TWENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT

Fruit Growers' Association

OF ONTARIO

1895.

(PUBLISHED BY THE ONTARIO DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, TORONTO.)

PRINTED BY ORDER OF TEE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY.

TORONTO :
WARWICK BROS. & RUTTER, PRINTERS, Etc., 68 and 70 FRONT ST. WEST.

1896.

Digitized by the Internet Archive

in 2012 with funding from

Brock University - University of Toronto Libraries

http://archive.org/details/annualreportoffr1895frui

CONTENTS.

Page.

Lette r of Transmittal 1

Officers for 1896 , 2

Annual Meeting : . 3

President's Annual Address : M. Pettit 3

♦ Committees 5

Green Fruit— How can we Avoid its Flooding our Markets ? A. M. Smith 5

Apple Culture : E. Hersee 8

Apple Growing in the Valley of the Upper St. Lawrence : Harold Jones 12

Experience in Shipping Apples to British Columbia : W. Boulter 16

Question Drawer 19

Our Fruit Exhibitions and how to make them Educative : R. B. Thornton 20

Notes on the Blossoming Period of Fruit Trees in Canada : Prof. John ;Craig 25

Pear Growing for Profit : E. C. Beman 33

Profits of Fruit Growing 41

Top-grafting on the Tolman Sweet . . 42

Opening Remarks 44

Address of Welcome : T. H. Parker, President Woodstock Horticultural Society 45

Response by Hon. John Drydev, Minister of Agriculture , . . 45

Private Conservatories : D. W. Karn 46

Ontario Agricultural College and Horticulture : Dr. James Mills 47

The Progress of Horticultural Work at the Dominion Experimental Farm : Prof. Wm. Saunders. 49

Visit to Woodstock College 57

Question Drawer 53

Spraying and the Cultivation of Orchards : J. C. Harris 59

Experience on Spraying in 1895 : A. H. Pettitt 62

Present Day Requirements of our Fruit Trade : Hon. John Dryden 68

Packing and Grading Apples : The Secretary 73

Export Trade in Apples and Other Fruits : Prof. John Craig 77

The Improvement of the Gladiolus : H. H. Groff g ^

Public Parks and Gardens : G . R . Patullo g4

The Cultivation and Management of House Plants : J. S. Scarff , g7

Garden and House Plants go

Report of Nominating Committee 94

Treasurer's Report *. gg

Report of Finance Committee gg

Report of Secretary for 1895 gg

Report of New Fruit Committee : D . W. Beadle g7

Report of Committee on Fruit Exhibit jqq

Methods of Originating New Varieties of Strawberries ( Letter from E. B . Stevenson) 102

Our Export Trade 105

Report of Resolution Committee -Q5

Appendix.

Reports of Affiliated Societies 117-126

The Gladiolus : Mrs .E.J. Palmer 118

Insect Life : Dr. Bethune 122

TWENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO,

1895.

To the Honorable" John Drt/den, Minister of Agriculture :

Sir, — I have the honor to transmit to you the Twenty-seventh Annual Report of
the Fruit Growers' Associatxon of Ontario. The meeting at Woodstock was well attended
by interested fruit-growers, and the subjects brought forward by the fruit experts from
various parts of our province were of public concern, as, for instance, Spraying of Apple
Orchards, Packing and^Grading Fruit for Export, Causes of Barren Fruit Trees, etc. It
is believed that the remedies under consideration will be the means of bringing to our
fruit growers an era of more fruitful and consequently more profitable orcharding.

I have the honor to be, Sir,

Your obedient servant,

L. WOOLVERTON,

Secretary.
Grimsby, January 8th, 1896.

1 F.G.

OFFICERS FOR 1806.

President :
Murray Pettit Winona.

Vice-President :
W. E, Wellington Toronto.

Secretary-Treasurer and Editor.
L. Woolverton, M. A Grimsby.

Directors.

Division No. 1 W. S. Turner, Cornwall.

Division No. 2 R. B. Whyte, Ottawa.

Division No. 3 „ Geo. Nicol, Oataraqui.

Division No. 4 , . . . W. Boulter, Picton.

Division No. 5 Thomas Beall, Lindsay.

Division No. 6 R. L. Huggard, Whitby.

Division No. 7 W. M. Orr, Fruitland.

Division No. 8 A. M. Smith. St. Catharines.

Division No. 9 J. S. Scarfi, Woodstock.

Division No. 10 John Stewart, Benmiller.

Division No. 11 T. H. Race, Mitchell.

Division No. 12 G. C. Caston, Craighurst.

Auditors.

A. H. Pettit Grimsby.

George E. Fisher Ereeman.

THE ANNUAL MEETING, 1895.

The annual meeting of the Fruit Growers' Association of Ontario was opened on
Wednesday, December 11th, 1395, in the town of Woodstock.

THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS.

Mr. Murray Pettit, of Winona, President of the Association, occupied the chair, and
delivered the following address :

The season through which we have iust passed will long be remembered by horti-
culturists as one of unprecedented frosts and drouths in almost all portions of the
province. As a result the fruit crop has been more or less damaged, and in many cases
ruined. The almost entire absence of fungus diseases have in a measure compensated the
loss, and our markets have been fairly well supplied with a much better quality of fruits
than in former years. The result of the drouth has been like a mathematical demonstra-
tion of the saying, " Good drainage, good cultivation, and plenty of manure, will enable
land to stand almost any amount of drouth and still produce crops." I regret that I am
unable to give any statistics in regard to the past season's crop, as it is impossible to
gather anything reliable, even from local sections of the province. It is unfortunate
that in this age, when every line of business is more or less dependent for success upon
statistical data, that we have no better means of acquiring this information. During
the past year many new horticultural societies have been formed, through the enthusiastic
work of our old director and co-worker, Mr. Beall. These societies bring people together
for the comparison and the enlargement of views. The local societies gather and
formulate the experience and wisdom of the community. It is then brought to this
Society to carry on and complete, and from one end of this province to the other to-day
can be seen the deep imprint of organized horticultural activity. It is seen in the bend-
ing orchard, the burdened vineyard and fruitful garden. Fruit growing is becoming one
of our great industries, whole farms are being planted and given the most scientific care
and cultivation. Thousands of homes are fully supplied with fruits and flowers from
their own gardens, and there is yet grand work to be done through organization. Should
we allow the far-off valleys of California to supply the demand at our very doors that
our own fruit should supply, annually taking thousands of dollars from this Dominion
to support the fruit growing industries of another country while we are looking anxiously
for markets ? Does it not teach us that we must produce more good fruit, and less of
an inferior quality ; that we must cultivate, spray, fertilize and thin, pick, grade and
pack better % When we notice the yearly growth of competition in the fruit markets,
it becomes clear to us that the time has come when we must grow such varieties of
the various fruits as we find succeed best in the various sections ; in other words, we
must make specialties of growing only such kinds as we can bring to the highest state

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

of perfection. A portion of our fine large apples and other fruits should be wrapped in
paper to meet the demand of the better class of trade. The growth of the fruit-
growing industry, and the rapidly increasing demand in the markets of the world for
the very best, will compel us to take these advanced steps in our profession or be left
in the rear to meditate over lost opportunities. The ratification of the French treaty
will be a severe check on the rapid growth of the grape-growing industry of this prov-
ince, and will increase the importation of foreign wines, as the conditions of this treaty
will allow all countries the same privileges. The concessions made will involve a loss of
revenue amounting to $60,000 annually on the basis of importation from France in
1892. We fail to see why our wine-producing industry should be exempted from the
full advantages conferred by the National Policy, and sacrificed to the interests of a
foreign country. The developing of markets is one of the most important questions in
connection with the fruit growing industry of this province. It is much to be regretted
that the trial shipment of over ten tons of our choicest fruit to Great Britain was a
failure ; it is also a matter of congratulation that the Dominion Government has
promised to make several trial shipments next season. At the last session of the
Provincial Parliament the Hon. Minister of Agriculture introduced and carried a bill to
suppress frauds in the sale of fruit. This is in the direction that this Association has
always advocated, viz.: a better system of picking, grading and packing fruit, which means
a greater consumption and more extended market?, While we are grateful for this, does
it reach far enough 1 Should not the grower be protected ? How much greater is his
loss, when after purchasing, planting and cultivating an orchard for years, he finds it
not true to name and of worthless varieties ? Should we not ask for still more 1 New
insects are continually appearing, also fungi not before observed, in different countries ;
trees from these countries are being imported every year into this province, and as the
inroads already made by these enemies to fruit culture are a serious loss to the grower,
should we not ask to be protected from such formidable enemies as the San Jose
Scale and others, by the enactment of such quarantine regulations as now exist in
California, which makes provision for all plants, trees, cuttings, grafts, buds, scions,
seeds or pits brought into the state, to be disinfected on arrival at any point where they
aie to be unloaded ; and for all peach, nectarine, apricot, plum or other trees, budded
upon peach stocks or roots, and all pits raised or grown in a district where the peach
yellows or peach rosette is known to exist, to be prohibited from being planted or offered
for sale 1 Good results are already being seen from the amendments made to the Black
Knot and Yellows Act. In my own township, where the diseases were spreading to an
alarming extent, after vigorously enforcing the act for two years scarcely a vestige of
the diseases remains ; and it can, I believe, be entirely stamped out. The very thorough
and complete system of spraying experiments conducted under the Provincial Govern-
ment during the past season will, I trust, give us valuable results, and no doubt will be
one of the most interesting subjects on our programme. It is such an important matter
in our work and one in which there is yet so much to be learned that I trust we
will be able to give it a good share of our time for discussion. Many improvements
will yet have to be made before our spraying apparatus will reach the desired end

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

for which it is intended, without the loss of a great deal of time and patience. Any of
them while new will spray pure water to perfection, but after one or two seasons' use
with Bordeaux mixture they are failures. The question of forestry is of too great im-
portance to be overlooked, in my estimation it overshadows all other questions of public
economy to-day. The destruction of the forest areas has unbalanced the forces of
nature, our climate is becoming full of extremes. The situation is one that challenges
the attention of every thoughtful man. Wood lands should be preserved by absolute
force where the Government has the right, and by all encouraging legislature where it
has no control. To demonstrate the financial injury that is being inflicted on the
present generation by the waste of material and the wrong that is being done to poster-
ity by the destruction of young growths and germs of future forests by domestic
animals should be one of the first duties of every society or association connected with
agriculture, and this Association above all others should take the lead. The planting
and beautifying of our school grounds, parks, cemeteries, homes and highways has
received considerable attention from this Association, and will, I trust, receive still more.

COMMITTEES.

The following committees were appointed :

Fruit— Prof. Hutt, Mr. Race and Mr. Nicol.

Committee on Resolutions — G. R. Pattullo, W. M. Orr and A. M. Smith.

Committee on Nominations — The President nominated A. M. Smith and Mr. Mc-
Neill ; the meeting nominated D. W. Karn, T. H. Race and G. C. Gaston,

The Secretary read letters of regret from J. A. Morton, Wingham ; R. B. Whyte,
Ottawa ; Sir Oliver Mowat, Prof. Panton and Sir Richard Oartwright.

GREEN FRUIT: HOW CAN WE PREVENT ITS FLOODING OUR

MARKETS ?

Mr. A. M. Smith, of St. Catharines, read the following paper :

I believe it will readily be conceded that anything that brings discredit upon the
fruit business or creates distrust between the producers and consumers of fruit is a proper
subject to bring before this meeting for discussion. In the past we have had the subject
of dishonest packing — putting all the best samples on top of the packages and the culls
in the bottom — discussed with good results, and there has been a remedy provided.
Now there is another grievance among consumers, and though not of such a glaring
character, yet it is one which if let alone may assume proportions that will seriously
injure the trade. I refer to shipping green or immature fruits to our markets. Of
course in shipping to distant markets some kinds of fruits require to be picked before
fully ripe and will mature during and after transportation. Take pears, for instance ;
while grapes if picked before they are ripe, though they may be partially colored, will
never ripen or be fit to eat. Pears even and peaches if picked too green will not ripen,
but will shrivel up and decay. But it is grapes more particularly, and fruit picked at
this stage of immaturity that is the subject of complaint. There are a great many men,
and I think they are closely related to the dishonest packers, who as soon as their fruit
begins to color, hurry it off to market in order to get ahead of their neighbors and secure

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

a big price, thinking the scarcity and looks will sell it, not stopping to think or seeming
to care about its effects upon the stomachs of the consumers or upon their own reputation
as fruit growers. They remind me of a story I heard at a fruit growers' meeting in
Rochester about a down east Yankee who was pretty sharp and had taken advantage of
some of his neighbors in sundry horse trades and other deals, and among others had
cheated a fe^ow by the name of Jones. It happened there was a protracted meeting in the
place and a good many were converted, and among the rest this sharp Yankee saw the
error of his ways and professed conversion. One night he got up in the meeting and told
the brethren that he knew he had been a great sinner, but he was going to do better and
if he had wronged any of them he asked their forgiveness, and if they would come to
him he would make restitution. Next morning Jones was at his house long before day-
light and rapped at the door. The man wanted to know what was up and what he
wanted so early. " Wal," says Jones, " you know what you promised last night in the
meetin', you said as how you was goin' to pay all of us fellows back you had cheated and
I thought I'd get here 'arly, for I knowed there would be a terrible rush." These fruit
growers think there is going to be a terrible rush and the market will be glutted and
they want to get there first. The consumer buys it because it is the first in the market,
takes it home before he has a chance to test it, and is disgusted with it. The children,
who are willing to eat anything that is fruit, devour it, and there is a sleepless night and
perhaps a doctor's bill to pay. In consequence that man does not bring home any more
fruit for a month. This class of fruit is not ordered from the grower by dealers who
have any regard for their reputation, but is consigned by him to commission men who
generally sell it to retailers, who dispose of it to consumers. I have corresponded with
some of the leading commission men in Lonaon, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, and they
all admit that it is an evil and hurts the market for better fruit; but they say it is a
difficult question to deal with. They admit there are tons of grapes sold every year at
high prices that are not fit to eat. People buy them because they are first in the
market, but the retailers say they seldom come back for the second lot. The commission
men of course do not like to refuse to handle this early fruit, for if they did they would
lose the handling of the remainder of the crops, and it often sells at high prices and they
make a corresponding profit. Nevertheless one of them told me he frequently had losses
in handling it. His customers would come back after he had made returns to the grower
complaining of its rotting on their hands and he had to help make good their loss. The
only remedy suggested by them is from one who thinks the commission men should com-
bine and refuse to handle it and thus drive it fiom the market. 1 leave the question
with you, trusting some way may be devised to remedy the evil.

The Secretary : I think the evil of selling frozen grapes should be included with
that of selling immature fruit. They were hurried into the markets, and people who
tasted them did not want any more, and people who had stored good grapes in their
cellars found no sale for them.

Mr. McNeill : This matter of selling green and frozen and immature fruit is doing
a great deal of damage to the fruit grower, but the remedy suggested is only a partial
one, though not altogether ineffective. Another partial remedy may be had in the matter
of co operative selling. It appears to me that in Ontario we are a little behind the times
in selling our fruits ; and many of these evils might be remedied if we could go in for
some system such as is working on the other side of the line. Instead of shipping indi-
vidually, if it were possible to ship co-operatively, and thus secure some union, the temp-
tation to ship green fruit would be removed. Just so long as there is competition, imma-
ture fruit will be put on the market, because the man who ships the first fruit gets the
highest price, and therefore he considers it essential that he should have fruit from his
o^n orchard. I have orders for grapes every year if I can put them in at a certain date,
and with the invoices of my first shipments I always say : " This fruit is not matured,
and does not represent the quality of our grapes ; " but I cannot afford to refuse to sell
green fruit. We all do it ; everybody does it. If people can get a colored fruit that
looks all light they want it, and there is not a shipper among us that does not do it. The
best price I get is from this immature fruit. We pick just as soon as it gets black, and

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO

we have a greater profit from those vines than we have from any grapes on the farm. I
am satisfied it is a loss to the fruit growers as a whole ; but it is a gain to me individually
if I can put fruit on market a day or two ahead of my competitors. In our section,
where the sale of grapes is in the hands of comparatively few growers, I do not see why
we could not form a selling corporation among ourselves and have the results pooled, so as
to remove entirely the temptation to ship immature fruit, and also ensure greater economy
in the shipping. The same correspondent who now sells our crop will sell our neighbor's
crop as well. The mere amount spent in securing market reports and in many other
ways for my own would sell my neighbor's fruit as well, and I would be none the worse
off, because we could sell for better prices, and the consumption, instead of being lessened
would be increased, because we could open up markets for the whole of us that would not
pay any individual to open up. If we had some such organizations as the Niagara Stock
Fruit Company, and had them change their methods, so that instead of appointing agents
in different cities and resting with that, they should secure contracts from growers, insur-
ing that these agents had a supply of fruit that they could handle as best suited the needs
of the market, it would not be very difficult to start with grapes and extend the plan to
other fruits if it were found to work well there. Therefore I would commend to the fruit
growers here this idea, and to urge upon this company, as it is already established and
composed of reputable gentlemen whom we all trust, and endeavor to bring such pressure
to bear upon them as would induce them to take up this plan and devise some scheme by
which they can secure from growers their crops for sale, and handle it in that way with-
out appointing agents. Not that they would abandon appointing agents entirely, but
they should not rest on that system alone. I think the appointing of agents in some cases
is not advantageous ; it is putting another middleman where there are too many already,
but in some cases it would be necessary. The fruit exchanges in New York State and the
grape districts on the other side and in the peach districts of Delaware State, work very
satisfactorily. I believe it did not work satisfactorily in Michigan, but we have some
representatives of that state here who might enlighten us.

Mr. Watkins, of Michigan, said : We came over here not to give you any instruction
in fruit growing or horticulture, but rather in order to learn something ourselves ; but if
we can say anything that will help you we shall be only too happy to do so. (Applause.)

Mr. L. B. Rice, of Port Huron, Michigan : The question was asked by the President
of our Society last week in reference to the matter Mr. McNeill refers to — why farmers
and fruit growers cannot organize themselves into co-operative companies to build cold
storage houses at the centres of shipment, and in that way have their fruit assorted and
sent out under commission as he suggests — why it is that dealers so soon creep in and
those things go to the wall ? Professor Bailey, of Cornell University, and others answered
that we must first broaden the foundation of the business education of the farmer sathat
he will rise above these petty jealousies, and then we can combine ; so that your work
has to go deep and thorough to ever succeed with these combinations. (Hear, hear.)

Mr. C aston (Craighurst) : In the case of grapes, plums and peaches I think that
growers find it necessary to pick them a little on the green side in order to have them
stand for a few days in the basket, and the transportation companies and some express-
men do not give them very gentle handling, and fruit, with the exception of the pear, if
picked before it is ripe, is to a certain extent insipid. Some varieties of the Roger's grape
if picked before ripe are fit to eat, but other varieties are not ; and it is so with some fruit
for canning purposes, which, as a rule, are picked a little too much on the green side.
They come in contact in the grocery and fruit stores with California fruit, and the amount
of the latter that is sold in this country is surprising. People will pay a little more for
it. Mr. Orr suggests that it is on account of their dry climate that their fruit will keep
much better. Theirs is grown in a perfectly dry atmosphere, while ours is grown in a
moist atmosphere and cannot keep so long. This is a very difficult problem to solve. It
is a question of quick transportation and sale more than anything else. Growers are
afraid to leave their peaches and plums and other perishable fruit on the tree till they
are ripe, because they know they will be in a bad condition when they are sold. You
cannot ship apples to the North-west unless you pick them in a condition when they are

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

absolutely insipid. One of our dealers tried this plan last summer, but only the Duchess
got there all right ; the Astrachans he had a serious loss on. The Duchess is a splendid
apple, and in high favor if you get it at its right stage ; but you cannot get it at its right
stage and send it any distance. I cannot offer any solution of the problem except quick
transportation and quick sale.

Mr. Morden (Niagara Falls South) : There is another question, of careful handling.
The great difficulty we have to contend with in fruit transportation to-day is that it is
bruised all to pieces. Last summer I sent a picking of berries to Buffalo, twenty miles
away, and they were handled all right on the train, but when they got t*vo or three streets
away, by some race-horse methods that they adopted, they had those berries mashed, and
almost destroyed the price of them. Now, if we could get a quick and careful transport
a good deal of this difficulty would be avoided.

Mr. Caston : Another question in regard to transportation might be mentioned. I
never received a consignment of grapes that had not been broken open and quantities of
them stolen. (Hear, hear.) A friend of mine had some peaches shipped to him and he
would only accept them for what was in the basket. The express company tried to make
him pay for the full amount, but he refused to do it, and finally they accepted pay for
what was there. In some of the packages half of them were gone. It is simply
disgraceful.

Mr. McNeill : That is the fault of the shipper himself. We have frequently had
baskets opened, but make it a matter of principle to follow every such case to the bitter end,
and sometimes I follow a case for six months till I get a rebate of perhaps a dollar on the
shipment. In the winter months I take all these complaints and follow them up, and I
have never failed to have the freight and expressmen make the loss good. I can say to
their credit they have never failed, when I have brought home to them the undoubted
proof of loss while in their hands, to have the loss made good. I have coirespondence two
inches thick over some trifling shipment where the basket was broken into. When carriers
know they are being watched by the shipper they will not break them open. Shippers are
to blame in not following up these losses by a persistent system of inspection.

APPLE CULTURE.

Mr. E Hersee, of Woodstock, read the following paper :

We learn that the apple formerly originated from the wild crab of northern Europe,
and now it is cultivated throughout the whole world, and the fruit we now enjoy is so
entirely unlike the original species that we hardly recognize it as belonging to the same.
Yet if we plant the seed of our most improved varieties it reverts to its original type, so
by the good cultivation and the improved condition of the soil, with the workings of our
experimental stations and of our fruit growers' associations, we have been enabled to
bring to the front many new and improved varieties.

My idea in apple culture is to strive and improve on previous years' methods.

There are now in existence many notions in regard to cultivating the orchard, and
these suggestions have led inexperienced people to suppose that no one but an experienced
person could do the work. This is a mistake. I would say let us get acquainted with
our trees, look at them, visit them daily ; they need it. For example : Put a horse in a
field and let it care for itself ; will it do well 1 I think not. So trees need our attention
and our daily visits.

My experience gained in planting a young orchard is that the growth must not be
checked. We must not expect that a tree planted in the grass with simply a small por-
tion of the sod worked around it will make the same growth that the same tree would if
planted in cultivated soil. I would say a tree planted in cultivated ground will
make three times more growth than one planted in the sod ; the grass will exhaust the
soil of its moisture and fertility, and the consequence is the tree will only exist.

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

The question is often asked, can I crop my orchard 1 This is an important question,
but I would say, yes ; such crops as the following have been found desirable for a young
orchard, and then not too close to the trees. Oorn is a good crop, as it does not attain
much growth until most of the tree-growth is made. Potatoes are not so good, as the
growth is at the same time as that of the trees Also good crops of carrots can be raised,
short-rooted sorts being preferred. A fall crop of flat turnips can be grown without
harm. Strawberries, currants, gooseberries, rhubarb, can be grown without injury to the
orchard. All this must be understood to be done under good cultivation and the free use of
manures, stable manure being preferred, with an annual application of potash or wood ashes.
My reason for suggesting the cropping of the young orchard with crops mentioned is
this, that we are more liable to make free use of the cultivator than we would otherwise
do if we had put it into grass or grain. But, as a rule, such crops will hardly pay after
the trees are three years planted. The owner must then take his profit out in the in-
creased value of his orchard, a* I do not think it is wise to crop after that time. The
cultivation of young orchards should cease each season about August 1st, as it is almost
certain to prolong the growth, and the trees will be injured through the winter.

A few words about manuring. For young trees stable manure will always be found
good, and the best time to apply it is in the fall, or very early in the spring. If put on
through the summer it produces late growth, which is injurious to the trees. For orchards
that have reached maturity, and are bearing heavily, manure can be used more freely,
especially in the spring of the fruiting year, for a good many trees are weakened by their
effort to produce a large crop of fruit, and especially if it be a dry season. Trees that are
weak from fruiting or poverty of the soil are more subject and liable to disease. A good
many fertilizers are now being manufactured which are profitable to use on the orchard,
but I think bone and potash the best suited for producing fruit.

In conclusion, I would say the pruning must not be forgotten from the fii3t year the
trees are planted. They should have constant attention. Go and visit them every day
if possible and see how they are doing. You will get to like them. What looks better
on the farm than a well-pruned and well-kept orchard1? Yes, and what pays better?
Young trees should be allowed to grow with a close head. After forming the head, little
is needed each year but to keep it balanced and regular in shape, pinching out the buds
of those branches that are outgrowing the others. If it is found branches are crossing
each other and are liable to come together, cut them out at once. Do not wait till they
get large and then do it. This will injure the tree, weaken and shorten the life of it.
And do not forget to let the sunshine and air into your trees.

I would say, lastly, to farmers and others, give your boys a start in growing fruits.
They will learn early how to manage and care for them, and it will thus be a means of
profit to both parties. Fruit appreciates good care and attention, therefore do not be-
come disheartened. Become a member of the Fruit Growers' Association, read the
Horticulturist and learn what it is and you will get your reward.

Mr. Morden : I do not know upon what grounds potatoes in orchards are objected
to. I understand potatoes use a good deal of potash, and in a soil deficient in potash if
we were to plant potatoes it might be necessary to restore the potash. If so, that would
get over the difficulty. I have seen the practice of planting potatoes a year previous to
the strawberry condemned because the potatoes are a potash crop. I would like to hear
from gentlemen with more chemical knowledge than I have on this matter. Potatoes in
many ways are very suitable. They are often dug quite early, you cultivate the ground
quite frequently during the season, and also in digging the potatoes out.

M-. Hersee : The growth of potatoes is the same with that of the trees — that is, at
the same time — and hence they are objectionable.

Mr. Race : I made a point of planting strawberries in the fall after taking out a
crop of early potatoes, and I have recommended that to the farmers.

Mr. G reiner (Niagara Falls, N. Y.): We have at various times planted potatoes
amongst young trees in the orchards, and I do not think that the practice should be in
any way objected to if the potatoes have the proper food and the trees have the proper

10 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

food. As long as you grow double crops you will use double manure. In regard to
strawberries following after potatoes, it is exactly the same principle. With good culture,
with the manure that the early potatoes usually receive — and we always manure early
potatoes very heavy, more so than late potatoes — we think that the land is brought in
the very best state for the succeeding crop. I do not see a single reason why we should
not plant strawberries after potatoes. Of course the potato requires potash ; therefore we
usually feed potash manures a little heavier. If we use the concentrated fertilizers we
take the special potato manures which contain a very high percentage of potash — some-
times as high as ten per cent. — or, as I usually pr< fer, we use the potash salts directly,
unmixed, by sowing the same way as we sow grain over the land broadcast, and I have
seen good results from that. On the whole it is a question simply of cultivation and
manuring.

Mr. Rice : One of the points in the paper should not be overlooked — the one in
regard to using suitable manures. We are troubled a good deal with dry seasons, and if
manure is put on in the spring it is very apt not to assimilate itself to the soil, so we
have to be very careful in applying suitable manures to the soil in the spring of the year.

Mr. Morden : When do you apply manures, then, to an orchard 1

Mr. Rice : I should apply it late in the fall without cultivating it into the ground.

Mr. McNeill : You may plant an apple orchard and grow fruit well and do this
as often as you please, but if you fail to get the right varieties there is no profit in it.
The whole question turns on a matter of varieties. Thousands of trees in this province
to-day are worthless because of not being the right varieties, and there are hundreds of
farmers discouraged because they have no information on the proper varieties. As in
grape culture, the money is made on two or three varieties.

The President: That was the case when these orchards were being planted ; but
now this Association has a carefully prepared list suitable to the different sections of this
province and recommended for planting by this Association.

Mr. Oaston : The question of varieties is a question of locality to a very great extent.
As to manuring, my observation leads me to the conclusion that the best way to supply
nitrogen to the soil is to plow in clover. The mechanical condition of the soil furnished
by a great amount of humus is a great advantage. Where we have a bare s >il without
sufficient humus the tree does not do so well apart from the fertilizing. We can supply
a concentrated fertilizer having a large percentage of potash and a sufficient quantity of
phosphoric acid and supply the nitrogen by plowing in clover. I never advise the seed-
ing down of an orchard except with red clover that should be plowed under when it gets
to its very best. Do not apply any stable or barn-yard manure at all to the orchard. It
can be better furnished by plowing in a heavy crop of clover, and the other ingredients
supplied by ashes.

Mr. Turner (Cornwall) : Mr. Caston has struck an important point in reference to
humus. There is too much humus taken out of the soil and too little put back. I have
grown a patch of strawberries for two years, and since the crop was taken off I cleaned out
the patch and sowed red clover, and as soon as that was in blossom I turned it in. I
expect to have some splendid soil for strawberries next year.

The Secretary : I do not think it should go out from our meeting that we do not
recommend barn-yard manure for our apple orchards or for any of our garden plantations.
I have always been under the impression that barn-yard manure was the best fertilizer that
could possibly be applied, because it contains the various ingredients that we want to get
in our orchards. It is the most complete fertiliz r perhaps that we can apply ; but because
of the lack of barn-yard manure and the impossibility of furnishing enough of it for our
orchards, it is necessary to use commercial fertilizers. In a barn-yard manure we furnish
a certain amount of humus also. In regard to orchard crops, I think buckwheat is one
that is easily grown and easily sown after we are through with our other farm work, and
which cleans the orchard of weeds, and is in my opinion a very desirable crop — not quite
so desirable as hoed crops, which mean a lot of cultivation through the summer ; but buck-

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 11

wheat answers a good purpose and also saves us a large amount of work which we perhaps
would not have time to do. Speaking of varieties, I think a good deal of the Cranberry
Pippin. I do not know that it is widely known. I have a clipping from the Produce
World, of London, England, which draws special attention to the Cranberry Pippin as
being a desirable apple in the London market. A correspondent in Scotland to whom I
sent a hundred cases of this apple this season wrote me a letter recently in which he said
that it sells well just now, bringing a high price, but still he does not know about recom-
mending it for a standard fancy apple for their market, which I had proposed it for.
From Glasgow I hear very favorably concerning the apple. I packed 500 boxes and
scattered them over Glasgow, Edinburgh and Sydney, N.S.W. When the reports come
in I can tell whether this apple is going to succeed.

Mr. McNeill : What are the defects of the apple %

The Secretary : In some soils it is inclined to have little warts on it. It does not
spot. For two years I have had the finest of samples. Its chief defect is in its quality,
which is only ordinary like the Ben Davis.

Mr. Caston : I believe they are growing that apple in some localities under the
impression that it is the Gravenstein.

Mr. Boulter (Picton): I see by the heading of Mr. Hersee's paper that he is the
proprietor of nurseries. I read his paper over carefully, and I must say there are a great
many good points in it. However, we have learned a good deal by experience — a pretty
good school, but the tuition is very, very high. I think one of the most important things
to tell a man who is starting out, or an old man who is willing to learn, is how far apart
to put his apple trees. In 1878 I put out 1,000 trees, 24x36. I was persuaded that I
could grow as much again of fruit if I would stick another row in ; consequently I inter-
rowed them. In the spring of 1879 I bought another thousand and put them out, 24x36,
and I let them remain and did not inter-row. I have carefully kept those apple trees
pruned very close, because I claim that every tree requires a peculiar manner of trim-
ming. You would not trim a Spy like a Talman Sweet or a Greening like a Ben
Davis. I made the serious mistake of my life in that orchard. I have carried out a
good many experiments, particularly the washing of those trees every year with good
strong lye made from good wood ashes. I burn up some six or seven acres of wood every
year, and every pound of the ashes has gone on that orchard for the last twelve or
fourteen years. After the trees are out seventeen years I have got to go to work and
cut out that alternate tree or else not raise a crop of Northern Spys that will com-
pare favorably with any others that are on the market, although the trees are all
right and growing beautifully. You must let the sun and air into your trees to
get the colored apples. Last spring I put all my manure on the orchard and plowed
it in with a gang- plow. It was too dry ; I got no benefit from it this year. The frosts
of last spring hurt my orchards fearfully. You can't grow a good Spy where the sun
cannot strike it. You do not want your trees nearer than thirty feet.

Mr. Beadle : Say forty.

Mr. Boulter : It depends on how much land you have. If you have two hundred
acres of land I would say spread them out.

Mr. Race : You would not recommend these people to wash a very young tree with
very strong lye ?

Mr. Boulter : I would recommend as soon as the tree was out two years to wash
it with very weak lye. Take one-third an ordinary run of ashes and two-thirds water ;
and as the tree grows increase the strength of the lye. Do not be afraid to put it on
strong as the tree is four or five years old, and you will have no lice, no moss growing on
it and no rough bark. The bark on my trees is apparently just as smooth as the day
they were put out. The tree should be looked after just as well as the ground upon
which it is grown. A poor fellow down at South Bay told an agent, who had offered to
put in his trees — that he wanted them put in " top down." The agent asked what for,
and the man replied, " because for fifteen years I have been putting them out roots down

12 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

and I can't make them grow." (Laughter). Every one of my two thousand trees I
trimmed with a jackknife myself, and I did not leave a sprout over eight inches long on
any one of them. You can grow a top any time you like. Get a good trunk and the
top will come out all right. Too many put out trees and never trim and cut back. It
is of the utmost necessity to cut the top well back the first year. I do not put anything
in my orchard. I calculate that the trees will need all that the ground will produce.
We go through it with a gang- plow when necessary, and we keep it worked up with a
large spring-tooth harrow — just keep the weeds worked down and keep all the manure
in it I possibly can. I believe nothing can be put on an orchard that is better than good
wood ashes.

Mr. Rice : I find that when I put buckwheat on my land we have no cutworms the
following season.

I sow the buckwheat about the first of August, because I do not want to
take it off my ground nor to ripen too much while my trees are young so as to
harbor mice. Another thing we have to look at is, that if your ground is bare
during winter, the rain that falls on it packs it harder and harder and does not sink into
the ground, but runs off and is not there to be raised by capillary attraction the next
year to furnish the moisture needed in your orchard. To prevent the rains from washing
off the ground I mix a liberal amount of rye with the buckwhf at so when the frosts come
the buckwheat is killed down and forms a little protection with the straw, and then the
rye comes on. In the spring plow your rye right under and go on with the cultivation
of your soil. Thus you give the moisture to the soil, you protect your soil from the hard
freezings, and all that sort of thing, and you furnish humus.

Mr. Caston : I believe it possible from my own experiments to furnish the necessary
manure to an orchard without the use of barn-yard manure at all. One of the most
successful farmers in west Ontario considers clover the sheet anchor of farming. In re-
gard to the time of plowing under, we find that clover is in that state early in June.
We have sufficient moisture in the soil. If we plow it under, then we find in August
when the drouth is at its greatest, that we have the ground in the very best mechanical
condition ; and I will guarantee that you can find the moisture wiihin an inch or two of
the top where that clover is plowed under.

APPLE GROWING IN THE VALLEY OF THE UPPER ST. LAWRENCE.

Mr. Harold Jones, of Maitland, read the following paper :

Before entering on the subject of this paper I will endeavor to give you an idea of
how favorably we are situated for the growing of most of the hardier fruirs.

The land draining into the river from Kingston to Cornwall, a distance of about 120
miles, is more or less adapted to fruit raising, but I will speak more particularly of that
section lying in the vicinity of Brockville, where I can speak from personal krowledge
and experience.

The general character of the soil is from clay loam to gravel and sand, and for a
distance varying from one to three miles from the river is exceptionally free from late
spring or early fall frosts ; only once in my memory have we had a spring frost that
would injure the grape blossoms, and we have never to my knowledge lost an apple crop
through the same cause.

Among the summer and early fall varieties of apples that have proved hardy and
prolific with us, I might mention the Yellow Transparent, Red Astrachan, Brockville
Beauty, Duchess of Oldenburg, and St. Lawrence.

Of these the Duchess is without doubt the best paying of its season, well maintaining
its character for hardiness and freedom from fungous diseases. The St. Lawrence, when
kept free from spot, comes next in order of profit, bearing medium to large crops of large,

FKUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 13

well-colored fruit. The Brockviile Beauty is not as free-growing a tree as the two
varieties just mentioned, but though a moderate grower, it produces immense crops of
small to medium-sized fruit that takes well on the market owing to its excellent cooking
qualities. The Red Astrachan is fairly productive, but owing to the defect in the tree
of splitting at the crotches and unevenness in the ripening of the fruit, it has been grown
to a very limited extent. The Yellow Transparent proves itself an ironclad in every
respect, but owing to the fruit dropping so badly it has a very limited space in our
orchards.

Of the fall and early winter varieties the standards are — Fameuse, Wealthy, Baxter
or La Rue, Longfield, and Mcintosh Red.

The Fameuse stands first of all in this section. The tree is a good free grower of
upright to spreading habit, and bears very heavy crops of fruit, rather above medium in
size, and colors almost to a crimson, bringing the highest price in our markets of any
variety we have to offer of the same season.

