries. The effect of from three to four
hundred pounds per acre, between the rows, is productive of marvellous results, because
it gives the equivalent of about fourteen per cent. of ammonia and seven per cent. of
phosphoric acid. Now, then, the question presents itself about the purity of these
fertilizers, a point which I am anxious to particularly emphasize. At places where large
quantities of these artificial fertilizers have been used, it has been found on close examin-
ation and actual analysis that a great many of them have been mere farces; that men
have been buying things as fertilizers for special purposes at thirty-five and forty dollars
per ton, the estimated cost price of which per ton was not more than a dollar and a half
or two dollars. How can you estimate the cost per ton of a fertilizer? I will try ina
few words to make that clear, so that you will be able to calculate it for yourselves.
Hitherto, in the use of fertilizers in Canada, we have been working in the dark, because
we had no analysis to work upon; it has not been required. Now, however, the.
Dominion Government has stepped in and required that all persons selling artificial
fertilizers shall produce an analysis of what they are selling, stating the percentage of
each ingredient it contains. By making a reasonable estimate of the cost of these to the
manufacturer, a fair idea of the value of the fertilizer may be obtained. Nitrogen may
be estimated at from fifteen to- twenty cents per pound, potash at from five to seven
cents, phosphoric acid from four to twelve cents ; these are the commercial values, and
leave the manufacturer a fair price. There is no regular fixed price, but you will see in
the spring of the year, particularly across the lines, printed schedules of what they think
the values of these ingredients are, and I have no doubt but our Dominion Government
will publish what they consider the estimated value per pound of nitrogen, phosphoric
acid and potash. Now let us see how the price of the manure is made out. You have
the analysis, which tells you that it contains so much per cent. of nitrogen, which means
6 (F.G.)
82
so many pounds of nitrogen in each hundred pounds of the fertilizer. The analysis also
shows you the percentage of potash and phosphoric acid. All you have to do then, is to
take this schedule giving you the prices for that year, and if nitrogen is worth twenty-
five cents per pound and the fertilizer contains five per cent. of it, it would make one
dollar and a quarter for that. If it contains eight per cent. of potash, and potash is
valued at eight cents per pound, that will be sixty-four cents. Then if the percentage of
phosphoric acid is. five per cent., and the value of the acid twelve cents per pound, that
will be sixty cents. You will add these three amounts together, which will give you the
price per hundred pounds of the fertilizer, and that again multiplied by twenty will be
the value per ton. Now, if you find this estimated value per ton of a fertilizer is about
ten dollars, and your agent is asking you thirty dollars for it, it shows that there isa
tremendous margin, and very likely a great deal of adulteration in it. In places where
this system has been carried on, in the earlier stages of this detective business of setting
the chemist on the manufacturer, the frauds that were discovered being perpetrated on
ignorant purchasers were surprising. As I said before, farmers and fruit growers were
paying thirty-five and forty dollars per ton for manures, the estimated cost of which was
not more than one dollar and a half, all sorts of tricks being resorted to in order to induce
them to purchase. You will find that this system of analysis will bring about a much
more satisfactory state of affairs, and inspire people with much greater confidence in this
class of fertilizers. In the past men have bought alleged fertilizers from time to time,
and on trying them found no appreciable results, and consequently they pooh-pooh all
artificial fertilizers now. The other day, down at Carleton, a very energetic gentleman—
something like our friend Mr. Mackenzie Ross here—got up to speak, and said to me,
“You come from Guelph; I am going to go for you.” I said, “ Well, what is the
trouble?’ Well, it was all about a fertilizer manufactured in the vicinity of Guelph some
years ago. A great many of the market gardeners around Carleton had bought it, and
‘ from their description of it, I believe if an analysis of it had been made it would not have
been found worth more than three or four dollars a ton. This gentleman himself was so
disgusted with it that he frightened the manufacvurer into taking it back and paying the
freight on it. Well, we have the means now of avoiding that sort of thing, and if you
were not previously aware of it, I tell you know that you ought not to buy any fertilizer
without being acquainted with its analysis, and when you know that you can easily
calculate its. cost by this schedule of prices. If you do not know where to lay hands on
that, write to the Agricultural College at Guelph or to the Experimental Station, and any
of us will furnish you with the rates. If the estimated cost is less than the selling price,
then you are paying too dear for your whistle. We come now to the home manufacture
of fertilizers, which I believe is well worth consideration by fruit growers and gardeners.
Make your own. You have your wood ashes, and as regards your superphosphate, you
can make that too. It is generally conceded by persons who have tried it that a saving
of twenty per cent. is effected in doing so, and at the same time you are sure of having
the pure thing. I will give you a mixture or two that you will find most excellent for
orchards and gardens—first by bulk. Take one part—a barrel, pail or any similar vessel
of that kind will do—of bone dust, two parts of ashes, one-third of water (enough to
saturate it) and one-sixth of what you ordinarily call plaster ; this will make a most
excellent superphosphate. You will have a mixture that has phosphoric acid in the
bones and potash in the ashes. Of course it will lack nitrogen, but you get that in farm-
yard manure, and if you like you can apply that. The phosphoric acid, however, is more-
likely to be deficient in the soil than the nitrogen, and it is that for which we are looking.
Another excellent mixture I can give you by weight—one part of bone, one of ash,
about a quarter of slacked lime and about one-eighth of crude carbonate of soda. After
that is mixed a little while, if you will add some soil, say one-fifth of the bulk, you will
have an excellent mixture for the orchard. Another point I desire to impress on you is.
that you should know what to believe. I think that horticulturists and fruit growers
should be observing men, and I am sure those present here are, otherwise the discussions
of the last two days could not have been conducted in the vigourous manner they were.
Now, in the application of fertilizers there is a great need of observation, and if I were a
fruit grower I would try littleexperiments of my own in the orchard and field, and see
85
for myself whether a certain application of ashes or superphosphates brought about good
results ; nature gives the best answers to all these questions. In the early days of agri-
cultural science there was a rage prevalent in the country for sending a box of the soil of
the farm to a chemist for analysis. Now, there can be but little of it in a box, and the
ingredients are in such small proportions that a chemist might make a mistake in detecting
them, or he might find the quantities there and yet not in the condition. You might
take some soil that you knew would produce a very poor crop to a chemist, and after
analyzing it he might send you a very fine statement of it. There is more to be learned
now from the mechanical condition of the soil than from the chemical. Of course there
must be the constituents in the soil, but it is wonderful how we have been favoured by
Providence in this part of the country in giving us a sufficiency of these constituents.
The trouble is, however, that we do not throw enough skill into their cultivation to make
the most of them. High culture, thorough culture, is something the necessity for which
those who are trying to wring their sustenance out of the soil must become fully impressed
with at the present time. That a market gardener can get as much out of one aere as a
farmer does out of ten is only the effect of high culture ; they plough thoroughly, dig
thoroughly and add plenty of manure. You cannot lay much stress upon an analysis of
the soil. The only case in which it is of much benefit is where—as is sometimes the
case—there is an ingredient in the soil which may bring about a poisonous effect upon
vegetation, and there the detection of that element becomes a vital matter. But taking
the soil in general you cannot make much out of a chemical analysis, whereas if you
experiment with a fertilizer the result is transparent. You may take a good result asa
true reply from nature that she wants some of the constituents contained in that
fertilizer. Therefore, I say, be experimentalists; get all the help you can from the
College or the Experimental Station at Ottawa, but remember that there are conditions
surrounding us that may not affect you, and the best plan of allis to keep your eyes
open, and keep them fixed on the soil. I think if you apply some of these fertilizers
from time to time you would soon have a pretty rational idea of the condition of your
soil, and what fertilizers are likely to bring about favourable results in connection
with it.
Mr. Mackenzie Ross.—There is another fertilizer which has not been mentioned—
soot. If the soil is well worked and pulverized, then the soot sown, and after that
cleaned out and hoed, and a row of wood ashes run between the rows it has a good
effect. Then there is another fertilizer. When you go out on a frosty morning you see
the heap of manure round in the barn yard smoking. Now, that vapour goes up into
the clouds, and comes back to us in the rain, and there is no fertilizer on the earth equal
to what we get from the clouds. Is it any thing else than the ammonia which ascends
from the manure?
Prof. Panroy.—The ammonia that you send up from your manure pile may be
blown over to Guelph, where we may get the benefit of it.
Mr. Daniet Witson.—I am not a gardener, but a plain farmer, and have listened
with attention to the remarks of the gentleman—who has been speaking, and who I am
told is a professor from the Agricultural College,—out of which I endeavoured to get as
much information as I could. He has told us all about the necessary ingredients—the
superphosphate and so on, and he has also told us that we are blessed with different kinds
of soils. Well, certainly we are blessed with different kinds of soil, from what I have
seen of Guelph and the banks of the Thames. In conversation with Professor Brown, at
the College, I asked him what it took to put the land in a fair state of cultivation,
and he told me fifteen tons of barnyard manure and three hundredweight of phosphate
to the acre. Well, I told the professor, and I tell you here, that if you applied that
in this county you would not get anything but straw. But take that straw and put
it in your barn yard manure, and don’t let that grand fertilizer go to waste. I don’t
think, gentlemen, that you and I would differ about the necessity of superphosphate
for the county of Kent, if you had travelled through it as much, or lived in it as long
as Ihave. If you looked at the orchards in the various parts of this county you would
find too much fruit ; too much vegetation ; too much force of sap. What we want here
instead of any forced growth is proper pruning of our orchards: the chemical properties
84
_ necessary for plant growth are right here. We have from six to ten feet of vegetable
soil on the bank of this river, extending through a large portion of the county. If the
farmers would apply at the proper time what is going to waste in their barnyards there
would be no necessity for telling us what superphosphate is composed of. As an
Englishman said, ‘Muck the field, and it is sure to give you a crop.” How much
manure do you think there is going to waste in this town! In almost all parts of it
horses are kept, and you will find an immense quantity of manure going to waste. If
there is any fertilizer needed on the farm remove that and put it where it is needed,
and never say a word about chemicals. You would never try to make me believe I
wanted chemicals, if you came and walked over my farm. It-is necessary that you
should have a mixed system of farming—pasture some and till some; you cannot till
all nor pasture all. Keep about as much stock as you can, and put the manure out at
the proper time, and you will find that good returns will repay you for your labour.
Prof. SaunDERS.—What time do you put your manure on your fields 4
Mr. Witson.—The best time is to take it out as soon as possible previous to
applying it ; take it on the land in its raw state, particularly on what is called sandy
loam, and plough it in for the spring crop.
Mr. Dempsey.—There is manufactured in our neighbourhood a superphosphate
made out of fish gathered from the lake, which are submitted to the action of sulphuric
acid. What would be the probable value of that as a fertilizer ?
Prof. Panton.—I think it would be a good fertilizer, but the- best way is to ask
for the analysis. In reply to Mr. Wilson’s remarks, I would remind him that I said at
the outset that here we were in paradise, and that the question of artificial manures in
the county of Kent was not one calling for consideration.
Mr. WELLINGTON.—I just wish to corroborate what has been said by Professor Panton
in regard to the value of ashes as a fertilizer for trees. That is as far as I can go.
What we learn by experience we know, and for a number of years I have used wood
ashes for trees. We have in the same block, barnyard manure and ashes, and the com-
parison has always been in favour of the wood ashes; you could tell the trees to which
they had been applied without the least effort. The ashes are productive of a smooth,
clean gro» th, and we value them so highly as a fertilizer that we keep teams constantly
employed scouring the country as far as twenty miles around gathering hardwood ashes.
It is a mistake, no doubt, for the people who have them to let them go, but they are
certainly extremely valuable to the fruit grower. We usually pay ten cents per bushel
for them, but at the present [ believe we are paying as high as fifteen cents.
Mr. Macponatp.—In regard to the application of fertilizers generally, there is a
point worthy of observation, which is this: As Professor Panton said the other day
in reference to bacteria, the attention of fruit growers is being turned to dealing with
the plant itself—to making it hardy and strong. Now, that does not apply to bacteria
alone, but to almost everything else. If you make a hardy, thrifty tree, in any mauner
whatever, it is more able to resist diseases of all kinds—parasites, bacteria, fungoid
growths and everything else. Now this is something which can be done by the
judicious application of fertilizers, and in no other manner that I know of, and in this —
respect there are two ideas which ought to be corrected, which were expressed here
yesterday. It was proved here yesterday by a man of experience that where barn-
yard manure had been applied it proved detrimental to his trees, producing blight.
Now, that was the effect of creating too much woody growth, something which all nitro-
genous fertilizers do; and nitrate of soda—which has been spoken of here—is one of
these, and I do not think it would be wise to apply it in any large quantities, especially if
you have much barnyard manure with it. I say that the proper’ way to create a
vigorous growth in a tree is by the application of other than nitrogenous fertilizers, and
of course these have to be applied according to the condition of the soil. I proved this.
_ beyond a doubt myself in several experiments I made with potatoes; where I used an
excess of barnyard manure I had always a larger growth of tops, which were not so
strong and healthy, and able to resist diseases as much as smaller tops with larger
tubers. I have found by accurate weighings where I applied 20 tons to the acre I had
forty per cent of rotten potatoes and where I applied other manure I had only fifteen per
85
cent. I think someone said here that we could not depend on artificial fertilizers to
supplant barnyard manure. Perhaps we can’t, but by the use of them barnyard manure
can be economized. If you have only enough barnyard manure for ten acres apply it
to twenty acres, using with it some artificial fertilizer containing elements that the soil,
to which it: is to be applied, needs. Don’t think so much about the plant. Of course,
some plants are benefited by certain fertilizers more than others, but as a usual thing
it is the soil that must be looked to more than the plant in choosing a fertilizer. Whether
it is in fruit or anything else you must ascertain whether the soil is deficient in potash
or phosphoric acid. You can easily tell if you have sufficient nitrogen ; if the vegeta-
tion is profuse you have enough nitrogen. I think three-quarters of this country could
be benefited by the application of phosphates in some form or another. It is complained
by fruit growers and farmers that these fertilizers are too high in price, and there is a
good deal of truth in it. It has long been supposed that phosphate should be dissolved
before beneficial effects can be produced. The tendency now, however, is not to have
phosphates so soluble as formerly—it is not consider+d necessary to have them so very
soluble. They have machines now for grinding this apatite as fine as flour, and if held
up to the wind it flies away like dust. The finer this phosphate can be made the
more valuable it is as a fertilizer. I think if experiments were tried in a systematic
manner by applying some of this phosphate flour to the trees around the roots when
planting, and then watching the results carefully, both where it had been applied and also
where it had not, the comparison would be productive of some valuable experience.
Prof. SaunpErs.—I would like to hear whether barnyard manure is better green
or decomposed—a little further light on that point would be valuable. From some
inquiries made I find it is used in the green state during the winter, carting it directly
on to the fields, and letting the leaching be done there. I think this is one of the most
practical points that has come before us, because by the ordinary methods of keeping
barnyard manure, where the barnyard is not so situated as to retain the drainage, there
is a large loss to the farmer. If that can be avoided by taking the manure out during
the winter months, teaming it out: to such places as it may be useful in the spring, it is a
_thing we ought toknow. Those who have tried the plan of carting their manure out
- to the fields every day say that they get better crops in that way than they did when
they allowed it to accumulate in the yard and rot. Others, again, urge that it is better
to rot it first ; there are two sides to the question, and I would like to hear from some
of those present their views on the subject.
A Memser.—If you want the manure to have its effect quickly it must be applied
in the rotten state. Where it is applied green the benefit is not gained till the next year.
