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THE 


CANADIAN 


HORTICULTURIST 


PUBLISHED  BY 


THE  FRUIT  GROWERS'  ASSOCIATION 
OF    ONTARIO. 


VOLUME    X 


E  D  I  T  0  E 


L.  WOOLVERTON,  M.A.,  GRIMSBY,  ONTARIO, 


THE  COPP,  CLARK  COMPANY,  LIMITED, 
GENERAL  PRINTERS,  67  &  69  COLBORNE  STREET,  TORONTO. 

1887. 


//6//^ 


(Eanabian 

Dorticulturiet 


Published   at   Toi^onto   and    Grimsby,    Ont. 
OFFICE  ADDRESS— GRIMSBY,  ONT. 


VOL.  X.] 


JANUARY,  1887. 


[No.   1. 


JfruitB. 


THE  YELLOW  TRANSPARENT. 

The  readers  of  the  Canadian  Horti- 
culturist will  be  pleased  to  see  a  colored 
plate  of  an  apple  that  has  so  much  to 
commend  it  as  the  Yellow  Transparent, 

This  is  not  a  new  and  unti-ied  fruit, 
but  is  proved  to  be  one  of  the  few 
apples  of  real  excellence  which  is  ad- 
apted to  the  northerly  portions  of  the 
apple  region.  It  was  imported  from 
St.  Petersburg,  Russia,  in  the  year  1870 
and  has  since  that  become  pretty  widely 
distributed.  The  merits  of  this  apple 
may  be  summed  up  under  the  following 
three  heads : 

(1)  Hardiness — In  this  respect  it  is 
fully  equal  to  the  Duchess  of  Olden- 
burgh,  and  it  is  claimed  that  it  will 
survive  temperature  of  45°  below  zero 
without  freezing.  It  was  on  account 
of  this  quality  that  the  Frxiit  Growers' 
Association  of  Ontario   included  it  in 


their  premium  list,  and  as  it  bears  when 
quite  young  we  hope  soon  to  have  the 
testimony  of  our  readers  in  confirmation 
of  its  previous  reputation. 

(2)  Earliness — Of  all  our  early  apples 
this  promises  to  be  the  best  shipper  and 
the  most  renumerative.  Previous  to 
the  ripening  of  theiRed  Astracan  aad 
the  Duchess  of  Oldenburgh  we  have  no 
apple  of  extraordinary  beauty  either  for 
the  table  or  market ;  but  in  the  Yellow 
Transparent  we  hope  to  find  the  gap 
worthily  filled.  No  other  has  such  deli- 
cate waxen  beauty,  while  in  flavor  it 
comes  little  behind  the  well-known 
Early  Harvest.  It  may  be  gathered 
any  time  in  August,  or  be  left  to  hang 
into  the  month  of  September,  all  the 
time  improving  in  beauty. 

(3)  Freedom  from  Spot — And  herein 
lies  of  its  great  merits.     The 

PLAQUE    OF    THE    APPLE    SPOT 

is  spreading  through  our  country.  Scien- 
tists claim  that  it  is  a  species  of  fungus. 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


They  call  it  Fusicladium  dendriticum,  a 
mingling  of  Latin  and  Greek,  evidently 
meaning  "  a  pest  that  spreads  ruin  upon 
trees,"  and  certainly  it  is  well  named. 
The  microscope  reveals  a  miniature 
forest  of  plants  in  each  spot,  and  as 
each  'one  of  these  parasites  draws  its 
nourishment  from  the  apple  the  most 
evil  results  must  necessarily  follow. 

It  i*  further  claimed  that  the  leaf 
blight  which  was  so  severe  last  summer 
and  caused  the  trees  to  drop  their 
leaves,  is  the  same  species  of  fungus  as 
that  above  described  which  caused  the 
apple  spot. 

No  remedy  is  yet  known,  though 
some  of  our  scientists  are  now  making 
a  study  of  this  subject  and  will  soon 
make  known  the  result. 

So  far  we  only  know  of  one  means  of 
checking  it,  and  that  is  to  plant  only 
such  varieties  as  are  not  subject  to  the 
disease.  The  Early  Harvest  and  the 
Snow  apple,  which  are  breeding  the 
pestilence,  should  be  cut  down  and 
burned  up ;  and  in  future  only  such 
varieties  should  be  planted  as  the  Yellow 
Transparent,  the  Duchess  of  Oldenburg 
the  Golden  Russet  land  others,  which 
are  free  from  its  ravages. 

The  following  description  of  the  Yel- 
low Transparent  apple  is  from  condensed 
remarks  upon  the  Newer  Fruits  at  the 
late  meeting  of  the  Michigan  Horticul- 
tural Society  :  "  A  most  valuable  early 
sort ;  precedes  by  some  weeks  the  Early 
Harvest ;  of  extra  good  quality,  pleas- 
ant flavor,  beautiful  color,  waxen  yel- 
low ;  hard  wood.  A  Russian  sort  sent 
out  seventeen  years  ago,'same  as  White 


Astrachan  and  White  Transparent  Mos- 
cow] Planted  extensively  in  Virginia 
and  the  Carolinas  for  early  New  York 
market." 


APPLES  IN  BRITAIN. 

BY  A.  MCD.  ALLAK,  OODERICH,  ONT. 

At  the  first  of  the  season  prices  for 
even  the  most  ordinary  samples  were 
very  high,  the  buyers  being  under  the 
impression  that  the  supply  would  be 
extremely  limited.  But  as  the  season 
progressed  prices  have  gone  down  until 
now  buyers  are  very  particular,  and 
fruit  that  four  weeks  ago  would  readily 
bring  20s.  to  25s.  will  not  realize  16s. 
at  the  best  i'or  choice  samples  now.  I 
luckily  sold  a  number  of  cargoes  "  to 
deliver"  and  upon  these  the  prices  for 
all  kinds  are  high,  but  those  arriving 
now  T  cannot  do  much  with.  And  I 
am  sorry  to  say  the  fruit  is  mostly 
mixed  in  samples,  very  spotted  and 
wormy. 

Many  packers,  too,  I  fear,  are  pack- 
ing right  from  the  trees  instead  of 
allowing  the  fruit  to  lie  upon  the 
ground  for  some  days  first.  Tne  result 
is  that  I  find  a  great  deal  of  wet,  mouldy 
fruit  arriving  for  which  only  a  trifle  can 
be  realized.  I  have  had  to  let  go  some 
lots  as  low  as  5s.  per  barrel  for  very 
poor  stufi".  This  ought  not  to  be  so  and 
the  remedy  is  in  the  hands  of  the  ship- 
pers, who  should  be  more  careful  in 
giving  instructions  to  their  packers. 
Indeed,  they  should  make  packers  re- 
sponsible for  all  poorly  culled  and 
packed  samples.  The  various  kinds 
should  be  packed  tight  enough  to  allow 
for  a  slight  shrinkage.  In  doing  this 
probably  some  kinds  will  need  to  be 
pressed  more  than  others  as  a  soft  or 
spongy  variety  will  shrink  more  than  a 
crisp  variety. 

Then,  again,  special  engagements 
should  be  made  with  steamship  com- 
panies so  that  they  should  store  all  away 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


from  the  centre  of  the  vessel  and  the 
vicinity  of  the  engines.  Where  apples 
are  spotted  I  find  that  the  slightest 
moisture  will  cause  them  to  mould  and 
rot.  There  is  no  use  in  sending  poor 
samples  here  as  they  cost  as  much  in 
freight  as  good  ones  and  will  only  re- 
alize ruinous  prices,  besides  gaining  a 
bad  name  for  the  shipper  and  the  coun- 
try. I  am  convinced  that  it  will  pay  to 
put  up  fine  samples  in  bushel  or  bushel 
and  a  half  boxes  and  wrap  each  sample 
in  a  piece  of  tissue  paper.  I  find  that 
American  apples  are  generally  packed 
better  than  Canadian,  especially  those 
coming  from  the  Northeastern  States 
and  also  New  York  State.  It  is  a  grand 
mistake  to  think  that  British  buyers 
wont  find  small,  wormy,  spotted  apples 
if  we  put  them  in  the  centre  of  the  bar- 
rel. They  turn  the  entire  contents  out 
when  judging  any  new  or  old  trade 
mark  or  shipper,  and  woe  be  to  him 
who  is  found  out  this  way.  Every 
broker  and  retail  fruiterer  present  will 
make  a  note  of  him.  But  the  careful, 
honest  man  gets  due  credit  and  will  at 
any  time  get  a  good  price.  I  believe 
packers  are  to  blame  almost  invariably 
and  not  the  shippers.  I  know  from 
experience  how  very  careless  they  will 
become,  no  matter  how  careful  they  may 
be  at  the  outset.  It  pays  to  bind  them 
down  with  the  most  stringent  rules,  and 
then  keep  a  watch  over  them  by  occa- 
sionally tui-ning  out  a  barrel  to  see  how 
it  has  been  filled. 

THE  COLONIAL  AND  INDIAN  EXHIBITION. 

Just  at  this  time  when  we  are  con- 
gratulating our  worthy  President,  and 
his  able  co-adjutor,  Mr.  P.  C.  Dempsey, 
on  their  safe  return  from  the  Colonial 
and  Indian  Exhibition,  we  are  sure  our 
readers  will  be  interested  in  a  glimpse 
of  the  Canadian  trophy,  as  shown  in 
wood  cut  kindly  loaned  us  by  the 
Farmers'  A  dvocate,  of  London. 


At  the  bottom  you  see  bags  of  cereals 
and  specimens  of  Canadian  timbers  and 
minerals.  Next  above,  and  around  be- 
hind, are  about  1,000  glass  jars  contain- 
ing those  samples  of  apples,  pears, 
peaches,  berries,  (fee,  which  were  so  care- 
fully collected  by  Mr.  William  Saunders. 
Above  these  again  are  grains,  grasses, 
hops,  (fee,  arranged  in  the  most  taste- 
ful fashion. 

All  this  cannot  fail  to  have  a  good 
effect  in  gaining  for  Canadian  fruits 
a  higher  appreciation  in  the  Old  Coun- 
try. 

The  Horticultural  Times  (Eng.)  says : 
— "  We  learn  that  Mr.  C.  R.  H.  Starr, 
Commissioner  in  charge  of  the  Canadian 
Fruit  Department  at  the  late  Colonial 
Exhibition,  is  making  arrangements  for 
the  extension  of  the  market  for  Do- 
minion fruit  in  the  many  populous 
centres  that  lie  beyond  the  confines  of 
Glasgow,  Manchester,  Liverpool,  and 
London,  and  is  also  endeavoring  to 
open  up  markets  on  the  Continent. 
The  movement  is  a  good  one,  though 
we  fear  the  Continental  markets  will 
be  difficult  to  open  up.  There  is  plenty 
of  scope,  however,  for  increased  con- 
signments in  this  country  of  good 
Canadian  fruit.  Mr.  Starr's  efforts  in 
advocating  cold  storage  for  shipping 
Canadian  fruit  are  well  known." 

The  Canadian  Gazette,  London,  Eng., 
says  : — "  The  displays  of  Canadian 
apples  at  Exeter  and  Edinburgh  have 
aroused  no  little  interest  at  the  Exhi- 
bitions in  those  places.  Reports  from 
Exeter  state  that  a  most  favorable  im- 
px'ession  was  prodviced  by  the  Canadian 
apples.  The  fruit,  we  are  told,  '  ex- 
celled in  color  and  included  some  mag- 
nificent specimens,  all  in  a  fine  state 
of  preservation,  notwithstanding  the 
double  consignment,  first  to  London 
from  Canada,  and  thence  to  Exeter.' 
The  mayor  in  opening  the  Exhibition 
called  special  attention  to  the  Canadian 


THE  CANADIAN    H0BTI0ULTURI8T. 


fruit,  pointing 
out  that  the  im- 
portation of  ap- 
ples from  Canada 
had  increased 
from  15,000  bar- 
rels in  1874  to 
242,144  barrels 
last  year.  A 
friend  of  his  had, 
he  said,  trans- 
planted  and 
grown  Canadian 
apples  at  Great 
Fulford  in  this 
country  with 
great  success. 
The  Canadian 
fruit  was,  at  the 
closeof  the  show, 
distributed 
among  the  may- 
or, sheriffs,  town 
clerk,  local  edi- 
tors, and  offi- 
cers, all  of  whom 
speak  most 
highly  of  its 
qualities.  A  spe- 
cial report  is 
shortly  to  be 
made  by  the 
judges  of  the 
Tasting  Commit- 
tee as  to  tho  flavor  and  general  quality 
of  the  fruit." 


CANADIAN  vs.  BRITISH  APPLES. 

BY  A.  MCD.  ALLAN,  OODEBICH,  OITT. 

A  test  was  made  in  Glasgow  by  four 
good  apple  experts  to  discover  the  dif- 
ference in  flavor  between  our  apples 
and  the  same  kinds  grown  in  Britain. 
Kibston  Pippin,  Blenheim  Pippin  and 
Cox's  Orange  Pippin  were  selected  as 
these  are  grown  in  both  countries.  It 
was  granted  at  first  that  Canada  had 
by  far  the  best  of  it  in  color  and  form. 
The  specimens  were  peeled  and  sub- 


THE  CANADIAN  TROPHY. 

mitted,  and  in  every  case  all  four  de- 
clared positively  and  readily  in  favor  of 
those  grown  in  Canada.  This  only 
bears  out  the  opinions  expressed  by 
thousands  whom  we  met  at  the  Colonial 
Exhibition.  Thei'e  is  no  doubt  what- 
ever that  the  form  of  any  of  our  natur- 
ally grown  apples  is  as  nearly  perfect 
as  it  can  be,  whereas  those  grown  in 
Britain  have  to  be  forced  by  extra 
manuring  and  high  cultivation  and 
hence  are  very  knobby  and  high  ribbed. 
Ours  have  a  tenderness  of  flesh  that  we 
do  not  find  in  any  of  the  British  apples, 
and  their  color  is  superior  to  ours   in 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTIOULTUKIST. 


any  we  see.  But  it  is  most  natural  to 
expect  fine  flavor  where  we  have  so  fine 
a  color,  and  it  would  be  unreasonable 
to  think  of  finding  high  color  where 
there  is  no  color  at  all  scarcely.  The 
The  British  atmosphere  is  too  moist  to 
give  either  color  or  flavor  in  its  finest 
as  we  get  it.  Without  abundance  of 
si;nlight  and  clear  pure  air  such  as  we 
have  no  country  can  produce  such  fine 
samples  of  apples. 

WHITE  BLACKBERRIES. 

Sir, — Whilst  out  for  a  tramp  last 
August  I  came  across  a  white,  or 
rather  yellow,  blackberry  growing  wild 
on  the  banks  of  the  Ottawa,  the  fruit 
being  then  ripe  on  the  bush.  I  re- 
moved six  suckers,  wrapped  them  up 
with  damp  moss  and  brought  them 
home,  carefully  marking  the  spot  where 
they  were  found,  so  that  should  those 
procured  fail  to  grow — as  the  season 
when  plants  are  in  fruit  is  the  worst 
time  tor  their  removal — I  would  be 
able  to  obtain  other  plants  at  a  future 
time.  I  would  feel  much  obliged  if 
you  would  kindly  inform  me  if  there 
are  at  present  any  white  blackberries 
in  cultivation.  I  see  no  reason  why 
there  should  not  be  red,  white,  and 
black  blackberries  as  well  as  the  above 
three  shades  of  currants,  raspberries, 
grapes,  <kc.  p.  C.Buckb,  Ottawa. 

[There  are  some  white  blackberries 
cultivated,  such  as  Col.  Wilder  and 
Crystal  White,  and  a  red  one  known 
as  Doctor  Warder,  but  none  of  them 
productive  enough  to  be  valuable  ex- 
cept as  curiosities. — Ed.] 


THE  BLACK  SPOT  ON  THE  APPLE. 

Sir, — Enclosed  please  find  my  sub- 
scription to  The  Canadian  Horticul- 
turist, which  I  consider  very  much  im- 
proved of  late. 

The  black  spots  on  the  Snow  apple  is 
a  subject  in  which  we,  in  this  section. 


are  deeply  interested.  My  own  opinion 
is  that  they  are  living  beings  that  feed 
on  the  juice  of  the  apple.  They  first 
attacked  the  "Snow,"  the  most  deli- 
cious of  apples.  They  are  extending 
their  ravages  to  other  kinds.  The 
winter  kinds  have  hitherto  escaped.  I 
was  advised  by  an  old  fruit  dealer  to 
leave  them  on  the  tree  as  long  as  pos- 
sible when  so  attacked.  I  believe  the 
advice  to  be  good. 

Some  of  my  Snows  were  blown  oflf 
by  the  wind  this  year,  and  remained 
in  the  long  grass  four  or  five  days. 
The  black  spots  disappeared  very  much. 
I  reasoned  that  the  damp  and  cold  were 
too  much,  for  the  insects  breed  in  the 
sunshine.  t.  Lewis,  Maitand,  Ont. 

[ISToTE. — The  spot  on  the  apple  is 
not  an  insect.  It  is  a  species  of  fun- 
gus.— Ed.] 


CLIPPINGS. 

The  Fred  Clapp.— Try  the  Fred- 
erick Clapp  Pear,  The  fruit  is  fine- 
grained, very  juicy,  rich  and  excellent. 
It  ripens  in  October.  Those  who  want 
a  showy  pear  in  place  of  the  great  Kief- 
fer,  as  well  as  one  that  may  be  enjoyed, 
will  be  pleased  with  the  F.C.  It  has 
not  as  yet  been  tried  sufliciently  to  en- 
able us  to  say  where  it  will  succeed. — 
R.N.  Y. 

Australian  fruit  arrives  in  Eng- 
land in  excellent  condition.  It  is  packed 
in  corkdust  or  sawdust,  and  placed  in  a 
cold  compartment,  where  the  tempera- 
ture is  kept  as  near  to  40  degrees  as 
possible. — Rural  New  Yorker. 

The  Kieffer  Pear. — The  wife  of  a 
prominent  fruit  grower  says  that  she 
has  noticed  that  people  learn  to  like  the 
Kieflfer  Pear.  Attracted  by  its  beauty, 
even  though  it  be  to  the  amateur  but 
skin  deep,  people  continue  to  taste  and 
eat,  until  finally  they  learn  to  like  it 
very  much  in  the  same  way  as  a  taste 
for  tomatoes,  bananas  and  other  similar 


6 


THE   CANADIAN   H0BTI0ULTUBI8T. 


fruits  is  acquired.  Specimens  from  the 
same  orchard,  or  from  the  same  tree, 
differ  greatly  in  flavor.  In  the  Phila- 
delphia market  the  wholesale  condem- 
nation of  the  fruit,  due  to  its  deceptive 
appearance,  has  given  way  to  a  modei'ate 
appreciation,  and  it  brings  readily  from 
$1  to  $1.50  per  basket. — Rural  New 
Yorker. 

Garden  Cats. — Attention  is  being 
given  in  England  to  training  cats  to 
protect  strawberry  beds  and  other  gar- 
den treasures  from  the  voracious  English 
sparrow.  The  cats  wear  collars,  and 
are  tethered  by  light  and  sti'ong  cords. 
The  tethers  are  attached  to  comfortable 
cat  houses  which  can  be  moved  about 
from  place  to  place  as  desirable.  It  is 
said  a  thoroughly  trained  cat  enjoys  the 
life  hugely. — Gardeners^  Monthly. 

Care  of  an  Apple  Orchard. — The 
lack  of  manure  and  cultivation,  and  a 
general  lack  of  proper  care  for  orchards 
are  the  causes,  in  a  great  part,  of  their 
sterility.  Neglected  orchards  produce 
small  quantities  of  small,  poorly-flav- 
ored and  poorly-ripened  fruit.  The 
orchard  should  be  supplied  with  all  the 
manure  the  trees  can  appropriate,  and 
the  trees  will  then  be  vigorous  and  will 
show  it  by  a  good  growth  of  wood  and 
handsome  fruit.  When  the  trees  do 
not  make  a  free  growth  of  wood  it  is 
certain  that  they  are  in  ill  condition 
and  need  the  assistance  of  fertilizers  and 
cultivation — probably,  also,  judicious 
pruning,  cleaning  the  bark  and  the  de- 
struction of  worms  and  insects. —  Vick's 
McKjazine. 

[We  would  call  especial  attention  to 
the  above  extract.  It  is  worthy  of 
consideration  whether  the  barrenness 
of  orchards  in  Ontario  of  late  is  not  in. 
part  at  least  due  to  causes  therein 
pointed  out.] 

VITICULTURAL. 

The  Grape  Market. — Mr.  G.S.  Pal- 
mer, a  New  York  fruit  merchant,  is  re- 


ported in  the  Wine  and  Fruit  Grower  as 
saying  that  there  is  no  cause  for  discour- 
agement to  grape  growers,  notwith- 
standing the  extensive  vineyards  that 
have  been  planted. 

Immense  quantities  of  grapes  are 
grown  along  the  Hudson  river ;  nearly 
every  farmer  for  miles  back  has  from 
one  to  fifty  acres  in  vineyard,  with  an 
average  yield  of  from  three  to  five  tons 
per  acre.  A  similar  statement  might 
be  made  concerning  Central  New  York 
and  parts  of  Ohio.  About  Euclid 
alone,  in  the  latter  State,  there  are 
about  3,000  acres  in  grapes,  which  are 
mostly  sent  to  Cleveland  market,  a  city 
which  alone  consumes  10,000  pounds 
per  day. 

Besides  these  immense  qualities 
grown  in  the  Eastern  States,  California 
ships  East  some  20,000  tons  yearly ; 
and  nearly  one  million  pounds  are  an- 
nually imported  from  Malaga  and 
Almeria. 

Notwithstanding  all  this,  Mr.  Pal- 
mer states  that  the  demand  in  the 
United  States  is  increasing  faster  than 
the  supply. 

Pruning  theGrape — Mr.G.Arnaud, 
in  the  Monticello  Grape  Grower,  says : 
— "Any  system  of  pruning  is  good 
which  will  preserve  a  good  equilibrium 
between  the  roots  and  branches  of  a 
vine,  will  let  the  vine  have  a  good  crop 
of  fine  fruit,  and  at  the  same  time  good 
wood  for  the  next  year's  pruning," 

Dr.  Guyot  says,  and  he  is  truly 
right : — "  Each  vine  should  produce, 
each  year,  at  least  one  bi-anch  for  wood 
and  one  for  fruiting.  The  branch  for 
wood  should  produce  each  year  two 
sprouts  or  canes ;  one  to  replace  the 
branch  which  has  borne  fruit ;  the 
other,  cut  back  so  as  to  leave  two  eyes, 
will  become  the  branch  for  wood,  and 
will  produce  the  two  shoots  necessary 
for  the  succeeding  year." 

Of  course  if  a  vine  is  strong  enough, 
it  may  have  two  branches  for  fruit  and 


THB  CANADIAN   H0RTICULTUBI8T. 


two  for  wood,  or  three  of  each,  even 
four,  and  the  fruiting  branches  long 
according  to  the  vigor  of  the  vine. 

Another  point  is  to  give  a  good  shape 
to  the  vine,  to  distribute  well  the  bear- 
ing canes  and  spurs,  to  have  a  good 
distribution  of  the  fruit,  and  conse- 
quently a  good  ripening. 

Before  pruning  especially  the  young 
vines,  the  vineyardist  must  have  in 
mind  what  shape  he  wants  to  give  his 
vines.  He  has  to  go  over  some  vine- 
yards and  examine  what  shape  suits 
him  best.  A  good  plan  is  to  pay  a 
visit,  when  he  is  pruning,  to  the  neigh- 
bor who  has  every  year  the  best  crops. 
This  one  must  have  the  best  system. 

About  the  season  of  pruning,  the 
Spring  is  the  best ;  but  pruning  can 
be  done  any  time  after  the  complete 
fall  of  the  leaves,  provided  the  wood 
is  not  frozen ;  or  any  time  during  the 
■winter,  when  the  weather  is  mUd. 

TheAlicanteGrape. — Mr.  P.Barry 
writes  in  the  Rural- New- Yorker  that 
this  grape,  long  known  in  European 
collections,  is  large  and  handsome,  and 
valued  for  its  free  fruiting  and  good 
keeping  qualities.  He  has  three  vines 
in  a  cold  grapery  which  never  fail  to 
give  a  heavy  crop.  The  bunches  weigh 
from  two  to  four  pounds.  The  fruit, 
however,  is  not  more  than  second 
quality. 

The  Worden  Grape. — Thei-e  is  a 
good  deal  of  discussion  among  our  ex- 
changes as  to  whether  this  gi'ape  is 
really  earlier  or  better  in  quality  than 
the  Concord.  Our  experience  at  Grims- 
by on  the  south  shore  of  Lake  Ontario 
for  two  years  past  is  decidedly  in  its 
favor  in  both  these  respects.  We  can 
market  it  fully  a  week  before  our  Con- 
cords, and  we  find  that  when  the  Con- 
cord comes  in,  dealers  still  offer  one 
or  two  cents  more  for  Wordens  on 
account  of  quality.  It  does  not  equal 
the  Concord  for  quantity. 


A  NEW  ERA  IN  THE  APPLE  TRADE. 

This  year  may  be  regarded  as  the 
commencement  of  a  new  era  in  the  im- 
port trade.  The  exhibitions  that  now 
take  place  annually  in  London  have 
done  much  to  foster  competition  be- 
tween this  country  and  America,  but 
the  latest,  and  perhaps  the  most  suc- 
cessful, of  the  aeries — the  Indian  and 
Colonial — has  given  the  greatest  prom- 
ience  to  matters  horticultural.  The 
British  colonies  are  well  represented 
in  every  department,  but  in  none  more 
so  than  in  the  fruit  trade. 

Route. — This  is  a  question  of  the 
utmost  importance,  and  although  a 
London  house,  we  must  say  that  the 
Liverpool  route  is  by  far  the  best.  Ship- 
ments made  from  Now  York,  Boston, 
Philadelphia,  Montreal,  or  any  other 
ports  to  Liverpool  at  a  through  i-ate  to 
London  reach  us  in  a  minimum  of  time 
and  therefore  in  better  condition  than 
would  otherwise  be  the  case,  while  the 
direct  London  route  is  subject  to  delay, 
and  an  additional  objection  presents  it- 
self in  the  shape  of  heavy  wharf  and 
lighterage  expenses." — Draper  &  Son, 
Convent  Garden,  London,  Eng, 


THE  VALUE  OF  FRUIT  AS  FOOD. 

Very  few  people  are  aware  of  the 
value  of  fruit  as  an  article  of  food. 
Many  persons  look  on  fruit  as  a  luxury, 
whilst  some  shudder  at  the  idea  of  it, 
and  conjure  up  internal  tortures  at  the 
name.  Children,  on  the  contrary,  will 
eat  fruit  at  any  time,  and  undergo  much 
discomfort  to  get  it.  It  is  elderly  people, 
or  those  past  their  first  youth,  who  can- 
not eat  fruit  and  enjoy  it.  Cooked 
food,  highly  seasoned  meats,  and  alco- 
holic liquors  have  spoiled  their  taste, 
and  in  many  instances  a  ripe  strawberry 
or  plum  would  inconvenience  them 
sadly.  But  the  person  who  values 
health,  and  who  knows  little  of  the 
value  of  fruit,  will  make  it  a  point  to 


8 


THE   CANADIAN    H0BTI0ULTUBI8T. 


eat  it  daily,  and  even  on  occasions  to 
make  a  meal  almost  entirely  of  it. 
Another  cause  why  ripe  and  whole- 
some fruits  are  given  a  bad  name  is 
because  they  are  eaten  at  the  wrong 
end  of  a  meal.  After  many  courses 
of  heavy  foods  and  strong  drinks  a  few 
harmless  strawberries  are  indulged  in, 
and  then  when  these  rich  foods  and 
stimulating  drinks  upset  the  stomach 
the  blame  is  put  on  the  innocent  straw- 
berry. 

Many  people — a  good  number  of 
whom  are  doctors — are  of  opinion  that 
autumnal  diarrhoea  is  due  to  frnit.  This 
is  an  idea  not  borne  out  by  facts.  I  in- 
quired into  the  subject,  and  found  that 
in  every  case  the  diarrhoea  was  due  to 
meat  or  fish,  but  never  to  fruit  alone. 
The  true  explanation  of  autumnal  diar- 
rhoea lies  in  the  fact  that  in  hot  weather 
flesh  putrifies  very  quickly,  during  pu- 
trefaction alkaloids  called  ptomaines  are 
formed ;  these  are  emetic  and  purgative, 
and  give  rise  to  distressing  symptoms. 
These  alkaloids  are  found  in  meat  at 
all  times,  but  more  especially  during 
hot  weather. 

Fruit  has  the  composition  of  a  per- 
fect food,  containing  all  the  substances 
required  by  the  body.  Here  is  the  com- 
position of  strawberries : 

Per  cent. 

Water 87 

Sugar 4 

Free  Acid 1^ 

Nitrogen 0| 

Insoluble  matter  (^  per  cent,  of  which 

is  ash) 7 

100 

From  this  table  we  can  see  that  fruit 
is  a  perfect  food,  as  it  contains  every- 
thing needed,  including  water. 

Were  fruits  used  daily  by  all  there 
would  be  less  gout,  rheumatism,  gall 
stones,  stone  in  the  bladder,  and  cal- 
careous degeneration  than  there  is  now. 
In  connection  with  the  curative  power 
of  fruit,  we  must  mention  the 


"GRAPE    CURE. 

This  is  practiced  in  France  and 
Germany  in  the  autumn,  and  is  a  cure 
for  many  diseases  due  to  high  feeding. 
The  patient  is  given  a  pound  of  grapes 
to  eat  the  fii'st  day.  This  amount  is 
added  to  until  the  person  can  eat  five 
or  six  pounds  a  day.  The  other  food  is 
gradually  lessened,  and  the  diet  at  last 
consists  entirely  of  grapes.  It  cures 
obesity  and  many  other  complaints,  and 
starts  the  person  off  on  a  new  lease  of 
life.  Fruit  is  thus  seen  to  be  a  neces- 
sity in  a  rational  diet,  and  of  immense 
value  in  dietetic  medicine. —  Vick's 
Magazine /or  October. 


NOTES  TO  NEW  BEGINNERS. 

BT  PETER  PRUNING   KNIFE. 

Knowing  that  there  are  numerous 
new  beginners  in  fruit  culture  who  are 
sprouting  out  with  large  and  erroneous 
ideas  and  expectations  of  amassing  a 
fortune  in  a  few  short  hours,  I  have 
considered  it  my  duty  to  sharpen  up 
and  try  and  lop  off  some  of  the  surplus 
sprouts  which,  I  fear,  may  overshadow 
their  prospects  of  success — and  perhaps 
blight  their  crops  : — and  if  I  can  let  the 
light  of  thirty  years  of  experience  shine 
in  upon  them  in  any  way,  even  though 
it  may  not  help  to  ripen  up  their  fruit, 
it  may  save  them  from  some  sore  dis- 
appointments and  losses  which  I  have 
encountered. 

ONE    GREAT    ERROR 

among  new  beginners,  especially  among 
those  that  come  out  of  towns  and  cities 
to  get  rich  in  fruit  growing,  is  to  think 
that  any  soil  in  a  fruit-growing  section, 
like  Grimsby  or  Niagara,  for  instance, 
will  produce  fruit ;  and  not  a  few  have 
bought  land  in  these  localities  that  was 
much  better  adapted  to  growing  frogs 
and  making  brick  than  to  fruit  grow- 
ing, and  after  a  few  years'  experience 
have  become  disgusted  with  the  busi- 
ness and  say  it  does  not  pay. 


THE   CANADIAN    H0KTICULTUKI8T. 


ANOTHER   COMMON    ERROR 

is  thinking  that  there  is  not  much 
work  about  fruit  growing.  Some  have 
an  idea  that  if  they  stick  a  few  trees 
and  plants  in  the  ground  the  rain 
and  sunshine  will  draw  out  the  fruit, 
and  all  they  have  to  do  is  to  sit  down 
and  wait  for  it  to  ripen,  and  then 
gather  it.  My  friends,  you  never  had 
a  more  erroneous  idea  growing  out  of 
your  heads  in  your  life,  and  you  had 
better  let  me  lop  it  off.  "  Eternal 
vigilance "  is  not  only  the  price  of 
liberty  (as  we  used  to  read  in  our 
school  books),  but  it  is  the  price  of 
good  fruit,  and  if  you  expect  to  keep 
down  Canada  thistles  and  quack  grass, 
and  kill  the  mice,  and  curculios,  and 
borers,  and  codlin  moths,  and  canker 
worms,  and  a  thousand  other  insect 
pests,  vermin  and  noxious  weeds  with- 
out a  good  deal  of  it,  besides  brain  and 
muscle,  you  are  mistaken ;  and  if  you 
expect 

TO  GROW  FRUIT  IN  A  FROG  POND, 

or  on  hard  red  or  blue  clay  because  it 
happens  to  be  located  in  a  fruit  section, 
you  are  doomed  to  disappointment. 
Locality  is  important,  but  not  more  so 
than  soil.  Diligence  and  vigilance  are 
necessary  to  success.  Let  this  be  your 
first  lesson.  I  will  give  my  ideas  of 
varieties,  planting,  etc.,  in  a  future 
number. 


Arrivals  of  Apples  in  Liverpool 
market  to  date  of  Dec.  4  have  been 
265,938  brls.,  according  to  circular 
from  Messrs.  Green  &  Whineray. 


JjlotD^B. 


WINTER  FLOWERING  BULBS. 

BV    HERMANN    SIMMERS,    ESQ.     TORONTO. 

At  this  season  of  the  year,  when 
the  time  is  arriving  for  bringing  all 
Dutch  bulbs  to  the  light,  we  purpose 
drawing  the  attention  of  the  readers  of 
The  Horticulturist  to  a  few 


practical  hints 
that  will  serve  as  a  guide  to  those  who 
may  be  unaccustomed  to  the  proper 
treatment  of  such  bulbs  after  bringing 
them  from  their  dark  recesses.  Many 
people  have  oftentimes  complained  to 
me  personally  of  the  great  trouble  they 
generally  have  of  trying  to  get  their 
bulbs  to  flower  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Christmas;  but  allow  me  to  remind  the 
readers  of  l^he  Horticulturist  that  in 
order  to  secure  a  perfect  flower  a  little 
more  patience  must  be  manifested  on 
their  part.  They  must  wait  until  that 
season  has  arrived  when  the  days  are 
getting  longer,  as  at  that  time  we  are 
gradually  getting  more  and  more  light 
to  force  the  stems  out.  We  speak  more 
especially  of  the 

dutch  hyacinths, 
as  the  Roman  Hyacinths,  in  all  the  col" 
ors,  can  be  very  easily  forced  for  Christ- 
mas with  a  large  degree  of  success,  and? 
being  much  more  rapid  growers,  it  is 
not  necessary  to  give  the  same  care  to 
them  as  to  the  Dutch  Hyacinths,  or 
other  Dutch  bulbs.  Another  point  we 
might  add  is,  that  forcing  Dutch  Bulbs 
is  simply  an  artificial  mode  of  growing 
them  in  the  house,  and  in  order  to 
gain  the  greater  success  a  few  practical 
hints  can  be  used  to  advantage  at  any 
time  by  the  amateur. 

If  Hyacinths  grown  in  pots  have 
been  in  the  dark  for  about  nine  weeks, 
they  may  at  any  time  after  this  be 
brought  to  the  light,  care  being  taken 
not  to  expose  them  suddenly,  which 
may  easily  be  avoided  by  placing  them 
under  a  table  for  a  few  days,  until  the 
sprout  has  changed  its  color  from  a 
yellow  to  a  light  green,  which  is  only 
the  chlorophyll  of  the  plant  rising  into 
the  leaves  on  being  brought  to  the 
light.  The  same  care  should  be  ob- 
served in  Hyacinths  that  are  grown  in 
glasses,  with  the  exception,  that  when 
the  bulb  has  filled  the  glass  with  roots, 


10 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


no  matter  how  short  a  time  it  may  have 
taken,  they  can  be  brought  to  the  light. 
The  Hyacinth  at  this  stage,  when  grown 
in  i)ots,  should  have  an  application  of 
some  plant  food  preparation,  which  will 
greatly  strengthen  the  lower  stem  and 
jiroduce  good  flowers.  In  case  of  those 
grown  in  glasses,  the  water  should  be 
changed  about  once  every  ten  days,  in 
order  that  the  water  may  not  become 
impure,  tending  greatly  to  retard  the 
growth  of  the  flower.  Polyanthus, 
Narcissus  and  Due  van  Thol  Tulips  may 


SINGLE   TULIPS. 


be  treated  in  exactly  the  same  manner 
as  the  Hyacinth,  as  they  require  about 
the  same  time  to  develop  their  flowers. 
Crocus  bulbs,  being  of  quicker  growth, 
may  be  brought  to  the  light  in  a  shorter 
space  of  time,  but,  as  regards  details  of 
attention,  they  should  have  the  same 
care  as  the  Hyacinth. 

PRIMROSES. 

We  have  only  two  native  species  of 
this  interesting  flower,  viz.,  The  Birds' 
Eye^  or  Primula  farinosa,  which  is  pale 
liljic  with  a  yellow  eye,  and  P.  Mistas- 
sinica,'whicli  has  a  flesh-colored  corolla. 
Both  these  are  found  on  the  shores  of 
our  upper  lakes. 

In  England  the  Cowslip,  or  P.  veris, 
is'quite  common,  and  varies  under  cul- 
tivation from  straw  color  to  many  other 
hue. 


The  most  widely  known  and  most 
highly  esteemed  of  the  cultivated  va- 
rieties is  the  Chinese  Primrose  (P. 
Sinensis,  of  which  there  is  a  beautiful 
colored  plate  in  Vol.  Y.  of  The  Cana- 
dian Horticulturist,  and  of  which  we 
now  give   our  readers  an  illustration. 


CHINESE   PKIMROSE. 

It  bears  a  profusion  of  showy  flowers, 
varying  from  white  to  pink,  and  is  one 
of  the  most  satisfactory  of  house  plants. 

P.  Cashmeriana,  which  is  ofiered  as 
one  of  the  premiums  to  be  given  our 
subscribers  in  the  spring  of  1887,  is 
quite  new  in  this  country.  A  writer 
living  in  Erfurt,  Germany,  says  of  it ; 
"  Quite  hardy  ;  the  earliest  of  all ;  pro- 
duces comj^act  umbels  of  rosy  lilac 
flowers,  very  beautiful."  Mr.  Saunders 
says  of  it  in  the  Report  for  1885,  p. 
137:  "Late  in  the  autumn  the  plant 
dies  down  to  a  small  compact  head, 
from  which,  as  soon  as  spring  opens,  a 
crown  of  vigorous  leaves  is  pushed, 
from  the  centre  of  which  rises  one  or 
flower  spikes,  which  soon  develop  stout 
stems  bearing  globular  heads  of  reddish 
pink  flowers  with  a  pale  yellow  centre." 

The  seeds  of  the  primrose  should  be 
sown  in  pots  of  moist  loam  early  in  the 
spring.  The  pot  should  be  covered 
with  a  pane  of  glass  and  set  by  the 
north  window  of  a  moderately  warm 
room.  Transplant  them  as  they  grow 
large  enough,  and  keep  in  a  shady  place 
until  fall,  and  then  place  them  in  the 


THE   CANADIAN    H0RTICULTUKI8T. 


11 


window  among  your  house  plants. 
They  will  furnish  a  profusion  of  bloom 
all  winter. 


ANOTHER  CANADIAN  BELLFLOWER. 

Sir, — Your  mention  of  the  Marsh  or 
Rough-Leaved  Bellflower  (C.  apari- 
noides)  in  the  December  issue  of  your 
delightful  little  magazine,  reminds  me 
of  a  rough-leaved  little  flower  that  I 
met  n^ith  while  in  the  neighborhood  of 
the  North  Bay  of  Balsam  Lake  this 
summer.  The  flower,  small  and  almost 
transparent,  was  pure  white,  and  the 
plant  small  and  prone,  if  not  trailing. 
It  grew  on  the  clumpy  tu.ssocks  of 
grass  and  earth  that  lay  on  and  among 
the  boulders  to  be  found  on  the 
"  drowned  land  "  caused  by  the  build- 
ing of  the  Trent  Valley  Canal  locks 
some  years  ago.  Like  most  marsh 
plants  it  was  very  sensitive  to  change 
of  atmosphere,  and  I  found  it  impos- 
sible to  keep  it  in  water  even  for  a  few 
hours,  though  its  hairiness  and  rigidity 
gives  one  an  idea  of  hardiness  that 
would  bear  change.  It  is  a  beautiful 
thing,  the  flowers  scarcely  as  large  as  a 
pea,  and  pretty  numerous,  scattered  all 
over  the  plant  and  exactly  the  shape  of 
the  common  Hare-bell.  Not  being  a 
botanist,  I  did  not  know  whether  to 
consider  this  plant  a  Hare-bell  or  not 
until  I  read  your  interesting  little  chap- 
ter on  "  The  Bell-Flo wers,"  but  now  I 
am  sure  of  it,  and  send  you  word  where 
it  may  be  found  for  the  sake  of  others 
interested  as  I  am  in  all  our  wild  floral 
treasures.  If  it  is  known  I  should  be 
glad  to  hear  its  specific  name. 
Toronto,  S.  A.  C. 


North  Windows  for  Plants. — 
Most  plants  will  do  well  in  west  win- 
dows, if  the  conditions  are  right  for 
them,  but  noi-th  windows  are  not  favor- 
able to  the  growth  of  ordinary  house 
plants.  Ferns,  and  many  kinds  of 
plants  cultivated  for  their  foliage,  will. 


however,  succeed  in  north  windows. 
Many  kinds  of  flowering  plants  that 
have  been  raised  elsewhere,  and  have 
been  brought  to  the  blooming  stage, 
will  then  flower  freely  standing  in  win- 
dows with  a  northern  aspect.  Among 
such  plants  may  be  mentioned  Hya- 
cinth, Tulip,  Rose,  Fuchsia,  Pelai-go- 
nium,  Camellia,  Calla,  Chinese  Prim- 
rose, Cineraria,  Azalea,  Orange,  &c. — 
Vick's  Magazine  Jor  October. 


THE  FORGET-ME-NOT. 

The  flower  which  we  now  call  the 
"Forget-me-not"  (a  name  which  origin- 
ally appertained  to  the  Speedwell)  has 
become  inseparably  connected  with  the 
flower,  borne  on  the  wings  of  the  fol- 
lowing poetic  legend  :  A  knight  and 
his  lady-love,  who  were  on  the  eve  of 
being  united,  while  strolling  on  the 
bank  of  the  blue  Danube,  saw  a  spray 
of  these  pretty  flowers  floating  on  the 
waters,  which  seemed  I'eady  to  carry  it 
away.  The  afiianced  bride  admired  the 
delicate  beauty  of  the  flowers,  and  re- 
gretted their  fatal  destiny.  At  this 
point  the  lover  did  not  hesitate  to 
plunge  into  the  stream.  He  soon  se- 
cured the  flowers,  but  the  current  was 
too  strong  for  him,  and,  as  it  bore  him 
past  his  despairing  mistress,  he  flung 
the  fatal  flowers  on  the  bank,  exclaim- 
ing, as  he  swept  to  his  doom,  "  Vergiss 
mich  nicht." 

"And  the  lady  fair  of  the  knight  so  true, 

Aye  remembered  his  hapless  lot  : 
And  she  cherished  the  flower  of  brilliant  hue, 
And  braided  her  hair  with  the  blossoms  blue, 
And  she  called  it  Foi'get-me-not." 


If  roses  are  wilted  before  they  can 
be  placed  in  water,  immerse  the  ends 
of  the  stalks  in  very  hot  water  for  a 
minute  or  two,  and  they  will  regain 
their  pristine  freshness. — Globe. 

A  FLORAL  SCROLL  of  white  roses  and 
chrysanthemums,  with  the  inscription 


12 


THE   CANADIAN    HOETICULTURIBT. 


"Finis"  upon  it,  which  was  sent  to  ex- 
President  Arthur's  funeral,  and  was 
regarded  as  the  most  conspicuous  and 
elegant  of  all  the  floral  pieces,  came 
from  the  Chinese  Minister. — Toronto 
Globe. 


^xtZB  ani)  Shrubs. 


SUITABLE  TREES  FOR  THE  LAWN. 

p.    E.    BUCKE,    OTTAWA. 

It  appeal's  questionable  to  many 
whether  trees  should  be  planted  in  the 
lawn  or  not.  After  all  it  is  perhaps  a 
matter  of  taste.  Where  the  area  is 
confined  and  a  rage  for  tennis  exists, 
requiring  a  neatly-kept  plot  without 
interruption  for  boys  or  ball,  trees  are 
of  course  inadmissable ;  but  for  such 
people  as  have  grounds  sufficiently  ex- 
tensive to  be  devoted  in  part  to  plea- 
sure, and  in  part  to  the  beautiful,  there 
is  nothing  more  handsome  for  the  eye 
to  rest  upon  than  judiciously  selected 
trees — the  word  judicious  is  used  ad- 
visedly, as  the  size  of  the  trees  selected, 
when  grown,  should  be  in  accordance 
with  the  area  in  which  it  is  planted. 
No  one  should  plant  a  forest,  elm  or 
horse-chestnut,  in  a  seven  by  nine  lot. 

Before  going  further,  I  would  remark 
that  beginners  in  planting  are  apt  to 
be  too  profuse,  forgetting  that  in  a 
few  years  hence  the  young  sapling  will 
become  a  spreading  oak  or  an  umbra- 
geous pine.  In  large  grounds,  clumps 
of  trees  are  desirable,  but  in  more  cir- 
cumscribed places,  single  specimens  are 
more  ornamental. 

Some  of  the  hardier  varieties  of  lawn 
trees  are : — 

Weir's  Cut-Leaved  Maple  {Acer 
Laciniata  Weirii),  a  weeping,  graceful 
tree.  It  has  been  growingr  on  the 
Parliament  grounds  here  for  several 
years  on  a  very  exposed  high  bluff  where 
the  north    and    east  winds    have    full 


sweep,  but  it  has  never  lost  a  twig  ;  the 

leaves  are   very   deeply   indented,  the 

lower    branches  bending   towards  the 

groimd,  whilst  those  at  the  top  of  the 
tree  are  very  erect. 

Ash-Leaved  Maple  {Acer  nequndo). 
— There  are  evidently  two  varieties  of 
this  tree  ;  the  one,  of  Manitoban  origin, 
is  perfectly  hardy  in  any  part  of  Ca- 
nada. It  has  no  resemblance  to  the 
maple  family  in  growth,  bark,  or  leaf. 
It  grows  freely  from  seeds,  which  ripen 
late  in  autumn.  It  does  not  germinate 
until  next  year,  whilst  the  other  maples 
make  a  small  plant  the  same  year  in 
which  the  seed  falls.  Its  growth  is 
very  rapid,  its  form  is  irregular  and 
spreading.  This  tree  is  being  exten- 
sively planted  in  the  cities  and  towns 
of  the  North-West.  It  is  A^ery  easy  of 
transplanting.  When  I  was  in  Mani- 
toba three  years  ago  last  August  I 
found  that  large  numbers  of  this  tree 
had  been  set  out  in  the  streets  of 
Brandon.  The  earth  there  was  high, 
dry,  and  gravelly,  and  though  there 
had  been  an  almost  continuous  drouth 
throughout  the  summer,  almost  every 
tree  was  living.  In  its  natural  state  it 
grows  along  the  bottom  lands  and  mar- 
gins of  streams.  This  tree  gi-ows  freely 
from  cuttings. 

THETARTARiANMAPLEf^cerTar^ari- 
cum)  is  of  the  shrubby  growth,  and 
nearly,  though  not  quite  so  hardy  as  the 
nequndo.  Its  dwarf  form  makes  it 
more  suitable  for  small  grounds. 

The  Imperial  Cut-leaved  Alder 
{Alnus  Imperialis  Laciniata)  is  also 
suited  for  contracted  areas.  It  is  also 
pyramidal  shape;  its  light,  feathery 
foliage,  which  is  deeply  cut,  and  is  of  a 
greyish-green  colour,  makes  it  very 
attractive. 

The  Cut-Leaved  Alder  (A  Laci- 
niata) is  pretty  and  vigorous,  and  is 
considered  one  of  the  best  of  the  Alder 
tribe. 


THE   OA.NADrAN    H0ETI0ULTUBI8T. 


13 


CUT-LEAVED    WEEPING    BIRCH. 
(Betula  Laciniata) 

Of  all  the  lawn  trees  in  cultivation 
there  is  nothing  that  can  compare  with 
this  beautiful  and  graceful  tree.  When 
well  grown  it  attains  a  height  of 
twenty-five  or  thirty  feet ;  the  main 
stem  is  very  erect ;  the  branches  are 
exceedingly  fine  and  delicate,  on  which 
is  suspended  a  wreath  of  foliage  and  a 
rich  harvest  of  green  catkins  early  in 
the  year.  The  weight  of  these  on  the 
long,  slender  sprays  make  the  tree  look 
like  a  very  waterfall  of  verdure.  The 
stem  and  larger  branches  are  snow 
white.  Scott  says  of  this  tree  that  it 
is  "  the  acknowledged  queen  of  all  the 
airy  grades,"  and  he  is  quite  right." 

I  fancy  there  is  a  difliculty  in  pro- 
pagating it,  or  else  there  must  be  a 
great  run  on  the  nurseries  for  plants. 
Some  few  years  ago  the  city  of  Ottawa 
required  a  couple  of  dozen  for  its  parks 
and  ornamental  grounds,  but  could  not 
get  them  at  any  price.     I  have  a  very 


fine  specimen  on  my  lawn,  and  people 
in  passing  stop  to  gaze  at  it.  One 
friend,  seeing  how  dazzling  white  the 
bark  was,  asked  me  in  all  seriousness 
why  I  whitewashed  that  particular 
tree.  I  notice  that  some  people  who 
grow  them,  trim  the  stem  up  for  eight 
or  ten  feet.  It  is  difficult  to  spoil  so 
beautiful  an  object,  but  such  a  course 
is  down-right  cruelty.  The  lower 
branches  should  spring  from  the  stem 
about  three  or  four  feet  from  the 
ground  ;  the  tree  would  then  make  a 
perfect  cone  to  its  apex,  the  lower 
sprays  sweeping  the  grass  at  its  feet. 
The  seed  of  this  variety  is  infertile,  so 
that  no  seedlings  can  be  obtained  from 
it.  There  are  other  forms  of  Betula 
that  are  ornamental,  such  as  the  Purple- 
Leaved  Weeping  Birch  ( Pendula  ele- 
gans),  and  Young's  Weeping,  the  lat- 
ter very  suitable  for  cemeteries  when 
top-grafted,  and  Betula  Nana,  a  small 
dwarf  tree  with  many  branches  and 
dense  foliage. 

(Concluded  in  next  number.) 


THE  HARD  MAPLE  (Acer  Sacchai-'uium). 


u 


THE   CANADIAN   HOBTIOULTUKIST. 


THE  MAPLE. 
Oh,  tenderly  deepen  the  woodland  glooms, 

And  merrily  sway  the  beeches, 
Breathe  delicately  the  willow  blooms. 

And  the  pines  rehearse  new  speeches  ; 
The  elms  toss  high  till  they  brush  the  sky, 

Pale  catkins  the  yellow  birch  launches. 
But  the  tree  I  love  all  the  greenwood  above, 

Is  the  maple  of  sunny  branches. 

Let  who  will  sing  of  the  hawthorn  in  spring. 

Or  the  late-leaved  linden  in  summer  ; 
There's  a  word  may  be  for  the  locust-tree. 

That  delicate  strange  new-comer  ; 
But  the  maple  it  grows  with  the  tint  of  the 
rose, 

When  pale  are  the  spring  time  regions, 
And  its  towers  of  flame  from  afar  proclaim 

The  advance  of  Winter's  legions. 

And  a  greener  shade  there  never  was  made 

Than  its  summer  canopy  sifted, 
And  many  a  day,  as  beneath  it  I  lay. 

Has  my  memory  backward  drifted 
To  a  pleasant  lane  I  may  not  walk  again, 

Leading  over  a  fresh,  green  hill. 
Where  a  maple  tree  stood  just  clear  of  the 
wood — 

And,  oh,  to  be  near  it  still  ! 

—  The  Varsity. 


THE  SOFT    OR  SILVER  MAPLE  (Ace7' 

Dasycarpum). 
Note   on  the  Maples. — Everyone 


knows  the  Maple,  and  that  in  autumn 
its  colored  foliage  is  the  glory  of  our 
Canadian  landscape.  But  everyone 
does  not  know  that  there  are  a  dozen 
or  moi-e  varieties  worthy  of  cultivation 
in  our  lawns  and  parks.  There  are 
three  Canadian  varieties,  too  well-known 
to  need  description,  viz  :  The  Hard 
Maple  {Acer  Saccharinun),  a  tree  so 
large  and  compact  in  its  habits  of  growth 
that  in  a  small  lawn  it  would  hide  every 
prospect  and  be  wholly  out  of  place. 
The  Soft  Maple  or  Silver  Maple  (Acer 
Dasycarpum),  a  tree  of  rapid  growth, 
with  slender  branches,  and  foliage  silver 
white  beneath,  a  favorite  tree  for  street 
planting;  and  the  Red  or  Swamp  Maple 
(Acer  rubrum),  a  most  attractive  tree 
in  early  spring,  with  its  clusters  of 
bright  red  flowers,  which  appear  before 
the  leaves  come  out.  It  is  of  this 
variety  that  Bryant  sang  : 

"  When  April  winds  grow  soft, 
The  Maples  burst  into  a    flush    of  scarlet 
flower." 

There  are  besides  several  very  desirable 
varieties  of  Norway  and  Japan  maples 
worthy  of  cultivation,  a  description  of 
which  may  be  seen  in  Report  for  1883, 
p.  96. 


^mnttfir. 


THE  CURRANT  BORER. 

BY  D.  W.  BEADLE.  ST.  CATHARINES,  OXT, 

In  THE  March  Number  inquiries  were 
made  concerning  this  insect,  especially 
for  some  method  of  combatting  this 
enemy  of  our  currant  bushes  more  in 
accordance  with  our  wishes  than  that 
of  cutting  away  the  stalks  and  thereby 
destroying  the  symmetry  of  our  plants. 
We  propose  to  give  our  readers  a  de- 
scription of  these  insects,  accompanied 
with  cuts,  which  have  been  very  kindly 
supplied  to  us  for  this  purpose  by  the 
Entomological  Society  of  Ontario.  It 
is  to  be  hoped  that  our  readers  will  be 
enabled    to    recognize    these    pests   at 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIUT. 


15 


Fig.  1. 


sight,  and  to  devise  means  of  lessening 
their  ravages. 

OUR  NATIVE  CURRANT  BORER. 

is  a  very  small  beetle.  Figure  1  shows 
shows  it  of  the  natural  size  at  the  left 
band,  and  at  the  right  magnified  in 
order  to  present 
its  markings  more 
clearly.  It  may 
be  found  on  the 
currant  bushes 
early  in  June,  and, 
being  not  very  ac- 
tive, can  be  cap- 
tured, its  small  size  being  the  greatest 
obstacle,  for  by  reason  of  its  diminutive- 
ness  it  escapes  detection.  From  the 
eggs  laid  by  this  beetle  small,  white, 
footless  grubs  are  hatched,  having 
brown  head  and  black  jaws.  These 
feed  upon  the  pith  of  the  stems,  render- 
ing them  hollow,  as  many  as  half  a 
dozen  of  them  being  frequently  found 
in  one  cane.  They  remain  within  the 
stalk,  changing  into  the  chrysalis  state 
without  leaving  it  until,  as  little  brown 
beetles,  they  come  out  in  the  end  of 
May  or  beginning  of  June. 

THE    IMPORTED    CURRANT    BORER, 

for  it  seems  that  somehow,  as  though 
we  had  not  pests  enough  of  our  own, 
we  must  needs  bring  in  some  more  from 
foreign  countries,  belongs  to  quite  a 
different  family  of  insects,  as  will  be 
seen  at  a  glance  at  Figure 
2.  This  little  moth  is  of 
a  bluish  black  color,  with 
three  narrow  golden  bands 
across  the  abdomen.  The 
wings  ai-e  transparent, 
veined  and  bordered  with 
black,  having  a  coppery  lustre.  It 
may  be  found  among  the  currant 
bushes  about  the  middle  of  June, 
laying  its  eggs  singly  near  the  buds, 
from  which  the  larva?  are  hatched  in 
a  few  days.  These  little  worms  eat 
their  way  into  the  centre  of  the  cane, 


Fig.  2. 


spend  the  summer  feeding  on  the  pith, 
burrowing  it  out  for  several  inches. 
Its  appearance  when  full  grown  is 
shown  in  Figure  3  considerably  magni- 


FiG.  3. 

fied.  The  head  and  legs  are  brown, 
and  there  is  a  dark  line  along  the 
middle  of  the  back.  After  it  has  at- 
tained its  full  growth  it  eats  a  passage 
through  the  woody  part  of  the  stem  and 
the  inner  bark,  leaving  only  the  thin 
outer  layer  untouched.  It  then  changes 
into  the  chrysalis  state — the  chrysalis 
is  seen  at  a,  Figure  3,  magnified.  In 
this  condition  it  remains  until  about 
the  beginning  of  June,  when  the  chry- 
salis, by  wriggling  itself  forward,  pushes 
through  the  thin  outer  bark  which  was 
left  by  the  worm  far  enough  to  allow 
the  moth  to  break  its  chrysalis  covering 
and  make  its  escape. 

This  is  the  life  history  of  these  in- 
sects, and  it  discloses  but 

ONE  VERY  VULNERABLE  POINT, 

and  that  is  the  fact  that  they  pass  the 
whole  of  their  larval  and  chrysalis  ex- 
istence within  the  stem  of  the  currant 
bush  which  they  have  injured,  if  not 
totally  ruined,  by  eating  out  the  pith. 
Inasmuch  as  it  is  well  for  the  plant 
that  these  hollow  canes  be  removed,  it 
may  be  that  by  making  thorough  work 
in  cutting  them  away  and  burning  them 
while  the  insect  is  yet  within  that  we 
may  so  reduce  their  number  after  a 
year  or  two  as  to  make  their  depreda- 
tions comparatively  trifling.  However, 
this  involves  the  abandoi^ment  of  the 
single-stem  system  of  pruning,  and 
forces  us  to  train  the  plants  with  sevei'al 
stems,  which  seems  to  us  on  the  whole 


16 


THE  CANADIAN    H0ETI0ULTUEI8T. 


the  preferable  system  in  our  climate, 
■where  heavy  snows  are  so  apt  to  tear 
off  the  branches  where  they  are  trained 
tree  fashion. 

If  any  prefer  to  train  the  currant  to 
a  single  stem,  we  would  suggest  that 
they  try  the  experiment  of  painting 
the  entire  plant,  just  before  the  leaves 
expand,  with  soft  soap.  If  the  eggs  are 
laid  in  the  soap  it  will  kill  them,  but  if 
these  insects  lay  their  eggs  upon  the 
new  growth,  of  course  there  will  be  no 
soap  there  to  do  them  any  harm.  Strong 
alkalies  will  kill  the  eggs  of  very  many 
insects,  and  soft  soap  diluted  to  the  con- 
sistence of  a  thick  paint  by  the  admix- 
ture of  a  strong  solution  of  caustic  soda 
is  an  excellent  application  for  such 
purposes. 


BEES  AND  FRUIT. 

BT  B.  R0BIH80N,  LONDON'  SOUTH. 

Sir, — I  notice  in  the  August  number 
our  valuable  journal  the  question  asked 
whether  the  Honey  Bee  has  any  bene- 
ficial influence  on  our  fruit  crop. 

I  see  Mr.Ott  of  Arkona  has  answered 
the  question  in  an  interesting  manner, 
and  as  I  am  like  him  a  beekeeper  and 
an  amateur  fruit  grower,  I  also  send  you 
a  few  facts  that  may  show  the  great 
importance  of  these  industrious  wonder- 
ful little  insects. 

First,  the  perfect  fertilization  of  our 
fruits  without  delay  is  all  important 
either  by  the  urivd  or  by  some  insect. 
Now  the  wind  may  fail,  or  act  against 
the  desired  end,  as  Mr. C.Darwin  shows, 
page  73,  74,  Origin  of  Species.  "  Some 
holly  trees  bear  only  male  flowers  which 
have  four  stamens  producing  a  rather 
small  quantity  of  pollen,  and  a  rudi- 
mentary pistil ;  other  holly  trees  bear 
only  female  flowers,  these  have  a  full 
sized  pistil,  and  four  stamens  with 
shrivelled  anthers,  in  which  not  a  grain 
of  pollen  can  be  detected.  Having 
found  a  female  tree  exactly  sixty  yards 
from  a  male  tree,  I  put  the  stamens  of 


twenty  flowers,  taken  from  different 
branches,  under  the  microscope  and  in 
all,  without  exception,  there  were  a  few 
pollen  grains,  and  in  some  a  profusion. 
As  the  wind  had  set  for  several  days 
from  the  female  to  the  male  tree,  the 
pollen  could  not  thus  have  been  car- 
ried. 

The  weather  had  been  cold  and  bois- 
terous and  therefore  not  favorable  to 
6ees,  nevertheless  every  female  flower 
which  I  examined  had  been  effectually 
fertilised  by  the  bees,  which  had  flown 
from  flower  to  flower  in  search  of  nectar" 
(or  pollen).  So  you  see  in  the  case  of 
a  reverse  wind  the  bees  may  give  us  a 
better  crop  of  fruit  than  we  would  get 
without  them.  The  above  teaches  us 
that  our  perfect  blossom  strawberries 
(if  not  wanted)  need  not  be  planted 
every  fourth  or  sixth  row  with  our  pis- 
tillate varieties,  for  if  the  bee  can  fer- 
tilise the  holly  at  a  distance  of  sixty 
yards  why  not  our  strawberries  at  the 
same  distance  ? 

Secondly,  the  hee  surpasses  all  other 
insects  in  the  amount  oj  pollen  used  and 
in  her  manner  of  gathering  it.  Pollen 
she  must  have,  and  get  it  she  will,  if 
she  falls  in  front  of  her  hive  with  her 
load,  perished  with  the  cold ;  for  it  is 
one  of  the  principal  foods  of  the  larva 
bee ;  the  brood  will  fail  to  mature, 
starve  and  die  in  24  hours  without  it 
(or  its  substitute)  and  when  once  breed- 
ing starts  in  the  early  spring,  the  old 
bees  will  go  out  in  the  cold,  wet  weather 
to  get  it,  thousands  loosing  their  lives 
by  cold  and  never  reach  home,  but  still 
having  fertilised  thousands  of  blossoms 
in  their  chivalrous  attempt  to  sustain 
the  life  of  their  young.  (This  ia  known 
to  beekeepers  as  spring  dwindling). 
The  quantity  of  pollen  used  in  a  good 
colony  is  about  30  pounds  I  believe,  as 
a  queen  will  lay  from  70,000  to  100,000 
eggs  in  a  season,  and  it  is  the  principal 
food  of  the  bee  for  the  first  2 1  days  of 
existence. 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


17 


Then  the  mode  of  gathering  the  pollen 
is  all  iinportant  and  interesting.  The  bee 
is  covered  with  very  fine  hairs  and  when 
she  alights  on  a  ■  flower  the  pollen 
adheres  to  the  hairs  ;  the  bee  then  takes 
wing  and  hovers  just  above  and  close  to 
the  flower,  while  she  takes  the  pollen 
off"  her  body  with  her  fore  legs,  and 
packs  it  on  the  thighs  of  her  hind  legs 
in  little  pellets,  all  the  time  scattering 
the  pollen  over  the  flower  by  the  rapid 
motion  of  her  wings.  If  .she  cannot 
pack  the  pollen  (some  kinds  will  not 
pack)  she  rolls  herself  in  it.  I  have 
seen  them  come  home  so  completely 
covered  that  they  could  scarcely  find 
the  entrance  to  their  hive. 

Thirdly,  the  complete  fertilization  of 
each  plant  by  its  oion  species. — A  bee 
always  collects  her  load  from  the  same 
species  of  blossom  whether  it  is  straw- 
berry, raspberry,  apple,  dandelion  or 
clover,  and  if  the  season  of  one  kind  is 
drawing  to  a  close  she  will  come  home 
with  half  a  load  of  one  kind  rather  than 
a  full  load  of  mixed  pollen  from  many 
flowers.  If  a  cell  in  the  comb  of  pollen 
be  cut  open  in  a  longitudinal  direction 
it  will  be  found  packed  in  layers  of  diflfer- 
ent  colors,  and  a  beekeeper  can  tell  what 
his  bees  are  working  on  by  the  color  of 
pollen  they  are  bringing  home.  Thou- 
sands may  be  seen  coming  home  in  the 
season,  some  with  light  yellow,  some 
with  orange  yellow,  some  with  green 
and  some  with  white  pollen ;  but  always 
with  one  color  to  each  bee,  thereby  in- 
suring a  rapid  and  sure  fertilization  of 
a  strawberry  by  a  strawberry,  a  rasp- 
berry by  a  raspberry,  &c.  I  think  this 
of  great  importance  to  our  strawberry 
growers,  when  we  consider  that  our 
most  prolific  varieties  are  pistillate. 
I  notice  that  Mr.  Dempster  grows  the 
Crescent  and  that  he  keeps  bees,  per- 
haps they  have  something  to  do  with 
his  large  crop  of  6,000  quarts  per  acre. 

A  few  more  facts  from  that  great 
naturalist,   Charles    Darwin,    page  37, 
2 


Origin  of  Species.  20  heads  of  Dutch 
Clover  fertilised  by  the  bees  yielded 
2,290  seeds,  20  heads  protected  from 
them  produced  not  one.  Again,  100 
heads  of  Red  Clover  produced  2,700 
seeds,  same  protected  from  bees  pro- 
duced not  a  single  seed  !  Now,  a 
good  colony  will  number  50,000  bees 
and  will  consume  in  the  year  about  80 
pounds,  and  give  to  the  beekeeper  about 
100  pounds  of  ripe  honey.  And  as  ripe 
honey  is  at  least  double  the  weight  of 
honey  fresh  and  thin  from  the  flowers, 
the  bees  must  bring  home  at  least  360 
pounds  ;  add  to  this  30  pounds  of  pol- 
len and  10  pounds  of  water  and  we  have 
the  total  of  400  pounds  ;  and  as  the  bee 
carries  about  ^  grain  troy  each  trip, 
we  have  the  large  number  of  9,216,000 
joui-neys  made  by  a  good  colony  of  bees. 
How  many  flowers  must  tliey  visit  and 
fertilise  for  the  benefit  of  fruit  growers  ! 
Last  but  not  least.  What  kind  of  bees 
are  best  for  the  Jruit  groioer  ?  It  is  the 
Italian,  because  they  are  more  energetic, 
the  queens  are  more  prolific,  and  conse- 
quently they  need  more  pollen  and 
food  ;  and  they  will  venture  out  to  get 
it  when  the  common  black  bee,  would 
not  show  itself.  And  as  it  is  in  the 
spring  that  the  fruit  grower  needs  the 
assistance  of  the  bee,  the  Italian  is  the 
one,  for  it  will  be  out  sunshine  or 
shower.  Prof.Cook  of  Lansing,  Mich., 
says  :  "  On  May  7th,  1877,  I  walked 
less  than  half  a  mile  and  counted  65 
Italian  bees  gathering  pollen  from  dan- 
delions, and  only  two  black  bees." 

Young  boys'  stomachs  are  always  in 
apple-pie  order — Rochester  Fost-Uxpress 

A  Man  who  was  not  of  much  account 
himself  was  forever  boasting  of  his  an- 
cestry. A  plain  farmer,  tired  of  this 
nonsense,  asked  him  why  his  family 
were  like  a  hill  of  potatoes.  He  gave 
it  lip.  "  Why,"  said  the  farmer,  "the 
best  part  of  them  are  under  ground." 
—E.  K  Y. 


18 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


Canabirttt  Sotticulturist. 


^N   I11U8. 

trated 
Monthly  Journal,  de- 
voted to  the  interests 
'  of     Fruit     Growers, 
Gardeners,  and  Gentle- 
men owning  rural  or  su- 
burban homes, 

Subscription  price  $1.00 
per  year,  entitling  the  subscri" 
ber  to  membership  of  the  Fruit  Grow- 
ers' Association  of  Ontario  and  all  its 
privileges,  including  a  copy  of  its 
valuable  Annual  Report,  and  a  share  in  its 
annual  distribution  of  premium  plants  and 
trees.  

New  Fruits. — The  Editor  of  this 
journal  will  be  glad  to  receive  descrip- 
tions of  new  and  desirable  fruits  or 
flowers,  from  every  part  of  the  country, 
accompanied  as  far  as  possible  by 
samples  of  the  same.  Also,  having  one 
of  the  largest  fruit  fai-ms  in  Canada  he 
will  be  pleased  to  test  any  new  plants 
or  vines  sent  him  for  that  pui'pose,  and 
give  the  result  thi'ough  the  pages  of 
The  Canadian  Horticulturist. 

Window  Gardening. — A  writer  in  the 
Maryland  Farmer  says  that  rooms 
are  generally  kept  too  warm  for  house 
plants.  A  temperature  of  50°  is  high 
enough  for  Azaleas,  Callas,  Cinerarias, 
Carnations,  Cyclamens,  Fei-ns,  Fuchsias, 
GeraniumSjHolland  Bulbs,  Ivies,  Roses, 
<fec.  ;  while  65°  is  the  proper  tempera- 
ture for  such  plants  as  Begonias,  Bou- 
vardias,    Caladuims,    Coleus,    Tropical 


Ferns,  Heliotropes,  &c.  Another  cause 
of  failui-e  is  too  frequent  watering.  This 
should  be  done  seldom,  and  when  done 
a  good  generous  soaking  be  given,  so 
that  the  water  will  go  through  the  pots. 
Once  or  twice  a  week  would  be  often 
enough  to  repeat  this  operation. 

Shrubs  for  Side  of  House — The  Rural- 
New-Yorker  says  that  few  desir- 
able shrubs  siicceed  very  close  to  the 
house,  and  recommends  the  Upright  or 
Bush  Honeysuckles  as  the  best  for  this 
purpose.  Their  flowers  are  fragrant 
and  their  leaves  remain  fresh  and  green 
till  nearly  January.  We  would  add 
for  this  purpose  the  Mock  Orange  or 
Syringa  (Philadelphia  Coronarius). 
This  shrub  belongs  to  the  Hydrangea 
family,  and  will  grow  and  thrive  vig- 
orously close  to  the  house,  and  under  its 
very  eaves.  Nothing  is  more  beautiful 
than  its  full  clusters  of  creamy  white 
odorous  flowers. 

Pansies. — The  Gardeners'  Monthly 
tells  us  that  the  Pansy  become  a  florists' 
flower  about  fifty  years  ago.  At  this 
time  every  new  variety  was  given  a 
name,  just  as  the  roses  are  now  named. 
The  first  named  Pansy  was  Lord  Gam- 
bier  and  the  second  George  IV.  New 
kinds  are  now  produced  too  easily  to 
receive  names.  We  had  some  exceed- 
ingly large  ones  this  year  in  a  shady 
spot.  One  that  we  measured  was  2^ 
inches  by  three  inches  across  the 
Corolla. 

Reports  of  the  Montreal  Horticul- 
tural Society  may  be  had  at  the  winter 
meeting. 

Wilson  Strawberry. — Mr.  Morden  of 
Niagara  Falls,  South,  writes :  "  We 
find  that  the  Wilson  has  about  given 
up  the  idea  of  running,  which  is  of 
course  a  bad  point.  Crescent,  Captain 
Jack  and  Manchester  do  very  well  in 
this  i-espect."  We  read  in  an  exchange 
that  the  Jewell  is  faulty  in  this  par- 
ticular. Can  anyone  tell  us  his  experi- 
ence ? 


THE   CANADIAN    H0RTICULTUKI8T. 


19 


Pioneer  Fruit  Picker. — Mr.  Burges.s 
writes  :  "  I  think  if  Madam  Eve, 
or  Mrs.  Adam,  liad  used  the  Pioneer 
Fruit  Picker  it  would  have  saved  her 
some  trouble,  as  I  under.stand  it  was 
only  choice  specimens  she  used,  and  not 
the  general  crop." 

Clean  Manure!  ! — The  Neio  Farm 
makes  the  following  extract  from  the 
R.  .V.  F.  :  "  The  cold  well  water  which 
we  are  apt  to  look  upon  as  the  purest 
of  all  drink,  is  fairly  reeking  with  dis- 
ease germs  .  .  imperceptible  to  the 
taste  or  smell.  .  .  The  ordinary  farm 
vault  is  a  veritable  j^lague  spot,"  &c.  ; 
and  then  adds :  "  If  these  disease 
germs  are  conveyed  into  vegetables  in- 
stead of  into  water,  is  the  case  any  the 
better  ?  and  yet  the  garden  is  fertilized 
by  the  same  material  which  poisons  the 
water  without  imparting  '  taste  or 
smell.'  We  believe  in  using  clean  fer- 
tilizers on  crops  for  human  food."  Our 
exchange  would  deprive  our  gardeners 
of  the  most  valuable  manure  they  can 
possibly  use  by  this  curious  statement. 
Who  ever  heard  of  garden  vegetables 
taking  up  from  the  soil  any  disease 
germs  or  other  elements  foreign  to  their 
natural  constitution  ? 

A  Toronto  Lady  writes  :  "  Allow  me 
to  express  my  pleasure  and  sense  of 
the  usefulness  of  such  information  con- 
cerning the  cultivation  of  window  and 
other  desirable  plants,  as  Mr.  Hermann 
Simmers  gives  of  the  Easter  Lily  in  the 
December  issue.  Florists  do  themselves 
great  injury,  both  in  guai-ding  their 
methods  of  growing  popular  flowers, 
and  in  sneering  at,  or  writing  over  the 
heads  of  amateurs,  as  is  too  frequently 
done.  The  more  flowers  we  are  suc- 
cessnd  in  growing,  the  more  we  shall 
buy." 

Fugimation  for  Aphides. — Eben  Rex- 
ford  writes  in  the  Orchard  and  Gar- 
den that  he  has  found  nothing  so 
satisfactory  for  ridding  the  greenhouse 


of  plant  lice  as  fumes  of  tobacco.  Kero- 
sene emulsion,  tobacco  soap,  tobacco 
water,  all  effectual  enough  and  suitable 
for  outdoor  use,  are  too  dirty  to  be  used 
inside.  The  plants  should  be  well 
sprinkled  first,  and  a  dense  smoke  left 
in  over  night,  then  the  death  of  the 
aphis  is  certain. 


PROTECT  THE  BIRDS. 

A  SOCIETY  has  been  formed  in  New 
York  City  for  the  protection  of  birds. 
It  is  called  the  Audubon  Society  in 
honor  John  James  Audubon,  the  great 
American  naturalist,  and  it  originates 
in  a  desire  to  put  a  stop  to  the  whole- 
sale destruction  of  our  useful  and  oi-na- 
mental  birds,  which  just  now  threatens 
to  rob  our  yards  and  forests  of  a  great 
portion  of  their  charms. 

This  savage  butchery  of  birds  for 
uses  of  ornament  and  fashion  is  now 
carried  to  an  extent  that  most  thought- 
less devotee  of  fashion,  were  the  facts 
once  laid  before  her.  We  say  her,  be- 
cause it  is  kind,  sympathetic,  compas- 
sionate woman  who  shrinks  from  bru- 
tality, and  is  naturally  the  champion 
of  the  beautiful  in  nature  ;  it  is  she, 
we  say,  who  encourages  this  murderous 
business. 

Here  are  a  few  figures  to  startle  the 
most  thoughtless,  selected  from  the 
Society's  circular : 

"  Although  it  is  impossible  to  get 
at  the  exact  number  of  birds  killed 
each  year,  some  figures  have  been  pub- 
lished which  give  an  idea  of  what  the 
slaughter  must  be.  We  know  that  a 
single  local  taxerdimist  handles  30,000 
bird  skins  in  one  year ;  that  a  single 
collector  brought  back  from  a  three 
months' trip  11,000  skins;  that  from 
one  small  district  on  Long  Island  about 
70,000  birds  were  bi-ought  to  New 
York  in  four  months'  time.  In  New 
York  one  firm  had  on  hand  February 
1,  188G,  200,000  skins.  The  supply 
is   not   limited    by  domestic  consump- 


20 


THE   CANADIAN    H0KT1CDLTURI8T. 


tion.  American  bird  skins  are  sent 
abroad.  The  great  European  markets 
draw  their  supplies  from  all  over  the 
world.  In  London  there  were  sold  in 
thi-ee  months  from  one  auction  room, 
404,464  West  Indian  and  Brazilian 
bird  skins,  and  356,389  East  Indian 
birds.  In  Paris  100,000  African  birds 
have  been  sold  by  one  dealer  in  one 
year.  One  New  York  firm  recently 
had  a  contract  to  supply  40,000  skins 
of  American  birds  to  one  Pai'is  firm. 
These  figures  tell  their  own  story — but 
it  is  a  story  which  might  be  known 
even  without  them ;  we  may  read  it 
plainly  enougli  in  the  silent  hedges, 
once  vocal  with  the  morning  songs  of 
birds,  and  in  the  deserted  fields  where 
once  bright  plumage  flashed  in  the  sun- 
light." 

As  horticulturists,  it  is  our  duty  to 
work  in  harmony  with  such  a  society 
as  this,  for  most  birds  are  our  friends 
and  very  few  are  our  enemies.  If  only 
our  lady  friends  would  content  them- 
selves with  wearing  English  sparrows 
as  decorations  for  their  hats  and  bon- 
nets, we  could  pass  it  by  ;  but  no,  the 
useful  and  the  beautiful  birds  are 
chosen  without  regard  to  anything  but 
the  dictates  of  Madam  Fashion. 

A  careful  count  was  made  of  the 
number  of  visits  made  by  the  parent 
Martins  to  their  nest  in  a  single 
day,  and  it  was  found  to  amount  to 
three  hundred  and  twelve,  and  each 
time  bi'inging  insects  for  their  young  ! 
Already  these  insects  nearly  ruin  our 
fruit  crop ;  and  who  can  predict  the 
result  if  we  are  deprived  of  the  friendly 
aid  of  the  birds  1 

The  following  three  objects  are  in- 
cluded in  the  pledges  signed  by  the 
members  of  the  Society,  viz.,  to  prevent 
as  far  as  possible  : 

"(1)  The  killing  of  any  wild  bird 
not  used  for  food. 

"  (2)  The  taking  or  destroying  of 
the  eggs  or  nests  of  any  wild  birds. 


"  (3)  The  wearing  of  the  feathers  of 
wild  birds.  Ostrich  feathers,  whether 
from  wild  or  tame  birds,  and  those  of 
domestic  fowls,  are  specially  exempted. 

"  The  Audubon  Society  aims  espe- 
cially to  preserve  those  l)irds  which  are 
now  practically  without  protection. 
Our  game  birds  are  already  protected 
by  law,  and  in  large  measure  by  public 
sentiment,  and  their  care  may  be  left 
to  the  sportsman.  The  great  aim  of 
the  Society  is  the  protection  of  non- 
game  birds." 

Anyone  wishing  to  join  this  Society 
may  address  it  at  40  Park  Row,  New 
York  City ;  its  work  has  our  heartiest 
approval. 

Still  Wanted. — More  copies  of  January, 
April,  August  and  October  numbers  of 
year  1886. 

A  Stock  of  Sample  Copies  of  back  numbers 
of  the  Canadian  Horticulturist  sent  free 
to  any  one  who  will  distribute  them 
with  the  object  of  enlarging  the  circu- 
lation of  this  journal  and  of  increasing 
the  membership  of  the  Fruit  Growers' 
Association. 

Michigan  Horticultural  Society. — Mr.  Gar- 
field has  sent  us  the  local  report  of  this 
interesting  meeting,  held  1st  December 
last,  and  we  hope  to  find  room  for  some 
extracts  in  our  February  Number. 

Appreciative. — Mr.  Allan  Chapman, 
Deans,  writes  :  "  The  Canadian  Horti- 
culturist is  a  little  book  that  is  always 
welcome  here.  It  is  so  plain  and  prac- 
tical that  the  most  unexperienced  can 
always  learn  something  from  its  pages." 

Mr.  A.  Walker,  Metcalfe:  "I  am 
much  pleased  with  the  Canadian  Horti- 
culturist. This  is  a  very  cold  part  of 
Ontario,  and  if  the  Vladimir  cherry 
succeeds  here  we  shall  be  very  thank- 
ful to  the  Fruit  Growers'  Association." 

A.  J.  Collins,  Listowel  :  "  I  am 
better  pleased  each  year  with  what  I 
receive  as  to  information  and  presents." 


.1 


THE   CANADIAN   HOKTICULTURIST. 


21 


These  are  but  samples  of  expressions 
in  the  dozens  of  letters  pouring  into  our 
office  every  day. 

A  Correction. — Mr.  John  Croil,  Aults- 
ville,  writes  :  "I  am  requested  by  Mr. 
Beall  to  correct  an  error  which,  quite 
unintentionally,  appeared  in  my  letter 
in  your  December  Number.  I  gave 
Mr.  Beall  credit  for  raising  1,G00 
quarts  of  strawberries  on  one-eighth  of 
an  acre.  Give  the  honest  man  only  his 
due.  He  claims  only  800  quarts.  Half 
as  honest  I'll  try  to  be,  and  acknowledge 
to  be  far  behind  him,  even  at  these 
figures. 


This  department  is  intended  as  an  open  one  to  every 
reader  of  the  "Horticulturist"  to  send  in  either 
qriestions  or  answers.  Often  a  reader  will  be  able  to 
answer  a  qxiestion  which  has  been  left  unanswered, 
or  only  partia  lly  answered  by  its.  For  convenience 
of  reference  the  questions  will  henceforth  be  num- 
bered, and  any  one  replying  or  referring  to  any 
question  will  please  mention  the  number  of  it. 


1.  Treatment  of  an  Apple  Orchard. — 
Is  top  dressing  with  stable  manure, 
commercial  fertilizer  sufficient  for  an 
ajjple  orchard  in  grass  ;  or  would  it  he 
better  cultivated  i  The  orchard  is  fif- 
teen years  old.  My  neighbor  thinks 
that  the  injury  done  by  tlie  plough  to 
the  roots  and  brandies  will  not  be  com- 
jjensated  by  the  benefits  of  cultivation. 
R.  Rrodie,  St.  Henry,  Montreal. 

If  an  apple  orchard  has  been  properly 
cultivated  and  cared  for  until  it  is  fif- 
teen years  old,  so  that  it  is  now  in  a 
thrifty  condition  of  growth,  it  will  be 
far  better  seeded  down,  and  treated 
with  an  annual  top  dressing  of  manure. 
But  if  it  has  been  neglected  and  conse- 
quently stunted  in  growth,  it  may  need 
the  stimulating  effect  of  high  cultiva- 
tion for  a  year  or  two  in  order  to  bring  it 
into  a  healthy  condition.  The  greatest 
care  is  always  necessary  to  avoid  either 
scraping  the  trunk  and  limbs  with  har- 
ness, or  cutting  oft"  tlie   numerous  far 


spreading  roots  by  ploughing  too  deeply. 
Ploughing  an  orchard  is  an  evil,  but 
sometimes  unavoidable. 

2.  Buckthorn  Weige.— Will  cows  browse 
a  buckthorn  hedge  ? 

Mr.  W.  E.  Wellington,  of  Toronto, 
says  :  "  I  think  they  will  browse  the 
new  growth  before  it  hardens.  After 
the  hedge  has  age,  or  the  wood  has 
ripened  up  well,  they  cannot  injure  it; 
but  unless  pi-otected  when  it  is  youno-^ 
and  making  succulent  growth,  cattle 
would  be  very  apt  to  nip  it  just  as  they 
do  the  Honey  Locust." 

REPLIES    TO    PREVIOUS    QUESTIONS. 

6  (Vol.  IX).  Apples  for  Napanee.— I  take 
great  pleasure  in  reading  the  Cana- 
dian Horticulturist,  and  recommend  it 
to  my  friends.  I  am  surprised  that 
you  recommend  Alexander  as  a  winter 
apple  for  Napanee.  It  is  a  fine  showy 
apple  with  us,  some  specimens  measur- 
ing 16  inches  in  circumference ;  but  it 
is  not  a  winter  apple  by  any  means. 
But  I  have  a  kind,  a  new  Russian, 
called  Wolf  Eiver,  not  so  large  as  the 
Alexander,  a  better  keeper,  and  a  heavier 
bearer,  I  would  recommend  Ben  Davis 
before  Walbridge ;  it  stood  the  past 
winter  very  well  with  us,  along  side  of 
Wealthy  and  other  hardy  sorts.  I  had 
the  Yellow  Transparent  i-ipe  on  the 
28th  July,  but  it  i-equired  near  market. 
R.   Brodie,  St.  Henry,  Montreal. 

Note  by  Editor. — The  Alexander 
is  not  a  winter  apple ;  but  in  giving 
a  list  to  cover  the  season,  we  placed  it 
between  the  Duchess  of  Oldenburgh 
and  the  Wealthy.  Will  it  not  keep  till 
December  grown  as  far  north  as  Mon- 
treal ? 

12  (Vol.  IX.).  Grapes  for  Orillia.— Mr. 
AVm.  Graham,  in  the  last  Report  of  the 
Montreal  Horticultural  Society,  recom- 
mends the  following  list  for  northerly 
latitudes,  viz.  :  Delaware,  Concord, 
Rogers'  9, 15  and  19,  as  being  thoroughly 


.:  V 


22 


THE   CANADIAN    HOKTIOULTDRIST. 


reliable  varieties.  He  much  regrets 
that  the  Champion  has  been  so  largely- 
planted  about  Montreal,  as  it  has  no 
merit  beside  earliness. 

Mr.  Thos.  Beall,  Lindsay,  writes  : 
''The  reply  to  question  12  seems  to 
convey  the  idea  that  Orillia  is  not 
suited  to  the  cultivation  of  grapes  gen- 
erally. The  climate  and  soil  about  that 
town  is  well  suited  the  cultivation  of 
any  varieties  that  ripen  with  or  soon 
after  the  Concord.  You  would  see  at 
their  annual  Fair  such  samples  of  well 
grown  and  well  matured  grapes  as  you 
would  find  some  difficulty  in  excelling 
even  in  Grimsby."  Mr.  Beall  should 
have  named  the  five  grapes  which  he 
would  recommend  for  Orillia. 


^etikl\). 


We  will  gladly  give  o\tr  candid  opinion  of  any  books, 
magazines  or  catalogues  received,  especially  if  they 
are  likely  to  interest  or  benefit  Canadian  fruit 
growers,  but  will  not  insert  cut  and  dried  reading 
notices  in  fav^r  of  any  publication  whatever. 


BOOKS. 
How  TO  Grow  Strawberries,  by 
Geo.  R.  Knapp,  Greenfield,  Mass., 
price  25  cts.  This  is  a  most  useful 
little  book  of  fifty-four  pages,  and 
should  be  in  the  hands  of  every  straw- 
berry grower.  It  deals,  in  a  most  able 
manner,  with  every  detail  of  strawberry 
growing,  from  setting  the  plants  to 
marketing  the  fruit.  Under  the  head 
cultivation,  Mr.  Knapp  urges  the  im- 
portance of  cultivation  after  the  fruiting 
season  and  of  continuing  it  to  freezing 
weather.  Most  strawberry  growers 
neglect  their  beds  at  this  time  of  the 
year,  and  we  believe  thereby  make  a 
great  mistake.  The  buds  for  the  com- 
ing season's  fruit  crop  are  formed  in 
the  late  summer,  and  every  stroke  of 
the  hoe,  and  every  round  with  the  cul- 
tivator, adds  to  the  number  of  quarts 
of  fruit  that  will  be  harvested  the  fol- 
lowing season. 


Mr.  Knapp's  estimate  of  an  average 
profit  of  $60U  per  acre  is  altogether  too 
high  for  us  in  Canada,  whatever  it  may 
be  for  growers  in  the  vicinity  of  New 
York  City.  Ten  thousand  quarts  to  an 
acre,  at  an  average  of  10  cts.  per  quart, 
continued  for  three  successive  years, 
looks  fine  on  paper,  but  how  many  of 
our  Canadian  groweis,  we  would  like  to 
know,  ever  get  anything  like  half  that 
quantity,  or  half  that  price,  on  an 
average  in  field  culture. 

We  object  decidedly  to  the  practice 
among  our  fruit  growers,  especially 
those  who  have  plants  to  sell,  of  setting 
forth  the  brightest  and  fairest  side  of 
their  business  in  such  a  manner  as  to 
lead  unexperienced  persons  to  embark 
in  a  strange  business  to  their  great 
chagrin  and  financial  embarrassment. 
It  is  high  time  that  some  of  the  failures 
of  fruit  gi-owers  were  made  prominent 
enough  to  warn  over-zealous  enthusiasts 
that  the  fruit  business  needs  as  much 
brain  and  muscle  for  success  as  any 
other  industry,  and  a  good  deal  more 
patience. 

Mr.  Knapp's  book  treats  also  of  in- 
sect enemies  and  diseases  of  the  Straw- 
berry, with  a  description  of  all  best 
varities  of  strawberries  that  have  been 
tested.  On  the  whole  we  highly  com- 
mend it. 

How  to  Propagate  and  Grow  Fruit, 
by  Charles  Green,  Rochester,  N.  Y., 
price  50  cts.,  is  another  of  those  books 
which  contain  a  great  amount  of  valu- 
able information  in  a  small  compass. 

Annual  Report  of  the  Board  of  Re- 
gents of  the  Smithsonian  histitution, 
Washington,D.C.,  in  two  large  volumes, 
one  of  which  is  devoted  to  the  Snuth- 
sonian  Institution  proper,  and  the  other 
to  the  U.S.  National  Museum. 
pamphlets  and  magazines. 

Agricultural  Returns  to  the  Bureau 
of  Industries,  Nov.  6,  '86,  A.  Blue, 
Secretary. — This  includes  a  full  Report 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


23 


concerning   Fruit    and   Fruit  Trees  in 
Ontario  for  the  season  just  passed. 

Arthur's  Home  Magazine,  published 
by  T.  S.  Arthur  &  Son,  920  Walnut 
street,  Philadelphia.  January  number 
is  full  of  interest  and  well  illustrated. 
Its  high  moral  tone  makes  it  a  desirable 
visitor  to  the  family  circle. 

CATALOGUES. 

Official  Catalogue  of  the  Canadian 
Section  of  the  Colonial  and  Indian 
Exhibition,  received  with  the  compli- 
ments of  Sir  Charles  Tupper. 

Greenhouse  Heating  Apparattis. — 
Hitchings  &  Co.,  233  Mercer  street, 
New  York  City. 

Landretlis  Seed  Catalogue,  1887. — 
D.  Landreth  &  Sons,  Box  1623,  Phila- 
delphia, Penn. 

D.  W.Beadle  Nursery  Co.,  St.  Cath- 
arines, Ont.,  neatly  got  up  and  contains 
an  interesting  descriptive  list  of  trees, 
shrubs  and  plants  for  sale  at  these 
nurseries. 


A  Boston  Dude  was  making  an  even- 
ing call  upon  a  Beacon  street  young  lady 
last  week,  and  among  the  many  subjects 
which  came  up  for  intelligent  discussion 
was  the  chrysanthemum  show. 

"  Have  you  visited  the  chrysanthe- 
mum exhibition  yetf  asked  the  young 
lady. 

"  Oh,  dear,  no,"  he  said,  "  I  find  such 
things  very  trying,  y'  know ;  I  am  not 
what  you  call  a  literary  man  at  all,  and 
such  performances  are  a  boah,  y'  know." 

"  It  doesn't  require  a  very  pronounced 
literaiy  taste  to  appi-eciate  a  chi-ysan- 
themum  show,"  said  the  young  woman 
with  a  tired  glance  at  the  clock. 

"Nol  "Well,  perhaps  not  so  much 
a  literary  taste,  y'  know,  as  a  fondness 
for — for — the  antique — the    ancient — 


the — the  classical,  y'  know,"  replied 
the  slim,  trying  to  hide  his  feet. 

"  I  do  not  see  that  the  '  antique,'  the 
'  ancient,'  or  the  '  classical,'  as  you  are 
pleased  to  call  it,  has  any  particular 
connection  with  such  a  display." 

"  Well,  possibly  not  very  much  y' 
know,"  he  assented,  knocking  a  piece  of 
bric-a-brac  off  the  table  ;  "  it  all  depends 
on  how  one  looks  at  those  things,  y' 
know.  By  the  way,"  he  continued, 
"  who  is  it  that  plays  the  part  of  Chry- 
santhemum f 

"  You  seem  to  be  laboring  under 
some  mistake,"  replied  the  young  lady 
politely.  "  It  is  not  a  play,  simply  an 
exhibition  of  flowers  bearing  that 
name." 

"  Bah,"  said  the  slim,  "  I  had  obtained 
the  idea  that  it  was  something  of  the 
nature  of  a  Greek  tragedy,  y'  know." 

A  little  later  he  bade  her  good  even- 
ing, and  while  on  his  way  home  a  gust 
of  wind  blew  him  against  a  lamp-post 
and  killed  him. — Philadelphia  Call. 


Indefinite  Quantities. — A  barrel  of  ap- 
ples, a  quai't  of  strawberi-ies,  a  basket 
of  peaches,  a  box  of  cranberries,  a  box 
of  huckleberries,  a  quarter's  worth  of 
eggs,  a  dozen  oggs. — R.  N.  Y. 

Not  Exactly  Tobacco. — A  young  lady 
from  the  city  was  visiting  a  farmer  who 
had  a  very  extensive  tobacco  plantation. 
The  farmer  had  gotten  out  the  buggy 
and  was  showing  her  over  the  place. 

"  Oh,"  she  said  as  they  turned  into 
the  lane,  "that  is  another  field  of  to- 
bacco, isn't  it  ? " 

The  farmer  looked  in  the  direction  in- 
dicated and  replied  :  "  That  there  ?  No, 
marm — er — that — is — not  exactly. " 

"  '  Not  exactly.'  What  do  you  mean 
by  that  1 " 

"  Why,  ye  see,"  said  the  farmer,  with 
a  significant  grin :  "  That  there's  a 
cabbage  patch."- — -Ohio  Farmer. 

To  Be  Shaken  Before  Taken. — The  apple 
on  a  lofty  bough. — New  Age. 


24 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


§.otxaB. 


THE  WINTER  MEETING 

of  the  Fruit  Growers  Association  of 
Ontario  will  be  held  at  Chatham,  Ont., 
on  the  second  Wednesday  and  Thursday 
in  February,  1887,  at  10  a.m. 

Among  the  suljjects  proposed  for 
discussion  in  the 

DAY    MEETINGS 

are  the  following,  subject  to  revisal  : 

(1)  State  of  Fruit  Culture  in  the 
County  of  Kent,  kinds  grown,  quantity 
shipped,  &c. 

(2)  Plums — Best  modes  of  destroy- 
ing the  Curculio.  Is  any  variety  Cur- 
culio  proof  1 

(3)  The  Apple  Spot :  On  what  varie- 
ties has  it  appeared  1  What  varieties 
are  wholly  free  from  it  1  When  a  tree 
is  once  subject  to  it,  does  it  ever  recover  1 

(4)  Fungicides  and  insecticides. 

(5)  Are  Apple  Orchards  Profitable  ? 
What  is  the  average  crop  per  acre? 
Cause  of  their  barrenness  in  some  parts 
of  Ontario.  Reinvigorating  old  or- 
chards. 

( 6 )  Value  of  Apples  for  feeding  stock. 

(7)  Russian  Fruits  —  Which  ones 
have  been  proved  of  decided  value  for 
our  Northern  Sections  1 

(8)  Apples  and  Pears — Six  kinds  of 
each  best  for  (a)  home  use,  (b)  market. 

(9)  Grapes — Is  there  danger  of  over- 
stocking the  market.  The  best  new 
varieties. 

(10)  Methods  of  Planting,  Cultivat- 
ing and  Pruning  Small  Fruit  Plants. 

(11)  The  Aphis  on  the  Cherry  leaves. 
Extent  of  the  plague.  Best  means  of 
checking  it. 

(12)  Commercial  Fertilizers  for  Gar- 
den and  Orchard. 

(13)  Huckleberries  for  the  Garden. 

(14)  Points  to  be  observed  in  judg- 
ing fruits. 


(15)   The  Fruit    Garden  for    Home 
Uses — What  to  plant  and  how  ? 
It  is  proposed  to  devote  the 

EVENING    SESSION 

to  addresses  and  discussions  on  such  sub- 
jects of  general  interest  as  the  following  : 

(1)  The  Canadian  Fruit  Exhibit  in 
London,  Eng.,  and  Prospects  of  the 
English  Market  for  Canadian  Fruts. 

(2)  Horticultural  Life  in  England. 

( 3 )  Chrysanthemums —  How  to  gro  w, 

(4)  Eases — The  best  novelties.  Are 
any  of  them  decided  acquisitions  1 

(5)  Flowering  Shrubs  for  the  lawn 
and  how  to  group  them.  Latest  intro- 
ductions. 

It  is  desii-able  to  have  a 

SHOW    OF    FRUIT 

in  connection  with  the  meeting,  especi- 
ally of  any  new  or  desirable  kinds. 
Anything  sent  for  this  purpose  at  the 
proper  time  to  the  Secretary  at  Chat- 
ham will  have  express  charges  paid  by 
the  Association. 

We  hope  to  be  favored  with  visits  from 

DELEGATES 

from  other  Societies.  Mr.  Chai'les  Gar- 
field writes  that  Pi-es.  P.  P.  Lyon  of 
South  Haven  will  represent  the  Michi- 
gan Horticultural  Society. 

There  will  be  a  question  box  on  the 
Seci'etary's  table  to  be  opened  at  inter- 
vals. 


PREMIUMS. 
The  premiums  to  be  distributed 
among  the  members  of  Fruit  Growers' 
Association  of  Ontario  in  the  spring  of 
1887  are  the  following  : — (1)  Tree  of 
Vladimir  cherry,  (2)  Dahlia,  (3)  two 
plants  of  Hilborn  raspberry,  (4)  a  one- 
year-old  Niagara  grape  vine,  (o)  a  new 
single-flowered  Geranium,  (6)  three 
packages  of  Flower  Seeds — Primula 
Cashmeriana,  and  others.  Every  sub- 
scriber should  make  his  choice  when 
sending  in  his  subscription. 


PRINTBD  AT  THR   STEA.M    PRESS    BSTABLISHMENTOF  THE   COPP,    CLARK   COMPANY  (LIMITED),    TORONTO. 


'%.SM. 


A  SEEDLING  OF  SHARPLESS,  OFTEN  MEASURING  NINE  INCHES  AROUND.  FEW   SMALL 
BERR?ES  NO  LEAF  BL.GHT.REMARKABLE  FOR  QUALITY, BEAUTY  AND  PRODUCTIVENESS. 


XTbe 

Canadian 
Uorticulturiet 


BLISHED     AT 


JOF\0 


NTO     AND 


P 


R^MSBY, 


P 


NT. 


OFFICE  ADDRESS— GRIMSBY,  ONT. 


VOL.  X.] 


FEBRUARY,  1887. 


[No.  2. 


THE  JESSIE  STRAWBERRY. 

This  is  a  very  pretentious  strawberry. 
It  claims  to  be  just  the  very  berry  that 
everybody  wants.  We  want  a  berry  of 
excellent  quality,  and  we  are  assured 
that  in  quality  it  surpasses  the  Atlantic 
or  the  Prince  of  Berries  !  We  want  a 
large  berry,  and  they  tell  us  tliiat  it  is 
one  of  the  largest,  that  thirteen  selected 
ones  or  thirty  ordinai-y  sized  ones  will 
fill  a  quart,  and  that  some  of  the  berries 
measure  eight  or  nine  inches  in  circum- 
ference !  We  want  a  productive  berry, 
and  we  are  told  that  it  is  twice  as  pro- 
ductive as  the  Sharpless  ;  indeed,  some 
of  our  American  friends  would  have  us 
believe  that  it  will  produce  fi-om  6,000 
to  18,000  quarts  per  acre  !  But  we 
Canadians  are  too  slow-going  in  our 
notions  to  swallow  that  statement 
whole. 


The  originator  of  the  Jessie  is  Mr. 
F.  W.  Loudon,  of  Janesville,  Wiscon- 
sin, and  before  purchasing  the  colored 
]>lates  for  our  journal  we  wrote  to  him 
and  others  to  get  as  reliable  information 
as  possible  concerning  its  merits.  We 
give  Mr.  Loudon's  reply  in  full,  leaving 
our  readers  to  form  their  own  conclu- 
sions. 

"Sir,— Yours  of  the  20th  Novem- 
ber to  hand,  and  in  reply  I  will  say 
that  you  may  believe  me  when  I  tell 
you  the  Jessie  is  no  humbug.  It  will 
prove  just  as  I  represented  it  in  any 
part  of  the  earth  where  the  strawberry 
is  known.  It  is  an  immense  grower. 
To-day  (Nov.  23)  I  have  dug  2,000 
plants  that  were  not  in  existence  till 
after  the  21st  of  August.  Nine-tenths 
of  the  plants  were  extra  large,  and  the 
size  of  the  berry  and  yield  is  in  keeping 
with  the  growth  of  the  plant.  I  counted 
120  roots  on  one  plant,  and  of  the  lot 
none  ran  lower  than  70  to  a  plant. 

"The  Jessie  originated  in  1880;  it 
has  fruited  live  seasons,  always  giving 


26 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


the  same  I'esults — an  immense  yield. 
The  litliograph  was  made  from  a  paint- 
ing copied  from  nature,  the  exact  size 
of  berries  that  grew  in  matted  rows, 
picked  fi'om  plants  that  had  once  been 
gone  over  by  pickei's.  The  strawberry 
beds  had  not  had-  a  drop  of  rain  for  six 
weeks.  The  ground  was  so  hard  that 
a  hoe  would  make  no  impr-ession.  The 
yield  on  four  matted  rows  was  two 
hundred  bushels  per  acre. 

''  I  am  well  pleased  with  the  Canadian 
Horticulturist.  I  did  not  suppose  so 
good  a  one  was  published  in  Ontario." 
F.  W.  Loudon. 

Mr.  John  Little  of  Gi-anton,  Out.,  is 
well  known  among  us  as  a  strawberry 
grower.  He  went  visiting  among 
American  fruit  growers  last  summer, 
and  was  carried  away  with  the  merits 
of  two  new  seedling  strawberries  he  saw 
in  fruit  in  Ohio.  But  he  came  back 
safely,  though  not  yet  willing  to  dis- 
believe the  evidences  of  his  senses. 
He  writes  "  I  saw  the  Jessie  in  all  its 
glory  at  Matthew  Crawfoi'd's  place.  I 
I  believe  it  and  the  Itasca  are  the 
leaders  of  the  best  strawberries  of  to- 
day "  and  again  "  I  hope  you  will  speak 
well  of  the  Itasca,  it  is  worthy." 

Altogether  it  would  appear  that  the 
Jessie  is  worthy  of  extended  trial,  and, 
if  it  bears  out  its  present  pi'omise,  we 
shall  be  thankful  to  Mr.  Loudon  for  the 
result  of  his  years  of  patient  effort  in 
gi'owing  seedlings. 

Having  been  favored  with  a  cut 
of  Miss  Jessie  Loudon,  after  whom  the 
strawberry  is  named,  we  give  it  a  place 
in  our  columns,  presuming  that  as  the 
young  lady  is  not  yet  in  the  market, 
this  notice  of  her  cannot  be  taken  in  the 
liofht  of  an  advertisement. 


JESSIE,   AFJER  WHOM    THE  NEW  STRAWBERKY 
IS    NAMED. 


Jjntits. 


RAMBLES  AMONG  FRUIT  GROWERS.— I. 

Noticing  the  name  of 

MR.  S.  BURNER 

quite  prominent  as  a  winner  of  prizes 
in  grapes  both  at  Toronto  and  Hamilton 
Fairs  last  September,  we  thought  it 
would  be  worth  while  to  visit  him  and 
enquire  by  what  secret  he  had  suc- 
ceeded in  producing  such  wonderful 
out-door  grapes. 

We  found  his  garden  in  the  eastern 
suburbs  of  Hamilton.  Walking  in  from 
the  front  gate  it  was  evident  we  were 
in  the  grounds  of  a  practical  gardener. 
The  well  kept  rows  of  Downing 
gooseberry  bushes  told  of  an  abundant 
harvest.  The  long,  highly  cultivated 
and  beautifully  trained  I'ows  of  grape 
vines,  still  (Sept.  29th.)  hanging  with 
rich  clusters  of  red,  white,  and  black 
grapes,  spoke  of  a  profitable  vineyard. 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


27 


MR.  BXTRNERS   MODE   OF   TRAINING. 


Ah  !  here  is  Mr.  Burner,  busy  gath- 
ering  those  fine  Hogers  4-i. 

Would  you  mind.  Sir,  telling  me  the 
secret  of  your  great  success  in  produc- 
ing such  ivimense  grapes  as  those  you 
exhibited  at  the  Fairs  ? 

No  secret  at  all,  said  Mr.  Burner. 
There  are  just  a  few  points  to  the  ob- 
servance of  which  I  attribute  my  suc- 
cess ;  first 

TRAINING. 

I  follow  the  renewal  system.  I  see  a 
good  many  of  my  neighbors  still  spurring 
away,  but  I  believe  I  get  moi-e  and  bet- 
ter fruit  by  tliis  system.  In  the  spring 
I  cut  down  every  old  branch  to  within 
one  bud  of  the  main  lateral,  leaving  the 
u})right  of  last  season's  growth  for  fruit- 
ing. 

We  noticed  these  old  laterals  had 
now  become  very  large  and  strong,  and 
tliroughout  the  whole  vineyard  the 
vines  looked  as  i-epresented  in  the  cut. 

Another  advantage,  said  Mr.  Burner, 
which  I  get  by  this  method  of  pruning, 
is  the  ease  with  which  I  can  lay  down 
the  vines  in  winter  and  cover  them. 

Do  you  think  it  pays  in  this  section  to 
lay  down  such  varieties  as  the  Concord  ? 

Well,  I  know  this,  that  I  can't  afford 
to  leave  them  up. 


Do  you  summer  Prune  ? 

Yes,  a  little.  I  stop  the  growth  of 
the  vine  just  beyond  the  last  bunch  of 
grapes,  and  thus  stop  the  side  shoots 
after  one  or  two  leaves.  I  find  two 
advantages  from  this  ;  ( 1 )  the  grapes 
ripen  eai'lier  and  (2)  the  size  is  much 
increased.     The  next  point  is 

THINNING. 

No  wonder  some  people's  grapes  never 
ripen.  They  leave  so  many  bunches 
on  the  vine,  that  it  has  no  sti'ength  to 
mature  its  fruit. 

Those  berries  of  Rogers  44  f'^'^  tremend- 
ous in  size  ;  why  they  are  over  an  inch  in 
diameter  !  and  those  No.  15  and  No  1^> 
are  almost  as  large. 

Yes,  that  brings  me  to  speak  of  an- 
other means  I  use  to  get  fine  sized 
fruit     It  is 

RINGING   THE  VINES. 

It  was  at  one  time  considered  a  great 
secret,  but  it  is  a  very  simple  matter. 
I  simply  girdle  the  bearing  wood  in 
the  summer,  just  above  the  main  lat- 
eral taking  off  a  circle  of  bark  about 
two  inches  long.  The  sap  is  thus  pre- 
vented from  descending,  and  must  go 
to  develop  the  grapes.  It  does  the  vine 
no  harm,  because  these  ai-e  the  branches 


^8 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


which  I  would   cut  off  the  following 
spring  in  any  case. 

But  is  it  not  a  tedious  job  to  he  done  in 
a  large  vineyard  ? 

Not  at  all.  Why  a  man  can  ring  an 
acre  in  a  day.  A  rich  man  can  afford 
to  leave  his  vineyai-d  without  ringing, 
but  I  can't  afford  to  do  so.  I  find  my 
grapes  from  vines  that  are  ringed  bring 
me  twice  as  much  money  in  Toronto 
market  as  those  not  ringed.  They  may 
perhaps  not  be  quite  as  good  in  flavour, 
but  people  do  not  stop  to  consider  that. 
Anyway  the  difference  in  taste  is  veiy 
slight. 

What  means  do  you  use  to  keep  off 
the  mildew  ? 

Nothing  biit  Sulphur.  I  apply  it  as 
soon  as  I  see  the  first  appearance  of 
mildew,  and  usually  find  it  effectual  in 
pi-eventing  it. 

Which  are  your  favorite  varieties? 

The  Rogers'  Hybrids.  I  prefer 
Rogers'  43  to  Moore's  Early,  it  bears 
more  heavily  with  me,  and  the  bunches 
are  twice  the  size.  The  Brighton  mil- 
dews with  me  worse  than  Rogers,  but 
its  quality  is  certainly  excellent,  and  it 
is  an  enormous  bearer.  August  Giant, 
in  my  opinion,  is  not  equal  to  Rogers 
43  or  44.  It  is  too  small.  lona  does 
not  ripen  with  me  ;  but  Prentiss  is  ex- 
cellent, it  is  a  good  bearer,  and  in  point 
of  flavor  I  consider  it  better  than  the 
Niagara. 

VITICULTURAL. 

Best  Varieties. — Mr.  E.  D.  Smith 
says  in  the  Live  Stock  Journal  that  only 
varieties  of  prime  quality  should  be 
planted.  No  one  wants  Champions  in 
any  quantity.  His  Worden  and  Moore's 
Early  came  into  the  mai-ket  with  Pelee 
island  Concords  and  brought  6  cents 
while  the  latter  sold  at  3c.  His  Niagara 
sold  at  2^  times  his  Concords  and  he 
thinks  that  it  will   some  day   be    the 


grape  for  export.  Our  own  experience 
agrees  with  him  in  placing  Moore's 
Early,  Worden  and  Concord  as  the 
three  leading  dark  grapes  for  Canada. 

Plaster  for  the  Vineyard. — The 
gi-ape  vine  is  greatly  benefited  by  an 
occasional  application  of  plaster  (sul- 
phate of  lime).  It  requires  some  sul- 
phur and  likes  lime. — Orchard  and 
Garden. 

Training  Grape  Vines. — Mr.  Geo. 
W.Camj^bell  writes  in  the  Ohio  Farmer: 
"  The  matter  of  winter  protection  has 
become  so  important  in  many  sections, 
that  when  the  horizontal  arm  is  em- 
ployed, I  would  first  plant  the  vine  in 
slanting  position  along  the  line  of  the 
lower  wire,  and  then  train  but  one  arm, 
of  double  length,  in  the  same  direction, 
letting  each  vine  follow  the  same  way, 
touching,  or  nearly  touching  its  neigh- 
bor, and  the  fruit-bearing  shoots  all 
trained  upward,  to  be  renewed  annually 
upon  the  short  spur  or  Fuller  method. 
I  think  this  would  render  practicable 
the  laying  down  for  pi'otection,  and 
greatly  reduce  the  labor  of  so  doing." 


SMALL  FRUIT  NOTES. 

Profits. — J.  H.  Hale  writes  in  Farm 
and  Home  :  "  With  all  the  advantages 
of  good  markets,  none  of  us  are  getting 
rich  out  of  the  business.  Some  are  only 
pist  making  a  living,  while  others  are 
losing  money  and  fast  becoming  dis- 
couraged with  the  low  jjrices  that  have 
ruled  the  past  few  years.  We  hear  all 
about  the  one  successful  cultivator  who 
succeeds  in  producing  6,000  or  8,000 
quarts  of  strawberries  or  4,000  or  5,000 
of  raspberries  per  acre,  and  sells  them 
at  15c  or  20c  per  quart,  while  nothing 
is  said  of  the  "ninety  and  nine  just  men  " 
and  fruit  growers  who  get  only  1,500 
to  2,000  quarts  per  aci'e  and  sell  them 
at  5c  or  6c."  We  are  of  the  opinion 
that  a  little  of  this  plain  and  honest  talk 
will  hui't  nobody. 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST, 


29 


Fay's  vs.  Cherry  Currant. — Peter 
Fay  says  in  the  same  journal  :  "  For 
two  years  I  have  grown  Fay's  Prolific 
currant.  The  fruit  stem  is  four  to  five 
inches  long,  commencing  of  a  good  size 
at  the  stalk,  but  diminishing  toward 
the  end  of  the  stem,  which  is  not  larger 
than  duck  shot.  I  pi-efer  the  Cherry 
currant  at  the  same  price  ;  it  is  a  great 
bearer." 

Dr.  Hoskins,  however,  prefers  the 
Fays.  Probably  his  soil  is  dififerent. 
He  says  ;  "  At  last  we  have  a  big  cur- 
rant that  will  bear  heavy  ci'ops  on  light 
land.  I  have  never  been  able  t«  make 
a  cent  by  growing  the  Versailles  or  the 
Cherry  currant,  they  are  so  very  un- 
productive on  my  soil.  I  have  now  had 
the  Fay  four  years,  and  find  them  yield- 
ing as  heavily  as  the  reliable  old  Red 
Dutch.  As  the  currant  crop  is  quite  an 
item  in  my  farming,  I  consider  that  I 
have  in  the  Fay  a  bonanza,  as  I  had 
confidence  in  them  from  the  first,  and 
have  made  a  large  plantation  of  them." 

With  us  at  Grimsby  the  Cherry  has 
been  a  great  favorite,  especially  on  clay 
loam,  where  no  better  cropper  could  be 
desired,  and  the  fruit  grows  to  a  tremend- 
ous size.  But  on  light  soil  it  l;eai-s  very 
light  crops. 

J.  J.  Thomas  is  reported  as  saying 
that  anyone  who  has  the  Versailles, 
Cherry  or  the  Fay  alone,  need  not  take 
the  trouble  to  get  either  of  the  others, 
unless  the  latter  should  prove  after 
years  of  trial  to  be  the  most  productive. 

Jewell  Strawberry. — A  writer  in 
It.  ^V.  Y.  complains  that  this  variety 
throws  out  very  few  runnei-s,  while  the 
Belmont  sends  them  out  in  abundance. 

The  Marlboro'  Raspberry. — The 
Hon.  Mr.  P.  Wilder  says  of  this  variety : 
'•  The  Marlboro'  is  earh^  and  prolific, 
ripening  its  cro|)  gradually,  and  when 
fullyripe  is  of  good  quality, good  size  and 
firm  enough  for  traveling  to  a  distant 
market  ;  but  to  obtain  these  advantages 
the  suckers  must  constantly  be  cut  down. 


It  is  the  most  vigorous  and  robust  of  all 
raspberries.  " 


INDUSTRY  GOOSEBERRY. 

This  English  Gooseberry,  which  has 
now  been  considerably  disseminated  in 
this  country,  appears  to  hold  its  place 
as  a  non-mildewing  variety,  a  veiy 
unusual  circumstance  in.this  country, for 
all  other  varieties  of  the  English  Goose- 
berry have  been  subject  to  a  destructive 
fungus  on  this  side  ot  the  Atlantic,  ex- 
cept in  some  particular  spots,  or  for  a 
short  term,  merely.  The  fruit  is  large, 
of  a  dark  red  color,  and  of  excellent 
quality.  It  is  quite  productive.  With 
this  variety  and  Downing,  and  Smith's 
Improved,  fruit  growers  should  be  able 
to  raise  handsome  crops,  and  every 
private  garden  should  be  enriched  by 
their  possession. — Vick's  Magazine  for 
January. 


A  BIG  yield  of  strawberries. 

Sir, — I  thought  I  had  done  exceed- 
ingly well  with  the  Wilson  strawberry 
last  summer,  but  I  see,  according  to 
John  Croil,  of  Aultsville,  I  was  beaten 
by  "  Mr.  Beall's  crop." 

From  a  spot  three  rods  one  way,  by 
five  the  othei-,  in  my  garden,  975  quarts 
of  Wilson  sti'awberries  were  gathered 
last  July.  The  mode  of  cultivation  was 
as  follows  :  The  ground  being  well  pre- 
pared in  April,  1885,  it  was  planted  in 
ro^vs  two  feet  and  a  half  apart,  with 
thrifty  plants  from  ten  inches  to  a  foot 
apart.  Then  Globe  mangels  and  carrots 
(the  large  white)  were  sown  midway 
between  the  rows  of  strawberries. 
Sixty  bushels  of  roots  were  gathered 
in  October,  1885.  A  selection  from 
mangles  took  the  first  prize  at  the  great 
Northern  Exhibition  in  Collingwood. 
The  sti'awberry  vines  covered  the 
ground  without  thinning  or  directing 
after  iuly,  1885,  but  they  were  treated 
with  two  or  three  bushels  of  hard  wood 
ashes  in  March.  j.  B.  Aylworth. 


30 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


THE    MICHIGAN    HORTICULTURAL   SOCIETY. 

We  clip  the  following  interesting 
selection  from  the  full  report  of  the 
December  meeting  of  that  society,  in 
the  Grand  Rapids  Daily  Democrat. 

THE    SOCIETY. 

Seventeen  years  ago  was  organised 
in  this  city  the  'Michigan  State  Horti- 
cultural society,  an  association  which 
has  grown  to  be  one  of  the  most  vigor- 
ous and  useful  of  all  the  societies  of  the 
State  devoted  to  advancement  of  special 
interests.  It  has  come  to  be  one  of 
the  most  important  of  its  kind  in  the 
country,  and  its  annual  volumes  are 
recognized  as  pomological  authority 
everywhere,  and  the  good  it  has  done 
in  promoting  fruit  growing  in  Michi- 
gan is  incalculable. 

The  early  years  of  the  society  were 
days  of  small  things.  It  kept  the 
character  of  a  local  society  for  some 
time,  but  when  T.  T.  Lyon,  of  South 
Haven,  became  president,  in  1875,  and 
was  joined  by  C.  W.  Garfield,  of  Grand 
Rapids,  as  secretary,  the  following 
year,  the  society  took  on  new  energy 
and  a  new  character.  To  Mr.  Lyon 
the  welfare  of  the  society  has  been  a 
first  love,  and  he  has  given  it  a  vast 
amount  of  unselfish  and  unrequited 
labor.  He  has  been  intelligently  and 
industriously  aided  by  Mr.  Garfield, 
whose  enthusiasm  and  genius  in  hard 
work  have  been  most  fortunately  com- 
bined with  the  efforts  of  the  venerable 
president.  These  two  have  been  re- 
chosen  year  by  year,  and  doubtless  will 
be  as  long  as  they  are  willing  to  accept 
a  modicum  of  honour  with  an  excess  of 
responsibility  and  labor. 

HIGH    CULTURE. 

The  following  very  valuable  paper  by 
Secretary  P.  C.  Reynolds,  of  New  York, 
Avas  read  by  Secretary  Garfield^under 
the  head  of  "Intensive  methods  in  hor- 
ticulture :" 


Very  general  complaint  has  come  J 
fi'om  nearly  all  sections  of  the  country  ^ 
where  small  fruits  are  produced  for 
markets  that  prices  the  past  season 
were  unremunerative.  Such  being  the 
case,  one  of  two  alternatives  seems  to 
be  indicated,  namely  :  the  reduction  of 
volume  of  products  or  the  diminution 
of  its  cost.  It  is  a  very  difficult  matter 
for  fruit  growers,  scattered  as  they  are 
over  a  wide  area,  to  combine  to  reduce 
production.  The  orderly  operation  of 
the  laws  of  trade  and  production  have 
a  tendency  to  diminish  ])roduction  when 
excessi^^e,  but  combination  rarely  does. 
The  jjrices  of  small  fruits  are  destined, 
I  believe,  to  rule  low  in  the  future,  and 
growers  will  be  wise  to  adapt  their 
business  to  that  condition  of  things. 
With  unlimited  land  and  labor  for  pro- 
duction, the  amount  produced  will  be 
likely  to  increase  quite  as  fast  as  popu- 
lation. The  proper  way  to  cheapen 
production,  in  my  opinion,  is  by  pro- 
ducing more  per  acre.  Every  grower 
can  do  this  for  himself  without  the 
necessity  of  combination  or  co-opera- 
tion. 

Small-fruit  growing  used  to  be  con- 
sidered a  branch  of  horticulture.  Re- 
cently many  have  conducted  it  as  if  it 
belonged  to  agriculture.  The  result  is 
not  surprising.  The  horticulturist  to 
grow  lai-ge  quantities  of  produce  on 
small  areas  of  land  by  means  of  heavy 
manuring  and  high  culture ;  the  agri- 
culturist spreads  his  operations  over 
broad  ai'eas  of  soil,  which  he  cultivates 
enough  to  enable  the  roots  of  crops  to 
spi'ead  through  the  soil,  without  serious 
obstruction,  in  search  of  adequate  sup- 
])lies  of  suitable  food,  and  to  i)ievent 
weeds  from  obtaining  such  growth  as  to 
overcome  the  plants  he  is  seeking  to 
grow.  The  horticulturist  seeks  a  small 
tract  of  garden  soil,  near  a  town  or 
city,  where  he  can  have  an  abundance 
of  fertilizers,  laborers  of  the  right  kind, 
and  where  proximity  to  market  enables 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


31 


him  to  deliver  his  products,  from  day 
to  day,  fresh  to  consumei'S. 

Now  it  seems  to  me  that  too  many 
small  fruit-growers  have,  within  a  few 
years,  come  to  adopting  the  methods  of 
the  agriculturist  rather  than  those  of 
the  horticulturist.  They  have  planted 
their  fruits  in  fields  instead  of  gardens  ; 
they  have  manured  as  if  for  farm  rather 
than  gai'den  crops,  and  they  have  cul- 
tivated after  the  manner  of  farmers 
rather  than  as  gardeners  cultivate. 
Moreover,  many  have  located  remote 
from  town,  subjecting  themselves  to 
i[uite  a  tax  in  transporting  their  fruits 
to  market  and  in  transporting  their 
laborers  to  and  from  their  labor.  Let 
the  farmer  stick  to  farm  crops,  and 
they  who  are  fitted  by  nature,  tastes 
and  training  for  horticulturists  grow 
small  fruits.  This,  I  think,  is  the 
natural  order  of  things,  and  to  this,  I 
believe,  we  shall  be  obliged  to  come. 

ARE    MICHIGAN  APPLES   DETERIORATING? 

President  Lyon — They  are  detei'ior- 
ating.  Probably  there  is  not  more 
than  one  in  20  growers  but  are  im- 
poverishing their  land. 

Prof.  B.ailey — The  increasing  age  of 
the  orchards  may  account  for  it. 

E.  H.  Scotc — The  apples  certainly 
are  deteriorating.  We  can  no  longer 
grow  Esopus,  Spitzenberg,  Fall  Pippin, 
Newton  Pippin  or  Bellflower. 

President  Lyon  said  many  reasons 
conduced  to  this.  Growth  from  year 
to  year  in  untoward  conditions,  the 
increasing  age  of  trees,  tend  to  deterior- 
ation. Yet  in  some  particulars  there 
is  improvement,  as  increase  of  age  of 
trees  gives  better  flavour  and  keeping 
qualities,  and  it  is  a  question  where 
the  balance  of  gain  or  loss  would  fall. 

A  note  from  H.  W.  Steere,  of  Ad- 
rian, stated  that  he  did  not  agree  with 
those  who  attributed  the  deterioration 
mainly  to  insects,  but  thinks  exhaus- 
tion  of  the    soil    the    exciting    cause. 


Deep,  black,  strong  clays  are  rare  in 
Michigan,  and  our  light  sands  and 
gravels  cannot  stand  the  exhaustion  for 
forty  or  fifty  years  from  grain,  grass 
and  root  crops  and  fruits  all  on  the 
same  ground.  He  theorized  that  the 
soil  has  been  i*elieved  of  the  lime  and 
ashes  existant  in  it  originally,  and  in- 
timated that  restoration  of  these  would 
cure  the  existant  evils.  Use  of  stone- 
lime,  a  bushel  to  a  tree,  has  been  known 
to  restore  Newton  pi{)pins  that  had  be- 
come small  and  scabby.  Instead  of 
letting  go  such  valuable  kinds  as  this 
and  the  Spitzenberg  we  should  take 
steps  to  restore  them. 

W.  K.  Gibson— If  the  first  apples 
were  good,  and  the  climate  is  not  dif- 
ferent, we  should  seek  the  adverse 
influences  in  the  soils,  and  there  we 
may  find  why  apples  deteriorate,  if 
they  do. 

S.  M.  Pearsall  would  set  Spitzen- 
bergs  wex'e  he  to  plant  an  orchard  to- 
day. Insects  are  more  numerous,  and 
we  cannot  expect  as  good  results  from 
old  trees,  but  when  proper  care  is  given 
we  can  do  as  well  as  ever. 

S.  D.  Willaid — It  is  well  known  that 
quick-lime  is  in  no  sense  a  manure,  but, 
like  salt,  it  sets  free  and  makes  avail- 
able certain  elements.  With  destruc- 
tion of  the  forests,  and  other  causes, 
fungoid  diseases  have  wonderfully  in- 
creased. The  thin-skinned  sorts  were 
the  first  to  suffer.  The  wheat,  sheep  and 
cattle  that  Michigan  has  sent  to  mar- 
ket have  carried  off'  the  phosphoric  acid 
which  the  fruit  so  much  needs.  The 
needed  elements  have  been  taken  from 
the  soil.  Restore  these  and  you  will 
again  be  able  to  grow  tine  apples,  even 
of  the  thin-skiianed  kinds. 

STOCK    AND    SCION. 

Replying  to  a  (juestion,  Mr.  Bailey 
said  it  was  undecided  as  to  the  efl'eet  of 
stock  upon  the  fruit  of  scions.  There 
is  often  a  mechanical  influence,  dwarfing 


32 


THE    CANAOIAN    HORTICDLTURIST. 


or  magnifying  the  gx'owth  of  the  scion  ; 
but  thei'e  are  only  a  few  cases,  and  they 
not  well  authenticated,  of  change  in 
character  of  fruit. 

THE    CODLIN    MOTH. 

Discussion  shifted  to  methods  of  com- 
batting the  codlin  moth.  W.  A.  Brown 
of  Benton  Harbor  said  growers  in  that 
vicinity  had  for  three  years  practiced 
spraying  ap])le  trees  with  Paris  Green 
with  great  success.  Sprayed  on  just 
after  the  blossoms  fall,  the  poison  seems 
to  kill  off  the  brood  of  moths  that  sur- 
vives the  winter.  This  brood  is  small, 
comparatively,  the  main  damage  being 
done  by  the  later  hatchings.  The  effect 
has  certainly  been  marvelous  in  making 
ai)])les  perfect,  even  when  the  adjoining 
orchards  were  not  treated — showing 
that  the  moths  migrate  bu  t  little. 

W.  H.  Parmelee  used  London  purple 
this  year  and  had  more  perfect  apples 
than  for  years.  There  is  danger  of  in- 
jury to  trees  by  use  of  too  strong  solu- 
tion. He  used  one  pound  to  50  gal- 
lons of  water,  but  half  the  quantity  is 
sufficient.  The  mixture  was  beneficial 
also  upon  cherry  trees. 

W.N.Cook  spoke  of  the  danger  to  the 
operator.  Do  not  allow  the  spray  to  be 
blown  back  against  you.  Kerosene 
emulsion  is  said  to  be  much  better. 

Prof.  Pagan — Prof.  Riley's  position 
is  that  the  emulsion  is  preferable.  It 
is  made  of  75  per  cent,  of  oil,  25  of  soft 
soaj),  to  one  gallon  of  water. 

S.  D.  Willard- — It  requires  more  skill 
to  use  the  emulsion  without  injury  to 
the  trees  than  to  use  Paris  Green. 
Three  ounces  to  40  gallons  of  water  is 
a  sufficient  quantity,  but  the  powder  is 
often  adulterated  and  so  is  of  variable 
strength.  I  have  used  it  upon  pears 
also,  while  the  blossom  ends  were  up- 
ward, with  good  effect.  Keep  to  wind- 
ward of  the  spray  and  wear  gloves  lest 
the  poison  enter  wounds  upon  the 
hands. 


Mr.  Cook — If  the  emulsion  is  perfect 
it  remains  uniform  when  diluted,  but  if 
the  uAion  of  the  ingredients  is  not 
perfect  injury  is  likely  to  i-esult. 

NEWER    SMALL    FRUITS. 

Wilson  jr.  Blackberry  —  Not  materi- 
ally different  from  the  Wilson. 

Marlboro'  Raspberry — Opinions  were 
A^arious  ;  does  not  show  promised  vigor  ; 
about  like  Cuthbert  in  growth,  but  not 
as  good  quality  ;  if  it  doesn't  do  better 
Mr.  Scott  will  take  out  his  three  acres  ; 
half  the  size  of  Cuthbert  and  of  poor 
color,  though  at  first  did  well ;  at  Ben- 
ton Harbor  canes  quite  strong,  i-ipens 
with  Turner,  firmer  and  better  color 
than  either  Turner  or  Cuthbert  and 
brought  much  better  prices ;  grows 
slowly  and  of  no  consequence  ;  there  are 
several  sorts  of  Marlboro'. 

Lucretia  Dewberry — Mr.  Lyon  has 
had  good  crops  for  three  or  four  years  ; 
best  dewberry  he  knows  ;  is  not  derived 
from  wild  dewberry,  but  is  a  trailing 
variety  of  the  high  blackberry  ;  may  be 
a  hybridization  of  the  two  ;  fruits  well 
at  Ionia,  but  turns  red  and  sour  ;  two 
weeks  earlier  than  any  blackberry. 

Niagara  Grape — Rots  when  the  Con- 
cord does ;  white  grapes  are  iiot  more 
subject  to  X'ot  than  others. 

Belmont  Strawberry — One  member 
only  had  fi'uited  it  and  found  it  very 
promising ;  others  were  pleased  with 
quality  of  the  plants. 

Golden  Queen  Raspberry — Fine  color 
but  same  as  a  yellow  Cuthbert ;  not  bet- 
than  Brinckle's  orange. 

Hiiborn  Blackcap — Less  seedy  than 
others  and  of  fine  quality,  but  not  yet 
well  tested. 

PORTRAIT    OF    PRESIDENT    LYON. 

The  Society,  by  committee,  has  had 
executed  a  very  large  crayon  portrait  of 
Prfisident  Lyon,  which  is  to  go  into  the 
horticultural  room  in  the  state  capitol, 
to  help  perpetuate  his  memory  and  good 
fame.    It  was  x-evealed  to  Mr.  Lyon  last 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


33 


evening,  after  a  brief  speech  of  eulogy  by 
Mr.  Gibson,  i-ebearsing  Mr.  Lyon's  ex- 
ceedingly great  services  to  tbe  society. 
It  was  to  Mr.  Lyon  a  complete  surprise, 
and  he  was  so  deeply  moved  that  re- 
sponse was  impo.ssible  and  he  quickly 
resumed  his  seat,  asking  to  be  excused 
from  remarks. 


ELLIOT'S    EARLY    PEAR. 

Sir, — Referring  to  your  noteson early- 
pears  in  the  December  Number,  I  wish 
to  say  a  good  word  for  Elliot's  Early. 
It  is  a  native  of  Windsor,  Ont.  I  pro- 
cured my  tree  (Dwarf)  from  Mr. 
Dongall.  It  is  a  delicious  [)ear,  medium, 
but  uneven,  in  size,  a  profuse  bearer, 
and  handsome  in  appearance. 

They  commenced  to  I'ipen  with  me 
last  summer  on  2'2nd  July,  and,  the 
young  ])eople  having  discovered  their 
merit,  wei-e  nearly  all  gone  by  the  1st 
of  August.  They  ripen  on  the  tree  a 
half-dozen  or  dozen  at  a  time,  and  no 
sign  of  rotting  at  the  core.  The  tree  is 
not  so  hardy  as  the  Flemish  Beauty, 
but  stands  the  winter  here  fairly,  which, 
by  reason  of  our  elevation,  is  excep- 
tionally severe.  Grapes  last  year  were 
almost  a  failure — s])ring  frosts. 

J.  P.  W.,  Stratford. 


CONDENSED  FRUIT  REPORTS. 

Chinese  P.ieony. — The  Chinese  Pseony 
received  in  1883  did  remarkably  well, 
blooming  the  first  and  each  successive 
year  in  spite  of  the  injury  done  them 
by  dividing  tlie  roots  every  spring,  for 
proi)agating  purposes.  They  are  easily 
cultivated,  requiring  no  protection 
whatever,  and  pi'oduce  the  finest  flowers 
(though  not  the  largest),  when  planted 
in  soil  only  moderately  rich.  Those 
who  grow  only  the  comuion  Pa?ony  can 
form  no  idea  ot  the  beauty  of  the  Chinese 
varieties.         J.  H.  Wismer,  Port  Elgin. 

The  Prentiss  Grape,  received  in 
1884,  made  a  growth  of  about  ten  inches 
while   other   varieties    alongside,   with 


less  care,  made  five  to  eight  feet.  The 
first  winter  it  froze,  but  spi'outed  the 
following  spring  from  the  roots  and 
again  made  the  same  sickly  growth,  was 
again  injured  by  frost,  and  now  I  con- 
sider it  an  utter  failure,  of  no  earthly 
use  in  this  northern  country.  In  this 
connection  I  may  say  that  my  grounds 
are  fully  exposed,  and  the  climate  here 
being  a  most  vigorous  one,  n  thing  of  a 
tender  nature  can  be  grown. 

.J.  H. Wismer. 

Small  Fruits. — The  Fay's  Prolific 
Cun-ant  promises  well ;  and  so  does  the 
Marll)oro'  Kaspberry.  The  canes  of  the 
latter  are  large  and  stronjij.  The  fruit 
is  large  and  very  fine. 

Strawberries  did  well.  I  find  it  a 
real  success  to  clean  and  put  the  straw- 
berry bed  in  a  good  condition  soon 
after  the  fruit  is  oflf.  I  cut  off  all  the 
leaves  and  runners,  and  work  over  the 
ground  with  a  hoe.  This  appears  to 
induce  fruitfulness. 

Would  Mr.  Beall  or  Mr.  Croil  tell  us 
the  kind  of  soil,  the  variety  of  straw- 
berry and  the  mode  of  culture  which 
resulted  in  so  large  a  crop  on  Mr.Beall's 
place  1  Samuel  Fe.a.r,  Brussels. 


notes  to  new  beginners. 

BY    PETKR    PRIXIXG    KXIFK. 

The  first  step  necessary  to  successful 
fruit  growing,  after  selecting  the  loca- 
tion, is  to  ])repare  the 
soil. 
If  not  naturally  dry  enough  it  should 
be  underdrained,  and  enriched,  and 
cleared  of  all  foul  weeds — especially  for 
small  fruits.  Quack  grass,  Canada 
thistles,  and  fruit  will  not  flourish  to- 
gether, particularly  the  fruit,  the  (piack 
and  thistles  may.  I  have  spent  more 
money  in  trying  to  clear  these  weeds 
from  ben-ies  after  they  were  planted 
than  the  fruit  was  worth  and  then  had 
to  plough  them  up.  This  was  when  I 
went  on  a  new  place  and  wanted  to  get 


34 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


my  small  fruits  planted  the  first  year. 
While  you  are  preparing  your  ground, 
make  up  your  mind  what  you  intend 
to  plant  and  not  wait  for  some  tree 
agent  to  come  along  and  tell  you.  There 
are  always  lots  of  these  fellows  around 
ready  to  show  you  in  their  catalogues 
and  plate  books,  any  amount  of  varie- 
ties which,  if  taken  according  to  direc- 
tions, tfec,  <fec.,  will  make  you  rich  in 
about  six  months.  /In  experience  if 
nothing  else. )  Don't  buy  all  they  offer 
you,  if  you  do  you  will  have  too  much 
fruit  :  besides  it  will  be  a  fruitful 
source  of  annoyance  to  you  to  dig 
them  out  and  plant  them  over  after 
you  have  gi*own  them  a  year  or  two. 
Find  out  from  your  neighbor,  or  through 
the  reports  of  the  Fruit  Growers'  Asso- 
ciation and  the  Horticulturist  what 

VARIETIES 

succeed  and  pay  best  in  your  immediate 
locality,  and  plant  these  varieties.  It 
is  not  best,  as  the  saying  is,  to  "  put  all 
of  your  eggs  in  one  basket,"  but  if  you 
ai-e  near  to  a  good  market  a  general 
assortment  may  be  gi'own,  from  berries 
currants,  grapes,  »fec.,  up  to  the  larger 
fruits.  Some  seasons  one  or  more  kinds 
may  fail  and  you  will  want  to  have 
others  to  depend  on.  If  you  are  far 
from  a  market  the  shipping  qiialities  of 
the  fruits  should  be  taken  into  consider- 
ation in  making  your  selections.  After 
you  have  made  up  your  mind  what  you 
want,  send  your  order  direct  to  some 
reliable  nurseryman — with  instructions 
not  to  substitute — instead  of  havinsr  it 
placed  on  the  blank  of  some  traveling 
agent  on  which  this  clause  is  always 
printed  :  "  If  you  cannot  su[)ply  all  the 
varieties  named  you  can  substitute  other 
varieties  considered  by  you  equally 
desirable  " — which  means  you  will  get 
whatever  he  likes  to  send  you. 

Have  your  grounds  properly  laid  out 
before  planting  and    plant  each  variety  i 
separately  as  much  as  possible  and  place 
those  varieties  which  ripen  at  the  same  I 


time  near  together,  for  convenience  in 
gathering  the  fruit.      Keep 

A    MAP    OF    YOUR    GROUNDS 

SO  if  you  want  plants  or  scions  of  any 
particular  variety  at  any  time  you  may 
know  just  where  to  find  them.  "  Be 
sure  you  are  right  and  then  go  ahead  " 
is  a  good  motto  for  fruit  growers.  Get 
the  right  location,  right  soil  rightly 
prepared,  set  the  right  varieties,  and 
you  are  on  the  right  I'oad  to  success  ; 
providing  right  cidtivation  and  care  is 
taken,  of  which  I  may  write  in  mv 
next  article. 


J^lotDers. 


WINTER  FLOWERING  BULBS. 

BY    HERMAN    SIMMERS,    TORONTO. 

In  our  former  letters  we  have  drawn 
the  attention  of  the  readers  of  the 
Horticulturist  to  some  practical  hints 
about  the  care  of  winter  flowei'ing  bulbs; 
but  we  must  trespass  the  least  bit  from 
that  line  and  think  a  little  of  the  future. 
In  the  meantime  we  will  allow  the 
various  bulbs  to  finish  their  growth  and 
in  our  next  issue  we  will  speak  of  their 
after  care.  We  purpose  in  thLs  issue 
then  to  speak  about  the 

DOUBLE    TUBEROSE. 

This  bulb  has  been  tried  frequently  by 
the  amateur  witii  almost  in  every  case 
a  failure,  mainly  due  to  the  subject  not 
being  bi-ought  before  his  notice  at  the 
proper  season  of  the  year  for  planting. 
The  varieties  of  the  Tuberose  that  are 
generally  gi-own  are  the  Large  Double 
and  the  Pearl.  The  former  variety  is 
not  so  much  grown,  principally  on 
account  of  its  long  stems ;  the  latter 
variety  is  more  popular  on  account  of 
its  extremely  dwarf  habit.  Its  height 
is  about  two  feet  and  therefore  it  is 
better  adajjted  both  for  the  amateur  and 
the  professional.  The  proper  time  for 
starting  the  Tuberose  is  during  this 
month,   when    after    treating    it    in    a 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICDLTDR18T. 


35 


TUBEROSE. 


manner  somewhat  similar  to  the  Hya- 
cinths, etc.,  i.e.  placing  it  in  the  dark 
and  allowing  it  to  i-oot  thoroughlj,  but 
with  this  difference,  that  they  may  be 
planted  three  in  a  quart  pot,  without  in 
any  way  crowding  or  retarding  their 
growth  ;  also  we  would  suggest  that 
they  be  allowed  to  remain  in  the  dark 
for  a  longer  period  of  time  than  the 
Hyacinth,  say  about  ten  weeks.  The 
growth  of  the  Tuberose  is  slower  than 
most  bulbs,  therefore  sorely  trying  the 
patience  of  the  amateur,  who  very  often 
is  on  the  point  of  despair,  but  just  then 
patience  should  step  in  and  allow  nature 
time  to  develop  the  flower. 

After  being  brought  to  the  light  it 
generally  takes  the  Tubei'ose  bulbs 
about  three  months  to  develop  their 
flowers,  except  when  they  are  being 
forced  in  a  conservatory.  Allow  them 
to  keep  their  slow,  steady  growth  and 
those    of  our    readers  who  grow  them 


will  be  amply  i-epaid  by  their  show  of 
flowers  about  the  end  of  July.  A  point 
that  may  here  be  suggested,  which  would 
relieve  the  grower,  is  that  they  may  l>e 
planted  out  in  a  bed  about  the  end  of 
May,  care  being  taken  when  removing 
them  from  the  pot,  to  keep  the  ball  of 
earth  from  falling  apai-t.  This  may 
easily  be  done  by  holding  the  upper 
portion  of  the  pot  with  one  hand,  in  a 
reverted  form,  then  gently  tapping  it, 
and  with  the  other  removing^ the  pot. 
Any  person  trying  the  Tuberose  will  be 
amply  repaid  for  his  trouble,  being  as 
it  is  the  most  fragrant  of  all  flowering 
bulbs. 

LIFE'S  POETRY  AND  PROSE. 
Fair  and  fragrant,  full  in  foliage, 

Blooms  a  rose  beside  a  wall, 
Freely  swinging,  closely  clinging 

To  a  stately  stem  and  tall. 

Fair  to  look  upon  in  passing. 

Fascinating  to  the  eye, 
Spirit  thrilling,  joy  fnlfiUing, 

To  the  daily  passer  by. 

Safely  hid  'neath  leafy  curtains, 
Pure  of  birth  and  gently  born, 

In  its  nesting,  sweetly  resting, 
Grows  a  wearing,  tearing  thorn. 

Low  among  the  dew-wet  grass, 

Lies  a  serpent  as  in  sleep. 
After  gliding  into  hiduig, 

Down  where  noisome  vapors  creep. 

Would  you  walk  your  way  in  safety. 
Through  life's  day  from  early  morn. 

Virtue's  flower  pluck  each  hour, 
Free  from  every  vice  and  thorn, 

Would  you  have  the  rose,  0  pilgrim. 
Would  you  gather  it  to  keep, 

Fully  fragrant,  brightly  radiant. 
Look  beneath  before  you  leap, 
c.  w.  BRVAN,  In  Good  Hoii.si-kcej'ui'j. 


The  fashionable  flower  of  the  day 
is  at  present  the  White  Chrysanthe- 
mum. It  is  worn  as  a  buttonhole, 
massed  as  a  boucjuet,  and  nestled  among 
moss  for  table  decoration,  lightly  veiled 
with  maidenhair  fern.  Tinted  ivy 
leaves  very  often  form  a  background 
for  it.— .V.  Y.  Herald. 


M 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


THE    ASIATIC   PITCHER    PLANT. 


A    CURIOUS    PLANT -THE    ASIATIC    PITCHER 
PLANT. 

Of  wliat  are  termed  Pitcher  Plants, 
there  are  a  number  of  different  kinds, 
belonging  to  different  botanical  order.s. 
One  of  these  is  an  American  kind,  also 
known  as 

THE    huntsman's    CUP, 

and  the  Side- saddle  flower.  Of  this 
one,  no  doubt  many  of  our  young  read- 
ers have  met  specimens  growing  wild, 
for  it  is  found  in  many  parts  of  Am- 
erica thriving  in  peat-bogs.  The  leaves, 
very  curiously,  have  the  form  of  an 
open  cup,  and  are  usually  half-filled 
with  water,  much  of  which  may  be 
rain.  Into  this  water  many  insects  find 
their  way  during  the  season,  only  to 
drown. 


I  But  even  more  curious  than  the  com- 
mon American  Pitcher  Plant,  is  the 
Asiatic  Pitcher  Plant,  of  which  an  en- 
graving is  herewith  given.  It  is  over 
sixty  yeai'S  ago  since  the  first  species 
of  this  was  met  by  Europeans,  in 
China,  and  introduced  into  their  hot- 
houses. Since  that  time  various  other 
species  have  been  found,  but  none  is 
more  interesting  than  the  one  here  il- 
lustrated. This  one  is  known  botan- 
ically  as  Nepenthes  Hookeriana. 

In  the  engraving  the  peculiar  appen- 
dages to  the  apex  of  the  leaves,  which 
give  it  its  very  appropriate  name,  are 
conspicuous.  This  formation  is  a  veri- 
table Pitcher, 

EVEN    to    the    lid, 

which   is  hinged  to   one  side.     When 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


37 


the  Pitcher  is  in  a  young,  forming 
state,  the  lid  in  some  species  is  closed. 
As  it  develops,  it  opens,  and  even  then, 
water  is  found  in  the  receptacle,  which 
proves  that  this  fluid  is  a  secretion  of 
the  plant.  After  the  lid  is  fully  open, 
no  doubt  additions  are  made  to  the 
water  by  rain  and  heav}'  dews.  In 
this  water,  insects  and  even  small  ani- 
mals are  often  drowned.  A  very  re- 
markable quality  of  the  fluid  is  that  it 

HAS    A    CERTAIN    DIGESTIVE    POWER, 

and  it  is  believed  that  the  plant  derives 
some  direct  beneflt  to  its  growth  by 
the  consumption  of  insects.  Plants  of 
this  class  have  thei-efore  been  called 
Carnivorous  or  Insect-eating  plants. 
The  Pitchers  vary  in  size  to  hold  from 
half  a  pint  to  nearly  a  quart  of  water 
each. 

The  Asiatic  Pitcher  Plants  are  no 
strangers  to  American  hot-houses.  The 
plants  require,  in  cultivation,  condition 
of  treatment  not  very  unlike  those 
suited  to  the  Orchids. — From  Popular 
Gardening,  with  cut. 


SUITABLE  TREES  FOR  THE  LAWN. 
(Concluded.) 

BY   p.    E.    BICKE,    OTTAWA. 

The  American  Chestnut  (Castanea 
Americana  )  is  valuable  for  its  wood  and 
nuts,  and  is  ornamental  in  its  appear- 
ance. It  grows  wild  in  the  woods  in 
the  neighborhood  of  London,  Ont.,  to- 
ward Byron,  whei'e  there  is  a  handsome 
grove.  So  far,  I  have  never  been  suc- 
cessful in  raising  this  tree  from  the  nut 
in  Ottawa,  although  I  cannot  say  for 
certain  that  it  was  the  severity  of  the 
winters  that  destroyed  my  seedlings. 
In  its  native  liabitat  it  gi-ows  on  high, 
poor,  gravelly  soil.  Its  beautiful  large 
glossy  beach-shaped  leaf  gives  it  a  fine 
appearance.  The  tree  grows  from  forty 
to  fifty  feet  high,  and   would   require 


large  grounds  to  show  it  off"  to  advan- 
tage. 