The Wealthy ranks next in point of value. The character of the tree is somewhat
similar to the Fameuse ; though in some cases showing indications of blight ; the fruit
drops easily, and should be picked as soon as it gets color.

The Baxter is a hardy, upright grower, large, wide foliage, and bears moderate crops
of large, handsome fruit.

The Longfield gives promise of becoming a very valuable variety ; though inclined
to over-bear, it gives a crop of medium-sized fruit that colors very well, the most of the
apples having a decided blush, which, in contrast with the pure white skin, makes it
appear quite handsome.

Mcintosh Red seems hardy and fairly productive, but has been grown only to a
limited extent in this section.

In winter fruits we have not been so fortunate in growing paying crops, though the
Golden Russet, Canada Red, Pewaukee, Scott's Winter, Ben Davis, Yellow Belleflower,
and Blue Pearmain are all hardy, vigorous trees.

The Golden Russet, when grown under favorable circumstances, such as thorough
and continuous cultivation and liberally fed with fertilizers, will yield handsome returns,
but when grown in sod it does not compare favorably with many other varieties under
the same conditions, for the fruit will be small and undeveloped in color, flavor, and
grain, and generally very few on a tree.

The Canada Red, though spoken of highly in some sections, proves itself a very
unprofitable variety with us on account of its poor bearing qualities.

Of the other varieties mentioned the conditions are normal with the general reports
from other parts of the province.

Of the two seedling apples shown on the table, I wish to draw particular attention
to the one that is known in our section as the Scarlet Pippin. This apple originated in
the vicinity of Brockviile, and has been pretty generally planted in the counties of Leeds
and Grenville. The fruit is well worthy of consideration by the Committee on New
Fruits, and deserves a place in the list for judges at county agricultural fairs, as it is in
good demand on the Ottawa and other markets, and is often called for by the commission
merchants. The tree is an upright grower, vigorous and hardy, free from fungous dis-
eases, and bears abundantly ; season about the same as Wealthy or earlier, and the hand-
some color of the fruit will sell it at any time for dessert or cooking.

The large green or yellow seedling has been brought to my notice by one of my
neighbors, Geo. Bowyer. He claims for it hardiness and productiveness in the tree, and
exceptional keeping qualities iD the fruit. He prizes it very highly as a dessert apple in
May and June. -~Quite worthy of notice.

It is gratifying to note the readiness with which our orchards respond to cultivation,
both in the growth of new wood and development of blossom buds, but where cultivation

14 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO

cannot be practised owing to the spreading branches, I find that spreading swamp muck
at the rate of about a load to four trees gives good results, as it keeps the ground cool
and retains the moisture.

Of the insect enemies that trouble us most, I wish to speak particularly of the
Cigar- shaped Case Bearer (Coleophora Fletcherella) that has infested our orchards of late
years, causing immense damage to both trees and fruit.

In the spring of 1894 I first noticed this insect, and realizing the serious nature of
the case, I devoted considerable time in carefully spraying that portion of my
orchard most seriously affected. In August of that year I paid a visit to Mr. James
Fletcher, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, and through his kindness and atten-
tion I have been able to learn the life history of the insect, and after working care-
fully under his wise guidance for seasons, I may say that on the whole I have made
satisfactory progress in destroying it. Although this insect is not known in some parts
of Ontario, it is surely working west, and it would be wise for every orchardist to read
Mr. Fletcher's report on pages 201 to 206 in the Central Experimental Farm report for
1894, and be ready to battle with the first appearance of the worm. I have found the
following plan of spraying to prove the most satisfactory when fighting the Case Bearer
and fungi at the same time, viz :

1st. Spray copper sulphate, one to twenty-five gallons water, before buds open.

2nd. Spray Bordeaux mixture and Paris green just before blossom.

3rd. Spray kerosene emulsion, one to nine of water, immediately after spraying No. 2.

4th. Spray Bordeaux mixture and Paris green when blossom falls.

5th. Spray Bordeaux mixture and Paris green when fruit is half an inch in diameter.

6th. Spray kerosene emulsion, one to live of water about the first of October, or
just about the time that young Case Bearers begin to leave the foliage and attach them-
selves to the twigs for winter.

I find this last spraying to prove of great advantage in reducing the number of insects
that attach themselves to the twigs for winter, as I have observed in many cases that the
insects do not leave the leaf, but fall with it to the ground and perish.

In the raising ot plums, pears and cherries in this section there has been very little
done, mostly owing to want of knowledge in varieties to plant, but I am confident from
those planted that there are great possibilities before us, and in the near future I hope to
be able to make a satisfactory report on these varieties.

Mr. Jones, in the course of reading his paper, said : I have had good results from
spreading the barn-yard manure in February on the snow, then every year or two mulch-
ing the ground with swamp muck, about one wagon load to four trees or so, which keeps
the orchard in a fine, healthy, cool condition, gives the apples a chance to attain very
full size under severe drouth and keeps the sod so that you can lift it at any time with
the manure fork and turn it over — in fact, the sod is half rotten all the time under this
plan.

Mr. Boulter asked for a description of the Cigar-shaped Case Bearer.

Mr. Jones : It appears the latter part of August and is then less than one-sixteenth
of an inch in length. This small insect pierces the leaf, and passing in between the upper
and lower surface, cuts that portion of the leaf on both sides of it and comes out with a
little case on it. It leaves an oblong hole in the leaf one-si xtpenth of an inch in length.
Then it lifts itself on its head, as it were, right up like a little cigar, and it lives upon the
leaf for the balance of the season while the leaf is green, and then in the fall of
the year it crawls from the leaf to the twig of the plant and attaches itself to the
twig and hibernates until the following spring, when it does the damage. In the
spring it works up towards the blossom bud and the leaf bud of the twig, and
as soon as the growth opens the insect pierces the stem of the blossom, and that is
the most serious damage to the whole crop. Then, if they are very bad, they will

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 15

nip the foliage as it comes on. After the foliage and blossoms appear, then the
insects pass along on the under side of the leaf, puncturing it, drawing themselves out of
their own case, and eating along the membrane of the leaf between the upper and the
under coverings ; and that is where the difficulty in controlling them lies. They only
attack a very small outer portion of the leaf, and that is on the under side, and then
they eat along the under surface. They go on eating at the leaf till the first of July,
when they appear as a fly or moth again for the August egg, and the history goes round
again.

Professor Craig : I would like to bear testimony to the good work Mr. Jones has
done in the matter of the Case Bearer. It is not in my department, but I happen to know
that it is through his good offices and the intelligent and persevering way in which he has
carried on experiments under Mr. Fletcher's direction that the solution of the best remedy
for this insect has been brought to a successful issue. Mr. Fletcher has given me a
memorandum to hand to Mr. Jones on the subject, but I see that it covers practically the
ground that Mr. Jones has told you, with, I think, the sole exception that in the first
spraying with kerosene emulsion Mr. Fletcher recommends using that mixture diluted at
the rate of one to five instead of one to nine, which is the ordinary strength, that is, if
you use it before the foliage, and Mr. Fletcher is of opinion that it is advisable to do
that. The ordinary Riley-Hubbard mixture is diluted one to nine, and Mr. Fletcher
recommends one to five.

Mr. Jones : Though I have not seen Mr. Fletcher's report, I judge from Prof. Craig's
remarks that I was to add one more spraying to my present list, making it seven instead
of six, because we could not do very well without spraying No. 3 — that is, spraying just
before the blossom opens. That is of great advantage in controlling the insect. If we
have to spray with kerosene emulsion one to five that would be the seventh spraying
merely.

Professor Craig : No ; I think it was to take the place of one of the other sprayings.

Mr. Jones : Take the place of the copper sulphate spraying in the first place ?

Professor Craig : I should think so, although it is not expressly stated.

Mr. Jones : I may say that I did the last spraying under the belief that the leaf has
served its function as lungs to the tree, and it is ready to drop at any time, so if there is
any injury do the leaf at that time it is no injury to the tree. The leaf has served its
function by the first of October.

Mr. Orr : Would there be any danger of the emulsion affecting the trees injuriously ?

Mr. Jones : No. I was able to use the emulsion without injury, and Mr. Guinard,
Mr. Fletcher's assistant, has borne me out in that more than once.

The Secretary : If applied too freely there is danger in the use of pure kerosene.
In destroying the bark louse I used kerosene very freely, and as it was a tree I could ex-
periment on I smothered it with kerosene and applied it two or three times, and the bark
shuffled off entirely ; so I think it is possible to even destroy the bark itself.

Mr. McNeill : The necessity of careful observation in this connection is shown by
the fact that Prof. Craig noted some insect attacking the leaf of the tree somewhat similar
to the Case Bearer, and he drew the attention of Prof. Fletcher, who wrote me asking me
to make some notes upon it. I looked at some trees I had and found to my amazement
that there was scarcely a perfect leaf on the tree — that they were burrowed much in the
same way as this Cigar Case insect — and I had never noticed it. It emphasizes the
necessity of fruit growers being alert in the matter of observation.

Professor Craig : That insect Mr. McNeill refers to is the Leaf Sewer.

16 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

EXPERIENCE IN SHIPPING APPLES TO BRITISH COLUMBIA.

Mr. Boulter, of Picton, read the following paper :

The subject assigned to me by your Secretary is one, I think, of vast importance to
the fruit growers of Ontario, and, as all of us know, prior to the constructing of the band
of steel now connecting us with this far away part of our Dominion, very little was
known of this province. From all we could learn it was very rich in minerals and fish,
that it possessed a beautiful climate, and great has been our anticipations since it has been
brought into closer connections with its sister provinces to the eaa«\

From personal experience, I know the subject I have selected will be well criticised
as many persons who have interests at stake possibly will say I am wrong in my theory
in saying that I believe Ontario will have to supply all the good winter apples this prov-
ince will require. On my first trip in 1887 I paid a good deal of attention to the climate
and the possibilities of fruit growing there. Three thousand miles away is a long haul by
rail to ship apples for profit, and as my business is directly connected with fruit growing,
I having sent the first car load of canned fruits and vegetables over the Rockies via.
C. P. R. in 1886, which proved successful ; on my second trip I was determined to see if
our winter apples, once introduced, would not come into demand. I was satisfied British
Columbia could grow fine plums and pears, cherries, strawberries, raspberries, and some
varieties of summer apples, but all the apple trees I saw were of a scraggy nature. The
nights are too cool, and the weather is not warm enough to fully mature a good winter
apple. In this I was borne out by a report from a horticultural association I saw pub-
lished at Victoria in August, which said that after twenty-five years of trial they could
not succeed in maturing fine flavored winter apples.

Our present Governor -General is spending large sums in the Okanagan district, be-
lieving that he can succeed. However, as he has plenty of money to spend, experience
will teach him later on if he can be successful. In 1893 I sent out three car loads of the
choicest Spys, Baldwins, Ben Davis and a few Golden Russets I could select, paying
from $2 to $2 50 per barrel for them. As it was quite late, I sent them by the southern
route — the Northern Pacific. They arrived in good shape and realized a fair profit at
Victoria and Vancouver, and I was wired to forward two more cars of Northern Spys,
but it was too late then to send a good article.

In 1894 I was earnestly requested to ship more, but the Legislature of British Col-
umbia in that year passed a very stringent law regarding the importation of fruit liable
in any way to be infected with any pests or fungous disease, and knowing that our fruit
was not wholly clean from specks or fungus, I dropped out. But several cars were shipped,
and on arrival were seized, and the total contents were destroyed.

The following extract from the Horticultural Board Act of British Columbia will
explain :

Inspection of Imported Fruit.

"6. All importers of fruit must give notice to a member of the Board of Horticul-
ture, or his agent, or the Inspector of Fruit Pests, upon the arrival of any and all ship-
ments of fruit ; and all fruit and fruit packages imported into this province shall be in-
spected, and if found to be free from insect pests and fungous disease a clean certificate
shall be issued therefor in conformity with the Rules and Regulations of the Proyincial
Board of Horticulture : Provided, however, that no fruit or fruit packages imported into
this Province shall be removed from any dock, wharf, mole or station where such fruit
and fruit packages have been landed before inspection and such clean certificate thereof
shall have been obtained, and all such fruit and fruit packages as may be found infested
with any insect pest or fungous disease shall be either destroyed by the importers thereof
by such process as any member of this Board, the Inspector of Fruit Pests, or any agent
appointed by this Board may direct, or shall be re-shipped by the importers thereof to the
country from whence such infested fruit was exported.

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 17

Inspection of Imported and Home-grown Fruit.

" 7. All fruit, whether imported or grown in this province, or exposed for sale, shall
be subject to inspection under the authority of this Board, and if found to be infected
with any injurious insect pest or the larva thereof, shall be quarantined or may be destroy-
ed at the expense of the owner of said fruit by such methods as this Board or its agents
may direct.

Stencilling and Labelling.

" 8. All persons shipping, sending, or delivering any fruit, fruit trees, scions, cuttings,
or plants within the province shall place upon or securely attach to each box, crate, or
other package or parcel containing the same, a distinct stamp, mark, or label showing the
name of the producer and shipper or sender, and the locality where grown, but boxes and
barrels containing fruit shall be stencilled or stamped with letters not less than three-
quarters of an inch in length."

On my annual trip this year, from all I could learn, the apples sent in 1894 were
not fit to be shipped to any place, many of them being a small, miserable, scabby lot, full
of codling moths, etc., and I did not wonder at the authorities in refusing to allow them
to remain in the country. However, I refused to attempt this year to ship any, although
promised a good price, as, from all I could learn, a few apples if found with any fungous
disease would condemn the whole car load. Now, what is best to do % I noticed that all
the apples at Victoria, coming from Oregon and Missouri, were packed in boxes of about
fifty pounds each, and they can be easily inspected. I sent out some fine Spys to the
several wholesale houses in this way, along with canned goods, to test them, and being
carefully selected they passed through.

I believe a good trade can be successfully worked up by packing in this way, using
the utmost care. Will it pay 1 Yes, I think it will. Freight will be lower, as more can
be shipped in a car than in barrels, and unless the duty is removed I think money can
be made in shipping apples to British Columbia. They must have our apples, as the Mis-
souri, Oregon and Washington apples do not compare with them.

Mr. Boulter added that he believed there was a good market for Ontario apples in
Prince Edward Island, but the apples must be put up right, and he thought a good
demand could be created.

Mr. Caston : What does it cost per barrel to ship to British Columbia 1

Mr. Boulter: I used to pay $1.10 per hundred pounds, one hundred and fifty
pounds to the barrel. You can calculate about a cent a pound on apples.

Mr. Smith : I would like to know how British Columbia happened to get such good
Russets and Spitzenbergs and Baldwins as they had in Chicago at the World's Fair.

The Secretary : Yellow Belleflower also. The Spitzenbergs were finer than we have
ever grown in Ontario.

Mr. Boulter : I don't say that they cannot grow a winter apple in British Columbia ;
possibly they can in some very favored localities. I am speaking generally of the Pro-
vince of British Columbia, and I am satisfied the climate is not right for growing apples.

The Secretary : Do I understand you to say it is because they do not grow vigorous
trees they cannot produce the quantity they require 1

Mr. Boulter : Yes, partly that. Their trees are not vigorous growers, and I claim
that a tree that is not vigorous growing tree never can produce first-class fruit.
Mr. Hutt : Is not their fruit much larger than ours 1

Mr. Boulter : It may be larger. They might pick out some very large apples and
send to the World's Fair. Although they may have sent some to the World's Fair from
some favored locality we will have to supply winter apples to British Columbia. Where
you cannot grow real good corn you cannot grow good winter apples, and in British
Columbia you cannot grow good corn.
2 F.G.

18 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

Mr. Race : This report we have received from Mr. Boulter seems to be very con-
tradictory of a report we got two years ago from Chicago, which led us to believe that
the Ontario fruit grower was in a very few years going to meet with very keen competi-
tion in the North-west and from British Columbia. According to Mr. Boulter we have
nothing to fear at all from the competition likely to come from the Pacific Coast. Which
of this reports are we to believe 1 If Mr. Boulter's paper is correct it is certainly encourag-
ing to the Ontario fruit growers ; but if the reports of two years ago that were given to
us very largely by our own representatives in Chicago are correct, the apple of British
Columbia is going to be a very strong competitor of the Ontario apple.

The Secretary : I think Mr. Pettit and Mr. Craig who are present will bear me
out in saying that the beautiful pears and apples that were shown from British Columbia
excelled any we had on exhibition at Chicago. It is very possible that in the parts Mr.
Boulter has visited in British Columbia the apple does not succeed ; but there must be
some parts, though they may be very limited where it does grow to great perfection.

Prof. Craic : I was very much interested in Mr. Boulter's discussion, not only on
general principles but on account of reference to the Experimemtal Farm — which, how-
ever, had nothing to do with the passing of the law restricting fruit which is infested by
insects or fungi from going into British Columbia. We should consider first that British
Columbia has a very diversified climate. You will find greater variations within shorter
distances. On the lower part of our Experimental Farm at Agassiz we could not grow
apples, but on the higher lands we could grow them to perfection, and we show you
samples from there, A few days ago a gentleman at Linton sent me half a dozen varie-
ties of apples grown on his farm, and I brought them along. In regard to insects, there
is one thing that the fruit growers of British Columbia have not to contend with, — they
have no codling moth in that province. You may just consider what that would be worth
to you, and what you would do to get rid of it. I think they are justified in exercising
every precaution possible to keep injurious insects out of the province. Neither have
they any San Jose scale ; and they are trying their best to keep their orchards clear from
these pests, and they pay an inspector SI, 500 per year for that purpose. These speci-
mens of apples I have here were grown by irrigation, and these are the districts where
they are going to grow the finest fruit. In the coast regions they cannot produce apples
of the finest quality, but in the interior regions where they have a much drier atmosphere
and good soil and where they are able to irrigate, and also in other districts where they
have just the amount of moisture with more cold, they can produce apples of fine quality
and appearance.

Mr. Caston : It seems as if the coast climate of British Columbia resembles very
much the climate of Britain, and we do not find that they produce any long-keeping
apples there.

Mr. Rice : But I must acknowledge to you to-day that I never saw a finer exhibit
of apples than you are showing here ; and in our market at Port Huron we have no
apples this year ; we have had to have our apples shipped in. We had some very fine,
large, beautiful red apples, selling at $1.75 per barrel. At the same time our buyers
were begging for Greenings grown below Toronto somewhere — they did not know where,
but on Canadian soil — and paying at wholesale $3.25 per barrel — (Hear, hear). I never
saw such Greenings anywhere in the world ; and I thought then of what was said at one
Canadian horticultural meeting, — " What will we do with the Rhode Island Greening 1
They are forced on to us ; the tree men are making us grow it here in Canada, and it
brings such a low price 1 " They decided that the only way was to refuse to buy it.
What if you had refused to buy it when it brings such prices now 1

Mr. A. H. Pettit : I have never been to British Columbia to see the different parts
where fruit is grown, but at the World's Fair we certainly had a beautiful exhibition of
apples from that country of very large size, fine color and good quality. Yet, from what
I could learn, I look upon that country as likely to be quite a market for Canadian
apples ; and why ? Because their apples grow to enormous size, and are not of that
keeping quality that we grow in the more northerly section of the country. The farther
north you can grow an apple, if it is the home of that apple, the better keeping qualities

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

it possesses, and thus we will lengthen out the fruit season and give them a fruit of equal
quality with their own, though perhaps not of that enormous size. At that exhibition
there was a rivalry between the different states of the Union and the provinces of
Canada as to which could show the biggest apple. I do not know which came out
ahead, but they were of enormous size. The State of Idaho, under a system of irriga-
tion, produces apples of enormous size and very high color indeed, but I do not think
that class of fruit has the keeping quality that fruit has when grown in the more
northerly portions of Ontario.

Mr. Beadle : Do those apples have the same high flavor that our apples have
that are grown in the northern climate 1

Mr. Pettit : No, I do not think so ; neither do I think that our overgrown apples
have. It is the medium size and color that gives you the quality in all cases.

Mr. Dempsey : I had the pleasure of comparing a sample of the Hastings apple that
was grown in British Columbia this year, and I could not detect any difference between
it and the apple grown on my place ; the flavor was equally as good, though not so
highly colored.

Prof. Craig : That was grown at Agassiz.

The Secretary introduced Mr. Haskins, of Hamilton, who made a few remarks,
saying he had not been able to give the question of fruit growing the consideration that
he used to in olden times.

The meeting adjourned at 12.30 until 2 o'clock.

FIRST DAY- AFTERNOON SESSION.

The Secretary read a letter from the Michigan Horticultural Society, appointing
Messrs. Taft, Watkins and Rice as delegates to this meeting. He moved that these
gentlemen be invited to take part in all our discussions.

Mr. McNeill seconded the motion cordially, as he had frequently enjoyed the
hospitality of the Michigan fruit growers, and nowhere did he find a warmer welcome
than in Michigan.

The motion was enthusiastically carried.

QUESTION DRAWER.

The Secretary read question No. 3 as follows: "How can the grape and rose
thrip be destroyed 1 " and read a letter from Prof. Fletcher as follows :

" I notice among the subjects suggested for discussion at the Woodstock meeting
question 3 : How can the grape and rose thrip be destroyed ? " I have had a good deal
of experience during the past eight years with both of these insects. I have had no
trouble in controlling either with the kerosene emulsion made by the Riley- Hubbard
formula (two gallons kerosene oil and one gallon of soapsuds, containing one-half pound of
soap) reduced with nine parts of water. If this mixture be sprayed forcibly through
vines on trellises or into rose bushes at the time the insects are in the nymph condition
it is a sure remedy. When the leaf-hoppers have acquired their wings two or three
applications are necessary."

Mr. McNeill : The rose thrip has begun to be a serious pest. I would like to hear
about it from Mr. Orr.

Mr. Orr : The thrip has been troubling us a good deal for many years, but very
much worse this year than in previous ones. About eight acres of grapes that I have
were badly infested with them this year. The difficulty in treating the thrip is that
they work entirely on the under side of the leaf. I understand that treating them with

20 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

a preparation of tobacco water or with the coal-oil emulsion is effectual in destroying
them, but I have done nothing in that direction yet at all, from the fact that it seems
almost impossible to reach them, and I would like very much to get some other opinion
on the matter.

The Secretary : Mr. Fletcher said on two occasions in writing to me that he
had no difficulty in destroying it with two or three applications of the kerosene
emulsion.

Mr. McNeill : If it continues to increase it will be a very serious pest, but three
applications is more than we could hope to give with profit at the present prices of
grapes. I was hoping that we could learn how to knock it out with one application, or
attack it at a certain period of its growth when we could get rid of it with very little
trouble.

The Secretary read the question : " Are apple storehouses desirable for Canadian
growers 1 "

Mr. Dempsey : I think it is desirab e for any man that is producing from 500
barrels up to have an apple house. No one can understand the benefit to be derived
from an apple house unless he has had one. It is very convenient to place the fruit in,
and you are not compelled to sell the fruit right away ; whereas, without a fruit house,
you are often compelled to sell when prices are rather low. Keep them a month or so
and you will nearly double your money. You can keep until April apples that are
usually placed on the market say the fore part of January. Last winter from my fruit
house I shipped on the first day of April to England Spys, Seek-no Furthers and

many other varieties.

OUR FRUIT EXHIBITIONS, AND HOW TO MAKE THEM EDUCATIVE.

Mr. R. B. Thornton, of Woodstock, read the following paper :

Although fruit growing is recognized as one of the most important branches of
agriculture, yet no other industry is pursued with less intelligence by the great majority
engaged in it. I refer more particularly to our farmers and their orchards than to the
comparatively few fruit growers who have entered into the business for pecuniary gain
or pleasure.

For proof, ask the army of agents who annually canvass the country for orders, how
many men do they find who select stock, plant, prune, cultivate and care for their orch-
ards and gardens in such a way as to make the enterprise every way successful and
profitable. Or ask the fruit packers what percentage of the orchards are inviting to the
shipper. Or ask the grower himself the names of the different varieties grown by him,
and how few can give the names correctly.

The reasons for such a state of ignorance are obvious : 1st. Such a long time inter-
venes between planting and abundant bearing that if a mistake be made in planting it
will be too expensive to attempt a remedy when your orchard reaches maturity. 2nd.
Very few record the names of their trees when planting or can remember the names till
bearing. 3rd. New and untried varieties are being pushed so hard by enterprising
nurserymen that instead of promoting the interest of fruit culture the result is in most
cases attended with disappointment, failure and discouragement.

Again, if you attend our local agricultural fairs and carefully study the fruit depart-
ment year after year, you will agree with me, either that the various boards of directors
have got into a rut, or else that fruit growing has reached the limit of its possibilities.

I believe in the exhibition of fruit, in giving prizes and in making the competition
as keen as possible between growers if you would stimulate to success ; but I do not
believe that it conduces to the attainment of any of these objects to find a man on guard
whose duty consists, not in describing, naming and showing the merits of new fruits, but

FRUIT GBOWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 21

in guarding the fruit with a long stick, or giving you a hint to move on. I fear that very
many exhibit fruit more for the sake of the paltry prize of fifty or twenty-five cents than
because they have entered a contest in which forethought, science and skill combine with
nature to win praise, admiration and success.

To make an exhibition of fruit educative I would suggest the following :

1st. Revise the prize list by leaving out such kinds as do not possess sufficient merit
to deserve general cultivation in that particular district.

2nd. Print in the prize list opposite the name of each kind of fruit a score of merit
marks a3 at present accepted by the Provincial Association of Fruit Growers, basing the
award of prizes upon this score.

3rd. Distinguish in the list between summer, fall and winter varieties, and keep
them separate on the exhibition tables.

4th. Give exhibitors the option of any six varieties out of the total list of old kinds,
subject to the score as printed in the prize list", at the same time increase the value of the
prizes for first, second and third in said groups.

5th. Attach a printed label to each plate of fruit in type large enough to be read
outside the guard rail.

6th. Engage one qualified judge, who alone will be responsible for the way prizes
are given. Pay him for his time and require him to remain with the fruit each day until
the close of the fair; to answer questions and give such information as may be required.

7th. Let the Provincial Association request the Government, through the Minister
of Agriculture, to send an expert judge of fruit to at least one fall fair in each county
annually until each society in turn shall have the benefit of his knowledge and judgment.

8th. Add the names of such new varieties of fruit each year to prize list as shall in
the judgment of the Provincial Association deserve a place in the list.

9th. Offer special prizes for new varieties not on the list which are accompanied by
a description of their respective merits. The kind of soil where grown, age of tree, or
anything else that may entitle it to favorable consideration.

The Secretary : I would like to emphasize the point in regard to labelling. One
of the difficulties which visitors to many fairs have is to find what the varieties are. They
will strain their eyes and necks and with the greatest difficulty try to decipher some
very poorly- written names attached to the fruit, and possibly fail after all to make out
what they are. One of the benefits of visiting these fairs is to ask about new varieties
and become acquainted with them. Therefore some plan should be found by which fruit
would be labelled with printed names elevated in such a way that they could be read by
every passer-by. I think we should keep very clearly in mind that the object of fairs is
educative, to give information, and therefore there should be somebody on hand to
answer the questions of visitors in regard to the exhibits in the room.

Mr. Boulter : At our meeting last night steps were taken that will lead to proper
persons being selected as judges at these fairs. Usually some straight-laced fellow is put
in charge of the exhibit, whose whole object spems to be to keep visitors moving on.
There is no information given at all, and persons are allowed to look only about five
minutes before they are asked to move on. Experts should be appointed who could give
information. A committee has been appointed to select good judges and recommend
them to the Toronto, Ottawa and London exhibitions, and perhaps these recommendations
will be extended later on.

Mr. Morden : There is a matter that ought to be touched upon more fully, namely,
the disappointment that arises from sending out high-priced, highly lauded varieties. We
find that people with small lots in towns have them filled up with material that is of no
use, and that is taking the place of something that will produce fruit. Farmers are plant-
ing new things, unknown, untested, probably good for nothing, At the Nurserymen's
Convention at Niagara Falls, N. Y., I urged that no new fruit should be sent out until it
had been tested at a large number of independent stations, and if it had merit the orig-

22 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

inator would get a free advertisement. It would become known through the whole
country that it was a good fruit. If it was good for nothing it would end there ; and
that is the way it should be. Instead of that our nurserymen are trying to get hold of a
wonderful novelty. They can make novelties to order out of any old variety ; and the
largest nurserymen are sometimes the largest offenders. They send out a hundred agents,
each of whom is instructed to push this variety, and it is pushed on to every farmer,
and ninety-nine times out of one hundred it produces nothing, and it is taking the place
of something that would produce fruit. We had a very close vote in the Nurserymen's
Convention, but I found it a failure to get a vote there. I asked, too, that the nursery-
men's catalogues as issued should be a reliable guide. We find that fruit is described in
the flaming colors of the originator. You will find the champion grape described as of
excellent quality, and all that sort of thing. This Association should demand that cata-
logues should be leliable. It is certainly very discouraging to every planter to get varieties
that are worthless ; and a great proportion of this high-priced stuff is not worth planting
at all.

Mr. Smith : I think that planters are a good deal to blame themselves in not inform-
ing themselves in regard to varieties that are adapted to their locality, and for taking the
word of every travelling agent that comes along. I should think by this time that a
good many of them would begin to learn that it is not all gospel that the tree agent talks
to them. I think we are making a step in advance in this direction. If local organiz-
ations, such as the Society here, would take pains to have their exhibit correctly named,
it would be a step in an educative line as suggested by the paper.

Mr. McNeill : The Government think so much of our bodily health that they
license doctors for fear we will not know enough to get the right man to cure our bodily
ills ; they think so much of our pockets that they will not allow an auctioner to sell stuff
unless he is authorized by license. That is paternalism in a mild form. It has always
been so, and we get used to it. Still they allow men who want agents at three dollars a
day to advertise that "no experience is required." (Hear, hear, and laughter.) And it
appears to me that it would be a step in the right direction to have fruit men licensed. I
believe that the business then would rise to a dignity that it has not now. (Hear,
hear). 1 have leisure sometimes, and could probably make an honest dollar by selling
fruit, but I am ashamed to appear as a tree agent. (Laughter). If I paid a license and
could reply upon my respectabilty and have something to show for it, I believe that I
might do something in that line. Seriously, I believe it would be a step in the right
dfrection to protect the farmers and those who are not informed and that cannot reason-
ably get themselves informed upon varieties, by seeing that only men who are responsible
should be allowed to sell tnese things Stockmen are now seeing that horses are licensed,
and in every way they are protecting those who cannot reasonably inform themselves on
these subjects ; and why should the country be flooded with tree agents that are parasites,
and that keep respectable men out of the business ? (Applause).

Mr. Smith That plan is adopted in some western states.

Mr Rice : The trouble with us in Michigan is that we allow anybody that has a
good tongue to talk and lots of brass in his face to go out and beat the poor man, and
the consequence is they drive respectable men out of the business. It is the fault of
nurserymen. I was riding with one of the leading nurserymen of Rochester, N. Y., and
I said to him, " Mr. B , do you instruct your agents to recommend the Russian Mul-
berry to people through the country?" "Mr. Rice, we sell just what people want.

That is our business." "Mr. B , how would people know that they wanted the

Russian Mulberry if your agents did not tell them so V Still the answer was, " we raise
and sell what people want." I asked him the question in another form. He says,
" Mr. Rice, let us talk about something else." (Laughter). Now, it is the money that
is in these things that makes the nurserymen take this course. They will put a novelty
on. They will say to a man, " go and I will give you so much a day." The tree will cost
him perhaps ten cents or five cents. He reasons — he does'not tell the man so — "you sell that
variety ; you tell them it is'something new and here is a flaming picture of it, and it is nicely
described ; tell them there was nothing like it ever grown in the world before and it will

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 23

bear the next year after you set it out — (Laughter) — and not only that, but it is the most
beautiful tree next to the Tree of Life almost, and fair to look upon, and everything and
you ask $1.50 for that tree." Now then, you see if this man gulls three men in a day he
more than pays his wages ; whatever else he does is clear profit. So that by making a
specialty of that kind they can afford to pay good wages to anybody that has got a
voluble tongue and a brassy face.

Mr. A. H. Pettit : I do not think at the present time we suffer to the extent that
we did a few years ago with this tree agent business in this country. I think that our
farmers and fruit growers, as a rule, have become very much better posted than they
were in the early days of this work, and, no doubt, in the early history many mistakes
were made. We have been discussing this question for years as a Fruit Growers' Asso-
ciation, and we appealed to the Government for a grant along that line to establish
throughout the province at suitable points, and to represent certain localities, fruit
experiment stations, where all the new kinds of fruit recommended by these people for
cultivation will be thoroughly tested and reported upon, in order that every information
can be given to the people in advance as far as it is possible to do so. These stations are
doing most excellent work, and the work is coming on as rapidly as it possibly can.
Another effort we are making is to have at the great Industrial Exhibition at Toronto,
where the largest possible number of people attend, an exhibit of the large variety of
fruits the stations are testing, and give all the information we can as to the hardiness,
productiveness and good quality of such varieties as are placed before our people to
plant, and therefore to buy. I think this difficulty will be overcome in a very few years.
I think the evil will cure itself very rapidly. Another point is in regard to cultivation.
I think horticulture is as fairly and well done throughout Ontario as any other branch
of agriculture. It is becoming better and better every day, and travel where you will
to-day you will see many samples of orchards that are well cultivated, well pruned and
very well cared for. (Cheers.)

Mr. Watkins, of Michigan : I think the manner of handling the tree list by our
Society is a good one. Every year we have a complete list of everything that is worthy
of cultivation, and some that are not. We have a committee that revises that list every
year. If a variety should become unworthy of cultivation, it is struck out. New ones
that are tested at our sub-station, under the careful supervision of President Lyon,
are put on the list, and that revised list is a very valuable feature. Our list of
apple trees in trial now is nearly 300, and there are two trees of each variety, and they
are fruited right along from year to year until they become what you might call
standard.

Mr. Race : We have not heard anything at all from any local men.

Mr. T. H. Parker, President of the Woodstock Horticultural Society : Our local
association undertook to correct the names of much fruit that they believed was improp-
erly named. They sent for Mr. A. McD. Allan, who was experienced in that line, and
he spent a day or two here and also visited St. Thomas and Ingersoll, and I was
with him at some of these places, and it was really amusing to see the strange
names that some of these apples had, and many of them were wrongly named. The
thing was not followed up, and I do not suppose that much benefit was derived from
that single visit. It seems to me that the matter rests a good deal with the local
societies. If they were willing to expend a few dollars in engaging an expert to
attend their fairs and act as a judge and correct the names of these fruits, it might
be a very great benefit to the country generally.

Mr. Leith, Woodstock : I think very often mistakes are made in the placing of
labels on apples at all, because they are not true to the names placed on them. I
have made it a point to get the proper names of certain trees in my own orchard
that may be starting to bear, and when I go to an exhibition, or a display like the
one you have here, 1 look very carefully at labels on fruit, supposing they are placed
there by men who ought to know, and I go away with the impression that I have got
the correct name, but sometimes I find afterwards that it was not the correct name.

24 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

I am sure the great majority of people who go to our agricultural shows pay very
little attention to getting information from the displays of fruit, and anything that
will give them the correct names of certain fruit, I think, would be desirable.

Mr. Thornton : I have attended a large number of local fairs in this county,
both this year and last, and know of only one fair in Oxford county where they
labelled the fruit. That was at Embro ; and the thought struck me that the idea
should be embodied in every exhibition throughout the Province. Hence I wrote this
paper. I believe it would do a great deal in educating the people in regard to
fruits. I know there is a very general ignorance by fruit growers as to the names of
their fruits. They may know what pleases them and what gives them satisfactory
returns in their own orchards, but they do not know what would be the most profitable
to grow for market, beeause they are not generally sufficiently well informed. In
attending some of our own local fairs, I noticed many fruits exhibited that were
wrongly named, and I also noticed that many judges knew absolutely nothing about
it, except a few varieties. Last year at a very important fair in our county the first
prize for Baldwins was given to a collection of Spitzenbergs. (Laughter.) This
year at one of our fairs the judge said, as he passed around (I was standing near by) :
"1 don't know anything about pears; I will just award prizes according to their
appearance ;" and he passed on the whole in that manner. I suppose people who
received the prizes went away with the idea that their particular fruit was the best
on exhibition ; and some of them were incorrectly named, and yet they obtained the
prize.

The Secretary : We were up at Clarksburg not long ago, and a gentleman
showed us a very fine tree of pears, and he said : " You see what fine Louise Bonne
pears we have here." I said : "Those are Clairgeau." He said : "That can't be; they
have taken the prize for Louise Bonne at the exhibition here for years."