F. W. Witson.—That is not my experience. I never got any good by piling
manure. I think I got more immediate benefit with the spring manure than when it.
was piled. It beats me to know how any good can be derived by piling it, for the good
properties are evaporating all the time. I believe in ploughing it in in the spring.
Prof. Panton.—For the orchard I would say look after your ashes, and if you
make that mixture you will find it an excellent fertilizer ;.and in the garden—for that,
I think, is what we are talking about—I think well rotted manure would be the best.
Mr. Macponatp.—I have had little experience in rotten manure. [ last year tried
cow dung without any urine on an onion plot of about a quarter of an acre, at the rate
of sixty-two horse loads to the acre. I put part on in the fall and ploughed it down,
another part I put on as atop dressing. The manure happened to be full of all sorts
of weeds, and I got the benefit of them. Where I ploughed it under I had a tremendous
pile of the onion maggot, where it was used as a top dressing there were less, and least
of all where there was no manure put at all. I don’t know whether that proves anything
or not, but it is my experience. -There are a great number of conditions to be observed
in the application of inanure, whether rotted or green. If absorbents are used with the
green manure, so that the liquid goes with it, it is very strong, and acts as quickly as
fermented manure, but if it is put on in connection with straw without being fermented
it must be put on clay soil. Then in some cases it might be beneficial, but in others
might have the reverse effect. Its effect is beneticial in this way, that it opens the soil
for the absorption of ammonia and moisture from the atmosphere, but you cannot get
86.
any moisture from the loam because moisture will not enter coarse manure on the surface
of the soil. So that whether manure is fermented or not depends a good deal upon the
circumstances. Never apply green manure on light soil, but fermented manure may be
employed on light soil. If you apply manure green you must be careful of weeds, and
often, even if fermented at the ordinary temperature, it will not kill them ; it requires a
high temperature.
VOTES OF THANKS.
On motion of Mr. F. W. Wilson, seconded by Mr. John Macklin, a vote of thanks
was tendered the President and Directors of the Association for having chosen Ohatham
as the place for the winter meeting.
On motion of Mr. F. W. Wilson, seconded by Mr. Mackenzie Ross, the thanks of
the Association and Meeting were tendered to Mr. President Lyon, of the Michigan State
Association, for his presence and valuable aid in carrying on the various discussions.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON FRUITS.
The report of the committee on fruits was presented as follows, and taken as read :—
Your committee have carefully examined and find—
E. Tyhurst, of Leamington, shows six varieties, all fine specimens, N. Spy, Baldwin,
King, Ben Davis, Golden Russet, and one variety although strongly resembling -
Fallawater, your committee did not recognize, all very fine.
ft. T. Tyhurst, Harwich, shows five varieties, R. I. Greening, Flushing, Spitzenburg,
King, Baldwin, N. Spy, all very good.
Joseph Ripley, Kent Bridge, shows excellent specimens of Fallawater, Gloriamundi,
R. L. Greening, and fair of Baldwin and Phenix, which is commonly and erroneously
called Red Canada, and the Bradt Seedling, a russet shown by Stone and Wellington,
about the size of American G. Russett, but evidently quite distinct. Quality superior.
Also Canada Baldwin which was grown in Quebec, hardy and beautiful.
W. McKenzie Ross, shows Nick-a-Jack, a fair large apple, valuable for long-keeping
qualities; a very superior large apple improperly labeled White Winter Pearmain ;
excellent specimens of Bellflower, Northern Spy; good Ben Davis, American Golden
Russet, Wagener, Cayuga Red Streak, R. I. Greening and Lady, and fair specimens of
Grimes Golden and Mann, and a seedling of no particular merits—13 varieties in all.
Richard Tyhurst, a sweet and large red seedling apple of good appearance.
Thomas Beall, of Lindsay, a large red seedling of no marked quality in appearance.
Excellent specimens of Pewaukee and Ontario apples.
T. R. Merritt, St.\Catharines, shows the Columbia, a very good winter pear, a little above
medium size and of superior quality. The committee are of opinion that this pear
should be better known. Also the following specimens in a fair state of preservation :—
Oswego Beurre, Vicar of Wakefield, Winter Nelis, Easter Beurre, President Druard,
Mount Vernon, and J osephine de Malines, a very well flavoured winter pear.
A. M. Smith, specimens of the Champion Quinces, which show wonderful keeping
qualities ; also, Vergennes grapes which were kept wrapped in paper and in an open box
in the cellar. The Vergennes cannot receive too high a recommendation for high and
excellent keeping qualities. Many bunches were as perfect as when plucked from the
vine. Also, Niagara in fair condition, showing it can be called a good keeper.
87
A. A. Wright, Renfrew, shows very good specimens of celery of the White Plume
variety. While the specimens are well grown, to our mind this variety lacks quality.
The appearance is good, but the stocks lack that crispness so necessary to good celery.
They are pretty, but tough.
L. Wolverton, of Grimsby, shows some perfect specimens of Spanish chestnuts and
pecan nuts.
(Signed, ) A. M. Smiru,
F. W. WILSON, - Committee.
W. E. WELLINGTON, ‘
BEST VARIETIES OF PEARS.
The six best varieties of pears, (2) for home use, and (b) for market, was then
discussed.
The SrcreTary.—Not including the newer kinds which have not been tested, I
would name the following six, given in the order of ripening, for home use :—Kostiezer,
a small but delicious pear, the Bartlett, Clapp’s Favourite, Sheldon, Angouleme and Anjou.
For the market, the Rostiezer, Bartlett, Clapp’s Favorite, Anjou, and the Howell, not
a pear of very excellent quality, but large in size and an abundant bearer, which has
produced very large crops with me, and which I think is a very desirable market pear.
The Anjou is a most beautiful pear. At Rochester, at the meeting of the New York
State Horticultural Society, President Barry exhibited some of the best specimens
I ever saw. ‘That was on the 26th of January last, and they were preserved in
the most excellent condition. They were equal in size to our Duchess, and they
were surpassingly beautiful in appearance. The sight of them made me ambitious
to plant largely of the Anjou pear. President Barry said there was nothing extraordinary
in the method of culture, just ordinary good care had produced the results.
Mr. Mackenzie Ross.—There is a pear called the Elliot, not usually called early,
which is one of the loveliest we possess. It comes in at the same season with the
Doyenne D’Ete. Clapp’s Favourite is perhaps one of the finest pears we possess, both for
market and home use. We have about twenty-five trees of them, and our practice is to
place the fruit on a floor between woollen cloths, leaving them for thirteen days. At the
end of that time one would not think they were the same pears, they are just as yellow
as you please. The Bartlett, as the Secretary has said, is a delicious pear, and will give
satisfaction in almost any place, but it is a little tender. We prefer in our section, or
even further north, Doyenne Boussock, which will produce twice as many pears as the
Bartlett. With the Anjou we find some fault, it is rather a shy bearer; [ might say
very shy indeed. I have a tree that has been twenty or more years planted, and which
never produced me a bushel of pears but one year—a large tree too. The pear itself is
all I could ask in a pear. I would substitute for it as a winter pear the Josephine De
Malines, and allow me to say here that in winter pears I recommend the same for
market as for home use. We get more satisfaction from our winter pears since we have
learned how to handle them. After gathering them we keep them as cool as we can
safely until near the time they are wanted for use, and then bring them up into a
warm room and force the maturity as fast as possible. A winter pear ripened in a tem-
perature of 70 is very much superior in flavour to one ripened in a lower temperature.
The Doyenne Boussock did not give satisfaction for several years; it seemed as if we
could not mature the fruit at all.* Now, however, since we have learned how to handle
them, we find they are a very nice pear indeed, but they want to be ripened so you would
almest think they were rotten, and when in this state their flavor is delicious. This is
also the case with the Clairgeau.
President Lyon.—There is a pear which I am surprised has not attracted more
attention as a market variety. I refer to the Sterling. It bas never had anyone to
push it. Mr. Downing spoke of it as suiting him very well, and it is of better quality
\
——_— $$
88 }
than the average market pear. It is a very clear, brilliant yellow, with red crimson
cheeks. It wonld ripen here about the 1st of September. The flesh is clear and white,
and very sweet, and the taste to those who like a sweet pear is very pleasant. It is
one of the most attractive pears that can be put on a market stand, and brings a very
high price. The tree is a strong, handsome, upright grower, and in sixty years acquaint-
ance with it I have never known a case of blight ; when all others were blighted it was
all right. I know trees that were planted in 1825 which were perfect the last time I
saw them. The only case of blight or anything approaching it which has ever come
under my, notice was caused by a stock which was grafted on it, but even then there was
no blight as far as I could see in the variety itself. Anyone trying it will find it a pro-
fitable tree, and desirable as well for their own use.
The meeting then adjourned sine die.
SUMMER MEETING.
The summer meeting of the Association was held in the town hall, Colling.
commencing on Wednesday, June 29th ; the President, A. McD. Allan, in the ebair.
The Secretary read a letter from Mr. William Saunders, Director of the Central
Experimental Farm, Ottawa, expressing regret at his inability to be present at the meet-
ing, he being.engaged in locatifig the Experimental Farmin Nova Scotia ; and conveying
kindest regards to the president, directors and members of the Association.
A GENERAL DISCUSSION ON ORCHARDS.
The first subject on the programme for discussion was “ The Apple; varieties adapted
to the counties of Simcoe and Grey.” The President called on Mr. W. W. Cox, of
Collingwood Township, to lead the discussion.
Mr. Cox.—I live on the mountain in Collingwood township, where the soil is a red
clay loam. In regard to the varieties of apples which may be grown in these counties,
I might say that almost any of the known varieties can be successfully grown, and they
will produce splendid specimens of fruit ; the main trouble is that we cannot get people
to pick and ship them right. I will mention a few of the summer apples I have seen here,
though of course there may be a great many more. They are the Early Harvest,
Keswick Codlin, Red Astrachan, Sweet Bough and several others, of all of which I have
Seen very fine specimens.
The Secrerary.—What about the Early Harvest? Doesn’t it spot here ?
Mr. Cox.—Now I remember, I believe I did see some spotted at Clarksburg.
In autumn varieties, there are the Alexander, Colvert, Gravenstein, Duchess of Olden-
burg and Fall Pippin, which all do well; I never saw the like of what we had at the
show here.
The Presipent.—Do you consider the Duchess of Oldenburg a fall apple here ?
Mr. Cox.—Yes, we call it a falf apple here. Then there is the Maiden’s Blush—
I have seen some of the most beautiful specimens of this apple here I ever saw in my life,—
and the St. Lawrence and the Twenty-ounce Pippin.
The Prestpent.—Does the St. Lawrence spot ?
Mr. Cox.—I never knew it to spot at all. In winter varieties, we have the
Baldwin, King of Tompkins County, Roxbury Russet, Talman Sweet, Kentish Fill
Basket, Mackintosh Red, Ribston Pippin, Northern Spy, Rhode Island Greening, Wagener
89
and the Mann apple, all of which do well and produce very fine specimens. Of course
the soils vary a good deal about here: go a mile and you will perhaps find it very
different, and some of the soils just around the town here will not grow what we can
out on the clay.
The PrestpEnt.—Do you find a variation in the fruit on these different soils ?
Mr. Cox.—-Yes. We find that they succeed far better on the clay soil, where we
have a strong natural drainage.
The SEcRETARY.—Did you say you had the King of Tompkins?
Mr, It does splendidly, it is hardy and bears well-—~that is over the
mountain, I could nd say for those down here.
Mr. Brapte. —Any trouble with them dropping off immaturely ?
Mr. Cox.—They have not found any fault with them in this respect.
The Prestpent.—Do you find any trouble in regard to hardiness further Hip
Mr. Cox.—There used to be, but I think it is being overcome now that the country
is getting more cleared up. A friend of mine who has seven hundred acres of land there
says his trees are dog better now than they did a few yearsago. Take a range across the
rear, over the mountain, a few miles from Owen Sound back from the bay, and I never
saw anything finer in my life than the apples are. One of the judges of the Provincial
Show told me he had neyer seen finer fruit ; he could hardly believe that the Baldwin
could be grown as we grow it here, and when he came to look at the other varieties he
said, “Well, I never saw such fruit in my life before.” The great trouble has been to
get people to take care of their trees; they don’t take any care of them, and then if they
don’t do ‘well they blame the agent or the nurseryman. .
The Presipent.—You think any of the known varieties can be grown in these
counties ?
Mr. Cox.—Yes.
The Secretary.—lIn our Report for 1884 a list was given of varieties suitable for
Simcoe and Grey, in which two or three were mentioned as not being hardy—the King
and the Baldwin were spoken of as being tender. Now, it seems from what we have
heard to-day, that they are not at all tender ; the Report is scarcely correct in that ?
Mr. Cox.—Well, there might be some places back in Melancthon and Osprey where
the soil is very mucky—sort of swampy, and in such places certain apples will not do.
But all around here, for a radius of twenty miles, I think there is no difficulty with the
apples mentioned ; except, as I have already said, that people don’t take care enough of
them.
Dr. AYLEswortH, Jr., of Collingwood.—The counties of Grey and Simcoe are very
large, and the soil in Grey is very different from that of Simcoe. If you go east or west
of this town for a few miles you will find this clay which has been spoken of, but go
east and you will find sand for miles, and the northern part of Simcoe is like Muskoka
and that region, where you cannot grow anything at all to speak of. But along this lake
shore, on this clay ground, anything may be grown—any kind of fruit of medium hardi-
ness. In this sand around the town, however, you, can grow neither apples or pears.
When you get above the mountain, away from the lake four or five miles, most of the
apples mentioned will not be found hardy, but anywhere along the lake they can be grown,
Mr. T. B. Wurre. (Collingwood township).—I live in the Beaver River valley, where
the soil is a clay loam, though at the back of that there ismore sand. My land, however,
is mostly clay loam with a hard pan bottom, not in every respect first class, but good
land. As regards apples, I find that [ can grow the Northern Spy, Russets, Snow Apples,
Astrachans, and some others, the names of which I don’t just remember, all of which do
well with me. I had one—I think it was a Rhode Island Greening—which I tried twice,
but did not succeed with it. |
The PresipentT.—For an early variety what do you prefer ?
Mr. Wuirr.—The Red Astrachan.
The Prestpent.— Does it spot ?
Mr. Wuire.—No.
The Prestpent.—Do you have any small apples? Is the crop generally of good size ?
Mr. Wuite.—Yes. Last year they had the appearance as if they were going to be
90
very small, but there came on a tremendous rain, and they all turned to be a good size;
the whole orchard. Speaking of localities, Dr. Aylesworth, I think, said two or three
miles from the lake, certain kinds would not be hardy ; I think we might say six or seven,
or eight miles.
The Presipent.— You think they are subject to winter killing further inland ?
Mr. Wuite.—Oh, yes; I think so. South of us, in Osprey, they have poor success.
Men there have planted year after year, and still have no orchards; though they think
they have done better of late years with selected kinds.
Mr. Britiincer, of Collingwood.—I have seen a good deal of fruit tested, though I
don’t grow any myself. Mr. Cox is a mountaineer; he can only speak of the mountain.
When you come down here on to this light land it is very different. At Stayner, about
nine miles south of this, the King is not hardy enough ; two years ago a great many of
them were killed. A man who had a very large orchard there told me he lost a great
number of them by winter killing.
Mr. Wricut, of Renfrew.—How low does the thermometer generally register here?
Mr. Brituincer.—I think as low as 32 below zero.