The  Japanese  Chestnut  (Castanea 
Jajionica)  is  said  to  be  hardier,  is 
dwarf  in  form,  and  has  larger  nuts. 
I  am  testing  its  ability  to  withstand 
this  northern  climate.  If  it  should 
prove  hardy,  it  will  be  a  great  acquisi-  ^ 
tion  to  our  nut-bearing  trees  ;  at  any 
rate,  it  would  be  a  paying  tree  to  plant 
by  the  acre  in  western  Ontario,  for  the 
sake  of  its  fruit. 

The  Thorn  (Cratmjus). — Some  of 
the  wild  species  are  very  handsome, 
bearing  a  profusion  of  blossoms  and 
fruit.  The  Cockspur  {Cms  galli)  grows 
to  twelve  or  fifteen  feet  high  ;  its  red 
berries  give  it  a  very  oi-namental  ap- 
pearance in  the  autumn.  The  double- 
flowering  varieties  of  Europe  are  very 
attractive.  I  have  found  the  plants  of 
the  latter  fairly  hardy  here,  although 
they  have  never  flowered.  I  have  had 
them  growing  for  ten  years  past.  In 
western  Ontario  they  should  be  a  suc- 
cess. 

The  Catalpa  Speciosa  is  fairly  har- 
dy, although  the  moi-e  tender  shoots  do 
sometimes  kill  back  in  exposed  locali- 
ties. Its  large  heart-shaped  leaves  make 
the  tree  attractive. 

Linden,  or  Basswood  (Tilia). — This 
native  tree  is  too  well  known  to  need 
description.  I  merely  mention  it  to 
call  attention  to  it  as  a  street  tree,  for 
which  its  fine  umbrageous  foliage  pecu- 
liarly fit  it.  Its  sweet-scented  blooms 
in  the  early  spring  have  a  peculiar 
charm  for  the  bees,  and  bee-men  count 
the  honey  made  from  its  inflorescence 
amongst  the  best  flavoi-ed  and  clearest 
that  is  sent  to  market. 

Cut-Leaved  Linden  (Tilia  Lacini- 
ata  Riihra)  is  very  striking,  hardy,  and 
pretty  ;  it  has  bright  rose-colored  young 
wood. 

The  European  Linden^  {Tilia  Euro- 
pea)  is  very  suitable  for  avenues.     The 


38 


THE   0ANA.D1AN    H0ETICULTUEI8T. 


THE    BLACK    WALNUT. 


leaves  are  a  darker  shade  of  green  than 
the  A.merican  variety,  smaller  in  size, 
but  are  borne  in  greater  profusion, 
forming  a  dense  shade.  The  outline  of 
the  ti'ee  is  regular  and  conical  ;  it  will 
suit  itself  to  any  soil,  and  is  especially 
adapted  to  large  lawns. 

Mulberry  (Morns). — The  only  va- 
riety of  this  tree  I  have  succeeded  in 
growing  is  the  Russian.  It  quckly 
attains  a  good  height,  and  stands  the 
climate  well ;  although  the  tips  of  the 
young  wood  often  suffer,  this  does  not 
check  the  tree's  growth.  I  have  tried 
Downing's,  but  it  is  far  too  tender.  I 
-should  not  advise  any  one  building  too 
much  on  the  fruit  to  be  obtained,  but 
as  it  grows  rapidly  from  cuttings,  and 
the  fruit  varies  considei-ably  amongst 
the  seedlings,  one  may  arise  in  the 
multitude  of  those  grown,  which  will 
be  valuable.  Its  easy  propagation, 
freedom   from   suckers,   quick   growth. 


hardy  nature,  and  capacity  for 
standing  the  knife  should,  I 
think,  make  it  a  very  suitable 
plant  for  hedges. 

Black  Walnut  and  But- 
ternut (Juglans  Nigra  and 
Juglans  CinereaJ  are  both 
hardy,  and  make  attractive 
looking  ti'ees,  of  good  size. 
They  are  both  of  quick  growth, 
besides  which  they  have  the 
nuts,  for  pickling  and  eating, 
to  commend  them.  Their 
feathery,  fern-like  foliage  gives 
them  a  striking  appearance, 
and  no  place  of  any  size  should 
be  without  a  few  specimens 
of  each  of  these  trees. 

THE  CATALPA. 

Sir, — I  am  sorry  to  report 
tbe  same  as  last  year  "  That  I 
am  afraid  it  is  too  tender  for 
this  climate."  Last  spring  it 
came  out  strong  to  within  li 
inches  of  the  tip  of  the  last 
season's  growth  which  was  about  18 
inches,  but  the  frost  on  the  6th  of  May 
cut  it  down,  and  this  year  it  has  again 
sent  up  a  shoot  from  the  root  about  22 
inches  and  has  seemed  to  be  very  vigor- 
ous the  rest  of  the  season.  It  is  fairly 
protected  and  is  in  good  ground  with 
good  drainage.       A.  J.  Collins,  Listowel. 


^mntific. 


ACCLIMATION. 


BY  D.  W.   BBADLE. 


The  readers  of  the  Canadian  Hor- 
ticulturist may  remember  the  purport 
of  a  very  interesting  article  Vjy  Mr.  D. 
Nicol,  at  page  85  of  Volume  IX.  In 
it  he  gives  the  residt  of  thirty-two  years 
of  endeavor  to  acclimate  many  half- 
hardy  shrubs  and  fruit  ti'ees.  The  con- 
clusion at  which  he  arrives  is  this,  '•  that 
trying  to  make  tender  plants  hardy  is 


THE   CANADIAN    H0RTICULTDRI6T. 


39 


only  a  waste  of  time  and  means." 
Doubtless  this  conclusion  is  quite  cor- 
rect with  i-egard  to  the  individual  trees 
and  shrubs  themselves,  but  my  experi- 
ence leads  me  to  believe  that  there  is  a 
way  whereby  we  may,  in  process  of 
time,  secure  a  race  of  these  very  trees 
and  shrubs  that  shall  be  perfectly 
acclimated. 

In  support  of  this  view  I  point  to 
the  peach  trees  of  north-eastern  China, 
to  the  cherry  trees  of  the  Vladimir  dis- 
trict of  Russia,  l^'ing  north  of  the  fifty- 
fifth  parallel  of  latitude,  to  the  Catalpa 
of  the  north-western  States,  and  to  the 
evergreens  tendei-  from  the  Pacific  slojie, 
but  hardy  when  raised  from  seed  grown 
in  Colorado.  Why  is  it  that  these  trees 
are  able  to  endure  the  rigors  of  those 
cold  climates,  and  not  merely  to  endure, 
but  to  flourish  and  bring  forth  fruit  if 
it  be  not  true  that  there  is  such  a  thing  as 
acclimation  of  half-hardy  trees.  How 
long  a  period  of  time  has  clasped  during 
which  this  process  of  acclimation  has 
V)een  ]»rogressing  to  the  full  develop- 
ment which  we  now  find,  it  is  not  pos- 
sible to  tell  Nature's  process  are  not 
usually  rapid  in  the  affecting  of  such  re- 
sults, "the  mills  of  the  gods  grinds  low." 
Nevertheless,  within  the  short  sj^an  of 
half  a  century,  I  have  seen  a  race  of 
Biota  orientalia,  produced  by  the  sow- 
ing of  seed  raised  in  our  climate,  that  is 
])erfectly  acclimated,  while  the  jiarent 
stock  was  with  difficulty  preserved 
from  death  long  enough  to  yield  seed. 
Hence  I  infer  that  by  sowing  seed,  from 
trees  that  have  been  able  to  i)roduce 
seed  in  any  given  climate,  for  success- 
ive generations,  a  race  of  such  species 
of  shrub  or  tree  will  in  process  of  time 
be  produced,  that  will  be  perfectly 
hardy  in  that  climate.  How  long  it 
will  take  to  accomplish  this,  for  how 
many  successive  generations  it  will  be 
necessary  to  sow  the  seed,  it  is  impos- 
sible to  say.  Doubtless,  when  thus 
taken  in  hand  by  an  intelligent  guide, 
nature    will    take    loncjer    strides    and 


make  more  rapid  progress  than  when 
left  to  her  own  faltei'ing  steps. 

But  whether  it  is  worth  our  while  to 
proceed  in  this  slow,  and  therefore  tedi- 
ous, manner  to  accomplish  our  desired 
acclimation  is  quite  another  question. 
We  now  have  means  at  our  command 
whereby  this  work  can  be  accomplished 
with  far  greater  rapidity.  The  art  of 
breeding  for  specific  results  is  as  much 
within  the  control  of  the  horticultui-ist 
and  orchardist  as  of  the  stock-raiser. 
Perhaps  it  has  not  yet  been  quite  as 
fully  i-educed  to  a  science  by  the  foinner 
as  by  the  latter,  which,  if  true,  only 
shews  that  there  has  not  yet  been  as 
much  careful  study  and  experiment  on 
the  part  of  the  horticulturist  as  has 
been  put  forth  by  the  cattle-breeder. 
Yet  enough  has  been  done  to  prove  that 
by  the  process  of  cross-fertilization  we 
can  blend  in  very  con.siderable  measure 
the  desired  size  and  quality  of  fruit 
with  the  wished  for  hardiness  of  tree. 
The  thoughtful  student  and  painstaking 
observer  are  wanted  to  work  out  these 
problems  and  reveal  to  us  the  laws  of 
this  procreation,  so  that,  guiding  his 
operations  by  these  laws,  the  propagator 
may  work  with  certainty  to  definite 
results.  We  have  had  enough  of  hap- 
hazard guess-work,  of  supposing  that 
cross-fei'tilization  has  been  effected 
merely  because  certain  trees  or  vines 
were  in  proximity ;  it  is  time  now  for 
something  like  accuracy  in  our  working, 
if  we  are  ever  to  penetrate  the  secrets 
of  nature's  working.  But  when  our 
cross-fertilization  shall  be  pei'formed 
with  a  knowledge  of  the  laws  of  vege- 
table heredity,  we  shall  hold  a  talisman 
more  potent  than  any  of  which  the 
wildest  imagination  has  ever  dreamed. 


PARIS  GREEN. 

HY   TIIOS.    BEALL     LINDSAY. 

As  an  insecticide  the  vex'dict  is  un- 
animously in  favor  of  the  use  of  this 
poison. 

Most   persons   now  understand  that 


40 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


"  a  teaspoouful  of  Paris  Green  to  a  pail 
of  water  "  is  about  the  right  proportion 
to  use  in  destroying  insect  life,  yet  the 
uncertainty  as  to  its  effects  on  the  foliage 
is  as  strongly  felt  as  ever.  This  uncer- 
tainty is  no  doubt  produced  by  the 
"  indefinite  quantity  "  as  referred  to  by 
Mr. Thompson,  Ganad'mn Horticulturist 
p.  156,  used  on  a  given  surface  of  foliage 
and  in  the  manner  of  using  it.  During 
the  past  five  or  six  years  I  have  used  in 
my  gai'den  and  orchard  about  one  pound 
of  Paris  Green  per  acre  per  annum,  and 
have  never  known  any  injury  to  the 
foliage.  I  mix  a  quarter  of  an  ounce 
of  Paris  Green  and  about  double  the 
bulk  of  flour  with  two  gallons  of  water, 
and  apply  while  thoroughly  mixed,  with 
a  hand  syringe  having  a  very  fine  rose 
nozzle. 

The  quantity  to  be  applied  to  each 
tree  must  depend  upon  the  size  of  the 
tree,  one  gallon  being  sufficient  for  a 
tree  with  bloom  enough  to  produce  four 
or  five  barrels  of  fruit. 

It  should  be  applied  when  the  tree  is 
in  full  bloom,  and  again  about  a  week 
later. 

Injury  to  the  foliage  is  caused  by 
using  too  much  Paris  Green.  Anyone 
may  see  however  that  the  quantity  of 
poison  used  on  each  tree  is  not  neces- 
sarily in  proportion  to  the  quantity  of 
Paris  Green  to  each  gallon  of  water,  but 
to  the  quantity  of  the  mixture  apjilied  to 
each  tree. 

As  to  the  manner  of  applying  the  poi- 
son to  the  apple  tree  so  as  to  accomplish 
the  greatest  good,  with"  the  least  injury 
to  the  foliage,  it  should  be  understood 
( 1 )  that  the  poison,  to  be  effectual,  must 
be  applied  to  the  centre  of  each  blossom 
and  that  the  smallest  atom  is  sufficient, 
and  {'!)  that  any  of  the  poison  falling 
upon  any  other  part  of  the  ti-ee  will  in 
no  way  pi-event  the  operations  of  the 
Codlin  moth.  The  spray  should  be  so 
projected  that  it  may  fall  on  the  blos- 
soms in  a  very  fine  mist. 


THE 


Canabimi  iBortkulturist. 


)N  Illus- 
trated 
Monthly  Journal,  de- 
voted to  the  interests 
'  of     Fruit     Growers, 
Kardeners,  and  Gentle- 
men owning  rural  or  su- 
burban homes. 

Subscription  price  .$1.00 
per  year,  entitling  the  subscri- 
ber to  membership  of  the  Fruit  Grow- 
ers' Association  of  Ontario  and  all  its 
privileges,  including  a  copy  of  its 
valuable  Annual  Eeport,  and  a  share  in  its 
anniial  distribution  of  premium  plants  and 
trees.  

Pd.  86. — If  your  address  label  reads 
thus,  your  subscription  expired  with 
December  No.  We  send  you  January 
and  February  Nos.  of  87  hoping  you 
will  renew,  but  if  you  do  not  wish  to 
do  so,  please  hand  these  copies  to  some 
friend  who  is  interested  in  Horticultui'e. 
All  names  still  unpaid  will  be  promptly 
removed  from  our  list  after  this  number. 
The  Repoi't  for  18f<6  will  be  sent  only 
to  those  who  pay  their  fee  for  1887. 

This  Journal  is  not  published  in  the  in- 
terests, or  for  the  pecuniary  advantage 
of  any  one,  but  its  pages  ai-e  devoted 
wholly  to  the  progress  of  Horticultural, 
Science  and  Art  in  Canada.  We  aim 
at  the  development  of  the  fruit  growing 
industry  in  our  Province  ;  at  the  general 
distribution  of  knowledge  concerning 
all  the  newest  and  best  varieties  of 
fruits  ;  and  at  the  education  of  a  refined 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTI0ULTURI8T. 


41 


taste  in  the  art  of  decorative  gardening 
around  the  homes  of  our  Canadian 
people. 

With  such  ends  in  view  we  invite 
the  co-opei-ation  of  all  the  lovers  of 
Horticulture  both  in  extending  the 
membership  of  the  Fruit  Growers'  As- 
sociation of  Ontario,  and  in  contributing 
to  these  pages  such  items  as  may  be  of 
general  interest  and  profit. 

Back  Volumes  I.,  II.,  III.,  IV.,  VII., 
and  VIII  of  The  Canadian  Horticul- 
turist are  in  stock  at  this  office,  and 
will  be  sent  to  any  address  at  60c. 
each,  or  with  accompanying  report  for 
75c.  each. 

Any  Subscriber  failing  to  receive  his 
copy  of  The  Horticulturist  at  the  proper 
time  will  please  notify  us  at  once  of 
the  failure  that  we  may  send  it  him 
before  the  edition  is  exhausted. 

A  Package  of  Sample  Copies  of  such  num- 
bers as  Vol.  VIII.  as  can  be  spared, 
containing  coloured  plates,  will  be  sent 
to  any  one  who  will  distribute  them 
with  the  view  of  getting  new  sub- 
scribers. 

Delay  of  January  Number. — The  following 
note  from  Messrs.  Copp,  Clai-k  &  Co., 
pi'inters  of  the  Horticulturist,  Toronto, 
will  explain  the  delay  of  the  January 
number  : — 

"The  January  number  of  the  Horticul- 
turist is  all  mailed  (Jan.  I2th).  We  had  a 
break  down  in  our  calendering  machine, 
which,  we  regret,  occasioned  the  delay  in  its 
publication,  and  is  not  likely  to  again  occur." 

THE  HON.  MARSHALL  P.  WILDER. 

Whether  we  wish  it  or  not  we  must 
at  times  lay  down  our  spades  and  our 
pruning  knives,  and  reflect  upon  the 
shortness  of  our  stay  among  our  beloved 
trees  and  plants. 

Already  our  readers  will  have  read 
the  sad  intelligence  of  the  death  of  the 
Hon.  ]\I.  P.  Wilder,  President  of  the 
Amei-ican  Pomological  Society,  at  his 
home  near  Boston  on  the  16th.  of  De- 
cember last.  His  birth  away  back  in 
2 


the  year  1798  reminds  us  of  the  days 
of   George    III.,    George    Washington 


HON.   MARSHALL  P.   WILDER. 

and  Napoleon  Bonaparte.  Early  in 
life  his  taste  for  gardening  manifested 
itself.  He  said  on  one  occasion  "  My 
love  for  rural  life  and  the  cultivation 
of  the  soil  is  well  known  to  you  all. 
Oh  !  yes  !  I  cannot  remember  the  time, 
since  my  sainted  mother  took  me  into 
the  garden  to  help  dress  and  keep  it, 
that  I  did  not  love  the  cultivation  of  the 
garden  above  all  other  pursuits." 

For  many  years  a  leading  merchant  ( 
in  the  city  of  Boston,  he  yet  found  much 
leisure  for  his  favorite  study  of  Horti- 
culture. His  successful  experiments 
in  hybridizing  are  well  known,  and  his 
pear  orchard  of  some  800  varieties  has 
become  justly  famous. 

As  time  went  on  he  devoted  more 
and  more  attention  to  fruit  culture 
until  in  1848  he  became  President  of 
the  American  Pomological  Society 
which  was  organized  in  that  year,  and 
this  position  he  held  until  the  day  of 
his  death.  Those  were  significant  words 
of  his  at  the  complimentary  dinner  in 
Boston,  considering  they  wei-e  sjjoken 
only  two  months  before  his  decease  : — 
"  Life  at  the  longest  is  short.  I  have 
passed    its    summit,    and    shall    soon 


42 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


reach  the  sunset  shore,  when  I  must 
bid  farewell  to  things  of  earth.  But  if 
I  can  have  the  happiness  to  know  that 
I  have  done  anything'  to  promote  the 
comfort  of  mankind,  I  shall  feel  that  I 
have  not  lived  in  vain.  And  so  I  shall 
continue  to  work  on  in  the  same  old 
way  while  life  and  strength  shall  last." 

At  the  January  meeting  of  the  Massa- 
shusetts  Horticultural  Society,  a  mem- 
orial was  prepared  by  Mr.  Wm.  Strong. 
In  presenting  it  he  said  :  "  Others  will 
dwell  upon  the  traits  which  gave  him 
success  in  the  various  fields  of  his  use- 
fulness. We  turn  rather  to  notice  his 
characteristics  in  his  favorite  pursuit  of 
horticulture.  In  this  he  is  best  known. 
Here  he  did  his  best  service  for  his  fel- 
low-men. It  was  indeed  a  favorite 
pursuit,  a  genuine  love.  While  ea^aged 
in  a  large  commercial  business,  Tie  yet 
found^ime  for  extensive  importation 
and  cultivation  of  a  great  variety  of 
hardy  and  exotic  fruits,  plants  and  ag- 
ricultural products ;  being  one  of  the 
earliest  introducers,  and  always  on  the 
alert  to  obtain  and  test  new  kinds. 
This  enthusiasm  was  life-long,  and  was 
as  hearty  in  the  cultivation  of  pseonies 
as  pears,  or  in  the  case  of  camellias  or 
m*  dahlias  or  azaleas  as  of  raspberries 
and  sti-a wherries.  Undeniably  he  was 
stimulated  by  a  desire  to  exhibit  the 
best ;  but  before  and  deeper  than  this 
was  a  hearty  interest  in  every  form  of 
cultivation  of  mother  Earth.  From  my 
earliest  acquaintance  with  Mr.  Wilder, 
more  than  thirty  years  since,  I  recall  a 
reverent  appreciation  of  the  wisdom  and 
goodness  of  the  Creator  in  all  his  ma- 
terial works.  And  I  think  as  the  years 
went  by  a  steady  and  a  marked  increase 
of  ihis  feeling  was  to  be  noticed,  a  lead- 
ing from  Nature  up  to  Nature's  God, 
so  that  he  gave  frequent  expression  of 
his  gratitude  to  the  Infinite  Ruler  of  the 
Universe. 

"  We  shall  love  to  recall  the  picture 
of  this  pati'iarch  as  he  walked  among 


his  plants  watching  to  obtain  some  new 
results  and  improvements  by  crossing 
and  varied  culture.  It  seemed  as 
though  his  occupation  was  to  him  the 
very  elixir  of  life,  imparting  to  him  a 
perennial  youth.  How  diftei-ent  in  its 
result  from  a  life  spent  in  the  absorbing 
and  selfish  pursuit  of  gain  or  worldly 
ambition  !  And  yet  in  other  respects 
Mr.  Wilder  was  an  old  man — his  life 
was  completed  ;  his  was  a  sublime  old 
age,  full  of  good  works.  The  world  is 
better,  how  much  better,  for  his  living 
in  it !  Long  shall  we  cherish  his 
memory ;  long  may  we  be  stimulated 
by  his  example." 

Mr.  Robert  Manning,  the  Secretary, 
said  : — 

He  had  hoped  that  Mr.  Wilder 
might  live  to  the  meeting  of  his  favorite 
society,  the  American  Pomological 
Society,  in  this  city  in  September  next, 
but  it  has  been  differently  and,  we  can- 
not doubt,  more  wisely  ordered.  He 
himself  felt  deeply  the  uncertainty  of 
his  stay  until  that  time,  for  in  the  ad- 
dress which  he  prepared  for  the  meeting 
at  Grand  Rapids,  Mich.,  in  September, 
1885,  after  expressing  his  regret  that  he 
was  unable  to  be  there  personally,  he 
said  in  words  that  now  seem  j^rophetic, 
"  I  console  myself  with  the  hope  that 
you  will  accept  the  invitation  of  the 
Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society 
and  come  to  Boston  in  1887,  when  I 
may  be  permitted  to  lay  off  the  I'obes 
of  office  with  which  you  have  so  long 
honored  me,  unless,  ere  that  lime,  I 
shall  have  been  clothed  with  the  robes 
of  immortality  and  gone  up  to  gather 
celestial  fruits,  which  ripen  not  in 
earthly  climes." 

One  of  Mr.  Wilder's  most  prominent 
characteristics  was  the  perpetual  youth 
which,  in  spite  of  the  infirmities  of  age, 
he  carried  with  him,  and  which  led 
Governor  Long,  in  his  speech  at  the 
meeting  of  the  American  Pomological 
Society  in  1881,  to  speak  of  him  as  at 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


43 


once  the  oldest  and  the  youngest  man 
in  the  State.  This  had  been  attributed 
to  his  love  for  rural  pursuits  ;  but  the 
speaker  thought  it  due  rather  to  his 
kind  and  loving  heart,  continually  over- 
flowing with  regard  to  every  one,  so 
that  they  who  had  known  him  but  a 
short  time  felt  that  in  his  death  they 
had  lost  a  dear  friend.  This  thought, 
the  speaker  said,  had  been  better  ex- 
pressed in  Whittier's  lines,  with  which 
he  closed . 

"  To  homely  joys  and  loves  and  friendships 
Thy  genial  nature  fondly  clung  ; 
And  so  the  shadow  on  the  dial 

Ran  back  and  always  left  thee  young." 

May  the  spirit  which  chai'acterized 
this  gifted  and  noble-minded  man  be 
caught  by  many  Canadian  horticul- 
tux'ists,  who  will  pursue  their  favorite 
avocation  not  merely  from  sordid  mo- 
tives and  selfish  purposes,  but  in  the 
interests  of  science  and  in  the  progress 
of  the  nation  in  one  of  her  most  im- 
portant branches  of  industry. 


OPEN  LETTERS. 

From  British  Columbia. —  Mr.  G.  W. 
Henry,  of  Port  Hammond,  B.C.,  writes: 
"  We  ai'e  going  into  the  small  fruit- 
growing and  nursery  business  here,  and 
we  want  The  Horticulturist.  Before 
long  we  will  be  able  to  tell  you  some- 
thing about  this  the  finest  fruit-growing 
district  in  America,  and  send  you  some 
samples  that  will  make  eastern  people 
open  their  eyes ;  for  I  have  such  large 
and  fine  specimens  of  apples,  pears, 
plums,  yes,  and  cherries,  too,  as  cannot 
be  touched  by  anything  in  Ontario. 
lliey  have  the  flavor,  too,  of  our  On- 
tario fruit." 

Commission  Agents.  —  Joseph  Bourne, 
Niagara  Falls  South,  writes  :  "  1  think 
there  ought  to  be  some  way  of  letting 
the  members  of  our  association  know, 
through  the  Horticulturist,  of  any  firms 
that  do  not  deal  fairly  with  their 
patrons. 


"  I  think  they  should  be  warned  to  be- 
ware of  Jackman  &  Lindsay,  Toronto. 
When  we  sent  them  anything,  they 
made  us  no  report  of  sale,  until  they 
sent  their  bill  of  all  the  sales.  For 
instance,  with  grapes,  they  never  let 
us  know  at  what  prices  they  were  sel- 
ling them  until  the  season  was  all 
over ;  and  the  same  with  our  neigh- 
bors." 

We  can  sympathize  with  Mr.  Bourne 
in  his  experience,  having  shipped  ex- 
tensively on  commission  every  fruit 
season  for  the  last  fifteen  years.  One 
does  not  like  shipping  fruit  in  the 
dark,  and  placing  his  whole  crop  at 
the  mercy  of  middlemen  ;  and  no  com- 
mission house  can  expect  to  succeed 
that  does  not  adopt  a  system  of  giving 
shippers  constant  information  concei'n- 
ing  receipt  and  sales  of  their  goods, 
and  reliable  quotations  of  prices  cur- 
rent. 

Indeed,  of  late  years,  the  margin  of 
profit  has  been  too  small  on  most  fruits 
to  bear  dividing  up  with  commission 
men,  and  those  growers  are  fortunate 
who  are  able  to  make  their  own  sales. 

However,  we  have  received  prompt 
remittances  and  daily  market  reports 
from  the  agents  of  the  Niagara  District 
Fruit  Growers'  Stock  Co.  at  Toronto, 
London,  Ottawa,  and  Montreal ;  and 
also  from  the  fii-ms  of  Messrs.  Mc- 
William  &  Everist  and  Mrs.  W.  Bil- 
ton,  Toronto  ;  and  Messrs.  Vipond  & 
McBride  and  Clogg  &  Co.,  Montreal, 
all  of  whom  we  believe  to  be  perfectly 
reliable. 

THE  FRUIT  KING  OF  CANADA. 

The  Pall  Mall  Gazette  of  December 
15  th  gives  a  very  interesting  account  of 
an  interview  with  the  Presidf-nt  of  our 
Association,  and  in  the  introduction 
speaks  of  him  in  the  following  tributary 
language  : — 

"  No  visitor  that  the  Colonial  Exhi- 
bition has  brought  fi-om  the  England 


44 


THE   CANADIAN   HOBTICTJLTURIST. 


beyond  the  sea  has  been  more  welcome 
at  this  office  than  Mr.  Alexander  Mc- 
Donald Allan,  of  Goderich,  Ontario, 
the  Fruit  King  of  Canada,  not  so  much 
because  he  is  a  type  of  exactly  the 
citizen  of  Greater  Britain  that  one 
likes  best  to  come  into  contact  with,  as 
because  he  is  a  foremost  representative 
of  the  mpst  important  industry  there, 
and  the  one  in  which  Englishmen  are 
most  interested  at  the  present  moment. 
Mr.  Allan  is  a  tall,  broad-shouldered, 
black-bearded  man  of  perhaps  between 
forty  and  fifty,  with  a  gentle  face  and  a 
deep,  tender  voice.  The  secret  of  his 
gentleness  is  soon  learned,  for  '  I  was 
born  a  fruit-grower,'  he  says ;  '  and, 
though  my  father  was  on  a  farm,  it  was 
always  in  the  orchaixl  that  they  looked 
for  me.  No  doubt  I  am  prejudiced,' 
he  adds  apologetically,  '  but  I  do 
honestly  think  there  is  nothing  in  the 
world  to  compare  with  fruit-growing,' 
and,  plunging  straight  into  his  subject, 
Mr.  Allan  drew  a  really  admii'able  and 
almost  pathetic  analogy  between  a  tree 
and  a  human  being.  '  I  would  be  as 
kind  to  a  tree  as  I  would  to  a  person. 
I  would  not  hurt  it  for  the  world.'  and 
he  lays  his  hand  kindly  on  the  office 
table,  as  if  in  mute  protest  against  any 
living  wood  having  been  turned  to  so 
base  a  purpose.  He  explains  how  a" 
tx'ee  feels  a  wound  exactly  like  a  man 
does ;  how  the  older  it  is,  to  a  certain 
extent,  the  more  it  feels  it ;  how  wicked 
it  is  to  needlessly  lop  a  limb  ofi"  a  tree  ; 
and  how  a  tree  that  has  just  borne  a 
large  crop  of  fruit  must  be  treated 
with  the  same  consideration  and  care 
as  a  mother  who  has  just  brought  a 
child  into  the  world. 

"  Mr.  Allan  is  the  President  of  the 
Ontario  Fruit  Growers'  Association,  a 
position  which  it  has  taken  him  many 
years  to  reach.  He  is  recognized  by 
the  fruit-growers  both  of  Canada  and 
the  United  States  as  one  of  their  most 
trustworthy  experts  in  all  horticultural 


matters.  He  is,  and  has  been  for  a 
long  time,  the  largest  exporter  of  fruit 
to  England,  and  he  is  in  England  as 
Fruit  Commissioner  of  the  Canadian 
Court  of  Exhibitions." 


This  department  is  intended  as  an  open  one  to  every 
reader  of  the  "Horticulturist"  to  send  in  either 
questio7is  or  answers.  Often  a  reader  uxill  be  able  to 
ansiver  a  question  which  has  been  left  unanswered, 
or  only  partially  answered  by  us.  For  convenience 
of  referowe  the  questions  are  numbered,  and  any 
one  replying  or  referring  to  any  question  will 
please  mention  the  number  of  it. 


3.  Early  Strawberry.7- }f/ia<  is  the  most 
jyrofitable  one?  (A.  D.) 

The  Crescent  Seedling  is  the  leading 
variety  for  earliness  and  pi'oductiveness. 
At  the  December  meeting  of  the  Ohio 
Horticultural  Society  four  objections 
wei-e  urged  against  this  berry,  (1)  too 
many  runners,  (2)  too  small,  (3)  too 
soft,  (4)  deficient  in  table  qualities ;  and 
yet  it  is  more  extensively  grown  in 
Ohio  than  any  other  variety. 

4.  Pruning  Pear  Trees. — Should  a  pear 
orchard  be  pruned  ?     [A.  D.  Mohawk.] 

Yes.  Superfluous  branches  should  be 
cut  out,  and  the  new  growth  shortened 
when  it  grows  too  rank. 

5.  Deciduous  Tree  for  Wind  Break. —  What     | 
is    the   most   suitable,  deciduo7is,  quick 
(/rowing  tree  to  plant  in  a  single  row  for 
a  wind  break  in  uncultivated  ground  ? 
How  is  tlie  Lombardy  Poplar  ?     [E,.] 

The  Lombardy  Poplar  is  good  until 
it  gets  old,  when  it  becomes  unsightly. 
We  would  suggest  the  Silver  Maple. 

6.  To  make  Pear  Trees  bear  Fruit.  —  / 
Jiave  Flemish  Beauties  twenty  J eet  high 
and  eleven  years  planted  which  do  not 
bear.      What  would  you  do  for  them  ? 

[F.  Anderson,  Ayr.] 

Your  idea  of  cutting  off"  the  top,  and 

pruning  them    well,  if  done    in  June, 

would  tend  to  throw  them  into  bearing. 

Root  pruning  will  also  be  serviceable. 


THE   CANADIAN   HORTI0ULTURI8T. 


45 


7.  Growing  Cranberries.  —  /  have  a  lake 
which,  I  think,  could  he  dried  sufficiently 
to  grow  cranberries.  I  saw  by  The 
Horticulturist  that  the  bed  should  be 
covered  with  sand.  Why  ?  The  hike 
has  a  peat  bottom.  Wild  berries  grow 
well  around  it  without  sand.  What 
quantity  of  vines  should  be  put  on  an 
acre  ?  What  would  the  probable  cost 
he  per  acre  ?  Are  tame  berries  much 
better  than  good  wild  ones  ? 

[S.  H.  Kerfoot,  Penetanguishene.] 

We  cannot  better  answer  Mr.  Ker- 
foot, nor  more  interest  other  readers, 
than  by  condensing  the  following  re- 
marks from  an  excellent  editorial  in 
the  Farm  and  Hovie. 

Cranberries  are  profitable  providing 
you  have  (1)  a  free  supjily  of  water 
at  all  times  nnder  control ;  (2)  a  bog 
located  so  that  it  can  be  either  drained 
or  submerged  at  will;  (3)  the  right 
kind  of  soil ;  and  (4)  a  convenient  sand 
bank. 

In  Cape  Cod  the  cost  of  making  a 
bog  and  planting  runs  from  $250  per 
acre  upwards,  but  a  fair  yield  is  100 
bushels  per  acre ;  so  they  pay  well  if 
everything  is  favourable. 

You  want  water  for  the  purpose  of 
protecting  your  vines,  so  that  you  can 
flow  your  bog  and  protect  it  from  freez- 
ing, and  afterwards,  in  the  spring-time, 
for  the  purpose  of  killing  the  vermin 
that  infest  the  vines.  You  need  to  pro- 
tect the  crops  when  very  severe  frosts 
come  on  suddenly,  by  flowing  the  bog 
rapidly  and  covering  the  berries,  thus 
saving  them.  A  swamp  soil,  not  too 
peaty  and  with  some  loam  in  it,  is  the 
best  kind  of  land.  Trees,  bushes  and 
bogs  must  be  rooted  out  and  the  bog 
made  smooth.  Then  cover  to  a  depth 
of  three  to  eight  inches  with  sand  or 
fine  gravel — the  deeper  the  sand  the 
longer  the  bog  will  last.  Loam  will 
not  do,  because  it  brings  in  weeds  and 
grasses,  and  is  not  as  warm  as  sand. 
The  sand  assists  in  protecting  the  berries 


from  frost  and  injury.  It  keeps  out 
weeds,  and  serves  as  a  mulch  in  warm 
weather.  It  also  keeps  the  bogs  from 
running  to  vipes,  because  cranberry 
vines,  if  you  put  them  in  the  mud,  will 
run  so  much  to  vine  that  they  will  not 
make  the  uprights  on  which  the  berries 
grow.  The  sand  has  to  be  wheeled  in 
wheelbarrows  on  planks,  and  spread  by 
hand  Before  sanding,  make  ditches 
about  three  rods  apart  running  into  a 
main  ditch  and  with  such  direction  and 
fall  as  will  speedily  conduct  the  water 
from  the  dam  over  the  bog,  and  most 
readily  drain  it  off"  to  a  depth  of  at 
least  18  inches. 

Fertilizers  are  seldom  applied,  as  they 
cause  too  much  wood  growth  at  the  ex- 
pense of  the  fruit.  Ground  bone  in 
moderate  quantities  is  probably  the 
safest  fertilizer  to  use.  Bogs  run  out 
after  a  time,  but  may  be  i-enewed  by 
mowing  and  burning  the  vines  and  re- 
sanding.  There  are  bogs  on  Cape  Cod 
that  are  yielding  profitably  for  their 
32nd  year.  The  vine  is  very  hardy, 
and  may  be  set  at  any  time,  but  the 
spring  is  best.  The  usual  course  is  to 
punch  holes  in  the  ground,  about  eight 
or  ten  inches  apart  each  way,  and  in- 
sert therein  Iwo  or  three  vines,  and 
afterwards  }*ess  the  soil  around  them. 
Some  cultivators  of  lai'ge  experience 
set  the  vines  in  shallow  furrows  and 
cover  them,  leaving  out  the  end  of  the 
vines.  It  is  important  to  put  them 
down  below  the  sand,  so'  that  they  may 
take  I'oot  in  the  soil.  It  should  be 
kept  clean  of  weeds  until  the  vines 
cover  the  soil  entirely.  If  the  bog  is 
kept  covered  with  water  until  June  1, 
or  until  danger  of  frost  is  past,  most  of 
the  vine  insects  will  be  killed,  except 
the  fire  woi'm,  which  is  killed  by 
sj)rinkling  the  vines  with  a  strong 
solution  of  tol)acco.  It  is  necessary, 
also,  to  flood  the  bog  when  early  frosts 
threaten,  and  so  turn  ofi"  the  wat^r  be- 
fore the  berries  rot. 


46 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


Bell,  Bugle  and  Cherry  are  the  lead- 
ing kinds.  Early  Bell  is  the  standard 
early — of  good  size  and  very  dark  color, 
keeps  well  and  is  productive.  It  blos- 
soms and  ripens  in  New  Jersey  ahead 
of  all  other  varieties  fully  two  weeks. 
Black  Bell  is  hardy,  good  size,  dai-k 
color  and  yields  well.  Richmond  Bell 
is  large,  fair,  very  prolific,  but  rather 
late.  Bugle  is  large,  long,  not  early, 
fi'uit  apt  to  be  coarse  and  saded  green ; 
good  on  well-sanded  bogs,  not  too  wet 
and  cold.  Creeper  is  cherry-shaped, 
extra  large,  light  color,  very  prolific, 
rather  late,  not  a  good  keeper,  adapted 
to  localities  subject  to  scald.  Long 
Pond  is  a  useless  sort.  The  Cherry 
cranberry  is  of  two  kinds — -large  and 
small.  It  is  very  hard,  dark  crimson, 
medium  early  and  a  most  popular  mar- 
ket berry.  The  darker  the  color  the 
better  the  beri-ies  will  sell. 

8.  Infusorial  Earth. — Where  can  it  be 
obtained  ?     Give  address. 

9.  Lucretia  Dewberry. — My  'plant  has 
made  a  number  of  long  vines.  How 
should  they  he  pruned  ? 

J.  W.  M.,  Toronto. 
We  cannot  answer  from  personal  ex- 
perience. At  the  Cleveland  meeting  of 
the  American  HorticiW-ural  Society, 
Mr.  Caywood  said  "  We  tie  the  upright 
vines  to  a  stake,  and  then  let  them 
trail  over  the  ground  near  the  stake." 
Mr.  Albaugh,  at  the  late  meeting  of 
the  Ohio  Horticultural  Society  said 
"  The  plants  are  set  seven  by  eight,  and 
cultivated  the  eight  foot  way,  the  vines 
lying  on  the  ground  in  a  matted  row, 
four  feet  wide."  Mr.  J.  H.  Hale  of 
Connecticut  says  "  They  are  planted 
in  rows  eight  to  ten  feet  apart,  with 
plants  four  or  five  feet  apart  in  the 
rows,  forming  a  thick  matted  row  or 
bed  four  or  five  feet  wide."       ^   ' 

10.  Pruning  raspberry  plants. — How  dose 
to  the  main  stem  should  side  branches  be 
cut  ?  [J.  W.  M.] 


Mr.  A.  M.  Smith  of  St.  Catharines 
replies  :  "  In  regard  to  cutting  back 
raspberries  ;  cut  side  branches  6  to  1 2 
inches  according  to  growth  of  canes  : 
if  canes  are  very  slender,  3  to  4  inches." 

11.  Hardiest  cherry. — Is  the  Vladimir, 
or  large  Montmorency  the  hardiest,  and 
will  they  grow  here. 

[W.  A.  Smith,  Coverdale,  N.  B.] 
The  Vladimir.     It  should  be  hardy 
enough  for  New  Brunswick. 

12.  Grapes  in  New  Brunswick. — Can  grapes 
be  grown  as  far  north  as  New  Bruns- 
wick ;  if  so,  will  the  Niagara  succeed  ? 

[W.  A.  S.] 
Mr.  W.  E.  Wellington  of  Toronto 
replies  :  "  I  do  not  think  that  grapes 
can  be  successfully  grown  in  New 
Brunswick,  without  beiiig  laid  down  in 
the  winter. 

As  you  are  aware,  in  the  Ottawa 
Valley  where  the  thermometer  goes 
much  lower  than  it  does  in  western 
Canada,  they  raise  grapes  successfully, 
and  grow  many  fine  varieties,  but  dur- 
ing winter  the  vines  are  laid  down  and 
covered  with  a  little  earth.  If  that 
trouVjle  is  taken,  they  can  be  grown  in 
New  Brunswick,  and  the  best  varieties, 
would  be  Worden,  Moore's  Early, 
Champion  and  Early  Victor.  I  do  not 
think  the  Niagara  would  prove  a  suc- 
cess, as  it  ripens  rather  too  late." 

13.  Best  side  of  a  building  for  grapes. — 
hi  flantlng  around  a  building  which 

is  the  best  quarter,  N.  S.  E.  or  W. 

[W.  A.  S.] 
M.  W.  E.  Wellington  :  "  I  do  not 
approve  of  planting  vines  near  a  build- 
ing but  prefer  the  open  field,  or  garden. 
Would  select  the  South  provided  the 
vines  were  laid  down,  so  they  would  not 
start  too  early  in  the  spring,  if  they 
must  be  planted  close  to  a  building." 

14.  Vladimir  cherry.  -Will  you  kindly 
describe  this  cherry. 

[VV.  T.  GoLDSBORO,  Brooklin.] 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


47 


This  is  the  most  important  cherry  in 
all  Russia.  It  is  named  the  Vladimir 
because  in  that  district  its  culture  has 
attained  enormous  proportions,  and  it  is 
shipped  away  to  market  by  the  car  load. 

It  is  very  hardy  and  bears  fruit  even 
where  grown  a  neglected  fashion.  The 
tree  is  dwai'f  in  habit,  indeed  rather  a 
bush  than  a  tree,  some  of  tbem  being 
of  weeping,  others  of  ei-ect  habit. 

The  flesh  of  the  cherry  is  a  deep  pur- 
plish red  color,  and  the  skin  reddish 
black,  and  loses  its  acidity  when  fully 
ripe,     See  Report  for  1883  p.  224. 

15.  Wilson  Junior  Blackberry. — Have  any 
readers  of  the  Horticulturist  groion  the 
Wilson  Junior  Blackberry  sufficiently  to 
know  ivhetJier  it  is  as  good  as  recom- 
mended, or  not,  I  hardly  think  it  equal 
to  the  Snyder. 

W.  C.  Rkid,  Enterprise,  Ont. 


REPLIES   TO   PREVIOUS  QUESTIONS. 

Stock  and  Scion.  (9  vol.  ix.)  Dr.  Hos- 
kins  of  Vermont  has  collected  consider- 
able evidence  in  favor  of  the  view  that 
the  stock  does  sometimes  effect  the  size 
of  the  fruit  grown  upon  the  Scion.  He 
says  in  Vick's  Magazine  :  ' '  Regarding 
the  effects  of  top-grafting  apples  into 
crabs,  a  practice  very  common  in  North- 
ern New  Enofland  and  the  Northwest, 
there  is  no  need  of  weighing  much 
evidence,  since  every  extensive  fruit- 
grower and  nurseryman  in  Minnesota, 
Northern  Iowa  and  Wisconsin  has  in 
his  grounds  plenty  of  jiroof  that  very 
marked  changes  are  so  frequent  as  to 
cause  growers  frequently  to  say,  when 
shown  a  new  apple  thus  grown,  '  I  can- 
not say  how  near  this  comes  to  the 
original  in  size,  color  or  taste,  for  it  was 
grown  top-grafted  in  a  crab  tree.'  * 
*  *  But  this  is  not  to  say  that  top- 
grafts  in  crab  trees  never  produce  fi-uit 
true  to  type,  for  they  frequently  do, 
and  this  irrespective  of  the  chai'acter  or 
the  wood  union  at  the  2)oint  of  inserting 
the  Scion.     1   have  learned  by  experi- 


ence that  some  of  the  crabs  make  pretty 
good  stock,  at  least  for  some  kinds  of 
large  apples  to  be  gro^vn  upon  ;  but 
which  will,  and  which  will  not,  can 
only  l)e  determined  by  expei'ience." 

In  the  last  report  of  the  F.G.A.  of 
Nova  Scotia  this  very  interesting  sub- 
ject is  ably  dealt  with  by  Prof.  Hind, 
who  inclines  to  the  opinion  that  a  scion 
grafted  upon  a  slower  growing  stock 
will  be  likely  to  produce  larger  fruit 
than  under  other  conditions,  and  also, 
that  the  time  of  ripening  of  the  fruit  is 
affected  by  the  halaits  of  the  stock.  We 
hope  soon  to  be  favored  with  the  results 
of  further  experiment  in  this  direction. 

Rust  on  Strawberry  Leaves.  (13,  vol.  ix.) 
Prof.  J.  C.  Arthur  of  the  New  York 
Agricultural  Station  writes  :  "  The 
strawberry  leaf  which  you  enclosed  is 
affected  by  Ramidaria  Tulasnei,  a  com- 
mon fungus  growing  upon  strawberry 
leaves  eveiywhei'e.  It  is  said  to  be 
kept  somewhat  in  check  by  burning  the 
leaves  off  from  the  beds  after   fruiting. 

Greenhouse  and  Heating.  (11,  vol.  ix.) 
In  order  to  answer  this  question  still 
fai'ther  we  wrote  Messrs.  Hitchings  & 
Co.,  233  Mercer  street,  New  York  City, 
asking  the  favor  of  the  cut  shown  be- 
low representing  a  complete  and  effici- 
ent heater,  designed  expressly  for  heat- 
ing small  conservatories  such  as  are 
frequently  attached  to  dwelling  houses. 

These  heaters  are  managed  with  as 
little  ti'ouble  as  an  ordinary  self-feeding 
coal  stove.  The  illustration  represents 
a  small  conservatory  10x20  ft.  attached 
to  the  dwelling.  The  heater  is  shown 
in  the  cellar  under  the  conservatory 
with  two  1|  inch  pipes  rising  from  it 
through  the  floor,  and  connecting  with 
four  4-inch  heating  pipes  which  jjass 
ai'ound  the  three  exposed  sides  of  the 
conservatory,  and  terminate  in  an  ex- 
pansion tank  shown  at  the  light  hand 
corner.  If  it  is  impracticable  to  sink 
such  #pit,  it  can  be  arranged  to  have 


48 


THE   CANADIAN   HORTICULTURIST. 


CONSERVATORY. 


the  heater  on  the  same  level  as  the 
conservatory  floor  by  changing  the  loca- 
tion of  the  tank,  and  the  height  of  the 
heating  pipes.  The  price  of  these  heaters 
ranges  from  $35  to  $80. 


We  will  gladly  give  our  candid  opinion  of  any  books, 
magazines  or  catalogues  received,  especially  if  they 
are  likely  to  interest  or  benefit  Canadian  fruit 
growers,  but  unll  not  insert  cut  and  dried  reading 
notices  in  favi^r  of  any  publication  ivhatever. 


The  Rural  New  Yorker. — From  our  ear- 
liest i-ecoUections  this  valuable  farmers 
paper  has  been  a  household  favorite.  It 
is  always  bright  fresh  and  vigorous. 
There  is  nothing  stale  about  it,  i^"  is 


it  one  sided,  but  it  contains  original 
articles  of  great  value  upon  every  de- 
partment of  farm  life.  The  address  is 
34  Park  Row,  New  York  City. 

CATALOGUES. 

Vicks'  Floral  Guide  for  1887  comes  to 
hand,  if  possible,  in  a  more  attractive 
form  than  usual.  It  has  a  beautiful 
colored  plate  of  pansies,  representing 
a  straw  hat  full  of  extra  choice  and 
Giant  Trimandeau,  the  latter  a  new  and 
extra  large  variety.  It  has  another 
colored  plate  representing  five  varieties 
of  bordering  and  bedding  plants,  while 
the  cuts  of  flowei-s  throughout  the  book 
are  as  numerous  and  complete  as  in 
former  years. 


PRINTED   AT  THK  8TEA.M   PRESS    RSTARLISHMRNT   OF  THE   COPP,    CLARK   COMPANY  (LIMITED),    TORONTO. 


IT. 

productiveneA: 


sod  it's  superior  in 


Zhc 


Canabian 


Iborticulturiet 


Published    at    yof\ONTo   and    Gi^imsby,    Pnt. 
OFFICE  ADDRESS— GRIMSBY,  ONT. 


VOL.  X.] 


MARCH,   1887. 


[No.  3. 


§.t\xi  J-^nitt5. 


THE  ITASCA  STRAWBERRY. 

"  Rather  out  of  season,"  we  imagine 
we  hear  our  readers  say  as  they  open  up 
the  March  No.  of  this  Magazine,  and 
see  still  another  frontispiece  of  ripe 
strawberries.  We  hope  however  they 
may  appreciate  a  sight  of  the  imitations 
all  the  more,  considering  that  the  real 
article  is  three  or  four  months  distant. 

The  past  season  has  brought  into 
public  notice  several  new  strawberries 
for  which  gi-eat  things  are  claimed  by 
the  originators,  but  which  have  as  yet 
been  wholly  untested  in  Canada. 
Among  these  the  more  prominent  seem 
to  be  the  Itasca  and  the  Jessie,  the 
latter  of  which  was  described  last 
month  in  these  pages. 

The  Itasca  was  originated  by  Mr.  J. 
H.  Haynes  of  Delphi,  Indiana,  and 
will  be  introduced  into  Canada  bv  our 


old  friend  Mr.  J.  Little  of  Granton,Ont., 
who  says  of  it :  "I  saw  the  plants  on 
Mr.  Crawford's  grounds  after  the  meet- 
ing of  the  American  Horticultural  So- 
ciety at  Cleveland,  and  he  spoke  so 
highly  in  praise  of  it,  that  I  thought  if 
the  expense  would  not  be  be  too  much, 
I  would  bring  it  before  the  strawberry 
loving  gi'owers  of  Canada." 

Mr.  Haynes  in  his  circular  claims  for 
the  Itasca  the  following  points  of  ex- 
cellence, in  which  we  hope  he  may  not 
be  disappointed.  We  quote  his  own 
words : — 

"  In  offering  the  Itasca  to  the  public 
I  feel  confident  that  it  will  fill  a  place 
now  vacant  on  the  list  of  strawben-ies. 
I  claim  for  it  that  it  is  a  rival  of  the 
Crescent  in  productiveness,  health, 
vigor,  size  and  beauty,  and  that  it  is 
very  superior  to  the  Crescent  in  quality, 
manner  of  ripening,  and  for  endurance 
to  the  end  of  the  season  in  ripening  its 
entire   crop.     It    is  a  seedling  '  of   the 


50 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


Manchester,  fertilized  with  Seneca 
Queen  under  ghiss,  excelling  both  of 
these  varieties  in  every  respect.  It  is 
pistillate  like  all  our  productive  kinds." 

Mr.  M.  Crawford,  a  member  of  our 
own  Association,  living  in  Ohio,  in  a 
report  of  new  strawberries,  writes  as 
follows  : — "  Itasca ;  no  better  berry  as 
far  as  quality  is  concerned,  has  yet 
appeared,  I  have  seen  twenty -five  ripe 
and  two  hundi'ed  green  berries  on  a 
single  plant.  It  is  quite  regular  in 
form,  obtusely  conical,  bright  i-ed,  and 
averages  about  an  inch  in  diameter." 

As  soon  as  we  have  tested  the  Itasca 
we  shall  be  very  glad  to  give  farther 
information  concerning  it ;  but  at  pre- 
sent we  can  only  say  that  any  berry 
which,  upon  thorough  trial,  may  be 
ranked  along  with  the  Crescent,  Jewell 
or  Manchester,  is  certainly  well  worthy 
of  propagation.  In  the  coming  berry 
we  want  excellence  of  quality,  more 
than  we  want  productiveness.     For  the 


latter  quality  probably  no  berry  sur- 
passes the  James  Vick  of  which  the  ac- 
companying cut  is  no  exaggerated  re- 
presentation :  but  this  characteristic 
instead  of  commending  it  has  proved  to 
be  its  fault,  in  these  days  when  fruit  of 
small  size,  and  ordinary  quality  is  glut- 
ting the  markets,  and  scarcely  pays  the 
expense  of  gathering  and  shipping. 


OTHER  NEW  STRAWBERRIES. 

BV  M.  CRAWFORD,  CUYAHOGA   FALLS,    OHIO. 

The  Jessie. — I  have  fruited  it  twice, 
and  I  have  watched  it  with  great  in- 
terest on  account  of  the  wonderful 
reports  that  reached  me  concei*ning  it. 
I  am  imable  so  far  to  find  one  weak 
place  in  it.  The  plant  is  all  one  could 
ask  for  size,  vigorous  growth,  health, 
hardiness,  and  productiveness.  Blos- 
som perfect.  With  me  it  is  wonderfully 
productive,  veiy  lai'ge,  of  good  form  and 
color,  and  one  of  the  best  in  quality. 
It  ripens  all  over  at  once,  and  is  firm 
enough  for  distant  ti'ansportatiun. 

Anna  Forest. — From  D.  Brandt,  of 
Bremin,  O.  Sent  out  as  the  largest 
berry  in  the  world.  Not  yet  fruited 
here. 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTIODLTCRIBT. 


51 


Ohio. — Originated  in  southern  Ohio, 
by  Geo.  L.  Miller.  It  is  a  seedling  of 
the  Kentucky.  The  plant  is  wonder- 
fully vigorous,  and  about  twice  as  pro- 
lific as  its  parent.  This  is  its  record  at 
the    Ohio     Agricultural     Experiment 


johxston's  sweet  black  cap  raspberry 
I 


Station,  where  it  has  fruited  several 
years.  Blossom  pistillate.  The  origi- 
nator writes  that  it  is  much  more 
productive  than  Kentucky,  bright  red, 
and  less  inclined  to  show  bruises.  It 
yields  one  or  two  pickings  after  Ken- 


52 


THE  CANADIAN   HORTICULTURIST. 


tucky,  and  will  give  move  quarts  and 
more  money  than  any  other  late  variety. 
In  growth  it  equals  the  Crescent. 

Crawford. — All  things  considered, 
this  is  the  best  berry  ever  originated 
by  me.  I  have  fruited  it  five  years, 
and  intended  to  say  nothing  about  it 
for  some  time,  but  an  account  of  it  got 
into  the  American  Garden.  I  always 
thought  that  if  I  raised  a  seedling  that 
was  ahead  of  all  others,  I  would  call  it 
Crawford.  This  is  the  only  one  con- 
sidered worthy. 


JOHNSTONS   SWEET  RASPBERRY. 

This  is  a  new  black  cap  raspberry 
which  is  being  sent  out  from  Central 
New  York  by  Mr.  R.  Johnston.  He 
claims  for  it,  after  four  years'  trial,  that 
in  quality  it  is  particularly  sweet  and 
delicious,  and  that  it  surpasses  all 
others  for  evaporating  purposes.  In 
season  it  is  about  the  same  as  the  Tyler, 
and  in  size  it  is  little  less  than  the 
Gregg. 

We  are  not  personally  acquainted 
with  any  one  else  who  has  fruited  this 
berry,  but  we  find  that  Mr.  T.  T.  Lyon, 
Pres.  of  the  Michigan  Horticultural  So- 
ciety speaks  highly  of  it,  especially 
with  regard  to  its  quality  as  an  eva- 
porated fruit. 

THE  GOLDEN  QUEEN  RASPBERRY. 

BY  T.    C.   ROBINSOS,   OWES  SOUND. 

In  May,  '86,  I  set  out  a  few  rows  of 
this  variety  with  plants  which  had  been 
grown  from  root-cuttings  in  the  green- 
house during  winter. 

Some  of  the  growing  canes  were 
nearly  a  foot  high,  and  it  was  reason- 
able to  expect  that  the  check  of  trans- 
planting would  induce  a  formation  of 
fruit-buds  on  the  green  wood,  which  the 
after-growth  of  June  and  July  would 
develop  into  berries.  In  this  hope  I 
was  abundantly  justified  by  a  fine  show 
of  blossoms  in  midsummer,  which  ripe- 


ened  up  finely  in  August  and  Septem- 
ber. Of  course,  such  abnormal  fiiiition 
cannot  be  regarded  as  a  decisive  test  of 
th.e  variety — nor  can  any  single  test — 
but  a  very  good  idea  of  the  size,  beauty 
and  quality  of  the  berries  was  fairly 
obtainable,  and  also  of  the  tendency  of 
the  variety  to  productiveness. 

I  found  the  berries  to  be  very  large, 
as  nearly  as  possible  of  the  size,  shape 
and  firmness  of  well-grown  Cuthberts. 
while  the  color  closely  assimilates  that 
of  Brinckle's  Orange.  The  plant  proved 
on  this  test  to  be  a  fine  vigorous  grower, 
fully  up  to,  if  not  excelling,  the  Cuth- 
bert.  The  leaf  so  closely  resembles  the 
Cuthbert  that  an  expert  might  mistake 
one  for  the  other  ;  but  one  glance  at 
the  whitish-green  cane  shows  the  var- 
iation. 

In  quality  it  has  been  pronounced 
equal  to  Brinckle's  Orange.  Fall-grown 
berries  are  often  inferior  in  quality  to 
the  crop  of  the  regular  season,  so  that 
my  test  pi'oves  nothing  conclusively  on 
this  point ;  but  it  is  only  just  to  re- 
mark that  with  me  they  were  not  so 
good  as  Brinckle's,  but  fairly  up  to  the 
Cuthbert's  standard. 

Upon  the  whole  I  am  exceedingly 
pleased  with  my  experience  of  this  va- 
riety. A  i-aspberry  that  looks  just  like 
Brinckle's  Orange,  that  is  productive 
as  Cuthbert,  and  i-emarkably  firm,  needs 
only  proof  of  hardiness  to  simply  place 
it  at  the  very  head  of  the  list,  and  be- 
yond the  competition  of  any  other 
known  variety  of  its  color.  Unusual 
hardiness  is  claimed  for  it,  and  seems 
fairly  promised  by  its  Cuthbert  par- 
entage, so  that  fi-uit  lovers  may  smack 
their  lips  in  anticipation  of  a  large,  re- 
liable, white  raspberry,  equally  good 
for  home  use  or  market. 

Of  course  fvirther  tests  in  this  and  in 
other  parts  of  the  country  may  develop 
faults  that  do  not  now  appear  ;  but  at 
present  I  must  regard  its  indications  of 
success  as  unusually  promising. 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


53 


Prunus  Simoni. — Mr.  L.  H.  Bailey 
writes  in  the  American  Garden  con- 
cerning this  fruit,  that  he  thinks  hardi- 
ness its  chief  merit.  He  had  it  on  an 
exposed  location  and,  yet  it  came 
through  the  winter  of  1885-6  unim- 
pared.  It  fruited  last  summer,  but  its 
size  was  against  it  not  measuring  over 
one  and  a-half  inches  in  diameter ;  and 
tlie  flavor,  though  at  first  sweet,  left  an 
unpleasant  bitterness  in  the  moiith.  In 
appearance  it  was  very  handsome.  It 
is  not  a  hybi'id  between  a  peach  and  a 
plnm,  but  a  true,  natural  species.  It 
derives  it  name  from  M.  Eugene  Simon, 
who  introduced  it  into  France  from 
China. 


Jfruits. 


RAMBLES  AMONG  FRUIT  GROWERS. 

THE    WESTERN     NEW    YORK     HORTICULTURAL 
SOCIETY. 

On   the  26  th  and  27  th  of  January 
last  we  had  the  pleasure  of  attending 


J.    J.    THOMAS. 


this,  one 
cultural 
Amon 


of  the  most  prominent  horti- 
societies  in  the  world, 
g  the  gentlemen  whom  we  were 


privileged  to  meet  were  the  following, 
viz.,  Mr.  P,  C.  Barry,  the  venerable 
President,  whose  name  has  long  been 
associated  with  the  progi-ess  of  fruit 
culture,  both  in  Canada  and  in  the 
United  States  ;  Mr.  J.  J.  Thomas,  Hor- 
ticultural Editor  of  the  Country  Gentle- 
man, at  Albany,  who  has  been  long 
recognized  as  a  pomological  authority; 
Mr.  E.  Long,  Editor  of  Popular  Garden- 
ing, Buffalo ;  Dr.  Sturtevant,  Director 
of  the  New  York  Experiment  Station  ; 
Mr.  J.  S.  Woodward,  Secretary  of  the 
State  Agricultural  Society  ;  Mr.  S.  D. 
Willard,  Nurseryman,  of  Geneva  ;  Mr. 
Chas.  Green,  Editor  of  Greens  Fruit 
Grower,  and  others. 

The  meeting  was  held  in  the  City 
Council  Chamber  and  was  attended  by 
some  four  or  five  hundred  fruit  grow- 
ers.    The  subject  of  the 

CURRANT 

was  introduced  by  Dr.  Sturtevant,  His 
paper  contained  a  history  of  this  fruit 
from  its  first  notice  in  England  in  1597 
down  to  the  present  time. 

Mr.  Barry  said  :  "  The  currant  is  one 
of  the  best,  but  one  of  the  most  abused 
fruits  in  the  whole  catalogue.  Give  it 
plenty  of  manure  and  good  cultivation, 
and  you  have  splendid  fruit,  and  abun- 
dance of  it." 

Mr.  J.  J.  Thomas  said  the 

APPLE   CROP 

in  Cayuga  County  had  been  very  short. 
The  fruit  fell  oflf  soon  after  it  was  set, 
and  was  small  in  size.  Those  trees 
which  bore  well  had  been  in  every  case 
highly  cultivated  and  top-dressed  with 
manure.  The  Greening  had  borne  bet- 
ter than  the  Baldwin. 

Mr.  Chase  reported  that  in  Wayne 
County 

SMALL  FRUITS 

had  been  unprofitable.  Strawberries 
had  sold  largely  at  3c  per  quart.  With 
jaspberries  there  was  one  advantage, 
viz.,  that  when  they   were  very  cheap 


64 


THE   CANADIAN    H0RTICULTUKI8T. 


they  could  be  evaporated.  Evaporation 
of  fruit  was  becoming  a  necessity  with 
the  fruit  grower.  Nearly  every  farmer 
in  Wayne  County  had  his  evaporator, 
by  which  he  could  evaporate  from  40  to 
300  bushels  of  fruit  per  day. 

A  berry  j^^cking  machine  was  here 
exhibited,  by  which  it  was  claimed  that 
four  or  five  bushels  of  i-aspberries  per 
day  could  easily  be  gathered  by  one  per- 
son. The  machine  is  wheeled  up  to  a 
tree,  and  the  ripe  fruit  whipped  off  into 
a  hopper. 

QUINCES    AND    PEARS 

having  been  reported  as  sold  at  a  very 
low  price,  Mr.  Barry  said  he  had  sold 
his  quinces  at  from  S3. 00  to  $5.00  per 
keg  or  half-barrel.  He  shipped  a  few 
at  a  time,  just  when  they  were  most 
wanted  in  the  market.  The  same  with 
his  pears ;  bv  a  little  management  he 
got  $3.00  to  $4.0<)  per  half-bushel  for 
his  extra  choice. 

Mr.  W.  C.  Barry  added,  "  You  must 
select  the  very  best,  and  sell  it  at  a 
high  price ;  the  balance  you  must  sell 
for  what  it  will  bring."  Mr.  Hooker 
thought  it  quite  possible  to  put  up  good 
fruit  in  good  shape,  and  yet  do  badly. 

(To  he  continued.) 


PROMISING   CHERRIES. 

What  cherries  are  the  most  promising 
for  orchard  'planting  in  Western  On- 
tario ?  W. 

In  reply  to  this  question  Mr.  E. 
Morris  writes  the  following  papei-,  the 
value  of  which  we  can  fully  appreciate, 
having  vainly  tried  for  fifteen  years 
past  to  make  money  out  of  an  orchard 
of  Duke  and  Bigarreau  cherries  of  all 
the  finest  varieties: — 

"  I  would  recommend  as  a  class  the 
Morellos,  although  there  are  a  few  in 
the  Duke  and  Bigai-reau  classes  that  can 
be  gi'own  profitably  in  some  sections. 

Of  the  Bigarreau,  we  have  noticed 
the  variety  known  as  Great  Bigarreau 


the  least  afibcted  by  rot,  the  great 
trouble  with  this  class  of  cherries.  It 
may  be  described  as  follows  :  Large 
size ;  very  dark  red,  or  nearly  black 
when  fully  ripe ;  half  tender,  sweet 
and  excellent.     Veiy  productive. 

The  Morellos  as  a  class  are  quite  as 
hardy,  and  resemble  in  appearance  and 
habits  of  growth  the  common  red  cherry 
of  the  country,  but  without  their  bad 
habits  of  throwing  up  sprouts  or  suck- 
ers, and,  as  far  as  my  observation  goes, 
are  not  subject  to  the  black  knot  that 
is  destroying  the  common  cherry  every- 
where in  Ontai'io,  except  in  a  few  most 
favored  localities  ;  and  in  view  of  this 
fact,  I  am  impressed  with  the  belief 
that  any  one  planting  out  the  improved 
varieties  of  Morello  cherries  in  oi'chard 
form  (15  feet  apart  each  way)  will  i-e- 
alize  a  handsome  profit  from  the  in- 
vestment. I  would  recommend  the  fol- 
lowing varieties,  in  order  of  merit : — 

Early  Richmond.  —  Medium  size ; 
dark  red  ;  melting,  juicy,  sprightly, 
acid  flavor,  and  when  only  half-ripe  re- 
sembles the  common  red  cherry,  but 
after  this  time  it  will  continue  to  in- 
crease in  size  for  at  least  two  weeks, 
at  the  same  time  becoming  darker  in 
color  and  sweeter  in  flavor ;  is  unsur- 
passed for  cooking  purposes  and  ex- 
ceedingly productive. 

Large  Montmorency.  —  A  little 
larger  than  the  preceding,  and  about 
ten  days  later  ;  otherwise  resembling  it 
very  much. 

English  Morello. — A  veiy  slow 
grower  and  usually  a  very  poor  tree 
on  account  of  slowness  of  growth ; 
medium  to  large  ;  blackish  red,  rich, 
acid,  juicy  and  good,  and  on  account  of 
its  richness  is  one  of  the  best  for  can- 
ning. Very  productive,  ripening  in 
August,  long  after  all  other  cherries 
are  gone. 

Of  the  new  Rus-sian  varieties  re- 
cently introduced  into  this  country  I 
can  not  say  too  much  in  favor  of  the 


THE   CANADIAN    H0KTICULTURI8T. 


55 


OsTHEiM,  its  only  fault  being  that  it  is 
such  a  slow  grower  that  it  will  make  it 
expensive  for  nurserymen  to  grow. 
Some  small  trees  that  were  imported 
direct  from  Russia  three  years  ago  have 
borne  each  year  since  planting  out ; 
last  season  very  full.  On  one  tree,  in 
which  wasps  had  built  a  nest,  they 
acted  as  a  guard  to  the  protection  of 
the  fruit,  which  was  allowed  to  come 
to  full  maturity.  Upon  testing  the 
fruit  at  this  time  I  was  impressed  with 
the  flavor  being  the  richest  and  having 
more  sul)stance  than  any  other  variety 
of  the  Morello  class  of  cherries  ;  at  the 
same  time  being  one  of  the  most  pro- 
ductive and  early  beai-ers.  In  color, 
dark  red,  becoming,  when  very  ripe, 
dark  purplish -red ;  flesh  very  dark, 
juicy,  with  a  pleasant,  sweet,  and  sub- 
acid flavor. 

LiTHAN,  also  a  Russian.  This  is  in 
tree  a  better  grower  than  the  preceding ; 
fruit,  a  trifle  larger  and  of  lighter  color. 

Vladimir  and  Parent  have  not  as 
yet  borne,  though  am  much  pleased 
with  the  growth  of  the  trees,  and  all  are 
evidently  very  hardy." 


SUCCESS  WITH  SMALL  FRUITS. 

BY  E.    MORDEN,   NIAGARA  FALLS,   SOUTH. 

To  grow  and  market  small  fruits  pro- 
fitably, requires  several  conditions. 

1st.  The  soil  must  be  suitable. — As 
small  fruit  plants  occupy  the  same  spot 
for  several  years,  and  are  cultivated  and 
kept  clean  with  considerable  difficulty, 
a  mellow,  warm  soil  is  essentia).  While 
some  of  them  will  succeed  upon  a  vari- 
ety of  soils,  the  profitable  plantations 
will  mostly  be  found  upon  sandy  loams. 

2nd.  The  situation  is  of  great  im- 
portance.— The  necessary  manure  is  not 
always  obtainable  at  points  remote  from 
villages,  towns  or  cities.  Shipping  fa- 
cilities to  reach  distant  markets,  as  well 
as  local  markets,  are  ])rominent  con- 
siderations.    If  there  are  several  routes 


by  which  distant  markets  can  be  reach- 
ed, considerable  advantage  will  result. 
Fruit  that  is  picked  one  day  and  teamed 
for  several  miles  the  next  morning,  is, 
of  course,  in  bad  condition,  and  is  not 
likely  to  remunerate  the  gi'ower,  while 
it  certainly  injures  the  general  market. 
3rd.  The  man  must  be  of  the  right 
stamp.  —  In  my  own  neighborhood, 
where  the  soil  and  situation  are  excep- 
tionally good,  I  have  seen  many  fail- 
ures. The  man  who  is  a  general  farmer 
may  safely  leave  the  small  fruit  business 
alone.  He  will,  as  a  rule,  make  no- 
thing himself,  while  he  is  sure  to  injure 
the  business  for  others.  The  farmer's 
harvest,  and  the  fruit  hai'vest,  come  to- 
gether ;  one  or  the  other  will  be  ne- 
glected. The  good,  careful,  tidy  farmer 
who  hates  weeds  with  an  enduring 
hati-ed,  may,  of  course,  drop  his  ordi- 
nary farming  and  become  a  successful 
grower  of  small  fruits.  He  has  already 
much  of  the  necessary  practical  know- 
ledge, and  if  he  is  studious  and  thought- 
ful, he  can  learn  the  new  business. 
City  men  and  others,  not  already  good, 
cai'eful  farmei'S,  have  very  much  to 
learn,  and  will,  in  most  cases,  fail.  The 
man  who  is  willing  to  study  up  the 
business,  and  who  has  persistent  pluck, 
sufficient  to  keep  him  at  work  on  his 
plantation  for  eight  months  in  the  year 
through  a  series  of  years,  and  who  has 
some  capital,  some  business  capacity, 
and  a  suitable  soil,  suitably  situated, 
may  try  the  small  fruit  business.  Under 
any  other  circumstances  it  is  safer  to 
leave  it  alone.  It  undoubtedly  poss- 
esses attractive  features.  Human  na- 
ture will  require  to  be  revised  before 
we  can  look  with  indifference  upon  the 
beautiful  fruits.  The  coming  man  will 
continue  to  eat  berries.  The  coming 
fool  will  continue  to  produce  theni  at  a 
loss  to  himself  The  coming  fruit- 
grower who  fulfils  reasonable  con- 
ditions will  probably  average  fair 
profits. 


56 


THE    CANADIAN   HORTICULTURIST. 


FRUIT  AT  OUR  LOCAL  EXHIBITIONS. 

BY    J.    n.    WISMER,    PORT    ELGIN,    ONT. 

Any  one  interested  in  the  fruit  de- 
pai'tment  of  our  Township  Fall  Shows 
cannot  but  notice  the  errors  so  com- 
mon in  naming  the  diiferent  varieties  of 
apples,  pears,  etc.  Especially  preva- 
lent is  this  fault  among  our  fruit-grow- 
ing farmers — some  of  whom  are  rather 
extensively  engaged  in  this  bi-anch  of 
their  occupation — and  I  believe  I  am 
btit  giving  the  opinion  of  all  who  are 
in  the  habit  of  judging  at  our  local  ex- 
hibitions, when  I  say  that  not  one  farm- 
er in  twenty  is  able  to  name  correctly 
all  the  fruit  he  grows.  I  have  often 
heard  bitter  and  loud  complaints  from 
exhibitors  against  judges,  charging 
them  with  partiality  and  incompetence 
because  their  "  extra  fine  "  specimens 
were  awarded  no  premium,  w^ile  in  the 
same  class  entries  of  inferior  fruit  took 
all  the  prizes,  simply  because  the  exhib- 
itor in  the  latter  case  complied  with  the 
prize  list  in  naming  his  fruit  correctly, 
while  the  former  did  not. 

At  an  exhibition  last  fall,  where  I 
was  requested  to  act  as  judge,  I  could 
not,  according  to  the  ]n-ize  list,  award  a 
single  prize  in  "  collections,"  although 
there  were  seven  enti'ies.  This  state  of 
afiairs  is  very  annoying  and  unsatisfac- 
tory to  judges  as  well  as  exhibitors,  and 
has  been  a  fruitful  source  of  sti'ife  and 
contention,  causing  a  rapid  falling  ofi"  of 
the  number  of  fruit  exhibits  from  year 
to  year  in  many  of  our  local  shows. 

To  remedy  this,  all  fruit  growers,  and 
exhibitors  especially,  should  see  that 
they  know  by  name  what  they  gi'ow, 
and  in  cases  of  doubt  should  refer  to 
their  nearest  authority  in  this  line,  or, 
do  as  I  have  done,  send  a  sample  peck 
or  half  bushel  (express  charges  prepaid) 
to  our  obliging  President,  who  is  said 
to  be  the  best  authority  in  the  Province. 
I  submit  this,  believing  that  all  who 
know  him  will  confirm  the  statements 
herein  contained. 


Seedling  Peach  Trees. — Mr.  J.  B.  Pierce 
maintains  before  the  Horticultural  As- 
sociation of  Pennsylvania  that  it  pays 
best  in  cold  sections  to  plant  seedling 
peach  trees,  because  they  are  hardier 
than  budded  kinds. 

Our  experience  does  not  bear  this 
out.  We  have  over  2,000  budded  and 
several  hundred  seedling  peach  trees  in 
our  orchard,  and  we  get  crops  as  often 
from  such  budded  kinds  as  Eaidy 
Purple,  Hale's  Early,  Alexander  and 
Louise,  as  from  the  seedlings ;  and 
when  there  does  occur  a  full  crop  seed- 
lings are  unsalable.  Other  kinds  are 
more  tender,  as,  for  instance.  Early  and 
Late  Crawford,  Old  Mixon,  Smock,  &c. 
If  we  had  any  peach  trees  native  to  our 
climate  it  would  be  well  to  endeavour 
to  improve  them  by  extended  experi- 
ment, and  perhaps  our  Experiment 
Station  may  further  acclimatize  some  of 
the  hardier  varieties ;  but  to  advise 
any  fruit  grower  to  plant  an  orchard  of 
natural  fruit,  in  these  days  of  improved 
varieties,  is  absurd. 


condensed  reports  of  fruit. 
Brighton,     Moore's     Eahly     and 
"WoRDEN    Grapes. — Mr.   J.   B.   Burk, 

Brougham,  writes  : — My  Brighton  and 
Moore's  Early  fi-uited  last  year.  The 
fruit  of  the  former  is  delicious,  much 
superior  to  Moore's  Early,  and  about 
one  week  later.  No  grape  pleases  me 
so  well  as  the  Worden.  It  is  a  heavy 
ci'opper,  and  it  ripens  soon  after  Moore^s 
Early,  about  the  first  or  second  week 
in  September.  Tlie  quality  is  superior 
to  the  Concord.  True,  its  fruit  drops 
if  allowed  to  hang  too  long,  but  if 
picked  as  soon  as  it  is  ripe  it  will  cling 
to  the  stem  as  well  as  the  Concord. 

The  Duchess  of  Oldenburgh. — 
Mr.  S.  Roy,  Berlin,  sends  a  photograph 
of  one  of  his  trees  of  this  variety,  borne 
down  with  an  enormous  ci'op  of  ripen- 
ing fruit ;  but  which  he  thinks  has  now 
borne  to  its    last    crop.     He    says : — 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


57 


"  This  variety  of  apple  has  paid  me  bet- 
ter than  any  other  in  my  collection, 
which  embraces  some  fifty  varieties. 

The  Duchess  is  ajiparently  not  destin- 
ed to  be  a  long  liver  in  our  climate ;  it 
is  too  precocious  for  that.  My  experi- 
ence with  it  would  limit  it  to  about 
thirty  years.  The  trees  are  rather  on 
the  small  side,  and  can  be  grown  with- 
out crowding  about  twenty  feet  apart. 

I  notice  further  that  when  budded 
on  the  common  stock  it  is  very  apt  to 
sucker,  but  when  root-grafted  it  is  free 
from  this  fault. 

This  apple,  the  Yellow  Transparent 
and  the  Tetofsky  belong  to  an  entirely 
distinct  type  of  the  Malus  from  any 
other  in  general  cultivation,  and  are 
botanically  assimilated  to  the  Siberian 
Crab  (Malus  Baccata),  of  which  those 
indigenous  to  Southern  Euroj)e  are  only 
sub- varieties. 

The  Alexander  is  called  a  Eussian 
apple,  but  has  no  botanical  affinity  to 
those  previously  mentioned.  It  is  evi- 
dently of  vest  of  Europe  origin." 

SMALL  FRUITS  IN  BRANT  AND  OXFORD. 

Mr.  S.  Cornwell,  Sec.  of  the  Small 
Fruit  Growers  Association,  of  Brant 
and  Oxford,  sends  us  an  extended  re- 
port of  their  January  meeting,  clipped 
from  the  Norwich  Gazette. 

Mr.  Barnes  nuiintained  that  the  busi- 
ness loas  profitable  and  referred  to  Mr. 
S.  Cornwell 's  sales  of  $900  worth  of 
small  fruits  in  a  single  season.  In 
order  to  get  the  same  amount  of  profit 
that  there  would  be  in  these  operations, 
in  other  lines  such  as  grain  and  other 
produce,  a  i)ile  of  hai'd  labor  would 
have  to  be  invested, 

Mr.  Charlton— Will  Mr.  Cornwell 
tell  us  how  he  made  $900  out  of  small 
fruit  that  year  1 

Mr.  S.  Cornwell — The  figui-e  stated 
is  the  total  price  received  ;  the  cost  of 
picking  has  to  be  taken  out  of  that. 
My  berries  sold  at  8  cents;  I  paid  Ic. 


per  quart  for  picking ;  and  I  had  three 
acres  bearing.  I  never  had  as  good 
crops  or  prices  as  that  year. 

Mr.  Chas.  Grantham,  of  Cainsville — 
I  think  it  is  a  great  mistake  to  raise 
on  the  price  of  picking  to  a  cent  and  a 
quarter. 

The  Chairman — Yes,  those  who  sell 
for  five  cents  and  give  two  cents  for 
picking  can't  be  very  anxious  to  make 
a  profit.  I  had  no  difficulty  in  getting 
pickers  at  one  cent.  I  had  to  turn  off 
about  half  of  those  who  applied  for 
work  at  that  price.  All  my  adult 
pickers  averaged  from  $1.50  to  $1.75 
per  day,  and  fourteen  year  old  boys 
and  girls  earned  from  80c.  to  $1  per 
day,  with  two  or  three  hours  rest  each 
day  at  noon. 

Mr.  Charlton — I  think  it  is  well 
enough  when,  like  Mr.  Cornwell,  one 
ca.n  get  $900  for  the  crop  and  8  cents 
per  quart  for  berries ;  but  many  last 
year  sold  for  three  cents.  I  think  that 
strawberry  growing,  as  generally  prac- 
tised, does  not  pay.  To  sell  at  3  cents 
and  pay  2  cents  for  picking  was  hardly 
encouraging. 

Mr.  W.  H.  Lee,  of  Cainsville— That 
sort  of  thing  comes  from  raising  poor 
fruit,  and  poor  fruit  is  going  to  come 
behind  every  time,  and  the  further  be- 
hind it  gets  the  better  for  the  careful 
grower.      It    pays  to  raise  good    fruit. 

The  Chairman — There  are  two  men 
losing  to  every  one  who  makes,  taking 
large  and  small  together. 

Under  the  head  of  Culture  of  Straw- 
berries, Mr.  D.  M.  Lee  said  :  In  the 
preparation  of  land  the  following  pre- 
cautions might  be  used  to  advantage  : 
Choose  land  that  is  not  too  light ; 
strawberries  thrive  best  on  heavier 
soil ;  his  crop  was  the  best  in  Ontario 
last  year  and  was  grown  on  clayey 
ground,  almost  sticky.  Prepai-e  the 
ground  thoroughly ;  seeds  and  roots 
will  bother  the  plant-growth ;  corn  or 


58 


THE   CANADIAN    H0BTICULTURI8T. 


roots  grown  on  the  ground  the  year  be- 
fore planting  berries  will  help  the 
ground  ;  the  gi-ound  should  be  worked 
late  in  the  fall,  as  late  as  possible ;  that 
is  one  of  the  secrets  of  success. 

With  regard  to  varieties  Mr.  Gran- 
tham said  he  could  do  better  with  the 
Crescent  than  with  any  other  kind.  The 
Manchesters  were  larger,  and  when  the 
others  were  small  and  dying  out  they 
extended  the  season  considerably. 

The  Chairman  —  If  we  grow  the 
Crescents  as  extensively  as  the  Wilson 
it  will  kill  the  market,  being  a  poorer 
berry  and  of  a  light  color.  The  buyers 
are  asking  for  a  darker  berry  even  now. 

Mr.  W.  H.  Lee — Had  a  seedling  to 
introduce  shortly,  coming  between  the 
Sharpless  and  Ci'escent  Seedling. 

Mr.  Cornwell — Had  found  that  the 
James  Vick  on  good  rich  soil  was  as 
large  and  iirm  as  the  Wilson. 

Another  gentleman  spoke  in  favor 
of  the  James  Vick  for  fertilizing. 

The  next  subject  was  the  "  Culture 
of  Raspberries  " — best  modes  of  culti- 
'oating,  and  best  varieties. 

Mr.  W.  Lee  spoke  for  half-an-hour 
or  so  on  the  subject,  giving  some  ex- 
cellent practical  advice  based  upon  his 
own  experiences  as  a  successful  grower. 
The  soil  must,  he  remarked,  be  good 
strong  dry  loam,  flat  land  fairly  dry,  or 
well  drained.  The  soil  must  be  pi*e- 
pared  as  carefully  as  for  the  strawberry. 
The  raspberry  could  be  grown  success- 
fully for  ten  years  in  certain  varieties, 
and  could  sometimes  be  cultivated  suc- 
cessfully in  hills.  As  to  the  varieties, 
the  Marlboro'  was  xmdoubtedly  the  best 
early  berry,  though  it  laps  too  close  on 
the  end  of  the  strawberry  season.  For 
a  fine  late  berry  he  would  recommend 
the  Cuthbert.  The  color  was  against 
the  Philadelphia,  and  that  variety  had 
stood  the  wear  and  tear  as  long  as  it 
would.  Of  coui'se  he  was  getting  a 
little  shy  of  raspberry-growing  as  com- 
pared  with  strawbeiTies.     He   recom- 


mended planting  them  at  distances  of 
eight  feet  one  way  and  four  feet  the 
other. 

Before  adjourning  it  was  resolved 
that  the  price  for  picking  strawberries 
should  be  one  cent  per  quart  and  no 
more. 


OPEN  LETTERS. 

The  Alexander  Apple. — Mr.  R.  Brodie,  St. 
Henry,  P.Q.,  writes  : — We  generally 
sell  our  Alexanders  as  soon  as  they  are 
well  colored  in  the  fall,  as  we  get  a 
good  price,  averaging  33  per  barrel,  for 
them,  and  no  risk  in  keeping  them. 
This  has  Vjeen  a  remarkable  season  for 
keeping  fall  apples.  I  have  Plumb's 
Cider  and  a  few  Alexanders  in  my  cel- 
lar at  the  present  time  (Jan.  29). 

Paris  Green. — Mr.  Dickson,  Parkhill, 
writes  that  by  using  too  strong  a  solu- 
tion the  leaves  were  wilted  off  his  apple 
trees.  In  our  experience  thi'ee  ounces 
to  40  gallons  of  water  is  quite  sufficient. 

The  Yellow  Transparent.— Dr.  Hoskins,  a 
famous  fruit  grower  of  Vermont,  writes : 
"  I  note  your  beautiful  picture  and 
correct  description  of  the  Yellow  Trans- 
parent apple,  but  wish  to  correct  the 
great  error  (in  the  quotation  from  the 
proceedings  of  the  Michigan  Pomologi- 
cal  Society)  that  it  is  the  same  as  the 
White  Astrachan,  a  later,  much  in- 
ferior apple,  and  very  unproductive." 

The  Wilson  Strawberry. — Mr.  J.  P.  Cock- 
burn,  Gravenhurst,  writes  as  follows  : — 
"  With  reference  to  Mr.  Morden's  re- 
mark about  the  Wilson  Strawberry,  I 
think  it  wise  of  the  Wilson  "to  give  up 
the  idea  of  running  "  when  there  are  so 
many  better  candidates  in  the  field. 
For  a  general  crop  on  medium  to  light 
soil,  vote  for  Crescent,  Manchester, 
Miner,  and  Glendale ;  for  fancy  crop, 
Early  Canada  and  Sharpless.  These 
will  furnish  a  continuous  crop  of  first- 
class  berries  all  through  the  season, 
with  the  advantage  of  the  plants  with- 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURWT. 


59 


standing  more  i-ough   usage  than   any 
other  sort." 

Temporary  Wind-Break. — Sir  :  In  send- 
ing in  my  subscription  to  your  valuable 
publication,  which  I  notice  is  improv- 
ing in  many  ways,  I  enclose  a  descrip- 
tion of  a  temporary  wind-break,  which 
I  put  through  my  Niagara  grape  vines 
this  fall  to  ward  off  strong  northern 
and  western  winds.  We  cut  and  drew 
several  loads  of  young  pines,  which  we 
got  from  a  neighbor  who  was  about  to 
clear  a  pinery.  These  bushes,  ranging 
from  6  to  10,  or  more,  feet  in  height, 
were  placed  up  against  the  trellis  and 
wound  fast  with  one  strand  of  stove 
pipe  wire,  placing  them  close  enough  to 
form  a  hedge.  Several  rows  were  i-un 
through,  one  about  every  third  trellis, 
where  the  vines  were  too  large  to  lay 
down.  The  posts  in  the.  trellis  are 
about  30  feet  apart.  About  every  other 
space  we  put  a  brace,  by  using  two 
light  posts  fastened  across  one  another 
near  their  upper  end,  the  fastening 
being  just  under  the  top  wires  of  the 
trellis,  This  mode  is  the  best  and 
cheapest  wind-break  I  could  think  of 
for  this  season,  but  for  a  permanency  I 
have  other  methods  in  view. 

K.  PosTANS,  Oakville,  Ont. 

Important  Questions. — Sir  :  I  like  the 
January  Number  very  much.  Mr. 
Simmers  article  on  the  culture  of 
flowers  is  especially  interesting.  What 
to  plant,  how  to  plant,  and  how  to 
prune,  are  questions  that  many  are  ask- 
ing in  rural  districts.  It  must  be  con- 
fessed, the  farmers  wives  and  daughters 
are  really  the  only  ones  that  are  inter- 
ested in  the  garden,  (the  farmer  and 
his  .sons  giving  all  their  interest  and 
attention  to  the  farm  and  stock,)  and 
it  is  wonderfvil  how  well  many  of  them 
succeed  in  raising  fine  vegetables  and 
small  fruits,  and  in  surrounding  their 
homes  with  flowers. 

F.  FoYSTc«y,  Minesing,  Out. 


Elliot's  Early  Pear. — Sir  :  I  am  glad  to 
find  a  good  word  in  your  last  issue  in 
favor  of  the  Elliot's  Early  pear.  Some 
six  years  ago,  1  ripened  it  at  Sault  St. 
Marie,  Algoma,  in  the  fore  part  of 
August,  although  afterwards  the  tree 
blistered  and  died. 

Is  the  Jessie  strawberry  now  in  the 
market?  P.  D.  Laurent,  Lindsay. 

[Note. — The  Jessie  is  advertised  in 
our  columns. —  Ed.] 

TIMELY  HINTS  FOR  THE  ORCHARD. 
PRUNING. 

The  first  mild  weather  is  the  favorite 
time  with  most  farmers  for  pi-uning. 
This  work  is  frequently  overdone,  and 
we  often  see  permanent  injury  in- 
flicted, by  lopping  off  the  large  limbs 
and  leaving  great  ugly  wounds  which 
never  can  heal  over.  By  such  cruel 
treatment  many  orchards  are  hastened 
into  premature  old  age.  We  have  an 
old  veteran  apple  tree,  a  hundred  yeai*s 
of  age,  and  still  in  good  bearing  condi- 
tion. It  was  a  sweet  kind,  and  there- 
fore pruning  was  neglected,  while  many 
others,  of  better  varieties,  were  pruned 
to  death.  We  advise,  then,  to  prune 
the  apple  and  pear  as  little  as  possible, 
consistent  with  the  necessity  of  remov- 
ing all  superfluous  limbs  which  cross, 
and  always  to  choose  the  smaller  when 
one  of  two  must  be  removed.  Cut  close 
to  the  main  branch,  so  that  the  bark 
may  close  over  the  wound. 

Dviarf  Pears  need  to  have  the  new 
growth  thinned  out,  and  judiciously  cut 
back,  in  oi-der  to  produce  fine-sized 
fruit.  The  pyramidal  form  is  best  for  a 
dwarf  pear  tree. 

The  Cherry  Trees  will  need  very  little, 
if  any,  pruning.  Broken  boughs  and 
dead  limbs,  however,  should  be  care- 
fully removed. 

The  Peach  Tree  will  require  consider- 
able attention.  It  is  our  custom  at  this 
season  to  go  over  them  with  a  pair  of 
tree-pruning  shears,  removing  all  dead 


60 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


A   GROUP   OF   FLOWERING    BUI.BS. 


wood,  and  cutting  back  a  considerable 
portion  of  the  new  growth.  For  the 
higher  limbs  a  Water's  tree-pruner  is 
most  serviceable. 

Pruning  the  Grape  is  necessary  to 
fruitfulness,  and  the  pruning  shears 
must  be  used  freely.  The  work  is  bet- 
ter done  after  the  fall  of  the  leaf  in  the 
autumn  ;  but,  if  left  until  now,  must  be 
done  as  early  as  possible  before  the 
active  circulation  of  sap  begins. 

The  Currant  Bushes  need  shortening 
in  and  thinning  out  both,  if  fine-sized 
fruit  is  desired.  Under  the  common 
system  of  neglect  it  is  strange  that  cur- 
lants  are  so  abundant.  They  stand 
more  abuse  than  any  other  fruit. 

The  Gooseberry  Bushes  must  be 
thinned  out  but  not  shortened  in.  One- 
half  the  old  branches  may  be  removed. 

All  this  work  should  be  done  in 
March  or  eai'ly  in  April,  lest  in  the 
push  of  spring  planting  and  summer 
harvesting  it  be  neglected  altogether. 


JjlolDers. 


WINTER    FLOWERING    BULBS. 

BT    HERMANX   SIMMERS,   TORONTO. 

At  this  season  of  the  year  when  the 
various  Dutch  and  Cape  bulbs  have 
completed  their  growth,  it  would  be 
well  to  give  a  few  practical  hints  as  to 
their  after  care.  The  best  possible  ex- 
ample that  we  can  take  is  the  Hyacinth, 
as  all  other  bulbs  need  similar  treat- 
ment. As  soon  as  the  bulbs  have 
finished  their  bloom,  cut  the  faded 
flower  stalk  off.  about  two  inches  above 
the  top  of  the  bulb ;  then  allow  them  to 
remain  in  this  condition  for  about  two 
weeks,  after  which  take  the  bulb  out 
of  the  pot  or  glass,  or  whatever  re- 
ceptacle they  may  have  been  grown  in, 
and  cut  the  green  leaves  off  the  same 
height  from  the  bulb  as  the  flower-stalk 
has  been  cut  off.  The  bulbs  should 
then  be  put  in  a  warm,  dry  place,  with 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


61 


the  roots  still  adhering,  which,  when 
diy,  may  easily  be  rubbed  oft',  leaving 
the  bulbs  in  the  same  sound  condition 
as  when  first  planted.  There  are  sev- 
eral modes  of  keeping  the  bulbs  until 
the  fall,  and  either  of  the  following 
ways    are    thoroughly  practicable,  and 


are  recommended  to  the  amateur.  The 
first  plan  and  probably  the  best  is  to 
plant  the  bulbs  that  have  been  dried 
about  seven  inches  below  the  surface 
of  the  ground  as  soon  as  the  weather 
will  permit  in  the  spring,  in  any  out- 
of-the-  way  place ;    as  when  so  planted 


62 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


they  do  not  make  one  particle  of 
growth,  and  are  only  being  prepared 
for  planting  at  their  proper  season,  for 
winter  blooming.     The  next   mode,  a 


very  simple  one,  is  to  tie  them  up  in  a 
bag,  and  hang  them  in  a  dry  place  in 
the  cellar,  avoiding  dampness,  which 
causes  decav. 


CHIXESK   CHRYSANTHEMUM. 


The  Chrysanthemum  craze  is  not 
on  the  wane.  At  least  Peter  Hender- 
son, a  noted  florist,  declares  in  Popular 
Gardening  that  the  oj)posite  is  the  case. 
He  thinks  it  has  come  to  stay  for  many 
years.  He  says  further  :  "  No  plant  is 
so  easy  of  culture ;  in  no  family  of 
plants  have  we  such  variety  of  contrast- 
ing colours,  or  such  symmetry  and  yet 
eccentricity  of  form.  It  comes  in  a 
season  when  nearly  all  other  flowers  are 
gone ;  it  is  hardy,  so  that  it  can  be 
gi'own  by  the  most  humble  owner  of  a 
cottage,  yet  gorgeous  enough  to  make 
splendid  the  conserv^atory  or  thd  draw- 
ing room." 

By  favor  of  Mr.  Yick  we  present 
a  cut  of  Japanese  Chrysanthemums. 
And  for  contrast  we  show  also  a  cut  of 


a  Chinese  variety.  It  will  be  observed 
that  both  are  large,  loose  gi-aceful 
flowers,  but  that  the  former  is  more 
ragged  or  fringe  like  in  habit  than  the 
latter. 

We  cannot  better  inti'oduce  this 
flower  to  those  who  are  thus  far  unac- 
quainted with  it,  than  by  giving  the 
following  condensed  report  of  Dr.  T. 
Sterry  Hunt's  remarks  on  this  flower, 
in  his  address  on  flowers  before  the  Mon- 
treal Horticultural  Society,  last  March  : 

"  And  first  about  Chrysanthemums. 
To  many  people,  the  name  is  compara- 
tively new,  and  the  flower  itself  is  new. 
He  had  been  surprised  to  see  how  few 
are  cultivated  in  Canada.  That,  how- 
ever, is  due  in  part  to  the  conditions  of 
climate.     All  present  knew  the  family 


THE   CANADIAN    HOETICULTURIST. 


63 


of  this  flower  and  its  character.  We 
speak  of  this  flower  something  like  an 
Aster,  as  a  Chrysanthemum;  it  is  really 
a  Pyrethrum.  It  is  one  of  the  Compo- 
site flowers.  Tlie  Chrysanthemum  we 
cultivate  the  most,  is  one  that  comes 
from  China.  This  flower  was  for  a  long 
time  cultivated  in  India  and  China,  and 
in  New  England  it  was  known  as  "  the 
India  plant."  The  story  he  had  heard 
as  a  boy,  as  to  the  manner  of  their  in- 
troduction, was  to  the  efiect  that  they 
were  brought  out  from  India  by  some 
sea-cajitaiu.  And,  doubtless,  that  was 
their  history.  They  are  highly  prized 
in  India ;  they  are  plants  that  will 
flower  for  a  long  tim«  on  ship-board,  and 
they  are  easy  to  transport.  These  Chrys- 
anthemums have  been  greatly  varied 
by  cultivation.  The  Chinese  and  Jap- 
anese have  from  time  immemorial  vied 
with  each  other  in  the  production  of 
new  varieties.  Nowhere  has  the  flor- 
ist's art  and  cai-eful  selection  been  car- 
ried to  such  a  pitch  of  perfection  as  in 
China,  or,  still  more,  Japan.  The  Jap- 
anese are  our  masters  in  that,  as  in  so 
many  elegant  arts.  The  Japanese  attach 
a  special  importance  to  the  Chrysanthe- 
mum. It  is  to  them  a  sacred  flower. 
It  has  a  peculiar  religious  symbolism. 
Its  fragrant  odor;  the  freedom  with 
which  it  flowei-s  ;  the  ease  with  which 
it  is  cultivated,  have  given  it  promi- 
nence among  these  people  of  the  East. 
We  have  three  or  four  difierent  types. 
They  are  of  every  possible  color  but 
pure  blue,  and  are  often  beautifully 
shaded  with  two  or  three  tints  ;  one 
colors  at  the  tip,  one  at  the  base,  one  on 
the  upper  side,  and  another  on  the 
lower  side ;  there  is  infinite  vai'iety  in 
this  ojie  little  flower.  Extremely  hardy 
and  very  easy  in  cultivation,  they  do 
not  stand  our  winters,  and  cannot  be 
made  to  blossom  here  in  the  open  air. 
In  Rhode  Island,  or  in  Connecticut, 
they  bloom  in  Novembei-,  and  even  in 
early  December,  in  the  open.     Here  we 


cultivate  them  in  pots  and  bring  them 
to  bloom  in  the  house.  The  propaga- 
tion is  simple  :  It  is  a  little,  woody, 
shi-ubby  plant,  easily  propagated,  and 
running  up  some  four,  five  or  six  feet 
in  height,  and  is  laden  with  flowers  in 
the  late  autumn  and  early  winter.  Tliey 
are  very  fragrant,  and  keep  their  beauty 
for  a  long  time  on  the  plant,  and  after 
they  are  gathered.  When  the  plant 
has  done  its  work  of  flowering,  you  cut 
it  down  the  ground,  and  put  the  root 
in  a  place  where  there  is  not  too  much 
moisture  all  the  winter,  and  in  the 
spring,  the  root  torn  asunder,  will  give 
you  a  great  many  plants.  Compar- 
tively  few  take  the  trouble  to  grow 
them  from  seed  ;  you  may  get  some- 
thing that  is  more  beautiful,  but  the 
result  is  uncertain,  and  yoxi  rather  trust 
to  friends  for  cuttings  of  approved  vari- 
eties." 


FLORICULTURAL. 

Sowing  Seeds. — Wm.  Falconer,  in 
Rural  New  Yorker,  ad\'ises  early  sow- 
ing of  the  following  flower  seeds,  among 
others,  in  order  to  have  fine  plants  for 
ti'ansplanting  in  May,  viz.  :  lobelia,  tu- 
berous rooted  begonia,  cockscomb,  ver- 
bena, snapdragon,  petunia,  stocks,  can- 
na,  abuilton,  pansy  and  chrysanthe- 
mum. Lacking  a  hot-bed,  seed  pots 
may  be  used,  half-filled  with  drainage, 
and  balance  with  mellow,  light,  sandy 
soil.  Scatter  fine  earth  over  the  seeds, 
just  enough  to  cover  them,  giving 
very  little  water.  The  pots  should  be 
placed  on  the  window  sill,  away  from 
bright  sunshine,  and  a  bit  of  stiflf  paper 
laid  over  them,  but  tilted  up  about  one- 
fourth  of  an  inch  at  one  side.  On  germ- 
ination of  the  seeds,  the  paper  should 
be  removed.  The  Chinese  and  Jap- 
anese chrysanthemums  are  so  cojnous 
and  gay  in  November,  and  so  easily 
raised  from  seeds  that  we  should  all  try 
a  few. 


64 


THE   CAN  APIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


'©egdables. 


CELERY. 

How    to    Grow    and    Keep    It   in    the 
North. 

BV  A.  A.  WRIGHT,  RENFREW. 

How  many  readers  of  the  Horticul- 
turist have  at  this  season  of  the  year  an 
abundant  suppy  of  beautiful,  crisp, 
ivory-like  celery^  It  is  so  healthful 
and  in  the  winter  season  especially, 
such  a  desirable  relish,  that  it  seems 
strange  it  so  rarely  appears  upon  our 
tables. 

It  is  easily  grown.  Sow  your  seed 
in  the  hot-bed — in  this  locality — about 
the  1st  of  April.  It  will  not  come 
up  the  same  day  nor  the  same  week, 
but  if  kept  warm  and  damp  will 
come  along  in  good  time.  Neither 
will  it  astonish  you  with  its  wonder- 
fully rapid  growth,  for  at  first  it  is  a 
iilow  grower.  When  about  an  inch 
high  the  plants,  should  be  removed  to 
another  portion  of  the  hot-bed,  and 
there  left  until  they  have  attained  a 
considerable  size,  when  they  are  ready 
for  planting  in  the  place  they  are  to 
occupy  in  the  garden.  Having  pre- 
viously enriched  and  prepared  the 
ground,  by  deep  spading,  I  dig  out  a 
trench  about  five  or  six  inches  deep  and 
as  wide  as  the  spade,  throwing  the  earth 
to  both  sides  of  the  trench.  I  may  men- 
tion also  that  you  need  not  fear  having 
your  ground  too  rich,  or  too  loose  and 
mellow. 

The  plants  are  now  taken  from  the 
hot-bed  and  planted  in  your  trench,  sett- 
ing them  about  six  inches  apart.  This 
being  done,  place  little  pieces  of  sticks 
across  your  trenches  say  five  or  six  feet 
apart,  and  on  these  cross  pieces  lay  inch 
boards,  say  ten  or  twelve  inches  wide, 
and  any  length.  These  will  make  an 
excellent  shade  for  your  plants,  and  can 
be  easily  removed  when  you  are  water- 


ing them,  which  should.be  kept  up  for 
some  time  after  planting,  unless  you 
have  rain,  when  of  course  it  will  not  be 
required.  As  your  plants  grow,  the 
earth  should  be  drawn  about  them  with 
one  hand,  while  with  the  other  the 
stalks  are  held  together,  to  prevent  the 
earth  from  getting  in  between,  and  in- 
juring them.  This  earthing  up  should 
be  continued  from  time  to  time  until 
the  plants  are  fully  grown,  care  being 
taken  that  it  is  done  only  when  the 
earth  and  plants  are  dry  to  prevent 
rusting  of  the  stalks.  Your  plants 
being  fully  grown  the  next  step  will  be 
storing  for  winter. 

For  this  purpose  I  take  boxes  about 
four  feet  long,  a  foot  wide,  and,  say 
eighteen  inches  high.  The  ordinary 
boot  and  shoe  boxes  are  admirable  for 
this  purpose. 

Having  procured  one  which  is  toler- 
ably sound,  if  the  top  has  been  re- 
placed you  take  it  off,  as  you  have  no 
use  for  that.  You  next  turn  it  on  its 
side.  Then  take  a  sti-aight-edged  board 
and  with  your  pencil  draw  a  line 
lengthwise  of  your  box,  and  about 
thi-ee  inches  from  the  bottom  of  it. 
Now  take  your  rip  saw,  and  saw  the 
side  of  your  box  through  from  end  to 
end  on  this  line.  If  the  board  that  you 
have  just  sawn  was  six  inches  wide, 
you  will  remove  the  upper  thi-ee-inch 
strip.  Next  take  your  cross  cut  saw 
and  saw  your  end  boai-ds  in,  about 
three  inches,  and  in  a  line  with  your 
previous  cut  with  the  rip  saw.  This 
done,  make  another  cut  with  your  saw 
in  your  end  boards  reaching  from  the 
bottom  of  the  remaining  top  side-board 
of  your  box  to  where  your  last  cut 
ended,  and  remove  the  V  shaped  piece 
from  the  end.  Now  do  the  same  thing 
with  the  other  end.  You  next  take 
the  three-inch  strip  you  had  previously 
taken  from  the  side,  and  place  it  back 
again.  The  toj)  of  it  will  now  be  in 
line  with  the  side  of  the  box,  but  the 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


65 


bottom  will  extend  in,  leaving  a  two- 
inch  space  the  whole  length  of  your 
box,  which  space  you  will  use  for  pour- 
ing in  water  to  supply  moisture  to  your 
plants.  Now,  take  your  box  to  your 
celery-bed,  and  cover  the  bottom  with 
two  inches  of  earth,  and  in  this  earth 
plant  your  celery  as  closely  as  possible. 
This  should  be  done  on  a  dry  day.  The 
box,  with  its  contents,  can  now  be  re- 
moved to  your  cellar,  when,  for  the 
present,  your  work  is  done. 


oopraiQHT  tsaa« 
WHITE    PLUME    CELERY. 


earlier,  is  so  crisp  and  tender,  and  strange 
to  say,  with  me  it  keeps  in  the  way  I 
have  described,  longer  than  any  of  the 
older  sorts.  In  this  last  respect  my 
experience  seems  to  differ  from  nearly 
every  writer  whose  articles  on  celery  I 
have  chanced  to  see,  as  all  state  that 
the  White  Plume  is  the  poorest  keeper 
of  any. 

It  may  be  that,  if  kept  in  some  other 
way,  it  would  prove  the  poorest  keeper, 
but  kept  in  the  manner  I  have  de- 
scribed I  have  found  it  to  have  no 
equal. 


From  time  to  time  as  your  plants 
need — which  is  pretty  often — you  will 
supply  them  with  water,  and  always 
through  the  open  slit  in  the  side  of 
your  box,  never  by  the  top,  as  it  would 
rot  your  plants. 

Treated  in  this  way  you  can  always 
get  at  your  plants,  without  any  trouble, 
and  you  can  see  at  any  time  the  exact 
condition  that  they  are  in. 

One  word  as  to  varieties.    I  have  now 

discarded  the  Boston  Market  and  other 

old  standard  sorts,  and  grow  only  the 

White  Plume,  as  it  blanches  so  much 

2 


THE  ONION. 

Draw  off  his  satin  waistcoat, 

Tear  his  silk  shirt  apart, 
And,  weeping  tears  of  pleasure, 

Creep  closer  to  his  heart ! 

Wrapt  is  this  modern  mummy 
In  ceaseless  fold  on  fold  ; 

Yet  what  a  wondrous  power 
Those  endless  wrappings  hold  ! 

Of  all  the  vegetables 

From  garden's  length  to  length, 
He  is  the  one  most  mighty — 

Epitome  of  strength. 

Whene'er  his  person  enters, 

All  noses  snuff  the  air, 
And  epicurean  stomachs 

For  gastric  treats  prepare. 

A  subtle  spirit  rises 

Of  dinner  in  full  bloom. 
An  appetising  odor 

Pervading  all  the  room. 

When  at  the  well-laid  table 

How  is  the  palate  blest ! 
He  betters  other  dishes. 

Yet  is  himself  the  best. 

But  call  upon  your  lady — 
Why  is  her  smile  so  grim  ? 

Before  a  word  is  spoken 

She  knows  you've  been  with  him  ! 
-Boston  Transcript. 


They  were  at  a  dinner  party,  and  he 
remarked  that  he  supposed  she  was  fond 
of  ethnology.  She  said  she  was,  but 
she  was  not  very  well,  and  the  doctor 
had  told  her  not  to  eat  anything  for 
dessert  but  oranges. 


66 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


THE 


Caitabimi  IBortiailtunst. 


^N  Illus- 
trated 
Monthly  Journal,  de- 
I  voted  to  the  interests 
of     Fruit     Growers, 
.i-deuers,  and  Gentle- 
men owning  rural  or  su- 
bui'ban  homes, 

Subscription  price  |1.00 
per  year,  entitling  the  subscri- 
•  to  membership  of  the  Fruit  Grow- 
ers' Association  of  Ontario  and  all  its 
privileges,  including  a  copy  of  its 
valuable  Annual  Report,  and  a  share  in  its 
annual  distribution  of  premium  plants  and 
trees.  

This  Journal  is  not  published  in  the  in- 
terests, or  for  the  pecuniary  advantage  of 
any  one,  but  its  pages  are  devoted  wholly  to 
the  progress  of  Horticultural  Science  and 
Art  in  Canada.  We  aim  at  the  development 
of  the  fruit  growing  industry  in  our  Province  ; 
at  the  general  distribution  of  knowledge  con- 
cerning all  the  newest  and  best  varieties  of 
fruits  ;  and  at  the  education  of  a  refined 
taste  in  the  ar£  of  decorative  gardening 
around  the  homes  of  our  Canadian  people. 

With  such  ends  in  view  we  invite  the  co- 
operation of  the  lovers  of  Horticulture  both 
in  extending  the  membership  of  the  Fruit 
Growers'  Association  of  Ontario,  and  in  con- 
tributing to  these  pages  such  items  as  may 
be  of  general  interest  and  profit. 


Patience  on  the  part  of  our  subscribers 
will  favour  us.  Owing  to  great  amount 
of  mail  matter  coming  in  just  now,  it 


is  impossible  to  change  the  address 
label  the  first  month  after  it  is  received 
in  evei-y  case.  There  need  be  no 
anxiety,  therefore,  respecting  safety  of 
enclosures  until  after  the  second  month 
from  time  of  sending. 

Subscribers  receiving  March  Number, 
and  not  returning  the  same,  will  be 
counted  members  for  1887,  but  no 
pi'emiums  or  Report  can  be  sent  them 
until  their  dues  for  the  year  are  paid. 

Not  a  Nurseryman. — The  Editor  of  this 
Journal  is  not  a  nurseryman,  but  a 
practical  fruit  grower.  He  has  had 
some  years  experience  in  the  nursery 
business,  but  during  the  past  ten  years 
has  devoted  eveiy  acre  of  his  ground  to 
fruit  cultui-e.  He  has  no  interest  in  or 
connection  with  any  nursery ;  but,  on 
the  other  hand,  will  endeavour  to  pro- 
tect the  fruit  grower  against  humbugs, 
whether  introduced  by  a  nurseryman 
or  by  any  one  else.  At  the  same  time 
it  will  be  his  object  to  keep  the  readers 
posted  concerning  all  new  fruits,  and 
to  commend  those  which  are  valuable 
so  soon  as  their  reputation  is  fully 
established. 

Contributors  should  i-emember  that  four 
or  five  hundred  words  are  enough  for 
any  ordinary  article.  We  have  received 
one  that  approaches  the  thousands,  and 
would  reqiiire  a  special  number  of  our 
Horticulturist.  Lengthy  articles,  though 
valuable,  sometimes  have  to  wait  a  long 
time  before  we  can  find  space  for  them. 

The  Annual  Report  for  the  year  1886 
will  be  in  the  hands  of  the  membei's  of 
the  Association  very  soon.  We  regret 
its  unusually  small  size,  the  result  of 
the  employment  of  an  incompetent  sub- 
stitute in  place  of  our  usual  reporter. 
Whole  pages  had  to  be  ei-ased  owing  to 
the  wretched  work  of  this  man,  and 
what  remains  was  mostly  I'e-written  by 
the  Secretary. 

Such  a  mistake  will  not  be  repeated, 
as  a  thoroughly  competent  official  re- 


THE   CANADIAN    H0KTI0ULTUKI8T. 


67 


porter  has  been  engaged  for  the  year 
1887. 

The  Winter  Meeting  at  Chatham  was  a 
most  interesting  one.  Valuable  papers 
were  contributed  by  the  following 
gentlemen,  viz.  : — A.  M.  Smith,  St. 
Catharines ;  B.  Gott,  Arkona ;  John 
Croil.  Aultsville;  S.  P.  Morse,  Milton; 
F.  W.  Wilson,  Chatham ;  P.  E.  Bucke, 
Ottawa.  Also  most  interesting  ad- 
dresses were  delivered  on  various  topics 
by  his  Worship  the  Mayor  of  Chatham ; 
T.  T.  Lyon,  President  of  the  Michigan 
Pomological  Society ;  Wm.  Saunders, 
Director  of  the  Experimental  Farm 
Stations  of  the  Dominion ;  Prof.  H. 
Panton,  of  Guelph  Agricultural  Col- 
lege ;  A.  McD.  Allan,  President  of  the 
Association ;  P.  C.  Dempsey,  of  Tren- 
ton, and  others.  But  as  our  readers 
will  receive  all  this,  verbatim,  in  the 
Report  for  1887,  we  need  not  occupy 
these  pages  with  even  a  summary  of 
the  proceedings. 

Such  meetings  as  these,  held  as  they 
are  in  various  portions  of  Ontario, 
serve  to  disseminate  knowledge  of  fruit 
culture  far  and  wide,  and  never  fail  to 
very  largely  increase  the  local  interest 
in  the  work  of  our  Association. 

The  appointment  of  the  place  for  the 
Summer  Meeting  has  been  left  in  the 
hands  of  the  Executive  Committee. 

Thanks. — Again  we  thank  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Association  for  the  many 
kind  letters  of  congratulation  concern- 
ing the  improvement  in  the  Canadian 
Horticulturist.  We  again  ask  that  this 
appi-eciation  manifest  itself  in  helping 
us  to  double  the  circulation,  and  thus 
increase  the  usefulness  of  the  Fruit 
Growers'  Association  of  Ontario. 

An  Indiana  Correspondent  thinks  "there 
is  no  danger  of  our  communication  with 
the  United  States  being  cut  off  this 
year."  Certainly  not,  if  the  horticul- 
tural fraternity  can  prevent  it.  We 
recognise  neither  political  parties  nor 


national  boundaries;  and  since  our 
business  is  with  the  land  and  not  the 
sea,  we  can  afford  reciprocity  in  hor- 
ticultural information,  undisturbed  by 
the  quarrels  of  a  few  fishermen. 

Acknowledgment. — The  cuts  of  Flower- 
ing Bulbs  and  of  White  Plume  Celery 
in  this  issue  were  kindly  furnished  by 
Messrs.  J.  A.  Simmers  &  Co.,  J.  A. 
Bruce  (fe  Co.,  i-espectively,  by  request. 


This  department  is  intended  as  an  open  one  to  every 
reader  of  the  "  Uorticulturist"  to  send  in  either 
questions  or  answers.  Often  a  reader  will  be  able  to 
ansirer  a  qnestinn.  which  has  been  left  unanswered, 
or  onlji partially  answered  by  tis.  For  co7ivenience 
of  reference  the  questions  are  numbered,  and  any 
one  replying  or  referring  to  any  question  will 
please  mention  the  number  of  it. 


16.  Yellow  Transparent. — Where  can   I 

buy  the  trees  ?  [E.  R.,  Stratford.] 

Write  to  any  of  the  nurserymen  who 
advertise  in  this  journal  for  informa- 
tion. 

17.  A  Rosary. —  What  is  the  proper  dis- 
tance to  plant  Hybrid  Perpetual  Roses 
in  making  a  Rosary  ?  [F.  F.] 

Mr.  Wellington,  Toronto,  writes  : — 
The  proper  distance  to  plant  Hybrid 
Perpetual  Roses  is,  for  strong  growing 
varieties,  three  feet  apart ;  for  those  of 
weaker  habits,  one  to  two  feet. 

18.  The  Wealthy  Apple. — Has  the  Wealthy 
Apple  the  defect  of  dropping  off  the  tree 
before  being  ripe,  and  is  it  easily  shaken 
off  by  loinds  ?  [F.  F.] 

A.  A.  Wright,  of  Renfrew,  writes: — 
We  have  never  been  troubled  with  the 
Wealthy  dropping  its  fruit  prematurely, 
as  the  Tetofsky  does.  Neither  is  it 
easily  shaken  off  by  the  wind.  We 
find  it,  so  far,  one  of  the  very  best 
apples  we  have  for  our  cold  northern 
climate.  I  sent  several  boxes  from  here 
to  the  Intercolonial.         ' 

19.  Gooseberry  Bushes. — Will  they  do 
loell  under  a  wide-spreading  tree  ?     Do 


68 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTUKIST. 


you  recommend  root  pruning  in  the 
spring  ?  [E.,  Toronto.] 

The  only  reason  for  planting  them 
under  a  tree  that  we  know  of  is  for 
lack  of  any  open  ground  ;  for,  grown 
under  a  tree,  the  fruit  will  likely  be 
small  and  mouldy.  The  gooseberry 
likes  moist  soil  and  plenty  of  manure 
with  high  cultivation. 

As  to  pruning,  it  is  necessary  to  thin 
out  the  toj)  every  fall  or  spring  to 
nearly  one-half,  especially  the  old  wood, 
but  we  see  no  use  of  root  pruning. 

20.  Grafting. — Please  state  the  time  for 
cutting  scions,  time  for  grafting,  and 
way  to  make  best  grafting  wax. 

[A.  C.  McDonald,  Dunlop.] 

Scions  grow  better  if  cut  a  good  while 
before  they  are  wanted,  because  they 
should  be  in  a  dormant  conditoin  when 
used.  They  may  be  cut  early  in  spring, 
or  they  may  be  cut  in  the  autumn,  and 
packed  away  in  fine  dry  soil  or  saw- 
dust until  needed.  It  is  not  good  to 
cut  them  when  frozen. 

The  gi*afting  may  be  performed  until 
quite  late  in  the  spring.  Indeed,  a 
neighbour  of  ours  was  top -grafting  last 
spring  until  the  leaves  came  out,  and 
yet  succeeded. 

Grafting  wax  is  usually  made  by 
melting  together  equal  i^arts  of  tallow, 
beeswax  and  resin  ;  or  a  little  more  of 
the  tallow  to  make  it  easier  worked. 

Another  good  mixture  is  ;  Linseed 
oil,  1  pint ;  beeswax,  1  pound,  and 
resin,  6  pounds. 

21.  Wind-Break. — How  far  from  an  or- 
chard should  a  tviiul-break  of  Spruce  or 
Lombardy  Pojilar  be  planted  ? 

[F.  F.] 
Mr.  Thos.  Beall  i-eplies  : — "If  spruce 
trees  are  planted  at  the  same  time  as 
the  orchard,  they  should  be  planted  as 
far  from  the  nearest  row  of  trees  as  the 
rows  are  from  each  other.  No  injury 
will  result  for  forty  or  fifty  yeai-s. 
Lombardy  Poplar  is  the  worst  tree  I 


know  of  for  that  purpose,  and  therefore 
should  never  be  used." 

[The  Catalpa  Speciosa  is  highly 
spoken  of  for  tliis  purpose,  and  is  quite 
hardy. — Ed.] 

22.  Half-Standard  Apples. — Would  trees 
branching  about  two  Jeet  high  be  better 
than  Standards  for  this  section  ? 

[H.  E.,  Napanee.] 
Yes,  if  you  can  manage  the  cultiva- 
tion. A  low  head  is  a  great  protection 
to  the  trunk  from  the  scorching  rays  of 
the  sun.  No  doubt  the  best  way  to 
obtain  them  would  be  by  topping  off 
two-year-olds  at  the  desii'ed  height. 

23.  Spot-Free  Apples. — Please  give  me  a 
list.  [H.  E.] 

Yellow  Transparent,  Red  Astracan, 
Duchess  of  Oldenburgh,  Gi*avenstein, 
Wealthy,  Ribston,  King,  Mann,  Golden 
Russet,  and  others.  Of  these  the  Trans- 
])arent,  Duchess,  Ribston,  Mann  and 
Russet  are,  we  believe,  absolutely  free. 


)rkntifii:. 


CANADIAN  PHOSPHATES. 

p.    O.    BUCKB,   OTTAWA. 

The  following  paper  is  principally 
taken  from  a  most  exhaustive  and 
admirable  essay  on  the  phosphate  beds 
of  the  world,  read  by  H.  B.  Small, 
Department  of  Agriculture,  Ottawa, 
before  the  Hamilton  Association  last 
summer  : — 

A  short  review  of  the  phosphate  fields 
of  Canada  may  not  be  uninteresting  to 
the  readers  of  the  Horticulturist,  espe- 
cially when  we  consider  that  the  above 
ingredient  is  essential  to  all  living  tis- 
sues,  whether  vegetable  or  animal. 
This  substance  is  repeatedly  passing 
through  its  three  great  changes ;  it  is 
found  in  the  soil,  from  which  it  enters 
into  the  composition  of  plants,  from 
them  it  is  absorbed  into  animals,  and 
again    deposited    in    the   soil    to    pass 


THE   CANADIAN   H0RTICULTUEI8T. 


69 


through  the  same:  cycle.  This,  how- 
ever, is  broken  by  the  dense  population 
of  cities,  when  the  phosphates,  instead 
of  passing  again  into  the  land,  are  lost 
by  our  present  defective  method  of  get- 
ting rid  of  city  sewei-age.  A  good  deal 
of  phosj)hate  is  also  lost  to  this  country 
oy  the  shipment  of  cattle  and  grain  to 
distant  markets  by  sea  and  land,  and 
hence  the  desirability  of  building  up 
the  waste  thus  made  from  the  natural 
beds  found  in  various  parts  of  the 
world.  Fortunately  for  Canada  she  has 
the  richest  and  apparently  the  largest 
deposits  which  have  yet  been  discovered 
on  the  face  of  the  globe. 

The  first  of  these  deposits  was  dis- 
covered by  the  late  Mr.  Vennor  of  the 
Geological  Staff,  also  known  to  fame  as 
a  weather  prophet,  in  1871,  in  the 
County  of  Hastings.  This  area  was 
subsequently  much  enlarged,  specimens 
were  found  throughout  the  entire  dis- 
trict lying  back  of  the  city  of  Kingston, 
and  mining  is  still,  to  some  extent, 
being  carried  on  there. 

It  is  in  the  Laurentian  range  of  the 
Province  of  Quebec,  and  more  especially, 
as  far  as  has  yet  been  discovered,  in 
that  part  lying  in  the  townships  of 
Buckingham,  Templeton,  Wakefield, 
Hull,  Derry,  Portland  and  Bowman, 
that  mining  is  chiefly  being  prosecuted, 
and  more  especially  in  the  two  first 
named  townships.  The  question  of  the 
continuity  of  these  deposits  was  at  one 
time  doubted,  but  later  tests  which  have 
been  made  by  means  of  the  best  mining 
appliances,  such  as  steam  hoists  and 
drills,  have  shown  that  at  the  depth  of 
three  hundred  feet  the  phosphate  is  of 
a  higher  grade,  whilst  the  deposits  are 
more  extended.  These  discoveries  go 
to  show  that  our  Quebec  beds  are  prac- 
tically inexhaustible. 

These  mines  have  a  great  advantage 
as  being  situated  in  contiguity  to  navi- 
gable water,  the  Lievres  River,  which 
is  deep  and  sluggish,  where  the  mineral 


is  placed  on  scows  which  are  towed 
down  by  steam  tugs,  or  are  left  to  drift 
till  they  reach  Buckingham  village, 
situated  on  the  Canada  Pacific  Railway. 
Hitherto  most  of  our  Canadian  phos- 
phates have  been  shipped  to  Liverpool 
by  steamer  from  Montreal,  where  they 
have  been  treated  with  acid,  and  again 
distributed  as  superphosphates  through- 
out Britain  and  Europe,  a  large  per- 
centage again  finding  its  way  across  the 
Atlantic  into  the  United  States. 

The  grades  shipped  are  known  as 
firsts,  seconds  and  thirds.  The  best  is 
from  80  to  85  per  cent.,  second-class 
75  to  85  per  cent.,  third-class  below  75 
per  cent. 

Phosphate  is  found  in  various  forms, 
sometimes  in  crystals,  at  others  in 
masses,  varying  from  compact  to  coarse 
granular,  in  strata  of  a  lamellar  texture, 
and  in  a  friable  state  called  "  sugar 
phosphate."  The  color  varies  from 
greenish  to  clear  sea  green,  bluish,  red, 
brown  of  difierent  shades,  yellow,  white, 
and  cream  colored.  Phosphate  runs 
from  twelve  feet  squai-e  to  sixteen  feet 
square  to  the  ton,  according  to  its  com- 
pactness. 

The  old  style  of  mining  surface  de- 
posits has  now  been  superseded  by  men 
of  capital  and  powerful  companies. 
These  have  introduced  steam  power  and 
improved  machinery,  and  by  this  means 
a  higher  grade  of  the  mineral  has  been 
taken  out  at  a  less  cost.  This  has 
placed  mining  operations  on  a  more 
permanent  basis.  The  actual  cost  of  a 
ton  of  phosphates  delivered  in  Liver- 
pool is  about  five  dollars,  after  paying 
all  expenses  for  mining  and  freight. 
The  price  obtained  in  Liverpool  ranges 
fi'om  twenty-sLx;  to  twenty-eight  dollars 
per  ton,  so  that  thei'e  is  a  large  margin 
for  profit.  It  is,  however,  only  by  a 
large  outlay  of  capital  that  the  above 
results  are  obtained.  The  first  year's 
opei'ations  seldom  leave  a  margin, 
owing  to  the  heavy  expense  for  plant 


70 


THE   CANADIAN   H0RTICULTDB18T. 


and  buildings ;  but  after  the  first  year 
it  is  known  that  in  the  case  of  two  com- 
panies now  working  a  dividend  of  thirty 
per  cent,  was  cleared  and  paid  to  the 
shareholders.  One  of  the  most  success- 
ful mines  is  owned  by  a  company  having 
its  headquarters  in  London,  England. 
The  property  covers  1,200  acres.  The 
profits  for  three  years,  1882,  3  and  4, 
after  defraying  all  expenses,  paid  a 
dividend  of  25  per  cent.,  leaving  a  bal- 
ance of  $10,000  as  a  i-eserve.  Large 
foi'ces  of  men  are  being  employed  in 
this  industry,  which  is  rapidly  assuming 
considerable  proportions.  The  out  put 
for  the  past  six  years  furnishes  the  fol- 
lowing: figures  : — 


1880.. 

. .  7,500  tons. 

1883.. 

..17,160  tons 

1881  . 

..10,307  " 

1884. . 

..20,461  " 

1882 . . 

..15,556  " 

1885.. 

..24,876  " 

Unfortunately  pyrites,  out  of  which 
sulphuric  acid  is  made,  is  not  at  hand  in 
sufficient  quantities  to  supply  works  for 
treating  the  phosphates,  and  as  most  of 
the  product  of  the  mines  is  used  in 
Britain,  where  acid  is  inexpensive,  it 
pays  better  to  ship  the  crude  material. 
A  wealthy  American  company  has 
established  a  mill  for  grinding  and  pul- 
verising phosphates,  either  for  acid 
treatment,  or  for  use  in  its  pure  state. 
These  works  are  situated  at  the  con- 
fluence of  the  Lievres  with  the  Ottawa 
rivers.  This  mill  has  a  capacity  of  fifty 
tons  per  day.  The  powder  obtained  is 
so  fine  that  it  is  passed  by  means  of 
fans  through  an  80  mesh  bolt,  thereby 
separating  every  particle  of  mica,  which 
is  the  most  troublesome  material  the 
refiners  have  to  contend  with.  This 
flour  of  phosphate  is  shipped  west  to 
cities  situated  along  Lake  Erie.  Very 
little  of  this  material  has  hitherto  been 
used  in  Canadian  agriculture  or  horti- 
culture, but  as  our  soils  become  ex- 
hausted by  the  shipment  of  grains  and 
cattle,  the  time  cannot  be  far  distant 
when  this  powerful  fertilizer  will  be 
largely   sought  for,  and  these  deposits 


which  nature  has  bestowed  with  such  a 
bountiful  hand,  will  be  thoroughly  ap- 
preciated by  the  Canadian  farmer  and 
gardener. 


Apples  for  Stock. — C.L. Underwood  says 
in  Farvi  and  Home  that  he  has  been 
feeding  apples  for  ten  yeai-s  past.  He 
uses  a  peck  of  apples  to  two  quarts  of 
bran  for  his  cows  and  finds  it  to  increase 
the  flow  of  milk  and  improve  the  quality 
of  the  butter. 

Apple  Butter. — Making  Apple  butter 
is  almost  one  of  the  lost  arts,  but  I 
have  gathered  the  process  from  old  ex- 
perienced folks,  and  New  York  State 
farmers  say  that  it  is  apples  pared, 
cored,  cut  and  boiled  in  sweet  cider  till 
the  whole  is  a  dark,  rich  pulp,  and  the 
cider  is  reduced  one-half.  No  sugar  is 
needed,  for  the  fruit  furnishes  its  own 
sweetness.  Half  the  apples  may  be 
sour  and  half  sweet,  or  all  sweet,  as  one 
likes.  It  takes  nearly  two  gallons  of 
cider  to  make  one  of  Apple  butter,  and 
spices  are  added,  or  not,  to  taste.  I 
should  spice  it,  the  rale  being  one  table- 
spoonful  of  cinnamon  and  one-third  of 
a  teaspoonful  of  ground  cloves  to  each 
gallon  of  Apple  butter,  added  when  it 
is  taken  up,  boiling  hot.  It  may  be 
kept  in  barrels,  stone  pots,  or  butter 
firkins  and  boxes.  A  clean  second-hand 
butter  firkin  is  a  very  good  thing  to 
keep  many  kinds  of  preserves  or  pickles 
in. —  Vick's  Magazine /or  January. 

Baked  Apples. — Are  "  a  dainty  dish  to 
set  before  a  king  "  if  you  bake  them  the 
right  way.  Take  sour,  sound  apples 
and  core  but  do  not  peel  them.  Fill  the 
cavities  with  sugar  and  stick  into  each 
a  clove,  a  bit  of  cinnamon  or  lemon  peel 
as  preferred.  Put  the  apples  into  the 
oven  with  a  little  water  in  the  bottom 
of  the  baking  pan,  and  bake  until  a 
straw  will  pierce  them.     Eat  cold  with 


THE    CANADIAN    HOKTICULTDRI8T. 


71 


cream.     Pears  served  in  the  same  way 
are  even  better  than  apples. 

How  to  Cook  Cranberries. — Wash  one 
quart  of  cranberries  and  put  them  in  a 
covered  saucepan  with  one  pint  of  water. 
Let  them  simmer  until  each  cranberry 
bursts  open  ;  remove  the  cover  and  add 
one  pound  of  sugar,  and  let  them  all 
boil  for  twenty  minutes  without  the 
cover.  The  cranberries  must  never  be 
stirred  from  the  time  they  are  placed  on 
the  fire.  Follow  this  recipe  exactly, 
and  you  will  have  a  most  delicious  pre- 
paration of  cranberries. — Toronto  Globe. 


We  itrill  gladly  give  our  candid  opinion  of  any  books, 
magaziiies  or  catalog^ies  received,  especially  if  they 
are  likely  to  interest  or  benefit  Canadian  fruit 
growers,  but  vnll  not  insert  cut  and  dried  reading 
notices  in  favK,r  of  any  publication  whatever. 


Queen's  College  and  University,  Kingston, 
Canada,  1886-7.  Containing  full  in- 
formation concerning  the  course  of  this 
well-established  seat  of  learning,  and 
the  series  of  examination  papers  of 
1885-86. 

The  American  Garden,  46  Dey  St.,  New 
York  City. 

This  well-known  magazine  has  incor- 
porated in  itself  the  Floral  Cabinet,  and 
yet  notwithstanding  its  increased  excel- 
lence, is  now  reduced  from  $2  per  an- 
num to  $1. 

Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society.  Sche- 
dule of  Prizes  for  year  1887.  Robert 
Manning,  Boston,  Secretary. 

An  attractive  feature  of  the  weekly 
meetings  of  this  Society.  Besides  the 
special  exhibitions,  as  that  of  spring 
flowering  bulbs,  in  March,  and  of  au- 
tumn fruits,  in  October,  the  Chrys- 
anthemum show  in  November,  there  is 
a  series  of  weekly  exhibitions  of  flowers, 
and  fruits  in  season,  every  Saturday, 
from  July  2nd  to  Sept.  3rd. 


The  Fruit  Grower,  an  eight  page  monthly 
containing  much  valuaVjle  information, 
published  by  The  D.  W.  Beadle  Nur- 
sery Co.,  St.  Catharines,  in  the  inter- 
ests of  their  business.  Edited  by  D. 
W.  Beadle,  so  long  and  so  favourably 
known  as  the  editor  of  this  journal. 

The  American  Agriculturist  published  at  751 
Broadway,  New  York  City,  bids  fair  to 
be  as  attractive  for  1887  as  ever.  Its 
profuse  illustrations  render  it  a  favorite 
with  every  member  of  the  farmers 
household,  from  the  oldest  to  the  young- 
est. 

The  Horticultural  Art  Journal,  published 
by  Mensing  &  Stecher,  Bochester,  N.  Y. 
is  a  gem  in  its  line.  It  is  got  up  in  ex- 
cellent taste  and  contains  four  colored 
plates  in  each  number.  The  terms  are 
83.00  per  year. 

CATALOGUES. 

J,  A.  Simmers'  Illustrated  and  Descrip- 
tive Seed  Catalogue  and  Cultivator's 
Guide   for    1887.     Toronto,  147   King 

Street  East. 

This  is  one  of  the  most  attractive  o^ 
Canadian  Seed  Catalogues.  It  contains 
a  colored  plate  of  vegetables,  and  a  com- 
plete set  of  illustrations,  both  of  vege- 
tables and  flowers  ;  and  altogether  is  an 
evidence  of  the  enterprising  spirit  of  the 
firm.  The  business  is  now  in  the  hands 
of  Messi's.  Anton  &  Hermann  Simmers, 
the  latter  of  whom  is  kindly  contrib- 
uting such  valuable  articles  to  these 
columns. 

John  A.  Bruce  &  Co.'s  Annual  Catalogue 
of  Seeds  for  year  1887.     Hamilton,  Ont. 

This  is  the  Thirty-sixth  Annual  Edi- 
tion, and  is  a  familiar  visitor  to  many 
a  Canadian  home.  Bruce's  seeds  are 
well  known  to  be  thoi'oughly  reliable. 

Gregory's  Annual  Illustrated  Retail 
Catalogue  of  Warranted  Seeds,  Vege- 
table, Flower,  and  Grain,  grown  and 
sold  by  Jas.  J.  N.  Gregory,  Marble- 
head,  Mass.,  1887. 


72 


THE  CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


Herein  are  described  and  illustrated 
a  remarkably  full  list  of  novelties  as 
well  as  standard  varieties  of  vegetables, 
of  which  Mr.  Gregory  evidently  makes 
a  specialty.  We  commend  his  cata- 
logue to  the  special  notice  of  market 
gai-deners  and  florists  who  want  the 
newest  introductions. 

A.  G.  Hull's  Descriptive  Catalogue  of 
Grape  Vines  and  Small  Fruit  Plants, 
St.  Catharines,  Ont.,  1887. 

Certainly  a  very  tidy  pamphlet,  and 
contains  a  list  of  the  most  approved 
and  best  tested  varieties. 

A.  M.  Smith's  Catalogue  and  Price  List 
of  Fruit  Trees,  Grape  Vines  and  Small 
Fruits,  St.  Catharines,  Ont.,  1887. 

Mr.  Smith  is  well  known  as  a 
thoroughly  reliable  Nurseryman,  and 
any  one  sending  him  an  order  will  not 
be  disappointed. 

Steele  Bros.  Seed  Annual,  Toronto, 
1887,  Corner  Front  and  Jarvis  Streets. 

An  excellent  Catalogue  of  eighty 
pages. 

A.  C.  Nelles  &.  Co.'s  Descriptive  Cata- 
logue of  Mohawk  Valley  Seeds.  1887. 
64  Cortlandt  St.,  New  York  City. 

Joseph  Harris  Seed  Co.'s  Illustrated  Cat- 
alogue. 1887.  Moreton  Farm,  Roch- 
ester, N.Y. 

Joseph  Harris  is  well  known  every- 
where through  his  "  Walks  and  Talks  " 
in  the  American  Agriculturist.  His  cat- 
alogue of  vegetable  and  flower  seeds 
overflows  with  the  most  viseful  and 
practical  information,  and  is  a  valuable 
handbook  for  that  reason  alone. 

The  Folding  Sawing  Machine  Co.  send  us 
an  illustrated  Catalogue  and  Price  List 
of  their  useful  machine.  Their  Canadian 
factory  is  at  Essex  Centre,  Ont. 

The  Waters  Stock  Farm  send  us  Catalogue 
of  thorough  bred  trotting  horses,  each 
with   complete    pedigree,    and    careful 


description.       The    address    is    Genoa 
Junction,  Wis. 

CIRCULARS. 

John  B.  Moore  &  Son,  Concord,  Mass., 
sends  us  a  Cii'cular  concerning  his  new 
seedling  Vjlack  grape,  the  "  Eaton,"  with 
a  large  cut  of  the  same,  showing  a  clus- 
ter measuring  4x8  inches.  They  claim 
that  it  is  larger  and  earlier  than  its  pa- 
rent, the  Concord. 

Alex.  Begg  sends  a  Cii-cular  concerning 
a  Canadian  Exchange  in  London,  Eng., 
which  he  establishing.  This  will  be  of 
great  service  to  Canadians  visiting  Eng- 
land, who  will  thus  And  a  common  cen- 
are  to  meet  business  friends  and  acquaint- 
ances, and  for  obtaining  all  needed 
information.  Canadian  oflice.  Room  19, 
Corn  Exchange,  St.  Sacrament  Street, 
Montreal. 


y)itm0r0itB. 


Two  Students  ring  a  hated  professor's 
bell  at  midnight.  He  ])uts  his  head 
out  of  the  window  and  wants  to  know 
what's  up.  "  One  of  your  windows  is 
wide  open."  "  Where  f  exclaims  the 
startled  professor.  '*  The  one  you  are 
looking  out  of." — Fliegende  Blatter. 

A  Swiss  Law  compels  every  newly-mar- 
ried couple  to  plant  trees  shortly  after 
the  ceremony  of  marriage.  The  pine 
and  the  weeping  willow  are  prescribed, 
but  the  birch  is  allowed  as  being  pros- 
pectively useful. 

Mrs.  Greene:  "Timothy,  what  have 
you  done  with  the  letter  that  was  lying 
on  the  bureau V  Timothy  :  "I  put 
it  into  the  letter-box,  ma'm."  Mrs.  G, : 
"  Oh  !  provoking !  Didn't  you  see 
there  was  no  address  on  the  envelope  1" 
Timothy  :  "  Yes,  ma'm ;  but  I  thought 
you  didn't  want  nobody  to  know  who 
you  was  writin'  to." — Life. 


PRINTED   AT   THK  8TEA.M   PRESS    BSTABLISHMENT   OF   THE   COPP,    CLARK   COMPANY  (LIMITED),    TORONTO. 


LB  hardy  aa  the  hardiest,  large  as  the  largest, 
surpassed  in  productiveness,  a  strong  grower, 
good  quality  and  very  early. 


(Tanabian 

l3orticulturiet 


Published   at   Toronto   and    Grimsby,    Ont. 
OFFICE  ADDRESS— GRIMSBY,  ONT. 


VOL.  X.] 


APRIL,  1887. 


[No.  4. 


i). 


BLACKBERRIES,  NEW  AND  OLD. 

The  Blackberry  has  been  for  many 
years  a  favorite  fruit  for  market  pur- 
poses, "with  us  at  Grimsby  ;  and,  in  sea- 
sons when  the  peach  fails,  it  fills  a  most 
important  place  in  the  home  fruit  gar- 
den. But  within  the  last  few  years, 
through  the  introduction  of  many 
hardy  kinds,  its  culture  has  been  so 
much  extended  that  the  profits  have 
much  diminished. 

Previous  to  the  year  1850,  no  cul- 
tivated varieties  of  the  blackberry  were 
known,  but  about  this  time  the 

DORCHESTKR 

was  introduced  by  Captain  Lovett,  of 
Beverly,  Mass.  This  variety  was  cul- 
tivated very  successfully  by  Mr.  C.  M. 
Hovey  of  Boston,  who  cjaims  to  have 
grown  the  berries  so  lar^e  that  37  would 


fill  a  quai't  box.  It  is  still  considered 
a  standard  variety,  Mr.  Gofi'of  Geneva 
placing  it  even  before  the  Kittatinny. 
About  the  year  1854  the 

LAWTOX 

was  discovered  near  New  Rochelle, 
N.  Y.,  after  which  place  it  is  sometimes 
called  "  The  New  Rochelle." 

Our  first  experience  in  blackberry 
growing  was  with  this  variety,  which 
had  been  brought  into  Canada  by  our 
old  friend,  Mr.  A.  M.  Smith.  It  was 
a  good  grower,  and  bore  good  crops, 
but  our  great  objection  to  it  was  its 
manner  of  rijiening.  It  would  color 
nicely,  and  yet  conceal  within  a  green, 
hard,  sour  core,  which  would  cause  a 
wry  face  upon  any  one  who  was  goose 
enough  to  try  to  eat  it ;  and  if  left  till 
dead  ripe,  it  was  too  soft  to  ship  any 
distance.  No  wonder  that  the  market 
for  blackberries  opened  up  for  us  very 
slowlv,  or  that  the  brambles  were  soon 


74 


THE   CANADIAN    H0RTICDLTDRI8T. 


THE    KITTATIKNV, 


banished  from  even  the  home  garden, 
until  the  justly  famed 

KITTATINNY 

appeared.  We  planted  this  variety 
near  the  south  shore  of  Lake  Ontario 
some  twelve  yeai-s  ago,  and  notwith- 
standing the  many  introductions  since, 
it  remains  so  far  our  favorite.  Hardier 
than  the  Lawton,  ripening  more  evenly 
and  thoroughly,  of  large  and  sometimes 
.monstrous  size,  it  is  greedily  bought  up 
in  the  max-kets  at  an    advanced  pi'ice 


over  such  smaller  kinds  as  Taylor  or 
Snyder  ;  while  for  home  use,  from  the 
middle  of  August  to  the  middle  of 
September,  we  find  it  indispensable  in 
the  fruit  garden. 

From  the  South  and  West  we  read 
reports  to  the  effect  that  this  variety  is 
there  attacked  by  the  blackberry  fungus, 
or  "  rust,"  to  such  an  extent  as  to 
render  it  worthless.  So  far,  however, 
it  has  escaped  this  disease  with  \is. 
North  of  the  G.  W.   Division  of   the 


THE    CANADIAN    HOETICCLTDKIST. 


75 


THE   EARLY    HARVEST. 


Grand  Trunk  Railway,  however,  the 
Kittatinny  is  too  tender,  and  for  our 
northern  sections  we  recommend  the 


as  one  of  the  hardiest  and  most  prolific 
of  all.  It  is  a  native  of  Northern  In- 
diana, and  was  introduced  into  general 
notice  some  ten  years  ago.  Its  extreme 
hardiness  is  plainly  evident  from  its 
dark-green  foliage  and  the  vigorous 
gi'owth  of  its  stout  canes. 

Last  summer,  our  bushes  of  this  va- 
riety were  a  marvel  to  every  visitor. 
he    branches  were  literally  loaded  to 


the  ground  with  their  enormous  weight 
of  fruit,  but  alas  !  the  size — there  was 
the  rub,  and  there  the  disappointment. 
Another  small-sized  blackberry,  but 
a  very  desirable  one,  where  it  can  be 
grown  successfully,  is  the 

EARLY    HARVEST, 

which  is  the  very  opposite  in  habit  of 
growth  to  the  Snyder.  It  is  of  a 
weakly  habit,  and  as  about  as  tender  as 
the  Kittatinny  ;  but  it  is  the  earliest 
of  all  blackberries,  and  on  this  account 
it  is  valuable  for  the  market  gai'den  in 
favored  localities. 


76 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICCLTCEIST. 


THE   MINXEWASKI. 


And  now  that  we  have  mentioned 
the  more  prominent  of  the  well-tested 
varieties,  we  will  refer  to  two  or  thi'ee 
new  claimants  for  popular  favor.     The 

ERIE.* 

comes  before  our  notice  with  the  most 
extravagant  claims.  It  is  said  to  be  as 
large  as  the  Kittatinny  ;  almost  as 
early  as  the  Early  Harvest ;  as  vigor- 
ous and  hardy  as  the  Snyder ;  free  from 
rust,  and  of  the  very  best  quality. 

This  blackberry  is  a  chance  seedling, 
found  some  ten  years  ago  in  Northern 

*  See  Frontispiece. 


Ohio,  near  the  south  shore  of  Lake 
Erie.  It  was  first  named  "Uncle Tom," 
but  at  the  suggestion  of  Pres.  Wilder, 
the  name  was  changed  to  "Erie." 

If  any  one  in  Canada  has  given  this 
berry  a  trial,  we  shall  be  glad  to  be 
favored  with  his  expei'ience. 

Another  new  blackberry  is  the 

MINNEWASKI. 

It  originated  at  Marlboro',  N.Y.,  the 
home  of  the  "  Marlboro"  raspberry,  and 
Ls  now  offered  for  sale  for  the  first  time. 
It,  too,  is  claimed  to  be  perfectly  hardy, 
a  most  abundant  bearer,  very  early  in 


THE   CANADIAN    HCBTICULTURIST. 


77 


the  season,  excellent  in  quality,  and 
large  enough  to  rank  with  the  Kitta- 
tinny. 

THE  GAINOR 

is  a  Canadian  seedling,  first  ofiered  to 
the  public  in  1883.  We  have  not 
fruited  it,  but  is  claimed  to  be  larger 
than  the  Kittatinny,  tender  and  sweet 
in  quality,  and  perfectly  hardy. 

Of  other  varieties,  such  as  "Wilson, 
Brenton,  Stayman,  Stone,  (fee.,  we  have 
not  room  to  speak  at  present,  except  to 
say  that  we  do  not  commend  them  as 
the  best  for  our  Canadian  climat-e.  And 
we  have  in  this  article  mentioned  old 
and  new  together,  so  that  even  the 
novice  may  not  suppose  that  in  intro- 
ducing new  friends,  we  in  any  way 
advise  the  hasty  discarding  of  old  and 
tried  favorites. 


RAMBLES  AMONG  FRUIT  GROWERS. 

THE   WESTERN    SEW   YORK    HORTICULTURAL    SOCIETY. 

(Conchtded.) 

Mr.  Snow,  of  Yates  County,  N.Y., 
thought  that 

GRAPES 

were  the  most  profitable  of  fruits.  From 
Cayuga  Co.  800,000  baskets  of  grapes 
had  been  shipped  this  last  season.  The 
Concord  had  held  its  price  better  than 
the  Catawba.  Some  one  inquired  about 
the  benefit  of  ringing  the  grape.  Mr. 
Barry  said  :  "  This  is  an  old  story,  and 
a  bad  practice.  The  Massachusetts 
Horticultural  Society  has  a  rule  that 
no  grapes  be  allowed  to  compete  on 
exhibitions  that  have  been  grown  on 
girdled  vines.  The  practice  is  con- 
demned." 

Prof  Goff,  of  the  Geneva  Experiment 
Station,  read  a  paper  on 

POTATO    CULTURE. 

The  result  of  careful  experiment  showed 
(1)  that  tubers  from  the  most  produc- 
tive hills  were  the  best  for  planting. 
The  smallest  tubers  from  the  most  pro- 
ductive hills  produced  more  than  the 
the  largest  tubers  from   the   least  pro- 


ductive hills,  though,  generally  speak- 
ing, the  large  tubers  produce  better 
results  than  the  smaller  ones.  (2)  That 
large  cuttings  yield  better  than  small 
ones,  and  whole  tubers  yield  better  than 
cuttings.  (3)  That  dried  cuttings  yield 
better  than  fresh  ones. 