Mr. Rice : You conduct your exhibitions here very different from what we do.
With us, if you can't read the label plainly, you can take it up and handle it, and no-
body will find any fault. A man will walk along and have a little word with you, and
there is nothing said to hurt your feelings, or anything of the kind. I visited your
fair in London and never saw such a beautiful display of fruit, but there was scarcely
a name I could see. I put my hand down to pick up a label and heard a loud voice
say : " Hands off !" I was frightened. Everybody was looking at me. Up above
everybody stood a man with an eagle eye watching. I did net know what to do I
went to one of the directors and I said : " My dear sir, I am from the United States, and I
want to look at your fruit ; I wish you would tell that man up there not to shout at
me again — he frightens me." (Laughter.) He called up and said: "Let this man
look at anything he wants to." I went around then and spent two hours looking over
the fruit, and I then found out that when the man shouted " Hands off !" he had no
reference to me. (Laughter.) If you could have more confidence in each other, it
would be better. Don't be so dishonest among your neighbors so that nobody can trust
you — (Laughter) — and do be more honest among yourselves, and tell yourself that you
won't steal anything, and let your neighbor find that out, too, and then when you go
in to look over this fruit you will have a great deal better chance. (Hear, hear.)

Mr. McNeill ; That is the John Bull of it. Down at Montreal some of the finest
grounds are enclosed with walls of stone six feet high, and I felt like getting dynamite
and blowing them down. Whenever you see that big six foot wall you may know it is
some hard-headed fellow from England or Scotland.

Mr. Watkins : We have taken down all our yard fences and opened the street.
(Hear, hear),

Mr. Morden : That is what we do at Niagara Falls, Canada, too, in addition to
those things mentioned by Mr. Thornton.

Prof. Craig : There are one or two other ways in which you can obtain the names of
your varieties — because that is one of the most important features along the educative
side, of value in our fall exhibitions. You have your provincial society here, the pre-

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 25

sident and secretary of which are experts ; then you have at Guelph a horticultural
division with Mr. Hutt as professor of horticulture, who will always be glad to identify
specimens for you as far as he can if sent to him ; and lastly at Ottawa you have an
institution that is willing as far as possible to aid in this work, and any specimens you
may send to me as horticulturist of the Experimental Farm I shall be very pleased to
examine as fully and as far as my other duties allow me. You may send specimens free
to the Experimental Farm. Then you have an important committee in connection with
this Association that is doing excellent work — the Committee on New Fruits, of which
Dr. Beadle is chairman, whose duty is to investigate the merits of all seedlings and fruits
without name, including new varieties to be put upon the market. Now if you will send
samples to me at Ottawa I shall forward them after examination to Dr. Beadle and to
Mr. McD. Allan, who is also a member of that committee and our combined observations are
presented at the annual meeting. We are. thus able in a measure to keep track of new
varieties.

A Delegate : Would you send one apple or two or three ?

Prof. Craig : It is always better to send four or five specimens, because it is very
difficult to get one apple that is exactly representative of its type. If you have five or
six, then I can send one to Dr. Beadle and one to Mr. Allan, so that we can make our
report much more conclusive and valuable. I trust that you will bear in mind these
suggestions and act upon them.

THE BLOOMING PERIOD OF FRUIT TREES.

Prof. Craig : Those who attended the meeting at Orillia, will remember a very
excellent paper we had from Professor Beach from the Experiment Station at Geneva,
N.Y. He gave us some very valuable information in regard to the blossoms of fruit trees,
and the power of the blossoms of the different varieties of grape vines to fertilize themselves
and so set fruit. This investigation was instituted by Professor Waite of the United
States Department of Agriculture at Washington. Mr. Waite worked on pears, and the
results of his researches opened up a very wide field for investigation, and it was some-
what in extension of that work that I began work on the apple blossom. I may say, how-
ever, that the work was begun previous to this season. My object at this time is to pre-
sent to you in a very crude, but I hope suggestive way the results of these investigations,
more for the purpose of asking your co-operation and for getting the fruit growers of this
province thinking about this matter, than to give you very valuable information at this
time — though I think there are some points that will be of interest and value to you.

NOTES ON THE BLOSSOMING OF FRUIT TREES IN CANADA.

By John Craig, Horticulturist, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa.

The cause of the unfruitfulness of orchards has always at horticultural conventions
and elsewhere been prolific of much surmise, conjecture and I may say variation of
opinion. The possibility of the trouble existing at least in part in the blossom has been
mooted only in recent years. As a rule, I think we are prone to lay too much stress
upon a single feature in the management of an orchard, and too little upon the collateral
practices which make a harmonious and well balanced programme in the life of the aver-
age apple orchard. Some orchardists pin their faith to varieties, others to location and
cultivation, others again to manuring or pruning, and perhaps still others — though I
have not yet heard of them — to spraying. Undoubtedly we cannot expect orchards in
which the trees are so closely planted as to be fighting for the mutual ground and per-
haps for nourishment at twenty years of age to continue long and of healthy and fruit-
ful condition. In passing, I may say that in certain localities with certain varieties

26 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

close planting is desirable and may be practiced with profit, but this is the exception.
Nor is it reasonable to expect trees to continue to yield profitable crops of apples year
after year, when year after year we are taking away from the soil and putting nothing
back.

But granted that the trees are planted at the proper distances apart, that they are
cultivated, pruned and manured reasonably and rationally, we do not in most cases reap
entire success unless the previous good treatment has been followed up by judicious and
well directed efforts, having in view the destruction of injurious and noxious insects.
There are instances on record where even after all this labor and all these various pre-
cautions have been taken that the orchard still remains obdurate and refuses to bear
defying all attempts to coax it into fruitfulness. One says root prune to stop superabun-
dant growth ; another says top prune to let in the light ; another says give manure to
stimulate ; another, seed down to check growth ; and still another, spray to induce fruit-
fulness. All these councillors may have been listened to, their advice acted upon, but
still without success. We then begin to observe the conditions which surround orchards
of a similar character. As a rule these observations lead to the conclusion that orchards
made of varieties intermingled are more fruitful than those in which the varieties are
separated and planted in large blocks. Professor Beach, in his admirable address on
this subject, before the Association at Orillia last year, cited a remarkable instance of
this kind. The orchard was made up in part of Baldwins and of Greenings planted
in blocks and in part of Baldwins and Greenings mingled with other varieties.

Where the two varieties mentioned were planted in blocks unmixed with other kinds
they were unfruitful, but when mingled with other varieties the converse was true. This
points at least to partial infertility of the blossom with its own pollen and points to
the desirability of intermingling varieties in the orchard. In the case of certain varie-
ties of American plums this belief has prevailed for some time and no doubt is well
founded. The valuable investigations of Professors Beach and Waite upon grapes and
pears clearly set forth a similar condition of affairs in the case of these fruits. Similar
experiments with apples have been commenced at Ottawa, but need further confirmation
before they can be announced with authority. In connection with these experiments
an attempt has been made to secure records of the blossoming period of the different
classes of fruits in the Dominion. To obtain such a record was only possible to the
kind co-operation of the fruit-growers of Canada. It gives me pleasure to acknowledge
the hearty and kind manner in which they have aided me in this work. The weather
was most unfavorable, however, for obtaining records which could be considered repre-
sentative of normal seasons. We all remember the extreme heat of early spring which
hastily awakened our fruit trees into blossoming activity, having finally the effect of
crowding the whole blossoming period in some districts at least, into the compass of a
few days. This so disturbed the natural blossoming periods of all fruits as to render
the records only relatively correct, both as to periodic difference between varieties and
the annual date of occurrence. Before going into the remainder of the subject, it might
be interesting to us for a moment to look at the construction of the normal apple
blossom.

The Apple Blossom.

The apple blossom exhibits a characteristic peculiar to the pomaceous division of
the rose family. On making a vertical section of an apple blossom we find the organs
composing it to be arranged as follows, beginning at the outside, first, a calyx or envelop-
ing and protecting sheath composed of five parts called sepals ; second, the delicately
coloured corolla, also of five parts called petals. These two series serve to protect the
delicate organs within from heat and cold and also attract to the blossom insects which
play an important part in the distiibution of pollen. The stamens or pollen-bearing
organs, fifteen to twenty in number, are arranged next in order on the top of the closed
receptacle. In the centre are found the pistils or carpels, five in number and correspond-
ing to the five divisions in the core of an apple. An elementary knowledge of the parts

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 27

of the blossom is essential to the intelligent application of the best practices in
orcharding.

To return again to our records, observations covering a great many points from
Prince Edward Island to British Columbia were made. These are in no slight degree
interesting, merely from the standpoint of statistical record, showing as they do the
great climatic variation discovered in travelling from west to east. If it is imperative
to the fullest success that varieties should be intermingled, then we should know the
most suitable varieties to plant adjacent to each other, and this we can only ascertain by
accurate observations extending over several seasons. These records also impress us
with a fuller knowledge of the climatic variation found in the comparatively limited
area of the fruit belt of Ontario. We find that Red Astrachan came into bloom at
Windsor on May 3rd, South Niagara on the 8th, Burlington on May 10th, Lindsay on
the 12th, and Ottawa on the 15th May. Northern Spy opened its flowers at Windsor
on May 8th, South Niagara on May 10th, Burlington on May 20th, Lindsay on 16fch
and Ottawa on the 24th, beina: a difference of twelve days in one case and sixteen in
the other. These two varieties also illustrate the comparatively wide differences in the
habits of trees with regard to their blossoming periods. The difference would be much
more strongly marked did Red Astrachan bloom with the earliest of its class. As a
preliminary result of these investigations the following groups may be arranged according
to the dates on which they were in full bloom :

1. — Earliest Group — Duchess, Fameuse, Mcintosh Red, Ben Davis.

o tvt-jji ., ) Baldwin, Golden Russet, Wealthy, Wagener, Yellow Trans-

2. — Middle Uroup } ' , . , , ' J) ^ >

r j parent and Astrachan,

«, y p 1 Alexander, Maiden's Blush, Northern Spy, Ribston Pippin,

' ™ j Roxborough Russet, Talman Sweet.

The pears easily fall into two groups as recorded the past season. It is probable
that during the normal season the blossoming period of some will be much longer and
probably considerably modified in many cases. They stand this year as follows :

1. — First Group — Howell, Keifer, Seckel, Sheldon, Anjou.

2. — Second Group — Bartlett, Olapp, Duchess, Flemish Beauty.

Plums.

1. — First Group — Burbank, Duane's Purple, Lombard, Bradshaw.

2. — Second Group — German Prune, Imperial Gage, Moore's Arctic, Reine Olaude.

Cherries.

In Ontario there was practically no difference in the blossoming period of different
varieties last season.

These notes are" offered only in a suggestive way to horticultural observers who may
be and I may say should be interested in this subject. Success will come to the fruit
grower of the present and of the future very much in the proportion in which hard
thinking enters into the details of horticultural operations. Allow me to submit this
subject as one of the details which will bear some thinking and upon which I make bold
to ask the co-operation of my friends, the practical fruit growers of Ontario.

Mr. J. B. Hall, of Woodstock : Is there any way in which we can assist in fertiliz-
ing the various kinds of fruit — whether we can do it by insects or otherwise ? If by in-
sects, what is the most useful and least expensive and troublesome 1

Prof. Craig : The paper I have just presented is an endeavor to get over some diffi-
culties in that way. By intermingling the varieties which blossom about the same time
nature will do the work, but to those of us who have orchards or blocks of single var-
ieties and do not find them profitable I would advise the keeping of bees or the top-graft-
ing of certain varieties with others which bloom at the same time.

28 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

Mr. Beadle : Advise both keeping bees and grafting too, otherwise they may not
get the pollen.

Mr. Hall : Are the bees a blessing or a curse 1

Prof. Oraig : I am sorry we have not that eminent defender of bees, Mr. Holter-
mann, here, who conducts the department in the Horticulturist. I think he could defend
the bee much more ably than I can, but I have not one iota of hesitation in saying that
the bee is a great blessing to the fruit grower. (Hear, hear.) ^^,.;;„^; (^ .'-.■-■•:; , ,.luW '",

Mr. Race : It depends somewhat on the end you are fooling with. (Laughter.)

Prof. Craig : I have even known cases when men fooled with the business end of a
bee that it proved a blessing. (Laughter.) I know that there have been statements
made to the effect that bees injure grapes, but I don't think they are well founded. I
think in every case that has been investigated it was found that the grapes had already
burst, and the bees simply visited the grapes to extract some grape sugar and grape juice ;
they are not provided with the kind of weapons to break the skins.

Mr. George Blake : What benefit to the fruit growers is this cross-fertilization t
Would it be a benefit to the apple grown from this blossom, or would you get the benefit
from the offspring raised from the seed ?

Prof. Craig : .Well fertilized apple blossoms mean usually well developed apples.
In case the fruit did not set of itself this year, then you would get the benefit this year,
but where your apples fruit freely then there is no necessity for further fertilization,
may say that no actual change takes place in the product of this year — that is, the fruit
is not modified to any extent by the pollen which may be carried from another tree.

Mr. Blake : It seems to me this is splitting hairs. It does not benefit us fruit
growers. Now the practical benefits to fruit men I want to see brought out clearly. In
raising fruit we have got to go back to the grafting system ; we cannot depend on that
fertilized offspring, and we lose the benefit of this cross-fertilization.

Prof. Craig : No, sir ; allow me to explain. If you want to get a new variety it
must be done through cross-fertilization ; if you want to [multiply that variety it is done
through grafting or budding.

Mr. Blake : As practical fruit raisers we do not want to raise new varieties ; we
want to get the benefit|of cross-fertilization in the present crop of apples. Does it do us
any good ?

Prof. Craig : Certainly, in a case where a variety has not sufficient pollen.

Mr. Blake : Our orchards are deteriorating and our fruits are not what they used
to be, so if we can benefit the present generation I shall be glad. I have been in the
fruit business for years. I have made a great many mistakes. If I had had the experi-
ence I have to-day I might have been thousands of dollars in pocket. My first mistake
was to go into too many varieties. I have been grafting and budding and experimenting
all my life. If I had just gone into two or three main varieties I would have been very
successful, but I have not made it a very paying business.

The Secretary : Have you not some varieties that do not bear very well ?

Mr. Blake : Yes.

The Secretary : Mr. Oraig has explained ^that if you want them to bear you should
plant some other variety near them.

Mr. Blake : If I had gone into Kings and Baldwins thirty years ago I would have
been independent to-day.

Mr. Short (Calgary) : I would like to ask Prof. Craig if he has run across any vari-
eties of apples, pear, plum or cherry that we will grow in Southern Alberta, south of Cal-
gary, in a dry section where we have to irrigate.

Prof Craig : We have had no success in any portion of the North- West Territories
in growing apples. I have had one specimen sent from Prince Albert last year — a speci-
men of Whitney Crab — which in that section was considered a great curiosity. I know

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 29

Prince Albert is a much more favorable locality than further south, as far as our experi-
ence with forestry goes to show ; but I do not think that we can hope with our present
list of apples to have any of them succeed in that climate. We have been sending out
seed of the hardy varieties of Russian apples and grapes to settlers asking them to plant
the seed and allow the tree to remain where the seed was planted. Perhaps we may get
fruit in this way, and I have advised them to go on planting seed until we find something
sufficiently hardy to stand the climate.

Mr. Short : What do you find the difficulty % Is it the Chinook winds 1

Prof. Craig : The trees have not the ability to stand the cold.

Mr. Short : I have planted trees. They would do all right the first season, but in
the next June or July they would die. They would leaf in the spring.

Prof. Craig : They had be^n root-killed.

Mr. Race : This gentleman (Mr. Blake) says that he has had an orchard of Kings
that he has made fruitful.

Mr. Blake : It is a very high locality, and they have been very average bearers
every year. I have planted them mixed with Baldwins. I do not know whether that
has prodnced an effect, because I have not planted them separately to see.

The Secretary : What are they grafted on 1

Mr. Blake : On the natural fruit stock, mostly top-grafted.

Mr. Race : And they bear every year 1

Mr. Blake : Bear every yearj and very fine, smooth apples, too.

Prof, Craig : Did they begin to bear young 1

Mr. Blake : Yes ; my oldest tree has been bearing for thirty years, and bears healthy
fine apples now.

Mr. Peart, of Burlington : It seems to be established beyond dispute that there are
some varieties of strawberries that are sterile, and at Orillia last year the Brighton and
Lindley grape and Bartlett pear were stated to be sterile. Have there been any experi-
ments to show that any variety of apples is absolutely sterile 1

Prof. Craig : I have been carrying on some work for two years on that line. It is
a very simple investigation. You simply have to cover the blossom of the apple with a
paper sack to exclude all outside pollen. At the farm at Ottawa we have not yet in
bearing a number of commercial varieties which I would like to report on, such as the
Baldwin, the King, the Spy, and apples of that class. I have got results of a great many
hardier kinds like Yellow Transparent and a number of Russians, but have not got re-
sults sufficiently definite to warrant me in giving them to the public yet. The experi-
ments will be carried on and the results published as soon as possible.

Mr. Beadle : Mr. Waite sent me a paper some two or three years ago in which he
set forth some investigation he had made, and he had come to the conclusion that the
Northern Spy was self-sterile ; that if you plant a large block of Northern Spys together
you would get no fruit. I remember at our convention at Hamilton Mr. Rice told us
about an orchard that had been barren of fruit for twenty-eight years, and he was be-
sieged with questions. I remember asking him if he had Northern Spys anywhere else
than in that block. He said yes, he had a few in an orchard near his house mixed with
other trees, and I asked the question if they bore there. He answered that they bore
very well there. Then I made the remark that botanists knew very well that there were
certain varieties of fruit that were self-sterile. I remember some shrubs that grew in my
own grounds that were self-sterile, but when I got other shrubs of the same variety planted
near they bore seed rapidly. Now, I do not know whether this Northern Spy is self-
sterile or not, but possibly this may be a solution of Mr. Rice's trouble. I sent a copy of
Mr. Waite's paper to the Secretary, who published it in the Horticulturist. I was in
hopes that it would fall into Mr. Rice's hands, and perhaps set him to try the experiment
of grafting some of his Northern Spys with some other variety and see if it would have
any effect upon his orchard.

30 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

Mr. Turner : I think the orchard referred to in Hamilton belonged to Mr. Fisher,
of Burlington, and he is here to-day.

Mr. Fisher : I have nothing more to say about that orchard. It continues to dis-
appoint me every year. I would like to ask Mr. Craig if in the course of his experi-
ments he is prepared to recommend a variety for each group — a variety strong in pollen
that would be suitable for fertilizing each group that he has made according to the time
of blossoming.

Mr. Craig : Mr. Fisher's question opens up another avenue. He says, " A variety
strong in pollen." That means a variety with pollen of more than ordinary vitality. I do
not know that.

Mr. Oaston : Or abundance of it.

Prof. Craig : It is not always the abundance of it ; it is the character of the pollen
itself, and that can only be found out by testing the germinating power of pollei just as
you test the germinating power of seed. I cannot tell you whether the pollen of one
variety is more vital than that of another.

Mr. Fisher : It is the fertilizing power we are after.

Prof. Craig : Well, that lies in the vitality.

Mr. Boulter : I have 400 Golden Russets in one block and I have never had a
crop of apples on them yet, and they have been thoroughly cultivated. They are all
Golden Russets with the exception of two or three Ben Davis that were bought from an
American for Golden Russets. (Laughter.) Wherever those Ben Davis' are they are
bearing, and a little radius around of the Golden Russets have had apples on. I have
200 more Golden Russets, and the first thousand trees I put cut, that have a row of
Northern Spys and Maiden's Blush put ris;ht through them, and there I had some Golden
Russets this fall, and that is all I had. On the other side of the orchard there are 300
Northern Spys in a solid body. Mr. Caston has been recommending top grafting, and
I think I will take chances on that and top graft some of those Golden Russets. It is
possible that the Russets having no other variety among them may be the cause of their
not producing as well as they should. I never thought of that till to-day.

Mr. Hall : I think if you got two or three bees in your orchard they would carry
your fertilizing element, although I don't suppose you would then get any honey for
your table.

Mr. Caston : There are some seasons when the bees don't get a chance to work.

Mr. Hall : Then you don't get any fruit.

Mr. Caston : No. I am never so well pleased as when I see the bees busy. Last
spring we had an extraordinary spectacle, the trees being white with blossom and white
with snow at the same time, and the bees had no chance to work. The next farm to
mine had an orchard that did well because the bees worked there when they could not
work in mine. I attributed the difference largely to that fact. I was asked if there
was any apple that would fertilize the Spy. I think this one shown here is suitable. It
is known in our district as the Red Pound ; the Fruit Growers' Association named it the
La Rue, and it is known in some sections as the Baxter. It originated down near
Brock ville, I think, on the St. Lawrence. I would recommend any one who is trying
the experiment of grafting their Northern Spys to try the Baxter. It is a free grower.

Mr. Sherrington, Walkerton : I am in favor of bees as a fertilizing power in
orchards. In a village in our vicinity an old Scotchman who had a considerable plum
orchard, said to a large bee-keeper one day when the weather was very still and damp
and the bees were not flying, " Are your bees flying to-day ?" The bee-keeper replied
"No, it is too cold, damp, wet." "Well," said the Scotchman, u my plum trees are
ail out in bloom, and I can have no plums this year." Neither had he. Another man had
another orchard of plums that were in full bloom a little time before or after this incident.
The weather was fine and the bees were flying in the orchard thick. The man had
fires all over the orchard smoking the bees away. He said, " You must take these

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. ' 31

bees out or I will not have any plums ;" but the bees did not care for the smoking and
kept on with their work, and that man had a large crop of plums. If there had been
winds to carry the pollen from one bloom to the other the Scotchman would have got
plums, and so would the second man without the bees, probably ; but the bees were the
main means of bringing the crop of plums to that man's orchard.

Mr. Boulter : Don't you think the smoke drove the curculio out of the plums ?

Mr. Sherrington : The curculio comes after the plum. I have a large orchard
with Spys in a block, and I have noticed times that they did not bear ; still I think
they are not so far away but what they can be cross-fertilized with the other varieties,
and I think it is very wise in planting to intersperse different varieties in the orchard.

You are all aware that there are varieties that will not self fertilize, and I think
it is a very important point in planting to mix the varieties ; but care should be taken
that the soil is suitable tor the different varieties. I have found on certain soils the
Baldwin does well and on others it does not do anything. When the soil suits, the
Baldwin is a good variety to plant with the Spys.

Mr. Boulter : What is the best soil for Baldwins 1

Mr. Sherrington : In our localities the best is a light soil — a sandy loam. On
the clays they don't do so well. I would certainly put bees in any orchard that has not
got them. I would never think of trying to grow fruit without bees.

Prof. Craig : We should not go so far the other way as to think that all fruit
tree blossoms are unable to fertilize themselves ; in other words are self sterile. The
majority are, and I was speaking of the exceptions. Most of the European plums
are able to fertilize themselves, the blossoms being self-fertile, so that if they don't bear
fruit it may be on account of some climatic influence — very great heat or sudden
and prolonged heavy rains I think would wash away pollen so as to injure fertilization.

Mr. Hall : The professor has forgotten that he told us a few moments ago that it
is important to have a foreigner to marry with this lassie bloom — that cross- fertilization
is what was wanted to make a good offspring.

Prof. Craig : But you must remember that there are different sections of this sub-
ject. I was speaking of producing new varieties. I told Mr. Blake that the pollen of
another variety had no influence on the fruit of this year, but if he wanted to pro-
duce a new variety he must cross it.

Mr. Hall : The strengthening quality of the apple, for instance 1

Prof. Craig : That is what I say. Ordinarily it has no effect on the fruit of
this year in changing its appearance other than helping development generally.

Mr. Hall : Does not it make it better in quality, larger in size, better in shape ?

Prof. Graig : I don't think it will affect the quality or shap?, but may improve
the size.

Mr. Sherrington : In one of our orchards a very close observer found growing
on a Rhode Island Greening a perfect Golden Russet. All the difference was that just
around the stem you would see the Greening, but the rest was a perfect russet. In the
spring he cut the apple, but there was not a perfect seed in it. What was the cause ?

Mr. Blake : I would like to ask, if the fertilizing fruit does not affect the present
year's fruit, why do we plant strawberries of different sexes to fertilize the blossoms, to
have the fruit of the present year ?

Prof. Craig : To get fruit. In one case you don't get fruit, and in the other case
you do get fruit. There are exceptions which nobody can explain. In all the animal
kingdom we have what we call " sports." I had two specimens of apples sent into me
this year each of which exhibited two varieties. One was a Golden Russet on one side
as per feet as could be, and the other half was Ben Davis ; and the line of demarcation
was just as clear cut as if it had been painted by hand. I don't think this was the
effect of cross-fertilization ; it was probably a " sport."

32 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

The President : What was the flavor 1

Prof. Craig : The flavor was Golden Russet throughout. It grew on a Golden
Russet tree. I had another specimen of the same kind from Nova Scotia These I only
regard as " sports," and I don't know of any way of accounting for them.

Mr. Sherrington : I have frequently met with raspberries where one-half would
"be red and the other half yellow. Is not that accounted for by the fertilizing of the
fruit in its blossom 1

Prof. Craig : I don't think so, because you can't get that constant effect every
time. T have crossed hundreds of blossoms of strawberries and apples without that
result.

Mr. Watkins (Michigan) : In my immediate vicinity there is a large tract of coun-
try about twenty miles long and two or three miles wide, called the Burr Oak Plains,
very fertile farm land, and most excellent fruit land for about twenty years. All of a
sudden that land, planted to orchards, began to dwindle, and after twenty-five years
there has not been a bushel of apples taken out of the entire tract. We have such tracts
all over the state. Every device that we could conceive of has been tried to produce
fruit on this ground — frequently farm lands bearing heavy crops— a clay shale with a
great deal of lime and plenty of potash, and supposed to be excellent fruit land. Now,
if the pollenizing is perfect, what is the reason of all kinds of varieties failing on that
land 1 Right by the side of that land there is a rise of broken land with a heavy clay
loam bearing fruit perfectly to this day. You can almost throw a stone from one to the
other along its whole line. It seems to me that sterilizes the whole matter of pollen-
ization.

Mr. Beadle : Do those orchards blossom well ?

Mr. Watkins : Perfectly, and perfectly thrifty trees, but no fruit.

Mr. Boulter : And plenty of bees 1

Mr. Watkins : Yes, sir.

Mr. Rice (Michigan) : I don't want you to learn any wrong lessons from my
orchard, and if you can learn any good lessons from it, and get any good out of it, you
will do better than I can. I will make you a little statement in regard to it. My
orchard is situated in Wayne county, New York, the banner county for apples in the
world. (Hear, hear.) If the evaporated fruit from that vicinity could be made up into
apple pies they would reach continuously around the world. (Laughter.) My orchard
stands on a hill, which is mostly heavy clay loam. As you stand on that hill in spring
time and look along up the ridge road to the west and off towards the lake and see the
orchards in bloom in every direction, you will see that you are in the midst of a garden of
orchards, and they are all productive. I was always quite a theorist, and about
thirty years ago people said that nurserymen were ruining their stock by continually
cutting their grafts from nursery rows ; and I said I will not ruin my orchards. I sent
to Rochester for the trees. I said I cared nothing for the varieties, I was going to top-
graft my trees from the very best stock to be obtained from the whole country ; and I
got good, nice stock, and I think that they stated that they were mostly Alexander
apples, but there were some Northern Spies in the stock. After planting I had an
expert go right through and top-graft. In cutting the scions I went to my father's
orchard twenty rods away down on the ridge road — just down hill, as you might say —
and I cut from Baldwin trees that were planted fifty years ago, trees bought from Max-
well Bros., of Geneva, and which, from the time they were large enough to bear, had
never and have never really failed a crop. I cut, not from water-sprouts, not from
lower limbs, but from the top limbs of the tree, so as to be sure to get the place where
the wood was best developed and the buds best developed and in the best order. I did
the same with my Greenings, and we went through and grafted. The stock took remark-
ably well, and the trees throve and grew, and I thought of the happy days I was going
to have selling the fruit and living at ease. I waited for those days, and they didn't
come. I went off to Michigan, where I had a piece of wild land, and I have been strug-

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 33

gling along there, occasionally going down to look at my orchard. I have not been there
for four years. I don't care much about seeing it. One year the Greening trees bore
$500 worth of fruit. I got half of it. The Baldwins have never borne a crop. The
orchard extends in such a manner that the corners are on the south of the orchard, the
furthest from the crown of the hill, and there are the longest rows in the orchard, the
hill being narrower in the west end and wider in the east end. There are four rows of
Greenings on the south of the line the entire length, and then come in the Baldwins.
A few Golden Russets were planted about half way among the Baldwins. Two or three
Red Astrachans were planted, and one or two earlier apples, and so on through — they
were scattered through the orchard. Now, we have tried to get a crop of fruit, and we
did not do it, and we can't tell why. The orchard blossoms, yet the trees don't produce.
That orchard over the fence that I used to go and steal apples out of when I was a little
boy is still there and bearing in a very nice way.

PEAJl GROWING FOR PROFIT.

Mr. E. E. Beman, of Newcastle, read the following paper :

In preparing this paper, I have endeavored to give a few practical details, necessary
to observe in making a successful business of pear growing, gained from experience in a
fairly successful pursuit of pear growing for market for some twenty years, with an
orchard of about two thousand trees. I will be as brief as possible, giving mainly prac-
tical pointers and leaving the theoretical part of the subject to others who may have more
time to spend in that line.

The first thing to be taken into consideration is the soil and situation, for if that is
not right, the whole business will only result in failure. I do not think there is much
use to attempt growing pears any great distance from the ameliorating influence of the
great bodies of waters with which our province is so abundantly supplied. The best soil
I bslieve to be composed of a good, rich clay loam surface soil, with a deep alluvial clay
subsoil. The pear being a deep-rooted tree, requires a soil in which the roots can extend
downwards without obstruction, so as to obtain a plentiful supply of moisture, but the
subsoil must not be springy, nor too retentive of water, unless it can be easily under-
drained. The worst soil, in my opinion, is a cold, wet, quicksand subsoil.

In preparing the soil for planting, I would work it in about the same manner that I
would if I intended to grow a first-class crop of grain by manuring, plowing, clearing
from weeds and getting it in good condition for spring planting.

In planting an orchard for profit I would select standard trees. Dwarf trees may
possibly succeed with a great deal of petting and pampering, but I have had no success
with them in my own orchard. Select good, thrifty, but not too rapidly grown trees,
not more than two years old. I would much rather have good one-year-old trees than
three years old at the same price. As to what varieties to plant, this is a difficult ques-
tion to answer. A variety that will succeed well in one locality may not do so a few
miles away, or even on an adjoining farm if the soil is different. The surest way is to find
out what varieties succeed in your own locality and on a similar soil. You also want to
take into consideration the market you send your fruit to and what varieties sell at best
prices. I would not advise planting too many varieties unless you are like myself, fond
of experimenting and willing to lose money in doing so. Of course you can top-graft
any that do not prove satisfactory when they come into bearing. As a rule I do not think
the very early varieties are profitable. The principal varieties that I grow in my own
orchard are the following : Bartlett and Clapp's Favorite. Duchesse Precoce ripens a
few days later than Bartlett, resembles it in appearauce, not quite so good for dessert, but
very fine for canning, an exceedingly productive and profitable variety. Wilmot, a local
seedling, not quite large enough, but very hardy, healthy, productive, of good quality when
well grown and a good shipper, ripening from ten days to two weeks later than Bartlett,
usually sells at fair prices. I also grow the following in smaller proportion : Anjou,
Winter Nelis, Sheldon, Beurre Bose, Boussock, Goodale Howell, Mount Vernon and
about one hundred and fifty other varieties, new and old, for the purpose of testing them.
3 F.G.

34 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

There is one thing I want particularly to call your attention to and that is the distance
apart to plant the trees. They are generally planted too close. I made that mistake in
planting my own orchard, and now have to suffer the inconvenience of their being too
close together to conveniently drive between the rows for the purpose of spraying and
drawing out the fruit. Mark out the rows twenty -five feet apart, the rows running north
and south if possible to allow each side to get the benefit of the sun. They can be planted
a little closer in the rows, say about twenty feet. Prepare the trees by cutting off any
broken roots and cutting back the last year's growth from one-half to three-fourths to
balance the loss of the roots. Plant as early in the spring as the ground can be got in
good condition, that is, when the earth is comparatively dry and friable.

Your orchard is now started, but do not think the work is quite finished, it has only
commenced. On your careful attention to it now depends the pleasure and the profit to
be derived from it in the future. Give it careful cultivation You can grow any kind of
hoe crop to make it pay expenses, but do not grow any kind of grain crop, as by so doing
you will seriously injure the trees. Put on sufficient manure to keep up a good healthy
growth of wood. They will require special attention to trimming while young. The
natural form of growth of the pear is the pyramidal, and it is best to train them in that
form by giving careful annual attention in the latter part of winter and eaily spring, cut-
ting back shoots that may have grown too strong, thinning out superfluous ones and occa-
sionally pinching back some of the strongest in summer. You can get a well formed
pyramidal top, with about three branches in each tier and each tier about eighteen inches
to two feet apart, always watching that the lower branches have the advantage by keeping
the top ones cut back or pinching back in summer. After the trees get well into bearing
they will not require much trimming, only occasionally cutting out any interlacing
branches and dead wood. I am now coming to a point in the management of a pear
orchard in which many of you will disagree with me. We will suppose the trees have
attained a good size, some commencing to bear freely. I would now seed down to clover
and endeavor as much as possible to keep it into clover by annually sowing a few pounds
of seed late in the winter, just as the snow is nearly all gone. Then when you have a very
fine crop of grass don't get too greedy and try to take two crops from your land — a heavy
crop of hay and a fine crop of pears. Be satisfied with the pear crop alone. Out your
clover about the same time it blossoms out and let it remain on the ground to rot and you
will have a splendid mulch; keeping the sod comparatively open and the soil moist. The
decayed clover will give you the nitrogen and humus necessary to keep the soil in
good condition Then before your pears are ripe cut the clover again and leave it also
on the ground, never removing any of the hay, and you will have a nice clean orchard
to work in with a good soft cushion for any pears that may be blown off. 1 cannot say that
this method will answer equally as well in all soils, but I know from practical experience
that it is a success in my own orchard. I have about two acres that has been seeded to
grass about ten years, and it is the part of the orchard that has the best and largest trees,
has had the least loss from blight and has produced the most and best fruit. One special
reason I have for advocating growing in grass is the greatly diminished liability to blight,
which is undoubtedly the greatest drawback to success in pear growing. In the part
seeded to grass I have had veiy little loss from blight, while the cultivated part has suf
fered severely. I have it nearly all seeded down at present.

In regard to manures, I am inclined to think that the pear requires heavier manuring
than the apple. I would use freely of stable manure, but not enough to produce too rank
growth. As the ashes of both wood and fruit contain large quantities of potash and phos-
phates, I would apply plenty of unleached ashes if easily obtained ; or if difficult to get,
would use muriate of potash, to give the potash and bone dust to supply the phosphates.
I will not in this paper say much about picking, packing and marketing. Pick most of
pears before fully ripe, especially the earlier varieties. A very good way to tell when to
pick is to gently raise the pear, and if it parts freely from the branch it is ready to pick.
Handle carefully all through. Use the cleanest and neatest package you can get, whether
barrels or baskets. Never use old dirty barrels to save a few cents. Pack under cover
to keep all clean, and pack honestly, keeping out all wormy and poor fruit. You can

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 35

feed them to the hogs or sell them at home as culls. Then you will not be ashamed to
put your name on your packages. Have them as good in the bottom of the barrel or
basket as on top, and in time you will become known as an honest grower and packer,
and you will get much better prices than you would by putting a few poor ones into the
packages and spoiling the whole sample. In marketing, if you send to a commission
merchant try to pick on an honest and reliable man, and send all your fruit to him rather
than sending to several men in the same city. As a rule you will get better prices by so
doing, as your name will become known to his customers and they will take your fruit in
preference to other brands not known to them

Regarding the profits of pear culture, I think it pays as well and perhaps better
than most branches of fruit culture in this province, providing all the conditions of soil
and locality are right ; but if they are not you will find the business very unsatisfactory.
Not that I would discourage anyone from planting, but merely advising the same caution
you would exercise in commencing any other business pursuit. If you know by other
treea growing on your own land or in your immediate vicinity and on similar soil that
they succeed, you will be safe to plant. Otherwise I would advise planting a few at first
until you ascertain the adaptability of your soil to their growth.

The Secretary : I visited Mr. Beman's orchard this summer, and can vouch for the
truth of what he has stated — the thrift of his trees and the excellence of
his orchard — in every particular, and the excellence of the fruit that he grows
under the methods that he has discussed. His orchard is beautifully situated on the
north shore of Lake Ontario at Newcastle. His packages stand high in the Montreal
market as those of an honest packer, and he is getting the benefit of that reputation. I
think it would be interesting for us to know how he packs the fruit, the packages he uses
and so on.