Mr. A. M. Smita, of St. Catharines.—A little too cold for the Baldwin.
Mr. Brinuincer.—It is very seldom so low as that, but I have seen it that low.
Mr. CarpenterR.—I think 32 below is exceptional weather ; we do not often get it
below 20.
Mr. Conn, of Collingwood township.—The only thing I have ever noticed wrong
with my apple trees is that the last few years they have spotted ; some trees that I had
in an old garden were nearly all spotted.
The Seoretary.— Were the Greenings spotted with you ?
Mr. Conn.—Yes, very badly.
The Secretary.—The Snow Apple ?
Mr. Conn.—Yes. The closer they are placed together the worse they are; if you
get out in the open they are not so bad. Spitzenbergs have done pretty well, and
Wageners don’t spot very much.
Mr. Beatt, of Lindsay.—Is the Spitzenberg healthy with you ?
Mr. Conn.—Yes, it produces a good crop. The Baldwin does not winter kill with
Mr. Beatt.—How old are your Spitzenberg trees ?
Mr. Conn.—About twelve years; we planted the first about fifteen years ago.
Mr. Hicx.1ne, of Barrie.—I have been growing apples now fer between thirty and
forty years, and I find that while some do well for a time, others totally fail. I have
just made a note of those which I consider the most choice, and which can be the most
easily produced, for market purposes. For summer apples I would notice the Early
Harvest, which has done very well for a time, but for the last few years has been badly
subject to spot, and in some instances the trees have failed. The next on the list is the
Red Astrachan, a very popular apple, and good for marketing ; I think it is spotted a
little, but not so bad as some others.. Then there is another apple which is not very gen-
erally known around here—the Williams’ Favorite, a red summer apple. Then there is
another called the Porter, a very good serviceable apple, which answers either for dessert
or cooking. The Early’Joe is too small for market, though the trees are very prolific,
and strong, and healthy. It comes in for cooking on account of its growing faster than
the others ; it answers as a green apple.
The Presipent.—Don’t you find the Duchess of Oldenburg desirable ?
Mr. Hickiine.—I have not come to that yet. There is the Summer Pearmain, a
very nice apple. Of course some of these apples might almost be called fall apples in
this part of the country. The Duchess of Oldenburg, taken on every point, I think is
the apple for market and for domestic use, though it does not ripen so early as some
others, but it comes into bearing very early. For fall apples there is the Alexander, a
very showy apple, but I think a little tender. The St. Clair is very good, although the
last few years it has taken the spot. Then there is the Fall Pippin and the Colvert,
though I don’t think I need occupy your time with a description of them. I have an
apple in my orchard—the name of which I do not know,—but from the picture in the
91
Horticulturist, I think it resembles the Yellow Transparent—-a clear yellow, tinged on
one side with crimson. It is a very showy, pretty apple, and comes in, I think, in the
latter end of September.
The SecretTary.—Then it would not be the Yellow Transparent, that is too late
for it.
Mr. Hicktine.—It resembles it very much, but I do not know the name of it. For
winter apples I should include the Golden Russet, Northern Spy, Fameuse, the Ontario,
—which is a new apple that is doing very well.
The Secretary.—Does it pay you to grow the Snow apple?
Mr. Hicxitine.—Yes, it is not so bad the last year or so as formerly ; it seems to me
that this year I have not seen any spot whatever on them ; other years I noticed it almost
as soon as the apple wasformed. Whether it is going to be free or not I cannot say, but
I hope it is. The Swayzie Pomme Grise is a very good winter apple, and the Seek-no-
further does remarkably well ; it bears heavy crops, and is very good for the market. The
Rox-bury Russet is a good apple, and the Yellow Bellflower, and the Rhode Island
Greening.
The PresipEnt.—Do you find these varieties all sufficiently hardy in your section ?
Mr. Hicxiine.—I think so, take them on the whole.
The PrestpENT.—You are close into Barrie ?
Mr. Hickxiine.—Yes.
The Presipent.—Is there any difficulty further inland ?
Mr. Hicxxiinc.—It was a general complaint two years ago all over that the Baldwin
was badly affected by winter killing, but this last winter it does not seem to have suffered ;
the trees seemed to stand it very ‘well, Of course there are many varieties which I
have not mentioned, but I think those I have included are the principal ones.
The SecreTary.—Is not the King apple tender with you?
Mr. Hicxirne.—I don’t know that it is, though perhaps it is not as hardy as some
others.
Mr. Broxovski.—I live in the township of Medonte. I think the hardiness of
apples is influenced to a great extent by the kind of land they are grown on. We have
planted a number of trees, and havea very inferior orchard at the present time, but I
think we wiil try again.
The Presipent.—Have you ‘underdrained your orchard ?
Mr. Broxovski.—There is no necessity for doing so; it is perfectly dry without
The Northern Spy does not succeed at all there ; it grows up six or seven years and then
winter-kills—dies out in a year or two. I don’t think there is one in that part of the
country. The St. Lawrence used to do well at one time, but it is failing now. The
' Duchess of Oldenburg succeeds admirably. There is another variety, the Brockville
‘
Beauty, not a very large apple, high colored, and having a fine flavour, which does very
well. In fall apples I think the Haas (or the Fall Queen) succeeds best. Fallawater
also succeeds moderately well. We have tried the Mann apple, but it is not a success ;
but our only experience with it was in an unfavourable locality, and it would hardly be
fair under the circumstances to condemn it.
The Presipent.—You say your section does not require drainage ?
Mr. Broxovsk1.—It does not ; it is rolling land.
The Presipent.—Have you ever tried draining ?
Mr. Broxovsk1.—No.
The Prestpent.—Then I should recommend you to do so.
A Mr. Smiru.—You say you have a hard clay bottom?
Mr. Broxovsk1.—Yes, in seme places. The strata varies, some places there is a
clay bottom, and in some sandy—when you get up high—and then clay beneath, and
then when you get down lower again a kind of fine sand. We are introducing the
Wealthy as a winter apple, and it seems to do very well. The Baldwin does not seem
to succeed. There is another winter apple called the Red Pound, which is grown there
considerably. It is a good deal like the Pearmain in shape, very large and red, with
brown spots showing throngh it.
The Presipent.—I think it is one of the Pearmains. I know they call it the Red
Pound.
The Prestpent.—I think the Baldwin should succeed there. They grow it away
east in Mr. Croil’s district and Mr. Beall’s.
Mr. Beatu.—I found it, but not just in our neighbourhood.
Mr. Crort.—How low did you have the thermometer last winter ?
Mr. Broxovski1.—I think about thirty was the lowest. I think that is what tried
-the trees very much when it went down so low. The afternoon before it had been up in
the thirties above, and at nine o’clock the next morning it was down to thirty below.
The Presipent.—You say that in your district there is a rock formation. Is it
limestone ?
Mr. Broxovski.—No. Granite, I think.
The Presipent.—In that district, you say, they can grow fruit ?
Mr. Broxovski1.—Yes. That is about twelve or thirteen miles from me, but in the
same township. There is no apparent difference in the soil in just looking atit. The
srees stand the winter very well there, too.
Mr. Wriacut, of Renfrew.—lIs it near the shore ?
Mr. Broxovski—No. There is no apparent difference in the situation, slope, or
anything else. That is the most remarkable part of it. I think the Snow apple is
beginning to spot very badly, and in the winter the bark seems to break down near the
ground, worse than any other variety. The Mackintosh Red seems to run out a little,
and the bark cracks. There is a tree called the Gideon, which I got a couple of years.
ago, and it seems to give great promise. .
Dr. AYLESWORTH, Sr., of Collingwood.—My experience is varied, and not over
successful. Mr. Cox’s statement that all kinds of apples in a general way succeed here
is correct—that is under suitable arcumstances, but in my experience I have found both
the Baldwin and the Greening a failure through the black heart.
The PresipEnt.—Have you any special varieties you like ?
' Dr. AyLEswortH.—I have a variety of seedlings that I value very highly, and one
of which Dr. Hoskins, who I had hopes of seeing heré, has a very high opinion. Some
six years ago he stated’ in the Rural New Yorker that he hada seedling which he
esteemed very highly, grafts of which he would send to any one sending him the postage.
I sent a shinplaster, as we call it, to him, and he sent me about a dozen. I suc-
ceeded with two, one of which is still alive, and which I value very highly. Itis an
early apple, ripening in the latter end of the month of August. It is semi-transparent,
and the first apple, or the largest of the first apples 1 got from it, was eleven inches in
circumference, and weighed, T think, eight and a ha!f ounces, al people who tasted it
considered it almost equal toa peach. I have also this seedling of my own which I
think just as much of ; Dr. Stevens and some others have tasted the fruit and think very
highly of it. _ I am grafting from both of these, and intend to propagate them if
possible.
Mr. GriLFovte, of Collingwood.—Although I am not a fruit grower, I handle a good
many apples, and my choice for good keeping varieties is the Northern Spy, which I find
a very satisfactory apple to handle.
The Presipent.—Do you find they are grown in large quantities around here ?
Mr. GitroyLe.—Not a great many in this immediate neighbourhood, but between
here and Meaford, say within ten or twelve miles, they seem to be a greater success.
The PrestpEnt.—Do you find there is a belt of country in which it succeeds better
than in other places ?
Mr. GitroyLe.—I cannot speak as to that; I have not been in the localities, and
only know that it is from that vicinity they come to this market. I do not know any-
thing at all about the culture of apples.
Mr. Stewart, of Dunedin.— Where I live we can grow any kind of tree almost, and
two miles from us they cannot grow any tree at all. Our soil is a mixture—heavy and
light, and for drainage it is splendid. I think the King of Tompkins is the best apple
there ; we find it hardy. The Alexander and the Wagener, also do very well, the latter
will bear the second year and continue on. The Red “Astrachan is a very g good apple,
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and the Baldwin dces- very well with us; mine is only just commencing, but with my
neighbours it does splendidly. I think the difference between our section and the other
I have spoken of is occasioned altogether by the soil; the other is high and level, ours
high and rolling. Colverts stand there all right. .
The PrestpENt.—Do you grow the Snow Apple?
Mr. Stewarr.—Yes, but last year it spotted badly. I find other varieties also spot,
but the Talman Sweet did not spot last year. The Baldwin, I believe, is a hard apple
to grow in some places, but it is a good regular bearer and a good keeper. It is not
hardy enough for our section unless top-grafted on some hardy stock. I have a neigh-
bour who says the King of Tompkins County is a little tender, but I say it is not, and
_ we only live 120 rods apart, so you see it takes a man to judge for himself, and not to
listen to all he hears. ;
Dr. AyLEswortH, Sr.—‘ Prove all things.” (Laughter.)
Mr. Srewart.—If a man listens to everything he hears, he will never have an
orchard.
Mr. Moser ty, of Collingwood.—I cannot call myself either an apple grower or an
apple exporter, though | take a great interest in fruit generally, but I have listened with
much interest to what has been said by the different gentlemen regarding the class of apples
that can be grown in these counties. One of. the early varieties spoken of, the Red
Astrachan, is no doubt a fine apple and a prolific grower, but I would not advise anyone
to grow more than one or two trees of it, just for home use and local consumption ; be-
yond that it is valueless. When it ripens it is a beautiful apple to eat, but the moment
it gets in the slightest degree over ripe it is almost like a sponge. and valueless for any
purpose whatever. Another apple mentioned, the Duchess of Oldenburg, is, so far as
my experience goes, a most prolific grower. I have a tree that is full of apples every
year—beautiful apples. It is slightly later than the Red Astrachan, and it is an apple
that keeps a little longer, but it also, you may say, is an apple valuable only for home
use and local consumption. It has struck me that in choosing trees for an orchard
' people are apt instead of taking the experience of others as a guide to what are the best
varieties for keeping and exporting, to take the book that is presented to them by the
fruit man, and choose what in the illustrations seems to be the handsomest’and biggest
apple, thinking that when they have got that they will have something no one else has,
and be able to make a good deal out of it, instead of looking for an apple of good keeping
qualities, suitable for export. I was talking to a gentleman the other day whom I had
met at the Queen’s Hotel, Toronto, who came from Oregon, and among other things he
told me that they had at times immense quantities of apples there, that were rotting on
the ground. I inquired the reason, and found it was just about what I have stated.
These farmers had raised a quantity of apples not fit to export, and although they had
an enormous quantity of them they were valueless, because no one would buy them, and
all the time and money spent in raising them was lost. It seems to me to be of the
greatest importance to find out the apples that are going to be exporting apples, and
those which will keep for the winter, and for fruit growers to turn their attention to such
varieties. Then there will be a market for the fruit grown’ in this anc other parts of
the country where perhaps the market at present is small. If that were done I am satis-
fied that the apples grown in this section—the townships of Oollingwood, Nottawasaga,
St. Vincent and probably others—would produce enormous quantities of apples, which
would prove a source of wealth to them. The soil is peculiarly adapted for it, the
formation being almost entirely limestone, which, I take it, is a good formation for fruits.
of all kinds. In the town here we of course cannot grow apples to any great extent,
the soil being almost altogether sand. In my own garden apples are growing very well,
though not to the same extent they would, perhaps, if the soil were a little stronger.
We have very little soil over our rock here, six or seven inches in some places, and in
others seven or eight feet, but the whole of this country is underlaid with solid rock,
which in some places crops out through the surface. We find, however, that trees grow
very well. Much of this land which gentlemen have spoken of as not being adapted to
apple growing, although apparently dry and sandy on top, may be springy down below
—a hard, cold, springy subsoil. Not being a fruit grower myself it would be difficult
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for me to give as good an opinion with regard to the influences on fruit that would have
to be grown for export as some of the gentlemen of more experience, but I am satisfied
that what we have to turn our attention to is growing fruit suitable for export, and I
am confident we could produce any quantity of them in this part of the country, and I
am also sure that this will have to become to a very great extent an apple or fruit
country—that we shall have to turn our attention more and more to that branch of
industry. Now, there is an apple grown in New Brunswick, the name of which I
forget, which is a very good apple, and which I do not think is grown up here at all.
It is exceedingly good for exportation. The Annapolis Valley, of Nova Scotia, sends
out an enormous quantity of apples every year, and I do not see why we should not
here. We do not export apples to the extent we should, and I think one of the reasons
is that we grow a great quantity of apples that are of no use, and, in many cases, a
mere loss of time and money to the farmer who raises them. If these were replaced
by varieties suitable for export, buyers would come in amongst us and make a business
of securing them, instead of, as at present, the farmer marketing a few bushels of his
own. If we had a large quantity of fruit of that kind people would come up here and
make a business of buying it—perhaps on the trees. I think it is very important for
farmers to be apprised of what goes on in these meetings, in order that they may ascer-
tain of their own knowledge, or by the experience of ther neighbours in different
sections of the country, the different kinds that succeed under varying circumstances,
because it takes a tree a Jong time to grow—in the case of the Northern Spy you have
to wait ten years before you get a crop. Therefore they do not want to plant varieties
that are useful only for domestic and local purposes, but such varieties as a have a
value for exportation.
The Presipent.—In the course of this discussion one point has been “etnies in my
mind ; that is the necessity for thorough underdraining. In all the localities in which
the speakers were uncertain on this point it seems to me that it is a necessity. I think
it would be pretty hard to find a tract of land where underdrainage would not do some
good, and even on the rolling land where you are successful you would be still more
successful—your trees would be healthier and the fruit finer if a thorough system of
underdrainage were adopted. After a time, when the land has been thoroughly under-
drained and ‘cultivated, it may be found that some of the varieties at present considered
not hardy enough in this section wiil prove sufficiently hardy to be successfully grown.