Mr.  Willard,  of  Geneva,  said  the 
value  of  the 

CHERRY 

as  a  market  crop  was  under-estimated. 
The  Montmorency  was  one  of  the  best 
varieties.  "  It  will  hang  on  the  trees 
two  weeks  after  it  is  ripe,  and  allow  us 
plenty  of  time  to  gather  it.  My  Montmo- 
rencys  pay  me  as  much  as  $10  per  tree." 

Mr.  W.  C.  Barry  said  :  "There  is  no 
cherry  so  valuable  as  the  Montmorency. 
Wherever  it  has  been  planted,  it  has 
succeeded.  According  to  Prof.  Budd, 
it  is  as  hardy  as  the  Early  Richmond. 
The  crop,  too,  is  uniform  over  the  tree; 
and,  when  loaded  with  fruit,  the  tree  is 
about  as  handsome  as  anything  you 
could  wish  to  look  at.  The  fruit  is 
also  of  a  beautiful  color,  which  it  retains 
when  it  is  canned.  It  is  a  little  later 
than  the  Early  Richmond  in  time  of 
ripening." 

Mr.  D.  M.  Dunning,  of  Auburn, 
N.  Y.,  read  a  very  interesting  paper  on 

ROSES. 

He  emphasized  the  need  of  vnnter 
protection  even  for  the  hardy  varieties. 
They  should  be  bent  down  and  cov- 
ered with  evergreen  boughs,  or  with 
something  loose  that  would  afford  pro- 
tection and  yet  allow  free  circulation 
of  the  air.  This  covering  should  not 
be  removed  until  the  frost  is  all  out  of 
the  ground. 

Roses  need  thorough  pruning  in  the 
fall,  by  cutting  out  the  old  wood  ;  and 
in  the  spring  the  young  wood  should 
be  well  cut  back. 

Cutting  roses  with  long  stems  is  a 
good  practice,  causing  new  growth  to 
be  formed,  and  on  this  new  rose  buds. 

The  best  place  for  roses  is  in  beds  on 


78 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


the  lawn.  They  should  receive  a  heavy- 
coat  of  well  rotted  manure  in  the  fall ; 
and  in  the  summer  from  the  middle  of 
May  till  the  middle  of  June,  liquid 
manure  should  be  applied.  This  can 
easily  be  prepared  by  placing  half  a 
bushel  of  cow  manure  in  a  barrel  of 
water.  The  liquid  should  be  applied 
each  evening. 

Among  other  excellent  varieties  he 
mentioned  the  M.  P.  Wilder  first.  It 
has  more  points  of  excellence  than  any 
other,  being  beautiful  in  all  stages  of 
bloom  and  quite  continuous.  The  New 
England  Hope  is  a  fine  dark  rose. 
Baron  Bonstetten  is  rugged  in  consti- 
tution. Among  light  colored  roses  he 
would  place  Victor  Verdier  first,  and 
of  white  roses  he  would  class  Mabel 
Morrison  as  the  best.  Of  the  Teas  he 
thought  the  two  most  satisfactory  were 
the  La  France  and  the  Capt.  Christie. 

The  next  question  considered  was  : 
"Is  it  true  that 

APPLES    AND    PEARS 

a^re  smaller  and  less  perfect  now  than 
in  early  days'?"  Mr.  Green  thought 
they  were,  and  the  reason  was  because 
the  native  fertility  had  passed  away, 
and  insects  and  diseases  had  multiplied. 

Mr.  S.  D.  Willard  thought  that  such 
specimens  of  apples,  and  particularly, 
such  magnificent  pears  as  President 
Barry  had  placed  on  the  table,  went  to 
prove  that  those  fruits  were  not  degen- 
erating. Never  had  such  fine  Beurre 
il'Anjou  pears  been  exhibited  there  be- 
fore. 

President  Barry  said  :  "  I  think  that 
what  Mr.  Green  has  stated  is  quite 
true.  We  are  sufieiing  from  exhaus- 
tion of  the  soil,  but  it  is  also  certainly 
true  that  we  can  grow  as  fine  fruits 
now  as  ever  we  did,  only  the  soil  may 
require  a  little  more  manure  now  than 
formerly. 

The  cultivation  which  those  pears 
received  was  not  unusual.  When  my 
trees  show  the  need  of  fertilizers  they 


get  it ;  perhaps  once  in  two  years.  I 
don't  think  there  ever  was  a  time  when 
pears  could  be  cultivated  with  more 
ease  than  at  present.  There  never  was 
a  time  when  we  were  so  little  troubled 
with  pe^ir  blight  as  now.  About  thirty 
years  ago  we  thought  of  giving  up  pear 
culture,  owing  to  the  blight ;  but,  gen- 
tlemen, I  think  there  is  every  encour- 
agement now  for  fruit  growers  to  extend 
the  cultivation  of  the  pear." 

THE    KIEFFER    PEAR 

was  commended  in  the  report  from 
Ontario  County  as  being  an  exception 
to  the  genei^al  failure  of  the  pear  crop 
the  last  season.  Its  fruit  was  perfect, 
and  sold  this  season  better  than  any 
other  variety. 

Mr.  Green  said  the  Kieffer  j>ear  had 
this  year  developed  a  better  quality 
than  was  usual  with  it.  It  could  really 
be  eaten  this  season  with  some  comfort. 

Mr.  J.  J.  Thomas  read  a  very  inter- 
esting paper  on  "  The  Past,^  Present, 
and  Future  of  Fruit  Culture"  which 
he  concluded  by  showing  that  every 
farmer  ought  to  have  at  least  five  acres 
of  a 

HOME    FRUIT    GARDEN 

to  supply  his  own  family,  leaving  out 
altogether  the  question  of  the  planting 
of  an  orchard  for  market  pui'poses. 
And  one  department  of  our  work  for 
our  pomological  societies  in  the  future 
was  to  difiuse  a  correct  knowledge  of 
fine  varieties  of  fruit  among  our  people 
generally,  together  with  the  best  modes 
of  cultivating  and  using  it. 

We  were  sorry  to  have  come  away 
before  all  the  questions  were  discussed, 
but  glad  of  the  privilege  of  meeting  so 
many  experienced  horticulturists,  and 
of  bringing  away  these  scraps  of  infor- 
mation for  the  benefit  of  our  readers. 


THE  CANADIAN  TROPHY. 

Having  been  favored  with  an  excel- 
lent cut  of  the  Canadian  trophy,  by 
Canada's  High  Commissioner  in  Eng- 


THE    CVNADIAN    TROPIIV. 


80 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


land,  we  take  the  first  opportunity  to 
give  it  room  in  these  pages. 

It  will  be  observed  tliat  the  view  is 
from  the  opposite  side  to  that  which 
was  shown  on  p.  4  of  this  volume. 

In  connection  with  this  fine  illustra- 
tion the  article  by  our  worthy  Presi- 
dent on  the  benefits  to  be  derived  from 
the  Colonial  Exhibition,  will  be  read 
with  great  interest. 


THE    PROSPECTIVE    BENEFITS    OF    THE 
COLINDERIES. 

BT  ALEX.  M'D.  ALLAN,  GODERICH,  ONT. 

If  SUBSTANTIAL  permanent  benefit  is 
to  be  derived  from  the  Canadian  ex- 
hibit at  the  Colinderies,  we  should  not 
not  cease  to  perfect  plans  for  success- 
fully carrying  out  all  that  may  be  nec- 
essary in  order  to  hold  a  market  or 
establish  more  permanently,  markets 
recently  opened  out  to  us.  It  has  been 
clearly  proven  that  by  cold  stoi'age  our 
early  and  soft  fruits,  especially  a])ples, 
can  be  successfully  shipped  to  the  Bri- 
tish markets.  Is  the  matter  going  to 
drop  at  this  1  If  not,  what  steps  are 
to  be  taken  to  have  a  permanent  line 
of  cold  storage  established  in  one  or 
more  of  our  steamship  lines  1  Now  is 
the  time  to  make  preparation.  I  be- 
lieve our  Government  should  deal  with 
the  matter  in  negotiating ;  and  intend- 
ing shippers  could  give  an  idea  early  in 
the  season  as  to  the  space  each  could 
occupy,  and  the  length  of  time  such 
space  would  be  needed.  All  our  early 
apples  could  be  shipped  successfully, 
and  good  prices  realised,  so  long  as  a 
good,  sample  article   only   is   shipped. 

Then  there  other  articles  that  can 
be  profitably  shipped.  Table  sweet 
corn  in  the  cob,  I  feel  sui-e,  can 
be  disposed  of  in  large  quantities ; 
and  it  will  carry  admix-ably  in  cold 
storage.  I  would  not  advise  the  ship- 
ping of  early  pears  and  plums,  as  a  rule. 
But  if  the  markets  in  Britain  are  hold- 
ing out  a  suflicient  demand,  owing  to  a 


generally  short  home  and  European 
crop,  then  these  fruits  can  be  shipped 
at  remunerative  prices.  Our  green 
flesh  nutmeg  melons  would  realize  enor- 
mous prices  in  London  and  Liverpool. 
Grapes,  if  packed  in  convenient  bas- 
kets, could  be  shipped  so  as  to  sell  at 
prices  that  would  pay  the  vineyardist. 
But  the  demand  would  be  small  at  first, 
as  our  out-door  grapes  are  not  known 
on  the  British  markets,  and  the  people 
would  not  purchase  them  largely,  until 
a  taste  were  fairly  established  for  them. 
In  that  country  it  is  only  the  compara- 
tively wealthy  who  can  afford  to  eat 
grapes,  the  prices  being  beyond  what 
any  other  class  can  afford.  But  as  they 
can  only  grow  grapes  under  glass, it  will 
be  readily  seen  that  our  open-air  kinds 
can  be  grown  and  sent  into  these  mar- 
kets at  a  much  lower  price,  so  that  a 
very  large  class  of  consumers  who  can- 
not afford  to  purchase  such  a  luxury  at 
the  high  prices  charged  for  British  hot- 
house grown  grapes,  would  be  glad  to 
obtain  ours  at  such  prices  as  would 
amply  pay  both  grower  and  shipper  in 
Canada.  But  such  a  trade  can  only  be 
established  gradually,  as  the  tastes  of 
consumers  are  educated  into  a  relish 
for  our  grapes. 

As  I  will  have  regular  advices  by 
cable  next  season,  of  the  pi'ospects 
and  state  of  the  British  fruit  mar- 
kets, it  will  give  me  pleasui-e  to  ad- 
vise with  intending  shippers  as  to 
what  to  ship,  and  where,  when,  and  to 
whom,  as  well  as  any  other  advice  they 
may  require  ;  and  I  hope  to  hear  often 
from  many  such  through  your  columns. 
I  would  suggest  that  all  intending 
shippers  who  can  possibly  do  so,  should 
attend  our  Fruit  Growers'  Association 
summer  meeting  for  a  conference  upon 
points  connected  with  the  trade.  I 
find  that  good  results  of  the  Colonial 
are  showing  themselves  continually. 
By  every  mail  I  receive  letters  from 
British    agi-icultarists    who    desire    to 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


81 


come  to  Canada  and  share  in  our  ad- 
vantages. Most  of  them  have  a  few- 
thousand  dollars  to  invest,  and  gener- 
ally give  a  preference  to  mixed  farming 
and  fruit  growing.  By  last  mail  I  have 
a  letter  from  a  gentleman  in  Brazil, 
who  has  a  good  capital,  and  will  be  in 
Toronto  in  July  next,  when  I  am  to 
have  ready  for  him  a  list  of  such  farms 
as  I  suppose  may  suit  his  purpose  for 
general  farm  crops,  fruits  and  stock- 
raising. 

Returning  to  the  Colonial  fruits.  In 
future,  should  our  Government  desire 
to  have  Canadian  fruits  exhibited  in 
British  exhibitions — and  I  sincerely 
hope  they  will, — I  would  be  in  favor 
of  exhibiting  only  fresh  fruits  in  season. 
I  found  a  very  general  feeling  of  un- 
belief as  to  the  genuineness  of  our  bot- 
tled specimens  existed.  I  have  often 
heard  it  remarked,  that  so  far  as  the 
public  was  concerned,  these  specimen 
might  as  well  be  in  wax,  for  very  many 
believed  them  to  be  such,  and  many 
more  doubted  their  genuineness.  But 
when  we  placed  the  fresh  specimens  in 
plates  upon  the  tables,  all  doubting  was 
at  an  end.  It  paid  Canada  well  to  ad- 
vertise in  this  way,  and  it  would  pay 
to  keep  up  such  an  advertisement  every 
season. 


CANADIAN  FRUITS  AT  THE  COLONIAL. 

SELECTED    FROM    THE    REPORT   OF   THE   FRUIT   COMMITTEE 

OF   THE   ROYAL    HORTICI'LTURAL   SOCIETT, 

LORD    RIVERS,    CHAIRMAN. 

The  collection  of  hardy  fruits  exhibi- 
ted by  the  Canadian  Commission  com- 
pi-ised  an  extensive  collection  of  apples, 
pears,  grapes,  &c.,  from  the  provinces 
of  Ontario,  Columbia,  Quebec,  Nova 
Scotia,  New  Brunswick,  &c. 

Apples  constituted  the  most  promi- 
nent and  important  feature,  and  proved 
of  much  interest  to  the  Committee, 
many  of  the  samples  shown  being  of 
large  size,  and  extremely  handsome  in 
appeai-ance,  —  the  high  coloration  of 
many  being  especially  remarkable  and 


noteworthy, — greatly  excelling,  in  this 
respect,  the  same  varieties  grown  in 
this  country. 

The  collection  of  pears  did  not  pre- 
sent such  an  attractive  appearance. 
Some  very  fine  samples  were,  however, 
shown  of  Beurre  Clairgeau,  Beurre 
Hardy,  Beun-e  D '  Anjou,  Duchess, 
Flemish  Beauty,  Louise,  Onondaga,  &c. 

Grapes  made  a  conspicuous  display  ;: 
but  of  these,  as  dessert  fruit,  no  opinion 
could  be  expressed — the  peculiar  foxy 
taste  and  gelatinous  flesh  belonging  to 
the  grapes  of  America,  requii'ing  some 
experience  to  discriminate.  Some  of 
Rogers'  seedlings  were  remarked  as 
both  large  and  handsome. 


FRUIT  EXHIBITS  AT  THE  COLINDERIES. 

The  Annual  Meeting  of  the  Nova 
Scotia  Fruit  Growers'  Association  was 
held  at  Wolfville,  N.  S.,  on  the  19th 
and  20th  of  Januaiy.  The  principal 
feature  of  the  morning  session  of  the 
second  day  was  the  Secretary's  Report 
on  Fruit  Exhibits  at  the  Colonial  Ex- 
hibition. Mr.  Starr  clearly  pointed 
out  how  not  only  Nova  Scotia  but  the 
whole  of  the  provinces  of  the  Dominion 
had  been  benefited  by  the  grand  dis- 
play which  had  been  made,  how  a  greatly 
increased  demand  had  been  created  for 
our  fruits,  and  the  way  prepared  by 
w^hich  new  markets  might  be  opened 
up  for  Canadian  pi'oducts  in  other 
European  countries.  Mr.  Starr  was 
followed  by  Professor  Saunders,  who 
explained  the  manner  in  which  the 
multitude  of  varieties  of  fruits  had  been 
preserved  for  this  exhibition,  the  many 
devices  resorted  to,  and  the  great  suc- 
cess which  had  attended  the  effoi-t.  By 
convincing  evidence,  he  showed  that 
the  fruit  display  had  done  more  towards 
removing  tlie  ill-founded  prejudices  ex- 
isting in  Europe  against  the  climate  of 
Canada  than  any  measure  ever  before 
undertaken  by  this  country,  and  ex- 
pressed   his    strong    convictions    that 


«2 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


prominent  among  the  many  good  re- 
sults which  would  follow  this  effort, 
would  be  increased  emigration  of  a 
most  desirable  character. 

An  Enormous  Emigration  of  young 
men  and  tenant  farmers  to  Canada  is 
predicted  for  next  year.  A  bi'ight 
prospect  is,  to  all  appearances,  opening 
up  for  the  North-west.  The  Colonial 
Exhibition  has  been  of  incalculable 
benefit  in  making  the  country  and  its 
resources  known  to  the  English  public. 
—  The  Natwiwd. 

HORTICULTURAL. 

The  Leconte  Pear  promises  to  be  the 
_great  pear  of  the  South,  and  is  said  to 
by  the  leading  fruit  interest  in  Georgia. 
It  is  a  tremendous  bearer  and  has  to 
be  well  thinned  out,  under  which  treat- 
ment the  average  weight  is  about  four- 
teen ounces. 

It  is  easily  grown  from  cuttings  and 
may  therefore  be  readily  propagated  by 
any  one. 

Success  with  Cherries. — A  writer  in  the 
Farm  and  Home  claims  to  have  had 
great  success  with  cherries,  by  giving 
the  ground  a  good  top  dressing  of  salt, 
and  then  when  the  trees  were  in  bloom, 
dusting  them  with  slacked  lime  every 
four  or  five  days  till  the  fruit  was  set. 
He  had  no  worms,  or  rotten  fruit. 

The  Transparent  Apple. — I  got  the  Yel- 
low Transparent  among  my  premiums 
from  the  Association  last  spring.  It 
has  already  grown  about  two  feet.  It 
is  in  clay  loam.  I  think  it  will  do 
well  in  this  climate. 

I  find  The  Horticulturist  a  grand 
book,  it  contains  so  much  that  is  use- 
ful, even  if  one  does  not  go  into  horti- 
culture. Besides,  a  person  gets  nearly 
the  value  of  his  money  in  presents ; 
and  the  Report  is  worth  a  gi-eat  deal. 
H.  Atkin',  Middlesex  Co. 

The  Ontario  Apple. — My  Ontario  apple 
which    was    sent    out    by    the    Asso- 


ciation, bore  immensely  last  season. 
From  the  original  tree  and  some  grafts 
I  had  over  a  bushel  of  splendid  apples. 
The  Horticulturist  is  improving  very 
fast,  and  I  would  not  like  to  be  with- 
out it.  Samuel  Carr,  Sarnia. 


ON  RAISING  PLUM  TREES  FROM  SEEDS  AND 
MAKING  SELECTIONS. 

BY   8IM0.V    ROT,    BERLIN. 

In  growing  plum  trees  from  seeds  in 
order  to  obtain  good  varieties,  it  will 
be  necessary  to  obtain  pits  from  the 
best  sorts  that  you  can  obtain. 

Allow  the  plums  to  be  thoroughly 
ripe  before  separation  from  the  pulp, 
and  prevent  them  from  drying  by 
covering  with  moist  earth,  until  planted 
in  the  fall.  After  the  ground  is  pre- 
pared, plant  in  a  row,  about  one  and  one- 
half  inches  deep,  and  about  three  inches 
apart.  If  the  soil  is  rather  heavy  it 
may  be  mixed  with  either  coarse  sand, 
swamp  muck,  or  well  decomposed 
manure,  so  as  to  allow  the  germs  to 
break  through  the  covering. 

After  about  two  years  growth  you 
will  be  able  to  make  your  selection, 
preferring  those  which  have  a  tame 
look  about  them,  a  fine  large  leaf,  and 
the  stems  and  branches  clean  and 
devoid  of  thorns.  Nature  will  strive 
to  hold  her  own,  many  will  revert  to 
original  conditions  and  will  produce 
fruit  not  larger  than  the  ordinary 
damson.  Seedlings  usually  require 
some  eight  or  ten  years  before  bearing 
fruit,  but  fruit  may  be  obtained  sooner, 
if  scions  or  buds  are  worked  on  our 
native  wild  plum. 

In  accordance  with  what  I  have 
stated,  I  have  succeeded  in  growing  a 
number  of  fair  specimens  of  fruit,  equal 
to  any  in  general  cultivation,  but  do 
not  claim  any  supei'iority  for  them. 
They  have  hitherto  resisted  the  black- 
knot  epidemic  and  are  apparently 
healthier  and  hardier. 

Perhaps  it  may  be  of  some  import- 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


S3 


ance  to  know  that  the  two  oldest  varie- 
ties of  plums  on  my  grounds  which  I 
planted  some  thirty  years  ago,  which 
bore  fruit  last  year,  and  look  as  if  they 
will  hold  out  some  time  yet,  are  of 
American  origin,  namely  the  Bolman's 
"Washington,  a  native  of  New  York 
City,  and  the  Piince's  Yellow  Gage,  a 
native  of  Long  Island  N.  Y. 

VITICULTURAL. 

Grape  Experience. — Sir, — With  me  last 
fall  the  Prentiss,  Worden  and  Pockling- 
ton  were  worthless.  The  Worden 
ripened  all  its  fruit,  and  some  of  the 
bunches  were  large.  I  took  out  my 
knife  and  cut  off  a  fine  bunch  to  carry 
it  into  the  house,  but  by  the  time  I 
had  it  cut  off  I  had  just  four  grapes 
left  on  the  stem ;  they  dropped  so 
badly.  I  packed  some  to  try  the  keep- 
ing qualities,  and  they  all  failed  to  be 
good  for  anything. 

I  have  had  good  satisfaction  with 
Brighton.  I  have  them  in  good  condi- 
tion yet  (Feb.  I)  and  expect  to  hive 
them  up  to  April.  They  are  as  fine 
yet  as  in  November. 

Has  any  reader  of  The  Horticulturist 
experience  with  reference  to  the  keep- 
ing qualities  of  the  Niagara  and  Empire 
State  ? 

My  Jessica  proved  a  very  poor 
keeper.  The  Je^fferson  and  Lady  Wash- 
ington were  worthless  with  me.  I 
made  a  frame  over  my  vines,  which 
were  full  of  very  fine  bunches  of 
grapes,  and  covered  them  over  with 
glass  ;  but  all  to  no  purpose.  I  will 
either  cut  them  down,  or  gi-aft  them. 
J.  B.   Williams,  Bloomfield. 

Pruning  the  Grapevine.  —  A  writer  in 
Popular  Gardening  says  that  the 
pruner  invariably  finds  that  upon  a 
thrifty,  strong  growing  vine,  the  buds 
upon  the  medium-sized  canes  are 
swelled  larger  and  stand  out  from  the 
cane  more  prominently,  than  the  buds 
upon  the  largest  canes. 


He  has  tried  the  experiment  over 
and  over,  and  this  is  the  sum  of  his 
observation,  that  the  medium  canes  are 
the  ones  that  develop  the  best  fruit 
buds,  whenever  the  vines  are  strong. 

Lady  Grape.  —  President  Lyon,  of 
Michigan,  said  at  Chatham  that  this 
grape  should  be  introduced  into  every 
list  of  grapes  for  home  use.  It  stands 
head  and  shoulders  above  anything 
else.  Better  have  a  medium  crop  and 
first  quality  than  an  enormous  yield  of 
inferior  fruit. 

Manuring  the  Grape. — The  Government 
Committee  in  France,  after  several 
years'  investigation  of  the  manuring  of 
the  grape  and  the  results  of  a  series  of 
experiments  with  potash  manures,  re- 
port sti-ongly  against  nitrogenous  man- 
ures, including  stable  manure,  as  being 
"  more  hurtful  than  useful,"  which  ac- 
cords with  common  practice,  also  that 
feeble  grape-vines  consume  as  much 
manure  as  vigorous  vines. 

Potash  should  enter  into  the  com- 
position of  manures  for  gi-ape- vines,  the 
elements  in  the  soil  being  generally  in 
bad  condition  for  assimilation ;  potash 
carries  forward  in  some  way  with  it 
the  other  fertilizing  principles. 

Potash  from  the  root  passes  to  the 
vine,  to  the  leaves,  then  to  the  twigs, 
to  arrive  at  last  at  the  fruit,  of  which 
it  favors  the  development.  Its  migra- 
tion is  comparable  to  those  of  the  nitro- 
genized  elements  and  phosphates. 

The  potash  introduced  through  the 
root  in  the  coui-se  of  a  season  is  not 
entirely  consumed,  since  it  is  found 
after  fructification,  reserved  in  suflicient 
quantity,  in  the  wood  and  in  the  twigs. 
—  Wine  and  Fruit  Grower. 

Pruning  Grapes. — Sir: — I  see  on  page 
7,  Januaiy  No.,  a  correspondent  ad- 
vises pruning  gi'apes  in  the  spring 
and  leads  new  beginners  astray.  It  is 
too  late  to  prune  grapes  when  you  un- 


84r 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTrRISI , 


cover  in  the  spring,  as  they  will  bleed. 
Prune  in  the  fall  before  laying  down 
(advice  to  new  beginners  ;  older  ones 
can  do  as  they  please). 

I  also  see  a  good  deal  of  talk  about 
aphis,  green  and  black,  on  cherries  and 
plums.  I  may  say,  all  we  ever  did 
was  to  give  them  plenty  of  lime  water 
with  a  garden  engine,  and  it  was  effec- 
tual. We  went  over  the  trees  once  or 
twice  while  the  growth  was  young. 
D.  Campbkll,  London  West,  Ont. 

Grapes  near  Guelph.  —  Professor  Pan- 
ton  says  in  Bulletin  VIII.  that  some 
ninety-six  varieties  have  been  tested  on 
the  grounds  of  the  Agricultural  College. 
The  latitude  is  43°  38' ;  height  above 
level  of  lake  Ontario,  858  feet ;  soil, 
clay  loam.  As  a  result  of  five  years' 
experience  he  draws  the  following, 
among  other  conclusions  : — 

(a)  Grape  vines  in  this  locality  must 
be  well  sheltered  with  warm  exposure, 
and  grown  in  a  warm  well-drained  soil, 
or  little  fruit  will  be  secured. 

(b)  The  Concord,  known  as  the  grape 
for  the  million,  scarcely  ripens  with  us 
before  well  into  October,  and  then  ir- 
regularly. 

(c)  A  grape  which  does  not  ripen 
earlier  than  the  Concord  is  of  little  use 
here. 

(d)  Our  eai'liest  seems  to  be  Moore's 
Early,  Champion,  Lady  and  Massasoit. 

(e  For  flavor,  hardiness  and  yield 
the  following  are  to  be  commended : 
Black — Wilder,  Worden,  Moore,  Con- 
cord, Barry,  Eecl — Delawai'e,  Brigh- 
ton, Lindley,  Agawam.  White — Ni- 
agai-a.  Lady,  Martha. 


OPEN  LETTERS. 
Appreciative.  Sir  : — A  few  years  ago 
I  knew  really  nothing  of  gardening  ; 
but  I  became  a  subscriber  to  your  able 
little  journal,  and  to  it  I  am  indebted 
for  the  little  I  know  of  small  fruit  rais- 


ing in  a  small   garden   of  a   working 
man. 

I  drained  my  lot  well,  which  is  a 
heavy,  stiff,  blue  clay.  I  supplied  the 
land  with  a  liberal  supply  of  stable 
manure,  also  coal  ashes  to  loosen  up.  I 
dissolved  bones  in  two  large  barrels  of 
wood  ashes,  spread  the  same  among  my 
currants  and  grapes  ;  and  on  a  hint  re- 
ceived from  your  little  journal,  cut  all 
the  old  wood  out  of  my  currants.  The 
result  is  berries,  the  superior  of  which 
were  not  found  in  this  county. 

I  would  like  to  know  the  best  and 
cheapest  way  to  preserve  gi-apes  till 
Christmas. 

D.  Neilson,  St.  Thomas. 

[Note. — An  excellent  mode  of  keep- 
ing grapes  in  a  nice,  plump  condition 
until  Christmas,  is  to  pack  them  be- 
tween layers  of  cotton  batten. — Ed.  J 

Johnston's  Sweet  Raspberry.  Sir  : — In 
your  remarks  about  Johnston's  Sweet 
Raspberiy,  you  say  you  are  not  ac- 
quainted with  any  one  who  has  fruited 
it.  For  your  information  and  others 
who,  no  doubt,  when  it  is  offered  for 
sale,  will  be  willing  to  test  it,  I  may 
say  that  I  have  fruited  it  in  a  small 
way  for  two  years.  Both  plants  and 
fruits  were  all  the  introducer  claims  for 
it,  with  this  addition  ;  there  are  but  few 
spines  on  the  plants,  which  makes  it 
easier  for  the  pickers  to  get  along 
among  them. 

John  Little,  Granton,  Ont. 

The  Onion  Maggot.  Sir  : — A  friend 
showed  me  a  copy  of  the  Canadian 
Horticulturist,  and  I  am  so  pleased 
with  it  that  I  wish  to  become  a  sub- 
scriber. I  am  particularly  anxioiis  to 
get  some  remedy  for  the  maggot  that 
destroys  the  onion. 

A.  B.  Ferrier,  Cheltenham. 

[Note. — Experiment  by  soaking  the 
seed  in  copperas,  and  by  sowing  salt, 
soda,  ashes  or  coal-dust  over  the  ground.] 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICDLTUEI8T. 


85 


J^lotD^rs. 


THE  CULTIVATION  OF  THE  DAHLIA. 

BT   HKRMAKN   SIMMERS,    TORONTO,    GST. 

Many  readers  of  The  Horticulturist 
taay  not  be  aware  that  this  is  the  pro- 
per month  to  look  after  the  pre- 
paring of  their  Dahlia  roots,  in 
■order  to  secure  their  early  bloom, 
and  its  continuance  until  frost  has 
spoilt  its  splendour.  We  will  pre- 
sume that  amateurs  have  placed 
their  roots  away  in  the  fall  to  be 
ready  for  their  proper  attention  in 
the  spring ;  and,  on  looking  for 
them,  will  have  found  a  very  large 
number  of  tubers  attached  to  the 
stem,  which  in  some  cases  are 
hanging  loosely.  If  any  art?  found 
to  be  in  such  a  condition,  they 
may  be  cut  off,  as  they  are  in  no 
way  beneficial  to  the  plant. 

If  the  roots  then  have  been 
carefully  wintered,  they  may  be 
cut  apart,  into  four  or  five  divi- 
sions of  one  or  two  tubers  each, 
care  being  taken  that  a  certain 
portion  of  the  stem,  with  an  eye, 
is  attached  ;  after  which  they  may 
be  planted  in  a  box,  or  better  still, 
in  a  hot-bed,  until  the  new  stem 
grows  3  or  4  inches  in  length.  This 
may  probably  take  until  the  1st  of 
June,  at  which  time  they  may  safely 
be  planted  in  the  open  ground.  A 
word  here  before  going  into  fui'ther  de- 
tails ;  many  amateurs  suppose  that  the 
larger  the  number  of  tubers  that  are 
attached  to  the  root,  the  better  they 
will  grow ;  but  not  altogether  so,  as 
invariably  the  gardener  cuts  a  large 
root  into  as  many  as  a  dozen  parts. 
But  I  would  not  advise  the  amateur  to 
do  so,  as  sometimes  he  would  not  be 
able  to  manage  them  as  well,  and  when 
the  roots  are  small  it  would  be  better 
for  him  to  take  the  instructions  given 
above.  If  the  roots  that  have  been 
placed  in  a  hot-bed  or  box  have  sent 


out  two  or  three  stems,  they  may  be 
cut  off  and  grown  the  same  as  any 
other  cuttings  are  grown  ;  and  these 
cuttings  when  planted  at  their  proper 
time  will  flower  the  same  season. 

In    planting    Dahlias    in  the  open 
ground  it  should  be  done  so  that  the 


BUNCH    OF   DAHLIAS. 

top  of  the  tubers  are  covered  at  least 
two  inches,  in  a  well  manured  soil  ; 
and  when  the  stem  has  reached  the 
lieight  of  about  two  feet,  any  side  shoots 
sliould  be  cut  off,  allowing  the  root  to 
have  but  one  stem,  and  cultivating 
further  somewhat  in  the  form  of  a  dwarf 
apple  tree,  which  they  resemble  when 
in  full  growth.  It  is  also  a  wise  precau- 
tion to  place  a  good  sti'ong  stake  beside 
the  root  when  planting,  to  which  they 
may  be  tied  from  time  to  time,  as  they 
develop.  To  further  the  development 
of  the  Dahlia  a  liberal  supply  of  water 
continuously  through  the  season  is 
necessary. 


86 


THE   OA.NA.DIA.N    HORTI0DLTURI8T. 


Under  such  treatment  the  Dahlia 
will  thrive  in  such  a  manner  as  to  give 
the  greatest  pride  to  the  amateur. 

DAFFY  DIL  AND  JONNY  QUIL. 

Said  Jonny  Quil  to  Daify  Dil, 

His  pretty  country  cousin, 
"  Now  is  your  chance  to  have  a  dance  ; 

Your  sisters,  full  a  dozen. 
Are  here  in  golden  cup  and  frill  ; 
What  say  you,  Cousin  Daffy  Dd  ?" 

Said  Daffy  Dill  to  Jonny  Qud  : 

"  To  dance  would  give  me  pleasure  ; 
But  then,  you  know,  the  wind  must  blow 

To  beat  our  time  and  measure. 
Then  April  wind  wdl  be  here  soon, 
And  he  will  whistle  us  a  tune." 
Vick's  Monthly. 

The  daffodil  is  the  flower  of  fashion 
in  London  just  now.  Huge  masses  of 
the  reigning  yellow  favorite  fill  the  win- 
dows of  the  florists. 


crimson ;    Le    Niger,    deep    maroon ; 
Elaine,  pure  white. 

Chinese.— Fr&nk  Wilcox,  golden 
amber  ;  Sam  Sloane,  pale  blush  ;  John 
Salter,  bronze  red. 


THE  CULTURE  OF  THE  CHRYSANTHEMUM. 

The  Culture  of  the  Chrysanthemum 
is  very  simple.       Small  plants  can  be 
procured  from  any  florist,  and  should 
be  planted  as  early  in  April  as  possible. 
The  Chrysanthemum  is  a  gross  feeder, 
and  requii-es  a  rich  soil.       Tlie  plants 
should  have  the  centers  pinched  out  as 
soon  as  they  are  thoroughly  established 
and  have  made  a  few  inches  growth ; 
this  causes  them  to  branch  freely.  ^  The 
pinching  opex-ations  should  be  continued 
as   required    until   the    fii-st    week  in 
August,  after    which  the  flower   buds 
commence  to  form.     An  occasional  dose 
of  liquid  manure  will  be  very  beneficial. 
By  October  1st  the  plants  can  be  taken 
up  and  potted,  being  careful  to  shade 
and  water  them  for  a  few  days,  after 
which  they  can  be  removed  to  the  sit- 
ting room  or  conservatory  for  blooming. 

The  improvements  in  Chrysanthe- 
mums the  last  few  years  has  been 
wonderful.  The  following  varieties  are 
among  the  best  of  their  color  and  class, 
all  being  good  growers,  and  free  flower- 
ing :— 

Japanese. — Mr.  Wm.    Barr,  bright 


^LW«-PH'l-*- 


THE  POMPON. 

Pom/)on.— Black  Douglas,  crimson; 
Snowdrop,  white ;  Model  of  Perfection, 
pink. 


ANEMOKE-FLOWKRED. 

[ATiemone-Flowered. — Antonius,  can- 
ary yellow  ;  Contrast,  rich  crimson.] — 
Vick's  Monthly. 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


87 


THE 


CanaMmi  gorticnlturist. 


^N  Illus- 
trated 
Monthly  Journal,  de- 
\  oted  to  the  interests 
'  of     Fruit     Growers, 
Gardeners,  and  Gentle- 
men owning  rural  or  su- 
burban homes. 

Subscription  price  SI. 00 
per  year,  entitling  the  subscri- 
ber to  membership  of  the  Fruit  (xrow- 
ers'  Association  of  Ontario  and  all  its 
privileges,  including  a  copy  of  its 
valuable  Annual  Report,  and  a  share  in  its 
annual  distribution  of  plants  and  trees. 


This  Journal  is  not  published  in  the  in- 
terests, or  for  the  pecuniary  advantage  of 
any  one,  but  its  pages  are  devoted  wholly  to 
the  progress  of  Horticultural  Science  and 
Art  in  Canada.  We  aim  at  the  development 
of  the  fruit  growing  industry  in  our  Province ; 
at  the  general  distribution  of  knowledge  con- 
cerning all  the  newest  and  best  varieties  of 
fruits  ;  and  at  the  education  of  a  refined 
taste  in  the  art  of  decorative  gardening 
around  the  h(  mej  of  our  Canadian  people. 

With  such  ends  in  view  we  invite  the  co- 
operation of  the  lovers  of  Horticulture  both 
in  extending  the  membership  of  the  Fruit 
Growers'  Association  of  Ontario,  and  in  con- 
tributing to  these  pages  such  items  as  may 
be  of  general  interest  and  profit. 


Please  pay  in  your  subscription  for  '87 
on  receipt  of  this  number,  if  you  have 
not  already  done  so.  There  are  still  a 
limited  number   of   back    numbers    of 


this  year  on  hand  for  new  subscribers 
who  wish  them  ;  but  subscriptions  may 
begin  with  any  month  in  the  year. 

The  Plants,  including  the  Cherry  and 
the  Grape,  will  soon  be  distributed 
through  the  mail.  Of  course,  members 
of  the  Association  must  not  expect 
large-sized  plants,  as  the  size  is  limited 
by  the  P.  O.  authorities  to  two  feet  in 
length.  The  Russian  Cherry  is  at  best 
more  of  a  bush  than  a  tree,  even  in  its 
Russian  home.  The  Vladimir  Cherry 
having  run  short,  the  Executive  Com- 
mittee has  succeeded  in  securing  a  few 
other  Russian  cherries  of  equal  value, 
viz.,  the  Litham  and  the  Ostheim,  by 
means  of  which  we  hope  to  suit  the 
wishes  of  all  the  members  preferring 
this  selection. 

The  packages  of  flower  seeds  will  be 
mailed  in  a  few  days  to  those  who  have 
chosen  them.  The  names  of  the  seeds 
to  be  sent  are  (1)  Aster,  Victoria  ;  (2) 
Morning  Glory,  Variegated  ;  (.3)  Even- 
ing Primroses  and  (-i)  Nasturtium,  Em- 
press  We  send  four  instead  of  three, 
because  we  have  been  disappointed 
about  getting  the  P.  Cashmeriana,  and 
we  hope  thus  to  more  than  make  up  for 
the  failure. 

Summer  Meeting. — The  Horticultural 
Society  of  Ontario,  of  Collingwood,  has 
given  the  Fruit  Growers'  Association 
of  Ontario  a  very  hearty  invitation  to 
hold  the  summer  meeting  there. 

Invitations  may  be  addressed  to  the 
Secretary,  Grimsby,  who  will  lay  them 
before  the  Executive  Committee. 

The  Hatch  Bill. — There  has  been  a  great 
deal  of  agitation  of  late,  in  the  United 
States,  in  favor  of  the  passing  of  this 
bill,  and  finally  the  friends  of  progress 
in  agricultural  and  horticultural  science 
bid  fair  to  win  the  object  of  their  am- 
bition. 

This  bill  provides  for  the  establish- 
ment of  an  experiment  station  in  each 
state,  under  the  direction  of  the  State 


S8 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


Agricultural  College  ;  and  the  object  so 
far  as  horticulture  is  concerned,  is  "to 
conduct  original  researches  or  verify 
experiments  on  the  physiology  of  j)lants 
And  animals  ;  the  diseases  to  which  they 
are  severally  subject,  with  the  remedies 
for  the  same  ;  the  chemical  composition 
of  useful  plants  at  their  different  stages 
of  growth;  the  comparative  advantages 
of  rotative  cropping  as  pursued  under 
a  varying  series  of  crops ;  the  capacity 
of  new  plants  or  trees  for  acclimation  ; 
the  analysis  of  soils  and  water ;  the 
chemical  composition  of  manures,  natu- 
ral or  artificial,  with  experiments  de- 
signed to  test  their  comparative  effects 
on  crops  of  different  kinds." 

It  is  a  satisfaction  to  know  that  Canada 
is  not  behind  her  enterprising  Ameri- 
can Cousins  in  the  matter  of  experi- 
mental farm  stations.  Already,  in 
Accordance  with  an  act  passed  in  1886, 
respecting  "Experimental  Farm  Sta- 
tions," which  provided  for  one  in  each 
province,  the  Central  Farm  has  been 
located  within  three  miles  of  the  Par- 
liament Buildings  at  Ottawa ;  and 
plans  are  matured  for  active  operations 
early  this  spring. 

The  firstBulletin  has  just  been  issued, 
and  may  be  had  by  any  one  who  will 
write  for  it,  addressing  the  "  Experi- 
mental Farm,  Ottawa." 

Premiums.  — The  A  merican  Garden  does 
not  believe  in  premi>ims.  It  is  too 
much  like  hiring  a  person  to  subscribe. 

We  hope  none  of  the  i-eaders  of  the 
Canadian  Horticulturist  have  been 
thus  "  hired." 

The  distribution  of  trees  and  plants 
which  we  make  every  spring,  is  apart 
of  the  regular  work  of  our  Association, 
and  come  to  the  subscribers  of  the  Hor- 
ticulturist because  they  are  members 
of  that  Association. 

The  object  of  this  distribution  is  to 
test  new  fruits  in  Canada,  by  thus 
makino;  the  gardens  of   our   members 


experimental,  so  that  we  may  be  the 
sooner  prepared  to  report  with  confi- 
dence as  to  their  real  value. 

Seed  Testing. — With  the  object  of  sav- 
ing our  farmers  from  the  losses  to  which 
they  are  annually  subject  through  using 
old  or  inferior  seeds,  a  glass  structure 
has  just  been  completed  at  the  Experi- 
menal  Farm,  for  the  express  purpose  of 
testing  their  germinating  power.  Sam- 
ples of  seeds,  duly  labeled,  may  be  sent, 
postage  free,  to  the  above  address  ;  and 
returns  concerning  their  value  will  be 
made  free  of  charge,  as  quickly  as  pos- 
sible. 

This  department  is  intended  as  an  open  one  to  every 
reader  of  the  "Horticulturist"  to  send  in  either 
questions  or  ansivers.  Often  a  reader  will  be  able  to 
answer  a  question  which  has  been  left  tmanswered, 
or  only  partially  answered  by  us.  For  convenience 
of  reference  the  questions  are  numbered,  and  any 
one  replying  or  referring  to  any  question  will 
please  mention  the  number  of  it. 


24.  Ashes.  —  What  quantity  or  un- 
leached  ashes  would  be  about  right  to 
put  around  ten-year-ol<l  apple  trees,  and 
would  spring  or /all  be  the  best  time  to 
apply  them  ?      [A.  Armstrong,  Barrie.] 

Prof.  Panto.v,  of  the  Agricultural 
College,  Guelph,  replies  : — ■"  Put  on  an 
application  of  about  three-fifths  of  an 
inch  in  depth.  I  think  the  spring  is 
about  the  best  time,  owing  to  the  ten- 
dency of  the  potash  to  dissolve,  and 
pass  beyond  the  reach  of  the  roots  when 
needed." 

25.  Bones. — /  can  get  a  great  many 
bones  within  a  short  distance  of  my 
place.  How  can  I  manufacture  them 
into  shape  for  use  on  the  land  ?    [A.  A.] 

Prof.  Paxton  says:  "Compost  them 
with  about  twice  their  bulk  of  good 
ashes,  slightly  moistened ;  turn  the  pile 
over  once  a  month  for  about  three 
months.  The  bones  will  then  be  easily 
broken  and  beaten  to  a  soft  mass,  which 
will  be  fit  for  use  at  once. 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTUEIST. 


89 


If  the  bones  can  be  readily  ground, 
yon  have  an  excellent  fertiliser  without 
further  trouble. 

26.  Paris  Green.  Will  the  sprinkling  of 
the  trees  with  Paris  Green  make  the 
grass  under  the  trees  useless  ? 

[J.  DiBB,  Clarksburg.] 

It  is  unsafe  to  use  the  gi-ass  for  pas- 
ture for  two  or  three  weeks  after  the 
spraying,  but  a  good  heavy  rain  will 
wash  off  the  poison  from  both  trees  and 
grass.  Has  any  reader  any  caution  to 
give  us  under  this  head  ? 

27.  Aphides. — -Innumerable  quantities 
destroy  leaves  and  fruit  of  my  white 
Ox-heart  Cherries.  Can  you  suggest  a 
remedy  ?        [W.  F.  Burtox,  Hamilton.] 

These  black  plant-lice  are  not  easily 
destroyed.  The  lady  birds  and  the 
ichneumon  flies  destroy  them  whole- 
sale ;  but,  when  these  fail,  try  a  strong 
solution  of  pyrethruvi  powder,  say  two 
ounces  to  a  gallon  of  water,  and  spray 
the  trees  well  with  it.  This  substance 
owes  its  effectiveness*  to  its  volatile 
properties,  and  thei'eby  effects  the  de- 
struction of  the  aphides  where  ordinary 
poisons  would  fail. 

Spraying  with  a  kerosene  emulsion  is 
also  recommended.  This  is  made  by 
boiling  half  a  pound  of  strong  soap  in 
a  gallon  of  water,  and  then  adding  two 
gallons  of  kerosene.  Churn  this  to  a 
cream,  and  then  add  nine  times  the 
quantity  of  water. 

28.  Plum  for  the  North. — Is  there  any 
plum  better  tliau  the  common  red  (blue  ?) 
plum  that  will  succeed  in  the  Ottaioa 
valley  ? 

[R.  Williams,  Hintonburg,  Carlton  Co.] 

Mr.  A.  A.  Wright,  Renfrew,  replies  : 
— "I  know  of  none  as  yet  that  1  can 
recommend  as  very  '  sure  to  grow.'  I 
have  several  that  promise  well,  and 
among  them  some  Russians  that  came 
to  me  without  a  name.  Try  Lombard, 
Glass  Seedling,  and  McLaughlin.  They 
2 


are  almost  hardy  here.     The  latter  has 
not  failed  yet,  but  it  may." 

29.  The  Russet  in  the  North. —  Wdlit  suc- 
ceed in  Carlton  County  ?  [k.  w  i 

"  In  favored  localities,  but  not  gen- 
erally. .  If  the  subscriber  lives  on  the 
banks  of  the  Ottawa  he  should  succeed 
with  it,  as  also  with  the  plums  above 
mentioned.  [a.  A.  W.] 

30.  To  Grow  Spruce  and  Linden  from  Seed. — 
Please  tell  me  the  best  method,  as  I  loant 
to  experiment. 

[Andrew  Johnson,  Stratford.] 
A.  Gilchrist,  Guelph. — All  tree 
seeds  should  bp  covered  very  lightly ; 
enough  to  hide  them  from  view.  A 
sandy  loam  is  preferable.  European 
Linden  will  not  germinate  until  the 
second  year.  Norway  Spruce  will  grow 
the  first ;   both  require  to  be  shaded. 

31.  The  Cut-leaf  Weeping  Birch. — How  is 
it  propagated  ?  [a.  J.] 

A.  Gilchrist. — By  grafting  upon  the 
White  or  Yellow  Birch  Seedling. 


GENERAL  TREATMENT  OF  FOREST 
TREE  SEEDS. 

32.  Catalpa  Speciosa. — Should  the  seeds 
be  planted  in  the  spring  ? 

[Wm.  McIntosh,  Newcastle.] 

For  the  benefit  of  the  inquirer  and 
others  interested  in  planting  seeds  of 
forest  trees,  we  select  the  following 
from  Bulletin  No.  1  of  the  new  Ex- 
perimental Farm,  Ottawa  : — 

''Many  of  the  tree  seeds  which 
mature  eai'ly  are  better  sown  soon  after 
they  are  gathered.  This  applies 
especially  to  the  several  varieties  of 
elm  and  to  the  soft  maple.  The  hard 
maple,  box  elder  and  ash  seeds  keep 
well  over  winter,  provided  they  are 
stored  in  a  cool  place  and  are  not  allowed 
to  get  too  dry.  Acorns,  nuts  and  stone 
fruits  are  most  successfully  planted  in 
the  autumn,  but  if   kept  over  winter 


90 


THE   CANADIAN    H0RTICDL.TDRI8T. 


should  be  mixed  with  moist  sand  and 
exposed  to  frost  and  planted  as  early  as 
possible  in  the  spring,  taking  care  that 
they  are  at  no  time  left  in  masses  under 
conditions  so  as  to  heat.      Many  failures 
with  seed  arise  from  not  sowing  it  in 
partial   shade.      If   seeds    are    exposed 
alternately  to  hot   sunshine  and  cold, 
while    they    are     swelling,     they     will 
frequently  rot  before  they  appear  above 
the  surface.      The  I'equisite  shade  may 
be  obtained  by  the  use  of  brush  wood, 
or  a  light  layer  of  corn  stalks  or  straw, 
removing  this  as  soon  as  the  seedlings 
are  up  and  fairly  established.      Many 
nurserymen  enclose  their  seedbeds  with 
wooden  frames,  on  which  are  laid  light 
frames    m;ule    of   one-inch    strips    and 
covered  with  cotton  or  muslin.     These 
are  convenient  and  can  be  provided  at 
small  cost.    Seedlings  of  evergreen  trees 
grow  slowly  and  require  to  be  shaded 
and  kept  moist  during  hot  weather  all 
through  the  first  year  of  their  growth 
and    sometimes    longer.       Seeds    take 
some   time   to    swell    their  coats  after 
being  placed  in  the   ground,  hence,  if 
planted    dry,  tliey  should  be  sown  as 
soon  as  soil  can  be  had  to  cover  them. 
Germination  may  be  hastened,  especially 
with  seeds  of  a  hard  texture,  by  pour- 
ing hot  water  on  them    and  allowing 
them    to    soak    for    twenty-four   hours 
before  sowing. 

Seeds  sometimes  fail  to  grow  from 
being  planted  too  deep.  The  larger 
nuts  and  acorns  should  be  covered  with 
soil  about  as  deep  as  the  seed  is  thick  ; 
other  smaller  seeds  should  not  be 
covered  with  more  than  half  an  inch 
of  mellow  soil,  pressed  gently  with  the 
back  of  a  spade  so  as  to  make  the  earth 
firm  around  them,  and  when  the  young 
seedlings  appear  they  should  be  care- 
fully weeded.  Occasionally  seeds  will 
remain  in  the  ground  until  the  following 
season  without  germinating.  Should 
any  fail  to  grow  by  the  time  spring  is 
ovei",  and  on  examination  the  kernels 


are  found  sound,  the  seedbeds  should 
be  kept  weeded  and  shaded  until  the 
next  season." 


THE  DKECIOUS  CHARACrER  OF  THE 
MULBERRY. 

33.  My  Mulberry  Tree  was  full  of  blos- 
soms, but  they  all  dropped  off.  This 
itxts  the  first  year  it  blossomed.  I  was 
reading  in  the  Horticidturist.  p.  2B7, 
Vol.  IX.,  that  the  Russian  Mtdberry  was 
dioscious,  requiring  two  or  more  trees  to 
grow  together.  On  my  tree  the  leaves 
are  of  different  shapes,  some  being  ser- 
rated, while  the  most  of  them  are  lobed, 
like  an  oak  leaf.  Will  I  have  to  get 
another  tree  before  I  may  hope  to  eat 
the  fruit  of  the  -mulberry  ? 

[J.  B.   BuRK,  Brougham.] 

REPLY  BY  SIMON  ROY,  BERLIN,  ONT. 

Referring  to  Mr.  J.  B.  Burk's  in- 
quiry I  have  to  say  that  his  Russian 
Mulberry  tree  is  a  male  ( Staminate), 
and  only  a  flowering  specimen,  con- 
sequently he  can  never  expect  to  have 
fruit  on  it. 

The  sexuality  of  })lants  was  fii'st  dis- 
covered by  Linnaeus,  the  Swedish 
Botanist,  and  is  now  generally  under- 
stood. Various  varieties  of  trees  and 
plants  are  of  a  dioecious  character,  i.e., 
one  being  a  male  and  the  other  a 
female,  as  is  the  case  with  birches, 
poplars  and  larches;  also  in  grape  vines 
(Vites):  example,  the  Sultana  Raisins 
of  commerce  are  the  product  of  a 
female  or  pistillate  flowering  vine  and 
are  devoid  of  seeds,  and  ''our  native 
mignonette,  scented  variety,  is  a  male 
or  staminate  plant,  beai-ing  no  fruit. 
Since  the  propagation  of  the  mulberry 
is  so  simple,  by  growing  it  from  cuttings, 
it  is  only  necessary  for  him  to  get  a  few 
from  a  neighbor  who  has  a  fruit-bearing 
tree,  or  to  obtain  scions  and  top- work 
his  tree  by  either  budding  or  grafting. 

The  female  tree  bears  fruit  but  not 
seeds,  and  it  has  serrated  leaves  only. 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


91 


'^imelg  ^inta. 


GRAFTING. 

April  and  May  are  the  months  for 
top-grafting.  This  operation  is  so  simple 
and  so  iiseful  that  every  orchardipt 
should  practice  it.  Our  countiy  is  full 
of  orchards  that  are  unprofitable,  owing 
to  inferior  kinds,  or  because  of  the 
ajjple  spot.  The  best  remedy  in  cases 
of  old  and  feeble  trees  would  be  to  cut 
them  down  and  burn  them;  but,  if  still 
thrifty  in  growth,  they  should  be  top- 
grafted  to  n^ore  desirable  kinds.  Scions 
of  the  best  varieties  can  easily  be  pur- 
chased from  any  of  our  leading  nursery- 
men at  a  small  expense. 

The  important  point  in  grafting  is  to 
secure  a  perfect  union  Vjetween  the 
cambum  layer  of  the  stock  and  that  of 
the  scion.  It  is  through  this  delicate 
tissue,  lying  between  the  wood  and  the 
bark,  that  the  circulation  of  the  mucil- 
aginous liquid  continues  which  de- 
velops the  new  growth  of  each.  If  this 
union  is  well  adjusted  the  operation  is 
pretty  sure  of  success,  other  things 
being  equal. 

The  Rural  New-Yorker  commends 
the  following  as  a  simple  and  easy 
method  of  grafting  : — 

"  Cut  off  the  stock  at  a  right  anofle 
to  itself.  Cut  a  slit  down  the  bark  an 
inch  or  more  fi'om  the  top,  as  in  bud- 
ding. Cut  the  scion  four  or  more 
inches  long  and,  beveling  one  side  of 
the  larger  end,  insert  it  after  loosening 
the  bark  on  either  side  of  the  cut,  the 
same  as  a  bud  is  pushed  into  its  place. 
One  or  a  dozen  scions  may  thus  be  in- 
serted in  the  stock  according  to  its 
size." 


FERTILIZERS. 
Professor  Panton,  of  the  Agricultural 
College,    Guelph,   gave    some    valuable 
information  on  this  subject  at  the  Chat- 
ham meeting.     Speaking  of  the  value 


of  nitrogenous  manures  for  the  straw- 
berry, he  said  that  dried  blood,  was  very 
rich  in  nitrogen  and  was  especially  use- 
ful for  the  strawberry.  It  contains  14 
per  cent,  of  ammonia  (a  compound  of 
nitrogen  and  hydrogen)  and  7  per  cent, 
of  phosphoric  acid. 

He  advised  the  application  of  300 
lbs.  per  acre,  between  the  rows.  A 
home-made 

SUPERPHOSPHATE  FOR  THE  ORCHARD 

can  be  manufactured  as  follows  : — By 
bulk,  one  part  bone  dust,  two  parts 
ashes,  to  which  add  one-third  bulk  of 
water  and  one-sixth  bulk  of  plaster. 
This  lacks  nitrogen,  for  the  supply  of 
which  barn-yard  manure  can  be  added. 
Another  formula  which  he  gave  was 
as  follows  : — By  weight,  one  part  bone- 
dust,  one  part  ashes,  oue-quarter  part 
slacked  lime,  one-eighth  part  crude  car- 
bonate of  soda.  Mix  this  and  let  it 
stand ;  then  add,  s:iy  about  one-half 
bulk  of  good  soil. 

Fertilizers  for  the  Strawberrry. — The  Edi- 
tor of  the  Rural  New-Yorker  has  tried 
successfully  the  following  fertilizer  for 
the  strawberry  and  recommends  it  to 
others.  The  proportions  for  an  aci'e 
are  500  lbs.  wood  ashes,  400  lbs.  bone 
flour,  200  lbs.  nitrate  of  soda  and  200 
lbs.  of  kainit. 

Nitrate  of  Soda. — Mr.  Joseph  Harris 
says  it  is  surprising  that  we  have  not 
yet  learned  what  a  cheap  and  valuable 
fertilizer  we  have  in  nitrate  of  soda.  It 
is  derived  from  the  leaching  of  sea-weed 
and  other  vegetable  matter,  and  is  the 
very  essence  of  manure. 

It  looks  like  common  salt,  and  may 
be  sown  hand-cast  over  the  ground  at 
the  rate  of  500  or  600  lbs.  per  acre.  It 
is  a  ca])ital  fertilizer  for  the  lawn,  gar- 
den and  orchard. 

Trees  Girdled  by  the  mice  in  winter 
may,  according  to  the  Orchard  and 
Garden,  be  saved  by  immediately  cover- 
ing the    wound    with  grafting-wax,  or 


92 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTDRIST 


with  tough  paper  saturated  witli  linseed 
oil,  and  then  wrapped  with  old  cloths, 
and  so  left  until  the  20th  of  August, 
when  a  new  bark  will  be  formed  over 
the  wound. 

This  bai'k  is  formed  by  the  exudation 
of  cellular  material  from  the  sap-wood, 
the  same  way  that  a  callous  is  formed 
over  a  cut  I'oot  or  scion  when  packed  in 
damp  sand  or  saw-dust. 

We  have  often  tried  banking  a 
gnawed  tree  with  earth,  where  the 
wound  was  still  quite  fresh  and  not  too 
large.  The  degree  of  success  was  suf- 
ficient to  lead  us  to 
endorse  the  plan 
described  above  as 
worth  trying. 

The  plan,  so  of- 
ten commended,  of 
trying  to  bridge 
over  the  wounded 
idwPWK'  V  immsxnBKxxn  surface  with  scions 
'^^^^^Wl^^^a^m  ^^  yo^^i^o  wood,  as 
shown  in  the  ac- 
companying illustration,  is  good,  but  is 
almost  sure  to  fail  with  inexperienced 
hands.  And  failure  means  the  loss  of 
a  year's  time  before  the  tree  is  replaced. 

Hotbeds  need  air,  water,  sunshine,  and 
a  constant  vigilance  ;  for  cold  frames 
the  same  rules  are  equally  necessary.  I 
do  not  think  a  single  advantage  can  be 
claimed  for  hotbed  sash  of  any  other 
size  than  3x6  feet.  These  need  to  be 
made  of  the  best  pine,  2  inches  thick, 
with  horns  at  each  end  to  move  them 
by.  They  should  be  set  with  6x8 
double  thick  glass,  bedded,  tacked  and 
puttied  and  well  painted  with  white 
lead.  Such  sash,  with  good  care,  and 
well  housed  in  the  time  when  not  in  use, 
will  last  a  life-time. — Farm  and  Home. 


THE   SUBSOIL  PLOW  AS  A  DRAINING 
MACHINE. 

BY  J.    TWEDliLE,    STOXRY   CREEK. 

The  time  has  come  in  our  experience 
in  fruit  growing,  when  we  ax'e  convinced 


that  it  is  useless  to  plant  out  orchards, 
vineyai'ds,  and  small  fruits  in  cold  or 
wet  lands,  without  first  draining  and 
subsoil  ploughing.  Underdraining  is 
made  doubly  effective  by  subsoiling 
crosswise  of  the  drains,  thus  opening 
uj)  the  soil  to  a  depth  of  12  to  15  in., 
and  thereby  leading  the  sur2:)lus  water 
quickly  to  the  drains,  and  thence  to 
their  outlet. 

For  the  purpose  of  underdraining,  I 
have  found  no  implement  so  useful  in 
all  kinds  of  land,  as  the  subsoil  plough. 
The  hardest  clay  can  be  cut  with  com- 
parative ease  ;  and  stones  are  scarcely 
an  objection  to  its  use.  If  the  stones 
are  small,  they  are  generally  moved  the 
first  time  they  ai*e  struck ;  if  large,  it 
is  best  to  pass  over  them  until  the  plow- 
})oint  can  be  got  under  them,  when  they 
are  easily  removed.  In  case  of  a  very 
large  stone,  it  is  best  to  cut  around  one 
side,  as  the  plough  is  easily  swung  to 
one  side  for  such  a  purpose.  Any  depth 
can  be  cut,  down  to  4  feet,  with  no 
greater  width  than  is  necessary  in  dig- 
ging with  the  ordinary  draining  spade 
and  hoe;  also,  any  greater  or  less  length 
of  drain  may  be  opened  and  finished  up 
in  one  day  in  case  of  danger  from  cav- 
ing or  other  source.  I  woukl  say  it 
is  best  to  use  a  steady,  quiot  team  and 
a  wrought  share,  for  fear  of  striking 
large,  solid  stones.  Drains  may  be  cut 
almost  any  width  at  either  to})  or  bot- 
tom, in  this  way.  I  cut  one  outlet  drain 
4  feet  deep,  20  inches  wide  at  the  sur- 
face, and  4  inches  at  bottom,  in  a  very 
hard  and  stony  subsoil. 

My  mode  is  first  to  cut  a  deep  and 
wide  furrow  with  a  large  pointer-plough 
that  will  throw  the  furrow  well  out,  so 
as  not  to  fall  back  when  using  the  sub- 
soil plough  afterward.  Then  I  come 
back  in  the  same  furrow  and  throw  out 
as  much  more  as  we  can  on  the  other 
side,  without  making  the  drain  more 
than  15  to  18  inches  in  width  at  the 
surface.     In  this  way  it  will  be  seen 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


93 


that  T  can  get  from  6  to  10  inches  of 
depth  to  start  on,  without  any  liand 
labor  of  any  account.  I  next  hitch  the 
team  to  the  subsoil  plough,  connected 
with  it  by  means  of  a  long  logging  chain, 
and  a  long  double  tree,  say  4^  to  5  feet. 
Driving  a  horse  on  each  side  of  the 
drain,  I  commence  to  loosen  the  sub- 
soil, first  hitching  close  to  the  plough, 
as  usual,  while  the  drain  is  shallow,  and 
lengthening  the  chain  as  the  drain 
deepens.  I  plough  one,  two  or  three 
rounds  as  the  condition  of  the  subsoil 
Diay  require,  until  we  have  stirred  up 
6  or  8  inches  of  earth  ;  then  I  com- 
mence shoveling  out  by  means  of  long- 
handled,  round-pointed  shovels.  When 
all  the  loose  earth  is  thrown  out,  I 
proceed  to  plough  again,  and  so  on  un- 
til about  the  required  depth  is  gained. 
Care  should  then  be  taken  to  get  an 
even  grade,  and  this  is  best  done  by  use 
of  the  pickaxe  and  draining  hoe.  A 
narrow  shovel  for  the  nai-row  pai't  can 
best  be  made  by  taking  one  of  the  com- 
mon shovels  to  the  village  blacksmith 
and  having  the  sides  turned  up,  so  as 
only  to  leave  a  width  of  four  inches  on 
the  bottom. 

I  believe  this  plan  will  institute  a 
new  era  in  undei-draining  ;  making  the 
cost  less  by  one-half  than  the  old  way 
of  digging  with  spade  and  pick  axe  ; 
and  it  is  far  more  economical  of  capital 
than  buying  an  expensive  ditching  ma- 
chine, and  all  the  expensive  repaiivs, 
etc.,  attendant  upon  its  use,  with  the 
various  vexations  of  its  use  if  in  stony 
or  wet  land. 

BEST  MARKET  VARIETIES. 

BY   E.    MORDEX,    NIAGARA    FALLS   SOUTH. 

The  new  and  wonderfully  promising 
varieties  which  blossom  each  year  while 
the  snow  yet  remains  will  not  be  no- 
ticed   here.      He    who    has    plenty    of 


money  and  an  abiding  faith  in  lotteries 
will,  as  usual,  invest  in  them.  Con- 
trary to  the  general  rule,  the  best  varie- 
ties are  the  cheapest  ones  in  most  cases. 

In  strawberries,  the  Crescent  now 
leads.  Wilson  is  valuable  of  itself  and  as 
a  fertilizer.  Manchester  has,  I  think, 
come  to  stay.  Sharpless  is  very  large 
and  good,  and  sometimes  productive. 

In  red  raspberries,  the  Cuthbert  dis- 
places every  other  variety.  The  Turner 
and  Philadel|)hia  are  hardier  at  the 
north. 

In  black  caps,  Souhegan  early,  Mam- 
moth Cluster  medium,  and  Gregg  for 
late.  The  Gregg  does  wonders  here, 
but  fails  in  some  localities. 

With  me  the  Taylor  is  the  best 
blackberry. 

In  currants,  the  Raby  Castle  leads 
by  several  lengths.  On  soils  of  clay  it 
is  said  the  Cherry  Currant  is  productive. 

The  Houghton  Gooseberry  succeeds 
famously  on  our  soil,  but  the  fruit  does 
not  compete  with  the  larger  kinds  in 
the  case  of  a  glut.  The  Downing  is 
productive  and  salable.  Smith's  Im- 
proved fails  hei'e. 

The  Concord  is  still  the  leading 
grape.  Worden  seems  to  be  a  distinct 
improvement  in  most  respects.  The 
Rogers  and  many  other  varieties  of 
grapes  ai'e  defective  as  regards  gi'owth, 
productiveness,  liability  to  mildew,  or 
in  some  other  respect.  Their  merits 
and  demerits  cannot  be  discussed  in  a 
brief  article. 


MR.  AYLEWORTH'S  BIG  STRAWBERRY  YIELD. 

In  reply  to  inquiry.  Mr.  Ayleworth 
writes: — Sir,  The  strawberry  plot  men- 
tioned by  me  in  your  February  No. 
consists  of  sandy  loam,  liberally  treated 
in  1883  and  1884  with  a  compost  of 
muck,  well  rotted  horse  manure,  hen 
manui'e,  and  unleached  hard  wood 
ashes.  It  is  underdrained  on  thi-ee 
sides.  It  was  used  for  raising  roots  in 
1884,  and  deeply  ploughed  in  the  fall 


94 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


of  that  year.  Early  in  April,  1885, 
it  was  raked  over  and  given  a  light 
dressing  of  hard  wood  unleached  ashes, 
and  planted  with  thrifty  Wilson  plants, 
in  rows  fi'om  two  feet  to  two  feet  and 
a  half  apart ;  the  plants  from  nine  to 
twelve  inches  apart.  Between  the 
rows  of  sti-awberries  were  sown  Globe 
Mangolds  and  Big  White  Carrots  (about 
half  of  each),  midway  between  the 
rows  of  berries.  The  gi-ound  was  kept 
thoroughly  free  from  weeds  and  grass 
through  1885,  with  the  hoe  and  hand. 
No  ruiniers  were  disturbed,  unless  by 
guiding  them  so  that  they  would  be 
properly  spread  over  the  plot,  or  helped 
a  little  with  earth  to  take  root.  Sixty 
Vjaskets  or  quarts  of  sti-awberries  were 
t:iken  from  the  vines  in  June  and  July, 
1885.  Also,  in  October,  1886,  sixty 
bushels  of  mangolds  and  carrots  were 
taken  from  the  same  plot.  The  picking 
began  on  the  19tli  of  June,  and  closed 
on  the  20th  of  July.  Rain,  in  abund- 
ance and  at  right  times,  greatly  helped. 
I  have  tried  to  secure  a  second  large 
crop  from  the  same  plot,  but  have  not 
succeeded.  The  vines  seemed  to  have 
exhausted  either  themselves  or  the  soil, 
and  weeds  and  grass,  and  especially  the 
white  clover — about  the  worst  of  weeds 
among  strawberries — seeni  to  spring  up 
spontaneously,  as  if  for  spite.  So  that 
I  strongly  incline  to  be  satisfied  with 
the  one  big  crop,  and  the  few  produced 
the  year  of  planting,  and  tui-n  all  under 
after  the  second  year. 

J.  B.   Ayleworth,  CoUiiigwood. 


SMALL  FRUIT  NOTES, 

Berry  Boxes. — The  Fruit  Exchange, 
Benton  Harbor,  Michigan,  has  adopted 
the  following  sizes  for  their  berry  boxes 
for  1887. 

Quart  Boxes ;  5  inches  square  and 
2}^  inches  deep,  containing  67  cubic 
inches,  or  a  full  quart. 


Pint  Boxes ;  same  size  square  as  the 
quart,  and  half  as  deep,  to  hold  a  full 
])int. 

We  would  suggest  the  wisdom  of  the 
menibei's  of  our  Association  agreeing 
together  to  accei)t  some  uniform  size  in 
berry  boxes,  and  certainly  quarts  and 
half  quarts  are  the  most  sensible  sizes. 

Marketing. — A  writer  in  Tennessee 
Messenger  says  the  best  way  of  selling 
our  fi'uits  is  to  induce  the  fruit  buytsrs 
who  speculate  in  fruit  to  come  to  our 
shipping  points  and  there  purchase 
direct  from  the  growers,  instead  of  from 
commission  men  in  the  towns.  This 
method  is  practised  in  the  peach  busi- 
ness in  New  Jersey  and  Maryland. 

Fay's  Currant. — Mr.  Geo.  Josselyn, 
Fredonia,  N.  Y.,  states  in  his  spring 
circular,  that  he  has  already  paid  the 
estate  of  Lincoln  Fay  over  $22,000  in 
cash,  as  their  share  from  his  sales  of 
Fay's  Prolific,  which  he  considers  worth 
noticing,  as  the  first  instance  in  which 
the  originator  has  received  anything 
like  a  decent  compensation  for  a  good 
new  fruit. 

Overdone. — R.  F.  Schumacher  says 
in  Ohio  Farmer,  that  small-fruit  grow- 
ing is  overdone  ;  and  that  wheat  and 
potato  growing  is  the  more  profitable 
of  the  two.  He  had  to  sell  his  straw- 
berries at  3  cents  a  quart  in  Cleveland, 
and  his  grapes  at  1|  cents  a  pound.  No 
wonder  he  is  sick  of  the  business. 

The  Jewell  Strawberry  has  so  many  ])oints 
of  excellence  that  one  reads  with  regret 
the  statement  in  the  Orchard  and  Gar- 
den that  it  is  a  poor  grower.  Who  has 
tested  it  thoroughly  in  Canada? 

Minnewaski  Blackberry. — W.  A.  Brown, 
Benton  Harbor,  Mich.,  considei's  this 
a  very  promising  blackberry.  He  says 
he  has  not  yet  tested  its  general  hardi- 
ness, but  has  faith  in  its  success. 


THE   CANADIAN    HOETICULTUBI8T. 


95 


USES  OF  FRUITS. 

.  Fruit  Eaters  and  Doctors.  —  We  were 
struck  recently  by  the  remarks  of  a 
doctor  friend  of  ours,  who  said  no  one 
thing  will  do  so  much  to  make  ]>eople 
independent  of  the  medical  profession 
as  the  daily  free  use  of  fruit.  He  had- 
noticed  that  those  farmers  in  whose 
families  fruit  was  regularly  and  hirgely 
consumed  seldom  needed  his  services. 
We  thought  what  a  pity  that  every 
farmer  in  the  land  could  not  be  con- 
vinced of  these  truths.  It  is  a  deplor- 
able fact  that  farmers'  families  do  not 
enjoy  that  robust  health  that  country 
air  and  out- door  life,  with  i)lenty  of 
exercise,  should  give.  —  Rural  New 
Yorker. 


ickntific. 


Useful  Fungi. — Among  the  numerous 
forms  of  fungus  which  live  upon  higher 
plants  (many  of  which  are  so  detrimen- 
tal to  their  hosts)  are  some,  it  is  now 
believed,  which  live  with  these  on 
terms  of  mutual  assistance.  Frank 
found  that  the  young  root-points  of 
some  English  forest  trees,  as  the  beech 
and  the  oak,  are  covered  with  a  coating 
of  fungus  (probably  belonging  to  the 
truffle  or  allied  family),  which  seems 
to  help  in  the  nutrition  of  those  trees. 
Another  interesting  case  is  that  of 
fungi  which  live  with  orchids,  and 
whose  mode  of  propagation  has  lately 
been  established  by  Herr  Wahrlich. 

To  Escape  Yellows. — Mr.  Hiller,  in  the 
Gardener's  Monthly,  advises  planting 
peach  trees  that  are  budded  on  plum 
roots,  as  a  means  of  escaping  the  Yel- 
low. He  thinks  that  the  roots  of  old 
peach  trees,  that  have  died  of  this  dis- 
ease, retain  it  a  long  time  in  the  soil, 
and  from  them  it  attacks  the  newly- 
planted  peach  trees.  The  editor  fur- 
ther contends  in  favor  of  the  view  that 
the  Yellows  comes  primarily  from  the 


attack  of  a  fungus — the  myceliumi  of  a 
species  of  Agaric — upon  the  roots  of 
the  ))each.  If  this  is  the  case,  plum 
budded  peach  trees  should  escape  the 
disease. 


Sebtcl\3 


We  will  (jladly  give  our  candid  opinion  of  any  books, 
maoaziiies  or  catalogues  received,  especially  if  they 
are  likely  to  interest  or  benefit  Canadian  fruit 
growers,  but  will  not  insert  cut  and  dried  reading 
notices  in  fav^r  of  any  publication  whatever. 

High  Class  Fertilizers,  manufactured  by 
the  Standard  Fertilizer  and  Chemical 
Co.,  Smiths  Falls,  Ont. 

One  of  the  most  important  questions 
at  present  before  us  as  fruit  gi'owers.  is 
an  abundant  supply  of  suitable  fertil- 
izers for  our  orchards  and  gardens.  The 
discovery  of  those  exhaustless  phos- 
phate mines,  of  which  Mr.  Buck's  arti- 
cle in  the  February  No.  treats,  and  of 
extensive  stores  of  kainit  (containing 
potash)  in  France,  all  help  to  encoui'- 
age  our  hopes  of  a  plentiful  and  cheap 
supply  of  these  essential  manures. 

Messrs.  Brodie  and  Harvie  offer  in 
their  pamphlet  a  special fruil  tree  fertil- 
izer, of  which  they  say  about  600  lbs. 
per  acre  should  be  used  ;  and  for  a 
peach  orchard  about  five  or  six  pounds 
per  tree.  The  guaranteed  analysis  of 
this  is  claimed  to  be  :  Ammonia,  2  to  3 
per  cent.  ;  Phosphoric  Acid  (soluble  and 
precipitated),  8  to  10  pei-  cent.  ;  Pot- 
ash (actual),  8  to  10  per  cent.  ;  Mag- 
nesia, Lime,  Soda,  &c.  The  Company 
claim  that  their  fertilizers  are  no  mys- 
terious mixtures  of  nondescript  ma- 
terials, but  are  manufactured  on  scien- 
tific i)riuciples  from  materials  which 
ai-e  open  to  inspection. 

KEPOtlTS. 

Studies  in  Practical  Agriculture,  i)ublishod 

by  Cornell  University,  and  for  sale  by 
Andrus  and  Church,  Ithaca,  N.  Y. 
Price  50  cents. 


96 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


Report  on  the  Fungus  Diseases  of  the  Grape 
Vine,  by  F.  Lawson  Scribner,  B.Sc. 

This  is  a  most  excellent  work  issued 
by  tlie  United  States  Department  of 
Agriculture.  It  treats  of  the  l,)owny 
Mildew,  the  Powdery  Mildew,  the 
Black  Rot,  Anthracnose,  Grape-leaf 
Blight,  and  Grape-leaf  Spot.  It  is  il- 
lustrated with  seven  colored  plates,  and 
conipi-eliends  a  thorough  investigation 
of  these  fungi,  with  best  known  reme- 
dies. Later  in  the  season  we  shall  give 
our  readers  the  benefit  of  the  infoi-ma- 
tion  it  contains,  so  far  as  it  applies  to 
Canada. 

Report  of  the  Summit  Co.  (Ohio)  Agricultu- 
ral Society,  1886,  Mr.  Crawford,  Cuya- 
hoga Falls,  Secretary. 

Columbus  (Ohio)  Horticultural  Society.  Re- 
port for  188G.     W.  S.  Devol,  Sec. 

Industrial  Exhibition  Society  of  Toronto. 
Reports  for  188(5;  Directors  and  Com- 
mittees for  1887.  H.  J.  Hill,  Toronto, 
Secretary. 

Central  Experimental  Farm,  Ottawa,  Ca- 
nada. Prof.  Wui.  Saunders,  Director. 
Bulletin  No.  1. 

This  is  of  general  interest,  and  may 
be  had  on  ap})lication,  free. 

CATALOGUES. 

Lovett's  Guide  to  Fruit  Culture,  Spring, 
1887.  Published  by  J.  T.  Lovett, 
Little  Silver,  N.  J. 

This  is  not  only  packed  full  of  cuts 
and  descriptions  of  fruits,  new  and  old, 
but  contains  also  eight  colored  plates. 

Seed  Catalogue,  1887.  Wm.  Rennie, 
Toronto. 

A  splendid  catalogue  of  72  pages ; 
free  on  application.  Mr.  Rennie  evi- 
dently makes  a  specialty  of  select  vege- 
table seeds. 

Choice  Seeds  and  Plants  offered  by  Dob- 
bie  &  Co.,   Seed  Gi'owers,   Seed   Mer- 


chants, and  Florists,  Rothesay,  Scot., 
1887.  Ninety  pages,  too  full  of  solid 
matter  to  allow  room  for  many  illus- 
trations. 

Small  Fruit  Plants  and  Grape  Vines, 
1887.  T.  C.  Robinson,  Owen  Sound, 
Ont. 

Seed  Catalogue,  comprising  Garden, 
Field,  and  Flower  Seeds,-  Fruit  Trees, 
<fec,,  1887.  J.  D.  Roberts,  Cobourg, 
Ont. 

J.  S.  Pearce  &.  Co.,  successors  to  Pearce, 
Weld  &,  Co.  Vegetable  and  Flower 
Seeds,  1887. 

PRICE    LISTS. 

Price  List  Niagara  Falls  Nurseries.  E. 
Morden,  Niagara  Falls  South,  Ont. 

Mr.  Morden  is  a  practical  grower  of 
small  fruits  for  market,  and  therefore 
naturally  offers  for  sale  those  varieties 
which  he  himself  finds  most  profitable. 
His  pi'ices  are  very  reasonable. 

Price  List  of  Evergreens,  Roses,  Cle- 
matis, Sic,  for  sale  by  A.  Gilchrist, 
Flora  Road,  Guelph,  Ont. 

Mr.  Gilchrist  makes  a  specialty  of 
growing  evei'greens  from  seed. 


^)xim0r0U0. 


A  little  Danbury  girl,  when  asked  by  her 
mother  about  conspicuous  little  bites 
in  the  side  of  a  dozen  choice  apples, 
answered  :  "  Perhaps,  mamma,  they 
may  have  been  frost  bitten,  it  was  so 
cold  last  night." — Danhury  News. 

A  Gentleman  was  agreeably  surprised  to 
find  a  plump  turkey  served  up  for  his 
dinner,  and  inquired  of  his  servants 
how  it  was  obtained.  "  Why,  sah," 
replied  Sambo,  "dat  turkey  war  roostiu' 
on  our  fence  frea  nights,  so  dis  mawnin' 
I  seize  him  for  de  rent  ob  de  fence." — 
National  Standard. 


PRINTED    AT   THK   STFAM    PRESS    K.STABLISHMKNT   OK   THE   COPP,    CLARK   COMPANY  (LIMITED),    TOaONTO. 


N 


i 


Jmmmm  iiiniii'iinicouiiiiiiiuiiyiji  iijmnyi  Hjjii  ^ 

iE(»HOI(;ENEWEAIU.Y 
WHITE  GRAPE. 

OORE'S  DIAMOND 


From  seed  of  Concord,  fertilized  wWi 
[ona,  by  JACOB  MOORE,  Esq.,ofBngn- 
•on,  N.  Y.  (the  well-known  originator  ot 
•he  "Brighton"  Grape  and  other  new 
Iruits),  who  considers  this  the  most  valu- 
i)le  variety  he  has  ever  produced,  in 
vigor  of  growth,  color  and  texture,  foli- 
age and  hardiness  of  vine,  it  partakes  oi 
t£e  nature  of  its  parent,  Concord  ;  whW 
in  quality  the  fruit  is  equal  to  many  of  tM 
best  tender  sorts,  and  ripens  from  twou> 
four  weeks  earlier  than  Concord. 


Zhe 

CanaMan 


Iborticulturiet 


Published   at   yoi\ONTo   and    Gi^imsby,    Ont. 
OFFICE  ADDRESS— GRIMSBY,  ONT. 


VOL.  X.] 


MAY,.  1 88 ; 


[No. 


Jfrmts. 


LEADING   VARIETIES  OF  WHITE   GRAPES. 

It  is  with  pleasure  that  we  chronicle 
any  successful  effort  towards  the  im- 
provement of  tho.se  classes  of  grapes 
which  can  be  grown  in  Canada ;  for  if 
we  can  succeed  in  producing  a  grape  of 
sufficient  excellence  in  quality,  we  shall 
find  an  unlimited  foreign  market.  The 
English  people  have  a  strong  prejudice 
against  the  foxy  flavor  of  the  Labrusca 
family  to  which  our  leading  grapes 
belong,  and  if  we  can  succeed  in  obtain- 
ing a  productive  variety  from  which 
this  is  more  or  less  eliminated,  we  shall 
find  grape  culture  suddenly  advancing 
toward  the  front  rank  among  our  most 
profitable  industries. 

Only  a  few  years  ago,  and  the  He- 
becca  was  about  the  only  white  grape 
of  any  importance.  It  is  a  delicious 
grape  and  still  deserves  a  place  in  the 


amateur's  garden,  but  it  is  not  popular 
for  market  culture. 

The  Niagara  has  distanced  all  its 
competitors  in  general  popularity. 
The  vine  is  a  strong  grower  and  veiy 
productive,  the  fruit  is  large  and  showy, 
all  qualities  most  desired  in  a  market 
grape  :  but,  nevertheless  connoisseurs 
would  pay  a  higher  price  for  a  grape 
lacking  its  foxiness,  should  we  ever  be 
favored  with  one  anywhere  nearly  its 
equal  in  other  respects. 

The  PockliiKjton  is  a  little  hardier 
than  the  Niagara,  a  shade  better  in 
quality,  and,  when  well  ripened,  is  as 
attractive  in  appearance ;  but  it  is  later, 
and  consequently  fiiils  to  ripen  in  Can- 
ada except  in  the  most  favored  sections. 

The  Lady  is  a  very  nice  early  white 
grape,  the  vine  is  hardy  and  vigorous, 
and  is  worthy  of  limited  cultivation  in 
Canada.  It  is  especially  desirable  for 
the  home  garden.     This  should  not  be 


98 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


confounded  Avith  the  Lady  "Washington, 
a  noble  grape  where  it  succeeds,  but 
not  early  enough  to  ripen  well  in  this 
climate. 
Of  the 

NEWER    WHITE    GRAPES 

The  Errfpire  State  has  already  at- 
tained considerable  prominence.  It  is 
a  cross  between  the  Hartford  and  the 
Clinton,  and  ripens  about  with  the 
former.  The  berries  ai-e  a  little  smaller 
than  those  of  the  Niagai-a,but  pleasanter 
to  the  taste  being  less  foxy,  just  as  juicy, 
and  of  a  rich,  sweet  and  sprightly 
flavor. 

Jessica  is  a  Canadian  seedling,  and 
is  highly  commended.  It  is  claimed  to 
be  excellent  in  quality,  hardy,  and  as 
early  as  the  Champion. 

And  now  we  have  before  us  a  new 
claimant  for  popular  favor,  and  one 
which  boldly  aspires  to  a  leading  place 
among  our  best  white  grapes  viz  : — 

Moore's  Diamond,  which  is  re- 
presented in  the  colored  plate.  It  is 
one  of  a  lot  of  2500  seedlings  raised  by 
Jacob  Moore,  of  Brighton,  N.  Y.,  and 
is  a  cross  between  the  Concord  and  the 
lona.  Its  introducers  speak  of  it  as 
follows  : 

"It  is  a  prolific  bearer,  producing 
large,  handsome,  compact  bunches, 
slightly  shouldered.  The  color  is  a 
delicate  greenish  white,  with  a  rich  yel- 
.low  tinge  when  fully  ripe ;  skin  smooth 
and  entirely  fi-ee  from  the  brown  specks 
or  dots  which  characterize  many  of  the 
new  white  varieties ;  very  few  seeds, 
juicy  and  almost  entirely  free  from 
pulp,  which  makes  it  almost  transparent 
when  held  up  to  the  light.  Berry  about 
the  size  of  the  Concord,  and  adheres 
firmly  to  the  stem. 

In  quality,  no  other  white  grape  in 
the  market  can  compare  with  it.  It  is 
as  much  superior  to  the  other  leading 
white  grapes  as  the  Brighton  is  superior 
to  Concord.     In  fact  we  believe  that 


nurserymen  and  fruit  growers  will  find 
in  this  grape  what  they  have  been  so 
long  looking  for,  a  hardy  early  and  pro- 
lific white  grape  of  fine  quality." 

All  this  however  must  be  taken  cum 
grano  salis,  until  we  have  ourselves 
tested  it  in  Canada,  and  are  in  a  posi- 
tion either  to  deny  or  confirm  it. 
Should  it  prove  of  excellent  quality, 
and  two  or  three  weeks  earlier  than 
the  Concord,  and  hardy  withal,  we 
shall  certainly  welcome  it  into  our 
Canadian  Vineyards. 

TOP-GRAFTING  OLD  TREES. 

Mr.  John  Croil,  of  Aultsville, writes 
lis  the  following  letter  on  this  subject  : 

"  Sir  : — I  enclose  an  article  from  the 
pen  of  Mr.  James  Dougall,  which  ajj- 
peared  in  the  Montreal  Witness  some 
years  ago.  While  I  agree  on  the  main 
with  some  opinions  expressed  in  the 
the  January  number  of  the  Horticul- 
turist, that  the  Snow  Apple  and  other 
pestilence  breeding  kinds  should  be  cut 
down  and  burned,  when  there  is  a  large 
proportion  of  such  trees  in  an  orchard, 
Mr.  Dougall's  plan,  I  think,  might 
restore  the  trees  to  healthy  productive- 
ness without  disfiguring  the  orchard. 
He  claims  for  it  the  advantage  that  it 
removes  the  risk  of  moisture  getting  in 
at  the  cleft,  when  the  grafting  wax 
comes  off,  which  it  generally  does,  caus- 
ing often  decay,  and  the  death  if  not  of 
the  tree,  at  least  of  the  grafted  branch." 

The  article  referred  to  advises  the 
following  plan  : — 

"  Very  late  in  winter  or  very  early 
in  spring  before  vegetation  has  com- 
menced in  the  least,  saw  off  the  main 
branches  of  the  tree  all  over  so  as  to 
form  a  symmetrical  head,  cutting  clean 
out  all  small  or  badly  placed  branches. 
A  very  fine  pruning  saw  should  be 
used  and  the  cut  should  be  made  slant- 
ing so  as  to  throw  the  water  off.  The 
wounds  could  be  painted  over  with  gum 


THE    CAXADIAN    HCATICULTCRIST. 


99 


shellac  dissolved  iu  alcohol  or  white 
paint,  but  if  a  fine  saw  is  used  it  will 
not  require  painting.  Shoots  will  spring 
up  in  abundance  from  the  stub  of  the 
branch  left,  which  should  be  about  fif- 
teen or  eighteen  inches  long,  and  these 
may  be  budded  at  the  proper  season. 

This  is  a  good  plan,  and  quite  practi- 
cable by  any  one  who  understands  the 
simple  art  of  budding  ;  but  a  still  bet- 
ter method  of  renewing  old  trees  has 
been  suggested  by  the  Rural  Xew  Yorker 
and  by  favour  of  the  Editor  we  are 
enabled  to  give  our  readers  the  follow- 
ing description  of  it  with  an  excellent 
illustration. 


KAFriNG. 

"  The  following  is  an  easy  and  effective 
method  of  grafting  old  trees.  By  it  the 
percentage  of  failui-e  is  reduced  to  a 
minimum,  and  branches  at  least  six 
inches  in  diameter,  and,  in  the  case  of 


pear  trees  75  years  old,  may  be  worked 
with  assured  success.  Last  year  we 
mentioned  the  case  of  such  a  pear  hav- 
ing been  grafted  two  years  before  with 
the  Kieffer,  that  gave  a  full  crop  last 
fall.  Saw  off  the  branch  at  right  angles 
to  the  stem  to  be  grafted,  as  at  Fig.  162 

a.  Then  cut  a  clean  slit  in  the  bark 
through  to  the  wood,  as  shown — a  slit 
the  same  as  in  budding.  Separate  the 
bark  from  the  wood  and  insert  the  cion 

b,  one  for  each  slit.  The  number  of  slits 
for  each  stock  will  be  determined  by  its 
size.  We  will  suppose  the  stock  illus- 
trated to  be  six  inches  in  diameter,  and 
that  six  cions  are  to  be  inserted.  The 
stock  after  x-eceiving  the  six  cions  is 
shown  at  c.  Gi-afting  wax  is  not  needed. 
A  thick  paper  may  be  wound  about  the 
top  of  the  stock  extending  about  one 
inch  above  it  and  securely  tied  with 
strong  twine,  as  shown  at  d.  The  space 
above  the  stock  encircled  by  the  inch 
uf  paper  may  then  be  filled  to  the  top 
of  the  paper  with  a  puddle  of  soil  and 
water,  made  so  thin  that  it  can  be 
readily  poured  from  any  suitable  vessel. 
This  mud  protects  the  surface  of  the 
wood  of  the  stock,  and  excludes  the  aii" 
from  the  insertions.  It  gives  every  ad- 
vantage of  v/ax  without  its  objections. 
Of  course,  stocks  of  any  size  may  be 
worked  in  this  way.  One,  two,  or  any 
number  of  cions  may  be  inserted  ac- 
cordino;  to  the  size  of  the  stock." 


EXPERIENCE  WITH  GRAPES. 

W.    M.    ROBaOS,    LINDSAY. 

Sir, — I  was  much  pleased  with  Mr. 
J.  H.  Wismer's  description  of  the  Chi- 
nese Pceony  in  February  Number.  It 
was  short,  captivating,  and  con\'incing. 
Its  special  merits  seem  great  enough  to 
create  a  desire  to  become  a  possessor  of 
this  beautiful  perennial.  But  I  was 
soi-ry  to  hear  the  unfavorable  report  of 
the  Prentiss  Grape  received  from  the 
Association ;  for  with  me  in  Lindsay, 
among  my  different  kinds,  which  num- 
ber in  the  teens,  it  has  been  my  special 


100 


THK   CANADIAN    H0RriCULTCKI8T. 


pride  and  pleasure  to  show  friends  and 
visitors  this  grape.  About  four  years 
ago  I  planted  this  and  a  few  others, 
then  new  kinds,  including  Lady  Wash- 
ington, Duchess,  Jeflferson,  Brighton, 
Moore's  Early,  and  lona.  They  have 
all  grown  luxuriantly  and  fruited  very 
well  the  last  two  seasons.  But  of 
white  grapes  the  Prentiss  has  been 
my  favorite — the  bunches  are  so  at- 
tractive, uniform  and  compact.  The 
quality,  I  think,  may  be  classed 
among  the  best,  and  just  early  enough 
to  ripen  its  fruit  here.  In  my  opinion 
the  famed  Niagara  has  in  this  no  mean 
competitor  for  first  place  among  white 
o-rapes.  Right  alongside  of  this  vine  I 
have  a  rampant  growing  vine  with 
heavy  foliage  and  beautiful  name,  Lady 
Washington.  Visitors  are  surprised  ; 
we  are  all  surprised  at  the  large  double 
shouldered  bunches.  They  look  magni- 
ficent, if  they  would  only  ripen ;  but 
they  have  not  for  the  past  two  seasons, 
and  I  am  afraid  they  will  not  be  a  suc- 
cess in  Lindsay.  One  more  notice,  only 
a  black  grape,  and  last  but  not  least,  in 
berry  or  reputation.  I  refer  to  Moore's 
Earlv.  I  think  it  one  of  the  best 
black  grapes  for  our  section,  being 
early,  large,  and  good  in  quality,  which 
are  very  desirable  points ;  and  I  ven- 
ture to  predict  extensive  planting  of 
this  vine  in  localities  where  early 
ripening  is  a  necessity. 

The  preceding  is  one  moi-e  addition 
to  the  diversified  experience  of  grape 
crrowino',  I  hope  tending  to  give  zest 
to  the  work,  and  a  stimulus  for  emu- 
lation in  this  our  labour  of  love. 


FERTILIZERS. 

Nitrate  of  Soda.  —  Orchard  and 
Garden  says  : — We  have  found  nitrate 
of  soda  to  be  a  most  excellent  thing  in 
its  place.  In  combination  with  com- 
plete fertilizers  it  has  given  astonishing 
results,  even  on  poor,  sandy  soil.  Its 
efiect  on  certain  garden   crops  is  often 


magical.  But  our  friends  should  not 
be  deceived  to  suppose  that  it  answers 
all  the  purposes  of  a  complete  fertilizer. 
Its  proper  place  is  on  already  rich  gar- 
den soils,  and  for  early  vegetables, 
especially  such  as  are  grown  for  their 
leaves  or  their  stalks,  like  lettuce,  cab- 
bages, aspai-agus,  or  for  their  succulent 
bulbs,  like  radishes,  beets,  onions,  etc. 
Nitrate  of  soda,  however,  seems  to  have 
but  little  efiect  on  potatoes  (except, 
perhaps,  to  help  in  pushing  them  for 
earliness),  on  peas  and  beans.  Nitrate 
of  soda  may  be  purchased  from  almost 
any  dealer  in  fertilizers,  at  perhaps  less 
than  $50  per  ton,  and  at  this  rate  it 
is  one  of  the  cheapest  fertilizing  mate- 
rials obtainable  for  the  ])urposes  men- 
tioned. JNIarket  gardeners  should  not 
fail  test  its  virtues. 

Fertilizers  for  the  Peach. — At 
the  February  meeting  of  the  Missis- 
sippi Horticultural  Society,  at  Crystal 
Springs,  Mr.  J.  M.  McNeill  read  an 
interesting  paper  on  The  Peach.  Speak- 
ing of  the  best  fertilizers,  he  said  : — 
The  analysis  of  the  peach  shows  that 
the  wood  contains  from  56  to  62  per 
cent,  of  potash,  lime  and  phosphate  of 
lime,  the  constituent  portions  being 
about  two  thirds  lime  and  phosphate  of 
lime,  to  one-third  of  potash.  Guided 
by  this  analysis,  some  experienced  fruit 
growers  have  advised  the  use  of  kainit 
at  the  rate  of  500  or  600  pounds  to  the 
acre,  sown  broadcast  during  the  win- 
ter. Afterward,  lime  and  bone  dust, 
or  ground  bone.  Now,  to  supply  the 
soil  for  peach  trees  with  a  siifiiciency 
of  humus,  which  is  very  much  needed 
in  most  of  our  orchards,  there  is  nothing 
better  than  to  sow  field  peas  broadcast, 
and  after  maturity  of  the  peas  to  place 
the  vines  under.  If  such  orchards  could 
have  a  good  supply  of  unleached  ashes 
once  a  year,  even  without  the  kainit, 
we  believe  it  would  be  attended  with 
the  best  results  as  to  the  growth  and 
the  life  of  the  tree,  and  crops  of  fruit. 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


101 


This  is  our  experience  with  those  trees 
upon  which  we  have  tried  it. 

The  President,  Mr.  H.  E.  McKay, 
said  : — 

x^SHES  AND  BONE  DUST,  wet  and  left 
in  a  pile  a  few  weeks  before  planting, 
was  shown  to  be  an  excellent  fertilizer 
for  corn  or  any  other  crop.  In  throwing 
it  in  a  pile  on  the  ground  it  may  be  cov- 
ered with  earth  to  fix  any  ammonia  that 
may  be  released  by  the  action  of  the 
ashes. 

Lime  and  salt  mixed  in  a  pile  in  the 
same  way  and  left  two  months  makes  a 
fine  fertilize)'. 


HORTICULTURAL. 
HARDY  APPLES. 

Dr.  Hoskins  a  famous  orebardist  in 
Vei'niont,  says  in  Tlte  American  Gar- 
den, that  there  is  a  class  of  apples 
between  the  more  tender  sorts,  and 
the  two  iron-clads,  which  ai'e  worthy 
of  attention  by  those  who  live  on  the 
Vjorder  between  the  Baldwin  zone,  and 
the  cold  north.  This  region  crosses 
ISTew  England  and  the  maritime  pro- 
vinces, touching  as  far  north  as  Mon- 
treal. 

The  kinds  are  Pted  Asti-acan,  Yellow 
Transpai'ent,  Oldenburgh,  St  Lawrence, 
Fameuse,  or  where  this  spots,  the  Shia- 
wassee Beauty,  known  also  as  Fall 
Queen,  a  large  brilliant  red  fall  apple, 
Nodhead,  Tinmouth,  Northern  Spy, 
McLellan,  and  Westfield  Seek-no- 
farther. 

The  Westfield  Seek-no-farther,  with 
us,  has  proved  rather  a  poor  grower, 
and  we  would  venture  to  substitute 
the  American  Golden  Busset  as  more 
desirable  as  an  all-winter  apple.  And 
among  the  fall  apples  we  would  sub- 
stitiite  the  Alexander  for  the  St  Law- 
rence. We  have  not  tried  the  Nod- 
head  or  the  Tinmouth. 

PEACH    YELLOWS. 

Now  that  peach  growers  in  Canada 
have    some    reasonable  expectation    of 


crops  of  this  fruit,  they  will  be  pleased 
to  know  of  any  means  to  help  the 
thrift  of  their  trees.  The  failure  of  the 
last  few  years  has  led  to  such  general 
neglect  of  the  peach  orchards,  that  no 
more  unsightly  trees  can  be  found,  and 
they  are,  in  many  cases,  but  an  eyesore 
to  their  owners. 

The  Yellows,  which  has  been  so  long 
known  in  New  Jersey  has  in  latter 
years  invaded  Canada,  and  in  some 
cases  cleai'ed  out  whole  orchards.  So 
far,  the  only  cure  has  been  "  Cut  down 
and  bui-n,"  but  now  we  hear  that  pot- 
ash fertilizers  are  an  antidote.  Well, 
if  so,  we  in  Canada  may  easily  keep 
clear  of  this  disease,  for  wood  ashes  are 
abundant,  and  are  easily  applied. 

(Small  ^xnxts. 

TRAINING  THE  RASPBERRY. 

BY  SIMON"  ROY,  BERLIN',  ON'T. 

The  usual  practice  in  training  the 
raspberry  in  the  well  kept  gardens  of 
the  wealthy  classes  in  Scotland,  which 
are  under  the  management  of  compe- 
tent superintendents,  is  what  may  be 
termed  the  pillar-and-arch  system. 

The  rows  are  planted  at  about  6  ft. 
apart,  and  at  about  3  ft.  apart  in  the 
rows,  and  the  plants  in  the  two  rows 
opposite  to  each  other.  A  portion  of 
the  canes  (not  more  than  thx-ee)  are 
selected  to  form  the  pillar  on  the  out- 
side of  the  rows,  and  cut  back  to  a 
uniform  and  desired  height.  The  re- 
maining canes  are  bent  from  each  side 
and  tied  together  in  the  centre,  thus  to 
form  the  arch  or  tunnel  as  you  may 
call  it,  and  the  whole  when  finished 
will  present  an  unique  and  artistic 
appearance. 

The  advantages  of  the  above  mode 
of  culture  are  apparent,  a  large  and 
economic  surface  to  sun  light  and  heat, 
thereby  pi-oducing  finer  fruit  and  in 
greater  abundance  than  can  be  effected 


102 


THE   CANADIAN    HOKTICDLTDRI8T. 


by  any  other  system ;  a  better  chance 
for  the  management  of  the  young  canes, 
as  being  more  easily  separated,  and  for 
cutting  out  the  old  wood,  which  should 
be  done  immediately  after  the  fruiting 
season  is  over. 

The  ground  may  be  cultivated  at 
any  time  prev-ious  to  getting  the  canes 
again  into  position. 

The  slip-shod  style  of  growing  rasp- 
berries on  the  hedgerow  system  as 
practised  in  this  country  I  fail  to  see 
the  philosophy  of.  The  fruit  is  cer- 
tainly not  as  good  as  it  might  be  from 
the  fact  that  the  canes  are  too  much 
crowded  together,  and  to  keep  the  rows 
clear  of  thistles,  quick  grass,  weeds,  and 
other  obnoxious  seeds  must  be  rather 
a  tedious  operation. 

In  either  systems  I  fail  to  see  any 
difference  in  so  far  as  the  cultivation 
and  the  gathering  of  the  crop  concerned. 

The  varieties  usually  in  cultivation 
in  Western  Europe  are  the  Red  and 
White  Antwerp,  which  are  well  adapted 
for  training  on  the  pillar-and-arch  sys- 
tems ;  but  I  find  that  our  native  cul- 
tivated varieties,  both  red  and  black  of 
robust  growth,  are  equally  as  well  adapt- 
ed for  training  on  the  same  system. 


SMALL  FRUIT  NOTES. 

Jewell  Strawberry.  Sir  : — In  re- 
ply to  your  note  in  Horticultvrist,  re- 
garding Jewell  Strawberry,  I  would  say 
that  with  me  it  is  a  very  strong  grower. 
I  have  no  variety  on  my  place  that 
makes  such  large,  strong  plants,  but  it 
makes  very  few  of  them,  hence  it  will 
be  little  trouble  to  keep  it  within 
bounds.       W.  W.  Hilbokn,  Arkona,  Ont. 

Sir  : — I  cannot  let  the  assertion  go 
foi'tli  that  the  Jewell  is  a  poor  grower. 
I  had  it  before  it  was  offered  for  sale. 
It  is  a  healthy  plant,  vigorous  grower, 
more  so  than  Sharpless ;  berries  are  of 
the  largest  size  ;  very  productive  ;  the 


only  fault  (and  is  a  good  plant  that  has 
none)  it  makes  but  few  runnei-s. 

JoH!f  Little,  Granton,  Ont. 

The  Logan  is  a  new  seedling  straw- 
beny  of  Mr.  J.  H.  Haynes,  Delphi, 
Indiana.  He  writes  that  indications 
are  that  it  will  prove  the  best  yet  of- 
fered. 

The  Erie  Blackberry.  Sir  :  —  I 
notice  on  page  76  of  the  Horticulturist 
for  this  month,  a  request  for  the  ex- 
perience of  any  one  who  has  given  the 
Erie  Blackberry  a  trial.  I  had  the  first 
plant  in  Canada,  from  the  person  who 
sold  the  stock  to  the  person  who  now 
offers  it  for  sale.  I  got  the  plant  in  the 
spring  of  '84.  It  is  a  good  grower,  but 
it  has  been  killed  every  year  to  the  snow 
line.  I  have  not  seen  a  berry  yet,  and 
don't  expect  to  here.  It  may  do  bet- 
ter in  more  favoured  localities.  At  the 
same  time  I  bought  two  dozen  of  the 
Early  Cluster  at  $6,  and  one  dozen  of 
Stayman's  Early,  $6.  They  are  just  as 
worthless  as  the  former,  notwithstand- 
ing all  the  extravagant  recommenda- 
tions they  have  had. 

John  Little,  Granton,  Ont. 

A  Quart  Box.  Sir  : — On  page  94 
(March  number),  I  find  it  stated  that 
67  cubic  inches  is  a  full  quart.  This  is 
not  quite  correct.  The  Imperial  quai-t 
contains  69 "3 18  . .  cubic  inches. 

Thos.  Beall,  Lindsay. 

Big  Strawberries  and  lots  of  them. 
— Whether  we  are  growing  them  for 
family  use  or  for  market,  the  question  is, 
how  can  we  have  them, and  from  years  of 
experience,  while  we  know  that  often- 
times satisfactory  and  paying  crops  can 
be  grown  under  almost  any  system  of 
culture  aiid  on  any  soil,  yet  to  have 
"  big  berries  and  lots  of  them,"  we  must 
give  up  our  old  and  slipshod  methods 
of  culture,  and  give  only  the  best  and 
most  thorough  care  from  beginning  to 
end.  This  does  not  necessarilv  mean 
being  at  any  great   expense   either  in 


THE   CANADIAN    H0RTICULTUEI8T. 


103 


cash  or  extra  labor  ;  it  simply  means 
doing  thv  very  best  we  can  with  the  means 
at  our  disposal 

Good  corn  or  wheat  land  (which  can 
be  found  on  any  farm),  plowed  deep 
and  followed  by  a  sub-soil  plow,  if  pos- 
sible, is  the  first  essential.  Give  the 
land  a  liberal  manuring  on  the  sur- 
face after  plowing,  with  raw  ground 
bone  and  wood-ashes,  if  they  are 
to  be  had,  if  not,  muriate  of  potash  ; 
from  400  to  600  pounds  of  the  pot- 
ash, and  from  1,200  to  2,000  pounds  of 
bone  per  acre,  the  quantity  depend- 
ing somewhat  upon  the  natural  fertility 
of  the  soil.  "Whatever  manure  is  used 
it  should  be  thoroughly  harrowed  in, 
to  prepare  the  ground  for  planting, 
which  should  be  done  in  early  Fall  or 
very  early  Spring.  Plant  only  the 
most  approved  varieties,  young,  thrifty, 
well-rooted  plants,  propagated  with  care 
fi'om  Pedigree  Stock  (never  using  plants 
from  old  and  wornout  fruiting  beds) ; 
and  give  good,  clean  culture  at  all  times, 
remembering  that  it  is  much  cheaper 
and  easier  to  hoe  a  field  three  iirnes  a 
month  than  it  is  once. 

Use  a  mulch  of  some  sort,  to  give  win- 
ter protection  and  to  keep  ground  moist 
and  fruit  clean  in  Summer,  and  irri- 
gation, if  possible.  The  foregoing 
general  rules,  only  fairly  well  carried 
out,  will  in  most  eases,  give  "big  berries 
and  lots  of  them,"  at  a  less  cost  than  a 
small  amount  of  inferior  fruit  can  be 
grown  for  under  a  less  thorough  system 
of  culture. — J.  H.  Hale  in  Wine  and 
Fruit  Grower. 


^rkntific. 


THE  APPLE  SCAB. 

(Fu-gicladium  dendrificuni.) 

It  is  high  time  that  we  in  Canada 
were  awake  to  the  impoi-tance  of  com- 
batting this  dangerous  scourge  of  our 
apple  orchards.     Every  year  this  fungus 


is  gaining  ground  upon  us,  and  threatens 
the  total  ruin  of  the  apple  crop,  which 
has  been  the  pride  of  Western  Ontario. 
^N'ew  York  State,  Michigan  and  Wis- 
consin are  equally  affected,  and  a  Prof. 
Arthur  in  New  York,  and  a  Prof. 
Trelease  in  Wisconsin,  is  earnestly 
studying  out  its  nature,  and  the  best 
possible  remedies ;  who  in  Canada  will 
befriend  our  Horticulturists  by  careful 
experiment. 

One  of  the  most  interesting  reports 
we  have  received  is  one  kindly  sent  us 
by  Mr.  Frazer  S.  Crawford,  of  Adelaide, 
South  Australia,  on  the  opportune  sub- 
ject of  the  Fusicladia.  The  name  Fusi- 
cladium  is  applied  by  scientists  to  that 
genus  of  the  family  of  Black  Moulds, 
known  generally  in  Canada  as  the  apple 
scab,  pear  scab,  and  apple  leaf  blight. 
We  have  known  it  in  Canada  since 
about  the  year  1865,  but  we  then  paid 
little  attention  to  it,  supposing  that  it 
was  only  a  temporary  evil. 

KINDS    AFFECTED. 

It  began  with  the  Fall  Pijypin,  our 
very  best  fall  apple,  and  in  a  few  years 
so  ruined  the  fruit  that  it  was  utterly 
worthless  for  shipping.  Not  only  that, 
but  the  trees  themselves  seem  injured 
by  it,  and  have  ceased  to  bear  their 
usual  crops  of  fruit. 

Since  that  time  the  Fameuse,  Early 
Harvest,  Rambo,  and  Newtown  Pijypin, 
have  shared  the  same  fate.  Even  in 
the  northern  sections,  as  appears  from 
Mr.  Croil's  paper  read  at  the  Chatham 
meeting,  where  the  Fameuse  has  been 
so  fair  and  clean,  the  same  sad  story 
reaches  us. 

The  Spitzenburg  and  Baldwin,  thow^ 
less  disfigured  by  the  spot,  have  borne 
very  scant  crops  for  three  or  four  years 
past,  and  what  little  they  have  yielded 
has  been  small  and  misshapen. 

Some  four  or  five  years  ago  we  found 
some  Greenings  slightly  affected.  Now, 
the  fruit  on  those  trees  is  almost  as  bad 
as  that  of  the  Fall  Pippin. 


104 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST, 


According  to  Prof.  Penhallow,  of 
Quebec,  90  per  cent,  of  the  fruit  of  the 
Walbridge  apple  was  worthless  from  the 
scab  last  year  in  that  province.  And 
now,  with  great  dismay,  we  notice  that 
it  is  attacking  our  favorite  apple,  the 
beautiful  Northern  Spy. 

THE    FUSICLADIUM 

is  a  parasitic  fungus — that  is,  it  belongs 
to  that  class  which  preys  upon  living 
substances,  and  not  upon  dead  matter, 
like  the  mushroom  ;  and  in  order  that 
no  confusion  of  terms  may  arise,  Mr. 
Crawford  advises  horticulturists  the 
world  over  to  call  it,  not  spot,  rust, 
scab,  or  mildew,  but  Fusicladium. 

The  plant,  for  such  it  really  is,  is  so 
minute,  that  it  can  only  be  examined 
by  a  good  lens,  and  the  seed  spores  are 
so  very  tiny  that  Prof.  Crawford  tells 
us  it  would  take  3,200,  side  by  side,  to 
reach  one  inch.  How  these  seed  spores 
are  preserved  through  the  winter,  is 
still  an  open  question,  but  such  minute 
bodies  would  easily  be  carried  about  in 
the  air  in  early  spring,  and  settling  upon 
a  leaf  or  young  apple  begin  quickly  to 
germinate  in  favorable  weather.  The 
spore  sends  out  a  slender  tube,  which, 
according  to  Prof.  Trelease,  of  Wiscon- 
sin, is  probably  able  to  pierce  the  skin 
of  the  leaf.  In  case  of  the  apple  itself, 
he  thinks  it  might  find  entrance  through 
one  of  the  little  dots,  for  over  it  the 
outer  skin  is  often  s|)lit.  As  soon  as 
it  sTfiins  entrance,  this  tube  begins  to 
l>ranch  out,  and  tlnis  form  the  myce- 
lium, or  that  part  which  corresponds  to 
roots,  and  this,  as  it  grows,  burst  open 
the  epidermis,  or  outer  skin,  and  throws 
up  little  brown  threads,  or  stems.  These 
grow  up  to  a  certain  height,  and  each 
produces  a  single  spore. 

We  copy  from  the  plates  in  Mr. 
Crawford's  Report  the  illustrations 
shown  below,  which  may  help  our 
readers  to  undei'stand  the  growth  of  this 
fundus. 


Fig.    1    represents   a   section  of   the 
apple   scab   magnified    200   diameters ; 


— Section  of  an  apple  scab. 

a  section  of  an  apple  leaf 


Fio.  1 

and  Fig.   2 

through  a  very  small  spot,  also  magnified 

200  diameters.  The  spots  upon  the  apple 


Fig.  2.— Very  small  leaf  spot. 

leaf  appear  on  the  surface,  somewhat  as 
is  shown  in  Fig.  3,  and  soon  the  part 
tui-ns  black,  or,  if  badly  affected,  the  leaf 


Fig.  3.— Leaf  affected  bj-  Fusicladium. 

drops  off.  Last  summer  the  apple  tree 
leaves  blighted  so  seriously  in  the  Nia- 
gara District  as  to  almost  strip  the  trees, 
and  much  of  the  fruit  fell  with  them. 
Many  attributed  this  to  the  use  of  Paris 
Green,  but  it  was  particularly  observed 
by  the  wr-iter  that  the  leaves  shrivelled 
and  fell  just  as  badly  in  orchards  that 
had  not  been  treated  with  the  poison, 
so  that  it  could  not  have  been  due  to 
its  use.  This  occurred  in  the  month  of 
June,  when  the  apples  were  about  as 
large  as  marbles.  Further  investigation 
will  determine  whether  it  is  entirely 
owing  to  the  spread  of  Fusicladium. 

REMEDIES    PROPOSED. 

All  remedies  so  far  tried  in  Australia 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


105 


seem  to  have  failed,  such  as  spraying 
with  sohitions  of  caustic  soda,  carbolic 
acid,  or  sulphur  in  water.  Some  of  us 
in  Canada  faithfully  tried  the  sulphur 
several  years  ago,  at  the  suggestion  of 
Prof.  Saunders,  without  the  least  effect ; 
but'  we  neglected,  at  least  the  writer 
did,  to  try  anotlier  remedy  which  he 
proposed,  and  which  has  since  been 
tried  with  some  success  at  the  experi- 
ment station  at  Geneva,  N.  Y.,  viz.  : 
spraying  the  trees  w^ith  a  solution  of 
hyposulphite  of  soda  in  water,  in  the 
proportion  of  one  pound  to  ten  gallons 
of  water. 

It  was  ap[)lied  on  the  5th,  9th  and  15th 
of  May,  with  good  i-esults.  It  was  found 
that  the  percentage  of  uninjured  fruits 
on  the  syringed  portions  of  the  trees 
was  much  greater  than  that  upon  the 
unsyringed  portion ;  and  also  that  the 
fruit  was  of  a  larger  size.  The  hypo- 
sulphite of  soda  might  perhaps  be 
thrown  into  the  barrel  of  Paris  Green 
water  as  used  for  spraying  the  Codlin 
Moth,  and  thus  a  saving  of  time  and 
labor  be  effected. 

We  have  occupied  more  space  with 
this  subject  than  we  intended,  but  we 
hope  for  pardon  because  of  its  import- 
ance just  at  this  season  ;  trusting  that 
it  may  lead  our  horticulturists  generally 
to  experiment  carefully  with  the  remedy 
pi'oposed,  and  report  to  us  their  success 
or  failure,  in  the  interests  of  one  of  the 
most  important  industries  of  our  Pro- 
vince. 


SOME  INSECTICIDES  AND  FUNGICIDES. 

For  convenience  of  reference,  we 
mention  here  a  few  insecticides,  which 
may  be  of  great  service  to  our  readei-s 
during  the  coming  summer. 

(1)  Codlin  Moth. — Spray  trees  with 
Paris  green  and  water.  Mr.  James 
Fletcher,  Dominion  Entomologist,  ad- 
vises the  proportion  of  one  tablespoon- 
ful  to  40  ixals.  of  water.      Paris  green 


is  a  combination  of  arsenic  and  copper, 
and  if  too  strong  burns  the  foliage. 

London  purple,  which  is  preferred 
by  some,  is  an  arseniate  of  lime,  is  moi-e 
soluble  in  water  and  less  poisonous. 
Prof.  Riley  prescribes  London  purple, 
^  lb.  ;  cheap  flour,  3  qts.  ;  water,  40 
gallons.  The  flour,  and  then  the  pur- 
ple, are  to  be  washed  through  a  fine 
sieve,  at  bottom  of  an  iron  funnel. 
Then  add  the  water. 

Apply  just  after  the  flowers  have 
fallen. 

(2)  CuECULio.  —  Spray  trees  with 
either  of  above  mixtures.  A  kerosene 
emulsion  is  also  commended  by  Prof. 
Piley,  using  kerosene,  2  gals. ;  water,  1 
gal.  ;  strong  soap,  -|  lb.  '  Mix  hot  and 
and  churn  five  minutes,  then  add  nine 
times  the  quantity  of  water. 

(3)  Caterpillar  on  Cabbage. — Py- 
rethrum,  or  Persian  insect  powder,  ^ 
oz.  to  pail  of  water.  This  powder  is 
harmless  to  vegetation,  and  compara- 
tively so  to  human  beings. 

(4)  Aphis  on  Cherry,  etc. — Pyre- 
thrum  powder,  2  oz.  to  gal.  of  water. 

Or  kerosene  emulsion,  as  in  No.  2. 

(5)  Downy  Mildew  on  Grapes. — 
The  following  is  recommended  as  the 
most  effective  prepai-ation  in  use,  viz., 
18  lbs.  sulphate  of  copper  dissolved  in 
22  gals,  of  water,  mixed  with  31:  lbs. 
of  lime,  dissolved  in  6J  gals,  of  water. 
Apply  with  a  whisk. 

Another  and  simpler  remedy,  used 
with  great  success  in  France,  is  the 
following  :  Dissolve  2|  lbs.  of  sulphuret 
of  potassium  in  4  gals,  of  boiling  water  ; 
dilute  with  40  gals,  of  cold  water  and 
strain.  Spray  the  vines  by  means  of  a 
hand  pump  before  blossoming  time. 

(6)  Powdery  Mildew. — Dust  with 
flour  of  sulphur  on  first  appearance. 

(7)  Grape  Rot. — Prof.  Scribner,  of 
Washington,  advises,  as  follows  : — 
"  Promptly  remove,  burn  or  bury  all 
affected  berries  or  leaves.  Do  this 
year  after  year,  and  the  disease  may  at 


106 


THE   CANADIAN   H0BTICULTURI8T. 


last  be  wiped  out.  Protection  from 
rain  and  dew  is  also  a  preventive.  The 
rot  spores  do  not  germinate  in  dry 
weather.  Bagging,  if  done  early,  al- 
most always  protects  the  berries  from 
rot." 

M.  Crawford  writes,  in  Wine  dc  Fruit 
Grower,  I  have  reason  to  believe  that 
copperas  is  a  preventive  of  the  grape 
rot.  In  a  small  vineyard  in  Massillon, 
Ohio,  where  a  quart  to  the  square  rod 
has  been  sown  in  July  for  three  years, 
there  has  been  no  rot,  while  other 
grapes  in  the  same  neighborhood  have 
rotted  more  or  less  every  year.  They 
formerly  rotted  in  this  vineyard. 

(8)  Destroying  Thrips. — A  corre- 
spondent of  the  Gardener' s  Monthly 
describes  his  mode  of  destroying  the 
thrips  on  his  vines.  After  using  helle- 
boi-e  with  partial  success,  he  employed 
burning  kerosene,  using  a  wire  cup 
with  a  long  ii-on  handle,  placing  in  it 
paper  saturated  with  kerosene,  which 
was  ignited  and  passed  rapidly  and 
carefully  over  the  foliage,  avoiding  the 
fruit.  This  was  found  the  most  effici- 
ent way  of  destroying  the  thrips. 

(9)  Rose  Mildew. — Jean  Sisley,  of 
Lyons,  France,  the  celebrated  rosarian, 
says  that  about  six  pounds  of  salt  to 
one  hundred  quarts  of  water  has  been 
found  a  complete  cure  for  mildew  and 
other  low  cryptogamic  forms  of  plant 
life. 


A  Commendation.  Sir: — Your  publica- 
tion is  becoming  inci'easingly  interest- 
ing, each  succeeding  issue  apparently 
outdoing  its  predecessor  in  interest  and 
value  to  the  orchax'dist,  the  landscape 
gardener,  and  the  florist. 
Wishing  you  every  success, 

I  remain,  very  truly  yours, 

Robert  Harrison. 

Belfast  P.O.,  Huron  Co.,  Out., 
April,  1887. 


Jflctoers. 


PANSIES. 
Fit  emblem  of  a  kingly  race, 
You  bear  your  heads  with  regal  grace, 
Yet  show  withal  a  modest  face, 

0,  royal  purple  pansies  ! 

You  turn  my  thoughts  to  childhood's  hours  ; 
We  had  a  garden  then  of  flowers. 
Gay  and  bright  with  rosy  bowers, 

And  beds  of  golden  pansies. 

0,  we  were  happy  children  then 
Roaming  wild  through  wood  and  glen, 
Baby-faces  we  called  them  then, 

These  blue  and  yellow  pansies. 

They  were  our  mother's  favourites  too, 
Royal  purple,  and  brown  and  blue. 
Velvety  black  and  yellow  too, 

And  dainty  pure  white  pansies. 

We  have  left  the  homestead  many  a  year. 
That  garden's  but  a  memory  dear, 
That  comes  before  me  bright  and  clear. 
Whenever  I  see  pansies. 
Hilda  B.  Monty,  in  Jlie  Mayflower. 


THE  GLADIOLUS. 

BT    HERMANN    SIMMERS,    TORONTO,    ONT. 

I  WOULD  again  remind  the  readers  of 
The  Horticulturist  of  the  necessity  of 
planting  this  beautiful  variety  of  bulbs 
during  the  present  month,  the  proper 
date  being  from  middle  to  the  end  of 
May.  Plant  the  bulbs  two  inches  be- 
low the  surface  of  the  ground,  in  thor- 
oughly well  manured  soil ;  if  inclined 
to  be  sandy,  it  is  all  the  better  suited 


THE   CANADIAN    HORT10DLTUR16T. 


lOT 


to  them,  as  they  are  not  inclined  to  rot 
so  much  as  if  planted  in  heavy  soil. 
The  bulbs  sometimes  are  started  or 
sprouted  in  a  hot-bed,  and  then  planted 
in  the  open  ground  to  insure  earlier 
bloom  ;  but  my  experience  leads  me  to 
think  they  are  just  as  well  if  planted 
directly  in  the  open  ground. 

I  have  tried  several  experiments  in 
order  to  secure  larger  bloom,  and  the 
best  article  for  that  purpose,  and  the 
one  that  causes  the  least  ti-ouble,  is 
"  Bowker's  Ammoniated  Food  for 
Flowers,"  a  preparation  which  is  di- 
luted in  water — one  teaspoonful  of  the 
powder  to  a  gallon  of  water.  As  a  rule 
many  people  select  the  largest  bulbs, 
but  generally  speaking  they  turn  out 
to  be  the  ordinary  Red  Gladioli,  while 
some  of  the  smaller  bulbs  produce  va- 
ried colours  and  are  by  far  the  hand- 
somer. Do  not  be  misled  into  thinking 
this  is  the  case  in  every  variety,  for 
several  of  them  have  extremely  lai-ge 
bulbs  and  very  handsome  spikes  of 
bloom.  Gladioli  are  best  suited  for 
centres  of  flower  beds,  or  for  back- 
grounds, as  they  grow  to  a  height  of 
from  two  to  two  and  a-half  feet,  tower- 
ing above  the  other  plants.  When 
flowering,  nothing  is  more  satisfactory 
than  the  Gladiolus  ;  the  beautiful  exact 
markings  of  the  flower,  streaks,  and 
blotches,  place  it  amongst  the  leading 
bulbs  for  any  flower  garden.  A  word 
here  for  the  amateur  who  wishes  to 
lengthen  the  duration  of  its  bloom  : 
When  the  Gladiolus  approaches  bloom- 
ing, as  soon  as  the  bottom  flower  opens 
out,  cut  the  stem  oS"  and  place  it  in 
water,  where  it  will  open  the  balance 
of  the  buds  and  continue  much  longer 
in  flower  than  it  would  were  it  allowed 
to  remain  on  the  plant.  I  have  tested 
this,  and  can  vouch  for  its  being  satis- 
factoiy,  as  I  handle  probably  the  largest 
quantity  in  Canada,  and  thei'efore  re- 
quire some  means  of  extending  the 
duration  of  its  bloom. 


THE    GL.VDIOLUS. 


108 


THE    CANADIAN    HUKTICDLTURTST. 


HINTS   ON    THE    FORMATION   AND  IMPROVE- 
MENT    OF     GARDEN     LAWNS,    CROQUET 
GROUNDS,  CRICKET  GROUNDS,  TENNIS 
LAWNS,   ETC. 

BT   JOHN    A.    BRIX'K,    HAMILTON. 

In  the  tii-st  place,  careful  preparation 
of  the  ground  proposed  to  be  laid  down 
to  turf  is  necessary.  This  should  be 
commenced  in  the  autumn  by  draining, 
if  found  requisite,  and  digging  to  the 
depth  of  six  to  twelve  inches,  according 
to  the  nature  of  the  soil.  When  this 
has  been  done,  the  land  should  be 
levelled  and  made  firm  with  the  spade 
and  subsequently  raked,  to  remove 
stones,  etc.  Should  the  natural  soil  be 
too  stony,  it  will  be  advisable  to  pro- 
cui*e  a  supply  of  good  mould,  and  spread 
this  over  the  land  to  the  depth  of  two 
or  three  inches.  If  the  soil  is  poor, 
some  well-rotted  stable  dung  will  be 
very  beneficial.  Where  this  cannot  be 
obtained,  we  woiild  advise,  as  the  best 
dressing  of  artificial  manure,  200  lbs. 
of  superphosphate  of  lime  and  100 
lbs.  of  Peruvian  Guano  per  acre.  In 
April,  after  the  ground  has  been  made 
thoroughly  fine  and  clean,  a  heavy  ii'on 
roller  should  be  used  to  make  it  per- 
fectly level,  and  as  the  subsequent 
appearance  of  the  lawn  depends  in  a 
great  measure  on  this  part  of  the  pre- 
paration, we  cannot  too  sti'ongly  urge 
the  importance  of  its  being  well  done. 
The  ground  should  then  be  evenly  raked 
and  the  seed  sown.  April  or  May,  and 
September,  ai'e  the  best  months  for 
sov/ing.  As  to  the  .sorts  of  seeds  suita- 
ble for  garden  lawns,  etc.,  we  can, 
after  a  long  course  of  personal  obser- 
vation of  the  numerous  kinds  which 
have  come  under  our  notice,  confidently 
recommend  the  mixture  described  be- 
low as  most  certain  to  produce  a  close 
velvety  turf. 

After  the  sowing  has  been  accom- 
plished the  ground  should  be  again 
rolled,  and  as  soon  as  the  young  plants 
have  attained  the  lieii{ht  of  two  or  three 


inches,  the  whole  crop  should  be  care- 
fully gone  over  with  a  sharp  scythe. 
Frequent  mowings  and  rollings  are  in- 
dispensable to  maintain  the  turf  in  good 
order.  By  adopting  these  means  a 
close,  green  sward  will  be  obtained  in 
nearly  as  short  a  time  as  a  lawn  pro- 
duced by  sodding,  while  it  will  be  far 
more  permanent  and  at  much  less  ex- 
pense. 

It  will  sometimes  happen  that  annual 
weeds,  indigenous  to  the  soil,  come  up; 
these  can  easily  be  checked,  if  not  des- 
troyed, by  mowing  them  off  as  soon  as 
tJiey  make  their  appearance.  Plantain, 
dandelions,  and  sometimes  thistles,  too, 
will  often  appear,  and  these  must  be 
cut  up,  each  one  singly,  about  one  inch 
below  the  surface  (not  deeper),  and 
about  a  teaspoonfui  of  salt  dropped  o^er 
the  cut  part.  Birds  are  very  fond  of 
grass  seeds,  and  care  should  be  taken 
to  keep  them  off  until  the  seeds  are 
well  up. 

For  lawns  requiring  improvement  it 
is  only  necessaiy  to  sow  fresh  seed, 
either  in  the  spring  or  autumn,  using  a 
small  tooth  rake,  and  rolling  afterwards. 
Moss  in  lawns  is  generally  a  sign  of 
poorness  in  the  soil  or  want  of  drainage. 
To  effect  its  removal  we  advise  after 
raking  off  as  much  as  possible,  a  top 
dressing  of  quicklime,  mixed  with  rich 
compost,  applied  late  in  the  autumn 
and  a  sowing  of  more  seed  in  the  spi'ing, 
or  a  top  sowing  of  soot  will,  by  en- 
couraging the  growth  of  the  grass, 
destroy  the  moss.  This  should  be  ap- 
plied in  the  spring  at  the  rate  of  about 
sixteen  bushels  per  aci'e. 

On  croquet  or  cricket  grounds,  where 
the  turf  has  become  bare  through  con- 
stant use,  we  advise  a  thick  sowing  of 
seeds  on  the  bare  spots  in  September  or 
early  in  April,  rolling  subsequently  and 
mowing  as  soon  after  as  practicable.  A 
light  di-essing  of  manure  over  the  whole, 
laying  square  during  the  winter,  will 
often  be  found  beneficial  in  encouraging 


THE  Canadian  horticulturist. 


109 


iliii  ill 


iji 


110 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTUKIST. 


the  growth  of  finer  kinds  of  grasses, 
and  to  help  to  produce  a  close-growing 
turf.  We  should  not  omit  to  mention 
that  here,  as  in  line  garden  lawns,  mow- 
ing alone  will  not  ensure  a  good  bottom 
without  that  compression  which  a  roller 
alone  can  give. 

During  the  past  thirty-five  years  we 
have  conducted  a  series  of  experiments 
with  the  various  grasses  recommended 
for  lawns,  and  find  the  following  varie- 
ties best  adapted  for  the  Canadian 
climate,  viz.  : — 

Blue  Grass  {Poa  Pratensis). 

Creeping  Bent  Grass  (Agrostis  Sto- 
Imifera). 

Crested  Dogstail  {Cynosurus  Cris- 
tatus). 

Slender  Fescue  (Festuca  Tenuifolia). 

Not  less  than  40  lbs.  per  acre  should 
be  sown,  and  in  many  instances  we  have 
known  60  lbs.  to  be  sown  on  an  acre 
with  excellent  results.  We  would  in- 
clude with  the  above  grasses  two  to 
thi-ee  pounds  of  white  Dutch  clover, 
which  we  think  improves  the  appear- 
ance of  the  sward. 


ORNAMENTAL  PLANTING. 

Every  one  who  owns  a  homestead 
■or  farm  ought  to  have  a  good  plan  of 
it,  showing  the  position  of  woodlands, 
pasture,  tillage,  unproductive  land, 
buildings,  roads,  ornamental  grounds 
and  kitchen  gardens.  The  watercourses 
and  difierences  of  level  should  also  be 
shown.  The  I'oads  and  buildings 
should  be  located  for  convenience,  but 
■when  the  conformation  of  the  grounds 
or  a  grove  or  group  of  trees  makes  it 
best  to  have  the  roads  and  paths  devi- 
ate from  the  straight  line,  picturesque- 
ness  is  gained  and  no  convenience 
sacrified.  It  is  often  possible  to  turn 
a  road  or  path  by  planting  an  artificial 
reason  for  doing  so,  and  gain  the  pleas- 
ing effect  without  any  great  inconveni- 
ence resulting. 

Ornamental   planting   must    be    ad- 


apted to  the  conformation  of  the  land 
and  the  uses  to  which  it  is  to  be  put, 
so  as  to  increase  its  natural  beauty, 
forming  vistas  which  shall  add  to  the 
landscape  effect,  and  scenes  which  no 
human  artist  can  reproduce. 

Trees  should  be  planted  so  as  to  give 
protection  to  both  bipeds  and  quadru- 
peds ;  the  north  and  north-west  side  of 
the  buildings  should  be  defended  and 
kept  warm  by  evei'green  groves,  which, 
as  a  precaution  against  woodland  fires, 
should  not  be  nearer  than  thirty  or 
forty  feet.  A  gravel  walk  or  road 
around  all  buildings  is  an  additional 
protection.  The  beneficial  influence 
that  the  rays  of  sunlight  contain  should 
be  allowed  to  reach  the  dwelling  apart- 
ments of  all  living  creatures  in  house 
or  bai-n,  in  summer  as  well  as  in  win- 
ter;  and  trees  should  not  be  so  placed 
as  to  prevent  this  as  they  become  lai'ge. 
The  evergreens  seem  best  to  deserve 
the  name  of  protective  trees  against 
cold  and  wind,  while  the  deciduous 
trees  defend  us  from  heat ;  but  both 
join  to  produce  the  best  ornamental 
effect. — Report  Mass.  Uort.  Soc,  '87. 

FLOWERING  BEGONIAS. 

BT   J.    P.    COCKBIRX,    ORAVEXHURST,    ONT. 

The  most  beautiful  of  the  flowering 
family  of  Begonias  is  Rubra.  The  great 
beauty  of  its  bright  green  waxy  leaves, 
and  almost  perpetual  free  flowering 
haVnt,  makes  it  one  of  the  most  desira- 
ble window  plants.  The  Begonia  Ru- 
bra is  a  soft  wooded  plant,  but  not  so 
succulent  as  most  other  sorts.  Its 
growth  is  very  rapid  during  the  spring 
and  summer  months.  They  succeed 
best  in  a  soil  in  which  there  is  plenty 
of  fibre,  enriched  with  well  decayed  cow 
manui'e,  made  light  with  clean  sand ; 
watered  and  cared  for  generally  as  an 
ordinary  geranium.  Young  plants 
started  in  three  or  four  inch  pots,  will 
flower  freely  all  summer  and  throw  up 
a  strong  spike  or  shoot  from  the  root  of 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


Ill 


the  plant,  which,  under  fair  cultivation, 
will  be  strong  enough  to  make  a  live 
stake  two  feet  high  to  tie  the  parent 
plant  to.  At  this  stage  the  plant 
■should  be  shifted  to  a  larger  pot,  when 
the  natural  stake  will  send  out  bi'anches 
and  prepai'e  to  flower.  In  the  mean- 
time the  old  wood  has  been  in  bloom. 
In  August  or  September  the  plant  will 
make  a  special  effort  and  come  out  in 
"great  glory."  As  this  season  ap- 
proaches, a  little  weak  liquid  manure, 
given  once  or  twice  a  week  will  greatly 
add  to  the  beauty  of  the  flowers  and 
foliage. 

As  the  plant  increases  in  age,  the 
annual  shoots  increase  in  size  till  at  5 
or  6  years,  the  plant  forms  a  grand 
clump  or  specimen  plant  5  to  10  feet 
high,  loaded  with  great  trusses  of  bloom. 
Most  Begonias  require  much  shade, 
heat  and  moisture,  but  the  Rubra  is 
happy  in  sunshine,  and  does  not  mur- 
mur if  the  thermometer  occasionally 
drops  to  35^  in  winter,  or  goes  up  to 
110°  in.  summei-.  It  positively  refuses 
to  harbour  any  vermin,  and  has  no 
home  on  its  shiny  leaves  for  dust. 

Strange  you  seldom  see  this  grand 
plant  decorating  the  verandah,  or,  as  it 
should  do,  standing  majestically  among 
our  noblest  window  plants.  If  any  of 
the  members  of  our  society  have  not 
yet  grown  this  plant,  I  advise  them  to 
commence  at  once. 

21st  March,  1887. 

A  Marvellous  Hyacinth.  —  Sir: 
— Talking  about  success  and  failure  in 
Hyacinth  growing,  many  will  be  sur- 
prised to  learn  that  in  Toronto  a  lady 
has  grown  four  distinct  stems  of  Hya- 
cinth from  one  bulb,  all  in  bloom  at 
one  time  and  a  perfect  marvel  of  splen- 
did growth.  The  flower  stems  were  all 
of  a  size  and  beautiful  pink ;  variety, 
Lord  Wellington.  This  beats  anything 
ever  seen  in  Hyacinth  growing  so  far. 


Can  any  one  of  your  readers  say  to  the 
contrary  ]  Yours  truly, 

Antox  Simmers. 
Toronto,  Feb.  21st,  '87. 

The  light  from  an  electric  lamp 
tower  at  Davenport,  falls  full  upon  a 
flower  garden  about  100  feet  away,  and 
during  last  Summer  the  owner  observed 
that  lilies  which  usually  bloom  only  in 
the  day  opened  in  the  night,  and  that 
morning-glories  unclosed  their  blossoms 
as  soon  as  the  electric  light  fell  on  them. 
It  has  frequently  been  observed  that 
trees  were  most  exuberant  in  their 
foliage  on  the  side  nearest  the  electric 
lisht. 


^iograyhiml 


CHARLES  DOWNING,  THE  MAN  OF  LETTERS, 

THE   SUCCESSFUL    FRUIT    GROWER    AND 

THE  VENERABLE  HISTORIAN. 

WRITTES   FOR   THE   CANADIAN"    IIORTICTLTURIST   BT   B. 
GOTT,  ARKOXA,  OST. 

As  the  well  ti'ied  leaders  of  society 
and  public  thought  one  by  one  pass 
away  from  our  midst,  and  the  tired 
veterans  are  quietly  laid  away  to  their 
rest,  it  plainly  becomes  our  privilege 
and  duty  to  take  note  for  future  refer- 
ence or  reminder.  In  some  cases  the 
material  for  note-taking  is  very  plenti- 
ful, but  in  other  cases,  like  the  present, 


112 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


it  is  very  scant.  When  great  men  fall 
society  deeply  feels  and  laments  the 
wide-spread  loss.  The  great  man  is 
very  often  quite  I'eticent  concerning 
himself,  and  although  widely  valuable 
work  is  done,  is  not  always  known  as 
the  author  of  it.  Were  it  not  for  the 
stupendous  work  of  labour  left  to  bene- 
fit the  present  generation  and  those  in 
the  future,  we  should  not  cease  to 
lament  the  demise  of  the  subject  of  the 
present  notice.  Even  with  this  legacy 
his  presence  in  the  world  of  action  will 
be  greatly  missed.     On 

THE  BEAUTIFUL  BANKS  OF  THE  HUDSON, 

the  most  noted  and  the  most  beautiful 
of  all  American  rivers,  Charles  Down- 
ing was  born,  of  humble  parentage, 
July  9th,  1802;  and  thirteen  years 
afterwards  on  the  same  romantic  site 
was  added  to  the  family  circle  his  gifted 
and  famous  brother,  A.  J.  Downing, 
the  early  author  of  many  popular  works 
on  economic  horticulture.  Their  father 
was  a  nurseryman  of  some  considerable 
experience  and  culture,  and  owned  a 
good  property  near  his  horhe  in  New- 
burgh,  IST.Y.,  where  he  did  a  large  busi- 
ness. But  before  the  subject  of  our 
notes  had  attained  his  majority  his 
father  died  leaving  the  whole  control  of 
the  business  to  devolve  upon  Charles. 
But  later,  as  the  younger  brother  had 
completed  his  school  trafning,  necessary 
for  business,  they  together  carried  on 
the  work  of  their  father  under  the  joint 
firm  name  of  C.  &  A.  J.  Downing,  and 
later  of  A.  J.  Downing  &  Co.  After  a 
few  years,  however,  Charles  purchas- 
ing a  property  a  shoz^t  distance  from 
their  old  home,  establishing  his  well 
known 

'•NURSERY  AND  EXPERIMENTAL  GARDEN." 

At  a  very  early  date  the  Downings 
became  very  widely  known  for  their 
deep  and  broad  intelligence  in  matters 
pei-taining  to  general  horticulture  and 
fruit   growing.      The    development   of 


fruits,  their  nomenclature  and  classifi- 
cation were  specialties  with  them,  and 
they  speedily  became  very  popular  as 
advisers  and  corresponding  members  of 
many  local  and  foreign  horticultui-al 
societies.  In  the  language  of  a  fair 
correspondent,  '•  During  the  21  years 
Charles  is  but  little  heard  of,  while  his 
young  and  talented  brother  astonished 
the  conservatives  of  the  whole  world 
with  his  '  Landscape  Gardening  '  at  the 
early  age  of  2G  years.  Then  came  his 
' Cottage  Residences.'  Then  the  volumes 
of  '  Downing's  Horticulturist,'  and  in 
1845,  when  but  30  years  of  age,  ap- 
peared '  The  Fruits  and  Fruit  Trees 
of  America.'  The  coi-respondents  of 
Charles  Downing  of  the  past  half  cen- 
tury need  not  be  told  that  he  was  the 
great  laborer  of  his  age  in  the  field  of 
untangling  the  confusing  nomenclature 
of  the  fruits  of  temperate  zones."  My 
venerable  and  esteemed  veteran  friend 

J.    J.    THOMAS,    OF    NEW    YORK, 

contributes  the  following  notes  of  infor- 
mation bearing  on  the  subject  : — "  I 
first  met  the  two  brothers  at  the  state 
fair  at  Albany,  1842,  where  they  had 
a  fine  exhibition  of  fruit — at  that  time 
one  of  the  finest  I  had  seen.  Charles 
Downing  then  showed  his  simple, 
straightforward  character.  I  had  chai'ge 
of  the  exhibition  of  fruit,  and  was  to 
meet  them  early  the  next  morning  be- 
fore the  ariival  of  the  great  crowd  to 
examine  their  exhibition.  I  found 
Charles  there  at  the  minute  appointed. 
I  asked  him  where  A.  J.  D.  was  ? 
'  Oh,  he  was  down  at  the  city  among 
the  big  folk.'  This  simple,  unpretend- 
ing character  was  always  the  same 
through  his  long  life.  He  greatly  dis- 
liked any  kind  of  pretention  and  strongly 
expi-essed  his  disapproval  on  one  occa- 
sion of  the  word  'Esq.'  attached  to  his 
name.  Three  years  later  I  visited  him 
at 

HIS    RESIDENCE    AT    NEWBURGH. 

Partaking  of  an  early  meal,  I  went  to 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


113 


bis  house  and  found  him  and  his  wife 
at  breakfast.  His  wife  told  me  after- 
wards that  she  felt  greatly  embarrassed, 
when  I  entered,  because  (supposing  I 
had  had  no  breakfast)  they  had  neither 
tea  nor  coffee  on  the  table,  having 
adopted  the  simple  beverage  of  cold 
water.  She  was,  however,  entirely  re- 
lieved when  I  informed  her  that  for 
many  years  I  had  drunk  nothing  else. 
I  mention  this  incident  to  show  their 
simple  manner  and  mode  of  living,  al- 
though owning  and  living  in  one  of  the 
finest  residences  on  the  banks  of  the 
Hudson.     Charles  Downing 

GAVE  SPECIAL  ATTENTION  TO  FRUITS, 

and  to  securing  accui-ately  the  many 
vai'ieties  in  cultivation,  more  so  than 
his  brother,  and  to  him  mainly  was  to 
be  attributed  the  reliability  of  every- 
thing they  raised.  I  procured  of  him 
on  one  occasion  a  number  of  valuable 
ai'ticles  and  asked  him  for  his  bill.  "  I 
have  no  bill,"  he  rej)lied,  "  and  if  that 
is  not  satisfactory,  you  may  do  as  mucli 
for  somebody  else  when  opj)ortunity 
offers."  The  same  pleasant  and  gener- 
ous course  was  often  pursued  by  him. 
He  made  it  a  point  to  procure  every 
variety  of  fruit  he  could  hear  of  tliat 
was  deemed  worthy  of  cultivation  ;  and 
his  correspondence  was  extensive  to  all 
parts  of  the  Union  for  grapes  and  speci- 
mens of  fruits.  Although  he  had  pro- 
cured these  he  seemed  glad  to  dissem- 
inate at  any  time  to  all  who  desired. 
He  retired  from  the  nursery  business 
some  tliirty  years  ago,  and  then  gave 
his  attention  more  exclusively  to  pom- 
ology. 

Charles  Downing,  giving  up  his 
business  in  the  winter  of  1857  and  8, 
and  for  the  next  ten  years  used  his 
place  as  an  experimental  garden,  where 
he  tested  and  fruited 

MANY    THOUSANDS    OF    VARIETIES 

in  theii'  greatest  possible  range.  He 
being   very  quiet   and  reticent  in  his 


daily  habits,  his  life  was  an  unobstruc- 
tive  and  uneventfiil  one,  he  scarcely 
ever  making  himself  public  through 
the  papers,  and  not  very  frequently 
attending  the  horticultural  or  other 
meetings,  and  when  he  did  so  had  sel- 
dom much  to  say. 

WORK  !    HARD,    PESISTENT    WORK  ! 

seemed  to  be  his  motto,  and  in  that  he 
was  eminently  successful.  After  his  ac- 
tive outside  activity  he  spent  very  much 
of  his  later  years  of  life  in  rewriting, 
revising  and  adding  to  the  popular 
national  work  of  his  younger,  brilliant 
but  deceased  brother.     The 

FRUITS    AND    FRUIT    TREES    OF    AMERICA 

is  now  the  only  monument  of  the  bril- 
liant A.  J.  D.,  but  it  also  owes  much 
to  the  careful  work  and  deeper  experi- 
ence of  the  elder  Charles.  It  is  a  pil- 
lar of  renown,  and  will  stand  a  monu- 
mental remembrance  of  the  Downings. 
Charles  several  times  added  to  it  much 
valuable  new  matter,  being  all  the  re- 
sult of  his  own  deep  observation  and 
extensive  experiments,  and  finally  had 
the  great  satisfaction  of  living  to  see 
his  great  work  carried  successfully 
through  the  press, 

OCTOBER  22nd,  1882. 
Mr.  Downing  suflered  severely  from 
the  injuries  caused  by  an  accident  in 
the  city  of  New  York,  which  laid  him 
up  for  many  weeks  in  helplessness. 
During  .his  time  many  very  valuable 
notices  of  worth  and  respect  were 
issued  from  the  various  sections  of  the 
press,  all  of  which  were  very  pleasing 
to  the  many  friends  of  the  injured  gen- 
tleman. To  quote  again  from  a  lady 
friend,  "  Not  a  garden  in  the  land  or  a 
home  worthy  of  the  name  that  is  not 
the  better  for  his  steadfast  watchful 
devotion  to  the  progress  of  our  horticul- 
ture." Mr.  Downing  kept  at  his  work 
of  testing  fi-uits  and  making  notes  up  to 
within  a  few  weeks  of  his  death.  He 
died  January  1 8th,  1885,  in  his  83rd 


114 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTUKI8T 


year.  He  leaves  a  vacancy  wliicli  will 
not  be  filled.  Neither  he  nor  his 
brother  left  any  children  to  perpetuate 
their  memory.  Many  of  the  agricultu- 
i-al  and  horticultural  papers  contained 
notices  of  obituary,  and  many  societies 
passed  resolutions  of  regret. 

Thus  we  have  very  briefly  and  im- 
perfectly, but  as  fully  as  our  informa- 
tion would  allow,  attempted  to  fulfill 
your  desire  to  give  you  a  notice  of 
Charles  Downing.  The  industrious  in 
praiseworthy  work,  as  well  as  the 
righteous  "  Shall  be  held  in  everlasting 
I'emembrance." 


THE 


Caimbiaii  gorticiiltuiist. 


(X)N  Illus- 
trated 
I  Monthly  Journal,  de- 
voted to  the  interests 
of     Fruit     Growers, 
Gardeners,  and  Gentle- 
men owning  rural  or  su- 
burban homes. 

Subscription  price  $1.00 
per  year,  entitling  the  subscri- 
ber to  membership  of  the  Fruit  Grow- 
ers' Association  of  Ontario  and  all  its 
privileges,  including  a  copy  of  its 
valuable  Annual  Eepox't,  and  a  sbai-e  in  its 
annual  distribution  of  plants  and  trees. 