Mr. Beman : I have sent to Montreal market, which I find generally better than the
Toronto market. I find that barrels pay better than baskets, taking into consideration
the price of the barrels and the putting in the fruit. As a rule I put all my best
pears in barrels. Possibly the Montreal market required a little different plan of packing,
but I have been informed by the commission men there that they send a great deal of
fruit out to other points, and they want it picked a little on the green side, and they
rather have it in barrels. As for baskets, I packed quite a few, and they are
sold in Montreal. This year I sent quite a few baskets to Toronto, and they did better
than what 1 sent to Montreal. I always pack under cover ; it keeps the fruit and the
barrels and everything else cleaner. I very often in the barrels make two samples.
Yery often if I have very fine grown ones I will make two or three or four
barrels of the very best that I have and mark them as " Extra choice selected," or some-
thing in that way. The second quality would of course be of first-class fruit, even in size,
but not large. I think by keeping the large ones out and putting them in a separ-
ate barrel you would really get a better price for the mediums than if you put
the extra large ones in. Then I have a third class occasionally with some varieties, and
I send them to market and advise the commission men what the quality is and sell them
on their market. I put in them nothing but sound, nice fruit in every respect, though
not so large. If I can sell the culls at home, well and good ; if not, I feed them out.
Hogs will eat them, and it is better to do that than lose money by sending them away.

Mr. Race : Do you pasture sheep or hogs on the orchard 1

Mr. Beman : I never pasture sheep or hogs at all. My soil is very deep. The sub-
soil would be a good alluvial clay running down some places possibly eight or ten feet
before you come to any stone at all, and of course there is any amount of moisture down
there, and I don't find any difficulty from grass drying out ; in fact I cut the grass down
and it lies there, and at any time in the summer you may lift the grass up and find the
ground all moist often in the driest seasons. The grass perhaps does abstract consider-
able moisture, but if the land is bare it will abstract it. I would be inclined to deal with
apples in the same way as I have pears.

36 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

Mr. Beadle : You have not been troubled with field mice ?

Mr. Beman . No ; I keep a good many cats, and they keep the mice down.

Mr. Rice : How do you protect the birds if you keep cats 1

Mr. Beman : They have to stand the chances.

Mr. Boulter : I understand you to say you put the trees^about twenty or twenty-
five feet apart.

Mr. Beman : I put mine sixteen feet apart, but if I were planting again I would
not put them closer than twenty-five feet. In the oldest part of my orchards the
trees have been planted twenty-one or twenty-two years, and the branches are so low
now that I can scarcely drive through in spraying them.

Mr. Boulter : As I am a large buyer of pears I was particularly pleased about
that point in packing. I will hunt you up next summer.

Mr. Fisher (Burlington) : Have you never had trouble from mice 1

Mr. Beman : Not for ten or fifteen years.

Mr. Fisher : How long have you been pursuing this practice 1

Mr. Beman : I have had one part seeded down now about ten years without
having plowed up.

Mr. Fisher : The trees were large trees when you commenced this practice 1

Mr. Beman : Yes.

Mr. Fisher : You would not dare to do this among small trees ?

Mr. Beman : Oh, certainly not, I would keep it cultivated till the trees com-
menced to bear, or till the trees get a good size — for probably eight or nine years.

Mr. Boulter : Don't you tread the first snow that comes in the fall around your
trees ?

Mr. Beman : No.

Mr. Fisher : That would be an awful task.

Mr. Beman : I have two thousand trees. You can tramp a great deal in a day,
but I have never done it. One year I did lose quite a number of tree3.

Mr. Fisher : The greatest disappointment that I have had in growing fruit trees
was from field mice. I have endeavored to keep the orchards perfectly clean, but that
doesn't keep the mice out. I find tracks of mice every spring all through my orchards
that have been plowed and cleaned all through the season. They go through the orchards
every winter in spite of the cultivating, and orchards that have been cultivated regularly
are just the same as those that have not been cultivated. You say your experience with
dwarf pears has not been satisfactory ?

Mr. Beman: Not at all, I have not had any dwarfs now for about ten or fifteen
years. I planted about forty trees altogether, a number of varieties, and they gradually
disappeared and I have not one left.

Mr. Fisher : My experience with the Dwarf Duchess has been eminently success-
ful. I have a large number of trees, and they have borne well and paid me well. The
fruit sells well and it is of a pretty good quality.

Mr. Beman : In my locality the Duchess is not a success at all.

Mr. Boulter : I noticed that Mr. Beman eliminated the Flemish Beauty entirely
from his list.

Mr. Beman : I was so well pleased with the Flemish Beauty when I started that I
planted 1,200 trees ; but when they commenced to scab I top-grafted the whole lot
except a few large ones. There is one point perhaps I should mention, and that is, for
instance, the Bartlett, which is not a high growing tree. I have found as a rule it is
rather strong and begins bearing very early. There is one variety I intend to plant ten

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 37

acres of — that is the Tyson, which is one of the hardiest growing trees. It is large and
strong, and grows in pyramidal form. When they get large enough, in say two or three
years' growth, having formed a nice top, then I would top-graft them to any other
varieties that I think suitable. But the Tyson is not a success as a market pear, in
some sections being rather small.

Prof. Craig : Would you top-graft on the main branches 1

Mr. Beman : I would top-graft as far out as I possibly could. I don't top-graft
any branches more than from a quarter of an inch to an inch stock. Of course this
involves a great deal more labor in top-grafting, but I lose less time and have a
better crop.

Prof. Craig : Have you tried the Keifer 1

Mr. Beman : I have tried the Keifer. It grows well for a time and after that
it becomes unhealthy. I planted three or four trees and lost all of them.

Mr. Dempsey : Does the Keifer grow large with you ?

Mr. Beman : No.

Mr. Morden : The Keifer in Southern Ontario and Western Niagara would be a
success on light soils, and will grow a fruit that not a half a dozen men in this room would
stick up their nose at ; but grown further north in Ontario or on soils more clayey, the
quality I think would be rather doubtful, but at Niagara Falls we can get a magnificent
crop of very nice fruit every year, and it only failed this year from that late frost.

Mr. Beman : I am trying a somewhat similar one, the Garber, a seedling from some
of the Japanese varieties of pears, and I find it grows and succeeds a little better than
the Keifer, but I think it is scarcely a good pear for canning. It has not been satisfac-
tory to me, only it is a very fine grower, and it might make a very fine stock ; I cannot
tell yet.

Mr. Morden : Keep your Keifers on the trees as long as you can.

Mr. Beman : That is what I do I keep them on^the same as I would any winter
pear.

Mr. Boulter : Have you found the Sheldon a good pear 1

Mr. Beman : It is not a perfectly hardy pear, and with me it has blown off very
badly ; otherwise it was a fine market pear.

Mr. Boulter : The Bartlett is rather delicate.

Mr. Beman : I think it is better to graft it on another variety. I have top-grafted
150 Flemish Beauties into Bartietts, and they are much larger than the trees that we
originally planted as Bartietts ; so I think that if I wanted to grow Bartietts I would
do better by growing them on a hardy healthy stock off larger trees, and produce better
fruit.

Mr. Boulter : I put out 500 pear trees in 1879. In 1884 and 1885 I lost every
Bartlett, every Sheldon, Osband's Summer, and Beurre d'Anjou ; and all I had left was
Clapp's Favorite and Flemish Beautys. The rest were winter killed. I am very anxious
to grow Bartietts, as we use an immense quantity of them for canning, and we are now
top-grafting all our Flemish Beautys with Bartietts. I have great hopes of the Sheldon
pear.

Mr. Orr : I have planted pears on virgin soil that has never been cultivated, and
that has been in sod since they were four years old. 1 cultivated them up to that date
to give them growth, and I have them that have been cultivated regularly, and the blight
has affected them equally ; I see no difference whatever. I have never lost a tree of
Sheldons ; they are bearing splendidly, but as stated, they are apt to drop off. Every
tree of my Clapp's Favorite is gone. I think the mouse question can be easily settled.
We want one more association — the No-Fence Association. (Hear, hear). Twelve years
ago in our section we determined to have no fences and we had a great fight with the

38 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

neighbors and with the municipal council, but we prevailed, and we took down our fences.
The fences and the old ditches are the harbor for mice. We put tiles into the old drain-
ing ditches and closed them up. We had no fences between our neighbors, no fences
on the road, and we have no mice.

A Delegate : Where do you live ?

Mr. Orr : Fruitland, nine miles from Hamilton.

Mr. Fisher : I would like to ask Mr. Beman if in his experience in grafting large
trees he has found the growth of top-grafted pear trees any more subject to blight than
that of a tree that has grown up from the roots.

Mr. Beman : No, I have not ; in fact 1 never noticed any difference.

Mr. Fisher : We had trees where the fruit was no good, and we top-grafted them,
and for several years I raised Bartletts of superior quality on these grafts, but they have
been blighted terribly ; a top-grafted pear tree is more liable to blight.

Mr. Beman : In those two acres I spoke of there are about 150 in that block of
Bartletts top-grafted on the Flemish Beautys, and I don't think I have lost more than
one or two ; in fact in the whole 300 I think I have only lost three or four trees.

Prof. Craig : Some three years ago I attempted to get some information with regard
to the prevalence of blight in orchards cultivated in different ways, and to investigate the
subject generally. I sent out a number of circulars to as many pear growers as I could
find over the provinces of Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia, and asked a number of
questions, and in duplicating the results I found about 65 per cent, of replies were in
favor of growing pears in sod with a view to immunity from blight, and these replies
were based on their experiences in that method of cultivation, and it was quite in line
with what Mr. Beman said, though I think with Mr. Orr that you find exceptions,
that it is impossible to account for. But I think in the majority of cases after pear trees
come into bearing they are less liable to be affected with blight if grown in sod. Experi-
ments have shown that the bacteria or germ which causes pear blight grows much more
rapidly in a variety which has a superabundance of juice, and any variety when growing
rapidly has much more juice in its tissues than when growing slowly. Arguing along
that line, it is more reasonable to suppose that a variety growing rapidly would have more
juice in its tissues and would be more likely to be blighted than otherwise. So I think
Mr. Beman's method would be the right one in the majority of cases, and would hold true.

Mr. Beman : I have seeded down two acres, and was so well satisfied that I seeded
the rest of the orchard last spring, but some of it had got a little dirty and I wanted to
have it in a nice condition ; in fact, I have been growing strawberries, which is not a very
nice crop to get in good condition if you allow it to go too long. While on one part I
sowed buckwheat, partly to get it into good condition — I thought buckwheat was good
to sow in an orchard anyway — I summer-fallowed the other part. The part I summer-
fallowed blighted very badly. The blight was very bad that year ; blight seems to follow
certain years. The part that was in buckwheat did not average nearly so bad. The next
year I changed around again and the part that I seeded I sowed a few oats on, and the
part that had been in buckwheat before, I summer-fallowed ; and the part I summer-
fallowed then was worse than the other, and the part that had a little grain in I suppose
kept the soil cool and it was much freer from blight than the other. Judging from that,
I would say that the soil should be protected in some way, either by growing grass or
buckwheat, or by mulching.

Mr. Boulter : Have you ever tried putting ashes around the trees 1

Mr. Beman : Yes, and it is a great benefit.

The Secretary : Would Mr. Fisher tell us what packages he uses for the Duchess
pear, and when he puts it on the market 1 We would like to know because the Duchess
has not been very profitable of late.

Mr. Fisher : I got my best prices from a full barrel of hard green fruit. I make
more grades than Mr. Beman does. I always take out a fancy grade, and I consider

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 39

this fancy grade of mine away beyond No. 1. (Hear, hear). There is no place in the
barrel suitable for it. If it is left with the pile we of course would put it on the
face, and it does not fairly represent the contents of the barrel, so we put it in a
barrel by itself. Then I make about two grades— a No. 1, according to the sizes, and
a No. 2 — and always keep out the soft fruit and put it in a barrel by itself. This
will make five or six grades of almost any kind of pears that I handle. As to the
time : last winter I had a considerable quantity of Bartlett pears kept in Montreal
in cold storage till about the 1st of April, and my commission men were so disap-
pointed at the result that they paid the cold storage themselves. I think there is no
time so good for selling pears as during the season of pears.

Mr. Boulter : When a man wants to buy them.

Mr. Fisher : People are looking for them then, They are not looking for them in
the spring or any other time out of their season. If we had some means of extending
the season so that we could hold our fruit for a week or two till the glut was over, it
would often sell at better prices than if sent forward when we now have to send it ; but
my experience with Montreal market this year was a little different from Mr. Beman's.
I found Montreal market good for pears when mine were ripe. I got telegram after tele-
gram from Montreal asking for pears, and those that I sent down there sold well at $10
a barrel.

Mr. Smith : Did you get $10 a barrel for Duchess 1

Mr. Fisher : No, sir. Bartletts.

The Secretary : What was the date ?

Mr. Fisher : 1 don't remember the date ; it would be perhaps the 10th of September.

The Secretary : You kept them as long as you could in the orchard %

Mr. Fisher : Yes.

Mr. Morden : Do you plant your dwarf trees deeply ?

Mr. Fisher. I plant them very deeply, so that the union is at least a foot below the
surface, and it may be that my trees root above the union and become standard. We
have trees on the farm that have been standing for forty or fifty years. With me the
dwarf tree is not a temporary tree.

The Secretary : I have been differing from both these gentlemen in shipping Bart-
lett pears. I always put the finest fruit in the smallest packages instead of the biggest.
Extras I put in a basket ; and I fancy I do better in that way than if I put them in
barrels. With regard to extending the season of the Bartlett I have usually tried to do
that, because at the height of the season they bring a very low price when the markets
are full of them. So for two years past I have sent a lot of baskets of prime Bartletts,
that were picked firm, to a cold storage warehouse, and paid to have them kept for two
or three weeks until the glut of Bartlett pears was over. That just simply prolonged the
market. By doing that I found I could get an advanced price over what I would have
got had I sold them immediately. I think perhaps that is about the best way we can
handle our Bartlett pears. I think Mr. Beman has the advantage over us all in that
respect, as I understand he can leave his pears in his orchard unpicked, and save his cold
storage altogether, until about the time when we would keep them in cold storage. His
situation on the shore is such that for some reason or other I believe he is able to leave
them unpicked until the season for selling.

Mr. Fisher : There is a gentleman living in Burlington who raises a considerable
quantity of pears, %-ho used boxes last year for shipping to Toronto. Each individual
pear he wrapped in tissue paper by itself, and he realized about $12 a barrel for fruit
shipped in that way. The size of the box was about four to the barrel.

The Secretary : But the secret of the high price was the time he put them on the
market more than the package, probably.

Mr. Fisher : They were put on the market at the time of ripening ; they had no
cold storage.

40 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

Mr. Huggakd : I have some sixty varieties of pears and some four or five hundred
trees, and am interested in pear culture. I live near Mr. Beman, and have been watching
his orchard. Our system is to grow corn the first year the young trees are set out — in
other words, to cultivate the land thoroughly. In twenty years I have only lost fro'n
blight some eight or ten Flemish Beautys and one Clapp out of eight I attribute thus
very largely to the extensive use of ashes. 1 have been asked twenty times a year how to
get black knot out of cherries and plums. I replied at once, " By using plenty of ashes."
I have never seen a tree where there was an abundance of ashes put round the roots that
had black knot on it, that is if the ashes were put on before the tree was affected by black
knot.

Mr. Orr : Is it the same with blight 1

Mr. Huggard : My pear trees that were blighted and died got the same treatment
as the other ones. In an orchard immediately below Oshawa, in a far more favorable
locality than mine and equally as good land, I don't think the owner has three trees left
in good condition out of 600. He didn't use ashes. I have a good word to say for the
Keifer. I think I was the first man in South Ontario that had the Keifer growing. I
brought it with me in a valise from Philadelphia from the Centennial, and have had them
ever since. The trees never show the first sign of blight. They commenced to bear when
they were three years, and some of them when they were two years planted, and they bear
incessantly — (Hear, hear) — and if anyone will tell me how I can grow just half the num-
ber without spending time to take them off, I will be very grateful. On some of my trees
this year I had thirteen props, on some nine, and so on. The quality of the pear depends
largely on its cultivation and treatment afterwards. Situated as we are, immediately
on the north shore of Lake Ontario, we often get an easterly wind and south-westerly
wind tha,t damages a large number of orchards over our section. It is largely the
farmers' fault that they lose so much. The last twenty or twenty five years I have been
preaching to the people to plant evergreens, but because they get them for nothing
they won't set them out. In the county of Kent we find men that will buy five or ^six
thousand evergreens to set around their orchards for protection, and they grow
thirty or forty feet high. They have larger crops than we have in Oxford or Ontario
county, because the wind is a very serious thing in our apple and pear orchards. We
trim our young pear trees severely the first two or three years until they commence
fruiting. We cultivate the ground and keep it very rich, so that when they are about
six or eight years old they are in pretty full bearing. We set them out 16x20, and so
far our trees don't seem to interfere, because they bear so much fruit annually that
their limbs are simply like weeping trees, A pear like the Keifer with me overbears,
while we have one or two other varieties that bear too many pears. We have quite
a number of Clapp's Favorite that are large, beautiful, lofty, clean trees. I would
not plant another Clapp's Favorite if you were to give it to me for nothing, because
with me they will not bear. I have twenty or twenty-five Beurre d'Anjou, and
they have not yielded me half a dollar a tree since they were planted quite a number
of years ago. On the other hand one Keifer tree realized $11, and the Bartletts
usually produce from five to eight dollars a tree where the fruit is allowed by the
wind to remain till picking time. We make three grades of our fruit. If I am passing
a tree any time through the summer and see a pear that is cracked or knotted I take it
off the tree at once. If I see a twig or a branch that I think should be removed it comes
off at the same time ; and keeping an eye to business like this you soon get a neatly
formed orchard without having to remove great large branches later on, which it is very
injudicious to do. I find where you feed the trees and take care of them they will take
care of you, without a doubt. I believe a large percentage of the blight to-day is pro-
duced by not thoroughly underdraining your soil. Mr. Beman said he would not set an
orchard out in any soil if it had a swampy or leachy bottom ; that is the worst kind for
an orchard, but more especially for pears. I have a few Duchess trees which load every
year with very fine specimens of fruit. We market our Keifers usually in barrels. I
sent some thirty baskets to Montreal the other day, as they were requested instead of
barrels for local use. Last year I sent them in barrels and realized a good profit. My

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 41

Keifers hare paid me double any other kind of pear except the Bartletts. I think the
chief trouble about pear growing in this country is that growers do not first make the
land rich enough. They don't underdrain it enough, and they seed it down too soon after
the young trees are planted. I don't purpose cutting out any wood till after the tree
commences fruiting. I think I have a very handsome young orchard growing. With
regard to cold storage, I just finished constructing one last week ; I have brought a speci-
men of some summer apples we have kept in i; since the frost began until now.

Mr. Rice announced that the delegation from the Michigan Horticultural Society had
brought copies of their annual report for 1894 for distribution, and would be glad to have
the names of local societies to whom they might be sent.

PROFITS OF FRUIT GROWING.

The Secretary : There are one or two questions that might be taken up. One is
" Should inexperienced men be advised to leave their business and engage in fruit grow-
ing for profit 1 " You know that very often psople interested in the sale of trees are
inclined to rather exaggerate the profits of fruit growing. Now, I don't think that is the
wish of this Society. We want to place before the public an honest view of this business.
The other day I had a visit from a gentleman who is head master of a high school at a
salary of $1,500 a year. He said he had been directed to me for advice, and wanted to
know whether I thought it would be advisable for him to throw up his position and go
into fruit growing. His age was about forty and he had two or three thousand dollars
saved up and he was ready for hard work and thought he could do a good deal better and
have a more comfortable home for his old age by going into fruit growing. I told him I
would not advise him to do it and he was very much disappointed, and when he went
away he thanked me for my advice, but nevertheless he said " I am inclined to go into it

yet."

Mr. Morden : In my neighborhood of Niagara Falls I think I have seen more men
fail at fruit culture after they go into it in that way than any other employment I can
think of. I find our grocery keepers and our various tradesmen endure pretty well, but
our fruit growers come and go, and the same is true somewhat of market gardening.
There is a popular fallacy that there is a lot of money in fruit, that any man that cannot
succeed in anything else can succeed in fruit growing. There is nobody knows more
about farming than the man that lives in the centre of a very large city (laughter), and
it is so in regard to fruit growing. I think our friends in the Grimsby district would
agree in saying that there are a lot of people who rush into it and rush out ol it again.

Prof. Oraig : I would like to hear Mr. McNeill's views.

Mr. McNeill : I am in the position of the high school master who gave up a very
good situation to go into fruit growing (laughter). I can say here that I do not regret it
— (Hear, hear) — although I have been in the high school at least one month of the twelve
ever since I left it, and like to get back, for no one enjoys teaching better than I do, and
I had a first-rate laboratory just as I wanted it for teaching natural science ; yet, can-
didly, I am very glad I gave it up. I am much better physically, and I believe mentally.
School teaching is usually regarded as an intellectual occupation. In most cases a man's
intellect can't get to a funeral quicker than by taking up a class. He has to get out from
his associations and strike out on independent lines before he can maintain his intellectual
life ; that is my experience. The man who will devote himself exclusively to a school is
on a fair way to intellectual decay. 1 would like to qualify that a little if I had time,
but I cannot take time to do it. In addition to that I like to work, and I would rather
to-day go out and work in a vineyard or a corn field than to be cooped up in any school-
room that I know of for a whole day, and taking the whole work all the way through it
is pleasant, and if any man cannot enjoy being out in the sunlight and air there is some-
thing wrong with him. (Hear, hear.) But as a money making institution fruit growing
has not altogether been a success. For one or two years we made money rapidly — there

42 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO

happened to be good times — but during the last two years we have had to learn some
severe lessons of economy to make both ends meet, and I would nob recommend it. I
would say it is almost impossible for any high school teacher at the age of forty to make
fruit growing a success. His physical powers are so run down that he cannot make a
success of the work. At forty it is difficult for a man to get his body into position for
the work — it is a dangerous experiment. If he has always been used to violent exer-
cise it may not hurt him, but if he has always been in a school the chances are that
the wrench to his physical system will be more than he can stand and his pocket will be
decidedly worse. I have no hesitation in saying that ninety-nine people out of a hundred
that go into fruit growing without a preliminary training on a farm from youth, or some
other training in a preliminary way, will fail. I will put this as a rider. I got into it
partly from the love of it and partly because I dabbled in real estate. 1 found a property
that I thought was going to rise in value, and I thought I would not only get the increase
in value, but make a profit out of it. I made it in that way, but I lost it in the actual
practice of fruit growing. Notwithstanding that for a number of years I have been
experimenting upon a large tract of land, yet when I got into the actual practice of fruit
growing I found I had to begin almost at the bottom and learn tbe details all the way up.
There is just as much in fruit growing as in anything else. A lady of my acquaintance,
noticing the rough condition of my hands, asked me if I did not think I was wasting my
life up there on the farm, at the same time complimenting me on my ability. I said " I
find there is just as much opportunity for the exercise of every bit of ability that is in me
as I did in the Windsor High School — (Hear, hear) — and if there is a bit of brains that is
not thoroughly and systematically exercised on that farm, I would like you to find it
out." (Hear, hear.) I don't feel it in any sense derogatory to me or anybody else to go
into the matter of fruit growing. I feel just as much dignity when I am drawing a
load of manure to the back end of the farm as I ever did when I was before a class. At
the same time there is no money in it. A man is not sure every year of making a little
beyond his expenses until he servos as an apprentice. If he has served his apprentice-
ship on a farm and is a man of considerable brains he can make money by it. I have
served my apprenticeship now, and I believe I can make money out of it. There is
money in it, but not for the amateur. It is a trade, it is a profession, just as much as
any other profession, and has to be learned in the same way. As a novice would fail if he
went into the watch-making, so if he goes into the fruit growing business he will fail.
(Hear, hear, and applause).

Mr. A. H. Pettit : I would just like to give the audience a living example in this
matter of fruit growing. Here is a gentleman who has taught a high school for a
number of years, and he is here to-day as a practical fruit grower with all the energy
any man might wish ; you can see that from his remarks. I visited his place and saw
that everything on his farm looks prosperous and successful, so I think he stands as a
successful example of a fruit grower, coming to the place where my friend Mr. Woolver-
ton advised the other high school teacher not to go. In regard to Mr. Morden's remarks,
you can't point me a man in the Niagara district that has left the profession of fruit
growing and gone back to farming or any other business. If there is any one profession
above another where a man can live an enjoyable life, a profitable one, a successful one,
and one that he can leave and hand down to his children, it is fruit growing. That can
be followed out to advantage by the man who mixes a considerable amount of brains
with his work. (Hear, hear, and applause).

TOP GRAFTING ON TOLMAN SWEET.

Mr. President : Mr. Oaston has a subject which he will introduce now.

Mr. Caston : I think the question of top grafting on hardy varieties is one of the
most important for fruit growers in this country. The King stands at the head of all
apples to day, as you will find from circulars sent from the Old Country ; and yet the
trouble is that it is not a good bearer. There is more money in that apple if you could

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 43

get it to bear well than any other apple in Canada. Last year and the year before the
Newton Pippin brought a higher price in United States, selling at thirty shillings a
barrel, but the popular taste in the Old Country is more favorable to a colored apple.
This year we find the King sells away ahead of the Newton Pippin, having been 3old as
high as twenty-three shillings a barrel lately, while the Newton Pippin has not brought
more than eighteen or twenty. In the fall of '94 1 found an orchard about five or six
miles from my home on the side of a hill where an American had been around a few
years before and put in a seedling, and a graft had been put in on each side of the King,
and it was literally bent down in the shape of a cone loaded with the finest specimens of
King apples I ever saw. It was facing the south and these grafts were growing on the
old seedling. I always advocate grafting these tender varieties on a hirdy stock, for
you will find that it is the stock of a tree which first gives out. Sometimes we have
found them to be killed by the frost, sometimes bursting of the bark, and in 1884-5 we
had them killed in the crotches — I lost sixty in that way. Such varieties as the Tolman
Sweet and the Duchess would stand any year in almost any climate, and when we top-
graft them in the branches we get above the point of most danger. It stands to reason
that that hardy trunk is more able to carry up the nutriment to those tender varieties
than its own trunk would be. [Mr. Caston here exhibited specimens of the King and
Duchess of Oldenberg of about the same age and taken from about the same position in
the orchard.] The wood of the Tolman Sweet resembles that of the Duchess very much.
I claim we should have that kind of wood to resist the coldness in the winter. When
Mr. Blake said he succeeded in growing the King by grafting it on a seedling he struck,
a most important point. We cannot grow the King in our county successfully at all by
growing the tree on its own roots. It is too tender. They will grow till they begin to
bear, and then they will do the same as the Greening, the Baldwin and the Northern
Spy ; but you can grow them by top-grafting them on a native seedling or on a Tolman
Sweet. I prefer the Tolman Sweet because you are absolutely sure you have a hardy
stock to graft on. I think the Tolman Sweet is a longer lived tree, and it does not
require so much training, and it forms a very nice top for grafting on. This grafting
requires to be done while the tree is young ; it is not a bit of use grafting on an old tree
while the wood has become dark. Make about three graftings of it, and it takes but a
very few. to form a top. After my experience of twenty years along this line I think
this question of grafting the best varieties of fruit is one of the most important in this
Province of Ontario. It is perhaps not important to the Niagara peninsula or the
southern counties, but it is to the northern counties. I think it would apply 10 pears as
well as apples.

Mr. Bla.ke : My experience in grafting Kings on the bearing trees has been most
successful. They bear more heavily grafted on the bearing trees, while the trees that are
grafted on to Kings while they are quite young are not as fruitful as those that have
been grafted in late years on older trees. I have noticed that in grafting them on Golden
Russets the Kings are more prolific bearers than when grafted on any other variety.

The King in this last twenty years will outsell any apple in this market. I
could fetch Kings in this market and sell every bag ; there would not be another apple
sold till those Kings were sold.

Mr. Rice (Michigan) : This matter was brought up in our Society, and Mr. Morrill,
of Benton Harbor, made a statement that in his orchard he had a number of varieties of
trees. Among others were the Tolman Sweets and he re-grafted his Tolman Sweets to
some other variety growing alongside of it. As they came into bearing his re-grafted
Tolman Sweets yielded him from year to year about an average of four bushels of fine
apples more than the same variety in the rows adjoining. Now, if that is true it shows
a great and very important difference in the amount of money you are going to take from
your orchard ; and I have taken pains to ask the people about the country if they have
known of any instance where Tolman Sweets have been grafted to any other apples, and
what the results were, and invariably they were heavy producers of fine fruit.

44 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

Mr. Sherrington : I think there have been some good suggestions thrown out here
for your experimental stations to take up ; for instance this top-grafting on to different
varieties of stocks. With us the King is not a good bearer at all. The trees seem hardy
and thrifty growers, but they do not bear the fruit. In other locations not far away it is
said that they bear very well. Now possibly there is something in the soil to cause this
King to bear.

Mr. Race : I did not know there was any difficulty about the hardiness of the King-
Mr. Oaston ; Oh, yes.

Mr. B^ake : There is a distinct variation between that apple and the one shown on
the table.

Prof. Craig : One is from British Columbia and the other is from Ontario.

The Convention adjourned at 5.45 till 7.30 p.m.

FIRST DAY— EVENING1 SESSION.

This session was held in the Town Hall, Hon. John Dryden presiding.

Hon. Mr. Dryden said : I am very glad to meet you, gentlemen. I have come
because I want the Fruit Growers' Association to realize that I am just one of themselves,
and consequently I want the outside public to understand and know definitely that I am
in hearty sympathy with the work you are engaged in, and that anything I can do at any
time to further the work of the fruit growers or assist the work the Association is doing,
I will be only too glad to do it. This Association is one of the oldest in connection with
agriculture in this province. I remember the work it was doing in my younger days.
When I was a young man I was a member of the Association, and I have now on the
farm trees growing which came through this Association. I believe in those old
days a good deal of the work of the Association was lost somewhat — tbat is to say, no
real record was kept of it, and although good did result, not as much resulted as if a good
record had been taken of what was done. No real record was taken of the results of
sending out new fruits. At the present time the Government is not suffering any infor-
mation of this kind to go to waste, but gathering it up for the benefit of the public.
(Applause.)

Mr. J. S. Cole, Mayor of Woodstock, said : It affords me great pleasure to be here
with you, and in my official capacity to welcome you. In doing so I am sure I voice the
sentiments, not only of Woodstock, but of the surrounding districts, and I think the dele-
gates last year deserve a great deal of praise for drawing the Convention to this town. It
advertises our town to a great extent and brings strangers here. We are proud of our
town, and consider it one of the best in the province. We are all interested in it, both
young and old, male and female, and interested in the development of one of the industries
that I look upon as almost in its infancy. I think the people are just waking up to the
fact that there can be markets opened up for the productions of this country. (Applause.)
While I am glad to see a number of men from our rural districts taking an interest in
this industry, I regret that at this season of the year our town is not looking its very
best. It has got on its winter mantle, and is not so attractive as it would be in June.
I think in no town in this province are there people that take more pride in keeping trim
and neat their premises and boulevards than in Woodstock. Our town is noted for its
maple trees. I offer to you the freedom of the town, and extend to you a very hearty
welcome. (Applause.)

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 45

ADDRESS OF WELCOME.

Mr. T. H. Parker, President of the Local Society, read the following address of
welcome :

Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen of the Fruit Growers' Association :

On behalf of the Woodstock Horticultural Society I beg to thank you for the honor
you have done them in holding your annual meeting here under its auspices. The infor-
mation that we may get from so many trained and experienced fruit growers and horti-
culturists will no doubt be very valuable to our members, as well as to the province
generally. Your Association is doing a good work in developing the fruit growing
capabilities of our country. No government can spend a reasonable amount o money to
better advantage than in assisting such institutions as yours.

Our society has not been in existence more than nine months, yet we have about
ninety members. We have not done much as yet, but hope that these meetings will stir
us up to greater efforts. The annual meeting of your Association took place here about
twelve years ago. I believe it was a most satisfactory meeting to all concerned. Trust-
ing that this meeting may be equally so, I again thank you for your presence here.

Hon. Mr. Dryden : On behalf of the Fruit Growers' Association, I am asked to
offer a few words in reply to what has been said by these gentlemen. I am sure the
fruit growers appreciate the words of welcome that have been given, and the truthful-
ness of the remark about this being one of tho best towns in the province. The
difficulty with me is, I have just left another town where we had a meeting last night,
which, they say, is best described as the Royal City, and they claim that is the bast spot.
It seems wherever you go there is a certain amount of pride which the local people have
in their own town or city. I am very glad that is so. Often, in visiting various towns
in company with the Lieutenant-Governor, I ha^e seen over the archwav the words,
" Welcome to the Garden of Ontario." It seems every town and every city is the
best, and every township and every county is the garden, and the only thing a stranger
can conclude is that all the towns are beautiful and that all the country is a garden
spot. (Hear, hear.) My friend, in giving us welcome, spoke about the information
they will be likely to receive from these meetings. I am very glad he suggested that
thought. That is just exactly one of the things that it is expacted will ba given to the
public by an association of this kind. Since I have had the honor of occupying the
position which I do in the Government of this province I have been endeavoring to use
the information which you, gentlemen, bring to these meetings by extending it to the
people generally, that a connection be made between the farmers of the country and my
Department, and I have offered to give them all the information which you receive here
in a report which will be published later on. I conceive in that way that I am fulfilling
one of the legitimate functions of my existence as head of the Department, by conveying
information to the people so that they will be enabled to do better for themselves than
they have ever done before. I believe in the education of everybody, and this is one
kind of education which I refer to. I believe that those who are to undertake fruit
growing ought to know something about it; and I don't know any other means of dissem-
inating information except to use the experience of the oldest fruit growers, and to have
it put in such shape that those who cannot attend these meetings may read ^ in their
own homes. Then my friend suggested that all classes of the community are interested
in the work of this and other agricultural societies ; that is another good thought which
ought to be emphasized here. We have had such experience as compels us to the view
that this country depends perhaps more than we have thought on the success of agricul-
ture. All classes depend upon it. Depression in agriculture touches the agricultural
pocket first, but it is now touching the pockets of the people who live in the villages,
towns and cities, and whether they are willing to admit it or not, they are forced to the
conclusion and conviction that it is nothing but the truth that if our agriculturists do not
prosper neither can they. Therefore all classes of people should give a helping hand to
carry forward this good work. We are glad to know that the fruit growers are to have

46 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

the freedom of this town. I would suggest that the Mayor did not mean that you are
to go away without paying your hotel-bills. — (laughter) — What he means is that you are
to have perfect liberty to walk up and down these beautiful streets without fear of being
molested by anybody — (laughter) — He means that you are to have the use of your eyes
here, and take whatever you can that will benefit you that you are permitted to see in
the city. I trust that you will use the freedom he has just given, and that you will go
away feeling that this is a good town in which to hold conventions, and that you may
have some disposition to come back on another occasion. I am sure that every member
of the Association will be pleased with their visit here, and I trust the meetings will be
of such a character as that not only the people in Woodstock will receive information
but that the members of the Fruit Growers' Association themselves will receive valuable
information to aid them in their important work. (Applause.)

PRIVATE CONSERVATORIES.

Mr. D. W. Karn read the following paper :

I have had the above suVject assigned to me for a short paper. In opening this
question for discussion to-night I feel myself utterly incompetent to deal with the
subject, having no knowledge or experience apart from the little I have obtained in
connection with my own home life. Therefore I shall only speak of it from the stand-
point of growing and producing flowers, shrubs and foliage plants for private use.

Most modern houses to-day, especially in our towns and cities, are lighted by gas,
and when this is the case it is almost impossible to succeed in the cultivation of
flowers, as the gas is a deadly element to all plant life. The only means to over-
come this difficulty is to erect consepvatories or greenhouses adjoining the house, but
so separated as to exclude all the blighting effects of gas. In designing a conservatory,
light, heat, air and water have to be considered. The simplest form of constructing a
conservatory is a lean-to, so built as to face the south if possible. This can be made
ornamental if so desired by means of architectural embellishments.

Heating is a very important item. The best and most approved method is hot
water. There are numerous styles of hot water boilers, but they are all built upon
the same principle, each inventor striving to expose the greatest possible heating surface
to the action of the fire. It is preferable to heat the conservatory independently of the
house, as during very severe weather it is necessary to force the fire in order to maintain
a proper degree of heat, which in many instances would give too muchrheat in the house.

Ventilation is accomplished in various ways. In small houses by lifting or sliding
the sashes placed in the roof for that purpose. Shading is required as spring approaches,
when the rays of the sun increase in power and light. This can be accomplished by
washing the glass with lime-wash or with whiting and milk, but if you prefer you can
use a screen of muslin or thin cotton.