However, we have coming into the market a great many varieties of excellent apples
which will be quite hardy ‘enough for any of these’ sections. I think Mr. Moberly has
struck the keynote. There is no doubt at all that in other sections of the country as
well as this farmers have been planting varieties they ought never to have planted. As
a rule one or two early trees for the early summer are quite suflicient for home use,
and three or four at the outside would be quite sufficient of fall fruit. What is wanted
is winter fruit, not late fall, because we can now ship all winter to the foreign markets.
We do not find a sufficient quantity of the long keeping varieties, and I would advise
those who have too many trees of the early kinds to top graft them with some well
known standard winter variety, such as succeeds best in their particular locality, and
commands the best price in the foreign markets. I think by this course they would be
encouraged to go much more extensively into fruit growing. Our markets are increas-
ing rapidly year after year, and by planting such varieties as are well known to be suc-
cessful in your own particular variety,—for which you must rely on your eyes and the
evidence of your neighbours—and which are in demand in foreign parts, I think you
will find it profitable ; bearing in mind always to begin by thoroughly underdraining.
Dr. AYLEswortH, Jr.—Some eleven years ago I planted 900 apple trees in a very
favourable position on the side of the mountain, thoroughly drained naturally, and facing
the east. I planted the Northern Spy, the Golden Russet, the Baldwin, and the Green-
ing. The first two have done exceptionally well. The Baldwin and Greening, I think,
from the character of the trees supplied, are largely a failure ; but there are some splendid
specimens of each kind. I have also planted two or three each of several other varieties :
the Snow, Red Astrachan, Talman Sweet, and two or three others, the names of which I
do not remember just now, all of which have done well.
95
The Srcretary.—There is a variety spoken very highly of in Maine, which I don’t
think anyone in Canada has tested; it is the McClellan. A gentleman says that o
seventy varieties he tried, it was the most successful. I would like to know if anyone
has tried it here ? ee
The Presipent.—There is another apple which is not grown here, which, in Maine,
is one of their very best—the Nodhead. I have seen apples from some sections here
called the Nodhead, but they are not at all like it. Their’s is a long-keeping, very fine
winter apple, and has a good flavour. The McClellan, too, is a good keeper, and a high
coloured apple. It is grown all over the State of Maine, and the eastern part of New
Hampshire, in almost every orchard.
Mr. A. M. Smira.—I would like to know if the Ben Davis is grown here ?
Mr. Cox.—It is grown here upon the face of the mountain, and it does splendidly.
At one o’clock the meeting adjourned until 2.30 p.m., and on reassembling, the
question drawer was opened, and the following queries discussed :—
VALUE OF APPLES FOR FEEDING MILCH COWS.
.—Of what value are apples for feeding milch cows?
Mr. Cro1t.—I have used apples for that purpose, but my experience is that they
are very poor feed. I thought afterwards that a little corn would have done much more
good than the apples. I fed them raw, but if cooked and mixed with grain, they might
have done better. Some of my neighbours say their cows do not give such a large flow
of milk on apples.
The Secrerary.— Have you tried meal with them?
Mr. Croit.—No. I think that way it might have been better.
The Secretary.—At our last meeting Prof. Panton stated that when mixed With
bran, pea meal, or chopped stuff, they made a very good food, and a gentleman who had
used them moderately in that way, said their use had been productive of very good
results, and believed it would pay any man to grow apples if only for that purpose.
Col. McGitu.—You would have to cook your apples. then to get the full effect of
them on the flow of milk. They have a decided influence if you cook the apples and mix
them with meal ; they are’productive of improvement in the flow of milk—that has been
my experience.
A MemBer.—Does it pay for the cost and extra labour of cooking ?
Col. McGint.—Yes, if you were going to feed apples, and expected to get any benefit
from them.
Mr. Beapie.—If you could market them at a merely nominal price it would pay
better to sell them and feed meal.
HOW TO DESTROY CATERPILLARS.
Q.—What is the best way to exterminate caterpillars ; I have tried soft soap, but it
does not affect those remaining in the web ?
Mr. Breatit.—You will remember someone saying some time ago that eternal vigi-
lance was the price of apples ; it is certainly so in regard to these caterpillars. I like the
plan of looking for them in the early morning, when they are in the web in the fork of
the tree. It is only as the day advances and the weather warms, that they begin to travel
out and feed. At evening, too, you will find them in the web, and you can take a forked
stick and pull web, caterpillar, and all down. Another thing is to look for the cluster
of eggs on the twigs early in March, before the leaves are out. If your orchard has been
at all infested the year before, it is probable some of the moths have escaped and laid
,
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their eggs on the twigs—I suppose you are all familiar with that fact. They are easily
seen as you look through the top of the tree by projecting the limbs of the tree against
the sky, and with the scissors on the end of a pole, you can clip them off and bring them
down. If they are left on the ground it does not matter much, though I usually make
sure of them by gathering them all up—except a few that may escape me in the grass or
weeds ; they cannot eat grass, however, and soon perish. There is another way of getting
at these fellows, of another class,—I am speaking now of the tree tent caterpillar. There
is another variety which I may call a tent caterpillar, though it does not make a tent. -
They were very abundant about London and St. Thomas a few years ago—the country
was infested with them. They come from the forest, and go by the name of the forest
tent caterpillar. They make a very slight web indeed, but they have the habit of gather-
ing on the trunk of the tree some time during the twenty-four hours, in a great heap—
seem to be built on top of one another, and you can easily manage to crush them. Ihave
mentioned these to cover the two varieties of what are known as tent caterpillars. These
last do not make a tent, so you cannot get at them always in the manner spoken of, with
the forked stick, but the moth lays its eggs in a ring, and the ring of eggs can be cut off
early in the spring the same as the tree tent caterpillar.
BEST APPLES FOR FOREIGN MARKETS.
The discussion of the apple was then resumed, having in view “ Varieties of foreign
markets,” as follows :— é
The PrestpEnt.—This is a question in regard to which, in different localities, there
is room for considerable variation. The subject is one in which I have had some amount
of experience for a good many years, and in. speaking of the best varieties fer foreign
markets, I should in the first place include those possessed of good keeping qualities—
winter varieties. Take, for instance, the Baldwin, out of which a good deal of money has
been made in all the sections in which it has been grown. - The Rhode Island Greening,
an apple which some years ago was low down in price on the British market, is now ris-
ing, owing to its good keeping qualities. A good specimen of the Rhode Island Greening
will now stand alongside the Baldwin, in price, in almost any of the British markets. It
was formerly objected to on account of being green, the British taste being for a highly
coloured appie, but they are now getting over that as an objection, and looking more to
the quality, than the appearance. We all know that for keeping purposes, for our own
use, most of us would prefer the Greening to the Baldwin. Then there is an apple that
is grown pretty largely throughout this Province, and which has been considered, and.
bought by shippers, as a fall apple—the Twenty-Ounce; it is a valuable apple for the’
British market where it is well known, and commands a very high price. There was a
time when in Britain they wanted a. medium sized apple for dessert purposes, but now
they want to get as. much apple as they possibly can for the price, and large apples are in
demand and bring a high price. The Fallawater, for instance, brings a high price, though
it has very little colour. The King of Tompkins County, which has not only a very fine
appearance, but also excellent qualities, is much sought for at good prices. The Northern
Spy, too, is a great favourite there in any of the markets you go to; it is an apple of very
high quality, and therefore has held its own. Last year it was spotted pretty badly, but
notwithstanding that, it stood pretty well to the front of Canadian apples in the market.
The Ben Davis, although not a very large apple, is one that holds the market very well,
simply because it is an apple of good average size and colour, and fine appearance. Still
I would hardly advise growers to plant very freely of Ben Davis, because the quality is
rather low, and I do not think it will continue to hold the market very long. I think in
Britain they will, by and by, begin to know and appreciate high quality in an apple, in-
stead of looking merely to colour, as was formerly the case. The Ribston Pippin is an
apple I would like to see grown largely wherever it will succeed, and with it I might
mention the Blenheim Pippin, or Blenheim Orange, as it is sometimes called. Both these
apples command the highest price in the markets of Great Britain ;- probably they are at
97
a
the top of the list for price ; and we can grow them much finer here than any they can
produce there. I think it is probable that the Ribston Pippin and Blenheim Orange are
more extensively grown in the Annapolis Valley, of Nova Scotia, than any other variety,
and they make more out of them than any other variety, too. They are apples of such
good quality that they are sure to hold the market.
A Memper.—Do they compare favourably with ours ?
The Presipent.—They do. Then there is the Wagener ; it is a little on the small
side, and is not sufficiently well known on the markets to be appreciated as it ought, but
there is no doubt it will be appreciated as it becomes better known abroad. The Ameri-
can Golden Russet will always hold its own, but it should be stored here and shipped
towards the spring of the year in order to realize its proper value. The Roxbury Russet,
too, should be held late here, and if shipped then, will command a very high price on the
British or other foreign markets. It is an apple which is sold by the Nova Scotians by a
different name—the Nonpariel, which, [ believe, is one and the same with the Roxbury
Russet. The Spitzenberg is an apple that would bring a good price, but there is
something about the local .Spitzenberg as a shipper, that I do not understand; I
found it last year a very poor shipper, arriving in England in very poor condition ;
barrel after barrel that were opened were in a state of decay. It is an apple
of the very highest quality as a dessert apple, but it is one that growers of experience
do not care very much for growing, “being a slow grower and a poor bearer. The
Swayzie Promme Grise I tested last year in the London market for the Christmas
trade—I put some of them on the market on the 15th of December for the Christmas
holidays ; I packed them in small barrels known as half-barrels. After explaining them
pretty well to buyers on the market, they sold for twenty-seven shillings per half-barrel,
that is fifty-four shillings per barrel—the ordinary fruit barrrel. I gave the people there
to understand that to grow that particular kind of apple we would have to get at least
thirty shillings per half-barrel. -It is a very small apple, and it takes a great many to fill
a barrel, and in growing a large orchard I think the grower would run a great risk in
order to make any money. It is an apple which I suppose most of you know, and is pos-
sessed of the highest quality known in an apple. A good many confound it with the
Pomme Grise, or Montreal Pomme Grise, which is quite a different apple, though of very
high quality, too, and which should bring a high price on the foreign markets. There is
no demand for sweet apples, and I would not advise anyone to ship the Talman Sweet to
the British market ; they don’t want it there. We have other varieties of apples,—our
early apples—the Duchess of Oldenburg, for instance, out of which, if some of the steam-
ship companies would start a line of cold storage, as much money could be made as out of
any other variety grownin Canada. You would have to pick them a little ahead of time, but
the Duchess will keep very well when picked a little on the early side, and.colour nicely
on the way; I believe there would be money in shipping in that way at that season of the
year. At that season in England they handle principally German and Belgian apples,
which would not at all compare with the Duchess. I tested them in small quantities and
realized good prices: twenty-four shillings per barrel in small packages. Then the Fameuse,
if grown clean and clear from spot, would be appreciated in the British market ; they
would be willing to pay a figure that would pay the grower here. If grown clean, the
Fameuse can be shipped in the ordinary way, without cold storage, and will arrive there
very well—that is the Snow apple. The Colvert also arrived in very good condition, and
brought fair prices. The Wealthy would ship there very well, indeed, and would also
realize a paying figure. The Cranberry Pippin would ship there very well, and sell well.
I also saw some Mackintosh Reds there which were brought from the vicinity of Oshawa,
and which, I think, were sold very well. The Mann apple sold very well, indeed; it is
a long keeper, and should not be shipped until spring, when it would bring a high price.
I sold the Ontario at a general average of twenty-two shillings per barrel for what I did
sell. The King of Tompkins always sells high, with the Ribston Pippin and the
Blenheim.
The SecreTary.—What about these hardy varieties, Cellini and Fall Queen ?
The Presipent.—They have not been tried there—at all events I have never met
them in the market. Nor the Wallbridge, I think, at present.
7 (¥,G.)
98
The Secrerary.—I don’t think there has been very much money in growing the
Baldwin for shipping, of late at all events, if we may judge by its conduct with us in
the Niagara District. We cannot get any apples off our trees any more; they do not.
produce any fruit of any consequence at all, and what there has been is not at all up to
its former size or appearance. I have a neighbour who has a large orchard almost
entirely Baldwins, who feels almost ruined by them. It is a fine, big orchard, trees.
twenty-five or thirty years old, and beautiful trees too; but he gets no fruit in it, and
what he does get is not fit to ship ; he has been selling it at fifteen cents a bushel to the
canning factory, which is very discouraging in an apple of which we have been planting
very largely. This year we hoped to have had a large crop, but instead of that the
promise is of a small crop again. The Greening is giving us better satisfaction, and it
shows up splendidly for this year—the fruit looks beautifully clear, and the trees are
well loaded The Greening yields more fruit than any other variety, and if, as you
say, it is going to be in demand in the old country, it will be very profitable for us.
We have one old tree of Greenings that has given us fifteen or sixteen barrels several
times, and on one occasion we picked twenty barrels off it. It is about eighty years
old. In regard to the King, I have quite a large number of trees of good size, and if
jt would only bear well I would think it was one of the best, it is such a beautiful
apple, and when you open up a barrel has a most agreeable aroma. In shipping it
always returns the highest prices of any, but we fail to get enough fruit to make us
think very highly of it. The Ribston does well in our section ; always clear and beautiful,
and bears well. The Spitzenberg, however, which has been spoken of, is a perfect failure,
worse, far worse than the Baldwin. I do not remember that you mentioned the American
Golden Russet, of which we think very highly ; it is beautifully clear and has borne
most abundantly, especially after the tree reaches its age it does remarkably well.
The PresipeNt.—There is a gentleman here from Glasgow, Mr. Cecil, who can tell
us that the feeling of the British markets is strongly in favour of Canadian over all
other apples.
Mr. Cecin.—I am not a practical apple grower. My business is selling apples, in
which there is a large business done during three months of the year, and I may say
that the prospect of profit this year is exceedingly good. A good many of the varieties
which have been mentioned here to-day are not known on the Glasgow market, and [
think the people there want to be educated up to a higher taste. About the only
varieties that are known there are the Colvert, Baldwin, Russet, King of Tompkins and
Northern Spy. 1 believe that in the course of time people will begin to appreciate
Canadian apples even more than they do now, especially if they are picked very carefully,
which in Belguim, or even the United States of America, is not usually done. I think
the Canadians have a better name for packing than any people from whom we get
apples.
vi Mr. Beatt.—The President has named sixteen varieties. Does he recommend any-
one who is setting out an orchard of two or three hundred trees to set out all these
varieties 4
The PrestpENT.—By no means. If they could adopt and plant two varieties it
would be better than sixteen. What they require to do is to plant only those which in
their own particular locality succeed best, and confine themselves principally to winter
fruit.
Mr. A. M. Smiru.—Suppose all the varieties you mentioned would succeed well ?
The Presrpent.—Then I would select from the sixteen those out of which I thought
the most money could be realized.
Dr. AYLESworTH, Sr., of Collingwood.—I should be inclined, if going largely into
apple growing, to confine myself to one variety—the Russet. It is an early bearer, and
what is more important, its keeping qualities are great. A great fruit exporter who was |
here a few years ago advised me to confine myself to Russets. I don’t think it would
pay me at 75 years of age to go into it, but if I were young I should go largely into
apple growing in this part of the country. I planted some Russets six years ago im
my garden here, and last year, five years after planting, I had some fruit, and here
(producing specimens) is some of last year’s crop off those little trees. And now, while
s
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I am on my feet, here is my seedling that I was speaking of this morning. (Showing
seedling).