This  Journal  is  not  published  in  the  in- 
terests, or  for  the  pecuniary  advantage  of 
any  one,  but  its  pages  are  devoted  wholly  to 
the  progress  of  Horticultural  Science  and 
Art  in  Canada.  We  aim  at  the  development 
of  the  fruit  growing  industry  in  our  Province  ; 
at  the  general  distribution  of  knowledge  con- 


cerning all  the  newest  and  best  varieties  of 
fruits  ;  and  at  the  education  of  a  refined 
taste  in  the  art  of  decorative  gardening 
around  the  homes  of  our  Canadian  people. 

With  such  ends  in  view  we  invite  the  co- 
operation of  the  lovers  of  Horticulture  both 
in  extending  the  membeiship  of  the  Fruit 
Growers'  Association  of  Ontario,  and  in  con- 
tributing to  these  pages  such  items  as  may 
be  of  general  interest  and  profit. 

Report  for  1886. — I  am  sorry  to  notice 
in  the  Horticulturist,  that  '86  report  is 
under  the  usual  size.  By  the  way,  I 
would  like  to  see  those  reports  bound 
by  the  Ontario  Government.  I  have 
to  pay  70  cents  a  copy  to  get  them 
bound.  D.  E.  BLOOMriELD,  Scotland. 

It  is  a  matter  of  general  regret  that 
the  Report  for  1886  should  be  so  unu- 
sually suiall.  The  Report  for  the  win- 
ter meeting  at  Stratford,  in  Februaiy, 
'86,  was  taken  down  by  an  incompetent 
stenographer,  and  therefore  fully  one- 
half  the  matter  was  lost.  We  can 
safely  promise  the  members  of  our 
Association  a  large  enough  Report  of 
this  year's  papers  and  discussions  to 
make  up  for  that  of  '86. 

The  Secretary  is  now  mailing  the 
Report  of  1886,  having  waited  vainly 
for  that  of  The  Entomological  Society. 
The  latter  will  be  sent  separately  when 
ready. 

It  would  indeed  be  highly  apprecia- 
ted by  us  if  the  Ontario  Government 
would  contimie  binding  the  Reports, 
and  we  hope  yet  to  obtain  such  a  favor. 

Firming  the  Soil. — In  planting  trees, 
vines,  plants,  or  cuttings,  es[)ecially  in 
dry  weather,  it  is  all  important  to  press 
down  the  earth  firmly  about  them. 
Probably  a  good  many  of  the  com- 
plaints of  failure  with  plants  received 
from  the  Association  have  resulted 
from  neglect  of  this  important  item. 
The  planting  of  a  tree  seems  to  be  a 
very  simj)le  operation,  and  yet  the  in- 
ex2:)erienced  planter  will  often  make 
most   egregious    blunders.     The    hole 


THE    CANADIAN    H0RTICDLTUKI8T. 


115 


should  always  be  dug  much  larger  than 
the  roots  require,  the  earth  should  be 
made  fine,  and  sif'ted  in  carefully 
among  the  roots,  and  then,  when  cov- 
ered, should  be  well  pressed  down 
about  the  little  fibres.  This  will  help 
to  protect  them  from  the  drouth  by  ex- 
cluding the  dry  air,  and  at  the  same 
time  impart  to  the  soil  increased  con- 
(luctibility  of  nocturnal  dews. 

The  Niagara  Grape  Vine,  which  has  been 
so  largely  cliosfu  Vjy  tlie  members  of 
our  association,  should  be  planted 
deeply  in  well-drained  soil,  and  in 
the  autumn  it  should  be  laid  down 
and  covered.  It  is  claimed  to  be 
fairly  hai'dy,  but  the  wiser  plan  is 
the  safest.  It  is  certainly  a  mag- 
nificent grape  ;  holding  the  place 
among  white  grapes  which  the  Concord 
does  among  the  black.  We  shall  hope 
soon  to  have  certain  knowledge  respect- 
ing its  hardiness,  as  the  result  of  this 
spring's  disti'ibution  of  the  vine  to  all 
parts  of  Ontario. 

The  Farmers'  institutes.  —  The  Rural 
Canadian  appeal's  to  think  that  the 
farmers  are  competent  to  make  these 
meetings  successful  without  the  atten- 
dance of  the  professors  from  the  Agri- 
cultui'al  College.  We  an^  inclined  to 
cpiestion  this,  because  the  time  has 
come  when  theory  and  practice  need  to 
keep  close  company.  And  one  great 
secret  of  the  success  that  has  attended 
these  meetings  thus  far  has  been  the 
presence  of  such  men  as  Prof.  Mills 
and  Prof.  Panton,  who  could  give  the 
reasons  of  things.  This  our  farmers  do 
not  profess  to  do.  They  give  us  most 
valuable  lessons  from  their  experience, 
which  either  establish  or  anihilate  the 
theories  of  the  scientific  student.  But 
we  shall  fall  into  many  errors  if  we 
attempt  to  deduct  theories  and  lay 
down  rules  in  eitlier  Agriculture  or 
Horticulture,  without  consulting  the 
Botanist,  the  Chemist,  and  the  Physi- 
oloaist. 


Miss  Rye  writes  us  from  Niagara  that 
she  has  i-eceived  a  medal  and  certificate 
from  the  "  Colinderies,"  for  quinces 
grown  on  the  grounds  of  the  "  Home." 
These  medals,  having  on  the  face  so  ex- 
cellent a  likeness  of  His  Royal  High- 
ness, tlie  Prince  of  Wales,  and  dis- 
tiibuted  so  freely  to  exhibitors  at  the 
Colonial  and  Indian  Exhibition,  will  be 
very  highly  prized  by  the  recipients. 

Selfish  Aims. — The  American  Garden, 
which  by  the  wiiy  is  im])roving  with 
each  issue,  fears  that  financial  gain  or 
literary  re]>utation  is  too  much  the  aim 
among  horticultuiistsof  the  present  day. 
The  work  of  originating  new  varieties, 
either  from  seed  or  by  hyljridization,  is 
slow,  and  needs  much  patient  endeavor. 
Who  among  us  will  be  the  disciples  of 
such  men  as  Wilder,  Warder,  Downing 
or  Thomas  % 

Too  Many  Irons, — This  is  a  significant 
term  for  a  very  common  fault  among 
fiirmers  and  fruit  growers  as  well  as 
among  students.  In  these  days  of  pi-o- 
gress  and  of  keen  competition,  it  has 
become  necessary  for  the  best  success 
in  ])ractical  horticulture,  as  well  as  in 
professional  life,  to  devote  one's  atten- 
tion chiefly  to  one  line  and  become 
master  of  it.  Division  of  labor  is  a 
mai'k  of  progressive  civilization,  and 
the  man  who  attempts  to  combine  too 
many  occupations  will  but  prove  the 
truth  of  the  old  adage,  "  Grasp  all,  lose 
all." 


THE  SUMMER  MEETING. 

The  next  meeting  of  the  Fruit 
Growers'  Association  of  Ontario  will 
be  held  in  the  town  hall,  Collingwood, 
Out.,  on  the  28th  and  29th  of  June 
next,  in  response  to  the  very  kind  in- 
vitation of  the  Horticultural  Society  of 
that  place,  and  of  the  fruit  growers  of 
that  section. 

The  meeting  will  continue  two  days, 
and  vvill  be  devoted  to  the  discussion  of 


116 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


such  subjects  in  connection  with  Fruits, 
Flowers,  Vegetables,  or  Forestry,  as 
shall  be  proposed  in  the  meantime  to 
the  Secretary. 

The  subjects  thus  far  suggestetl  are — 

(1)  The  Apple. 

(a)  Varieties  adapted  to  Co.  Simcoe 
(/>)  "       forjhreic/ii  markets. 
(c)  Best  modes  q/' (fathering. 

(f/)     '*  "         packing, 

(e)      "  "  storing. 

(/)  Cultivation  of  the  Orchard. 
{(/)  Fertilizers  for  the  " 

(h)  Summer  Pruning  of  the  " 

(2)  Injurious  Fungi,  with  special  refer- 

ence to  the  Black  Knot  and  Appile 
Scab,  to  be  introd^iced  by  Prof. 
Panton,  of  Gueljih  Agricultural 
College. 

(3)  The  Plum. 

(rt)   Care  of  a  Plum  Orchard. 

(b)  Packing  for  Market. 

(c)  Yield  per  acre. 

( d )  Kinds  grown  about  Collingw^od 

(4)  The  Foreign  Markets. 

( a)  What  fruits  and  vegetables  can 

be  jyt'ofitablij  shipped. 

{b)  How  to  pack  for  foreign  mar- 
kets. 

(c)  How  to  ship. 

(5)  The  Strawberry. 

(«)  Best  early  variety. 

(b)  Best  variety  for  main  crop. 

(c)  "  "       "    table. 

(cZ)  Cultivation  and  Fertilizers. 

(e)  Gathering. 

(f)  Packages. 

(g)  Newer  varieties. 

(h)  Extent  of  Straioberry  Planta- 
tions in  the  County  of  Grey. 

A  fuller  programme  will  be  given  in 
the  June  number,  and  in  the  mean- 
time any  questions  or  suggestions  for 
the  meeting  will  be  gladly  attended  to, 
if  addressed  to  the  Secretary. 

A.  Question  Box  will  also  be  upon 
the  table  and  opened  at  the  beginning 
of  each  session. 


Eight  months  for  50c. — In  order  to 
enlarge  the  sphere  of  usefulness  for  the 
Canadian  Horticulturist,  we  offer  to 
send  it  to  new  subscribers  for  the  rest 
of  this  year  for  fifty  cents.  Will  our 
friends  please  help  us  by  this  means  to 
introduce  it  into  many  homes  where  it 
is  at  present  unknown. 


LETTER  FROM  S.  JACKMAN  &  SON, 

FRUIT   AND   COMMISSION   MERCHANTS,    TORONTO,    ONT. 

The  Editar  Canadian  HnrticuUurist. 

Sir  : — In  the  February  numVjer  of 
your  paper  a  letter  appears  from  Jos. 
Bourne,  of  Niagara  Falls  South,  hint- 
ing that  we  had  received  his  grapes 
and  never  let  him  know  the  prices  the}'^ 
were  sold  at  till  the  season  was  over  ; 
and  inferring  that  we  had  not  treated 
him  fairly. 

We  have  placed  the  matter  in  the 
hands  of  our  solicitor  to  compel  Mr. 
Bourne  to  withdraw  his  untruthful 
statements  and  apologize  for  publishing 
them  ;  but  as  he  is  in  England, we  write 
to  say  that  we  only  received  twenty-five 
baskets  of  grapes  from  Mr.  Bourne  last 
season,  and  these,  upon  two  days  in  the 
same  week,  that  we  made  up  his  ac- 
count of  sales  on  the  following  Monday 
and  sent  the  money  to  him  ;  and  we 
don't  believe  any  other  person  or  firm 
could  or  would  send  it  more  )>romjjtly. 
We  ask  you  to  publish  this  letter,  as 
your  editorial  remarks  on  the  letter 
imply  tliat  you  believe  his  statements 
and  infer  we  are  unreliable.  Mr.  Boui'iie 
never  complained  to  us  as  to  any  of  our 
dealings  with  him,  and  it  is  in  bad  taste 
for  him  to  write  you,  for  publication,  a 
letter  comjjlaining  about  us,  when  he 
never  hinted  we  had  been  negligent  or 
careless  in  our  business  dealings  with 
him.  S.  Jackmax  &  Son. 

[Note. — We  much  regret  if  any  in- 
justice has  been  done  this  firm  through 
anything  in  our  columns.  We  sup- 
posed Mr.  Bourne  was  simply  stating 
facts  for  the  benefit  of  his  fellow  fruit- 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


117 


growei"s.  With  the  exception  of  what 
Mr.  Bourne  has  said,  we  have  never 
heard  anything  unfavourable  concern- 
ing the  firm  ;  and  it  will  be  observed 
that  he  only  blames  them  for  not  giv- 
ing him  more  prompt  reports  of  the 
mai'ket,  a  matter  over  which  shi])pers 
in  fruit  season  are  veryimpatient.— Ed.] 


USE  OF  PARIS  GREEN. 

Sir : — I  have  great  pleasure  in  second- 
ing Mi\  Beadle's  motion  on  page  279 
of  188G,  that  all  funny  articles  should 
be  put  in  the  facetious  column  ;  and 
there  ought  also  to  be  a  column  for  all 
doubtful  or  dangerous  articles — such  as 
Paris  green,  for  it  seems  to  kill  as 
often  as  cure.  See  page  125  for  F.  W. 
Ross's  experience,  also  page  156  for  J. 
L.  Thompson's,  with  a  teas))Oonful  of 
Paris  gi-een  to  a  patent  jxiil  of  water 
and  his  killing  the  bugs  and  leaves  at 
the  same  time.  On  page  176,  W. 
Dixon  fared  better.  On  page  108, 
Senator  Plumb  uses  a  dessert-spoonful 
to  a  pail  of  water  for  his  plum  and 
other  trees.  Surely  his  name  cannot 
have  anything  to  do  with  his  using 
such  a  large  quantity  so  successfully. 

In  the  summer  of  '84  I  saw  in  the 
IForticulturist  a  recommendation  to  put 
a  teaspoonful  of  Paris  green  in  a  patent 
pailful  of  water  to  kill  the  curculio  on 
plum  trees.  Accordingly  I  put  a  tea- 
spoonful  of  Paris  green  in  a  pail  of 
water  and  sprayed  my  plum  trees  and 
killed  the  curculio  and  the  leaves  at 
the  same  time,  and  was  minus  my 
plums  for  that  year.  In  1885  I  let 
nature  have  a  chance  and  had  half  a 
crop  of  plums.  Last  year,  after  seeing 
so  many  favorable  reports  of  S})raying, 
I  thought  I  would  try  it  again,  and 
this  time  with  half  a  teaspoonful  to  a 
pail  of  water  for  six  plum  ti-ees,  with 
the  same  result  as  in  1884,  and  I  caine 
very  near  saying  a  bad  word  against 
Paris  green  and  all  who  recommenil  it, 
but  I  restrained  myself  when  I  came 


to  think  that  I  had  no  patent  on  my  pail 
as  recommended.  But  I  see,  on  page 
156,  that  Bro.  Thom|)Son,  with  his 
jjatent  pail,  fared  equally  as  bad  ;  and, 
on  page  39  of  1887,  Mr.  Beall  says  the 
foliage  is  injured  b}'  using  too  much 
Paris  gi-een. 

Now  it  is  just  [)ossible  that  there 
are  other  conditions  of  danger  in  the 
use  of  Paris  green,  such  as  drought  or 
sun  heat.  It  was  after  the  sun  had 
been  shining  strong  all  day  that  I 
noticed  small  brown  spots  appearing 
on  the  leaves,  and  in  a  day  or  two 
more  they  begun  to  curl  and  drop  off 
and  the  fruit  dry  up. 

I  am  of  the  oi)inion  that  there  is 
much  to  learn  as  to  the  quantity,  time 
and  mode  of  apjjlying  insecticides  (suc- 
cessfully). Could  not  some  of  our  ex- 
perimental farms  be  induced  to  try 
experiments  with  insecticides  and  report 
the  best  mode  for  success  ? 

Alex.  Grey,  Niagara  Falls,  Feb.  12. 

[Note. — While  it  is  well  known 
that  too  much  Pai'is  green  will  destroy 
the  leaves  of  the  trees  and  cause  the 
fruit  to  fall,  we  do  not  think  half  a 
teaspoonful,  or  a  whole  teaspoonful  to 
three  gallons  of  water  could  have  any 
such  effect.  Some  other  cause  seems 
to  have  contributed  to  the  fall  of  the 
leaf  last  season.] 

^iiC5tioit  ipniU)er. 

ThU  department  U  intended  as  an  open  one  to  every 
reader  of  the  "HorticiUtiiri.it"  to  send  in  either 
ijitcstion.1  or  anxuvr.t.  Often  a  reader  will  tie  able  to 
anstver  a  q^wstion  irhicli  htix  been  left  unanxwcred, 
or  only  paHiaUy  answered  by  us.  For  conrenience 
of  reference  the  qiwstions  are  numbered,  ami  any 
one  replyinff  or  referring  to  any  question  u'ill 
please  mentum  the  number  of  it. 


THE  CURRANT  SPAN  \Y01;M. 

34.  Worms  on  the  Black  Currant. —  We 
are  troubled  with  a  loorm  on  our  black 
currant  bushes.  They  nearly  destroyed 
the  bushes  last  season.  They  are  a 
little   larger  than  the  common  currant 


118 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


worm,  and  of  lighter  colour  ;  white  helle- 
bore does  not  affect  them.  Can  you 
give  us  a  remedy  '] 

[C.  Curtis,  Leamington,  Ont.] 

The  worm  is  probably  the  Currant 
Span  Worm,  known  to  entomologists 
as  Eiifitchia  ribearia.  It  is  of  a  lighter 
colour  than  the  common  currant  worm 
or  Sawfly,  being  Avhitish,  with  wide 
yellow  stripes  ;  and  it  is  about  an  inch 
or  more  in  length.  But  it  is  chiefly  dis- 
tinguishable by  its  mode  of  travelling, 
from  which  it  is  called  a  Geometer,  or 
Span  WoiTii  ;  for  at  every  step  it  gathers 
its  body  into  a  loop,  as  if  measuring. 
When  disturbed  it  hangs  down  by  a 
silken  thread,  which  affords  one  means 
of  destroying  it;  for  by  means  of  a 
stick  the  threads  with  the  suspended 
caterpillars  may  be  gathered  to  one 
place  and  stamped  upon. 

As  our  correspondent  says,  it  is  not 
easy  to  destroy  them  with  hellebore ; 
but  if  he  would  try  a  stronger  solution, 
say  three  ounces  of  hellebore  to  ten 
quarts  of  water,  he  would  no  doubt 
succeed. 

Another  effective  mode  of  application 
is  to  dust  the  bushes  freely  with  helle- 
bore, when  they  are  wet  with  dew. 
As  hellebore  is  volatile  it  must  be  kept 
carefully  from  exposure  to  the  air  until 
used,  or  it  will  lose  its  strength. 

Paris  green  would  be  a  more  certain 
remedy,  but  would  need  to  be  used 
some  weeks  before  the  fruit  is  ripe,  so 
as  to  be  completely  washed  off  by 
successive  rains. 

35.  Trees  in  Rocky  Soil. — I  have  apiece 
oj  ground  about  two  acres,  too  stony 
to  break  and  clean  up.  Would  an  apple 
orchard  do  well  on  it  by  keeping  the 
ground  well  dug  and  free  from  weeds 
for  two  or  three  feet  around  the  trees 
for  a  few  years  ?  Soil,  loam  of  average 
quality  ;  situation,  high  and  dry. 

[R.,  Penetangiiishene.] 

Yes,  you  can  make  an  apple  orchard 
do  well  on  such    a  place,  only  it  will 


entail  more  labour.  The  wiiter  has 
some  two  or  three  hundred  apple  trees 
on  the  north  side  of  the  Niagara  Es- 
carpment in  rough,  rocky,  clay  soil, 
and  they  are  growing  well. 

We  would  advise  you  to  dig  the 
holes  much  larger  every  way  than  the 
roots  require,  and  to  fill  in  with  fine, 
rich,  sandy  loam.  Then  under  the 
treatment  you  propose,  you  should 
succeed. 


EVAPORATORS. 

ANSWERS    BY   R.    .TOHNSOX,    SII0RT8VILLE,    X.    V. 

36.  Are  evaporators  much  used  ? 

[Geo.  McKee,  Orillia.] 
The  business  of  evajjorating  fruit  has 
assumed  such  lai'ge  importance  that 
the  highest  skill  has  been  exercised  to 
produce  the  best  machines  and  modes 
of  doing  the  work. 

37.  What  is  the  cost  of  an  evaporator? 

[G.  McK.] 

We  use  a  Trescott  machine,  made  at 
Fairport,  N.  Y.,  that  is  very  compact, 
easily  worked,  and  very  [)owerful ;  also 
safe  as  to  fire.  The  four-feet-square 
machines  will  do  50  to  60  bushels  of 
black  raspberries  in  24  lioui's.  Machine 
costs  $275. 

38.  What  fruits  are  profitably  evap- 
orated ?  [G.  McK.] 

Raspberries,  black  and  red,  black- 
berries, apples  and  peaches. 


39.  Canning  Factory. — Would  a  canning 
factory  pay  near  Orillia,  abundance  of 
fruit  being  grown  about  the  place  ? 

[G.  McK.] 

The  business  requires  experience — 
many  fail ;  is  sometimes  difficult  bo  dis- 
pose of  stock  ;  must  have  local  or  spe- 
cial markets.  [R.  .J.] 

Commission. —  What  is  the  usual  com- 
mission allowed  for  sale  of  fruits  ? 

[G.  McK.] 

IVIr.  Johnston  vrites  that  in  New 
York  State,  where  wholesaled  to  deal- 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


119 


ers,  the  commission  is  usually  5  per  ct. 
If  retailed,  10  per  ct.  •  In  Canada,  most 
commission  houses  charge  10  per  ct. 
for  wholesaling  fruit,  and  15  per  ct.  for 
retail  sales.  Perhaps,  as  the  quantity 
increases,  our  Canadian  houses  may  be 
able  to  lessen  their  charges. 

40.  Berry  Picker.  —  Where  can  it  he 
purcliased  ? 

Address  Mr.  J.  Benedict,  Dundee, 
N.  Y. 

The  machine  will  only  be  useful  for 
gathering  fruit  for  the  evaporator.  Its 
work  is  too  I'ough  to  be  used  where 
the  fruit  is  intended  for  market. 

41.  Sea-Kale. — /  should  like  to  grow 
some  Sect-Kale  in  my  garden,  knowing 
the  vegetable  well  in  England.  Can  the 
plants  be  got  in  Canada,  and  would  you 
give  me  some  hints  for  its  cultiration  f 

[Mrs.  W.  Townsexd,  Toronto.] 
Mr.  John  A.  Bruce,  Hamilton,  says  : 
"  Sea-Kale  is  a  delicious  vegetable, 
much  superior  to  Asparagus,  and  ought 
to  be  better  known.  We  used  to  grow 
plants  for  sale,  but  the  demand  was  so 
uncertain  and  limited  that  we  ceased, 
but  we  still  keep  the  seed.  It  should 
be  sowed  in  hills  one  foot  apart,  and 
thinned  to  four  inches.  When  one  year 
old  the  plants  should  be  transplanted 
into  hills  eighteen  inches  apart,  and 
three  plants  to  a  hill.  On  approach  of 
frost,  cover  about  two  feet  thick  with 
dried  leaves.  It  is  fit  for  use  when  the 
stidks  are  about  four  inches  long  and 
thoroughly  blanched." 

42.  London  Purple.— /s  this  as  danger- 
ous to  use  as  Paris  Green  ? 

[G.  E.  L.,  Centerville,  N.  S.] 
No,  it  is  not  quite  as  dangerous  a 
poison,  and  it  is  easier  of  application 
because  soluble  in  water,  while  Paris 
Green  is  not,  the  particles  of  which  can 
only  be  kept  in  suspension  by  frequent 
stirring.  But  it  is  difficult  to  procure 
an  even  grade  of  London  Purple. 

43.  Ants. — Should  they  he  destroyed  in 
the  orchard.  a.  C.  McD.,  Dunlop. 


These  industrious  little  workers  are 
are  quite  harmless.  Some  people  ac- 
cuse them  of  bringing  the  aphides  to  the 
cheri-y  trees,  but,  instead,  it  is  the  ap- 
hides which  attract  the  ants,  by  reason 
the  sweet  juice  they  exude.  Entomolo- 
gists tells  us  that  the  ants  actually  milk 
the  aphides  for  this  sweet  juice,  for 
which  reason,  they  are  called  the  ant's 
cows. 

44.  t  hosphates.  —  Hoio  coidd  ravj 
ground  phosphates  be  obtained  in  Ham- 
iltmi,  at  what  rate,  and  what  would  be 
considered  a  fair  dressing  per  acre  for 
grass,  grain,  or  small  fruits  ? 

J.   P.  Mdir,  Hamilton. 

As  far  as  we  know,  the  raw  phos- 
phates are  not  offered  for  sale  in  Can- 
ada. In  Chicago  they  are  offered  at 
.$25  to  S35  per  ton.  The  phosphates 
of  commercial  fertiliezrs  have  one  ad- 
vantage over  the  rock,  viz.,  they  are 
more  easily  dissolved  in  the  soil  water, 
by  reason  of  the  sulphuric  acid  with 
which  they  have  been  treated. 

45.  Quart  Boxes. — Canyou  tell meif  there 
are  any  berry  boxes  made  in  Ontario  that 
will  hold  a  quart  ?  Why  do  not  Can- 
adian manufacturers  advertise  in  the 
Canadian  Horticulturist.  w.  E. 

There  is  a  basket  factory  at  Oakville, 
one  at  Grimsby  and  one  at  Jordan,  but 
do  not  know  that  any  one  of  them 
make  the  quart  size.  Perhaps  one  of 
the  firms  will  take  the  hint,  and  adver- 
tize, that  we  may  know  what  they  are 
doing. 

46.  Plums. — What  is  the  average  yield 
per  tree  ?         [G.  W.  Cline,  Winona,  Ont.] 

There  are  many  diffei'ent  kinds  of 
plums  and  each  are  diffei'ent  in  growth 
and  bearing.  Lombard  and  Victoria 
avei'age  about  5  baskets,  ti-ees  10  years 
old  ;  Columbian,  6  to  ^8  ;  Gen.  Hand, 
6  to  8 ;  Yellow  Egg,  about  the  same  ; 
Washington.  5  ;  Golden  Gage,  5  ;  Bo- 
hemian Prune,  6  to  8  ;  Duanes  Pur- 
ple, 5  ;  Smith's  Orleans,  4  or  5  ;  Brad- 


120 


THE    CANADIAN    H0RTI0DLTDRI8T. 


shaw,  same,  or  sometimes  will  run  8  ; 
Imperial  Gage,  4  to  5.    There  are  about 

y)umorous. 

30  or  40  different  varieties  good  to  plant, 
and  a  good  few  of  no  use  whatever,  ex- 
cept to  fill  the  nurseryman's  pocket. 

De])arting,  I  had  clipped  a  curl, 
That  o'er  her  lirow  did  hang  ; 

She,  smiling  said  :  "You're  like  a  gun, 
"You  go  off  with  a  'bang.'  " 

At  which  I  pressed  her  lips  and  cried  : 
"For  punning  you've  a  knack  ; 

^ebkto. 

We  tmll  gladly  gine  our  candid  oinnion  of  any  hooks, 
magazines  or  catalogues  received,  especially  if  they 
are  likely  to  interest  or  benefit    Canadian  fruit 
growers,  but  will  not  insert  cut  and  dried  reading 
notices  in  fav^r  c^f  any  publication  whatever. 

But  now  I'm  like  a  fisherman, 
I  go  off  with  a  'smack.'  " 

—  Wilmington  Star. 

NOT  EVEN  A  FIG  LEAF  ON  THE  TREES. 

The  Report  of  The  Michigan  Horticultural 
Society  1886.  A  magnicent  work  of  572 
pages,  compiled  by  Mr.  C.  W.  Garfield, 
the  indefatigable  and  energetic  Secre- 
tary. It  is  nicely  bound  in  cloth,  and 
contains  not  only  the  Society  report, 
but  also  much  of  the  cream  of  the  dis- 
cussions at  auxiliary  as  well  as  National 
sister  societies.  The  Secretary's  Port- 
folio too  is  invaluable. 

Descriptive  List  of  Greenhouse,  Window 
and  Bedding  Plants  grown  and  for  sale 
by  J.  P.  Cockburn,  Gravenhurst,  Ont. 

Seed  Annual,  D.  M.  Ferry  &  Co.,  Wind- 
sor, Ont.,  18S7.  A  most  complete 
catalogue  of  both  vegetables  and  flowers. 

George  Leslie  &  Son's  Illustrated  Descrip- 
tive Catalogue  of  Fruit  Trees,  Ornamen- 
tal Trees,  Shrubs,  Roses  &c.  Leslie 
P.  O.  Ont. 

Prize  Offer.  A  circular  from  Fonthill 
Nurseries  offering  a  first  prize  of  $50 
at  Industrial  Exliibition  Toronto,  in 
ftill  of  18'JU  for  best  three  clusters  of 
Moore's  Diamond  Grape. 


On  Emperor  William's  birthday, 
it  is  said  that  one  poor  woman  left  at 
the  door  of  the  palace  a  small  bunch  of 
flowers  with  a  petition  praying  for  the 
pardon  of  her  husband  who  was  in 
prison.  The  flowei-s  and  the  petition 
were  placed  in  a  position  where  they 
could  attract  the  Emperor's  attention. 
The  petition  was  granted. 


Mrs.  Tootoo — "  Now,  Charlie,  you're 
really  not  going  to  bring  Mr.  Early 
home  with  you  at  this  season  of  the 
year  1 " 

Mr.  Tootoo — "  Why,  of  course,  dear. 
Why  not  ] " 

"  Because  evei-y  thing  looks  so  bare  ! 
Why,  even  the  limbs  of  the  trees  have 
nothing  on  them  !  " 

"  That's  so ;  1  never  thought  of  that. 
But  I'll  send  up  some  garden  hose  I  saw 
advertised,  and  I  guess  you  can  make 
them  presentable." 

The  wind  is  always  blowing  about 
something,  but  there  is  nothing  in  it. 

Brown  :  "  Hello,  Jones  !  How's 
your  wife]"  Jones  (a  little  deaf): 
'•  Very  blustering  and  disagi'eable  this 
morning." — E.  S.  Agriculturist. 

Old  Mr.  Bently  (reading  the  paper) 
— "  I  see  that  in  a  I'ecent  storm  at  sea 
a  ship  loaded  with  passengers  went 
ashore."  Old  Mi-s.  Bently  (placidly) 
— "  How  fortunate  !  I  can  imagine  just 
how  glad  those  passengers  must  have 
been  to  get  on  dry  land. " 

"  The  car  is  full  of  alumni,"  whispered 
Miss  Beaconstreet  to  her  friend  fi-om 
the  West,  as  they  both  journeyed  Cam- 
bridgeward  in  the  horsecar.  "  Yes," 
said  the  Chicago  girl,  '-and  how  it 
chokes  one  up,  don't  it?  I  wonder 
they  do  not  open  the  ventilators." 


PRINTED   AT  THK   STEAM   PRESS    KSTABLISHMKNT   OF  THE   COPP,    CLARK   COMPANY  (LIMITED),    TORONTO. 


^ 


H- 


^be 


Canabian 

Dorticultudet 


Published   at   Toi^onto   and    Ge\i_msby,    Ont. 
OFFICE  ADDRESS— GRIMSBY,  ONT. 


VOL.  X. 


JUNE,  1887. 


[No.  6. 


J^Iclners. 


LILIES. 
The  Lily  fair,  so  richly  drest 

In  jewelled  robes  bedecked  with  gold, 
Still  teaches  in  its  royal  vest 

The  same  sweet  lesson  as  of  old. 

Where  Western  streams  like  coursers  run, 
And  Eastern  vales  in  verdure  lie, 

It  spreads  its  glories  to  the  sun. 
And  lifts  its  chalice  to  the  sky. 

And  gathered  in  from  every  land, 
From  vaUey,  hill  and  mountain  glen. 

Its  ranks  in  regal  splendor  stand, 
.cVnd  glorify  the  homes  of  men. 

Its  fragrance  still  from  age  to  age, 
Shall  breathe  to  all  the  blessed  line, 

That  stands  on  inspiration's  page. 

And  bids  us  trust  the  power  divixk. 

Mj's.  Perkins  in  The  Mayflower. 

Perhaps  no  family  of  flowers  has 
attracted  so  much  admiration,  from  old 
and  young  in  all  ages  as  the  Liliaceae. 
No  wonder  that  !Mrs.   Lincoln  in   her 


introductory  lectures  to  the  Linnean 
system  of  Botany  chose  the  Lily  as  her 
model  flower ;  the  parts  are  all  so  per- 
fect and  so  easily  distinguished.  No 
wonder  either  that  the  inspired  writers 
of  old  selected  the  white  lily  as  a  type 
of  purity  and  excellence ;  or  that  the 
Great  Teacher  himself  called  the  atten- 
tion of  over  anxious  humanity  to  the 
beauty  of  this  flower,  which,  without 
toiling  or  spinning,  was  clothed  by  its 
Creator  in  array  so  beautiful  that  even 
a  Solomon  in  his  magnificent  regal  robes 
could  not  compare  with  it ;  an  object 
lesson,  teaching  his  hearers  more  im- 
plicit confidence  in  Divine  Providence. 

To  this  family  belongs  the  Adder's- 
tongue  of  our  woods  so  often  miscalled 
Violet,  the  stately  Yucca,  the  humble 
Lily-of-the-Valley,  the  Star-of-Bethle- 
hem,  and  the  Day-Lily :  and  beside, 
such  natives,  it  also  includes  the  Tulips 
the  Crown  Imperial,  the  Hyacinth  and 


122 


THE   CANADIAN    H0KTICULTUBI8T. 


the  Tuberose.  The  Calla,  though  beau- 
tiful  enough  to  be  a  member  of  this 
family  is  totally  distinct,  being  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Arum  family,  of  which  the 
Indian  Turnip  and  the  Skunk  Cabbage 
are  familiar  examples. 

Of  the  genus  Lilium,  we  have  two  or 
three  native  species  all  valuable  for  our 
flower  gardens  and  offered  for  sale  by 
our  Florists,  but  procurable  in  their 
native  haunts  by  any  lover  of  wild 
flowers,  viz ; — the  Wild  Orange  Red 
Lily  ( L.  Philadelphicum),  the  Wild 
Yellow  Lily  ( L.  Canadense),  and  the 
Turk's  Cap  Lily  {L.  Superhum). 

Besides  these,  most  florists  offer  for 
sale  some  forty  or  fifty  varieties  of  cul- 
tivated species,  and  also  numerous  sub- 
varieties,  all  of  great  beauty  and  excel- 
lence. Among  the  Japan  Lilies,  the 
Gold-Banded,  [Lilium  auratum)  shown 
to  the  left  in  our  coloured  plate,*  has 
become  exceedingly  popular.  H.  T. 
Williams,  editor  of  the  Horticulturist 
(New  York),  1869,  p.  240,  said  of  it : 
— "  This  species  of  Lily  cannot  fail  to 
become  one  of  our  most  popular  flowers. 
Its  magnificent  size,  great  beauty,  and, 
above  all,  its  peerless  fragrance,  surpass 
all  of  the  same  species  we  have  yet  met^ 
When  the  price  can  be  brought  down 
to  50c.  instead  of  $L50  or  $2 — -the  sales 
must  be  counted  by  hundreds  of  thou- 
sands, instead  of,  as  now,  by  thousands 
only." 

But,  now  that  this  has  come  to  pass, 
and  a  dozen  can  be  purchased  at  the 
former  price  of  a  single  bxilb,  we  fear 
that  this  variety  is  less  sought  than  it 
should  be,  simply  because  it  is  no  longer 


a  novelty.  When  will  the  day  come 
in  which  we  shall  have  learned  to  value 
both  flowers  and  fruits,  not  upon  the 
score  of  novelty,  but  wholly  upon  the 
ground  of  their  absolute  and  intrinsic 
merits  ? 

We  leave  the  subject  of  the  care  and 
cultivation  of  the  Lily  to  be  treated  in 
a  future  number  by  our  esteemed  con- 
tributor, Mr.  Hermann  Simmers. 

POND    LILIES    DOMESTICATED. 

At  the  New  York  State  Experimen- 
tal Station,  says  the  Xew  England 
Farmer,  there  is  a  barrel  cut  down  to 
convenient  size,  and  then  set  in  a  hole 
dug  in  the  earth  upon  a  corner  of  the 
lawn.  The  top  of  the  barrel  is  just 
level  with  the  surface  of  the  lawn.  It 
has  about  four  inches  of  river  mud  in 
the  bottom,  in  which  were  planted  a  few 
roots  of  the  common  white  pond  lily. 
The  barrel  was  then  filled  with  water 
and  is  kept  full  from  a  faucet  in  the 
aqueduct  pipe,  the  water  being  turned  on 
as  often  as  necessary.  The  barrel  has 
been  a  beautiful  miniature  pond  of 
white  lilies  all  through  the  season. 

In  the  fall,  after  the  weather  gets 
cold,  the  barrel  or  tub  is  removed  to  the 
cellar,  where  it  is  protected  from  freez- 
ing, and  where  the  roots  of  the  lilies 
will  be  kept  in  conditions  similar  to 
what  they  would  be  surrounded  with, 
in  their  natural  state.  There  can  be 
nothing  more  charming  in  the  way  of 
fl.owers  on  a  lawn  than  a  small  pond  of 
water  lilies,  blooming  daily  the  whole 
summer  through.  Of  course,  the  bai*- 
rel  must  be  set  where  teams  and  persons 
would  not  walk  into  it  by  day  or  night. 
If  the  tub  is  tight,  the  trouble  of  keep- 
ing it  supplied  with  water  will  not  be 
great  on  any  lawn. — Floral  Instructor. 


*  Note.— The  other  lilies  represented  in  the  frontispiece  are i.  Lancifolium  rubmn  3.nd  L.  Lanci/olium  album. 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


123 


NEW  ROSES. 

BT  FREDERICK   MITCHRLL,    INNERKIP,    OST. 

As  YOU  invited  me  to  give  my 
opinions  on  the  latest  novelties  in  roses 
before  the  meeting  of  the  Fruit  Grow- 
ers, held  in  Fe"'  ruary  last  in  Chatham  ; 
and  as  I  failed  to  attend  that  meeting, 
])erhaps  a  few  notes  i  n  the  subject 
would  not  be  out  of  place  in  the 
columns  of  our  magazine. 

This  season  has  not  been  as  prolific 
as  usual  ia  the  production  of  much- 
lauded  varieties.  The  rose  that  has 
created  the  gieAtest  /uro7-e  in  the  rose 
world,  is  a  Tea,  and  is  called 

"  THE    BRIDE." 

Mine  has  not  yet  bloomed,  but  I  have 
seen  it  in  bloom  elsewhere.  I  do  not 
like  to  say  very  much  in  favor  of  a 
rose  of  which  I  have  had  so  short  an 
acquaintance,  but  I  certainly  think  that 
this  rose  has  come  to  stay.  It  is  white, 
and  in  the  style  of  Catharine  Mermet. 
I  do  not  consider  the  buds  or  blooms 
to  be  quite  rqual  in  value  to  that  fine 
old  white  Tea  rose  Niphetos,  but  is 
apjjai'ently  far  ahead  of  it  in  growth 
and  vigour  of  jilant.  I  will  write 
again  of  this  rose  as  soon  as  I  have  had 
more  acquaintance  with  it,  but  from 
what  I  have  already  seen  of  it  T  have 
the  best  of  hopes  for  its  future. 

SOUVENIR    DE    VICTOR    HUGO 

is  another  new  Tea  that  some  of  nur- 
serymen are  trying  to  boom  this  spring. 
I  have  it  in  bloom  at  the  present  time. 
I  have  not  yet  seen  anything  about  it 
to  specially  commend  it.  In  colour  it 
is  a  blending  of  cream  and  pink,  nearly 
of  the  same  shade  as  that  best  of  all 
roses  for  the  amateur,  Marie  Yan 
Houtte.  Although  it  may  turn  out  to 
be  a  good  rose,  I  do  not  see  anything 
sutficiently  marked  about  it  to  make  it 
an  acquisition,  or  even  to  save  it  from 
the  genei'al  oblivion  into  which  so 
many  new  roses  sink  after  the  first 
year  or  two  of  their  existence. 


PERLE    D     OR 

is  a  new  Polyantha  for  which  great 
things  are  claimed.  I  have  it  in  bloom. 
It  is  not  nearly  such  a  rich  unique 
colour  as  it  is  claimed  to  be.  It  is 
nearly  of  a  salmon  colour  when  first 
opening,  but  fades  very  quickly  to  a 
shabby-looking  dead  white.  It  is  much 
too  large  for  a  Polyantha,  and  has  none 
of  the  beautiful  irregularity  in  shape 
found  in  Paguerette  and  others  of  this 
class.  The  best  thing  about  it  is  its 
rich  Tea  j^erfume. 

Since  I  wrote  in  the  September  num- 
ber of  The  Horticulturist  there  has 
been  but  little  opportunity  to  study 
the  merits  of  out-door  roses.  As  to 
the  Hybrid  Tea, 

WILLIAM    FRANCIS    BENNETT, 

of  which  I  wrote  somewhat  disparg- 
ingly,  I  have  nothing  to  take  back,  buc 
still  hold  that  for  the  amateur  at  least 
it  is  not  even  a  third-rate  ix)se.  I 
notice  that  some  of  the  leading  Ameri- 
can nurserymen  who  last  year  boomed 
it  as  perhaps  rose  was  never  boomed 
before,  have  this  year  dropped  it  from 
their  catalogue  altogether.  I  have 
nothing  to  add  to  my  remarks  on  other 
new  roses  mentioned  in  the  article  re- 
ferred to,  but  will  take  them  up  again 
as  soon  as  they  again  commence  to 
bloom. 


WATER  AND  BOG  PLANTS. 

Mr.  W.  a.  Manda,  of  Cambridge 
Botanic  Gardens,  is  writing  a  series  of 
articles  to  the  American  Garden,  on 
"  Our  Native  Plants."  He  gives  a  list 
of  bog  plants  which  may  be  made  very 
useful  to  the  cultivator  for  beautifying 
streams,  or  unsightly  marshy  places,  or 
for  which  an  artificial  place  might  be 
l)repared  in  the  lowest  part  of  the  gar- 
den. 

These  plants  may  be  propagated  from 
the  seed  or  by  root  division.  A  good 
\\'ay  to  sow  the  seed  of 


124 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


WATER-LILIES 

in  a  pond,  is  to  put  the  seeds  in  a  small 
ball  of  clay,  and  then  drop  them  into 
the  water.  One  and  a-half  feet  of  water 
in  summer,  or  less,  is  sufficient  to  ])ro- 
duce  the  best  results,  while  deeper 
water  is  an  excellent  protection  from 
frost  in  winter. 


The  beautiful  large  Water  Lily 
(Nymphfea  Odorata),  so  common  in 
ponds  and  inlets  of  Lake  Ontario,  is 
certainly  the  most  charming  of  our  na- 
tive water  plants.  It  grows  in  gi-eat 
abundance  near  the  Gi-imsby  Park,  and 
many  a  boating  excursion  is  made  by 
parties  of  young  men  and  maidens  to 
the  pond  where  these  lovely  water 
nymphs  abound.  The  rosea,  or  rose- 
coloui-ed  variety,  we  have  not  noticed 
in  Canada,  nor  the  species  JV.  tuberosa 
which  Mr.  Manda  describes  as  having 
"  very  large  leaves,  usually  standing 
straight  above  the  water,  while  the 
flowers, which  often  measure  nine  inches 
in  diameter,  are  snow  white."  Perhaps 
some  of  our  readers  may  have  been  more 
observant. 

The  Yellow  Water  Lily  is  quite  com- 
mon, especially  Nupliar  advena,  but  is 
not  so  captivating.  Mr.  Manda  speaks 
of  several  other  varieties  of  the  Yellow 
Water  Lily,  viz.  :  N.  lutPAim,  which 
has  floating  leaves  and  yellow  flowers  : 
N.  sag'ittifolium,vf\\\ch  hasarrow-shaped 
leaves  and  flowers  of   bright  yellow^; 


and  the  western  N.  polysepalum,  which 
has  the  largest  flowers  of  this  genus. 
We  should  be  pleased  to  hear  wliether 
any  of  these,  except  the  tirst,  are  known 
in  Canada. 

The  Caltha  palustris,  or  Marsh  Mari- 
gold, which  Mr.  Manda  commends  as 
ornamental  with  its  large,  numerous 
golden  flowers  is  quite  common  here. 
Just  now,  on  the  1  2th  of  May,  it  is  in 
its  full  glory  in  our  swamps.  The 
other  day,  when  out  for  a  ramble  in  the 
woods,  we  came  suddenly  upon  a  little 
stream  dotted  with  these  bold,  showy 
plants.  The  children  scieamed  with 
delight  at  the  discovery,  and  as  a  me- 
morial of  the  trip,  one  of  them  now 
decorates  a  shady  spot  in  the  garden, 
with  its  bright  yellow  goblets. 


MONEY  IN  FLOWERS. 

The  following  from  the  pen  of  an 
intimate  friend  (Mr.  Goldie),  himself  a 
gi'eat  florist,  goes  to  prove  that  there  is 
in  money  in  flowers.  Writing  on  the 
6th  April,  he  says  :— "  I  returned  last 
week  from  a  visit  to  New  York  and 
Boston,  and  had  a  good  time  amongst 
some  of  my  old  gardening  friends,  and 
oh  !  such  fine  flowers  as  I  saw.  Or- 
chids of  almost  unearthly  beauty. 
Roses — and  such  roses  ! — as  large  as 
coflTee  cups  ;  and  many  other  flowers 
too  numerous  to  mention.  It  would 
astonish  any  one  not  used  to  such 
things,  to  hear  of  the  amount  paid  for 
flowers.  In  New  York,  when  any 
grand  pai'ty  takes  place,  the  flower 
decoration  often  costs  them  from  $500 
to  $5,000.  In  fact  I  heard  of  one 
wedding  party  that  cost  $7,000  for 
flowers  alone.  What  would  Canadians 
think  of  that  ?" 

I  need  not  say  that  people  there  make 
their  money  more  easily  than  we  do. 
Marriage  in  New  York  seems  to  be  an 
expensive  thing.  If  I  thought  the  peo- 
ple of  Moi-risburg  would  ever  be  affect- 
ed with  the  flower  fever,  even  to  half 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


125 


the  extent  of  the  above,  I  would  hesi- 
tate to  give  up  Sunny&ide. — J.  C .  in  an 
exchange. 


CULTIVATION  OF  THE  P/EONY. 

BY    HERMANN   SIMMERS,    TORONTO. 

P.EONY  Chinensis,  oi*  Chinese  Pje- 
ony  is  another  valuable  permanent  ad- 
dition to  the  flower  garden,  and  one 
might  say  indispensable,  as  there  is  no 
plant  flowering  during  this  month  that 
I'equires  so  little  attention.  The  ama- 
teur may  not  notice,  under  the  above 
heading,  that  this  is  the  ordinary  plant 
very  often  termed  Red  Piny,  but  the 
above  is  the  correct  botanical  name. 
The  amateur  also  may  not  be  awai-e 
that  the  Pseonies  have  almost  as  great 
a  variety  of  colours  as  the  Rose,  with 
a  somewhat  similar  fragrance  ;  I  have 
had  many  people  mistake  them  for 
very  large  Roses,  when  a  bouquet 
has  been  made  up  of  partially  opened 
flowers.  The  Ptieonies  of  late  years 
have  been  very  much  improved  in  va- 
riety of  colours,  and  now  the  colours 
vary  from  }Hire  white  to  light  and  dark 
pink,  pink  and  white  variegated,  etc., 
all  exquisitely  fragrant,  which  is  not  the 
case  with  the  ordinary  dark  red  variety. 
The  best  season  of  the  year  for  plant- 
ing, in  my  experience,  has  been  from 
the  middle  of  October  imtil  frost  comes. 
Almost  any  soil  will  grow  them  suc- 
cessfully. The  great  disadvantage  in 
planting  in  the  spring  is  that  the  warm 
weather  comes  on  us  so  very  rapidly 
that  the  stems  ap})ear  above  ground 
before  the  amateur  thinks  of  planting. 
By  planting  in  the  fall,  they  flower 
easily  the  following  summer.  Pro])a- 
gation  is  by  division  of  roots,  which 
may  easily  be  done  by  cutting  the  heart 
of  the  root,  together  with  an  eye  or  bud 
and  as  much  of  the  roots  as  can  bo  con- 
veniently spared.  In  my  estimation 
there  is  no  more  easily  grown,  and  more 
satisfactory  plant  than  the  Poeony.  I 
would  suggest  not  to  always  grow  the 


common  dark  red  variety,  but  to  choose 
the  lighter  coloui-s,  which  are  oftener 
the  newer  varieties.  Another  advan- 
tage is  that,  as  yet,  this  plant  has  not 
been  attacked  by  insects  of  any  kind,  the 
stems  and  leaves  being  of  a  harder  sub- 
stance, does  not  suit  the  palate  of  the 
insects. 


Chrysaxthemum  Culture. — "Ama- 
teur," in  Popular  Gardening,  gives  the 
following  rules  for  Summer  Care  of 
these  i^opular  plants,  viz.  : — 

(1)  Never  keep  them  in  doors  when 
they  can  possibly  be  in  the  open  air. 

(2)  Never  let  them  became  pot  bound 
until  they  have  budded  to  bloom. 

(3)  Never  shift  immediately  after 
nijiping 

(4)  Never  let  them  stay  dry. 

(5)  Never  let  them  want  food. 

(6)  Give  them  plenty  of  sun  and  not 
too  much  wind. 

(7)  Pinch  freely. 

(8)  For  fine  flowers,  rub  ofi"  three  out 
of  five,  and  toward  fall  all  that  may  ap- 
pear. 


Jfiitits. 


FRUIT  PACKAGES. 

In  growing  FRUITS  for  shipping  to 
city  markets,  it  is  a  great  mistake  to 
postpone  the  pui-chase  of  barrels,  crates 
and  baskets,  until  the  time  approaches 
when  they  are  positively  needed.  It 
is  already  high  time  to  secure  crates 
and  baskets  for  the  strawberry  crop,  for 
before  the  end  of  the  present  month, 
there  will  be  business  enough  in  gather- 
ing and  marketing  the  fruit,  without 
any  solicitude  concerning  a  sufficient 
supply  of  baskets.  Indeed,  we  who 
live  on  the  south  shore  of  Lake  Onta- 
rio, usually  begin  shipping  strawberries 
about  the  20th  of  June. 

For  many  j'ears  fruit  growers  in  Ca- 
nada used  the  wooden  crate  holding  54 


126 


THE  CANADIAN   HORTICULTURIST. 


quarts,  for  packing  their  small   fruits 
for  shipping.     It   served  an   excellent 


54-QUART   BERRY    CRATE. 

purpose,  and  was  very  popular.  Bat 
there  was  a  difficulty  in  getting  them 
promptly  returned,  and  often  many  of 
them  would  go  astray.  It  was  also  a 
great  deal  of  trouble  to  the  fruit  mer- 
chant to  collect  from  his  customers  the 
quart  baskets,  so  as  to  retui-n  them 
safely  to  the  shipper,  as  he  was  in  duty 
bound  to  do.  The  careful  packer,  too, 
found  that  after  two  or  three  trips  the 
wooden  crate  became  much  racked,  and 
the  baskets  inside  so  soiled  as  to  de- 
ti-act  veiy  much  from  the  appearance 
of  the  fruit. 

The  plan  of  using 

GIFT    PACKAGES, 

made  possible  during  the  past  two  or 
three  years  by  the  introduction  of  new 
machinery  into  our  basket  factories, 
has  grown  more  and  more  popular  in 
Canada. 

First  the  little  baskets  were  offered 
cheap  enough  to  be  given  away  with 
the  fruit,  and  now  the  crate  itself  is 
offered  in  the  same  way. 


To  a  Grimsby  fruit-grower  belongs 
the  honor  of  devising  a  basket-crate, 
which  is  rapidly  superceding 
every  other  package  for  small 
fruits,  and  which  is  now  being 
manufactui-ed  by  Mr.  W.  B. 
Chisholm,  of  Oakville,  as  well  as 
at  Grimsby. 

This  basket-crat  ^  holds  twenty- 
f^ur  quart  baskets,  and  is  now 
offered  for  sale  at  so  reasonable 
a  price  that  it  may  be  given 
away  with  the  fruit.  This  greatly 
facilitates  trade,  and  the  distri- 
bution of  small  fruits  to  distant 
points  all  over  our  Province. 

Another  advantage  of  this 
crate  is  its  handle.  Express  mes- 
sengers are  not  always  careful, 
and  a  heavy  box  gets  many  a 
toss,  or  fall,  which  a  lighter 
crate  would  naturally  escape, 
espe^^ially  if  it  is  provided  with  a 
handle.     The  cover  of  the  basket-crate 


24-QUART   SHIPPPIKG    BERRY    BASKET. 

is  usually  fastened  on  with  a  piece  of 
wire  or  tin  drawn  over  it  near  each 
end  ;  but  if  a  more  secure  way  could  be 
planned  of  fastening  the  cover  to  hold 
the  fruit  more  snugly,  so  that  it  could 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


127 


not  move  in  the  least,  it  would  be  still 
more  satisfactory. 

The  addi'ess  may  be  put  on  with  a 
tag,  or  by  means  of  a  stencil.  Our 
habit  is  to  use  a  stencil  for  the  names 
of  both  consignor  and  consignee ;  as 
when  so  marked  the  address  cannot  be 
lost  or  obscured,  and  is  seen  at  a  glance. 
A  stencil,  with  name  and  address,  can 
be  cut  in  tin  by  almost  any  tinsmith, 
if  it  is  not  convenient  to  order  one 
from  those  who  make  a  business  of 
their  manufacture ;  and  all  that  is 
needed  in  using  it  is  a  box  of  blacking 
and  blacking-brush. 


FIELD    BASKET. 

The  carrier,  or  field-basket,  is  also  a 
very  useful  article  in  berxy-picking 
season.  Each  picker  is  provided  with 
one  of  these,  by  means  of  which  he  can 
carry  safely  six  quai'ts  of  fruit  at  one 
time  to  the  packing  house,  without 
danger  of  tipping  or  spilling. 

In  another  number  we  may  speak  of 
packages  which  are  suitable  for  our 
other  fruits.  In  the  meantime  we  shall 
be  pleased  to  hear  the  experience  of 
the  i-eaders  of  this  Journal  in  the  use 
of  packages  for  fruits. 


Packing  Pears. — The  French,  who 
export  more  peai-s  than  any  other  na- 
tion, cover  the  inside  of  the  boxes  with 
spongy  paper  or  dry  moss,  which  ab- 
sorbs the  moisture.  Each  pear  is  then 
wrapped  in  soft  paper,  and  placed  in 
layers  in  the  boxes,  the  largest  and 
least  mature  in  the  bottom,  filling  all 
interstices  with  the  dry  moss.  Thus 
they  will  keep  a  monih  or  more.  They 
are  so  packed  that  they  canno:  touch 


each  other,  and  all  motion  is  prevented. 
If  one  decays  the  others  are  not  harmed. 
— Gardners^  Chronicle. 


BLACK  GRAPES  AT  CLARENCEVILLE,  QUE. 

Br   WM.    MEAD   PATTISO.V,    CLARENCEVILLE,    QUE. 

As  my  contribution  in  May  number 
of  last  year  was  confined  to  the  newest 
white  grapes,  I  will  now  take  up  re- 
cently introduced  black,  as  far  as  tested 
at  this  place.  From  an  acquaintance 
with  most  of  the  grape  propagators  in 
the  United  States,  I  am  enabled  to  ob- 
tain for  trial  any  new  variety  likely  to 
be  adapted  to  this  Province  somewhat 
in  advance  of  their  inti-oduction  for  sale 
to  the  public.  Consequently,  the  vari- 
eties touched  on  here  will  mostly  be 
new  to  readers  of  The  Horticulturist, 
but  will  give  them  a  knowledge  of  some 
perhaps  destined  to  come  into  general 
cultivation  in  Canada  in  a  few  years. 

On  black  grapes  in  years  past,  found 
of  more  or  less  value  to  us  in  the  north, 
we  are  indebted  to  Bull,  Rogers,  Rick- 
etts,  Worden,  Moore,  Dr.  Grant,  Mil- 
ler, Rommel,  Ives,  Steel,  Underhill  and 
Garber  of  the  States  ;  Arnold  and  Demp- 
sey  of  Canada,  most  of  whom  obtained 
their  successes  by  artificial  hybridizing. 
But  John  Burr,  of  Kansas,  U.  S.,  has 
experimented  in  a  new  direction  by 
grouping  the  vaiieties  intended  to  be 
crossed,  relying  on  natural  fertilization, 
and  selecting  for  propagation  the  lai-gest 
and  best  matured  seed  from  the  best 
fruit  in  the  "  group." 

A  very  important  point  has  been 
gained  by  Mr.  Burr's  long  study  and 
pei-sistent  labours  in  producing  foliage 
resisting  our  trying  climatic  changes 
and  frost,  obtaining  at  the  same  time 
grapes  of  a  superior  flavor  and  earliness. 
Of  his  varieties  worthy  of  our  trial  as 
soon  as  they  ai-e  offered  to  the  public, 
I  have  found  three  of  great  promise,  viz.: 

"  Standard,"  a  black  grape  of  me- 
dium bunch  and  berry,  not  comparable 
in  size  to  the  showy  fruit  of  Roger's 


128 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


well-known  blacks,  but  far  superior  to 
them  in  quality,  more  of  the  character 
of  the  Delaware. 

"Ideal,"  of  same  description,  is 
judged  by  some  as  superior  to  the  Dela- 
ware, the  standard  for  high  flavour. 

"  Jewel  "  surpasses  his  Early  Victor 
in  earliness,  quality  and  size.  In  view 
of  the  encomiums  passed  on  these  new 
grapes  by  such  authority  as  Coleman's 
Rural  World,  their  trial  here  is  watched 
with  a  great  deal  of  interest. 

"  jS'orwood  "  originated  at  a  place  of 
that  name  in  Mass.,  U.  S.  ;  bore  here 
last  summer  clusters  of  great  size  and 
beauty,  ripening  a  few  days  earlier  than 
Concord,  and  superior  to  it  in  size  and 
quality.  The  fruit  at  time  of  writing, 
February  12,  is  well  preserved,  a  point 
of  great  consideration  in  its  favoui". 

"  KocKLAND  Favorite  "  (from  Ell- 
want;  er  and  Bai-ry),  a  new  Concord 
seedling,  till  last  year  was  viewed  with 
some  misgivings.  It  has  proved,  how- 
ever, to  be  an  enormous  bearer,  carrying 
the  heaviest  bunches  in  my  vinery. 
Some  earlier  and  a  trifle  better  than  its 
parent.  Early  in  the  season  fully  one- 
third  the  clusters  were  removed  ;  even 
then  it  showed  a  slight  tendency  to 
drop  its  berry  when  fully  ripe,  which 
was  attributable  to  overtaskingthe  vine. 

"Peabody"  (Ricketts')  came  fully 
up  to  its  oi'iginator's  description,  viz.  : 
"  Hai  dy  ;  bunch,  medium  to  large  ; 
berry,  size  of  '  lona  ' ;  black,  with  blue 
bloom ;  flesh  tender,  juicy,  red  and 
sprightly."     Ripened  with  Concord. 

"  Belvidere  "  has  for  some  years 
proved  early  and  very  productive  here  ; 
quality  only  fair.  From  the  size  of  the 
bunch  it  takes  readily  in  market,  though 
it  needs  to  be  picked  just  as  soon  as 
ripe,  or  it  drops  its  berry. 

"  Early  Victor  "  (Burr)  cannot  be 
classed  as  an  early,  but  a  medium  early 
variety.  Its  maturity  in  a  gi-eat  mea- 
sure depends  on  I'emoval  of  a  good  pro- 
portion of  its  clusters  soon  after  formed. 


It  is  yet  a  good  grape  for  home  use,  for 
table  or  wine. 

"Waverly"  (Rickett's)  is  one  of 
the  most  delicious  gi'apes  when  propei-ly 
cared  for.  Its  foliage  being  weak,  it 
only  matures  a  small  quantity  of  fruit 
for  home  use. 

"  Early  Dawn  "  though  earlier 
than  the  last,  has  the  same  trait,  qual- 
ity good,  but  a  poor  bearer ;  scarcely 
pays  for  cultivation. 

"  Burnett  "  (Dempsey)  did  not 
i-ipen  well  this  year  on  account  of  the 
very  unfavorable  season.  On  ordinary 
years  at  this  place  it  proves  valuable 
as  a  veiy  delicious  table  grape. 

"  Rommel's  Black  Delaware  Seed- 
ling "  bore  for  the  first  this  year  before 
Delaware,  with  which  it  compai-es 
favorably  in  size  and  qiiality. 

"  Florence,"  comes  next  to  Cham- 
pion in  earliness,  is  superior  in  quality, 
though  small,  and  holds  good  a  very 
short  time. 

Of  the  older  varieties 

"  Linden  "  (Miner)  is  of   no   value 

here,  as  the  fruit  when  ripe  is  too  acid, 

"  Othello  "    is    often    subject    to 

mildew,  and  its  fruit  at  best  is  indi  ffer 

ent  in  quality. 

"  Canada  "  the  birds  appropriate, 
and  with  the  two  above  are  to  be  dis- 
carded. 

"  Moore's  Early  "  though  good  in 
quality,  proves  with  us  an  unproductive 
and  slow  growing  variety. 

"  Worden"  is  growing  in  popularity 
yearly  and  must  take  the  place  of  Con- 
cord in  this  Province ;  it  is  quite  as 
vigorous  and  pi'oductive,  and  more  ap- 
preciated for  home  use  and  market. 

"  Eumelan  "  is  becoming  a  favoi'- 
ite  for  home  use.  It  is  now  twenty 
years  since  it  was  first  introduced  from 
the  Hudson.  Wherever  it  has  given 
dissatisfaction  it  may  be  traced  to  set- 
ting out  poor  and  enfeebled  plants  at 
the  start. 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTUKIST. 


129 


Aminia,  Wilder,  Essex,  Barry  and 
Herbert,  Rogers'  f\\mous  blacks,  are 
our  most  valuable  varieties,  when  we 
consider  their  fine  appearance  and  good 
keeping  qualities.  These  hybrids  should 
have  made  E.  S.  Rogers,  of  Roxbury, 
Mass.,  a  wealthy  man,  if  he  had  shown 
the  acuteness  of  the  introducers  of  the 
Niagara. 

For  commercial  purposes  grape  grow- 
ing is  not  entered  into  in  this  Province 
to  any  great  extent. 


SEEDLINGS  FROM  THE  NIAGARA  GRAPE. 

BY   D.    W.    BKADLE,   ST.   CATHARLNES,   OXT. 

Mr.  Geo.  W.  Campbell,  of  Ohio,  has 
been  raising  some  seedlings  from  the 
Niagara  grape,  and  thinks  that  many 
of  them  will  prove  to  be  more  valuable 
than  the  parent.  It  is  most  remarkable 
that  while  the  Niagai'a  has  a  very 
decided  foxy  smell  and  taste,  several  of 
the  seedlings  have  been  entirely  free 
from  this  fault,  and  seem  to  him  to  be 
better  in  flavor  than  the  parent.  The 
one  that  he  considers  to  be  thus  far  the 
most  promising  bears  a  large  handsome, 
oval  berry,  of  a  light  lemon  color,  and 
ripens  its  entire  crop  while  the  Niagara 
is  yet  hard  and  green. 

A  grape  of  such  earliness,  if  it 
possessed  the  requisite  hardiness  of  vine 
and  good  qualities  of  fruit,  woiild  be 
nmch  prized  in  many  parts  of  Canada. 
We  are  yet  in  the  infancy  of  grape 
culture.  Wondeiful  strides  have 
already  been  made  in  a  comparatively 
short  pei'iod  of  time,  but  the  coming 
ten  years  will  probably  give  us  grapes, 
of  higher  quality  which  will  ripen  in 
our  noi'thern  climate,  than  is  possessed 
by  any  we  ai'e  now  cultivating. 

What  are  our  producers  of  new  fruits 
doing  I  We  had  our  Arnold  and  Saun- 
ders and  Dempsey,  and  othei'S.  The 
first  named  of  these  is  living  on  the 
banks  of  the  river  that  flows  amid  the 
groves  of  tiiat  tree  which  yields  its  fruit 
every  month  ;  but  what  of  the  others  I 


Mr.  Bucke,  of  Ottawa,  is  in  just  the 
climate  where  by  careful  hybridizing  he 
should  raise  a  grape  as  hardy  as  the 
northern  pine,  and  as  luscious  as  any 
we  are  now  growing. 

I  have  two  vines  of  a  native  Russian 
grape.  They  ai-e  as  hardy  as  any  iron- 
clad, but  the  fruit  is  small  and  not  of 
as  fine  a  flavour  as  many  of  the  grapes 
we  already  are  growing.  But  it  seems 
to  me  that  this  Russian  grape  vine, 
which  ripens  up  its  wood  so  very  early, 
should  be  the  mother  of  a  race  of  very 
hardy  grape  vines,  yielding  fruit  of 
superior  quality,  and  which  would  ripen 
in  our  coldest  latitudes.  This  can  be 
soonest  accomplished  by  hybridization. 
I  will  cheerfully  supply  cuttings  from 
these  Russian  vines  to  any  one  who 
would  plant  them,  and  try  the  eftect  of 
crossing  with  some  of  our  best  early 
ripening  grapes,  such  as  the  Delaware, 
Jessica,  etc. 


^er(dable0. 


SWEET  CORN  TESTED. 

T.    C.    ROBISSOX,   OWEN"  SOVSD. 

Our  lake  climate,  with  its  chilly 
spring  winds  and  sudden  extreme 
changes  of  temperature  until  July,  is 
peculiarly  unfavourable  for  that  class 
of  vegetables  which  requires  the  whole 
season  and  a  high  degree  of  heat  in  the 
soil  as  well  as  in  the  atmosphere. 
Hence,  Sugar-Corn  is  a  risky  crop  with 
most  people,  except  skilled  market 
gardeners,  and  early  varieties  are  ex- 
tremely desirable. 

With  a  view  of  finding  out  the  earli- 
est and  best,  I  experimented  last  sum- 
mer with  the  following  kinds  : — Cory, 
Squantum,  Marblehead  Early,  New 
Self  Husking,  Perry's  Hybrid,  Shaker's 
Early  (long  grain,  from  Henderson), 
Shaker's  Early  (broad  grain,  fromVick), 
Henderson's  Sugar,  Old  Colony,  Boston 
Market,  Amber  Cream,  Asylum,  Mam- 


130 


THE  CANADIAN    H0BTICULTURI8T. 


moth  Early,  Triumph,  Potter's  Excel- 
sior, Livingston's  Evergreen,  Pee  and 
Kay,  Early  Minnesota,  Moore's  Early 
Concord, 

All  of  these  nineteen  kinds  were 
planted  from  6th  to  loth  June — most 
of  them  on  the  10th  —  except  Cory  and 
Marblehead  Eai-ly,  which  were  planted 
mainly  on  May  20th  for  early  mai'ket 
purposes,  but  some  rows  of  these  were 
also  put  in  at  the  same  time  as  the 
other  varieties,  for  purposes  of  com- 
parison. 

The  soil  was  a  rather  poor,  sandy 
loam,  and  very  little  manui-e  was  ap- 
plied ;  but  the  cultivation  was  fair  to 
good,  with  all  except  the  "  Self  Husk- 
ing," Henderson's  Sugar,"  and,  I  think, 
"  Amber  Cream."  These  got  put  on 
new  land  which  grew  up  so  fast  with 
weeds  that  they  had  to  be  left  out  of 
the  race. 

Of  the  remaining  sixteen  varieties  I 
got  such  a  good  test  that  I  consider  I 
learned  all  I  want  to  know  about  all  of 
them  except  three  or  four  of  the  earli- 
est. 

First  of  all,  to  mature  for  boiling, 
was  the  Cory.  Planted  May  20th,  it 
was  ready  to  market  early  in  August, 
which,  for  this  lake  climate,  we  con- 
sider remarkably  quick  growth.  A  few 
days  after,  the  Marblehead  Early  came 
in.  It  seems  to  be  nearly  or  quite  as 
large  as  the  Cory.  They  both  have  the 
same  fault  of  redness  of  cob  and  fre- 
quent redness  of  grain  ;  and  for  all 
practical  purposes  these  two  sorts  are 
almost  identical,  with  the  exception  of 
the  extra  earliness  of  the  Cory,  whicli 
is  a  most  important  difference  !  Soon 
after  the  Marblehead,  came,  of  course, 
the  Early  Minnesota  with  its  pretty 
little  white  cob.  This  point  is  a  de- 
cided merit,  but  it  fails  to  make  up  for 
the  advantage  over  it  gained  by  the 
Cory,  or  even  the  Marblehead,  by  being 
in  the  market  a  week  or  two  sooner. 
People  will  grumble  at  the  Cory's  red 


cob,  but  they  are  not  willing  to  wait 
for  the  white,  and  so  they  buy  the  Cory 
and  grumble,  and  buy  again — at  a  good 
round  price  too  :  and  when  the  pretty 
little  Minnesota  does  come  fairly  in  the 
price  is  down.  For  a  limited  quantity, 
the  Cory  probably  pays  the  best  of  any 
corn  that  grows. 

About  the  time  the  Minnesota  is 
faii-ly  under  way,  we  come  chuckling 
along  with  the  crop  of  Perry's  Hybird. 
The  appeai'ance  of  this  sort  is  not  to  be 
mistaken.  Stalk  and  leaf  and  ear-cover- 
ings are  a  dull,  greenish-red,  which 
seems  rather  uninviting.  I  know  of  no 
other  variety  that  looks  like  it.  But 
the  proof  of  the  corn  is  in  the  ear,  and 
the  ear  of  the  Perry's  Hybrid  with  me 
was  almost  fully  up  to  the  size  of  the 
Mammoth  varieties.  If  both  had  been 
gi'own  on  rich  soil,  no  doubt  the  Mar- 
blehead Mammoth,  Livingstone's  Ever- 
green, &c.,  would  have  been  consider- 
ably larger ;  bnt  on  the  poorish,  sandy 
soil  mentioned  the  Perry  seemed  about 
equal.  The  cob  of  this  vai'iety  is  rather 
red  also ;  but  it  has  not  the  deep  red 
which  stains  the  water  in  cooking  and 
blackens  the  grain.  Particular  in- 
quiries of  my  men  who  did  the  peddling, 
fail  to  show  a  single  case  of  customei'S 
grumbling  at  the  red  cob  of  the  Perry's 
Hybrid. 

Shaker's  Early,  Boston  Mai'ket  and 
Moore's  Early  Concord  came  in  close 
behind  the  Perr3^  The  only  one  that 
I  found  to  compare  at  all  with  Perry 
was  the  Shaker's  Early — the  broad- 
grained  variety,  I  think.  The  ear  was 
almost  as  large,  so  near  it  in  fact  that 
we  could  scarcely  see  the  difference,  and 
the  cob  is  white.  But  the  slight  differ- 
ence in  earliness  tips  the  balance,  in  my 
estimation,  in  favour  of  Perry's  Hybrid. 
I  only  grew  a  couple  of  short  rows  of 
Shaker's.  I  grew  the  Perry  in  quantity 
for  market  •  hence,  I  have  confidence 
in  the  Perry  which  I  fail  to  have  in  the 
other,  and  this  is  intensified  from  the 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


131 


fact  that  Shaker's  Early  was  on  first- 
class  soil,  while  I  grew  the  Perry  on 
both  good  and  bad  land.  Planted  June 
lOch,  Perry's  Hybrid  matured  in  quan- 
tity for  market  early  in  September.  I 
consider  it  the  best  early  corn  tested  to 
follow  the  Cory,  and  the  only  main 
crop  variety  worth  growing  in  a  climate 
such  as  that  of  the  Owen  Souud  Dis- 
trict. Early  Pee  and  Kay  was  about 
two  weeks  later,  and  smaller. 

By  special  favour  of  the  Clerk  of  the 
weather,  or  otherwise,  I  got  a  test  of 
Mai'blehead  Mammoth, Triumph,  Squan- 
tum  Sugar,  Livingston's  Evergreen  (an 
improvement  on  Stowell's  Evergreen), 
and  others.  Late  in  September  they 
made  a  spurt,  and  early  in  October  the 
,  ears  were  marketable,  and  we  furnished 
them  to  customers  until  the  latter  pai't 
of  October,  when  patient  Winter  fore- 
closed his  mortgage  and  stopped  the 
fun.  Of  coui'se  we  had  slight  fi-osts 
before,  but  a  protecting  orchard  and 
fences  moderated  it,  so  that  the  corn 
could  grow  until,  I  think,  about  the 
23rd.  Generally  we  get  too  much 
frost  for  corn  late  in  September.  Had 
such  occurred  last  fall  my  corn  experi- 
ence would  have  been  materially  cur- 
tailed. 

Hence  these  late  sorts  will  not  do 
for  us. 

Shaker's  Early,  Perry,  Cory,  Marble- 
head,  Early  Minnesota,  Moore's  Early 
Concord  and  Boston  Market  we  man- 
aged to  select  ears  of  on  one  day  that 
were  tit  to  cook  and  compare.  I  tested 
them  cai-efully  when  cooked,  and  found 
so  little  difference  that  my  prejudice  in 
favour  of  Cory  and  Perry,  caused  by 
their  remarkably  good  behaviour  as  to 
earliness,  size  and  crop,  proved  strong 
enough  to  make  me  think  Cory  and 
Perry  tasted  a  little  better  than  the 
others.  Probably  most  people  would 
be  unable  to  distinguish  any  difference 
in  the  quality  of  these  varieties. 

I  conclude  that  whoever  will  develop 


a  white-cobbed  variety  of  Cory — call  it 
what  name  he  pleases — and  the  same 
of  Perry,  will  do  the  public  and  him- 
self a  benefit.  Were  this  once  done,  I 
know  of  no  other  vai'ieties  worth  grow- 
ing in  comparison. 


Cucumbers  for  garden  use  do  much 
better  when  on  stakes  made  of  portions 
of  trees  that  afford  six  inches  or  so  of 
side  branches.  They  climb  small 
stakes  by  tendrils,  which  cannot  attach 
themselves  to  thick  stakes.  For  cu- 
cumbers, therefore,  a  lot  of  twiggy 
brush-wood  should  be  tied  around  the 
heavy  stake.  The  cucumber  will  then 
climb  up  easily. — Gardener's  Monthly. 

Celery, — Henderson's  White  Plume 
celery  is  having  the  effect  to  make 
every  man  a  celery  gi-ower.  Farm 
hands  and  day  laborers  now  find  ways 
to  have  a  row  of  this  appetizer  in  their 
gardens.  How  easy  the  cultivation 
when  good  plants  can  be  had.  A  lib- 
eral quantity  of  old  manure  is  spread 
on  the  top  of  the  ground  and  well 
spaded  in ;  some  necessary  hoeing  and 
stirring  of  the  soil  after  setting  ;  some 
banking  or  tying  up  of  the  plants — 
sometimes  neither,  and  last  of  all  the 
plants  are  dug  up  and  stood  away  close- 
ly in  a  box  in  a  cool  cellar,  and  where 
rats  do  not  molest,  and  the  celery  keeps 
till  wanted,  sometimes  into  Mai'ch. — 
The  American  Garden. 


CELERY  LEAF  BLIGHT. 

A  writer  in  the  Botanical  Gazette 
writes  from  Missouri  : — 

This  disease  (Cercospora  apii)  annu- 
ally destroys  about  one-half  the  celery 
planted  in  this  section  ;  last  year  (1886) 
the  loss  occasioned  by  the  parasite 
was  not  so  great  as  in  former  years, 
owing  no  doubt,  to  the  dry  weather 
which  prevailed  in  this  section.  Fi-e- 
quent  showers,  and  heavy  dews  fol- 
lowed   by    hot    sunshine    favors     the 


132 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


growth  of  the  fungus.  The  fungus 
usually  appears  in  this  section  about 
the  first  of  July,  and  at  the  approach 
of  cool  weather,  which  usually  comes 
on  in  September,  the  fungus  gradually 
disappears.  ^Yhen  fresh  the  conidia 
germinate  I'eadily  in  three  hours,  by 
sending  out  a  delicate,  colorless  thread 
from  each  cell.  So  long  as  the  celery 
leaves  ai-e  kept  dry,  but  few  of  the  con- 
idia germinate,  but  if  the  leaves  are 
frequently  moistened,  the  fungus  quick- 
ly destroys  them. 

Celeiy  protected  from  the  direct  rays 
of  the  sun,  either  by  natural  means,  as 
planting  under  trees,  or  by  screens  made 
for  the  purpose,  is  rarely  attacked  by 
the  parasite. 

In  preparing  celery  for  the  table,  we 
save  the  outer  stalks  not  sufficiently 
blanched  to  be  eaten  raw.  Clean  them 
and  cut  them  into  pieces  half  an  inch 
long.  Stew  them  in  water  until  ten- 
der ;  di'ain  off  the  water,  add  butter,  a 
little  floui",  and  sufficient  milk  to  make 
a  sauce  to  cover  the  celery ;  season 
with  salt  and  pepper,  heat  to  boiling 
and  serve. 

HOW  TO  GROW  ONIONS. 

On  my  farm  I  keep  a  heavy  stock  of 
pigs  and  sheep,  and  make  a  large  quan- 
tity of  rich  manure.  By  this  I  mean, 
that  the  pigs  and  sheep  are  fed  on  malt 
sprouts  and  other  food,  particulai'ly  rich 
in  nitrogen,  phosphoric  acid,  and  potash. 
Notwithstandins:  this  fact,  I  find  great 
advaiitage  from  using,  in  addition  to 
the  farm  manure,  a  liberal  dressing  of 
sui)erphosphate  and  nitrate  of  soda.  I 
am  not  a  business  man,  or  I  should 
probably  keep  these  facts  to  myself, 
and  let  some  men,  whom  I  have  in  my 
mind,  go  floundering  in  their  ignorance 
and  prejudice.  It  would  serve  them 
right.  They  think  they  know  all  about 
manures,  when  in  fact  they  know  no- 
thing.    They  put  on  some  commercial 


manures  costing  one  hundred  dollars 
per  acre,  when  they  could  get  the  same 
eflfect  for  less  than  half  the  money. 
Market  gardeners  sow  from  one  to  two 
tons  of  commercial  manure  per  acre, 
costing  fifty  dollars  per  ton.  They 
think  that  it  pays.  I  do  not  deny  it. 
I  only  claim  that  they  ai'e  working  in 
the  dark.  It  might  have  paid  the 
Chinaman  to  set  fire  to  the  sty,  when 
he  wanted  roasted  pig.  But  we  have 
discovei'ed  cheaper  and  better  methods 
of  preparing  food  for  the  table.  And 
w^e  have  discovered  cheaper  methods  of 
manuring  our  land,  than  applying  one 
hundred  dollars  worth  of  commercial 
manure  per  acre.  Try  this  experiment 
the  coming  spring.  Get  two  tons  of 
"  blood  and  bone  fertilizer,"  costing  one 
hundred  dollars.  Sow  it  broadcast  on 
an  aci'e  of  land  prepared  for  onions. 
On  an  adjoining  acre,  sow  at  the  same 
time  : 

500  lbs.  superphosphate,  at  li  cent  per  lb.     §7  50 
60L-  lbs.  nitrate  of  soda,  at  2^  cents  per  lb.     15  00 

8-22  50 

If  it  does  not  produce  as  great  a  growth 
of  onions  as  the  two  tons  of  raw  bone 
manure,  I  am  greatly  mistaken.  On 
my  own  farm  we  sow  the  nitrate  two  or 
three  times  during  the  growth  of  the 
onions.  I  never  saw  a  finer  growth  of 
onions  than  we  had  last  year  and  pro- 
duced in  the  above  way.  There  was  not 
a  scallion  in  a  hundred  thousand. — 
Joseph  Harris,  in  American  Agricul- 
turist/or  Jan. 

Apples. — Those  who  are  fortunate 
enough  to  hold  choice  long  keepers  can 
make  long  prices,  sales  having  taken 
place  during  the  week  of  russets  and 
spies  at  $5.00  to  $6.00  per  bbl.  Less 
desirable  kinds  ranging  all  the  way 
from  $2.50  to  $4.00  per  bbl.  Stocks 
of  finest  assortment  are  small  and  in 
few  hands,  and  prices  are  bound  to  be 
well  maintained. — Montreal  Produce 
Bulletin,  May  19th. 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


133 


rScientific. 


THE  OYSTER-SHELL  BARK  LOUSE. 

(Mi/tilaspis  pomorutn.) 

Very  few  have  any  idea  how  common 
a  pest  this  is  in  our  Canadian  orchards. 
Many  people  are  wondering  why  their 
orchards  are  so  unfruitful,  and  why  they 
are  so  stunted  in  gi'owth,  and  look  so 
sickly,  when  the  whole  trouble  is  due 
to  this  pernicious  little  louse,  which, 
unnoticed  by  them,  is  pi'eying  upon  the 
bark  of  their  apple  trees  in  immense 
numbers,  sucking  out  their  strength 
and  life. 

Last  summer  toward  the  end  of  May 
a  neighbor  brought  in  to  the  writer  a 
branch  of  a  young  tree  from  his  orchard 
asking,  "  What  is  the  matter  with  this 
tree?"  The  tree  would  not  grow,  and 
he  had  discovered  that  the  bark  was 
curiously  rough  with  numerous  tiny 
scales  about  one-sixth  of  an  inch  in 
length,  as  shewn  in   hg.  1.     Upon  lift- 


FiG.  1. — Oyster-Shell  Bark  Lolse. 

ing  one  of  these  scales  and  using  a  hand 
glass  the  question  was  soon  solved.  To 
his  astonishment,  there  were  revealed 
nearly  one  hundred  wee  little  lice,  too 
small  to  be  readily  seen  by  the  naked 
eye,  and  which  ran  about  with  the 
greatest  speed  over  the  bai-k  as  if  de- 
lighted at  their  liberation  from  the  con- 
finement of  the  maternal  shell.  No 
wonder  the  tree  was  stunted  ! 

This  louse  belongs  to  the  genus  Coc- 
cidae,  and  is  allied  to  the  aphis,  bed- 
bug, and  body-louse.  Tt  was  introduced 
into  this  country  some  eighty  years  ago 
from  Europe,  and  although  the  female 
cannot  fly,  and  hence  migi-ates  slowly, 
it  has  now  become  more  or  less  dis- 
tributed throughout  our  whole  country. 


The  time  to  destroy  these  bark  lice 
is  early  in  the  month  of  June,  because 
at  that  time  the  young  brood  escape 
from  under  the  scales  where  they  hyber- 
nate,  and  which  are  actually  the  dead 
bodies  of  the  mother  lice.  The  loose 
bark  should  fii-st  be  scraped  off  with  a 
hoe,  because  the  cunning  youngsters 
hide  away  carefully  beneath  it,  as  if 
they  were  trying  to  escape  discovery. 

Then  the  ti-unks  and  large  limbs  must 
be  washed  with  a  strong  solution  of  soft 
soap  and  washing  soda,  with  enough 
water  to  enable  one  to  apply  it  with  a 
paint  brush,  or  scrubbing  brush.  If 
the  lice  have  spread  over  the  limbs,  the 
whole  ti-ee  must  be  syringed  with  a 
solution  of  washing  soda  and  water  in 
the  proportion  of  half  a  pound  to  a  pail- 
ful, or  potash  and  water,  two  pounds  to 
seven  quarts.  Caustic  soda  and  water 
is  recommended  as  still  more  effective. 

There  are  several  insects  which  prey 
upon  the  bark  louse,  as  also  some  insec- 
ti\orous  birds,  but  unfortunately  this 
hateful  insect  increases  out  of  all  pro- 
portion to  the  number  of  its  destroyers, 
and  unless  vigoi'ous  remedial  measures 
are  employed,  some  of  our  best  orchards 
will  die  of  premature  old  age. 


PARIS  GREEN  AND  THE  CODLING  MOTH. 

This  month  is  the  time  to  destroy 
the  Codling  Moth,  and  therefoi-e  we 
may  perhaps  be  pardoned  for  writing 
a  few  lines  upon  so  trite  a  subject  as 
the  use  of  Paris  Gveen. 

That  it  pays  the  oi-chardist  to  use  it 
has  been  established  by  repeated  ex- 
pei'iment.  Prof.  Forbes,  State  Ento- 
mologist of  Illinois,  has  proved  to  his 
satisfaction  that  its  application  will 
save  about  three  quarters  of  the  fruit 
usually  lost  by  the  work  of  this  insect, 
and  many  of  us  in  Canada  have  be- 
come convinced  of  this  statement. 

The  writer  has  now  used  it  for  two 
years  quite  extensively  and  with  ex- 
cellent results.     Last  year  he  applied 


134 


THE   CANADIAN    H0RTICULTUEI8T 


it  quite  early  in  June,  using  a  Cana- 
dian-made force  pump,  which  was  found 
fully  as  good  as  Fields  force  pump,  and 
less  expensive.  By  favor  of  Mr.  Wm. 
Kobertson  we  here  show  a  cut  of  this 
pump. 


ROBEKTSON  S   FORCE   PUMP. 

The  instrument  was  firmly  screwed 
fast  in  the  end  of  a  kerosene  barrel, 
and  the  whole  arrangement  firmly  tied 
fast  in  an  express  waggon,  by  means  of 
four  ropes,  one  attached  to  each  corner 
of  the  box.  This  precaution  was  most 
important,  for  horses  are  often  very 
timid  over  the  spray,  and  the  noise  of 
the  pumping,  and  most  serious  acci- 
dents might  result  from  carelessness  in 
this  respect. 

As  to  quantity,  three  ounces  to  forty 
gallons  of  water  were  found  to  be  quite 
suflttcient.  It  was  first  mixed  with  a 
small  quantity  of  water  and  then  pail 
after  jiail  poured  in  until  the  ban-el 
was  full. 

Prof  Forbes  advises  the  use  of  a 
pole  long  enough  to  reach  the  tops  of 
the  highest  trees,  but  surely  this  would 
be  exceedingly  awkward  to  handle. 
We  question  whether  the  professor  ever 
tried   a    day's    work    handling  such  a 


pole,  say  20  feet  long  with  20  feet  of 
hose  attached  to  the  end.  With  eight 
feet  of  hose  and  no  pole  at  all,  we 
could  force  a  fine  spray  over  trees  20 
feet  in  height,  and  surely  a  pole  10  feet 
in  length  would  answer  for  the  highest 
apple  trees. 

The  time  of  application  last  year 
with  us  was  the  second  week  in  June, 
but  the  time  of  greatest  benefit  will  of 
course  vary  with  the  season.  Repeated 
applications  every  two  or  three  weeks 
as  advised  by  some  writers  is  wholly 
unnecessary.  Once  is  trouble  enough, 
and  fortunately  effective  if  applied 
when  the  calyx  end  of  the  apple  still 
stands  upward ;  but  later,  when  the 
apple  turns  down  by  reason  of  its 
weight,  it  is  of  little  use.  The  reason 
is  that  the  egg  of  the  Codling  Moth  is 
deposited  in  this  end,  and  the  tiniest 
drop  of  poison  lodging  here  will  kill 
the  young  larva  before  it  has  found  its 
way  coreward.  Besides,  if  the  poison 
is  lodged  in  the  stem  end  of  the  .apple 
it  might  possibly  remain  there  long 
enough  to  destroy  lives  more  precious 
than  that  of  the  hated  apple  worm. 


HYPOSULPHITE  OF  SODA  FOR 
FUSICLADIUM. 

The  following  letter  is  in  reply  to  an 
inquiiy  concerning  the  best  time  and 
mode  of  applying  the  above  remedy  for 
the  apple  scab  : — 

Sir, — I  should  think  that  a  fully 
satisfactory  ti-ial  of  hyposulphite  of 
soda  for  fusicladium  would  i-equire  that 
it  be  used  first  just  as  the  leaves  are 
coming  out,  and  several  times  after- 
ward during  the  early  i)art  of  the  sea- 
son. The  theory  of  its  action  is,  that 
it  prevents  the  germination  of  the 
spores  and  establishment  of  the  fungus. 
The  fungus  winters  over  on  the  bud 
scales,  and  is  ready  to  start  into  active 
growth  as  soon  as  the  young  leaves  are 
formed.  Of  com'se  a  heavy  rain  washes 
it  from  the  tree,  and   the  application 


THE   CANADIAN   H0BTICULTURI8T. 


135 


should  therefore  be  renewed  as  soon 
after  a  heavy  shower  as  the  tree  has 
become  dry  or  nearly  so,  if  the  highest 
efficiency  is  to  be  secured. 

It  is  also  a  very  good  plan  to  spray 
but  half  of  the  tree,  in  order  to  have 
the  other  half  to  compare  with.  If  a 
sufficient  number  of  trees  are  used, 
some  of  them  might  be  totally  sprayed, 
however.  It  does  not  seem  to  me  that 
the  results  so  far  obtained  are  suffi- 
ciently positive  to  warrant  one  in  spray- 
ing more  of  the  orchai'd  than  is  neces- 
sary for  an  ample  experiment. 

Yours  truly, 

J.  C.  Arthur. 
N.  Y.  Experiment  Station,  Geneva,  N.  Y. 

DRAINAGE  WATER. 

BY    C.   C.    JAMES,    M.A.,    PROFESSOR   OF   CHEMISTRY. 

In  estimating  the  worth  of  a  fertili- 
zer, commercial  values  are  set  only  upon 
the  nitrogen,  phosphoric  acid  and  pot- 
ash ;  sometimes  the  lime  is  considered. 
The  three  first  mentioned  are  of  most 
importance,  since  nearly  all  soils  con- 
tain sufficient  of  the  other  plant  foods 
to  sustain  ordinary  crops.  To  grow 
crops  it  is  necessaiy,  therefore,  to  sup- 
ply nitrogen,  otherwise  the  land  will 
become  exhausted.  The  ordinary  crops 
annually  remove  from  the  soil  the  fol- 
lowing quantities  of  nitrogen  per  acre  : 


Lbs. 


Wheat (30  bush.)  Grain    33 

Barley (40     "      jGrain    35 

oats  (45     "       Grain    38 

Hay (li  tons.) 

Red  Clover  (2     "       

Turnips (17     "      Roots   63 

Mangels....  (22     "      I  Roots   85 

Potatoes...  (6     "      I  Roots   42 


Lbs. 


Straw  , 
Straw- 
Straw  , 


12 
12 
14 
45 
70 
Tops  ....  45 
Tops 46.5 


45 

47 

52 

45 

70 

108 

131.5 

Tops,  etc.  IS     I  60 


Total 
Lbs. 


The  rain  carries  into  the  soil  from 
the  atmosphere  every  year  from  five  to 
ten  pounds  ;  other  sources  of  supply 
besides  that  of  direct  applications  of  a 
nitrogenous  fertilizer  are,  as  yet,  some- 
what uncertain. 

The  nitrogen,  however,  before  it  is 
in  form  available  for  the  plant  must  be 


converted  into  a  nitrate,  a  compound 
resulting  from  the  union  of  nitric  acid 
with  some  such  substance  as  lime.  This 
formation  of  nitrates  in  the  soil  is  called 
nitrijication,  and  producing  the  various 
fermentations.  It  is  found  in  all  fer- 
tile soils,  and  for  its  development  and 
work  demands  a  supply  of  air  and 
water.  Tillage  therefore  assists  in  the 
process.  The  presence  of  too  much 
water  excludes  the  air  and  hinders  the 
work,  even  undoing  it.  Drainage 
therefoi-e  increases  the  range  of  nitrifi- 
cation and  deepens  the  fertility.  A 
proper  degree  of  heat  is  also  most  im- 
poi'tant.  Nitrification  ceases  below 
and  near  the  freezing  point.  As  the 
temperature  rises  to  98°  Fahrenheit 
activity  increases.  From  that  point  it 
again  diminishes  to  about  131°  when 
it  ceases.  Under  these  conditions  ni- 
trification proceeds  most  actively  dur- 
ing the  summer,  and  continues  even 
into  the  autumn.  The  nitric  acid  thus 
formed  unites  with  lime  principally, 
forming  nitrate  of  lime,  or  calciym 
nitrate. 

In  the  spring  there  ai'e  few,  if  any, 
nitrates  to  be  washed  out  of  the  soil ; 
in  the  summer  there  is  but  little,  if  any, 
drainage  to  wash  out  the  nitrates  ;  in 
the  autumn,  therefore,  when  nitrates 
have  accumulated  and  drainage  is  also 
abundant,  we  may  expect  the  greatest 
loss. 

The  following  may  be  practised  either 
to  clean  dirty  land  or  to  rest  exhausted 
land :  In  the  former  case,  to  avoid 
excessive  loss  by  drainage,  recourse  may 
be  had  to  roots  thoroughUj  cultivated. 
To  improve  an  exhausted  land,  instead 
of  allowing  the  land  to  lie  fallow  a 
whole  year,  a  gi'een  crop  might  be 
plowed  under,  thus  keeping  all  the 
nourishment  in  the  soil,  increasing  it  by 
drawing  on  the  air  and  subsoil,  and  by 
decreasing  the  drainage.  For  green 
manuring,  red  clover,  rye  and  buck- 
wheat arespeciall}'  recommended  ;  other 


136 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


crops  such  as  rape,  white  mustard,  scar- 
let clover,  etc.,  are  also  used.  These 
should  be  plowed  under  just  before  full 
blossom. 

On  the  whole  most  soils  will  improve 
best  under  a  combined  treatment  of 
green  manui'ing  and  fallowing,  where 
resort  is  necessary  to  such  treatment. 
— From  Bulletin  IX.,  Ayricultural  Col- 
lege, Gitelph. 

LIQUID  MANURE. 

There  are  quite  a  number  of  farmers 
within  our  acquaintance  who  save  all 
the  urine  of  their  stock,  and  find  a  pro- 
fitable use  for  it  by  applying  it  from  a 
sprinkling  cart  to  their  grass  fields. 
But  they  have  found  that  some  precau- 
tions are  needed.  The  best  time  to 
apply  it  is  when  the  young  grass  is 
starting  vigorously,  and  there  are  fre- 
quent showers — or,  say,  about  this 
season  of  tbe  year.  Four  or  five  hun-, 
dred  gallons  to  the  acre,  applied  in  this 
way,  will  give  a  very  heavy  growth, 
without  other  manuring.  The  rank- 
ness  of  leafage  and  the  dark  color  which 
the  grass  almost  at  once  takes  on,  indi- 
cate an  over-supply  of  available  nitro- 
gen in  this  urine,  and  a  continuously 
urine-dressed  grass  plot  tends  to  run 
into  a  rank,  weedy  growth.  The  ti-ou- 
ble  here  arises,  as  we  have  shown  in 
previous  articles,  from  the  excess  of 
nitrogen  over  phosphoric  acid  in  lU'ine. 
A  field  laid  down  to  grass,  with  the 
view  of  applying  liquid  manure  as  a 
top-dressing,  should  have  about  400 
pounds  of  finely  ground  steamed  bone 
per  acre  harrowed  in   on    the   furrow 

before  seeding. 

*  *  * 

In  beginning  to  use  a  new  fertilizer, 
we  must  be  sure  we  are  using  it  cor- 
rectly, before  we  hasten  to  condemn  it. 
There  is  abundant  evidence  of  the  ferti- 
lizing properties  of  liquid  manure. 
Many  gardeners  depend  upon  it  almost 
wholly  to  force  forward  their  crops.    If 


at  first  an  experimenting  farmer  does 
not  succeed,  we  advise  him  to  look  the 
matter  over,  and  "  try,  tiy  again." 
There  is  a  great  deal  to  be  learned 
about  farming  yet,  even  by  the  oldest 
of  us,  and  both  brains  and  knowledge 
are  necessary  to  enable  any  of  us  to 
keep  near  the  head  of  the  procession. — 
Br.  Iloskins  in  Rural  Vermonter. 


Paris  Green,  says  the  Chicago  Inter- 
Ocean,  should  be  used  with  the  utmost 
care,  when  applied  to  the  potato  vine, 
as  it  does  sometimes  poison  the  tubers. 
The  eflect  upon  persons  eating  a  potato 
so  poisoned  is  to  produce  dryness  of 
the  throat,  intense  thirst,  and  violent 
pains  in  the  stomach. 

We  doubt  whether  such  danger  need 
be  feai-ed  except  in  cases  where  the  tu- 
bers are  above  ground,  as  the  arsenic  is 
neutralized  by  the  soil  as  soon  as  it 
is  mixed  with  it.  Have  our  Canadian 
growers  any  caution  to  give  us  1 


®pen  fetters. 


Encouraging. — Sir,  It  would  give 
me  much  pleasure  to  see  the  circulation 
of  the  Horticulturist  very  lai'gely  in- 
creased. I  have  seldom  let  an  oppor- 
tunity slip  of  saying  an  earnest  word 
in  its  favour,  having  found  it  exceed- 
ingly interesting,  and  quite  practi-al 
throughout.       Yours, 

Leonard  H.  Wilder. 

Cooksville,  Ont. 

Wylie's  Seedling  Plum. — Sir,  I 
send  two  or  three  of  my  young  red 
plum  trees  that  I  wrote  you  about  last 
fall.  If  you  will  plant  them  you  will 
find  them  grow  very  fast  and  be  very 
productive,  and  the  fruit  is  large,  juicy, 
and  pleasant.  It  does  well  here  in  clay 
loam,  and  bears  early.  Fruit  ripe  in 
August.  I  will  send  you  some  fruit  as 
a  sample  this  year. 


THE    CANADIAN    HCilTICDLTURIST. 


137 


The  tips,  at  least,  of  my  Lombard 
and  Moore's  Arctic  plums  are  gone 
this  spring.  The  winter  was  very  se- 
vere. Yours,  fee,         W.  H.  Wtlie. 

Carleton  Place,  Ont. 

Use  for  Old  Strawberry  Baskets. 
— Sir  :  Last  year  I  planted  out  1000 
cabbage  plants.  "  He  that  observeth 
the  wind  shall  not  sow,"  so  I  set  them 
out  when  they  were  ready.  The  day 
was  bright,  and  before  night  they  were 
a  long  way  off  the  perpendicvilar.  I 
had  as  many  old  strawberry  baskets  at 
hand  with  which  I  covered  them.  My 
plants  in  a  few  hours  were  started  for 
life,  the  baskets  none  the  worse.  Un- 
less your  readers  fancy  working  in  the 
rain,  they  will  find  the  plan  a  good  one. 

J.  C. 
Aultsvile,  April,  1887. 

Improving. — A  Seaforth  subscriber 
writes  : — Sir  :  I  had  little  notion  of  be- 
coming a  subsci'iber  this  year,  but  I 
have  received  five  numbers,  and  I 
think  they  are  an  improvement  on  last 
year's.  I  get  some  useful  hints  in  them 
which  makes  them  interesting. 

[This  is  a  sample  of  many  letters 
which  have  been  received.  It  is  cer- 
tainly the  wish  of  the  Directors  to 
make  each  volume  of  our  Journal  better 
than  its  predecessor,  until  no  Canadian 
farmer  or  fruit  grower  can  afibrd  to  do 
without  it.] 

FARMERS'  INSTITUTES. 

The  Editor  Canadian  Horticulturist. 

I  was  interested  in  a  note  on  Farm- 
ers^ Institutes  in  the  May  number,  and 
as  it  corresponds  to  views  too  often 
expressed  in  essays  and  in  print,  I  may 
be  excused  for  briefly  referring  to  it. 
The  "  notion  "  referred  to  is  as  follows, 
that  the  so-called  iineducated  man  is 
practical,  while  the  college  professor  is 
theoretical.  In  this  case  the  term  theory 
is  often  applied  in  the  sense  of  reason, 
words  of  a  very  different  signification. 


No  doubt  some  college  professors  deal 
too  much  in  theories,  and  some  of  the 
other  class  are  truly  practical.  I  have 
attended  a  very  large  number  of  gather- 
ings where  both  of  the  classes  above 
named  took  an  active  part,  and  in  my 
judgment  the  college  man  is  beaten  out 
of  sight  in  the  nvimber  of  theories  offered 
by  the  so-called  practical  man. 

W.  J.  BEAL. 
Michigan  Agricultural  College, 
lOth  May,  1887. 


HARDY  APPLES  -A  CORRECTION. 

The  Editor  Canadian  Horticulturist. 

Dear  Sir  :  My  article  from  the  Am. 
Garden  was  quite  incorrectly  quoted 
in  the  May  Canadian  Horticulturist. 
In  the  fifth  line  "  two  "  should  be  true. 
Yellow  Transparent  and  Oldenbui'gh 
are  true  ironclads :  while  Shiawassee 
Beauty  is  entirely  distinct  from  the 
Fall  Queen — hai'dly  any  two  apples 
more  so  in  all  points.  If  Westfield 
Seek-no-Further  does  not  suit  your 
locality,  I  would  strongly  advise  trial 
of  McClellan ;  and  also  of  Salome,  a 
newly  introduced  Illinois  apple,  hardy, 
but  not  ironclad,  and  a  very  productive 
and  salable  market  fruit,  which  I 
should  prefer  to  the  American  Golden 
Russet.  Tinmouth  is  well  worth  plant- 
ing as  a  choice  family  apple,  and  Nod- 
head  (Jewett's  Fine  Red)  has  few 
superioi'S  in  its  class  of  early  winter 

apples.  Yours  truly, 

T.  H.  HOSKINS. 

Newport,  Vt.,  May  11,  1887. 

[Note. — We  regret  the  omission  of 
the  word  Haas  after  Shiawassee  Beauty 
on  p.  101,  which  in  the  article  referred 
to  is  correctly  given  by  Dr.  Hoskins  as 
another  name  of  the  Fall  Queen.  The 
apple  has  been  largely  sold  in  Canada 
under  the  name  of  Haas.  It  is  also 
known  as  Gros  Pommier, — Ed.] 


138 


THE   CANADIAN    H0BTICDLTUBI8T. 


Question  gratoer. 

This  department  is  intended  as  an  open  one  to  every 
reader  of  the  "Horticulturist"  to  send  in  either 
qtoestio^u  or  ansivers.  Often  a  reader  mil  be  able  to 
ansicer  a  question  ichich  has  been  left  unannvered, 
or  only  partially  answered  by  us.  For  convenience 
of  reference  the  questions  are  numbered,  and  any 
one  replying  or  referring  to  any  question  will 
please  mention  the  number  of  it. 

47.  Salt  as  a  Fertilizer. — Please  let  me 
know  through  your  iKti^er  whether  salt 
is  good  for  strawberry  plants  set  on 
heavy  land. 

[W.  A.  Smith,  Coverdale,  N.B.] 

Prof.  Panton,  of  Guelph,  would  not 
advise  the  use  of  salt  for  strawberry 
plants  on  such  soil.  He  recommends  a 
liberal  application  of  wood  ashes  as 
being  an  excellent  fertilizer  for  the 
strawberry  bed. 

A  writer  in  the  Country  Gentleman 
says : 

"  Salt  should  not  be  used  on  cold, 
heavy  or  moist  soils,  and  if  any  one 
does,  he  will  be  disappointed  in  the  re- 
sult, as  its  tendency  is  to  keep  the 
ground  cool  and  moist.  It  will  do  such 
soil  more  harm  than  good. 

"  T  do  not  think  salt  is  much  of  a 
fertilizer  in  itself,  though  plants  take  it 
up,  as  you  can  tell  by  tasting  and  by 
the  stiffening  and  glazing  of  straw  of  a 
plant  grown  in  salted  ground.  I  think 
it  acts  upon  and  assimilates  the  gross 
matter  in  the  soil  so  as  to  make  it 
available  food." 

48.  Red  Spider. — Does  it  destroy  the 
bark  louse. 

It  is  thought  to  hybernate  under  the 
scale  of  the  bark  louse,  but  not  to  be 
parasitic  upon  it. 

49.  M.  p.  Wilder  Rose. — -Do  you  know 
if  the  Marshall  Pinkney  Wilder  Rose 
can  be  bought  in  Canada  ? 

[L.   H.  Wilder,  Cooksville.] 

Mr.    Fi-ederick    Mitchell,    Innerkip, 

writes  that  he  is  propagating  a  limited 

number.      He  says  it  is   a  thoroughly 

good  rose,  no  other  possesses  more  good 


points,  but  its  similarity  to  Alfred 
Colomb  detracts  from  its  value  as  a 
novelty. 

50.  Aphis  on  Roses. — What  do  you  find 
most  effedive  in  the  destruction  of  the 
rose  aphis  ?    [W.  F.  Burton,  Hamilton.] 

Eeply  by  D.  W.  Beadle. — I  have 
found  tobacco  water,  made  by  soaking 
stems  of  tobacco  in  a  pail  of  water, 
applied  with  a  garden  syringe  an  effec- 
tual cure,  killing  the  aphides.  It  may 
be  necessary  to  go  over  the  rose  trees 
two  or  three  times  before  the  insects 
will  be  all  destroyed. 

Some  care  must  be  taken  lest  the  in- 
fusion be  so  strong  as  to  injure  the 
foliage  of  the  roses.  The  addition  of 
whale  oil  soap  is  recommended  by 
many,  but  I  have  found  the  tobacco 
water  quite  sufficient. 

[Note.- — A  writer  in  the  Horticnl- 
tiiral  Times  (Eng.)  says  he  has  used 
hot  water  (1.tO°)  upon  his  chrysanthe- 
mums for  the  destruction  of  the  black 
aphis  with  excellent  success  ;  and  that 
the  plants,  instead  of  being  injured, 
were  induced  to  a  more  healthy  growth. 
—Ed.] 

51.  Effect  of  Cold  Water  on  Plants.  Sir : 
I  have  the  city  loater  in  my  garden,  and 
last  summer  being  icnusually  dry,  I  was 
compelled  to  use  the  water  freely,  but  the 
results  were  so  unsatisfactory  that  I  am 
now  of  opinion  that  the  water  was  too 
cold,  and  therefore  checked  growth  and, 
consequently,  productiveness.  4^°  is  the 
present  temperatitre  of  the  lake  water 
taken  at  the  hydrant,  but  I  fear  to  use 
it,  although  the  soil  is  light  and  needs 
water  badly.  Will  you  please  give  me 
the  temjyerature  beloio  which  it  would  not 
be  prudent  to  apply  the  lake  water  to 
vegetation  ?  [J.  L.  Thompson, Toronto.] 

Reply  by  D.  W.  Beadle.  —  It  is 
thought  desirable  to  have  the  tempera- 
ture of  the  water  raised  by  allowing  it 
to  stand  in  an  open  tank,  where  it  will 
have  the  full  benefit  of  the  sun  all  day, 
and  apply  it  at  evening.     I  have  never 


i 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


189 


tested  the  water  used  in  watering  my 
plants  with  the  thermometer,  and  can- 
not give  the  proper  temperature  in  de- 
grees. My  own  impression  is  that  it 
is  of  less  consequence  to  raise  the  tem- 
perature of  the  water  than  is  generally 
suj)posed.  I  have  used  the  city  water 
here  (St.  Catharines),  direct  from  the 
hydi'ant,  without  perceiving  any  inju- 
rious effects.  But  I  apply  it  early  in 
the  morning — about  sun-rise  -and  al- 
low the  sun  to  warm  it  as  it  ascends 
towards  the  zenith.  Nor  has  enough 
been  used  to  keep  the  temperatui-e  of 
the  soil  abnormally  cold.  Perhaps  a 
liberal  application  of  stable  manure 
would  render  the  soil  less  thirsty. 

REPLIES   TO   PREVIOUS   INQUIRIES. 

45.— Quart  Boxes.— Mr.  W.  B.  Chis- 
holm,  Oakville,  who  advertises  in  this 
number,  says  :  "Re  M.  E's  query  in 
May  No.  I  would  say  that  we  can 
make  quart  baskets,  or  any  other  size 
to  order,  providing  a  little  time  is 
given  us. 

Messrs.  A.  C.  Rice  &  Co.,  Sarnia, 
also  write  :  "  We  make  the  full  quart, 
the  same  as  are  used  in  the  States.  We 
ship  them  either  flat  or  made  up." 


€anabian  ^ortictilturist. 


Privet  makes  a  very  good  ornamental 
hedge,  where  ornament  only  is  the 
object.  The  chief  objection  we  have  to 
it  is  its  rapid  growth,  requiring  rather 
frequent  clipping  during  the  busy  sea- 
son of  the  year ;  but  if  trained  in  a 
conical  shape  the  work  is  much  less 
than  if  trained  with  a  square  top.  A 
writer  to  the  American  Garden  recom- 
mends the  California  privet  {Ligustrum 
ovalifolium),  and  the  common  kind  [L. 
vulgare),  to  be  planted  thickly  together. 
He  says  they  make  a  perfect  thick  green 
wall  of  a  hedge. 

Another  pretty  plant  for  an  ornamen- 
tal hedge  is  Spiraea  Van  Houtti,  one 
of  the  prettiest,  as  well  as  the  hardiest 
of  the  Spiraeas. 


^N  lUus- 
tratecl 
j  Monthly  Journal,  de- 
voted to  the  interests 
of     Fruit     Growers, 
Gardeners,  and  Gentle- 
men owning  rural  or  su- 
burban homes, 

Subscription  price  §1.00 
per  j'ear,  entitling  th  subscri- 
ber to  membership  of  the  Fruit  Grow- 
ers' Association  of  Ontario  and  all  its 
privileges,  including  a  copy  of  its 
valuable  Aimual  Report,  and  a  share  in  its 
annual  distribution  of  plants  and  trees. 


This  Journal  is  not  pubUshed  in  the  in- 
terests, or  for  the  pecuniary  advantage  of 
any  one,  but  its  pages  are  devoted  wholly  to 
the  progress  of  Horticultural  Science  and 
Art  in  Canada.  We  aim  at  the  development 
of  the  fruit  growing  industry  in  our  Provdnce ; 
at  the  general  distribution  of  knowdge  con- 
cerning all  the  newest  and  best  varieties  of 
fruits  ;  and  at  the  education  of  a  refined 
taste  in  the  art  of  decorative  gardening 
around  the  homes  of  our  Canadian  people. 

With  such  ends  in  view  we  invite  the  co- 
operation of  the  lovers  of  Horticulture  both 
in  extending  the  membership  of  the  Fruit 
Growers'  Association  of  Ontario,  and  in  con- 
tributing to  these  pages  such  items  as  may 
be  of  general  interest  and  profit. 

Paid  86  on  your  label  shows  you  have 
not  paid  for  year  1887  ;  but  unless  the 
remittance  comes  to  hand  by  the  20th 
of  one  mouth,  the  label  cannot  be 
changed  until  the  second  issue  follow- 
ing. 


140 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


50  cents  for  8  months. — This  Journal  is 
offered  for  eight  months,  beginning 
with  May  No.,  to  new  subscribers,  for 
50  cents.  We  hope  all  friends  of  the 
Association  will  take  this  opportunity 
to  increase  its  usefulness  by  largely  ex- 
tending the  circulation  of  the  Horticul- 
turist. 

Bound  Volumes  of  this  journal  may  be 
had  in  clotli  at  $1  each  from  this  office. 
Vols.  VII.,  VIII.  and  IX.  have  colored 
plates  ;  Vols.  I.  and  II.,  and  Vols.  III. 
and  IV.,  not  having  colored  plates,  are 
bound  together  and  sold  as  one  volume. 

Shorthand  Wreckers,  is  the  caption  of  an 
article  in  the  G osmojwlitan  Shorthander 
which  rather  interests  us.  In  it  the 
Fruit  Growers'  Association  is  compared 
to  a  noble  ship,  and  the  reporter  of 
our  Winter  Meeting  at  Stratford  to  a 
wrecker  who,  under  the  guise  of  a  skil- 
ful mariner,  undertook  to  navigate  into 
the  fair  port  of  Brevier  the  stately 
vessel.  It  gives  examples  of  a  few  of 
the  pieces  of  wreckage,  only  too  fa- 
miliar to  the  Secretary,  and  which 
may  interest  some  others  as  literary 
curiosities.     Here  are  some  specimens  : 

"  'Mr.  C. — What  do  you  find  hardy  here 
and  make  nice  plants  ? 

Mr.  A.— What  Mr.  B.  said.  I  think  the 
Norway  Spruce  is  a  very  good  tree,  it  makes 
a  good  protection.  The  EngHsh  Thome  the 
insects  seems  to  destroy  the  leaves,  and  it 
doesn't  seem  to  stand  the  spring  frost. 

Mr.  C. — Have  you  tried  Veitchii  ?  Lilacs 
are  all  hardy. 

Mr.  F. — How  is  Japanese  Snow  Balls  ? 

Mr.  E. — Can  you  grow  Sponkers  ? 

Mr.  A. — They  grow  very  little. 

Mr.  C.  — I  think  with  Red  Cedar  or  Arbor 
Vitse. 

Mr.  B.— I  like  Red  Cedar. 

Mr.  D. — The  question  by  the  Secretary  to 
that  unpronounceable  word  Veitchii,  that  is 
not  hardy.  I  was  a  little  erratical  about 
that.     It  killed  within  four  or  five  inches. 

Mr.  B.  *  *  *  I  was  very  much  amused 
when  in  the  west  on  passing  a  large  wheat 
field  to  see  some  two  or  three  hundred  head 
of  cattle  having  the  peculiarity  of  our  cows. 
There  was  no  dash,  nothing  of  the  sort,  they 
were  in  a  good  pasture  field.     There  was  no 


trouble  of  them  getting  across  the  Une,  and 
seeing  that  these  cattle  were  not  scattering 
through  this  large  wheat  field  ;  looking  for 
a  little  distance  I  saw  some  of  the  native 
ponies  with  little  boys  on  them,  they  were  a 
short  distance  away,  if  the  cows  moved 
oway  from  the  rest  they  would  give  a  pe- 
culiar whistle  that  made  the  cow  turn  tail 
back.     There  is  wire  fences  there.' 

These  extracts  may  serve  to  still 
further  explain  the  reason  why  our  Re- 
port for  1886  is  so  much  smaller  than 
usual.  We  could  not  avoid  crossing 
out  page  after  page  of  such  nonsense, 
and  then  we  made  the  best  sense  pos- 
sible of  the  rest. 

We  are  glad  to  be  able  to  announce 
that  the  services  of  Mr.  Thos.  Ben- 
gough,  official  reporter,  Toronto,  have 
been  engaged  for  our  summer  meeting 
at  Collingwood.  It  is  only  neccessary 
to  mention  this  gentleman's  name  to 
assure  our  readers  of  a  faithful  report 
of  the  meeting. 

The  next  Biennial  Meeting  of  the  Amer- 
ican Pomological  Society  will  be  held 
at  Boston,  commencing  on  Wednesday, 
September  14,  1887,  at  10  a.m.,  and 
continue  for  three  days. 

The  venerable  President,  M.  P. 
Wilder,  had  hoped  to  live  to  meet  his 
friends  once  more  so  near  home,  but 
his  life  was  not  spai-ed  to  realize  this 
ambition,  to  the  great  regret  of  all 
concerned.  In  the  meantime,  Mr.  P. 
Barry,  of  Rochester,  the  First  Vice- 
President,  is  called  upon  to  fill  the 
President's  office. 

All  horticultural,  pomological,  agri- 
cultural and  other  kindred  associations 
in  the  United  States  and  British  Pro- 
vinces are  invited  to  send  delegates. 

The  Massachusetts  Horticultural 
Society  has  appropriated  the  sum  of 
$500  to  be  offered  in  special  prizes  for 
fruits  to  be  exhibited  during  the  meet- 
ing. 

The  Balsam  Fir  and  the  Norway  Spruce  are 
both  severely  condemned  by  the  Rural 
New  Yorker  for  ornamental  planting. 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


141 


We  have  long  ago  discarded  the  Bal- 
sam Fir  as  being  one  of  the  most  un- 
satisfactory of  evergreens.  When  it 
reaches  the  age  of  fifteen  or  twenty 
years  it  is  easily  blown  over  by  the 
wind,  especially  if  grown  in  light  soil ; 
and  it  has  an  ugly  habit  of  thinning  out 
at  the  base,  which  makes  it  most  un- 
sightly. We  would  not  plant  it  again 
even  in  the  most  remote  corner. 

Possibly  the  Rural  is  right  also  in 
condemning  the  Norway  Spruce,  but 
we  are  not  prepared  to  join  in  so  doing. 
All  over  Ontario  it  is  the  leading  ever- 
green for  shelter  and  ornament,  and 
still  very  popular.  We  have  a  hundred 
or  more  about  our  grounds,  many  of 
them  twenty-five  or  thirty  yearsplanted, 
and  towering  up  about  thirty  feet  in 
height.  Except  that  we  have  too  many 
of  one  kind  for  good  taste,  we  have  as 
yet  no  cause  for  regret  concerning  them. 
Their  colour  is  good,  they  spread  out 
their  long  limbs  some  ten  or  twelve 
feet  in  every  direction,  from  which 
hang  the  most  gracefully  drooping 
branches,  and  there  is  no  thinning  out 
at  the  bottom. 

Perhaps  when  they  reach  the  age  of 
fifty  years  or  more,  we  may  have  occa- 
sion to  change  our  opinion,  but,  if  so, 
it  will  be  with  great  disappointment 
when  we  consider  that,  not  only  the 
writer,  but  farmers  and  fruit  growei'S 
generally  throughout  our  Province, 
have  been  planting  the  Norway  Spruce 
most  extensively  for  windbreak  and  for 
ornament,  and  that,  too,  acting  upon 
the  unqualified  commendations  of  all 
our  leading  horticultural  and  agricul- 
tural journals. 

Possibly  this  evergreen  is  better 
adapted  to  our  Canadian  soil  and  climate 
than  it  is  to  Pennsylvania,  Ohio,  Long 
Island  and  Illinois,  from  which  States 
the  loudest  condemnations  arise. 

As  substitutes  for  the  Norway  Spruce, 
Josiah  Hoopes  recommends  the  varie- 
ties of   spruces    technically  known   as 


Picea  pungens,  P.  alba,  P.  orientalis, 
P.  polita  and  P.  alcoquiana. 

Arbor  Day.  The  -Educational  Journal 
for  May  1st  is  largely  occupied  with 
plans  for  the  successful  conduct  of 
Arbor  Day.  The  setting  aside  of  one 
day  in  the  year  for  the  decoration  of 
school  grounds  is  certainly  most  com- 
mendable ;  but  the  most  difiicult  part 
still  remains,  viz.,  to  so  direct  the  army 
of  little  workers  as  to  make  it  a  time 
of  real  profit. 

That  it  may  become  an  educative 
power,  it  will  be  necessary  to  have  the 
teachers  themselves  regarding  the 
grouping  and  planting  of  ornamental 
trees  and  shrubs,  the  proper  method  of 
making  a  good  lawn,  both  by  seeding 
and  lr>y  sodding,  and  the  tasteful  laying 
out  and  planting  of  flower  beds. 

People  generally  are  lamentably  ig- 
norant, too,  of  even  our  most  common 
native  trees  and  shrubs,  and  a  named 
collection  of  these  in  our  public  and 
high  school  yards,  would  be  of  great 
educational  value,  especially  if  the 
teacher  were  qualified  to  instruct  his 
scholars  concerning  their  habits  and 
uses  on  each  returning  Ai'bor  Day. 

The  delay  in  the  distribution  of  plants 
this  spring  has  caused  us  no  less  anxiety 
than  it  has  our  readers  who  have  been 
flooding  our  office  with  impatient  in- 
quiries. We  beg  to  reply  to  one  and 
all  by  saying  that  the  orders  were 
placed  in  the  hands  of  our  most  i-eliable 
Canadian  nurserymen  about  the  middle 
of  April,  and  we  had  hoped  for  imme- 
diate attention  ;  but  to  wrap  these  pre- 
miums one  by  one  for  two  or  three 
thousand  members  of  our  Association 
is  no  small  undertaking.  We  must 
tiierefore  "bear  and  forbear." 

Messrs.  Smith  «fe  Kerman,  of  St. 
Catharines,  who  mailed  the  Niagai*a 
Grape,  write  as  follows  :  "  Sir, — We 
are  sorrv  that  we  could  not  have  got 


142 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


the  vines  off  before ;  but  they  are 
nearly  all  gone  now.  We  suppose  most 
people  don't  know  that  gi-ape  vines 
may  be  planted  later  than  anything 
else.  We  shall  have  100,000  to  plant 
after  we  get  through  mailing,  so  you 
can  see  we  have  not  served  ourselves 
fii'st.  Should  any  fail  to  gi'ow  we  will 
replace  them  next  fall  or  spring,  gratis. 


THE  ENGLISH  SPARROW. 

A  subscriber  in  St  Thomas  sends  u^ 
a  plea  for  the  spai-row,  cut  from  the 
St  Thomas  Times.  The  writer  pleads 
in  their  favour  first  that  they  make 
delicious  pies,  and  second  that  they 
kill  May  bugs,  and  peel  off  the  wing 
covers  to  prepare  them  as  food  for  their 
young.  He  also  pleads  that  they  de- 
stroy the  plum  cui-culio. 

Such  pleas  in  its  favour  are  very 
scarce.  The  general  testimony  of  fruit 
growers  and  farmers  both  in  the  United 
States  and  Canada,  is  that  they  are 
perfect  nuisances,  and  one  of  the 
greatest  enemies  we  have  to  contend 
with. 

Only  the  other  day  we  discovered 
these  scoundrels  in  a  fresh  sort  of 
mischief.  The  plum  and  cherry  blos- 
soms were  coming  down  like  snow. 
It  was  too  soon  after  opening  for  them 
to  fall  naturally,  so  we  stopped  to  ex- 
amine, when  lo  !  two  sparrows,  as  busy 
as  busy  could  be,  picking  out  the  young 
plums  and  scattering  the  waste  part  of 
the  flower  to  the  ground. 

Others  may  need  to  try  the  miserable 
foreigner  a  little  longer,  before  they  are 
convinced  of  his  mean  spirit,  but  the 
writer  has  determined  to  show  him  no 
mercy. 


A  LETTER  FROM  J.  J.  BOURNE. 

Sir  : — In  the  February  number  of 
your  paper,  a  letter  appeared  from  me 
in  reference  to  Messrs.  Jackman  & 
Lindsay,  of  Toronto.  I  have  been  in 
England  since,  and  I  am  informed  that 


Jackman  &  Lindsay  complain  that  my 
letter  may  in  some  way  injure  them  in 
their  dealings  with  fruit  men,  and  bears 
the  construction  that  I  think  they  are 
unreliable  and  do  not  act  honestly. 
I  never  intended  what  I  wrote  you 
to  be  published  in  the  Horticulturist, 
and  much  less  did  I  wish  to  hint 
that  I  thought  the  said  firm  dis- 
honest. All  I  had  to  complain  about 
was  that  I  thought  each  day  after  fruit 
was  sold,  the  commission  merchant 
should  send  word  to  the  shipper,  by 
post  card  or  otherwise,  of  the  result  of 
the  fruit  sold,  so  that  the  shipper  could 
judge  for  himself  where  was  his  best 
place  to  sell.  Some  other  commission 
houses  do  this,  and  I  think  all  should 
do  so.  This  firm  did  not  do  so  to  me, 
but  they  have  honestly  accounted  for 
all  fruit  I  sent  them,  and  I  have  no 
complaint  to  make  except  in  the  one 
direction  I  have  alone  referred  to.  That 
is,  perhaps,  a  matter  for  their  own  busi- 
ness ;  but  I  mei'ely  intended  that  I 
thought  all  commission  men  should 
adopt  this  good  plan.  If  I  have  injured 
them,  I  did  not  wish  to  do  so,  and  still 
hope  they  may  do  a  good  business. 
May  25,  1887.  Jos,  Bourne. 


PROGRAMME  OF  THE  SUMMER  MEETING 

Of  the  Fruit  Growers'  Association   of  Ontario, 

Town  Hall,  Collingwood,  June  28  &  29, 

1887.— Open  to  the  Public. 

WEDNESDAY  MORNING. 

10  A.M. — Fraternal  Greetings. 

Appointment    of    Commit- 
tees. 

11  A.M. — The  Apple. 

(a)  Varieties  wiapted  to  Simcoe  and 
Grey. 

WEDNESDAY  AFTERNOON. 
QUESTION    DRAWER. 

2  P.M. — The  Apple. — (Continued.) 
(h)  Varieties  for  foreign  markets. 
(c)   Best  modes  of  gatheriug. 
{il)     "  "  packing. 


THE   CANADIAN    HOKTICULTUKIBT. 


143 


(e)  Best  modes  of  storing. 
(/)  Cultivation  of  the  Orchard, 
{g)  Fertilizers     for     the      Orchard' 
yPaper  hy  Dr.  HoskitLS,  New- 
port, Vt.'\ 
(h)  Summer  pruning  of    " 
{%)  Drainage  of  the  " 

Injurious  Fungi,  with  special  reference 
to  the  Black  Knot  and  Apple  Scab. 
\Paper  by  Prof.  Panton,  of  Guelph 
Agricultural  College.^ 

WEDNESDAY    EVENING. 
QUESTIOIC    DRAWER. 

8  P.M. — The  Foreign  Markets. 
[Subject  introduced  by  the  President]. 

(a)  What  fruits  and  vegetables  can  be 

profitably  shi2Jped. 

(b)  How  to  pack  for  foreign  ynarkets. 

(c)  How  to  ship. 

THURSDAY  MORNING. 
QUESTION    DRAWER. 

10  A.M.— The  Plum. 

(a)  Kinds  which  succeed  in  Counties 

of  Simcoe  and  Grey. 
(6)  Care  of  a  Plum  Orchard.     \^R. 

J.  Doyle,  Esq.,    Owen  Sound.^ 

(c)  Packing  for  the  Market. 

(d)  Yield  per  acre. 

The  Strawberry. 

(a)  Extent  of  Strawberry  Plantations 

in  the  Counties  of  Grey  and 
Simcoe. 

(b)  Best  early  variety. 

(c)  Best  variety  for  main  crop. 

(d)  "         "        "     table.        [T.     C. 

Robinson,  Owen  Soicnd]. 

(e)  Cultivation  and  Fertilizers. 

(f)  Gathering. 

(g)  Packages. 

(h)  Newer  Varieties. 

THURSDAY  AFTERNOON. 
THE    QUESTION   DRAWER. 

2  P.M. — Lawns  and   Lawn    Decora- 
tions. 
Groups   of  Shrubbery — suitable  for 
this  latitude. 
Ornamental  Trees. 
(a)  Shade. 


(b)  Shelter. 

(c)  Ornament. 

THURSDAY  E\T;NING. 

Public  Meeting,  8  P.M.  Free  to  all. 
Ten-minute  addresses  will  be  given  by 
various  speakers.  The  President  will 
speak  on  "  The  Colonial  and  its  Ben- 
efits to  Fruit  Growers."  Music  will 
be  furnished  by  local  talent. 

Papers  and  addresses  are  expected 
from  other  gentlemen  whose  names  we 
are  not  yet  prepared  to  give. 

A  committee  will  be  appointed  to 
examine  all  fruits  or  flowers  which  may 
be  placed  upon  exhibition  during  the 
meetings,  and  to  report  thereon.  Pack- 
ages of  fruit  for  exhibition  may  be  sent 
by  express  to  the  care  of  the  Secretary 
of  the  Fruit  Growers'  Association,  Col- 
lingwood.  Ont. 

First-class  accommodation  may  be 
had  for  all  in  attendance,  at  the  Cent- 
ral Hotel,  or  at  the  Globe  Hotel,  at  the 
reasonable  rate  of  81.00  per  day. 

We  will  gladly  give  our  candid  opinion  of  any  books, 
magaziiies  or  catalogues  received,  especially  if  they 
are  likely  to  interest  or  benefit  Canadian' fruit 
growers,  but  will  not  insert  cut  and  dried  reading 
notices  in  favor  of  any  publication  whatever. 


Transactions  of  the  State  Agricultural, 
Horticultural,    Dairymaids   Associa- 
tion, and  Department  of  Agriculttire 
of  the  University,  Wisconsin,  1881-2, 
1883,  1884,  1885,  and  1886.     Clin- 
ton Babbit,  Beloit,  Secretary. 
These  five  volumes  are  neatly  bound 
in  cloth  at  the   expense  of  the  State, 
and  are  full  of  interesting  matter.     In 
the   Agi'icultural   Report  we  notice   a 
valuable  paper  by  F.  H.  King  on  the 
Economic  Relations  of  Wisconsin  Birds, 
which  deals  largely  with  the  food  upon 
which    they     subsist,      showing     con- 
clusively   what     birds    are     positively 
beneficial  to  the    farmer    and    to    the 


144 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


fruit  grower.  In  the  Horticultural 
Report  are  papers  on  such  subjects  as 
"  Horticulture  as  an  Educator,"  "  First 
Principles  of  Flower  Culture,"  "  Small 
Fruits,"  "  Our  Russian  Fruits,"  "  Home 
Adornment,"  "  Farmers'  Garden,"  "Me- 
chanical Injuries  to  Trees  by  Cold," 
"  Raising  Seedling  Strawberries,"  etc. 

Transactioms  of  the '  American  Horti- 
cultural Society  for  the  year  1886. 
Parker  Earle, Cobden,  111.,  President ; 
W.  H.  Ragan,  Greencastle,  Indiana, 
Secretary. 

The  following  are  the  titles  of  some 
papei's  included,  viz.,  "  Nut  Culture 
for  Pleasure  and  Profit "  (Lovett), 
"  Small  Fruits  in  New  England  " 
(Hale),  "  Better  Culture  of  Grape 
Vines  "  (Campbell),  "  Selling  Fruits  by 
Auction  "  (Corsa),  "  Orchard  Rusts  " 
(Seymour). 

Twelfth  Annual  Report  of  the  Ontario 
Agricultural  College  and  Experimen- 
tal    Farm,     1886.       James      Mills, 
Guelph,  President. 
The  report  of  the  Professor  of  Natu- 
ral History,  contains  much  that  is  in- 
teresting to   horticulturists,   as  for  in- 
stance the  results  of  six  years  testing 
of  some  four  hundred  trees  and  shrubs 
planted  on  the  College  grounds,  and  of 
rive  years    testing  of  some   ninety-six 
varieties  of  grapes. 

Bulletin  of  the  lovia  Agricultural  Col- 
lege Experiments.  Ames,  Iowa, 
1886. 

Contains  some  valuable  notes  on  the 
habits  and  uses  of  various  gi'asses. 
Journal  of  the  Columbus  Horticultural 
Society,   published    monthly.     W.   S. 
Devol,  Columbus,  O.,  Secretary. 
This   interesting    little    monthly   is 
published  at   50c.    per  annum  by   the 
Society. 

Agricultural  Science.  May,  1887.  Pub- 
lished at  Geneva,  N.Y.,  at  $2  per 
annum. 


A  high-class  journal,  edited  by 
Charles  S.  Plumb. 

Practical    Turkey    Raising,      Chicago, 

1881. 

A  pamphlet  compiled  by  R.  B.  Mit- 
chell, 69  Dearborn  street,  Chicago. 
Price,  25  c. 

List  of  Premiums  of  the  Montreal  Hor- 
ticultural Society.  E.  J.  Maxwell, 
Secretary. 

The  Exhibition  will  be  held  in  Mon- 
treal, in  July,  September,  November, 
1887. 


I)iimoroxt0. 


cr- 


i'  ir'"^-'  ;■.,  ->■-  -      ■ '  •  ■■■•■-iV.'  -■^-.^^>*A***>?»■'^'^=- 
;ti<  r,?-^  Ji^i>. '«,,,;  s'_-  ^  t.  W^'S^^  "^ 


THINGS    ONE    WOULD    RATHER   HAVE   LEFT 
UNSAID. 

Herr  Professor — "  Yat  a  vonderfoll 
Dree  ! "  f 

Lady  Godiva— "  Yes  ;  isn't  it.  I 
love  it  better  than  any  tree  in  the  place. 
It's  full  of  sweet  and  tender  associations 
for  me !" 

"  Herr  Professor  —  "  Ach  !  Zoh  ! 
Your  Latyship  has  perhaps  blanted  it 
yourzellff !     Yes  ?" — Punch. 


PRINTED   AT  THK   STFAM    PRESS   KSTABLISHMRKT   OF  THE   COPP,    CLARK   COMPANY  (LIMITED),    TORONTO. 


Zhc 


(EanaMan 

Iborticulturiet 


Published   at   Jof\onto   and    Gf^msby,    Ont. 
OFFICE  ADDRESS— GRIMSBY,  ONT. 


VOL.  X.] 


JULY,  1887. 


[No.  7. 


Jflotoers. 


THE     CLEMATIS. 

fHIS  beautiful  climber  has  already 
received  considerable  attention  in 
this  journal.  In  volume  VI.  our 
readers  have  seen  a  plate  of  that  beau- 
tiful native  of  Texas,  the  Clematis 
Coccinea,  shewn  also  in  our  engraving 
as  No.  I.  Its  flowers  are  orange  scar- 
let, and  though  not  lai-ge,  the  peculiar 
shape  and  profusion  of  bloom  make  it 
a  verj'  decided  acquisition. 

In  volume  VII.  a  fine  colored  plate 
of  Clematis  Jackmani  was  given,  so 
called  from  Mr.  Jackman,  an  English 
nurseryman  who  claims  it  as  his  hy- 
brid, a  cross  between  the  Spanish  Viti- 
cella  and  the  Chinese  lanuginosa.  It 
is  this  Clematis  that  we  again  brinfj 
brifore  our  readers,  shewing  Avhat  a 
chai-ming   effect   may   be   produced  by 


training  it  about  on  upright  trellis  on 
the  lawn. 

The  Clematis  belongs  to  the  Crow- 
foot family — a  family  which  includes 
also  the  Columbine,  the  Larkspur,  the 
Pseony,  &c. — and  about  one  hundred 
varieties  have  been  found  growing  wild 
in  various  parts  of  the  world,  while 
hybridization  and  cultivation  has  more 
than  doubled  this  number.  It  first 
attracted  general  attention  in  the  year 
1859,  when  Clematis  Viticella  was 
introduced  into  England  from  Spain, 
and  soon  became  a  general  favorite  ; 
and  out  of  compliment  to  the  then 
reigning  monarch  who  delighted  in  the 
title  of  "  Virgin  Queen,"  it  was  named 
the  Virgin's  Bower.  About  the  same 
time  a  native  of  England,  the  C. 
Vitalba,  was  brought  into  cultivation. 
It  had  sevei-al  common  names,  as,  for 
instance,  "  The  Traveller's  Joy,"  from 
its  being  frequently  found  by  travellers, 


146 


THE   CANADIAN    H0KTICULTUKI8T. 


climbing  upon  the  hedges  ;  and  "  Old 
Man's  Beard,"  or  "  Cigar  Plant,"  from 
its  feathery  styles,  which  were  so  curi- 
ous after  the  flowering  season  was  over. 
Clematis Jiammula,  commonly  known 
as  the  "  Sweet-scented  Clematis,"  was 
next  introduced  from  France,  and  is 
still   popular,   on  account   of   its   frag. 


CLEMATISES. 

(1)  C.  Cocdnea,  (2)  C.   Crispa,  (3)  C  lonugi7iosa, 
(i)   C  Jackmani. 

ranee.  C  Virginiana,  an  American 
species,  is  also  still  i)ropagated  by 
florists,  being  esteemed  as  one  of  the 
best  of  our  native  white  sorts  :  but 
its  size  and  beauty  is  far  eclipsed  by  C. 
Lanuginosa,  (No.  3)  a  Chinese  variety, 
with  flowers  of  a  pale  lavender  color,  and 
measuring  from  6  to  8  inches  across. 


In  1863  a  fine  double:  white  sort  was 
sent  over  from  Japan  by  Mr.  Robert 
Fortunei,  and  named  C.  Foi  tunei  after 
this  gentleman.  Though  somewhat 
fragi'ant,  it  is  surpassed  in  this  respect 
by  the  Duchess  of  EdiubirgJo,  which  is 
now  counted  the  best  double  white 
variety,  and  is  deliciously  scented. 

Of  all  these  vai'ieties,  however,  none 
is  so  deservedly  popular,  whether  for 
covering  lattices,  climbing  over  porches, 
or  poles,  twining  about  a  rockery,  or 
trained  as  a  bedding  plant,  as  Clematis 
Jackmani,  and  since  its  introduction 
in  1868,  lias  been  a  means  of  stirring 
up  a  great  rage  for  the  Clematis  as  an 
ornamental  climber. 

Mr.  W.  K.  Wellington  says  of  this 
variety  :  "  The  plant  is  free  in  its  form 
of  growth,  and  is  an  abundant  and 
suceessional  bloomer,  producing  flowers 
until  frozen  up.  The  flowers  are  large, 
of  an  intense  violet-purple,  remarkable 
for  its  velvety  richness  ;  "  and  speaking 
of  culture  he  says  :  "  It  will  grow  in 
almost  any  soil,  but  prefers  a  rich 
loam.  As  with  all  free-blooming 
plants,  if  you  would  obtain  good 
results,  you  must  give  it  plenty  of  food 
to  live  upon.  For  that  reason  I  would 
always  mulch  freely  in  the  spring  and 
autumn.  Keither  is  it  amiss  to  feed  it 
with  liquid  manure  during  the  summer. 
In  regard  to  keeping  in  the  winter,  in 
order  to  get  its  best  results,  I  would 
leave  from  two  to  three  feet  of  old 
wood.  This  I  would  lay  down  and 
cover  with  a  board,  and  throw  a  little 
soil  over  it.  By  this  treatment  moi-e 
profusion  of  bloom  will  be  obtained." 

Clematis  Crispa  (No.  2)  is  a  most 
beautiful  and  distinct  species,  the 
flowers  resembling  in  shape  some  of  the 
elegant  bell-shaped  lilies.  The  coloring 
is  of  the  most  beautiful  lavender  blue 
tint  on  the  surface  and  margins  of 
petals.  The  centre  of  the  petals  is  an 
opaque  white.  The  flowei'S  are  of  a 
thick  leathery  texture,  perfumed  with. 


1 


THE    CANADIAN    nORTICULTURIST. 


147 


a  delicious  bergamot  flavor.  Hardy 
and  very  free  flowering,  continuing 
from  Jane  until  frost. 


CLEMATIS     LA     FRANCE. 

This  is  the  name  of  a  new  variety 
of  Clematis  that  is  the  produce  of  a 
cross  between  C.  lanuginosa  and  C. 
Jackmani,  and  which  has  been  des- 
cribed in  a  late  number  of  the  Revue 
irorticole.  It  was  originated  by 
M.  Gegn,  horticulturist,  of  Angers, 
France.  The  journal  above  mentioned 
says  that  it  is  truly  a  plant  of  unusual 
merits,  and  which  once  more  puts  be- 
yond doubt  the  influence  of  artificial 
pollenizing,  and  shews  what  can  be 
(lone  in  this  manner.  In  efiect,  Cle- 
matis La  France,  hybrid  of  C.  lanugi- 
nosa and  C.  Jackmani,  possesses  the 
general  characters  of  both  these  plants. 
It  has  the  habit  of  growth  of  C.  lan- 
uginosa, that  is  to  say,  that  it  blooms 
continually,  like  the  last,  aud  that  it 
has  its  vitality  and  its  general  appear- 
ance ;  as  for  the  flowers,  by  their 
dimensions,  their  form,  their  nature, 
they  recall  those  of  C.  lanuginosa,  are 
more  abundant  and  have  taken  the 
beautiful  deep  violet  color  of  C.  Jack- 
mani.—  Vick's  Magazine  for  Noveviher. 


CARE  AND  CULTIVATION  OF  LILIES. 

BT    n.    SIMMERS,    TOROXTO,    OXT. 

Among  all  the  varieties  of  bulbs  the 
lily  is  probably  the  one  most  diflicult 
for  the  amateur  to  rear.  The  bulb 
itself  being  of  a  soft,  spongy  material  it 
does  not  stand  the  ordinary  handling 
that  other  bulbs  can  stand  ;  therefore 
the  more  beautiful  varieties,  such  as 
appeared  in  the  colored  plate  of  the 
June  issue,  are  not  usually  tried  by  the 
amateurs,  but  with  the  few  suggestions 
that  1  will  give  they  will  find  it  compara- 
tively easy.  Another  reason  also  is 
that  the  more  beautiful  varieties  do  not 
})ropagate  so  easily,  and  for  this  reason 
iire,   as   a  rule,   sold  at    much   higher 


prices.  With,  however,  some  of  the 
commoner  varieties,  such  as  the  Lilium 
candidum,  there  is  very  little  diflference 
in  propagation,  as  they  increase  almost 
as  quickly  as  ordinary  bulbs. 

As  the  colored  plate  of  June  issue 
showed  us  three  beautiful  varieties,  I 
will  confine  myself  to  these  in  this 
issue,  and  will  speak  of  other  varieties 
in  another  issue.  The  variety  which 
will  at  all  times  attract  the  amateur 
most    is   the   Lilium  Auratum,    called 


LILIUM    AURATUM,   AS  GROWN   ON  THE  LAWN. 

Golden-rayed  Japan,  also  "  The  Queen 
of  Lilie.s."  This  variety  has  been  so 
very  often  tried  without  success  that 
the  amateur  has  given  up  in  despair, 
mainly  I  believe  on  account  of  not 
handling  them  proj)erly.  The  proper 
mode  of  ])lanting  these  in  the  open  air 
is  to  select  a  sandy-loam  soil  in  a  per- 
fectly open  aspect,  planting  the  bulb 
six  inches  below  the  surface,  then,  if 
you  have  a  good  sound  bulb,  it  is  sure 
to  bloom.  The  reason  for  planting  in 
a  sandy   soil   is   that  they   are  not  so 


14S 


THK   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


liable  to  rot  as  if  planted  in  heavy  soil, 
the  tender  shoot  thrown  from  the  bulb 
not  being  able  to  ])enetrate  the  coarse, 
heavy  soil  as  well  as  the  sandy  soil. 
Again,  the  reason  for  planting  the  bulb 
six  inches  below  the  surface,  is  that  it 
will  remain  in  the  ground  all  winter 
without  being  covered,  whereas  many 
amateurs  plant  them  about  two  inches 
below  the  surface,  and  cover  with  straw 
during  winter,  but  in  my  experience, 
and  1  have  tried  both  ways,  I  find  the 
deep  planting  is  preferable.  Another 
very  good  plan  to  raise  Lilium  Aura- 
tum,  and  one  that  the  amateur  would 
probahly  prefer,  is  to  plant  the  bulb  in 
a  pot,  in  months  of  January,  February 
or  March,  keep  in  the  cellar  and  treat 
similar  to  the  Easter  Lily,  as  previously 
explained  in  one  of  the  back  issues  of 
the  Horticulturist,  with  the  exception 
that  not  so  much  water  is  used,  only- 
keeping  it  constantly  moist.  L.  Lanci- 
folium  roseum  and  Lancifolium  album 
are  treated  in  a  similar  manner  to  the 
L.  Auratum,  but  are  not  so  easily 
grown  in  pots.  In  Holland,  where 
acres  of  lily  bulbs  are  grown,  the  soil 
is  exceedingly  sandy,  being  however 
well  enriched  with  manure. 

THE  ROSE  OF  ENGLAND. 

Sir, — The  enclosed  lines  were  written  in 
my  manuscript  book  now  over  thirty  years 
ago,  by  one  of  my  lady  friends  ;  and  as  it 
has  never,  I  think,  seen  printers  ink,  I 
thought  it  might  not  be  unacceptable  to 
some  of  my  fellow  English  colonists  who 
are  readers  of  the  Canadian  Horticulturist. 
This  is  my  apology  for  sending  them. 

Yours  tfec. ,  J.  BissfL. 

Meaford,  Ont. 

Hail  beautiful  rosebud  1  Queen  of  the  flowers, 
The  iflory  of  England,  the  pride  of  her  bowers, 
The  brightest  and  fairest  of  Flora's  gay  host. 
The  cotters  delight,  his  glory  and  boast 
To  plant  it  with  c  ire  round  his  happy  home. 
There  to  blossom  and  die,  with  no  wish  to  roam 
From  the  peaceful  haunts  where  his  children  play, 
Breathing  its  perfumes  the  livelong  day. 

It  blooms  in  the  bowers  of  the  lady  fair, 
Scenting  with  odorous  sweetness  the  air, 
Tis  dear  to  her  heart,  and  she  owns  with  a  smile, 
Tis  the  favourite  flower  of  this  favoured  Isle. 


How  varied  its  dyes  from  the  rich  red  glow 
To  the  spotless  rosebud  as  white  as  snow. 
Which  young  maidens  gather  in  girlish  pride 
To  garland  the  brow  of  their  sister  bride. 

*****  * 

In  childhood  I  loved  it,  and  tended  with  ca-e 
The  flower  of  old  England,  the  rosebud  so  fair. 

Then  say  1  are  the  flowers  of  England  more  fair 
Than  all  the  gaj-  flowerets  that  perfume  the  air, 
Unfolding  their  leaflets  in  gorgeous  array, 
Neath  the  tropical  skies  of  a  summer's  day? 
Oh  no  !  for  the  same  Great  Being  made  all — 
The  scentless,  the  scented,  the  great  and  the  small. 
And  fixed  the  abode  where  each  gem  may  shine  ; 
So  we  all  love  the  flowers  of  our  own  native  clime. 

Then,  of  all  the  dear  homes  of  this  beautiful  earth, 
Happy  England  for  me,  the  land  of  my  birth  ; 
Then  Brittania's  bright  roseliud  I  hail  with  a  smile. 
The  Flower  of  my  country,  the  pride  of  our  Isle  I 


Mildew  on  Roses. — An  exchange 
recommends  sulphate  of  potassium  as 
effectual  ;  half-au-ounce  to  a  gallon  of 
water. 

The  Rose  is  the  most  highly  prized, 
and,  next  to  the  Geranium,  the  most 
generally  cultivated  flowering  plant. 
These  remarks  apply  to  amateur  culti- 
vation. Professional  florists  make 
rose-growing  a  very  prominent  part  of 
their  business,  and  immense  quantities 
of  flowers  are  raised  during  the  winter 
season  for  cutting.  The  statement  is 
made  by  a  competent  authority  that  in 
I'^So  "  the  trade  .sold  twenty-four  mil- 
lion cut  Roses."  This  indicates,  to 
some  extent,  the  popularity  of  this 
particular  flower. —  Vick's  Magazhxe  for 
J  ane. 


THE     JARDIN     ANGLAIS,     GENEVA. 

BY     JAS.     CROIL,     EDITOR     PRESBYTERIAN     RECORD,     MON- 
TREAL. 

This  is,  to  Geneva,  what  the  Thames 
Embankment  is  to  London — a  large 
emplacement  reclaimed  from  the  water, 
and  converted  into  a  beautiful  garden. 
As  nearly  as  I  can  learn,  this  was  done 
some  thirty -five  years  ago  ;  a  time  at 
which  a  large  sum  of  money,  levied  on 
the  municipality,  was  expended  in  im- 
proving the  city  :  and  it  was  certainly 
done  in  good  taste.  I  am  sorry  I  can- 
not give  such  a  description  of  the  gar- 
den as  I  could    wish,  for  I  am  not  a 


THE   CANADIAN    H0RTICULTDRI6T. 