A conservatory covering some 550 feet of surface measurement and about 5,000
cubic feet of air space can be sufficiently heated in all kinds of weather with a hot
water boiler costing from $50 to $75 and will consume from five to six tons of coal a
season, sdUhat with an outlay of $250 or $300 apart from the running expenses anyone
may have a conservatory, together with all the enjoyment and pleasure of being sur-
rounded during the dreary months of winter with beautiful flowers and green foliage.
To love and cultivate flowers is one of the few pleasures that improve alike the mind
and heart and make every true lover of these beautiful creations of infinite love, wiser,
purer and nobler. It is a pleasure that brings no pain, a sweet without a snare. If we
would develop and increase the appreciation of the beautiful and our ability to enjoy the
marvellous beauty which is everywhere around us we must have the educating and refin-
ing influence of plants and flowers in the home. Our homes must be made attractive so
that lasting influence for good may be thrown around those entrusted to our care. The

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 47

Creator doubtless could have made a world without a flower, but He in His wisdom did
not do so, and after creating man in His own image He placed him in a beautiful garden
in which was every plant that was pleasant to :he sight or good for food. When man
became a law breaker he was expelled from this garden and had to work for food among
the thorns and thistles. In all parts of the civilized world to dcy the refinement, inno-
cence and happiness of the people may be measured by the flowers they cultivate.

The conservatory places within our reach at all times plants and flowers for the
decoration of our parlors and dining rooms. There is nothing to my mind that lends so
much charm and beauty to any home as a tasteful disposition of plants and flowers.
The amount of genuine satisfaction, rest and pleasure that a business man receives and
enjoys in spending a few minutes in the conservatory each and every day more than
repays him for the additional expense incurred in maintaining the same. I am convinced
that many who could afford the expense of a conservatory if they would only try the
experiment would be loud in their praises of the pleasure and satisfaction derived there-
from.

The necessary materials used in building a conservatory can be purchased already
manufactured to shape, so that any ordinary carpenter can easily construct and complete
the work. The putting in position of the hot water pipes is only the work of a few
hours by some competent steam or pipe fitter. With the conservatory thus completed
you are in a position to cultivate successfully plants and flowers, native and otherwise.

THE ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE AND HORTICULTURE.

Dr. Mills said: Not being a horticulturist, I have but little to say to you this even
ing, therefore I asked the chairman to be so kind as to allow me to speak what little I
have to say before my friend Dr. Saunders, who has had so long and so varied an experi-
ence as a horticulturist, that he might have the remainder of the time at the disposal of
the meeting. I desire first of all to congratulate you most sincerely on the work which
you have done and are doing from year to year in this province in sending out new vari-
eties of plants and fruit trees to be tested by the members of the Association in different
localities : secondly, in preparing lists of apples and grapes adapted to the different
climatic conditions which we find in this province. I think that a very valuable work,
and I hope you may extend it to cover plums, raspberries, pears and some other fruits.
Thirdly, I congratulate you on the dissemination of much valuable information through
the publication of the Canadian Horticulturist, which has done and is doing such valu-
able work. Fourthly, I congratulate you on the publication of so valuable papers, ad-
dresses and discussions in your annual report — so valuable as to amply justify the Minister
of Agriculture in spending the public money in distributing it to the people and farmers
of the province at large. Fifthly, I congratulate you on the help you are giving to the
Minister of Agriculture in carrying on the work of our provincial fruit and experiment
stations. That help already given has been valuable, and we expect to have it continued.
Sixthly, I congratulate you on the very valuable assistance which you gave the Govern-
ment in making so excellent an exhibit of fruit at the Centennial Exhibition in Phila-
delphia and at the great World's Fair in Chicago. (The chairman: Hear, hear.) I have
often asked myself whether it was really possible that at that ^reat Fair, with such extra-
ordinary competition as there was there in fruit, that this Province of Ontario should
actually receive about thirty-five per cent, more marks or points for its fruit exhibit than
any state in the United States. Think of it. Thirtv or thirty-five per cent, ahead of
California, of Florida, and of the great State of New York, of Oregon, and of every other
state in that great country. It seems to me a very great achievement, and that great
credit is due in the first place to the ability, industry and enterprise of our people at
large ; in the second place, to the assistance given by the Government to make that
exhibit ; in the third place, to the help of this Association from its directors and members
all over this province ; and fourthly, and largely to our friend Mr, A. H. Pettit, one of

48 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

the esteemed members of your Association. (Applause.) Now, I have often thought of
that achievement. I don't know why it has rested on my mind so much, but it actually
has, because it seems to me so extraordinary indeed ; and as often as I did so I have said
to myself that of the many wise and good things which the Hon John Dryden has done
since he became Minister of Agriculture, he never did a wiser or more magnanimous
thing than when he selected a strong pronounced political opponent, Mr. A. H. Pettit, to
prepare our fruit exhibit and to take charge of it at the World's Fair at Chicago. (Ap-
plause.) I say it is a blessing to a country when men in high places do the best thing
for the country regardless, to some extent at least, of party claims and party demands.
(Hear, hear and applause.) Now I want to say that in my own judgment Mr. Pettit did
his work there about as well as it was possible for any man to do it ; and had a less able,
less shrewd and less energetic man charge of the work of preparing that exhibit and look-
ing after it in Chicago, the results would I know have been very different, because he
had very able and very shrewd men to compete with at that great World's Fair. Now,
I came here merely to bring greetings from the Agricultural College at Guelph, from the
staff of that institution, and tell you we are interested in your work and wish you abun-
dant success in every department of it. We are doing something in horticulture at Guelph,
but in judging us I wish you always to bear in mind two things : First, that our clima-
tic conditions at Guelph are very unfavorable — I believe even more unfavorable than at
Ottawa, as some of you know — and in the second place that we cannot, like our friends
at Ottawa, devote the whole of our time to experimental work. At Guelph our chief
work is to instruct the young men who come to us from year to year, and our horticult-
urist, like other members of the staff, has to give altogether the greater portion of his
time to education rather than to experimental work. We are doing something along the
line of horticulture at Guelph. We have a course of lectures on fruit growing con-
cerning the varieties grown in this province, methods of preparation, planting, culti-
vation and all the rest of it ; second, on vegetable growing ; we have a large vegetable
garden for practical instruction and a full course of lectures on the growing of vegetable ;
third, on floral culture to some extent ; and in the fourth place to a limited extent land-
scape gardening. That is the outline of our course of instruction in the department of
agriculture. In addition to that we have, I think, a pretty thorough course of practical
work in the outside department. In grafting we have practice throughout the winter ;
we have a building and all appliances adapted to that work until students become some-
what proficient in the work of grafting. We have pruning work in season on apples,
raspberries, vines and other plants. We do something at hand-pollenization, and endeav-
or to give a practical course in testing and planting seeds, the preparation of plants by
cuttings, by budding and transplanting, the preparation of soil for greenhouse plants,
and in the preparation and application of spraying mixtures. As to the equipment for
work in horticulture, wd had very little until the present Minister took charge of the
Department of AgricuHure. I think now we can claim to be as well equipped in these
lines as most institutions on the continent. We have a nice young orchard — I am sorry
to say it is a young orchard, because a good many mistakes were made years ago in plant-
ing out orchards chere in the wrong place, and they had to be rooted up. We have a fair-
sized vineyard, a small-sized fruit plantation presenting a fair variety ; we have eight
acres in forest-tree plantation ; a good arboretum on the College lawn arranged originally
by our friends Messrs. Saunders, Bead-e, Beall, Dempsey and some others. It has since
grown to be a very fine one, and of great service to us in instruction. Then we have a
large group of flower beds in front of the College throughout the summer and autumn,
and we have a garden of about six acres devoted every year to the growing of vegetables
for practical purposes, and also for purposes of instruction. We have six good green-
houses, I think up to the requirements of the present time- — one large house for forcing
vegetables for winter and early spring growing lettuce, radishes, cauliflowers, rhubarb,
cucumbers and tomatoes all through the winter and until such vegetables can be obtain-
ed from the outside in early summer. Then we have a good propagating house with a
very good propagating oven in it, and an intermediate house, a tropical house, a conser-
vatory, and perhaps what is more important, we have a house that is adapted more es-

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 49

pecially for laboratory -work of students in hybridizing, seed- testing and other things of
that kind, and close by we have a large and commodious class-room so arranged that the
plants can be taken in there all the winter through to illustrate lectures on horticulture
and botany ; and in conjunction with that class-room we have also a room for microscopy,
furnished with microscopes and all other appliances necessary for the study of plant
physiology and plant etiology, including all the injurious fungi that fruit growers are
struggling against at this present time. So that you see in our course of instruction and
our practical work we have a fair outline for doing something that ought to be of value
to the students who come to us, and also to the province at large. We have not had
this equipment long, and have only got nicely to work, but we hope in the near future to
be able to do something that will be of benefit to you and to us and to the country in
which we live. Now I wish to refer to one or two items of our experimental work. I
wish to tell you that the black walnut is growing very nicely with us, to our surprise, not-
withstanding the inclement climate of Guelph. We have a nice clump that was planted
in 1880. The growth is slow, but the trees are growing healthy. The average diameter
is between five and six inches, some of them reach between seven and eight inches in
diameter. This is something we scarcely expected in the neighborhood of Guelph. Last
year our horticulturist, Mr. Hutt, planted 123 varieties of strawberries in a plot near the
College, and if he can protect them from the students and citizens and visitors we have
through the summer we hope he may be able to report something in regard to that work not
many months hence. We have only begun experimental work, and the time is chiefly
token up with teaching, but we hope to do something more in that line. (Applause).

The Chairman : Mr. Mills has referred to my magnanimity in appointing my friend
Mr. Pettit, but he does not know I have had to suffer for it. Not long ago I was
engaged with a member of the Conservative party, and this was one of the attacks he
made upon me, that we had spent too much money in connection with the World's Fair.
He read two or three items, and two names were mentioned. One of these was my friend
Richard Gibson, of Delaware, and the other my friend Mr. A. H. Pettit. When I took
occasion to tell my good man that these two men, whose names he had read out, were
members of his own party, he blushed all over his face and wished he had not said any-
thing about it. (Laughter.) But I said these men belonged to a different type of Con-
servative to what he happened to belong to. Mr. Gibson and Mr. Pettit are both loyal
to the best interests of their province, whereas this man wanted to find fault with us
because we were holding up our province to the gaze of the world and advertising our
products everywhere. (Applause.)

THE PROGRESS OF HORTICULTURAL WORK AT THE DOMINION

EXPERIMENTAL FARMS.

Prof. Saunders, in introducing his paper said : While sitting here, I could not help
recalling the scene of twelve years ago, when I had the pleasure of being present in this same
loom at the annual meeting of this Association. I was thinking what a world of change
has taken place during those twelve years — the great volume of information that has been
given to the public on the subject of fruit growing, and the wonderful advancement that
has taken place over the whole of the Dominion in the cultivation of these most valuable
articles of diet ; the twelve volumes of the Horticulturist that have been published since
then, replete with information in every direction ; the twelve annual reports of the
Fruit Growers' Association which have been distributed among thousands of farmers,
carrying to them all the information they need in regard to the cultivation of varieties ;
the enlightened measures which have been adopted by the Province of Ontario ; of this
preparation of which we have heard so admirably from Dr. Mills for the instruction of
young men at Guelph, which has all been established since we last had the pleasure of
meeting at Woodstock — not the instruction itself but its horticultural department — largely
through the earnest efforts of Dr. Mills, aided by the kind help of the good Minister of

4 F.G.

50 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

Agriculture at his back ; and the young men of the present day have all these advant-
ages which we old fellows of the past have never had the privilege of using. However,
we have done our best. I miss some faces to-night that were here twelve years ago.
Some have gone to their long rest — some noble men who have done good work. I am
thankful, however, that a good many of the old faces remain to grace the present
meeting, and I hope that those who are here of the old stock, as well as many of the new,
will be spared for many years to continue the good work they have been doing. The
study of horticulture embraces both the science and art of the cultivation cf fruit, garden,
plants and ornamental trees, both for educational purposes and for use. The art of
gardening is a very ancient and honorable one, and is very congenial to man's nature ; it
exerts a refining and elevating influence which no other occupation can give.

The study of horticulture embraces both the science and the art of the cultivation
of garden plants, fruits and ornamental trees both for decorative purposes and for use.
The art of gardening is an ancient and an honorable one and very congenial to man's
nature over which it exercises a refining influence. The careful student of the sacred
word will observe that in the earliest mention we have of a garden, in Genesis 2, that
the beiutiful and ornamental is placed before the useful. In the 9th verse of that chap-
ter we read, " and out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleas-
ant to the sight and good for food." Thus provision was made that the sense of beauty
which the eye detects and which captivates and refines the mind, should be fed at least
equally with the grosser sense of bodily appetite the outcome of our physical needs. In a new
country, however, like ours, where at first the struggle for subsistence is keen and the sub-
jugation of nature to man's needs a primary consideration, the regard for the useful natur-
ally takes precedence. It is needful for man's existence that he be fed, and in the steady
improvement which has taken place in the condition of our people we want our diet now to
include choice viands. Thus fruit growing has become a very important branch of industry,
the magnitude of which is only understood by those who have looked into the subject
carefully, and the possibilities of fruit growing in this great Dominion cannot yet be es-
timated. In the Act of Parliament by which the experimental farms were established,
among other objects of research prescribed, was that of testing the merits, hardiness and
adaptability of new and untried varieties of fruits, vegetable plants and trees, also to con-
duct experiments in the planting of trees for timber or shelter. Thus the whole domain
of horticulture was included. During my remarks on this occasion I hope to be able to
show you that this important division of the work has not been neglected at any of the
experimental farms. In order to present this subject to you clearly it will be necessary
that 1 treat of each farm separately since they are located in widely different climates, in
each of which there are difficulties to encounter.

Perhaps it would be well that I should give you at the outset a very brief sketch of
the system of Dominion experimental farms and indicate to you the districts which
these several farms are intended to serve.

The experimental farms of the Dominion of Canada are five in number and contain
in all more than 3,000 acres of land. They consist of a central farm near the Capital,
Ottawa, and four branch farms. The central farm has been established near the bound-
ary line between Ontario and Quebec, and serves the purposes of both these important
provinces. One of the branch farms has been located at Nappan, Nova Scotia, near the
dividing line between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, and serves for the three Mari-
time Provinces. Another has been established at Brandon, in Manitoba, for the Pro-
vince of Manitoba, a third at Indian Head, in the Provisional Territory of Assiniboia,
as an aid to agriculture in the North-west Territories, while the fourth has been lo-
cated at Agassiz, in the coast climate of British Columbia, where it serves a like purpose
for that province.

At all these farms many experiments are in progress in all branches of agriculture,
horticulture and arboriculture, and much has already been done towards solving many
problems of great importance to farmers and fruit growers. In selecting the sites for the
Experimental farms due regard has been had to the great variations in climate in differ-

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 51

ent parts of the Dominion, and they have been so placed as to render efficient help to the
more thickly settled districts and at the same time to cover the most varied conditions
which influence the operations of the farmer and fruit grower in Canada.

Let us first look eastward and glance at Prince Edward Island, one of the most fer-
tile districts in the Dominion. Fruit growing there has thus far been somewhat limited, but
most of the orchards which have been planted and looked after with a reasonable degree
of care have done well arid there seems no reason why the cultivation of fruit could not
be much extended there with great advantage to the people. Increased attention
is now being given to this subject on the Island, and young orchards are being planted at
many different points.

In Nova Scotia fruit growing has made wonderful progress especially of late years,
and notably in the Annapolis valley. Eight or nine years ago this industry in Nova
Scotia was almost confined to this valley, but since then orchards have been planted in
many other districts with much success, and now it is generally held that apples of first
quality as well as many other fruits can be grown to advantage in many other parts of
Nova Scotia. The Annapolis valley has undoubted and special advantages in the way of
suitable soil and shelter, and large crops of beautiful bright colored and high flavored fruits
are annually produced there.

Foremost among the apples grown in this favored locality stands the Gravenstein, a
handsome, yellow apple, of a delightful flavour and crisp and juicy flesh, which now
commands high prices in Great Britain and is much appreciated in Boston and other
cities across the border. The Gravenstein is a European apple which originated at a
place of that name in Germany, and it is highly prized as a table apple throughout
Central Europe. Several years ago a red sport of this apple occurred in the Annapolis
Valley, in the orchard of a Mr. Banks, and this apple is now known as the Banks. The
beautiful red colour with which this sport is adorned on a yellow ground makes the apple
very attractive for dessert purposes. It is singular that a red form of this apple has
originated in Germany, and two other forms in D3nmark, which are striped with red.

The Gravenstein, from Gravenstein, of the German catalogues, is described as a
large, splendid, yellow table apple, of very fine flavour, ripening from October to Janu-
ary. The red Gravenstein is spoken of as similar in size and quality, but red, and the
time of ripening is from November to February.

In a European catalogue of Danish apples, the ordinary Gravenstein is said to ripen
from October to January. Gravenstein, of Gundestrup, is said to be a large table apple,
of excellent quality but striped with red ; ripe October to January. There is also a
Gravenstein of Tarnborg, which is described as large, of a very fine yellow color, striped
with red on those parts exposed to the sun. This is said to be the finest of all table and
market apples. It is singular that this variety of apple should have shown such tenden-
cies to sport, mainly in the matter of color, at such widely distant points and under
different conditions of climate.

The Baldwin, which is a native of Massachusetts, is also largely grown in the
Annapolis Valley, and the trees bear very heavy crops. The Nonpareil is another
favorite there. This is a russet, of English origin, of good flavor and an excellent keeper.
Of late years there have been very extensive additions to the orchards in this valley, and
the output of fruit is rapidly increasing. All varieties of apples can be grown there, also
plums, pears and cherries.

The Bear River district, which is situated a few aiiles below the town of Annapclis,
is the most noted locality in Nova Scotia for cherry growing. Several years ago I paid a
visit there at the time the cherry season was at its height, and was astonished at the
number of cherry trees growing in that neighborhood and at the large crops produced.
The cherry seemed to be one of the commonest trees in the locality. They were to be
found everywhere, in orchards, gardens and fields and even along the roadsides, where
the laboring man going to and fro to his work, or the traveller passing through the
district, could halt and refresh themselves at will. In looking over some of the orchards

52 FRUIT GROWERS ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

I was surprised at the absence of most of the familiar cultivated forms, and a careful
examination convinced me that the greater part of the cherries grown in that section of
the country were seedlings of some of the better named sorts. There were among them
cherries of every shade of color, and great diversity of foliage. Most of the foliage par-
took of the Bigarreau type, some resembled that of the Dukes and Morellos, and others
again were more or less intermediate in character. The best of the seedlings were
increased by budding them on the less desirable sorts and in this way, the average
product had been brought up to a good standard of quality. Thousands of boxes of
cherries are sent yearly from this district to St. John, Halifax and other cities.

When the Experimental Farm was started at Nappan, N. S., it was the general
opinion that fruit would not succeed there, but experience has since shown that apples
can be grown successfully not only there, but in many other parts of Nova Scotia, which
were at that time thought to be unfavorable for fruit growing. At the Experimental
Farm at Nappan we now have under test 288 varieties of large fruits and seventy five of
small fruits. We also have in the ornamental plantations 279 varieties of trees and
shrubs. These large plantations are being increased from year to year and are assisting
in awakening much general interest in horticulture in the provinces.

Nova Scotia.

Number of varieties of fruits under test at Nappan, N.S., at the close of 1895 :

Large Fruits. Apples, 147 ; pears, 36 ; plums, 41 ; cherries, 39 ; crab-apples, 12 -y
apricots, 3 j nuts, 10 ; total, 288.

Small Fruits. Grapes, 9 ; Strawberries, 20 ; Raspberries (red, white and black),
15; Blackberries, 4; Black currants, 3; red and white currants, 8; gooseberries, 15;
dwarf juneberries, 1; total, 75. Grand total, 363;

Fruit growing is also advancing, although less rapidly, in some parts of New Bruns-
wick. The climate of this province is less favorable to the growth of large fruits,
neverthess apples, in many localities, have done well. The growing of late strawberries
for the Boston market is quite an important industry in some sections of New Brunswick,
for the reason that the cool summer climate enables the growers to place their fruit on the
market in first-class condition after the crop in all competing districts is over.

Central Experimental Farm, Ontario.

Much progress has been made in horticulture at this institution. The fruit depart-
ment at first was in charge of Mr. W. W. Hilborn and subsequently under that of Mr.
John Craig. In the report given by Mr. Hilborn of the progress of the work to the
close of 1887 he gives the number of varieties of large fruits then under test as 556, and
of small fruits 325, total 881, as follows :

Large Fruits. Apples, 297; pears, 101; plums, 72; cherries, 71; peaches, 115
apricots, 4 ; total, 556.

Small Fruits. Grapes, 127; currants, 20; gooseberries, 30; raspberries (not in-
cluding 200 seedlings unnamed), 38; blackberries, 20 ; strawberries, 90; total, 325.
Grand total, 8bl.

Since Mr. Craig took charge of the fruits the number has been largely increased,
and the varieties of large fruits now under test number 788 and the small fruits 604,
making a total of 1,392 varieties to watch over and take notes of.

The climate of Ottawa is too severe to admit of the cultivation of peaches, apricots
or nectarines, or of the finer varieties of plums or pears or of Bigarreau cherries. Nearly all
the varieties of these fruits readily obtainable have, however, been tried with the hope that
some might be found sufficiently hardy, but they have nearly all failed. Some of the
finest varieties of apples have also proven too tender for this district, which, while it is
colder than western Ontario, is fairly representative of the settled portions of eastern

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 53

and northern Ontario and of the Province of Quebec. The collection at the Central
Farm is particularly rich in Russian varieties of apples ; also in the improved forms of
the native plum. To both of these classes of fruit Mr. Craig has given special attention.
Grapes have done remarkably well at this farm and the collection now contains 176
varieties, nearly 150 of which ripened their fruit fairly well last season. A large collec-
tion of varieties of English gooseberries has been accumulated which it is now expected
can be grown successfully since a remedy has been found for the mildew. Including the
American sorts, of which there are not many, this group now contains 128 varieties.
This large collection of fruits is very instructive, and Mr. Craig has done much to dis-
seminate some of the large fruits found to be specially worthy by distributing scions to
applicants for grafting.

The number of varieties of fruits under test at the Central Experimental Farm at
the close of 1895 was as follows :

Large Fruits. Apples (American, 209, Russian, 225), 434 ; crab-apples, 17 ;
cherries, 94; plums, 16(T; pears, 55; nuts, 9; peaches, 5; quinces, 4; mulberries, 4;
total, 788.

Small Fruits. Grapes, 176 ; raspberries (red, yellow and black), 110 ; blackberries,
25; gooseberries, 128; currants, 21; strawberries, 140; juneberries, 4j total, 604.
Grand total, 1,392.

The possibilities of extending the fruit growing lindustry in Canada are almost
unlimited, and with ample cold storage facilities so as to admit of shipping to distant
points in good condition the markets may be much enlarged and production greatly
stimulated.

A large amount of work has also been done at the Central Farm in the testing of
vegetables by Mr. Craig.

In the planting of ornamental trees and shrubs excellent progress has also been
made at this institution. It is only eight years since this branch cf the work was begun,
and now in the arboretum and botanic garden (to which sixty -five acres of land have
been devoted) together with those other portions adjacent to the buildings which are
devoted to ornamental work, a very large collection, numbering more than 1,000 var-
ieties has been brought together for test, and quite a large proportion of them are proving
hardy. The results of these experiments will do much to dsmonstrate the favorable
character of the climate of eastern Canada.

(The speaker here showed photographs of views of the Farm and of the trees and
shrubs).

It has long been a reproach to Canada that while most of the smaller colonies of
Great Britain were doing efficient work in this direction, Canada, one of the brightest
gems in the British Empire, with enormous possibilities, had done nothing. This stigma
has been removed and a collection worthy of the country is being rapidly brought
together, comprising many of the most desirable and beautiful forms from all parts of the
world.

Apart from the scientific value of this collection which is very great, the charming
effects produced by the judicious grouping of the more ornamental species is of great
educational use to the public generally, and the visitors to the farm, who number many
thousands each year, carry home with them pleasant memories of these beautiful pictures
in landscape art, and many thus become inspired with a desire to beautify and improve
their own surroundings, and thus bring these elevating and refining influences to bear on
their own households.

One of the most striking features in connection with this ornamental work, is the
large number of sample hedges which have been planted. Experiments are being tried
with more than sixty varieties of trees to determine their fitness for this purpose. These
hedges are arranged in a regular series, each being fifty feet long and ten feet apart
Experiments are also being carried on with all the more valuable timber trees for the

54 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

purpose of determining their annual growth in this climate,and the relative time required
to produce merchantable timber. Twenty acres of land are devoted to these timber- tree
tests,

Lovers of flowers will also find at the Central Farm much to interest them. Apart
from the botanic garden which now contains more than 800 species and varieties of hardy
perennials, there are special beds devoted to particular plants which are worthy of men-
tion. First, there is a fine collection of that queen of flowers, the rose. Of hybrid
remontants there are more than 200 varieties, and of the more tender perpetual bloomers
about seventy-five different sorts. The hybrid remontants are cut back before winter to
about a foot in height and earth thrown up around the stems to a depth of eight or nine
inches and the whole lightly covered with strawy manure from the barn-yard. Under
this treatment most of the varieties usually winter well and produce a wealth of bloom in
June and July, and more or less flowers from then on to October. There is also a large
collection of pseonies, embracing 131 varieties, another of Irises with more than 200
varieties, including a large number of the Japanese sorts, forms of 1. Kempteri with
flowers measuring from five to seven inches across, which seem to stand our climate per-
fectly. There are also large beds of lilies, including sixty -four species and varieties. Other
beds are devoted to pansies, gaillardias, Dianthus, tulips, hyacinths, narcissi and gladioli,
and others to mixed annuals and perennials.

A new feature in this branch of the work has lately been started in a series of large
beds devoted to the wild flowers found in different parts of the Dominion. One of these
is devoted to Ontario, another to Quebec, and others to the Maritime provinces, Manitoba,
the Northwest Territories and British Columbia, the object being to show in these beds
those species of native growth which are most conspicuous for their beauty and valuable
for cultivation.

A conservatory in connection with a propagating and seed-testing house contains an
interesting collection of economic plants, orchids and the newer varieties of house plants.

Manitoba.

Passing now by a long stride ol about 1,500 miles we bring you to Brandon, Man.,
where the most easterly of the three western experimental farms is located. Here there
are climatic difficulties to contend with which interfere with the successful cultivation of
most of the large fruits. For this reason the experimental tests have been mainly con-
fined to the hardiest sorts. Since the establishment of this farm 241 varieties of large
fruits have been tried, including all the hardiest forms obtainable from Siberia and other
parts of Russia, and from other cold climates in northern Europe. These have consisted of

Large fruits, now mostly dead: Apples, 175; pears, 14; plums, 22; cherries, 18
crab-apples, 12; total, 241.

Small fruits, mostly living, except grapes : Grapes, 26 ; strawberries, 18 ; rasp-
berries, 29; blackberries, 9; black currants, 22; red and white currants, 18; goose-
berries, 24; dwarf June-berries, 1 ; total 147 ; grand total, 388.

These tests have been several times repeated during the past six years with the
object of testing these fruit trees nnder various conditions of shelter, but up to the
present time very little success has attended the efforts made. We have succeeded in
fruiting several varieties of the wild plum, which is native in some parts of Manitoba,
and is perfectly hardy, and much attention has of late been given to the securing of such
improved varieties of the wild plum as have been originated in the north-western States,
especially in Minnesota. It is believed that in a short time an orchard consisting of
these improved forms of the wild type can be successfully established, and that these
varieties of fruit will be very acceptable and useful to the people.

No success worthy of mention has yet attended the testing at Brandon of any of the
hardy varieties of apples, nor of any of the crab apples grown in the east. There is,
however, one wild crab, a very small one with fruit about the size of a cherry, which was

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 55

obtained from the northern part of Siberia, which has stood the climate perfectly for the
past four or five years, and during the last two seasons has borne some fruit. Experi-
ments are now being conducted with the object of improving this fruit, and in 1893 this
Siberian variety, known as the berried pyrus (Pyrus Baccata), was cross-fertilized with
pollen from some of the hardiest varieties of apples, such as Duchess, Tetofsky, Wealthy,
Yellow Transparent, and Anis, also with pollen from the Hyslop and Transcendant crabs.
The seeds obtained from these various crosses were sown, and we now have about 150
one-year old trees as the result of this work. It is hoped that in four or five years
when these young trees come to fruit, that there will be found amongst them some
improved forms such as will be serviceable to the people of Manitoba. This is slow
work but it is being prosecuted with as much haste as nature will admit of.

Sand cherries have also succeeded well. Among these there are promising forms from
different sections of the country which vary much in size, colour, and quality, some of
them being very good and serviceable.

A fair measure of success has attended the experiments with some of the small
fruits, of which 147 varieties have been tested. The most successfnl have been the red,
white and black currants, and gooseberries, and also the hardier sorts of raspberries.
Strawberries have been a partial success, but all attempts to grow our eastern varieties
of grapes have thus far failed. Examples of the wild frost grape found growing in the
Red River valley have of late been secured and planted, and it is hoped that eventually
some improved forms of this fruit may be obtained from that source.

A much larger measure of success has attended the experiments with ornamental
trees and shrubs, and there are thus far about 100 species and varieties which have
proven hardy at this farm. Every year some additions are being made to this list,
which will, no doubt, in time assume goodly proportions and give to the people of Man-
itoba sufficient material for the beautifying of their homes, not only in the cities but also
on the prairie farms.

The North-west.

Another step of 183 miles brings us to the next experimental farm at Indian
Head in Eastern Assiniboia, one of the Northwest Territories. While this is one of
the finest grain-producing districts in the whole northwest the conditions of climate
which prevail during the winter and early spring are, I think, less favorable for tree
growth than those of Manitoba. A similar line of experiments to those conducted at
Brandon have been carried on here with large fruits, involving the testing of 203
varieties of large fruits, nearly all of which have failed, and 127 varieties of small fruits,
a part of which have been successful.

Large fruits, tested at -Indian Head, mostly dead : Apples, 154 ; pears, 9; plums,
14; cherries, 14; crab-apples, 12 ; total, 203.

Small fruits, mostly living, excepting grapes: Grapes, 26 ; strawberries, 16 ; rasp
berries, 26; blackberries, 4; black currants, 16; red and whito currants, 14; goose-
berries, 23; miscellaneous sand cherry and dwarf June-berry, 2 ; total, 127; grand
total. 330.

The successes referred to at Brandon with the Pyrus Baccata, the Manitoba wild plum
and the sand cherry have been repeated here. Many varieties of currants, gooseberries
and raspberries are cultivated with a fair measure of success. The proportion of failures
to successes in the experiments with strawberries have been very large, while grapes have
thus far failed entirely. In the growing of ornamental trees and shrubs the success has
been encouraging, and we now have upwards of ninety varieties which have proven
hardy at this farm.

British Columbia.

We now skip over 500 miles of plains and another 500 miles of mountains and find
ourselves in the coast climate of British Columbia, where the most westerly of the experi-
mental farms has been located, about seventy miles east of Vancouver. Here the climate

56 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

is mild, and much resembles that of some parts of England, and the apple, pear, plun.
and cherry thrive wonderfully well and produce abundant crops. Since fruit culture
promises to become one of the most important industries in this province, a very
large number of varieties have been brought together for test, nearly all of which are
doing well. The test orchards at this farm now contain, I believe, the largest num-
ber of varieties of fruit to be found in any one place in the world.

At present the large fruits number 1,204, and the small fruits 393 varieties,
making a total of nearly 1,600 different sorts, and when the orders for the coming year,
which have been placed in Europe and the United States, are filled, and some addi-
tional varieties sent from the Central Farm, the number will exceed 2,200 in all.

The number of varieties of fruits under test at Agassiz, B.O., at the close of 1895,
were :

Large fruits: Apples, 508; crab-apples, 28; pears, 154; plums, 176; cherries,
86; peaches, 159; apricots, 22; nectarines, 15; figs, 15; quinces, 5; medlars, 3; mul-
berries, 8 ; nuts, 25 ; total, 1,204.

Small fruits : Grapes, 101 ; strawberries, 98 ; raspberries, red and white, 41 ;
raspberries, black, 18 ; blackberries, 29 ; black currants, 37 ; red and white currants,
23; gooseberries, 42; miscellaneous, 4; total, 393 Grand total, 1,597.

For profitable growing in that climate I would place plums first, which bear won-
derfully heavy crops, followed by apples, pears and cherries, all of which do well.
Peaches, apricots and nectarines have not yet given satisfactory results, although the
trees usually come through the winter well and more or less fruit is borne. Figs,
quinces and medlars have been tried for several years without much return ; the trees,
however, are young yet. The larger mulberries have produced excellent crops. Many
varieties of nuts are under test, and most of them are doing very well, some of the
filberts having borne good crops for the last two years. The English and Japanese
walnuts, the Spanish and the improved varieties of American chestnuts, and a num-
ber of varieties of almonds are all making good progress and promise well for the
future.

In addition to the large orchards which have been planted in the valley land on this
farm, four orchards have been set out on the bench lands on the side of the mountain at
the back of the farm. These have been planted at different heights from 150 to 1,050 feet
above the valley. The trees and vines on the mountain side have made excellent growth
and they are earlier in blossoming in the spring and in maturing their fruit in the autumn
than those planted on the level, This is a very important experiment for that province,
for the reason that there is a very large quantity of such bench land which is of no value
for the purposes of general agriculture and when it is fairly proven that fruit can be
profitably grown in such locations a great impetus will be given to this industry.

With a climate so favourable as to permit of the wintering of the Rhododendron,
European Holly, Yew, Laburnum and the Laurels, it is not surprising that a very large
number of ornamental trees and shrubs succeed there, and this we have found to be the
case. Some 500 or 600 species and varieties have been tested already and many others
are under trial.

Experiments are also being carried on with forest trees, especially with the more
valuable hardwood timber trees of the east, with the object of ascertaining whether these use-
ful species will grow to advantage in that climate. British Columbia with all its wealth
of timber has scarcely any hard-woods. None of. the most valuable eastern species being
represented in that country. About twenty thousand young trees have been planted on
the mountain bench lands, consisting mainly of black walnut, ash, elm, hickory, oak, wild
cherry and butternut and many of thes» are growing well. If they succeed and grow as
rapidly as other timber trees in that climate, this will be a great incentive to the plant-
ing of these useful species on a larger scale with the view of eventually supplying the
needs of British Columbia in this particular.

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 57

From this somewhat hurried summary it will be seen that much progress ha3 already
been made in horticultural work on the experimental farms and much more is being
planned. To some whose eyes have not been opened, or whose senses have been blunted
by the pressing cares of life or the greed of gain, nature is almost a sealed book. They
see but few of its beauties, enjoy little of its pleasures, and often look on the expenditure
of money on such objects of interest as wasteful. Are not these lovely shrubs and trees
and flowers which combine so much grace and beauty and which afford such quiet delight
to all lovers of nature, expressions of the thoughts of the great Creator 1 He has esta-
blished and sustains the laws which govern their growth and which bring about those
marvellous changes in form and in color which have given us some of the most beautiful
things we have in cultivation. Who would be so presumptuous as to say that what the
Creator has made and pronounced good is not worthy of man's attention and study?
On the contrary, 1 would say with the old writer " What God has thought it worth His
while to create is worthy of man's careful attention and enquiry." These objects afford
us pleasing lessons for contemplation at all times. We may allow our thoughts to dwell
on the seed with its store of nourishment laid up within, with which to feed the young
germ when favorable conditions call it into active life, and which serve to sustain it until
the roots are sufficiently developed to gather food from the soil. We may study the
young plantlet when it first appears above ground and watch from time to time its
growth and progress to maturity. Can we not learn lessons of wisdom from the wonder-
ful system of circulation it has, by which the elements of nutrition are taken in by the
tiny rootlets and carried from thence to the leaves to be elaborated and fitted to serve its
purpose in the gradual building up of the structure. Further, from the admirable man-
ner in which the bundles of woody tissue are put together, which give strength to the
tree, which enables it to resist tfie force of wind and storm, and also to form timber of
different degrees of strength and of various textures suitable for man's use. We may
also study with profit the wonderful arrangements whereby the exhalations of animals,
which would otherwise soon poison the atmosphere, are taken up and appropriated as
food by plants, and the stores thus made and laid up in the tissues of the plant become
again suitable and nourishing food for the animal, and thus the wonderful circle of
harmony between the animal and the vegetable world is maintained. We may also
study with profit the wealth of grace and beauty displayed on every hand, which capti-
vates and refines the mind and leads us from nature up to nature's God.

Let it be the aim of this useful Association to strive to elevate the tastes of its
fellow-citizens, first, by cultivating the very best sorts of fruits, with which to supply
their tables, and next by assisting them to introduce into their gardens and about their
houses some of the very beautiful forms of trees and shrubs which have been shown to
be hardy in our climate. Let them grow as nature has intended them to do, and gradu-
ally develope their special forms of beauty without mutilation. Then those who see them
will not long lack that inspiration which will prompt to imitation, and thus the good work
will progress, extending its refining influences far and wide, and diffusing happiness and
contentment among its possessors. Let us not forget the lesson taught us by the great
Master in that remarkable sermon on the Mount when He gazed on the beautiful lilies
growing about Him and said : (l Consider the lilies ; for I say unto you that even Solo-
mon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these."