Col. McGiuiu.—There is a very large orchard of American Golden Russets about a
mile and a half or two miles from my place—some six or seven acres set out entirely
with them, and although it has been there twelve or fourteen years I don’t think they
have gathered one bushel of apples per tree in that orchard since it was set out. The
trees are healthy and grow well, but it is very seldom in our section (Oshawa) that you
can get such specimens as this—not one year out of ten. I have grown them for the
last forty years.
The Presipent.—The moral in that case is not to grow American Golden Russets in
that section.
Col. McGitu.—Yes, there is‘ no money in it, They are good keepers and high
flavoured, but we cannot fill the barrels.
A Memper (referring to Dr. Aylesworth’s specimens).—Were these grown in
Collingwood ?
Dr. AyLEswortH, Sr.—Right in my garden.
The Secrerary.---I think the orchard of which Col. McGill speaks has not had time
yet. I have had a good many trees of the same variety planted twenty-five years, and it
is only for the last five years they have been actually paying. They are now bearing
excellently.
Col. McGiiu.—My trees have been out forty years, and they have not paid me yet,
BEST MODES OF GATHERING APPLES.
Mr. BeapLe.—The easiest way is to shake them down.
The Presipent.—I am sorry to hear you say that in the presence of a Glasgow
merchant.
The Secretary.—The Americans suspend canvas under the tree, and shake the
apples into that—they have a patent on it.
Col. McGiiu.—We sell our orchard by the barrel, and gather our own apples. We
gather them with a ladder, into a basket holding about half a bushel, and put them into
the barrel carefully as we gather them, always taking care to gather them when dry.
I generally pack them myself, and my sons and the hired man gather them. Then we
turn them over on their side, and store them, if they are to be shipped before the heavy
frost, in a shed, where they are kept from the rain. We used at one time to gather in
bags, and sometimes we would get them jammed or shaken—they come out best in
_ baskets.
The Secretary.—I suppose we all follow very much the same plan Col. McGill has
described, using a ladder and a basket. I have found it a very good idea to have spikes
in the bottom of the ladder, which is a great help in raising it, and will give it a good
hold in the ground. A long ladder is apt at times to slide, and I have found these
spikes a great convenience. I have tried several modes of gathering my crop: some-
times we have gathered them into a number of baskets and carried them indoors where
we had lots of room, and packed them there on the floor, but of late I have practised
gathering them immediately into the barrels in the orchard. I have also tried leaving
them in piles, but that I found productive of a good deal of trouble. Lately, as I
have said, I have tried this picking them immediately into the barrel, and heading them
up, taking them into a cool place and leaving them there on their sides. Then when
the packing time comes, late in‘the season, I empty them out two’ barrels at a time
upon a packing table or upon straw on the floor. I have been using a packing table
about twelve feet long with sides all round it, and an inclination so that the apples will
be disposed to roll towards me. Two persons can very easily empty out a couple of
barrels on this table and throw out the poor specimens, and so, quickly cull them over,
separating them into the different classes, and putting them into the barrels and marking
them according to their grade. I think that, generally speaking, is one of the most
100
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satisfactory methods I have tried. The only difficulty is that if the weather is very
close in the place where they are stored—if it is not cool enough—they are apt to ripen
a little faster than if left in heaps on the grass or same other such place. With summer
apples, the course is a little different. I ship them away in baskets. The Red
Astrachan trees I go over a good many times because they ripen so unevenly, and by
picking them off early they sell remarkably well. It pays to gather the early apples as
they ripen. I think that a picker, such as was shown in the Horticulturist is a good
and useful tool for gathering Red Astrachans, at least before the trees get too large. I
have them brought down from the trees in that way and placed in baskets on the ground,
then a boy comes along with an express waggon and takes them inside the packing house,
where they are picked over and classified. The extra select are packed in twelve quart
baskets, and the second grade in barrels.
BEST MODES OF PACKING APPLES.
Col. McGinu.—I always have the packing of my own orchard and some of one or
two neighbours. We invariably pack in flour barrels, and with a press, pressing them
down. There is as much injury in pressing them too hard as in not pressing them hard
enough. lf you press too hard you destroy the outside course, especially on the head.
We always place the bottom rows down, beginning at the head end, making that the
bottom and taking out the bottom of the barrel, which leaves the stem end always up
to view. We then put them in carefully, and if there are any imperfect specimens we
throw them to one side, and a good many are thrown out in that way. We shake the
barrel carefully about every half bushel, so as to get them close together, and round it
up nicely so that the head willbe perhaps two or three inches from the chime, and then
we press them down with the press. If they are small apples we do not round them up
so much as large ones, because the smail ones pack closer.
The Presipent.—As a matter of fact, where a barrel of apples has been properly
packed by a scientific packer it should be impossible on opening either end to tell from
which end it has been packed. Choose a solid place on the ground and place your
barrel upon a solid piece of plank. Lay the first course of apples with the stem end
down. The packer should not take special samples for this course, but just take them
as they come, and place them so as to make a solid row on the bottom. The next row
also should be put in carefully, with the blossom end down. The barrel should be care-
fully shaken down on that solid plank after each basketful. When the packer comes
to the top of the barrel he evens them off according to the variety. One variety will
press down closer than another, and that is where a little judgment and experience is
required. A man must know every variety he is packing in order to know how many
to put in the barrel ; whether he will fill it to the chine, an inch above the chine, or
even further. Then the last row has to be so placed as to be in an oval position before
you put the press on, with the stems up, so that when you put the press on they will
press down evenly and level, and afterwards on opening the barrel you cannot tell which
end you commenced at. That is a barrel packed properly, and it will carry, and carry
thoroughly. If the apples before packing have been what we call sweated—and the
best place to sweat apples is on the ground, they should, if possible, remain on the
ground for a week after being picked from the tree—they will carry much better, Of
course in wet weather they are better taken in to the barn floor or some other convenient
place, but as a rule they should rentain for a week or ten days after being picked ; the
skin toughens in that time. I find quite a difference in the Northern Spy, which has
such a tender skin, in places where they are left on the ground to toughen and get
through this sweating process—they will carry much better. Before packing, the first
thing todo is to make up your mind how many grades you are going to have in the
pile from which you are packing. There will be two grades at least, and the chances
are, not more than three. For instance, take a Baldwin grown on the inside of a tree,
that is apt to be rather green. That will be one grade. All the medium sized apples
—-have them all the one size as much as possible,—and pretty high colored, that is
101
another grade. Grown at the top of the tree or on the outside limbs apples will be
much smaller, but high in color. That will be your third grade. ) Duty: | Value Duty.
: $ C. $ G $ Cs $ - ‘e.
Groom Erulthen, sees cco ek otek each Sone sate | 642,967 00 123,321 00 | 929,133 00 165,886 00
Ininanb trees: splauts: iets 2... : ssja5- tis aloe 198,340 09 41,006 00 227,346 00 43,597 00 -
Field and garden seéds...........25..2-0-8- 333,357 00 | 50,017 60 | 714,849 00 107,470 00
Potatoes and vegetables .....:....45....... 220,578 00 | 40,645 00 415,780 00 82,330 00
Barbra arse 7, SR aE MELE 1,395,242 00 | 254,989 00 || 2,287,108 00 | 399,233 00
From this statement it appears that the imports of the last three years from the
United States exceed those of the previons three by $891,866—the excess in the valua-
tion of green fruits being $286,166; of fruit trees, plants, etc., $29,006 ; of field and
garden seeds, $381,492 ; and of vegetables, $195,202. These figures, it appears to me,
demonstrate that the present duties do not serve the interests of the Canadian producers
by shutting out United States imports or even reducing their volume. A philosophic
historian has said that extirpation is tbe only persecution which can be successful, or
even not destructive of its own object. Well, I am disposed to believe that prohibition is
the only protection which can protect in the case of the trade we are considering. The
fact is that only in a very small degree do American products come into competition with
the Canadian at all. The fruits and vegetables which we import from the United States
are chiefly those which ripen earlier than ours, and which or dealers import and our
people consume because they can he got nowhere else. The best information I can obtain
from men in the trade is that while imported strawberries supply our city markets a
month earlier than the home grown fruit, they cease to compete when the latter comes
in. Being brought a longer distance they have lost treshness and flavor, and besides, the
duty of four cents per pound becomes prohibitory in its eff-ct. The same observation is
generally true of apples, plums, pears, peaches and vegetables ; they are importe! from
the Southern and Middle States for a few weeks before our own mature, and with the
craving appetite for new fruits and vegetables which the diet of a long winter begets,
they are bought up eagerly at any price in reason, They compete for a brief season only
with the native products, not merely because the trade is made unprofitable by the duty,
but because they are by comparison of a poorer quality. If any proof of the correctness
of this statement were needed, I have no doubt that it would be speedily forthcoming
from the members of this Association ; but let me quote an impartial authority—the
report of McKittrick, Hamilton & Co., of England—on American apples for the season
18x6-7. Here is what they say -—
“Canada, as usual, has been to the fore, and we have had really perfect parcels landed here, for which
high prices have heen obtained. The early supplies from the Dominion male about same prices as those
from the United States, but once their fall fruit was in a condition for shipment they immediately took the
lead, and while Boston, Maine and New York Baldwins made 10/3 to 15/3, Canadians sold for 16/ to 18/3.
This lead was maintained through the season, the general average of prices being very high.”
And because it possesses this fine quality, a degree of perfection hardly equalled
anywhere else on the continent, Canadian fruit needs no tariff wall for its protection.
We are able to compete with the American fruit growers at home or abroad, and I am
persuaded that in the products of the orchard and garden, if in no other, it is the common
interest of consumers and producers to favor a policy of unrestricted reciprocity with our
neighbors. New York, Ohio and Michigan have not suffered by competition with each
other, or by competition with sister States eastward, southward and westward, and the
great centres of population in those States, growing greater every year, will maintain for
all time the best of markets at our « oors.
There is one other aspect of the question of trade with the United States to which I
must refer, viz.: the relation of fruit and vegetables as articles ot diet to the health
of our people ; and in looking up the best authorities on this subject I ought to say
that I have been aided by my friend Dr. Bryce, the Secretary of the Provincial
Board of Health. A high English authority, Dr. Wynter Blyth, of London, stated in
a recent address that—
The importance of cabbages, carrots, turnips, of apples, pears, raspberries and strawberries, is far
more than their nutritive value; for without the addition of these substances, even while eating fresh meat,
we are liable to decline in health and suffer from eruptions, while if we eat salt meat for any time and
consume neither potatoes nor vegetables, nor fruits, then that terrible disease, scurvy, is imminent.
Another authority whom I shall quote is Prof. de Chaumont, who in a lecture on
Practical Dietetics (issued by the Council of the International Association of 1884)
expressed practically the same opinions as Dr. Blyth. If the blood is in a proper healthy
condition, he stated, it is alkaline; but if it gets into an unhealthy condition, chiefly
through being deprived of vegetable food, then it becomes less alkaline, gets into a fluid
condition, and the result is the disease we know in its extreme form as scurvy. And he
goes on to say :—
This disease in former years was the scourge of our navy, and it is on record that the channel fleet in
the middle of the last century had sometimes come into Spithead with no less than 10,000 men disabled by
scurvy alone ; and one of the reasons why the enormous hospital at Haslar was built to hold 2,000 patients
was on account of the tremendous stress put upon all hospital accommodation by the enormous number of
scurvy patients. This condition of things was remonstrated against by the medical officers of the navy,
who pointed out the remedy at hand by the use of vegetable acids a long time before it was adopted, but as
soon as it was adopted the result was magical. Scurvy disappe:red from the navy altogether, and that
immense hospital at Haslar was left with only a few cases compared with what it was intended to accommo-
date. But 1 should mention that scurvy has by no means disappeared entirely, and so far is it from
disappearing that if cases are carefully investigated in ord nary life, even among the better clas-es, we
shall tind symptoms of scurvy from time to time. A great many people dislike vegetables, and even dislike
fruits, and neglect the use of them. Others from sheer ignvrance do not use them, and the result is that
again and again diseases that are apparently caused by quite other means are aggravated and complicated
by a certain amount of this scorbutic taint.
It hardly seems necessary to point the lesson which these statements of eminent
men so unmistakably teach. The use of fruits and vegetables in the diet of our people
is so essential that the policy which makes these articles scarce and dear can only be
regarded as inhuman and stupid in an eminent degree.
We are proud of our north-land, with its bracing climate, its great lakes. its rich
heritage of farm land and forest, and proudest of all of the men who have made and are
making it. But let us never close our minds to the fact thit it is and ever must bea
north-land, where winter reigns half the year, and thit we can ill afford to make that
winter longer still by a barrier raised to shut out the bounties of niture. And in our
relations with our neighbor may we learn the wisdom of the philosophic maxim, “ that of
all the agencies of civilization and progress of the human race commerce is the most
efficient.”
Mr. E. Morven (Drummondville).—I live on the frontier, and my market for fruit
is in the United States very largely. Iam able to compete with the United States, and
de compete with the United States’ fruit growers in their own markets. I sell most of
my fruit there, and get my money from there, and I hope the day will come when the
fruit growers of Canada will at least treat our neighbors to the south of us with the
same liberality that we receive from them.
158
a
The Prestpent.—There is no doubt the question raised by the paper read is a very
important one, and one that is receiving a good deal of attention trom public men at the
present time. We see it every day, and we read something about it every day, and as
far as my experience goes it extends pretty much to the export of apples. In the other
fruits I have exported some to the United States. There is no doubt about it, as far as
apples are concerned we are not only not afraid of the American competition, but we are
not afraid of any country in the world. (Applause.) We have met them all ; we have
met them successfully ; and the prices current in the houses in Britain will show that
we command the highest prices known for apples. No matter how they pack them, how
they cull them, how they select them, we find that our apples lead all in prices, (Applause.)
The Americans no doubt come nearer to us in competition than any other country that
we have met with as yet, and any country that we know of. The New York State apples
generally we find the very best ; also the Maine Baldwins, and Nodheads from the State
of Maine, are very fine, and they culland pack them very well indeed. They come pretty
closely in competition with us in the markets of Britain ; but, taking all the markets
combined, and taking good, had and indifferent as cargoes go, I would be on the safe side
in saying there is a usual difference of from two to three shillings a barrel in our favor.
Mr A. G. Mvutr.—I would like to ask the President whether, when he estimated the
difference in the selling prices of the Canadian and the American barrel, the difference in
the size of the barrel was considered in the quotations. ‘
The Prestpent-—That is considered. The American barrels vary very much. They
have mostly two sizes—two bushels and three pecks and three-bushel barrels. Our barrels
now under the Act are three-bushel barrels) The two-bushel-and-three-peck barrel of the
American trade rules very low in the market; it is sold at a very great disadvantage.
They make a much better proportion out of their three-bushel barre] ; but I am speaking
of the proportion between that barrel and ours—between their three-bushel barrel and
ours. The difference between the other and ours is very much larger indeed, but then
they are selling the other at a very great disadvantage to themselves as compared with
their three-bushel barrel.
GRAPE GROWING IN ONTARIO.
Papers on discussions on various aspects of grape growing then occupied the attention
of the meeting, the subject being introduced by Prof. Brown with the following paper on
GRAPES FROM HIGH ALTITUDES IN ONTARIO.