U9 


botanist,  nor  a  florist,  and,  besides,  you 
must  remember  it  is  winter,  and  winter 
in  Geneva  means  death  to  flowers.  The 
Jardin  Ancrlais  is  so  called  because  it  is 
laid  out  after  the  manner  of  English 
landscape  gardening,  which,  as  you 
know,  is  much  more  free  and  easy  than 
the  French  style,  with  its  stiff"  and 
painfully  regular  mathematical  lines. 
It  is  1,200  Yeet  long,  and  about  325 
feet  wide.  It  lies  at  the  foot  of  Lake 
Leraan,  on  the  south  side,  just  where 
the  "  arrowy  Rhine "  leaves  it  on  its 
journey  to  the  sea  and  the  sunny 
south.  On  the  oi  e  side  it  is  bounded 
by  the  waters  of  the  lake,  as  blue  as 
indigo  ;  on  the  other  by  a  wide  and 
handsome  street  of  very  lofty  houses. 
It  is  well  stocked  with  trees  and 
shrubs,  and  further  adorned  with  broad 
winding  gravel  walks  and  elaborate 
flower  borders.  The  first  thing  that  at- 
tracts attention  upon  entering  it  is  the 

NATIONAL   MOXUMENT, 

erected  by  the  citizens  of  Geneva, 
to  commemorate  the  reunion  of  the 
Canton  of  Geneva  with  Swiss 
Confederation,  effected  on  the  12th 
of  September,  1814.  This  consists 
of  two  colossal  female  figures  in 
bronze,  clasping  each  other  around  the 
waist  in  a  most  frii  ndly  fashion.  Both 
are  draped  in  flowing  robes.  Geneva 
has  a  c;)stle  for  her  crown,  wears  a 
corslet  of  chain  armotir,  and  holds  in 
her  right  hand  a  drawn  sword.  Hel- 
\"etia,  representing  the  Confederacy, 
has  her  brow  adorned  with  a  laurel 
wreath,  her  bosom  is  bared  and  her 
sword  is  sheathed.  Each  has  buckled 
on  to  her  right  and  left  arm  a  shield, 
emblazoned  with  the  arms  of  the  city 
and  the  canton  respectively.  The  city 
arms  have  a  large  key  and  a  crowned 
eagle,  above  which  are  spreading  rays,  as 
of  the  rising  sun,  in  the  centre  of 
which  are  the  mystic  letters  I.H.S., 
and  the  motto  of  the  city,  "  Post  tene- 
bra.t  lux.     The  other  has  the  Maltese 


cross,  with  this  motto :  "  Un  pom- 
tous  ei  tousjwur  un."  Near  the  centre 
of  the  gard-  n  there  is  a  beautiful  foun- 
tain in  bronze.  On  either  side  of  it 
bronze  busts  t.n  marble  pedestals  to  F. 
Diday,  1802-1879,  and  Alexandre 
Calaine,  1810-1864.  That  is  all  that 
is  said  about  these  gentlemen,  who, 
doubtless,  were  notable  men  in  their 
day.  Besides  the  covered  band-stand, 
where  sweet  music  is  discoursed  in 
summer,  thei-e  are  a  number  of  "  Ki- 
osques,"*  useful  and  ornamental,  re- 
freshment rooms,  (fee.  In  one  of  these 
there    is    a    very    interesting   relief  of 

MoxT  Blanc 
in  wood,  twenty-six  feet  long.  This 
monai'ch  of  mountains  is  not  visi- 
ble from  the  garden,  but  from  the 
opposite  side  of  the  lake,  of  a  clear 
evening,  about  the  set  of  sun,  Mont 
Blanc  is  seen  to  advantage,  though  60 
miles  ofi^.  Indeed,  it  is  the  grandest 
"  sight  "  in  Geneva.  From  the  garden, 
however,  you  have  a  fine  view  of  the 
long  Jui'a  range — at  this  time  of  the 
year  covered  with  snow — also  of  the 
lovely  lake,  which  stretches  away  to  the 
north-east  upwards  of  fiity  miles.  The 
bay  immediately  in  front  of  the  garden 
is  protected  by  substantial  stone  break- 
waters, and  px'esents  a  veiy  lively  ap- 
pearance with  steamers,  lateen-rigged 
schooners,  yachts  and  row-boats  in 
great  variety  flitting  about.  Along 
with  this  I  am  sending  you  rude 
sketches  of 

THREE    TREES 

in  the  garden, which  at  ti-acted  my 
attention  especially.  No.  1  is  a 
very  fine  specimen  of  the  Welliny- 
tonia  gigantica — the  best  I  have  ever 
seen.  It  is  in  perfect  health,  and  .he 
foliage,  even  at  this  inclement  season,  is 
luxuriant.  Not  trusting  my  unaided 
eye,  I  had  the  gai-dener  to  help  me 
measure  it.     It  stands  fifty  feet   in  its 


150 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


stockings,  and  its  lower  branches  cover 
an  area  of  seventy-eight  feet  in  cir- 
cumference. By  actual  measurement, 
its  girth  at  the  base  of  the  trunk  is 
thii-teen  feet  four  inches.  My  informant 
assured  me  it  was  planted  here,  by 
himself,  in  1862,  when  it  was  a  sapling 
of  three  feet.  Its  growth  must  have 
been  not  far  short  of  two  feet  per 
annum.  No.  2,  the  Cedar  of  Lebanon, 
is  much  younger.  Its  height  may  be 
about  twenty-five  feet.  It  has  evident- 
ly outgrown  itself  in  this  rich  nursery 
of  made  ground,  and  seems  to  have 
difficulty  in  preserving  the  centre  of 
gravity.  It  has  a  profusion  of  light 
gi'oen  foliage  hanging  in  long  tresses 
down  to  the  very  ground.  Havingan  eye 
to  the  practical,  I  judge  that  No.  1 
would  certainly  make  the  best  stick  of 
timber ;  but  No.  2  commands  our  res- 
pect and  admiration  as  the  lineal  des- 
cendant and  representative  of  a  very 
old  and  aristocratic  family.  As  for 
No.  3,  he — or  she,  perhaps — is  quite  a 
stranger  to  me ;  though  doubtless  you 
who  are  supposed  to  be  well  up  in  the 
business  would  i-ecognize  it  at  a 
glance.  It  is  a  flowering  tree,  about 
twenty-five  feet  high  ;  an  evergreen 
leaf,  not  unlike  the  walnut,  but  hard 
and  glistening.  Descending  from  the 
up])er  bi-anches  are  chunkey  cones  like 
small  pine-apples  ;  these,  the  gardener 
tells  me,  ai-e  the  flower  germs  which, 
when  they  open  in  spring,  cover  the 
tree  with  blossoms  "  tres  magnifiques,,^ 
and  fill  the  air  with  sweet  perfume.  It 
is  a  very  handsome  to  look  at  even 
now.  The  Spruce  family  are  well  re- 
presented, single  and  double  ;  also  larch 
of  various  kinds,  in  fine  feather.  You 
can  meditate  sub  teg  mine  fayi  red  and 
green.  Birch,  pine,  lime  and  plane 
tree  have  also  a  place  in  the  garden. 
The  last  named  is  of  a  kind  very  com- 
mon on  the  continent,  which  has  the 
habit  of  casting  its  bark  frequently, 
giving  the  trunk  and  branches  a  very 


SINGULAR     MOTTLED     APPEARANCE. 

It  grows  very  rapidly,  and  is  said  to 
stand  the  London  fog  and  smoke  better 
than  any  other  of  the  park  trees.  Here 
they  prune  it  severely,  by  which  it  as- 
sumes the  shape  of  an  umbrella,  afibrd- 
ing  excellent  shade,  without  unduly 
obstructing  the  view.  We  have  avenues 
of  them  here,  miles  long,  which  must 
be  beautiful  in  the  hot  summer  weather. 
The  linden,  or  lime,  is  also  a  great 
favorite  all  through  the  Continent. 
The  principal  street  in  Berlin  is  the 
"  Unter  den  Linden  " — the  promenade 
under  the  limes.  We  had  three  notable 
trees  of  this  kind  at  Lucerne  called  the 
"  Brei  Li7iden,"  upon  the  summit  of 
one  of  the  lively  green  hills  from  which 
there  is  one  of  the  finest  views  of 
Alpine  scenery  imaginable.  Among 
the  shrubs  in  the  Jardin  Anglais  are  the 
Arbor  Vitse  of  different  kinds.  The 
holly,  plain  and  variegated,  covered 
just  now  with  crimson  berries  of  sombre 
hue ;  the  Portugal  Laurel,  Bay  and 
Box  ;  and  the  Laurier  Thun,  a  beauti- 
ful dark-leaved  bush  resembling  Pyrus 
japonica,  which  flowers  all  winter,  and 
is  now  at  its  best.  There  is  not  a 
rhododendron  in  the  garden,  though  it 
is  a  native  of  this  country,  and  abounds 
in  the  mountains  in  a  wild  state.  The 
aracaria,  so  common  nowadays  in  Scot- 
land, is  not  to  be  found  here.  Doubt- 
less they  have  beautiful  roses  and 
dahlias,  fuschias  and  heather  in  their 
season,  for  these  seem  to  be  favoi-ites  all 
over  Switzerland,  as  are  also  Chrysan- 
themums, in  many  colors.  Gladioli, 
China  Asters  and  Carnations,  with 
many  others  that  I  cannot  name. 


LAWNS. 

In  lawns  that  have  been  raised  from 
grass  seed  sown  the  past  spring,  many 
weeds  will  appear.  The  perennial  ones 
should  be  weeded  by  hand.  The  holes 
made  by  removal  of  roots  can  have  a 
little    earth     put     in.      The    creeping 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST, 


151 


grasses  will  soon  cover  the  surface. 
Lawns  that  have  been  cut  very  close 
for  several  years,  will  suffer  much  from 
creeping  weeds,  which  get  all  the  sun- 
light on  their  foliage  they  require  to 
keep  them  healthy.  Unfortunately 
there  is  no  way  to  get  rid  of  these  but 
by  letting  the  grass  grow  for  a  season, 
which  smothers  out  the  weeds.  A  good 
help,  however,  is  to  sow  in  the  fall, 
seeds  of  some  low  growing  tufty  grass, 
which  mowing  does  not  weaken  much. 
The  Sheep  Fescue  is  a  good  one  for  this 
purpose.  We  ai-e  inclined  to  think 
that  even  for  the  main  grass  in  lawn 
making  it  has  some  good  points.  So 
far  the  Kentucky  blue  grass  has  had 
no  competitor.  The  good  point  in  a 
first-class  lawn  grass  is  that  it  shall 
grow  so  stocky  as  to  crowd  out  all  com- 
petitors.—  The  Gardener's  Monthly. 

WEEDS. 

J.  nOYeS  PANTON,  M.A.,  F.O.S.,  PROFESSO'H  OF  NATURAL 
HISTORY  AND  GEOLOGY. 

Any  plant  out  of  place  is  really  a 
weed,  even  if  it  does  possess  consider- 
able beauty.  Some  plants  are  so  fi'e- 
quently  out  of  place  that  they  have 
been  always  known  as  weeds,  such  as 
the  thistle,  chickweed,  bindweed,  etc. 

In  Ontario  we  have  somewhere  150 
species  of  plants  commonly  known  as 
weeds,  and  of  these  nearly  100  have 
been  introduced  from  Europe.  Every 
year  adds  a  few  more  foreigners,  and  if 
farmers  are  not  more  vigilant  in  watch- 
ing against  these  unpleasant  invaders 
our  Province  will  soon  be  overrun. 

There  is  no  doubt  that  weeds  are  on 
the  inci'ease  in  Ontario,  both  in  number 
and  species.  This  may  be  accounted 
for  by  the  comparative  indifference  of 
many  farmers  to  the  growth  of  weeds 
on  the  roadside,  as  well  as  to  the  prac- 
tice which  now  prevails  of  procuring  a 
change  of  seed  from  other  districts. 
The  productive  power  of  these  perni- 
cious plants  will  be  better  understood 
when  the  reader  examines  the  results 


of  observations  on  their  seed-bearing 
capabilities. 

In  each  case  following  the  seeds  are 
from  a  single  plant :  purslane,  500,000  ; 
burdock,  400,328  :  cockle,  3,200  ;  mus- 
tard, 31,000  ;  Canadian  thistle,  42,000  ; 
ox-eye  daisy,  9,600  ;  chess,  3,500  ;  mal- 
low 16,500.  When  we  consider  this 
productive  power  and  the  vitality  some 
possess,  together  with  the  peculiar  mode 
by  which  many  are  distributed,  the 
surprise  is  that  we  are  not  more  over- 
run than  we  are,  especially  when  un- 
fortunately located  near  careless  or 
indifferent  farmers. 

Weeds  are  largely  distributed  by  the 
following  means  : — 

1.  Along  with  grain  obtained  from 
other  districts. 

2.  Animals  carrying  seeds  attached 
to  their  bodies. 

3.  By  the  wind,  where  seeds  are 
supplied  with  structures  which  enable 
them  to  be  blown  about. 

4.  Threshing  machines  carrying  seeds 
from  farm  to  farm. 

5.  Renting  farm  for  a  short  time  to 
men  who  ai'e  indifferent  to  the  condi- 
tion in  which  they  leave  the  place,  bet- 
ter or  worse,  and  usually  worse  than 
they  found  it. 

6.  Manure  from  city  stables. 

With  such  odds  against  him  a  farmer 
who  desires  to  keep  his  fields  clean 
must  be  vigilant,  industrious  and  pains- 
taking. However,  if  he  observes  the 
following  hints  he  will  succeed  in  de- 
stroying weeds  : — 

1.  Cultivate  the  land  thoroughly. 

2.  Watch  the  roadsides  and  fence- 
corners. 

3.  Never  allow  the  weeds  to  seed. 

4.  If  possible,  never  allow  weeds  to 
have  the  benefit  of  sunlight ;  this  can 
be  effected  by  constant  and  thorough 
cultivation,  and  will*  soon  result  in  a 
clean  farm. 

5.  Secure  the  co-operation  of  fellow- 
farmers. 


152 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


A  knowledjre  of  the  nature  of  weeds 
becomes  of  iuiportance  in  destroying 
them.  Annuals  live  but  a  year,  bear 
many  seeds,  and  when  young  are  weak 
and  tender,  such  as  shepherd's  purse, 
mustard,  cockle,  pennycress,  wild  oats, 
chess,  ragweed,  chickweed,  sow  thistle. 

Biennials  continue  two  years  and 
usually  have  a  tap-root.  Unless  these 
plants  are  cut  below  the  surface,  cutting 
increases  their  vigour.  Wild  carrot, 
blueweed,  burdock  and  mullein  are 
pereniiials. 

Simple  perennials  continue  from  year 
and  will  reappear  til  the  root  is  utterly 
destroyed,  of  which  are  the  ox-eye 
daisy,  mallow,  chicory,  bind-weed,  sor- 
rel and  campion. 

Creeping  perennials  are  more  or  less 
jointed  in  the  roots,  each  joint  capable 
of  growing  if  separated.  Continued 
cultivation  and  smothering  from  light 
are  necessary  to  kill  these,  among  which 
are  Canadian  thistle,  couch  grass,  toad- 
flax, milkweed  and  sow  thistle  (peren- 
nial).— Bulletin  X,  Agricultural  College, 
Guelph. 


Jfrutts. 


FRUIT  PACKAGES. 

It  is  stated  that  thirty-five  of  the 
fruit  growers  of  Berrien  Co.,  Michigan, 
have  signed  an  agreement  to  use  the 
full  quart  box  for  all  fruits,  except  red 
raspberries,  and  to  pack  in  twenty-four 
quart  cases.  We  have  also  some 
enquiries  from  Canadian  growers,  who 
seem  to  favor  its  adoption  here. 

We  question  whether  it  would  pay 
to  make  the  change,  now  that  a  basket 
holding  less  than  a  quart  has  been  so 
long  in  use  in  Canada.  It  is  thorougly 
understood  among  buyers  and  con- 
sumers that  the. basket  does  not  hold  a 
quart,  and  probably  a  larger  size  would 
not  sell  at  a  proportionate  advance  in 
price. 


What  we  do  want  is  a 

STANDARD    SIZE, 

and  an  agreement  among  fruit  growei's 
upon  this  should  be  made  as  soon  as 
possible,  looking  to  our  legislature  for 
confirmation  of  the  same  ;  for  as  things 
are  now  there  is  a  constant  teoiptation 
to  cheat  the  buyer,  by  using  a  basket  a 
shade  smaller  than  the  customary  one,  so 
that  the  difference  may  escape  his 
notice  and  bring  the  same  price.  This 
trick  is  allied  to  that  of  concealing  all 
the  small,  mean  berries  in  the  middle 
of  the  basket  and  topping  out  with  the 
biggest  ones.  It  may  succeed  for  a  few 
shipments,  but  as  soon  the  name  of  such 
a  shipper  becomes  known  in  the 
market,  his  packages  are  viewed  with 
suspicion. 

For  i-aspberries  and  blackcaps  the 
same  package  i->  si*table  which  has 
been  advised  for  the  strawberry,  but 
with  closer  corners.  The  pint  size  is 
recommended  for  them  by  some,  but 
we  have  never  received  any  advantages 
from  their  use.  The  expense  is  greater, 
and  buyers  at  wholesale  are  seldom 
willing  to  pay  more  for  a  crate  of 
berries,  containing  48  half  baskets, 
than  for  the  same  crate  containing  24 
of  the  usual  size. 

The  most  generally 

USEFUL    BASKET 

we  have  in  Canada  is  th "  tuelvc-quart 
peach  basket.     It  costs  so  little,  and  is 


12-QT.    PEACH   BASKET. 

SO  convenient  to  handle,  that  it  is 
being  adopted  for  carrying  almost 
every  kind  of  fruit  that  is  at  all  firm 
in  texture.  How  beautiful  is  one  of 
these  baskets  filled  with  Early  Crawford 
peaches,  and  neatly  covered  with  car- 


THE   CANADIAN    H0RTICULTUEI8T. 


153 


dinal   leno  I      No  wonder  the    dealers 
■write,  "  They  sell  like  hot  cakes." 

This  basket,  the  cut  of  which  has 
been  kindly  loaned  us  by  Mr.  W.  B. 
Chisholm,  of  Oakville,  is  now  largely 
used  for  cherries,  currants,  gooseberries, 
apples,  pears,  and  plums,  as  well  as  for 
peaches.  Of  course,  if  cherries  are 
very  soft,  they  had  better  be  turned 
out  into  strawberry  baskets  and  so 
packed ;  but  if  firm,  they  will  be  most 
marketable  in  the  twelve-quart  basket. 

The  conditionof  cherries  depend  veiy 
much  upon  the  picker.  The  first  im- 
pulse with  many  {jickers  is  to  grab  the 
fruit  it.self  by  handfuls,  with  the  idea 
that  it  would  take  too  long  to  handle 
them  by  the  stems.  But  really  it  does 
not  take  any  longer  for  a  skilful  hand. 
A  trained  picker,  with  a  good  ladder, 
basket  and  hook,  will  gather  from  60 
to  100  quarts  a  day,  and  never  handle 
the  cherries  except  by  the  stems. 
Thus  gathered  they  will  present  a  clean, 
fresh  appearance,  when  [daced  upon  the 
market. 

The  tidiest  way  of  addressing  these 
baskets  is  with  a  slip  of  paper,  on  which 
is  printed  boldly  the  name  of  the  con- 
signor, and  of  the  consignee,  placed 
under  the  leno  covering  ;  but  where  they 
go  to  many  different  consignees,  a  tag 
tied  on  the  handle  is  the  simplest 
method. 

For  pears,  apples,  and  tomatoes,  a 
handy  box  is  manufactured  by  A.   C. 


BUSHEL    BOX    FOR    APPLES,    PEAP^,    TOMA- 
TOES,   ETC. 

Rice  ik  Co.,  Sarnia,  in  either  one-third, 
one-half-  or  one  bushel  size,  which  is 


very  servicable,  especially  for  choice 
fruit  which  is  going  to  distant  markets. 
Tomatoes  come  up  in  this  kind  of  a  box 
from  Illinois  into  Toronto  market,  and 
some  seem  to  think  that  very  choice 
apples  for  foreign  shipments  might  be 
put  up  in  it. 
For 

MARKETING    GRAPES 

various  shapes  and  sizes  of  baskets  and 
boxes  have  been  made,  each  claiming 
the  precedency,  but  now  that  this  fruit 
is  grown  so  extensively  and  the  market 
price  is  so  low,  it  scarcely  pays  to  pack 
them  in  small  baskets  or  boxes.  For 
very  choice  assorted  lots  for  table  use, 
it  does  perhaps 
pay  the  grower  to 
use  the  ten  pound 
grape  basket,  but 
tor  the  bulk  of 
the  crop  nothing 
lo-LB.  GRAPE  BASKET.  Can  supcrcede  the 
the  sixteen-quart  grape  basket,  which 


16-QT.    GRAPE   BASKET. 

holds  about  twenty  pounds  of  grapes. 
Covered  with  blue  leno,  it  shows  off"  the 
fruit  to  the  veiy  best  advantage. 

All  these  baskets  are  sold  with  the 
fiuit,  and  are  seldom  returned  to  the 
shipper.  We  notice  that  the  Delaware 
and  Maryland  peach  growers  still  use 
an  expensive  basket,  and  are  insisting 
upon  their  return.  They  have  even 
resolved  in  convention  to  ship  only  to 
such  commission  merchants  as  will 
agree  either  to  return  the  baskets,  or 
to  forfeit  five  cents  for  each  one  tha 
is  missing.  All  this  brings  endless 
trouble  on  the  wholesaler  and  retailer. 


154 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


We  believe  our  cus'om  in  Canada  of 
using  cheap  baskets,  which  may  be  sold 
with  the  fruit,  to  be  the  one  most 
likely  to  facilitate  trade,  and  the  wide 
distributions  of  our  fruits  into  numer- 
ous and  distant  markets. 
The  question  of 

FRUIT    TRANSPORTATION 

will  occupy  the  attention  of  Canadian 
fruit  growers  in  the  near  future.  We  are 
pleased  to  learn  that  the  express  com- 
panies are  preparing  new  and  more 
convenient  shelved  cars  for  the  more 
careful  carriage  of  our  tender  fruits,  and 
so  long  as  they  are  able  to  carry  our 
fruit  at  a  low  rate,  and  handle  it  with 
care,  all  right  ;  but  the  trouble  is  that 
their  time  for  handling  it  at  many  points 
is  limited,  and  the  fruit  products  of  our 
country  are  so  rapidly  increasing  in 
quantity,  that  the  agents  are  over- 
crowded with  work  and  handle  our 
fruits  in  a  very  rough  mann  r,  by  no 
means  commensurate  with  the  high 
rate  of  their  charges.  It  is  a  question 
whether  it  would  not  be  wise  to  petition 
the  railway  companies  and  provide 
special  fruit  cars  for  the  height  of  the 
fruit  season,  which  could  be  left  at 
diffei'ent  points  along  the  line  for  filling, 
and  Vje  gathered  up  by  some  special 
evening  freight  train,  and  delivered  in 
the  cities  to  which  they  are  consigned 
in  time  for  early  morning  mai'kets  at 
freight  rates. 

We  highly  appreciate  the  great  ser- 
vice rendered  us  by  the  express  com- 
panies for  ordinary  occasions,  but 
extraordinary  occasions  require  also 
some  extraordinary  provisions. 


FRUITS  ON  COMMISSION. 

With  the  amateur  fruit  grower  and 
gardener  the  question  of  how  to  dis- 
pose of  his  fruit  is  not  very  important. 
He  gi'ows  just  what  he  can  use  or  sell 
in  a  near  town  or  village.  But  when 
one  enters  upon  the  business  of  fruit 


gx'owing  on  a  lai-ge  scale,  as  many  are 
doing,  the  question  of  how  to  sell  the 
crop  quickly,  safely,  and  with  profit, 
becomes  most  important. 

No  doubt  it  is  well,  as  far  as  possible, 
to  be  one's  own  salesman,  and  make  con- 
tracts in  advance  in  various  towns  with 
reliable  men,  but  many  of  us  find  that- 
our  time  is  too  much  taken  up  with 
gathering  and  shipping  to  leave  us  any 
time  for  making  sales  and  collecting 
payments.  We  must  then  engage  others, 
to  do  this  work  for  us. 

Out  of  this  necessity  have  arisen 
many  commission  houses,  notably  in 
Toronto  and  Montreal,  and  as  several 
of  them  are  beginning  to  advertise  in 
our  columns,  we  take  this  opportunity 
of  referring  to  them  and  their  work. 
As  very  little  capital  is  necessary  to 
the  commission  agent,  many  take  it  up 
who  are  not  responsible,  and  frequently 
the  over-confident  shipper  finds  himself 
minus  both  fruit  and  money.  We  shall 
endeavour  to  guacd  against  such  in 
our  advertisement  columns.  The  best 
houses  now  make  returns  each  week,. 
or  every  fortnight  at  the  longest. 

The  usual  commission  charged  for 
making  sales  and  collecting  the  money 
is  10  per  cent,  on  small  fruits,  and  .5 
per  cent  on  larger  fruits  when  shipped 
by  the  car  load.  When  the  agent 
secures  us  good  prices  we  do  not  grudge 
the  10  per  cent  on  small  lots,  but  when 
prices  are  low  the  commission  and 
express  charges  seem  to  swallow  up  our 
ali-eady  too  small  margin  of  profit. 

The  Delaware  peach  growers  have 
formed  a  very  sensible  organization 
from  which  possibly  Canadian  fruit 
growers  might  take  a  hint.  It  is  a 
fruit  growers' 

BUREAU    OF    INFORMATION 

and  distribution,  for  the  disposal  of 
peaches  and  other  fruits,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  avoiding  gluts  in  particular 
markets.     The  following,  according  to 


THE   CANADIAN    HC^TICULTUKIST. 


155- 


the  Weekly  Press  (Phil.),  is  the  mode 
of  operation  : — 

"  An  Executive  Committee  was 
selected  and  authorized  to  appoint  a 
chief  distributor,  who  may  be  an  officer 
of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad,  stationed 
at  Clayton,  Del.,  or  other  headquarters 
of  the  Delaware  Division.  The  duties 
of  this  officer,  as  scheduled,  is  to  over- 
see the  loading  of  cars  all  along  the 
Delawai'e  Division  so  that  300  baskets 
are  packed  in  each  car,  to  notify  ship- 
pers all  along  the  line  when  the  quota 
of  each  city  is  filled,  and  then  immedia- 
tely stop  shipments  to  that  market. 

The  chairmen  of  the  different  pro- 
duce exchanges  and  a  selected  number 
of  commission  houses  in  each  city  are 
to  be  the  guagers,  and  are  to  guarantee 
early  in  each  day  the  sale  of  a  certain 
number  of  carloads  of  fiuit.  Growers 
are  to  be  admitted  to  the  privilege  of 
this  bureau  by  paying  a  certain  sched- 
uling fee,  according  to  the  number  of 
trees  they  own. 

"  Owners  of  3,000  trees  are  to  pay 
annually  $5,  5,000  trees  S8,  and  all 
over  that  mimber  of  trees  $10.  Grow-- 
ers  and  buyei-s  alike  say  that  the 
bureau,  properly  managed,  will  prevent 
the  dreaded  glut." 

Some  such  organization  would  be  of 
great  service  to  us  in  Canada,  even 
when  we  make  a  business  of  shipping 
on  commission. 

PACKING  AND  SHIPPING  FRUIT. 

Sir, — Regarding  the  packing  and 
shipping  of  fruit  we  will  cheerfully 
furnish  any  information  in  our  power, 
that  will  in  any  way  benefit  or  instruct 
the  fruit  growers,  as  to  the  best  and 
most  profitable  method  of  mai'keting 
their  fruit.  In  the  first  place  we  will 
take  strawberries,  I'aspberries,  etc.  We 
would  strongly  recommend  the  use  of 
the 

24-QUART    BASKET    CRATE 

in  marketing  these  fruits.     This  pack- 


age is  well  liked  by  the  trade,  as  it  is 
much  more  convenient  to  handle  than 
the  large  wooden  crates,  and  is  also 
gi-eatly  in  demand  for  the  requirements 
of  the  retailer,  who,  as  a  rule,  prefers  it 
to  any  other  package.  The  best  made 
basket  crate,  we  have  yet  seen,  has  a 
wooden  partition  across  the  centre,  and 
the  ends  are  also  of  wood.  This  makes 
a  much  stronger  and  better  crate  than 
the  one  previously  in  use,  and  is  better 
adapted  for  shipping  and  reshipping, 
and  we  believe  it  does  not  cost  any 
more  money.  As  this  crate  is  not 
returnable  it  does  away  with  all  the 
trouble  of  returning  empties,  which 
everyone  will  admit  has  been  a  source 
of  great  annoyance  in  past  seasons  ;  to 
the  commission  men  on  account  of  the 
difficulty  in  collecting  them  in,  and 
getting  them  returned  from  outside 
points ;  and  to  the  grower  on  account 
of  the  trouble  experienced  with  the 
express  company  in  having  them  re- 
tui-ned  to  them  promptly  and  correctly. 
We  believe  this  crate  is  made  in 
Thorold,  but  we  do  not  know  by  whom. 
In 

PACKING 

the  fruit  pick  the  berries  nice  and 
clean,  and  fill  the  baskets  well — we 
would  request  you  to  pay  particular 
attention  to  the  filling  of  the  baskets,  as 
this  is  about  the  most  important  point 
to  be  considered  in  the  shipping  of 
berries.  Fruit  frequently  reaches  mar- 
ket and,  when  oi)ened  up  for  sale,  the 
baskets  show  up  very  slackly  tilled. 
This  is  owing  to  their  settling  down 
while  on  the  train,  and  can  be  avoided 
by  shaking  them  well  down  when 
filling  the  baskets.  We  often  receive 
packages  of  mixed  fruit — for  instance 
— .so  many  boxes  red  currants,  so  many 
boxes  black  currants,  and  perhaps  two 
or  three  other  kinds  cf  fruit.  We  do 
noo  know  the  grower's  object  in  putting 
their  fruit  up  in  this  way,  but  we  are 
satisfied  that  it  is  of  no  benefit  to  them^ 


156 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


inasmuch  as  a  package  containing  one 
straight  kind  of  fruit  will,  nine  times 
out  of  ten,  sell  quicker,  and  to  better 
advantage,  than  if  it  contained  two  or 
three  different  kinds. 

Gooseberries,  cherries,  red  and  Vjlack 
currants,  plums,  peaches,  etc.,  should 
always  be  shipped  in  12-quart  baskets. 
Fill  the  baskets  well  and  shake  them 
down  to  prevent  settling  after,  and 
make  the  fruit  a  fair  sample  through- 
out.    We  hear  of  numerous 

COMPLAINTS 

every  season  from  buyers,  stating  that 
fruit  that  they  bought  was  nicely 
topped  up  with  fine  fruit  on  top  and 
nothing  but  trash  underneath  ;  and 
they  frequently  refuse  to  pay  for  it  on 
that  account,  and  thus  the  commission 
men  have  to  stand  the  bi-unt.  A  gi'ower 
in  doing  this  may  receive  benefit  in  a 
few  instances,  but  in  the  long  run  it 
will  operate  against  him,  because  buy- 
ers are  now  getting  too  keen  to  be  bit- 
ten twice  on  the  same  brand  of  fruit, 
so  that  we  would  strongly  urge  all 
growers  in  marketing  their  ft-uit  to 
make  it  a  good  fair  sample  throughout, 
which  would  decidedly  be  in  the  best 
interests  of  all  concerned.  Cover  your 
baskets  nicely  with  cardinal  or  blue 
Jeno.  Use  whichever  color  is  best 
adapted  to  make  the  fruit  you  are  ship- 
ping look  attractive  ;  and  always  keep 
a  supply  of  both  kinds  on  hand.  Early 
apples  and  pears  may  be  shipped  in 
baskets  when  fii'st  coming  in,  but  as 
•soon  as  they  commence  to  move  freely, 
we  think  it  would  be  best  to  pack  in 
barrels  and  ship  by  freight,  and  save 
the  expense  of  baskets,  and  covering, 
and  express  charges. 

Always  write  your  full  name  and 
post  oflfice  address  plainly  and  distinctly 
on  every  shipping  tag  or  label,  and 
then  see  that  they  are  securely  fastened 
to  each  package,  so  as  to  avoid  loss  and 
<;onfusion    when    they  reach    markets. 


We  believe  a  great  many  growers  think 
that 

HOLIDAYS 

are  good  days  to  ship  on.  This  is  a 
mistake,  and  whenever  possible  avoid 
shipping  on  such  days  ;  also  on  late 
trains,  as  fruit  thus  shipped,  as  a  rule, 
has  to  be  cleared  out  to  pedlers  or 
held  over  until  the  following  day,  when 
it  never  looks  as  nice  and  will  not  sell 
to  as  good  advantage  as  if  fresh  re- 
ceived. 

We  omitted  to  state  above  that  gi-apes 
should  be  in  1 6-quart  baskt-ts.  Fill  bas- 
kets well  and  mark  the  weight  plainly 
on  the  handles.     Yours  respectfully, 

McWiLLIAMS    &    EVERIST. 


"DROPPING"  OF   THE  WEALTHY  APPLE. 

T.    H.    HOSKIXS,    M.    D. 

In  the  March  number  of  the  Cana- 
dian Horticulturist  a  correspondent 
asks  if  the  Wealthy  Apple  has  the  de- 
fect of  dropping  ofi"  the  tree  befoi-e  it  is 
ripe,  and  it  is  easily  shaken  off"  by 
winds'?  To  these  questions  Mr.  A.  A. 
Wright,  of  Renfrew,  Ont.,  replies  that 
he  has  never  been  troubled  with  the 
Wealthy  dropping  its  fruit  premature- 
ly, as  the  Tetofsky  does  ;  neither  is  it 
easily  shaken  off"  by  the  wind.  Mr. 
Wright  adds  :  "  We  find  it,  so  far,  one 
of  the  very  best  apples  we  have  for  our 
cold,  northern  climate  ;  "  and  he  says 
that  he  sent  several  boxes  of  the 
Wealthy  to  the  Intercolonial  Exposi- 
tion in  London.  Notwithstanding  this 
entirely  correct  statement  of  Mr. 
Wright,  I  have  had  quite  a  number  of 
complaints  in  regard  to  the  Wealthy 
dropping  its  fruit,  and  always  from  the 
same  parties  a  complaint  that  it  is  a 
poor  keeper.  As  both  of  these  accusa- 
tions run  counter  to  my  own  experience, 
and  as  my  Wealthy  orchard  is,  I  feel 
sure,  the  oldest  and  largest  of  that  va- 
riety in  New  England,  I  desire  to  give 
the  result  of  a  careful  investigation  of 
the  matter. 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


157 


The  Wealthy,  in  northeastern  Ver- 
mont, is  fully  colored,  in  skin  and  seed, 
usually  by  or  before  the  20th  Sejjtem- 
ber.  Up  to  the  1st  October  it  is  one 
of  the  very  best  apples  to  hang  on  in  a 
high  wind  that  I  have  ever  seen.  It 
never  drops  its  fruit  for  the  reason 
which  causes  the  Tetofsky  to  fall,  which 
is  that  the  latter  grows  in  close  clustere 
and  has  a  very  short  stem,  so  that,  as 
the  fruit  enlarges,  the  growth  causes 
them  to  ci'owd  one  another  off.  The 
Wealthy,  although  a  more  productive 
tiee  than  Tetofsky,  has  its  fruit  dis- 
tributed along  the  branches  instead  of 
being  clustered  on  spurs,  and  its  long 
and  strongly  attached  stem  (both  to 
fruit  and  limb),  holds  very  firmly  until 
the  fruit  begins  to  be  over-ripe.  If 
gathering  is  delayed  until  this  period 
has  arrived,  the  apples  begin  to  lose 
their  fii-m  adhesion  to  the  tree  and  to 
fall  to  the  ground — the  wormy  ones 
first,  but  soon  also  those  which  are  per- 
fect. 

Experienced  orchardists  never  allow 
apples  to  become  over-ripe  before  har- 
vesting. Early  fruit,  so  left,  will  not 
endure  transportation,  while  winter  ap- 
ples will  be  much  impaired  in  their 
keeping  qualities.  But  a  large  num- 
ber of  ordinary  farmers  and  ama- 
teur growers  are  ignorant  of  this  fact, 
and  it  is  for  their  benefit  that  I  make 
this  statement.  As  regards  any  apple 
which  it  is  desirable  to  keep  into  the 
winter,  it  should  be  gathered  as  soon 
as  it  is  fairly  colored  up  and  the  seeds 
are  brown — two  signs  which  in  most 
cases  come  nearly  together.  North  of 
45°  in  New  England  and  Canada,  if 
gathered  ])romptly  at  this  period,  care- 
fully handled  and  stored  at  once  in  a 
cool,  properly  ventilated  fruit  cellar,  it 
is  a  true  winter  apple,  keeping  well  un- 
til the  first  of  March  or  later.  I  still 
have  them  to-day  (March  23)  in  full 
flavor  and  firmness  of  flesh,  although 
we  had  an  unusually  long  and  warm 


autumn.  If,  however,  I  had  let  this 
fruit  remain  upon  the  trees  until  it  had 
begun  to  drop  badly  from  over-ripeness 
and  had  then  left  it  exposed  to  the  al- 
ternations of  temperature,  unavoidable 
in  above-grouud  storage  until  hard 
freezing  weather,  as  is  often  the  cus- 
tom, it  would  have  been  necessary  to 
market  the  whole  crop  before  Christ- 
mas. But  stored  in  a  deep  cellar  with, 
the  windows  all  open  every  day,  cool 
night,  and  closed  at  all  other  times, 
they  have  kept  with  liardly  any  loss  as 
above  stated. — Rural  New  Yorker. 


THE  BAGGING  OF  GRAPES. 

That  the  process  of  enveloping  grow- 
ing clusters  of  grapes  with  proper  bags 
for  protection  against  insects,  mildew, 
rot,  etc.,  is  one  of  value,  has  been 
proven  to  the  satisfaction  of  many  cul- 
tivators. Comparatively  a  new  idea, 
the  season  of  1887  will  see  it  applied 
far  and  wide,  more  extensively  than 
ever  before.  It  is  one  of  those  simple 
processes  that  every  amateur,  even 
though  he  have  but  a  single  vine,  may 
readily  adopt  with  advantage.  One 
grower  who  experimented  in  bagging 
bis  gi'apes  last  year,  reports  that  in  his 
case  it  made  j  ust  the  difference  between 
success  and  failui-e. 

The  course  is  a  most  simple  one. 
Common  light  manilla  bags,  the  size 
known  as  two  pound  bags,  are  usually 
emj)loyed.  These  are  slipj^ed  on  over 
each  cluster  of  the  fruit,  and  secured 
somewhat  loosely  by  pins  or  stitches  of 
thread.  If  the  stem  of  the  cluster  is 
brought  against  one  end  of  the  opening 
a  single  j)in  to  a  bag  will  answer,  if  in 
the  middle,  to  have  the  paper  bear 
evenly  on  all  sides,  then  several  pins  or 
stitches  are  needed.  A  small  slit 
should  also  be  made  in  the  bottom  of 
each  bag,  to  allow  escape  for  any  water 
that  may  enter  into  it  along  the  stem. 
From  500  to  1,000  bags  can  be  put  on 


158 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


In  a  day  by  one  person,  and  costing 
from  I  to  1  cent  per  pound  of  fruit. 

The  advantiges  of  bagging  grapes 
may  be  summed  up  as  follows  :  Free- 
dom from  the  aUacks  of  beetles,  grass- 
hoppers, fowls,  birds,  etc.  ;  prevention 
of  mildew  and  I'ot ;  protection  against 
frosts ;  improved  appearance  and  de- 
velopment, the  bloom  more  perfect,  the 
beri'ies  larger  and  uniformly  line,  and 
the  general  appearance  more  attractive. 
While  the  color  of  red  and  white  gi-apes 
may  be  somewhat  lighter  for  the  bag- 
ging, black  grapes  are  said  to  be  fully 
as  black  and  covered  with  a  heavy 
bloom.  There  is  said  to  be  no  material 
difference  in  the  ripening  of  bagged  or 
unbagged  clusters. 

The  time  to  bag  the  fruit  is  early  in 
the  summer,  as  soon  in  fact  as  it  is  well 
set.  If  it  be  done  before  the  berries 
are  as  large  as  peas,  they  will  be  saved 
the  depredations  from  the  little  beetles 
which  some  years  begin  very  early 
their  attacks  on  the  fruit. 

For  family  use  especially,  the  satis- 
faction of  having  the  fruit  turn  out  so 
much  better  in  general  should  lead  to 
this  course  being  adopted  by  all  who 
have  vines.  Thei'e  will  be  ample  com- 
pensation for  the  small  trouble  and 
expense  involved.  To  what  extent 
bagging  will  come  into  use  with  market 
growers  remains  to  be  seen  ;  perhaps  in 
the  more  favorable  localities  for  the 
graj^e  it  would  be  looked  upon  as  a 
needless  outlay,  but  without  question 
in  many  ethers  the  improvement  in  the 
fruit  would  easily  outweigh  the  cost 
and  trouble  of  the  bagging. — Ex. 


back  to  within  five  or  six  feet  of  the 
ground. 


Hardiness  of  the  Champion. — Rev.  Francis 
Coleman,  of  Hamilton,  says  his  Cham- 
pion gi-ape  vine,  the  fruit  of  which  he 
values  for  the  manufacture  of  home 
made  wine,  has  not  proved  as  hardy 
with  him  as  some  other  kinds.  It  had 
grown  up  twenty-five  feet  over  a  large 
-trellis,  and  this  spring  he  finds  it  killed 


A     NEW     HAND     CULTIVATOR. 

We  are  always  glad  to  notice  any  new 
Canadian  invention,  especially  when  it 
is  designed  for  the  use  of  the  gardener, 
or  the  fruit  grower.  And  now  when 
many  of  our  readers  are  very  busily 
engaged  in  keeping  down  the  weeds  in 
their  patches  of  onions,  carrots  ifec,  in 
th  'ir  garden,  we  give  place  for  a  cut  of 
a  new  combined  weeder  and  cultivator 
invented  by  Mr.  S.  H.  Mitchell,  of  St. 
Mary's,  Ont. 

The  inventor  describes  his  instru- 
ment thus  : — 

"  It  has  double-edged  knife  with  sides 
bent  inward  so  as  to  let  the  knife  yjass 
close  to  large  plants  without  injuring 
leaves  or  stems. 

"  The  double-edged  kni.e  will  cut 
backwards  as  well  as  forward,  so  that 
by  successive  strokes  backward  and 
forwai'd  the  soil  can  be  moved  two  or 
three  inches  deep  if  required  ;  or  should 
there  be  any  obstruction  in  the  ground, 
causing  the  knife  to  jump  out,  the 
operator  can  in  a  moment  draw  a 
stroke  backward,  and  cut  every  weed 
clean. 

"It  has  cultivator  teeth  that  can  be 
set  to  cultivate  between  two  rows  that 
ai-e  from  eight  to  fifteen  inches  apart, 
and  by  running  twice  between  rows 
two  feet  can  be  cultivated.  They  are 
designed  for  deep  cultivation,  where 
soil  has  become  hard  or  crusted.  The 
teeth  are  curved,  and  have  sharp  chisel 
points  that  cut  eveiy thing  that  they 
pass,  the  shanks  being  brought  to  a 
knife  elge,  so  that  while  all  the  soil  is 
moved,  none  of  it  is  thrown  on  the 
plants  or  misplaced. 

"  Teeth  can  be  used  with  or  without 
knife,  or  knife  and  ])art  of  teeth  can 
be  used,  as  seen  in  cut. 

"  Knife  and  teeth  are  all  solid  steel, 


THE   CANADIAN   HORTICULTUEIST. 


159 


MITCHELL  S   HAND-CfLTIVATOR. 


and  frame  wrought  iron,  being  both 
cheap,  light  and  durable. 

"  The  wheel  can  be  adjusted  for  deep 
or  shallow  cultivation. 

"  The  knife  or  weeder  running  square 
across  between  the  rows,  it  never  jumps 
either  to  the  right  or  left,  so  there  is 
no  danger  of  cutting  up  plants  although 
the  knife  is  passing  close  by  them. 

'■  The  knife  can  be  adjust 'd  so  as  to 
■cut  all  weeds  perfectly  clean,  :md  yet 
very  shallow,  clipping  the  weeds  just 
below  the  surface,  leaving  the  weeds 
on  surface  without  any  roots,  thus  ])i-e- 
venting  the  possibility  of  their  growing 
again. 

"  This  hand  cultivator  has  been  in- 
vented by  me  after  having  over  twenty 
years'  extensive  experience  in  the  mar- 


ket gardening,  and  after  trying  many 
kinds  made  both  in  Canada  and  the 
United  States." 

Not  having  as  yet  given  this  Culti- 
vator a  trial,  we  cannot  give  any  opinion 
as  to  its  merits  and  compared  with 
other  hand  cultivators.  It  certainly 
gives  us  a  favorable  impression 


INSECTICIDES. 

PvRETHRUM,  also  kno^'n  as  Persian 
insect  powder  or  Dalmatian  insect 
powder,  is  a  Persian  ])]ant.  \Yithin 
the  past  few  years,  however,  a  large 
amount  of  it  has  been  grown  in  Cali- 
fornia where  it  flourishes  well.  The 
powder  is  made  by  drying  and  pulver- 
izing the  flowers.      Californians    have 


160 


THE   C1.NADIAN    H0KTICDLTUBI8T. 


adopted  the  name  of  Bubach  for  this 
product. 

This  powder  is  very  peculiar  in  its 
action.  It  is  not  poisonous  to  verte- 
brate animals  and  may  be  even  eaten 
with  impunity,  but  a  little  of  the  dust 
blown  upon  an  insect  of  almost  any 
kind  is  sure  and  speedy  death.  This 
fact  of  being  non-poisonous  to  man 
renders  its  free  use  possible  in  the 
house  or  on  any  plant  or  vegetable  out 
of  doors. 

In  using  it  as  an  insecticide  the 
general  mode  of  application  is  by  a 
small  bellows.  So  deadly  is  it  that 
thus  thrown  into  the  air  of  a  closed 
room  tilled  with  flies  a  half  hour  or  so 
will  find  about  every  fly  dead.  The 
operator  can  force  the  powder  through 
the  air  in  a  minute  or  two,  step  out 
into  the  pure  air,  closing  the  door,  and 
in  a  short  time  return  to  find  the  room 
well  rid  of  the  pests.  The  only  trouble 
thus  using  it  in  the  house  is  that  the 
dust  will  settle  upon  everything  in  the 
room.  It  it  be  placed  on  papers  or 
plates  and  placed  about  the  room  the 
flies  will  get  at  it  the  same  as  other 
preparations  for  the  purpose  and  be  de- 
stroyed, but  this  is  rather  a  slow  process. 

Pyrethrum  will  destroy  bees,  wasps, 
ants,  most  of  the  beetles  and  some  of 
the  true  bugs  (hemiptera)  plant  lice, 
mosquitoes,  etc.,  but  some  of  the  bugs 
and  beetles  withstand  its  influence. 

Pyrethrum  may  also  be  used  with 
water.  Prof  Cook  finds  that  a  table- 
spoonful  in  two  g.illons  of  water  will 
destroy  insects  when  sprayed  on  plants 
infested  by  them.  He  also  recom- 
mends it  for  use  on  horses  in  fly  time. 
For  this  purpose  put  a  small  spoonful 
into  a  bottle  of  warm  water  and  take  it 
to  the  field  with  the  team,  or  in  the 
wagon,  if  driving,  and  once  in  two  or 
three  hours  apply  it  by  a  sponge  on  the 
legs,  under  the  lower  jaw,  about  the 
loin  and  sides  or  whei'ever  the  flies  are 
troublesome.      We   have    tried    it    on 


potato  bugs,  striped  cucumber  bugs, 
etc.,  but  without  any  very  good  results. 
Paris  green  is  certainly  preferable  for 
potato  bugs.  But  taken  all  in  all  we 
are  satisfied  that  pyrethrum  is  the 
safest  and  most  useful  insecticide  that 
we  have  for  general  insect  destruction. 
For  the  spx-aying  of  large  trees  to  get 
rid  of  web  worms,  etc.,  however,  Lon- 
don purple  or  some  other  of  the  arseni- 
cal preparations  are  most  useful.  Soft 
soap,  a  pint  to  the  pailful  of  soft  water, 
will  also  kill  aphis  on  fruit  trees, 
cherry  and  pear  slugs,  etc.  Shower  it 
with  a  force  pump  and  hose. — The 
Farmer.  . 

Striped  Beetle  on  Cucumbers, 
Squashes  and  Melons  [Dlabrotica  vit- 
tata). — This  is  a  well-known,  small,  de- 
structive insect  which  makes  its  appear- 
ance as  as  soon  as  the  leaves  begin  to 
expand,  and  a  number  of  broods  are 
produced  during  the  course  of  the  sea- 
son. It  is  to  the  young  plants  that  the 
insect  is  most  injurious,  and  the  great 
secret  in  dealing  with  it  is  to  begin  the 
treatment  positively  in  advance  of  the 
insect's  appearance. 

Remedy. — To  two  quarts  of  plaster, 
wood  ashes,  or  flour  of  bone,  add  one 
tablespoonful  of  kerosene,  rubbing  the 
mixture  between  the  hand  until  the 
oil  is  well  distributed.  Sift  or  hand 
sprinkle  this  over  the  plants  as  soon  as. 
the  first  leaves  appear,  repeating  it  a 
few  times  until  all  are  through  the 
ground,  and  also  later  if  this  be 
required. 

Black  Squash  Bug  {Anasa  iristis 
De  Geer). — About  the  last  of  June, 
throughout  the  north,  these  trouble- 
some bugs  appear  on  squash-vines,  and 
lay  their  patches  of  eggs,  which  soon 
develop  into  troublesome  broods.  A. 
most  striking  characteristic  of  the  in- 
sect is  its  otfensive  odor  when  handled 
or  crushed.     As  the  eggs   ai-e   not   all 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


161 


laid  at  the  one  time,  the  young  appear 
in  successive  broods. 

Remedies. — (1)  Use  plaster  and 
kerosene  same  as  above.  (2)  Trap 
by  laying  shingles  about  the  hills, 
the  bugs,  after  feeding  in  the  night, 
may  be  found  collected  on  the  under 
side  of  such.  Proceeding  to  the 
patch  early  in  the  morning  with  a  pail 
containing  some  kerosene,  the  shingle 
should  be  gently  raised  and  the  insects 
jarred  or  brushed  into  the  kerosene,  re- 
turning the  shingles  again  for  succes- 
sive catches  later. — Popular  Gardening. 


FERTILIZERS. 

Use  of  Gypsum. — Gypsum  should 
never  be  used  on  wet  land,  especially 
when  it  contains  stagnant  water.  Its 
tendency  is  to  make  such  land  wetter 
and  colder  than  before.  Phosphate 
treated  with  sulphuric  acid  is  warmth 
giving.  It  helps  to  decompose  the 
soil  with  which  it  comes  in  contact, 
and  thus  increases  the  supply  of  plant 
food  even  beyond  what  itself  furnishes. 
Gypsum  also  does  the  same,  though  in 
a  different  way.  It  is  quite  likely  that 
the  tendency  of  gypsum  to  absorb  mois- 
ture from  the  air  in  the  form  of  a  dew 
takes  considerable  ammonia  from  the 
air,  and  that  some  of  this  is  retained 
by  the  soil  for  plant  food.  In  many 
kinds  of  farm  work,  especially  plowing 
and  cultivating,  there  is  great  advantage 
from  getting  out  eai-ly  and  working 
while  the  dew  is  on  the  grass  or  soil. 
As  soon  as  it  is  covered  it  is  safe  from 
loss,  but  if  left  till  midday  most  of  the 
dew  will  be  dried  off,  and  whatever 
ammonia  it  contains  will  be  restored  to 
the  air.  There  is  this  sound  reason  for 
the  old  saying  that  the  best  time  to  hoe 
cabbages  is  very  early  in  the  morning, 
while  the  dew  is  on  them  and  on  the 
loosened  soil.  Frequent  applications 
of  gypsum  to  inci-ease  the  dewfall  will 
add  to  the  benefit. — New  York  Herald. 

Barn  manure  contains  six  pounds  of 
2 


phosphoric  acid  to  the  ton ;  ten  pounds 
of  potash  and  eleven  pounds  of  nitrogen. 
A  ton  of  hen  house  manure  will  con- 
tain forty-eight  pounds  of  phosphoric 
acid,  forty  one  pounds  of  potash  and 
sixty -seven  pounds  of  nitrogen. 

Nitrate  of  soda  is  found  in  large 
depo.sits  in  Peru,  Chili,  and  a  few  other 
warm  countries.  It  is  mined  and 
shipped  to  this  country  and  England  in 
large  quantities.  When  crystalized  it 
contains  14  to  16  percent,  of  nitrogen. 
It  comes  more  or  less  mixed  with  com- 
mon salt  {chloride  of  sodium)  like  the 
German  potash  salts.  It  acts  quicker 
than  any  other  nitrogenous  manui-e. 
and  is  specially  valuable  on  clay  lands. 
The  value  of  any  of  these  commercial 
fertilizers  to  the  farmer  must  be  deter- 
mined by  himself  by  actual  experiment. 
On  some  soils,  potash  manures  are 
greatly  needed,  and  are  therefore  valu- 
able J  on  others,  though  apparently 
needed,  they  make  no  return,  while 
perhaps  nitrogenous  manures  might  be 
specially  useful  on  these.  In  try  in',' 
anything  of  the  sort,  get  it  in  small 
quantity  at  first,  always  of  a  reliable 
dealer,  and  you  can  soon  tell  whether 
it  will  be  profitable  to  you  to  use  it. — 
Ohio  Farmer. 


©pen  fetters. 

The  Cherry. — Sir  :  I  received  the 
Russian  cherry  O.  K.  I  waited  to  see 
it  in  leaf  before  sending  receipt  of  same. 
It  is  doing  well,  and  many  thanks  to 
the  Association  for  the  present.  Wish- 
ing you  every  success, 

I  remain,  yours  truly, 

P.  B.  C. 
Midnapore,  N.  W.  T. 

Water-Lily. — Sir  :  A  lily  quite  as 
large  a  N.  tuberosa,  but  of  a  rich  cream 
colour,  is  offered  for  sale  in  great  abund- 
ance   at   the   various  stations    on    the 


162 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST 


Yarmouth  and  Digby  Railway,  Nova 
Scotia. 

T,  H.  RAND,  Woodstock  College. 

Pink  Water  Lily. — Sir:  In  the 
June  number  of  the  Horticulturist 
there  is  a  request  to  those  who  know 
where  the  Pink  Water  Lily  may  be 
found  in  Canada.  We  can  boast  of 
this  beauty  here,  and,  on  reference  to 
Mrs.  Traill's  charming  work,  "  Studies 
in  Plant  Life  of  Canada,"  find  its 
habitat  is  at  Lakefield.  Perhaps  I 
may  be  pardoned  a  quotation  from  the 
above  work  when  describing  it.  "  It 
is  of  such  an  exquisite  color  that  it  can 
only  be  compared  with  the 

"  Hues  of  the  rich  unfolding  morn 
That  ere  the  glorious  sun  be  born, 
By  some  soft  touch  invisible, 
Around  his  path  are  taught  to  swell." 
—Kehle. 

This  is  called  Nymphea  odorata  var. 
rosea  and  is  found  abundantly  in  many 
of  the  small  lakes  in  the  northern  coun- 
ties of  Ontario,  j)articularly  in  the 
Muskoka  District.  An  Amateur. 

London,  Ont. 


A     STRAWBERRY    WEEVIL. 

The  Editor  Canadian  Horticulturist. 

Sir  :  I  enclose  a  number  of  little 
beetles,  or  weevils,  that  are  destroying 
my  strawberry  blossoms. 

I  take  several  horticultural  journals, 
&c.,  but  have  never  seen  anything 
about  such  an  insect.  I  see  slight 
traces  of  them  in  all  the  strawberry 
patches  in  this  neighbourhood,  but  not 
to  amount  to  anything. 

They  have  destroyed  fully  two-thirds 
of  my  crop.  They  shew  a  particular 
liking  for  the  Sharpless  ;  in  fact,  the 
Chas.  Downing  are  comparatively  un- 
injui-ed.  In  some  instances,  eveiy  fruit 
stalk  is  stripped,  and  not  more  than  six 
berries  on  an  average  are  left  on  a  stem. 

They  always  destroy  them  before 
blooming :  any  bud  that  manages  to 
open  is  out  of  danger.  They  cut  them 
off  from  one-eighth  to  one-sixteenth  of 


an  inch  from  the  bud.  I  have  tried 
Helleljore  and  Pyrethrum  powder,  putt- 
ing V>oth  on  very  thickly  in  a  dry 
state,  but  they  do  not  seem  to  notice 
it  ;  in  fact  t  have  found  them  snugly 
nested  among  the  stems  entirely  covered 
with  the  dust,  and  apjj^'rently  not  affect- 
ed by  it.  If  I  can  find  no  remedy,  I 
must  give  up  trying  to  grow  strawVjer- 
ries.  It  is  certainly  a  local  pest  at 
present,  but  it  may  spread  if  nothing  is 
found  to  check  it.  I  will  further  add 
that  I  have  found  occasionally  a  wild 
strawberry  plant  attacked  by  it,  but 
very  seldom.  I  shall  be  greatly  obliged 
if  you  can  do  anything  to  help  me  in 
this  matter,  and  if  you  can  find  out 
what  the  enclosed  beetles  are ;  also  if 
any  remedy  is  known  for  destroying 
them.  Very  truly  yours, 

Landon  Hall, 
Cowans ville,  Prov.  Que.,  June  6,  1887. 
[The  insect  evidently  belongs  to  the 
Curculionidfe,  but  is  quite  a  new  s]jecies 
to  us.  We  have  sent  samples  to  an 
eminent  entomologist  and  will  give  his 
reply  as  soon  as  received. — Ed.] 


FRUIT     PROSPECTS. 

The  Editor  Canadian  Horticultural. 

Sir  :  The  prospects  for  a  crop  of 
fruit  in  this  country  at  the  present 
time  is  first-class,  especially  of  small 
fruits  and  peaches.  Cherries  will  be 
about  half  a  crop.  All  other  fruits 
promise  fair  at  present.  The  curl 
seems  to  have  mostly  left  the  peach 
leaves,  but  the  leaves  seem  to  be 
dropping  badly.  Perhaps  some  one 
could  give  a  reason.  The  Marlborough 
raspberries  I  got  last  year  seem  to  grow 
well  this  year,  and  I  am  expecting 
good  results  from  them. 

Forest,  Ont.  J.  M.  Remington. 


Pinch  off  the  canes  of  your  grapevines,  leaving 
three  or  four  leaves  bej'ond  the  last  cluster.  The 
plant  will  not  expend  its  energies  in  running  out  a 
long  cane  to  be  cut  back  next  winter,  but  will  make 
large  fruit  and  strong  buds  for  next  year's  growth. 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


163 


^BtB  of  JfrititB. 

Next  in  importance  to  the  best  modes  of  cultivation 
and  the  xelection  of  the  choicest  varieties,  comes  the 
most  appromd  m-ethod.s  of  prepaiintr  fruits  fomse. 
We,  would  he  <jlad  therefore  if  the  ladies,  who  read 
this  Journal,  would  make  free  use  of  this  column 
for  an  interchanr/e  of  ideas  on  this  subject. 

STRAWBERRY  SHORT  CAKE-A  HYGIENIC 
RECIPE. 

BY   SUSANNA   W.    DODDS,    M.  D. 

Singularly  enough,  some  of  those 
dishes  that  are  most  highly  esteemed 
as  "  delightful  deserts,"  judging  after 
the  manner  of  the  ordinary  palate,  are 
just  the  ones  that  have  given  the  best 
results  under  hygienic  treatment. 
Among  these  is  strawberiy  shortcake. 
Made  according  to  the  hygienic  recipe 
given  below  and  pi'operly  managed  in 
all  the  little  details,  it  never  fails  to 
give  good  satisfaction. 

Fruits — and  especially  the  small 
fruits — are  such  delicate  j^roducts  of 
the  soil  that,  whether  served  as  such  or 
in  combination  with  some  cereal  pro- 
duct, they  require  exceedingly  careful 
management  at  every  stage,  else  a  part 
of  their  exquisite  flavor  is  lost.  This 
is  too  often  done  by  over-sweetening, 
or  (in  the  cooking)  by  making  inju- 
dicious combinations,  as  with  butter, 
spices,  etc. 

To  the  unperverted  palate  no  im- 
provement can  be  made  on  the  tho- 
roughly ripe  raw  strawberries.  If 
slightly  under-ripe,  a  trifle  of  sugar 
may  be  tolerated  ;  but  do  not  add 
thereto  either  milk  or  cream.  If  you 
do,  my  word  for  it,  you  will  in  less 
time  than  it  takes  to  tell  it,  have  a 
curdled  unsightly  mass,  fit  only  for  the 
slop  pail. 

But  was  it  not  the  "  cake  "  we  were 
talking  aV)Out '?  Well,  ''our"  straw- 
berry cake  has  no  butter  in  it,  neithei- 
in  the  mixing  nor  after  it  is  baked. 
"  Is  it  good  1"  Sujjpose  you  try  the 
experiment.  One  thing,  it  will  not 
cause  a  headache,  even  if  you   eat  two 


large  pieces — provided  you  have  not 
already  dined  too  sumptuously  before 
it  is  served.     Now  for  the  making  of  it. 

Strawberry  Shortcake.  —  Three 
cups  sifted  Graham  flour,  three  cups 
sifted  white  flour,  two  cups  sweet 
cream,  one  teaspoonful  soda,  finely  pul- 
verized ;  two  teaspoonfuls  cream  of 
tartar,  four  quarts  of  fine  strawberries, 
or  six  ordinary. 

If  the  fruit  has  been  properly  gath- 
ered and  not  carted  in  open  trays 
through  a  dusty  thoroughfare,  no  wash- 
ing will  be  needed  ;  when  this  has  to  be 
done  much  of  the  juice  is  necessarily 
wasted.  When  the  berries  are  a  little 
firm,  a  good  plan  is  to  sprinkle  lightly 
with  ice  water  and  then  with  sugar,  in 
order  to  start  the  juice.  Do  this  at 
least  an  hour  before  they  are  wanted  ; 
and  unless  very  ripe  and  soft,  it  is  best 
to  chop  them  with  a  knife — a  silver  one 
if  you  have  it. 

Mix  the  cake  as  for  "cream  biscuits," 
sifting  the  soda  and  cream  of  tartar 
several  times  thi-ough  the  flour.  Roll 
to  the  thickness  of  half  an  inch,  prick 
well  with  a  fork  and  bake  in  a  mode- 
rate oven  from  thirty  to  forty  minutes  ; 
it  must  be  nicely  browned,  top  and 
bottom.  When  done,  remove  from  the 
oven  and  lean  edgewise  to  cool  till  you 
can  handle  comfortably.  Split  care- 
fully in  halves  by  first  dividing  the 
crust  (at  its  edge)  with  a  knife,  and 
then  taking  a  fork  and  separating  the 
cake  as  nearly  through  the  middle  as 
possible.  Lay  these  each  on  a  plate, 
crust  downward,  and  put  on  the  pre- 
pared fruit  ;  then  lay  one  half  upon  the 
other,  the  crusts  still  downward,  and 
alter  half  an  hour  serve. 

The  above  quantity  of  flour  will  make 
three  cakes  the  size  of  a  tea-plate.  It 
is  best  in  spreading  the  fi-uit  not  to 
drench  the  cake  with  it,  but  to  leave 
out  a  bowlful  of  berries  and  pass  as  you 
serve  ;  no  other  sauce  is  needed.  Should 
you  have  the   ordinary    Graham    flour 


164 


THE   CANADIAN    H0KTICULTDRI8T. 


made  from  red  wheat,  take  less  of  it  by 
half  a  cup,  and  so  much  more  of  the 
white  flour.  If  baking  powder  is  used 
it  will  require  three  teaspoonfuls  heap- 
ing.— Philidelphia  Weekly  Press. 

CIDER  IN  VARIETY. 

Sir  :  I  send  you  an  article  from 
Vick's  ilfonthli/  which  you  might  re- 
print in  the  Horticulturist,  if  you  think 
it  of  sufficient  interest  to  your  readers. 
Query. — Is  it  possible  to  make  non- 
alcoholic cider  either  from  grapes  or 
any  other  kind  of  fruit  I 

"  Every  fruit  known  will  make  cider. 
That  from  pears  is  of  ancient  renown 
;is  perry,  but  pear  juice  is  worth  more 
for  syrup  or  fruit  honey,  as  it  is  rich 
in  sugar.      Plum  cider  is  very  nice,  and 
"rape  cider  will  yet  be  the  American 
beverage,     having    the     strengthening 
quality  of  wine   without   its   alcoholic 
spirit,  and  tasting  better  than  anything 
known  in  the  shape  of  drinks.     There 
would  not  be  a  grape  too  many  in  the 
United  Statesif  the  juice,  freshly  drawn 
from  the  clusters,  undiluted,  could  be 
put  on  sale  in  our  cities.     Its  delicious, 
pure  refreshment  justifies  all  that  poets 
have  sung  and  writers  have  raved  about 
the  blood  of  the  grape,  while  for  bene- 
fit   to    feeble,    consumptive  or    bilious 
people  its  eflects  outdo  hypophosphites 
or  a  trip  to  Italy,  or  Saratoga  waters. 
In  the   Erie   wine    regions    and   other 
vineyard  belts,  when  the  grapes  ripen, 
salloV,  liver-congested  people  fi-om  cities 
take  board  where  they  can  drink  the 
'  must '  of  new  wine  as  it  comes  from 
the  press,  and  return  built  up  for  the 
winter's     dissipation.       Consumptives, 
especially,  can  not  do  better  than  to  try 
the  grape-cure  in   this  form,  and    the 
'  vineyard  season  '  may  yet  be  as  fashi- 
onable as  the  sea-side  in  July." 
Yours  truly, 

GRAPE  GROWER. 
Niagara  Falls  South. 


THE 


Canadian  lorticulturisl. 


)N  Illus- 
trated 
Monthly  Journal,  de- 
voted to  the  interests 
'  of     Fruit     Growers, 
Gardeners,  and  Gentle- 
men owning  rural  or  su- 
burl>an  homes, 

Subscription  price  Sl.OO 
per  year,  entitling  th  subscri- 
to  membership  of  the  Fruit  Grow- 
ers' Association  of  Ontario  and  all  its 
privileges,  including  a  copy  of  its 
valuable  Annual  Report,  and  a  share  in  its 
annual  distribution  of  plants  and  trees. 


This  Journal  is  ^^^  published  in  the  in- 
terests, or  for  the  pecuniary  advantage  of 
any  one,  but  its  pages  are  devoted  wholly  to 
the  progress  of  Horticultural  Science  and 
Art  in  Canada.  We  aim  at  the  development 
of  the  fruit  growing  industry  in  our  Province ; 
at  the  general  distribution  of  knowdge  con- 
cerning all  the  newest  and  best  varieties  of 
fruits  ;  and  at  the  education  of  a  refined 
taste  in  the  art  of  decorative  gardening 
around  the  homes  of  our  Canadian  people. 

With  such  ends  in  view  we  invite  the  co- 
operation of  the  lovers  of  Horticulture  both 
in  extending  the  membership  of  the  Fruit 
Growers'  Association  of  Ontario,  and  in  con- 
tributing to  these  pages  such  items  as  may 
be  of  general  interest  and  profit. 


Errata. — In   the    announcement  of 
our  Summer  Meeting  at  Gollingwood, 
p.    142,  for 
and  30th. 


28tli  and  29th   read  29th      ' 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


165 


The  Annual  Strawberry  Meeting  of  the 
Columbus  Horticultural  Society  was 
announced  for  the  7th  of  June,  at  the 
Horticultural  Hall,  of  the  Ohio  State 
University,  at  2.30  p.m.  A  basket 
dinner  was  to  be  served  at  5  p.m. 
The  ])rogramme  included  pa])ers  on  such 
subjects  as  the  following  : — The  Straw- 
berry, from  a  Botanical  Standpoint,  by 
Prof.  W.  R.  Lazeuby  ;  from  an  Origin- 
ators Standpoint,  by  M.  Crawford ; 
from  an  Entomologist's  Stand|)oint,  by 
W.  R.  Alwood  ;  from  an  Editor's 
Standpoint,  by  J.  J.  Jaiiney;  from  a 
Chemical  Standpoint,  by  Prof.  H.  A. 
Weber ;  from  an  Experimentor's  Stand- 
point, by  W.  J.  Green,  etc.,  etc.  This  is 
surely  a  pretty  full  programme  for  one 
afternoon  and  evening. 

It  is  certainly  gratifying  to  notice  in 
so  many  instances  professors  in  the 
departments  of  science  interesting 
themselves  in  our  horticultural  so- 
cieties. Horticultui-e  is  a  science,  and 
for  its  successful  development  requires 
the  services  of  the  botanist,  the  ento- 
mologist, the  chemist,  the  meteorologist 
and  others.  The  meetings  of  our 
Association,  in  various  parts  of  Canada, 
afford  a  fine  opportunity  for  the  ])ro- 
fessional  and  the  practical  man  to 
meet,  a  sort  of  field  day  for  both  to 
engage  in  the  stimulating  exercise  of  a 
mutual  interchange  of  thought,  study 
and  experience. 


THE  BUG  THAT  CAUSES  THE  BLACK-KNOT  I 

"  Live  and  Learn  "  is  an  old  proverb  ! 
and  therefore  we  call  the  careful  atten- 
tion of  our  veteran  horticulturists,  and 
of  our  students  of  science  to  the  follow- 
ing important  (?)  paragraph  which  is 
just  now  going  tlie  rounds  of  our 
Canadian  ])apers  without  question. 

"Cure  for  Black  Knot. —Hon.  Allen 
Francis,  U.  S.  Consul  at  St.  Thomas, 
favors  the  Tinus  of  that  city  with  a  sure 
cure  for  black-knot — a  remedy  he  has 
tried  with  tlie  most  beneficial  results 
His  plan  is  to  dig  down  to  the  roots  of  the 


affected  tree  four  or  five  inches,  bore  an 
auger  hole  in  the  trunk,  and  fill  the  hole 
with  flour  of  sulphur.  The  sulphur  finds 
its  Wdy  through  the  tree  and  effectually 
kills  the  bug  which  is  responsible  for  the 
black-knot." 

Now  we  have  been  of  late  years 
under  the  impression  that  the  black-knot 
is  a  fungus — a  very  low  form  of  vege- 
table life.  Dr.  Farlow,  Prof,  of  Cryp- 
togamic  Botany  at  Harvaid  University, 
has  ))ublished  a  i'ull  account  of  this 
minute  plant,  showing  that  small  seeds 
or  spores  are  produced  by  it,  too  small 
to  be  seen  by  the  naked  eye,  and  that 
these  carry  the  i)arasitic  growth  from 
tree  to  tree.  Prof.  Panton,  at  Guelph, 
too,  is  teaching  the  boys  in  the  same 
line  concerning  the  black-knot.  But, 
gentlemen !  we  ai'e  all  wrong  it  ap- 
pears, for  the  Hon.  Allen  Francis  tells 
us  that  a  bug  is  responsible  for  the 
black-knot.  He  ought  to  go  further 
and  say  what  bug.  Is  it  anything  like 
a  bed  bug,  or  a  squash  bug ;  or  does  he 
mean  a  beetle  \ 

Then  about  the  sure  cure,  viz.,  flour 
of  sulphur,  which  finds  its  way  through 
the  tree  and  kills  the  bug !  It  is 
rather  a  puzzle  why  he  should  dig  down 
four  or  five  inches  into  the  roots  of  a 
tree  in  order  to  bore  an  auger  hole  into 
the  trunk.  We  always  supp.sed  the 
trunk  of  a  tree  was  above  ground,  but 
we  are  learning  something  new  every 
day.  The  auger  hole  is  to  be  filled 
with  sulphur,  but  how  is  it  to  find  its 
way  to  the  black-knot  1  Botanists  tell 
us  that  plants  can  only  take  up  sub- 
stance in  either  a  liquid  or  a  gaseous 
form,  and  that  chiefly  through  the 
delicate  rootlets.  The  chemist  tells  us 
that  sul[)hur  is  insoluble  in  the  state 
above  mentioned.  How  then  does  it 
proceed  from  cell  to  cell  through  the 
plum  tree  from  this  auger  hole  ]  We 
wait  for  fui'ther  particulai'S. 

A  New  Strawberry  Pest. — Reading  in  the 
Fruit  Growers    Journal,  of  the  proval- 


166 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


ence  in  Illinois  of  a  small  insect  of  the 
thrip  family  in  the  strawberry  blos- 
soms, we  have  been  looking  to  see  if  it 
was  also  in  Canada.  Sure  enough  such 
an  insect  is  with  us.  On  pressing  the 
blossoms  of  some  Sharpless  and  Man- 
chester plants,  the  tiny  creatures  i-an 
out  and  in  among  the  pistils  in  great 
abundance.  Time  will  tell  us  how- 
much  injury  they  are  capable  of  inflict- 
ing upon  the  long-suffering  fruit  grower. 

Secretary  Garfield  at  Cornell. — Chas.  W. 
Garfield,  Secretary  of  Michigan  Hor- 
ticultural Society  and  of  the  Ameri- 
can Proraological  Society,  has  con- 
sented to  give,  some  time  in  May, 
six  lectures  to  the  students  in  agricul- 
ture in  Cornell  Univei-sity,  on  the 
following  topics :  1.  Some  measure- 
ments in  the  field  of  horticulture.  2. 
Methods  of  tuition  and  ways  of  secur- 
ing the  most  available  information. 
3.  Problems  in  promology.  i.  Tree 
Lessons.  5.  Commercial  methods. 
6.  Relations  of  horticulture  to  an 
advanced  system  of  agriculture. 


uestiott  gratoer. 


This  department  is  intended  as  an  open  one  to  every 
reader  of  the  ^* Horticulturist"  to  send  in  either 
questions  or  answers.  Often  a  reader  will  be  able  to 
ans^ver  a  question  which  has  been  left  unanswered, 
or  only  partially  answered  by  iis.  For  convenience 
of  reference  the  questions  are  numbered,  and  any 
one  replyinu  or  referring  to  any  question  will 
please  mention  the  number  of  it. 

Grafting  Wax. —  What  causes  (/rafting 
wax  to  lone  its  characteristic   towjhness, 
and  become  yrauidar,  or  like  putty  and 
worthless  1     Is  it  age,  or  frost  ? 
[C.  E.  B.,    Yarmouth,  N.S.] 

Reply  fkom  Prof.  James,  Chemist, 
Agricultural  College.  — The  grafting 
wax  used  here  is  beeswax,  resin  and 
tallow  in  about  equal  parts,  tallow  a 
little  in  excess.  The  use  of  too  much 
resin  in  the  mixture  might  produce 
the  result  you  refer  to ;  or  if  too  little 
tallow — if  oil  be  added,  evaporation,  or 


exposure  to  heat,  might  cause  granula- 
tion. Here  the  wax  is  mixed  as  re- 
quired. Not  knowing  the  exact  mixture 
used  I  cannot  say  more  definitely  ;  but 
I  think  that  age  rather  than yVos^  would 
produce  the  effect. 

Rose-leaf  Hopper. — Please  say  what  is 
the  best  cure  for  white  flies  on  Prairie 
Roses.  [R.,  Toronto  ] 

The  fly  is  a  species  of  leaf-hopper 
known  as  Tettigonia  rosce,  and  of  the 
same  genus  as  that  which  is  so  trouble- 
some to  the  leaves  of  the  Delaware  and 
other  thin-leaved  grape  vines.  You 
will  find  an  excellent  description  of  it 
with  remedies  in  the  Canadian  Horti- 
culturist for  1886,  p.  170.  The 
remedies  there  suggested  are  whale-oil 
soap  and  tobacco  water.  We  have 
tried  putfing  pyrethrum  powder  up- 
wards among  the  leaves  with  good 
success.  Another  effectual  way  which 
we  have  used,  is  to  set  fire  to  a  swab 
moistened  with  coal  oil  on  the  end  of  a 
stick,  and  pass  the  flame  rapidly  over 
the  leaves.  This  is  of  course  at  the 
risk  of  singling  the  leaves,  but  it 
thoroughly  routs  the  leaf-hoppers. 

Peach  Trees. —  Will  peach  trees  ripen 
their  fruit  well  in  a  cold  (irapery  here  ? 
[R.,  Toronto.] 

Perhaps  some  one  experienced  in 
indoor  peach  culture  will  reply.  Mr. 
P.  Barry,  of  Rochester,  has  grown  the 
peach  in  wooden  boxes  with  success. 
The  trees  are  trained  more  like  bushes 
than  trees,  and  ai-e  moved  into  a  co  )1 
dry  shed  each  autumn  on  the  approach 
of  frost,  where  they  are  plunged  to  the 
rim  of  the  tub  or  box  in  the  earth. 
Early  in  spring  abundance  of  air  is 
admitted,  and  about  the  1st  day  of 
May  they  are  placed  under  glass  until 
about  the  15th  of  June,  when  they  are 
plunged  in  an  open  but  sheltered  bor- 
der. By  this  method  Mr.  Barry  has 
succeeded  in  obtaining  fruit  a  little 
earlier  than    in    the   orchard,   without 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


167 


any    of    the    risks     from    unfavorable 
chances  of  the  weather. 


REPLIES   TO    PREVIOUS   INQUIRIES. 

Ants. — The  Popular  Gardening  gives 
the  following  methods  of  destroying 
them  :  "  Trapping  with  sptonge.  Ob- 
tain pieces  of  large  coarse  sponge.  Dip 
them  in  sweetened  water  and  place  on 
old  black  dishes  where  the  ants  abound. 
When  they  are  black  with  ants  throw 
them  into  boiling  water,  afterwards 
washing  them  out  and  i-enewing  the 
process    till    the    colony    is    destroyed. 

Poisoning.  Place  a  dish  containing  a 
mixture  of  molasses  and  Paris  green  or 
London  purple  where  the  ants  have 
access  to  it." 

Sea-Kale. — I  gi-ow  it  and  have  lots  of 
it  in  winter,  and  I  can  assure  you  it  is 
a  capita]  vegetable.  I  i-aise  it  from 
seed  sown  in  spring,  or  from  pieces  of 
the  root,  and  planted  in  the  same 
way  as  horse-radish.  In  November  I 
dig  up  the  roots  and  winter  them  in  a 
cool  cellar.  And  as  I  want  some  Kale, 
fill  a  box  with  roots — tops  up — and 
set  another  box  on  top  to  blanch  the 
young  growth  which  are  the  parts  to 
be  used,  and  bring  them  into  warm 
quarters  anywhere.  They  are  very 
sensitive  to  heat,  and  start  into  growth 
quickly. —  Wm.  Falconer  in  P.G. 


Sea-Kale. — Sir  :  In  a  recent  number 
of  the  Canadian  Horticulturist,  I  saw 
an  enquiry  if  sea-kale  could  be  grown 
in  Canada.  Yes,  it  does  grow  here 
most  luxuriantly,  is  of  easy  culture,  and 
quite  repays  the  slight  tax  on  time  and 
patience.  The  plan  adopted  to  raise 
plants  was  as  follows  :  The  seeds  were 
sown  early  in  autumn  (about  Septem- 
bex'),  when  the  young  plants  appear  in 
spring  put  them  out  into  their  perman- 
ent places,  three  plants  in  a  hill,  the 
hills  not  less  than  three  feet  each  way. 
When  the  plants  are  a  year  old  (from 
the   seed    sowing)    prepare    them    for 


winter  in  the  following  manner  :  cut 
the  large  leaves,  not  too  close  to  the 
centre,  then  enrich  the  surrounding 
earth  with  good  strawy  stable  manure 
(not  too  close  to  the  stalks),  with  a 
liberal  portion  of  salt,  sift  fine  coal 
ashes  or  sand  over  the  plants,  let  them 
remain  undisturbed  till  spring,  when 
the  breaking  of  the  top  of  the  cones  of 
sand  or  coal,  will  show  the  plants  are 
ready  to  be  cut  for  the  table.  The 
kale  can  be  forced  by  placing  barrels 
over  them,  the  manure  outside  and  the 
sand  inside.  When  the  crop  has  been 
used,  spread  the  ashes  manure  with  a 
liberal  supply  of  salt  around  the  hills, 
mix  well  with  the  surrounding  earth, 
keep  free  fi-om  weeds,  this  constitutes 
the  summer  treatment.  By  this 
method  you  have  a  most  acceptable 
vegetable  which,  with  asparagus,  gives 
a  variety  until  others  are  ready. 

An  Amateu^r. 


We  tvill  gladly  give  our  candid  opinion  of  any  books, 
magazines  or  catalogues  received,  especially  if  they 
are  likely  to  interest  or  benefit  Canadian  fruit 
growers,  but  iirill  not  insert  cut  and  dried  reading 
notices  in  fav\,r  of  any  publication  lohatever. 


The  Dominion  Exhibition.  — We  have 
received  a  copy  of  the  Prize  List,  just 
issued,  for  the  Dominion  Exhibition, 
which  is  this  year  to  be  held  at  Toronto 
in  conjunction  with  the  Annual  In- 
dustrial Fair,  from  the  fifth  to  the  1 7th 
September  next.  Any  of  our  readers 
who  may  desire  a  copy  can  obtain  one 
by  dropping  a  post  card  to  Mr.  H.  J. 
Hill,  the  Secretary,  Toronto. 

Arborictdture  and  Agriculture,  or  Fore.st 
ry  and  Farming  in  Ontario,  Toronto, 
1886. 

A  pamphlet  written  by  T.  B.  White, 
of  Clarksburg,  Ont.  It  is  the  substance 
of  a  paper  read  at  the  Centre  Grey 
Farmers'  Institute  at  Thornbury,  and 
boldly  calls  into  question   the  position 


168 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


SO  sti-ongly  advocated  by  Mr.  R.  W. 
Phipjis  and  others  concerning  the  bene- 
ficial effects  of  forests,  in  producing 
rainfall,  on  the  drainage  of  land,  and 
on  the  crops  of  the  farmer. 

Circular  Jrom  W.  H.  Smith,  Commis- 
sion Merchant,  1 86  King  street  East, 
Toronto. 

Mr.  Smith  states  he  has  been  in  the 
business  since  1874,  and  is  now  doing 
one  of  the  largest  Canadian  fruit  com- 
mission businesses  in  the  city.  He 
refers  shippers  to  the  Dominion  Bank, 
Toronto. 

Circular  from  McWilliam  &  Everist, 
Fruit  Commission  Merchants,  To- 
ronto, 1887. 

This  firm  herein  promises  daily  ad- 
vice concerning  sales,  and  account  sales 
weekly,  with  proceeds.  This  is  the 
only  right  method,  and  if  it  can  only 
be  carried  out  through  the  season  will 
save  much  complaint.  But  when  mar- 
kets are  full,  and  fruit  coming  in.  on 
every  side,  this  engagement  is  pretty 
hard  to  fulfil. 

Circular  from  the  Botanical  Divisicm  of 

the  U.S.  Department  of  Agriculture, 

No.  3. 

This  circular,  signed  by  Norman  J. 
Colman,  the  Commissioner  of  Agricul- 
ture, Washington,  is  an  evidence  of 
the  careful  experiments  being  con- 
ducted by  the  U.S.  Government  in  the 
interests  of  fruit  growers.  It  is  devoted 
to  the  treatment  of  Downy  Mildew 
and  the  Black  Rot  in  the  grape. 

It  appears  that  sulphate  of  copjjer 
has  been  shewn  to  be  more  advantageous 
than  any  other  remedy,  and  the  only 
precaution  is  not  to  apply  it  within 
fifteen  days  of  vintage.  The  applica- 
tion should  be  made  some  time  in  or 
about  the  end  of  June. 

Among  the  liquid  remedies  advised 
are;  (1)  1  lb.   sulphate  of  copper  dis- 


solved in  25  gals,  of  water  ;  spray  the 
vines  with  the  liquid.  (2)  1  lb.  sul- 
phate copper  dissolved  in  three  or  four 
gals,  of  warm  water ;  when  cold  add 
one  pint  commercial  ammonia  •  then 
dilute  to  22  gals,  when  required  for 
use.  Apply  in  the  same  way.  The 
effect  of  this  preparation,  called  "  Blue 
"Water,"  is  said  to  be  equal  to  that 
resulting  from  the  copper  mixture  of 
Gironde  (seereport  of  F.G.A.  86,  p.  23). 
The  price  of  pure  sulphate  of  copper 
when  bought  by  the  barrel  is  only 
about  six  cents  per  lb. 

No.  2  and  also  the  copper  mixture 
of  Gironde  is  recommended  for  experi- 
ment in  destroying  the  fusicladium 
(apple  scab). 


^)itmoroxt0. 


A  Dangerous  Season. — Why  is  it 
dangerous  to  go  out  in  spring  time  ? 
Because  every  flower  carries  a  pistil, 
the  grass  has  blades,  the  trees  shoot, 
and  the  bulrush  is  out. — Vox  Populi. 

When  Gladstone  is  among  the  trees 
on  his  Hawarden  farm,  they  say  he  is 
a  first-rate  feller. 

The  Milk  Weed. — City  Belle — 
(Pointing  to  a  wild  plant  by  the  way- 
side).    "  What's  that ?" 

Country  Cousin  —  "  That's  milk 
weed." 

City  Belle — "  Oh,  yes  !  what  you 
feed  the  cows  on,  I  suppose  1 " 

India-rubber  Plant. — The  Honor- 
able Tom — "  Haw  !  this  is,  I  suppose 
— er — the  new  tobacco  that  everybody 
is  growing  1 " 

EJfrida  de  Smyth — "  Oh  !  dear,  no. 
That's  an  India-rubber  plant !  " 

Tlie  Honorable  Tom — "  India-inibber ! 
how  I'd  have  bet  my  money  it  was 
real.  What — er — wonderful  imita- 
tions there  are  now-a-days." 


PRINTED   AT   THR  STFAM   PRESS   KSTABMSHMF.NT  OF  TTIE   COPP,    CLARK   COMPANY  (LIMITED),    TORONTO. 


DELAWARE  RED  WINTER 


Canabian 

Iborticulturiet 


f^UBLISHED     AT     yOP^NTO     AND     Gl\I.MSBY,      OnT- 

OFFICE  ADDRESS— GRIMSBY,  ONT. 


VOL.  X.] 


AUGUST,   1887. 


[No.  8. 


UP     WITH     THE     BREEZE. 

"  Up  with  the  breeze,  the  birds  and  the  bees," 

I  heard  a  boy  sing  in  the  morn  ; 
And  his  hoe  kept  time  with  the  merry  rhyme, 

As  he  cheerfully  hoed  the  corn. 

Down  went  the  weeds  and  the  noxious  seeds. 

And  up  went  the  emerald  corn  ; 
And  I  looked  with  deliirht  at  the  gladsome  sight, 

The  work  of  the  early  morn. 

The  broad  green  leaves  turned  to  golden  sheaves, 

And  the  field  of  beautiful  corn 
Was  gathered  and  sold,  thus  turned  into  gold — 

The  work  of  the  early  morn. 

Then  up  ■\\'ith  the  breeze,  the  birds  and  the  bees, 
If  }0U  wish  to  grow  wealthy  and  wise. 

And  merrily  sing  like  birds  in  spring, 
AVTiile  your  work  as  merrily  flies. 

The  poor  sleepy  head,  who  lingers  in  bed. 

Will  have  more  sorrows  than  joys  ; 
And  when  he  grows  old  will  be  hungry  and  cold, 

So  keep  "  wide-awake,"  my  hoys. 

—  Uiiknoicn  Exchange. 


J^nitts. 


fANADIAN"  APPLES  promise  to 
be  iinusiially  fine  in  quality  this 
year.  The  dreaded  apple  spot, 
which  had  almost  driven  us  into  des- 
pair, has  suddenly  vanished,  and  every 
variety,  not  excepting  the  Fameuse  and 
the  Early  Harvest,  is  thus  far  perfectly 


clean.  Nor  is  this  merely  local.  Mr. 
John  Croil,  of  Aultsville,  who  was 
about  to  cut  down  or  ehse  top-graft  his 
large  orchard  of  Fameuse,  says  his 
apples  are,  so  far  this  season,  perfectly 
clean.  Reports  from  Michigan,  where 
the  spot  had  been  equally  devastating, 
show  the  same  encouraging  state  of 
things  We  can  well  afford  to  have 
experimented  in  vain  with  hyposul- 
phite of  soda,  in  view  of  the  absence 
of  the  disease  which  needs  the  remedy. 
In  quality,  the  apple  crop  promises 
to  be  light,  ^except  in  Michigan,  New 
York  and  Ontario ;  and  in  these  great 
apple  regions,  only  a  moderate  ci'op  is 
expected.  The  Baldwin,  which  is  so 
widely  planted,  still  continues  to  be 
barren,  or  neai'ly  so ;  and  the  Roxbury 
Russet  has  a  light  crop ;  but  the 
Greening,  King,  Spy,  and  some  other 
good  sorts,  are  fairly  well  ladeu  with 
an  extra  good  quality  of  fruit. 


170 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


It  seems  that  our  orchai'ds  are  just 
recovering  from  a  condition  of  barren- 
ness and  impoverishment  to  which  for 
several  years  they  have  been  subject, 
and  which  has  been  accompanied  by  the 
destructive  effects  of  insects  and  diseases 
to  an  unprecedented  extent.  But  now, 
either  as  the  result  of  better  cultivation 
and  the  more  liberal  application  of  fer- 
tilizers, or  from  other  causes  beyond 
the  control  of  the  fruit  grower,  our 
orchards  are  showing  this  year  a  thrifty 
growth,  and  a  dark  green  healthy  foliage 
which  gives  us  the  greatest  reassurance. 

All  this  combined  with  the  splendid 
foreign  markets  opening  up  for  our 
apples  in  England,  Scotland,  Norway 
and  Sweden,  and  even  by  the  Pacific 
route  to  the  vast  empire  of  India,  can- 
not fail  to  I'emove  all  fears  that  apple 
growing  will  pi-ove  an  unprofitable  in- 
dustry in  Canada. 

The  privilege  of  wisely  impi-oving  the 

GOLDEN    OPPORTUNITIES 

now  opening  up,  is  ours.  If  we  dis- 
appoint the  expectations  of  our  foreign 
friends  whose  opinions  of  our  fruits 
have  been  so  highly  exalted  by  the  dis- 
play at  the  Colonial,  we  shall  fall  into 
a  worse  position  than  was  our  previous 
obscurity. 

Our  worthy  President,  Alex.  McD. 
Allan,  gave  us  many  excellent  hints  on 
packing  fruits  for  foreign  shipments  at 
the  Collingwood  meeting.  One  impor- 
tant point  was  the  careful  grading  of 
our  apples,  the  large  size,  the  small 
but  highly  colored,  and  the  uncolored, 
all  to  be  put  up  in  separate  packages  ; 
and  only  one  grade  to  go  in  each 
barrel.  Indeed  every  package  should 
prove  through  and  through  alike  in 
quality,  so  that  a  buyer  opening  up 
could  scarcely  say  which  end  was  in- 
tended to  be  opened.  For  extra  choice 
apples  he  recommended  the  use  of  half- 
barrels,  as  being  more  easily  handled, 
and  more  salable  for  high-priced  fruit. 


It  is  proposed  to  have  a 

CO-VVENTION    OF    APPLE  (JROWEKS 

at  our  next  annual  meeting  which  will 
be  held  at  either  Hamilton  or  Grimsby 
in  September  next,  in  ordei-  that  this 
question  of  our  foreign  markets  may 
be  fully  ventilated,  and  thus  this  im- 
portant Canadian  industry  be  further 
promoted.  Mr.  A.  McD.  Allan  has 
been  solicited  to  take  up  this  subject 
more  or  less  in  his  annual  address,  by 
some  of  our  pi-ominent  growers,  and 
certainly  no  man  in  Canada  is  so  well 
qualified  to  direct  our  enterprise  to- 
wards a  successful  issue  as  Canada's 
Apple  King. 

As  this  meeting  will  be  in  the  very 
heart  of  one  of  the  foremost  fruit  pro- 
ducing regions  of  Canada,  where  are  to 
be  found  some  of  the  the  most  extensive 
and  expeiienced  of  our  fruit  growers,  a 
very  large  and  enthusiastic  gathering 
may  be  confidently  expected,  in  spite 
even  of  the  very  busy  season  of  the 
year. 

THE  DELAWARE  RED  WINTER. 

Among  the  new  apples  whose  merits 
are  to  be  tested  within  the  next  few 
years  is  the  Delaware,  of  which  our 
coloured  plate  is  claimed  to  be  a  faith- 
ful representation.  It  is  a  seedling, 
which  originated  on  the  farm  of  \Ym. 
P.  Corsa,  and  gets  its  name  from  the 
State  of  Delawai-e  in  which  it  was 
found. 

It  is  described  thus  : — ''  Fruit  medi- 
um to  large,  round,  bright  red,  highly 
coloured ;  flesh  fine  grained,  crisp, 
juicy,  excellent,  sub-acid;  tree  a  vigor- 
ous grower,  an  abundant  an  eaidy 
bearer."  As  a  market  apple  it  is  com- 
pared with  the  Baldwin,  and  the 
Northern  Spy ;  and  it  is  thought  to  be 
adapted  for  a  more  southern  belt  of 
country  than  that  in  which  these 
varieties  flourish.  We  do  not  know 
that  it  has  been  as  yet  tested  farther 
north  than  the  State  of  New  Jersey. 


TITK    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


171 


If  adapted  to  our  clim-tte,  its  won- 
derful long  keeping  quality  would 
certainly  commend, it  to  our  Canadian 
growei'S  ;  for  if  when  grown  in  Dela- 
ware, it  will,  as  claimed,  keep  in 
excellent  condition  until  July  or 
August,  what  might  be  expected  of  it 
when  grown  in  the  Province  of 
Ontario  i 


THE     LUCRETIA     DEWBERRY. 

A    mistaken    notion  seems  to  have 
gone  abroad   concerning  the  object  of 


THE   LUCRETIA   DEWBERRY. 

the  plant  distribution  by  our  Associa- 
tion, viz.,  tliat  it  is  merely  an  ordinary 
premium  with  the  Canadian  Ilortictd- 
turi^t.  The  object,  on  the  other  hand, 
is  the  speedy  and  faithful  testing  of 
new  or  highly  commended  fruits  in 
various  st'ctions  of  Canada,  in  order 
that  the  [niblic  may  be  thoroughly 
posted  concerning  the  most  reliable 
fruits  adapted  to  the  various  localities 
of  our  Province,  and  not  be  left  to  the 
mercy  of  every  travelling  agent  in 
deciding  upon  his  purchases. 

For   the    attaining  of  this  end,    we 
shall  call,  from  time  to  time,  upon  our 


readers  for  reports  concerning  fruits 
sent  out,  and  the  replies  may  be  sent 
in  on  post  cards. 

In  the  spring  of  1886,  the  Lucretia 
B'  wherry  was  sent  out,  and  as  it  may 
in  some  cases  be  bearing  its  first  fruit 
this  month,  or  earlier  if  under  favor- 
able conditions,  we  would  ask  for 
reports  concerning  its  growth,  fruitful- 
ness,  hardiness,  (tc.  Mr.  J.  H.  Hale 
says,  in  the  Nebraska  Horticulturist, 
that  he  has  visited  the  original  planta- 
tions in  Ohio,  and  found  tliere  large 
fields  in  fruiting.  They  are  placed  in 
rows  eight  or  ten  feet  apart,  with  plants 
four  or  five  feet  apart  in  the  row, 
formi  ig  a  thick  matted  row  or  bed 
four  or  five  feet  wide.  They  throw  up 
fruit  spurs  a  foot  or  more  high,  which 
are  laden  with  fruit  as  large  as  the 
Lawton  blackberiy,  without  its  hard, 
ugly  core,  and  of  a  most  delicious 
si)icy  flavour.  It  ripens  with  the 
Gregg  raspberry,  a  most  favourable 
time  for  marketing  it.  He  considers 
it  as  hardy  as  the  Taylor,  and  as  pro- 
ductive as  the  Snyder.  Perhajis  the 
question  is  premature,  but  we  shall  be 
glad  to  hear  what  our  readers  have  to 
say  of  it. 


OUR  MEETING  AT  COLLINGWOOD. 

The  officers  and  other  members  of 
our  Association  who  attended  the  sum- 
mer meeting  were  most  kindly  received 
by  the  Collingwood  Horticultural 
Society,  of  which  Dr.  Stevens  is  the 
President  and  Mr.  Jas.  Gilfoyle  the 
Secretary.  This  Society  is  amalga- 
mated with  the  Township  Agricultural 
Society,  and  together  they  hold  a  large 
annual  Show,  known  as  the  Great 
Northern  Exhibition.  The  quality  and 
size  of  the  api)]es,  plums  and  pears 
shown  at  this  Fair  have  already  been 
noticed  in  this  Journal ;  suflice  it  to 
say  they  surprise  visitors  tVom  the 
more  southern  portions  of  Ontario  who 
think    that    they  alone   know   how  to 


172 


THE    CANADIAN    H0RTICULTDKI8T. 


grow  fine  fruit.     Tlie  fact   is,   tliat  the 
country    about    Collingwood   and   well 


siF55?.\i#cr=r 


EXHIBITION    BUILDING,    COLLINGWOOD. 

up  the  mountain,  extending  also  to 
Meaford  and  points  similarly  situated 
along  the  Bay,  is  well  adapted  to  the 
production  of  all  the  leading  varieties 
of  ap))les.  The  Spy,  Baldwin,  Green- 
ing, Russet,  cfec,  all  grow  to  perfection, 
and  some  orchardists  there  claim  they 
can  even  grow  the  Early  Harvest  and 
the  Fameuse,  without  spots. 

The  discussions  at  the  day  meetings 
were  very  valuable,  but  as  they  have 
been  carefully  taken  down  by  an  able 
stenographer  for  our  next  Annual  Re- 
port we  need  not  repeat  them  here. 

A.  fine 

PUBLIC    MEETING 

was  held  in  the  Town  Hall,  on  Wed- 
nesday evening,  the  29th  inst.  The 
place  was  literally  full  of  ladies  and 
gentlemen,  who,  notwithstanding  the 
intense  heat,  listened  with  much  evi- 
dent interest  to  the  addresses  and  music 
which  made  up  the  programme.  His 
Worship  the  Mayor  gave  an  address 
welcoming  our  Association  to  Colling- 
wood, and  expressing  his  belief  that 
our  coming  would  aid  in  advancing  the 
interests  of  the  town. 

Our  President  gave  a  very  valuable 
address,  indicating  the  improved  pros- 
pects now  before  Canadian  fruit  gi'ow- 


lent 


ers    fur    foreign    shipments,   largely  as 
the  result  of  the  Colonial  Exhibition. 

It  was  certainly  encouraging  to 
those  of  us  who  have  invested 
our  money   largely    in    apple    or- 

^  chards,  and  were  beginning  to  fear 
that  the  fruit  would  be  a  drug,  to 
hear  of  the  enquiries  for  Canadian 
apples  not  only  in  the  British  mar- 
ket but  also  on  the  Continent,  and 
that  almost  every  steamer  i.s 
bringing  over  representatives  of 
English  houses  desirous  of  procur- 
ing shipments  from  us.  Mr.  D. 
W.  Beadle,  Colonel  MaGill  and 
others  also  addressed  the  meeting, 
and  the  intervals  between  the  ad- 
dresses were  enlivened  with  excel- 
music    by    some    first-class    local 

talent. 

On  Thursday   afternoon  about  four 

o'clock    when    the    discussions     wei'e 

ended,  the  Horticultural  Society  gave 

us  all  a 

DRIVE    INTO    THE    COUNTRY. 

The  procession  of  carriages  formed  at 
the  Grand  Central  Hotel,  and  the 
whole  party  was  conveyed  out  some 
eight  or  nine  miles  through  Notta- 
wasaga  township  to  Duntroon.  The 
scenery  shown  us  was  very  beautiful, 
both  going  out  with  the  mountain  as  a 
backgi'ound  to  the  picture,  and  return- 
ing along  the  "tenth  line"  where,  at 
many  points,  we  were  high  up  the 
mountain  with  one  of  the  most  pictur- 
esque views  possible  opening  up  at  in- 
tervals. Yonder,  the  stin-ing  little 
town  of  Stayner  nestled  among  the 
trees,  and  there,  on  the  shore  of  the 
Georgian  Bay  which  curves  away  to- 
ward Penetang  and  Parry  Sound,  lay 
the  thriving  town  of  Collingwood,  with 
its  five  thousand  inhabitants  and  its 
busy  wharves. 

Nottawasaga  is  pronounced  to  be  one 
of  the  finest  wheat-pi'oducing  townships 
of  Ontai'io,  and  we  would  infer  as  much 
from    appeai'ancesy    for   almost    every 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


173 


available  plot  of  ground,  not  except- 
ing even  the  front  yards  of  the  farm 
houses,  is  occupied  with  this  cereal. 
But  although  the  capabilities  of  the 
soil  are  so  good  in  this  direction  at 
present,  the  continual  cropping  of  the 
soil,  without  fertilizers,  will  slowly  but 
surely  bring  about  a  time  when  wheat 
can  no  longer  be  grown  with  profit. 
No  doubt  our  visit  would  be  a  fortu- 
nate one  for  many  of  these  farmers, 
should  their  attention  be  thereby  di- 
rected, more  or  less,  into  the  cultivation 
of  such  staple  fruits  as  will  succeed. 
The  section  is  especially  adapted  to 

PLUM    CULTURE, 

and  it  was  shown  by  the  discussions 
that  all  the  best  and  most  profitable 
varieties,  such  as  Lombard,  Imperial 
Gage,  Pond's  Seedling,  Washington, 
tfec,  gi'ow  finely  and  produce  fruit  in 
great  abundance.  The  Curculio  and 
the  Black-Knot  are  comparacively  un- 
known to  many  plum  growers  in  this 
favoured  district.  Samples  of  plums 
were  laid  upon  the  table  at  the  meeting 
in  such  immense  clusters  as  to  call 
forth  many  exclamations  of  surprise. 
The  writer  counted  upon  one  branch  of 
the  Lombard,  about  six  inches  long,  no 
less  than  fifty  fine,  healthy  plums ;  nor 
was  this  an  exceptional  branch  but  a 
fair  sample  of  the  crop  in  general.  No 
wonder,  under  such  conditions,  that 
Mr.  Brown's  experience  with  Lom- 
bards was,  that  the  trees  had  literally 
borne  themselves  to  death.  Thinning 
was  advised,  but  many  seemed  to  think 
it  would  be  too  much  trouble.  What  a 
long  time  it  takes  to  educate  our  farm- 
ers and  fruit-growers  to  the  importance 
of  giving  more  attention  to  just  such 
particulars  in  order  to  attain  success  in 
fruit  culture. 

The  experiment  of  shipping  plums 
from  Collingwood  to  Winni[)eg  by 
water  has  been  successfully  tiied  by 
Dr.  Aylesworth,  jun.,  who  has  a  fine 
large  plum  orchard,  and  it  appears  that 


there  is  a  particularly  good  market  for 
Collingwood  plum  growers  in  this  di- 
rection. 

We  have  already  said  that  most  of 
the  standard  varieties  of  apples  succeed 
well  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Colling- 
wood, and  along  the  shores  of  the  Bay; 
and  farther  back  in  the  countiy  where 
these  fail,  the  Duchess,  Tetofsky, 
Wealthy,  Alexander,  Haas,  Brockville 
Beauty  and  Red  Pound  have  been 
found  hardy  and  profitable.  In  addi- 
tion, we  would  suggest  a  trial  of  the 
Shiawassee  Beauty,  the  Salome,  the 
Cellini,  and  the  McLellan  of  Vermont. 
Small  fruits  are  especially  adapted 
to  this  district.  Samples  of  as  fine 
Crescent,  Sharpless  and  other  sti-aw- 
berries  were  shown  at  the  meeting, 
by  local  growers,  as  could  be  shown 
in  -Awj  other  part  of  Canada,  showing 
that  Collingwood  has  no  need  to  de- 
pend upon  Toronto  fruit  dealers  for  her 
supply  of  this  fruit,  for  if  her  gar- 
deners but  awake  to  their  pi-ivileges, 
they  will  be  fully  able  to  furnish  their 
own  markets. 

The  streets  of  Collingwood  have  been 
largely  planted  with  the  Willow  and 
the  Lombardy  Poplar,  because  it  was 
supposed  that  other  street  trees  would 
not  succeed  well,  and,  indeed,  the  few 
Maples  we  saw  lacked  that  thrifty 
growth  and  dark-green  foliage  vrhich 
they  exhibit  elsewhere.  But  we  no- 
ticed the  native  Elm  springing  up  frde- 
ly  along  the  road-sides  everywhere,  and 
surely  its  value  must  be  underestimat- 
ed. No  tree  is  better  adapted  to  street- 
planting.  The  close  habit  of  growth 
and  the  dense  foliage  of  the  Maple  so 
shut  in  a  sti'eet  that,  not  only  the  view, 
but  even  the  light,  is  half  excluded  ; 
while  the  beautiful  curving  branches  of 
the  Elm  form  a  magnificent  archway 
over  a  i-oad,  without  too  much  obscur- 
ing the  view. 

Dr.  Stevens  showed  us  a  curiosity 
on    his    lawn.       It    was    a    varie/ated 


174 


THE    CANADIAN    HOKTIOULTUKISI , 


Horsechestnut,  or  at  least  one  part  of 
the  tree  has  now  for  two  years  per- 
sisted in  producing  leaves  beautifully 
variegated  with  white  and  green.  If 
this  curious  growth  could  be  propagat- 
ed by  budding  or  grafting,  it  would  in- 
deed be  a  desirable  object  upon  a  lawn. 
Our  Association  carries  away  from 
the  Collingwood  friends  their  hearty 
good  wishes,  and  an  earnest  invitation 
to  revisit  that  towu  at  as  early  a  date 
as  jjossible. 


KEEPING  QUALITIES  OF  THE  WEALTHY 
APPLE. 

A.    nOOD,    BARRIB. 

My  attention  has  been  called  to 
the  keeping  and  other  qualities  of  the 
"Wealthy  Apple,  by  reading  an  article 
in  your  July  issue  from  the  pen  of  T. 
H.  Hoskins,  of  Vermont. 

Although  this  variety  has  been 
steadily  gaining  in  favour  since  its  first 
inti-oduction,  I  feel  sure  that  it  is  not 
even  yet  appreciated  at  its  proper  value  ; 
for  when  we  take  into  consideration  the 
hardiness  of  the  tree ;  the  early  age  at 
which  it  comes  into  bearing ;  its  regu- 
lar annual  productiveness;  fine  size, 
beauty,  and  regulai'ity  of  the  fruits ; 
and  its  high  standing  as  a  dessert  as 
well  as  a  cooking  apple  ;  where,  oh 
■where  !  particularly  in  the  north  shall 
"we  turn  to  find  its  equal  1 

The  distribution  of  fruit  all  over  the 
Ift-anches  instead  of  being  clustered  on 
spurs  is,  as  remai-ked  by  Mr.  Hoskins, 
one  great  point  in  its  favour;  and  an- 
other, on  which  he  is  silent,  but  on 
which  I  c:jn  scarcely  set  too  high  a 
value  is  that  when  the  apples  do  fall  off 
the  trees,  which  they  are  as  little  likely 
to  do  as  any  other  kinds  ;  they  will  nob 
show  a  bruise,  and  can  be  sent  to  mar- 
ket along  with  the  hand-picked  without 
fear  of  complaints ;  and  as  regards 
keeping  qualities  I  am  a  little  afraid  to 
tell  the  truth  for  fear  I  may  not  be 
believed. 


On  reading  Mr.  Hoskin's  article, 
which  was  of  course  after  1st  July, 
where  he  speaks  of  having  them  in 
good  condition  till  23rd  March,  I  re- 
member that  my  wife  bi'ought  a  plate 
of  Wealthys  out  of  the  cellar  about  the 
1st  June,  and  they  were  then  in  good 
eating  condition,  so,  thinking  it  pos- 
sible there  might  be  some  left,  I 
bi'ought  up  a  crock  in  which  the 
remains  of  my  stock  of  one  kind  or 
other  had  been  left  to  get  rotten, 
emptied  out  the  contents,  and  found 
amongst  them  four  or  five  sound 
Wealthys,  and  a  number  half  rotten  ; 
the  sound  ones  were  plump  as  when 
first  picked,  the  juice  of  the  half  rotten 
ones  having  swelled  the  flesh,  and  in 
good  eatable  condition. 

Now  will  your  readers  be  able  to 
believe  that  I  have  sound  Wealthy 
apples  on  3rd  July,  in  this  jubilee 
year,  that  were  grown  in  1886  ]  Per- 
haps not,  but  it  is  a  fact  nevertheless, 
for  they  were  picked  on  the  first  week 
in  October  ;  were  kept  in  a  cellar  that 
was  not  frost  proof,  and  were  conse- 
quently frozen  ;  they  remained  in  that 
condition  a  cou]ile  of  rnonths  or  so, 
came  out  of  tlie  frozen  state  uninjured, 
and  have  kept  as  above  stated. 

JUDGING  FRUITS. 

Pkesident  Lyon  writes  a  very  sen- 
sible article  in  the  /?wnt^  about  judging 
fruits,  showing  that  the  work  of  the 
judges  may  be  very  materially  lessened 
and  their  investigations  directed  by 
care  in  framing  premiiim  lists,  and  by 
certain  judicious  rules.  Speaking  of 
the  Michigan  State  Horticultural 
Society  he  writes  as  follows  : — 

"The  fruits  grown  in  the  State, 
whether  valuable  or  otherwise,  are 
alphabetically  arranged  in  the  society's 
catalogue,  and  the  comparative  values 
of  the  varieties  are  given  by  means  of  a 
scale,  varying  from  1  to  10;  the  values 
for  cookiiig,  market  and  dessert  being 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


175 


placed  in  separate  columns.  The  sum 
of  the  values  of  the  varieties  found  in 
a  given  collection,  taken  fi'om  the 
column  devoted  ta  the  purpose  for 
which  they  were  entered,  will  properly 
express  the  aggregate  value  of  such  col- 
lection for  such  purpose,  and  a  compari- 
son of  the  aggregates  of  competing  col- 
lections will  determine  the  award, 
suhject,  however,  to  modifications  for 
superiority  of  size,  freedom  from 
blemishes,  careful  handling  and  taste  in 
the  arrangement  and  ornamentation. 
This  society  instructs  its  judges  of  fruits 
to  exclude  from  competition  all  un- 
labeled and  incorrectly  labeled  speci- 
mens, and  to  consider,  1st,  the  values 
of  the  vai-ieties  for  the  required  pui*- 
pose  ;  2nd,  the  color,  size  and  evenness 
of  the  specimens  ;  3rd,  their  freedom 
from  blemishes,  the  apparent  care  in 
handling  and  the  taste  displayed  in 
their  arrangement  for  exhibition.  Dup- 
licates are  excluded  from  the  competi- 
tion, and  large,  showy,  but  indifferent 
vai'ieties  are  held  to  discredit  a  collec- 
tion. 

Instead  of  the  usual,  "  Best  collec- 
tion," the  society  stipulates,  in  each 
offer  of  a  premium  :  For  dessert  and 
family  purposes,  for  the  most  useful 
and  best  grown  collection,  giving  a  suc- 
cession of  varieties,  superior  quality, 
delicacy  of  texture  and  beauty  (in  order 
named),  to  take  pi-ecedence  of  px'ofitable- 
ness  and  size.  For  market  varieties 
the  requirements  are  :  For  the  most 
valuable  and  best  grown  collection, 
selected  strictly  for  market  purposes ; 
productiveness,  suitable,  even  size, 
handling  qualities ;  color  and  succession 
being  the  leading  considerations. 

As  will  be  seen,  these  offers  bring 
together  the  conditions  required,  just 
where  both  the  exhibitor  and  the  judges 
can  scarcely  fail  to  become  familiar 
with  them  ;  while  the  idea  is  definitely 
conveyed  that  the  value  to  be  attached 
to  a  given  variety  depends  not  upon  its 


general  merits,  but  strictly  upon  its 
merits  for  the  purpose  for  which  it  is 
placed  in  competition. 

This  process  brings  out  the  opinion 
of  the  exhibitor  as  to  the  relative 
merits  of  the  varieties  which  he  may 
enter,  for  the  required  purpose  ;  while 
the  awards,  if  fully  reported,  with  the 
reasons  therefor,  also  afford  a  clew 
to  the  estimate  of  their  comparative 
values  for  such  purpose,  by  the  judges." 

The  society's  catalogue  referred  to  by 
Mr.  Lyon,  classes  all  fruits  under  three 
heads,  viz.  dessert,  cooking  and  market, 
and  grades  the  value  of  a  perfect  apple 
under  each  on  a  scale  of  one  to  ten. 
Competing  collections  are  placed  to- 
together,  and  a  committee  on  correct 
nomenclature  precedes  the  judges,  and 
corrects  erroneous  names,  and  excludes 
such  fruits  from  competition. 

Under  the  head  of  market,  the  ques- 
tion of  profit  is  a  leading  one,  but  it  is 
not  considered  under  either  of  the 
others. 

The  report  of  the  Fruit  Grower's 
Association  for  1884  contains  a  very 
full  catalogue  of  Canadian  fruits,  valued 
on  a  scale  of  1-5,  under  six  heads,  with 
many  additional  remarks.  This  should 
be  of  great  value  to  all  local  societies, 
and  a  copy  should  be  in  the  hands  of 
the  Directors  of  every  Agricultural  and 
Horticultural  societv  in  the  Province. 


HORTICULTURAL  NOTES. 

Ringing  Vines. — E.  A.  Carriere,  in 
the  Revue  Ilorticole,  favors  i-inging  the 
vine,  even  in  large  vineyards.  He 
says  it  advances  the  ripening  of  the 
fruit  at  least  eight  days,  and  in  no  way 
injures  the  quality  of  the  wine. 

Most  American  authorities,  however, 
condemn  the  })ractice,  especially  in 
growing  fruit  for  dessert,  claiming  that 
the  increased  size  is  gained  at  the  ex- 
pense of  flavor.  It  may  be  done  at  any 
time  during  the  growing  season,  but  to 
have  much  effect  sliould  be  done  several 


176 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


weeks  before  ripening  of  the  fruit.  It 
is  done  by  removing  a  ring  of  the  bark 
about  half  an  inch  wide,  from  such 
fruiting  branches  as  are  to  be  removed 
at  the  next  pruning. 

Summer  Pruning  Grape  Vines. — There  is 
no  art  in  summer  pruning  grape  vines. 
Simply  do  not  allow  any  shoots  to  grow 
that  you  do  not  want  to  retain  next 
year.  Go  over  the  plants  occasionally 
and  rub  out  with  the  finger  and  thumb 
the  sprouts  you  do  not  want.  This  is 
particularly  desirable  in  young  vines. 
— Gardener's  Monthly. 

No  Cultivation. — Col.  Curtis  writes  in 
the  American  Ganhn  that  he  considers 
the  plow  an  enemy  to  orchards.  The 
trees  are  bruised  and  barked,  and  the 
roots  are  torn,  thereby  checking  the 
growth  and  reducing  the  feeding  capa- 
city of  the  ti-ees.  The  orchards  are 
also  made  prematurely  old.  His  plan 
is  to  build  a  secure  fence  about  his  or- 
chard, and  make  it  a  pasture  for  hogs. 
It  makes  a  perfect  pig  paradise.  He 
feeds  them  in  movable  long  wooden 
troughs,  in  which  he  scatters  grain  or 
meal  when  required. 

The  Concord  Grape. — Mr.  S.  S.  Crissy 
writes  in  the  same  journal,  that  the  ex- 
pei'ience  of  Chautauqua  County,  N.Y., 
growers  is  that  no  giape  is  so  uniformly 
and  certainly  sure  to  yield  a  good  crop 
as  the  Concord  ;  and  no  grape  is  more 
free  from  mildew  and  black-rot. 

Six  tons  per  acre  has  not  been  an 
unusual  yield,  as  the  result  of  the  best 
modes  of  tillage.  Frequent  shallow 
cultivation  is  given  from  May  1st  to 
Sept.  1st,  and  phosphate  and  potash  are 
applied. 

The  Concord  needs  special  care  in 
handling.  Easily  injured  when  first 
picked,  it  can  be  handled  much  better 
after  standing  from  24  to  28  hours. 

Apples  kept  till  July. — The  Prairie 
Farmer,  of  the  18th  June,  says  that 
at  that   date   there   were   ten  or  more 


varieties  of  winter  apples  still  offered 
for  sale  at  from  .§4  to  .$6  a  bushel. 
The  apples  are  kept  in  good  con- 
dition by  cold  storage  until  tlie  4th 
July.  Some  of  the  most  valued  kinds 
for  keeping  in  this  way  are  Golden  and 
Roxbury  Russett,  Ben  Davis,  Willow 
Twig,  and  Baldwin  ;  the  two  last-men- 
tioned not  keeping  as  long  as  the 
others. 

The  Yellow  Transparent  Family.  —  Dr. 
Hoskins  has  an  article  in  the  July 
number  of  the  American  Ga.rden,  in 
which  he  says  that  his  experience  leads 
him  to  believe  that  •  the  Charlotten- 
thaler.  Sweet  Pear,  and  Grand  Sultan 
are  one  variety,  and  that  the  Yellow 
Transparent,  Green  Transparent,  and 
White  Transparent  are  another  variety. 
The  apparent  differences  between  the 
latter  seem  to  be  occasioned  by  poorer 
or  richer  soil,  or  by  earlier  or  later 
picking. 

The  clipping  of  th'^-  gi-owing  ends  of 
Raspberry  and  Blackberry  bushes,  if 
not  already  done,  should  be  attended 
to  at  once.  We  do  not  want  great 
long  straggling  fruitless  canes,  wasting 
their  energies  in  trying  to  occupy  as 
much  ground  as  possible,  and  in  block- 
ing up  all  accession  to  their  fruit.  We 
want  the  canes  to  branch,  and  to  be 
kept  well  under  control.  The  writer 
has  found  a  pair  of  hedge  shears  most 
useful  in  cutting  back  the  canes. 

The  Parry  Strawberry,  says  Mr.  Upson 
in  Prairie  Farmer,  is  very  fine  in 
shajje,  large  and  jiroductive.  But  in 
Indiana  it  ripens  very  little  earlier 
than  the  Sharpless. 

The  Crescent. — Whatever  objections 
may  be  made  to  the  Crescent  as  a  mar- 
ket strawberry,  it  still  holds  its  own  as 
the  favourite  berry  for  profit.  The 
coming  berry  does  not  come,  and  until 
it  puts  in  an  appearance  the  Crescent 
will  Vje  the  leading  market  berry.  From 
reports  received  from  many  sections,  it 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


177 


•■appears  that  the  Sucker  State  has  given 
the  largest  general  satisfaction  as  a  fer- 
tilizer of  the  Crescent.  The  Sharpless, 
that  at  one  time  Was  considered  the 
best  for  the  purpose,  has  lost  its  repu- 
tation as  a  fertilizer. — F.  G.  Journal. 


)txtxiixixi. 


THE   STRAWBERRY  WEEVIL. 

BY   JAMES   FLETCHBR,    EXTOMOLOGIST   TO   THE   DEPART- 
MENT  OF   AGRICCLTURB. 

I  am  in  receipt  of  your  letter  enclos- 
ing insects  for  identification.  Although 
the  specimens  were  much  crushed  in 
the  mail  they  are  easily  recognizable  as 
Aiithononius  Muscidus,  a  small  weevil 
wliich  has  for  the  last  year  or  two  been 
very  troublesome  in  the  United  States, 
attacking  strawberries  in  the  same  way 
as  you  describe.  They  are  reported  to 
be  particulai'ly  partial  to  the  "  Sharp- 
less."  I  had  not,  before  the  receipt  of 
your  letter,  heard  of  the  injuries  of 
this  insect  to  strawberries  in  Canada, 
although  it  is  a  common  species  upon 
bushes  and  low  herbage  in  spring. 
Another  species  of  the  same  genus — 
A.  rubidus — I  have  found  very  in- 
jurious to  white  currants  in  my  gar- 
den, and  it  occasionally  attacks  black 
■currants  also.  This  attack,  however, 
differs  from  the  strawberry  attack 
which  you  have  described.  When  the 
white  currants  are  injured  they  tnvn 
yellow  prematurely,  and  drop  from  the 
bunch.  The  beetle  passes  all  its  stages 
inside  the  fallen  fruit,  and  emerges  in 
■the  perfect  form  during  the  autumn. 
At  least,  this  was  the  case  with  many 
specimens  which  I  confined  for  exam- 
ination last  season. 

The  only  treatment  which  occurs  to 
■me  as  likely  to  succeed  is  the  use  of 
(preventive  remedies,  to  deter  the 
'insects  coming  to  the  strawberrj^  beds 
■to  oviposit,  for  I  anticipate  that  each 
•of  the  buds,  which  are  bitten  off, 
will  be  found  upon  examination  to  con- 


tain an  egg  of  the  insect.  As  a  pre- 
ventive remedy  to  protect  my  currant 
bushes  against  A.  rubidus,  I  puffed 
pyrethrum  powder  over  the  bushes 
twice  a  week,  from  the  time  the  flowers 
opened  until  they  were  fully  formed. 
I  also  sprayed  them  once  with  a 
carbolic  wash,  and  now  find  the  fruit 
quite  sound. 

For  strawberry  beds,  tlie  following 
occur  to  me  as  remedies  which  might 
be  tried  : — 

1.  A  light  sprinkling  of  fresh  gas-lime 
between  the  rows  directly  the  insects  begin 
to  appear. 

2.  Spraying  the  beds  either  with  an  emul- 
sion of  coal-oil  and  soap-suds,  or  with  a  car- 
bolic wash. 

The  coal-oil  emulsion  is  probably 
well-known  now  to  most  fruit  growers 
in  Canada,  but  it  may  be  well  to  repeat 
hei-e  Dr.  Riley's  formula  :  — 

Coal-oil,  2  gallons  ;  rain  water,  1  gallon  ; 
common  soap,  i  lb.  Or  in  smaller  quantity  : 
Coal-oil,  1  pint ;  rain  water,  J  pint;  soap, 
1  oz. 

Dissolve  the  soap  in  the  water,  and  add 
it  boiling  hot  to  the  coal-oil.  Churn  the 
mixture  for  five  or  ten  minutes  by  means  of 
a  force-pump  and  spray-nozzle ;  or  the 
smaller  quantity  by  placing  it  in  a  large 
bottle,  and  shaking  it  violently  for  the  same 
period.  The  emulsion,  if  perfect,  forms  a 
cream,  which  thickens  on  cooling,  and  should 
adhere  without  olliness  to  the  surface  of  glass. 
Dilute  before  using  1  part  of  the  emulsion 
with  9  parts  of  cold  water. 

The  carbolic  wash  referred  to  above 
is  that  used  so  successfully  by  Prof. 
A.  J.  Cook,  of  the  Michigan  State 
Agricultural  College,  as  a  preventive 
remedy  to  protect  radishes  from  the 
root  maggots  of  Anthomyian  flies,  and 
is  as  follows  : — 

Dissolve  2  quarts  of  soft  soap  in  2  gallons 
of  water,  to  M'hich,  when  heated  to  the 
boiling  point,  add  1  pint  of  crude  carbolic 
acid.  For  iise  take  one  part  of  this  mixtui-e 
to  fifty  of  water,  and  spray  directly  on  to 
the  plants. 

One  application  every  week  to  rad- 
dish  beds  I  have  found  to  protect  them 
very  satisfactorily. 


178 


THP:    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


I  shall  be  obliged  if  you  can  procure 
me  specimens  of  the  injured  sti-awberry 
bud. 

THE  DOWNY  MILDEW  OF  THE  GRAPE. 

BT   D.    W.    BBADLE,    ST.    CATHARINES,    OXT. 

It  is  very  probable  that  many  Can- 
adian vineyardists  have  suffered  more 
or  less  from  the  ravages  of  this  para- 
site. Possibly  they  have  not  known 
its  proper  name,  nor  Vjeen  able  to  dis- 
tinguish it  from  other  forms  of  mildew  ; 
bat  it  is  the  most  common  form  that 
infests  our  grape  vines,  and  usually  the 
most  destructive  in  our  climate. 

We  shall  endeavor  to  give  our  read- 
ers such  a  description  of  it  that  they 
will  have  no  difficulty  in  recognizing  it, 
if  it  should  appear  ;  and  what  is  better, 
give  them  a  remedy  that  has  been 
found  effectual  in  Europe,  and  there- 
fore worthy  of  careful  trial  here. 

Mr.  F.  Lamson  Scribiier,  of  the 
United  States  Department  of  Agricul- 
tui'e,  has  made  a  very  full  report  on  the 
fungus  diseases  of  the  grape  vine  ;  and 
having  been  favored  with  a  copy,  we 
shall  avail  ourselves  of  his  labors  to 
give  further  publicity  to  information  so 
valuable  to  every  grower  of  grapes. 
"We  shall  for  the  present  confine  our- 
selves to  the  Downy  Mildew,  hoping 
at  some  future  time  to  take  up  the 
other  fungi.  The  downy  mildew  is 
known  to  botanists  by  the  narne  of 
ITironospora  viticola,  and  attacks  our 
wild  as  well  as  our  cultivated  vines. 
It  preys  upon  all  the  growing  parts, 
leaves,  young  shoots  and  berries  ;  and 
when  veiy  abundant  so  weakens  the 
vine  as  to  render  it  almost  or  quite 
worthless. 

The  first  intimation  that  the  vine- 
yardist  has  of  its  presence  is  the 
appearance  of  small,  irregular,  light 
green,  or  yellowish  spots  on  the  upper 
side  of  the  leaves.  On  turning  up  the 
leaves  he  will  find  that  there  is  on  the 
underside,  directly   beneath  the    spots 


on  the  surface,  white  patches,  which 
have  the  appearance  of  mould  or  mil- 
dew. These  white  patches  are  com- 
posed of  the  spore  bearing  filaments, 
little  threads  which  have  come  up 
through  the  pores  (stomata)  of  the  leaf, 
have  branched  and  fructified.  The 
spores  are  borne  on  the  en  Is  of  the 
branches.  Four  to  even  eight  of  these 
spore  bearing  filaments  issue  from  each 
leaf  pore,  and  it  is  because  they  are  so 
numerous  that  they  become  visible  to- 
the  naked  eye.  What  we  see,  there- 
fore, and  call  mildew,  is  only  the 
functifying  portion  of  the  plant,  the 
vegetative  portion  is  concealed  from 
view  in  the  body  of  the  leaf. 

The  vegetative  portion  is  called  the 
"mycelium,"  and  grows  between  thecells 
which  compose  the  ti.?sue  of  the  leaf,  or 
of  the  young  shoots,  or  grapes.  This 
portion  has  the  appearance  of  minute 
thx-eads,  on  which  are  formed  at  fre- 
quent intervals  small  lateral  projec- 
tions that  penetrate  the  walls  of  the 
cells  of  the  vine,  absorbing  therefrom 
the  nourishment  which  supports  the 
fungus.  It  will  be  seen  therefore  that 
the  destructive  woi-k  is  done  by  the 
portion  of  the  fungus  that  lies  con- 
cealed from  observation  in  the  tissues 
of  the  leaf,  or  berry,  or  young  shoot. 
The  contents  of  the  cells  that  are  thus 
perforated  by  these  small  lateral  pro- 
jections (called  '•  suckers  ")  soon  turn 
brown,  which  causes  the  discoloration 
that  meets  the  eye. 

We  shall  now  show  how,  and  under 
what  circumstances  or  conditions,  this 
mycelium  or  vegetative  portion  of  the 
fungus  gains  entrance  into  the  tissue  of 
the  leaf  or  fruit.  It  has  already  been 
noted  that  the  downy  growth  which  is 
seen  on  the  underside  of  the  leaves  is 
composed  of  filaments  bearing,  on  the 
ends  of  their  branches,  spores.  These 
spores  are  called  by  botanists  Conidia. 
They  are  reproductive  bodies.  When 
one  of  these  falls  on  a  leaf  wet  with. 


THK    CANADIAN    H(  )RTIC^LTUK^^T. 


179- 


dew,  or  fog,  or  rain,  it  begins  to  swell, 
the  contents  divide,  and  in  an  hour 
and  a  quarter  the  segments  resolve 
themselves  into  oval  bodies,  which  soon 
rupture  the  wall  of  the  spore  and  make 
their  escape,  passing  out  slowly,  usually 
one  at  a  time.  Shortly  after  this  each 
of  these  oval  bodies  begins  to  move, 
separates  itself  from  its  fellows,  and  at 
length  darts  ofl"  with  great  rapidity. 
They  are  now  called  Zoospores,  having 
for  about  twenty  minutes  the  power  of 
locomotion,  at  the  end  of  that  time 
they  cease  to  move,  and  in  about 
fifteen  minutes  after,  an  outgrowth 
appears  on  one  side,  which  de\'elops 
into  the  mycelium  of  a  new  plant.  The 
usual  number  of  zoospores  that  is  pro- 
duced from  a  conidium  is  five,  each  of 
which  becomes  a  new  plant.  The  num- 
ber of  conidia  that  may  be  pi-oduced 
from  a  single  infested  vine  is  to  be 
reckoned  by  millions,  some  computa- 
tions going  as  high  as  ten  millions,  but 
if  we  put  it  at  five  millions,  and  each  of 
these  should  find  the  conditions  favora- 
ble to  reproduction,  then  we  have  to 
multiply  that  five  millions  by  five,  so 
that  we  have  the  almost  incredible 
number  of  twenty  five  millions  as  the 
product  of  one  infested  grapevine. 

Fortunately  the  conditions  are  not 
always  present  that  favor  the  rejjroduc- 
tive  pi-ocess.  Th<^re  must  alwa3^s  be 
the  presence  of  water,  else  the  conidia 
cannot  produce  the  zoospores  ;  and  al- 
though the  process  we  have  described 
is  not  the  only  method  of  reproduction 
that  these  wonderful  plants  possess,  yet 
in  none  of  their  modes  of  reproduction 
can  germination  take  place  without  the 
presence  of  water.  A  moist  atmos- 
phere is  not  sufiicient.  There  must  be 
dro|)s  of  rain  or  dew  upon  the  leaves, 
or  fruit,  or  growing  branch  into  which 
the  conidia  fall,  in  order  to  their  further 
development.  We  now  understand  why 
it  is  that  this  form  of  mildew  is  more 
prevalent  in  wet  weather.     Mi-.    Wil- 


liam Saunders,  in  the  United  States 
Agricultural  Report  for  I  861,  describes 
his  method  of  availing  himself  of  this 
fact  in  order  to  prevent  the  attacks  of 
this  mildew,  which  was,  to  place  a  cov- 
ering over  the  trellis  of  sufficient  width 
to  prevent  the  fogs,  or  dews,  or  rains, 
from  wetting  the  foliage. 

We  have  already  shewn  that  the  ve- 
getative portion  of  the  fungus,  called 
the  mycelium,  grows  within  the  tissues 
of  its  host,  hence  it  is  impossible  to  de- 
stroy the  plant  in  that  stage  without 
destroying  the  leaf  also,  or  the  fruit,  if 
the  fungus  be  growing  in  the  fruit. 
Our  hope  is  to  find  some  means  of  pre- 
venting the  conidia  from  performing 
their  office  of  producing  the  zoospores, 
from  which  the  new  plants  ai-e  deve- 
loped. ]\Ir.  Saunders'  method  may  do 
in  small  vineyards,  but  is  difficult  of 
application  to  large  establishments. 

The  remedies  that  have  been  found 
serviceable  in  Europe  will  now  be  enu- 
merated, in  the  hope  that  they  will  be 
carefully  tested  during  the  present  sea- 
son, and  their  usefulness  in  our  climate 
definitely  ascertained.  If  we  shall  be 
able  to  combat  this  pest  of  our  vine- 
yards with  some  measui-e  of  success,  we 
shall  have  gained  much  toward  the  so- 
lution of  profitable  grape  culture  in 
Ontario. 

Sulphate  of  Copper,  either  alone  or 
in  mixture,  has  been  found  efficacious 
in  destroying  the  germs  of  this  fungus. 
The  following  preparations  haye  been 
recommended  for  trial  bv  the  United 
States  Commissioner  of  Agriculture. 

First — Spray  the  vines  with  a  solu- 
tion of  1  pound  dissolved  in  25  gallons 
of  water. 

Second — Dissolve  a  pound  in  4-  gal- 
lons of  warm  water  ;  when  completely 
dissolved  and  the  water  has  cooled,  add 
1  pint  of  commercial  ammonia,  and  di- 
lute this  by  adding  18  gallons  of  water, 
and  with  this  spray  the  vines.  The 
concentrated  solution,  that  is,  the  four 


180 


THK    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


gallons  to  which  the  ammonia  has  been 
added,  should  be  kept  in  a  keg  or  other 
wooden  vessel,  and  diluted  as  used. 

Third — Dissolve  16  pounds  of  the 
sulphate  in  22  gallons  of  water.  In 
another  vessel  slake  30  pounds  of  lime 
in  6  gallons  of  water.  When  the  lime 
and  water  have  become  cold,  pour  it 
slowly  into  the  sulphate  solution,  stir- 
ring constantly,  so  as  to  mix  thoi'oughly. 
It  is  recommended  to  prepai-e  this  com- 
pound some  days  before  using.  "When 
Tised  it  should  be  well  stirred,  and  may 
be  applied  by  dipping  a  wisp  into  the 
mixture,  and  switching  it  to  the  right 
and  left,  so  as  to  scatter  it  over  the  fo- 
liage. In  large  vineyards  it  will  be 
less  wasteful  to  use  a  pump  with  nozzle 
specially  constructed  for  the  purpose  of 
applying  this  compound. 

As  these  applications  are  only  pre- 
ventive in  their  operation,  and  by  their 
Tise  we  can  only  hope  to  destroy  the 
spores,  either  in  the  conidia  state,  or  at 
the  latest  as  zoospores,  before  the  myce- 
lium or  vegetative  portion  has  made  its 
way  into  the  tissues  of  the  plant, 
it  is  therefore  important  that  we  do  net 
wait  to  see  the  spots  on  the  leaves,  or 
the  discoloration  of  the  fruit  before  we 
apply  the  sulphate,  or  some  of  one  of 
these  mixtures,  but  rather  apply  at 
once,  and  repeat  as  often  as  the  applica- 
tion is  washed  off  by  the  rains. 

The  sulphate  of  copper  is  not  expen- 
sive, the  cost  as  given  by  the  Commis- 
sioner is  only  six  cents  a  pound  by  the 
barrel,  and  ten  cents  at  retail,  and  the 
commercial  ammonia  is  the  same. 

In  addition  to  these  applications,  the 
careful  vineyardist  will  take  measures  to 
destroy  all  the  germs  that  winter  over. 
We  have  not  given  the  life  history  of 
these,  it  being  a  matter  of  interest  to, 
the  botanist  more  than  to  the  general 
reader ;  it  will  be  sufficient  for  the  pre- 
sent to  say  that  these  winter  germs,  as 
they  have  been  called,  pass  the  winter 
in  the   tissues   of  the   dead  leaves,   or 


dried  up  berries,  and  possibly  upon  the 
branches.  Hence  the  importance  of 
gathering  all  the  leaves  and  fallen  fruit 
with  a  fine-toothed  rake  in  the  autumn 
and  burning  them.  Also  after  pruning 
the  vines,  to  gather  the  tiimmings  and 
burn  these.  In  addition  to  these  pre- 
cautions, the  naked  vines  should  be 
washed  with  a  strong  solution  of  sul- 
phate of  iron. 

The  .sulphate  of  iron  is  also  an  excel- 
lent fungicide,  and  possesses  this  advan- 
tage over  the  sulphate  of  copper,  that 
it  is  not  so  poisonous  to  human  beings, 
and  is  also  less  costly. 

We  should  be  pleased  if  some  of  the 
readers  of  the  Canadian  Horticulturist 
would  suVjstitute  the  sulphate  of  iron 
for  the  sulphate  of  copper  on  some  of 
their  vines,  where  the  downy  mildew  ap- 
peared  last  year,  and  report  the  result. 


A  CAUTION  REGARDING  THE    USE    OF  PARIS 
GREEN, 

Notices  have  appeared  from  time  to 
time  of  the  efficacy  of  Paris  green  and 
London  purple  in  destroying  the  Col- 
orado beetle  and  its  progeny,  and  more 
i-ecently  the  use  of  Paris  green  has  been 
strongly  recommended  in  dealing  with 
the  Codlin  moth. 

There  is  no  question  as  to  the  value 
of  these  agents  as  insecticides,  but  there 
are  other  considerations  as  regards  our- 
selves and  those  who  are  to  come  after 
us  which  should  make  potato  growers 
and  orchardists  pause  before  applying 
Paris  green,  et  omne  hoc  (jenus,  in  the 
liberal  way  in  which  it  is  now  proposed 
to  do.  Paris  green  and  London  purple 
are  preparations  of  arsenic,  and  arsenic 
is  a  vinilent  poison ;  so  much  so  that 
one  grain  has  been  known  to  cause 
death,  and  jjoisonous  symptoms  have 
been  caused  by  one-half,  one  fourth, 
and  even  by  the  one-eighth  of  a  grain. 
On  some  of  the  lower  forms  of  vegetable 
life — ferns  and  mosses — it  does  not 
seem  to  exercise  any  injurious  effects, 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


181 


but  it  is  different  with  all  the  higher 
plants.  Seeds  soaked  in  a  solution  of 
arsenic  will  not  germinate,  and  buds  to 
which  it  has  been  freely  applied  will 
not  expand,  while  the  roots  and  young 
shoots  of  plants  immersed  in  it  perish. 
It  lias  been  stated  in  the  pages  of  the 
Horticulturist,  I  think,  that  only  the 
leaves  of  the  potato  can  be  destroyed 
or  the  petals  of  the  apple  blossom, 
while  the  tubers  in  the  one  case,  and 
the  fruit  in  the  other,  remain  unscathed. 
But  this  is  only  partially  true,  and 
what  truth  there  is  de{)ends  entirely 
upon  the  circumstances  of  the  applica- 
tion. The  metal  arsenic  is  insoluble  in 
water,  and  so  long  as  it  remains  insol- 
uble it  very  likely  would  be  harmless 
to  plants.  But  it  is  freely  soluble  in 
the  alkalies,  potash,  soda,  and  ammonia, 
lime  and  other  earths,  as  well  as  acids 
resulting  from  decomposition  of  vege- 
table matter  ;  all  of  which  are  more  or 
less  abundantly  found  in  every  variety 
of  soil,  and  so  soon  as  it  is  reduced  to 
tlie  solvent  condition  it  is  then  readily 
taken  up  by  the  roots  of  plants,  especi- 
ally by  those  of  the  coarser  vegetables, 
the  potato,  cai*rot,  paranip,  etc.  Simi- 
larly, also,  in  applying  solutions  of  Paris 
green  to  the  apple  blossom,  it  is  not 
only  tliat  the  petals  are  destroyed,  and 
this  itself  may  be  no  small  matter,  but 
the  poison  may  be  absorbed  by  the 
fruit,  or  find  its  way  into  the  ovary  by 
the  pistils,  and  in  this  way,  if  no  greater 
mischief  results,  those  who  have  a  fancy 
for  chewing  the  seeds  of  the  apple  may 
some  day  find  themselves  attacked  with 
S3'mpton)S  of  arsenical  poisoning. 

Thei'e  are  other  sources  of  danger 
besides,  such  as  the  contamination  of 
drinking  water,  in  wells,  springs, 
streams,  etc.  But  I  fear  that  I  have 
already  occupied  too  mucli  of  your 
limited  space,  and  therefore  will  not 
pui'sue  the  subject  any  further  at  pres- 
ent. ■        Yours  truly,  C. 

Durham,  June,  1887. 


iPloluers. 


CARE  AND  CULTIVATION  OF  LILIES. 

BY    HERMANN   SIMMERS,    TORONTO,    OXT. 

(?y"i^  the  last  issue  of  the  Horticultur- 
■^X^i  ist  the  subject  of  the  principal 
^^  finer  varieties  of  Lilies  was 
S[)oken  of.  There  are  many  other 
varieties    much    more    beaxitiful     than 


LILTUM   TENUIFOLIUM. 

those  mentioned  which  I  could  write 
about,  but  they  would  be  useless  to 
the  amateur,  as  I  have  frequently  ex- 
perimented with  them  and  have  found 
them  unsuccessful,  not  only  in  winter- 
ing them,  but  also  in  persuading  them 
to  flower,  even  with  the  greatest  care. 
If  any  amateur  would  like  a  description 
of  any  varieties  that  I  may  not  mention 
I  would  cheerfully  answer  any  such 
questions  through  the  columns  of  the 
Horticulturist.  By  far  the  most  genei-al- 


182 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTUKIST. 


I3'  cultivated  of  all  the  lilies  is  the  ever 
popular  Lilium  Candidum  or  ordinary 
sweet-scented  White  Lily,  which  thrives 
in  almost  any  kind  of  soil,  particularly 
however  in  sandy  loam.  This  variety, 
if  it  is  not  already  in  the  gardens  of 
our  readers,  we  would  specially  recom- 
mend for  planting,  as  nothing  is  more 
•satisfactory,  not  only  on  account  of 
its  fragrance,  but  also  on  account  of  its 
beautiful  white  wax-like  flowers  borne 
on  a  long  stem,  with  from  five  to 
fifteen  flowers  on  each  stem.  To  a 
great  many,  any  explanation  of  the 
care  and  treatment  of  this  variety  may 
seem  superfluous,  but  to  some,  a  few 
points  may  be  added  in  order  to  en- 
courage a  larger  growth  of  this  justly 
popular  variety.  In  planting  for  open 
air,  the  same  cai-e  may  be  observed  as 
was  described  in  the  July  issue  con- 
cerning the  Lilium  Auratum  ;  but  as 
for  ordinary  forcing  for  the  house  I 
would  not  advise  any  amateur  to 
attempt  it,  unless  provided  with  the 
facility  of  a  conservatory,  when  they 
may  be  planted  during  the  month  of 
September,  and  treated  precisely  the 
same  as  the  Hyacinth  for  forcing. 
Lilium  Candidum,  when  grown  in  the 
open  air,  is  apt  to  propagate  very  freeh'^, 
and  in  order  to  secure  flowers  yearly  it 
is  necessary,  say  once  in  tliree  years, 
to  lake  the  main  bulbs  up,  and  detach 
any  extra  small  bulbs  that  will  cer- 
tainly be  attached  to  the  parent  bulb, 
replacing  the  large  bulb  and  planting 
the  smaller  bulbs  in  a  separate  bed, 
where  after  three  years  growth  they 
are  suflSciently  large  enough  to  flower, 
and  may  be  planted  where  it  is  requir- 
ed of  them  to  do  so.  Another  variety 
not  very  often  seen  in  the  garden,  but, 
nevertheless,  a  very  beautiful  flower  is 
the  Lilium  longiflorum  album.  This 
variety  may  be  grown  and  pi'opagated 
as  easily  as  the  Lilium  Candidum,  but 
its  habit  of  growth  is  very  much 
smaller,  reaching  only  to  the  height  of 


fifteen  inches  ;  the  flower  is  long  tube- 
shaped,  and  bears  about  five  to  eight 
flowers  on  each  stem.  Lilium  Tigri- 
num,  or  spotted  Tiger  Lily  may  also  be 
classed  among  the  varieties  of  easy 
culture,  and  is  seen  in  almost  every 
sarden. 


The  Fuchsia  should  have  rather  a  shady 
place,  unless  particular  pains  be  taken 
to  water  it  freely,  If  allowed  to  wilt, 
the  leaves  are  apt  to  drop,  and  the  plant 
then  looks  much  like  a  pretty  young 
miss  shorn  of  her  tresses.  The  plants 
should  be  turned  out  of  the  pots,  except 
Speciosa  and  Mrs.  Marshall,  which  are 
the  best  of  winter  bloomers,  and  should 
be  grown  in  pots  for  that  purpose  alone. 
— Orchard  and  Garden. 

The  Crystal  Palace  Gem  Nasturtium  sent 
out  last  spring  is  just  now  in  full  bloom 
in  our  Experimental  Grounds,  and 
is  very  pretty.  It  |)roduces  a  great 
aljundance  of  pale  yellow  flowers  with 
maroon  blotches,  a  very  pretty  contrast 
to  the  ordinary  shades. 

Shipping  Flowers. — Ladies  in  Crystal 
Springs,  Miss.,  are  shipping  flowers  to 
city  markets.  They  receive  in  Chicago 
from  $2.50  to  $3  per  100  for  Cape  Jas- 
mine buds,  and  a  single  rose  bush  has 
yielded  $10  worth  of  bloom  in  one 
season. 

Sunflowers. — Seedsmen  state  that  of 
late  years  there  has  been  an  unwonted 
demand  for  seeds  of  sunflowers.  It  is 
a  fact  that  a  blaze  of  sunflowers  gives 
conspicuous  dashes  of  color  to  gardens. 
Some  one  has  styled  the  sunflower  "  the 
king  of  the  flower  garden,"  and  there 
is  a  kind  of  regal  aspect  about  it.  It 
is  common  to  see  flowei'S  more  than  a 
foot  across,  and  the  dark  centres  stand 
out  consjncuously  when  margined  with 
their  broad  zones  of  golden  petals. 
There  are  dwarf  and  tall  forms  of  the 
single,  and  also  of  the  double  varieties. 
The  last  named,  when  of  a  fine  double 


THE    CANADIAN    HCilTICDLTURIHT. 


183 


cliaractei',  are  very  imposing  objects ; 
but  the  current  taste  certainly  runs  in 
the  direction  of  the  single  in  preference 
to  the  double  varieties. 


^ii-iis. 


WIRE    FENCES    AND    BIRDS. 

Sir  : — It  is  certainly  pleasing  to  the 
eye  to  see  straight,  clean  fences,  such 
as  those  constructed  of  barbed  wii-e,  in 
comparison  with  the  old  style  of  snake 
fence  ;  and  a  considerable  saving  of  land 
is  made  by  its  adoption.  Another  ad- 
vantage is  the  prevention  of  lieavy  snow 
diifts,  and  perhaps  other  good  points 
might  be  claimed  for  the  wire  fence  ; 
but  there  is  one  dj-awback,  and  that  is 
a  serious  one — one  that  requires  more 
than  a  passing  notice — viz.  :  the  banish- 
ment of  our  small  insect  destroying 
birds. 

We  find,  year  by  year,  slowly  but 
surely,  the  birds  become  scarce,  particu- 
larly in  those  localities  where  the  wire 
fence  is  most  in  use.  The  reason  is 
plain  to  be  seen.  Along  the  line  of  the 
wire  fence  rubbish  is  seldom  allowed  to 
accumulate,  the  coarse  grass  is  kept  cut 
and  no  small  bushes  are  allowed  to 
grow,  consequently  there  is  no  harbour 
or  shelter  for  the  small  birds  that  live 
principally  on  insects.  The  result  is 
the  decrease  of  birds  and  the  increase 
of  insects. 