The meeting closed at 10.30 by singing the National Anthem.

SECOND DAY— MORNING.

By the courtesy of the local Horticultural Society and the Mayor and the corporation
of Woodstock, the delegates to the convention were driven through the town.

At Woodstock College the delegates took particular pleasure in inspecting the work
of the manual training department, which was in full swing, the students working in
wood and iron, and all the machinery being in motion. The physical science department

58 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

also excited considerable interest. An elaborate luncheon was served, and at its con-
clusion Principal Bates voiced the welcome of the management of the college to the
delegates, making allusion to the similarity of the work of the college and of the Associ-
ation in regard to the soil, best methods of cultivation, nature of the seed sown and of
the fruit expected, the atmosphere, etc.

Mr. G. R. Patullo, County Registrar, responded on behalf of the local association.
He referred to the way in which Canada, at the World's Fair, distanced all competitors
in the fruit department. In cheese making, which tad betn learned from our American
friends, Canada had shown at the World's Fair, that in this, as in many other institu-
tions the pupil had excelled the teacher. We beat them at their own game, so to speak.
(Applause and laughter.) We have been suprised to learn that Ontario is such a
splendid fruit-growing district ; the truth of the matter is that none of us had realized
it until the wonderful success had been achieved. Ontario had been represented as a
good place for skating and toboganning, but it was not supposed that it could compete
with the great States of the Union, such as California and Florida, in fruit growing ;
but it is proven that even in that respect we can surpass the Americans. (Hear, hear.)
He had been delighted with the meeting thus far, and surprised at the extent and variety
of the discussions. They had disposed of mice and vermin of all kinds in connection
with the fruit trees ; they had disposed of the potato bug and the bee ; but there was one
subject that they seemed to struggle with in vain, and that was the truthless tree agent.
(Laughter.) He seemed to stagger them all. Here was a great field for missionary
enterprise. (Laughter.) He concluded by thanking the College authorities for their
generous entertainment.

Hon. John Dry den was next introduced as Minister of Agriculture and a Governor of
McMaster University, of which Woodstock College is an academic department for young
men. He spoke favorably of the institution and eloquently advocated a liberal educa-
tion for farmers' sons. In his opinion there was nothing in a true education that should
drive men or women away from industrial pursuits.

Messrs. M. Pettit, W. E. Wellington and Prof. Saunders also spoke along similar
lines. After a chorus by the college boys, the delegates repaired to the Town Hall for
the afternoon session.

SECOND DAY— AFTERNOON SESSION.
Convention resumed at 2.30 p.m., Mr. A. H. Pettit being asked to take the chair.

QUESTION DRAWER.

Question : What four varieties of peaches would you recommend for this locality ?

Mr. J. W. Smith : Considering it a cold locality, pretty high, I would recommend
Early Rivers as the best early peach and Hill's Chili for a later peach. Probably the
next best would be Garfield ; with us it has done better than Early Crawford. I would
name Crosby for the last one ; it comes in about the time of the late Crawford ;*it is a
smallish peach and good flavor.

Question : In planting an assortment of two hundred young apple trees what kind
would you recommend and how many of each variety, local and foreign markets con-
sidered 1

Mr. Dempsey : I would put in about twenty Duchess, about twenty Wealthy, about
twenty Gravensteins ; the balance I would equally divide with the Ontario, Ben Davis
and Stark.

The Secretary- Is the Stark an abundant bearer ?

Mr. Dempsey; Yes.

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 59

The Secretary : Is it a good shipper and seller 1

Mr. Dempsey : Yes ; it has a better flavor than the Ben Davis, I think, and keeps
fully as well.

The Secretary : What about the Ontario 1

Mr. Dempsey : The Ontario bears so heavy it is very apt to run a little small with-
out thinning the fruit.

The Secretary : Is it subject to scab 1

Mr. Dempsey : I have never seen any scab on them.

Mr. Rice : Is the Ontario a seedling of the Spy 1

Mr. Dempsey : It is one of Oharles Arnold's seedlings, of Paris — a cross between
the Wagener and the Spy. It has the bearing qualities of the Wagener : it is more acid
than the Spy and keeps fully as well.

The Secretary : In this connection I would mention the Cranberry Pippin, which
for southern Ontario is a very good market apple. It is of ordinary quality, but it is a
showy apple and a good bearer, and it has borne heavy crops when many other varieties
did not bear. Even the Baldwin failed to produce, and this apple produced freely ; that
is why I thought a good deal of it.

Mr. Caston : I would like to draw attention to an apple from the eastern end of the
province called the Fallawater. In the county of Simcoe it is a perfectly healthy tree,
an abundant bearer and clear of fungus scab. It is a handsome apple. It was quoted in
Liverpool this fall at 17s. a barrel. It is firm fruit, good shipper and good cooker.

Mr. Race : It has no quality.

Mr. McNeill : 17s. is the quality.

Mr. Race : They will give that until they find out what it is.

Mr. Dempsey : My experience is that I can grow more Baldwins than Falla waters.
The latter drops prematurely with me.

Mr. Sherrington : The Fallawater is not an annual bearer with us ; only about
once in two years we get a crop. It is really a fine apple, but I do not consider the
quality equal to our other winter apples. In cooking it does not fall down like the Spy,
Baldwins, Greenings ; it will be about the same as the Ben Davis, and its season with us
is about the end of March.

The Secretary : I think it will be best that the balance of the questions be referred
to a committee, as they are of such a nature that they would occupy the whole afternoon
in discussion. They go into great detail with regard to the best varieties of every sort
of fruit and the best methods of planting them. Many of these points were brought out
in yesterday's papers and discussions.

SPRAYING AND THE CULTIVATION OF ORCHARDS.

Mr. J. C. Harris, of Ingersoll, read the following paper :

I am here to day with the desire to listen to your discussions and to gain informa-
tion on questions with which you are much more familiar than myself, rather than with
the expectation of giving you any instruction. The topic before us, <l The spraying and
Cultivation of Apple Orchards," is an important one. 1 do not purpose in this paper to
go into details, but rather to give a few general points apt to be overlooked by the ama-
teurs. First, let us look at a few causes why apple culture is not more generally success-
ful. A tree when young, like an animal should always be kept growing, and how best
can we accomplish this 1 After having our orchards well set out, having due regard to
location, drainage and richness of soil, the surface earth about the tree should be kept
stirred once every two weeks or oftener, especially in very dry weather. I consider this

60 FRUIT GROWERS ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

superior to either mulching or watering, and have seen young apple trees first year
planted treated in this way make two feet in one season. Tf one has not the time for
this I consider mulching next best. But for the healthfulness and vigor of the tree I
consider the former practice much superior, especially the first season, as it keeps the
soil moist during the severest drouth, and also allows the sun's action upon the soil,
while mulching only serves to keep the soil moist. This practice also of shallow cultivation
adds materially to the size and quality of the apple after the tree comes into bearing.
We occasionally see productive orchards standing in sod. This only proves the land is
unusually rich ; as a rule this is not the case. Seeding down an orchard for a few years
in some cases may prove beneficial, but the majority of orchards contradict this experi-
ence. Cultivation should begin in the spring as soon as the ground is fit for work and
discontinued in August to give the tree time to mature its wood before the coming hard
frosts.

Another most important point to be considered, what shall we feed our trees ? The
question of what the orchards require to form wood, leaves and fruit is one for us to study.
We are told the ash of fruits contains from fifty to seventy-five per cent, of potash and
only a small proportion of other ingredients, which certainly proves that potash is the
principal one taken from the soil by our various fruit crops. Unleached wood ashes con-
tain a very large percentage of potash, we are told from twelve to fifteen cents' worth in
a bushel, beside from six to ten cents' worth of other ingredients. Therefore if we can
purchase these at from nine to twelve cents per bushel I do not think we can get a
cheaper fertilizer for our orchards. Stable manure, where available, applied in combina-
tion wi^h the ashes would certainly prove beneficial, but should be withheld if there
proves to be too much wood growth at the expense of fruit. If we neglect to feed our
trees we must come to the conclusion apple growing does not pay. Another point we
will look into is pruning. The tree should be kept symmetrical and open from ics youth,
never allow a year to pass without performing this important operation, which will per-
vent the need of removing any large limbs which is certainly detrimental to the tree's
welfare. Boots made from some soft material such as rubber should be worn while prun-
ing, not to loosen or remove any bark from the limbs by standing upon them.

Be very careful to encourage and protect fruit spurs when pruning and also picking.
These little twigs or spurs along the limbs is just where we find some of our choicest fruit.
Some time ago an old man who has made a business of pruning for many years in our
locality came into my orchard and asked for a job of pruning. So I thought it a chance
perhaps of getting some new idea on the subject. He took the saw and commenced clean-
ing the limbs of all their fruit spurs. I can assure you he did not continue very long. I
know of no better way of encouraging the growth of these fruit spurs than shallow culti-
vation and the use of wood ashes, and I think as a rule a tree filled with these spurs will
before long be filled with fruit. I will here give you my experience in spraying in 1894.
The May frosts ruined the crop of 1895. Having had but the one season's experience
my practical knowledge is but limited. However, I can say with me it has proven a de-
cided success for the prevention of apple spot or apple scab, and the destruction of the
codling moth. How often the failure of the crop of apples or pears is laid at the door of the
weather clerk when if a close examination had been made the presence of fungi or insects
sapping away the plant life would have been discovered, and a timely application of the
various methods of prevention and remedy now known would save a large proportion of
our product from their attacks.

First let us consider the various remedies which have proven the most effective and
practical in our warfare against these diseases and insect pests. The Bordeaux mixture,
composed of copper sulphate six pounds, quicklime four pounds, wa,ter fifty gallons, is the
one most commonly used, and has proved very effectual in preventing the black spot or
apple scab.

Paris green or London purple, in the proportion of a quarter of a pound to fifty gal-
lons of water, or in the same quantity of the Bordeaux mixture, has been found sufficient
to destroy the codling moth or tent caterpillar. Pari i green is entirely insoluble in water,
hence, in its application, some means must be resorted to in order to keep the mixture

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 61

well stirred. I will here give you as near as possible the percentage of marketable fruit
gathered from three different orchards, each having had a different number of the above
remedies.

No 1 is a young orchard sprayed five times which turned out an abundant yield of
nearly perfect fruit, not over five per cent, being unmarketable. First application just as
buds began to swell : Six pounds copper sulphate, fifty gallons of water. Second appli-
cation just before blossoms opened : Bordeaux mixture and London purple. Third appli-
cation just before blossoms fell, with the same. Fourth a fortnight later, same. Fifth
three weeks latter, same.

Orchard No. 2 was treated same as No. 1, with the omission of first application of
copper sulphate. The results from this orchard were considerably behind the first one,
although about the finest crop 1 ever had.

Orchard No. 3 was sprayed twice, once before blossoms opened and once just after
they had fallen, with the same mixture as the others. I consider this one paid hand-
somely for the outlay, although there was probably twenty or twenty-five per cent,
unmarketable. I do not feel justified in saying the difference in orchards, No. 1 and 2,
was wholly due to the first application of copper sulphate ; orchard No. 1 being much
younger and not containing Spys or other kinds most liable to be affected by scab, had
much to do with it. However, in my opinion the application before blossoms opened is
of fully as much value and possibly more than the subsequent ones in preventing these
fungous diseases. Again, orchard No. 3 had the two and three applications and was com-
paratively free from scab, but was seriously affected with codling moth. Now what do we
naturally gather from reviewing the results of the different number of applications in
the three different orchards.

First, that the first application before blossoms opened is of fully more importance
for the prevention of fungous diseases than the later ones ; also that it requires a series
of applications of insecticides to successfully cope with the codling moth. I might say
just here, in orchard No. 2 a few Spy trees were sprayed on one side only. The other
side, which was more favorably exposed to sun and air, had scarcely a marketable speci-
men on it. The side treated was laden with beautiful fruit.

As to the preparing of the Bordeaux mixture : Have one large barrel for the copper
sulphate, another for the lime, put in a coarse sack the number of pounds of copper sul-
phate you wish to dissolve ; suspend it in barrel No. 1, containing half the number of
gallons of water that you have pounds of copper sulphate. If any remains dissolve it in
some hot water. Then every gallon of the mixture contains just two pounds of copper
sulphate, which makes it in a convenient form for use. Fresh lime should be slackedj
strained through a fine sieve and a No. 2 barrel filled with it in such a proportion that
every gallon contains just two pounds of lime. This is easily done by weighing the lime
before slacking, and using one-half the number of gallons of water there are pounds of
lime in slacking it. Now take three gallons of copper sulphate from barrel No. 1 and
two gallons of lime from barrel No. 2 and put them in the barrel we use for spraying ;
fill up with forty-five gallons of water, mix well and our Bordeaux mixture is ready for
use. Add four ounces of Paris green or London purple for destruction of codling moth.
I might add that for spraying high trees, use a ladder made of two by four scantling*
fourteen feet long, fastened to back end of spraying waggon. A man getting on the top
of this ladder can do the work almost perfectly, and much more easily than by holding
the nozzle on the end of a long pole or rod, as is sometimes recommended.

In conclusion, I will mention some of the most important points to be remembered
in spraying :

1. Have a good outfit with not less than eighteen feet of hose to reach the top of
ladder for treating very high trees.

2. Keep the liquid well stirred or your efforts will be fruitless.

3. Be sure and start in time. Do not wait for the weather. I will here relate a
little circumstance which occurred the past season : I sprayed some red currant bushes
before a very heavy, dashing thunderstorm. I could not find a currant worm on the

62 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

bushes the rest of the season. About a rod from these was a few gooseberry bushes
unsprayed ; the worms ate every leaf from them. The Bordeaux remained on bushes for
three months.

4. Be sure your lime is fresh, and put in fully four pounds.

5. Get formula for Bordeaux mixture from a reliable source. Do not depend on the
circular you get with your pump ; some of them are worse than useless.

6. Remember the June spraying, just after blossoms fall, is the most important for
the destruction of the codling moth, and do it thoroughly.

Spraying may not protect against all the effects of a late frost or a long, continuous
rain, but it helps. Anything that strengthens a tree or plant in one direction
increases its resistant powers in another. There are other ways in which the results are
beneficial besides those mentioned.

The leaves of our trees when affected by the scab fall prematurely, carrying with
them much potash, a potash acid, a direct loss to the strength of the tree. Now, if the
leaves can be made by spraying to hold fast until the proper time for maturity of growth
their fertilizing constituents will be withdrawn from the leaves into the body of the tree,
and there be stored up for the following year.

EXPERIMENTS IN SPRAYING IN 1895.

Mr. A. H. Pettit said : I have been conducting the spraying experiments through-
out the province during the past season, and was waiting to get the final returns, and
make a report that will be satisfactory and which will be published in some of our reports.
I can simply now give you a synopsis of the work we have done, and the results. The
first intimation we had of this work was through the Honorable the Minister of Agricul-
ture. It appeared to him that some good work could be done throughout the province to
assist the fruit growers, by sending out three spraying outfits, so that our fruit growers
might see the work in operation and also the results at the close of the season. The work
was entrusted to me, and our plan of operation was to touch those centres of fruit culture
where a large number of people could have an opportunity of seeing the work during its
progress, and of noting the results. One of our drawbacks was the peculiarity of the season.
As many of you know, we jumped as it were from winter weather to warm summer
weather, hastening the budding and blossoming of the fruit. In covering so wide a ter-
ritory the work had to be done at the exact moment, in order that we should not be too
late at the other end of the route which each outfit had to take. We commenced in the
county of Essex and went through to the county of Welland, visiting ten points ; then
we commenced in the county of Lambton and round the Georgian Bay district to the
county of York, Newmarket, as a second division, ten places ; then we commenced at
Whitby, in the county of Ontario, through as far as Cornwall and the county of Dundas
in the east, ten places. Three outfits travelled that territory throughout the season, cov-
ering it in every case in twelve, and in one case I think, thirteen days for each round.
Now this spraying experiment was thoroughly, practically and fully done as laid down in
the bulletins or our Agricultural College and of the Experiment Station at Ottawa. It
was simply carrying out what they stated would destroy the fungi and prevent the cod-
ling moth from injuring our fruit to any extent. I purchased the best qualitv of copper
sulphate that could be got in the country. It was all in one cask, and it was all weighed
from that cask for the whole territory. The Paris green was dealt with in the same
manner. It was of the best quality we could get, and was weighed by the druggist in four
ounce packages, just the quantity we intended to use each time ; and that also covered
the whole experiment, so that it was not using a little Paris green here and a little
of another brand there, a little less quantity here and a little more quantity there,
but we carried out the experiment exactly as laid down in these bulletins. In
going through the territory early in the season to make the necessary arrangements I
was exceedingly pleased with the enthusiasm and satisfaction with which I was received

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 63

by the fruit growers of those district . In many instances we had no less than 100
people present to co-operate in carrying out this work. The work was thoroughly done.
We have a large number of pump manufacturers in our country who are manufacturing
spraying pumps. I asked them if they were prepared to supply pumps to the various
points throughout the province. They said they were, and that they had excellent spraying
pump3. I then told them that I wished them to prove to me that they had spraying
pumps that would do this work thoroughly and well, and in order to convince myself of
that I asked them to bring those pumps to my own place and give a practical demonstra-
tion. They brought their pumps. I furnished them, with nfty gallons of the Bordeaux
mixture, and told them that the mixture had to be applied evenly and thoroughly to the
tree ; that would test not only the pump but the nozzle, and test the excellence of the pump
as to agitation. " You must keep the liquid thoroughly agitated " I said " during the
whole work ; unless you do so the work can never be done perfectly." They brought
their pumps and the mixture was applied ; and then I wished to draw their attention to
a little dinner or something of that kind in order to allow the sun to dry the spray on
the trees, and afterward I invited them back to the orchard to see the work their pumps
had done. The first four or five trees were thoroughly covered with the lime of the Bor-
deaux mixture, but later on there was no show. Now, I believe that was the first time
some of our pump manufacturers realized what the real work was which their pump3 had
to do. I said that must not be ; there must be more agitation. Now since that time
those gentlemen have improved on those pumps till I believe we have in the province
of Ontario as good spraying pumps as can be found manufactured in the world. (Hear,
hear and applause).

It was simply that they should know what their pumps were actually capable of
doing. There is no use of our deceiving ourselves by putting this liquid into a barrel,
allowing it to settle to the bottom, pumping it out in a round stream like that with a
11 Boss " nozzel, letting it all run off the trees, and then in the fall of the year saying " I
don't see the results of the work that was done." It must be evenly applied, covering it
like the dew, so that every part and parcel of the tree would be covered with this mix-
ture. It must be done at the proper time and in a thorough manner. I think you will
all appreciate the great advantage it would be for all our fruit growers to carry it out on
that line. We commenced on the 24th of April and we finished on the 20 bh of July. We
gave six applications at each point. When we got to the other end we immediately
come back to where we began and passed over again — the ten points covering ten
days, the only hindrance being two Sundays and holidays, except at the time of
the third application, when I called my assistants in for two days for fear the blossoms
had not fully matured and were not falling sufficiently from the trees, lest our bee men
might have complained that we were pushing the matter rather hastily. At the end of
the season I visited each and every one of those points. What result did I find 1 In
some sections of the country where the frost was very severe just at the time that the
blossom was fully out and immediately following a drouth our results are not so marked
as I would like to see, though we had some results even in those cases. We have got
the best of results throughout the whole territory except in two or three points. Now,
in what line is that best result shown 1 First, it is shown in the healthy appearance of
the foliage — foliage more vigorous, and we all know what that means in a fruit tree ; if
we have vigor in the tree and good healthy foliage we may expect good fruit buds to set,
and we may expect possibly better results from the work of the next year than we would
have this. The next point was in the cleanness and the perfectness of the specimens of
apples. At nearly every point that I inspected you can see an increase in size, cleanness
of specimens, and in many cases much larger crop than where the trees were not sprayed.
You all know that this year the frost and the drouth continuing had its effect in many
ways ; and I believe that the frost assisted in destroying the fungi as well as insect ene-
mies, and for that reason the difference between the unsprayed and sprayed was not so
marked as it would have been in almost any season during the last ten years. Through-
out the sea3on I kept and had the experimenters keep a book in which certain questions
were asked, and they had to fill them out each day. These were, the condition of the
orchard, the solution applied, the weather on the day of the application, and the general

64 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

appearance each day they visited and did their work, not only of the trees that were
sprayed but of the trees that were unsprayed. The solution was applied in fair weather,
no rains to wash it off, and we should have had the full results of that experiment. I
want to offer one suggestion, and I think every one will agree with it, although we have
been doing it the other way. It is supposed that our first application should be the cop-
per sulphate solution only — four, five or six pound as the case may be. I notice some of
the bulletins claim it is better to use six, and some four, but I used four throughout this
work. Now I would suggest that every solution in the future on the apple — I won't say
other fruits — should be the full Bordeaux mixture, because in many parts of our prov-
ince our people are being troubled more or less by the bud moth, and it would be an ad
vantage if we could prevent the bud moth by using the Bordeaux mixture in the first
application. The second reason is that the Bordeaux mixture will not hinder the work
of the copper sulphate; it will do its work just as well as if it was applied alone. We
can also destroy any other insects that might be injurious to the tree during the applica-
tion. The only addition would be the slight cost of the lime and Paris green ; it will be
a trifling matter in comparison with the good work it might do.

Mr. McNeill : Do you mean the Bordeaux mixture or do you mean the Paris green
with the sulphate of copper ?

Mr. Pettit : I mean the full Bordeaux mixture — a little of the copper sulphate
with the addition of the Paris green ; that the full application should be given every
time.

Mr. Oaston : That is to bare trees 1

Mr. Pettit : To the trees from start to finish.

Mr. McNeill : To the dormant wood 1

Mr. Pettit : Yes The lime will fasten the Paris green and copper sulphate
to the tree, and that may destroy the bud moth at the start. I would like to
say a word on another subject — the question of cultivation. I have travelled over
this province several times, and have been a fruit grower all my life, and I have
observed marked results that follow good cultivation. I believe in ninety-nine
cases out of a hundred the man who plants his orchard with good judgment in selecting
varieties, and cultivates it well, and has heart in the work, will succeed and make it pay
well. I won't say there is no instance where a man has never cultivated his orchard
and yet had good crops ; but the man who cultivates his corn or any other crop is the
man who will profit by the business, and he is a credit to his country. Unless we culti-
vate, prune and handle our orchards in that way we never can get perfect specimens of
fruit. I have brought these two apples up to illustrate what I mean. Unless the tree
is well grown and thoroughly pruned, so that the sunlight of heaven can get in, you cannot
have the quality and the color in your fruit. Here is an apple that has the quality, and
that will bring you money every day, while this other is an apple that will neither be a
a first-class keeper nor have the quality. It cannot have quality without the color.
(Mr. Pettit exhibited two Northern Spy apples, one of a very high color and the other
very dull, as proofs of his argument). Another point we need to find out when we go to
plant an orchard is : Where is the home of that apple 1 I find in the northern sections
of our country apples of a high keeping quality and producing abundantly. Why is it ?
Simply because it is the home of that apple. If we can locate a variety in its right
place that is the variety we should plant, and the one that will be successful. I am fre-
quently asked to recommend varieties for certain localities. I think a man in that
locality should visit the orchards in his neighborhood, study the question himself, the
soil and climatic conditions, and plant that which will be hardy, and he will not go
astray. At these annual meetings we have an opportunity to study and exhibit and
show and explain. You get the views of all the different sections of the province. I
always think there is most excellent reading between the lines, and we want to do that
a3 well as reading along the lines. One more word about this pump question : I am asked
a thousand times which pump I would recommend after having used five manufacturers'
pumps. Now, gentlemen, I will tell you what you want in a pump : You want a pump

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 65

with plenty of power ; you want a thoroughly good nozzle, one that will apply this mix-
ture in a fine spray to your tree3, and a nrst-clas3 agitator ; and when you have got these
never mind who is the manufacturer; if he furnishes these you have got a good pump,
and as far as capabilities go you are as well able to judge that as I am. I would say
this to the manufacturers : Don't be trying to manufacture a cheap and nasty pump,
because you will do more injury to our cause than otherwise you could do. When a man
goes to spray in a busy time and his pump gives out, it discourages him, and it ends in
disaster all around. I say to the manufacturers : Manufacture a first class article, the
best you can make, and I believe our fruit growers as a whole will be better satisfied
with it than if they got one for fifty cents.

The President : The subjects that have been presented to you in the paper and in
discussion, are before you. I shall ask Prof. Craig to open the discussion.

Prof. Craig : It afforded me a great deal of pleasure last year when I was made
aware of the proposed action of the Provincial Government through the Minister of
Agriculture with regard to the carrying on of spraying experiments which had been
started during the previous year, and I was especially gratified to know that such an
admirable selection had been made in the man who was to do it. After the magnificent
success which Ontario achieved at the World's Fair under his oversight there was not
much difficulty in making a choice of the man who has carried this work on to sucessful
completion, and after the report we have from Mr. Pettifc today I think that choice was
perfectly justifiable. Last summer in a trip through the western part of the province, I
visited with Mr. Pettit some of the stations at which he carried on his work, and I wish
to corroborate in a general way the results he has stated. I fouud in Essex County
in the orchards treated, the insect depredations were very much lessened and the
quality of the fruit very much improved. We had excellent opportunities for observ-
ing these points, because in nearly every case there were orchards alongside that had
not been treated, and also in the same orchard some of the trees were not spraved.
The work was carried out on a perfectly practical basis, and in a way to give definite
results. In regard to the formula used I don't think it is necessary for us to use
more copper sulphate than the results of our experiments in the past, show to be
needful. We have very conclusive results to show us that four pounds of copper
sulphate and the same amount of lime are as effectual as using more, which only
increases the expense. I wish to pay a tribute to Mr. Harris' paper, for it showed the
result of careful individual research, and that is what we need not only on the part
of the experimenters, but of individual fruit growers throughout the country, who can
by the result of these practical experiments strengthen the hands of special investi-
gators who are appointed for the purpose. After my experience in spraying for five
years I don't think it necessary to use a stronger formula than that used by Mr. Pettit
in his work during the past season, and that which is recommended by both Guelph
College and the Experimental Farm at Ottawa, viz., four pounds of copper sulphate and
four pounds of lime ; and when we add four ounces of Paris green„to a barrel of water,
about forty gallons, we have a formula easily remembered and very efficient.

Mr. Smith : Would you agree with Mr. Pettit in recommending a full application 1

Prof. Craig : The copper sulphate as the first application was recommended with
a view of destroying the apple spot only, and it was recommended because it was more
easily applied and was much cheaper than the Bordeaux mixture. At that time we did
not have in mind the destruction of this very injurious pest, the bud moth, which has
been spreading over the province, and which is annually becoming more destructive ; and
I quite agree with Mr. Pettit that with the view of destroying that insect and other
insects, such as the cigar-shaped case bearer, the Bordeaux mixture with the addition of
Paris green for a first application would be more satisfactory. It is really the same
amount of copper sulphate, because we use four pounds to fifty gallons in one case and
two pounds to twenty-five gallons in the other ; it is only the addition of the lime and
the additional inconvenience of applying it.

Mr. Beadle : Lime makes it adhere a great deal better.
5 F.G.

66 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

Prof. Craig : Yes, and everyone who has used lime in destroying fungous pests
where the same attack plants will find it exceedingly useful. It may interest you to
see a photograph which I took of a spraying apparatus which I have used at the Ottawa
Farm, and which is especially useful in orchards where the trees are rather close
together. It is simply a barrel set in an ordinary dump cart, and the barrel is stood on
end, and the cart is floored over on a level with the top. That floor holds the barrel in
place, and also gives the man a platform to stand upon who is operating the spraying.
(Photograph exhibited.) In connection with the experiments for the prevention of dis-
ease which effect our grape vine, I have a couple of photographs which represent two
vines of the same variety in the Experimental Farm at Ottawa ; one which was sprayed
for the prevention of a disease which we know as the " bird's-eye spot," and the other
which was not sprayed. In one case the foliage is so dense that you cannot see the
fruit ; in the other case the vines are entirely defoliated^ and what little fruit still
remains can be plainly seen. These little object lessons I leave in the vineyard for the
benefit of visitors, and they are often more conclusive than any feeble words which I
may be able to offer. 1 am exceedingly pleased to see the active steps which the Pro-
vincial Government have taken in this matter, and the practical manner in which the
man who has charge of it has carried it out.

Mr. Pettit : I want to tell you how that wonderful work at the World's Fair was
accomplished, for the glory does not all rest on my shoulders by any means. The satis-
factory result was achieved by the patriotic assistance of the fruit growers of the Prov-
ince of Ontario placing in my hands fruits that the judges who were appointed had to
score as they did, and that is the way you got the rewards, and not; all through my
efforts in the matter. I thank you for your flattering remarks, but they were getting a
little too thick. (Laughter and applause.)

Mr. W. E. Saunders (London) : Bordeaux mixture has been recommended with the
addition of Paris green, for the destruction of the bud moth. Of course Paris green
destroys the bud moth. Why should not sulphate of copper, the solution of which is
more easily applied, and which perhaps is more active in destroying the fungus spores as
they lie on the tree, be added to the Paris green instead of the Bordeaux mixture 1

Prof. Craig : Mr. Pettit's idea in recommending the Bordeaux mixture was that,
with the addition of lime, you have the Paris green on the trees for a longer time. The
copper sulphate, I suppose, being in a dissolved form when it is put on, is therefore
the more readily washed off ; and it would be natural to suppose that the Paris green
would be washed off with it more readily than if it was plastered on, as it would be more
or less when applied with the lime instead of the Bordeaux mixture. The idea is to hold
the poison there for a longer period, and in more effective form than you can when
applied with the copper sulphate. There is no objection, when the trees are dormant, to
applying the Paris green with the copper sulphate solution.

A Delegate : I would like to ask Prof. Craig a question. I am not well posted at
all in the black knot and those other things in regard to the spores floating in the atmo-
sphere from tree to tree. Do you not think, if we could have the Bordeaux mixture
fastened upon the wood and branches early in the season, it would destroy those spores
that float and lodge upon our trees before they could penetrate the wood and create what
we call the black knot 1

Prof. Craig : Some experiments have been carried on in preventing the black knot
by spraying with Bordeaux mixture. At Ottawa we are surrounded by such remark-
ably favorable environments that black knot has not yet attacked us, though I found the
other day a specimen, and I thought perhaps, with careful treatment, I might be able to
produce some from this. (Laughter,) Prof. Lodeman, of the Cornell University, began
some experiments for the prevention of black knot by spraying with the Bordeaux mix-
ture, and they showed that there was reason to hope that we could successfully deter the
growth and multiplication of the black knot by spraying. Of course he sprayed the tree
at that pe riod when the spores are being most actively disseminated ; those periods being
usually the months of June and March. He gave his trees several applications, but the

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

results were not so conclusive that he could say that it would pay, although he could say
that it did prevent it. The question of pay could be successfully demonstrated only by
experimenting on a larger scale.

Mr. McNeill : I have no hesitation in saying, after some years of experience, that
spraying is an undoubted and positive cure to a very large extent — fully as large as has
been testified to here — of these fungous and insect enemies.

Mr. Caston : The law which requires branches affected by black knot to be destroyed
is, in many cases, a dead letter bee *used not enforced, and unfortunately you will find a
great many hedges that are literally breeding-grounds for black knot, the spores being
carried in the wind. There will be no immunity as long as these hedges exist.

Mr. M. Pettit : Since the Act has been amended and made more workable it has
been rigorously enforced for two years in our township. Black knot was spreading to an
alarming extent, and now scarcely a vestige of it is to be seen. I believe it could be
entirely wiped out.

Mr. Peart : We asked the township of Nelson to appoint an inspector, under the
provisions of the Act, over a year ago. They appointed two inspectors, one for the
northern half of the township, and another for the southern half. It has had a remark-
ably good effect. Wagon loads upon wagon loads of cherry trees affected with black
knot have been cut down and burnt, and I think I may safely say that at least seventy-
five per cent, of the black knot of the township has been wiped out.

Mr. M. Pettit : Simply cutting off the affected branches is not sufficient ; letting
them lie on the ground is just about as bad as letting them stand ; they must be burnt.

Mr. Orr : Before the inspectors were appointed in our township, cherry trees were
loaded with black knot, and every plum orchard, as far as I know, was seriously
affected. I was going through my plum orchard, of fourteen hundred trees, the other
day, and I found but one tree affected, and that is on the trunk, and we are treating it
with coal oil to save the tree. We have succeeded in saving every tree.

Mr. Turner : I can speak for the St. Lawrence district, that a mere glance shows a
difference in the foliage between the sprayed and unsprayed trees at the points visited by
Mr. Pettit. The sprayed trees were interspersed throughout the orchard, just an odd tree
here and there, which gave a very severe test. The results in the fruit were also very
satisfactory indeed. I regret that Mr. Pettit did not speak in regard to the pruning and
care of fruit trees which he had observed in his travels.

Mr. Rice : I once had a pear tree, one limb of which did not bear for several years,
and one limb was bearing. In watching for the cause I found that a little grape-vine
had got a tendril around that limb and cut into it and caused that limb to produce four
or five pears — at least these were the only pears on the tree, and I judge that was the
cause of it.

Mr. Wm. Gray, a veteran fruit grower in this locality, being called upon by the
President, said : I am very much pleased to see the improvement that has been made in
these gatherings. I remember that at the meeting of this Association in this ball some
twelve years ago we had perhaps about two dozen. I think our Governments have acted
very wisely in establishing these experimental farms ; I think it is one of the most bene-
ficial acts they have ever done. I think there is nothing that improves a country and
people like horticulture and farming interests. I wish that every person in the province
would take the Canadian Horticulturist ; any one issue is worth to the people ten times the
amount they pay for it. I have taken it from its first issue,* and would always recom-
mend it. It is required as much in the farm as in the garden.

The President : We have with us the Honorable the Minister of Agriculture, and
as he is obliged to leave on the next train, and as we are anxious to hear something from
him, I will now ask him to address you.

68 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

PRESENT DAY REQUIREMENTS OF OUR FRUIT TRADE.

Hon. Mr. Dryden said : I desire to congratulate the members of the Ontario
Fruit Growers' Association on the energy they are displaying in the prosecution of the
work for which this Association is organized. I shall not be speaking offensively of the
past when I say that in my judgment you are renewing your youth, and now occupy a
more prominent place in the minds of the people than at any time in your past his-
tory. I am very glad that such is the case, for at no time in the history of the
province has there been so much need for activity along this line. The depressed
condition of many departments of agriculture is forcing our people to consider what
particular branch they may turn their attention to with any considerable profit. Just
now there is no branch that is more attractive and presents greater possibilities than
that of fruit growing. It has become clear that certain portions of this province are
peculiarly fitted for the production of the finest fruit. Some localities are specially
adapted for the production of plums ; others, while not being equal in this direc-
tion, are found admirably adapted for the production of the finest apples. In some
sections of the province the very finest quality of peaches can easily be produced, while
in almost every section smaller fruits grow in great luxuriance. Some idea of the
immense trade in fruit may be had from a glance at the photographs Prof. Craig has
just shown me — one representing Winona station before the train arrives, and the
other taken after the arrival of the train. Such a volume of business at one station
indicates the enormous value of the whole industry throughout the province.

By those unfamiliar with fruit growing, who have in the past been engaged
largely in other directions, and who desire to commence this industry, the very first
thing needed is definite and reliable information. Naturally they look to an association
of this kind, in whose ranks are found the oldest and most experienced fruit growers,
to supply this need. May I remind you that it is in order that you may be condi-
tioned to accomplish this that the Legislature gives you your annual grant. It is not
merely that you may help each other, which is in itself commendable, but that through
you the masses of our farmers may be educated along this line. Of late years my
Department has multiplied the information annually given to the public in reference to
various agricultural products, and we have also multiplied the constituency of readers
who await the annual issue of each report. I am glad to tell you on this occasion that
none of these reports are more eagerly sought for than that which comes through the
efforts of this Association.

To make a success of an}^ calling it is self-evident that knowledge of its require-
ments is the first requisite. No one would think of opening out a large mercantile
establishment without some previous knowledge of the business. We do not allow a
physician to practice unless by previous examination he furnishes a guarantee of proper
equipment. No teacher can get a position in any of the schools of the country without
such a preparation as is required by the Department. While this is acknowledged to be
right, there have been in the past too many who believed that no previous knowledge
was necessary in agricultural pursuits. By bitter experience many have discovered that
the same principle holds here as in other callings ; ignorance means certain failure,
while knowledge leads to success. We provide free schools to fib professional men for
their callings, the wisdom of which all classes acknowledge ; and I affirm that one. of
the legitimate functions of the Government is to give to the people in addition the
knowledge they require in order to fit them to do their best in agricultural pursuits.