It is now six years since a committee of this association planted some ninety-six
varieties of grape vines at the Ontario Experimental Farm.
The object was a severe testing of those considered to be of value to the Province—
because a situation 850 feet above Lake Ontario, and therefore about 1200 feet above
sea level, is likely to be very trying to fruit of any kind.
Recently, Professor Panton, our Botanist, gave a short bulletin on this subject,
which necessarily, by its briefness, could not bring out some points that I trust may
now be gathered.
The ground selected has a, southern aspect, without any shelter whatever ; the soil a
clay loam, somewhat stiff and decidedly spongy with hillside water.
The management has been to grow two canes from each vine, tying up earefully
every season so that the young and bearing wood is trained in every direction upon four
lines of fence wire five feet in height. This method seemed best adapted where it is
necessary, as with us, to lay down and cover for winter protection. We have manured
and cultivated well. Pruning is undertaken end of October and beginning of
November, as well as shoot pinching in summer, and nothing allowed to get higher thin
the trellis,
159
Four hundred and forty vines were planted in 1881 and 210 in 1882, so that we
had a total of 650—representing ninety-six varieties.
The first thing to place on record is life and death, and the character of that life.
GRAPE VINES PLANTED 1881-2.
STRONG, VIGOROUS PLANTS.
Agawam. Martha.
Brighton. [ Missouri.
Brant. Massasoit.
Black Hawk Merrimac.
Clinton. Nortons (Var).
Champion. Noah.
Cornucopia. ) Othello.
Concord. Pocklington.
Cynthiana. Rogers’ 28.
Duchess. Rogers’ 33.
Delaware. Rogers’ 41.
Dracut Amber. Una.
Elvira. | Uhland.
Eva. Venango.
Gaertner. Wilder.
Hartford Prolific.
(Not represented at Meeting).
Herbert. Naomi.
Ives’ Seedling. Barry.
Jefferson. Pearl.
Janesville. Maxatawney.
Lindley. Cottage.
Lady Washington. Vergennes.
Mary Ann. Early Dawn.
Moore’s Early. Eumelan.
MEDIUM, IN VIGOR.
Advance. Transparent.
Amber. \ alter.
Alvey. (Not represented ut Meeting.)
Amber Queen. Canada.
Faith. Dempsey 4.
Jessica. Cayahoga.
Lady. Isabella.
New Haven. Creveling.
Rogers’ No. 30. Echland.
Rogers’ No. 39.
Rogers’ No. 2.
Salem.
Worden, of excellent quality.
Autonello.
Grimes’ Golden.
WEAK PLANTS.
Autucheon, (Not represented at Meeting.)
Black Eagle. | Telegraph.
Eldorado. Monroe,
Iona. Beauty.
Rochester. | Senasqua.
}
Prentiss.
160
FAILURES.
Centennial. Herbemont.
Croton Rogers’ 5.
Chasselas. Purity.
Dempsey’s 18. Triumphant.
Dempsey’s 25. Waverly. ‘
The second consideration is as to fruiting and ripening.
Up to the end of 1886, and therefore with an experience of four years fruiting, it
may surprise you to know that not more than a dozen of the eighty-six varieties that?
lived—ten having failed—ripened {so"that they could be eaten. In October, 1886, the
list stood thus:
Lindley. | Eumelan.
Delaware. Herbert.
Moore’s Early. | Concord.
Salem. | Clinton.
Massasoit. | Brighton.
Wilder. Agawam.
Merrimac. Martha.
Hence it is perfectly clear that the average season in such a position is not a safe
grape growing one. Of the above, every one—Salem excepted, which is medinm—is on
our hardy and vigorous list, so that the fact of their doing well at the Experimental
Farm is evidence pretty certain that they would likely do well anywhere else in the
Province. Looking to this, therefore, we are prepared to advise the following for
hardiness, yield and flavour :
Black. Brighton.
Wilder. . Lindley.
Worden. Agawam.
Moore. White.
Concord. Niagara,
Barry. Lady.
fed. Martha.
Delaware.
And thirdly, I have to submit evidence of the remarkable character of the season
of 1887, as affecting these grapes, for in place of the dozen that it seems, we will be
limited to on an average, no fewer than 70 varieties ripened well. Of these I could con-
veniently bring to the meeting only 54, which you can now examine and prove practically.
The earliest gathering was on 3rd September, the latest the 22nd, so that being all
inside this month I have simply put the day of harvesting on the card along with the
name, and whether it is a vigorous, medium, or weak plant.
I shall say nothing about the character of the fruit which you are now to taste,
but shall close with the order of ripening :—
RIPENING—ONE WEEK INTERVAL.
Most early in ripening :-—
Janesville. Ives’ Seedling.
May Red. Champion.
Moore’s Early. Brant.
Mary Ann. (Not in collection exhibited.)
Black Hawk. | Early Dawn.
Alvey.
161.
Second most eurly :-—
Othello. Rogers’ 39.
Concord. New Haven.
Cornucopia. Rogers’ 33.
Delaware. Rogers’ 2.
Eldorado. | Norton. ( Var.)
Massasoit. Merrimac.
Lady. Lindley.
Jessica. Venango.
Hartford Prolific, Autuchon.
Faith. Brighton.
Rochester.
Third most early :—
Amber Queen. Wilder.
Dracut’s Amber. : Herbert.
Eva. Lady Washington.
Jefferson. Iona.
Rogers’ 28. | Martha.
Rogers’ 30. | (Not in exhibit.)
Rogers’ 41. Telegraph.
Uhland. Cottage.
Cynthiana. | Isabella
Duchess. Eumelan.
Gaertner. Barry.
Una. Creveling.
Noah.
Latest in ripening :—
Missouri. Transparent.
Salem.’ Amber.
Lugawana. Elvira.
Pocklington. Clinton.
Agawam.
I beg specially to draw your attention to the quality of
Moore’s Early. Lindley.
Massasoit. | Rogers’ 41.
Lady. Salem.
Jessica | Pocklington.
The Presipent.—We have seen something from the Agricultural Farm this year
that is of importance. It is a fine thing to bring the varieties all together in a section
such as that—a very difficult section, indeed, to grow grapes to perfection. You cannot
expect to find grapes coming from that section as fine in bunch or berry as you will find
them in this section. It is a much more difficult thing to bring them there to a state of
perfection. I visited the farm this year, and I was very much pleased indeed to see that
their grapes were likely to ripen.- It is a very difficult thing in many of the western
inland sections to ripen their grapes. In some they cannot ripen at all. This was an
exceptional year. We would only expect that the earlier varieties would ripen at Guelph.
They have ripened all varieties this year at the Model Farm; they can’t expect them to
ripen every year. They can only ripen some varieties in a season such as we have just
had ; it is quite an exception ; and as we have seen from the paper, a large bulk of the
varieties spoken of have been comparatively worthless in years past. There is no doubt
11 (&.G.)
162
that they have accomplished, I think, all that could possibly be expected from that section
or from any inland section within reach having the same advantages, or disadvantages
rather, as far as grape culture is concerned. I think the audience would probably like
to hear the paper of Mr. Beall before going into further discussion on the grape question.
Then we will take the grape question up generally and hear from the authorities.
GRAPE CULTURE AND TEMPERATURE.
Mr. Beatt.—I fully agree with you as to this being an exceptional year, and it is
for that reason I desire to place some figures before you. Mine is hardly a paper; it is
“ Notes on Grape Culture and Temperature for the year 1887.”
The past unusually dry and hot summer has afforded a good opportunity to ascertain
with much certainty, the length of time and the quantity of heat required to ripen the
varieties of grapes usually cultivated in this province.
Careful notes have been taken in my grounds of the time of ripening of a few varie-
ties ; and I am also enabled to give the number of days and the quantity of heat required
for the maturity of each of the varieties named below.
The time is computed from the 15th of May, that being about the time when the
grape vine buds begin to expand; the time for uncovering the vines being about one
week previous to that date.
The fruit of the varieties named was fully ripe at the dates given.
No. of Mean
Name or VARIETY. Date of Ripening. | Days | Max. sens Heat
Required.|Temp’ture
Maria: Wer Soe 8 on oo ~ SRG eRe eee ns ees oe \August 31......---- 108 80.19 8660.73
Ta ON 2cTT «EC pects enn i Ro eet ne Bak? (Biker eee 111 80.04 8884.93
Maare’s Starly = 22>. sate. - 225 x. app ee eee 5 6... eee 114 80.05 9125.43
Billy cs. esac cae ae Fx eR! ee ee. 114 80.05 | 9125.43
yr Poe 8 ee ee ee cs 10 eke 118 79.57 9389.13
oS EES ie GORE ae VR ca kee eC. . aee 121 79.36 9603.03
WGAPSTS..- <2 ~~ oon ene se sce ene ence nies ees 3 9 cots owe a 123 79.21 9742.33
7 Ee FOr re a ees 2s Se See ene $F Lee eens 123 79.21 9742.33
TE ee ee eee eee ae “f (ieee 123 79.21 9742.33
Wergennes .. .. 52.2. 2 oe oop eee eee e ne esee eee = | eee 125 79 05 9871.93
ET a ee ee ee = >. ee ee 128 78.75 10080.43
AQAWAID.......-- 220s ee cee eee cece e cette eee e eee = : Se 132 78.17 10317 .23
The foregoing goes far to show that the estimate of the mean maximum daily tem-
perature for the full period, which may generally be expected without serious frost, as
given in the Canadian Horticultwrist for 1885, page 81, may be taken as being very nearly
correct, i. ¢., that from the 15th of May to the Ist of October—138 days—the mean
maximum daily temperature for the full period must be at least 70° to ripen the earliest
varieties, such as Early Victor, Worden and Moore’s Early ; and that for the later varie-
ties, viz., those ripening a little before but not later than the Concord, 72.5°, or a total of
say, 10,000° will be necessary.
Heat seems to be the most important factor in determining the time of ripening the
grape, for we find from the foregoing figures that the excessive heat during the past sum-
mer has shortened the period of growth fully two weeks, which gives another proof of
the truthfulness of the proposition advanced by Boussingault, that ‘‘ the duration of the
vegetation appears to be in the inverse ratio of the mean temperature ; so that if we mul-
tiply the number of days during which a given plant grows in different climates, by the
mean temperature of each, we obtain numbers that are very nearly equal.”
It appears to me, however, that the mean maximum temperature of a given locality
a better guide in the cultivation of grapes thanthe mean temperature. The mean tem-
rature along the north shore of Lake Ontario and that of the high lands, varying from
20 to perhaps 60 miles north of the lake, are very nearly equal during the summer ; but
he mean maximum temperature during the same period is many degrees higher inland
than along the lake shore ; hence the reason why grape culture is so much more success-
ful inland than along the north shore of Lake Ontario from Toronto eastward.
The Presipent.—We would like to hear now from Mr. Pettit, who has grown a large
number of varieties here.
EXPERIENCE AT WINONA.
Mr. M. Pertit then gave his experience at Winona with sixty or seventy varieties.
Pretty nearly all of you know, he said, what grapes grow in this section; and we who grow
in large quantities for market discuss grapes in a different way from what we have heard it
done to-day. We consider them from their financial standpoint—from their real value
as grapes to make money from.
The Prestpent.—That is what we want to hear.
Mr. Perrir.—I have these varieties here, and my idea was to take up one after
another and comment a little on some of its peculiarities, or something about it, and if
thought advisable, pass them about to any person who would like to see or taste them.
Perhaps I had better start on white grapes first. Niagara—you have all seen that. I
think it has combined more good points as a market grape than any other grape we culti-
vate, in fact, it scarcely hasafailure. Itis very, very hardy and productive, and quality
good, so that a person in growing grapes for market could sell the Niagara at two cents
a pound and make as much money, I fancy, as any other variety at three, unless it might
be the Concord. The next is the Noah, very hardy and productive, not quite as pro-
ductive as the Niagara; I think more hardy, very poor flavor. The next is the Lady
Washington. It is very productive, somewhat liable to mildew, and poorin flavor. The
Duchess, a very nice grape to eat, but does not succeed very well It will make a very
high growth and winter-kill; very hardy at the root, fine grape to eat. The Prentiss is
too weak in the vine. It will have a very heavy load one year, and perhaps take two
years to recover; I would not recommend it. The Rebecca is a very nice grape, but
not a practical grape for vineyard cultivation.
The PrestpENt.—There is money in it, I suppose.
Mr. Perrir.—I don’t think so. Elvira, I think, is a wine grape. It is productive,
but very poor in quality.
Mr. Beapte.—It wants more heat than we can give it.
Mr. Pertir.—The Jessica is a very sweet grape, but I would not recommend it for
very extensive cultivation as a market grape. It has a very fine flavor.
The Prestpent.—It is more an amateur’s grape.
Mr. Perrrr.— Yes. Allan’s Hybrid is a very good grape, but I would not recommend
that. Martha, a nice sweet little grape, good in quality, but not productive enough.
The Lady, a fine grape for dessert ; early, and I think, when the vines become established,
productive. Its earliness and quality are very much in its favor.
Prof. Brows.—Do you mean as the vine become established ?
Mr. Perrir.—Yes, as the vine becomes established it seems to be stronger and more
productive. Pocklington in some places succeeds admirably. In Mr. Woolverton’s
grounds, as most of you saw yesterday, it is equal to the Niagara, but in many places it
is not much better than many of the other whites that we have referred to; it is too
slow in growth. It is almost impossible to get wood enough to bear profitable
crop. The Taylor is poor in quality, very rank grower, much like the Clinton Pearl
is very much liable to mildew, and poor in quality. Among the reds is Roger 9, one of
the finest red grapes we grow, hardy and productive, very fine in quality, keeps well and
ships well. Wyoming Red, a very handsome little red grape, early but not good enough
164
in flavor, quite productive. You will see a branch on the other side of the room cut
from a four-year old vine ; they have passed their time now and become dark, but it is
a very pretty grape. Roger’s 13 is not as good as many of the other red Rogers. Salem
you all know ; for vineyard cultivation its greatest fault is being more subject to mildew
than some other red Rogers, and in showery weather liable to burst. The AmberI
would not recommend. Roger’s 1 rather late in ripening ; in favored localities it
it does very well, and is very fine in flavor, and with me is quite free from mildew.
Agawam No, 15 is another of the best red Rogers. The Jefferson is rather late in ripen-
ing ; a nice grape, but I would not recommend it for vineyard purposes.
Mr. Perrit.—lIona, a small sample. Many of these samples aresmall. It ripens
late.
Dr. BeEapLE.— What do you say of the quality of the Iona when it does ripen ?
Mr. Perrit.—Good, but like the Catawba there are only a few favored localities
where it will succeed, that is, every year. Roger’s 30, not as good as most red Rogers.
Catawba, there are only a few favored localities where it will succeed every year, but
where it will it is a profitable crop. Yields well and sells well.
Prof. Brown.—A good table grape as well as wine?
Mr. Perrit.—Oh, yes, very fine dessert grape. This you all know is a fine little
grape—Delaware ; it requires closer pruning and finer cultivation than any other. If
properly handled I think it is as profitable as any other grape. The early Victor, good
in flavor, not quite early enough, and rather small. Among the blacks is the Oreveling ;
its great fault is straggling bunches; hardy. Here is a grape that originated here in
Hamilton, supposed to be a very early grape, and a seedling, but judging from the leaf I
am strongly inclined to think it is one of the black Rogers that has got astray, and it
is too latein ripening. Roger’s 32, much like many of the black Rogers, their character-
_ istics are much the same. A very small sample of Roger’s 43 ; it is not as profitable a
crop as 4or 44. Miriam isa sort of wine grape, very sour, a great deal of coloring
matter in it. Any person who wants to cover any fence or building with a vine can
plant nothing nicer ; the foliage is a very fine, golden hue the early part of the season,
and it will grow any distance, and is very hardy. The old Isabella ; you all know that
its great fault is overloading and taking one year to rest.