In  the  old  style  rail  fence  all  sorts  of 
rubbish  would  accumulate  ;  piles  of 
stones,  rank  grass,  small  bushes,  liazel, 
wild  i-aspberry,  wild  currant,  etc., 
would  find  a  lodgment,  affording  the 
small  birds  shelter  in  rough  weather, 
and  protection  and  security  in  raisin  ij- 
their  young ;  for  our  common  small 
bii'ds  do  not  build  their  nests  in  tall 
trees. 

It  is  not  likely  we  will  ever  go  back 
to  the  old  snake  fence  again  ;  but  if  we 


want  to  retain  our  friends  the  birds, 
we  must  protect  them,  extend  to  them 
the  blessings  of  National  Policy,  as  well 
as  to  the  manufacturers  of  barbed  wire, 
and  protect  the  birds,  who  are  unable 
to  protect  themselves. 

The  first  thing  to  do  is  to  enforce  the 
laiv  proJiihiting  the  destruction  of  insect 
destroying  birds,  and  any  and  every 
man  or  boy  found  shooting  or  destroy- 
ing the  birds  to  lock  him  up  and  teach 
him  better.  Next,  as  it  appears  the 
wire  fence  has  come  to  stay,  we  should 
protect  the  birds  by  planting  trees  or 
hedges  all  around  the  farm,  or  at  least 
on  the  north  and  west  sides,  which  will 
encoui-age  the  birds  to  stay.  The  ti-ees 
or  hedges  will  grow,  and  not  only  afford 
shelter  for  the  birds,  but  form  wind- 
breaks, which  are  becoming  so  necessary 
in  some  localities.  The  loss  sustained 
by  the  amount  of  land  occupied  by  the 
trees  will  be  repaid  by  the  benefits  de- 
rived in  the  shelter  of  crops  from  the 
bleak  and  raking  winds,  and  the  reten- 
tion of  the  birds,  vhich  are  the  true 
friends  of  the  farmer  and  of  the  fruit 


grower. 
Mimico . 


KUSTIC." 


AN  ENEMY  OF  THE  ENGLISH  SPARROW. 

In  a  recent  i-eport  from  the  Depart- 
ment of  Agriculture  Professor  Riley 
states  that  the  screech  owl  has  proved 
useful  in  destroying  the  web  worms 
that  defoliate  so  many  trees  in  autumn, 
and  adds  :  "  Perhaips  the  statement 
may  be  of  interest  that  this  little  owl 
is  getting  much  more  common  in  the 
vicinity  of  cities  in  which  the  English 
sparrow  has  become  numerous,  and 
that  the  imported  birds  will  find  in 
this  owl  as  bold  an  enemy  as  the 
sparrow-hawk  is  to  them  in  Europe  ; 
and  even  more  dangerous,  since  its 
attacks  are  made  towards  dusk — at  a 
time  when  the  sparrow  has  retired  for 
the  night  and  is  not  as  wide  awake  for 
ways  and  means  to  escape." 


184 


THE   CANADIAN    HOBTICULTDBI8T. 


CM  REED 
U     valuf 


Hses  of  Jjritits. 

Next  in  impoHance  to  the  best  modes  of  cultivation 
and  the  selection  of  the  choicest  varieties,  comes  the 
most  approved  methods  of  prepai  ing  fruits  for  use. 
We  ivould  be  glad  therefore  if  the  ladies,  who  read 
this  Journal,  would  make  free  use  of  this  column 
for  an  interchange  of  ideas  on  this  subject. 

FRUIT  JUICES  MEDICINAL. 

REED  of  seeds,  fruit  juices  are, 
Miss  Clarissa  Potter,  in- 
lable  in  correcting  deranged 
bowels.  Tliey  relieve  constipation  and 
check  diarrhoea.  This  seems  a  contra- 
diction, but  personal  observation  justi- 
fies the  statement.  I  was  not  afraid 
to  give  my  nine-months  old  baby  bread 
softened  with  these  juices,  when  I 
found  milk  nauseated  her,  the  child 
having  inherited  a  strong  antipathy 
against  it,  and,  though  my  other  chil- 
dren have  Vjeen  "  bread  and  milk 
babies,"  she  has  always  been  a  bread 
and  fruit  juice  baby.  A  pint  of  red, 
ripe,  curi'ant,  or  raspberr}^  juice  tart, 
thick  as  cream,  with  flavour  and  sun- 
shine, and  as  fresh  as  when  swelling  the 
ripe  berry  on  the  stem,  is  just  the  gift 
to  send  an  invalid  friend  who  is 
heartily  tired  of  her  moulds  of  insipid, 
sweetish  jellies. — Hort.  Times  (Eng.). 

Beware  of  Orange  Seeds. — Several  cases 
have  been  i-eported  of  late  of  death 
resulting  from  the  swallowing  an 
orange  seed.  The  seed,  lodging  in  the 
small  intestines  is  productive  of  fatal 
inflam  mation. 

Pineapple  Water  (a  refreshing  summer 
beverage). — Take  a  moderate-sized  pine- 
apple, pare  and  slice  it,  and  pound  it  to 
a  pulp  in  a  mortar.  Put  this  into  a 
bowl  with  the  strained  juice  of  a  large 
fresh  lemon,  and  pour  over  it  a  pint  of 
boiling  syrup  made  in  the  proportion 
of  IK),  of  sugar  to  a  pint  of  water. 
Cover  the  jug  which  contains  the 
liquid,  and  leave  it  in  a  cool  place  for 
two  hours  or  more.     Strain  through  a 


napkin.  Put  two  pints  of  cold  spring- 
water  with  it  and  serve.  Sufficient  for 
three  pints  of  pineapple  water. — Hort. 
Times. 

TO  MAKE  RASPBERRY  VINEGAR. 

Wash  raspberries  in  a  stone  jar. 
To  every  pound  of  fruit  add  a  pint  of 
pure  cider  vinegar,  cover,  and  let  it 
stand  three  days  ;  then  press  it  through 
a  jelly  bag ;  to  every  pint  put  a  half 
pound  of  lump  sugar.  Set  the  juice  on 
the  fire  to  come  to  a  boil.  Take  off 
any  scum  that  may  rise.  Allow  five 
minutes  gentle  boiling.  Set  it  to  get 
cold,  then  pour  into  small  bottles,  cork 
with  new  corks,  and  seal.  Two  or 
three  table-spoonfuls  in  a  glass  of  ice 
water  makes  a  delicious,  refreshing 
drink  in  hot  weather.  Strawberries  or 
currants  can  be  prepared  in  the  same 
manner. — Horticultural  Times. 


FRUIT  STAINS. 

In  the  season  of  fruits,  the  napkin 
used  at  the  table,  and  often  the  hand- 
kerchiefs and  other  articles,  will  become 
stained.  Those  who  have  access  to  a 
good  drug  store  can  procure  a  bottle  of 
Javelle  water.  If  tlie  stains  are  wet 
with  this  before  the  articles  are  put 
into  wash,  they  will  be  completely  re- 
moved. Those  who  cannot  get  Javelle 
water  can  make  a  solution  of  chloride 
of  lime.  Four  ounces  of  the  chloride 
of  lime  is  to  be  put  in  a  quart  of  water- 
in  a  bottle,  and  after  thoroughly  shaking 
allow  the  dregs  to  settle.  The  clean 
liquid  will  remove  the  stains  as  I'eadily 
as  Javelle  water,  but  in  using  this  one 
precaution  must  be  observed.  Be  care- 
ful to  thoroughly  rinse  the  article  to 
which  this  solution  has  been  applied  in 
clear  water  before  bringing  it  in  contact 
with  soap.  When  Javelle  water  is  used, 
this  precaution  is  not  necessaiy  ;  but 
with  the  chloride  of  lime  liquid  it  is,  or 
the  articles  will  be  harsh  and  stifi". — Ex. 


tfiE   OANADIAN    SORTICULTtRlSl". 


1S5 


®pm  fetters. 


3IK.    LOUDON. 

The  Jessie. — Sir  :  In  passing  by 
the  home  of  the  Jessie,  at  Janesville, 
Wisconsin,  on  my  way  home  from  the 
North-west,  I  conkl  not  resist  tlie  desire 
to  see  the  Jessie,  so  I  hiid  over  till  the 
next  train  and  I  do  not  regret  it,  al- 
though I  had  to  walk  out  about  a 
mile.  A  very  genial  and  kindly  man 
is  Mr.  Loudon,  and  after  a  kind  re- 
ception from  his  wife  and  himself,  when 
breakfast  was  over,  he  took  me  to  the 
Jessie  field  where  he  has  70  other  new 
seedlings,  some  of  them  larger  than  the 
Jessie.  You  and  others  ought  for 
yourselves  to  see  the  sight  I  saw.  After 
three  pickings  they  still  lay  in  heaps 
around  the  plants.  I  could  have  had 
my  eyes  covered  and  went  on  any  row 
and  picked  bushels  of  berries,  of  which 
twenty  would  fill  a  quart. 

JOHN   LITTLE,  Grauton. 


Sir  :  I  observed  in  your  June  num- 
ber an    article  headed    "The   English 
Sparrow,"  where  it  is  blamed  for  pick- 
ing the  heart  of  the  plums  and  cherries 
2 


when  in  bloom.  Now  I  think  your 
correspondent  has  made  a  mistake. 
There  is  a  bird  that  might  be  mis- 
taken for  the  sparrow  —  the  purple 
Finch,  ( Frigillia  piLvpurea),  which  I 
have  often  detected  in  the  same  opera- 
tion, but  never  the  sparrows.  They 
are  a  bold  bird  and  beautiful  singers. 
See  Wilson's  Ornithology. 

JOilX  McLEAN. 


Niagara  Grapevine,  Insecticides, 
jfec. — Sir  :  I  am  glad  to  inform  you 
that  the  Niagara  vine  you  so  kindly 
sent  me  is  thriving  most  vigorously. 
As  it  has  been  planted  in  an  exposed 
position  on  the  mountain,  I  will  let 
you  know  how  it  stands  the  winter. 
As  allusion  is  often  made  in  the  jour- 
nal as  to  various  insecticides,  I  would 
say  that  this  year  I  ha\e  tried  thp 
"  Slugshot,"  and  have  found  it  in  every 
way  satisfactory.  This  powder  has  kept 
the  currant  and  gooseberiy  bushes  en- 
tirely free  from  the  caterpillar. 

D.  BERWICK. 

Hamiltou,  June  30,  1887. 

[Note.  —  The  so-called  "  Slug-shot " 
owes  its  effectiveness  largely  to  the  p:e- 
stiuce  of  arsenic. — Editou. ] 

The  Black  Knot. — Sir  :  I  fear  we 
sliall  all  be  used  up  this  year  with  the 
black-knot,  which  is  far  worse  than 
than  during  any  previous  single  year. 
It  has  struck  all  over  the  trees,  both 
cherry  and  plum,  so  that  I  think  1 
sljall  have  to  cut  down  many  of  them. 
1  do  not  know  if  its  ravages  extend 
beyond  our  city,  but  doubtless  it  does, 
and  fear  there  is  no  remedy  but  to 
wait  until  this  generation  is  succeeded 
by  a  new  order,  for  better  or  for  worse. 
C.  JARVIS,  Brautford. 

[Note. — Prof.  Panton's  paper  at  Col- 
liugwood  showed  cloai-ly  that  the  black 
knot  is  a  fungus  growth,  propagated  by 
spores,  which  scatter  at  maturity  ;  and 
that  the  only  way  to  check  its  progress 
is  to  cut  off  and  burn  all  affected 
parts. — Ed.] 


186 


THE  CANADIAN    HORTicULTUfeiST. 


Catalpa.  —  Sir  :  Yon  may  like  to 
know  that  I  have  tlie  Catalpa,  in  full 
bloom,  here  now.  I  see  by  tlie  Horti- 
cult'itrist  that  it  will  not  grow  in  every 
part  of  Canada.  The  blossom  is  larpje, 
very  beautiful,  and,  if  away  from  the 
tree,  it  would  pass  for  an  orchid,  i.e., 
for  its  delicacy  of  colour  and  form. 

MARIA  S.  RYE. 
Niagara,  2nd  July,  1887. 

Canabtaii  J)orticxilturist. 


iN  lUus- 
trated 
Monthly  Journal,  de- 
I  voted  to  the  interests 
of     Fruit     Growers, 
(hardeners,   and   Gentle- 
men owning  rural  or  su- 
burban homes. 

Subscription  price  §1.00 
per  year,  entitling  the  subscri- 
ber to  membership  of  the  Fruit  Grow- 
ers' Association  of  Ontario  and  all  its 
privileges,  including  a  copy  of  its 
valuable  Annual  Report,  and  a  share  in  its 
annual  distribution  of  plants  and  trees. 


This  Journal  is  not  published  in  the  in- 
terests, or  for  the  pecuniary  advantage  of 
any  one,  but  its  pages  are  devoted  wholly  to 
the  progress  of  Horticultural  Science  and 
Art  in  Canada. 


The  Evening  Primrose. — One  of  our  sub- 
scribei'S  who  complained  about  receiv- 
ing seeds  of  the  Evening  Primrose 
among  our  flower  seeds  sent  out  last 
spring,  Vjecause  it  was  a  noxious  weed, 
must  KUi-ely  l)e  ignorant  of  the  great 
ditference  between  the  native  and   the 


cultivated  varieties.  The  genus  ffino- 
thera  comprises  some  of  our  most  showy 
summer  blooming  plants,  and  are 
highly  prized  in  the  best  gardens. 
Some  of  the  finest  are  natives  of  Texas, 
California,  and  Missouri. 

Summer  Pruning  of  ornamental  trees 
and  shrubs  is  commended  by  the  Gar- 
deners' MonMy.  By  this  is  meant  a 
judicious  thinning  out,  and  the  pinch- 
ing back  of  growing  branches  of  both 
deciduous  and  evergreen  trees.  The 
Scotch  Pine  may  be  made  a  "most  beau- 
tiful ornament  to  the  lawn,  by  cutting 
ofi  its  head  when  about  ten  feet  high, 
and  never  allowing  another  to  grow. 
The  side  branches  are  cut  away,  ex- 
ce[jting  the  upper  tier,  which  then 
s[)read  and  drooj)  in  such  a  way  as  to 
jiresent  a  beautiful  arbor-like  form. 

Many  of  our  deciduous  shrubs  may 
also  be  much  improved  by  clipping. 
At  many  of  the  Northern  Railway 
stations,  we  noticed  the  Tartai'ian 
Honey-suckle,  tlie  Weigela,  and  other 
shrubs  pruned  into  roundish  or  oblong 
shapes,  with  flat  toi)S.  Thus  pruned 
they  are  adapted  to  small  tidy  lawns, 
where  otherwise  their  natural  free 
habits  of  growth  would  exclude  them. 

The  Marlboro'  raspberry  is  just  now 
(7th  July)  ripening  its  first  fruit  of  this 
season  on  our  grounds.  It  is  quite  re- 
assuring to  find  such  stout  canes,  so 
well  laden  with  large,  bright,  scarlet 
bcnies. 

The  Cherry  Crop  has  been  unusually  sa- 
tisfactory this  year.  The  horrid  aphis 
has  beea  entirely  I'outed  by  the  friendly 
lady  bug,  and  the  rot  upon  the  Bigga- 
reau  varieties  has  been  less  destructive 
than  usual.  For  several  years  past  the 
Heart  and  Biggareau  varieties  have 
been  such  utter  failures  in  tlie  Niagara 
distiict  that  we  were  quite  prepared 
to  condemn  them  as  being  wholly 
unprofitable  But  this  season  it  has 
been  a  pleasure  to  handle  them,  so  fine 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


187 


and  lai'ge  and  clean  was  the  fruit ;  and 
the  market  so  greedy  to  obtain  them. 
On  tlie  5th  July  the  Nai)oleon  Biggar- 
eau  and  the  Yellow  Spanish,  those  most 
magnificent  of  white  cherries,  com- 
manded no  less  than  $1.90  per  twelve- 
quart  basket  in  Toronto  market.  With- 
out doubt  these  two  ai'e  the  finest  of 
the  Biggareaus,  as  the  Black  Tartarian 
and  the  Black  Eagle  are  the  leading 
Heart  varieties. 

A  New  Asparagus. — The  Scientific  Ameri- 
can speaks  of  a  new  variety  of  aspara- 
gus which  has  been  discovered  on  the 
steppes  of  the  Akhal-Tekiz.  It  grows 
perfectly  wild ;  has  stalks  nearly  as 
thick  as  a  man's  arm,  and  attaining  a 
height  of  five  or  six  feet.  One  of  these 
immense  stalks  is  said  to  be  sufficient 
for  a  meal  for  ten  Russian  soldiers  ! 

Pears. — The  Duchess,  Winter  Nelis, 
and  Seckel  are  regarded  by  the  Country 
Gentleman  as  the  pears  least  liable  to 
blight.  The  Claii-geau  aTid  Urbaniste. 
also  promise  well. 

In  our  experience  we  may  mention 
the  Osbands  Summer  and  the  Flemish 
Beauty  as  among  the  most  subject  to 
this  dread  disease. 

Tuition  in  Horticulture  was  the  subject  of 
of  Secretai-y  Garfiehl's  first  lecture  at 
Cornell.  He  shows  in  it  the  inade- 
quacy of  books  and  lectures  to  teach 
this  science,  unless  accompanied  by 
practical  work  in  the  laboratory  and  in 
the  field.  He  also  points  out  the  great 
value  of  horticultural  periodicals,  and 
of  the  meeting  of  practical  men  in  hoi'- 
ticultural  societies. 

The  Corner  Stone  of  the  most  ricldy 
endowed  university  in  the  world  was 
laid  on  the  18th  of  last  May  at  Pals 
Alto,  in  Santa  Clara  County,  Cali- 
fornia. It  is  built  by  Senator  Stan- 
foi"d.  upon  his  cattle  ranch  of  over 
7,000  acres,  and  is  endowed  with  about 
$20,000,000  to  heyin  loith.  The  plans 
are  on  a  gigantic  scale,  and  the  curricu- 


lum is  to  include  not  only  art  and  science, 
but  courses  in  practical  agriculture  and 
horticulture  under  the  most  gifted 
specialists. 

Does  it  not  appear  that  the  most 
thoroughly  equipped  universities  of  the 
future  are  to  be  those  which  are 
founded  and  sustained  by  private 
beneficence. 

Prunus  Simoni  or  Apricot  Plum.  Prof- 
Budd  of  the  Iowa  State  Agricultural 
College  writes  of  this  plum  as  follows  : 
— "It  will  be  the  king  of  fruits — better 
than-any  apricot.  In  France  it  is 
placed  at  the  head  of  the  plums.  Hardy 
even  here  (42nd  parallel).  In  all 
respects  it  is  a  botanical  curiosity.  In 
color  of  bark,  and  in  all  points  except 


r 


PRUNUS    SIMONI. 

the  net  veining  and  color  of  the  leaves, 
it  resembles  the  peach.  In  fruit  it 
comes  nearer  to  a  flattish,  smooth, 
brick-i'ed  tomato  than  to  any  of  our 
stone  fruits ;  yet  in  smell  and  flavour 
it  approaches  very  near  the  nectarine." 
Unpaid. — We  regret  to  find  a  good 
many  on  our  lists  avIio  have  not  yet 
])aid  for  the  year  1887,  and  yet  they 
have  accepted  from  the  post  office  seven 


188 


THE   CANADIAN    H0ETI0ULTUKI8T. 


numbers  of  the  Horticulturist  for  the 
year  1887.  Those  who  send  in  their 
subscriptions  may  have  the  bulbs  men- 
tioned below  if  they  so  desire. 

Fall  Distribution  of  Bulbs. — Any  sub- 
scriber, new  or  old,  sending  in  his 
subscription  of  $1.00  to  the  Canadian 
Horticulturist,  for  either  the  year  1 887 
or  1888,  between  now  and  the  first  of 
November,  may  have  a  package  of 
winter  flowering  bulbs  sent  him,  post 
paid,  early  in  November  next.  The 
package  will  contain  1  Hyacinth,  1 
Narcissus  and  1  Tulij),  all  named 
varieties.  As  the  contract  is  with  a 
reliable  Canadian  seedsman,  we  believe 
the  bulbs  will  give  the  best  of  satisfoc- 
tion,  and  we  hope  may  be  the  means  of 
introducing  these  floral  tx'easures  into 
homes  hitherto  ungraced  by  their 
beauty. 

The  Annual  Meeting  will  lie  held  at 
either  Hamilton  or  Grimsby,  about  the 
last  week  in  September.  The  annual 
address  of  the  President  will  be  a 
j)rominent  feature  of  the  occasion,  and 
will  be  of  special  interest  to  apple 
growers,  of  wliom  we  expect  to  see  a 
lai'ge  repre.sentation. 

The  Winter  Meeting  will  be  held  at 
some  ])oint  in  tlie  eastern  part  of  the 
Province,  possibly  at  Ottawa. 

THE  NEW  G.  T.  R.  FRUIT  CARS. 

On  the  21st  of  June  the  first  of  these 
new  special  fruit  cars  passed  through 
Grimsby.  As  fruit  growei'S  we  hail 
with  gladness  any  such  improvement 
marking  a  step  in  advance  in  accom- 
modation for  the  enlargement  of  our 
business. 

The  car  is  a  fine  large  one,  similar  in 
size  and  shape  to  a  j)assenger  coach, 
with  the  same  excellent  running  gear 
and  easy  springs,  and  is  therefore  far 
better  than  any  freight  car  for  the  car- 
riage of  tender  fruits,  especially  for 
long  distances.      The  length   of  the  car 


is  about  40  ft.  and  the  width  over  9  ft. 
The  car  is  shelved  all  around,  with  a 
passage  lengthwise  through  the  middle 
as  well  as  aci'oss,  thus  affording  easy 
access  to  packages  of  fruit  in  any  part 
of  the  car.  The  accompanying  sketch 
of  a  section  of  this  car  will  aid  us  in 
giving  our  readers  some  idea  of  its 
conveniences  : 


^ 

i    3  ft.  4  iji. 

1 

BASKETS. 

BASKETS. 

3  ft. 

3  ft. 

G.  T.   R.    FRUIT    CAR — SECTION. 

One  of  these  cai"S  will  pass  through 
the  Niagara  District  every  afternoon 
throughout  the  fruit  season,  gathering 
up  fruit  for  the  Montreal  market  from 
between  the  Suspension  Bridge  and 
Toi'onto.  It  will  reach  Montreal 
about  9  o'clock  the  next  morning. 


BUDDING. 

The  nurseryman's  art  of  budding 
trees  is  a  very  simple  operation,  and 
easily  learned  by  any  one  who  is  at  all 
handy  with  his  knife.  It  is  so  useful, 
too,  that  every  fruit  grower  should 
pi'actice  it  for  himself.  Perhaps  some 
of  our  readers  were  trying  to  top-graft 
their  apple  trees  last  spring,  and  in 
some  instances  the  scion  has  failed  to 
grow  ;  in  its  place,  however,  several 
strong  shoots  have  grown  up  by  the 
side  of  the  cleft.  Now  is  the  time,  say 
from  the  1st  to  the  15th  of  August,  to 
make  up  for  the  failui^e  of  the  graft  by 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


189 


inserting  buds  in  these  young  thrifty 
sprouts. 

First  cut  a  fresh  shoot,  of  this  sea. 


son's  growth,  from  the 
kind  of  tree  you  desire 
to  have,  with  well  de- 
veloped buds.  Trim  off' 
all  the  leaves,  leaving 
^  r  about  a  half   inch     of 

V^  the      petioles      as      a 

handle    for    each  bud, 
as    in   Fig.    1.      Then 
Fio.  1.  with  a  keen-edged  bud- 

ding knife  remove  the  buds 
quired, J  taking  care  to 
cut  as  little  of  the 
wood  as  possible. 
Then  make  a  T  sha})ed 
cut  in  the  stock  quite 
through  to  the  wood, 
as  is  shown  in  Fig.  2, 
insert  the  bud  from  the 
to})  downward,  slipping 
it  neatly  into  its  place 
as  in  Fig.  3.  Then  tie 
snugly  with  bass  bark,  Fig.  2.  Fio.  3.  Kio.  4. 
or  yarn,  as  shown  in  Fig.  4. 

Plums  and  pears  (on  pear  stocks) 
should  be  budded  in  July,  while  peaches 
ai-e  budded  during  the  first  half  of  Sep- 
tember. These  latter  may  be  workril 
with  greater  ease  and  success  than  any 
other  tree,  providing  always  tlio  stalk 
is  the  current  season's  gi'owth  from  the 
peach  pit. 

About  a  fortnight  after  budding  the 
bandages  should  be  loosened,  and  then 
left  until  the  following  spring,  when, 
if  the  bud  is  alive,  the  stock  should  be 
cut  off  about  an  inch  above  the  bud. 

This  is  the  whole  secret,  and  we  give 
it  to  our  readers  hoping  the  practice  of 


it  may  prove  both  interesting  and  pro- 
fitable to  practical  horticulturists. 


This  department  is  intended  as  an  open  07ie  to  every 
reader  of  the  "Horticulturist"  to  send  in  either 
questions  or  answers.  Often  a  reader  will  be  able  to 
answer  a  question  tvhich  has  been  left  unanswered, 
or  only  partially  answered  by  us.  For  connenicnce 
of  reference  the  questions  are  numbered,  and  any 
one  replying  or  referring  to  any  question  will 
please  mention  the  number  of  it. 

55.  Tomatoes. — As  many  of  my  fHends 
are  contemplating  going  rather  largely 
into  toTnato  growing  for  the  Canning 
companies,  could  you  kindly  state  the 
kind  of  soil  suitable  ;  also  the  best  arti- 
ficial mamire  and  the  best  variety  to 
grow.  [D.  Berwick,  Hamilton.] 

The  best  soil  for  the  tomato  is  a  light 
sandy  loam,  which  of  course  should  re- 
ceive very  frequent  cultivation.  Pro- 
bably there  is  no  more  ju-ofitable  vari- 
ety than  the  Trophy,  if  true  to  name. 
We  are  trying  this  year  the  Impi-oved 
Trophy  and  the  Perfection,  the  lattev 
of  which  is  highly  commended  by  Mr. 
John  Harris,  of  Rochester,  and  will 
re))ort  later  on  the  result  of  the  com- 
paiison.  Has  any  reader  tested  arti- 
ficial manures  for  the  tomato  '\ 

56.  Hardiest  Apple  Trees. — Please  state 
which  are  the  hardiest  apple-trees  for  this 
seition  ;  which  the  largest  gooseberries' 
and  currants  ;  and  which  plum-trees  do 
not  yet  the  black  knot. 

[A.  DoiiERER,  Hanover,  Grey  Co.] 
(iSummer)  Red  Astracan  and  Yellow 
Transparent  and  Duchess  of  Olden- 
burgh  ;  (Fall)  Alexander,  Haas,  St. 
Lawrence,  Cellini  ;  (Winter)  Wealthy, 
American  Golden  Russet,  Wagner, 
Westfield  Seek-no-farther. 

57.  Gooseberries  and  Currants. — The  large 
English  gooseberries,  such  as  Crown 
Bob  and  Whitesmith,  mildew  badly  in 
Canada.  The  largest  kinds  that  will  suc- 
ceed are  Downing,  Smith's  Improved, 
and    Industry.       The     Cherry     is    the 


190 


THB   CANADIAN    HORTIOULTURI8T. 


largest  currant,  but  bears  very  poorly 
on  light  soil.  Fay's  Prolific  is  about 
as  large  ;  the  bunch  is  much  longer, 
and  it  is  a  much  better  bearer. 

58.  Plum-trees.  —  We  know  of  no  kind 
entirely  free  from  black  knot.  The 
Mooi-e's  Arctic  is  claimed  to  be  com- 
paratively free. 

59.  Evaporators.  —  Which  kind  is  best? 
Are  other  fruits,  besides  apples,  success- 
fully   dried  ?       What    ahout  markets  ? 

What  about  a  vinegar  department  ?  Are 
t''e  peelings  and  cores  worth  drying  for 
jelly  ?  [A.  Slaght,  Waterford.] 

60.  Budding. — In  cutting  the  bark  of 
the  stock  to  insert  the  bud,  should  both 
the  outer  and  inner  barks  be  cut  tJi.rough 
to  the  wood  ?  [R.] 

Yes.     Seep.  189. 

61.  Cold  Grapery. — Please  inform  me  if 
there  is  any  objection  to  my  leaving  the 
ventilator  of  my  cold  graj}ery  open  all 
night  this  hot  weather.  Is  it  hkely  to 
induce  m,ildew  1  [R,.,  Toronto.] 

Reply  by  D.  W.  Beadle. — Mildew 
is  frequently  caused  by  sudden  changes 
of  teniperatui'e  especially  if  accompanied 
by  di-aughts  of  air.  If  R.  can  be  sure 
that  the  wind  will  not  veer  to  the  north- 
west during  the  night  and  blow  a  gale 
of  chilling  air  through  his  vinery,  then 
he  can  safely  leave  the  ventilators  o])eii. 

62.  Plow.  — In  reply  to  an  enquiry  of  a 
subscriber  for  a  plow  to  throw  heavy 
sub-soil  to  the  surface,  Mr.  Wni. 
Rennie  says  :  "  I  do  not  know  of  one 
manufactured  in  the  County  of  York. 
I  do  not  approve  of  throwing  the  sub- 
soil on  the  surface,  but  would  rather 
keep  the  fine  mould  on  top  by  follow- 
ing an  ordinary  plow  by  a  sub-soil 
plow." 

63.  Gladiolus  Lemoinei. — /  intend  trying 
to  protect  Gladiolus  Lemoinei  this  win- 
ter. What  do  you  think  of  my  pros- 
pects of  success  ?     [J.  A.  M.,  Wingham.] 


Mr.  A.  Simmers  answers  as  follows  : 
Gladiolus  Lemoinei  will  need  to  be 
well  protected  with  a  heavy  covering  of 
straw  litter  or  else  I  would  not  give 
much  for  the  chances  of  success  in  win- 
ter of  such  tender  bulbs.  T  would  ad- 
vise ]5utting  them  in  a  sheltered  place 
and  then  you  may  succeed  in  wintering 
them  over. 

64.  Lilium  Longiflorum. — Do  you  think 
Lilium  Longiflorum  woidd  stand  re- 
maining in  the  ground  all  winter;  ther- 
mometer going  down  to  30  below  zero 
sometimes?  [J-  A.  M.,  Wingham.] 

Mr.  Anton  Simmers  says  in  reply  : 
Longiflorum  will  stand  without  fear 
of  freezing  or  failure  in  the  open  ground 
all  winter,  where  the  temperature  goes 
down  to  30  below  zero.  To  ensure  it, 
however,  better  cover  the  Lilium  Longi- 
florum with  manure  about  half  a  foot, 
and  a  board  over  it. 


||iel)tdi3 


We  will  f/ladly  ijive  our  candid  opinion  of  any  hooks, 
mafjdzi.iu's  or  catalogues  received,  especialh/  if  they 
are  likely  to  intercut  or  benefit  Canadiini  fnilt 
ijrowern,  but  will  nut  insert  cut  and  dried  reaiUiig 
nutices  in  fav^yr  of  any  publication  whatever. 

BOOKS. 
Elements  of  Botany. — Including  Or- 
ganography, Vegetable  Histology,  Vege- 
table Physiology  and  Vegetable  Taxon- 
omy and  a  Glossary  of  Botanical  Terms, 
illustrated  by  nearly  five  hundred  en- 
gravings from  drawings  by  the  author. 
By  Edson  S.  Bastin,  A.M.,  F.R.M.S., 
Professor  of  Botany,  Materia  Medioa 
and  Microscopy  in  the  Chicago  College 
of  Pharmacy.  Cloth,  Octavo,  300 
pages,  price,  .f2.50.  Chicago:  G.  P. 
Engelhard  &  Company  :  1887. 

Bastin's  Botany  is  a  fairly  got  up 
volume  of  300  })ages.  The  intention 
of  the  writer  is  to  supply  a  text-book 
for  our  High  Schools,  Academies  and 
Medical  Colleges,  which  shall  also  be 
sufficiently  clear  to  be  understood  by 
young  beginners,  and  prove  a  means  of 
attraction  to  them  in  this  most  delight- 
ful of  studies. 


IflU   CANADIAN   HORTICULTURIST. 


1§1 


The  freshness  of  the  innstrations, 
which  ai"e  largely  drawn  by  the  author, 
and  the  constant  references  by  this 
means  to  well-known  plants  is  a  very 
valuable  feature  of  the  work.  One  is 
thus  introduced  to  the  study  of  nature 
in  the  most  natural  and  easy  manner. 

Pai-t  I.  is  devoted  to  Organography, 
and  takes  n])  1st,  the  organs  of  vegeta- 
tion, and  second,  those  of  reproduction. 
Practical  exercises  are  appended  to 
each  chapter,  a  most  usetul  addition 
especially  for  the  student  who  wishes 
to  pursue  microscopic  examination  of 
j)lant  life  apart  from  the  class-room. 
The  subject  of  Plant  Hairs  is  consider- 
ed by  the  Professor  as  of  sufficient  im- 
portance to  occupy  a  whole  chapter. 
Those  upon  the  roots  are  shown  to  be 
useful  in  absorbing  nourishment  from 
the  soil,  while  those  on  the  stems  and 
leaves  are  active  agents  in  absorbing 
nitrogenous  compounds  from  the  air. 
This  is  of  interest  to  us  just  now  when 
so  many  are  discussing  the  sources  of 
nitrogen  for  the  supply  of  plant  growth. 

Part  IV.,  which  is  devoted  to  Vege- 
table Taxonomy,  or  the  classification 
and  naming  of  plants,  is  also  a  valuable 
contribution  to  Horticultural  Science. 
Prof.  Bastin  divides  vegetable  life  into 
seven  groups,  beginning  with  such  low 
organisms  as  jelly-like  sea-weeds  and 
bacteria,  and  gradually  leading  the 
student  on  up  through  the  various 
kinds  of  parasitic  fungi  which  jday 
such  an  imjiortant  factor  in  the  injury 
or  destruction  of  plant  life,  to  those 
mosses  and  ferns  and  flowering  plants 
which  are  commonly  ti'eated  of  in  our 
botanical  text-books. 

In  our  humble  opinion,  however,  the 
book  has  one  serious  faidt,  viz.  its  ad- 
vocacy of  the  doctrines  of  Evolution. 
Why  should  a  l)0tanical  text-book  so 
step  out  of  its  sphere — viz.  the  study  of 
nature  as  it  is —  as  to  deal  with  meta- 
physical hypotheses  1  Because  there  is 
a    wonderfully    planned    gradation    of 


species  from  the  lowest  to  the  highest 
forms  in  botli  animal  and  vegetable  life, 
why  should  the  botanical  student  be  ex- 
pected to  swallow  such  teaching  as  the 
following,  found  on  page  173  ■? 

"  Plants  and  animals  resemble  each  other 
fundamentally  ;  the  protoplasm  which  cons- 
titutes the  physical  basis  of  life  of  both  has  in 
both  the  same  essential  properties.  We  must 
regard  plants  and  animals  as  two  branches 
of  a  common  trunk.  The  first  lUnng  hehuj 
that  made  its  appearance  on  our  r/lohe  was 
prohaMij  neither  distinctly  j)lant  or  animal, 
bat  a  hit  of  undifferentiated  protopki'nn  (/  /)" 

Has  Prof.  Bastin,  or  Prof.  Huxley, 
or  Prof.  Darwin  ever  yet  discovered 
one  single  instance  of  one  genus  of 
either  plant  or  animal  life,  reverting  to 
an  inferior  one,  or  of  one  new  genus 
developing  from  an  inferior  one  ?  Is 
there  any  proof  on  p  22  where  we  read: 

"As  now  ill  tropical  regions  evergreen 
trees  are  much  the  more  common,  while  in 
our  own  climate  they  are  rare,  there  is  good 
reason  to  believe  that  in  the  warm  ages  of 
the  world  preceding  the  ice  period,  all  trees 
were  evergreens,  and  that  our  northern  trees 
have  become  deciduousdeaved  by  gradual 
adaption  to  the  vicissitudes  of  the  climate." 

Did  any  one  ever  find  a  Norway 
Spruce  in  process  of  development  into 
an  apple  tree,  or  an  apple-tree  revertin-.;; 
into  the  direction  of  a  Norway  Spruce. 

Granting  that  vegetable  growth  may 
somewhat  ada[)t  itself  in  time  to  its 
surroundings,  and  this  is  all  that  has 
been  proved,  we  cannot  see  in  this  the 
slightest  ground  upon  which  to  base 
the  theoiy  that  one  genus  has  ever,  or 
ever  will,  pass  into  another  by  any 
power  except  that  of  the  Divine  Being 
who  first  originatetl  it  and  bestowed 
u[)on  it  its  essential  characteristics. 


Annual  Report  of  the  Minnesota 
State  Horticultural  Society.  Cloth, 
486  pp.  Secretary,  S.  D.  Ililman,  Min- 
neapolis, Minn. 

This  report  is  full  of  valuable  in- 
formation concerning  hardy  fruits  for 
our  northern  sections.  For  instance, 
on  page   151   we  notice  a  black  list  of 


192 


THE    OA.NADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


apples  usually  counted  hardy,  but 
proved  to  be  olily  half  hardy,  and  con- 
sidered dangerous  to  plant  in  large 
quantities.  The  kinds  mentioned  are 
-Mann,  Bethel,  Walbridge,  Haas,  Pee- 
waukee,  Alexander,  Borsdorf,  North- 
ern Spy,  Salome,  Utter,  Fameuse,  and 
Wolf  River. 

Transactions  cf  the  Indiana  Horti- 
cultural Society,  for  the  year  1886. 
Cloth.  CM.  Hobbs, Bridgeport, Secretary. 

In  this  report  are  include  I  })apers 
and  discussions  on  the  folio Nving  sub- 
jects :  Village  Improvement-  Associa- 
tions, Ethics  of  Horticulture,  The  old 
Grape  Vine  on  the  Wall,  A  glance  at 
Horticultural  Interests  in  England, 
Grafting  and  Budding,  The  other  side 
of  Fruit  Culture,  Ornamentation  of 
School  Property,  &c. 

Transactions  of  the  Massachusetts 

Horticultural  Society,  for  the  year 

1S8G.     Part  II.     Kobt.  Mauuiag,  Boston, 

Secretary. 
Fifth    Annual    Report    of    the    Ohio 

Agricultiu;d  Experiment  Station  for  1886. 

W.  it.    Lazenby,  Secretary  of  the   Board 

of  Control,  Columbus,  Ohio. 
Report  of  the  Entomologist,   1885. 

Jas.  Fletcher,  Department  of  Agriculture, 

Ottawa. 

(Correspondence,  and  small  packages 
containing  insects  for  identification 
lujiy  be  sent  by  mail,  and  will  receive 
prompt  attention.) 

Report  of  Sir  Charles  Tupper, 
G.C.M.G.,  C.B.,  Executive  Cdmmis- 
sioner  on  the  Cauathan  Section  of  the 
Colonial  and  Indian  Exhibition  at  South 
Kensington,  1886. 

The  North- West  of  Canada.  A 
general  Hketch  puljlished  by  authority  of 
the  Department  of  Agriculture,  Ottawa. 

Calendar  of  Queen's  College  and 
University,  Kingston,  Canada,  for  the 
year  1887-88. 

Seventeenth  Annual  Report  of  the 
Entomological  Society  of  Ontario. 

Copies  of  this  Report  will  be  sent  to 
members  of  the  Fruit  Growers'  Asso- 
ciation in  course  of  time. 


im0rou0. 


"  What  do  you  grow  on  this  land  ?  "  he 
inquired  of  the  farmer  who  was  leaning 
over  a  fence  inspecting  a  particularly  bar- 
ren piece  of  ground.  "Grow  lazy,"  was 
the  satisfactory  reply. — Field  and  Farm. 

A  BOOK  of  rules  for  playing  lawn-tennis 
lias  been  published,  but  it  omits  the  nidst 
important  rule  of  all  for  beginners,  wliich 
is :  First  get  your  lawn.  — SomerviUe  Jour- 
nal. 

What's  in  a  name/  An  exhibitor, 
writes  a  correspondent,  at  the  last  annual 
show  of  a  provincial  Society,  divided  a 
sample  of  peaches,  entering  one  half  in  his 
own  name,  and  the  other  in  the  name  of  a 
gentleman  of  local  prominence.  His  own 
half  was  passed  over,  but  the  other  sample 
took  the  prize  proving  that  there  is  some- 
thing in  a  name  after  all. — Hort.  Times. 

' '  I  hear  that  your  husband  is  very  iU,' 
said  Mrs.  Philpot.  "  Yea,  poor  fellow,'' 
replied  Mrs.  Snooper,  "  he  leads  such  a 
sedimentary  life  that  Ins  health  is  shat- 
tered." 

A  Healthful  Fkuit. — A  lazy  dyspep- 
tic was  bewailing  his  own  misfortunes,  and 
speaking  with  a  friend  on  the  latter's 
heiilthy  appearance .  ' '  What  do  you  do  to 
make  you  so  strong  and  healtliy  / "  in- 
quired tlie  dyspeptic.  "  Live  on  fruit 
alone,"  answered  his  friend.  "  What  kind 
of  fruit?"  "The  fruit  of  industry;  audi 
am  never  troubled  with  indigestion." — 
PeojAe's  Henlth  Journal. 

Made  in  vane — a  weather-cock. 

"  Epkuji,  wliat  makes  so  many  cat-tads 
grow  in  this  here  pon'  /  "  ''  VVell,  I  would 
say,  doan  you  know  ?  Why  dey  grows  up 
from  kittens  that  people  luvs  drowned  in 
the  pon'  of  course.  'Pears  like  you  wim- 
men  folks  doan  know  nuffin'  'bimt  agi'i- 
cultshah. — A7n.  Garden. 

It  is  as  difficult  to  catalogue  books  as  it 
is  to  catalogue  some  other  things.  A 
librarian  in  a  Boston  library  lately  con- 
fessed that  a  work  on  "  Greek  Pcjots  "  was 
found  entered  under  agriculture,  and  a 
book  entitled  "The  Fountain  of  Life" 
under  water.  — Christian  Register. 


PRINTED  AT   THK  STKAM   PBE3S   KSTABI.ISHMF.NT   OF  THE   COPP,    CLARK   COMPANY  (LIMITED),    TORONTO. 


MARIANNA     PLUNI. 


(Lanabian 

IDorticulturiet 


Published   at   Toe\onto   and    Grimsby,    Ont. 
OFFICE  ADDRESS— GRIMSBY,  ONT. 


VOL.  X.] 


SEPTEMBER,  1887. 


[No.   9. 


THE    PEACH    IN    CANADA. 


OR  the  first  time  in  three  or  four 
years  peach-growers  in  Ontario 
are  the  happy  possessors  of  a 
fair  crop  of  peaches.  The  early  varie- 
ties, such  as  Alexanders,  Hale's  Early, 
Louise  and  Rivers  are  overloaded, 
while  the  finer  varieties,  such  as  Early 
Crawford,  Old  Mixon,  &c.,  are  about  a 
half-crop. 

But  peach-growing  in  Canada  is  by 
no  means  the  important  industry  that 
it  was  five  or  six  years  ago.  Then 
every  choice  piece  of  garden  soil  was 
devoted  to  peach  culture,  and  every 
orchai-dist,  along  the  southern  shore  of 
Ontario  and  the  eastern  shore  of  Lake 
Huron,  had  golden  dreams  of  the  profits 
to  he  derived  from  this  delicate  fruit. 
But,  alas !  the  mysterious  Yellows 
awakened  us  all  to  the  unpleasant 
reality    of  great   disappointment,   and 


our  beautiful  peach  trees  had  to  be 
cut  off  and  drawn  out  of  the  ground  by 
hundreds.  Our  growers  are  now  turn- 
ing their  attention  to  the  vineyard  in 
place  of  the  peach  orchard ;  and  very  few 
are  giving  the  latter  even  reasonable 
cultivation,  so  wholly  disgusted  are  they 
with  the  unsightly  remains  of  what 
was  once  the  pride  of  their  grounds. 

But  this  is  a  great  mistake.  The 
sagacious  orchardist  will  destroy  the 
affected  trees  as  soon  as  they  ai-e  ob- 
served, and  in  the  proper  time  plant 
young  healthy  ones  in  their  places.  He 
will  not  plant  more  than  he  can  culti- 
vate, prune  and  fertilize  in  the  best 
and  most  approved  manner,  and  thus 
he  will  succeed  in  reaping  eventually  a 
most  satisfactory  reward. 

As  the  time  for  cultivation  of  the 
peach  is  now  over  for  this  season,   we 


194 


THE    CANADIAN    HOKTICULTDKI8T. 


"will  leave  that  subject  to  its  proper 
time,  and  give  our  readers  a  few  hints 
concerning  the 

PACKING    FOR    MARKET. 

The  experience  of  our  growers  this 
year  will  teach  the  lesson  that  it 
never  pays  to  gather  fruit  before  it  is 
fit  for  use,  or  is  in  such  a  state 
that  it  will  be  in  prime  condition  when 
it  reaches  the  hands  of  the  consumer. 
Some  varieties  of  early  peaches,  as  the 
Alexander  and  Hale's  Early  color 
beautifully  long  before  they  are  fit  for 
use,  and,  if  shijoped  so,  will  only  serve 
to  disgust  the  deluded  purchaser,  and 
spoil  the  demand.  A  little  experience 
will  teach  a  picker  just  when  a  peach 
or  a  pear  has  reached  full  matiirity, 
from  its  very  appearance. 

The  most  atti-active  package  for 
peaches  is  the  round  basket,  shown  in 
the  engraving.  This  basket  is  the  one 
used  in  New  Jersey 
and  in  Delaware 
where  the  peach  is 
grown  in  such  im- 
mense quantities  that 
special  peach  trains 
are  required  to  carry 
them.  But  it  is  too  valuable  a  basket 
to  give  away  with  the  fruit,  and  hence 
the  present  quarrels  and  difficulties  be- 
tween shippers  and  commission  houses 
in  the  east,  the  former  demanding  the 
return  of  all  empties,  and  the  latter 
being  very  remiss  in  its  performance. 

As  we  have  already  stated  on  page 
152,  the  twelve-quart  gift  basket  has 
proved  the  most  generally  satisfactory 
of  any  we  have  yet  tried  ;  and  it  solves 


all  difficulties,  both  with  the  commis- 
sion house  and  with  the  railway  com- 
pany, concerning  the  return  of  empties. 
No  fruit  should  be  sent  away  to 
market  without  the  most 

CAREFUL    ASSORTING. 

We  have  tried  several  methods,  as,  for 
instance,  turning  out  each  basket  on  a 
sloping  packing  table,  and  culling  out 
as  they  roll  down ;  or  setting  a  full 
basket  between  two  empty  ones,  and 
placing  the  first-class  in  the  right-hand 
basket  and  the  second-class  in  the  left- 
hand  one,  and  thi-owing  away  the  culls, 
thus  handling  each  peach  but  once. 
Both  these  plans  are  excellent  ones, 
but  the  latter  is  best  in  case  of  ripe 
peaches,  pears  or  ])lums. 

The  most  scrupulous  care  should  be 
observed  in  making  each  package  true 
to  its  face  appearance.  The  practice 
of  some  shippers  of  hiding  all  the 
seconds  under  a  face  of  first-class  fruit 
cannot  be  too  severely  condemned,  not 
only  because  it  brings  disi-epute  upon 
the  shipper,  but  also  because  it  is  down- 
light  dishonesty. 

A  few  bunches  of  peach  leaves  may 
be  used  to  dress  up  the  top  of  choice 
samples,  and  will  serve  to  set  off"  the 
fruit  to  good  advantage. 

THE  MARIANNA  PLUM. 
Our  readers  will  frequently  meet 
with  references  to  the  Chickasaw  plums, 
particularly  to  such  varieties  as  the 
Miner,  Wild  Goose,  Robinson,  Mar- 
ianna  and  others.  It  may  be  interest- 
ing to  know  that  the  general  name  is 
given  to  a  type  of  American  plums  found 


THE    CANADIAN    HOBTI0ULTDRI8T. 


195 


growing  wild  in  the  southern  parts  of 
the  United  States,  and  is  derived  from 
the  Chickasaw  Indians.  In  character 
the  fruit  is  small  to  medium  in  size, 
nearly  round,  yellow  or  red,  with  thorny 
bushy  branches,  and  narrow  leaves, 
somewhat  resembling  peach  leaves. 

In  quality  all  these  plums  are  far  in- 
ferior to  the  European  vaiieties,  but 
where  these  latter  do  not  succeed  well, 
owing  to  black  knot,  curculio,  etc.,  these 
Chickasaw  varieties  ai-e  worthy  of  trial. 

The  Marianna  Plum,  first  noticed  in 
this  Journal  in  vol.  vii.  p.  33,  is  a  na- 
tive of  South-eastern  Texas,  and  has 
now  been  pretty  well  distributed.  It  is 
is  found  to  be  about  two  weeks  earlier 
than  the  Wild  Goose,  ripening  with  the 
eai-ly  peaches,  and  a  better  pi'oducer 
than  that  variety.  It  is  claimed  to  be 
quite  hardy,  and  a  very  ornamental  tree 
especially  when  in  bloom,  on  account  of 
its  pure  white  blossom  which  is  so  abun- 
dant as  to  completely  hide  the  foliage. 


CULTIVATION  OF  APPLE 
ORCHARDS. 

*-^V0  absolute  rule  can  be  laid  down 
ykf  with  reference  to  cultivation  of 
0  the  apple  orchard,  because  the 
circumstances  so  frequently  differ.  That 
a  well  established  orchard,  in  good  rich 
soil,  that  is  growing  thriftily,  should  be 
left  undisturbed  by  the  plough  and 
whiffletrees,  is  a  position  that  will  need 
little  argiiment  to  sustain.  So  long  as 
the  necessary  thrift  can  be  kept  up  with 
an  annual  to|)-dressing  of  some  suitable 
fertilizer,  it  would  be  a  jjositive  injury 
to  tear  up  the  roots  with  the  plough. 

Neither' does  it  require  any  argument 
to  prove  that  all  young  orchiu-ds  should 
receive  the  best  of  cultivation  for  the 


first  ten  or  fifteen  years  after  planting. 
The  wretched,  stunted  specimens  of 
trees  that  have  been  planted  and  left 
uncai'ed  for,  prove  this  conclusively. 

But  what  about  the  many  orchards 
that  are  full  grown,  but  show  no  thrift, 
bear  little  or  no  fruit,  and  whose  light 
or  yellowish  leaves  betray  their  enfee- 
bled condition.  Do  they  need  pruning, 
manure,  cultivation,  or  all  three  com- 
bined '] 

Our  experience  is  that  cultivation  is 
in  such  cases  the  most  efficient  means 
of  restoration,  and  will  accomplish  what 
pruning  and  manure  will  utterly  fail  in 
doing  without  it.  Cultivation  of  the 
soil  so  exposes  it  to  the  action  of  the 
air  as  to  make  available  the  plant 
food  which  is  already  there  in  store,  and 
besides,  has  a  most  important  influence 
in  counteracting  the  serious  drouths  to 
which  our  country  is  of  late  so  very 
subject. 

One  of  our  orchards  which  had  been 
planted  some  twenty-five  years,  was  in 
the  condition  above  described.  It  had 
been  left  seeded  down  for  about  ten 
years,  and  had  become  unthrifty  and 
unfruitful.  In  the  summer  of  1886  we 
broke  up  thoroughly  one-half  of  it,  ap- 
plied wood  ashes  and  pruned  it  care- 
fully ;  while  the  other  half  was  pruned 
and  manured,  but  not  cultivated.  The 
same  treatment  was  continued  durinof 
1887,  and  now  the  result  is  plain  enough 
to  the  most  casual  observer.  The  cul- 
tivated portion  has  resisted  the  drouth 
completely.  Its  dark  green  foliage  is  a 
remarkable  contrast  to  the  light  sickly 
green  of  the  other  part,  and,  more  im- 
portant still,  the  cultivated  trees  are. 
laden  to  the  very  ground  with  such  a 
load  of  fine  Baldwins,  Greenings,  and 
Golden  Russets,  as  cannot  be  equalled 
by  any  other  orchard  on  our  fruit  farm. 

This  seems  to  be  clear  testimony  to 
the  immense  advantage  of  cultivation, 
especially  in  seasons  of  such  extended 
drouth  as  those  of  1886  and  1887.     . 


196 


THE   CANADIAN    HOKTICULTUBIST. 


TRANSPLANTING    TREES. 

Sir :  In  the  Mail  account  of  your 
late  meeting  I  noticed  a  short  account  of 
transplanting  trees. 

Can  you  kindly  oblige  me  by  inform- 
me  how  I  can  obtain  full  information 
for  tratisplanting  trees  in  this  Province 
to  advantage,  its  projjer  season,  method, 
and  machinery  used  ? 

Can  1  obtain  full  details  of  the  dis- 
cussion of  the  various  topics  brought 
before  your  Association?  Such  would 
be  of  great  interest  to  me. 

W.  F.  GRANT,  Gait. 

fHE  QUESTION  of  which  is  the 
BEST    SEASON 

for  transplanting  trees  and  shrubs  is  a 
much  debated  one,  some  claiming  that 
fall  planting  is  most  successful,  and 
others  advocating  the  advantages  of 
spring  planting.  The  nurseryman 
would  naturally  prefer  to  make  as 
heavy  sales  as  possible  in  the  fall,  that 
he  might  be  eased  a  little  of  the  great 
rush  of  spring  orders,  and  the  unscru- 
pulous tree  agent,  at  this  season,  will 
assure  intending  planters  that  the  fall 
is  the  only  right  time,  just  as  earnestly 
as  he  a  little  time  ago  advocated  the 
season  of  spring. 

The  fact  is  tiiat  we  in  Canada  live  a 
little  too  far  north  to  succeed  in  fall 
planting  without  the  greatest  care. 
Farther  south,  where  the  winters  are 
milder,  it  is  much  the  preferable  season. 
There  is  more  leisure  for  the  work,  a 
better  selection  of  trees  can  be  had  from 
the  nursery,  the  roots  will  become  cal- 
lused  dulling  the  winter,  and  the  trees 
well  established  in  their  places  in  good 
time  to  make  the  best  of  the  growing 
season.  But  here,  where  the  winter 
often  begins  iu  November  and  the  ther- 
mometer often  touches  30°  or  40°  be- 
low zero,  fall  planting  is,  to  say  the 
least,  risky.  If  a  hardy  tree  or  shrub 
is  moved  about  the  time  of  the  fall  of 


the  leaf,  and  fine  earth  packed  well 
about  its  fibrous  roots,  it  will  probably 
do  well  in  Southern  Ontario,  if  planted 
in  dry  soil ;  but,  even  here,  the  more 
tender  sorts  will  cei-tainly  sufier  badly, 
and  \  erhaps  be  killed  outi'ight  if  plant- 
ed at  that  time. 

We  speak  from  experience.  On  one 
occasion  the  wiiter  planted  at  Grimsby, 
an  orchard  of  Hale's  Early  peaches  in 
the  fall  in  the  most  favourable  situa- 
tion ;  they  did  not  leaf  out  at  all  until 
the  following  July,  and  then  made  but 
a  poor  sickly  growth.  He  planted  a 
hundred  Duchess  dwarf  pear  trees  once 
in  the  fall,  in  soil  that  had  fairly  good 
natural  drainage,  and  only  about  twenty 
survived  the  winter;  though  in  justice 
to  the  subject  we  must  add  that  a  hun- 
dred planted  on  high  and  dry  sand 
came  through  all  right.  On  another 
occasion  he  planted  an  orchard  of 
Northern  Spy  apple  trees  early  in  the 
fall  in  well-prepared  soil.  The  season 
was  very  dry  after  planting,  and  though 
put  in  most  carefully,  being  removed 
directly  fi"om  the  nursery  rows  to  the 
orchard  ground,  they  leafed  out  very 
slowly  the  following  spring,  and  did 
not  make  as  good  growth  as  spring- 
planted  trees. 

As  to  season,  therefore,  we  advise 
the  spring  as  the  safest  and  best,  ex- 
cept in  exceptional  cases. 

The 

MODE    OF    TRANSPLANTING 

is  simple,  and  yet  a  few  points  need  to 
be  impressed  upon  the  mind  of  the 
amateur.  In  the  first  place  the  gi-ound 
must  be  thoroughly  pulverized  and 
enriched.  This  c  m  be  best  done  by 
growing  a  root  crop  upon  it  the  year 
previous.  It  must  always  be  borne  in 
mind  that  trees  are  living  organisms 
that  want  room  for  growth  under  ground 
as  well  as  skyward.  One  of  our  neigh- 
bours planted  a  pear  orchard  in  a  tough 
pasture  field  without  any  previous 
breaking  up   of  the   soil.     He  planted 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


197 


THE   RED   BIETIGHEIMER. 


them  as  a  navvy  would  plant  a  post,  in 
a  hole  just  large  enough  to  receive  the 
roots  by  ingenious  twisting.  The  stock 
was  fine,  but  no  doubt  the  nurseryman 
gets  the  blame  for  the  dry  stunted 
sticks  which  now  disgrace  his  field,  in 
lieu  of  an  orchard. 

If  it  is  not  convenient  to  break  up 
the  whole  surface  of  the  ground  to  be 
planted,  the  sod  should  be  first  removed 
from  a  space  of  ground  at  least  three 
feet  in  diameter,  and  the  soil  beneath 
well  spaded  over  to  a  depth  of  eighteen 
inches.  The  tree  may  be  then  planted, 
taking  care  to  plant  it  little,  if  any, 
deeper  than  it  stood  in  the  nursery, 
and  to  pack  fine  earth  tightly  about 
the  roots.  The  hole  is  to  be  next  filled 
up  with  loose  soil,  and  a  good  thick 
mulch  applied  to  the  surface. 

As  to  machinery  nothing  is  needed 
except  a  good  sharp  spade,  unless  in 
case  of  very  large  trees,  in  which  case 
special  machinery  is  needed. 


Our  correspondent  may  obtain  full 
verbatim  reports  of  the  discussions  at 
our  meetings  by  becoming  a  member  of 
our  Association. 


POMOLOGICAL. 

THE    KESWICK    CODLIN 

is  a  noted  old  English  cooking  apple, 
which  is  well  worthy  of  a  place  in  the 
orchard,  as  an  apple  for  home  use.  The 
writer  has  two  trees  of  this  vai'iety, 
about  seventy-five  years  of  age,  which 
bear  enormous  crops  every  alternate 
year,  and  the  quality  for  cooking  can- 
not be  surpassed.  The  skin  is  a  light, 
greenish  yellow,  and  the  flesh  white  and 
juicy.  It  is  ready  for  use  about  the 
first  week  in  August. 

For  market  purposes  it  is  now  sur- 
passed by  the  Duchess  of  Oldenburg 
and  the  Red  Asti'acan,  on  account  of 
their  unequalled  beauty  of  appearance, 
but  for  pies  for  our  own  home,  give  us 
the    Keswick    Codlin.     Any   one  who 


198 


THE   CANADIAN    H0RTICDLTDKI8T. 


takes  one  help  of  a  pie  made  from  this 
apple,  will  undoubtedly  come  back  for 
a  second  one. 

THE    RED    BIETIGHEIMER 

is  a  new  variety  of  German  origin,  and 
claimed  to  be  so  large  and  beautiful, 
and  withal  of  such  excellent  quality, 
that  it  brings  the  highest  prices  every- 
where, and  it  is  worthy  of  the  most  ex- 
tensive cultivation.  The  engraving 
shows  this  apple  drawn  at  one-quarter 
its  natural  size.  Its  color  is  cream- 
ground,  shaded  with  purplish  crimson  ; 
its  flesh  is  white,  firm,  sub-acid,  with  a 
brisk,  pleasant  flavor.  The  tree  is  a 
free  grower  and  an  abundant  bearer. 
The   time  of  ripening  is  in  September. 


PRUNUS    SIMOMI. 

This  fruit  is  ripening  a  full  crop 
on  the  Rural  grounds  and  does  not  re- 
ceive any  commendation  from  Mr. 
Carman.  He  says  the  skin  is  bitter, 
and  it  is  not  worthy  of  cultivation  in 
the  vicinity  of  New  York.  It  has  a 
corrugated  pit,  and  a  peach  flavor. 


SMALL  FRUIT  NOTES. 

THE    CAROLINE. 

This  berry  has  pi'oved  on  our 
grounds  a  magnificent  bearer,  better 
even  than  the  Cuthbert,  or  any  other 
raspberry  we  have.  It  lacks,  how- 
ever, the  rich  flavor  of  the  Brinckles 
Orange,  and  is  inferior  in  quality  and 
in  size  to  the  Golden  Queen. 

THE    EARLY    HARVEST. 

According  to  Mr.  Carman,  this 
blackberry  has  done  exceedingly  well 
on  the  Rural  grounds  this  season.  The 
bushes  were  half  covered  with  beauti- 
ful glossy  berries,  which  were  black 
and  ripe  before  any  other  varieties  had 
even  turned  i-ed.  Our  specimens  have 
not  very  much  prepossessed  us  in  its 
favor  as  a  profitable  market  berry.  It 
is  a  weak,  slender  grower,  and  yields 
only  a  moderate  crop  of  fruit.     But 


perhaps  the  different  results  are  due  to 
difierent  conditions.  Ours  are  planted 
on  a  rather  light,  sandy  knoll. 

LUCRETIA    DEWBERRY. 

Another  season  has  added  its  testi- 
mony to  that  heretofore  accumulated 
in  proof  of  the  Lucretia's  great  value. 
This  berry  is  beyond  all  doubt  the  best 
of  all  dewberries  in  cultivation.  As 
early,  if  not  earlier,  as  the  Early  Har- 
vest ;  as  large,  if  not  larger,  as  Erie ; 
sweeter  and  more  luscious  than  either, 
extremely  prolific  and  perfectly  hardy, 
we  fail  to  see  why  it  should  not  make 
hosts  of  friends. — Orchard  and  Garden. 


THE    WEATHER   AND    CROPS    IN 
STORMONT. 

BY  JOHN  CROIL,   AULT8VILLE,   OJTI. 

'EDNESDAY  morning,  22nd 
June,  we  started  in  the  good 
steamer  "Cuba,"and  on  Friday 
morning  were  landed  at  the  house  of 
our  esteemed  friend,  D.  W.  Beadle,  in 

ST.    CATHARINES. 

The  best  part  of  two  days  we  spent 
there,  dividing  our  time  between  him 
and  Mr.  A.  M.  Smith,  and  their  amiable 
families.  No  man  need  go  to  these 
parts  unless  he  makes  up  his  mind  to 
be  loaded  with  kindness. 

Just  a  word  about  the  ])lace.  Well 
may  it  be  called  the  garden  of  Ontario. 
Our  first  impression  of  it  was  that  it 
was  all  garden.  We  visited  the  nur- 
sery grounds  of  Mr.  Dunlop,  Mr. 
Beadle's  late  partner.  He  evidently  is 
up  to  his  business,  vegetables  of  all 
kinds  were  grown  in  profusion  and  well 
cared  for.  Last  year  ofi"  4^  acres  toma- 
toes he  realized  6500,  selling  the  early 
ci'op  in  the  market  at  good  prices,  the 
balance  to  the  canning  establishment  at 
25  cents  a  bushel.  This  year  he  has 
seven  acres.  Upwards  of  two  acres  of 
onions  looked  splendidly.  I  saw  him 
start  for  Hamilton  with  a  load  of  800 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


199 


EARLY  CABBAGE, 

for  which  he  said  he  would  get  $80. 
These  were  planted  in  the  fall  and  win- 
tered in  frames.  He  told  me  he  had 
frequently  returned  with  $100  for  his 
waggon  load. 

Mr.  Smith  drove  me  to  his  grounds. 
More  grape  vines  I  saw  that  day  than 
I  have  in  my  life  time,  enough  it  seems 
to  me  to  stock  Ontario.  What  friend 
Smith  doesn't  know  about  grape  vine 
growing  isn't  worth  knowing.  I  took 
leave  of  my  kind  friends  in  St.  Cath- 
arines Saturday  afternoon  for 

GRIMSBY, 

where  I  was  met  by  friend  Woolverton. 
We  had  just  time  before  night  to  climb 
the  hill  above  the  town,  from  which  we 
had  a  magnificent  view  of  that  garden 
land.  We  reached  his  home  in  time 
for  tea,  to  which  we  did  ample  justice. 
In  the  evening  we  went  over  his  well 
kept  grounds.  It  surprised  us  here 
and  at  St.  Catharines  to  see  a  full  crop 
of  fine  cherries.  Here  at  Aultsville, 
and  to  a  distance  far  on  each  side  of 
us,  we  have  healthy  looking  ti-ees,  but 
have  not  had  a  cherry  for  many  years. 
The  reason  why  we  can't  tell.  Notable 
at  Grimsby  are  its  trees.  No  where 
have  we  ever  seen  finer  specimens  of 
foi-est  and  fruit  trees.  We  measured 
one  apple  tree  in  Mr.  Woolverton's 
yard,  and  found  its  trunk  to  be  seven 
feet  eight  inches  in  circumference,  the 
height  of  the  tree  about  thirty  feet, 
and  the  branches  to  cover  a  space  of 
ground  fifty  feet  in  diameter  !  Beat 
that  who  can.  Mr.  Woolverton  tells  us 
there  had  been  gathered  once  from  one 
tree,  20  bbls.  of  apples  !  Very  few  of 
such  trees  would  be  more  profitable 
than  wheat  at  50  bush,  to  the  acre. 
As  our  custom  is,  we  drove  with  our 
friends  on  Sabbath  morning  to  Church 
— tlie  Presbyterian  in  the  morning,  and 
the  Baptist  in  the  evening,  and  good, 
sound  gospel  we  heard  in  both  places. 


Leaving,  with  regret,  our  kind  friends 
in  Grimsby  on  Monday  morning,  we 
visited  Hamilton  and  Toronto,  and 
started  for  our  Collingwood  meeting,  of 
which  there  is  a  good  report,  not  exag- 
gerated, in  the  last  number  of  the 
Horticulturist. 

On  arriving  home,  2nd  July,  we 
found  hay  cutting  just  commenced,  and 
the  strawberry  season  half-ovei*.  Up 
to  this  time  we  had  weather  favorable 
to  the  crops,  but  soon  after,  a  time  of 
excessive  heat  and 

DRY    WEATHER 

set  in,  which  has  been  very  damaging 
to  the  crops.  In  the  last  five  weeks, 
when  the  thermometer  has  most  of 
the  time  stood  about  90,  we  have  only 
had  rain  twice,  which,  falling  on  the 
ground  as  dry  as  ashes,  was  hardly  felt. 

Grapes  and  weeds  alone  seem  to  have 
thriven,  even  the  late  kinds  of  the 
former  will  be  likely  to  mature.  In 
spite  of  the  weather,  we  have  had  weeds 
in  abundance,  and  of  purslane  especi- 
ally, as  luxurious  a  crop  as  ground  ever 
grew.  A  writer  in  the  Montreal  Star 
says,  that  twenty  years  ago  the  seed 
of  this  weed  came  to  Canada  in  a 
packet  of  seeds  from  a  celebrated  seeds- 
man, and  adds  :  It  is  j  ust  so  with  evil 
influences ;  they  are  scattered  with 
careless  hand,  and  no  one  feels  account- 
able for  the  I'esult,  but  the  harvest  is 
often  sad  indeed.  Peace  to  the  seeds- 
man's ashes.  We  hope  he  has  sowed 
better  seeds  for  the  world  to  come.  On 
him  this  one  has  not  lost  a  benefactor. 

The  strawberry  crop  —  where  the 
plants  were  not  winter  killed,  and 
many  were  —  was  good.  Our  Wil- 
son's Albany  was  badly  rusted  and 
the  fruit  worthless  ;  other  kinds  grow- 
ing side  by  side  were  all  right.  Of 
raspberries  we  can  grow  here  but  the 
hardiest  kinds  ;  we  have  mostly  the 
Reliance,  which  needs  no  winter  pro- 
tection. The  Cuthbert  and  Marlboi'o' 
have  stood  the  last  two  severe  winters 


200 


THE    CANADIAN    H0ETICULTURI8T. 


without  covering.  The  latter,  a  fine 
berry,  seems  to  be  a  shy  bearer. 

Our  tomatoes  are  all  rotting  on  the 
crown  as  they  ripen,  although  not 
touching  the  ground. 

Our  apple  crop  is  very  light,  not  one 
in  ten  trees  bearing  any  fruit.  Very 
little 

APPLE    SPOT, 

but  enough  to  show  the  disease,  is 
there.  In  regard  to  the  hyposulphite 
of  soda,  it  was  a  bad  year  for  experi- 
ments, there  being  so  little  spot,  but 
twenty  .trees  I  sprayed  with  it  three 
times,  at  the  time  recommended,  were 
as  much  spotted  as  those  not  so  treated. 
All  our  apples  are  badly  worm  eaten — 
a  substitute,  I  suppose,  for  the  Black 
Spot — the  St.  Lawrence  most  of  all ; 
the  Fameuse  seemingly  the  least.  1 
did  not  spray  any  of  my  trees  with 
Paris  Green,  and  would  like  to  hear 
how  it  fared  with  those  who  did. 
Aultsville,  Aug.  6,  1887. 


GRAPES  AND  MILDEW. 

BT  G.    GOTT,    ARKON'A,   ONT. 

Dovmy   Mildew  and  other  Fungi — 
their  treatment,  &c. 

Mr.  Editor, — I  was  exceeding  well 
pleased  by  the  able  and  almost  timely 
paper  of  Mr.  Beadle,  of  St.  Catharines, 
on  the  above  subject,  in  your  late  ex- 
cellent August  issue  of  the  Canadian 
Horticulturist,  page  170.  With  your 
kind  permission,  I  would  like  to  add 
a  little  of  our  practical  experience  and 
observation  to  what  that  gentleman 
has  said,  not  so  much,  however,  by  way 
of  improvement  as  by  way  of  enlarge- 
ment. As  Mr.  Beadle  has  very  pithily 
remarked  in  his  paper,  the  path  of 
jjrevention  is  alone  the  path  of  safety 
in  dealing  with  these  subtile  parasites 
of  the  grape.  After  they  have  once 
established  a  foothold,  it  is  almost  in 
vain  to  attempt  to  treat  them  to  effect 
a  cure.     Nor  is  this  an  isolated  fact, 


as  it  is  found  to  be  almost  exactly  so 
in  the  respect  to  many  personal  evils 
and  evils  that  affect  society.  Preven- 
tion is  better  than  cure. 

OUR    PRACTICE    IN    THE    MATTER. 

Firstly  we  commence  the  season  with 
the  firm  belief  that  trouble  in  the  way 
of  fungus  growth  in  our  grapes  will 
most  surely  come,  and  so  we  govern 
ourselves  accordingly.  To  be  fore- 
warned is  to  be  forearmed,  you  know. 
As  early  as  we  get  our  grapevines  up 
on  the  trellises,  and  active  growth  has 
commenced  in  earnest,  and  the  young 
canes  push  out  rapidly,  we  order  on 
some  fifty  or  one  hundred  lbs.  of 

FLOUR    OF    SULPHUR, 

according  to  the  size  and  quantity  of 
our  vines.  As  the  young  bunches 
begin  to  appear,  the  blossoms  open  and 
the  calyx  falls,  the  berry  forms  and 
shows  its  proportion ;  then,  at  this 
stage  of  proceedings,  we  take  our  pul- 
verized sulphur  and  apply  it  liberally, 
at  about  the  rate  of  twenty-five  pounds 
per  one  hundred  of  large  vines.  We 
do  so  early  in  the  stillness  of  the 
beautiful  dewy  summer  morning.  When 
the  sun  is  fully  up  in  brightness,  and 
shines  in  his  intensity,  our  sulphur  is 
slowly  but  surely  converted  into 

SULPHURIC    ACID    GAS, 

that  can  be  easily  detected  by  our 
senses  in  the  vineyard,  and  is  a  deadly 
antagonist  to  every  form  of  fungoid 
spores  fioating  in  the  air,  and  at  that 
very  moment  ready  to  settle  and  grow 
on  the  grape  leaf  and  fruit.  We  apply 
by  means  of  the  hand,  throwing  the 
sulphur  up  and  in  amongst  the  leaves 
and  fruit,  where  it  will  readily  adhei'e 
to  the  still  dewy  leaves,  some  fall- 
ing to  the  ground,  where  it  yet  does 
good  service  for  us.  After  about  two 
or  three  weeks  of  bright  weather,  we 
make  another  application,  and  the  work 
is  done  for  the  season,  for  our  grapes 
are  sufficiently  hardened  to  be  beyond 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


201 


the  attacks  of  fungus,  and  the  bunches 
ai'e  safe.  This  remedy  is  of  easy  ap- 
plication, and  it  is  perfectly 

SAFE    FROM    POISONING 

either  our  fruit  or  ourselves.  Although 
at  one  time  we  had  much  ti-ouble  from 
the  various  forms  of  fungus  on  the 
leaf  and  in  the  fruit,  yet  since  our 
present  practice  they  have  almost  en- 
tirely disappeared,  to  our  great  satis- 
faction. 

Now,  with  respect  to 

THE  SURPLUS  LEAVES  AND  BRANCHES, 

and  their  destruction,  I  would  rather 
advise  to  leave  them  lying  where  they 
fall.  Early  in  the  season,  after  the 
vines  are  put  up  on  the  trellises  from 
their  winter  quarters,  we  start  the  one 
horse  orchard  plow  in  the  vineyard, 
and  cover  all,  both  leaves  and  branches, 
securely  up,  to  decompose  quietly  in 
the  soil,  and  help  our  future  crops.  We 
find  great  benefit  from  this  practice  in 
the  future  quality  of  our  vines  and  the 
future  beautiful  perfect  fruit.  This 
method  is  far  preferable  to  the  waste- 
ful practice  of  burning  the  refuse,  and 
pays  us,  we  think,  much  better.  I 
may  say,  too,  as  you  all  know  that  this 
country  is  a  very  poor  locality  to 
practice  waste  of  any  kind,  it  rather 
efiectually  makes  us  economical  and 

SAVING    OF    EVERY    MATERIAL 

that  may  be  useful  to  our  fai'ms  or  to 
our  gardens  or  orchards  or  vineyards. 
Although  these  above  remarks  on  this 
subject  may  be  now  altogether  too  late 
for  practical  value  this  season,  and  I 
am  very  sorry  for  this,  yet  they  may 
possibly  be  of  some  service  to  some 
young  vineyardist  in  the  seasons  which 
are  to  come.  I  would  just  say  in 
closing  that  our  prospects  for  a  large 
and  handsome  showing  of  the  finest 
grapes  ever  seen,  were  never  better, 
and  could  not  be  desired  better  in  all 
sorts  and  colours. 
Arkona,  Aug.  10,  1887. 


STRAWBERRY    NOTES    FOR    1887. 

BV    P.    M.    AUGUR,    CONNECTICUT   STATE   POMOLOGIST. 

The  strawberry  season  has  been  a 
very  peculiar  one.  In  this  locality  the 
month  of  May  showed  a  rainfall  of  only 
.22  inch,  which  is  less  than  in  twenty- 
nine  years  before.  Hence  the  crop  was 
considerably  lighter  than  was  expected, 
although  better  than  we  feared.      Our 

LEADING    VARIETY 

is  the  Jewell,  and  each  year's  experience 
adds  to  our  faith  in  it  as  the  very  best 
for  our  market.  Weddings,  festivals 
and  all  public  feasts  call  for  the  Jewell. 
Our  dealers  crowds  other  good  varieties 
into  second  grade.  Its  strong  points 
ai'e  large  average  size,  a  perfect  lustrous 
crimson  color,  good  quality,  and  un- 
equalled productiveness  ;  but,  being 
pistillate,  every  third,  forth  or  fifth  row 
should  be  some  bi-sexual  vai-iety,  such 
as  Sharpless,  Ontario  or  Belmont,  etc. 
Yet  the  pistillate  varieties,  as  a  rule, 
exceed  the  bi-sexual  in  productiveness, 
and  in  raising  seedlings  we  choose  seed 
from  pistillate  varieties  as  the  mother 
plants.  As  we  grow  plants  for  market 
we  have  a  long  list  of  varieties,  which 
we  make  shorter  year  by  year,  and  the 
list  is  now  twice  too  long. 

The  Wilson,  the  grand  old  Wilson,  is, 
by  us,  believed  to  be  superannuated  ; 
the  fruit  runs  too  small  after  the  first 
picking.  Charles  Downing  is  still  fairly 
good  when  it  does  not  rust,  and  for  a 
medium-sized  berry  answers. 

Crescent  and  Ironclad  are  early  but 
too  small. 

Gipsy  is  also  early  and  of  excellent 
quality,  but  not  sutficiently  productive 
as  a  market  berry. 

Miner  is  good,  but  displaced  by  the 
Jewell  where  beauty,  size  and  carrying 
qualities  are  desired. 

The  Belmont  is  a  choice  variety  and 
attracts  considerable  attention.  It  is 
later  than  Jewell,  longer  in  form,  is 
bi-sexual,  slightly  better  in  quality,  but 
not  as  attractive  in  form  or  color  and 


202 


THE   CANADIAN    H0BTICULTUBI8T. 


very  much  below  in  productiveness.  It 
is  superior,  however,  in  producing 
plants,  as  the  Jewell  is  rather  slow  in 
multiplying. 

The  Ontario  is  a  berry  of  large  size, 
exceeding  the  Sharpless  in  this  i"espect, 
which  it  closely  resembles.  It  has  the 
habit  of  the  green  tip,  like  the  Sharp- 
less  ;  pickers  and  purchasers  all  prefer 
the  Jewell,  as  it  always  colors  all  over 
at  once. 

The  Ctimberland  is  with  us  a  beauti- 
ful  berry  always,  but  it  is  too  light  in 


color,  rather  soft,  and  not  sufficiently 
productive. 

The  Buback  No.  5  is  an  acquisition. 
It  is  of  good  color,  fairly  productive, 
and  in  color  and  size  can  be  crated  with 
the  Jewell  without  much  favilt ;  it  is 
pistillate  also.  We  regard  the  Buback 
as  one  of  our  most  promising  new  vai*- 
ieties. 

Htinderson  is  of  superb  quality,  but 
does  not  take  well  in  market  on  account 
of  inferior  color  and  size  ;  neither  is  it 
productive  enough.     In  regard  to  cul 


THE    CANADIAN    HCRTICULTUKI8T. 


203 


ture  we  consider  the  narrow  the  best. 
Perhaps  what  might  be  called  the  triple 
row  would  be  chosen  by  many.  The 
plants  a,  a,  a,  a,  are  set  in  spring ;  b, 
b,  b,  b,  are 

*b*b*b*b 
*a*a*a*a 

*b*b*b*b 

young  plants,  two  to  each  old  plant, 
rooted  in  midsummer  and  then  all  run- 
ners cut  oif  afterwards. 

The  real  yield  of  Jewell  strawberry 
plants  treated  as  per  diagram,  is  incred- 
ible, and  the  size  and  beauty  ai-e  amaz- 
ing' as  the  yield.  Let  anyone  in  doubt 
take  a  piece  of  land  in  good  culture  for 
two  years  and  try  the  experiment  him- 
self.— The  American  Garden. 


ENGLISH    GOOSEBERRIES  IN 
CANADA. 

We  have  to-day  (August  4)  received 
from  Mr.  A.  Morton,  Brampton,  a  box 
of  sample  gooseberries,  together  is  with 
the  following  letter  : — 

Sir  :  I  have  to-day  sent  you  per  parcel 
post  a  small  box  containing  a  specimen  of 
twelve  English  gooseberries  grown  by  me, 
and  tlu-ee  of  a  seedling  which  I  have 
labelled  Morton's  seedling.  With  the 
exception  of  Industry  I  have  never  met 
with  or  heard  of  their  being  grown  in 
Canada.  Will  you  please  give  me  your 
opinion  of  these  varieties  /  I  am  sorry 
that  absence  from  home  has  prevented 
mj-  sending  them  sooner,  as  they  are 
rather  too  ripe,  andthe  best  and  largest 
specimens  have  dropped. 

Yours  truly, 

A.  MORTOX, 

Brampton,  Aug.  2,  1887. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  varieties 
sent  us,  with  measurements  of  diam- 
eters : — 

Red. 

1.  Industry, 

2.  Lancashire  Lad. 

3.  Dan's  Mistake, 


size 

1} 

X 

f 

inches 

(( 

n 

X 

1 

t( 

(( 

H 

X 

1 

(( 

Yellow. 

4.  Shiner,      -      -  size,  IJ  x  1^  " 

5.  Champagne,     -  "     l|  x  1  " 

6.  Princess  Royal,  "     i*  x  1  " 

7.  Leveller,         -  "     Ij  x  1  " 

8.  Gipsy  Queen,     -  "     1     x  §  " 

9.  Catharina,          -  "     li  x  1  " 

10.  Morton's  Seedling,  "     T   x  I      " 

Green. 

11.  Jolly  Angler,    -    size,  1^  x  1      " 

12.  Duster,  -  "     1^  X  1      " 

All  these  samples  are  free  from  mil- 
dew, and  appear  to  be  most  desirable 
kinds.  Certainly  in  size  and  quality 
we  have  not  seen  them  surpassed. 

Gooseberry  culture  is  carried  on 
quite  extensively  in  the  congenial 
climate  of  England,  and  hundreds  of 
varieties  are  grown ;  many  of  them, 
however,  having  very  few  points  by 
which  they  may  be  distinguished  from 
others.  But  in  Canada  scarcely  any  of 
these  English  sorts  have  been  found  to 
succeed  on  account  of  the  prevalence  of 
mildew. 

It  was  a  great  boon  when  some 
American  seedlings  were  found  which 
would  resist  this  fungus,  and  the 
Houghton's  Seedling,  a  small  red  sort, 
but  very  productive,  w*as  for  a  time 
almost  the  only  kind  generally  grown. 

The  Downing,  a  seedling  of  the 
Houghton,  raised  by  Chas.  Downing, 
at  Newburgh,  on  the  Hudson,  is  much 
finer  in  size  but  not  so  good  in  quality 
as  Smith's  Seedling,  grown  from  the 
same  parent,  by  Dr.  Smith,  of  Ver- 
mont. 

All  things  considered,  this  last  is 
probably  the  best  green  gooseberry  for 
Canadian  market  gardens.  Of  the 
varieties  mentioned  in  Mr.  Morton's 
list  we  know  of  none  except  the 
Industry,  which  is  being  tested  else- 
generally  in  Canada.  Probably  the  lat- 
ter is  the  most  desirable  red  variety 
which  we  can  cultivate,  and  we  shall  be 
pleased  if  this  article  brings  out  from 
our  correspondents  the  general  opinion 


20J: 


THE   CANADIAN    HOBTICDLTURI8T. 


of  its  mei'its.  If  Nos.  2  and  3  in  the 
above  list  are  as  productive,  and  as 
little  subject  to  mildew  as  the  Industry, 
we  see  little  to  choose  between  them 
and  it,  except  in  point  of  size. 

Morton's  Seedling  is  excellent  in 
quality,  with  a  smooth,  thin  skin.  It 
is  small  when  compared  with  the 
others,  but  if  as  a  Canadian  seedling  it 
should  prove  both  productive  and  mil- 
dew proof  its  size  will  not  hinder  its 
popularity. 

The  Conn  and  the  Ottawa  are  also 
Canadian  seedlings,  and  we  have  some 
plants,  received  from  Mr.  P.  E.  Bucke, 
of  Ottawa,  which  we  are  testing,  upon 
which  we  will  report  at  some  future 
time. 


Fay's  Prolific  Currant. — -Sir: 
You  will  be  glad  to  learn  that  I  have 
been  very  successful  with  all  the  pre- 
miums I  have  received  from  the  So- 
ciety. The  "  Fay's  Pi-olific,"  received 
in  1885,  has  fruited  well  this  year ;  it 
is  just  splendid.  I  intend  to  discard 
all  my  old  stock  and  ])ropagate  from  it 
only.  The  "  Canada  Victor"  grape  re- 
ceived last  spring  is  doing  remarkably 
well,  and  will  bear  fruit  next  year. 
And  the  "  Niagara,"  received  this  year, 
is  all  I  can  wish,  and  I  hope  it  will 
continue  to  deserve  my  good  opinion  of 
it.  I  am  yours  very  truly, 

J.  L    THOMPSON,  Toronto. 


Bark  Louse. — Sir  :  I  have  no  doubt 
that  your  article  on  the  Bark  Louse  in 
the  June  number  of  The  Canadian 
Horticulturist,  very  correctly  described 
the  condition  of  my  apple  trees,  for  on 
my  looking  over  them  to-day  I  find 
matters  very  different  from  what  I  had 
anticipated.  About  one-half  of  them 
are  badly  infested  with  these  insects, 
and,  as  I  suppose,  the  present  will  not 
be  an  opportune  time  for  applying  the 
alkaline  solution,  I  will  have  to  wait 
till  spring  for  it. 

J.  L.  T.,  Toronto. 


Printed  Recipes  in  Grape  Baskets. 
— Sir  :  I  happened  to  hear  from  one  or 
two  growers  that  it  is  their  intention 
to  put  printed  recipes  in  their  grape 
baskets,  to  educate  people  as  to  their 
use.  I  think  it  will  be  wise  to  do  so  ; 
but  I  think  it  will  be  well  to  have 
them  printed  in  French  and  English 
for  Montreal,  as  it  it  the  French-Cana- 
dian population  that  most  require  to  be 
instructed  and  encouraged  to  use  fruit. 
Yours,  &c., 

JOSEPH  BROWX. 

Montreal,  Aug.  3,  1887. 


Jlppk  Reports. 


FROM  LIVERPOOL. 

Sir, — As  the  season  is  drawing  nigh 
for  shipping  apples,  we  take  this  op- 
poi'tunity  of  letting  you  know  the 
position  of  our  crop,  and  the  prospects 
for  American  apples  during  the  coming 
fall  and  winter. 

More  than  usual  interest  attaches  to 
our  fruit  crop  this  season,  as  both  the 
winter  and  summer  weather  has  been 
quite  unusual  for  this  country.  A 
long  cold  winter  and  bleak  stormy 
spring,  which  lasted  until  the  end  of 
May,  brought  us  most  precipitately 
into  almost  a  ti'opical  summer,  and 
June,  July,  and  up  to  time  of  writing 
have  been  a  succession  of  warm  sun- 
shiny days,  with  hardly  a  drop  of  rain, 
and  fears  were  entertained  that  the 
apple  crop  might  be  a  total  failui'e, 
but  from  very  detailed  reports  from 
the  forty  counties  in  England  we  find 
the  crop  as  follows  : — 

Average  crop 22  Counties. 

Under  average  crop     . .      13         " 
Over  "  "       ..       5 

40 
In   many   sections    the   fruit    is    re- 
ported to  be  dropping  fast,  so  that  we 
do  not  consider  the  American  supplies 
will  suffer  from  the  quantity  of  apples 


THE   CANADIAN   H0RTICULTUEI8T. 


205 


produced  in  this  countiy,  which  are 
always  small  and  inferior,  and  never 
matei-ially  interfere  with  choice  fruit 
of  American  growth. 

Last  season  American  apples  arrived 
early  in  August,  and  after  the  first 
arrival  or  two,  prices  for  fall  fruit  such 
as  Oi-ange  Pippins,  Summer  Pips,  Fall 
Pippins,  Gravensteins,  (fee,  fell  very 
low  :  this  was  partly  owing  to  the 
enormous  crop  of  damsons,  plums,  and 
other  varieties  of  stone  fruit.  This 
season  the  crop  is  considerably  below 
the  average,  and  that  competition  will 
be  avoided. 

The  prospects  for  American  apples 
we  thei-efoi-e  consider  very  fair,  that  is 
for  bright,  sound  clear  fruit — such  as 
Kings,  Baldwins,  Greenings,  Spitz, 
Spies,  Cranberry  Pips,  Maiden  Blush, 
Strawberry  Pips,  Canada  Reds,  Rom- 
anites,  kc. ;  but  we  strongly  condemn 
the  shipment  of  summer  apples,  which 
during  the  past  few  years  have  come 
in  large  quantities  at  the  commence- 
ment of  the  season,  and  invariably  sell 
at  quite  a  heavy  loss  ;  such  fi-uit  can 
always  be  sold  to  better  advantage  in 
home  markets.  It  will  not  stand  the 
voyage,  lands  here  wasty,  comes  into 
the  market  when  the  bulk  of  the  home 
growth  is  oflfering,  and  is  always 
disastrous  to  shippers. 

Yours  truly, 

GREEN  &  WHINERAY. 
Liverjiool,  Aug.  5,  1887. 

FROM    LONDON,  ENG. 

Sir, — From  enquiries  made  in  the 
principal  apple-growing  districts  in 
England,  we  gather  that  the  crop  this 
year  will  be  undoubtedly  veiy  short, 
and  in  some  places  a  total  failure. 

Fair  prices  may  therefore  be  expected, 
provided  shippers  take  great  care  that 
the  fruit  is  properly  selected  and  well 
packed.  Only  the  choicest  kinds  of 
even  size  and  free  from  spots  should  be 
sent,  and  they  should  be  pressed  tightly 


into  the  barrels  so  as  to  pi-event  shak- 
ing and  to  secure  their  sound  condition 
on  arrival.     This  is  very  important. 

By  attending  carefully  to  these  de- 
tails shippers  will  realize  the  benefit  of 
the  top  prices  of  the  market. 

The  kinds  we  specially  recommend 
for  shipping  are — Baldwin,  Greening, 
Ben  Davis,  Pearmain,  Ribston,  Twenty 
Ounce  Pippin,  Rox  Russett,  Golden 
Russett,  etc., — and  should  you  have 
any  early  fruit,  such  as  Gravensteins, 
we  also  recommend  a  shipment  of  these 
as  likely  to  do  well. 

Youi-s  faithfully, 

PITT  BROS.  &  CO. 
Grocers'  Hall  Court,  London,  E.G. 


FRUIT  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 
The  fruit  crop  is  very  poor.  There 
will  be  few  apples  outside  of  New  Eng- 
land and  New  York.  There  will  be  a 
partial  crop  in  Michigan.  In  the  Ohio 
river  States  the  harvest  will  be  nearly 
a  failure. — Dept.  of  Agricidture. 

Judge  Miller,  of  Missouri,  mourns  the 
loss  of  his  grapes  by  rot  this  year.  He 
was  not  at  home  when  the  gi-apes  should 
have  been  sacked,  or  the  copperas 
remedy  applied,  and  when  he  returned 
the  rot  was  so  far  advanced  that  the 
fruit  could  not  be  saved.  Therefore,  he 
I'eminds  us  that  these  preventive  means 
must  be  used  in  season  or  it  is  no  use 
to  attempt  a  cure. — Michigan  Fanner. 

Fay's  Currant. — Mr.  Fowlie,  who  is  one 
of  our  chief  horticulturists,  has  shewn 
us  some  bunches  of  Fay's  Prolific  red 
currant  obtained  from  the  Fruit  Grow- 
ers' Association,  and  now  bearing  for 
the  first  time.  They  are  really  mag- 
nificent— larger  and  sweeter  than  the 
much  praised  cherry,  and  with  longer 
bunches.  Mr.  Fowlie  informs  us  that 
berries  are  earlier  this  year  than  usual, 
and  that  he  anticipates  having  some 
grapes  colouring  very  soon. — Orillia 
Packet. 


JjktuaB. 


THE    COCKSCOMB. 

F.    MITCHELL,    INXERKir,    OXT. 

C^  HAVE  at  the  present  time — this 
°^\  very  dry  summer — a  large  bed  of 
^)  Cockscombs  ( Celosia  Cristatd)  and 
it  presents  quite  an  oasis  of  brilliant, 
fresh  display,  in  the  midst  of  my 
drought-burned  garden.  And,  as  we 
naturally  esteem  highly  those  friends 
who  stand  by  us  when  friends  are  the 
fewest,  I  make  this  my  excuse  for  call- 
ing attention  to  the  Cockscomb  just 
now.  I  know  that  I  cannot  claim  a 
delicate  or  a  retined  beauty  for  the 
Cockscomb,  but  it  is-  very  showy  and 
striking  in  its  appearance,  whether 
planted  in  beds,  or  as  isolated  speci- 
mens. One  strong  point,  in  favour  of 
this  plant,  is  its  ability  to  pass  scatheless 
through  such  a  serious  drought  as  the 
one  we  have  been  experiencing  lately. 
Another  commendable  point  is  that,  as 
soon  as  it  has  formed  its  flower-heads, 
it  will  commence,  and  continue  to  make 
an  uninterrupted  (though  increasing) 
display  until  destroyed  by  frost.  The 
heads  or  "  combs  "  will  sometimes  mea- 
sure sixteen  inches  across,  and  are  of  a 
number  of  different  shades  of  color — 
greenish-white,  yellow,  orange,  all 
shades  of  crimson,  and  many  interme- 
diate shades  between  all  of  these.  The 
only  secret  in  growing  these  plants  to 
perfection  is,  to  keep  them  as  much  as 
possible  in  the  open  air  during  the  early 
stages  of  growth,  to  promote  a  stocky 
form,  and  at  the  same  time  give  [Jenty 
of  bottom  heat  to  produce  a  strong, 
health}^  growth.  After  the  combs  have 
commenced  to  form,  they  can,  if  de- 
sired, be  removed  to  the  conservatory. 
August  8th,  18S7. 


Styrax  Japonica. — Sir  :  In  looking  over 
the  April  number,  we  were  very  much 
interested  in  an  article  on  page 94,  about 


Styrax  Japonica.  Although  we  have 
never  flowered  it  ourselves,  it  may  be 
of  interest  to  you  to  know  that  there 
are  others  who  appreciate  its  beauty  as 
well  as  your  correspondent.  In  a  let- 
ter to  us,  a  customer  of  ours  says  :  "  I 
do  not  notice  it  (Styrax  Japonica)  in 
your  catalogue ;  I  want  it  particularly 
if  I  can  get  it.  I  think  it  the  most 
aduiired  shrub  or  tree  I  have."  We 
have  been  growing  it  for  several  year.s, 
but  unfortunately  it  was  left  off  our 
catalogue  by  mistake. 

Yerv  truly  yours, 

THOS'  MEEHAN  &  SOX. 
Germantowii,  Penn. 


CULTIVATION    OF   THE    NAR- 
CISSUS. 

BY   H.    SIMMERS,    TORONTO,    OST. 

fHE  NAME  Narcissus  originated 
from  a  Greek  fable.  He  was  sup- 
posed to  be  the  son  of  the  river 
god  Cephissus,  and  of  the  nymph  Liri- 
ope,  of  the  town  of  Thespiae,  in  Bceotia. 
He  was  a  youth  of  extraordinaiy 
beauty,  of  which  he  was  excessively 
vain  ;  and  for  this  he  was  punished  by 
Nemesis,  by  being  made  to. fall  in  love 
with  himself  on  seeing  the  reflection  of 
his  own  face  in  a  fountain.  He  died 
of  this  love-sickness  ;  and  on  the  place 
where  he  died  sprung  uyi  the  flower 
which  bears  his  name.  The  foregoing 
will  give  the  reader  a  faint  idea  of  the 
origin  of  the  name  Narcissus. 

Of  late  years  the  Narcissi  have  been 
very  extensively  hybridized,  and  I  will 
write  about  some  of  the  commoner 
kinds.  Unlike  many  other  genera  of 
bulbs,  they  propagate  very  easily.  In  a 
few  j^ears,from  one  bulb,  a  dozen  or  more 
bulbs  may  be  separated  ;  for  instance, 
in  the  Narcissus  Poeticus,  or  poet's 
Narcissus,  propagation  is  so  very  rapid 
that  in  the  course  of  perhaps  three 
years,  such  a  number  of  bulbs  will  be 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


207 


attached  to  the  main  bulb  as  to  cause 
anxiety  on  the  part  of  the  amateur  as 
to  why  they  do  r.ot  flower.  This  is  al- 
together on  account  of  the  numerous 
bulblets,  and  may  be  easily  i-emedied  by 
taking  the  bulbs  up  and  separating  the 
larger  bulbs,  planting  them  where  they 
are  required  to  flower,  the  smaller  bulbs 
to  be  planted  in  another  portion  of  tlie 
garden,  where  they  should  remain  until 
large  enough  to  bloom.  The  Narcissiis 
Poeticus  is,  perhaps,  the  only  vai-iety 
tiiat  propagates  so  very  rapidly.  The 
other  varieties  are  not  quite  so  free. 
Narcissus  Van  Sion,  or  Yellow  Daffo- 
dil, is  also  commonly  known  as  the 
Dafly-down-dilly.  There  are  two  vari- 
eties of  them,  double  and  single,  the 
single  variety  not  so  much  grown  as 
the  flower,  though  as  fragrant,  does  not 
remain  in  bloom  as  long,  and  hence  is 
not  so  well  adapted  for  general  use  ; 
the  double,  on  the  contrary,  possesses 
so  many  greater  advantages  that  it  is 
always  seen  in  our  own  gardens,  and 
the  beautiful  yellow  bloom  coming  at  a 
season  of  the  year  when  flowers  in  the 
open  air  are  so  scarce,  makes  it  a  flower 
to  be  I'ecognized  by  all  lovers  of  bul- 
bous roots.  Of  late  years  the  Double 
Narcissus  Van  Sion  has  been  exten- 
sively^ grown  by  florists,  tending  to 
make  it  suitable  for  forcing,  but  I 
would  not  recommend  this  kind  for  any 
person  not  having  the  advantage  of 
bottom,  because  as  soon  as  they  are 
brought  to  the  light,  they  should  be 
placed  on  bottom  heat,  otherwise  it  will 
take  an  indefinite  period  to  flower  them 
in  the  oixlinary^  way  for  house  culture. 
I  might  add  they  are  ti'eated  in  the 
same  way  as  Hyacinths  are,  when 
required  to  be  grown  for  the  conserva- 
tory. Narcissus  albus  plenus  odoratus, 
or  Double  Poeticus,  a  variety  exceed- 
ingly handsome,  but  suitable  only  for 
open  air  culture,  should  be  treated 
similar  to  that  of  the  other  varieties. 
Narcissus,  Orange  Flivsnix,  commonly 


known  as  "  Butter  and  Eggs,"  is  a  very- 
beautiful  double  variety,  suitable  only 
for  open  air  culture.  Other  varieties 
I  will  speak  about  in  next  issue  of  the 
Horticulturist. 


TORONTO  FLOWER  SHOW. 

B.    LAWSOX,    TORONTO. 

Visitors  to  the  Queen  city,  from  the 
rural  districts,  as  well  as  those  fjom 
cities  in  the  United  States,  frequently 
comment  on  the  absence  of  floral  decora- 
tions about  the  houses  of  the  wealthy^ 
residents.  This  need  no  longer  be  a 
matter  for  surprise,  after  witnessing  the 
poor  display  made  by  the  Toronto  Hor- 
ticultui-al  society  on  the  20th  and  21st 
July.  The  competitors  were  few  in 
number,  indeed  had  three  names  beeii 
left  out,  there  would  scarcely  have  been 
a  competition.  It  may^  safely  be  said 
that  Sir  D.  Macpherson,  Collier  Bros., 
and  Mr.  Paxton  made  the  exhibition. 
This  was  from  no  fault  of  the  directoi's, 
as  far  as  the  prize  list  was  concei-ned. 
but  must  be  attributed  to  the  apathy  of 
the  residents  of  Toronto  and  neighbor- 
hood, who  evidently  are  not  great  loveis 
of  flowers,  and  sadly  want  a  James 
Vick.  to  settle  among  and  educate  them 
to  love  the  beautiful  flowers. 

Of  foliage  plants  there  decidedly  was 
the  best  display,  especially  in  the  Be- 
gonia classes.  Coleuses  were  fairly  well 
represented,  but  we  did  not  notice  any- 
thing new.  Geraniums  were  good,  and 
one  or  two  new  varieties  were  exhibited, 
but  there  was  nothing  very  striking. 
Of  Lilies  a  good  show  might  have  been 
expected,  especially  when  we  take  into 
consideration  their  popularity  and  num- 
ber of  varieties.  Only  two  pots  of  well 
grown  Lilium  Auratum  represented  the 
Lily.  A  single  pot  of  Amai-yllis  stood 
forth  in  all  itsglory.  The  Rose, the  Queen 
of  Flowers,  was  conspicuous  by-  its  ab- 
sence, with  the  exception  of  a  few  cut 
blooms,  and  those  were  nothing  to  boast 
of.     There   was  a  nice   display  of  cut 


208 


VHK   OA.NA.DIAN    HORriCULTURIST. 


flowers,  but  not  what  might  have  been 
expected  from  a  city  of  the  dimensions 
of  Toronto,  with  its  wealth  and  luxury. 
A  fine  Palm,  raised  on  a  platform, 
spread  its  branches  over  a  considerable 
portion  of  the  centre  of  the  pavilion. 
The  conservatory  portion  of  the  build- 
ing was  empty,  if  we  may  except  a 
few  miserable  looking  plants  in  pots, 
placed  around  to  hide  the  nakedness  of 
the  place. 

The  exhibit  of  fruit  would  not  have 
been  worthy  of  a  township  exhibition, 
and  this  in  the  height  of  the  fruit  sea- 
son ;  just  a  few  small  plates  containing 
faii'ly  good  specimens  of  the  different 
varieties,  sufficient  in  number  to  rake 
in  the  prizes. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Ontario  Fruit 
Growers'  Ass'n.,  recently  held  in  Col- 
lingwood,  great  stress  was  laid  upon  the 
fact  that  the  show  of  fruit,  at  the  Inter- 
colonial Exhibition,  was  so  grand  that 
the  people  of  the  old  country  could 
scarcely  believe  Canada  was  able  to  pro- 
duce such  fruits.  If  any  travellers 
passing  through  Toronto  witnessed  the 
meagre  display  made  by  the  Horticul' 
tural  society,  they  would  certainly  not 
receive  a  very  favorable  impression. 

The  Horticultural  Society  sadly  wants 
waking  up.  New  blood  will  have  to 
be  infused  into  it.  There  is  too  much 
"  old  fogyism"  connected  with  it. 

A    LEAF    MINER    AT    THE    BEET 
LEAVES. 

J.  Pettit,  Entomologist,  says  he 
has  found  a  leaf  miner  at  work  in  a 
garden  near  Grimsby  upon  the  beet 
leaves.  Noticing  the  peculiar  blotched 
appearance  of  the  leaves  he  had  observed 
them  carefully,  and  discovered  a  small 
fly  near  the  edge  of  one.  Having  cap- 
tured the  fly  with  the  leaf,  he  observed 
that  the  fly  had  just  deposited  a  couple 


of  minute  eggs,  more  of  which  were 
found  upon  further  investigation.  In 
process  of  time  the  larvje  of  these  flies 
issued  from  the  eggs  and  entering  the 
parenchyma,  or  substance  of  the  leaf 
between  the  upper  and  under  skin, 
began  mining  away  good  sized  patches 
of  it. 

One  peculiai'ity  was  that  instead  of 
each  larva  making  for  himself  a  new 
path,  all  would  enter  by  the  opening 
made  by  the  leader,  and  then  they 
would  diverge. 

Mr.  Pettit  says  he  fui'ther  observed 
that  a  beetle  of  the  genus  Carabidae,  a 
Bembidium,  preyed  upon  the  larva  of 
this  fly,  and  may  perhaps  so  keep  it  in 
check  as  to  prevent  any  great  damage. 

According  to  Mr.  D.  W.  Beadle,  of 
St.  Catharines,  the  English  Sparrow 
has  also  been  seen  pecking  out  the  larvte 
of  this  leaf  miner  from  the  beet  leaves. 

©pen  fetters. 

FALL  vs.  SPRING  PLANTING. 

Sir  :  Now  that  the  nui'sery  agent  is 
about,  pressing  for  fall  orders,  a  few 
remarks  on  the  purchase  of  fruit  trees 
in  the  fall  might  not  be  out  of  season. 
Many  reliable  nurserymen,  with  ap- 
parent sincerity,  strongly  recommend 
the  purchase  of  fruit  trees  in  the  fall 
in  preference  to  the  spring  time.  My 
experience  has  led  me  to  advocate  the 
very  opposite  practice.  For  example, 
during  the  past  five  or  six  years  I  have 
planted  on  my  half  acre  lot  twenty-six 
pear  trees.  Out  of  the  lot  I  have  but 
two  fall  purchased  trees  growing,  and 
have  only  lost  one  or  two  that  were  pur- 
chased in  the  spring.  The  fall  stock 
was  "  heeled  in "  up  to  the  branches, 
and  allowed  to  remain  till  the  spring 
was  well  opened.  They  were  then 
taken  out,  flushed  with  sap,  with  buds 
full  to  bursting,  and  planted.  In  a  few 
days  the  buds  had  opened,  and,  to  all 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTDEIST. 


209 


appeai*ances,  were  rushing  into  a  vigor- 
ous growth  ;  but  in  two  or  three  weeks 
the  growth  had  stopped,  the  bark  looked 
dry  and  sometimes  shrivelled,  and  no 
amount  of  treatment  during  the  sum- 
mer could  renew  the  vigor  or  encourage 
the  growth. 

Trees  purchased  in  the  spring  show 
very  little  sign  of  growing  for  one  or 
two  weeks  after  planting,  but  when 
they  do  start  they  continue  to  grow 
throughout  the  season,  and  establish 
themselves  sufficiently  to  bear  the  frosts 
of  the  following  winter. 

Now,  this  is  my  experience,  as  briefly 
as  1  can  state  it,  with  pear  trees,  and  if 
any  of  the  z-eaders  of  your  really  excel- 
lent and  highly  valued  journal,  has  had 
a  different  experience  I  would  like  to 
hear  it.  Respectfully, 

T.  H.  EACE. 
Mitchell,  July  18,  1887. 
Note. — See  article  on  Transplanting  Trees,  p.  196. 


THE    LUCRETIA    DEWBERRY. 

Sir, — I  beg  to  report  that  my  Lucre- 
tia  Dewbeny  has  stood  the  winter  well, 
having  been  slightly  covered,  and  bore 
some  18  or  20  berries  about  the  size  of 
my  blackberries,  but  more  tart  in  fla- 
vour ;  and  it  has  made  good  shoots  for 
next  year.       G.  WILGRESS,  Cobourg. 

Sir  :  The  Lucretia  Dewberry  came 
through  last  winter  all  right,  this  sum- 
mer it  has  made  a  growth  of  three  feet 
or  over,  but  I  have  had  no  fruit  yet. 
Would  you  please  give  directions  in  the 
Horticulturi  t  for  planting  and  caring 
for  the  bulbs  you  send  out  this  fall  ? 
S.  REESOR,  Cedar  Grove. 

Sir  :  With  me  this  plant  is  doing  re- 
markably well.  It  has  grown  seven 
feet  and  it  had  just  a  few  berries  which 
were  of  good  size  and  delicious  flavor. 

EDWIN  C.  BARTLEY. 
Wahiut  HiU,  Out. 

2 


WiBZB  0f  Jfntits. 

Sext  in  importance  to  the  best  modes  of  cultivation 
and  the  selection  of  the  choicest  varieties,  comes  the 
mo/tt  approved  methods  of  prepai  ing  fruits  for  use. 
We  ivould  he  glad  therefore  if  the  ladies,  who  read 
this  Journal,  would  moke  free  use  of  this  column 
for  an  interchange  of  ideas  on  this  subject. 


FRUIT  vs.  PILLS. 
'HY  should  the  American  farmer 
live  all  the  year  on  salt  pork 
and  fried  potatoes  ?  One  of  the 
earliest  recollections  of  my  life  is  the 
longing  I  had  to  get  into  a  city  once  in 
a  while,  so  that  I  could  get  all  the 
strawberries  I  could  eat.  The  average 
boy  lives  a  great  deal  in  his  stomach. 
He  has  a  hearty,  unquestioning  ap- 
petite, and  in  the  spring  and  summer 
he  eats  without  hesitation  anything 
that  is  green.  It  is  an  instinct  of  his 
nature.  He  needs  the  fruit  for  its 
juices,  and  the  right  way  to  keep  him 
from  gi-een  stufi"  is  to  give  him  plenty 
of  good,  ripe  fruit.  In  my  boyhood  on 
the  farm,  as  above  intimated,  I  thought 
strawberries,  raspberries,  grapes  and 
peaches  (with  cream)  were  for  city 
people,  while  an  occasional  mess  of 
stewed  currants,  a  few  blackberries 
gathered  after  haying  and  harvest  were 
over  (no  time  before),  and  a  small  bas- 
ket of  apples,  clubbed  ofi"  the  trees,  and 
contended  for  with  the  j^igs  that  stood 
waiting  and  watching  were  for  farniei"S. 
Who  can  blame  the  boy,  with  a  natural, 
healthy  appetite,  if  he  get  tired  munch- 
ing this  same  old  stuflT — pork,  pickles, 
biscuits  and  poattoes  —  and  rebels 
affainst  the  farm  1 — Ohio  Farmer. 


FRUIT  FOR  BREAKFAST. 

Leigh  Hunt,  who  was  a  mild  epi- 
cure in  his  way,  protested  against  other 
food  for  breakl'ast  than  toast,  ham,  tea 
or  coffee,  eggs,  and  always  something 
potted  In  our  climate  it  may  be 
added,  and  always,  fruit  the  year  round. 
For  breakfast  eat  fruit.  The  earth  and 
skies  share  its  life.     Its  flesh,  filled  with 


210 


THE   CANADIAN   H0ETICULTUKI8T. 


sunshine,  needs  no  human  basting. 
Its  veins  are  sweet  with  fragrant  dew 
formed  into  life  by  soft  sighing  winds. 
The  ardent  kisses  of  the  summer  sun 
paints  the  bhishing  cheek  of  the  vel- 
vety peach,  and  fills  with  wine  the 
purple  grapes  ensphered  in  purple 
luxuriance  that  drop  through  the  leafy 
roof  of  trellised  arches.  Such  a  break- 
fast is  patriarchal.  It  has  a  flavor  of 
Arcadian  days  and  the  mythological 
age  of  a  dead  past. — Ex. 


FRUITS  FOR  STOCK. 

When  some  of  my  pear  trees  littered 

the    ground     with     their    ripe   mellow 

fruit,  I  fed  them  to  my  cows.      A  peck 

of  pears  with  two  quarts  of  meal  and 


bi-an  for  a  noonday  feed,  increased  the 
milk  and  butter  fully  one  fourth,  and 
when  the  apples  wei-e  ripe  and  only  50 
cents  a  bushel  could  be  got  for  them  in 
the  market,  the  horses,  cows,  pigs  and 
fowls  had  all  they  wanted  and  the  ripe 
fruit  did  them  a  good  deal  of  good. 
Some  farmers  give  the  wind-falls — 
wormy,  hard,  gnarled  fruit — to  their 
animals  and  complain  that  they  are 
unwholesome.  And  why  not?  Are 
they  wholesome  for  themselves  1  Do 
they  not  suffer  the  pains  and  penalties 
of  eating  hard  unripe  apples'?  Why 
should  they  expect  their  stock  to  escape 
similar  consequences  ?  Give  only  ripe 
sound  fruit  to  the  animals,  they  will 
be  greatly  benefited  by  it. — H.  S.  in 
Orchard  and  Garden. 


Wm  CHanaiiian  horticulturist. 


^N  Illus 
trated 
Monthly  Journal,  de- 
I  voted  to  the  interests 
of     Fruit    Growers, 
Gardeners,  and  Gentle- 
men owning  rural  or  su- 
burban homes. 

Subscription  price  $1.00 
per  year,  entitling  the  subscri- 
ber to  membership  of  the  Fruit  Grow- 
ers' Association  of  Ontario  and  all  its 
privileges,  including  a  copy  of  its 
valuable  Annual  Report,  and  a  share  in  its 
annual  distribution  of  plants  and  trees. 


This  Journal  is  not  published  in  the  in- 
terests, or  for  the  pecuniary  advantage  of 
any  one,  but  its  pages  are  devoted  wholly  to 
the  progress  of  Horticultural  Science  and 
Art  in  Canada. 


The  Annual  Report  and  Premiums  were 
sent  out  to  all  those  who  had  paid  their 
subscriptions  before  1st  May,  1887.  If 
any  who  paid  previous  to  that  date  have 
failed  to  receive  it,  will  they  please 
notify  the  Secretary  by  post  card.  The 
Report  of  the  Entomological  Society  is 
now  being  sent  out  to  all  those  who 
were  marked 

Paid  '87  on  the  1st  of  August  last. 
Those  who  have  paid  since  May  1st, 
when  our  Report  for  86  was  distributed, . 
may  have  a  copy  of  the  valuable  Report 
of  1874  as  a  substitute  by  sending  the 
Secretary  a  post  card  to  that  efiect. 

No  Premium. — If  any  member  who  paid 
previous  to  April  87,  failed  to  receive 
the  tree  or  plant  chosen,  would  he  please 
notify  the  Secretary. 

Immature  Peaches. — ^The  Toronto  Globe 
says  :  "  The  early  peach  does  not  taste 
materially  different  from  a  raw  squash. 
But  the  early  peach  brings  wealth  all 
the  same."  This  is  a  comment  upon 
growers  who  will  insist  on  picking 
Alexanders  and  Hales'  Earlys  as  soon 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


211 


as  they  color,  and  long  before  they  are 
ripe,  or  get  their  proper  flavor.  Such 
work  deserves  the  remark  quoted,  but 
a  well  ripened  Alexander  or  Early 
Purple  is  certainly  a  delicious  morsel 
for  dessert,  notwithstanding. 

The  Nova  Scotia  Apple  Crop  will  be  smaller 
than  last  year,  though  a  good  crop  is 
expected  in  the  counties  of  Annapolis, 
Kings,  and  Hants.  Last  year  King's 
County  alone  produced  70,000  barrels, 
of  which  20,000  were  Gravensteins. 
Nearly  as  many  were  grown  in  Hants 
County,  and  double  the  quantity,  or 
nearly  150,000,  in  Annapolis. 

Training  the  Dewberry. — Pojmlar  Gar- 
dening gives  the  following  directioiis : — 
Set  the  plants  in  fall  or  spring  eight 
feet  by  six  feet.  When  the  vines  have 
reached  a  length  of  thirty  inches,  the 
ends  should  be  nipped  out.  Late  in 
autumn  or  early  in  winter  the  vines 
are  covered  lightly  with  corn-fodder  or 
straw.  This  is  easily  and  cheaply  done 
as  the  vines  lie  on  the  ground.  The 
following  spring  all  the  vines  are  cut 
back  to  three  feet,  and  thinned  to  four 
or  five  canes  to  the  hill.  The  straw 
and  fodder  are  now  put  under  the  vines 
for  a  mulch,  and  the  berries  kept  clean. 
Treated  in  this  way  the  improved  sorts 
will  bear  every  year  large  crops  of 
splendid  fruit. 

The  Marlboro. — Pres.  T.  T.  Lyon,  of 
Michigan,  says  the  Marlboro  proves  to 
be  an  enormous  producer  of  plants,  and 
the  fruit  is  large  and  showy,  but  indif- 
ferent in  flavor.  We  agree  with  him 
with  reference  to  its  insipid  flavor,  a 
very  serious  fault  with  so  attractiye  a 
berry.  With  us,  it  fruits  heavily,  this, 
its  second  year  of  bearing,  and  comes 
in  between  the  Highland  Hardy  and 
the  Cuthbert. 

The  Apple  Crop  in  New  York  State. — Ac- 
cording to  Vick's  Monthly,  the  Ameri- 
can Depart,  of  Agriculture  makes  out  too 
good  a  report  when  excepting  New  York 


State  from  the  list  of  States  in  which 
the  apple  crop  is  light.  The  Western 
part  of  the  State  is  the  chief  producing 
area,  and  there  crop  is  light,  because 
only  a  few  kinds  ai'e  bearing  well,  and 
the  Baldwin,  which  is  the  leading  va- 
riety, is  producing  very  little — in  most 
orchards. 

White  Blackberries-  —On  page  five  of 
this  voluble  there  is  an  enquiry  from 
Mr.  Bucke,  of  Ottawa,  concerning  white 
blackberries,  in  reply  to  which  we  men- 
tioned the  Crystal  White  as  one  of  the 
varieties  which  has  been  to  some  extent 
cultivated.   We  now  show  an  engraving 


W'^-^' 

^ 

I 

^ 


V 


Crystal  White  Blackberry. 

of  this  vai'iety,  at  the  same  time  caution- 
ing our  Canadian  readers  against  plant- 
ing it,  unless  in  the  most  favored 
situations,  as  it  is  not  hardy.  The  fruit 
is  sweet,  creamy  white  in  color,  and  of 
a  good  size.  The  canes  are  nearly  white, 
and  vigorous  in  growth,  but  not  very 
l)rolitic. 

It  will  be  interesting  to  hear  what 
success  attends  Mr.  Bucke's  endeavor 
to  propagate  the  variety  which  he  found 
upon  the  banks  of  the  Ottawa,  and 
which  will  surely  pi'ove  hard}^. 

Cold  Storage  of  Apples  is  strongly  re- 
commended in  the  same  journal,  by  Mr. 
Samuel  L.  Boardman,  Secretary  Maine 
State  Pomological  Society.  He  says 
they  are  becoming  an  absolute  neces- 
sity to  our  commercial  orchardists.    He 


212 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICDLTUKI8T. 


cites  the  case  of  Messrs.  Knill  &  Gi'ant, 
of  Nova  Scotia,  who  have  a  great  apple 
storehouse  capable  of  holding  40,000 
barrels  of  apples.  The  temperature  is 
kept  all  winter  at  35°,  and  here  apples 
are  kept  with  very  little  loss  until  they 
can  be  sold  at  the  top  of  the  market. 
P.  M.  Augur,  State  Pomologist  of  Con- 
necticut, recommends  the  co-operative 
plan  among  apple-growers,  for  the  erec- 
tion of  these  storage  houses. 

The  Cortland  Seedling. — The  Windsor 
Record  of  Friday,  Aug.  12,  says: 
Messrs.  Lambert  &  Son  have  shown  lis 
a  large  sample  of  their  Cortland  Seed- 
ling grapes,  now  quite  ripe  and  i-eady 
for  picking.  This  is  the  earliest  grape 
we  know  of.  It  is  a  fine  flavored  grape, 
and  although,  owing  to  the  diyness 
of  the  season,  the  fruit  is  not  so  lai-ge 
as  usual,  the  yield  is  prolific.  Several 
of  the  bunches  were  picked  from 
vines  that  had  been  planted  only  two 
years  ago.  Indeed,  Mr.  Lambert 
assures  us  that  their  vines,  if  properly 
cared  for,  will  always  bear  the  second 
season  after  planting.  Grape  gi-owers 
ought  to  call  on  Messrs.  Lambert  & 
Son,  and  see  these  grapes,  or  write 
them  for  particulars. 

The  Jewell  Grape  is  a  novelty  from 
Leavenworth,  Kansas,  said  to  be  the 
earliest  of  grapes,  and  as  hardy  as  the 
Concord,  and  excellent  quality. 


SAMPLES  OF  FRUIT. 

Seedling  Plum.— Mr.  W.  H.  Wylie,  of 
Carleton  Place,  sends  us  a  sample  of 
his  seedling  plum,  to  which  reference 
has  ah'eady  been  made.  It  is  i-ather 
attractive  in  appearance,  being  of  a 
bright  red  color.  The  form  is  oval,  and 
the  flesh  yellowish,  juicy,  and  of  a  mild 
sub  acid  and  rather  agreeable  flavor, 
and  would  be  excellent  for  preserving. 
Like  all  these  natives  it  is  a  prodigious 
bearei",  but  is  excelled  by  some  of  them 
in  size  though  not  perhaps  in  quality. 


The  samples  sent  measure  about  three 
inches  in  circumference.  Of  course 
they  are  all  far  inferior  in  both  size  and 
quality  to  our  cultivated  European, 
plums,  but  where  these  latter  cannot  be 
successfully  grown,  such  natives  as 
Wylie's  Seedling  should  by  all  means 
be  given  a  trial. 

We  sent  a  few  samples  of  this  plum 
to  Mr.  Beadle  and  his  verdict  is  as 
follows  : — 

"  They  are  no  better  than  Weaver, 
Wild  Goose,  De  Sobo,  Marianna,  Rol- 
ingstone,  etc.,  etc.,  and  others  of  our 
native  wild  plums.  This  seedling  of 
Wylie's  is  a  native  plum,  the  only  special 
point  that  I  see  in  its  favor  is  that  it 
i-ipens  early." 


Advertising  in  the  columns  of  this 
Journal  pays  well.  Here  is  what  an 
advertiser  wiites  : — 

Sir, — Please  withdraw  my  advertise- 
ment in  your  valuable  book,  and  let  me 
know  how  much  I  owe  you.  Through 
it  I  am  getting  too  many  shippers.  It 
is  the  finest  thing  that  ever  I  subscribed 
to.  I  do  not  intend  to  give  up  my 
advertisement  altogether,  but  just  for 
the  time  being.     Yours  respectfully, 

W.  H.  S. 

It  is  with  the  deepest  regret  we  an- 
nounce the  death  of  Mr.  Robert  Notman 
Ball,  the  pioneer  fruit  gi-ower  of  the 
Niagara  district,  which  took  place  on 
the  26th  July,  1887.  Mr.  Ball  was 
born  in  1823  upon  the  farm  on  which 
he  died,  his  father  and  his  grandfather 
having  lived  there  for  100  years  before 
him,  the  latter  an  officer  in  the  British 
army,  being  one  of  the  U.  E.  Loyalists 
who  left  America  at  the  time  of  the 
war  ot  Independence,  receiving  a  large 
grant  of  land  as  compensation  for  their 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


213 


sufferings  and  losses  in  consequence  of 
their  loyalty. 

Mr.  Robert  Ball  from  a  very  early 
age  commenced  fruit  farming,  and  was 
the  fii-st  Canadian  from  the  Niagara 
district,  if  not  from  Canada  itself,  who 
shipped  apples  to  Glasgow,  where  his 
brand,  a  beaver,  is  well  known  and  ap- 
preciated. "  Full  measure  and  running 
over,"  and  sound  fruit  in  the  centre  of 
the  barrel  as  well  as  at  the  head  and 
the  tail,  being  the  characteristic  of  his 
dealings.  Latterly  Mr.  Ball  has  more 
especially  given  his  attention  to  peach 
orcharding,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death 
he  had  some  fifty  acres  of  peaches  just 
coming  into  full  bearing,  in  addition  to 
a  few  hundred  trees  of  many  varieties, 
upon  which  he  may  be  said  to  have 
experimented  for  the  last  fourteen  years. 
Mr.  Ball  was  a  keen  observer,  an  inde- 
fatigable worker,  and  a  good  judge  of 
all  matters  connected  with  fruit  raising 


and  horticultural  work  generally,  and 
his  opinion,  always  generously  and 
genially  given,  was  valued  far  and  near 
by  his  neighbors.  Besides  his  peach 
orchards,  of  which  he  was  justly  proud, 
he  owned  ten  acres  of  grapes,  forty 
acres  of  apples  in  full  bearing,  five  acres 
of  raspberries,  besides  as  many  aci'es  of 
pears,  quinces,  plums  and  cherries. 

This  tells  of  Mr.  Ball  as  the  success- 
ful orchardist,  but  he  was  far,  far  more 
than  this,  he  was  a  most  genial  neigh- 
bor, an  intelligent  and  upright  magis- 
trate, an  elder  in  his  church  —"Pres- 
byterian," a  faithful  Sabbath  School 
teacher,  faithful  for  forty  years  to  his 
Bible  Class  at  Virgil  (a  village  joining 
his  estate),  a  wise,  kind  and  valued 
friend  to  "  Our  "Western  Home,"  Nia- 
gara, a  constant  visitor  of  the  sick  and 
needy.  In  short,  one  upon  whose  tomb 
might  very  justly  be  wi-itten,  "  O  man, 
greatly  beloved." — Contributed. 


Question  SratDer. 


This  department  i«  intended  as  an  open  one  to  every 
reader  of  the  "Horticulturist"  to  send  in  either 
qxtestions  or  ansivers.  Often  a  reader  will  be  able  to 
ansiver  a  question  which  has  been  left  unantncered, 
or  only  partially  answered  by  us.  For  convenience 
of  reference  the  questions  are  numbered,  and  any 
one  replying  or  referring  to  any  question  ivill 
please  mention  the  number  of  it. 


65.  Paris  Green  for  Curculio. — Is  Paris 
Green  a  2yroper  remedy  for  the  plum  Cur- 
culio. Having  read  somewhere  of  its 
use  as  such,  I  sprayed  my  trees  three 
times  within  two  weeks,  beginning  as 
the  blossoms  were  falling  off,  a  table- 
spoonful  to  a  pail  of  water,  and  about 
one-third  of  the  fruit  seemed  to  shrivel 
and  drop  off,  and  a  number  of  the 
leaves  turned  yellow.  TFaS  the  mixture 
too  strong,  or  is  there  any  danger  of 
the  fruit  being  poisonous  to  eat  when 
ripe.         WM.  E.  BROWN,  Blyth,  Ont. 

The  weight  of  evidence  seems  to 
prove  that  spraying  plum   trees  with 


paris  green,  if  done  early  enough,  that 
Ls,  about  the  time  of  the  falling  of  the 
petals,  is  one  of  the  simplest  means  of 
saving  the  plums  from  the  ravages  of 
the  little  Turk.  But  you  used  the 
poison  altogether  too  freely,  and  that 
accounts  for  the  dropping  of  the  fruit. 
A  teaspoonful  to  a  twelve-quart  pail  of 
water  is  enough  of  the  poison. 

66.  Ladders. — Where  can  I  get  a  long 
extension  ladder,  or  other  apparatus  for 
picking  f'uit  f  I  lost  a  lot  of  cherries 
for  want  of  a  long  enough  ladder. 

W.  F.  BURTON,  Hamilton. 

We  have  cherry  trees  twenty-five 
and  thirty  feet  in  height,  and  have  tried 
extension  laddei-s,  such  as  are  used  in 
putting  up  lightning  rods,  and  other 
apparatus,  but  have  never  used  any- 
tliing  moi'e  satisfactory  than  the  ordi- 


214: 


THE    CANADIAN    H0KTICULTURI8T. 


nary  ladder  made  of  cedar  with  hickory 
rounds.  Any  carpenter  can  construct 
this  ladder  of  any  requii-ed  length,  and 
two  persons,  one  at  the  foot  and  one  to 
raise  it,  can  easily  put  up  such  a  ladder, 
even  if  made  twenty-five  or  thirty  feet 
in  length.  Mr.  George  Zimmerman, 
Jordan,  Ont.,  has  a  stock  of  various 
lengths. 

67.  Grape  Vine  Leaf  Hopper. —  What  is  the 
latest  arid  most  recommerided  means  of 
destroying  the  grape  leaf  hopfer  (E.  vi- 
tis),  commonly  called  "thrijjs,"  on  grape 
vines  ?  I  have  a  Delaware  which  suf- 
fers hadly  from  the  insect. 

"AMATEUR." 

The  Delaware,  and  varieties  of  its 
class,  is  far  more  subject  to  the  leaf 
hopper  than  the  Labruscans,  as  Con- 
cord, Niagara,  &c.  Various  remedies 
have  been  tried  with  more  or  less  suc- 
cess, but  owing  to  its  habit  of  feeding 
upon  the  under  surface  of  the  leaves,  it 
is  routed  with  extreme  difficulty.  Puff"- 
ing  upwards  pyrethrum  powder  against 
the  under  side  of  the  leaves,  with  small 
bellows  for  the  purpose,  is  quite  effect- 
ive, as  also  the  plan  of  burning  them 
at  night  with  a  burning  torch,  while 
one  passes  ahead  beating  the  vines  with 
a  whip.  The  torch  may  be  made  with 
a  basin  of  sawdust  and  kerosene,  fast- 
ened on  the  end  of  a  pole. 


REPLIES    TO    PREVIOUS   QUESTIONS. 

Peaches  Under  Glass.— In  reply  to 
question  54,  Mr.  S.  H.  Mitchell,  of  St. 
Marys,  Ont.,  sends  us  some  fine 
samples  of  Foster  and  Early  Crawfoi-d 
peaches  grown  under  glass.  He 
writes  : — 

In  1884  I  ordered  of  a  nurseryman 
two  peach  trees,  a  Crawford  and  Foster. 
They  were  to  be  short  and  small,  fit 
for  putting  in  pots  to  grow  as  dwarfs 
in  green-house.  They  came  to  hand 
late  in  April,  and  to  my  great  disap- 


pointment were  large  and  about  six  ft. 
high,  with  only  a  few  small  twigs  and 
buds  near  their  base.  I  cut  them  down 
to  about  ten  inches  and  planted  them 
in  eight  inch  pots,  put  them  in  green 
house  first  of  May.  They  grew  finely, 
and  as  they  grew  I  pinched  them  into 
shape,  so  that  in  fall  the  heads  were 
about  two  feet  in  diameter.  During 
the  winter  I  set  them  in  shed  adjoin- 
ing boiler  pit  where  they  were  kept  dry 
and  frozen  part  of  the  time.  I  set 
them  in  green  house  about  March  25, 
already  buds  bursting  open  and  some 
blossoms — result  being  fine  peaches 
ripe  July  20th.  Next  season  repotted 
them  in  twelve  inch  pots,  set  them  in 
green  house  1st  April — result,  full  of 
peaches,  fruit  smaller,  ripe  last  July. 
This  season  left  them  in  same  pots,  set 
them  in  green  house  later,  put  them  in 
cooler  spot,  and  fed  them  with  liquid 
manure  twice^i'esult,  trees  full  of  fine 
fruit  ripe  Aug.  20th. 

8.  Infusorial  earth.  On  page  155,  July, 
1886,  Canadian  Horticulturist,  Mr. 
Bucke  says,  that  boxes  holding  30  lbs. 
of  earth  can  be  procured  of  Messrs. 
Esplin,  Montreal,  for  45  cents  each. 


THE   ANNUAL    MEETING. 

In  response  to  an  invitation  from  the 
Fruit  Growers'  Association  of  Grimsby, 
it  has  been  decided  to  hold  the  next 
annual  meeting  of  the  Ontario  Associa- 
tion at  that  place. 

The  meeting  will  be  held  in  the  Town 
Hall,  at  Grimsby,  on  Wednesday  and 
Thursday,  28th  and  29th  of  September, 
beginning  at  10  o'clock  A.M.,  with  the 
the  annual  business  of  the  Association, 
the  election  of  officers  for  the  new  year, 
appointment  of  committees,  &c. 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


215 


At  two  o'clock  P.M.  the  Grimsby 
Association  propose  taking  their  visi- 
tors out  for  a  ride  about  this 

INTERESTING    FRUIT    SECTION, 

showing  them  some  of  the  orchards,  and 
most  interesting  points  of  scenery. 

On  Wednesday  evening  at  8  o'clock 
there  will  be  a  public  gathering  in  the 
Town  Hall  to  listen  to  addresses  from 
Mr.  A.  McD.  Allan,  Prof  Wm.  Brown, 
and  other  gentlemen  whom  we  cannot 
yet  name. 

Thursday,  from  10  A.M.  to  4.30 
P.M.,  will  be  given  up  to  the  public 
discussion  of  topics  connected  with 
fruits,  flowers,  or  forestry. 

Prof.  Wm.  Brown,  of  Guelph  Agri- 
cultural College,  will  be  present  and 
help  in  the  discussions.  He  has  also 
promised  brief,  crisp  papers  on  (1) 
Quality  in  Vegetable  Soils,  (2)  Grapes 
from  High  Altitudes  in  Ontario,  (3) 
Specimens  of  Walnut  and  Larch  indi- 
genous 850  feet  above  and  north  of 
Lake  Ontario. 

Mr.  A.  Blue,  of  the  Department  of 
Agriculture,  Toronto,  will  probably  be 
present  and  give  an  a'ldress  on  "  The 
Trade  in  Fruit  and  Fruit  Trees  between 
Canada  and  the  United  States." 

Mr.  Patterson,  of  Grimsby,  will 
speak  on  "  Farm  Mortgages  in  Canada." 

APPLE    GROWERS 

and  shippers  are  particularly  urged  to 
attend  this  meeting,  as  their  interests 
will  form  a  prominent  to])ic  of  discussion 
on  Thursday. 

The  subject  of  the  Grape  will  also  be 
taken  up  if  time  permits. 

The  meeting  of  Wednesday  evening 
and  of  Thursday  are  quite  open  to  the 
general  public,  both  ladies  and  gentle- 
men. 

American  Pomological  Society. — 
As  has  been  already  stated  the  twenty- 
first  session  of  this  Society  will 
convene  on  the   1 4th  of  Sept.   next  in 


the  city  of  Boston.  Such  subjects  as 
the  following  have  '  een  chosen  for  dis- 
cussion, viz.  :  Climate  as  Affecting 
Color  in  Fruits  ;  Cross  Fertilization  of 
Grapes ;  Relation  of  Forest  Destruc- 
tion to  Fruit  Deterioration ;  The 
Apple  Scab  ;  Some  of  our  most  Prom- 
ising Wild  Fruits ;  Hardiness  of 
Fruits,  Causes  and  Experience  ;  New 
Vai'ieties  of  Fruits.  The  headquar- 
ters for  those  attending  will  be  at  the 
United  States  Hotel.  Commvmica- 
tions  for  the  Convention  should  be 
addressed,  Chas.  W.  Garfield,  care  of 
Secretary  R.  Manning,  Horticultural 
Hall,  Boston,  Mass. 

Circulars  have  been  sent  out  to  all 
unpaid  subscribers  to  this  .J(  urnal. 
Should  any  person  receive  one  who  has 
j)aid,  he  will  please  notify  us  of  the 
fact.  A  revision  of  the  mailing  list 
will  be  made  this  month,  and  all  names 
not  marked  paid  '87  will  be  dropped. 

Industrial  Exhibition. — We  have 
just  received  from  Mr.  H.  J.  Hill, 
Sec.  Industrial  Exhibition  Association, 
Toronto,  a  full  programme  of  this  ex- 
cellent show, which  begins  on  the  5th  of 
Sept.  and  closes  on  the  17th.  It  con- 
tains a  full  list  of  the  numerous  special 
attractions  to  be  presented. 

Western  Fair. — We  have  also  re- 
ceived from  Mr.  Geo.  McBroom,  Sec. 
of  the  Western  Fair  Association,  Lon- 
don, Ont.,  a  Prize  List  of  the  Exhibi- 
tion which  takes  place  Sept.  19-23. 
The  arrangements  are  most  creditable 
to  the  Committee. 


P.  Curry,  of  Keokuk,  la.,  claims  the 
championship  for  the  biggest  yield  of 
strawberries.  He  has  a  plantation  of 
Crescent,  fertilized  by  Captain  Jack, 
which  is  10  by  13  rods,  and  fiom  which 
he  picked  in  1886,  5,060  quarts,  and  in 
1887,  5,100  quarts.  The  secret  of  the 
yield  is  deep  ploughing  and  heavy  ma- 
nurinj;  and  mulchinsr. 


216 


THE  CANADIAN    HOBTICDLTURI8T. 


^ebtelD. 


We  will  gladly  give  our  candid  ojnnion  of  any  books, 
magazines  or  catalogues  received,  especially  if  they 
are  likely  to  interest  or  benefit  Canadian  fruit 
growers,  but  will  not  insert  cut  and  dried  reading 
notices  in  fav^r  of  any  publication  whatever. 


The  Bee-Keepers  Guide,  or  Manual  of  the 
Apiary.  By  A.  J.  Cook,  Prof,  of  Ento- 
mology in  the  Michigan  State  Agricultu- 
ral College.     12th  edition.     Price,  $1.25. 

We  have  no  hesitation  in  giving  this 
book  the  highest  commendation  as  a 
complete  manual  for  the  use  of  apiarists. 
It  is  the  work  of  years.  The  first  edi- 
tion was  published  in  1876,  and  con- 
tained the  substance  of  the  author's 
lectures  to  his  students  ;  but  such  has 
been  the  demand  that  it  has  gone 
through  twelve  editions,  each  time  be- 
ing enlarged  and  more  and  more  fully 
illustrated,  until  it  is  now  the  leading 
treatise  on  apiculture,  both  from  a  prac- 
tical and  from  a  scientific  standpoint. 
After  an  interesting  introduction,  the 
book  is  divided  into  two  parts,  the  first 
of  which  deals  with  the  natural  history 
of  the  Honey-Bee ;  and  the  second, 
which  occupies  the  greater  part  of  the 
book,  takes  up  the  apiary,  its  care  and 
management.  We  hope  soon  to  tind 
room  for  some  extracts  from  this  work. 

Twelfth  Annual  Report  of  the  Montreal 
Horticultural  Society  and  Fruit  Growers' 
Association  of  the  Province  of  Quebec.  E. 
J.  Maxwell,  Montreal,  Secretary. 

A  most  valuable  Eeport.  Among 
the  subjects  discussed  at  the  Winter 
Meeting  were  the  following,  viz.  :  Best 
varieties  of  Russian  apple  introduced 
by  C.  Gibb  ;  Tlie  Spot  Disease  of  the 
Fameuse,  introduced  by  Prof.  Penhal- 
low  ;  and  some  New  and  Useful  Fruits 
adapted  to  the  colder  sections  of  Canada, 
by  P.  E.  Bucke  ;  Grape  Culture,  by 
Wm.  Pattison  ;  Fuchsias,  how  to  grow, 
by  S.  S.  Bain,  &c.,  &c.  It  also  con- 
tains a  paper  on  "The  Fruits  of  Tuik- 
estan,"  by  A.  Kegel,  St.  Petersburg!! ; 


and  one  on  "Swedish  Fruits,"  by  C. 
Gibb,  of  Abbotsford,  Que. 

Night  and  Day.  A  Record  of  Christian 
Philanthrophy.  Edited  by  Dr.  Barnardo, 
18  Stepney  Causeway,  London,  Eng. 

International  Exhibition  of  Industry, 
Science  and  Art,  Glasgow,  1888.  Pros- 
pectus and  Regulations.  Patron — Her  Most 
Gracious  Majesty  Queen  Victoria.  Secre- 
tary— Wm.  M.  Cunningham,  27  St.  Vincent 
Place,  Glasgow. 

HORTICJJLTURAL     ArT     JOURNAL. 

The  August  number,  like  all  the  issues 
of  this  beautiful  magazine,  is  a  gem  for 
the  parlor  table  of  any  gentleman  of 
taste,  whether  he  be  gardener,  fruit 
grower  or  florist.  The  four  colored 
plates  in  this  number  are  (1)  Rose, 
Paul  Neyron  ;  (2)  Chickasaw  Plum, 
Quaker  ;  (3)  Chickasaw  Plum,  Forest 
Garden ;  (4)  Red  Cheek  Melicoton 
Peach.  The  Journal  is  ably  edited  by 
Mr.  .T  B.  Jenkins,  Horticulturist,  of 
Rochester.  N".Y.,  and  published  by  the 
Stecher  Lithographic  Co.  of  the  same 
city. 


irurrouB. 


"  Every  tree  is  subject  to  a  disease," 
said  a  speaker  in  a  fruit-growers'  con- 
vention. "  What  ailment  can  you  find 
on  an  oak  V  asked  the  chairman,  "A- 
coru,"  was  the  triumphant  reply. — 
Boston  Globe. 

"  My  dear,"  why  are  the  eggs  always 
hard  at  breakfast  now  1"  asked  Mi". 
Snaggs.  "  They  must  be  eggs  of  the 
new  hens,"  replied  Mrs,  Snaggs, 
thoughtfully.  "  The  new  hens  !  Why 
sliould  their  eggs  be  hard  V  "  They  are 
Plymouth  Rocks,  you  know." — Pitts- 
burg Chronicle. 

He — They  have  dropped  their  an- 
chor. She  (on  her  first) — Serves  thein 
right.  It  has  been  hanging  over  the 
side  all  day  long. 


PRINTBD   AT  THR  STEAM   PRESS   BSTABLISHMKNT   OF   THE   COPP,    CLARK   COMPANY  (lIMITED),    TORONTO. 


AMPELOPSIS  VEITCHII. 


JLhc 


anabian 

IDorticulturiet 


Published   at    Toi\onto   and    Gi^imsby,    Qnt. 
OFFICE  ADDRESS— GRIMSBY,  ONT. 


VOL.  X.] 


OCTOBER,   1887. 


[No.  10. 


OCTOBER. 


How  time  is  flyin^^  I    We  October  meet 

Flinging  around  briglit  leaves  of  gold  and  red  ; 

Pausing  to  make  a  crown  of  bitter-sweet 
And  immortelles,  to  place  upon  her  head  I 

AVhile  nuts  from  opening  burrs  fall  thick  and  fast, 

As  gay  October  brushes  swiftly  past  I 


The  gardens  still  look  splen'lid.     Dahlias  rear 
Their  stately  heads  around,  while  sahnas  spread 

Their  scarlet  petals,  and  while  often  near 
AVe  mark  the  queenly  cardinal's  bright  red. 

All  blossoms,  now,  look  gorgeous  in  the  sun, 

Earth's  "melancholy  days  "  have  not  j-et  come. 


The  very  skies  are  glowing  1    Cloud  on  cloud 

Piles  up,  of  silver  shot  with  rays  of  gold. 
Then  crimson  veils  fall  o'er  them,  veils  to  shroud 

Scenes  brighter  far  than  earth-eyes  could  behold. 
We  look  around,  above,  below,  then  sigh 
Alas  I    October,  too,  must  soon  pass  by. 

Sophie  L.  Schenck,  in  Brooklyn  Magazine. 


THE   JA 

fANADIAN  scenery  is  at  its  very 
height  of  beauty  in  the  month 
of  October.  The  foreign  tourist 
could  not  visit  our  country  at  a  more 
favorable  time.  No  one,  who  has  any 
eye  for  the  charms  of  nature,  can  look 
upon  the  varied  hues  and  gorgeous 
tints  of  our  shrubs  and  trees  in  autumn, 
without  exclamations  of  admiration. 
The  endless  variety  of  shades  assumed 
by  the  Maple,  the  Oak,  the  Sumach,  the 


PAN    IVY. 

Virginia  Creeper,  and  the  numerous 
wild  shrubs,  afford  a  constant  succes- 
sion of  surprises. 

It  seems  therefore  quite  appropi-iate, 
at  this  time,  to  present  our  readers 
with  a  painting  of  the  Japan  Ivy,  one 
of  the  most  ornamental  of  climbers, 
on  account  of  the  brilliance  of  its 
foliage.  Neither  this,  nor  the  American 
Ivy,  as  the  Virginia  Creeper  is  some- 
times called,  belongs  to  the  Ivy  genus, 


218 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


which  is  included  in  the  Ginseng 
family,  but  both  are  members  of  the  Vine 
family.  The  name  Ampelopsis  Veitchii 
is  given  it  in  honor  of  Mr.  Veitch, 
the  English  nurseryman  who  intro- 
duced it  from  Japan  into  England. 

This  beautiful  creeper  is  quite  inde- 
pendent of  trellises  or  strings  for  its 
support.  Indeed,  it  will  climb  a  stone 
wall,  and  cling  so  tenaciously  that  it 
can  only  be  removed  with  the  greatest 
difficulty.  Plainly,  therefore,  it  should 
not  be  ti-ained  upon  any  surface  that 
needs  painting  or  renewing. 


The  foliage  during  tne  s-ummer  is 
vigorous,  and  of  a  dark  rich  green, 
but  in  the  autumn,  if  on  dry  soil  and 
in  a  sunny  location,  it  assumes  brilliant 
tints  of  scarlet,  crimson,  and  orange. 
Some  magnificent  vines  may  be  seen 
at  Boston,  New  York,  Geneva  (N.Y.), 
where  it  is  consideretl  perfectly  hardy. 
A  few  have  been  planted  at  London, 
Ont.,  and  other  places  in  Canada,  and 
we  hope  it  ma,y  endure  our  climate, 
and  be  one  more  addition  to  the  charms 
of  our  autumnal  scenery. 


AMONG  THE  MU 
C^FTER  parting  with  our  friends,  at 
M^  the  Collingwood  meeting,  the 
temptation  to  visit  Muskoka 
was  too  great  to  be  resisted.  "What  a 
pity  that  the  great  forest  fires  have  so 
stripped  ofi'  from  the  rocky  shores  and 
islands  of  these  lakes,  nature's  cover- 
ing ;  and  has  exposed  to  view  the 
barren  rocks,  and  the  charred  trunks  of 
what  once  constituted  a  most  valuable 
forest  of  pines. 

Notwithstanding  this,  a  series  of 
some  eight  hundred  lakes,  dotted  with 
islands  of  every  size  and  shape,  with 
rock-bound  coast,  and  ever  varying 
scenery,  still  makes  the  Muskoka  Dis- 
'  trict  one  of  the  most  attractive  regions 
in  the  world  to  summer  tourists. 
Bundles  of  camping  outfits  are  daily 
transferred  at  Muskoka  wharf  from 
the  railway  cars  to  the  steamers,  which 
await  their  loads  of  pleasure  seekers, 
eager  to  carry  them  up  the  lake 
toward   Bala,   Lake  Joseph,   or    Lake 


rSKOKA  LAKES. 

Rosseau.  At  Gravenhui-st,  we  had  th^ 
pleasure  of  meeting  Mr.  J.  P.  Cock- 
burn,  an  active  member  of  our  Associa- 
tion, who  has  done  much  toward 
encouraging  fruit  culture  around  Mus- 
koka lake.  Although  fully  occupied 
with  official  duties  in  connection  wit'i 
a  busy  post  office  and  express  office,  he 
found  time  to  drive  out  with  us  to  a 
bog,  where  the  interesting  Canadian 
pitcher  plant  {Sarracenia  Purpurea} 
grew  in  gi'eat  abundance.  He  also 
took  the  writer  through  his  greeri 
house,  and  made  him  accept  a  beautiful 
specimen  plant  of  Begonia  rubra.  la 
his  garden  we  found  a  seedling  black 
raspberry,  perfectly  hardy,  and  as  pro- 
ductive as  any  of  our  cultivated  va- 
rieties. 

Our  sail  up  Muskoka  lake  was 
charming.  Nor  was  it  uninteresting 
to  be  informed  that  this  lake  was  once, 
in  the  days  of  the  Huron  Indians, 
called    "  Petit   Lac  dea  Hurons,"  and 


THE   CANADIAN    HOKTICULTDRIST. 