Your business naturally divides itself into two parts — first, the knowledge necessary
for the best production, and, second, that which is requisite to place the results of your
labors on the market in the best possible condition. If we take the larger fruits — and I
presume the same statement will hold good in reference to those that are smaller — the
first thing concerning which the beginner will require information is as to the best
varieties and those likely to be most successful in his particular locality. I am free to
confess that this has been, and perhaps is now, a very difficult question to answer. I

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 69

have given some attention to the subject, and yet I have not definitely made up my mind
as to what I should say to a beginner if he came to me seeking advice in this
regard. There are some who would give him a name of a variety or varieties which they
are willing to confess are somewhat inferior, but which they claim are at present in
demand, because of its color or size. I have some doubts as to whether such advice
ought to be accepted. The inferior apple will in the end be rejected by the market,
no matter what its color ; it needs only to be placed alongside of something that is
superior, and the latter will inevitably take its place. Because such a variety at the
present moment attracts attention on account of its exterior appearance is no rerson
why ten years from now that variety will hold its place on the market. 1 take the
same ground in the production of fruit as I do in the production of every other agri-
cultural product, and I should like to say here that my belief is that more than ever the
future will show that the article which has intrinsic merit will in the long run win.
To advise a man to-day to plant a tree that produces fiuely colored fruit, but which i3
of itself of little value, is to lead him into a quagmire of disappointment.

When a beginner asks for information on this point there are several things that
he must consider : First, will the variety, however valuable it may be, stand his climate ;
second, is it such a variety as is suitable for his soil ; third, will it commence to bear,
during its early life, or must he wait ten or fifteen years before he can reap the fruit of
his labors ; fourth, is the variety a good bearing variety ; and fifth, does it bear annually
or only every other year. All these things ought to be taken into consideration in addi-
tion to the question as to whether the fruit contains in itself the points of excellence
sought for in the best markets.

What I have said in reference to apples would, I presume, be equally true with
reference to any other fruit. Now, it was in order to obviate this difficulty and to afford
the information I have suggested, that my Department recommended to the Legislature
the establishment of the fruit experiment stations that are now organized in different
portions of the province. Some of us have found by bitter experience that the recom-
mendation of a fruit grower in the Niagora district as to variety cannot be considered
reliable when put into practice in some of the other districts of the province ; the tree
may be too tender, the soil may be unsuitable, etc. These experiment stations will give
an opportunity to the beginner who desires information to go and examine for himself,
and to ask the necessary questions of one who is authorized and conditioned to speak
accurately in reference to the matter. Although we may not see the results of the
establishment of these stations in the immediate future, those who live in the years
beyond will find that this work will have borne abundant fruit to the advantage of fruit
growers generally.

Having selected his variety, the next thing concerning which the beginner desires
knowledge is as to proper cultivation. One difficulty I find in taking advantage of the
knowledge that members of an association such as this have to offer is that they do not
take into account that there are hundreds of people who are entirely without informa-
tion as to how to proceed. So many things are taken for granted and not mentioned,
but which should be if the beginner is to have the advantage of the experience of those
who are older. It is quite possible for me to give you directions as to the erection of a
silo and yet leave out two or three little items, which will probably not be noticed by
the beginner, but which will lead to the entire failure of the whole concern. I am afraid
that even the members of this Association do not fully understand the dense ignorance
that prevails in many quarters in reference to the details connected with fruit culture.
Information is needed how to plant, how to prune and how to cultivate generally. It is
said that "eternal vigilance is the price of liberty," and with equal truth it may be
declared that eternal vigilance is the price that must be paid for superior fruit.

One of the special things in cultivation which will demand the attention of all fruit
growers in the future is that which has occupied a considerable portion of your time in
the discussions that have taken place at this meeting ; I refer to the necessity for spray-
ing in order to produce the very best results. In mentioning this matter, I do not speak

70 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

of it in any guessing sort of way. I have arrived at that position when I ana prepared
to say that in some portions of the country those who refuse to attend to this matter
will be unable to secure the best results. Men observe their trees looking unhealthy,
they observe the leaves looking different to what they did in former years, but they never
dream that this is owing to some disease they can correct by means of a spraying pump.
This information must be given to the people, it means thousands of dollars of revenue
to the country, because without it the fruit will be inferior and irregular and more or
less unsalable ; with it we shall be able to keep the trees healthy, the foliage full and
clean and the fruit without spot or blemish.

We have done something in this direction already by sending through some of the
counties a spraying outfit, showing how the work should be done. We have published
bulletins giving full information as to the proper time for spraying and the ingredients of
the various mixtures, but we have reached only a small percentage of the people inter-
ested. This work must be vigorously prosecuted in the future until all have had an
opportunity to take advantage of our instruction. What, I ask, has placed our cheese
ahead of all others 1 I answer, instruction of the people, and I assert that similar edu-
cation will yet place our fruit in the same enviable place.

[ am looking forward to the day when the fruit, especially of the Province of
Ontario, will be sent to its best market in Great Britain in such a condition as to com-
mand the admiration of the Englishman ; and when we have done that we shall have no
difficulty in maintaining our hold upon the market. Depend upon it that in that market
the best and best only will win the first place. It is largely with the Englishman a
matter of confidence ; once establish the fact that Canadian apples are the best, and that
they are honestly placed upon the market, and they will command the price which their
quality will warrant.

In educational matters we are wont to say to the young man just starting
out : " Do your best and remember there is plenty of room at the top, whils you will
find the lower rounds of the ladder very much overcrowded." The same thing is true in
reference to agricultural products : there is room in the best markets if we can attain
the topmost round of the ladder. I have couiage enough to say to this meeting now,
that with the education we have given, and which we propose to give to the people in
the future, we shall attain this place. (Applause.)

It will soon be manifest to everyone, whether he be educated or otherwise, that
there is no money in producing fruit that can be stamped only as third class. The money
has been made in the past, and will be made in the future, by those who pay such care
and attention to cultivation as will enable them to produce the very best quality. This
is the doctrine I am preaching everywhere, and I propose to continue to do so, for
although other political nostrums are proposed labelled " N. P.," "P. I.," "P. P. A.,"
etc., each of which is to bring peace, joy and prosperity, wealth will only come by the
improved production of such articles as the world needs. Lord Salisbury spoke truly
when he said that " all England must depend on the energy of her people ;" and if I
should add anything to his statement it would be that Canada must depend on the
energy of her people, intelligently directed by education.

But it is of no use our producing a good thing unless we are able to place it on the
market where its excellence will be acknowledged. The proper marketing of our fruit
demands several things ; first, it must be placed in the best and most attractive package
— in the sort of package demanded by the market where it is sent. I think we
are extremely foolish in this country if we refuse to consider the tastes and require-
ments of the people to whom we are sending our fruit. If they say to us, " Your pack-
ages are too large and not of the right shape," we ought to accept their suggestion and try
to meet their requirements. If they require a square package in preference to a round
one, by all means let us provide a square package. TheD we ought to remember that the
man who is willing to pay the highest price must know that he is certain of receiving
the quality of fruit that is equivalent to the money he is paying. My judgment is that

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 71

it never did pay, and that in the future more than in the past, it will not pay to send in
these packages anything that is inferior. If culls are to be sold, let them be sold to our
own people as culls, where comparatively no expense in the way of freight needs to be
added to the great value of the article. But when we present our goods for the best
customers let us see to it that it is honestly done, for in this as in other matters, Dr.
Franklin's maxim will be found true that " Honesty is the best policy." On Monday of
this week I received a letter from an old friend who is at present visiting in England.
His former business having been that of a merchant he naturally takes a deep interest
in the merchandise of his country as presented on the market in England. He says :
" For over a month I have visited Smithfield market in Manchester, and to put it
mildly, I am ashamed of the way Canadian apples are packed. With few exceptions
one-fourth in each barrel aie small, deformed and worm-eaten. The wholesale dealers
assert that Canadian apples are liked best, and if purchasers could depend that the con-
tents of each barrel would be similar in size and all of one kind, Canadians would hold the
front rank in fruit."

Why should a Canadian visiting an English market thus have occasion to blush for
the work of his own country 1 How long will it be before apple growers and apple
packers learn the lesson that it is a suicidal policy thus to practice dishonesty. If I had
my way, I do not hesitate to say that the man who thus undertakes to deceive our best
customers and spoil our best market ought to be punished as his action deserves.

In addition to proper packing, proper transportation facilities must; be provided,
especially for the more tender fruits, if they are to reach the market at all. To send
them there in a half destroyed state is worse than useless. I am glad to know that some
effort has been made to undertake this work of cold storage shipments, but the effort so
far has been an utter and entire failure. I have with me the report of the first ship-
ment sent over under the cold storage system, and the statement of those to whom it
was sent is that it would have gone much better if it had been sent in the ordinary way
in the hold of the ship. This must be remedied, and I should like to see the fruit
growers stand up and demand that some one be authorized to undertake the work who
will see that it is properly performed." It is not enough for those in authority to say,
" We have provided you with facilities. We must know that these facilities are of the
very best. We have to compete with nations that are supplied with all the appliances
of the very latest and best description. They are constantly making improvements in
this regard. We cannot afford, ii we would obtain what we ought to obtain in these
markets, to send our fruit in any, but the very best condition. No government having
the interests of the people at heart can long afford to disregard the claims of the fruit growers
in this matter. There is every encouragement to afford assistance. We have proved
our ability in this country to produce the very best fruit that can be placed upon any
market. Our climate and our soil are such as in this regard will give us a decided ad-
vantage. Our people have the pluck and ambition necessary to make them excel. We
will give them the knowledge requisite to the greatest skill ; but all this is comparatively
valueless unless those in authority are prepared, not in name but in reality, to assist in
providing means of transport to the only certain market. What is being done for Aus-
tralia must be done for Canada. It is not so much "fast service" that is needed as safe
service. This Association ought to press its just claims. The Government which I re-
present here will always be prepared to render its best assistance to further improve
products, but the matter of commerce must be dealt with elsewhere. I believe promises
have already been given ; it will be your duty to insist on their fulfilment. If these
things are attended to, as I believe they will be, there is no fear that so far as fruit is
concerned, Canada will hold a first place in the industrial race of the nations.

Mr. Boulter : While I differ politically from the Minister of Agriculture, I feel a
great deal of pride as a member of this Association in having the privilege of listening to
him, and I certainly have a great amount of pleasure in moving a vote of thanks to him
for his very able address.

Secretary Woolverton seconded the motion, which was carried amid applause.

72 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

Hon. Mr. Dryden said all the thanks he required would be that the people would
take heed to the thoughts he had suggested. With the Association at his back he pro-
posed to continue on this line.

Mr. Boulter, expressed his dissent from the report in one of the newspapers as to
his remarks in the course of his paper read yesterday on British Columbia fruit, and
asserted that he had never said British Columbia could not produce fruit ; he had ex-
tolled certain kinds of fruit grown there, and said there were certain localities in British
Columbia where they could grow good fruit ; but there was not a man that tasted the
British Columbia Northern Spy last night, that said it came up to the Ontario Spy.

Prof. Saunders : DuriDg my ten years visits to British Columbia I have had op-
portunity of going over all their fruit sections and seeing their orchards and examining
their fruits. I would not like to go as far as Mr. Boulter goes in regard to their quality ;
neither would I like to say British Columbia apples, all the way through, are equal to
Ontario apples. I am sure that they are not in many sections, but I want to call your
attention to the fact that there are two or three distinct climates in British Columbia. East
of the Coast Mountain range we have a climate like that of England, with a heavy rainfall ;
that is about seventy miles from the ocean. This side of it you come to a climate practically
rainless, where everything must be grown by irrigation. In that section the apples will
probably be not quite so highly flavored as they would if grown in the ordinary way. The
apples shown last night were from the dry section ; they came from the orchard of Mr. Earl
at Ashcroft, where they have no water to speak of. I was quite willing to admit
that the flavor was not equal to the King as we have it here, for it is a little past its
prime ; but I have eaten good Kings at Agassiz, and the Government don't pamper their
fruit trees any more than they pamper their officers — (laughter) — they give them good
honest treatment, and that is all they can expect. Our orchard has not had any special
fertilizing. The only good ground the people have for locating in Agassiz is that we
have such a pure soil. At the same time we are producing some of the finest fruit that
has ever been produced in British Columbia on that same soil, and we have now several
hundred varieties of apples coming into fruit. Last year our Superintendent in an ordin-
ary cellar kept some late keeping varieties till spring ; but we have not yet been able to
pronounce definitely whether British Columbia is equal to Ontario in this particular,
but from what 1 know and have seen of it I believe it can produce good winter fruit such
as Spys and other late- keeping varieties that will command good prices in the world.

Mr. Boulter : On the coast 1

Mr. Saunders : On the coast, I mean ; I have not seen enough of the interior. I
would like to bring before the notice of the Association some remarkable variations
which have occurred at Ottawa in the common Virginia Creeper. This as it grows
naturally has to be tied and pegged against the walls of houses. It is a very desirable
vine for covering trellises and verandahs. A " sport " has occurred at Ottawa which, I
think, is the same as Nicholson, in his " Garden," calls the Hirsute form, or hairy form.
The tendrils have formed sucker-like discs at the end, and hence in growing it sticks to
walls or woodwork or anything of that kind just as firmly and freely and fully as the
A. Veitchii does. Where the Veitchii can be grown this has no advantages, but where it
cannot be grown on account of its tenderness (and that applies to the greater part of
Canada) this variety, I believe, will grow — indeed, it will succeed — anywhere over
Ontario, Quebec, or any part of the North- West Territories, because it is a native there;
and I was going to suggest to the Association that, if they thought fit, it might be well
to send out some rooted plants of this to members of the Association, and we would be
very glad to propagate enough to distribute, so that it will be better known.

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 73

PACKING AND GRADING APPLES.

Mr. L. Woolverton, Secretary of the Association, read the following paper :
At the last meeting of our Association, at Orillia, the subject of packing and grading
apples for the English market was discussed, but no very decided conclusions were reached.
That some reform in fruit packing is needed is a settled question, as is proven by nearly
every barrel of apples or basket of peaches purchased in our markets. The other day I
ordered a basket of nice yellow peaches from the Hamilton fruit market, as mine had
all been harvested and I wished a few for home use. When the top layer was removed
the rest of the contents were white fleshed peaches and rotten at that. Who, that buys
a barrel of apples in our city markets, expects to find the middle as good as the two top
layers. I heard a packer once explaining that he was accustomed to put the poorer
apples at the bottom, in order that they might bear the pressure of heading and thus
save his finer specimens. " No, no," said the dealer who was shipping the apples, " do
not put your poor apples at the bottom, put them in the middle, because the buyers open
both ends of the barrel." Many times I have watched packers working under the direc-
tions of some of our large apple buyers packing apples in our orchards, and it is an open
secret that the centre of the barrel is filled up with almost whatever comes. They say
they have no time to carefully assort and grade the fruit. Well, if this is the case, then
the apples that are thus packed should never be marked with XXX or " Extra, Selected
Canadian Apples." This kind of thing is bad enough in our own home markets, leading
to want of confidence on the part of the public in purchasing fruit ; but the damage to
our country is a serious one, when it is practised in a wholesale way in connection with
our export trade — a trade which is assuming immense importance. If, of the ten
thousands of barrels that are being landed in Liverpool, London and Glasgow markets
and are being constantly distributed throughout the United Kingdom, a large portion of
them are packed in the way I have described, how can any honest, dealer who only ships
a fe»v hundred barrels in one season, ever hope to establish any reputation for his own
fruit in face of so much badly packed Canadian fruit.

Even in spite of this terrible injustice which is being done to Canadian apple growers
by aople dealers, Canadian Baldwins are kept away up in the English markets. For
instance, under date of October 26, Messrs. Woodall & Co., of Liverpool, quote Canadian
Baldwins at 16s. to 18s. 6d. ; Boston Baldwins at 14s. to 16s. 3d. ; Canadian Green-
ings, 15s. to 17s. ; New York Greenings, lis. to 13s. ; Canadian Kings at 20s. to 25s.;
New York Kings at 17s. to 21s ; and this in spite of the fact that our apples go to
Liverpool without-being packed in any uniform grade, or marks which have any definite
meaning. If, under such adverse conditions, our fruit has met with such a
favorable reputation in the British markets, what might we expect if our apples were
put up in uniform grades and were properly marked 1 I have received orders from
Edinburgh for extra selected apples of assorted varieties at four dollars per barrel, f. o. b.
at Grimsby, when at the same time the common price paid by apple dealers in the
vicinity was only one dollar per barrel for the fruit. Surely there is room for a fine
trade in Canadian apples if once we are able to assure the distant buyer of the quality
indicated by a certain grade or brand marked upon the outside of the barrel.

I do not know that it makes very much difference what package is decided upon
for the export trade. Whether anything better could be thought of tnan our cus-
tomary apple barrel is a question. During the past season I have been making some
experiments with an apple case which when full weighs between fifty and sixty
pounds, according to the variety contained therein. This package I have lined with
shelving paper, and all the fruit was wrapped with tissue paper, and nothing was allowed
to go into these packages but a fancy grade of fruit. Some of us have combined in
sending about one hundred cases to Sydney, N. S. W., to the care of Mr. J. S. Larke,
the Dominion Commissioner there, who had written me that the market there is bare
of apples during the months of October, November and December of each year.
W7hen the report of the result of this shipment comes to hand I will be glad to place
before you all the information. I have myaelf sent 100 cases to our Provincial agent

74 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

in England, Mr. P. Byrne, of Liverpool, in order that I may compare the two markets
for Canadian fruit. I have also forwarded a carload of barrels and cases to Edin-
burgh and one to Glasgow, and, on receiving the returns from each of there, I will be
able to compare the advantages of these different packages, and these results I will also
be glad to make public through 1 he Canadian Horticulturist. Uniformity in the size
of our packages is certainly of importance. Some of our apple growers use the flour
barrel, of which the length of stave is about thirty inches ; others use the legal apple
barrel of Canada, of which, I am informed, the length of stave is twenty-eight inches,
or about twenty-seven inches from croe to croe. However, *the difference in the
two barrels is easily detected when they are standing side by side, and the fault here
is in giving excessive measure, and not in cheating the buyer. In the smaller packages
uniformity is sadly needed. At a meeting of fruit growers called at Grimsby during
the summer this question was considered, and it was decided to ask the Ontario Legis-
lature to regulate fruit packages according to the following scheme, it being understood
that these sizes do not apply to fancy baskets in crates, but only to ordinary fruit
baskets. The names given them are only to distinguish them ; the sizes are supposed
to be the same for each number, no matter what fruit is put in them. Taking wheat of
standard weight as a medium to determine the capacity of packages, the sizes of fruit
baskets were recommended as follows :

Pounds. Ounces.

No. 1— Pint berry box, rhould contain of wheat 12^

" 2— Quart berry box " " " 1 9

" 3— Half peach basket " " 11 4

" 4— 10-pound grape basket " " 13 14

" 5-12-quart peach basket " " 22 8

" 6— 16-quart grape basket, or 20-lb grape basket, should contain of wheat 30

I mention this here, in order that it may be discussed at this meeting.

But, to return to the important subject of grading, I believe that, even in our own
markets, contracts could be made with much greater facility if we had some regularly
established and well-known grades. I am sure that I may take it to be an established
point with the members of this Association here present that the grading of our apples,
at least for export, is desirable. The next point to be considered is, are the grades
proposed satisfactory 1

The following is a definition of the grades as found in the Dominion Inspection
Act and also as proposed in the first diaffc of Mr. Dry den's Bill for tbe prevention of
fraud in the sale of fruit :

Grade " No. 1" shall consist of well grown specimens of one variety, as nearly
uniform as possible in size, and throughout of good form and color, sound and whole,
and free from worms, bruises or disease.

Grade " No. 2" shall consist of well grown specimens of one variety, sound and
whole, and throughout reasonably free from the defects mentioned in the preceding
paragraph, but which, on account of inequality of size, lack of color or other defects,
could not be included in grade u No. 1."

Of course the packer may have both his extra and his fancy grades, which will be
private, and which he may use at his discretion, but these are only sub-divisions of grade
No. 1.

Possibly some shippers will object to the terms " grade No. 1" and " grade No.
2." When the Bill was up before the House last spring some shippers said, " No, it
will never do to put No. 2 on our apple barrels. Nobody will buy them if we do."
Well possibly the term " No. 2" is too strong, being so often applied to culls which are
only fit for cider. If that objection is offered by many packers, I would propose that
we simply say ''grade A" and "grade B," instead of u grade 1" and "grade 2." How-
ever, for myself I am satisfied to use the terms already proposed.

The next question before us is : Shall the marking of the grades on packages of
apples and other fruits be made compulsory? This is an important subject. The Bill
presented to the House last spring met with the stiffest opposition from apple buyers,

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 75

because it read " For the purpose of this Act, the fruit shall be graded as follows."
They do not wish to be compelled to mark the grades. They feel that the next step
would be inspection and that careless packing might be mistaken for fraudulent pack-
ing. Well, perhaps it was too sweeping to compel every packer and shipper to mark
the grade upon every barrel. Uniform ideas with regard to grading do not prevail, and
every packer might not be posted with regard to the definitions of the various grades,
or a shipper might buy a car of apples on speculation and afterwards himself become
responsible for the grading which had been done by some one else, and thus he might
become unfairly subject to a fine. Perhaps, therefore, it would be better not to make
the grading compulsory, but by all means let us have a Bill that clearly defines what
is meant by " grade No. 1" and "grade No. 2" when these terms are used and that
makes it a fraud to brand a barrel as No. 1, which contains No. 2 apples. Buyers
will in time demand that there be a uniformity respecting the grade of all the apples
which they are purchasing, and further, the fact that mich grades have been defined by
an Act of Parliament and agreed to by our Canadian growers, will go a long way
towards increasing the confidence of the buyer in making his purchase.

Then if a buyer in Ottawa or in Liverpool buys a carload of apples marked
" grade No. 1," and they prove not to be up to the legal definition of that grade as laid
down in the Act, the buysr will not be obliged to pay the sum agreed upon. These
conditions will increase the trade in apples, the very thing that we fruit growers of
Ontario desire to encourage.

The next point is : Shall there be a Provincial inspector, whose business would be
to seize or confiscate any fruit offered for sale which he might discover to be fraudu-
lently packed 1 I am inclined to think that this also would be a step in the right
direction, and the fact that graded fruit was subject to inspection would tend to pro-
duce a wholesome fear of fraudulent packing on the part of all packers. But as fruit
growers are the only class of men who never cheat, I need say no more under this
head.

Let us now read very carefully and consider the proposed Bill for the prevention
of fraud in the sale of fruit, from which those sections which refer to the grading of
fruits were expunged before it was passed. I am inclined to think that with one or
two verbal changes these clauses might be preserved and render the bill much more
effective :

Proposed Bill.

An Act for the Prevention of Fraud in the Sale of Fruit.

1. In sections 2 to 6 inclusive of this Act unless a contrary intention appears :

(1) The word " fruit " shall mean and include apples and pears.

(2) The word " packing " or " packed " shall mean and include the placing of fruit in any box, crate,
barrel, basket or other article and the covering and securing of the same with slats or bars or with a lid or
cover of any material whatever.

2. Every person packing fruit for sale in bulk shall mark upon the outside of the box, crate, barrel,
basket, or other article in which the fruit is packed, in plain and legible words to be branded or written in
a durable manner in or upon the material of which the article is composed :

(a) The words " No. 1 " or " No. 2," according to the grade of the fruit, or the word "ungraded," as
the case may be, and

(6) Except in the case of ungraded fruit, the name and post office address including the name of the
Province, of the packer,

(c) The name of the variety so packed.

3. For the purposes of this Act fruit shall be graded as follows :

(a) Grade "No. 1 " shall consist of well grown specimens of one variety, as nearly as possible uniform
in size, and throughout of good furm and color, sound and whole, and free from worms, bruises or disease.

(b) Grade " No. 2 " shall consist of well grown specimens of one variety, sound and whole, and through-
out reasonably free from the defects mentioned in the preceding paragraph, but which on account of
inequality of size, lack of color or other defects, could not be included in grade "No. 1."

4. All fruit not coming within the classes mentioned in section 3 of this Act, and which is packed and
offered for sale in bulk, shall be classed as " ungraded."

76 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

5. Every person who after packing fruit or causing it to be packed, shall sell such fruit or offer the
same for sale or otherwise dispose of the same without having made the marks required by section 2 of this
Act, or any of them, shall be liable on summary conviction therefor to a penalty of not less than $1 nor
more than $5 and costs.

6. Every person who with intent to defraud :

(a) Alters, effaces, obliterates, or covers wholly or partially, or causes to be altered, effaced, obliterated
or covered, any packer's marks made on any article required to be marked under the provisions of this
Act, or

(6) Counterfeits any such marks or brands or writes the same on any such article, after the same has
been once marked, or

(c) Empties or partially empties any such marked article, in order to put into the same any other fruit
(of the same or any other kind) not contained therein at the time of the original marking, or

(d) Uses for the purposes of packing fruit, any article bearing marks previously made by any other
packer, or

(e) Tn making or purporting to make any of the marks required by this Act, falsely states the grade of
fruit packed in the article marked or the name or address of the packer or the weight or measure of the
fruit so packed,

Shall be liable on summary conviction therefor to a fine of not less than $L nor more than $5 and costs.

7. Every person who shall knowingly and with intent to defraud so place or arrange apples, pears,
plums, peaches, nectarines, cherries, grapes, apricots or berries of any description whatever, whether
graded or ungraded, in any box, crate, barrel, basket, or other article, for delivery to any other person in
such a manner as to conceal defects in size or quality in any portion of such fruit by covering the same with
fruit of larger size or better quality or otherwise shall be liable on summary conviction therefor to a penalty
of not less than $1 nor more than $5 and costs.

8. Every person receiving fruit of any kind mentioned in the preceding section for sale in bulk on com-
mission, shall, within one week after any sale by him of such fruit or any part thereof, mail to the address
of the consignor of such fruit a written notice of the price or prices received therefor and the name and
address of the purchaser, and any person failing to send such notice or to give the particulars therein,
required by this section, shall be liable, on summary conviction therefor, to a penalty of not less than $1 or
more than $5 and costs.

9. No prosecution or conviction under this Act shall be a bar to any proceeding for the recovery of
penalties which may be imposed under any other Act, nor to any action for the recovery of damages which
may be brought by any person injured or defrauded by the sale of fruit in violation of the provisions of this
Act, but all such penalties may be recovered, and all such actions may be brought in the same manner as if
this Act had not been passed.

The changes which I would propose are as follows :

In section 2, instead of " every person packing fruit for sale shall mark on the
outside, etc., I would substitute the words "may mark."

Then in section 3, for the words " fruit shall be graded," I would substitute the
words " the grading of apples' and other large fruits shall be defined."

Section 5 I would omit entirely.

The following is a copy of the Bill as passed by the Legislature :

An Act for the Prevention op Fraud in the Sale of Fruit.

Vict. 58, Chap. 48.

1. Every person who with intent to defraud :

(a) Alters, effaces, obliterates, or covers wholly or partially, or causes to be altered, effaced, obliterated
or covered, any packer's marks made on any article in which any fruit is offered for sale, or

(6) Counterfeits any such marks or brands or writes the same on any such article, after the same has
been once marked, or

(e) Empties or partially empties any such marked article, in order to put into the same any other fruit
(of the same or any other kind) not contained therein at the time of the original marking, or

{d) Uses for the purposes of packing fruit, any article bearing marks previously made by any other
packer, or

(e) Falsely states the grade of fruit packed in the article marked or the name or address of the packer
or the weight or measure of the fruit so packed

Shall be liable on summary conviction therefor to a fine of not less than $1 or more than $5 and costs.

2. Every person who shall knowingly and with intent to defraud so place or arrange apples, pears,
plums, peaches, nectarines, cherries, grapes, apricots or berries of any description whatever, in any box,
crate, barrel, basket or other article, for delivery to any other person in such a manner as to conceal defects
in size or quality in any portion of such fruit by covering the same with fruit of larger size or better
quality or otherwise shall be liable on summary conviction therefor to a penalty of not less than $1 nor
more than $5 and costs.

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 77

3. Every person receiving fruit of any kind mentioned in the preceding section for sale in bulk on
commission, shall, when requested to do so by the consignor in writing, furnish the said consignor, within
one week after receiving notice or after disposing of the fruit as may be requested, with a written detailed
statement in regard to the sale or disposal of the same, giving the price or prices received therefor and the
names and addresses of the purchasers.

4. No prosecution or conviction under this Act shall be a bar to any proceeding for the recovery of
penalties which may be imposed under any other Act, nor to any action for the recovery of damages which
may be brought by any person injured or defrauded by the sale of fruit in violation of the provisions of this
Act, but all such penalties may be recovered, and all such actions may be brought in the same manner as
if this Act had not been passed.

EXPORT TRADE IN APPLES AND OTHER FRUITS.

Prof. Craig, said : I wish to make an explanation to the fruit growers of Ontario
with regard to the trial shipment referred to at this Convention at different times.
There is no need for me to dilate on the fruit interests of this country. That has
been frequently given to you at different times already. 1 had intended running over
rather briefly the resources of the different provinces, because I wanted to speak to you
from the Dominion standpoint, as I am a Dominion officer and have the interests of the
other provinces at heart as well as Ontario, but time will not permit at present. I want
to come to that part of the subject which takes up the question of how we might get
rid of our surplus products largely of a perishable character, and that brings us to a
period of the year between the middle of August and the first of November At that
time we have a quantity of fruit of a perishable character in the country much in ex-
cess of the demands of our home market. Last year at the request of the fruit growers,
on account of pressure brought from various points, we decided to make a trial ship-
ment. Mr. Dry den referred to that this afternoon, and I am sorry he is not here just
now to hear what I have to say on the matter, because if there was any failure — and
there was a big failure — there is no one perhaps more to blame than I am myself, and
I am here to take the responsibility of that failure. Mr. Saunder3 in his remarks last
night I thought, rather put the onus on the fruit growers. Well, it does not rest there,
and a body of men who are not to blame should not receive it. I want at the present
time to make an explanation. The Fruit Growers' Association waited upon the Min-
ister of Agriculture at Ottawa and asked him for some help towards getting fruit of
this perishable class to England. There was no appropriation at that time to be specially
devoted to this work, but he stated his desire and willingness to give them such accom-
modation as had been already prepared by a special vote of money for the exporta-
tion of butter ; and I went to some of the pear growing districts and waited on some
of the fruit growers, and we immediately decided that it was well to take advantage
of the Government's offer at that time, and so we just interposed one shipment of fruit
instead of a single shipment of butter. Now, that was an experiment. Mr. Dryden
said that those who had charge of it should know. Without doing how could we know 1
We had had no experience in the line of shipping fruit, and I may say we made a
mistake in making such a large experiment, but we had not the knowledge before us
whether that fruit was going to get over there in good condition. We might
reason from similar cases, and possibly might have reasoned more correctly, but we had
not the knowledge before us, and we did the best we C3uld under the circumstances
and the fruit growers gave us the fruit and put it up in packages which we mutually
decided were best and we shipped by Montreal. I do not want to lay any particular
blame on the transportation company, but I will say that I asked them specially to
see that that car was specially watched en route and that ice was put in whenever
it was needed. However, it arrived there without ice, and the fruit in a very warm
condition. There are two conditions to be kept in mind in sending fruit in this way.
If we have a temperature of forty to fifty degrees we should have ventilation. If
we have a temperature of thirty-two to thirty-four degrees we could ship without ventila-
tion and in tight packages. In the case of low temperature no change takes place
in the chemical make up of the fruit, and no heat is generated ; in the other cases a

78 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

slight change takes* place and heat is generated. We had those close packages and had
no ventilation. We had to keep the temperature sufficiently low that there would be
no need of ventilation. That hope failed. I helped to put ice in the car at Montreal,
and it was loaded at night and under the best possible conditions ; but there was a
sufficient amount of heat in the boxes to melt the ice that was in the compartment to
keep it cool, so that by the time it arrived in England the ice had all disappeared and the
fruit had generated a considerable amount of heat — so much so that it caused a great
deal of decay and was a failure. But we are not going to stop there, and as the
onus of the failure rests upon the officials of the Dominion Government I am pleased to
say that the Government has now under consideration a scheme for the carrying out of
this work next year to what I hope will be a successful issue. The outline of the plan has
not been fully sketched yet, but 1 trust that it will be something like this — that eight or
ten trial shipments — not necessarily large, because our experience of the past will show
that we can get information with small quantities just as well as with large — will be made
covering the perishable fruits of the diflerent provinces ; that these shipments will begin
about the middle of August and be carried on as long as we see that we are deriving in-
formation of a valuable character to growers. That plan I think can be worked very
well with the dead meat scheme which Professor Robettson outlined at Guelph the other
day and which is also under consideration by the Government, and I have every faith that
we can put our perishable products on the English markets in a good selling condition and
that they will be of sufficient quality to attract the attention of buyers over there. I do
not want to say a word against the commission men on that side, but I know they are a
difficult lot of men to move out of certain channels, and it is difficult to get them to adopt
new ideas, and I do not know that we can through them arrive at the best results on this
matter, but we shall do our very best to bring this work to a successful completion and
use our very best judgment ; and I would ask the cooperation of the fruit growers in
regard to suggestions, and anything else that may bs given along that line to the officials
who are likely to have this matter in charge. (Applause.)

Mr. A. H. Pettit : I also regret Mr. Dryden's absence from the room just now,
because I want to reply to one or two remarks he made to-day in regard to the shipment
of our fruit to foreign countries. In my estimation we are to day in a rut, and we have
to get out of that rut. Why is it that the fruit growers of this country most capable of
putting their fruit up in proper shape and forwarding it to the British market are not
doing so 1 Well, I will tell you why I am not doing that, as one. For fifteen years I
have exported to foreign countries more or less apples each year, and I have come to the
conclusion that the system of handling fruits in England is not a system that is in the
interest of fruit growers of this country. We have also had a little experience in our
own cities and towns during the last four or five years in handling fruit in thac manner.
They have been trying it in Montreal and Toronto — that is the auction business. Do
you think for one moment that the fruit growers of this country can put up their apples,
ship them to London and those points and have them auctioned at a common sale 1 I
would ask Mr. Karn, who is in the room, would that be the way that he would expect to
receive returns for his pianos and organs were he to ship them to those cities and have
them put up at auction ? We must get out of that rut and educate our men to put up
fruits for fancy markets and then sell to the consumer of fruit in the best possible condition
without the expense of the middleman if possible. Until we can arrive at that point I
do not think we can win the confidence of the fruit growers of this country to put up
their apples and ship them to that market. Now, how are they shipped there to-day 1 I
have been both buyer and shipper, and I know. To day the condition is this, that if I
buy ten or fifteen thousand barrels we begin taking our apples throughout our section
from the 10th to the 14th of October. Now how long have you got to do this picking
and packing ? (A voice : " About two weeks.") They employ a number of people to
pick their apples and pack them, and pay them so much a barrel to put them up. They
want to put up as many as they can ; it is natural that they want to make as much
money as they can — that is all they are working for. Now 1 claim as a rule they cannot
get experienced men to pack those apples as they should be packed in that space of time,

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 79

and not being packed in proper condition they are sold in the Old Country to the discredit
of many growers who are not to blame in this matter. I say there is no man more cap-
able of packing apples for the British market than the grower himself ; and we must get
out of that rut so thit we can ship them to the market up to a certain brand. A gentle-
man says : " Why don't you work up a brand of your own for the British market V I
did that once. My apples brought me a good price and got me a great deal of credit for
arriving in good condition. What was the experience next year 1 London got crowded
with apples and the commission men, who had branches in London, Glasgow and Liver-
pool, advised that I had better ship to Glasgow. I got a great deal of credit again ; they
arrived in tine condition. The advice next year was to ship to Liverpool ; the next year
the advice was to ship to Chicago, and they went there. My life is not long enough to
establish a character in that way, and if I have to ship to different points each year I
will never reach the goal I aimed at in the beginning. Let us get out of the rut, if it is
possible to do so. The Old Country people are very staid in their ways ; everything has
to be done through a certain channel ; but I believe if we as fruit growers were
united in this matter and asked Prof. Craig and the Government, in connection with thoso
fruit experiments they are going to try, that they would also go on to that country aod
establish a trade for us in some limited way, we in time would get out of that rut and b^
dealing with the consumers of that country, to the advantage of the fruit growers oi'
Canada.

Mr. Boulter : Do you recommend that each grower pack his own apples and
ship them to England ?

Mr. Pettit : I say when you get out of the rut in the Old Country that you are in
now and have your goods handled as they ought to be, directly by the consumer, then I
say let the fruit growers pack the fruit themselves and sell them to the best advantage,
and in my opinion they will get double the money they are getting now.