Dr. BeapLE.—Do you find it a profitable market grape ?
Mr. Perrit.—I have, yes, although without it is carefully watched it will over-
load, and takes a year to recover. Munro I would not recommend. Roger’s 4, one of
the best black Rogers for vineyard cultivation. Worden, a very fine flavored grape,
productive and hardy ; should take the place the Concord does in everything but ship-
ping ; it is a little too tender.
The SEcretaRy.—How much before the Concord with you in ripening?
Mr. Pertir.—Five or six days.
A MemsBer.—How does it ripen with you compared with Moore’s Early ?
Mr. Perrit.—It does not color and bloom quite as early; at the same date it will
be as sweet.
Mr. Morpen.—I noticed Mr. Beall placed it before Moore’s Early in ripening.
Mr. Beatu.—The coloring of Moore’s Early commenced much earlier.
Mr. Pertit.—Roger’s 34 is much the same as many of the black Rogers; they are
all very high growers, and somewhat liable to mildew. Here is August Giant ; it does
not ripen in August. It isa very \large grape, pretty good in quality ; I think would
be a poor shipper ; tender.
A MemsBer.—lIs that the old Ontario that was shown years ago?
Mr. Perrit.—I could not tell you; I don’t think itis. Eumelan, pretty early, good
quality. The old Concord, youall knowit. Dracut Amber is in reds what the Champion
is in blacks—the first and the poorest. Here is the Champion. Brighton is a fine red
grape if taken just when it is ripe; if allowed to hang too long it loses its sprightliness,
Dr. BEADLE.— What about its value for market !
Mr. Perrit.—I think Roger’s No. 9 and 55 fill the place better. Diana, an old
grape that you all know, and for packing away for winter use retains its sprightly flavor
better than any other grape; keeps well.
1605
Mr. Morpen.—What about the Vergennes ?
Mr. Perrir.—I have not had much experience of that, but I think it would keep
all winter ; it is very tough in the skin. Senasqua I would not recommend. Roger’s 19
is a good black grape. I think I have now mentioned most of those that are worthy of
mention, and trust you will excuse my very poor way of introducing this matter; and
any of you who would like to see, or taste or take any samples, do so.
The Prestpent.—Do you think there is any danger of overstocking the market?
What market do you get now for the grape crop!
Mr. Perrit.—Well, the markets of the world now have been pretty well overstocked.
Montreal is our great outlet, and Toronto ; and there is no question that they have had
too many grapes this year rushed in ; with a good peach and plum crop the market has
been glutted.
The PresipENt.—Have you tried any other markets ?
Mr. Perrit.—There have been some shipped to the North-west; but express rates
are so high that it injures the business in that way, and it will take too long to get
them through by freight.
A Memeber.—Did you ever ship any to Buffalo or New York ?
Mr. Pertir.—They are lower there than here. Chicago has been much lower than
_ here.
A Memser.—Do you think grapes are below a paying profit ?
Mr. Perrit.—No, I don’t think that grape-growing is overdone any more than any
other line of farming. I think perhaps at present prices, this season’s prices even, there
is as much money in growing grapes as in any other line of farming.
A Memper.—Have you any idea how many grapes are out in Canada ?
Mr. Perrit.—I have not.
Rey. Mr. Murray.—Could Mr, Pettit suggest half a dozen varieties for good winter
keeping ?
Mr. Perrit.—Diana, Isabella, Salem, Roger’s 9, I think Vergennes, but then that is
not generally cultivated ; the 15 will keep equally well, although you are getting
three red Rogers—not much of a variety. The Niagara, if carefully handled, will keep
on through January. The great trouble in keeping the Niagara for market is in shipping
it; if not carefully handled it is liable to tear loose. Then it discolors, and after it
stands a little longer becomes mildewed, and that affects the grape next to it; butif
they could be handled carefully and not knocked loose in this way, it will keep a long
time.
Dr. BeapLte.— What are the keeping qualities of the Clinton !
Mr. Perrit.—I never triedit. I think, though, it would keep well. I have seen
them hanging on the branches nearly all winter.
@_=>. gPRESERVING GRAPES FOR WINTER.
€Mr. MorpEen.—This last question suggests a very important one that it is not too
late to discuss for the benefit of the grape interest this year,—How to preserve grapes
for the winter. I think there are one or two gentlemen that could give this information.
There area great many grapes in the country, and fruit will be scarce in a few weeks.
If these can be preserved for a few weeks it will be to our advantage. It is to be
regretted that not much has appeared in print of late on the point.
The PresipeENTt.—We would like very much to hear from one that has had some
experience on this point. Mr. Pettit, I think probably you can give us information on
that point.
Mr. Perrit.—I may just say that Mr. Cline and myself, and I think some other
growers, last year, owing to the prices being dull late in the season, stored away quite
a quantity of Niagaras—just put them away in the baskets. I put away ten ton.
L00
Those grapes kept in the baskets until along in December, and we found at that time
that the market for grapes was over, the demand was so light that you could not sell
any quantity. One consignment that I sent to Toronto was in the commission house
several weeks, and I wrote to know if they had sold them ; they said they were still on
hand, and I asked them to express them back tome; I thought they would be worth the
charges back to use at home, but they had been handled pretty rough and were not
worth much. Mr. Cline’s experience was far worse than mine in setting them by fora
later market ; but if carefully packed and set in a cool place in baskets, the Niagara
will keep on until the holidays in very good shape. The year before last they kept in
prime condition. Last year, from some cause—I don’t know what—they did not keep
as well.
Mr. Joun Osporn, (Beamsville).—Quite a number of years ago—in the early days
of the Fruit Growers’ Society, I thought I would try an experiment with some Isabellas,
and I took a couple of cheese boxes—that was all the extent of my experiment,—a
couple of those round cheese boxes,—I put them layer after layer, merely putting some
leaves between the layers, and then I dug deep holes in the earth in a dry knoll, and I
buried them in the earth. I kept them there until the Fruit Growers’ meeting, which
was held in February, in Hamilton, and I took some bunches of them to the Fruit
Growers’ Society, and showed them, and they were really in a remarkable state of
preservation ; they were pronounced to have been very well kept; they were firm and
solid and in a very good state in the month of February ; and that was the way I kept
them. I have done nothing in the way of experimenting since.
Mr. A. M. Smira#.—Some of you who were in Collingwood last June will remember
that I exhibited some specimens of Salem grapes in a very good state of preservation.
They were kept by Mr. Kerman. Perhaps he can tell you how he preserved them.
Mr. Booker,—Our system of packing grapes and sending to market is not a very
good one. Inthe United States, where the grapes are handled by the hundreds of
thousands of pounds, they are gathered in boxes or trays in the fields; those trays are
then removed to the packing house ; they are then thrown on broad tables and allowed
to remain there three or four days until the wood is ripened ; then the grapes are packed
in baskets and sent to market. In this way they will keep much longer and carry in
better condition. At the same time all unripe grapes, musty grapes, etc., are picked out,
and the kinds assorted. Thus they go to market in good condition and make a fine
appearance. Now, we in Canada gather them right off the vines and pack them up and
send them to market and expect them to keep. It is utterly wrong. Some ten or
twelve years agoa gentleman, who had a friend in Scotland, wanted us to try the
experiment of sending some grapes there. I took some baskets—twenty-pound baskets
—of Isabella and kept them ina dry place for about five days, then packed them up
and sent them to Glasgow, and they went in very good condition, and the returns were
very satisfactory indeed. We never repeated the experiment; but no doubt Isabella
and some other varieties could be shipped—if properly handled ; but picking them right
from the field and sending them away, as we do, to Montreal and other places, no
wonder we hear of their arriving in bad condition, We must change our system of
handling grapes.
Mr. KermAn.—Mine is a very old system—one that was practiced before I came to
Canada. I take the grapes on a sunny day when they are perfectly dry, and seal the
stems, and I have hitherto put them down ina candy box, but if I was to put them in a large
quantity I would put them in ten-gallon kegs. Dip the ends in sealing wax ; get some
dry sawdust ; put some of the sawdust at the bottom; puta layer of grapes on; cover
them with sawdust ; then take the box and shake them till the sawdust has settled in
between the grapes, and put a little more on, and then another layer of grapes, and so
build it up. Then I take some glue, and glue some strong brown paper right around the
box so as to make it perfectly air-tight ; and I hang it up in the cellar and let it remain
till I want them. I have tried that for four years. There are some gentlemen here
who have seen my grapes in July, and they were equally as good as they were the day
I teok them off the vines. But I have only tried the Salem grape in that way. I have
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tried the Vergennes, and I put them in very small boxes, but they were not well pre-
served. I believe if the Vergennes had been put in the same as the others they would
nave kept equally long. When you take your grapes out of the sawdust you can take a
little woollen wisp, or anything that you have to clean your piano with, and just dust
them off. You cannot do that with the Dianas, although they are a good grape to keep,
because when you take them out they will be full of sawdust, and you can’t get it out ;
for if you attempt to get the sawdust out you will knock all your grapes off. I have
tried the Amber Queen, the Delaware, the Catawba, the Vergennes and the Salem ;
but I find there is no grape that is equal to the Vergennes for keeping. They are very
fast on the stem; you can take and shake them in July and scarcely shake them off.
But as for the Pocklington or the Niagara, I don’t think that they would do on my plan.
As Mr. Pettit said, many people put them in baskets and hang them up ; but the reason
they don’t keep well is, they don’t hide the cellar key. If they would only lock them
up and hold the cellar key they would keep them a good deal longer.
Mr. Morpen.—You can hang them in my cellar as much as you wish.
Dr. Beapie.— Do you use pine sawdust ?
Mr. Krerman.—No sir, I use all hardwood sawdust, if I can get it. The pine sawdust
is apt to give them a taste of the pine, and you can’t get the pine sawdust to dry. The
finer you can get your sawdust the better.
A Memper.—It is more like wood dust that you use—filings ; it is finer than
ordinary sawdust ?
Mr. Krerman.—Yes.
Mr. Orr.—I think our past experience shows that it is no use to try to pack grapes
for market purposes, for every family can put down a few baskets for themselves. We
think this so important that the Stony Creek Grape Growers’ Club issued 50,000 circu-
lars last year,—sent them to all parts of the Province with the baskets of the fruit ; and
we have done the same thing this year, and in that circular are recipes for putting down
grapes and packing them away for family use. We have sent 50,000 this year, adver-
tising at considerable expense for ourselves and the rest of the growers over Ontario.
A Memper.—Is the Niagara grape sufficiently hardy north of Hamilton to stand
the winter ?
The PrestpEnt.—Oh yes ; we have found the Niagara grape hardy all through the
west. We grow it at Goderich, and up to the north of that. Along the lake there, any
of these varieties are sufficiently hardy. The Niagara is there a high grower and a heavy
bearer, as it is here. We never lay them down, although I believe in these colder regions
it pays to lay them down. I have made several tests on that from time to time, and my
experience is this: You take several vines, lay one vine down, and just opposite it lead
the other one up on the trellis, and you will find the one that is laid down, covered over
with soil, the best every time. I believe the one that is laid down in winter will bud
very much earlier in spring when raised up, and as a result will blossom earlier and ripen
its fruit earlier. I think it makes a decided difference. It may not make the same differ-
ence in all sections, but [ think in the colder sections you will find it makes a most decided
difference.
SHIPPING FACILITIES FOR THE TRADE,
The PresipEnt.—While speaking of the grape, I agree with one gentleman that made
the remark that he had tried a shipment to Scotland. Now from my experience last year
I have made up my mind that there is a splendid opening for our grapes in Scotland. If
I were introducing the trade in the old country, in Britain, I would begin at Glasgow ; I
would work them in through Scotland first. You must educate the people up to eating
our grapes. Those British people require education in eating fruit of all kinds. (Hear,
hear.) They don’t know how to eat apples yet ; they have only commenced. (Laughter.)
It isa very few years ago that they knew what an apple was almost ; they did not know
what a good eating apple was; their idea was only for cooking. They are only beginning
tVU0
to eat apples, and they are beginning in downright earnest now. I consider that our
trade with that country is merely in its infancy ; the trade is going to be something enor-
mous in a few years, because they are very fond of good things in that old country. They
are some time making up their minds to go into anything; but when they go in they do
it in British downright earnest. I believe there is destined to be a good market for our
grapes. The question is to be looked into as to the method of shipping ; to see if there is
any way at all—through the Government or in any other way—of tying down those
officials on the railways and steamship companies, compelling them to handle our pack-
ages in better shape, and not to fling and toss them about the way they do. I observed
they always seemed to handle any article that has a handle to it—anything in the shape
of a basket—much better than they will anything like a square box or a round parcel
that has no particular hold to take up with the hand; but those packages of that descrip-
tion, they certainly fling them about in any and every shape ; and our grapes that we
shipped to the Colonial Exhibition certainly sustained more damage just by the bad
handling than any other way. TI am satisfied they can all be shipped, or the most of our
varieties can be shipped, thoroughly well to the old country ; they can be shipped in
splendid order there if they handle them in a half christian-like way. Another point I was
satisfied of over there was this, that only for the wisdom—if it can be called wisdom—of
our legislators in framing the Scott Act and practically shutting off the manufacture of
wine from the grape, as well as cider from the apple, that a number of manufacturers
from that country would be perfectly willing to come to this country and go into the
manufacture of wine from our grapes on a large scale. They enquired there regarding
our laws particularly. At the Colonial Exhibition we had a number of enquiries on that
very question from parties there—manufacturers who got some of our grapes—in fact
they were refuse grapes that were unfit for the table that were handed over to them ; and
they made some tests with them, and at the same time made some tests with some refuse
apples we had. I did not hear at the time we came away—although they promised to
give us the test on the grapes—I did not hear what the result of the test on the grapes
was. 1 saw some gentlemen at the time, and they said they had great hopes of the test ;
they thought they would be able to make a very fine quality of wine. The result from
the apples they did give me, and the statement was this, that taking the juice of our
apples and adding twenty per cent. of water, they had a better article to make cider out
of than the pure juice of their own home-grown apples. So much for the cider and the
juice of our apples. I believe the grape-growers ought to pursue this question of a market
for our grapes, and it is time to pursue it now. I believe it would pay to follow up that
British market, and begin at Glasgow. There was a gentleman at the meeting at Col-
lingwood that spoke there about our grapes, and he is a broker in Glasgow, a very res-
ponsible man, I think, from all I have seen or known of him for the last two years, and
he would like to handle our grapes to a small extent. Of course it is a trade that must
be handled carefully, because people must acquire that taste for our grapes first. Those
who do eat grapes there are accustomed only to hot-house grapes or the poor white Spanish
grape, which is a very poor affair compared with many of our varieties; and I think
there will be no difficulty in introducing our grapes if gone about in the right way and
gone about carefully. I think it is going to be one of the most important markets that
we can ship to. .
Mr. Orr.—What can the Spanish grape be laid down there for ?
The PresipEnt.—They sell them for about tenpence a pound—sixpence to tenpence
a pound. They come there sometimes damaged greatly. Well, you know, we could lay
our grapes in there much lower than that.