219 


MUSKOK. 

latei',  Musk  oka,  from  the  .Missasaga 
chief,  whose  name  was  sometimes 
spelled  "  Mesqua-Okee."  Farmers  and 
fruit  growers  surely  need  recreation,  as 
well  as  merchants  and  professional 
men ;  and  a  week  spent  in  such  a 
region  as  this,  with  every  care  and 
thought  of  work  or  business  wholly 
erased  fx-om  the  mind  by  the  charming 
surroundings,  and  by  the  enchaning 
amusements  of  boating,  fishing,  bathing 
or  roaming  the  woods,  will  rejuvenate 
the  jaded  and  worn  spirits,  and  refresh 
the  v/hole  physical  system. 

It  will  be  a  mistake  to  suppose  the 
Muskoka  district  wholly  unadapted  to 
the  cultivation  of  fruit.  We  have  many 
intelligent  and  prosperous  members  of 
our  Association  living  at  Gravenhurst, 
Bracebridge,  Bala,  Glen  Orchard,  etc,, 
who  have  learned,  through  the  reading 


A   LAKE. 

of  the  Canadian  Horticulturist,  and 
the  Annual  Repoi'ts,  the  varieties  of 
fruits  best  adapted  to  these  colder  sec- 
tions of  Ontario.  In  apples  they  are 
growing  the  Haas,  Tetofsky,  Wealthy, 
Duchess,  etc.  Most  varieties  of  plums 
grow  well  and  bear  abundant  crops. 
Strawberries  succeed  exceedingly  well, 
and  although  our  finer  varieties  of  rasp- 
berries and  blackberries  are  too  tender, 
yet  the  woods  abound  in  hardy  natives 
of  fine  size  and  flavor,  which  yield  such 
quantities  of  fruit  as  to  render  the 
garden  cultivation  of  them  quite  un- 
called for.  Being  unavoidably  detained 
near  one  of  the  islands  near  Bala,  the 
captain  gave  us  all  permission  to  land 
for  a  couple  of  hours.  Everyone  en- 
joyed the  ramble  among  the  rocks  and 
bushes,  and  not  less,  the  feast  upon  the 
huckleberries  which  grow  in  great  pro- 


220 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


I 


fusion  on  the  dvy  sand,  in  no  way- 
affected  by  the  awful  drouth  of  this 
memorable  summer. 

Froai  all  this  it  appears  that,  although 
the  Muskoka  District  is  adapted  chiefly 
to  cattle  and  sheep  raising,  yet  there 
may  always  be  a  sufficient  quantity  of 
fruits  grown  for  home  uses,  and  for  the 
supply  of  the  near  markets,  an  object 
worthy  of  the  consideration  of  those 
who  reside  in  that  district. 


FRUIT    GROWING   IN    MUSKOKA. 
A  LETTER  FROM  BRACEBRIDGE. 

Sir, — I  am  but  a  beginner  in  small 
fruit  growing,  and  climbing  the  hill 
very  slowly,  as  I  have  to  learn  as  I  go, 
and  having  very  slender  means  at  my 
command,  I  find  it  indeed  a  very  slow 
job ;  but  both  my  wife  and  I  are  great 
lovers  of  horticulture,  so  we  stick  to  it. 

Now  I  find  the  strawberry  wonder- 
fully adapted  to  this  country,  I  have 
the  Crescent,  Wilson  and  Sharpless, 
and  they  all  produce  bountifully.  In 
its  wild  state,  I  have  picked  straw- 
berries in  the  bush  this  summer  fully 
as  large  as  moderate  Wilsons,  much 
more  handsome  and  better  flavored,  but 
somewhat  late.  Currants  of  all  kinds 
do  well ;  the  red  and  white  seem  to  suf- 
fer most,  as  they  are  attacked  in  the 
spring  with  a  little  green  worm  or 
caterpillar,  but  one  or  two  applica- 
tions of  white  hellebore  is  sufficient  to 
fi-ee  them.  That  is  all  they  suffer  with 
that  I  can  see,  and  they  also  give  us  lots 
of  fruit.  I  have  a  few  gooseberries, 
"  Houghton  Seedling  ;  "  they  are  also 
attacked  by  the  same  worm  as  currants, 
and  same  treatment  lieljis  them.  They 
were  loaded  this  year.  T  have  picked 
wild  gooseberries  also  in  the  bush  this 
year,  fully  an  inch  long,  dark  red  to 
purple  and  of  splendid  flavor,  the  only 
objection    is   the    long    tough    prickly 


hairs.  Raspberries,  red,  black  and 
white,  glow  in  abundance  on  all  burnt 
places,  and  around  meadows  and  roads, 
free  to  all,  and  in  fact  are  sometimes 
woise  than  weeds.  The  ])lum  is 
successfully  grown,  I  can't  tell  you  the 
species,  there  are  several  kinds  and  all 
make  splendid  preserves.  Blackberries 
and  cranljerries  also  grow  wild,  as  does 
the  liuckleberry.  The  crab  apple  seems 
to  be  at  home  here ;  it  is  a  splendid 
sight  to  see  the  ti'ees  with  tlieir  beauti- 
ful fruit,  and  in  such  immense  quanti- 
ties, loaded  year  after  year.  Rhubarb 
is  grown  largely,  and  in  fact  at  the  height 
of  the  season  it  becomns  so  plentiful 
that  there  is  actually  no  sale  for  it  here. 

I  have  made  enquiries,  and  find  that 
there  are  certain  apples  which  seem  to 
thrive  well  here,  amongst  them  are  the 
Wealthy  and  Tetolsky  am!  some  others, 
of  which  I  do  not  know  the  names. 
Thei'e  are  some  grapes  grown  in  and 
around  Bracebridge.  I  have  a  Niagara 
planted  this  spring,  it  has  grown  thi'ee 
feet ;  got  it  as  premium  with  Horticul- 
turst ;  hope  it  will  succeed.  We  also 
have  wild  black  cherries,  but  am  told 
that  tame  ones  do  not  do  well. 
Yours  trulv, 

J.  COVILL  THOMPSON. 

Bracebridge,  Muskoka. 

A    LETTER    FROM    BALA. 

Sir, — In  answer  to  yours  asking 
what  fruits  we  can  grow  at  Bala,  and 
what  wild  fruits  grow  here,  I  beg  to 
say  that  the  ibllowing  varieties  of 
a])ples  are  fruiting  here :  Tetofsky, 
Early  Harvest,  Haas,  and  Oldenburg 
(Red  Astrachan  and  Wealthv  have  not, 
yet  fruited).  Pears  will  not  grow 
here.  I  do  not  know  anyone  who  has 
])lums,  except  wild  ones.  Raspberries  : 
Turner,  Cuthbert,  Niagara,  Gregg  and 
Shaffer's  Colossal, but  I  don't  know  if  the 
lattei-  has  borne  yet.  All  kinds  of  cur- 
rants and  American  gooseberries  suc- 
ceed. 

Wild    fruits    here    are    raspberries, 


THE    CANADIAN    HCilTICULTURIST. 


221 


blackberries,  tliimbleberries,  red  plums, 
hucklebex-ries,  and  cranberries  ;  also 
hazelnuts,  when  the  bears  will  let  them 
alone. 

I  forgot  to  say  that  some  kinds  of 
grapes  grow  well  here.  Concords  gen- 
erally ripen,  but  I  do  not  know  of  any 
other  kind  fruiting,  though  the  vines 
are  looking  well.  Trusting  the  above 
will  be  acceptable,  I  am,  sir, 

Yours  re.spectfuUy, 

Aug.  30,  1887.  H.  C.  GUY. 


Duchess,    and    the   Whitney's  No,    20, 
are  also  quite  hardy. 


FRUITS  IN  MANITOBA. 

Sir, — I  find  that  in  Manitoba  there 
is  very  little  fruit  gi'own — no  apples, 
no  pears  or  plums,  scarcely  any  cur- 
rants or  gooseberries.  Some  have  cul- 
tivated a  few  black  currants,  plants 
taken  from  the  woods,  and  the  crop 
has  generally  been  good. 

If  you  could  I'ecommend  a  good 
apple  that  would  stand  our  climate,  I 
could  get  it  planted  in  a  highly  culti- 
vated piece  of  land,  and  could  report 
progress. 

If  fruits  could  be  introduced  more 
quickly  into  this  province  than  is  now 
the  case,  and  articles  or  paragraphs 
dealing  with  this  province  could  be 
introduced  into  your  publication,  there 
might  be  many  who  would  be  glad  to 
pay  the  trifling  subscription. 
I  am,  yours  truly, 

A.  G.  HEPWORTH. 

St.  Laurent,  Man. 

Note. — We  shall  be  glad  to  intro- 
duce from  time  to  time  notes  upon 
hardy  fruits  for  the  benefit  of  our 
Manitoba  friends,  and  shall  be  pleased 
at  any  time  to  receive  items  of  experi- 
ence from  them. 

One  of  the  best  of  the  hardy  apples 
in  northern  Ontario  is  the  Wealthy, 
and  we  should  be  glad  to  know  whether 
it  would  endure  the  neighborhood  of 
St.  Laurent.  It  is  a  late  fall,  or  early 
winter  apple.    The  Haas,  the  Tetofsky, 


DIRECTIONS  FOR  PACKING 
APPLES. 

Two  barrels  of  apples  of  the  tirst 
grade  sell  quicker,  and  for  more  money 
than  a  three  barrel  mixture  of  these 
two  ban-els  with  another  barrel  of  the 
second  grade.  It  pays  better  to  market 
only  the  finest  fruit  in  the  best  possible 
shape. 

Apples  for  marketing  should  be 
picked  from  the  ti-ee  by  hand,  and 
handled  gently  ;  all  that  fall  should  be 
discarded,  even  if  they  do  not  show  any 
bruise  at  the  time.  Discard  everything 
specked,  or  in  any  way  faulty  or  imper- 
fect. Pack  in  the  best  new  barrels  ; 
dont  use  poor  barrels.  Marketable 
apples  will  bring  higher  price  enough 
in  neat  first-class  barrels  to  more  than 
pay  the  difference  in  cost.  See  that 
the  barrels  are  made,  of  well  seasoned 
wood,  both  heads  and  staves,  so  that 
they  will  not  warp  and  the  beads  come 
out  in  transportation. 

Remove  one  head  of  the  barrel  ; 
select  uniform,  fair  average  apples  (not 
the  largest)  and  iiand  pack  them,  stem 
down,  around  the  edge  of  the  barrel  ; 
then  another  row  inside  the  first,  and 
so  on  until  the  head  is  nicley  covered 
close  and  tight,  so  they  will  not  shift ; 
then  put  in  about  a  half  bushel  more, 
and  shake  the  barrel  carefully,  so  as 
not  to  disturb  the  facing ;  then  add 
another  half  bushel  and  shake  as  before, 
and  so  on  until  the  barrel  is  filled.  It 
is  importajit  to  shake  the  barrel  Jive  or 
six  times  while  being  filled,  to  settle 
the  apples  into  the  closest  space,  to 
prevent  further  settling  in  shipment. 
Let  the  apples  come  up  to  the  top  of 
the  chime,  la}'  the  head  on,  lean  over 
the  ban-el,  bear  your  weight  on  the 
head  and  shake  until  every  apple  is 
fixed  into  a  shiftless  place  ;    then  use 


222 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


the    press    to  gently    crowd    the    head 
down  to  its  place,  and  nail  securely. 

Turn  the  barrel  over  and  mark  the 
kind  of  a^jples,  the  growers  name  or 
initials,  and  Extra,  Choice,  Prime  or 
Xs,  to  suit  the  grade. 

Yours  &c., 
PANCOAST  &  GRIFFITHS. 
Philadelphia,  14  Sept.,  1887. 

THE  APPLE  HARVEST. 

The  best  time  lo  pick  is  when  the 
Apples  have  coloured  up  to  show  well. 
Never  pick  red  varieties  till  they  get 
red.  But  do  not  wait  till  all  the  orchard 
or  even  all  on  one  tree  get  thus  into 
the  proper  condition  to  pick. 

The  best  plan  is  to  make  two  pickings 
from  each  tree.  That  is,  pick  all  that 
have  colored  enough  to  insure  their 
ripening  up  properly,  and  only  show 
the  least  sign  of  shriveling,  as  at  that 
stage  they  keep  the  best.  Some  soils, 
or  situations  will  ripen  up  trees  ahead 
of  others  ;  look  out  and  pick  these  first. 
In  ten  to  fifteen  days  all  that  have  been 
left  will  ripen  and  redden  so  you  would 
hardly  know  your  own  orchard.  They 
will  grow  enough  at  this  time  to  pay 
for  all  the  extra  work,  and  the  last 
picking  will  give  the  most  solid  and 
best  keej)ers. 

To  take  care  of  the  Apples  as  they 
are  picked  through  the  hot  days  of 
autumn  till  put  into  winter  quarters  or 
market,  I  have  practiced  two  ways. 
The  first  is  to  haul  the  apples  in  bai-rels 
into  the  barn  or  other  house,  where  the 
sun  is  completely  shut  out,  but  so 
arranged  that  the  air  will  circulate 
freely.  Pour  them  out  on  the  floor  not 
more  than  four  feet  deep  and  they  keep 
that  way  very  well  till  winter.  The 
other  way  is  to  pack  the  apples  in 
barrels  as  they  are  picked.  Put  in  no 
rotten  or  speckled  ones  ;  fill  the  barrels 
as  full  as  you  can,  put  in  the  heads  well 
without  using  the  press.  Haul  in  and 
store  in    a    barn    or   apple  house  con- 


structed without  floor,  on  rolling 
ground,  where  it  will  never  get  wet. 
Permit  free  circulation  through  it,  but 
no  sun.  Such  a  barn  gives  entire 
satisfaction. 

Apples  thus  handled  are  worth  25 
cents  per  barrel  more  than  if  left  out 
till  final  packing  time.  Never  put  in 
piles  in  the  orchard,  to  take  sun,  rain, 
and  every  kind  of  weather.  Never 
cover  with  straw ;  I  think  it  about 
the  worst  material  one  could  use,  as  it 
heats  in  the  sun,  and  makes  a  harbor 
for  mice.  It  is  also  difficult  to  keep 
the  straw  and  chafi"  out  of  the  barrels. 
Corn-fodder  is  much  better  to  cover 
with,  if  you  use  anything. 

To  put  up  the  apples  for  market, 
have  a  table  about  three  feet  wide,  ten 
feet  long,  and  with  side  boards  about 
six  inches  high.  Empty  two  or  three 
barrels  on  the  table,  and  pick  oflT  the 
rotten  or  speckled  ones  before  they  get 
mashed.  If  they  get  the  skin  broken 
the  cider  will  stick  to  the  others,  mak- 
ing them  look  badly. 

Pick  out  a  basketful  of  medium 
size,  not  the  biggest  apples,  smooth 
and  well  colored,  and  set  two  layers  in 
the  head  of  the  barrels,  stems  down, 
and  fit  them  in  tight.  When  there 
are  larger  apples  in  the  body  of  the 
barrel  than  there  are  in  the  head,  they 
sell  the  moi'e  readily. 

Make  at  least  two  grades,  and  mark 
them  as  such.  As  there  must  not  be 
a  specked,  bruised,  or  rough  apple  in 
the  two  grades,  that  will  leave  out 
some  for  the  third,  and  they  can  be 
sold  in  a  near  market,  or  for  apple 
butter. 

When  you  have  filled  the  barrels 
shake  them  to  settle  the  apples  into 
place.  Level  ofl"  the  head  apples  above 
the  ends  of  the  staves,  and  press  the 
he  td  down  with  as  little  hammering  as 
possible.  Nail  the  hoops,  driving  the 
nails  as  straight  down  into  the  staves  as 
you  can.       Then    when  the    merchant 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


223 


opens  the  barrel  the  nails  will  draw  out 
as  the  hoop  is  knocked  off.  Mark  the 
grade,  name  and  your  name  on  the 
other  end  and  they  are  ready  for  market. 

N.  COX 

QUERIES  AND  NOTES. 

PRUNING. 

Dear  Sir  :  I  have  somewhere  read 
that  apple  tree  pruning  should  be 
carried  out  in  April  ;  having  performed 
the  operation  in  that  month,  I  was 
much  disappointed  on  finding  that 
every  branch  cut  from  the  tree  was 
replaced  by  three  or  four ;  would  it  be 
better  to  defer  the  operation  till  the  sap 
has  risen  ] 

ASPARAGUS. 

My  asparagus  beds  (planted  twenty 
yeai's  since)  have  failed  for  the  first 
time,  this  season.  The  mode  of  treat- 
ment adopted  is  to  cut  and  burn  the 
healm  on  the  beds  early  in  November, 
then  dress  with  well-rotted  manure, 
afterwards  a  good  sprinkling  of  salt  is 
applied,  washed  in  with  liquid  manure  ; 
can  you  or  any  of  your  nvimerous  read- 
ers recommend  a  diSerent  treatment] 

WHITE    CEDAR    AS    WINDBREAK. 

After  an  ex[)erience  of  thirty-one 
years,  I  can  recommend  the  white 
cedar  as  a  wind  break ;  with  us,  open 
as  we  are  to  the  gales  from  the 
Georgian  Bay,  they  sow  themselves  and 
thrive  wonderfully,  the  only  fault  is 
that  if  not  thinned  in  time  they  die 
out.  I  have  upwards  of  a  mile  and  a 
half  of  cedar  hedges  which,  when 
clipped,  grow  as  thick  as  the  yew  in 
England. 

PIGS    IN    ORCHARDS. 

Would  it  not  be  advisable  to  plant 
our  orchards  with  artichokes  for  pigs  1 
The  animals  when  rooting  them  would 
loosen  the  soil  without  damaging  the 
trees,  the  orchard  being  dressed  every 
third  year.  I  found  when  trying  the 
experiment  in  England  that  sufficient 


tubei's  remained  for  next  year's  crop. 
The  artichoke  would  be  ready  for  the 
pigs  when  the  stubbles  had  been  fed  ofi*, 
and  the  pork  is  very  firm.  What 
artificial  dressing  for  the  orchard  would, 
be  a  substitute  for  fai-m  yard  manure, 
which  I  have  diflSculty  in  procuring  1 
THOMAS  SIBBALD. 
Sutton  West,  Ont.,  Uth  Sept.,  1887. 


With  regard  to  the  season  of  prun- 
ing there  is  little  to  choose  between  the 
months  of  March  or  April,  and  June 
or  July,  providing  it  is  done  annually 
and  judiciously.  It  is  thought,  how- 
ever, that  wounds  made  in  June  heal 
more  readily  than  those  made  in  the 
spi'ing. 

Severe  pruning,  or  sawing  off  large 
limbs  should  always  be  avoided  by 
training  each  tree  in  the  way  it  should 
go  from  the  first.  Some  people  persist 
in  sawing  out  the  leading  limbs  to  let 
in  the  light.  This  always  induces  the 
growth  of  sprouts,  at  whatever  season 
it  is  done,  and  is  injurious  to  the  tree. 

As  for  growing  artichokes  in  an 
orchard,  and  keeping  pigs  in  it,  the 
plan  is  a  good  one ;  but  if  the  trees  are 
grown  up  so  as  to  be  safe  from  their 
gnawing  the  trunk,  we  would  prefer 
making  the  orchard  a  sheep  pasture, 
for  the  sake  of  tidiness. 

The  best  substitute  we  know  of  as  a 
fertilizer  for  an  orchard  is  the  common 
unleached  wood  ashes. 


A  COLD  STORAGE  HOUSE. 

I  am  much  interested  in  a  cold 
storage  room  which  I  am  building  above 
ground,  and  expect  it  will  be  frost-proof. 
It  is  80  by  40  ft.  in  size.  It  will  be 
cheaply  built,  the  sides  are  lined  with, 
paper,  and  there  are  18  inches  of  saw- 
dust between  the  two  walls.  The  first 
floor  will  be  8  ft.  high  with  sawdust  or 
leaves  overhead.  With  the  ventilation, 
and  temperature  under  control,  I  can 


224 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


begin  gathering  apples  a  week  earlier 
— that  is,  late  in  September,  and  can 
preserve  the  freshness  and  aroma  of  the 
fruit  for  several  weeks  later  than  in 
the  cellar.  If  the  slight  moisture  upon 
the  apples  can  be  prevented  in  the  fall, 
and  a  low  and  even  temperature  can 
be  kept,  one  can  secure  a  finer  flavor 
and  keep  apples  for  weeks  longer  than 
by  the  ordinary  careless  way. — W.  H. 
Hart,  in  Farm  and  Home. 


PRUNUS  SIMONI. 

Sir  :  In  looking  over  the  August 
number  of  the  Horticulturist,  Prof 
Budd  is  quoted  as  saying  of  the  Pruniis 
Simoni  or  Simon's  Plum  :  "  It  will  be 
the  king  of  fruits — better  than  any 
apricot,"  &c.  From  my  own  know- 
ledge of  Prof.  Budd's  opinion  of  this 
ti'ee  and  fruit,  as  expressed  publicly 
and  in  private,  the  article  referred  to 
seems  to  flavor  of  the  nurseryman's 
catalogue  rather  than  of  the  cautiously 
expressed  opinion  of  the  careful  ex- 
perimenter. 

In  reply  to  recent  query  about  this 
fruit  by  the  Rural  Neiv-Yorker,  Prof. 
Budd  says  :  "  I  first  inet  with  it  in 
bearing  in  the  Valley  of  the  Moselle, 
in  Eastern  France,  where  it  was  in- 
troduced from  North-east  China  by 
Simon  Louis,  of  Metz,  through  his 
brother-in-law,  Eugene  Simon,  when 
he  was  French  Minister  at  Pekin.  Mr. 
Louis  seemed  to  place  quite  a  high 
estimate  on  its  fruit  for  culinary  use, 
especially  for  growing  in  sections  where 
the  peach  failed  to  .do  well.  After 
ascertaining  that  the  tree  endured  the 
summers  and  winters  of  Iowa  as  well 
as  the  Chickasaw  plums,  and  after 
tasting  its  peach-flavored  sauce,  I  nat- 
urally recommended  it  for  trial.  But 
this  was  followed  by  the  positive 
assurance  that  it  would  not  be  apt  to 
be  worth  growing  in  sections  where 
the  peach,  nectarine,  or  the  best  apri- 
cots succeed  moderately  well.     I  said  i 


then,  and  believe  now,  that  on  the 
northern  borders  of  the  peach  belt  it 
is  worthy  of  trial,  as  it  comes  nearer  to 
the  peach  and  nectarine  in  fl.ivor,  when 
cooked,  than  any  variety  of  the  plum 
I  ever  met  with. 

"Some  good  botanists  of  Europe  agree 
with  the  writer  in  the  opinion  that  in 
tree,  flower,  and  fruit  it  comes  nearer 
to  the  almond  and  peach  than  to  the 
plum  family,  and  that  crosses  with  it 
of  both  peach  and  plum  may  bring 
interesting  and  valuable  results.  Aside 
from  its  possible  value  for  fruit,  I  may 
add  that  it  makes  a  neat-foliaged,  pyra- 
midal tree  for  lawn  or  walk  border." 
Yours  truly, 

JOHN  CRAIG'. 


FALL  PLANTING. 

Sir, — The  experience  of  Mr.  T.  H. 
Bice  with  fall  planting  given  in  -Sep- 
tember Number  is  the  experience  of 
thousands,  but  I  really  wish  the  gentle- 
man had  gone  farther  and  given  his 
opinion  as  to  the  cause  of  the  loss  sus- 
tained. To  my  mind,  the  fact  that  a 
great  many  fall  planted  trees  are  lost 
throughout  the  country  every  year,  is 
not  proof  that  this  season  is  objection- 
able. I  do  nearly  all  my  transplanting 
with  the  best  success  in  the  fall,  always 
being  particularly  careful  to  set  the  tree 
firmly  in  the  soil,  compacting  tlie  earth 
closely  to  every  root,  and  if  large,  stak- 
ing to  prevent  swaying  by  the  wind. 

Frost  will  have  no  more  effect  for 
injury,  on  a  tree  thus  planted  than  it 
would  in  the  nursery  row,  provided  the 
soil  is  dry,  and  where  the  benefit  over 
spring  planting  comes  in,  is  that  during 
the  winter  the  roots  heal  and  callous, 
the  trees  get  an  eai'lier  start  in  spring 
with  the  result  of  6  to  12  inches  better 
growth  the  following  season. 

I  do  not  wish  to  be  understootl  as 
depreciating  spring  planting,  not  at  all, 
but  my  experience  leads  me  to  favor 
fall     planting,     properly     done.        If 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


225 


planters  would  observe  the  following 
details,  1  think  there  could  be  no 
fault-finding  with  fall  planting. 

1st.  Get  your  trees  dii-ect  from  the 
nursery,  iind  don't  allow  someone  else 
to  do  it  for  you,  and  leave  them  on  the 
road  or  railway  station  for  two  or  three 
weeks  to  freeze  and  thaw. 

2nd.  Never  "  heel  in  "  but  plant  at 
once  with  care  and  without  undue 
exposure  ;  stake  them. 

3i'd.  Plant  nothing  too  tender  for 
the  climate  of  your  locality  (except  for 
experiment)  because  if  it  does  not  dis- 
appoint you  the  first  year  it  is  sure  to 
do  so  some  day.  J.  H.  WISMER. 

Port  Elgin. 

Pruning  the  Quince. — Mr.  W.  W. 
Meech,  who  has  achieved  signal  success 
in  quince  culture,  leports  the  following 
system  of  pruning  in  the  Farm  Journal: 

"After  the  leaves  fall  in  Autum-U 
and  before  they  start  in  Spi'ing  I  go 
over  every  trfe  and  cut  back  every 
shoot.  If  a  foot  growth  was  made  the 
year  before,  cut  off  half  of  it;  if  two 
feet,  a  little  more  than  half,  and  if  three 
feet  grew,  it  will  pay  to  cut  off  nearly 
tv/o-tliiids  of  it.  A  judicious  thinning 
out  of  older  wood  will  also  l)e  found 
desirable.  Then  when  the  new  growth 
starts,  rub  off  the  weaker  buds  so  as  to 
let  but  one  shoot  remain  at  each.  As 
generally  grown,  the  quince  is  too  weak 
to  have  more  than  one  shoot  at  a  bud, 
but  as  I  handle  my  trees,  two,  three 
and  even  four  shoots  often  seek  to  grow 
from  the  same  place.  This  method  of 
severe  pruning  has  been  condemned  as 
being  unnatural.  But  experience 
proves  the  wisdom  of  this  severe  pruning 
of  the  wood  and  of  an  equally  severe 
pruning  of  the  fruit." 

I  think  the  Horticulturist  is  gaining 
in  value,  giving  with  each  number,  a 
cheap  fund  of  knowleilge  for  fruit 
growers.  A  SUBSCUIBER. 


ASHES  AS  A  FERTILIZER. 

For  vineyards,  all  things  considered, 
I  i-egard  unleached  ashes  the  best  fer- 
tilizer known.  A  ton  of  hardwood 
ashes  contains  320  pounds  of  potash, 
worth  $1G,  105  pounds  of  phos[)horic 
acid  (insoluble)  worth  ^5.25.  Omit- 
ting all  the  other  ash  constituents, 
which  have  some  value  of  themselves, 
the  potash  and  phosphoric  acid  of  a  ton 
of  such  ashes  are  worth  $21.25,  or 
nearly  six  times  the  value  of  a  ton  of 
fresh  horse  dung. — President  Fhillips, 
West  Mich  Hart.  Sac. 

SHIPPING  UNRIPE  GRAPES. 

I  wish  to  say,  and  also  to  impress 
it  upon  the  mind  and  memory  of 
every  gmpe  grower  present,  that  there 
is  nothing  so  disastrous  to  the  grape ' 
market  as  the  shipping  of  green  grapes 
eai-ly  in  the  season.  It  is  suie  to  bring 
prices  down  to  a  low  point,  and  once 
down  it  is  hard  to  bring  them  up 
again.  The  consumer  who  has  been 
waiting  patiently  for  the  gra{)e  season 
to  open,  buys  them  with  the  expecta- 
tion of  finding  them  I'ipe  and  delicious  ; 
but  instead  tinds  them  sour  and  unfit 
to  eat.  The  consequence  is  it  will  be 
some  time  before  he  will  try  his  chance 
again.  Thus  the  market  becomes 
seriously  damaged  at  the  outset. — 
President  Phillips. 


Artificial  clouds  were  recently 
made  for  the  protection  of  vines  from 
frosts  at  Pagny,  on  the  Franco- German 
Frontier.  Liquid  tar  was  ignited  in 
tin  boxes,  and  pieces  of  solid  tar  on  the 
ground  near  the  vines.  Large  clouds 
of  smoke  arose  and  protected  the  vine- 
yard for  two  hours.  Although  vines 
in  the  neighborhood  were  injured  by 
the  frost,  all  that  remained  under  the 
clouds  were  left  uninjured.     Of  course 


226 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


this  contrivance  can  succeed  only  in 
calm  weather,  but  it  is  only  in  calm 
weather  that  white  frosts  occur. 


(Small  JfruitB. 


THE  NEWER   STRAWBERRIES. 
( M.  Crawford,  Cuyahoga  Falls,  0.) 

Jessie. — This  A'ariety  fi-uited  with  me 
this  year  for  the  third  time,  and  after 
watching  it  carefully,  I  am  still  of  the 
opinion  that  it  is,  all  things  considered, 
the  best  ever  introduced.  While  it  is 
not  pei'fect  in  every  respect  it  combines 
all  the  desirable  qualities  in  a  higher 
degree  than  any  other  yet  offered.  It 
has  no  defects  worth  naming,  and  those 
who  have  a  stock  of  it  may  congratu- 
late themselves  on  their  good  fortune. 

Itasca. — This  is  all  that  was  ever 
claimed  for  it.  For  vigorous  growth 
and  productiveness,  it  is  one  of  the 
best.  It  has  shown  no  rust  thus  far. 
The  fruit  is  neai-ly  round,  about  the 
size  of  the  Crescent,  and  of  very  good 
quality. 

Bubach's  No.  5. — This  is,  with  me,  next 
in  value  to  the  Jessie  ;  and  some  even 
prefer  it  to  that  variety.  The  plant 
is  all  right  and  is  a  great  bearer. 
Blossom,  pistillate.  The  fruit  is  very 
large,  a  little  irregular  in  form,  ripens 
all  over,  and  is  a  very  attractive 
variety. 

Jewell. — This  is,  with  me,  one  of  the 
valuable  varieties.  The  plant  is  free 
from  rust,  of  large  size,  and  an  abun- 
dant bearer.  Blossom,  pistillate.  It 
makes  few  runners.  In  some  localities 
it  is  a  poor  grower.  The  fruit  is  very 
large,  of  good  form  and  color,  and  al- 
together a  very  attractive  berry.  It 
seems  to  do  better  in  the  east  than  in 
the  west. 

Belmont. — This  is  a  good  grower  and 
is  free  from  iiist.     With  me  it  fails  in 


productiveness,  and  the  fruit  is  far  less 
perfect  in  form  than  I  was  led  to 
expect. 

(From  John  Little  Granton,  Ont.J 

Among  the  new  varieties  fruited 
here  this  season  they  stand  in  value  in 
the  order  named  for  size,  productive- 
ne.ss,  and  length  of  bearing  time  : 

1st.  Mrs.  Cleveland  and  Buhach  No. 
5.  2nd.  Summit.  3rd.  Ontario,  -ith. 
Henderson.  5th.  Jeivdl.  6th.  Ohio, 
a  wonderful  bearer.  7th.  Anna  For- 
est ;  if  it  was  as  pi'oductive  as  it  is  for 
size  it  would  be  a  valuable  market 
berry.  8t.h.  Lida,  a  good  grower  and 
fairly  productive.  9th.  Gold.  I  should 
have  numbered  it  fourth,  it  is  such  a 
healthy,  beautiful  plant,  it  glistens  in 
the  sun  as  if  varnished,  fruit  good, 
wonderfully  productive. 

I  will  merely  notice  the  Jessie  again. 
Having  seen  the  Jessie  fruiting  on 
the  originator's  grounds,  and  at  Mr. 
Crawford's,  and  on  my  own  place,  and 
on  none  of  these  places  having  any 
extra  care,  I  freely  say  it  is  the  best 
berry  offered  the  public  yet. 


"THE  MARLBORO    RASPBERRY." 

Marlboro. — Large  as  Cuthbert,  firm 
and  very  handsome — does  not  taste  so 
good,  but  is  better  than  Philadelphia 
and  Franconia — nearly  as  early  as 
Hansell.  I  found  this  variety  almost 
worthless  on  sandy  land  without 
manure  :  it  will  not  endure  neglect  and 
grow  big  enough  to  bear  a  crop  like 
Hansell  and  Cuthbert.  But  a  planta- 
tion we  made  last  year  on  fair  garden 
land,  which  contains  a  fair  percentage 
of  clay,  has  made  a  fine  lu.xuriant 
growth.  Persons  who  have  good  clay 
loam  may  find  this  the  most  profitable 
beri-y  for  market  which  can  be  grown, 
as  it  fills  the  demand  for  large  berries 
nearly  a  week  before  Cuthbert  appears 
on  the  scene. — T.  C.  Robinson,  Owen 
Sound. 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


227 


^ampks  of  Jjruit$. 


GRAPES. 

Clinton. — Sir, — I  send  bj'  to-day's  mail  a 
sample  of  grapes  grown  by  myself  in  this 
district.  They  were  bought  for  Clinton. 
Would  you  please  tell  me  if  they  are  true  to 
name,  and  your  opinion  of  their  quality. 
Yours  truly, 

PHILIP  JAMES. 
Glen  Orchard,  Muskoka,  Aug.  25,  1887. 

The  bunch  of  grapes  you  send  is  cor- 
rectly named,  and  is  well  coloured, 
considering  the  date  of  gathering. 
Though  it  colours  in  September  it  im- 
proves in  quality  if  allowed  to  hang 
until  frost.  At  best,  however,  it  is 
vei-y  poor  in  quality  when  considered 
as  a  table  grape,  and  its  small  size  and 
tough  pulp  make  it  still  less  desirable. 
But  as  a  wine  gi'ape  it  is  highly  valued 
because  of  its  brisk  vinous  flavor,  and 
its  great  productiveness.  It  is  also 
very  hardy  and  in  this  respect  well 
suited  to  your  section.  Botanically 
speaking  the  Clinton  is  a  hybrid 
between  the  Riparian  or  Riverside 
group  of  American  grapes,  and  the 
Labruscan  or  wooly  leaved  group,  such 
as  Concord,  Ives  &C. 

Wyoming  Red  and  Lady. — On  the 
the  tii-st  of  September,  Mr.  Ambrose 
Pettit,  Grimsby,  sent  us  in  some  beauti- 
ful samples  of  these  grapes  which  he 
was  just  shipping.  The  bunches  of 
the  former  are  large  and  close,  the 
berries  much  larger  than  the  Delaware, 
and  covered  with  a  very  evident  bloom, 
but  it  is  in  quality  inferior  to  the  high 
standard  of  that  variety,  and  it  has  a 
somewhat  pulpy  centre. 

PLUMS. 
Berlin,  22nd  August,  1887. 
Dear  Sir, — I  have   sent  you  to-day 
per   express    a    small    box    containing 
samples    of    four    varieties    of    plums 


grown  from  seeds  on  my  gi'ounds,  three 
of  which  I  think  will  bear  favorable 
comparison  with  any  of  foreign  impor- 
tation. All  the  trees  ai-e  perfectly 
healthy,  and  have  as  yet  not  exhibited 
the  least  tendency  to  the  black-knot 
plague.  One  of  the  varieties  is  about 
the  size  of  a  damson,  thus  showing  the 
tendency  to  run  back  to  original  condi- 
tions. No.  3  has  the  same  flavor  of 
the  McLaughlan  but  not  the  shape,  and 
possibly  may  be  a  seedling  of  that 
variety.  I  have  another  equal  in 
quality  to  the  Bradshaw  but  larger  ; 
however  it  is  not  in  fruit  this  season. 
My  object  in  sending  you  these  samples 
is  merely  to  show  you  that  we  Cana- 
dians can  originate  as  good  fruit  as 
foreigners  can,  and  possessing  degrees  of 
acclimatization  more  to  be  relied  on, 
and  so  ultimately  we  may  de[jei  d  upon 
our  own  energies.  All  we  want  is  the 
diff"usion  of  a  little  more  knowledge  on 
the  subject  which  we  will  eventually 
acquire. 

I  am,  yoars  truly, 

SIMON  ROY. 

Note. — These  seedlings  of  Mr.  Roy's  are 
certainly  valuable  as  indicating  the  possibili- 
ties before  us  in  Canada  in  the  way  of  ob- 
taining new  and  improved  varieties  of  fruits 
by  careful  experiments  in  growing  seedlings 
and  in  hybridizing  with  existing  varieties. 
Two  of  these  seedlings  are  purple,  one  is 
green  and  one  yellow,  and  three  of  them 
appear  to  be  worthy   of   cultivation. 


Sir,  — At  the  request  of  Mr.  Wm.  Cruse  I 
send  you  a  small  box  of  plums,  the  product 
of  a  tree  which  sprang  up  spontaneously  in 
the  garden.  I'o  you  recognize  the  variety, 
or  if  not  would  y(iu  give  it  an  appropriate 
name?  Yours,  &c., 

THOS.   GORDON. 

Owen  Sound,  3rd  Sept.,  1887. 

These  plums  resemble  the  Imperial 
Gage  in  appearance  but  the  stem  is 
longer.  If  hardy  and  prolific  the  seed- 
ling may  be  worthy  of  general  cultiva- 
tion  and  should  be   submitted  to  the 


228 


THK    CA.NADfAN    HORriOULTDRIST. 


fruit  committee  at  one  of  the  meetings 
of  our  Association  for  name. 

Moyer's  New  Early  Red  Grape. — On  the 
8th  of  September,  Mr.  Mover  called  at 
our  office,  leaving  some  samples  of  this 
new  grape.  In  quality  it  is  excellent, 
as  sweet  as  the  Delaware,  devoid  of 
the  pulpy  centre  of  Wyoming  Red  and 
many  other  early  grapes,  but  not  quite 
as  sprightly  as  the  former.  The  bunch 
is  usually  shouldered  and  fairly  close, 
while  the  berry  is  of  medium  size. 
The  color  is  a  much  darker  red  than 
either  Delaware  or  Wyoming  Red. 
One  great  point  claimed  for  it  by  its 
introducer  is  its  earliness,  in  which 
respect  is  is  claimed  to  precede  Wyom- 
ing Red.  Mr.  Moyer  thinks  it  could 
be  marketed  about  the  15th  of  August, 
fully  two  weeks  ahead  of  the  Delaware. 
He  also  claims  that  it  is  a  stronger 
grower  and  has  a  better  leaf  than  the 
latter,  besides  being  remarkably  free 
from  mildew  and  rot. 

The  grfipe  is  a  hybrid,  produced  by 
Mr.  W.  H.  Read,  of  Port  Dalhousie, 
by  fertilizing  Delaware  with  Miller's 
Burgundy. 

The  Northern  Light.— Mr.  P.  E.  Bucke, 
of  Ottawa,  writes  in  glowing  terms 
about  this  new  white  gra[  e,  which 
originated  on  the  banks  of  the  Ottawa. 
He  says  it  is  the  best  white  grape  in 
cultivation  —  indeed,  a  perfect  gem. 
The  color  is  greenish-white,  with  pink 
fruit  stem.  The  leaf  resembles  the 
Concord  both  in  size  and  texture,  but 
is  more  leathery  ;  there  is  no  foxiness 
about  the  fruit,  either  in  smell  or  taste, 
and  it  is  very  sweet  when  fully  ripe, 
with  a  slight  sub-acid.  It  ripens  with 
the  Moore's  Early.  The  vine  is  a 
tremendous  grower,  and  hardy.  It  has 
borne  fruit  four  yeai's  :  the  tirst  year, 
two  bunches  ;  second  year,  20  pounds ; 
third  year,  25  pounds ;  and  this  year, 
about  20  pounds. 


Next  ill  importance  to  the  best  modes  of  cullivation 
and  the  selection  of  the  choicest  varieties,  comes  the 
moxt  approved  methods  of  prepat  inr/  fruits  for  use. 
We  ivnuld  be  glad  therefure  if  the  ladies,  who  read 
this  Journal,  would  nwke  free  use  of  this  column. 
for  an  interchange  of  ideas  on  this  subject. 

THE   GIRL'S  BEST   COOKING- 
SCHOOL. 

^^HE  mother's  kitchen  is  the  girl's 
1^™  best  cooking-.school.  The  same 
hands  that  make  crazy  quilts  for 
amusement  can  make  rag  carpets  to 
cover  home  floors.  Rag  carpets  are 
just  as  festhetic  as  craz}'^  quilts.  The 
wash  tub  is  an  excellent  gymnasium. 
Were  it  only  a  ci-aze  every  girl  in  the 
land  would  be  taking  lessons  on  the 
washboard.  If  these  are  menial  occu- 
pations we  have  made  them  so.  They 
hurt  the  pride  more  than  they  do  the 
physical  powers.  These  duties  distri- 
buted in  a  family  would  not  fall  hard 
upon  any  one  member.  It  will  be 
remembei'ed  that  Mrs.  Whitney,  in 
"  We  Girls,"  makes  one  of  them  say 
of  their  neat  housekeeping  : — "  We 
could  not  tell  whether  we  dined  in  the 
kitchen  or  kitched  in  the  dining-room. "^ 
— Detroit  Free  Press. 


USES  OF  APPLES. 

Apples  vs.  Roots. — Nothing  else 
will  so  help  the  flowing  milk  of  the 
cows  for  winter  feed  as  a  pailful  of  ripe 
apples  chopped  into  slices  and  sprinkled 
with  the  meal.  It  pays  as  well  to 
grow  apples  for  the  stock,  if  not  better, 
as  to  grow  roots  in  the  field. 

Apples  as  Medicine. — Apples  stew- 
ed and  sweetened  are  pleasant  to  the 
taste,  cooling,  nourishing  and  laxative, 
far  superior  in  many  cases  to  the 
abominable  doses  of  salts  and  oil  usually 
given  in  fever  and  other  diseases.  Raw 
apples,  and  dried  apples  stewed,  are  bet- 
ter for  constipation  than  liver  pills. 

Fried  Apples. — Wipe  a  few  nice, 
smooth-skinned  apples,   have    ready  a 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


229 


spider  witli  a  little  butter  and  lard  in 
it,  let  it  get  hot,  and  slice  the  apples  1 
into   it,    spi-iukle    a    little    sugar   over  i 
1-hem,  and  fiy   slow"  to  a  nice  brown, 
1:aking  great  cure  not  to  let  it  burn. 

FRUIT    SYRUPS. 

By  Miss  J.  Power. 
What    a    pity    that    the    medicinal 
virtues    of  grajie    syrup    are   not    pro- 
perly  known.      Grape  syi-up,    or   Iruit 
syrup  of  <iny  kind,  is  not  jelly,  but  the 
pure  juice  boiled   down  without  sugar 
till  it  thickens  like  syinij).      All  fruits 
have   their  own  sugar,   which  may  be 
condensed  Ijy  long  evaporation,  making 
the  most  delicious  and  healthy  form  of 
preserves.      Pick   over  the  gi-apes,  re- 
jecting all   unsound  ones,  and  pi'ess  in 
a  cloth  in  any  convenient  way,  the  old 
wooden   sci-ew  press  being  much  better 
than    anything  with     metal   about    it, 
"which  gives  a  hai-sh  flavor.      Strain  the 
juice  into  a  porcelain  kettle,  or,  what  is 
better,  a  thick,  shallow  stoneware  jug, 
holding    four   gallons    or    more  ;    heat 
quickly  and  boil  hour  after  hour  stead- 
ily,    without     scoi'ching.       Stoneware 
holds  the  heat  and    is  less  apt   to  bui'n 
juice  or  jelly  than  any  stoveware.    The 
juice  cooks  best  set  in  the  oven,  out  of 
dust,  where  no  draft  can  check  its  boil- 
ing.     All    syrups    evaporate   faster    in 
certain  states  of  the   atmosi)here  than 
others,  and  a  clear,  drying  day,  or  one 
just  before  rain,    when  the  water  boils 
away  fast  in  the  tea-kettle,  is  the  chosen 
time  for  all  preserving.      Making  syrup 
is  an   all-day  affair,  and  a  good  plan  is 
to  set  the  jars  of  juice   in  the  oven  at 
evening  and  keep  a  low   fire  all  night, 
finishing  off"  next  forenoon.      Six  quarts 
of  grape-juice     should     make    one    of 
syru]),  \vinecoloured,  lucent,  of  delicious, 
refreshing    })erfume    taid    flavor.      One 
tablespoonful  in   a  glass  of  water  gives 
a    delightful    drink,    like    fresh   gr.ipe- 
juice,  the  true  substitute  for  wine  with 
all    temperate    people,    and    the    finest 


medicine  for  correcting  a  feverish, 
bilious  state  ever  known.  The  Syrup 
itself  is  valuable  for  restoring  strength, 
and  consumptive  persons  should  take  it 
by  the  tamV)ler  daily,  sipping  it  leisurely 
with  sugar,  if  too  tart  for  the  taste.  It 
makes  new,  lich  blood,  it  cleanses  the 
system,  cleai-s  brain  and  feeds  starved 
nerves.  It  has  the  hypophosphites 
which  doctors  prescribe  for  wastes  of 
tissue,  and  taken  freely  will  arrest  even 
critical  stages  of  disease.  People  fed 
on  pure  food,  with  abundance  of  fruit, 
need  never  dread  cancer,  Bright's 
disease,  gout,  neuralgia,  dropsy,  or  a 
dozen  other  of  the  worst  scourges  of 
the  race. — Hort.   Times. 


Maxy  artificial  flavouring  ex- 
tracts are  used  in  foods  and  drinks, 
such  as  amylic  valerianate,  amylic 
butyrate,  propylic  ether  and  caprylic 
alcohol,  which  imitate  the  cdour  and 
flavour  of  the  apple,  the  pear,  the 
pineapple,  the  strawberry  and  the 
raspberry.  These  substances  have 
been  tested  by  two  French  chemists, 
who  find  them  poisonous  in  considerable 
quantities,  but  harmless  in  the  usual 
small  doses. 


Jjruit  ^t^jorts. 


FROM  SCOTLAND. 

Sir, — The  crop  of  apples  this  year  in 
England  and  Scotland  will  be  very 
small,  owing  to  the  severe  drought,  and 
our  reports  from  the  Continent  indi- 
cate they  are  in  a  similar  position  to 
ourselves. 

Under  these  circumstances  we  shall 
have  to  rely  mainly  upon  supplies 
drawn  fi'om  your  country  and  Canada. 
Therefore  the  prospects  that  good 
steady  prices  will  be  made  during  the 
season  is  assui-ed. 

The  qualities  most  in  demand  here 
are    Newtown   Pippins,    Kings,    Bald- 


230 


THE    CANADIAN    H0RTICULTUKI8T. 


wins,    Greenings,    Spys    and    Spitzen- 
burghs  if  the  size,  color  and  condition 
are  right,  we  have  no  hesitation  in  stat- 
ing, that  we  shall  realize  in  Glasgow 
higher  prices  than  is  usually  obtained  in 
other  markets.      Yours  respectfully, 
BOYD,  BARROW  &  CO. 
04  South  Albion  Street, 
Glasgow,  Aug.  27th,   1887. 

FROM  LONDON,  ENG. 

By  Cable  to  the  "  Canadian  HorticxMurist." 

Messrs.  Pitt  Bros.,  Grocers,  Hall 
Court,  London,  Eng.,  cable  us  as  fol- 
lows, under  date  17th  ult.  : — 

"  No  Canadian  apples  arived.  Sound 
American,  17  to  21  shillings.  We 
recommend  shipments  of  the  very  best 
selected  apples,  free  from  spots.  Mar- 
ket high — sound  fruit  inquired  for." 


FROM  LIVERPOOL,  ENG. 

J.  C.  Houghton  &  Co.,  of  Liverpool, 
under  date  of  30th  August,  ls87, 
state  : — "  We  have  delayed  until  the 
present,  issuing  our  annual  report  on 
the  prosj)ects  of  the  English  apple 
crop,  in  consequence  of  having  been 
unable  sooner  to  obtain  authentic 
information. 

Advices  received  up  to  the  present 
from  79  different  parts  of  the  country, 
report  the  crop 

in  23  districts  to  be  "average," 
in  24  "  "       "plentiful," 

in     9         "  "       "medium," 

in  23         "  "      "very   light"    or 

"under  average." 

From  this  information  we  may  rea- 
sonably draw  the  conclusion  that  the 
crop  is  below  an  average  one. 

Owing  to  the  very  severe  drought 
that  prevailed  in  this  country  during 
the  mouths  of  June  and  July,  there  is 
no  doubt  but  the  fruit  suffered  severely, 
as  in  23  districts  it  is  reported  to  be 
very  small  ;  in  24  districts  the  reports 
say  that  it  is  still  falling  from  the  trees  ; 
and  in  many  districts  a  large  proportion 
is  suffering  from  maggots.     From  only 


three  or  four  disti-icts  is  the  fruit  re- 
ferred to  as  being  of  even  fair  or  good 
size. 

We  may  therefore  safely  assume 
that  not  only  will  the  crop  be  under 
average,  but  that  the  fruit  generally 
speaking  will  l)e  very  small  and  poor. 
This  being  the  case  we  look  forward  to 
a  good  demand  during  the  season  for 
American  and  Canadian  fruit  of  good 
size  and  quality.  We  would  however 
advise  our  friends  most  strongly,  to 
avoid  shipping  small  or  common  fruit, 
for  it  is  quite  evident  that  with  this 
class  the  home  crop  will  most  strongly 
compete,  and  for  such,  poor  results  are 
almost  certain.  —  Trade  Bulletin. 

THE  <' SNOW  APPLE"  (FAMEUSE) 
IN  PHILADELPHIA. 

Sir, — There  are  no  snow  apples  on 
the  market  yet,  but  such  as  Graven- 
steins,  Kings,  &c.,  sell  now  at  $2.50 
per  barrel,  for  best  fruit.  Choice  Snow 
apples  always  sell  higher,  and  if  fancy 
would  now  command  $3.00  per  barrel. 
But  it  is  likely  prices  may  rule  up  ere 
you  can  put  the  fruit  here. 
Yours  truly, 
PANCOAST  &  GRIFFITHS. 


FROM  LONDON,  ENG. 
Sir, — We  are  looking  forward  to  a 
eood  demand  here  for  Nova  Scotian 
and  Canadian  fruit,  as  our  own  crops  is 
suffering  veiy  much  through  the  dry 
season  and  the  maggot. 

Yours  truly,  G.   R.   HILL. 
Borough  Market,  London,  Eng. 

A  SHIPMENT  OF  PLUMS  TO 

MONTREAL. 
A  lot  of  21  baskets  of  plums  was 
shipped  from  the  vicinity  oT  Owen 
Sound  to  a  firm  in  this  city  recently 
which  sold  at  50c.  per  basket,  and  was 
considered  a  good  sale.  The  express 
charges,  however,  were  $8.00,  which 
left  $2.50  for  the   21   baskets  or  not 


THE    CANADIAN    H0KTICULTUEI8T. 


231 


quite  12c.  per  basket.  By  the  time  the 
shipper  receives  his  account  sales,  he 
would  be  apt  to  conckxde  that  there 
was  no  profit  in  expressing  fruit  to  this 
market. 


FRUIT  EXPORTS. 

Statistics  Furnished  bv  Wm.  J.  Fletcher,  Ottawa. 

Eruit  of  all  kinds  (green)  produced 
-in  and  ex[)orted  from  Canada  : — 

Value. 
Fiscal  year  ending  June  30,  1877,     $194,942 

1878,  149,33.3 

1879,  157,618 

1880,  347,166 

1881,  645,658 


For  5  years;  1877-81 $1,494,717 

Fiscal  year  ending  June  30,  1882,  $540,464 

1883,  499,185 

1884,  173,048 

1885,  635,240 
•'             "             "        1886,  499,598 


For  10  years,  1877-86 $3,842,252 

i^.B.—Of  course  the  heavy  crop  of 
1886  does  not  show  in  this  table. 


APPLE    CROP   OUTLOOK   IN  U.  S. 
FALL  OF  1887. 

In  many  fruit  growing  sections  the 
apple  crop  will  be  almost  a  failure,  and 
nowhere  is  there  a  fair  prospect  of  an 
average  crop.  In  New  England,  where 
earlier  reports  were  most  promising,  we 
now  hear  of  marked  declines  in  the 
prospects,  and  though  present  indica- 
tions are  more  favorable  there  than 
anj'where  else  the  crop  can  average 
only  medium.  A  few  localities  in  New 
York  and  the  New  England  States 
promise  good  quality  fruit,  but  the 
general  tenor  is  to  the  contrary.  Pres- 
ent approximate  averages  of  the  princi- 
pal States  are  : — New  York,  Rhode 
Island,  Connecticut,  Massachusetts,  86; 
Maine,  Vermont,  Michigan,  74 ;  Penn- 
sylvania, New  Jersey,  Virginia,  Kan- 
sas, Missouri,  Wisconsin,  Minnesota, 
53 ;  Ohio,  Illinois,  30.  Taken  as  a 
whole  the  prospect  is  for  a  crop  below 


medium  quality  and  one  of  the  shortest 
on  record.     Yours,  etc., 

PANCOAST  &  GRIFFITHS, 
Sept.  20,  1897.     122  Dock  St.,  Philadelphia. 


Jloreiitrg 


SOME  OF  THE  NEWER  ORNA- 
MENTAL TREES. 
By  favor  of  Mr.  Thomas  C.  Meehan, 
of  Germantown,  Philadelphia,  we  are 
able  to  show  our  readers  the  excellent 
illusti'ations  of  some  of  the  newer  ever- 
green and  deciduous  trees  used  under 
the  above  heading,  in  this,  and  in  the 
succeeding  number  of  the  Canadian 
Hortictdturist. 

If  there  is  one  point,  more  than 
another,  to  be  aimed  at  in  the  laying  out 
and  planting  of  pleasure  grounds,  it  is 
to  secure  a  pleasing  variety.  Mono- 
tony tii'es  the  eye,  and  shows  a  lack  of 
taste.  Many  of  our  public  parks, 
school  grounds  and  private  lawns  are 
sadly  at  fault  in  this  respect.  It  would 
almost  seem  as  if  there  were  no  decidu- 
ous trees  in  existence,  except  the  hard 
and  soft  maples,  and  no  evergreens 
with  which  to  cheer  the  barren  land- 
scape in  winter  except  the  Norway 
spruce. 

And  in  the  planting  of  evergreens 
how  little  judgment  is  shown  in  select- 
ing kinds  suitable  to  the  size  of  a  lawn  ! 
A  Norway  spruce  is  often  planted  in  a 
little  door  yard  twenty  feet  square. 
At  thirty  years  of  age  its  branches 
extend  from  ten  to  fifteen  feet  in  every 
direction,  and  rob  the  owner  of  every 
foot  of  his  lawn,  unless  prevented  by 
the  most  vigorous  pruning. 

Among  the  pines,  the  Scotch  and  the 
Austrian  have  been  considei-ably  plant- 
ed in  Ontario,  and  although  these  are 
slow  growers  and  dwarfish,  when  com- 
pared with  our  Canadian  natives,  they 
are  coarser  in  foliage,  and  hence  less 
ornamental.     In  the 


232 


THE   CANADIAN    H0RTICDLTDK18T. 


# 

w 

-!^ 

iiw 

^m 

^ 

1 

W^g 

/^H 

K^ 

^Sr 

^^^H 

M    iV^ 

i^M^Mr         J^ 

^^K 

Ss^^^'l 

^^ 

nH(J'^ 

SWISS  PINE  (Finns  Cemhra) 

we  have  one  which  combines,  in  an 
unique  manner,  small  statui'e  with 
great  beauty  of  appearance.  Tliough 
in  high  elevations  of  the  European 
Alps,  where  it  is  indigenous,  it  some- 
times attains  a  height  of  one  hundred 
feet,  we  have  read  of  no  specimens  in 
American  gai-dens  reaching  more  than 
twenty-five  feet,  and  that  with  very 
slow  growth.  The  tree  is  pyramidal 
in  outline,  and  tlie  color  is  silveiy 
green.  The  seed  is  edible,  and  that 
collected  from  a  variety  in  Russia  (var. 
S(birica)  is  sold  in  the  groceries,  and 
much  relished  by  the  peasants. 

THE    UMBRELLA    PINE 

is  a  novelty  from  Japan,  and  is  known 
botanically  as  Sciadopitys  Verticillaia. 
As  it  has  only  been  in  cultivation  for 
abjut  twenty-five  years,  and  is  very 
difficult   of   propagation,    and   slow   in 


leiisgr!^       ■5"  I 

WSS.        fill 


THE    UMBRELLA    PINE. 

growth,  it  is  as  yet  very  rare  and 
costly. 

A  valuable  addition  to  the  already 
large  number  of  kinds  of  maples  culti- 
vated for  ornament  in  America,  has 
been  made  by  the  introduction  of  a 
dwarf  sppcies  from  Japan,  some  twenty- 
seven  years  ago.  Its  technical  name  is 
Acer  fohjmorphnm,  and  from  it  many 
beautiful  varieties  have  arisen.  Prob- 
ably the  best  of  all  is 

THE  BLOOD-LEAVED  JAPAN  MAPLE 

(acer  ])olymorphum  atropiirpurea ).  The 
foliage,  early  in  th*^  season,  is  light 
red,  later  it  becomes  darker,  while 
the  second  growth  bears  leaves  resem- 
bling the  earlier  ones.  Another  inter- 
esting Japanese  vai'iety  is  A.  Japonicum 
aureum,  with  rich  yellow  foliage,  form- 
a  fine  contrast  to  the  former.  Besides 
these    there    are    three    or    four   other 


U 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTUKIST. 


233 


BLOOD-LEAVVED    JAPAN    MAPLE. 

varieties.  Mi-.  Meehan  says,  "There 
is  no  prettier  sight  than  a  large  bed 
made  up  of  the  different  varieties  of 
Japanese  maples.  They  will  set  off  and 
contrast  with  surrounding  plants  better 
than  any  other  class  grown,  having  at 
the  same  time  richness  possessed  by  no 
other  tree.  Several  large  plants  of  the 
Blood-leaved  Japan  Maple,  growing 
around  Germantown  attract  wide  atten- 
tion, being  the  admiration  of  all  who 
see  them." 


TREES  AND  RAINFALL, 
Scarcity  of  rain,  which  was  the  cause 
of  so  much  loss  to  the  agriculturists  in 
some  parts  of  the  North-West  last  year, 
is  a  phenomenon  not  peculiar  to  Can- 
ada. President  Adams,  of  Cornell 
University,  in  a  recent  address,  points 
out  that  the  removal  of  the  ti-ees,  cen- 
turies ago,  reduced  the  fields  about  the 
Mediterranean  to  sterile  deserts.  The 
same  process  is  going  on  across  the  line. 
President  Adams  says  :  "The  trees  ai'e 
being   swept  away,    and    what   is    the 


result?  The  rainfall  has  been  dimin- 
ished, the  showers  which  heaven  may 
still  bounteously  fui-nish,  instead  of 
being  welcomed  by  the  soft  verdure  of 
forests  and  cultivated  fields  and  lo%-ingly 
kept  in  the  soil  for  the  good  of  all 
animal  and  plant  life,  is  repelled  by 
parched  hillsides,  so  that  it  shoots  off  in 
angry  torrents  and  is  soon  once  more  in 
the  lakes  and  the  great  rivers  and  the 
oceans  beyond.  Thus,  by  a  perfectly 
explicable  method  our  climate  is  under- 
going a  certain  change,  and  it  is  the 
change  which,  in  some  of  the  regions  of 
the  Old  World,  has  caused  the  sand  to 
drift  over  regions  that  were  once  the 
homes  of  a  prosperous  peo])le."  He 
adds  :  "  And  yet  there  is  no  tendency 
of  nature  that  is  more  amenable  to  the 
influence  of  man's  appreciative  intelli- 
gence. Everybody  remembers  Emer- 
son's allusion  to  the  ability  of  the 
English,  by  the  planting  of  trees  on  the 
borders  of  Egypt,  to  bring  rain  again 
after  a  drouth  of  3,000  years.  We 
have  been  doing  the  same  thing  in  the 
West ;  for  they  tell  us  that  the  plant- 
ing of  trees  and  cornfields  in  Kansas 
and  Nebraska,  up  to  the  very  frontier, 
has  already  pushed  the  rain  line  further 
West  by  moi'e  than  a  hundred  miles." 
— Mail. 

Co-operative  fruit  and  vegetable 
evaporating  and  preserving  establish- 
ments are  bound  to  be  a  feature  of  our 
farming  in  the  future.  This  industry 
is  particularly  adapted  to  sections  not 
convenient  to  good  markets.  There  is 
money  in  it  for  the  ])roprietors  of  evap- 
orators, and  there  must  l)e  still  more 
for  the  patrons  when  the  business  is 
run  on  the  co-operative  system.  Read 
ail  that  is  said  upon  this  subject  and 
act  upon  it.  The  co-0]>erative  fruit  and 
vegetable  utilizing  factory  is  a  very 
simple  affair  compared  to  the  creamery 
system,  which  has  proved  so  successful. 
—F.  &  11. 


234 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


JjlotDcrB. 


CULTIVATION    OF   THE   NAR- 
CISSUS. 

BY    H.    SIMMERS,    TORONTO,    ONT. 

(Continued  from  the  last  number.) 

fHE  next  most  useful  variety  for 
forcing  is  the  Polyanthus   Nar- 
cissus,   or   Many-flowered    Nar- 
cissus.     This   species   is   the   one   best 
adapted  for  house  culture,  and  for  the 


THE    NARCISSUS. 

amateur  to  have  blooming  during  the 
winter  months.  The  flowers  ai'e  beau- 
tifully scented,  and  remain  in  bloom 
from  four  to  six  weeks.  The  house 
culture  is  exactly  the  same  as  that 
under  the  heading  of  hyacinth.  The 
varieties  that  give  most  satisfaction  are 
Grand  Monarque,  white,  with  yellow 
cu})  ;  Staten  General,  yellow,  with 
white  cup  ;  Bazelman  Minor,  yellow, 
gradually  shading  to  white ;  Grand 
Soleil  D'Or,  golden  yellow,  exceedingly 
handsome.  These  are  probabl}'  the 
varieties  the  most  used,  the  world  over, 
for  forcing.  Many  other  varieties  are 
generally  listed  in  the  bulb  catalogues, 
but  I  do  not  claim  they  will  produce 


such  handsome  spikes.  If  any  person 
requires  a  larger  selection,  try  an 
assorted  lot  intermixed  with  the  others 
for  winter  bloom.  Planting  Polyanthus 
Narcissus  this  month,  you  cannot  ex- 
pect them  to  flower  until  February  or 
March  ;  but  in  spite  of  the  time  it 
takes  them  to  flower,  do  not  delay  in 
starting  the  bulb,  for,  as  I  have  previ- 
ously advised,  the  longer  they  remain 
in  the  dark  the  better  rooted,  and  as  a 
result  the  flower  spikes  will  be  lai'ger. 
Jonquils,  double  and  single,  are 
allied  to  the  Narcissi,  and  are  natives 
of  the  south  of  Europe.  Perfumed 
waters  are  made  from  Jonquil  flowers, 
giving  the  impression  to  the  reader  that 
they  must  be  very  fragrant.  Either 
the  double  or  single  Jonquil  is  well 
adapted  to  open-air  culture,  and  may 
be  treated  in  the  same  manner  as  the 
Narcissus,  except  that  the  bulbs  being 
smaller  they  are  only  planted  three 
inches  below  the  surface  of  the  ground. 
They  are  easily  forced,  and  if  planted 
this  month  they  will  flower  by  Chi-ist- 
mas.  Being  cheaper,  they  should  be 
tried  by  every  amateur.  The  Chinese 
Narcissus  is  a  variety  I  overlooked  to 
mention  under  head  of  Polyanthus 
Narcissus.  This  is  the  sacred  flower 
of  China :  nearly  every  shop  in  the 
Chinese  cities  has  these  bulbs  growing 
in  a  saucer  of  water  and  pebbles.  They 
throw  i;p  several  flower  stalks,  thickly 
studded  with  bloom,  white,  with  yellow 
centre.  The  bulbs  are  of  a  whitish 
ajipearance,  thus  differing  from  Poly- 
anthus Narcissus  in  that  they  have  a 
dark  brown  skin.  Many  charitable 
ladies  around  Toronto  have  sometimes 
received  presents  of  this  variety  from 
the  Chinese  located  here,  for  chatitable 
services  rendered  to  them  ;  and  they 
have  frequently  wondered  what  the 
name  was,  the  Chinaman  being  able  to 
explain  the  culture,  but  not  the  name. 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


235 


This  is,  then,  the  variety  generally 
received.  I  would  here  remind  the 
readers  that  may  have  followed  some 
of  the  descrijjtions  I  have  written,  that 
this  is  the  proper  month  for  starting 
the  various  kinds  of  bulbs  I  have 
written  about,  both  outdoors  and  in- 
doors, and  that  they  should  not  wait 
until  November  and  December,  with 
the  usual  result,  viz.,  disappointment 
in  not  getting  any  bloom  for  all  their 
ti'ouble.  The  reason  is  frequently 
attributed  to  the  bulb  beitig  poor,  but 
the  correct  reason  is  that  the  tender 
flower  stock,  encased  in  the  centre  of 
the  bulb,  has  been  so  dried  up  that  it 
comes  up  along  with  foliages  and  gradu- 
ally withers  away ;  or  perhaps  the  side 
shoots  only  may  have  grown,  thus 
frequently  disappointing  the  most  care- 
ful cultivator. 


THE  VIRGINIA    CREEPER. 

BY    J.    P.    COCKBURN,    ORAVENHURST,  ONT. 

<^N  our  later  years  we  are  carried  back 
(gl  in  thought  to  our  early  days,  and 
reflect  with  pleasure  on  the  many  plea- 
sant moments  of  rest  and  recreation  we 
liave  had,  under  the  vine-covered  bower. 
No  villa,  or  rural  house,  can  be  complete 
without  the  wondrous  charms  of  the 
trellis  or  arbor,  so  suggestive  of  taste 
and  comfort,  yet  one  may  travel  many 
miles  through  some  of  the  finest  agri- 
cultural districts  in  Canada,  without 
seeing  the  slightest  attempt  at  decorat- 
ing the  house  of  even  the  wealthy  occu- 
pant. The  great  bare  pillars  of  a 
verandah  stand  up  in  the  glare  of  the 
sun,  or  seem  to  shrink  before  the  blast 
as  it  drives  along  the  floor  of  the  naked 
porch,  seldom  trod  by  occupants  of 
the  dwelling  becau.se  there  ai-e  no  at- 
tractions to  visit  the  bleak  and  dreary 
waste.  The  work  of  the  farm  and  the 
busin(!ss  of  the  estate  is  arranged  in  the 
"  back  parlor."  Farmers  frequently 
say  they  have  no  time  to  waste  in 
planting     trees    or     decorating    their 


grounds,  and  many  do  not  assist  their 
wives  to  make  even  a  sort  of  excuse  for 
a  kitchen  gai'den.  To  such  people  as  I 
have  in  my  mind  I  say,  take  at  least 
one  or  two  days  with  the  boys  and 
team,  secure  any  sort  of  forest  trees, 
let  them  be  small  with  plenty  of  fibrous 
roots,  and  plant  them  carefidly,  and  fill 
up  the  odd  ])laces  about  your  house 
with  them.  If  you  have  no  design,  put 
them  in  clumps  in  the  corners,  and 
along  the  lane.  They  will  soon  grow, 
and  nature  will  adjust  them  to  the  situa- 
tion, hut  let  us  have  the  trees. 

Dig  large  and  deep  holes  about  your 
verandah  in  which  plant  Vii-ginia 
creepers  ;  the  holes  should  be  partly 
filled  with  a  mixture  of  decaying  chips 
from  the  woodshed,  and  filled  with  good 
earth.  The  woodshed  should  be  partly 
covered  with  the  same  vines.  Nothing 
has  a  finer  effect  than  a  few  well-grown 
Virginia  creepers  trained  to  the  veran- 
dah and  side  of  the  house,  and  all  un- 
sightly buildings  are  soon  ti'ansformed 
to  a  thing  of  beauty.  Vines  seem  to 
thrive  best  when  they  can  get  hold  of 
some  decaying  substance,  and  they  take 
up  much  of  the  miasmatic  vapours 
about  outhouses.  I  need  not  say  how 
much  this  will  in  a  short  time  add  to 
the  beauty  and  comforts  of  home,  and 
the  joy  of  our  children,  the  envy  of  our 
dilatory  neioflibor,  and  the  delight  of 
every  |)asser  by.  There  is  no  outlay  of 
capital,  if  you  can  find  the  vines  grow- 
ing wild  in  some  low  rich  bottom  land 
on  your  own,  or  on  your  neighbor's 
farm.  If  not,  you  can  obtain  them  for 
a  nominal  sum  from  any  nurseryman. 
They  jjropagate  as  easily  as  currants. 
For  small  villas  and  city  residences, 
where  the  grounds  are  limited,  the 
Ampelopsis  Veitchii  is  preferable,  hav- 
ing much  smaller  foliage  and  does  not 
require  the  space  which  the  Ampelop- 
sis Quinquefolia  does. 

Remember  that  a  ten-year-old  vine, 
well    grown,   will   cover   1,000   square 


236 


THE    CANADIAN    H0RTI0ULTDRI8T. 


feet,  and  that  you  may  mistake 
Poison-Ivy  for  the  Virginia  Creeper, 
which  has  five  leaves,  while  the  Poison- 
Ivy  has  only  three.  They  are  generally 
found  in  the  same  locality.  This  dis- 
covery cost  the  writer  two  weeks  of 
almost  total  blindness,  and  sleepless 
nights  of  pain,  as  well  as  several  dollars 
for  doctor's  medicine.  Five  leaves, 
remember,  and  you  are  safe.  October 
is  the  best  month  to  plant. 


By  Francis  Mason,  Peterborough,  Ost. 
BULB  PLANTING  IN  THE  FALL. 

It  is  not  yet  too  late  to  prepare  a 
bed  and  put  in  hyacinths,  tulips,  crocus 
and  other  hardy  bulbs  for  spring  flower- 
ing. Even  if  the  ground  has  ft-ozen 
over  a  hole,  may  be  forced  with  an  iron 
bar  large  enough  to  admit  the  bulb. 
After  putting  in,  cover  with  coarse 
manure,  leaves,  or  rubbish  of  some  kind, 
which  may  be  raked  off  early  in  the 
spring. 

IRIS. 

Do  not  forget  to  plant  a  few  bulbs  of 
the  English  and  Spanish  irises.  They 
ai'e  beautiful,  cheap  and  easily  obtained. 
They  flower  early  in  the  following  sum- 
mer. 

HARDY     LILIES, 

such  as  L.  Candidum,  L.  Aui'atura, 
L.  Rubrum  and  all  this  class  of  hardy 
lilies,  may  still  be  moved,  and  i)lanted 
in  good  rich  soil  in  permanent  place. 
It  is  not  well  to  disturb  too  often.  On 
the  approach  of  winter,  cover  with 
coarse  manure  or  some  other  suitable 
material. 

OUT-DOOR    ROSES, 

such  as  Hybrid  perpetuals,  climbing  or 
moss   roses   should  be  laid    down  and 


covered  over  with  moss,  leaves  or  earth. 
Tliey  will  well  repay  all  the  trouble 
next  June. 

CHRYSAKTHEMUMS 

if  planted  and  not  yet  taken  up  should 
at  once  be  taken  up,  jjotted  in  good 
rich  soil,  and  kept  out  doors  ivs  long  as 
possible,  covering  on  frosty  nights.  Do 
not  allow  them  to  flag  for  want  of 
water. 

CARNATIONS 

make  fine  flowering  plants  fur  the  house 
if  taken  in  now.  Cut  notliing  ofl'  unless 
the  old  flower  pods  are  still  on. 

WINDOW    GARDEN. 

Under  this  head  all  flowering  plants, 
vines  or  foliage  plants  are  einln-aced, 
Overcrowding  should  be  avoided, 
though  many  more  may  be  kept  in  a 
window  at  the  start.  Later  on,  as 
they  grow  and  expand,  more  room  must 
be  given.  Watch  for  the  first  approach 
of  the  mealy-bug  and  aphides,  and  if 
atmosphere  is  too  dry  the  little  red 
spider  will  appear  on  the  under  part  of 
fuchsia  and  rose  leaves,  but  a  good 
syringing  of  parts  afiected  will  have  the 
effect  of  dislodging  those  troublesome 
guests.  Nearly  all  flowering  plants 
thrive  best  exposed  in  a  south  or  east 
window.  Some  will  do  with  little  or 
no  sun,  such  as  Begonia  rex,  English 
and  German  ivies  and  others,  which  a 
little  experience  will  soon  find  out.  It 
is  not  necessary  to  repot  plants  often- 
times, for  instead,  a  regular  coui-se  of 
feeding  them  with  some  good  plant- 
food  prepared  for  that  purpose,  or  if 
nothing  better  is  to  be  had  take  a  tea- 
spoonful  of  spirits  of  ammonia,  dilute 
in  a  pint  of  water  and  give  a  little 
twice  a  week.  Temperature  sliould  be 
about  50  or  55  at  night  and  60  or  70 
during  the  day.  Greater  heat  will 
have  a  tendency  to  make  a  weak  sickly 
growth  that  will  produce  little  or  no 
flowers. 

PANSIES 

require  a  different  kind  of  protection 
from  many  other  plants.     The  covering 


THE   CANADIAN    HOBTICDLTDRI8T. 


237 


placed  on  bulbs  oi*  roses  would  smother 
these  comical-faced  fellows  right  out. 
A  slight  covering  of  leaves  with  a  few 
branches  to  keep  the  wind  from  blow- 
ing them  away,  will  be  best.  Branches 
of  hemlock  or  spruce  are  about  the  best 
unless  they  may  be  in  a  cold  frame,  in 
which  case  the  sash  may  be  over  them 
and  a  few  boards  over  that  again. 

GLADOLI    AND    DAHLIAS. 

If  not  already  lioused  attend  to  them 
at  once.  They  should  be.  well  dried  ; 
the  first-named  may  be  placed  in  paper 
bags,  and  hung  u])  in  frost-proof  closet 
or  cellar.  The  dahlias  will  do  wherever 
potatoes  will  keep  nicely. 

'    PETUNIAS,  STOCKS,  &C. 

For  flowering  in  the  house  during 
winter  take  up  a  few  old  plants  of 
Petunias,  ten  week  or  Crompton  stocks  ; 
cut  away  a  good  quantity  of  the  old 
wood,  especially  the  petunia,  and  pot 
in  nice  rich  soil  and  place  in  a  sunny 
window. 

OLD    GERANIUM    PLANTS 

that  have  been  flowering  during  the 
summer  will  now,  if  taken  in,  cutting 
away  some  of  the  old  gi-owth  according 
to  the  size,  flower  nicely  during  the 
winter. 

HURRY    IN    THE    SPRING 

may  be  avoided  to  a  great  extent  by 
preparing  the  beds  in  the  fall  by  digging 
in  a  liberal  quantity  of  well-rotted 
manure,  spent  hops  or  leaves.  Beds 
thus  treated  are  much  better  than  if 
left  till  spring. 

A  CARD. 

To    the  Subscribers  of  The    Canadian  Florist   and 
Cottage  Gardener. 

For  more  than  a  year  past  I  have 
found  that  my  business  as  Seedsman 
and  Fl  (rist  was  increasing  so  rapidh' 
that  to  make  it  a  complete  success  I 
must  devote  my  whole  time  to  it,  and 
I  have  therefore  made  arrangements 
that  the  Gamtdian  Horticulturist 
should   be  sent   for  unexpired  term  to 


the  subscribers  of  the  Canadian  Florist 
and  Cottage  Gardener.  I  trust  that  at 
the  end  of  the  year,  or  before,  all  the 
friends  and  subscribers  of  the  Canadian 
Florist  will  become  permanent  sub- 
scribers to  the  Canadian  Hortictdturist, 
for  which  magazine  I  will,  under  the 
heading  of  "  Floral  Notes,"  contribute 
monthly  such  matter  as  will,  I  trust, 
be  helpful  to  its  readers.  Any  ques- 
tions that  may  be  asked  or  information 
wanted  in  the  care  or  treatment  of 
planis  will  be  gladly  answei'ed  by  me 
in  this  department,  and  I  intend  to  do 
all  in  my  po\ver  to  make  the  Hortical- 
turist  the  best  magazine  of  its  class  in 
America.  FKANCIS  MASON. 

Peterborough,  Uth  Sept.,  1887. 

TO    THE    SUBSCRIBERS    OF    THE 
"CANADIAN  FLORIST." 

It  is  with  pleasure  that  we  greet  the 
friends  of  the  Canadian  Florist.  In 
sending  you  the  Canadian  Horticul- 
turist for  the  balance  of  the  year  we 
hope  to  amply  fill  up  the  contract  you 
have  made  with  the  former  paper.  In 
the  meantime  we  hope  to  so  merit  your 
good  will,  and  to  be  so  useful  to  you 
all,  that  whether  you  grow  fruit  or 
flowers,  you  will  wish  to  have  this 
journal  continue  as  a  monthly  visitor  to 
your  homes. 


Another  Noted  Pomologist  has  passed 
away.  On  Thursday  the  8th  of  Sep- 
tember, Chai-les  M.  Hovey,  died  at  his 
home,  at  Cambridge,  Mass.,  at  the  age 
of  seventy-seven.  Hybridization  of 
flowers  and  fruits  was  a  favorite  occupa- 
tion of  his,  of  which  the  Boston  Pine, 
and  Hovey's  seedling  strawberries  are 
instances.  He  is  also  well  known  as 
editor  of  the  Magazine  of  Horticulture, 
which  he  founded  in  1835  and  conducted 
for  a  period  of  thirty  four  years.  He 
was  President  of  the  Massachusetts 
Horticultural  Society  from  1863  to 
1866  inclusive. 


k 


238 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


^hc  danaiiian  portirultorist. 


)N  Illus- 
trated 
!  Monthly  Journal,  de- 
I  voted  to  the  interests 
of     Fruit     Growers, 
Gardeners,  and  Gentle- 
men owning  rural  or  su- 
burljan  homes, 

Subscription  price  $1.00 
per  year,  entitling  the  subscri- 
ber to  membership  of  the  Fruit  Grow- 
ers' Association  of  Ontario  and  all  its 
privileges,  including  a  copy  of  its 
valuable  Annual  Report,  and  a  share  in  its 
annual  distribution  of  plants  and  trees. 


This  Journal  is  not  published  in  the  in- 
terests, or  for  the  pecuniaiy  advantage  of 
any  one,  but  its  pages  are  devoted  wholly  to 
the  progress  of  Horticultural  Science  and 
Art  in  Canada. 


The  Horticultural  Show  at  the  Industrial 
Exhibition,  Toronto,  was  in  some 
respects  most  creditaVjle.  The  Floral 
Hall  was  lighted  with  electric  lights  in 
the  evening,  and  the  display  of  green- 
house plants  was  profuse  and  ari'anged  in 
good  taste.  But  the  fruits,  especially 
the  apples  and  pears,  were  put  aside  in 
canvas  tents,  which  wex'e  miserably 
lighted  in  the  evening. 

One  great  fault  in  this  de])artment 
was  the  lack  of  proper  labels  for  the 
different  varieties  of  fruits]  and  flowers 
shown.  To  make  a  show  of  fruits  pro- 
fitable to  the  visitor  it  is  all-important 
that  the  names  should  be  clearly  seen, 
and  thus  a  knowledge  of  excellent  varie- 
ties widely  diffused  thi'oiighout  the 
country.     A  few  plates  of  fruits  were 


properly  labelled  by  means  of  the  wire 
support  which  lifted  the  label  above  the 
fruit  so  that  it  could  be  easily  seen,  and 
where  printed  in  large  typs  the  name  was 
easily  rea<l,  without  stooping.  But,  in 
most  cases,  the  labels  were  either  pasted 
on  the  fruit, or  written  ina  most  illegible 
style,  on  a  sli[)  which  was  di-op])ed  on 
the  plate,  and  hidden  beneath  the  speci- 
mens. 

The  same  defect  was  observable  in 
the  exhibit  of  flowers.  It  was  only  by 
searcliing  that  the  amateur  could  suc- 
ceed in  finding  the  specific  names,  nor 
would  the  search  be  in  every  case  suc- 
cessful. Now  it  is  surely  not  too  high 
an  aim  for  such  exhibitions  to  endeavor 
to  educate  the  public  concerning  the 
names  and  groupings  of  choice  plants, 
and  we  would  suggf-st  the  use  of  plainly 
printed  labels  of  the  varieties  shown, 
and  these  conspicuously  placed  for  the 
benefit  of  all.  These  should  be  pro- 
vided by  the  Directors,  all  uniform  in 
style,  and  each  exhibitor  obliged  to  use 
them. 

Prof.  C.  H.  Bessy,  in  American  Agri- 
c'dturlst,  says  we  should  put  the  study 
of  soils,  plants,  animals,  air  and  clouds, 
&c.,  into  our  schools.  The  farmer's 
profession  is  about  the  only  one  for 
which  the  man  is  not  specially  prepared 
by  study  or  training  ;  hence  when  he 
meets  with  grasses,  poisonous  weeds, 
smuts,  rusts,  insect  foes,  &c.,  &c.,  he  is 
wholly  ignorant  of  the  objects  before 
him.  Certainly  the  Professor  has  the 
right  of  it,  and  we  are  glad  to  notice 
that  Prof.  Mills,  of  Guelph  Agricul- 
tural College,  advocates  an  improve- 
ment in  this  particular  in  our  Canadian 
schools. 

Don't  allow  the  weeds  to  ripen  their 
seeds.  Just  now  the  ugly  ragweed 
(Ambrosia  bidentata)  and  the  Common 
Burdock  (Lappa  major)  arc  maturing 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTtJRlST. 


239 


their  seeds  for  another  year  of  mischief. 
And,  of  all  weeds,  these  two  are  among 
the  most  unsightly.  We  hate  the 
latter  worse  even  than  we  do  the 
Canada  Thistle,  and  think  it  almost  as 
persistent  in  self-propagation.  Most 
people  cut  it  when  it  is  in  bloom,  but 
in  our  experience  it  pays  best  to  wait 
until  September,  when  the  seeds  are 
nearly  matured,  for  then  it  may  be  cut 
and  pilr d  for  burning,  and  so  destroyed. 
If  cut  too  early  it  throws  up  numerous 
sprouts,  which  are  more  difficult  to  cut 
than  the  original  stem. 

Protecting  Crops  in  time  of  Drouth. — A 
writer  in  the  Horticultural  Times 
makes  some  sensible  remarks  under 
this  head.  He  gives  four  available 
means  for  accomplishing  this  end  which 
is  so  desii-able  in  such  a  season  as  the 
one  just  past,  viz.:  (1)  thorough  under- 
draining — which  encourages  the  roots 
of  plants  to  push  down  deep  in  the 
soil  below  the  dry  surface  soil  j  ( 2 ) 
deep  floughing,  and  thorough  cultiva- 
tion ;  (3)  application  of  wood  ashes  at 
rate  of  fifty  to  one  hundred  bushels  per 
acre;  (4l  extra  cultivation  during  the 
hot  weather. 

Transplanting  Large  Trees. — Mr.  Thos. 
Meehan,  of  the  Gardeners  Monthly,  says 
it  is  not  at  all  necessary  to  remove  a 
large  ball  of  earth,  in  ti'ansplanting 
large  trees.  His  plan  is  to  "  dig  out 
far  enough  from  the  trunk  to  get  the 
feeding  roots,  and  go  deep  enough  so  as 
to  get  under  with  forks,  so  that  the 
ti'ee  can  be  easily  drawn  over  by  its 
own  weight.  A  two  wheeled  cart  is 
then  backed  up  to  the  tree,  the  trunk 
lashed  to  the  shafts  to  be  used  as  a 
lever,  and  the  job  is  soon  done."  By 
this  means  a  tree  20  feet  in  height,  and 
a  foot  or  more  thick  can  be  moved 
several  miles  for  a  few  dollars. 

The  Decease  of  John  B.  Moore  the  well 
known  Massachusetts  horticulturis.t,  is 
announced  in  the    September    number 


of  the  American  Florist.  He  died  at 
his  home,  in  Concord,  on  the  21st  of 
August  last,  at  the  age  of  seventy. 
Hardy  roses  and  grapes  received  special 
attention  from  him,  and  his  Moore's 
Early  grape  has  made  his  name  famous 
far  and  wide. 

Mr.  Moore  has  been  a  prominent 
member  of  the  Massachusetts  Horticul- 
tural Society  since  1849,  and  was  Presi- 
dent of  that  Society  for  the  year  1885. 

This  department  is  intended  as  an  open  one  to  every 
reader  of  the  ^^Horticulturist"  to  send  in  either 
questions  or  answers.  Often  a  reader  will  be  able  to 
aiiswer  a  question  which  has  been  left  unansivered, 
or  only  partially  answered  by  us.  For  convenience 
of  reference  the  questions  are  numbered,  and  any 
one.  replying  or  referring  to  any  qxiestion  ivill 
please  mention  the  number  of  it. 

68.  Empire  State  Grape. — Can  you  give 
me  any  points  on  the  Empire  State 
Grape  ?     J.  H.  MORRISON,  Hamilton. 

A  colored  frontispiece  of  this  grape, 
with  a  description,  may  be  found  in 
this  Journal,  Vol.  YIII.,  p.  97.  It  is 
a  hybrid  of  Hartford  Prolific  and  Clin- 
ton. The  bunches  are  large,  shouldered  ; 
'■erry  smaller  than  Niagara,  but  by 
many  considered  better  in  quality.  The 
vine  is  vigorous  and  hardy,  so  far  as 
tested. 

69.  The  Currant  Borer. — Is  there  any 
remedy  for  the  grub  that  eais  the  pith 
of  the  red  currant  bush  ?  How  does 
the  varmint  get  there,  and  ivhat  is  its 
origin  ? 

See  the  Canadian  Horticidturist  ior 
January  last,  p.  15,  for  full  description, 
with  remedy. 

70.  Oyster  Shells  as  a  Fertilizer. — /  have 
quite  a  quantity  of  ground  oyster  .shells, 
more  than  I  can  tcse  for  fowls  ;  woidd 
grapes,  currants,  (tc,  be  benefited  by 
its  application  ;  soil,  a  sandy  loam  on 
top  of  a  clay  subsoil  ? 

STANLEY  SPILLETT,  Nantye. 


240 


THE  CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


REPLY  BY  J.   H.  MORTON,   WINGHAM. 

No  appreciable  benefit,  unless  first 
calcined,  as  the  lime  contained  in  the 
shells  is  their  chief  value,  the  very 
small  proportion  of  phosphoric  acid  is 
not  in  a  condition  immediately  availa- 
ble as  plant  food.  Being  powdered, 
calcining  will  be  difficult,  and  if  any 
other  economic  purpose  can  l)e  foun  1 
for  them,  we  would  not  advise  their 
use  as  a  fertilizer,  as  the  same  quantity 
of  available  plant  food  can  be  supplied 
at  less  trouble  and  expense. 


^^bkii) 


We  loill  gladly  give  our  candid  opinion  of  any  books, 
magazines  or  catalngiies  received,  especially  if  they 
are  likely  to  interest  or  benefit  Canadian  fruit 
growers,  but  will  not  insert  cut  and  dried  reading 
noting  in  favur  of  any  publication  whatever. 


A.  B.  C  OF  Bee  Culture.     A  Cyclopsedia 
of  everything  pertaining  to  the  care  of  the 
honey-bee.      By    A.    I.    Root.       Medina, 
Ohio,  1887.     Price,  $1.25. 
A  book  of  over  300  folio  pages,  and 
containing  about  the  same  number  of 
excellent   illustrations.       The  subjects 
are  all  treated  in  a  complete  and  sys- 
tematic manner,  and  are  arranged  alpha- 
betically, so  that  a  person  needing  infor- 
mation on  any  subject  connected  with 
bee  culture,  can  immediately  turn  it  up, 
without   the  loss  of  time  which  is  in- 
curred   in    looking     through     various 
books  and  papers. 

Smithsonian  Report.  1885.  Part  I. 
Being  the  Annual  Report  of  the  Board  of 
Regents  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution, 
showing  the  operations,  expenditures  and 
condition  of  the  Institution  to  July,  1885. 
Also, 

The    Transactions    of    ihe    New    York 
State  Agricultural  Society.     1882  to 
1887. 
Both   these    volumes   caine    through 

the  Smithsonian  Institution. 

GuKLPH  Scientific  Societv.  Report  of  the 
Secretary  for  the  first  year  (1886),  with  an  • 


abstract  of  papers  read  at  the  regular 
meetings.  James Goldie,  President;  Robt. 
Gausby,  Corresponding  Secretary. 

CATALOGUES. 

Fall  Catalogue  of  Rare  Bulbs,  Plants  and 
Fruits.  1887.  John  Lewis  Childs.  i^loral 
Park,  Queen's  Co.,  N.Y. 

Descriptive  Catalogue  of  Northern  Grown 
Fruit  and  Ornamental  Trees  grown  by  J. 
H.  Wismer,  at  his  nurseries,  in  Port 
Elgin,  Ont. 


pumorouB. 


Guest  (rising  excitedly  from  the 
table,  after  tasting  an  olive  for  the 
fii-st  time),  "  It's  sorry  I'd  be  to  dis- 
turb the  hilarity  of  the  meeting,  but  I 
believe  some  joker's  been  salting  the 
gooseberries  !  " — Judy. 

"  Speaking  about  the  artist  who 
painted  fruit  so  naturally  that  the  birds 
came  and  pecked  at  it,"  said  the  fat  re- 
porter, "  I  drew  a  hen  that  was  so  true 
to  life,  that  after  the  sage  threw  it  into 
the  waste  basket,  it  laid  there." — Pea- 
hody  Reporter. 

A  Washington  lady,  was  can- 
ning and  pickling  peaches,  and  her 
little  two-and-a-half-year-old  daughter 
was  endeavoring  to  assist  her  in  every 
available  way.  Finally  a  package  of 
whole  cloves  was  produced,  which  were 
to  be  inserted  in  the  fruit  for  spice, 
when  the  little  one  suddenly  exclaimed : 
"  O  mamma,  let  me  put  in  the  tacks  !  " 
— Farm  and  Fireside. 

"Sam,  you  are  not  honest.  Why  do 
you  put  all  the  good  peaches  on  the  top 
of  the  measure  and  the  little  ones 
below  1"  "Same  reason,  sah,  dat 
makes  de  front  of  your  house  all  marble 
and  de  back  gate  chiefly  slop  Viar'l,  sah." 


o 


This  the  apple,  large  and  round, 
That  always  on  the  top  is  found. 

O     This  is  the  apple,  small  and  mean. 
That's  often  at  the  liottom  seen  ! 


PRINTED   AT  THK   3TF.4M    PRESS   KsrABI.ISHMF.NT   OF   THE   OOPP,    CLARK   COMPANY  (LIMITED),    TORONTO. 


GRIMES'  GOLDEN. 


XLbe 


Canabian 

Dorticulturiet 


Published   at   Toi\onto   and   Grimsby,    Ont. 
OFFICE  ADDRESS— GRIMSBY,  ONT. 


VOL.  X.] 


NOVEMBER,  1887. 


[No.   11. 


NOVEMBER. 


The  year  is  waning !    Solemn  sounds  are  heard 
Among:  the  branches  of  each  wind-toss'd  tree  ; 
Brown  looks  the  grass  ;  no  floral  gems  we  see  ; 
Forsaken  nests  by  winds  alone  are  stirr'd, 
And  not  by  wing  of  bird. 

The  skies  look  cold — wind-driven  clouds  scud  by. 
While  fitful  gales  whirl  sere,  dry  lea\es  away ; 
Fair  once,  like  friends  who  come  to  us  one  day. 
Creep  to  the  heart,  bring  love-light  to  the  e.i,  e. 
Then  droop  and  fade  and  die. 


Yet,  while  winds  chill  and  summer  joys  depart, 
A  host  of  other  pleasures  now  doth  come  : 
Brothers  and  sisters  scattered,  all  come  home, 
Thanksgiving  cheer  abounds,  while  fond  smiles  start. 
As  heart  responds  to  heart. 

Then  curtains  down,  around  the  fire  we  press. 
To  sing  and  jest,  to  romp  and  laugh,  and  play  ; 
But  while  the  fun  goes  round,  each  heart  can  say, 
"  November  brings  Thanksgiving.      Lord,  we  bless 

Thee  for  our  happiness  !" 
Brooklyn  Magazine. 


THE  GRIMES  GOLDEN. 


®UR  FRONTISPIECE  this  month 
represents  that  excellent  win- 
ter apple  sent  out  some  years 
ago  by  the  Fruit  Grower's  Association 
of  Ontario,  the  Grimes  Golden  Pippin. 
Several  samples  of  this  variety  were  on 
exhibition  at  the  Industrial  Exhibition, 
but  none  of  them  as  large  as  the  one 
shown  in  our  illustration ;  indeed  we 
question  if  any  of  our  readers  have 
succeeded  in  growing  it  much  above 
a  medium  size. 


Grimes  Golden  is  no  novelty.  It 
has  been  known  for  many  years,  liav- 
ing  originated  on  the  farm  of  Thomas 
Grimes,  near  Kempsville,  Virginia.  It. 
is  highly  esteemed  for  its  excellence  of 
quality,  in  which  respect  is  is  compareil 
in  value  with  the  Newtown  Pipjnn, 
an  apple  that  always  commands  the 
highest  price  in  the  English  market 
on  account  of  its  delicious  flavour. 
The  tree  is  vigorous  and  productive, 
especially  in  alternate   years,  and  the 


24:2 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


rich  golden  yellow  of  the  fruit,  renders 
it  peculiarly  attractive. 

Notwithstanding  all  its  excellences, 
however,  it  is  not  [considered  a  very 
profitable  apple  in  Canada,  neither  can 
we  recommend  it  for  the  more  north- 
erly sections,  as  its  hardiness  is  in 
question,  and  it  is  classed  by  Dr.  Hos- 
KiNs  among  the  vaineties  that  will  not 
endure  the  climate  of  Vermont. 

Two  yeai's  ago,  Mr.  McD.  Allan 
said  of  it,  at  one  of  our  meetings  :  "  It 
is  a  magnificent  apple  for  the  dessert 
table,    and  there    is    nothing   prettier 


when  arranged  in  a  dish  than  they  are  ; 
they  are  gold  just  now.  Nevertheless 
they  are  not  profitable  to  grow," 

Profit  however  is  not  the  only  con- 
sideration in  growing  apples.  Very 
many  of  our  readers  want  a  selection 
of  kinds  solely  for  home  uses,  and 
with  them  quality  and  general  excel- 
lence is  the  test.  Such  persons  will  be 
much  pleased  with  Grimes  Golden.  It 
will  contrast  beautifully  in  the  dessert 
dish  with  other  varieties,  as  for 
instance  with  the  deep  red  of  the 
Fameuse. 


THE   ANNUAL    MEETING. 


'HE  recent  meeting  at  Grimsby 
was  one  of  the  most  interesting 
ever  held.  The  members  of  the 
Fruit  Growers'  Association  at  Grimsby 
turned  out  in  full  force  to  welcome 
their  visitors,  and  did  everything  in 
their  power  to  make  the  meeting  suc- 
ce.ssful. 

They  had  arranged  tables  across  the 
hall,  in  front  of  the  platform,  for  the 
display  of  new  and  choice  varieties  of 
fruits ;  and  these  were  loaded  with  the 
finest  possible  display  of  apples,  pears, 
and  grapes,  a  full  report  of  which  will 
appear  in  the  next  Annual  Report  of 
the  Association. 

The  result  of  the 

ELECTION    OF    OFFICERS 

was  as  follows  : — President :  A.  McD. 
Allan  ;  Vice-President :  A.  M.  Smith  ; 
Directors :  Agricultural  Division  No. 
1,  John  Groil;  No.  2,  A.  A.  Wright; 
No.  3,  Rev.  Geo.  Bell,  LL.D.;  No.  4, 
P.  C.  Dempsey ;  No.  5,  Thos.  Beall ; 
No.  6,  W.  E.  Wellington ;  No.  7,  M. 


Pettit;  No.  8,  A.  H.  Pettit ;  No.  9, 
Fred.  Mitchell ;  No.  10,  J.  A.  Morton ; 
No.  11,  J.  M.  Denton;  No.  12,  Albert 
Hill;  No.  13,  G.  Gaston.  Auditors: 
Jas.  Goldie  and  Chas.  Drury,  M.P.P. 
The  Treasurer's  Report  was  read, 
which  showed  a  balance  in  the  bank 
to  the  credit  of  the  Association  of 
nearly  $500 ;  thus  showing  that  not- 
withstanding some  unavoidable  losses, 
the  finances  are  now  in  a  prosperous 
and  hopeful  condition,  making  it  pos- 
sible to  carry  out  in  the  near  future 
many  plans  for  the  improvement  of  our 
monthly  journal,  and  the  increased 
usefulness  of  our  Association. 

THE  EXCURSION  AMONG  THE  FRUIT  FARMS 

was  highly  enjoyed  by  all,  notwith- 
standing the  dust  and  the  smoky 
atmosphere  which  circumscribed  the 
many  beautiful  and  picturesque  views 
here  obtainable.  The  first  orchard  and 
fruit  farm  visited  was  that  of  the  Sec- 
retary, of  which  it  becomes  others, 
rather  than  the  writer,  to  speak,  except 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


243 


to  say  that  hencefoi'th  it  will  be  used 
largely  as  a  source  of  experience  in 
practical  horticultui'e,  for  the  benefit 
of  the  readers  of  the  Canadian  Hor- 
ticulturist. 

The  magnificent  Pocklington  grapes 
on  Mr.  E.  J.  Woolverton's  fruit  farm, 
were  much  admired.  Grown  on  a  x'ich 
sandy  loam,  well  di'ained,  they  ripen 
heie  to  perfection,  about  a  week  later 
than  the  Niagara.  His  beautiful  or- 
chard of  dwarf  pears,  chiefly  Duchess, 
with  some  trees  beai'ing  superb  looking 
B.  de  Beaufort,  was  also  much  admired. 
As  with  the  rest  of  us  at  Grimsby,  his 
large  peach  orchard  has  been  sadly 
thinned  out  by  the  yellows,  the  pres- 
ence of  which  disease  he  still  deplores. 

At  Mr.  Murray  Pettit's  vineyard, 
near  Winona,  the  whole  party  alighted, 
and  were  refreshed  at  his  packing  house 
with  a  taste  of  his  pure  home-made 
grape  wine,  which  was  not  the  less 
ap])reciated,  after  being  half  choked 
with  clouds  of  dust  upon  the  way.  This 
vineyard  is  one  of  the  largest  in  this 
section,  and  is  situated  close  under  the 
mountain,  where  it  is  sheltered  from 
early  frosts,  and  where  the  soil  is  a 
rich  sandy  loam,  gathered  during  past 
centuries  by  the  washings  from  the 
mountain  side.  Although  the  Dela- 
ware has  alw^ays  received  special  atten- 
tion frd'fn  Mr.  Pettit,  L|^tfitas  some  sixty 
or  seventy  other  varieties  under  cul- 
tivation, with  a  view  of  testing  their 
merits.  With  many  others,  however, 
he  has  come  to  the  conclusion  that  the 
number  of  varieties  which  are  really 
worthy  of  a  place  in  a  vineyard  which 
is  i)lanted   for  market,   are  very   few, 


as  for  instance  (white)  Niagara,  (black) 
Concord,and  Rogers'  4  and44,(red)Lin- 
dley,  Worden,  Delaware  and  Agawam. 

Returning  along  the  mountain  brow, 
Mr.  A.  G.  Muir's  vineyard  of  Niagara 
grapes  was  much  admired.  His  suc- 
cess proves  that  not  all  the  most  favor- 
able locations  for  vineyards  are  to  be 
found  below  the  mountain,  as  many 
would  afiirm. 

The  drive  east  of  the  village  two 
miles  to  the  Park,  was  also  full  of 
interest.  Fine  houses,  and  well  kept 
gardens,  line  the  road,  and  betray  the 
good  taste  of  their  occupants.  The 
Park,  too,  is  growing  in  attractiveness  ; 
how  could  it  be  otherwise,  situated  as 
it  is  on  the  bank  of  such  a  beautiful 
lake,  and  in  such  a  delightful  section 
of  country, 

THE    PUBLIC    MEETING 

of  Wednesday  evening  was  a  grand 
success.  The  Town  Hall  was  packed. 
The  address  of  Mr.  A.  McD.  Allan 
was  full  of  special  interest  to  fruit 
growers  ;  while  that  of  Prof.  Brown, 
on  "Trees  and  our  Every-day  Life," 
clearly  showed  the  gi'eat  importance 
of  forests  to  the  prosperity  of  any 
country. 

The  music,  contributed  b\'  Miss 
Katie  Nelles  and  others,  of  Grimsby, 
was  excellent,  and  added  very  much 
to  the  enjoyment  of  the  evening's  pro- 
gramme. 

The  full  text  of  the  President's  ad- 
dress will  appear  in  our  next  Annual 
Report,  together  with  a  report  of  the 
iniportant  discussions  of  Thui-sday, 
taken  down  verbatim  by  an  able  ste- 
nographer.    Suflice  it  therefore  to  say 


244 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTUEI8T. 


that  this  meeting  at  Grimsby  was  ac- 
knowledged to  be  of  interest  and  profit 
to  all,  and  was  the  means  of  increasing 


the  fraternal  feeling  between  the  Onta- 
rio Association  and  a  strong  local  organ- 
ization of  fruit  growers. 


SELECTIONS  FROM  THE  PRESIDENT'S  ADDRESS 

Delivered  at  Orimsby,    Wednesday  Evening,  28th  Septembei: 


HONEST    PACKING. 

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  mar- 
ket for  a  choice  article,  nor  so  poor  a 
one  for  an    inferior   article.       Canada 
has    gained  a  good    name  for  general 
honest  culling  and  packing,  and  it  is 
absolutely  necessary    that   we    do   not 
allow  a  spot  to  tarnish  our  character. 
I  would  entreat  every  orchardist  and 
shipper,    not    only  for    his   own    best 
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   leave  nothing   undone  to 
excel  in  the  production  of  the  choicest 
fruits,  and  when  he  ships  allow  nothing 
to   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  hid- 
ing it  in  the  middle  of  the  basket  or 
barrel.     Let  the  shipper  see  to  it  also 
that  he  acts  in  strictest  honesty  with 
his  customers.      Let  the  brand  always 
truly  indicate  the  contents  of  the  barrel. 
Let  every  specimen  be  sound  and  clean 


for  a  good  brand  of  fruit.  Choice  lots 
should  be  made  of  even  size  and  good 
colour  in  the  barrel.  Under  no  cii-- 
cumstances  let  the  brand  indicate  any- 
thing better  than  the  fruit  in  the  barrel 
fairly  demands. 

SHIPPING. 

Generally  speaking,  it  is  a  mistake 
to  ship  on  consignment  to  any  but  the 
three  great  distributing  centi'es,  Lon- 
don,   Liverpool    and    Glasgow.       Ex- 
perience has  shown  that  fruit  shijiped 
to  London  direct  by  water  has  received 
much   more    damage   in    transit    than 
when  shipped  via  Liverpool  and  thence 
by  rail  to  London.     It  is  a  very  com- 
mon thing  to  find  in  cargoes  shipped 
direct  to  London  by  water,  bai-rels  with 
only  a  few  pecks  in  them,  and  as  these 
few  left  are  clean,   fine  samples,  it  is 
natural  to  conclude  that  they  have  been 
tampered  with  either  when  passing  up 
the  Thames,  or  when  in  charge  of  the 
dock  companies.     I  have  often  visited 
the  docks    to  see   cargoes   dischai-ged, 
and  almost  always  remarked  an  amount 
of  careless  handling  that  was  startling 
— barrels    of    apples    standing   in  the 
storage  sheds  open,  and  passers-by  hav- 
ing every  chance  to  pilfer  that   could 
be  desii'ed.     I  would  therefore  advise 
shippers  to  .shij)  to  London  always  via 
Liverpool. 

MARKET    FOR    FALL    APPLES. 

Thei-e  is  still  another  market  nearer 


THE   CANADIA.N    HORTICULTDRWT. 


245 


home  that  will  prove  one  the  most 
important  to  Ontario  growers,  viz., 
our  own  great  North-West.  Even 
now,  with  population  small  and  scat- 
tered, the  trade  has  assumed  wonderful 
proportions,  with  this  very  desirable 
feature,  that  it  is  a  market  for  our 
early  and  fall  apples,  that  would  other- 
wise be  of  comparatively  little  value. 
Of  coui'se,  there  are  some  fall  apples 
that  we  can  ship  to  Britain  profitably 
under  some  circumstances.  Of  fall 
varieties  we  have  one  that  is  sure  of 
ready  sale  at  high  prices — the  Grav- 
enstein — even  this  season  it  has  sold 
as  high  as  $6  per  barrel.  St.  Lawrence 
has  made  $4.20  and  Colvert  84.05  for 
good  samples. 

ORDER     OF     SHIPPING-    WINTER     APPLES. 

It  is  folly  to  send  a  mixed  cargo  at 
an  eai-ly  season,  as  there  is  then  no 
proper  demand  for  a  long-keeping  kind. 
Shipments  should  continue  through 
winter  until  early  spring.  In  such  a 
season  as  the  present  the  order  in  which 
special  kinds  should  be  shipped  would 
be  thus  : — In  SeptemVjer  and  first  week 
in  October,  ship  all  20-Ounce  and 
Ribstons  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 
FeVjruary.  Ontario  and  Wagner  will 
also  cover  the  same  season.  Hold  the 
Eussets  until  March  if  possible,  along 
with  Mann,  and  send  them  forward 
then  as  the  demand  arises,  taking  care 
to  examine  everv  barrel  before  leaving 


the  storehouse  to  see  that  there  is  no 
decay  or  shrinkage. 

SHIPPING    GRAPES. 

The  large  grape  crops  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]  If  pi-oper  cold 
storage  can  be  secured  on  the  steam- 
ships, Britain  will  soon  prove  to  be  a 
good  market  for  our  open-air  grapes. 
But  as  the  taste  for  them  must  be 
acquired,  largely,  such  a  trade  must  be 
appi'oached  with  care.  The  only  class 
of  grape  consumers  in  Britain  are  those 
who  can  afibrd  to  pay  very  high  prices 
for  hothouse  varieties,  and  those  who 
are  satisfied  with  the  poor  quality  of 
the  ordinary  Spanish  white  grape  of 
commei-ce.  I  have  no  doubt  at  all 
but  our  grapes  would  find  a  ready  class 
of  consumers  if  once  introduced  in  com- 
petition with  the  Spanish  grape.  Var- 
ious ways  of  packing  must  be  tested. 
Those  packed  in  berry  boxes,  tightly 
enclosed  in  a  case  containing  ten  or 
twelve  such  boxes,  carried  better  than  in 
any  other  way  to  the  Colonial  at  Lon- 
don last  year. 

CAUTION. 

It  is  for  the  exporter  to  quickly 
decide  the  market  to  which  he  will 
consign.  Caution  should  be  used  in 
accepting  market  reports  mailed  from 
broking  firms,  which  are  so  worded  as 
to  induce  shippers  to  consign  to  Liver- 
pool when  they  should  take  London 
or  Glasgow,  or  vice  versa.  The  necessity 
of  making  arrangements  well  in  advance 
with  steamship  agents,  to  avoid  being 
shut  out,  must  also  be  borne  in  mind. 


246 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


Influence  should  also  be  brought  to 
bear  on  agents  in  regard  to  storage. 
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. 


KEEPING 
At  the  Grimsby  meeting  this  subject 
was  briefly  discussed.  Mr.  M.  Pettit, 
of  Winona,  said  that  last  year,  he  had 
tried  setting  away  Niagaras  until  De- 
cember, but  he  found  that  by  that  time 
grapes  seemed  out  of  season  on  the 
mai'ket,  and  the  demand  was  over. 

Mr.  J.  B.  Osborne,  of  Beamsville, 
had  been  successful  in  keeping  grapes. 
He  had  filled  cheeseboxes  with  them — 
buried  the  boxes  in  earth  so  as  to 
totally  exclude  the  air.  In  this  way 
he  had  kept  them  till  the  month  of 
February,  and  exhibited  them  at  one  of 
the  winter  meetings  of  the  Association 
at  Hamilton.  The  variety  was  the 
Isabella,  and  they  were  in  a  fine  state 
of  preservation. 

Mr.  A.  M.  Smith  said  he  had  showed 


GRAPES. 

some  Salem  grapes  at  Collingwood 
meeting  last  June,  that  had  been  kept 
by  Mr.  Kerman. 

Mi\  D.  Kermax,  Grimsby,  said  his 
plan  was  to  take  grapes  when  perfectly 
dry,  seal  the  stems  with  sealing  wax, 
pack  them  in  ten  gallon  casks,  placing 
in  layers  of  fine,  diy  hardwood  saw- 
dust, and  then  layers  of  grapes  alter, 
nately.  He  would  give  the  cask  fre- 
quent gentle  taps  on  the  side  to  settle 
the  sawdust  closely  among  the  grapes. 
When  full,  he  glues  stout  paper  over 
the  top,  and  hangs  up  the  casks  in  the 
cellar.  In  this  way  he  had  kept  the 
Salem  grape  in  fine  condition  until 
gi'apes  came  again  the  following  year. 

The  Salem,  Vergennes  and  Pockling- 
ton  were  spoken  of  as  good  varieties  to 
put  away  for  winter  use. 


•* 


THE  CURL  OF  THE  PEACH  LEAVES. 


Miss  Etta  L.  Knowles  writes  in  the 
Botanical  Gazette  for  September  the 
result  of  some  investigations  into  the 
cause  of  this  disease.  It  is  the  result 
of  the  gi'owth  of  a  fungus  called  by 
Botanists  Exoascus  deformans.  The 
observations  were  made  upon  samples 
of  the  leaves  gathered  about  first  week 
in  June,  and  the  drawings  were  by  the 
aid  of  the  camera. 

In  order  better  to  understand  the 
effect  of  the  fungus  upon  the  leaves  a 
drawing  of  a  cross  section  of  a  healthy 
leaf  is  fii-st  shown  as  in  Fig.  1,  in 
which  a  represents  the  upper  and  h  the 


under  sui-face. 


Of  course  it  is  onl}^  by 

T 


Fig.  1. 
the  aid  of  a  powerful  magnifying  glass 
that  anv  such  distinction  of  cells  can  be 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


24T 


seen.  The  part  marked  c  represents 
the  thin  walled  elongated  cells  near  the 
upper  surface,  and  d  the  irregularly 
arranged  cells  near  the  lower  surface, 
-with  large  spaces  between  them. 

The  fungus  begins  as  a  small  swell- 
ing on  the  tissue  of  the  upper  half  of 
the   leaf  and    spreads    until  it   effects 


^n^ 


S33X 


Fig.  2. 
nearly  the  whole  surface.  The  leaf 
becomes  nearly  doubled  in  width,  and 
greatly  increases  in  thickness,  and  soon 
after  the  fungus  is  matured  the  leaf 
shrivels  and  drops. 

Fig.  2  shows  a  vertical   section  of  a 
leaf  thus  affected  and  swollen  out  of  its 


normal  thickness.  In  this  a  is  the 
upper,  h  the  under  surface  as  in  Fig.  1 . 
The  cellular  structure  in  the  under 
portion  of  the  leaf  is  very  little  changed 
but  that  in  the  upper  part  has  changed 
materially.  The  walls  between  the  row 
of  cells  under  the  upper  skin  or  epider- 
mis, have  become  much  thickened  ;  the 
long  narrow  cells  have  become  swollen 
and  divided,  and  have  become  nearly 
empty,  and  hence  the  tendency  in  the 
leaf  to  curl  underwax'd. 

The  dark  lines  represent  the  vege- 
tative portion  of  the  fungus,  coiTeapond- 
ing  to  roots.  This  penetrates  the  sur- 
face of  the  leaf  and  there  forms 
numerous  branches,  each  of  which  en- 


sw3P 

Fig.  9. 
larges  and  forms  the  fruiting  portion 
or  ascus,  shown  at  a  in  Fig.  9.  In  these 
asci  the  spores  (or  seeds)  are  produced, 
from  six  to  seven  in  each,  and  these 
are  the  source  of  the  constant  spread 
of  the  disease. 

As  fruit  growers  we  are  pleased  to 
know  the  cause  of  such  a  wide  spread 
evil  as  the  curl  of  the  peach  leaf,  an 
evil  which  has  been  gaining  ground 
upon  us  of  late,  and  in  wet  seasons 
stripping  our  trees  almost  bare  of  leaves, 
and  lessening  the  yield  of  fruit  very 
materially.  But  if  some  one  could 
tind  a  remedy  for  us,  we  will  be 
still  more  grateful.  ^ 


24:8 


THE  CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


NEW  PACKAGES  FOR  PEACHES. 

Sir, — ^The  peach  basket  you  repre- 
sent, in  the  September  issue  of  your 
interesting  and  instructive  journal  of 
horticulture,  as  being  used  in  New 
Jersey  and  Delaware,  we  beg  to  advise 
you  have  been  almost  entirely  super- 
ceded by  modern,  cheaper  slat  baskets 
and  crates ;  for  peaches  it  has  been 
altogether  abandoned  and  replaced  by 
a  similarly  shaped  slat  basket,  which 
costs  4c.  to  5c.  each. 

For  choice  peaches,  etc.,  the  4-quart 
basket  crate  has  become  very  popular 
as  a    "  gift   package."      But   for    uni- 


formly  large,  fancy  peaches  the  paper 
cell  crate  is  growing  into  popular  use. 

The  truck  basket  is  too  deep 
for  shipping  peaches  in ;  the  peaches 
below  the  third  peach  from  the 
top  are  under  too  heavy  pressure  and 
become  more  or  less  bruised  and 
mashed.  The  basket  crate  is  better 
ventilated,  and  the  peaches  are  only 
two  to  three  deep,  according  to  size  of 
the  fruit.  The  paper  cell  packages 
ventilates  and  holds  separate  each 
individual  peach,  which  makes  it  most 
suitable  for  fancy  delicate  fruit. 
Yours  respectfully, 
Pancoast  &  Griffiths. 

Philadelphia,  Sept.  21,  1887. 


WINTER    PROTECTION. 

By  p.  E.  BucKi,  Ottawa. 


As  the  time  is  fast  approaching  when 
tlie  rigors  of  winter  will  again  be  upon 
us  it  is  well  to  look  ahead  and  profit  by 
past  experience.  The  px'actice  of  pro- 
tection even  where  the  winters  are 
much  milder  than  in  the  Ottawa  Val- 
ley is  becoming  more  genei'al  every 
year.  A  prominent  fruit  grower  in 
Michigan  says  that  he  considers  the 
time  he  spent,  covering  his  vines  in  the 
.autumn,  paid  him  at  the  rate  of  one 
hundred  dollars  per  day  whilst  he  was 
so  employed,  in  his  next  year's  crop ; 
and  there  is  no  doubt  in  my  own  mind 
he  was  perfectly  correct  in  his  state- 
ment. If  in  Michigan  the  best  culti- 
vators protect  grapes,  raspberries  and 
blackberries,  and  the  labor  thus  ex- 
pended yields  the  amount  per  day  as 
stated  above,  it  will  surely  pay  the 
fruit  growers  of  Ontario  to  follow  suit. 
I  am  informed  that  an  individual  who 
has  several  acres  of  a  plum  orchard  in 
Nova  Sdfetia  lays  down  his  trees  regu- 


larly every  winter.  This  he  does  by 
cutting  the  roots  on  one  side,  throwing 
the  trees  over  and  placing  a  few  sods  on 
the  top  branches  to  keep  them  in  a 
recumbent  position. 

There  is  no  doubt  the  high  breeding 
of  our  edible  fruits  has  a  tendency  to 
weaken  the  plant  on  which  they  are 
produced.  That  is  to  say,  the  further 
we  depart  in  the  excellence  of  the  fruit 
from  the  native  wild  type,  the  less  is 
the  vine,  tree  or  shrub  able  to  with- 
stand the  cold  of  our  climate.  Why 
this  should  be  so  I  am  unable  to  define, 
except  that  highly  cultivated  plants 
produce  larger  sap-vessels,  which,  when 
fi'eezing  and  thawing,  expand  and  con- 
tract to  a  greater  degree  than  those  of 
smaller  size  which  are  produced  by  wild 
plants,  the  result  of  the  swelling  and 
shrinking  being  that  the  sap-vessels  are 
impaired  or  destroyed.  But  it  is  prac- 
tice not  theory  the  ordinary  fruit 
grower   wants.     I  say,  therefore,   that 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


249 


the  protection  of  our  raspberries,  black- 
beriies  and  gi-ape-vines  alone  may  cost 
hundreds  of  dollars,  but  it  will  yield 
thousands,  and  the  man  who  says  it 
pays  him  one  hundred  dollars  a  day  is 
quite  under  the  mark.  For  protection 
there  is  nothing  better  or  handier  than 
earth.  A  four-tined  digging  fork  will 
hold  almost  any  plant  in  position  whilst 
soil  is  being  placed  upon  it.  Two  men, 
or  man  and  a  boy,  can  perhaps  work  to 
better  advantage  than  one.  One  will 
hold  the  plant  down  with  a  fork  whilst 
the  other  puts  on  the  earth.  Many 
persons  use  boards,  straw,  manure,  »fcc., 
&c.,  but  there  is  nothing  so  good  as 
earth  for  protection.  This  is  exempli- 
fied every  year  by  die  potatoes  which 
come  up  in  the  spring  in  a  field  which 
has  produced  a  crop  the  previous  year. 
This  tuber  is  very  tender,  and  if  left  on 
the  ground  exposed  to  the  sun  will  not 
stand  i"^  of  frost,  but  if  protected  with 
four  inches  of  soil  will  grow  in  spring 
after  a  hard  winter.  Altliough  it 
freezes  as  hard  as  a  brick,  the  frost  is 
drawn  so  gently  from  it  that  the  sap- 
vessels  assume  their  normal  condition 
and  the  tuber  springs  into  life.  From 
three  to  four  inches  of  soil  is  quite 
sufficient  to  protect  any  plant  or  vine. 
Care  should  be  taken  not  to  dig  too 
close  to  the  roots  ;  the  earth  should  be 
taken  from  three  to  four  feet  away  from 
the  stem  of  the  grape  or  two  feet  from 
berry  plants. 

Pruning  should  always  be  done  be- 
fore the  soil  is  applied,  that  is  the  old 
canes  should  be  removed  and  the  vines 
neatly  trimmed.  For  raspberries  I 
generally  have  a   wheel i 'arrow-load  of 


sods,  cut  4x6  inches  square  and  two 
inches  thick  ;  press  the  canes  down 
with  the  fork,  placing  the  sod  on  the 
tips.  A  few  shovel-fuls  of  earth  may 
be  added.  Grape  vines  are  often  put 
down  when  there  is  two  inches  of  frost 
in  the  ground,  as  the  hard  surface  holds 
the  fork  whilst  the  soil  is  being  applied. 
It  is  hardly  worth  stating  that  the  grape 
should  not  be  buried  until  the  leaves 
have  fallen  and  the  wood  is  thoroughly 
brown  and  ripe.  Two  men  could  easily 
cover  two  acres  of  vines  in  a  day,  if  they 
have  been  previously  cut  loose  from  the 
trellises.  With  regard  to  raspberries 
they  may  be  laid  down  as  described, 
with  a  sod  and  manure  thrown  on  them. 
This  keeps  them  from  the  sun,  and  acts 
as  an  excellent  mulch  for  next  season. 
The  plants  protected  may  be  lifted  in 
the  spring,  when  the  frost  is  out  of  the 
ground,  and  danger  of  hard  weather  is 
over.  For  vines  a  cloudy  day  is  )ire- 
ferred,  as  the  sun  cracks  and  dries  them 
if  it  strikes  too  hot  when  they  are  first 
exposed.  A  three-tined  hay-fork  is  the 
correct  thing  to  i*aise  the  plants  with  in 
the  spring.  New  plants  of  grapes,  rasp- 
berries or  blackbeiries  should  always  be 
set  in  fall,  and  mounded  over  with  earth 
which  should  be  carefully  removed  in 
spring,  a  stake  being  set  by  each  plant 
to  show  its  position. 

The  Gold  Strawberry. — Nearly  every  con- 
temporary just  now  has  an  engraving 
of  this  berry.  li  is  one  of  P.  M. 
Augur's  seedlings,  and  is  named  in 
honor  of  the  Hon.  T.  S.  Gold  of  Con- 
necticut. Mr.  Augur  claims  that  this 
plant  is  hardy,  vigoi'ous,  and  quite  pi'o- 
ductive,  and  preserves  at  the  same  time 
high  quality. 


250 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICU  LTD  HIST. 


^tograpktml. 


T.  H.  HOSKINS,  M.D. 


fHOSE  who  were  present  at  our 
Summer  Meeting  at  Collingwcod 
will  remember  a  paper  on  the 
subject  of  "  Fertilizers  for  the  Or- 
chard," contributed  by  Dr.  Hoskins, 
of  Newport,  Vt.  As  this  gentleman 
is  a  personal  friend  and  acquaintance 
of  some  of  our  Canadian  fruit  growers, 
and  well  known  by  othei-s  through  his 
frequent  communications  to  the  public 
l»ress,  which  are  especially  valuable  to 
Canadians  because  so  often  treating  of 
hardy  varieties  of  fruits,  we  take 
pleasure  in  presenting  his  likeness  to 
the  numerous  readers  of  the  Canadian 


Horticulturist.  We  are  indebted  to 
Our  Country  Home,  Greenfield,  ]\Iass., 
for  the  cut,  and  for  the  following  brief 
sketch  of  his  life  : — 

Dr.  Thomas  H.  Hoskins  —  son  of 
Henry  B.  and  Mary  G.  (Jewett)  Hos- 
kins— was  born  in  Gardiner,  Kennebec 
county,  Maine,  May  14,  1828.  His 
father,  of  the  firm  of  Richards  ifc 
Hoskins,  paper  manufacturers,  was, 
during  a  long  life,  one  of  the  chief 
business  men  of  that  city  ;  representing 
it  in  the  legislature,  and  repeatedly 
city  treasurer,  alderman,  and  mayor. 
His  maternal  grandfather,  Jesse  Jew- 


THE   CANADIAN    HC«TICULTURI6T. 


251 


ett,  was  one  of  the  leading  and  most 
progi'essive  farmers  of  the  Kennebec 
valley,  and  among  the  first  to  introduce 
foreign  breeds  of  farm  stock  into  that 
state.  His  father  was  all  his  life  much 
interested  in  horticulture;  and  between 
the  two  the  bent  was  given  to  the  boy's 
mind  which  has  been  subsequently 
illustrated  in  his  life.  Educated  in  the 
local  schools  and  academy,  he  in  his 
16th  year  entered  his  father's  counting- 
room.  In  1844  he  took  a  situation  as 
book-keeper  for  a  wholesale  drug  house 
on  India  street,  Boston.  In  1849  he 
emigi'ated  westward  to  the  city  of 
Louisville,  Ky.,  whei'e  he  became  a 
partner  in  the  jobbing  drug  establish- 
ment of  B.  R.  Clark  &  Co.  His  fond- 
ness for  "  digging  in  the  dirt,"  as  some 
of  his  friends  phrased  it,  led  to  his 
purchase  of  a  farm  near  the  city,  in 
which  he  became  daily  more  and  more 
absorbed.  His  business  in  town  brought 
him  into  acquaintance  with  many  of  its 
leading  physicians ;  and  his  taste  for 
scientific  studies,  which  had  chai'actei-- 
ized  him  since  boyhood,  caused,  in 
1854,  his  withdrawal  from  trade,  and 
his  entrance  upon  the  study  of  medi- 
cine, in  which  science  he  graduated 
from  the  medical  department  of  the 
University  of  Louisville,  at  the  head 
of  his  class,  in  1860.  Shortly  after- 
wards he  retui-ned  to  New  England, 
and  entered  upon  the  practice  of  medi- 
cine in  the  city  of  Boston,  making  a 
specialty  of  the  diseases  of  children. 
He  contributed  frequently  to  the  press 
of  that  city,  on  sanitary  and  other 
scientific  subjects,  and  received  appoint- 
ments as  one  of  the  physicians  of  the 
Boston  Dispensary,  and  as  a  city  Health 
Warden.  In  the  spring  of  1865  he 
suffered  so  severe  an  injuiy  from  a 
fall  on  the  sti-eet  that  he  found  himself 
compelled  to  abandon  his  pi-actice.  His 
previous  marriage  with  a  Vermont 
lady  determined  his  choice  in  seeking 
a  home  upon  a  farm  in  that  state,  near 


the  village  of  Newport,  the  present 
country-seat  of  Orleans  county,  situi^t- 
ed  near  the  head  of  Lake  Memphrem- 
agog,  where  he  has  since  resided.  The 
extreme  severity  of  the  winter  climate 
in  this  elevated  locality  led  him  into 
an  ardent  study  of  the  "  iron-clad " 
tree  fruits,  which  he  has  now  pursued 
for  over  20  yeai's.  His  orchard  con- 
tains some  1,200  fruit  trees,  embracing 
every  variety  capable  of  enduring  the 
climate,  collected  from  our  northern 
border,  Canada,  and  Russia ;  and  he 
has  solved  the  problem  of  tree  fruits — 
apples,  pears,  cherries,  and  plitms— for 
all  of  northern  New  England  and 
lower  Canada.  As  an  ardent  gardener 
and  hybridist,  he  has  also  produced  a 
considerable  number  of  valuable  new 
varieties  of  garden  vegetables,  particu- 
larly in  the  class-  of  early  peas,  sweet 
corn,  and  beans.  His  grounds  have 
become  a  sort  of  horticultural  Mecca 
for  those  seeking  an  example  of  success 
in  these  specialties,  and  he  is  sought  as 
a  contributor  by  leading  agricultural 
and  horticultural  publications  througb- 
out  the  country. 


Wat  Binejpari). 

KEEPING    QUALITIES    AND    USE 
OF  GRAPES  DURING  WINTER. 

BY   WM.    5iBAD   PATTISON,    CLAREXCEVILLE,    P.4. 

The  cultivation  of  out-door  grapes 
for  domestic  use  has  become  so  general 
of  late  years  that  the  subject  of  keep- 
ing them  for  winter  use.  and  the  best 
method  to  attain  that  object  may  profit- 
ably claim  attention.  The  varieties 
intended  to  be  laid  up  for  winter  use 
should  be  those  only  which  adhere  well 
to  the  stem  and  are  not  inclined  to 
shrivel.  These  should  be  allowed  to 
remain  on  the  vines  as  long  as  they  are 
safe  from  frost.  A  clear  dry  day  is 
necessary  for  picking,  and  careful  hand- 
ling and  shallow  baskets  are  important. 


252 


THE   CANADIAN    HOKTICULTUBI8T. 


The  room  selected  for  the  drying  pro- 
cess should  be  well  ventilated,  and  the 
fruit  laid  out  in  single  layers  on  tables 
or  in  baskets  where  the  air  circulates 
freely,  the  windows  being  closed  at 
night  and  in  damp  weather.  In  about 
ten  days,  the  stems  will  be  dried  out 
sutiicieutly  to  pi-event  moulding  when 
laid  away.  When  danger  from  this  is 
over,  and  the  stems  resemble  those  of 
raisins,  the  time  for  packing  has 
arrived.  In  this,  the  point  to  be 
observed  is  to  exclude  air  consistently 
with  their  tendency  to  mould.  I  have 
used  baskets  for  permanent  packing, 
but  much  pi'efer  shallow  trays  or  boxes 
of  a  uniform  size  to  be  packed  on  each 
other,  so  that  each  box  forms  a  cover 
for  the  lower,  the  uppermost  only  need- 
ing one.  Until  very  cold  weather,  tlie 
boxes  can  be  piled  so  as  to  allow  the 
remaining  moisture  to  escape  through 
a  crevice  about  the  width  of  a  knife- 
blade.  Before  packing,  each  bundle 
should  be  examined,  and  all  injured, 
ci'acked  and  rotten  berries  removed 
with  suitable  scissors.  If  two  layers 
are  packed  in  a  box,  a  sheet  of  paper 
should  intervene,  the  boxes  must  be 
ke[)t  in  a  dry,  cool  room,  or  passage,  at 
an  even  temperature.  If  the  ther- 
mometer goes  much  below  freezing 
point,  a  blanket  or  newspapers  can  be 
thrown  over  them,  to  be  removed  in 
mild  weather.  Looking  them  over 
once  in  the  winter  and  removing  defec- 
tive berries  will  suffice,  the  poorest 
keepers  being  placed  accessible.  Under 
this  treatment  the  best  keepers  will  be 
in  good  eatable  order  as  late  as  Febru- 
ary, after  which,  they  deteriorate. 
Before  proceeding  further  I  can  say, 
from  a  basis  of  long  observation,  that 
no  fruit  is  of  greater  benefit  as  an 
article  of  diet  than  the  grape,  and  if  it 
were  more  generally  used,  dyspepsia, 
and  other  disorders  of  the  digestive 
orgaiis,  and  consumption  would  be  less 
known. 


The  following  is  a  list  of  the  grapes 
worth  noticing  that  have  been  tested 
for  keeping  : — 


Description'. 


(  Nov.  1st. 


Dec.  1st. 


List  of  Grapes  to  be  Recommknobd. 


Lady,  Antoinette,  Carlotta,  Belinda. 


Lad}-  Washington,  Peter  Wiley, 
;Mason's  Seedling,  Wordeii,  Sen- 
asqua,  Romell's  Superior,  Rick- 
ett's  Xo.  546,  Concord,  Delaware. 


Duchess,  Essex,  Barry,  Rockland 
Favorite,  Aminia,  Garber's  New 
Seedling,  Massasoit,  Dempsey's 
No.  5,  Burnett,  Undine,  Allen's 
Hybrid,  Agawaiu,  Gen.  Pope, 
Francis  Scott. 


Jan.  15th.     Salem,  Vergennea,  El  Dorado. 


Feb.  1st.       Wilder,  Herbert,  Peabody,  Rogers 
No.  30,  Gaertner,  Mary  &  Owasso. 


The  new  varieties,  Empire  State  and 
Norwood,  have  not  been  tested  here. — 
Report  Montreal  Hort.  Society. 


Evaporating  Fruit. — Prof.  Ai-nold, 
in  the  New  York  Tribune,  says  evapo- 
rating tVuit  has  been  a  God-send  to 
horticulture  and  to  the  human  race,  by 
converting  thousands  upon  thousands 
of  bushels  of  fruit  every  year  into 
wholesome  and  delicious  food  which 
would  otherwise  have  been  lost.  Far- 
mers all  through  western  New  York 
find  that  evaporators  suited  to  their 
needs  pay  better  than  selling  the  green 
fruit,  and  far  better  than  making  it  into 
cider  to  prove  a  curse  to  the  consumer. 
An  evaporater  will  cost  about  $5  for 
each  bushel  of  apples  it  will  dry  per 
day.  The  "  running  expense  "  in  labor 
and  fuel  for  evaporating  apples  at  Ro- 
chester, N.  Y.,  is  10  to  12  cents  a 
bushel ;  raspberries,  4  to  5  mills  per 
quart ;  peaches,  25  to  35  cents  a  bushel. 
In  a  large  way  it  costs  less  than  in  a 
small  one. 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


253 


J^lolnerB. 


CULTIVATION   OF  THE  AMARYLLIS. 

BY   HER1IA^'^   SIMMERS,  TOROSTO. 


I 


fHIS  vai-iety  of  bulbous-rooted 
plants,  is  not  as  common  as  the 
merit  of  the  flowers  should  cause 
it  to  be,  mainly  because  the  subject  has 
not  been  given  that  prominence  which 
it  should  have  considering  the  rather 
easy  culture  with  which  they  may  be 
reared.  Therefore  with  the  hope  that 
the  result  may  be  different,  I  will  give 
a  few  practical  suggestions  for  their 
successful  culture. 

Amaryllis  formosissima  is  a  variety 
which,  though  not  the  most  beautiful 
in  flower,  has  nevertheless  the  advan- 
tage of  giving  the  successful  amateur  a 
taste  for  growing  the  more  beautiful, 
as  well  as  the  more  expensive  varieties. 
A.  formosissima  is  treated  in  precisely 
the  same  manner  as  that  described 
under  the  heading  of  Hyacinth,  with 
this  difference,  that  a  somewhat  freer 
application    of    liquid    manure    is     re- 


quired, on  account  of  the  bulb  being 
larger,  and  of  the  number  of  flower 
stems  which  are  thrown  up  from  a 
single  bulb.  Its  flowers  are  of  a 
beautiful  red,  exhibiting  a  play  of 
golden  gleams  in  the  sunshine.  They 
ai'e  scentless. 

Amaryllis  vallotta  purpurea  is  the 
common  dark  red  Amaryllis  usually 
seen  in  the  amateurs  collection,  and 
growing  with  a  vigour  from  year  to 
year,  which,  with  the  careful  amateur, 
may  be  made  to  bloom  with  a  lai-ger 
amount  of  success  than  the  pi'ofessional 
is  able  to  bring  them  to.  Some  speci- 
mens I  have  seen  have  as  many  as  five 
to  eight  flower  stems,  and  the  bulb, 
having  been  grown  from  year  to  year, 
has  been  fully  nine  to  twelve  inches  in 
in  circumference.  They  are  easily 
propagated  by  the  side  shoots  being 
broken  off,  and  planted  separately  in  a 


254 


THE   CANADIAN    H0RTICULTUKI8T. 


pot,  together,  when  in  the  course  of 
three  years'  individual  handling  they 
attain  sufficient  size  to  bloom.  The 
success  of  this  variety  has  caused  many 
to  ti-y  the  more  difficult  task  of  grow- 
ing the  hybrid  seedlings.  The  cultiva- 
tion is  the  same  as  described  under  the 
heading  of  A.  formosissima. 

Amaryllis  Hybrid  seedlings  cover  a 
larger  number  of  varieties.  Suffice  it 
to  say,  if  the  amateur  has  made  them  a 
specialty  he  will  attain  the  climax  of 
perfection.  There  are  European  cata- 
logues which  list  as  many  as  a  hundi'ed 
varieties  of  this  genus,  varying  in  pi'ice 
from  one  to  twelve  dollars  per  bulb, 
but  I  have  seen  splendid  results  with 
parties  who  have  purchased  bulbs  of 
hybi-id  seedlings  at,  say,  one  dollar  to 
one  dollar  and  fifty  cents  each.  The 
flowers  range  in  colour  from  dark  red 
gi'ound  sti-ii)ed  with  white  and  yellow 
to  pure  white  ground  striped  with  dai"k 
red.  Tlie  individual  flower  is  from  two 
to  three  times  lai'ger  than  the  A.  vail, 
purpurea,  which  is  in  itself  an  advan- 
tage that  excites  the  curiosity  of  the 
ambitious  amateur.  The  cultivation  of 
A.  hybrid  seedlings  is  perhaps  a  trifle 
more  difficult,  because  if  planted  now 
they  sometimes  take  from  four  to  five 
months  to  root  properly,  and  they 
should  not  be  brought  to  the  light  luitil 
the  pot  is  well  filled  with  roots,  which 
is  natu^  ;  for  having  to  throw  out  a 
heavier  stem,  they  must  necessarily 
require  more  roots  to  snppoi-t  their 
handsome  flowers,  therefore-  let  ^e 
amateur  not  despair,  but  wait  patiently 
for  the  sufficient  amount  of  roots  re- 
quired. A  frequent  application  of 
liquid  manure  after  being  brought  to 
the  light  is  necessaiy.  The  bulbs  when 
bought  should  be  from  five  to  nine 
inches  in  circumference,  otherwise  they 
will  not  be  strong  enough  to  flowei-. 

Many  other  varieties  I  might  class 
separately,  but  the  foregoing  are  par- 
ticularly Avorthy  of  special  mention  and 


can  be  easily  grown.  The  cultivation 
of  the  other  varieties  is  the  same  as 
that  of  the  Hyacinth,  with  the  addi- 
tion of  the  special  instructions  given 
above. 


•      r.V    FRANX'IS    MASO.N",    rETKRBOROrGII,    OST. 

GOSSIP. 

How  much  we  do  feel  like  scolding 
and  complaining  !  Just  as  our  garden 
was  beginning  to  look  its  best,  that 
hoary-headed  monster.  Jack  Frost,  one 
night  came  near,  jumped  the  fence,  and 
breathed  his  icy  breath  all  over  our 
beds  of  flowers ;  and  next  morning, 
when  the  sun  arose,  blackness  and 
destruction  met  us  at  every  turn. 

"  Fled  are  the  roses,  dead  are  the  roses, 
The  fflow  and  the  g^Iory  done, 
And  down  the  hollow  the  steel  winy'd  swallow 
Flying'  the  way  of  the  sun. 

In  place  of  summer  a  dread  new-comer 

His  solemn  state  renews  ; 
His  frosts  so  hoar^-  touch'^ith  glory 

Maple  and  oak  and  thorn  ; 
And  rising  and  falling  his  winds  are  calling, 

Like  a  hunter  through  his  horn." 

The  gorgeous  apparel  autumn  ap^ared 
in  a  short  time  ago  is  laid  aside,  and, 
as  Longfellow  has  put  it. 

Within  the  solemn  woods  of  ash  deep-crimsoned, 
And  silvery  lieech,  and  maple  yellow -leaved. 
There  autumn,  like  a  faint  old  man,  sits  down 
By  the  wayside  a-weary. 

And  we  might  say,  from  all  appear- 
ances, the  weariness  has  ended  in 
death :  for,  although  the  ash,  beech, 
and  maple  were  a  short  time  ago 
clothed  in  a  coat  of  many  colors^  now 
the  fi'osts  and  cold  winds  have  removed 
this  last  vestige  of  autumn's  reign. 
And  now,  though  our  work  in  the 
garden  must  for  a  while  be  laid  aside, 
yet  we  may  plan  and  arrange  for 
another  season's  work,  taking  a  back- 


THE   CANADIAN    H0KTICULTUKI8T. 


255 


ward  glance  at  our  successes  and  fail- 
ures, which  will  help  us  to  make 
success  more  certain  in  all  departments 
when  again  the  icy  bands  are  loosed, 
and  mother  earth  is  free  once  more. 
But,  as  we  gather  around  our  firesides, 
let  us  enjoy  the  consolation  that  all  of 
our  floral  pets  were  not  outside  when 
that  midnight  assassin,  Jack  Frost, 
paid  us  a  visit.  These  will  now  be- 
come more  dear  to  us,  and  we  will 
watch  them  with  pleasure  as  the  dreary 
days  of  winter  pass  by.  Let  us  see 
that  comfortable  quarters  are  given 
them,  that  their  insect  enemies  do  not 
increase  and  prey  upon  them,  that  food 
is  given  and  water  is  not  withheld 
when  required  by  them. 

As  a  mother  watches  her  child  that 
cannot  tell  its  wants,  and  supplies 
them,  so  must  we  watch  our  dumb 
pets  ;  and  as  a  child  needs  sleep,  so 
must  our  plants  have  rest.  A  cooler 
atmosphere  at  night  will  give  ifiis,  but 
sometimes  the  house  is  warmer  at  night 
than  in  the  day  ;  and,  if  they  are  kept 
up  at  fever  heat  day  and  night,  sick- 
ness and  de.th  must  follow.  Many 
times  I  am  asked,  "  "What  is  the  mat- 
ter with  my  geraniums  :  I  cannot  get 
them  to  flower  ;"  or,  "  I  cannot  succeed 
with  fuschias ;  I  wish  you  would  tell 
me  what  is  wrong."  Well,  as  I  do 
not  know  all  the  circumstances,  I  tell 
them  there  is  something  materially 
astray  in  the  home  treatment ;  it  is 
nothing  outside  of  nature — it  can  all  be 
accounted  for  ;  and  he  who  has  plants, 
and  I'eally  loves  them,  will  have  healthy 
plants.  I  want  to  say  something  about 
a  few  plants  that  nearly  all  can  succeed 
with  in  the  house  duiing  winter.  I 
would  place  foremost  on  this  list 

PRIMULAS, 

better  known  as  Chinese  Primroses. 
They  need  liardly  ever  to  be  out  of 
bloom,  except  for  a  short  time  during 
the  hot  summer  weather.  They  must 
be   kept  in  a  cool  room   or   window  ; 


they  will  do  little  or  no  good  in  a  hot 
dry  atmosphere. 

CYCLAMEN'. 

Another  pretty  winter  blooming 
plant,  requiring  a  rest  dui-ing  the 
summer.  By  this  I  mean  the  bulb 
may  be  dried  off"  altogether,  or  only 
l)artially  so,  and  repotted  early  in  Se]>- 
tember.  Most  varieties  have  not  only 
a  peculiar  flower,  but  also  a  pretty 
marked  leaf 

BEGONIA    REX 

makes  a  grand  plant  for  the  table,  if 
nicely  grown,  as  it  does  not  require  any 
sun.  It  is  very  suitable  for  a  north 
window.  Two  things  are  requisite  to 
bring  this  plant  to  perfection,  viz : 
large  pots  with  good  soil,  and  plenty  of 
water  in  the  growing  season,  or  duiing 
the  summer.  Not  s  <  much  is  required 
in  the  winter. 

BEGONIAS    FLOWERING, 

such  as  Rubfa,  Metallica,  Nigricans, 
Schmidtii,  and  many  others,  are  beau- 
tiful for  the  window  garden,  but  we 
would  not  leave  out  our  old  standby 
friends,  the  Geraniums,  which  can  be 
had  single  and  double,  all  shades,  and 
may  be  had  in  bloom  nearly  all  winter  ; 
there  is  the  Paris  Daisy,  in  shades  of 
yellow  and  white,  nearly  a  constant 
bloomer ;  then  there  are  the  monthly 
rd^es,  stocks,  svjeet  allyssiim,  and  many 
others.     But  I  want  to  tell  yjm 

HOW   TO    MAKE    A    FERNERY 

in  an  hour,  that  will  give  more  pleasure 
an^reqaire  less  care  than  will  any 
plants  that  I  know  of.  These  home- 
made ferneries  may  be  made  square 
or  octagonal,  high  or  low,  rustic  or 
plain,  small  or  large ;  but  so  as  to  be 
easily  understood,  let  us  describe  a 
plain  square  one.  Make  or  procure  a 
small  box,  12i  x  12^  inches,  and  six 
or  eight  inches  deep.  This  is  the  case 
to  hold  the  earth  and  ferns.  Now 
take  four  lights  of  glass,  12  x  16  in., 
and  i)ut  strips  of  glazed  cambric  about 


256 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


three-quarters  of  an  inch  wide,  or  cot- 
ton tape  the  same  width  will  do,  to 
connect  the  joints,  or  edges,  of  glass, 
using  good  glue  to  cause  them  to  ad- 
here. When  dry,  place  a  piece  of  tape 
around  the  bottom  and  top,  using 
sealing  wax  at  the  four  corners  to  make 
it  adhere  to  the  glass,  which  will  bind 
all  together.  And  now,  three  or  four 
ferns  may  be  procured  from  the  florist, 
or  from  the  woods,  using  leaf  mould 
similar  to  that  which  they  grow  in 
when  found  in  their  natural  home. 
When   this  is  all  complete,  place  the 


glass  framework  on  top  of  the  box, 
putting  a  few  tacks  around  the  glass 
on  the  outside,  to  keep  it  in  position. 
Give  a  good  watering,  which  will  be 
sufficient  for  three  or  four  weeks,  or 
more ;  then  place  a  square  of  glass  on 
top  to  retain  the  moisture.  A  fernery 
does  not  require  any  sun,  but  some 
warmth.  Soon  the  beautiful  green 
fronds  will  begin  to  unfold.  Any  time 
before  the  ground  in  the  woods  is 
frozen  i;p,  the  ferns  may  be  procured. 
Dig  them  up  carefully,  so  that  an 
abundance  of  roots  may  be  retained. 


JfoustrjD 


FALLEN   LEAVES. 


A  carpet  is  laid, -but  not  by  hand, 
'Tis  woven  with  skill,— but  not  by  man  ; 
Its  colors  are  crimson  and  brown  and  gold, 
More  curiously  wrought  than  the  webs  of  old.* 
And  who  is  its  niaker,  I  ask  you  to  say  ? 
You  answer,  'tis  nature,  and  truly  you  may. 
But  what  is  nature  to  work  out  her  laws 
Without  a  controlling,  presiding  "  First  Cause?" 
That  power  is  in  nature,  in  all  of  her  works, 
A  secret  power  that  subtlely  works. 
Infinitely  great,  though  not  seen  at  all. 
We  know  it  in  everjthing  both  great  and  small. 


We  call  metaphysics  and  reason  to  aid, 

Which  sometimes  confound  and  often  mislead 

From  question  to  question,  each  still  asking,  why  ? 

Till  all  our  conclusions  unsatisfied  lie. 

The  Word  of  God's  truth  it  is  can  reveal. 

Unravel  our  doubts,  hypotheses  clear  ; 

And  this  Book  alone  affords  the  true  Light 

To  guide  our  opinions  and  judgment  aright. 

Ou'en  Soimd.  M.  W.  Manley. 

•  The  cloth  of  gold  belonging  to  the  great  Mogul  dynasty  is 
Talued  at  SKIO  rupees,  or  450  dollars  the  square  yard,  and  even 
heyond  price. 


SOME  OF  THE  NEWER  ORNAMENTAL  TREES. 

(Concluded.) 


THE    KATSURA 

is  another  of  the  new  importations, 
and  comes  from  Northern  Japan.  It  is 
supposed  to  belong  to  the  magnolia 
family,  and  possesses  a  botanical  name 
which  will  by  no  means  increase  its 
popularity,  and  therefore  we  prefer  to 
call  it  by  its  Japanese  name,  the  Kat- 
sura,  instead  of  Cercidiphyllum  Jaf- 
onicum. 

Our  illustration  shows  one  of  these 
trees  at  the  age  of  five  years,  and  the 
fact  of  its  having  reached  eight  feet  in 
height   in   that   tim-   is  a  proof  of  its 


extremely  rapid  growth.  The  leaf  is 
heart-shaped,  as  shown  in  the  right- 
hand  corner  of  the  engraving,  and  in 
color  is  dark  green  above,  and  silvery 
green  beneath.  The  leaf  stocks  and 
the  veins  of  the  leaves  are  dark  red, 
and  contrast  prettily  with  the  dark 
brown  of  the  young  bark,  and  make 
the  tree  quite  attractive. 

At  Boston,  this  tree  is  reported  to 
be  perfectly  hardy,  and  therefore  it 
would  no  doubt  succeed  in  southern 
Ontario,  but  more  than  this  we  cannot 
say  at  present. 


THE   CANADIAN    H0RTICULTDKI8T. 


257 


) 


THE    K 

The  Rural  Xetv- Yorker  says  this  new 
tree  has  been  tried  on  the  Rural 
Grounds,  and  objects  to  it  on  the 
ground  that  it  loses  its  leaves  quite 
early  in  the  autumn. 

THE    PIN    OAK. 

No  lawn  or  park  of  any  size  is  com- 
plete without  one  or  more  specimens  of 
the  oak — the  king  of  forest  trees.     Nor 
need    there  be  any  lack   of  variety  in 
2 


ATSLILV. 

kind,  when  we  find  as  many  as  forty 
varieties  offered  for  sale  for  ornamental 
planting  in  the  catalogue  of  a  .single 
nursery. 

The  Pin  Oak,  or  Quercus  pcdustris, 
is  one  of  peculiar  beauty  for  lawn  or 
park  planting.  The  foliage  is  a  deep 
green,  and  finely  divided.  Its  habit 
of  growth  is  very  striking,  for  as  the 
tree   advances    in   age,     the     branches 


258 


THB   CANADIAN    HORTI0DLTDRI8T. 


THE    PIN 

assume  a  drooping  habit,  and  tlie  lower 
ones  sweep  the  gi'ound. 

Our  illustration  shows  one  of  these 
trees  at  the  age  of  ten  years,  with  a 
height  of  twenty  feet,  and  a  girth  of 
twenty  inches. 

VARIEGATED  SHRUBS. 

Many  shrubs,  with  variegated  and 
colored  leaves,  are  very  beautiful  in 
their  early  spring  foliage,  but  when 
the  summer  heat  comes  on,  the  varie- 


gation is  lost,  and  the  shrubs  present 
only  green  leaves,  and  in  colored  leaved 
kinds,  of  a  dull,  muddy  green,  less 
pleasing  than  in  the  normal  form  of  the 
plant.  There  are  two  shrubs,  howevei", 
that  have  pi-oved  thoroughly  satisfac- 
tory in  all  seasons.  One  of  these  is 
the  "  Purple-leaved  Barberry,"  a  form 
of  the  common  Bai-berry  (Berberis  vul- 
garis), the  leaves  of  which  are  of  a  rich 
maroon-purple  color,  and  remain  so. 
The  flowers  of  this  variety  are  very 
pretty,  being  of  a  darker  yellow  than 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


259 


in  the  ordinary  kind,  with  the  calyx 
purple,  and  the  petals  tipped  here  and 
there  with  the  same  color.  Another 
of  our  favorites  is  the  Variegated  Rose 
of  Sharon  {Hjjbiscus  Syriatus).  There 
are  several  forms  of  this  with  varie- 
gated leaves,  but  the  one  referred  to 
originated  with,  or  at  least  was  sent 
out  by,  the  late  Robert  Buist.  The 
leaves  are  broadly  and  distinctly  mar- 
gined with  creamy  white,  which  re- 
mains in  perfection  until  the  end  of 
the  season.  This  attempts  to  flower, 
but   makes    a  comjjlete   failure    of  it. 


The  flowers  are  excessively  double, 
open  about  half  way,  and  dry  up.  It 
would  improve  the  appearance  of  the 
shrub  to  remove  the  flower  buds  as 
soon  as  they  appear.  This  shrub  is 
readily  propagated  by  cuttings,  and  is 
altogether  the  most  satisfactory  of  any 
with  vai'iegated  foliage,  that  we  have 
tried.  The  variegated  Box-Elder,  or 
Ash-leaved  Maple  {Negundo  aceroides), 
sometimes  so  beautiful,  is  an  utter 
failure  with  us.  Variegated  shrubs, 
generally,  succeed  better  in  a  rather 
poor  soil  than  in  a  rich  one. — Am.  Ag. 


%\u  dianatiian  ^orticultarist. 


ODN  Ilhis- 
trated 
Monthly  Journal,  de- 
j  voted  to  the  interests 
of     Fruit     Growers, 
Gardeners,  and  Gentle- 
men owning  rural  or  su- 
burban homes. 

Subscription  price  $1.00 
per  year,  entitling  the  subscri- 
to  mem))ership  of  the  Fruit  Grow- 
ers' Association  of  Ontario  and  all  its 
privileges,  including  a  copy  of  its 
valuable  Annual  Report,  and  a  share  in  its 
annual  distribution  of  plants  and  trees. 


This  Journal  is  not  published  in  the  in- 
terests, or  for  the  pecuniary  advantage  of 
any  one,  but  its  pages  are  devoted  wholly  to 
the  progress  of  Horticultural  Science  and 
Art  in  Canada. 


The  writer,  in  accepting  the  appoint- 
ment of  Secretary-Tniasurer  of  the  F. 
G.  A.  of  Ont.,  and  Editor  of  the  Cana- 
dian Horticulturist   for   another   year, 


desires  to  express  his  appreciation  of 
the  many  kind  words  concerning  his 
work,  spoken  during  the  past  year; 
and  of  the  hearty  co-operation  on  the 
part  of  the  officers  and  members,  which 
has  so  materially  aided  him  in  his  re- 
sponsible position. 

And  now  that  the  time  is  approach- 
ing for  the  enlargement  of  our  journal, 
he  would  I'espectfully  solicit  the  hearty 
assistance  of  all  friends  of  horticulture, 
not  merely  in  enlarging  our  sphere  of 
usefulness  by  sending  the  names  of  new 
members,  but  in  contributing  items  of 
personal  exjierience  which  may  serve 
to  advance  the  interests  of  our  favorite 
science. 

Our  proper  sphere  of  work  as  an  associa- 
tion is  not  the  advancement  of  personal 
interests,  nor  financial  gains,  excejit  so 
far  as  these  results  may  grow  out  of 
the  study  of  horticulture  as  a  science 
and  as  an  art.  We  aim  at  the  im- 
provement of  our  country  as  a  whole, 
the  adoi-nment  of  its  parks  aiid  pleasure 
grounds,  and  the  wise  direction  of  the 
efforts  of  the  cultivator  of  the  gardeii 
and  orchard,  in  such  a  manner  as  shall 
most  increase  the  happiness  and  the 
comfort  of  our  people. 

Enlargement  of  the  Canadian  Horticulturist. 
— Our  readers  will  be  pleased  to  learn 


260 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


that  plans  are  in  progress  for  the  en- 
largement and  inprovement  of  this 
Journal.  It  is  found  that  the  present 
size  is  too  small  for  the  amount  of 
valuable  matter  which  comes  to  hand 
each  month,  and  in  consequence  a  great 
deal  has  to  be  held  over  from  month  to 
month.  Besides  this,  it  is  the  desire 
of  the  Directors,  and  of  the  Editor,  that 
the  Horticulturist  should  grow  in  value 
every  year,  until  no  fruit  grower,  gar- 
dener, farmer,  or  gentleman  owning  a 
subui'ban  or  country  home  can  afford 
to  be  without  it.  We  aim  not  at  pro- 
fit, but  to  confer  benefit  upon  our 
readers,  and  every  dollar  of  our  income 
above  the  necessary  expenses,  will  be 
spent  in  their  interests.  We  ask 
our  friends  to  speak  a  word  in  our 
favor  on  eveiy  opportunit}^  and  aid  us 
in  doubling  the  membership  of  our 
Association  for  the  coming  year. 

Owing  to  some  irregularity  in  the  mail- 
ing department,  at  Toronto,  we  find  a 
good  many  complaints  of  not  I'eceiving 
the  copies  of  this  Journal.  We  shall 
be  glad  to  receive  a  list  of  missing  num- 
bers, from  any  one  who  has  this  com- 
plaint to  make,  and  will  at  once  forward 
them  from  this  office. 

We  have  also  a  good  many  Reports 
of  past  years,  which  are  of  great  value. 
One  of  these  we  shall  have  pleasure  in 
sending  out  to  each  of  those  who  failed 
to  receive  the  Report  of  1886,  on  receipt 
of  a  post  card  saying  what  Re[)orts  they 
have  already.  Others  may  have  these 
Reports  for  25c  each. 

Members  who  have  received  no  share 
in  the  plant  distribution,  of  last  year, 
may  select  the  package  of  fall  bulbs ; 
or  may  make  two  selections  from  our 
list  for  next  spring,  when  sending  in 
their  member's  fee  for  the  new  year. 

Where  shall  we  meet  next  ? — We  are  not 
by  this  begging  an  invitation.  Plenty 
of  places  a]ipreciate  the  great  impulses 
given  to  tlie  study  of  horticulture,  and 


to  better  cultivation  of  orchards  and 
gardens,  by  the  presence  of  so  many 
enthusiastic  horticulturists,  and  fruit- 
growers, and  by  hearing  them  discuss 
the  subjects  of  flowers,  fruits  and 
forestry.  But  wherever  the  Winter 
Meeting,  which  is  fixed  for  the  second 
Wednesday  in  February,is  most  wanted, 
there  the  executive  committee  will 
arrange  to  hold  the  meeting.  Some  of 
our  members  in  the  eastern  part  of  the 
Province  complain  that  we  seldom  hold 
meetings  within  their  i-each.  Well, 
then,  now  is  the  time  to  speak  for  the 
meeting  to  be  held  in  one  of  the  cities 
in  that  direction. 

Careful  Transportation  of  Fruit. — A  re- 
solution was  passed  at  the  Annual 
Meeting  that  the  President,  Vice- 
President,  Secretary,  and  Mr.  P.  C. 
Dempsey  be  a  Committee  from  the 
Fruit  Growers  Association  of  Ontario, 
to  correspond  with  the  steamship 
companies,  with  reference  to  the  care- 
ful transportation  of  our  fruits  to 
England. 

This  is  an  important  point,  and  upon 
it  largely  hangs  the  development  of  our 
future  export  trade.  In  his  annual  ad- 
dress Mr.  M.  Allan  said — "If  our  steam- 
ship companies  would  provide  cold  blast 
for  the  compartment  where  fruit  is 
stored,  so  that  damage  by  heating  would 
be  avoided,  we  could  successfully  ship 
such  apples  as  the  Duchess  of  Olden- 
burg and  realize  high  prices  ;  and  if  the 
market  demand  would  permit,  even  such 
pears  as  Clapp's  Favourite,  Bartlett, 
Flemish  Beauty  and  Boussock  could  be 
shipped.  Our  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  par- 
ticular variety. 

Mr.  G.  W.  Cline,  of  Winona,  sends  us 
a  collection  of  varieties  of  plums,  of 
which  he  makes  a  specialty.  Among 
them    we    notice    Gen.    Hand,  Golden 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST 


261 


Gage,  Reine  claude  de  Bavay,  Coe's 
Golden  Drop,  German  Prune,  Pond's 
Seedling,  Columbia,  Duane's  Purple, 
and  Lombard.  Mr.  Cline  has  satis- 
factorily demonstrated  the  advantage 
of  using  Paris  green  in  lighting  the  cur- 
culio.  By  applying  it  each  year  about 
the  time  of  the  fall  of  the  petals,  he 
has  succeeded  in  raising  abundant  crops 
during  the  ])ast  two  or  three  years  in  a 
section  where  plum  growing  had  long 
ago  been  totally  abandoned,  on  account 
of  this  pest. 

Winter  Protection  of  Blackberries. — W. 
A.  B.  writes  to  the  Rural  Nein  Yorker, 
from  the  east  shore  of  Lake  Michigan, 
strongly  advocating  winter  protection 
of  the  blackberry,  and  thus  growing 
the  better  kinds,  as  he  considers  the 
Taylor,  Snyder,  and  Stone's  Hardy 
inferior  to  the  wild  varieties  growing 
thei-e.  His  method  of  covei'ing  "  re- 
quires two  men,  one  of  whom  removes 
a  spadeful  of  earth  from  one  side  of  the 
base  of  the  canes,  while  the  other 
grasps,  with  a  pair  of  leather  mit'ens, 
the  top  of  the  canes  and  brings  the  tops 
to  the  earth,  laying  the  canes  as  near 
the  ground  as  practicable  without 
breaking,  when  a  few  spades  of  earth 
are  thrown  upon  the  toj)s  to  keep  them 
in  a  horizontal  position."  A  covering 
of  hay  or  straw  completes  the  work. 
This  plan  is  quite  pi'acticable  with  the 
Wilson,  but  is  a  little  more  trouble- 
some with  such  stout  growing  kinds  as 
the  Lawton  or  Kittatinny. 

Ferrous  Sulphate. — Dr.  A.  B.  Griffiths, 
F.R.S.,  finds  that  ferrous  sulphate  will 
destroy  parasitic  fungi ;  and  the  same 
article,  according  to  the  Scientific  Am- 
erican,  is  under  test  as  a  S2)ecial 
manure  foi-  the  vineyard. 

Industry  Gooseberry. — Mr.  M.  H.  Beck- 
with,  of  Geneva,  N.Y.,  says  this  berry 
mildewed  with  him,  last  year  worse 
than  any  other  variety.  The  fruit  was 
affected    so    badly    that    it    nearly    all 


dropped  off  before  being  fully  ripe. 
What  is  the  experience  of  our  readers'? 

The  Northern  Light  was  shown  at  the 
American  Poiuological  Society's  Meet- 
ing at  Boston.  The  Rural  says  of  it : 
"  A  very  showy  white  grape,  with  im- 
mense clusters."  It  was  also  shown  at 
Grimsby,  and  Avas  the  object  of  much 
attention,  owing  to  the  great  length  of 
the  clusters. 

New  Strawberries. — A  writer  in  the 
Rural  Neio  Yorker  has  fruited  Itasca, 
Logan  and  Bubach  this  year  with  great 
satisfaction.  He  finds  the  Itasca  larger 
and  more  productive  than  the  Crescent, 
about  as  firm  as  the  Wilson,  and  of  the 
best  flavor.  The  Logan,  he  thinks, 
may  prove  the  most  productive  large 
berry  yet  offered,  surpassing  even  the 
Bulbach  in  uniformity  and  in  size  and 
in  flavor. 

Prunus  hssardi.  —  The  Gardener  s 
Monthlif  thinks  it  would  be  much  bet- 
ter to  call  this  plant  the  blood-leaved 
cherry  plum,  instead  of  the  Latin  name, 
which  would  give  the  impi-ession  that 
it  is  a  distinct  species  when  it  is  only  a 
purple-leaved  vai-iety  of  the  Myrobalan 
plum.  It  was  named  after  Mr.  Pi-ssard, 
gardener  to  the  Shah  of  Persia,  who 
discovered  it. 

American  Apricot  Peach. — The  Gardener's 
Monthly,  for  October,  describes  a  new 
peach  upon  which  it  has  bestowed  the 
above  name. 

Like  the  Delawai'e  grape,  the  Lady 
apple,  and  the  Seckel  pear,  this  peach 
is  supposed  to  be  desirable  as  a  desert 
fruit,  notwithstanding  its  small  size,  on 
account  of  its  delicious  flavor. 

It  is  medium  in  size,  of  a  golden 
apricot  color,  with  rich  i-ed  shading  on 
the  sunny  side.  It  is  a  free  stone,  and 
the  flesh  is  sweet  and  melting.  It 
originates  in  South  Carolina,  and  the 
time  of  ripening  is  with  that  of  the 
Pine  Apple  j)each. 

In  one  day  last  summer,  one  hundred 
and  ninety-live  car  loads  of  straw! )er- 


262 


THE   CANAHIAN    HORTICULTOR18T. 


ries   were  shipped  over  the    Delaware 
Railroad. 


Thit  department  if  intended  as  an  open  one  to  enerii 
reader  of  the  "Horticulturist"  to  send  in  either 
question's  or  answers.  Often  a  reader  will  be  able  to 
ansnrr  a  question  which,  has  been  left  unanswered, 
or  only  partially  answered  by  us.  For  convenience 
of  reference  the  questions  are  nunib»red,  and  any 
one  replying  or  referring  to  any  question  will 
please  mention  the  number  of  it. 


71.  Bliss'  Triumph  Potato.  —  JDo  you 
know  anything  of  Bliss'  IViumph  po- 
tato ?  Is  it  earlier  or  later  than  the 
Early  Rose?  L.  F.  S. 

REPLY    BY    J.    A.    BRUCE. 

Bliss'  Triumph  may  be  thus  des- 
cribed :  tubers  of  medium  size,  round 
and  uniform  in  shape,  with  but  very 
few  small  ones ;  eyes  slightly  depressed ; 
color  a  beautiful  light  red ;  flesh  fine 
gi-ain  and  of  excellent  flavor.  Messrs. 
Bliss  &  Sons  described  and  recom- 
mended it  as  eai-lier  than  the  Early 
Rose,  but  the  public  preferred  the  Early 
Rose.  We  observe  by  United  States 
catalogues  that  it  is  better  adapted  for 
a  southern  latitude  than  most  other 
varieties. 

72.  Bursting  Bark. — For  bursting  of 
the  bark  on  apple  trees,  some  grotvers 
recommend  slitting  the  bark  from  top 
to  bottom  of  trunk  with  a  sharj)  knife. 
Is  this  advisable  1  If  so,  on  which 
side  of  the  tree  should  it  be  done  ?  And 
at  what  season  ?        G.  J.  K,.,  Penetang. 

The  bursting  of  the  bark  of  apple 
trees  is  caused  by  excessive  cold  in 
winter.  The  freezing  of  the  sa{)  cau.ses 
a  sudden  expansion  of  the  cells  which 
contain  it,  rupturing  their  walls,  and 
destroying  the  bark.  Some  varieties 
called  "  ii'on-clads  "  withstand  a  greater 
amount  of  cold  than  others.  Slitting 
the  bark  would  neither  prevent  nor 
cure  this  evil. 

73.  Budding  and  Grafting. —  What  is  the 


best  practical   work   on   budding   and 
grafting?  G.  .j.  R. 

Either  "  Thomas'  Fruit  Culturist  "  or 
"Barry's  Fruit  Garden"'  would  probably 
give  you  all  the  information  you  re- 
quire, and  very  much  beside. 

74.  Clay  Loam. —  What  chemical  con- 
stituents does  clay  loam,  possess  tohich 
are  lacking  in  sandy  loam  ?  G.  J.  R. 

ANSWER    BY    J.    A.    MORTON,  WINGHAM. 

Loams  are  soils,  mixtui'es  of  clay, 
sand,  carbonate  of  lime  and  animal  or 
vegetable  matter  in  decay,  which  derive 
their  distinctive  names  from  the  pre- 
ponderating ingredient  —  clay  loam, 
when  the  greater  projiortion  is  clay, 
calcareous  loam,  when  lime  is  the  chief 
ingredient  and  sandy  loam,  if  a  greater 
admixture  of  sand  than  either  of  the 
ethers.  Speaking  genei'ally,  all  loams 
contain  the  same  elements ;  ths  differ- 
ence being  one  of  pi'0])ortion  in  the 
elementary  constituents.  The  chemical 
constituents  in  fei-tile  soils  are:  Oxygen, 
carbon,  hydrogen,  nitrogen,  phos})horus, 
sulphur,  silica,  alumina,  soda,  potash, 
irod,  magnesia,  calcium  (lime),  chlorine, 
and  perhaps  iodine,  bi-omine,  lithia, 
and  fluorine,  with  maybe  other  ele- 
ments, according  to  the  composition  of 
the  rocks  of  which  the  soil  is  dis- 
integrate. 

75.  Rogers'  Grapes,  9,  15,  and  22. — Does 
the  Lindley,  the  Agawam,  and  the  Salem 
grape  ripen  with  the  Concord,  or  is  each 
earlier  or  later,  respectively  ?  Which 
of  the  three  is  the  better  grape  ?  Will 
they   ripen  in   this   district   before   the 

frost  comes  ?      L.  F.  Selleck, 

^lorrisburg,  Ont. 

The  Salem  and  the  Agawam  ripen 
very  soon  after  the  Concord,  and  the 
Lindley  a  little  before  it.  In  quality, 
the  Salem  is  preferred  by  many.  It  is 
large,  show\%  rich,  and  excellent ;  but 
it  is  vex'y  subject  to  mildew,  for  which 
reason  it  is  now  seldom  planted,  except 
l)y  the  amateur.      The  Agawam  is  also 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICDLTDRI8T. 


263. 


a  very  fine  large  grape,  witli  tender 
juicy  flesh,  but  is  subject  to  rot  in  un- 
favorable seasons.  On  the  whole,  the 
Lindley  is  the  best  grape  of  the  three 
for  genera]  planting  in  Canada,  as  it  is 
more  certain  to  mature,  and  the  vine 
is  very  vigorous  and  productive. 

76.  Grafting  Grapes. — Is  vioist  sand  in 
the  cellar  the  best  receptacle  for  tJie 
cuttings  for  spring  grafting  ?    L.  F.  S. 

Yes,  it  is  the  best,  generally  speak- 
ing ;  although  the  writer  usually  ber- 
ries the  cuttings  in  the  earth  outside, 
in  the  dry  sandy  loam.  They  will  not 
be  needed  for  grafting  until  INlay  or 
June. 

77.  Spirea  Japonica. —  Will  the  roots  be 
best  set  in  the  ground  this  fall,  or  put 
in  moist  sand  in  the  cellar  ?     L.  F.  S. 

Probably  in  your  district  the}-  would 
be  safer  kept  in  the  cellar  until  spring. 

78.  Asparagus  Culture. — (1)  When  is 
the  best  time  to  traus/ilant  asparagus 
roots,  seeds  soirn  last  spring  ? 

J.  R.,  Berlin. 
REPLIES    BY    J.    A.    BRUCE. 

As  the  plants  are  only  five  months 
old,  would  advise  spring  planting.  It 
should  not  be  done  whilst  the  ground 
is  too  cold,  or,  in  other  words,  not 
before  the  plants  begin  to  push.  If 
possible,  advantage  should  be  taken  of 
mild,  cloudy  weather.  When  the  air 
is  moist  they  should  be  carefully  taken 
up  with  a  fork,  and  the  roots  preserved 
as  entii'e  as  possible.  They  should  not 
by  any  means  be  allowed  to  get  dry  ; 
as  soon  as  the  roots  are  in  proper  posi- 
tion, they  should  instantly  be  covered 
with  the  soil. 

(2)    What  kind  of  soil  is  best  ? 

A  rich  sandy  alluvial  soil  is  naturally 
best  adapted  for  the  growth  of  aspara- 
gus, and  in  such  soil  its  cultivation  is 
an  easy  matter.  In  preparing  the 
ground  for  a  plantation  attention  should 
be  directed  to  the  texture  of  the  soil  ; 
and  if  this  is  too  close,  as  is  generally 


the  case,  such  means  should  be  adopted 
as  will  efiectually  reduce  it  to  a  suffi- 
ciently light  and  porous  style.  The 
application  of  large  quantities  of  man- 
ui'e  has  this  tendency. 

(3)  Hoio  icoidd  black  muck  do  ? 

Black  muck,  when  largely  mixed 
with  silver  or  other  sands,  and  the  sub- 
soil made  porous  and  thoroughly  drain- 
ed, will  grow  fine  succuhmt  stalks, 
always  keeping  in  view  that  large 
quantities  of  manure  are  essential  in  the 
formation  of  an  asparagus  bed.  The 
aiitumn  is  the  proper  season  to  prepare 
the  ground  for  spring  planting,  as  it 
allows  time  for  the  beds  to  get  settled, 
and  the  winter  frosts  mellow  the  .soil, 
which  teiuls  to  vigorous  growth,  the 
great  desideratum  in  asparagus  cultui'e. 

79.  Japan  Ivy. — In  the  October  num- 
ber of  the  Ilorticidturist  is  a  picture  of 
and  an  article  on,  Japan  Ivy.  ■  Cotdd 
you  kindly  inform  where  it  can  be  pro- 
cured— and  price. 

C.  Greexaway,  Strathroy. 

Note. — Wiite  to  Mr.  James  Vick, 
Florist,  Rochester,  N.  Y. 

Jfruit  Reports. 


APPLES. 

Rejiorts  from  all  sides  are  encourag- 
ing. Chicago  and  INFontreal  men  are 
competing  at  Sl.75  to  Sl.So,  fo.b., 
west  of  Hamilton.  The  Montreal  mar- 
ket ranges  from  S2.25  to  ^3.00  for 
prime  winter  fruits,  with  an  upward 
tendency.  The  returns  from  shipments 
to  England  are  encouraging,  prices  run- 
ning from  $3.00  to  84.00  for  such  kinds 
as  Gi'eenings,  Baldwins,  etc.,  and  from 
84.00  to  85.00  for  such  fancy  kinds  as 
King  of  Tompkin's  Co.  The  supply  of 
apples  in  the  United  States  is  very 
light,  and  prices  are  steadily  advancing 
in  Philadelphia.  Advices  from  there 
on  the  13th  October  quote  choice  full 
apples  at  $2.75  to  83.00. 


264 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTI0ULTIIRI8T. 


A  REPLY  TO  INQUIRERS. 

In  reply  to  a  large  number  of  en- 
quiries, which  I  cannot  lind  time  to 
answer  personally  by  letter,  I  can  coii- 
tidently  recomniend  tlie  following  firms 
to  our  Canadian  shippers.  In  London, 
Eng.— Mr.  J.  B.  Tliomas,  Covent  Gar- 
den Market  ;  Messrs.  Williams, Thomas 
&  Co.,  Liverpool ;  Messrs.  L.  &  H. 
Williams  &  Co.,  Clasgovv.  These  firms 
have  veiy  large  storage  capacity.  Their 
method  of  liandling  is  this  :  When  a 
cargo  arrives  it  is  transported  to  the 
storehouse  and  every  barrel  oi)ened  and 
examined.  Those  that  are  decaying 
are  sold  at  once.  Those  loosened 
slightly  by  the  voyage  and  not  shewing 
signs  of  decay,  are  tightened  thorough- 
ly. Then  in  selling  they  offer  in  the 
auction  mart,  but  do  not  sell  unless  a 
bid  is  made  up  to  what  they  consider 
the  fruit  fairly  worth.  They  sell 
lai'gely  in  lots  in  the  warehouses.  A 
grower  can  ship  direct  to  these  firms, 
and  get  returns  promptly.  They  will 
pay  drafts  for  a  proportion  at  time  of 
shipping,  say  from  $1  to  $1.75  per 
barrel,  according  to  brand.  The  freight 
rates  vary  from  80c.  to  $1.15  per  bar- 
I'el  througli  the  season.  At  present  the 
rate  is  90c.  average.  Fruit  shipped 
this  season  has  carried  best  via  New 
York,  owing  to  the  fact  that  the  Am- 
erican roads  handle  with  less  shunting, 
and  steamships  will  give  special  apart- 
ments and  cold  blast. 

Alex.  McD.  Allan, 

President  F.  (x.  A. 


Eebkto 


The  Illustrated  Londox  News.  Ameii- 
cau  edition.  Published  at  No.  237  Potter 
Building,  New  York. 

The  number  for   Oct.  15  contains  an 


We  will  gladly  give  our  candid  opinion  of  any  hooks, 
magazines  or  catalogues  received,  especially  if  they 
are  likely  to  interest  or  benefit  Canadian  fruit 
growers,  but  will  not  insert  cut  and  dried  reading 
notices  in  fav^r  of  any  publication  whatever. 


article  of  two  and  a  half  pages  about 
the  "Green  Lanes"  of  England.  The 
writer  claims  that  the  beauty  of  tlie 
country  cannot  be  seen  or  appreciated 
in  a  hasty  ride  through  it  in  a  phaeton, 
a  four-horse  drag,  or,  much  le.ss,  "on 
that  abominable  piece  of  mechanism,  a 
bicycle.  Patient  and  persistent  way- 
faring through  its  green  lanes — -by  no 
other  means  can  you  get  at  the  secret 
of  its  beauty,  and  undiirstand  why  it 
is,  and  how  it  is,  that  Englishmen,  who 
thoroughly  know  their  country,  love  it 
with  so  deep  and  passionate  an  affec- 
tion." A  series  of  pictures  illustrating 
the  scenery  in  the  Atlas  Mountains  in 
connection  with  an  account  of  the 
British  Mission  to  Morocco  is  also 
highly  interesting. 

Report  of  the  Botanist  to  the  New  York 
Experiment  Station,  Geneva,  N.Y.  By 
J.  C.  Arthur. 

The  Report  treats  of  Pear  Blight, 
Rotting  of  Tomatoes,  Strawberry  Mil- 
dew, Plum-Leaf  Fungus,  Smut  in 
Oats,  etc. 

CATALOGUES. 

Simmers'  Illustrated  and  Descriptive 
Catalogue  of  Flowering  Bulbs.  J.  A. 
Simmers,  147  King  St.  E.,  Toronto,  Out. 

LovETr's  Illustrated  Catalogue  of  Trees 
AND  Plants.  Autumn,  1S87.  Choice 
small  fruits  a  specialty.  J.  T.  Lovett, 
Little  Silver,  N..J. 

The  Grehnwoot)  Nurseries,  Como,  Que- 
Hardy  apple  trees  for  sale,  suitable  for  the 
Province  of  Quebec.  R.  W.  Shephei'd, 
jun.,  Montreal,  Que.,  proprietor. 

Catalogue  D'Ognons  a  Fleuks,  graines  et 
plantes  d'antomne,  divers  objets  et  usten- 
siles  horticoles  de  H.  Schmitz,  20  Rue  de 
Brabant,  Gand.,  Belgique. 

Bees  and  Honey.  Illustrated  Catalogue 
and  Price  List.     A.  I.  Root,  Medina,  Ohio. 


"  Ah  !  what's  this  '!"  exclaims  the  intel- 
ligent compositor.  '  Sermons  in  stones, 
books  in  the  running  brooks  ?'  That  can't 
be  right.  I  have  it !  He  means  '  Sermons 
in  books,  stones  in  the  running  brooks.' 
That's  sense."  And  that  is  how  the  writer 
found  it.  And  yet  he  was  not  happy. — 
Bo>itoti  Traiiscrlpi. 


PBINTBD   AT   THE   STEAM  PRESS  KSTABLISHMRNT   OF  THE   COPP,    CLARK   COMPANY  (LIMITED),    TORONTO. 


I 


TTbe 

Canadian 

Dorticulturiet 


Published   at   Toi\onto   and    Grimsby,    Ont. 
OFFICE  ADDRESS— GRIMSBY,  ONT. 


VOL.  X.] 


DECEMBER,  1887. 


[No.   12. 


THE  NEW  WEEPING  DOGWOOD. 


fOO  MANY  weeping  trees  would 
be  out  of  place  in  a  pleasure 
ground.  They  give  a  stiflP  and 
sombre  appearance  to  a  place,  and  are 
suggestive  of  grief  rather  than  of  good 
cheer.  Yet  an  occasional  weeping  tree 
in  a  group  of  other  trees,  or  standing 
alone  in  the  rear  of  a  yard,  is  a  grace- 
ful object.  One  old  Weepirg  Willow 
(Salix  Babylonica),  standing  for  a  hun- 
dred years  or  so  on  the  roadside  near 
Grimsby,  is  most  conspicuous  for  the 
beauty  of  its  long,  slender  drooping 
branches,  and  we  never  pass  it  without 
looking  upon  it  with  admiration.  But 
this  is  a  tree  of  colossal  proportions, 
and  one  that  would  be  out  of  place  in 
a  lawn  of  limited  extent.  For  such  a 
place  there  are  several  suitable  weepers, 
as  for  instance  the  Cut-leaf  Weeping 
Birch,  the  Kilmarnock  Weeping  Wil- 
low, the  Weeping  Mountain  Ash,  and 
the  new  Weeping  Dogwood. 


The  latter,  known  technically  as 
Cornus  Florida  Pendula,  shown  in  our 
colored  picture  for  this  month,  belongs 
to  the  Dogwood  Family  or  Cornaceae, 
a  name  derived  from  the  Latin  word 
cornu,  a  horn,  alluding  to  the  hardness 
of  the  wood.  The  bark  is  bitter,  and 
by  some  considered  medicinal.  It  is 
a  variety  of  the  White  Cornus  (C. 
Florida),  which  is  common  in  rocky 
woods  southward — a  tree  which  only 
attains  a  height  of  twenty  or  thirty 
feet,  and  which  is  also  a  very  attrac- 
tive ornamental  tree,  with  showy 
white  flowers  in  spring  and  clusters  of 
red  berries  in  autumn.  The  Weeping 
Cornus  is  similar  in  flower  and  fruit, 
as  is  well  shown  in  the  upper  part  of 
the  painting.  The  so  called  flowers 
are  in  reality  close  heads  of  flowers 
surrounded  by  a  foui'-leaved  corolla- 
like involucre,  the  whole  somewhat 
resemblinof  a  clematis  flower. 


266 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


The  tree  is  unique  among  weepers  in 
one  respect,  that  is  in  having  a  per- 
fectly upright  leader,  from  which  the 
opposite  pendulous  branches  curve 
downward  most  gracefully  of  their  own 
accord  ;  this  charactei'istic  is  shown  in 
the  illustration,  which  was  drawn  from 
a  three-year  old  tree,  grafted  near  the 
gi'ound,  and  allowed  to  follow  its  own 
habit,  without  any  aid  whatever  from 
string  or  pruning  knife. 

The  Red-osier  Dogwood  (C.  Stoloni- 
fera)  is  quite  common  in  the  Niagara 
district  growing  wild  in  damp  places, 


and  forming  dense  clumps.  It  is  only  a 
shrub,  growing  from  three  to  six  feet 
high,  and  very  ornamental  even  when 
stripped  of  its  foliage,  on  account  of  its 
smooth,  bright  red-purple  branches, 
the  annual  shoots  of  which  are  like 
the  osier  or  basket  willow  in  habit  of 
growth.  Its  berries  are  white  and 
fewer  in  number  than  those  of  the  tree 
above  described.  It  is  easily  propa- 
gated by  layers,  and  we  see  no  reason 
why  this  shrub  should  not  have  a  place 
among  our  ornamentals,  especially 
where  hardiness  is  a  virtue. 


THE  JEWEL. 


On  page  127  Mr.  Wm.  Mead  Pattison 
wrote  of  the  persistent  and  successful 
labors  of  Mr.  John  Burr,  of  Leaven- 
worth, Kansas,  U.S.,  in  producing 
varieties  of  grapes  of  superior  quality 
and  earliness,  capable  of  resisting  the 
severe  climatic  changes  of  northern 
sections.  Three  of  his  new  varieties 
of  black  grapes  are  there  commended 
as  giving  great  promise,  viz.,  the  Stand- 
ard, the  Ideal,  and  the  Jewel.  Of  the 
latter,  by  favor  of  Messrs.  Stayman  & 
Black,  of  Leavenworth,  we  are  able 
this  month  to  give  our  readers  an  en- 
graving said  to  be  made  from  a  photo- 


graph of  a  medium  sized  bunch  and 
berry. 

It  is  claimed  for  this  grape  that  it  is 
an  extra  early  black  grape  of  superior 
excellence  ;  that  it  colors  quite  as  early 
if  not  earlier  than  the  Champion,  and 
that  it  is  ripe  soon  after  commencing  to 
color  ;  that  in  quality  it  is  nearly  equal 
to  the  Delaware,  and  in  appeai'ance 
very  attractive,  being  jet  black  with  a 
handsome  delicate  bloom.  It  is  also 
claimed  to  be  quite  hardy. 

From  all  that  we  can  learn  of  this 
grape  we  believe  we  are  justified  in  re- 
commending it  for  trial  in  Canada. 


FRUIT  IN  NORTH  SIMCOE. 

By  G.  C.  Gaston,  Craigiiurst,  Director  for  Agricultural  Diviginn  No.  IJ. 


*^VOW  that  the  fruit  season  is  over,  I 
JlSf  herewith  send  you  a  short  report  on 
"  thefruits  in  this  locality  during  the 
season  of  1887.  Strawberries  showed 
a  profusion  of  bloom  and  encountered 
no  frosts,  but  we  had  a  very  dry  spell 


of  weather  in  May  that  retarded  the 
growth.  Still  there  was  a  fair  average 
crop  ;  I  think  in  most  places  rather 
more  than  an  average.  But  the  hot, 
sultry  weather  of  July  caused  the  latest 
berries  to  ripen  prematurely,  and  ren- 


TFTK    CANADIAN'     H' 'K  HCCLTURIdT. 


267 


THE  JEWEL. 


268 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


dered  the  last  two  or  three  pickings 
rather  hard  to  save.     The 

OLD    RELIABLE    WILSON 

is  still  the  best  all  round  berry  here, 
although  we  have  several  other  varie- 
ties, viz..  Crescent,  Sharpless,  Man- 
chester, Triomphe  de  Gand,  etc.  I 
have  also  the  Jessie,  Jewel,  Daniel 
Boone,  and  Belmont;  but  have  not 
had  them  long  enough  to  report  as  to 
their  good  or  bad  qualities. 

RASPBERRIES 

were  very  fine  the  first  of  the  season, 
but  were  much  injured  t&ward  the  last, 
by  the  continued  hot,  dry,  weather  of 
July  and  August.  I  grow  the  Cuth- 
bert  red,  and  Gregg  Black  cap.  The 
Cuthbort  is  a  fine  berry,  but  just  a 
little  too  tender  for  our  winters.  We 
want  something  a  litcle  hardier,  as  it 
should  be  well  sheltered  and  grown  in  a 
place  where  the  snow  lies  deep  in  winter, 

APPLES 

were  not  as  good  a  crop  as  usual. 
Though  showing  an  abundance  of  blos- 
soms, they  yet  failed  to  set  much  fruit. 
This  was  more  especially  true  of  the 
winter  varieties  (for  the  Astrachan 
was  better  than  it  had  been  for 
several  years).  The  Duchess,  though 
the  fruit  was  very  fine,  did  not  bear  as 
well  as  usual.  Golden  Russets,  and  in 
fact  all  winter  apples,  are  likely  to  be 
scarce.  There  is  one  thing  remarkable 
about  this  season,  and  that  is  that, 
although  the  crop  was  small  and  the 
weather  unusually  dry,  the  apples 
were  the  finest  I  have  seen  for  sev- 
eral years,  and  not  a  sign  of  the  fun- 
gus or  scab  on  any  of  them,  which 
proves  that  the  extent  of  this  fungus 


growth  is  some  way  connected  with  the- 
season,  as  iu  the  case  of  the  rust   in 
wheat,    but    in    what   way   I  leave  to- 
scientific  men  to  explain.     The  Codlin 
Moth   is  getting  worse  with  us  every 
year,  causing  a  premature  ripening  and 
dropping    of    the    fruit.      I    think   we 
shall  have  to  give  them  Paris  green  if 
we    are    going   to  stop    their   ravages. 
The  varieties  of  apples  most  suitable  to 
our  climate  are,  for  summer  :  Duchess, 
Astrachan  and    Yellow    Transparent ;. 
and      for     winter :      Wealthy,     Mann, 
Golden  Russet,  Red  Pound  or  Simcoe, 
Pewaukee,  and  Spitzenburg.     It  is  only 
the  hardy  kinds  that  will  succeed  here. 
But  those  that  do  succeed   bear  very 
very  tine  specimens  of  fruit,  and  I  be- 
lieve that  the   farther  north  you  can 
succeed  in  growing  them  the  finer  the 
fruit,  and  this  applies  to  other  fruits  as 
well    as    apples.       I    have    been    very 
much  interested  in  the  reports  of  Mr. 
A.  A.  Wright,  of  Renfrew.    He  seems 
to  have  a  pretty   cold  climate  to  con- 
tend with,  colder  even  than  ours,  and 
his  experience  is   valuable   to   us,    for 
any  variety  that  Mr.  Wright  succeeds- 
with  will  be  sure  to  succeed  with  us  in 
Simcoe.     This  wa.s  the  best  season  for 

GRAPES 

I  have  yet  experienced.  I  never  saw 
finer  Concords  than  I  had  this  year 
of  course  my  vines  are  young,  well 
manured,  and  pruned  ;  all  the  varieties- 
I  have  ripened  perfectly.  I  have 
Moore's  Early,  Rodger's  No.  3  and  19, 
Worden,  Early  Victor,  Vergennes,. 
Prentiss,  Champion,  and  Brighton.  I 
have  also  the  famous  Niagara,  but  fail 
to  see  wherein  it  excels  the  Prentiss  in 


THE    CANADIAN    H0RTICULTUKI8T. 


269 


quality.  Among  the  red  grapes  I  pi-e- 
fer  the  Brighton.  It  is  far  the  best 
with  me.  And  among  the  black 
varieties,  take  it  all  round,  the  old 
Concord  beats  them  all.     The  Concord 


seems  at  home  here.  It  has  ripened 
now  two  seasons  in  succession  perfectly, 
and  hope  it  will  continue  to  do  so,  for 
it  is  unsurpassed.  Mildew  is  a  thing 
unknown  here  so  far. 


LESSONS  OF  THE  DROUTH   AND  ITS  EFFECT  ON  GRAPE  VINES. 


THE    DELAWARE,    CLIXTON 

BY    A.    IIOOD, 

r&>  ITTLE  as  we  may  desire  at  any 

'^  ''  time  to  be  visited  by  such  a 
prolonged  drouth  as  the  one  we 
have  just  passed  through,  and  dearly 
bought  as  we  consider  any  lessons  it 
inculcates,  still  there  is  something  to 
be  learned  even  from  misfortunes ; 
something  which  it  is  frequently  pos- 
sible to  turn  to  good  account. 

The  first  thing  that  stiikes  me  on  j 
looking  back  is  a  feeling  of  surprise  j 
that  vegetation  has  not  suffered  more 
than  it  has  ;  with  the  thermometer  day 
after  dav,  and  week  after  week  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  the  nineties,  and  with 
soil  as  dry  as  dust,  it  is  surprising  to 
nie  that  some  of  my  plants  continue  to 
live  ;  and  that  they  have  lived  and  in 
some  cases  flourished,  would  seem  to 
indicate  that  they  must  draw  their 
supplies  from  other  sources  than  rain- 
fall. When  considering  this  subject  I 
have  sometimes  supposed  that  as  the 
simple  elements  of  which  Avater  is  com- 
posed are  found  in  abundance  in  the 
soil,  and  in  the  atmosphere,  that  roots 
of  plants  might  possess  the  power  of  so 
uniting  those  elements  as  to  furnish 
themselves  with  the  needed  supply ; 
be  that  as  it  may,  if  they  have  no  such 
power,  then  the  moisture  tliey  require 
must  be  drawn  largely  from  the  sub- 
soil by  capillar}-  attraction  ;  not  in 
sufficient  quantities,  however,  under  a 
scorching  sun  ^—  especially  if  accom- 
panied by  wind — to  answer  the  re- 
quirements of  vegetation. 

I   noticed    during   the   very   hottest 


,    BRANT    AND    CONCORD. 

BARRIE. 


weathei",  and  when  we  were  longing 
for  those  showers  which  we  knew  fell 
to  the  south,  while  we  only  got  a  few 
drops  that  would  scarcely  wet  a  leaf, 
that  plum  trees  and  grape  vines  were 
suftering  severely ;  the  latter  losing  a 
great  many  leaves  and  threatening  to 
dry  up  the  whole  of  the  fruits  ;  a  week 
or  two  later,  although  no  I'ain  had 
fallen,  both  ap])eai'ed  to  revive  quite 
perceptibly  ;  the  cause  being  I  pi-esume 
that  as  the  weather  had  become  much 
cooler,  and  the  evaporation  from  leaves 
so  much  less,  that  the  moisture  brought 
from  the  sub-soil  by  capillary  attrac- 
tion was  sufficient  for  ordinary  require- 
ments. 

As  therefore  we  had  more  of  the 
drouth  than  our  neighbours  to  the 
south,  we  have  had  better  opportunities 
of  observing  its  effects,  and  as  regards 
grapes  I  find  that  the  Delaware  has 
suffered  less  than  any  other  kind. on 
my  grounds  ;  having  i-ipened  perfectly 
the  whole  of  its  fruit ;  which  is  more 
than  can  be  said  of  any  of  the  others ; 
Clinton  and  Concord  lost  so  many 
leaves  that  part  of  the  fruit  shrivelled 
up  and  was  worthless  ;  part  of  it  filled 
out  but  never  perfectly  ripened,  and 
was  worthless  also,  and  scarcely  half 
was  fit  for  sale  or  use.  Roger's  No.  9, 
15,  and  Salem,  wei'e  nearly  as  bad,  and 
might  have  been  worse  if  the  crop  had 
been  as  heavy. 

With  the  excejition  of  the  time  when 
the  grape  vine  leaf  hopper  attacked  my 
Dela\vai-e    I     have    always    raised    as 


270 


THE   CANADIAN    HOBTICULTtJKIST. 


many  pounds  on  a  vine  of  that  vai'iety 
as  of  Concord  ;  I  obtain  from  one  to 
two  cents  per  pound  more  for  them; 
they  ripen  earlier  ;  the  vine  is  quite  as 
hardy,  and,  which  is  far  from  being  the 
case  with  Concord,  every  bunch  is  fit 
to  sell ;  if  therefore  it  paid  to  raise 
grapes  in  this  locality  for  market, 
which  at  this  season's  prices  it  certainly 
does  not,  I  would  grow  nothing  but 
Delaware. 

I  have  a  few  vines  of  the  Brant — 
Arnold's  No.  8 — a  variety  that  origin 
ated  with  the  late  Chas.  Arnold,  an 
which  deserves,  I  think,  more  att' 
tion,  especially  in  the  north,  tha'  .t 
has  received  ;  it  has  stood  next  to  the 
Delaware  with  us  this  year  in  with- 
standing the  effects  of  the  drouth, 
having  ripened  nearly  all  its  fruit.  It 
is  a  rampant  grower,  and  runs  so  much 
to  wood  when  young  that  it  bears  but 
little  fruit ;  quite  as  much,  however, 
as  the  Clinton,  but  both  improve  in 
this  respect  by  age.  The  vine  is  ex- 
ceptionally hardy,  its  vitality  being  so 
great  that  I  have  never  known  a  vine 
to  die  or  fail  to  grow,  when  first 
planted  ;  the  berries  run  a  little  larger 
than  Clinton,  are  not  quite  so  acid, 
have  smaller  seeds,  and  ripen  a  week 
or  ten  days  earlier,  coming  in  about 
with  Moore's  Eai-ly,  and  a  week  earlier- 
than  Concord.  The  bunches  are  long — 
double  or  treble  the  size  of  Clinton — and 
the  bexTies  packed  so  close  on  them  that. 


in  a  wet  season,  they  are  apt  to  squeeze 
each  other  to  bursting  ;  this  is  a  fault, 
a  well  filled  bunch  is  a  good  thing, 
but  a  bunch  filled  to  bursting  is  not 
desirable,  but  it  is  certainly  the  case 
with  Brant  :  the  flavour  is  vinous,  less 
acid  than  Clinton,  and  should  I  think 
be  equal,  if  not  superior,  to  that  old 
standard  as  a  mne  grape ;  it  cannot  be 
called  a  table  grape,  neither  is  the 
'in ton  ;  but  the  late  Editor  of  the 
lorticulturist  has  frequently  said  that 
he  prefers  a  perfectly  ripe  bunch  of  the 
latter,  to  any  other  grape  for  his  own 
eating,  and  in  some  seasons  1  think  he 
is  right,  but  I  believe  Brant  is  better  ; 
I  certainly  prefer  it  as  grown  this  year 
to  any  other  grape  on  my  grounds,  not 
excepting  even  the  Delaware,  but  it 
must  be  thoroughly  ripe,  and  so  must 
the  Ciinton,  and  so  must  the  Concord, 
before  their  good  qualities  can  be 
palatably  experienced,  or  their  value 
,as  table  grapes  properly  appreciated. 

I  can  imagine  a  person  growing  any 
or  all  of  these  three  varieties  for  years 
— in  fact  I  have  done  it  myself — with- 
out being  aware  of  the  perfection  they 
will  attain  when  really  ripe  ;  they  are 
generally  plucked,  for  fear  they  may 
be  stolen,  as  soon  as  coloured  ;  when 
they  are  certainly  far  from  being  ripe. 
Is  it  too  much  to  say  that  half  the  fruit 
grown  by  private  individuals  is  plucked 
in  an  imperfect  state  from  a  fear  of 
this  kind  ? 


NOTES  FROM 
EXPORTATION    OF   APPLES. 

C.  P.  Dewey,  in  the  American 
Agriculturist,  says  that  the  plan  of 
sending  American  apples  to  Europe, 
was  first  devised  by  a  Scotchman,  named 
Buchanan,  who,  in  1845,  sent  five 
barrels  from  Boston  to  Glasgow.  The 
venture  being  successful,  he  repeated  it 
year  after  year,  until  he  had  established 


EXCHANGES. 

a  regular  trade.  The  business  has  now 
become  general,  and  instead  of  five 
barrels,  seven  or  eight  hundred  thou- 
sand are  shipped  annually. 

During  ten  years,  from  1876  to  1886, 
Canada  alone  has  shipped  to  England 
721,813  barrels  of  apples,  and  the 
prospect  is  that  the  business  will  reach 
gigantic  pi'oportions  in  time  to  come. 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTUKIBT. 


271 


PROMISING    NATIVE    CHERRIES. 

In  the  same  journal,  Prof.  C.  H. 
Bespet,  of  Nebraska,  writes  a  descrip- 
tion of  two  native  cherries,  he  has 
discovered  in  Northern  and  North- 
western Nebraska,  and  which  are 
worthy  of  cultivation,  with  a  view  of 
furnishing  new  and  useful  varieties  for 
the  West.  One  was  the  Sand  Cherry 
(Prunus  Pumila),  a  very  small  shrub, 
with  slender  trailing  stems,  which  ci'eep 
over  the  soil  and  strike  roots  here  and 
there.  The  cherries  ripen  in  July,  and 
closely  resemble  the  common  garden 
cherry  in  size  and  shape.  The  color 
is  a  deep  black-red,  which  changes  to 
black  when  fully  ripe.  The  bushes 
bear  profusely. 

The  other  was  the  Rocky  Mountain 
Cherry  (Prunus  Demissa),  is  a  shrub 
from  three  to  eight  or  more  feet  in 
height.  The  cherries  are  borne  in  long 
racemes,  like  those  of  the  wild  black 
cherry,  but  are  a  little  larger.  When 
ripe  they  are  black,  and  very  agreeable 
in  taste,  and  are  much  used  for  pies. 
sharpless    and    cumberiand    ahead. 

Mr.  D.  M.  Dunning,  of  Albany,  a 
careful  cultivator,  says  in  the  Country 
(Tentlem'xn,  that  he  has  tried  Jewell, 
Parry,  Ontario,  May  King,  Bubach, 
3Ianchester,  Bidwell  and  many  other 
strawberries,  and  does  not  find  any  of 
them  equal  to  Sharpless  and  Cumber- 
land. The  Cumberland  is  a  strong 
grower,  free  bearer,  and  extra  good 
in  quality,  though  lacking  in  color  and 
a  little  soft  for  shipping  to  distant 
jnarkets.  With  proper  cultivation,  he 
prefers  the  Sharpless  for  all  purposes. 

Next  to  these  two  varieties  he  would 


choose  the  Wilson.  He  believes  that  if 
it  wei'e  sent  out  now-a-days  as  a  new 
variety,  it  would  "  take  the  strawberry 
world  by  storm,  and  create  a  tre- 
mendous excitement. " 

THE  JESSICA  GRAPE. 

The  Jessica  out-does  in  flavor  any 
garden  grape  known,  and  it  is  a  wonder 
that  no  more  is  said  of  it.  The  little 
white  gi'ape,  with  its  small  clusters,  is 
not  over  attractive,  but  once  between 
your  lips,  you  will  avow  it  has  all  the 
good  qualities  a  grape  can  have  in  one. 
Sweet,  with  a  honeyed  touch,  at  first 
taste,  succeeded  by  a  freshness  of  mild 
acid,  and  a  bouquet'  that  lingers  on  the 
sense,  it  is  a  grape  for  connoisseurs  to 
linger  over  and  praise. — .S'.  Poioer,  in 
Vick's  Magazine  for  October. 


HARDY  FRUITS— VARIETIES  RE- 
COMMENDED FOR  THE 
COLD  NORTH. 

Apples  for  Quebec. — In  the  re- 
port of  the  Fruit  Growers'  Association, 
for  the  Province  of  Quebec,  Mr.  R. 
W.  Shepherd,  jun.,  recommends  the  fol- 
lowing varieties  for  profit,  in  the  order 
named:  (1)  Wealthy,  (2)  Fameuse,  (3) 
Duchess,  (4)  Canada  Baldwin,  (5) 
Winter  St.  Lawrence.  He  says 
further  : 

I  hope  to  increase  the  list  of  my  com- 
mercial apples  by  adding  Yellow 
Transparent  (Russian)  and  Brockville 
Beauty.  These  two  apples  have  not  yet 
been  put  on  this  market.  Being  hardy 
and  pi-oduetive,  and  ripening,  respec- 
tively, just  before  and  after  Duchess, 
they  till  a  gap  in  my  list  of  marketable 
varieties.  The  Brockville  Beauty  is 
one  of  the  most  attractive  looking 
apples,  and  its  quality  is  very  good ; 
marketed  in  baskets,  it  ought  to  com- 
mand high  prices.  I  have  not  culti- 
vated the  Montreal  Peach  or  Montreal 
Strawberry  to  any  extent,  because, 
Montreal   being  my  principal  market, 


272 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


these  varieties  seem  to  be  too  plentiful 
and  too  cheap. 

Mr.  John  M.  Fisk  recommended  the 
following  as  the  five  best  varieties  for 
table  use  :  Summer — 1.  Yellow  Trans- 
parent, or  Charlottenhaler,  equal ;  2. 
Duchess  of  Oldenburg.  Fall — 3.  St. 
Lawrence.  Early  Winter — 4.  Fameuse. 
Late  Winter — 5.   Golden  Russet. 

Mr.  C.  Gibb  of  Abbotsford,  Quebec, 
says  that  the  five  best  varieties  of 
apples  for  |)rofit  in  that  province  ai-e  in 
his  opinion,  (1)  Duchess,  (2)  Alexan- 
der, (3)  Wealthy,  (4)  Yellow  Trans- 
pai'ent,  (5)  Haas. 

Plums  for  Quebec. — Mr.  Shepherd 
says,  "  Last  year  Mj.  Wm.  Evans  asked 
me  to  visit  his  nursery,  I  think  in  the 
month  of  September,  and  I  was  very 
much  struck  with  the  Moore's  Arctic 
Plum.  The  trees  were  '•  earing,  and  he 
allowed  them  to  grow  and  bear  in  the 
nursery  rows,  and  certainly  the  crop 
was  the  most  extraordinary  I  ever  saw. 
The  trees  were  bent  to  the  ground  with 
the  weight  of  fruit.  It  is  a  very  dark 
blue  plum,  very  fair  size,  as  large  as 
the  Lombaixl." 

Mr.  Gibb  says :  "  Mj^  special  hopes 
now  are  turned  toward  the  improved 
varieties  of  the  North- Western  States. 
I  fruited  De  Soto  and  found  it  an 
advance  on  any  I  have  tried.  Anothei; 
I  think  a  good  deal  of  is  the  Wolf,  a 
large  plum  of  but  fairly  good  quality, 
and  one  of  those  hardy  and  vigorous 
trees  with  rough,  coarse  leaves,  that 
look  as  if  they  could  stand  any  amount 
of  summer  heat.  I  have  more  hopes  of 
North-West  plums  from  my  own 
experience,  and  from  what  I  have  seen 
in  the  West,  than  I  have  of  even  the 
Russian  plums. 

NEW  FRUITS. 

During  the  discussions  on  this  sub- 
ject at  the  meeting  of  the  Am.  Pom. 
Society  at  Boston,  the  De  Soto  plum 


was  spoken  of  by  many  as  a  special 
favorite,  Mr.  Brackett  of  Iowa  placing 
it  at  the  head  of  the  list  for  Iowa.  The 
Stevenson's  Rareripe  peach  was  stated 
by  Mr.  Caywood  to  be  the  leading  sort 
on  the  Hudson ;  being  "  larger  than 
the  E.  Crawford,  better  in  quality, 
twice  as  good  a  grower,  and  quite 
as  healthy."  The  Moore's  Early 
grape  was  considered  valuable  only 
because  of  its  earliness ;  otherwise  in- 
ferior to  the  Concord.  The  Empire 
State  was  jjut  do'wai  as  less  productive 
than  the  Niagara,  the  clusters  small, 
and  in  some  places  subject  to  mildew 
• — but  in  quality  it  was  acknowledged 
to  be  better  in  quality  than  any  white 
gi'ape  yet  introduced. 

THE  BALDWIN  APPLE   FAILING. 

Until  the  last  few  years  the  Baldwin 
has  held  tlie  first  place  among  market 
apples.  The  increased  severity  of  the 
winters,  resulting  from  the  destruction 
of  timber,  has  caused  the  Baldwin  to 
suffer  above  most  other  popular  A'arie- 
ties.  During  the  winter  of  1884-5  50 
old  trees  were  killed  in  the  college  or- 
chard at  Lansing  (latitude  40  degrees) 
of  which  over  40  were  Baldwins,  the 
remainder  being  mostly  Rhode  Island 
Greenings.  In  fact,  there  is  not  a 
vigorous  ti-eee  of  these  varieties  left  in 
the  orchard.  All  others  among  the 
market  sorts  wei-e  not  injured.  It  is 
more  and  more  evident  that  the  Golden 
Russet  is  one  of  the  best  mai'ket  apples 
for  this  region.  The  ti-ee  is  remarkably 
hardy  and  vigorous,  and  a  good  bearer. 
The  apples  are  uniform  in  size  and  color, 
very  firm,  fair,  and  good  keepers.  In 
market  they  bring  20  per  cent  less  than 
Baldwins,  but  this  difference  is  over- 
balanced by  their  productiveness  and 
hardiness.  Russets  should  be  barreled 
in  the  fall  to  prevent  withei-ing.  The 
Spy  is  a  tardy  and  unreliable  bearer ; 
the  apples  are  often  imperfect,  and  they- 
are  too  tender  for  distant  markets.     I 


THE   CANADIAN   HORTICULTURIST. 


273 


should  not  recommend  it  here  for  the 
flatter  lands.  Fameuse  is  one  of  the 
best  when  the  fruit  fair,  but  it  is  un- 
reliable. Canada  Red,  top-grafted,  is 
one  of  the  veiy  best,  and  in  this  vicinity 
undoubtedly  ranks  next  to  the  Russet, 
or  perhai)s  superior  to  it.  The  St 
Lawrence,  Oldenburg,  and  Twenty 
Ounce  appear  to  be  among  the  best 
fall  ap])les  for  this  vicinity.  The  Olden- 
burg demands  a  close  market,  however, 
as  it  decays  soon.  The  Russian  a  pies 
of  recent  introduction  ai-e  not  yet  sufii- 
ciently  known  to  be  recommended  for 
profit. — Prof.  L.  H.  Bailey,  Michigan 
Agricultural  College. 


SCOTT'S  WINTER  APPLE. 
Scott's  winter  is  an  apple  which  is 
coming  strongly  to  the  f;  ont  as  an  iron- 
clad long-keeper  of  merit  Our  local 
paper,  the  Newpoi-t  Express,  of  August 
10th,  says  : — "Last  Tuesday  Cushman 
Gilbert  brought  in  the  ])roof  that  we 
can  have  good  fruit  the  year  round  in 
thijS  country.  He  had  some  fine  Yellow 
Transparent  apples  just  ripe  and  also 
Scott's  Winter  of  last  season's  growth, 
which  wei-e  still  sound  and  of  good 
flavour.  With  the  apple  season  con- 
tinuing the  year  round  we  ought  to 
be  well  content."  Prof.  Budd,  of  Iowa, 
speaks  highly  of  it,  while  at  the  winter 
meeting  in  Moiatreal,  above  referred  to, 
in  reply  to  the  question,  "  What  about 
Scott's  Winter  ?"  Mr.  Shepherd  said, 
"  I  suppose  my  trees  are  about  ten  years 
old.  So  far  they  have  been  veiy  satis- 
factory :  the  tree  is  very  hardy ;  its 
quality  is  very  good.  It  is  a  little  acid, 
but  it  tones  down  about  tlie  middle  of 
January  and  gets  to  be  a  very  good 
quality.  It  keeps  until  spring  with- 
out any  difliculty."  Mr.  Gibb  added  : 
"  I  would  like  to  endorse  what  Mr. 
Shepherd  says  about  Scott's  Winter. 
Its  keeping  qualities  are  good ;  it  is  a 
little  under  size,  but  I  have  nothing 
better  of  its  kind."     I    may  add  that 


Scott's  Winter  is  the  only  keeping 
apple  that  is  carrying  a  full  crop  with 
me  this  year  I  think  it  is  quite  as 
hardy  as  the  Wealthy  and  as  produc- 
tive. In  good  land,  especially  if  thinned, 
it  is  a  full  medium  in  size,  but  when 
not  properly  cared  for,  and  allowed  to 
over-bear,  small. —  VicKs  Magazine. 


PEAR   TREES  IN   SOD. 


BT   W.    F.    MASSET. 


My  experience  is  that  pear  blight  is 
much  less  destructive  where  the  trees 
are  kept  in  sod,  and  the  fertility  of  the 
soil  maintained  by  annual  top-dressings. 
While  I  would  not  assert  that  cultiva- 
tion is  the  cause  of  blight,  I  have 
no  doubt  that  the  tearing  of  the  roots 
during  the  season  of  rapid  growth  leaves 
the  tree  in  a  weakened  condition,  favor- 
able to  the  spread  of  fungoid  growth. 
Years  ago  I  grew  pears  in  a  piece  of 
land  which  was  annually  heavily  ma- 
nured and  cultivated  in  vegetables.  I 
noticed  that  blight  almost  always 
followed  to  some  extent  the  deep  plow- 
ing in  midsummer,  made  necessaiy 
by  second  crops  following  the  early 
vegetables.  I  have  never  known  pear 
trees  grown  in  properly  kept  sod  to  be 
seriously  injured  by  blight.  My  ex- 
perience is  confirmed  by  a  brother 
orchardist,  who  states  that  his  pears  in 
cultivated  land  were  larger  and  better 
looking  than  those  in  sod,  but  that  those 
grown  in  sod  were  finer  flavored,  and 
that  when  the  blight  swept  through  his 
cultivated  trees,  those  in  the  sod  escaped 
altogether. 

But  it  will  not  do  that  fruit  trees  in 
sod  shoitld  be  neglected.  Tlieir  projjer 
treatment  will  probably  be  more  ex- 
pensive than  cultivating  them.  They 
should  have  the  grass  mown  as  regu- 
larly as  a  lawn,  but  never  removed,  and 
should  have  an  annual  dressing  of  bone 
dust  and  kainit.  In  other  words  the 
fruit  crop  must  be  the  only  crop  taken 
from  the  land.     Treated   in  this    wav 


274 


I'HE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


the  feeding  I'oots  will  be  found  near  the 
surface  and  within  reach  of  all  the 
favorable  influences  of  air,  moisture 
and  fertilizers,  and  will  not  be  driven 
by  the  plough  to  seek  sustenance  from 
the  cold  subsoil.  Even  the  peach  is  no 
exception  to  the  rule.  The  oldest,  best 
and  most  pi'oductive  peach  tree  I  ever 
knew  stood  in  a  tough  blue  grass  sod  on 
a  lawn.  It  survived  for  ten  years  all 
its  companions  planted  at  the  same  time 
in  a  piece  of  cultivated  land  adjoining, 
and  for  aught  that  1  know  may  still  be 
thriving. — Phil.  Weehly  Press. 

HOW  TO  MAKE  VINEGAR. 

A  correspondent  wants  to  know  how 
make    merchandise    vinegar    from 

pies. 

ASj  ordinarily  made  the  juice  of  the 
apple  or  cider,  is  put  into  barrels  and 
then  placed  in  the  sun,  or  where  the 
temperature  is  high  and  the  contents 
allowed  to  ferment  and  "  work  "  into 
vinegar.  Whiskey,  molasses  or  old 
vinegar  barrels  are  the  best  to  use,  as 
what  little  is  left  of  the  former  contents 
of  the  barrels  will  assist  in  the  forma- 
tion of  vinegar.  New  oak  barrels 
should  not  be  used,  as  the  tannin  in 
the  oak  will  injuriously  affect  the 
vinegar.  If  the  barrels  are  to  be 
placed  out  of  doors  in  the  sun  and  air 
it  is  quite  essential  that  they  be  thor- 
oughly painted,  hoops  and  all,  to  pre- 
vent shrinking,  and  keep  borers,  etc., 
from  working  through  the  wood  and 
thus  cause  serious  loss. 

As  the  oxygen  of  the  air  plays  a  very 
important  part  in  the  process  of  fermen- 
tation, it  is  necessary  that  means  of 
access  be  provided  for  this ;  hence  the 
bung  hole  is  left  open,  though  covered 
with  a  piece  of  mosquito  netting  or 
similar  material  to  keep  out  the  insects. 

In  vinegar  factories  vats  are  pro- 
vided and  the  liquid  is  some  times 
passed  from  one  to  another,  and  to  still 
more  bring  every  portion  into  contact 


with  the  air  it  is  made  to  run  through 
beechwood  shavings.  These  shavings 
also  collect  many  of  the  impui-ities. 
Shavings  from  other  wood  are  some- 
times used  but  are  generally  objection- 
able, as  they  may  impart  unpleasant 
tastes  to  the  vinegar.  We  have  heard 
of  corn  cobs  being  used  iis  a  substitute 
for  the  shavings,  with  good  results. 
The  practice  is  too  prevalent  of  work- 
ing up  the  poorest  apples  into  vinegar. 
The  better  the  apples  and  the  less  water 
is  used  the  better  will  be  the  product. 
Many  formulae  exist  for  making 
vinegar  by  the  use  of  chemicals,  but 
the  best  article  is  made  out  of  the  pure 
juice  of  fruit.  Manipulation  may  vary, 
but  we  have  given  the  essential  points. 
— Rural  World. 

BETTER  SYSTEM  IN  MARKET- 
ING FRUITS  NEEDED. 
I  wish  to  say,  in  a  cautionary  way, 
that  a  man  who  goes  into  truit  gi'owing 
should  have  some  definite  plans  about 
reaching  his  markets.  The  weakness 
of  our  whole  fruit  growing  system, 
next  to  slovenly  cultivation  and  hand- 
ling, is  found  in  a  lack  of  a  good  system 
of  distribution  of  our  products.  There 
are  many  sections  of  the  country,  north 
and  south,  where  fruit  growing  has  be- 
come unprofitable,  largely  on  this  ac- 
count. We  do  not  reach  out  widely 
enough,  or  our  fruit  does  not  bear  carry- 
ing far  enough.  Our  limited  markets 
break  down  under  the  supply,  and  we 
lose  money  from  over-production. — 
Hon.  Parker  Earle. 

PRESERVATION  OF  FRUITS. 

Marshall  P.  Wilder  has  said  that  to 
preserve  fruit  we  must  have  perfect  con- 
trol of  temperature,  light  and  moisture. 
The  apartments  where  it  Ls  expected  to 
keep  fruit  must  be  so  arranged  that  the 
temperature  within  may  be  kept  cool. 
If  warmth  enters  the  conditions  of  fer- 
mentation   are   present.      Mr.    Wilder 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


275 


did  not  use  ice.  He  had  thoroughly 
expei'imeuted  both  with  and  without  it. 
He  built  his  fruit  house  in  a  coo),  shady 
place,  with  the  door  on  the  north,  and 
with  a  thoroughly  drained  and  cemented 
cellar,  with  small  double  windows  which 
he  could  open  and  close  at  pleasure. 
In  such  a  house  he  kept  fall  and  winter 
pears  in  good  condition  until  March. 
Apples  can  be  kept  at  a  lower  tempera- 
ture than  pears — say  thirty-four  to  forty 
degi'ees.  J.  J.  Thomas  has  said  that 
in  such  a  room  as  this,  and  by  admit- 
ting air  on  cold  nights,  and  closing  the 
entrances  when  the  air  is  warm,  he  has 
kept  some  yarieties  of  pears  until 
April,  and  Baldwin  apples  into  June. 

THE  VALUE  OF  FORESTS. 
The  importance  of  forestry  manage- 
ment in  the  estimation  of  older  nations, 
better  skilled  than  we  are  in  economic 
administration,  appears  in  a  volume  of 
Consular  Reports  extending  to  315 
pages,  lately  published  by  the  Depart- 
ment of  State.  The  reports  coyer  the 
particulars  of  government  control  and 
management  of  forests  in  Austria-Hun- 
gary, Germany,  France,  Italy  and 
Switzerland,  and  aie  full  of  matters  of 
great  use  to  students  of  the  subject  in 
this  country.  Consul-General  Jussen 
reports  that  no  proper  returns  are  pub- 
lished in  Austria-Hungary  of  the  profits 
of  Government  forests  for  the  whole 
empire,  but  for  Bohemia  alone  the  clear 
annual  profit  is  about  14,000,000 
florins.  The  net  income  from  the 
Prussian  State  forests,  Consul-General 
Raine  reports,  stands  at  about  24,000,- 
000  marks  annually.  The  French  net 
annual  income  is  about  16,000,000 
francs,  as  reported  by  Consul  Roose- 
velt. Consul-General  Alden  reports 
that  it  is  impossible  to  give  trustworthy 
figures  of  the  revenue  and  cost  of  for- 
estry in  Italy.  According  to  Consul- 
Genei-al  Winchester,  the  Swiss  Con- 
federation   derives    no    revenue    from 


forests.  The  total  value  of  yield  froni 
cantonal  forests,  however,  is  about 
33,000,000  francs,  and  the  i-etui-ns  from 
the  forests  of  the  Canton  of  Zurich 
show  a  nearly  three-fold  increase  of 
profit  yielded  during  a  period  of  fifty 
years  of  cultivation — from  31-28  francs 
per  hectare  (nearly  two  and  a  half 
acres)  in  1830-40  to  90.58  francs  in 
1870-78.  Returns  in  money,  however, 
ai-e  the  lightest  evidences  of  the  true 
value  of  the  forests.  Their  influence 
upon  the  climate  and  rainfall,  and  the 
consequent  benefit  to  agricultural  land 
and  to  the  public  health,  are  considera- 
tions of  far  gi-eater  importance,  besides 
which  is  the  provision  of  useful  and 
wholesome  employment  for  numbers 
of  the  population. — X.  Y.  Eveniny  Post. 

Hscs  of  J:nut0. 

Next  in  importance  to  the  bett  modes  of  cultivation 
and  the  selection  of  the  choicest  varieties,  comes  the 
most  approved  methods  of  prepaiing  fruits  for  use. 
We  would  be  ff lad  therefore  if  the  ladies,  who  read 
this  Journal,  would  make  free  use  of  this  column. 
for  an  interchange  of  ideas  on  this  stibject. 


APPLES  FOR  ANIMALS. 

Prof.  L.  B.  Arnold  writes  the  fol- 
lowing to  the  New  York  Tribune  : 

The  feeding  value  of  apples  is  not 
large;  they  rank  with  mangels,  turnips, 
cabbage,  and  the  like.  Their  food 
properties  are  mostly  carbo-hydrates, 
or  heat  producing,  their  protein  being 
only  about  one-half  of  one  per  cent., 
and  their  nutritive  ratio  about  one  to 
thirty,  and  hence  are  most  eflective 
when  fed  in  connection  with  more 
nitrogenous  food,  like  clover,  but  may 
be  fed  sparingly  with  grass.  They  have 
a  higher  value  than  the  weight  of  their 
food  constituents  indicates,  on  account 
of  condimental  qualities,  and  from  hav- 
ing a  large  per  cent,  of  those  constitu- 
ents in  a  condition  to  be  at  once 
absorbed  and  appropriated  without 
waiting  for  any  special  action  of  the 
stomach.       Using   hay  as  the   unit  of 


276 


THE   CANADIAN   HORTICnLTURIST. 


measure,  apples  compare  with  it  and 
other  common  feeding  stuffs  as  follows, 
per  100  pounds  of  each  : 

Hay $0  50  Cabbage 

Corn  meal 112  Apples,  ripe  .... 

Oat  meal,  bran,  and  Turnips 

middlings   1  00  Rutabagas 

Potatoes 29  Mangels  

Sugar  beets 10  Pears 

Parsnips  &  carrots.  IS 

Good  ripe  apples  have  a  feeding 
value  of  not  less  than  eight  cents  per 
bushel  of  50  lbs.,  and  are  as  good  for 
other  stock  as  for  milch  cows.  For 
any  one  who  has  stock  to  consume 
them,  it  is  as  much  of  a  loss  to  waste 
good  apples  as  to  waste  good  roots. 
When  fed  with  reason  and  appropriate 
food  they  are  health-inspiring  as  well 
as  nutritious,  and  are  only  injurious 
when  fed  immoderately.  An  experi- 
ment in  feeding  three  cows  with 
moderately  sour  apples,  ripe  and  mel- 
low, for  several  weeks,  at  the  rate  of 
12  to  20  lbs.  to  each  cow  daily,  gave 
me  a  finer  flavored  butter  than  I  ever 
saw  from  grain  or  grass.  I  have  known 
others  to  feed  them  in  larger  quantity 
and  for  a  longer  time  Avith  satisfactory 
result,  and  their  butter  to  be  not  only 
fine  flavored,  but  to  have  remarkable 
keeping  quality,  and  the  stock  to  re- 
main perfectly  healthy.  I  have  also 
proved  them  to  make  excellent  milk 
for  cheese.  The  managers  of  cheese 
factories  have  noticed  an  improvement 
and  increase  of  milk  when  th-'ir  pat- 
ron's cows  have  been  fed  moderately 
with  apples. 

QUINCE  PRESERVES. 
Pare,  core  and  quai'ter  a  peck  of 
quinces,  then  weigh  them  ;  put  the 
parings,  cores  and  seeds  into  a  preserv- 
ing kettle,  cover  them  with  water,  and 
boil  slowly  for  twenty  minutes ;  then 
strain  them,  put  the  water  back  in  the 
kettle  and  put  in  the  quinces  a  few  at 
a  time,  and  simmer  gently  until  tender, 
say  five  or  ten  minutes ;  lay  them  on 
«,  dish  ;  when  all  are  done  add  the  sugar 


and  a  little  warm  water.  Let  this  boil 
for  a  few  minutes  until  clear,  then  put 
in  all  the  quinces  and  boil  them  without 
stirring  until  they  become  a  cleargarnet, 
which  will  be  about  one  hour.  Have 
ready  two  lemons  sliced  thin  and  seeds 
taken  out ;  put  them  in  a  few  minutes 
before  taking  from  the  fire. 

EVERYTHING  IN  ONE  ROSE. 

An  old  German  florist  relating  his 
tribulations  on  this  subject  to  me  a  few 
years  ago,  said  :  "I  have  so  much 
trouble  with  the  ladies  when  they  come 
to  buy  mine  Rose,  they  all  wants  him 
hardy,  they  wants  him  dooble,  they 
wants  him  nice  gooler,  they  wants  him 
nice  shaps,  they  wants  him  fragrant, 
they  wants  him  moondly,  they  wants 
him  eveiy dings  in  one  rose,  now  I 
have  to  say  to  dem  ladies,  though  not 
what  you  call  an  ungallant  man,  I  says, 
that  I  sees  not  that  lady  that  is  rich, 
that  is  young,  that  is  good  demper,  that 
is  beautiful,  that  is  healdy,  that  is  smart, 
that  is  everydings  in  one  lady,  I  see  her 
not  much." 

This  was  true  of  the  roses  when  my 
old  German  friend  told  me  of  his 
troubles,  but  since  then  we  have  been 
fortunate  enough  in  getting  a  new  class 
of  roses  known  as  the 

HYBRID  TEAS. 

all  of  which,  by  covering  with  four 
inches  of  leaves,  put  on  in  December 
around  the  roots  prove  perfectly  hardy 
in  most  of  the  l^orthern  States.  These 
now  compose  many  fine  kinds,  among 
which  are :  Dinsmore,  bright  scarlet 
crimson,  si)lendid  form  ;  Ball  of  Snow, 
pure  snow  white,  fragrant  ;  La  France, 
deep  pink  shading  to  light  rose,  splen- 
did ;  American  Beauty,  rich,  light  crim- 
son, grand  form,  large  size,  and  exceed- 
ing all  other  roses  in  its  delightful  odor ; 
Lady  Mary  Fitzwilliam,  rosy  blu.sh, 
globular,  large  ;  Pierre  Guillot.  These 
are  all  "  monthly,"  all  "fragrant,"  all 
"  double  "  and  of  fine  "  form,"  and  are 


THE    CANADIAN    HCitTICCLTURIST. 


27T 


all  particularly  rich  in  color.  In  fact, 
they  are  all  that  the  good  old  German's 
cubtomers  wanted :  they  are  "  every- 
dings  "  in  one  rose,  and  besides  are  all 
"  moondly,"'  "  nice  gooler  ,"  "  fragrant 
and  ever-blooming." — Peter  Henderson. 


CAN  WE  IMPROVE  OUR  PRESENT 
VARIETIES  OF  ROSES. 

K.    MITCHELL,    IN.NERKIP,    O.VT. 

I  am  at  present  engaged  in  an  experi- 
ment which  will  take  me  some  years 
yet  to  fully  prove  the  value  of,  by  which 
I  am  in  hopes  that  varieties  of  Roses 
and  other  plants,  which  we  now  possess, 
may  be  vastly  impi'oved.  I  find  that 
in  our  Hybrid  Perpetual  roses,  (with 
their  intermixed  and  diverse  ancestry) 
certain  plants  will  show  characteristics 
varying  from  the  ordinai-y  type  of  the 
variety  to  which  it  belongs.  As  ex- 
amjiles,  among  others  in  my  own  gar- 
den, I  may  mention  the  case  of  a  plant 
of  Prince  Camille  de  Rohan,  which  has 
for  years  proved  itself  a  true  ever-bloom- 
ing rose,  although  this  variety  is  gen- 
erally known  as  rather  a  shy  bloomer, 
except  at  the  ordinary  blooming  season. 
Again  on  the  other  hand  I  notice  a 
Marguerite  de  St.  Amande,  which  year 
after  year  ignores  the  fact  that  this 
variety  is  noted  as  a  prolific  autumn 
bloomer,  and  has  never  given  me  one 
bloom  after  the  first  blooming  season  is 
over.  I  might  go  on  and  give  many 
other  examples  where  certain  indivi- 
dual plants  have  their  own  marked 
variations  from  the  ordinary  tyjje  of  the 
variety,  but  these  are  enough  to  illus- 
trate the  principle  upon  which  my 
present  experiments  are  based.  I  have 
propagated  from  those  plants  where  I 
have  noted  a  desirable  departure  fi'om 
the  original  type,  and  from  these  I  will 
again  select  and  propagate,  until  I  have 
fully  tested  my  theory.  I  would  be 
very  glad  to  hear  from  anyone  who  has 
any  knowledge  of  what  it  is  possible  to 
do  in  this  direction. 


CHRISTMAS  DECORATIONS. 

Very  pretty  decorations  can  be  made 
for  Christmas  by  using  heads  of  wheat 
and  oats.  They  can  be  mixed  with  ever- 
greens with  good  effect.  Dried  grasses 
can  be  made  useful  in  working  out  some 
of  the  smaller  designs.  Mountain  Ash 
and  Bittersweet  berries  are  charming 
when  used  in  evergreen  wreathing:.  If 
they  ai-e  not  to  be  obtained,  the  seed 
clusters  of  the  Sumach  make  good  sub- 
stitutes. If  you  have  autumn  leaves  in 
considerable  quantities,  they  will  work 
in  charmingly  with  whatever  may  be 
used  as  the  foundation  of  your  decora- 
tive work.  To  use  nothing  but  ever- 
greens gives  the  place  you  use  them  in 
a  somewhat  sombre  look,  and  touches 
of  bright  color  are  needed  to  produce  a 
more  cheerful  tone,  and  one  more  fittins 
to  the  season.  If  clusters  of  leaves  or 
berries  are  placed  Avherever  festoons  of 
evergreens  are  fastened  against  the 
walls,  the  general  eflect  will  be  vastly 
more  pleasing  than  it  would  be  if  they 
were  not  used. 

For  the  altar  nothing  is  prettier,  es- 
pecially by  lamplight,  than  crystallized 
grasses  used  liberally  against  a  back- 
ground of  evergreen.  They  sparkle  like 
gems,  and  suggest  natural  frostwork.  A 
most  beautiful  effect  can  be  produced  by 
Hiaking  the  words,  "  A  Merry  Christ- 
mas," with  letters  formed  of  these 
grasses  against  evergreen.  The  back- 
ground can  be  made  on  a  strip  of  cloth 
of  whatever  width  is  thought  desir- 
able, covered  with  ground  pine  or 
hemlock.  These  are  better  for  such 
pui'poses  than  ordiiaary  pine  or  cedar. 
This  cloth  can  be  suspended  back  of 
the  pulpit  or  stage,  and  when  the  light 
falls  on  the  letters  they  will  seem  to  be 
formed  from  bits  of  icicles.  As  the 
grasses  are  brittle  and  easily  broken 
after  being  crystallized,  it  is  well  to 
make  each  letter  on  a  foundation  of 
pasteboard  and  put  it  in  place  aiter  the 
evergreen  background  has  been  hung 
up. —  Vick's  Magazine  for  December. 


278 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


JioreBirg. 


THE   SCOTCH  AND  THE  AUS- 
TRIAN  PINES. 

^^R  LOUDON  speaks  of  the  Scotch 
^il^  Pine  (Finns  syhestris)  as  being 
one  of  the  fastest  growing  species  of  the 
Pine  genus,  and  speaks  of  one  having  at- 
tained the  height  of  fifty  feet  in.  twenty 
years.  Surely  this  rapidity  of  growth 
which  characterizes  it  in  the  old  coun- 
try, cannot  belong  to  it  here  in  Canada. 
The  Austrian  Pine  too  ( Pinus  Aus- 
triaca),  which  in  Lower  Austria  grows 
to  a  height  of  120  feet,  and  is  consider- 
ed a  rapid  grower,  seems  to  us  to 
"  make  haste  moi-e  slowly "  in  our 
country.  We  have  here  at  Maplehurst 
^near  Grimsby)  several  specimens  of 
these  two  pines  growing  on  our 
grounds,  which  are  about  thirty  years 
of  age,  and  neither  variety  has  reached 
a  height  of  over  twenty-fi%'e  or  thirty 
feet.  Norway  Spruces  of  the  same  age 
are  from  fifty  to  sixty  feet  in  height, 
and  have  left  them  far  behind. 

We  write  in  explanation  of  a  refer- 
ence to  these  pines  on  p.  231,  -where  they 
are  compared  with  our  native  white 
pine  (Pinus  Strobus)  as  being  of  slower 
gi'owth,  and  less  handsome  in  foliage. 
Probably  the  statement  should  be 
somewhat  modified  with  respect  to 
ultimate  size,  and  no  doubt  in  a  large 
lawn  or  park  a  rich  efi'ect  could  be  pro- 
duced by  using  the  dark-green  of  the 
Austrian,  and  Scotch  pines  to  vary 
the  prospect.  But  if  we  could  only 
have  one,  and  wanted  it  near  our 
home,  we  would  choose  our  own  White 
Pine,  with  its  slender,  and  gracefully 
waving  foliage. 

INFLUENCE  OF  FORESTS. 

The  annual  address  of  Hon.  Warren 
Higley,  of  New  York,  at  the  Denver 
meeting  of  the  American  Forestry  Con-  ' 
,gress    last    year    is    full    of    practical 


and  helpful  suggestions  to  all  foresters, 
He  gives  the  following  as  some  of  the 
most  important  conclusions  regarding 
the  influence  of  forests. 

1.  The  forests  exercise  an  influence 
upon  the  climate  of  the  country  ;  they 
modify  the  extremes  of  temperature. 

2.  They  have  a  decided  influence 
upon  the  water  supply  of  a  country. 
Clear  the  foi-ests  from  the  valleys  and 
headwaters  of  streams  and  rivei's,  and 
these  water  courses,  perennial  before, 
become  dry  in  summer  and  raging  tor- 
rents in  spring  time. 

3.  Forests  exert  a  beneficial  influ- 
ence upon  agriculture  by  forming  a 
wall  of  protection  to  the  growing  crops 
when  most  needed. 

4.  Growing  forests  on  mountain  sides 
and  steep  declivities  hold  the  loose  soil 
and  accumulating  humus  in  place. 

5.  Forests  in  adequate  areas  tend  to 
preserve  the  healthfulness  of  a  country 
or  district  by  their  influence  on  the 
surrounding  atmosphere. 

6.  Forest  products  afford  the  most 
indispensable  and  necessary  economic 
element  in  the  industries  and  prosperity 
of  a  nation.  The  total  value  of  the 
forest  pz-oducts  of  the  United  States  for 
1880  exceeded  8700,000,000.  —  The 
Farmer. 

THE  ASH-LEAVED  MAPLE. 

The  best  tree  to  plant  for  quick  shel- 
ter, shade  and  fuel,  is  the  Ash-leaved 
Maple  {Negundo  aceroides).  It  is  ex- 
tremely hardy,  as  Ls  proved  by  its  being 
found  in  river  and  creek  bottoms,  and 
on  hill-sides  which  have  been  protected 
from  the  prairie  fires ;  it  is  sometimes 
frozen  back  slightly  the  first  year  after 
starting  from  seed,  but  will  make  a 
steady  rapid  growth  thereafter. 

The  tree  attains  a  height  of  from 
fifty  to  sixty  feet,  with  a  diameter  of 
eighteen  or  twenty  inches;  and  although 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


279 


it  cannot  be  recommended  for  timber, 
it  is  of  great  value  for  fuel  and  shelter. 
It  grows  very  rapidly,  can  be  trimmed 
to  any  shape  desired,  and  will  stand 
the  roughest  treatment.      A  syrup  and 


sugar  is  also  made  from  the  sap,  ap- 
proaching the  maple  syrup  in  its  rich- 
ness and  whiteness  ;  a  pailful  of  sap  is 
said  to  make  half  a  gallon  of  syrup. — 
American  Agricv.lturist. 


J|loU3er5. 


CULTIVATION   OF   ANEMONES. 

BT    UKRMASX    SIMMBRS,    TORONTO. 


'HE  ANEMONE  is  a  genius  of 
plants  of  the  natui'al  order  Ranun- 
culaceae.  The  name  is  derived 
from  the  Greek  word,  aneinos  wind, 
because  many  of  the  species  prefer  very 
exposed  situations  to  flower  properly. 
The  species  are  numerous  and  generally 
beautiful.  Most  of  them  iiower  early 
in  spring.  They  are  natives  of  tem- 
perate and  cold  climates,  chiefly  of  the 
northern  hemisphei-e.  Anemone  nem- 
orosa,  or  the  Wood  Anemone,  is  a 
common  native  of  all  parts  of  Great 
Britain,  and  its  white  flowers,  ex- 
ternally tinged  with  purple,  are  an 
ornament  of  many  a  woodland  scene 
and  mountain  pasture  in  the  months  of 
April  and  May.  Another  species,  A. 
Pulsatilla,  the  Pasque  Flower,  adorns 
chalky  pastures  in  some  parts  of  Eng- 
land at  the  same  season  ;  its  flowers 
are  purple  and  externally  silky.  The 
garden  Anemone  is  a  favorite  florists 
flower ;  the  varieties  are  very  numer- 
ous, and  whole  works  have  been  pub- 
lished on  them,  and  their  cultivation, 
which  is  most  extensively  carried  on  in 
Holland,  and  has  prevailed  for  a  very 
long  period.* 

It  is  generally  supposed  that  all  these 
varieties  have  originated  from  two 
species,  A.  coronaria  and  A.  hortensis 


or  stellata.  Both  are  natives  of  the 
Levant ;  the  latter  is  found  also  in 
Italy  and  the  so;ith  of  France.  By 
cultivation  the  size  of  the  flower  is 
increased,  its  form  and  coloure  ai-e 
modified,  and  many  of  the  stamens  are 
often  changed  into  small  petals,  forming 
a  sort  of  heart  of  the  flower.  The 
cultivation  of  the  Anemone  requires 
great  attention  in  order  to  develop  the 
perfection  it  has  now  attained.  To 
grow  them  most  successfully,  secure  a 
light  sandy  soil,  plant  the  bulbs  two 
inches  below  the  surface  of  the  ground, 
and  cover  for  the  winter  with  a 
light  litter  of  leaves.  Growing  them 
in  the  house  has  not  proved  successful, 
therefore,  I  would  suggest  that  the 
amateur  confine  himself  to  growing  in 
the  open  air  altogether.  The  root  con- 
sists of  clustered  tubers,  which  are 
taken  up  after  flowering  ;  the  plant  is 
propagated  by  parting  the  roots  or  by 
sowing  the  seed.  In  the  latter  way 
new  varieties  are  obtained,  but  the 
seedlings  do  not  flower  untU  the  second 
or  third  year.  Besides  the  species 
which  have  been  named,  others  occa- 
sionally appear  as  ornaments  of  our 
flower  garden,  such  as  Anemone  Japo- 
nica,  a  most  beautiful  species,  which 
has  only  recently  been  introduced  from 


280 


THE   CANADIAN    H0BTICULTUKI8T. 


Japan.  The  species  of  this  variety  are 
characterized  by  the  acridity  prevalent 
in  the  natural  order  to  which  they 
belong,  and  the  rhizomes  have  been 
recommended  in  obstinate  cases  of 
rheumatism.  Anemone  Hepatica,  with 
three  lobed  leaves,  grows  wild  in  most 
parts  of  Germany,  but  is  not  a  native 
of  Britain.  Varieties  of  different 
colours,  and  both  single  and  double, 
shoiild  be  among  the  finest  ornaments 
of  our  flower  borders  early  in  spring. 

My  practical  experience  in  growing 
Anemones  successfully  in  the  open  air, 
has  been  to  plant  the  bulbs  in  a  box 
during  winter,  occasionally  watering  to 
prevent  the  bulbs  from  drying  up,  then 
planting  out  as  soon  as  the  frost  is 
out  of  the  ground,  when  they  are  pretty 
certain  to  flower,  and  may  remain  per. 
manently  in  the  place  they  ai'e  planted. 


By  Francis  Mason,  PaTBRBOROUGH,  Ost. 
WINTER. 

"  What  is  Winter  ?    Why,  just  the  ghost 
Of  the  dear  old  Summer  we've  loved  and  lost; 
The  white  reflection  of  all  things  sweet, 
All  the  most  perfect,  most  complete  ; 
AH  that  the  heart  goes  out  to  meet 
Lies  under  the  snow  and  frost." 

Yes,  we  are  right  into  winter ;  and 
I  often  think  if  we  had  no  winter,  but 
were  all  summer,  we  would  not  be  able 
to  appreciate  rightly  the  beauty,  gran- 
deur, and  rein vigora ting  process  of  na- 
ture. So  it  is  in  our  eveiyday  life  ; 
without  losses  and  crosses  we  would 
not  be  able   to  appreciate  the  sunshine 


that  comes  into  our  lives  after  the 
storm  has  past.  The  great  fault  with 
most  of  us  is  that  we  live  too  much  in 
the  future,  instead  of  making  the 
most  of  every  day,  enjoying  the 
streaks  of  sunshine  that  slant  across 
our  pathway.  Come,  let  us  enjoy  this 
fine  winter  weather,  not  waiting  for 
the  seasons  to  change.  Once  more,  I 
wish  all  my  old  i-eaders  of  the  Florist, 
as  well  as  the  whole  family  of  sub- 
scribers to  the  Canadia'ii  Horticulturist, 
A  Merry  Christmas. 

CHRISTMAS    CHIMES. 
Chime,  chime,  sweet  Christmas  bells, 

Tidings  glad  your  music  tells. 
Merry  Christmas  rings  for  all 

From  the  snow- wreathed  steeples  tall  ; 
Children's  eyes  shine  bright  as  stars 

Through  the  cloud-tipped  azure  bars. 
Merry,  merry  Christmas  day, 

Holy,  happy  holiday. 

I  want  in  this  number  to  say  some- 
thing about  some  plants  that  have  a 
charm  for  me  above  many  others.  Why 
I  do  not  know,  only  that  I  love  them, 
and  think  there  is  nothing  so  enchant- 
ing as  the  I'ambling,  climbing,  running 
vines  for  the  window,  or  manteil  dur- 
ing the  winter.  I  will  just  name  a 
few  that  may  be  easily  grown. 

ENGLISH    IVY, 

though  slow  at  first  to  make  much 
growth,  yet,  after  it  is  established  and 
growing  a  year  or  two,  it  makes  great 
progress.  It  may  be  trained  around 
windows,  pictures,  brackets,  or  clocks  ; 
and  anything  else  that  may  be  fancied 
can  be  done  with  those  branches  of  the 
vine,  even  to  forming  letters  and  words 
on  the  wall.  It  will  help  and  give 
vitality  to  the  ivy  to  place  it  outside 
under  the  verandah,  or  in  some  shady 
place,  during  the  summer ;  as  the 
plant  gi'ows  increase  the  size  of  the 
pot  or  vessel  it  may  be  in  ;  occasionally 
wash  both  sides  of  leaves,  stems  and 
body,  as  the  scale  insect  troubles  this 
plant  badly  is  it  becomes  once  infested 
with  it. 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTDRIST. 


281 


GERMAN    OR    PARLOR    IVY 

is  much  quicker  in  growth  than  the 
above,  but  is  not  so  easily  managed  : 
still  it  is  beautiful  when  given  strings 
to  run  on,  and  will  make  itself  at 
home  anywhere  in  the  light. 

SMILAX 

is  the  most  graceful  of  climbers,  and 
cannot  be  equalled  for  its  beautiful 
gi*een  foliage  and  peculiar  waxy  for- 
mation. Though  of  a  slender  growth 
it  is  strong  and  wiry,  and  is  much  used 


in  the  formation  of  wreaths  and  other 
floral  work  :  it  is  even  used  for  the 
trimming  of  dresses  at  parties  ;  indeed 
I  do  not  know  what  florists  would  do 
without  smilax.  The  plants  may  be 
purchased  from  any  floi-ist  at  a  very 
reasonable  price,  or  seed  may  be  pur- 
chased and  sown  at  any  time ;  but 
plants  are  preferable  for  the  amateur. 
Give  them  long  strings  to  run  on. 

"Vines  for  the  window,  and  for  the 
hanging  basket,  will  be  continued  in 
the  Jaunary  number  of  this  magazine. 


Wctt  Canabian  horticulturist. 


S' 


N  Illus- 
trated 
Monthly  Journal,  de- 
voted to  the  interests 
of     Fruit     Growers, 
Gardeners,  and  Gentle- 
men owning  rural  or  su- 
burban homes. 

Subscription  price  §1.00 
per  year,  entitling  the  subscri- 
ber to  membership  of  the  Fruit  Grow- 
ers' Association  of  Ontario  and  all  its 
privileges,  including  a  copy  of  its 
valuable  Annual  Eeport,  and  a  share  in  its 
annual  distribution  of  plants  and  trees. 


This  Journal  is  not  published  in  the  in- 
terests, or  for  the  pecuniary  advantage  of 
any  one,  but  its  pages  are  devoted  wholly  to 
the  progress  of  Horticultural  Science  and 
Art  in  Canada. 


Time  to  Renew. — It  will  greatly  favor 
the  Editor  if  all  subscriptions  for  ISS."^ 
could  be  sent  in  this  month,  so  that  he 
may  know  how  many  copies  to  print 


for  the  new  year.     Remittances  should 
always  be  sent  by  registered  letter. 

Baskets  for  Peaches. — Cuts  represent- 
ing the  packages  for  peaches  referred 
to  on  page  248,  and  kindly  furnished 
by  the  writers  of  that  article,  came  to 
hand  just  too  late  for  use  in  November 


Fig.  1. 
Number.       The  slat  or    truck   basket, 
that   is    now   commonly  used  in  New 
Jersey  and  Delaware,  is  shown  in  Fig. 
''       We  have  tried  this  basket  in  ship. 


ping  peaches  by  the  car  load  to  Toronto 


282 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


and  Montreal,  but  we  found  that  ex- 
press men  \\  ould  not  handle  it  as  cai-e- 
fully  as  they  would  the  12  qt.  basket 
with  a  handle,  shown  on  p.  152;  and 
in  packing  them  on  platforms,  or  in 
unshelved  cai-s.  they  would  set  one  on 
another,  to  the  great  damage  of  the 
fruit.  The  flat  handle  basket  may  be 
piled  several  deep  without  bruising  the 
fruit,  if  care  is  taken  to  set  every  alter- 
nate ])air  at  right  angles'  with  the  foi*- 
mer  two.  This  latter  basket  is  univer- 
sally used  by  our  Canadian  peach 
growers,  costs  no  moi-e  than  the  truck 
basket  referred  to,  and  is  in  our  opinion 
the  most  useful  basket. 

For  very  choice  samples  of  early 
Crawfords,  no  doubt  the  four-quart- 
basket  crate,  as  shown  in  Fig.  2  is  most 
desirable.       Indeed  it  or  a  very  similar 


Fm.  2. 


crate  has  been  used  by  some  of  our 
peach  growers  at  Grimsby,  and  they 
speak  well  of  it  for  fancy  fruit,  but  even 
these  growers  use  the  12  qt.  basket  for 
their  main  crop. 

The  paper  cell  crate  is  a  very  ingeni- 
ous contrivance  for  carrying  extra  choice 
peaches,  of  uniform  size,  carrying  each 
one  in  a  sepai-ate  cell  just  as  eggs  are 
sometimes  packed  for  shipment.  Our 
plan  with  such  fruit  is  to  row  them  in 
the  12  qt.  basket,  three  layers  of  four 
peaches  wide  and  eight  long,  thus  gett- 
ing about  one  hundred  extra  choice 
samples  in  a  basket.  Such  fruit  netted 
us  from  $1  to  $1.50  per  basket  during 
the  past  season. 


Baxter's  Red,  or  the  Pound  Apple.  —  A 
sample  of  this  beautiful  apple  was  re- 
ceived from  Mr.  Geo.  Leslie,  of  Toronto, 
It  is  a  very  large  apple,  about  the  size 
of  the  King,  and  much  the  same  in 
general  appearance.  The  calyx  is  closed 
in  a  deep  basin  ;  the  color  deep  red  with 
yellow  specks  ;  the  stem,  shoi't  slender 
and  deep  set,  in  a  slightly  russeted  cavity. 
From  its  large  size  this  ai)j)le  has  been 
called  the  "  Pound  "  apple,  but  the  name 
Baxter  after  its  originator,  seems  to  be 
its  proper  one. 

The  tree  is  said  to  be  perfectly  hardy 
about  Ottawa,  and  if  it  is  an  abundant 
bearer,  may  prove  a  most  valuable  apple 
for  export. 

Macklim's  Seedling  Pear  also  sent  in  by 
Ml".  Geo.  Leslie,  has  every  appearance 
of  being  a  valuable  winter  Pear.  It  is 
too  early  to  test  its  quality,  but  its  ap- 
pearance is  in  its  favor.  The  fruit  is 
large,  pyrifoi'm,  having  some  resem- 
blance to  the  Vicar,  about  four  inches 
long,  besides  a  stout  stem  of  two  inches 
obliquely  inserted  without  depression. 
Skin  yellowish  green  with  small  brown 
dots.  Calyx  large,  closed,  in  a  shallow 
coiTUgated  basin.  Said  to  have  origi- 
nated near  Markham,  Ontario. 

The  Kieffer. — A  dwarf  tree  of  this  var- 
iety at  Maplehurst,  the  home  of  the 
Secretary,  has  borne  this  season  several 
beautiful  samples.  In  point  of  appear- 
ance it  is  everything  that  can  be  desired, 
and  the  tree  is  a  fine  grower.  But  alas  ! 
the  disappointment  with  which  one 
attempts  to  enjoy  the  eating  ! 

The  merits  of  this  pear  were  discuissed 
at  the  meeting  of  the  American  Pomo- 
logical  Society,  at  Boston.  It  was  main- 
tained that  it  was  valuable  in  the 
Southern  States  at  least  for  cooking  ; 
but  it  was  acknowledged  to  be  of  little 
value  at  the  north.  It  was  agreed  that 
the  name  should  be  pronounced  as  if 
spelt  Keffer,  with  e  short. 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICCLTCRIST. 


283 


Best  table  Pears. — The  Country  GentJe- 
maa  gives  the  following  list  of  pears 
selected  with  i-egard  to  flavoi*,  and  re- 
gardless of  productiveness  or  market 
value  :  Seckel,  Bosc,  Belle,  Lucrative, 
Sheldon,  Josephine  de  Malines,  Dana's 
Hovey  and  Grey  Doyenne.  The  Eos- 
tiezer  is  classed  as  almost  equal  to  the 
above  list,  a  pear  which  in  our  opinion 
is  fully  equal  in  quality  to  any  one  of 
them . 

Peaches  for  Succession. — The  same  Jour- 
nal gives  the  following  list  of  peaches 
which  were  grown  at  Albany,  and  gave 
a  constant  succession  of  ripe  fruit  each 
day  from  the  25th  of  July  until  the 
middle  of  October  :  Waterloo,  Alexan- 
der, Briggs  Red,  Early  Beatrice,  Early 
Elvers,  Hales  Early,  Early  York,  Coo- 
ledge,  Troth,  Morris  White,  Crawford's 
Enrly,  Foster,  Old  Mixon  Free,  Stump, 
Crawford's  Late,  Ward's  Late,  Smock, 
Salwav. 


HORTICULTURE   FOR  WOMEN. 

Miss  Sara  Smith  read  a  paper  on 
this  subject  before  the  Massachusetts 
Horticultural  Society  on  the  29th  of 
January  last.  She  said  among  other 
things : — 

"Do  we  think,  when  walking  in  our 
beautiful  gardens,  of  the  many  New  Eng- 
land farms  and  homes  without  gardens  ? 
Do  we  think  that  there  are  daughters  to 
inherit  these  places  who  are  not  taught  as 
we  are  every  day  by  the  beauties  around 
us,  and  who  do  not  learn  to  know  and  love 
them  ? 

"School  days  over,  the  excitement  of 
graduation,  the  crowded  house,  the  ap- 
plause, all  are  ended,  never  to  return. 
No  more  city  life,  no  more  railroad  rides, 
no  more  excitement.  A  quiet  coming 
home,  and  to  a  home  which  perchance 
may  not  be  the  home  of  beauty,  of  luxury, 
of  comfort,  or  pleasure,  that  many  can 
welcome  their  daughters  to,  but  a  home 
such  as  we  know  hundreds  of  our  brothers 
have  on  these  bleak  though  beautiful  hills, 
and  damp  yet  smiling  valleys  of  New  Eng- 


land. Totally  ignorant  of  what  might 
make  such  homes  abodes  of  pleasure,  it 
seems  a  coming  to  a  round  of  cooking  and 
cleaning  and  small  economies  that  fret 
day  by  day.  What  a  dull  routine  !  Sel- 
dom company  to  enliven,  no  monej'  except 
for  the  most  essential  needs — a  weary, 
dreary  home — a  tired  mother,  a  silent 
father,  an  absent,  or  worse,  an  indifferent 
brother,  work  that  crowds,  no  luxuries, 
no  garden,  even  the  songs  of  the  birds  re- 
call the  songsters  of  the  city  parks  and 
have  a  homesick  sound  to  her,  and  so 
comes  the  sad,  final  break  with  home. 

In  all  the  culture  of  soil  and  fruit  and 
flower  and  flocks,  is  there  no  pleasant 
place,  no  welcome  duty  for  these  daughters 
hands  ?  Is  there  no  way  that  they  may 
be  taught  that  they,  too,  have  a  mission 
— a  heaven-given  mission — on  a  farm  I 

What  we  want  now  is  not  this  higher 
education  ;  it  is  a  neAv  one  ;  an  education 
in  horticidture  and  home  culture  that 
shall  make  a  happier  girlhood  ;  happier 
because  hands  are  full  and  bodies  healthy, 
and  brains  less  strained  for  book  lore  ; 
more  alive  to  Nature's  truths  and  vivified 
with  a  pi'actical  knowledge  of  Avhat  goes 
to  make  health,  hai)pine3S,  home  and 
wealth.  Among  all  the  schools  of  our 
land  there  is  not  one  to  offer  our  girls 
this." 

The  tendency  of  our  age  is  toward 
extremes  ;  and  every  girl  in  our  land 
is  expected  to  go  through  the  same 
round  of  French,  Music,  etc.,  whether 
fitted  by  taste  for  these  studies  or  not. 

No  doubt  very  many  of  these  would 
be  happier  and  more  useful  if  a  portion 
of  the  time  spent  in  the  study  of  ac- 
complishments for  which  they  have  no 
taste,  were  devoted  to  the  pi-actical 
study  of  the  care  and  culture  of  flow- 
ers and  trees,  and  to  the  kindred 
science  of  Botany. 


Scott's  Winter.— Mr.  Charles  Gibb,  of 
Abbotsford,  sends  a  sample  of  this  veiy 
])romising  winter  apple  for  the  North. 
It  is  a  veiy  handsome  apple,  and  a 
native  of  Newport,  Yt.  Dr.  Hoskins 
of  that  place  says  of  it  :   "  The  value  of 


284 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


this  apple  grows  upon  me  every  year. 
With  the  exception  of  Bethel,  it  is  the 
only  true  "  iron-clad "  that  is  a  long 
keeper,  while  it  is  au  early  and  prolific 
bearer.  It  surpasses  the  Wealthy  in 
the  same  orchard  in  vigor,  and  in 
endurance  of  climate  vicissitudes,  and 
produces  about  as  much  marketable 
iruit,  which  keeps  well  into  June,  and 
sometimes  through  July.  It  is  medium 
in  size  (small  on  poor  land),  round, 
very  brilliant  red  in  color,  keeping 
until  June,  without  difficulty,  and  after 
March  very  good  in  quality,  being  crisp 
and  spicy,  but  too  tart  for  some  people." 

HAT-BIRDS 
"One  London  dealer  in  birds  received, 
while  the  fashion  was  at  its  height,  a 
single  consignment  of  thirty-two  thou- 


sand dead  humming-birds,  and  another 
received  at  one  time  thirty  thousand 
aquatic  birds  and  three  thousand  pairs 
of  wint'S." 

I  Think  what  a  price  to  pay, 

Faces  so  bright  and  gay, 
Just  for  a  hat  ! 
Flowers  unvisited,  mornings  unsung, 
Sea- Ranges  bare  of  the  wings  that  o'er  swung, 
Bared  just  for  that  ! 

Think  of  the  others,  too, 
Others  and  mothers,  too, 

Bright  eyes  in  hats  ! 
Hear  yoii  no  mother  groans  floating  in  air. 
Hear  you  no  little  moan — birdling's  despair 
Som-^where — for  that  ! 

Oh,  but  the  shame  of  it. 
Oh,  but  the  blame  of  it — 
Price  of  a  h  ft  ! 
Just  for  a  jauntiness,  brightening  the  s  reet. 
This  is  your  halo,  0  faces  so  sweet — 
Death,  and  for  that ! 

Faith  and  Works. 


®:fizn  fetters. 


THE  BROCKVILLE  BEAUTY  AND 
THE  WINTER  ST.  LAWRENCE. 
Montreal,  Oct.  17,  1887. 

Sir, — I  procured  my  original  trees 
of  the  JBrockville  Beauty,  twelve  or 
fourteen  years  ago,  from  James  Gum- 
ming, of  Lyn,  (near  Brockville,  Ont.) 
I  regret  that  I  cannot  send  you  any 
sample  of  this  apple.  It  is  a  Septem- 
ber apple,  and  comes  in  directly  be- 
tween Duchess  and  St.  Lawrence, 
hence  I  prize  it  as  filling  a  gap.  It  is  a 
vei'y  handsome  apple,  above  medium  in 
size,  and  the  quality  is  better  than 
Duchess.  The  tree  ajjpears  to  be  quite 
hardy  here. 

I  mail  you  to-day  three  samples  of 
the  Winter'  St.  Laiorence.  They  are 
scarcely  fair  samples,  as  the  fruit  avei-- 
ages  larger,  but  it  was  all  I  had  left. 
I  have  no  ti-ouble  to  get  $3.50  per 
barrel  for  Wiyiter  St.  Lawrence,  and 
I  have  shipped  several  cases  to  Eng- 
land this  season.  Yours  truly, 

R.  W.  Shepherd,  Jr. 


FRUITS  TESTED  IN  LAMBTON 
Mandaumin,  Oct.  17,  1887. 
Sir, — The  first  plant  I  received  from 
the  Association  was  the  Eumelan  Grape, 
which  was  hardy,  easily  propagated, 
and  produced  plenty  of  grapes  good  to 
eat,  but  for  three  years  in  succession, 
beginning  with  1882,  the  fruit  mil- 
dewed and  the  leaves  rusted  and 
dropped  prematurely,  as  did  also  those 
of  the  Salem  :  some  of  the  plants 
nearly  dying  out.  My  other  vines,  of 
which  I  have  a  number  of  kinds,  were 
not  affected  in  that  way.  Last  year 
both  these  kinds  bore  some  good  fruit, 
and  this  year  there  was  a  full  crop  of 
excellent  fruit  and  no  sign  of  mildew. 
The  Prentiss  had  grown  well,  and  had 
some  beautiful  light  green  fruit  that 
tasted  to  me  much  like  the  Delaware, 
but  was  much  more  showy.  The 
Niagara  received  this  spring  has  grown 
44  inches.  The  Flemish  Beauty  is 
healthy,  and  has  been  much  slower  to 
bear  than    Clapp's    Favourite,    Anjou, 


i 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


285 


and  other  kinds.  I  have  Souvenir  de 
Congress,  that  has  borne  four  times  as 
much  in  the  third  of  the  time.  The 
Ontario  and  Grimes  Golden  are  both 
what  I  call  good  a])ples.  We  have 
found  Saunders'  Raspherry  much  more 
prolific  than  the  Cuthbert,  and  other 
famous  kinds,  and  does  not  run  all 
over  the  garden  like  them.  We  do  not 
reckon  the  Gregg  any  improvement  on 
Mammoth  Cluster,  but  the  reverse, 
AVe  have  not  many  kinds  of  straw- 
berries, but  the  Arnold  seems  to  me  as 
sood  as  the  best  we  have,  and  iust  as 
good  a  cropper.  The  Fay  is  a  good 
currant,  and  the  bushes  do  not  break 
down  with  storms  like  the  Versailles. 
Yours  respectfully, 

David  Nisbet. 

FRUITS  AT  THE  NORTH. 

Brantford,  Out.,  Nov.  3rd,  1SS7. 
Sir, — I  have  lately  returned  from  an 
extended  trip  to  the  south  shore  of 
Lake  Superior,  and  I  fouud  the  Du- 
chess of  Oldenburg  thriving  the  best 
of  any  apple  in  that  region.  I  gath- 
ered one  from  a  tree  grown  by  Mr. 
Gattis,  an  old  friend,  as  tine  as  I  over 
saw,  at  Eagle  River,  Canton  Mines, 
where  you  can  see  across  the  lake  on  a 
clear  day  to  Thunder  Bay  on  the  north 
shore.  Cherries  also  do  well,  although 
I  was  too  late  to  see  them.  Mr.  G. 
told  me  he  had  a  good  crop  of  pears 
also,  but  could  not  find  the  names.  I 
also  saw  the  same  apples  at  different 
points.  The  Siberian  crabs  are  the 
most  grown.  I  saw  the  question, 
What  are  the  best  and  most  likely 
sorts  to  stand  the  climate  of  Mani- 
toba ? — a  very  pertinent  question  for 
that  northern  clime.  I  have  no  doubt 
but  tlie  kinds  grown  in  northern 
Russia,  or  some  of  them,  would 
stand  the  test.  The  black  knot  in 
my  plums  and  cherries  was  very  bad 
this  season ;  have  cut  it  all  off,  not 
knowing   any    other   remedy.       There 


has  been  a  complete  absence  of  the 
black  aphis  so  bad  last  year  on  black 
cui-rant  and  cherry  ti-ees,  and  which 
killed  one  of  the  latter  for  me,  a  fine 
}'Ourig  tree,  with  cherries  half  grown. 
I  discovered  say  forty  borei's  in  a  large 
English  cherry  tree,  which  very  nearly 
girdled  it  just  below  the  surface.  This 
is  singular,  as  I  never  saw  one  before 
in  a  cherry  tree,  nor  ever  heard  of  it. 
Yours  truly,  C.   Jarvis. 

THE  VIRGINIA  CREEPER 
USEFUL    AS    WELL    AS    ORN'AMENTAL. 

A  Letter  from  Mr.  Cockburn,  since  the 
Gravenhurst  Fire. 

Gravenhurst,  Ont.,  Oct.  15,  1887. 
Dear  Sir, — I  write  to  compliment 
you  on  what  I  call  your  "  Muskoka  " 
number  of  the  Horticulturist,  and 
thank  you  for  your  kindly  mention  of 
my  name.  Of  course  I  have  lost  every 
flower  and  plant  I  had  gathered  by 
fifteen  years'  very  close  collecting  of 
what  I  thought  the  best  to  be  had  for 
money ;  all  went  to  smoke  in  less  than 
five  minutes.  It  was  simply  indescrib- 
able. The  Virginia  Creeper  on  my 
old  wood  shed  saved  the  oflice  in  which 
I  am  now  writing.  The  thick  mat  of 
vine  and  foliage  on  the  roof  held  the 
water,  and  prevented  the  roof  from 
igniting..  All  my  back  volumes  of  the 
Horticulturist  are  burned,  and  I  wish 
you  would  let  me  know  how  many 
years'  bound  volumes  you  have,  so  that 
I  can  send  to  you  for  them,  as  I  do 
not  like  to  be  without  them. 
Yours  respectfully, 

J.  P.  Cockburn. 


GRIMES   GOLDEN. 

Trentou,  Oct.  17,  1887. 
Sir, — Respecting  Grimes  Golden  as  a 
dessert  apple,  it  is  one  of  the  best 
trees,  a  good  grower  and  hardy.  The 
fruit  is  not  sufficiently  attractive  for 
market,  and  often  spots  badly. 
I  am,  very  trulj'  yours, 

P.  C.   Dempsey. 


286 


THE    OANA.DrA.N    HORnOULTDKTBT. 


Lindsay,  Oct.  18,  1887. 

Sir, — Grimes  Golden  Apple  grew 
well  with  me  for  severMl  years.  It 
bore  fruit  early,  and  continued  to  pro- 
duce a  moderate  crop  every  yeai'.  In 
addition  to  its  good  beai'ing  qualities,  I 
was  much  pleased  with  the  excellent 
quality  of  its  fruit,  especially  abou' 
Christmas,  when  it  seemed  to  be  at  its 
best.  The  colors,  too,  at  that  time,  is 
very  beautiful. 

Two  years  ago  the  tree  commenced 
to  fail.  Last  year  it  gave  symptoms 
of  early  death.  This  year  will  be  its 
last.     But  little  fruit  this  year. 

I  have  made  enquiries  of  other 
growers  in  this  vicinity.  Tlieir  ex- 
perience is  about  the  same  as  mine. 
All  agree  that  the  tree  is  not  suitable 
for  this  climate. 

Yours  very  truly, 

Thomas  Beall. 

FLOWERING  OF  TUBEROSE 
BULBS. 

Sir, — I  have  noticed  at  different 
times  in  Horticultui-al  and  Agricul- 
tural publications,  Florists  Catalogues 
included,  a  statement  concerning  the 
flowering  of  tuberoses,  that  after  they 
have  flowered  once,  the  old  bulb  may 
be  thrown  away,  as  they  will  never 
flower  again,  but  if  desired  the  offshoots 
may  be  planted,  and  may  make  flower- 
ing bulbs  in  two  or  tliree  years.  Being 
a  little  skeptical  about  the  matter,  and 
wondering  who  had  given  them  a  trial, 
I  purposed  to  test  the  question  for 
myself.  So  last  fall  I  had  a  few  bulbs 
that  flowered,  and  when  taking  them 
up  I  allowed  a  little  piece  of  the  old 
flower  stem  to  remain  attached  to  each 
bulb,  as  a  mark  to  guard  against  mis- 
take. I  planted  them  in  a  bed  by 
themselves,  and  labeled  them.  The 
old  stem  by  this  time  was  crowded 
to  one  side  just  like  that  of  most 
lilies,  or  even  that  of  an  onion  after 
going  to  seed,    and    a  new   centre    is 


formed.  I  removed  the  offshoots  before 
planting,  several  of  which  flowered 
the  present  year.  My  old  buHis  flowered 
beautifully,  continuing  in  bloom  for 
about  six  weeks,  until  the  frost  cut 
them  down  the  other  night.  In  fnct, 
neither  myselr  nor  my  friends  could  .see 
any  difference  between  the  old  bed  and 
the  new  one,  growing  but  a  little  way 
off".  Such  has  been  my  experience 
with  old  tuberose  bulbs,  and  I  intend 
still  further  trying  them  another  year. 
Samuel  Huntkr, 
Hartly,  D.C.,  U.S.A.,  Oct.  19,  1887. 


This  department  is  intended  as  an  open  one  to  every 
reader  of  the  "Horticulturist"  to  send  in  either 
questions  or  answers.  Often  a  reader  ivill  be  able  to 
answer  a  question  which  has  been  left  unanswered, 
or  only  partially  answered  by  us.  For  convenience 
of  reference  the  questions  are  numbered,  and  any 
one  replying  or  referring  to  any  question  will 
please  mention  the  number  of  it. 

80.  The  Quince. — Can  the  Quince  be 
successfally  b added  on  apple  seedlings  ? 

F.  G.  H. 
We  have  never  tried  the  experiment, 
and  know  of  no  one  who  iias.  The 
Quince  is  propagated  so  readily  either 
by  making  cuttings  this  fall,  and  bury- 
ing them  until  spring  planting  time, 
or  by  planting  the  suckers,  that  we 
see  no  reason  for  budding  it  upon  the 
apple. 

81.  Gooseberries, — What  is  the  matter 
ivith  m>f  Goos'^berries  ?  The  leaves  on 
the  tips  of  the  branches  are  curled  up 
into  tight  little  bunches.  It  affects  the 
Houghton  most.       A.  J.  Wright, 

Laketiekl,  Out. 

We  cannot  answer  without  seeing 
samples  of  the  leaves.  •  Probably  an 
insect  is  at  the  Vjottom  of  the  trouble. 
If  you  observe  the  same  thing  again, 
please  enclose  us  some  samples. 

QUESTIONS  answered    BY  MR.   F.   MASON. 

Mrs.  B.,  Stratford,  asks  how  to  tvpat 


THE   CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST, 


287 


Wallflowers  so  that  tliey  will  bloom  this 
winter. 

What  is  the  Easter  Lily  ?  Is  it  the 
Calla  ? 

In  answer  to  the  first  I  would  say 
that  walltiower  phints  grown  from  seed 
last  spring,  planted  out  during  the  sum- 
mer and  taken  in  in  the  fall,  should 
flower  without  fail  in  February.  The 
most  simple  treatment  is  all  that  is 
necessary  to  ensure  flowers  ;  they  re- 
quire no  pinching  back,  in  fact  only  to 
be  left  alone  all  suuuner,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  giving  water. 

The  Calla  is  not  what  is  called  the 
Easter  Lily,  but  Lilium  Harrisii  and 
Lilium  Candidum  ai-e  both  known  by 
that  name.  The  Calla  is  not,  properly 
speaking,  a  lily  at  all. 


JlebutD. 


We  will  gladly  give  our  candid  opinion  of  any  books, 
magazines  or  catalogues  received,  especially  if  they 
are  likely  to  interest  or  benefit  Canadian  fruit 
growers,  but  will  not  insert  cut  and  dried  reading 
notices  in  fav^r  of  any  publication  whatever. 

Report  of  thk  Ohio  State  Forestry 
Bureau  1886. 

We  have  received  through  the  polite- 
ness of  Mr.  Adolph  Ijeue,  Secretary  to 
the  Ohio  State  Forestry  Bureau,  the 
second  Annual  Report  to  the  Gov- 
ernor of  Ohio.  It  is  an  octavo  volume 
of  222  pages  treating  largely  of  the 
forest  trees  growing  in  that  State,  shew- 
ing their  distribution,  usual  size,  and 
the  purposes  to  which  the  wood  is  ap- 
plied. It  contains  also  many  valuable 
papers  relating  to  different  matters  per- 
taining to  the  subject,  such  as  Profits  of 
Forest  Culture,  Joint  Stock  Forestry 
Associations,  Raising  Forest  Trees  from 
Seeds,  Groupings  in  Forest  Plantations, 
Preservation  of  Woodlands,  Roadside 
Planting,  Arbor  Day,  Forests  and 
Floods.  The  Relation  of  Forests  to  Agri- 
culture, ikc.  "&c. 

It  is  a  most  valuable  Report,  full   of 


practical  mattei"  to  us  as  well  as  to  the 
citizens  of  the  State  of  Ohio  and  Mr. 
Leue  will  please  to  accept  our  most 
sincere  thanks  for  his  kind  remem- 
brance. 

From  this  report  we  learn  that  the 
State  of  Ohio  has  a  State  Forestry 
Bureau,  composed  of  three  commis- 
sioners, who  hold  office  for  six  years, 
their  terms  so  arranged  that  one  expires 
every  two  years.  This  Bureau  is 
charged  with  the  duty,  among  others,  of 
making  an  annual  report  to  the  Gover- 
nor of  the  State,  which  shall  contain 
the  results  of  such  investigations  as 
they  have  made,  and  such  other  infor- 
mation as  the  Board  may  deem  neces- 
sary for  the  promotion  of  forestiy  in  the 
State.  The  Bure.tu  has  commenced  an 
investigation  into  the  subject  of  forest 
fires  in  the  State,  the  results  thereof 
are  promised  in  the  next  report. 

When  will  sufficient  regard  be  had 
to  the  preservation  of  our  forests  by 
our  legislators  to  take  similar  steps 
to  preserve  our  valuable  forests  from 
destruction  1  Forest  tires  are  of  annual 
occurrence  in  Canada,  laying  waste 
lai'ge  quantities  of  valuable  timber 
land.  It  is  high  time  energetic  mea- 
sures were  taken  to  stay  this  loss. 

Transactions  of  the  Wisconsin  State 
Horticultural  Society  includes  ad- 
dresses and  papers  presented,  and  proceed- 
ings at  the  Summer  and  Winter  Meetings 
for  year  1886-7.  H.  C.  Adams,  Madison, 
Wis.,  Secretary. 

This  Seventeenth  Annual  Report  is 
a  tine  volume  of  279  pages,  bound  in 
cloth,  unifoimly  with  its  predecessors. 
It  contains  interesting  papers  and  dis- 
cussions upon  such  subjects  as  the  fol- 
lowing : — History  of  some  of  our  Cul- 
tivated Fruits,  the  Maple  Bark  Louse, 
Ornamental  Trees,  Beautifying  our 
Homes,  Injurious  Insects,  Teaching 
Horticulture,  Forestry,  Life  of  Women 
on  Farms,  Handling  and  Marketing 
our  Fruit,  etc. 


288 


THE    CANADIAN    HORTICULTURIST. 


I 


The  Summer  meeting  was  held  at 
Janesville,  where  an  interesting  diver- 
sion was  made  in  a  visit  to  the  fruit  of 
farm  of  Mr.  F.  W.  Loudon,  the  home 
of  the  Jessie  Strawberry.  Mr.  Loudon 
gave  an  interesting  account  of  his 
method  of  raising  seedling  strawberries, 
and  reaffirmed  his  statement  that  the 
Jessie  had  yielded  at  the  rate  of  four 
hundred  bushels  per  acre. 

The  report  contains  a  great  deal  that 
is  atti'active  to  the  popular  reader,  as 
well  as  to  the  professional  horticultur- 
ist, and  the  meetings  appear  to  partake 
more  of  that  character  than  do  our  own. 

It  is  an  unfortunate  feature  of  the 
book  that  so  many  typographical  errors 
should  have  crept  into  the  text  un- 
corrected. 

Biennial  Ueport  of  the  State  Boari)  of 
Horticulture  of  the  State  of  California, 
for  1885  and  1886.  B.  M.  Lelong,  Secre- 
tary, 220  Sutter  St.,  San  Francisco. 

A  closely  printed  -volume,  botmd  in 
cloth,  containing  583  pages.  It  is  full 
of  matter  of  the  greatest  interest  to 
fruit  growers  on  the  Pacitic  coast,  treat- 
ing in  a  scientific  as  well  as  a  practical 
manner  of  the  cultivation,  marketing, 
insect  enemies,  and  diseases  of  the 
orange,  fig,  olive  in  particular,  and 
also  to  some  extent  the  peach,  grape, 
pear  and  other  fruits  grown  by  us. 

The  benefits  of  organization  are 
clearly  shown  in  the  successful  efforts 
of  the  California  Fruit  Union  in 
securing  favorable  contracts  for  special 
fruit  trains  to  deliver  their  fruit  in 
eastern  cities.  These  trains  run  on 
passenger  time,  and  the  rate  is  $300 
per  car. 

Wisconsin    Farmers     Institutes,     1887. 

Bulletin  No.  1.     W.  H.  Morrison,  Supt., 

11  Capitol,    Madison,    Wis.      Cloth,  230 

pages. 

The  wisdom  and  energy  with  which 
the  Farmei's'  Institutes  in  the  State  of 
"Wisconsin  are  conducted,  is  well  evi- 
denced   by   the    production  of  such  a  I 


volume  as  this,  containing  the  cream 
of  the  papers  that  were  read  at  the 
meetings  during  winter  of  1886-1887, 
with  some  of  the  discussions  thereon. 
The  culture  of  fruits  is  one  of  the  topics 
of  discussion,  and  some  fourteen  pages 
are  given  to  ij.  All  the  discussions 
are  purely  of  a  scientific  and  practically 
useful  character,  and  nothing  in  the 
way  of  ])olitical  discussions  are  allowed, 
which  we  consider  a  commendable 
feature. 

Circular  and  Programme  of  the  Joint 
Annual  meetiug  of  the  Michigan  Horticul- 
tural Society,  and  the  Michigan  Bee- 
keepers' Association,  at  East  Saginaw, 
December,  6.  7,  8,  9,  and  10,  1887.  C. 
W.  Garfield,  Grand  Rapids,  Mich.,  Sec. 
of  the  Michigan  Horticultural  Society. 

Prize  List  Massachusetts  Horticultural 
Society.  Spring  Fowering  Bulbs  and 
Forced  Vegetables,  Jan.,  Feb.  and  March 
1886.     Boston. 

T.  Takenaka  &  Co.'s  Price  List  of  the  Jap- 
anese Vegetable,  Flower,  Fruit,  and  Tree 
Seeds,  and  Plants,  Flowering  Bulbs  &c. 
The  Mita  Seed  Eaising  establishment,  No. 
1  Shikokumachi,  Mita,  Tokio,  Japan. 

Circular  Warfield  No.  2  Strawberry. 
B.  C.  Warfield.  Sandoval.     Illinois. 


A  gardener  who  recently  receiv^ed  a 
sound  rating  from  his  master,  a  land- 
owner of  Normandy,  turned  indignantly 
upon  him  with  the  remark,  "  You  need 
not  treat  me  like  a  common  fellow.  I'd 
have  you  to  know  I  am  the  nephew  of 
Louvel,  who  assassinated  the  Due  de 
Berry." 

The  strawberry  does  its  work  on 
business  principles.  It  sends  out  run- 
ners this  year  to  work  up  business  for 
next. — Western  Ploivman. 

She  :  Have  you  seen  the  Chimpan- 
zees up  at  the  Park  ?  He :  No,  are 
they  in  bloom  now  ]  She :  Are  what 
in  bloom  1     He  :  Whv  the  Jim  Pansies. 


INDEX  TO  VOLUME  X. 


Paqe.    I 

Acclimation 38  | 

Alder,  Cut-Leaved 12 

Alexander  Apple 58   ' 

Alicante  Grape 7  ; 

Amaryllis,  The  Cultivation  of  the 258 

Anemone,  The  Cultivation  of  the 279   I 

Ants,  Trapping 167  | 

Annual  Meeting 214,  242  \ 

Aphides    19,  89,   138 

Apple,  Baldwin 272 

Butter 70  t 

"       Gathering 222  ' 

"       Hardy 101   | 

Kesvrick  Codlin 197; 

Scott's  Winter 273  \ 

"       Winter  St.  Lavrrence 284 

"       Spot 1,  5,  103,  134,  200 

"       Orchard,  Treatment  of 21   i 

"       Orchard,  Cultivation  of 195 

Trade,  New  Era 7 

Apples,  Baked 70 

"       as  Medicine 228 

vs.  Roots 228 

"       Fried 228  , 

"       for  Stock 70,  275,  210  | 

Apples  in  Britain 2  '< 

' '       in  Napanee 21 

"       in  Michigan 31 

"       in  Nova  Scotia 210 

' '       Half  Standard 68 

Spot  Free 68  ! 

Ash,  Cut-Leaved 12 

Ashes 88 

Arbor  Day 141 

Asparagus 223,  263 

Australian  Fruit 5  \ 

1 

Baxter's  Red  Apple 173,  282 

Balsam  Fir 140  ; 

Baldwin 272  [ 

Beet  Leaf  Miuer 208 

Begonias,  Flowering 110 

Beginners,  Notes  for 8 

Bees  and  Fruit 16  | 

Bell  Flowers 11   I 

Belmont 201,  226 

Berry  Picker   119  j 

Bietigheimer,  Red 198 

Birds,  Protection  of   19 

Birch,  Cut-Leaved 13  j 

' '      How  to  Propagate   89  I 


Blackberries,  New  and  Old 73 

White 211 

Black  Knot 165 

Bones,  To  Compost 88 

Brant  Grape •_  ■  269 

Brighton  Grape 56,  83 

Brockville  Beauty  Apple 271,  284,  173 

Buback's  No.  5  Strawberry 202,  226 

Buckthorn  Hedge 21 

Budding 188 

Bulbs,  Winter  Flowering 9,  34,  60 

Bursting  Bark 262 


4, 


Canadian  Apples 

Trophy 

"      vs.  British  Apples 

"      Fruits  at  the  Colonial 

Catalpa  Speciosa 37,  38, 

Caroline 

Care  of  an  Apple  Orchard 

Cats  in  the  Garden 

Celery,  How  to  Grow  in  the  North .... 

"    Leaf-Blight 

Christmas  Decorations 

"         Chimes 

Champion  Grape 

Charles  Downing,  Mr 

Chestnut,  American 

"         Japanese  

Cherries,  Promising 

"        Native 

Chrysanthemum,  The 62,  86, 

Cider  in  Variety 

Clay  loam.  Constituents  of 

Clematis 

' '      la  France 

Codlin  Moth 

Cockscomb,  The    

Cold  Storage ". 211, 

Conn  Gooseberry  

Colonial  and  Indian  Exhibition . .   3,  80, 

Concord  Grape 176, 

Cortland  Seedling  Grape 

Crescent  Strawberry 

Cranberries,  Growing 

To  Cook   

Cumberland  Strawberry    

Cucumbers    

Cucumber  Beetle 

Currant  Borer  

"   Span  Worm  


169 

78 

4 

81 

39 

198 

6 

6 

64 

131 

277 

280 

28 

HI 

37 

37 

54 

271 

125 

164 

262 

145 

147 

32 

206 

223 

204 

81 

269 

212 

176 

45 

71 

271 

131 

160 

14 

118 


290 


Cultivator,  Hand 1 59 

Dahlia,  Cultivation  of  the 85 

Dafify  Dil  (Poem) 8G 

Delaware  Grape         269 

Delaware  Red  Winter  Apple 269 

De  Soto  Plum      272 

Dorchester  Blackberry     73 

Dogwood,  New  Weeping     266 

Downy  Mildew 178 

Draining,  Subsoil  Plow  for 92 

Drainage  Water    1 35 

Duchess  of  Oldenburgh  Apple   56 

Early  Richmond  Cherry 54 

"      Harvest  Blackberry 75,   198 

"      Victor  Grape 128 

Elliot's  Early  Pear 33,     59 

Empire  State  Grape 98 

English  Morello     54 

"       Sparrow    142 

Enemy  of 183 

"       Goosebei-ries  in  Canada     203 

Erie  Blackberry 76,   102 

Evaj^orators    119 

Exhibition,  Fruit  at     56 

Exportation  of  Fruit    270 

Fallen  Leaves  (Poem) 208,  224 

Fall  Planting    208,  224 

Fay's  Currant     29,     94 

Farmers'  Institutes    115,   137 

Fernery,  How  to  make    255 

Fertilizers  for  Grapes 28 

Fertilizers  88,  91,  95,  100,  136,  138,  161,  225 

Floral  Notes     280,  236,  254 

Flowers,  Money  in   124 

Forget-me-not,  The 11 

Forests,  Value  of    275 

"       Influence  of   278 

Forestry  Report    287 

Frederick  Clapp    5 

Fruit  as  Food     7 

' '     Eaters  and  Doctors    95 

"     Juices  Medicinal     184 

"     Stains,  To  remove 184 

"     vs.  Pills    209 

"     as  Food 7 

"     for  Breakfast 209  ! 

"     at  the  Colonial    81 

"     King 43 

"     on  Commission    154 

'•     Exports    231 

"     Packages     124,   152 

"     in  North  Simcoe     266 

' '     Lambton 284 

"     at  the  North      285 

"     in  Muskoka   220 

"     in  Manitoba     221 

"     Cars 188 


Fruits,  New   18 

Fusicladium     1,5,103,   134 

Fungi,  Useful    95 

Fungicides 105 

Fuchsia   182 

(iainor 77 

Gladiolus,  The 106,   190 

Gold  Strawberry,  The 249 

Golden  Queen,  The 52 

Gooseberries 67,    189 

Grafting 67,  91,     98 

Wax  166 

Grape  Cure 8 

Grape  Vine  Grafting,  The  ...    263 

Manuring,  The 83 

"  Market 6 

Hidden 178,  190,  200 

Pruning  of  the  . .  .6,  27,  83,   176 

Thinning  of  the 27 

Ringing  the 27,  75,     77 

"  Leaf  Hopper 214 

Grapes  for  Orillia 21 

•'    Varieties  of 28 

"   in  New  Brunswick 46 

' '    near  Guelph   ...      84 

"   Black,  at  Clarenceville 127 

"    Experience 99 

"    Bagging  of 157 

"   Shipping  of 225,  245 

"   Protection  from  Frost 225 

"    Keeping         "         "    25,     246 

"    Rogers,  9,  15,  22,  Comjjared.  ...  262 
Greenhouse  and  Heating  "  ...     47 

Grimes  Golden    241,  285,  286 

Gypsum .  ■  ■    161 

Hatch  Bill 87 

Hardy  Apples 101,  137,  189 

Hat  Birds 284 

Hedge 21,  138 

Henderson 202 

Hillborn  Raspberry 32 

Horticulture  for  Women 283 

Hoskins,  T.  H 250 

Hot-Beds 292 

Hovey,  CM 237 

Hyacinth,  The 9,  111 

Hyposulphite  of  Soda 134 

Industry,  Gooseberry 29,  203,  261 

Infusorial  Earth 214 

Insecticides    105,  159 

Itasca  Strawberry 49,  226 

Ivy,  English 280 

"     Parlor 281 

"     Japan   ....  218 

Jardin  Anglais 148 

Jessie  Strawberry 26,  50,  185,  226 

Jessica  Grajje 98,   271 


INDEX, 


291 


Jewel  Grape 128,  212,  266 

Jewel  Strawberry 29,  94,  102,  201,  226 

Johnston  s  Sweet  Raspberry 52,     84 

Judging  Fruits 174 

Kainit    100 

Katsura 256 

Keswick  Codlin  Apple 197 

Kieffer  Pear 5,  78,  282 

Kittatinuy 74 


Ladders 

Lady  Grape,  The 83, 

Lady  Washington  Grape 

Lawns 108, 

Lawton  Blackberry 

Leading  Varieties  of  White  Grapes ... 

Leconte  Pear 

Lessons  of   the  Drouth  

Life's  Poetry,  (Poem) 

Linden,  The 

Lilies,   ( Poem) 

Lilies,  Japan 

"       Cultivation  of 147, 

Lilium  Longiflorum 

Logan  Strawberry 

London  Purple 

Lucretia  Dewberry 32,  46,  171,  198, 


Macklim's  Seedling  Pear 

Manure,  Liquid 

Maple,   Weir's 

' '        Ash  Leaves 12, 

' '        Note  on 

"         Japan 

Marianna  Plum 

Marlboro  Raspberry 29,  32,  211, 

Marketing  Fruit 94, 

Mildew,  Sulphur  for    . .    

Minnivvaski  B'ackberry   76, 

Montmorency  Cherry 

Moore's  Early  Grape 28,  56,  100, 

' '      Diamond  Grape 

' '      Arctic  Plum 

Meyer's  Early  Grapes 

Mulberry,  The 

' '         Dioecious  Character  of 

Muskoka  Lakes     


213 

97 

100 

150 

73 

98 

82 

269 

35 

37 

122 

122 

181 

190 

102 

119 

209 

211 

282 

136 

12 

278 

14 

232 

194 

226 

274 

28 

94 

77 

128 

98 

272 

228 

38 

90 

218 


Narcissus,  The  Cultivation  of   ....   206,  234 

Niagara  Grape 32,  97,   1 1 5 

Seedlings  of 129 

Nitrate  of  Soda 91,100,   161 

North  windows  for  Plants 11 

Notes  to  New  Beginners    8,     33 

"     from  Exchanges 270 

Norway  Spruce 140 

Northern  Light  Grape,  The 228,  261 

November  (Poem)     241 


Paob. 

Oak,  The  Pin 257 

October  (Poem) 218 

Ohio  Strawberry    51 

Onion,  The  (Poem) 65 

"     Maggot 84 

"     How  to  Grow 132 

Ontario  Apple . .    82 

"         Strawberry      202 

Orchard,  Timely  Hints    59 

Oanamental  Planting   110 

Trees,  New ^   231,  256 

Ottawa  Gooseberry  . .    204 

Oyster  Shell  Bark  Louse 133 

Packages  for  Fruit 124,   127,  281 

Packing  and  Shioping  Fruit  . .   55,  221,  244 

Pansies           .    .  T   18,  106 

Paeony,  Chinese    33 

"      The 125 

Paris  Green  .  39,  58,  89,  117,  133,  136,  180, 

213 

Parry  Strawberry 176 

Peach,  in  Canada 193 

"       Baskets     281 

"      Leaves,  The  Curl  in 246 

"       Trees  in  Boxes 166 

"     Under  Glass    214 

"       Seedling  Trees  of 56 

Pears,  Macklim's  Seedling 282 

"     for  Table  Use 283 

"      "    Succession 283 

"     Packing    127 

"     Trees  in  Sod   273 

Pitcher  Plant,  Asiatic 36 

Pine,  Austrian   278 

"    Swiss 232 

"    Umbrella 232 

Pine-Apple  Water    184 

Plums 272 

"     Raising  from  Seeds 82 

"     For  the  North 89 

"     Marianna    194 

Pocklington  Grape    97 

Potato  Culture 77 

"     Bliss  Triumph 262 

Pond  Lilies      122,  124 

Prentiss  Grape 28,  33,  99,  268 

Primroses   10 

Prospective  Benefits  of  the  Colinderies.  80 

Preservation  of  Fruits 274 

Privet    138 

Pruning,  Summer    186,  224 

"       Grapes 6,  28 

"       Pear  Trees 44 

Pruuus  Pissardii   261 

"     Simoni   53,  187  198 

Pyrethrum   160 

Quart  Boxes 102,   119 

Quinces,  Sale  for 54 


292 


INDEX, 


Paqe. 

Quinces,  Pruning 225 

"      Preserve 276 


Rambles  among  Fruit  Growers . 

Rasberry,  Training  the    

' '         Vinegar    

Rebecca  

Red  Spider     

Reply  to  luquirei'S   

Robert  N.  Ball 

Roger's  43  Grape 

Rosary     

Roses  

"     New 

Rose  Mildew . . 

"     M   P.  Wilder 

' '     Aphis    

"     Everything  in  one.. 

"     How  to  Improve  the 

"     of  England,  The 

Leaf  Hopper 


26,  53, 


■Salt 

Scott's  "Winter 273, 

Scotch  Fir 

Sea  Kale 119, 

Seed  Sowing  . .    

"         "      of  Forest  Trees 

Sharpless  Strawberry 

Short  Hand  Wreckers 

Shrubs  for  Side  of  a  House 

' '        Variegated       

Small  Fruits,  Profits  of 

"  "        High  Culture  of 

"  "        Success  with 

"  "        in  Brant  and  Oxford 

"  "        in  Varieties  for  Market .  . 

in  Notes 94, 

Smilax 

Snyder  Blackberry 

Spiraea  Japonica  

Squash  Bug 

Stock  and  Scion 31, 

Strawberry   18,  22,  26, 

"  Correction 

Big  Yield  of 29, 

' '  Short  Cake 

Strawberries,  Most  Profitable  Early.. . . 

' '  Rust  on  Leaves 

Big 

Weevil 162, 

Styrax  Japonica 


77 

101 

184 

97 

13  s 

264 

212 

28 

67 

77 

123 

166 

128 

138 

276 

277 

148 

166 

138 

283 

278 

167 

63 

89 

271 

140 

18 

258 

28 

30 

55 

57 

93 

102 

281 

75 

263 

160 

47 

50 

21 

93 

163 

44 

47 

103 

177 

206 


Paoe. 

Summer  Pruning 186 

Summer  Meeting 115,  142,   171 

Sun  Flowers 182 

Sweet  Corn  Tested 129 

Tartarian  Maple 12 

Thorn,  The 37 

Thrips 106 

Timely  Hints  for  Orchard 59 

Top  Grafting  Old  Trees 98 

Tomatoes 1 89 

Toronto  Flower  Show,  The 207 

Transplanting  Trees 196 

Transportation  of   Fruit 260 

Trees  for  lja%vn 12,  37 

"     girdled 91 

"     and  Rainfall 233 

Tuberose 34,  286 

Tulips 10 

Up  with  the  Breeze,  (Poem)   . 169 

Vinegar 274 

Virginia  Creeper 235,  285 

Vineyard,  Plaster  for 28 

Vladimir  Cherry 46,     55 

Walnut,  The   38 

Watering  Plants 138 

Wall  Flowers    287 

Water  and  Bog  Plants 123 

Water  Lily 124,   161 

Wealthy  Apple,  The 67,   174 

"  "     Dropping  of  the 156 

Weather  and  Crops  in  Stormont 198 

Weeds 151 

Western  New  York  Hort.  Society    ....     53 

Wier's  Cut-Leaved  Maple 12 

Wilson  Strawberry 18,  58,   201 

Wilder,  Hon.  M.P 41 

Window  Gardening 18,  236 

Windbreaks 44,  59,  68,  223 

Winter 280 

Winter  Protection 148,  261 

Winter  Meeting 67 

Wiuter  St.  Lawrence 284 

Wire  Fences 183 

Worden  Grape 7,  28,  56,  83,   128 

Wylie's  Seedling  Plum     136,  212 

Yellow  Transparent,  The..  1,  58,  82,  176,  271 
Yellows,  The 95,   101 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


293 


ILLUSTRATIONS  IN  VOLUME  X. 


Page. 

Amaryllis   253 

Barklice 133 

Black  Walnut 38 

Baskets  152 

Berry  Crates 126 

Birch,  Weeping     13 

Budding    189 

Canadian  Trophy 4,     76 

Celery   65 

Chrysanthemums    61,  62,     86 

Clematis 146 

"         (colored  plate) 145 

Conservatory 48 

CroAvn  Grafting    99 

Crystal  White 311 

Cultivator 159 

Curl  of  Peach  Leaves 246 

Currant  Borer 15 

Dahlias   85 

Delaware  Red  Winter  (colored)  plate).  169 

Downing,  Chas Ill 

Early  Harvest 75 

Erie  (colored  plate)     73 

Exhibition  Buildings    172 

Flowering  Bulbs   60 

Fruit  Car    188 

Force  Pump   134 

Fusicladium  .    104 

Grimes  Golden  (colored  plate) 241 

Gladiolus    107 

Great  Ontario    202 

Hoskins,  Dr 250 

Itasca  (colored  plate)   49 

Japan  Ivy  "  217 

Jessie  Strawberry  (colored  plate) 25 


Page. 
Jessie  Loudon    26 

Katsura     257 

Kittatinnj'    74 

Lawn,  Well  Kept 109 

Lilium  Auratum 147 

Colored  Plates 122 

"         Tenuifolium   181 

Loudon,  Mr 185 

Lucretia  Dewberry 171 

Maple,  Hard 13 

"       Soft 14 

•'       Blood  Leaved 232 

Marianna  Plum,  (Colored  Plate) 193 

Minnewaski 76 

Moore's  Diamond,  (Colored  Plate) 97 

Muskoka  Lake 219 

Narcissus 234 

Pansies 106 

Pitcher  Plant 36 

Pin  Oak    255 

Primrose,  Chinese 10 

Prunus  Simoni 187 

Red  Bietigheimer 197 

Sweet  Black  Cap 51 

Swiss  Pine 232 

Thomas,  J.  J 53 

Draining  the  Grape 27 

Tulips   10 

Tuberose 35 

Umbrella  Pine 232 

Vick  Strawberry 50 

Waterlilies 1 24 

Wilder,  M.P 41 

Yellow  Transparent,  (Colored  Plate) ...  1 


294 


CONTRIBUTORS. 


CO^^TRIBUTORS  TO  VOLUME  X. 


Allan,  A.  McD.,  Goderich,  Ont. 
Arthur,  J.  C,  Geneva,  N.Y. 
Beadle,  D.  W.,  St.  Catharines,  Out. 
Beall,  Thomas,  Lindsay,  Out. 
Beall,  W.  J.,  Agricultural  College, 

Michigan. 
Bruce,  J.  A.,  Hamilton,  Ont. 
Bucke,  P.  E.,  Ottawa,  Ont. 
Cockburn,  J.  P.,  Gravenhurst,  Ont. 
Crawford,  M.,  Cuyhoga  Falls,  Ohio. 
Croil,  John,  AultsviUe,  Ont. 
Croil,  James,  Montreal,  P.  Q. 
Fletcher,  Jas. ,  Entomologist,  Ottawa, 

Ont. 
Gott,  B.,  Arkona,  Out. 
Hood,  A.,  Barrie,  Ont. 


Lawson,  B.,  Toronto,  Ont. 
Little,  John,  Granton,  Ont. 
Mauley,  W.  M.,  Owen  Sound,  Ont. 
Mason,  Francis,  Peterborough,  Ont. 
Mitchell,  F,.  Innerkip,  Ont. 
Morden,  E,,  Niagara  Falls  South. 
Patterson,  W.  Mead,  Clarenceville,   P.  Q. 
Eobinson,  T.  C,  Owen  Sound,  Ont. 
Robson,  W,  M.,  Lindsay,  Ont. 
Roy,  Simon,  Berlin,  Ont. 
Simmers,  Hermann,  Toronto,  Ont. 
Smith,  A.  M.,  St.  Catharines,  Ont. 
Tweedle,  J.,  Stoney  Creek,  Ont. 
Wright,  A.  A.,  Renfrew,   Ont. 
Woolverton,  Linus,  Grimsbj',  Ont. 


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29 


OCT  i  3  1965