A. H. Pertit.—I think you will find no one in this room who will undertake the
shipment of Niagara grapes to the old country ; but I think the suggestion you threw out.
last night could be acted*upon, in reference to transportation. It is very difficult for
shippers to deal with those large transportation companies, and if the case were properly
handled there would be any quantity of grapes sent forward this year ; and it is not too
late to do it yet. Now I would suggest that the only body in this country who can
successfully do it should do it—the representatives of the fruit-growers of Ontario ; and
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SS TS
I would move that the President, Vice-President, Mr. Dempsey and the Secretary be a
committee to correspond and confer with the steamship companies, or take such steps as |
may be necessary, in referrence to getting facilities for the shipment of our grapes to the
old country. Shipments that have baen tried by our shippers are very discouraging, and
as long as they turn out discouragingly the shippers of this country must be content to
take a large discount on their apples. It is simply that they are cooked on board ship—
placed in hot storage, or something of that kind. I think the matter of the fruit trade
of this country has got now to be of such importance that if ever we are to get accom-
modaton from the steamship companies it ought to be now.
Mr. Morven seconded the motion, authorizing the committee to speak for the whole
of the fruit-growers of Ontario, which was put and carried unanimously.
The Prestpent.—For my own part I will have no objection at all. In fact for
some years past I have had a good deal of such business with these companies, and I
now take what some people might call a fiendish delight in pitching into them.
(Laughter.) They require it ; they certainly do. They speak well to us; they receive
us very nicely indeed, and they promise everything that can be promised from any one ;
but my experience has been that there has been very little good done by it so far.
However, we can make another trial, and the only thing is to keep continually at them ;
and I have found a good way of working, it is this,—to go to one steamship company
and say, ‘‘ Now, we are going to try you, but we are going to try these other companies,
too”; and when we go to a Canadian company and say, ‘‘ Weare going to try you, but we
don’t like the way you handle goods ; we are compelled now to ship by New York, and
we are going to try that and let you loose altogether.” This gets them down on their
knees, I find, and they want to hold the trade, and they promise then; and I believe
they handle a good deal better when we pit the one against the other. There is becoming
now a very strong competition for our freight trade ; the American lines are bidding very
strongly against the Canadian lines ; and I think there is more chance of getting some-
thing from them in that way than we have had for years past.
* Dr. Beapie.—I was going to ask in what order those Spanish grapes usually arrive ;
they are packed in cork saw-dust !
The PresipEntT.—Yes ; you would open up a little cask, and the grapes would be
quite decayed and broken up. There was a good deal of loss one way or the other in
every package opened.
Mr, Osporn.—How were the goods packed that were sent to the Exhibition ?
The Presipent.—In several ways ; two or three bunches in a berry box, and those
boxes contained in a case with some paper in them. I don’t think we had any in saw-
dust ; had we, Mr. Dempsey ?
Mr. Dempsry.—No.
Mr. OsBorn.—How would you recommend packing for shipment ?
The Prestpent.—That is something that has to be experimented upon. I would
hardly give an opinion on it yet. We should try the saw-dust; but I believe in trying
the saw-dust our grapes would have to be cut and kept for some time until the wood and
the stems thoroughly ripened and dried up, and then we should see that nothing was
packed there but perfect berries.
; Mr. Oszporn.—Something has been said about educating the British taste to the
eating of grapes. It is quite correct that their taste is not educated yet as to the eating
of apples. I have letters from dealers, and the only thing they ask for is red apples.
They say, ‘‘nice showy red apples,”—that is all the length of their education ; they don’t
ask for our fine varieties.
Mr. Kerman.—You should take into consideration not only packing but unpacking
again. You will find there will. be more grapes broken in the unpacking than in the
transport, unless they are packed in such form that you could take them out without
having to break them off the stem.
Mr. Orr.—Last year Mr. Smith, emigration agent in Hamilton, got three baskets
of Niagaras from me. They were packed in ten-pound packages, with tissue paper. One
each was sent to emigration agents in England, Ireland and Scotland, and he got reports
from them that they all arrived there in first-rate condition.
170
Mr. Drempsey.—I had in my charge a few baskets of grapes when I went across
that were packed in baskets, probably fifteen pounds to the basket. Every one of those
baskets arrived in perfect order. They arrived just as nice as some of your grapes I saw
when [ arrived in Toronto. With respect to your Spanish grapes, I saw in Glasgow sold
some hundreds of barrels of them, and they were sold for less than our apples were
bringing ; they were sold at auction. I fancy that those Spanish grapes can be laid down
in England for less money than our grapes; but our grapes, to my taste, are much
superior to those. Then there seems to be no difficulty in shipping them any distance,
that is, the Spanish grapes; you are all aware what they are and how they will stand
shipment. I think some of them, as I saw them there, could be almost counted as safe
to walk over and not crush them. (Laughter.) They were very fim and solid—almost unfit
to eat. I bought them in London one day ; I bought a bunch, particularly I remember,
for threepence, that weighed a pound and a half; so that they are sold from some fruit
stands in London very cheap indeed. They were not these white grapes such as we see
generally of the Spanish grapes, but they were a pink color, much superior to the white.
I have seen there some of those grapes peddled or hawked—they call it there—around
the streets by boys, in baskets. I have seen them sold for threepence a bunch, fourpence
a bunch, and so on. Those bunches all go over a pound, or fully a pound. I am a little
suspicious about our grape shipments ever being satisfactory, to England ; notwithstand-
ing, I am satisfied that we can lay them down in Glasgow nearly as perfect, if we can
obtain cold storage, as we convey them here; but we must have a basket with a handle
to it. They will always pick them up with a handle; but if they are in a box, I don’t
care what you mark on the box, or if you stand right by and say, ‘There is precious fruit
there I don’t want destroyed,” they are just as sure to drop it upside down when they
set it down after carrying it on board ship, or off ship, or anywhere else—just as sure to
drop it upside down as they have it in their hand. That seems to be their nature.
(Laughter.) I don’t know where they get it from.
Mr. Morpen.—The question I wished to start was this, is there not some method of
keeping grapes till Christmas without the sawdust. It seems to me it can be done after
weather-curing for some days, that they might be packed, perhaps, in leaves—in dry,
autumn leaves, surrounded with paper—or in a paper bag, and perhaps that paper bag
within a basket, and the basket hung in a cool, airy place, and when cold in the fruit
house a little stove could be used ; and those grapes, put upon our own Christmas market,
would prove profitable. It seems to me that this is a little problem that could be solved,
and that the grapes could be preserved from now until Christmas, cheaply, without the
use of sawdust. I have seen a neighbour of mine shipping grapes at Christmas. I am
not aware of his methods, but I think he did not adopt the sawdust plan. I predict we
will see a good deal of fruit shipping at Christmas within a few years. I think it can be
done, but I have no experience.
A Memper.—Can you find a market ?
Mr. Morpen.—I should say so.
The PresipENT.—As we have only a few minutes to spare we must close the discus-
sion. The Secretary has a couple of questions here and will read them.
THE PEACH-BORER.
Q.—When is the best time to hunt the peach-borer, and how many times a year?
How old is the tree before the borer ceases to molest it? Also, is it injurious to a peach
orchard to plough it the latter part of this month (September) or the first of next ?
The Presiprent.—I think the Secretary can answer that.
The Secretary.—I can give my own practice with regard to this peach-borer. The
worm develops into a moth during the summer months, in June, July, and August ; and,
in order to prevent his escape and his doing mischief to other trees, it is necessary that
he shouldb e destroyed early in the season ; and, therefore, I usually go over my peach
trees in May or early in June to take them out and destroy them, and then I have them
my
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banked up—a bank of earth up a little above the collar of the tree, because the moth
deposits its eggs just at the neck there, as it were, between the trunk and the root, and
the borer works down into the root; and, by a little mound of fine earth around the
tree, I find the work of this enemy is quite avoided, and the tree is protected against this
borer. I never found a tree old enough yet to withstand his attacks, As to the culti-
vation of the peach orchard, I think it is not best to cultivate too late in the season,
because it is best to get maturity of growth before the winter season ; but, perhaps,
after the growth of the season is completed, and the leaves have fallen, it would be
safe enough.
WINTER INJURY TO RED RASPBERRIES.
Q.—Can any gentleman explain the injury to red and hybrid raspberries last winter,
although peaches, quinces, grapes, and blackberries came through safely 4
Mr. Hinporn.—I don’t think I can answer that question. I think that was asked
by Mr. Morden. He was talking to me yesterday about it, and it is a mystery to me; I
don’t understand it. I would like to hear some one speak on the question who does
understand it. In my experience, I found that where they were’ killed as he spoke of
that they are killed by winter-killing, and I have never found the Shaffers to be injured
where the Cuthbert would stand.
Mr. MorpEen.—This injury to the red raspberries extended through the United States
to some extent, and extended through this country to some extent. It probably
was more special where there was a mistake in the pruning, that is, where they
were clipped off at this season and there was a later growth; but, even admitting
that, it is rather strange, it was exceptional. I never lost points before, nor have I
known it; but during the past winter the Cuthberts were badly injured. I think
it very remarkable that the blackberry should go through unharmed to the very tip—a
thing they very seldom do, even with us—and that the red raspberry should perish
almost by wholesale. Mine perished altogether almost, so that I ploughed them up.
Where such was the case the old wood was trimmed out, and they were fall pruned. IL
think we can avoid that by not being over eager. Leave the pruning over till the spring ;
that is what I shall do this year.
A MemsBer.—Were the plants scarred down to the ground, or was it the tips?
Mr. Morpen.—All the way down; everything ; some with the tips, however, and
some clear to the ground—a thing unknown, almost, even where the roots were entirely
destroyed: and they suffered the most where the snow banks failed to lodge. I found
that on the west side of the patch where there were snow banks, they came through
safely.
A Memser.—I would sometimes find that raspberry canes were injured in a mild
winter by the sudden changes in the weather from hot to cold, and would generally notice
that on the side of the branch towards the sun they would be injured the most. The
north side of a raspberry cane might be quite green, while the side exposed to the sun
would be killed entirely.
Mr. Morpen.—I suspect that this was done in April.
REPORT OF THE FRUIT COMMITTEE
The Prestpent.—There is a report from the Fruit Committee ; and I think, as there
would be no time to hear it,—it is a description of the fruits on the table,—will the meet-
ing consider the report as read 4
The report of the committee is as follows :
Mr. Allen Moyer, Jordan, exhibits a seedling grape of good quality, although past
ics time of ripening ; also a seedling peach of fine appearance and quality, good.
Mr. Dennis Vanduzer exhibits the Centennial peach, Orange quince, and Beurre
Olairgeau pear, all fine specimens.
172
Mr. J. H. Biggar, of Winona, some fine specimens of Niagara grapes.
B. R. Nelles exhibits six varieties of grapes ; very fine.
A. H. Pettit, several varieties of apples, pears and grapes.
Mr. J. Armstrong, some fine samples of Northern Spy, Holland Pippin, Roxbury
Russet, and R. I. Greening.
Mr. E. J. Woolverton, Goodale, Keiffer, Pres’t Druard, Belle De Beaufort, Vicar
Beurre Clairgeau, and Duchesse D’Angouleme pears, all very good specimens ; also Diana
Rogers 44, 15 and 4, Ann Arbor, Delaware, Moore’s Early, Worden, Perkins, Pock-
lington and Brighton.
Mr. P. E. Bucke, of Ottawa, exhibits three bunches of a new grape, the Northern
Light, originating in the Ottawa Valley, of fair quality.
Mr. Linus Woolverton exhibits quite a number of seedling apples, No, 1 to No. 9, of
beautiful appearance, and some of good quality ; also some fine samples of his seedling,
the Princess Louise or Woolverton apple. |
Mr. P. C. Dempsey, of Albury, shows some fine pears, grown by him from imported
stock ; one variety to all appearance resembling the Bartlett, yet later in ripening and of
excellent quality, will no doubt create some excitement among fruit growers in the near
future.
Dr. Millward exhibits Winter Nelis and another pear without name.
Mr. 1. F. Calder shows Flemish Beauty, Duchesse D’ Angouleme, Sheldon, Kingsessing
and Bartlett Pears; also Alsopus Spitzenberg, R. I. Greening, Seek, Talman Sweet,
Snow, and Gloria Mundi apples, all fine specimens.
Mr. W. D. Kitchen exhibits one branch of a Niagara vine, with one hundred fine
bunches, an immense crop.
Mr. S. A. Nelle’ exhibits a small branch, upon which were twenty-eight nice speci-
mens of Lady apple.
Mr. D. Kerman, some canned plums, very beautiful in appearance ; also some good
specimens of Catawba, Woodruff Red, and Delaware grapes and Sheldon pears.
Messrs. Smith and Kerman exhibit Smith’s extra late and Centennial peach ; also
the Princess Louise or Woolverton apple, very fine specimens.
Mr. F. G. H. Pattison exhibits four varieties of apples, fine samples.
Mr. Thomas Beall, of Lindsay, three varieties of grapes, Niagara, Burnet, and
Agawam, very fine, and also Catawba grapes and Grimes Golden apple, grown by D. Lack,
of Lindsay.
Mr. M. Pettit, of Winona, exhibits sixty-six varieties of grapes, some of superior
excellence, all grown on his experimental grounds, a full report of which may be found
in the proceedings.
Mr. J. R. Pettit exhibits Concord and Rogers 15, very good samples,
Mr. A. G. Muir shows Brighton and Niagara, fine specimens.
Mr. ©. S. Nelles, some beautiful bunches of Niagara grapes.
Professor Brown, of the Agricultural College, Guelph, shows some forty odd varieties
of grapes grown upon the experimental grounds, which attracted much attention, and
many varieties were of excellent quality.
Mr. John D. Roberts, of Cobourg, shows a fine collection of foreign varieties of apples,
grown at Cobourg from imported stock. Among them are fine samples of the following
varieties, viz., Lord Suffield, Cellini, Cox’s Pomona, Cox’s Orange Pippin, Margil, Lady
Henniker, Small’s Admirable, Reinette Superfine, Tower of Glammis, Hawthorden New,
Bedfordshire Foundling, Worcester Pearmain, Peter Smith and Nonnetil.
To sum up, your committee can only repeat again that the specimens placed upon the
tables were very numerous indeed, and of very fine qnality throughout ; and to attempt
to give a fuller report upon the various exhibits, would require very much more time than
your committee were allowed.
A. H. Perrit,
P. O. Dempsty, +} Fruit Committee,
D. Kerman,
Grimsby, 28th Sept., 1887.
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A Memper.—What about the next meeting ?
The PresipEnt.—That is left with the Executive Committee, and will be decided on
shortly. We can’t tell where the next meeting will be. It will hardly be held in Grimsby
so soon after this meeting ; but you may rest assured a meeting will be held in Grimsby
before long. We have taken a fancy to the Grimsby Park, and we want to have a mass
meeting of the fruit-growers. I think it would be a fine thing to get a mass mesting of
the fruit-growers to assemble together at the Park. I think it would be a grand place
to discuss all the matters connected with our Association. Again we bid you farewell.
We shall long remember you and your attendance here. I am of the opinion that
this has been one of the best meetings we have had in the history of our Association.
(Applause. )
174
TREASURER’S REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1886-7.
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RECEIPTS. EXPENDITURE.
5 c¢ $ «¢
Balance on hand at last audit......... 740 00 Estate of. DoWe Beadle... ... ss. s-m 729 47
IWEaDOrs (fEOS < o:2 eraieis soles acre a ware sista ... -.. 4. 2i02 2s0%'s«-