Mr. Boulter : If I had a thousand barrels of apples and was selling them I never
would pack one of them. I would rather the man who bought those apples would over-
see the packing of them, and send his men. I would pick them and put them there and
let them pack them, because if you pack them and the price of apples dropped, no matter
how much, there would be some rebate required on them, and you would have trouble
before you got through with that buyer. The experience of the growers in Prince Edward
county, who have had thirty or forty years' experience, is that it is better for them to sell
their apples either by the orchard or by the barrel and let the buyer send on his men.
They are not employed by the barrel, but they hire these men by the day and they put
up their apples, and the result is that when the farmer's apples are drawn to the car he
gets his money and his responsibility ceases, no matter what the fluctuation of the market.
As a large buyer of peaches in the Toronto market, I say it is scandalous the way the
fruit is put up. I had a wholesale man in Quebec last August say that his experi-
ence in 1894 was that he never got a decent peach from the city of Toronto — worth-
less things in the bottom and middle and good peaches on the top. Now there is a
great deal to be learned in packing. I believe Mr. Woolverton has endeavored as far
as in his power to improve the system of our grcwers in putting up a better class of
fruit and using boxes. As regards grading : If No. 1 and No. 2 are objectionable as
names why not have the words " Standard " and " Extra Standard ; " but I do hope that
some system of grading fruit will be recommended by this Association to the Government
and carried out.

Mr. Pettit : As regards Mr. Boulter's remarks about last year's peaches, I am
only surprised that he got a few good ones on tcp, for I don't think there were any
good peaches in the peach-growing section last year — they were the poorest that were
ever grown in that section. I believe the fruit growers of this country can pack their
fruit just as nicely and well as any other class of people on the face of the earth.
(A voice : "Of course they can ; '' — hear, hear.) I say they want education along
the line of the best method of packing for foreign markets. There is our weak point,
and when we get out of that rut in regard to shipping to the British market we will

80 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

get a healthy business along that line. I beg to move our appreciation of the action of
the Government in proposing to take along that line by the trial shipments, and that we as
fruit growers hope that they will carry it to a successful issue in the interests of the
fruit growers of Canada.

Mr. Boulter seconded the motion.

Mr. Ca&ton : The short time between the picking and the shipping of the apples
does not make it practical to pack them properly for the Old Country. In Meaford
and Thornbury they have frost-proof storehouses — paying so much a barrel in the
orchard and taking everything except the culls, and putting them all in the barrel
quickly, pressing them sufficiently to keep them from bruising until they reach the store-
house. We always give instructions to packers to pick them carefully. Sometimes with
some hard apples it is impossible to detect a poor one, and pickers will shake them off
the trees in a hurry. If they stay in barrels any time and are repacked we can detect them.
Mc William & Everist, who handle about fifty thousand barrels a year, are doing the
same thing — having them repacked for the English market, with the exception of fancy
packing in cases. Repacking is the most practical way of doing it for the Old Country.

Mr. McNeill : We should decidedly thank the Government, and particularly
Prof. Craig, and not the slightest blame should be attached to him, for he had not
the facilities at hand which were needed for successful cold storage. It is one of those
mistakes that anyone is liable to make, and one scarcely anybody can foresee. I think
Prof. Craig is saying too much when he says he is to blame for this thing, and I
think we should thank him for the efforts he has made in this direction.

Mr. A. H. Pettit : We all know we can make a small shipment of these
perishable fruits to England without the least trouble ; but what we want to provide
for is the large shipment, the commercial shipment, such as you and I would want to
make if we were shipping a carload ; because if you put a carload together in the hot
season of the year it would itself create heat.

Mr. Shuttleworth (Bow Park) : Denmark is producing fine apples ; France is
producing good apples, and they are putting up all kinds of fruit in just as good con-
dition as we are, and yet they are nearer the market. I don't think we will be able
to export the kind of grapes grown here at the present time. England is getting
grapes from Lisbon, very much superior to anything we have here, and which suit the
English taste ; they are accustomed to eat a fancy grape, one they can bite. English-
men don't swallow the seed ; they usually bite the grape ; they have been accustomed
to eat what they call the highest class of grape. The Lisbon grape is better in that
way, as they don't give a sour taste in the mouth, while our grapes give a sour taste. In
France and Jersey Island they have very fine fruit, and these are very near the English
market. When I opened up fruit that was branded as No. 1, I have been almost
ashamed I was a Canadian ; that will confirm what the gentleman wrote to Mr. Dryden.
You may call your grapes No. 1 or No. 2 — an Englishman don't care what you call
them as long as you give him what he pays for. I don't think that anyone who under-
stands the condition of the market will object to having fruit graded No. 1 and No. 2.
Only those who have a desire to get No. 1 prices for No. 2 fruit would object, and these
we want to get rid of, whether growers or exporters. Our firm handles about a third
of the total exports of American apples to Europe ; that is, we handle from three
to five hundred thousand barrels a year, and I have watched very closely this matter of
classification and grading, and a great many of our apples classed as No. 1 are not No.
1. I wish we could have a law that the packer of apples not No. 1 who brands them
as No. 1 should be fined and punished, because it is a fraud, the same as shipping a
filled cheese. In trying this experiment I think the Government should really under-
stand the conditions that exist in the English markets and what they have to compete
with before they disappoint shippers. Tomatoes from France and Jersey Island and
Spain, come over to England, costing for freight about one and sixpence, a large case
holds what may be considered a barrel; they come in packed in boxes about 175 or
180 pounds in a box.

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 81

The President : This is a very interesting question, and we invite apple buyers
and shippers to join in the discussion.

Mr. Shuttleworth : I am not only a shipper ;Iama grower. I claim I am a
Canadian grower now, I am Canadian born, though I have been living in England so
long, and I would like to give my views more definitely on the point, in a uniform
manner, that is dealing with each question. I would be glad to answer any questions*
I would like to see our Canadian trade increased.

On motion of the Secretary it was decided to resume the discussion to-morrow
morning after the election of officers, and the meeting adjourned at 6.15 p.m.

SECOND DAY— EVENING SESSION.

The session was held in the town hall, the audience being larger than during the
day.

President Pettit read his annual address, which appears at the beginning! of this
report.

THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE GLADIOLUS.

Mr. H. H. Groff, of Simcoe, read the following paper :

In an article published during the present year, by one of the leading horticultural
journals of America, the statement was made that " there had been no improvement in the
Gladiolus during the past ten years." It will be of interest to consider the general condition
of this popular flower at that time, after it had been before the public for some forty years,
and since then, during which all the new strains have been introduced. But before
going more fully into the question, I beg to advance the claim that there has been more
improvement during the past five years, than during the whole preceding period of its
history.

The Gladiolus of ten years ago descended from a cross between two Cape species,
and is known as the hybrids of Gandavensis, the section in general cultivation. For
many years the varieties originating from this cross haTe been inbred without careful
selection, which has resulted in one of the most variable plants known to the hybridizer ;
in fact this condition is made ground for the claim, that there is no advantage to be
gained by hand pollenizing, as the leading varieties of commerce are the outcome of
natural fertilization.

The extent to which this indiscriminate seed raising has been conducted, may be
better understood when it is known that commercial seedlings are often grown from seed
than can be bought for a few shillings per pound. Such seed can hardly be produced
from valuable varieties, for the process of said raising is most exhaustive to plant;life,
and so apparent is its effect on the degenerated vitality of the hybrids of Gandavensis,
that if they survive the effort, it cannot generally be repeated without an intervening
season of rest.

Now to admit this sweeping assertion, is to3 concede that the work done during ,;a
comparatively recent period, the first results of which were introduced about five years
ago, has indicated no advance on the line of improvement, and that the time of Kelway,
Souchet, Lemoine and others has been wasted, in their efforts to increase the beautytand
strength of the subject of this paper.

It will here be in Jorder to consider the meaning of the term improvement as
applied to the Gladiolus; and I take the practical and popular ground that it should
mean \ first, the beauty of the individual flower j second, strength and vitality of the
plant; and third, arrangement. During the past ] season, many visitors to my 'J trial

G F.G.

82 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO,

grounds containing some 1,000 named varieties, would stop before a hybrid of distinct
merit ; the plant and straight spike stood six feet high, bearing a few open flowers rival-
ling the orchid in its richness and beauty j and without exception it was pronounced the
gem of the collection, thus proving the first principles of improvement.

We often hear objections made to a variety or strain, condemning it for lack of
substance. Now, while Camellia like petals are most desirable and too rarely obtainable,
their absence cannot be made a point for rejection, unless at the sacrifice of some of our
most beautiful varieties. Substance is largely a question of weather ; for if after a
period of cool moist conditions, a few hours of intense heat prevail, very common occur-
rences in our variable climate, large flowers must wilt, and the larger they are the worse
they are affected. The remedy, however, is easy and most satisfactory, cut the spike
when the first flower opens, blooming in the house, where the last bud of any size will
do even better than in the open ground. This treatment also strengthens the bulb.

The first of the crosses between the hybrids of Gandavensis species is popularly
known as the Lemoine section, the varieties of which in general cultivation partake
largely of the characteristics of the species, their peculiarity being rather weak plants
with crooked stems bearing small bell-shaped flowers. From these conditions the past
five years have seen developed one of the most beautiful and popular Gladioli in exis-
tence, a plant of great vigor, straight spikes, and flowers of the largest size.

Among the newer hybrids and the best finished of the crosses with the species
Saundersonii, is the Nanceianus section introduced in 1890. While the general coloring
of this strain is in shades of red, partaking as it does so largely of the blood of the
species, the wide open flowers are of enormous size, and great richness and brilliancy of
coloring. The plants of the newer varieties are robust, the flowers of good substance,
and bulbs of great vitality. To say that this is no improvement is to ignore a class,
the influence of which will be seen in choice work yet to be introduced.

That section of European origin offered under the name of Childsi in 1893, is the
latest of the Saundersonii crosses in order of introduction ; it is the result of crossing
the hybrids of Gandavensis on the species. The plant is of robust habit, with flowers of
the largest size. While lacking the finish and coloring of the Nanceianus section, it
contains the first break from red shades among the Saundersonii hybrids as known to
the amateur.

It has been my privilege to test many varieties in advance of their dissemination,
among which are the new hybrids originated by Mr. F. E. Gray, of Alhambra, Cali-
fornia. When these are introduced, the value of the infusion of new blood of the
species will be more fully appreciated. With me these plants bearing spikes over two
feet in length, attained a height of fully six feet, with flowers of the Gandavensis form
four inches and more in diameter.

Without reference to any strains yet to be introduced, it is with every confidence that
I rest my contention on the evidence preceding, that the Gladiolus has improved, and
will continue to do so for many years to come.

Mr. W. E. Saunders : I would like to ask if Mr. Groff has obtained any very dif-
ferent results by planting bulbs at different depths in the earth ; also, I would like to
know the parentage of Nanceianus on both sides.

Mr. Groff : My reason for not giving details in connection with any of the various
sections was that they were fairly well known. The parentage is a cross between the
Lemoine and a species of Sandersonii. My rule is to plant six inches for large bulbs.
My reason for that is that the new corm forms above the old one, reducing the depth to
five, whereas if you plant only four inches, as often recommended, it reduces it to three
However, if your soil is shallow it would be much better to plant nearer the surface and
ridge it than plant so that the new roots will find no nourishment in the barren subsoil.
My own soils of course have that peculiarity.

rr:;i< jy[r Mitchell : It has been my practice about blooming time, or a little before, to
earth the stems, and I find it did them no damage, and helped to keep them from falling
over.

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 83

Mr. Groff : I have not tried that. I am always working between the ro*rs, and I
like to have a footing as level as possible. I always plant a depth of six inches ; but I
recommend that as an alternative where shallow planting is practical, if it is necessary.

The Secretary : Which bulbs are best for amateurs to plant 1

Mr. Groff : Canadian grown bulbs. You may think that this is talking shop, but
there is a great deal in having your stock acclimatized. Last year I imported some three
hundred varieties from one of the leading firms in Holland, and from the whole lot I did
not get thirty spikes of bloom, and of them about fifty per cent, died, as a result of the
change I suppose.

Mr. G. R. Pattullo : Has your success been such as to give you a market else-
where ?

Mr. Groff : Yes ; but I have not been long enough engaged in the work of reaching
into foreign markets ; still for 1896 the leading firms of America are listing my hybridized
seeds as a novelty, each one bearing my name and address. If not out of order, I would
like to say a few words as to my own work. While in a general way it is for the im-
provement of all the sections, specially it is with the idea of producing new colors and
shades practically unknown to the amateur, my lines of operation having been approved
of by no less an authority than M. Lemoine. With this view I am constantly corres-
ponding with specialists in Europe and America, securing their most choice work often
in advance of its commercial dissemination, for the purpose of crossing with varieties of a
suitable character in my own collection. One sends me a seedling, the most beautiful he
ever saw, after importing freely the cream of the latest foreign work. Another seedling,
the best of its type, would neither increase nor produce seed with its originator, bat did
both with me, showing the benefit of climatic change One variety of rare merit secured
in this way was pronounced by an expert to be worth its weight in gold. It will there-
fore be understood that the chief object of my work is the production of new varieties by
hand-pollenized seed, my experience with which has been that fully seventy -five per cent.
of the varieties thus produced are worth retaining. After some years of selection and
increase of distinct varieties of merit, for the coming year's work I have added all of the
latest introductions of Souchet, Lemoine and others, including the whole stock of Mr.
Burbank's new California strain, described by him as " the cream of all he ever pro-
duced, his last and best selection." In adding the above to my already choice stock, the
result of former work justifies me in the conclusion that seed and seedlings produced from
the crossing of these strains must be the greatest advance in commerce. This claim is
already supported by the fact that the leading firms of America are willing to list my
seed as a novelty, to be furnished in the original packets, each bearing my name and ad-
dress.

Mr. Rice : Do you plant them out first ?

Mr. Groff : Plant them out first. Of course they can be forced under glass, but
there is nothing to be gained by it as affecting the quality of the flower — in fact the con-
trary. I might say that if you wish to start them you should always use bulblet-growing
bulbs, not use old bulbs.

Mr. Locjghead : Do you consider using large bulbs that they are apt to degenerate ?
Do you encourage growing from spawn and bulblets in order to keep up the qualitv of the
stock 1

Mr. Groff : It is the general experience of growers that varieties of the Gandevensis
degenerate, and that has been my own experience, inasmuch as it is the custom of Euro-
pean introducers to send us high-priced bulbs running from one to three dollars each
from which seed has been raised, and if these produce the characteristic of the flower it
is the exception, and they often die before they recover sufficient strength after enduring
the climatic changes to really let you see what they should be ; and it has always been
my rule to endeavor to procure grown bulbs from these. You can get the characteristic
of the flower from the old bulb, as a rule, the first season if you are able to carry it over,
but it has been invariably declined ; they simply won't furnish them.

84 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

j»ty!J[ Mr. McNeill : What diseases are the bulbs subject to 1 I found that when I
transferred my collection to stiff clay I lost them all with a fungus disease that left the
bulb in cup-like shapes with a resinous margin.

Mr. Groff : On my own ground, although it is very small, where I have four vari-
eties of soil, when I plant in stiff clay I open out a trench, putting in my bulbs and fill
it up with loam ; and stiff clay is the one soil that is objected to for the growing of the
bulb. The disease I presume will be attributed to the condition of^the soil on which it is
grown.

Mr. McNeill : You have never observed that disease 1

Mr. Groff : Mine have always been healthy.

r«ic^j Prof. Oraig : Please repeat your instructions about cutting off the flowers in hot
weather.

Mr. Groff : I think this bulb should be grown very extensively in every garden for
cut flowers. When the first bud opens, cut off simply a spike, not too low or you would
injure the bulb in its development. They will bloom set in water in the house. In the
large cities where light colors are used for general purposes, funeral decorations and
others, they bloom them in the cellar to eradicate any colored stains that might be de-
veloped by the light.

Prof. Oraig : What time do you cut them 1

Mr. Groff : Just as the first flower opens.

A Delegate : Planting the same bulb year after year, does it degenerate 1

Mr. Groff : In the Gandevensis that is the case. At the same time an infusion of
the blood of the species has increased their vitality to such an extent that you can plant
them indefinitely.

A Delegate : How would you replace — get new ones %

Mr. Groff : Yes, unless you get old bulbs a second time. Dealers like to send out
the old bulbs in preference to the small ones.

PUBLIC PARKS AND GARDENS.

Mr. G. R. Patullo, Registrar of Oxford, read the following paper :

Coming first to the second part of my topic, I shall say little ; for the question has
already been dealt with by another member of our Association, who is much more com-
petent for the work than I. Then, too, the desirability of public gardens in all our chief
towns and cities is almost universally acknowledged, if not carried into practical effect. Of
the character of such gardens, their number, size, arrangement, design. and attractions, a
layman must hesitate to speak in the presence of an audience that represents the expert
horticulturists of the country. But that public gardens of such character and extent as are
appropriate to the varying circumstances of the several towns and cities of the country, yea,
and of villages also, would be a great attraction and would also be of material advantage,
is undoubted. For the most casual observer will have noticed that one of the features by
which a town or city is judged by a stranger is the attention that is given to beautifying
it, by handsome tree-lined streets, well-kept boulevards and lawns, and tastefully arrang-
ed gardens, public and private. All these contribute to make up the character of a town
or city, and by them too, the character of the citizens is determined in popular estimation.
They indicate not only thrift, and a degree of prosperity, but also intelligence, good taste
and culture. Hence they become important elements in attracting population and in
making home-life worth living. All this and much more might be said about public
gardens ; but I desire specially to speak, by way of suggestion chiefly, upon the subject
of public parks. Thus far Canadians may be said to have had little time for the con-
sideration of matters other than those that pertain to the most practical side of daily life.
The pioneers who have hewn from the primeval forest the beautiful homes and homesteads-

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 85

that now dot our land were concerned chiefly in a struggle for existence. They had first
to overcome the great obstacles that nature placed in their path and when that task was
accomplished, as it was most nobly, they, alas, were for the most part, quite past the age
to turn their attention to the work of beautifying and making more attractive the land
in which they had cast their lot. That task is now ours. Our forefathers may be said
to have represented the common school of our natural progress. We represent the high
school, the collegiate institute and the university. That public parks are deemed desir-
able and indeed necessary in our national progress may be inferred by the action that has
already been taken in establishing several of them by both the Dominion and provincial
Governments. The first of these established was that at Niagara Falls. This in a sense
is an international park, for the great State of New York, preceded the Province of
Ontario in setting aside a reservation for park purposes immediately opposite that sub-
sequently established by the Ontario Government. By this j oint action, Niagara Falls —
once a hissing and a by-word because of the petty devices that were practiced upon
visitors to the World's greatest waterfall — is now one of the most beautiful and delight-
ful spots for the tourist and visitor, and one to which he may go and enjoy to the full as
cheaply as he may pay a visit to any city in the land. Thither go annually tens of thous-
ands of visitors where formerly there were not hundreds, and there citizens of the two
great Anglo Saxon speaking nations of this continent can meet in friendly social inter-
course let us hope may under the shadow of the great Falls the roar of whose thunder
forever hush all sounds of strife and discord between those who are proud to own a com-
mon mother. The provincial Government has also established a public park in the
northeastern portion of the province. The Algonquin Park, with a vast territory of
forest land, with lakes, rivers and waterfalls, that are destined to make it a delightful
place of resort for the pleasure seeker, the lone fisherman and the huntsman. At Rondeau
also on Lake Erie, another park with somewhat similar attractions has been estab-
lished, and others will doubtless follow. The Dominion Government, too, has most wise-
ly taken advantage of the surpassing beauties of the Rocky Mountains scenery to estab-
lish a great national park at Banff. Apart from the natural attractions of this park it
is rapidly becoming a popular sanitary resort because of the curative qualities of the baths
there. All these parks have been established with the cordial endorsation of both politi-
cal parties for each side of the House vied with the other in giving authority for the
necessary legislation and expenditure.

But while our public park system is so far satisfactory, why not extend it still
farther 1 The parks already mentioned are perhaps chiefly for the pleasure seeker, the
tourist, the fisherman or hunter — in a word for those who, in a sense, least need the re-
creation and enjoyment which they may afford. Why not extend the system so as to
include in their enjoyment and advantages all classes of the community 1 So as to make
it possible for the poorest and the humblest citizen of the land to enjoy the free pure air
and all the attractions that a pretty park affords ? This is the question and the message
that I have for the Provincial Horticultural Association. My meaning is briefly this : — •
Why should not only every city and town, but also every village and township in the
province have a pu blic park or parks 1 Is there one of them that does not offer the
natural advantages therefor 1 And how many of them invite you by their great and
transparent attractions to go in and appropriate them for park purposes 1 Speaking for
this county, and in point of picturequeness it lacks the attractions that lake, river and
mountain scenery afford, there is not a township, nor indeed a considerable village, where
a beautiful park could not be acquired and established at a small cost. There the poorest
citizen with his wife and family may go as opportunity offers to enjoy the pure air, the
green sward, the shady grove and it may be the sweet song of the birds that are denied
to him within the limits of their own humble home. Mothers and children would
especially enjoy such a boon and the latter would surely wax stronger and better, and
become healthier and happier men and women because of it.

There is much talk current now-a-days of what our country produces and what it
manufactures. But its most important product, must always be its people. That they
may grow up to be strong, healthy and happy is a first consideration. And whatever we
can do to accomplish that is a national gain. Life hiust be made attractive alike to the

86 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

rich and the poor — to those whom Abraham Lincoln was wont to call the common people.
If we are to be a contented, happy and prosperous people — a people united in the grand
purpose of building up a new enlightened and great nationality on this continent.

Mr. Rice : I fully approve of the paper, and looking at the location of this beauti-
ful city situated as it is among the everlasting hills, I have been thinking our friends
might have a very interesting park here. I have often been pointed to a hill near
here as being the loftiest in tbis section of Canada. (Hear, hear.) We always look at
that with great admiration — with its rounded, beautiful form, the little patch of woods on
one side, and all its associations, overlooking as it does the stream that runs below, and
the railroad trains, and all that. Now, why not have the top of that hill made into a
beautiful park, planted with your choicest maples that I see growing everywhere in this
city, growing as they do only in Vermont and some highly favored countries, and thus
have here one of the most beautiful spots on earth ?

Mr. Huggard : In the last three years we have established three parks in the town
of Whitby. The town lies back from the lake about two miles and it is not convenient
for the people to get down to the lake for an hour's outing, so we have a four-acre park
almost in the centre of the town just outside the business part. (Hear, hear ) A little
further on, between two schools where the children want a place to play, we have an
acre park ; and last spring on the banks of the beautiful Lake Ontario — one of the finest
on the world, and a bay that cannot be surpassed — we have twenty five acres laid out. I
hope the suggestions in the paper will be adopted by other towns more fully.

Mr. Race : We have another American visitor who is the owner of one of the finest
private parks in America, and knows how to make a private park ; I think the audi-
ence would like to hear something from him.

Mr. Watkins : I would add to the title of the paper so as to have it read : " Public
and Private Parks." I believe that no expenditure of time and money is so valuable
to the owner of a farm as a nice little park. (Hear, hear ) Every farm should have one,
if it is only a quarter of an acre ; it would become the loved spot of his life. My park
was created from a natural instinct I had to go wild. I was always fond of anything
that grew in nature, and I must have them about me. This instinct has led me to all
parts of the world to see nature, and I planted my park so that I would be always in
touch with nature. More than that, having a family of children I felt that if they were
raised in close touch with nature, with the trees and flowers surrounding them, they
would go right every time, and if I could have blocked out the course that my children
have taken I could not have done any better. They have all gone right, and I believe
the contact with my trees and flowers has largely contributed to their welfare.
(Applause.) My park covers sixty-five acres, and it has been the work of spare moments
during forty years of my life. I have planted almost everything that is indigenous to
our country, and have also made it a geological field, gathering stones from all coun-
tries and places so that children coming there from schools and cities would have an
opportunity to see the structure of the earth. The park is simply for the amusement
of myself and family, but about thirty days in every jear it is opened, and I furnish
teams and ice and service and everything to entertain everybody that comes there. I
have induced the Michigan Central Railroad Company to run their trains out, as they
say at the price of oil and men, and say nothing about the wear and tear of trains,
and bring out children from the cities ; and when we get a great many peaches ripe
we get a gocd many children that never ate a peach before, and fill them full — (laughter
and applause) — and if you could see them eating a good peach and then another
and another you would get your money's worth. (Laughter.) Nearly every field on my
farm has a corner that is a little park — a lovely quarter of an acre that has been
planted with deciduous trees or evergreen trees, and makes an evergreen spot. My roads
are all decorated. At first I made a great error in planting straight roads with trees
largely maples. Afterwards I thought better of it and planted alternate trees of differ-
ent kinds, black walnuts and butternuts and all our deciduous trees, even oaks, and group-
ing them, and now they are beginning to look beautiful ; it is a very great change for the
better. (Applause.)

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 87

Mr. Snelgrove : Have you birds 1

Mr. Watkins : I have them in fine numbers, and they never trouble the fruit at all
except the sparrow ; and I believe I would rather have them than any if there were not
any other birds. (Laughter.)

Mr. Smith : Mr. Watkins did not state the she of his farm. It is two thousand
acres in one block, with something besides, so there is a chance for making parks.

Mr. Watkins : I don't wish to lead you astray ; I am a genuine farmer, and what I
don't know about farming you can leave out. (Laughter.)

Mr. McNeill : It is a pleasant thing to hear this testimony of a good American
friend coming over here and showing us how to do these things. (Hear, hear.) In some
of the large English parks they do something of the same style, but I don't believe they
do it with the overflowing generosity of our American cousins.

Mr. Watkins : I have spent many a happy day in old England, and T have yet to
meet a people that I was so at home with and who gave me so much pleasure as the peo-
ple of merry England — (applause) — and I would say their hearty style of doing business
hits me exactly. When I got tired of travelling about Europe I went to England to rest,
(Hear, hear and applause.)

The Secretary : The Waterloo Society has been doing something in the way of a
park in their town, and I am sure we would be glad to hear from Mr. Lockie, the Presi-
dent.

Mr. Lockie : I am afraid the Secretary gave our Society credit for more than it
deserves. The park was originated four or five years ago. In pursuance of the Act that
was passed by the Ontario Legislature allowing municipalities to borrow money for park
purposes, our town very wisely bought a nice piece of land near the town with a very fine
sheet of water on it, a beautiful spot with large trees about it, and laid it out for park
purposes. It has been a great source of pleasure to the town, and even of profit, for peo-
ple come from other municipalities to have picnics and excursions in order to enjoy our
park. Last year our Society bought flowers and helped in this way to make the park
beautiful and pleasant. We hope that ft gave the park commissioners an idea that they
will continually enlarge upon. (Hear, hear and applause.) I hope when the Fruit Grow-
ers' Association comes to Waterloo to hold their annual meeting they will see and enjoy
our park. (Hear, hear and applause )

Mr. Gaston : I think hunting is prohibited in the Algonquin Park, although Mr.
Pattullo spoke of it as the huntsman's paradise ; and I trust that noblest and most grace-
ful animal that ever ran the Canadian woods — the red deer — will be preserved from total
extinction. (Hear, hear.)

THE CULTIVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF HOUSE PLANTS.

Mr. Scarff read the following paper :

The cultivation of flowers is an occupation that improves alike the body, mind
and heart. It is an almost certain indication of purity and refinement. We can
afford to cultivate and study flowers, if for no other reason than their cheerful
surrounding. Many do without flowers because they think they cost too much time
and trouble, but all things worth having cost considerable and anything worth having
is worth working for. Oftentimes the partial success, or, in many instances, total
failure, in the cultivation of flowers is due to the fact that we try to do too much. No
one should have more plants than one can fairly manage or take care of; too often
do we see many plants crowded together in a poorly lighted window, compelling each
plant to take on a form never intended by nature, and foliage quite different from that
desired by the owner. One of the chief requisites in the management of house plants
is plenty of sunshine, next an atmosphere neither too dry nor close, and a uniform
temperature, lower during the night than during the day. As the days become longer

88 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

and brighter, more room between the plants must be given ; for nothing detracts mort
from the appearance of plants than standing too close when growing rapidly. More
careful attention should also be given to proper ventilation on all suitable occasions.
This is absolutely necessary to the health of plants.

The Soil. With regard to the soil best adapted for pot culture : Soil for pot plants
should always be carefully prepared. For this there is no better foundation than well-
decayed turf that is full of root fibres. Many plants would need nothing more ; strong
feeders should have manure added. Perhaps the soil that will best suit the majority is
two parts decayed turf to one part of well rotted manure and one part sand, which will
make a soil that will not bake.

Watering. Rain water is better than spring or well water. Hard water may be
greatly improved by adding a drop or two of ammonia, or a little soda, a small piece
about the size of a pea to every gallon of water used. Morning is the best time to give
water, and evening next. Never water house plants when the sun is shining brightly
on them. The supply of water must be regulated according to the demands of the plants.
Apply when needed, but never in excess. The condition of plants and soil is the best
guide. Never give water when the soil is moist to the touch. The leaves of all large-
leaved plants should be thoroughly sponged off at least once a week with tepid water.
This tends to keep the plants in 'health and free from dust. Nearly all plants require
more water when in bloom than at any other time, more in a warm temperature than in
a cold, and more when in a state of active growth than when at rest. Plants in open
rooms usually require water once a day and some demand it twice. Drainage in the
pots must always be attended to, as stagnant water at the roots will result in diseased
plants and impoverished flowers.

Gas. Its use for illuminating is a drawback to plant culture in the same rooms.
Plants are better off for being in rooms that are never lighted much artificially. If the
plants can at night be cut off by partitions, or moved to unlighted rooms, it should be
done. If not, harm may largely be prevented by covering them with paper covers while
the gas is lighted.

General Management. Pay strict attention to airing, give air when opportunity
offers ; try to secure a uniform temperature without draught. All the light obtainable
at this dark season is needed. Roll up the curtains clear to the top during the day.
Give extra protection to plants during severe cold nights. Plants coming direct from
the florist's often fail when set in a window at this time of the year, because the tender
greenhouse plants are not used to the exposure in the much colder window. Be sure
to get plants that are thoroughly hardened, and to warm the rooms where such plants
are in the window sufficiently to carry them over this change in a gradual way. Be
sure to give all plants in the window the space they require. Crowding is in no case
desirable. For the better protection of plants near the window in severe cold nights,
the plants may be taken from the window, placed upon the table in the centre of the
room and covered with paper.

I have frequently been asked the canse of plants dropping the leaves. Whenever
this occurs, we may be sure the health of the plant is impaired in some way. The
plants may have been kept too warm or too cold, given too much water or not enough
of it ; they may have been injured by crowding or with strong stimulants, or allowed to
become pot bound. The first thing to be done is to make a thorough examination.
Knock the plant out of the pot and see if the soil is too dry or too wet, or whether
the feeding roots are destroyed.

Injudicious watering or applications of strong liquid manure may result in the death
of the plant. Re potting in light and rich, rather dry soil, especially if a new or freshly
cleaned pot is used, will give relief in most cases. The pot need not be larger than
to give about an inch of soil around the ball of the roots, put it into a half-shady
place, water enough to settle the soil around the roots, and give no more water until
new, vigorous growth commences; the soil should be kept moist all through, but never
wet for any length of time. Never use pots of a larger size than is absolutely necessary,
and plunging them in cool ashes encourages root formation. One may readily enjoy a

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 89

succession of flowers all winter long by forcing a few at a time and replenishing as the
bloom fades away. Hardy plants of every description dislike strong heat, preferring
a cool, moist atmosphere, with plenty of air in mild weather and free access to the sun's
rays.

For window culture, the plants should be started either in a cool greenhouse or
sunny window in the domestic apartments, whence they may be removed to the living
room as the bloom begins to appear. Give plants as much light as possible during
the day, and darkness, with a lower temperature, at night. A uniform temperature of
sixty to seventy degrees in the day time and forty to forty -five degrees at night will give
the best results. Turning the plants towards the light should not be done unless
done regularly.

Besides light, house plants require a good supply of fresh air. Ventilation is
absolutely necessary.

Mr. Hall : What is the necessity for draining in new pots, or washing the leaves, or
taking them from the window 1

Mr. Soarff : A great many persons are in the habit of giving too much water and
thus drowning the plant out, hence the need of proper drainage. Washing the leaves is
a great protection to those plants that have been raised in ordinary houses, where a cer-
tain amount of dust will always accumulate on the plants. I find it make3 them much
more healthy, and improves them very much.

Mr. Groff : Gasoline does not affect the plants injuriously ; I light my window with
it entirely. Pots over four inches in diameter should be drained. The question of water
is a vexed one among amateurs. The experience of the late Peter Henderson was that
there was no difference between using hard or soft water as far as its effect was concerned.
My own greenhouses and beds are all watered with hard water all the year round, and I
am satisfied with the result ; I obtain it from springs, being furnished by hydraulic ram3.

Mr. Hall : You must remember that Mr. Peter Henderson did not grow his plants
in the house.

Mr. Groff : Of course a great deal depends on the soil.

Mr. Lockie : Does Mr. Groff use perfectly cold water in the conservatory 1

Mr. Groff : In a small house with the thermometer ten degrees below zero I have
broken the ice and taken it in with the ice rattling in the cans and watered the plants of
the house all winter with it. The temperature of the water would never be under forty
degrees while the temperature of the house would be sixty at the time of watering For
a short time a portion of the soil in the pot might be reduced to the mean temperature of
about fifty degrees which could not be injurious, and that would only be for a short time.
I practised that for some years without an injurious effect.

Mr. W. E. Saunders : The presence of lime makes the difference between hard and
soft water. Lime being added to many soils is a great advantage ; yet I would not
recommend hard water as preferable to soft. The Creator waters his plants with soft
water. (Hear hear.) I don't know that we could do much worse than follow his example.
Suppose I forget to water a plant, and at eleven o'clock I notice it wilting, does Mr.
Scarff mean that we should not water that plant while the sun is shining 1 It has five
or six hours of sun yet to resist without water. It seems to me that refraining from
watering plants when the sun is on them is like refraining from drinking when you are
thirsty. If you are thirsty then take a drink. (Laughter.)

Mr. Groff : I think Mr. Scarff 's idea was that it should not be left until it required
watering when the sun was shining. (Laughter.) I think the water that is gathered at
the roots of plants may be considered hard water. During the early part of the past
season we had no rain ; all the moisture plants received Vas from this cold spring bottom,
spring water certainly, and the result was most satisfactory.

Prof. Oraig : Each gardener at the Experimental Farm follows with very great
advantage the plan of using nitrate of soda just about the time the plants are coming
into flower.

90 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

Mr. Ball : You will get the ladies to kill the plants if you give .ahem that secret ;
they will give them too much. (Laughter.)

Prof. Craig : Dissolve one ounce of nitrate of soda in three gallons of water and
use it about twice a week, and you will very readily notice the increased vigor of the
plant and the luxuriant foliage you will have on them. It is one of the best tonics for
geranium, than which I don't know any house plant better suited for cultivation and that
will stand more abuse and give more flowers; I don't think that the geranium is appre-
ciated sufficiently by our flower-loving public and by the ladies.

Mr. Groff : The whole question of watering may be summed up in this : The man
"who knows how to water knows it all, because on watering too much or too little the
whole success of the plant depends. Over-watering will kill just as much as under- water-
ing.

The Secretary : Mr. Saunders has a very large collection of ^house plants ; I think
we would like to hear something more from him.

Mr. Saukdebs: I think it is better to ipse water in winter that does not produce a
sudden change. I have been using city water in nay conservatory ; it comes to us at a
temperature of about fifty -five, or fifty and I have attributed to the temperature of the
water the fact that the plants have not cc me on as I thought they should, and I am about
now to introduce a mixture of hot and cold until I get a medium temperature. I have
been thinking that for spraying plants perhaps too warm water can hardly be used pro-
vided it is put on with a fine spray. Passing through the air it must lose almost if not
quite all its supeifluous heat, and reach the plants just in a gentle medium temperature
which we might liken to that which the rain has on a warm spring morning.

Mr. Dunn, (Woodstock) : Would it not be a good idea to take the flowers in the
shed and water them there, if they suffer from the sun's rays.

Mr. Groff : It has been claimed by the best experts that nothing is to be gained
by warminig the water, and that there is no necessity of doing it, or of watering with soft
water, unless it is as convenient as hard.

Mr. Lockie : I erected a small greenhouse last fall, and put up a tank pretty well
elevated, and leave the water in there until it becomes the same temperature as the house,
and I think that succeeds very well.

GARDEN AND HOUSE PLANTS.

The President : Our next subject on the programme will give hints on growing
garden and house plants by Mr. Fred Mitchell.

Mr. Fred. Mitchell of Innerkip, before reading his paper said : As an amateur
and a professional I have had a life-long aquaintariee with the subject under discussion,
but I long ago discarded the custom of placing broken potsherds in the bottom of the pot
for drainage, I found that if the earth was not of a fibrous nature there soon would be
no drainage at all, that earth, when it is watered heavily will fill all the crevices in the
pieces of pot which you place in the bottom. The drainage I use is the fibrous roots
which I sift from my compost heap — a portion of the roots of the sod. These I place in
the bottom of the pot, and I find it is the best drainage I can get. As it decays, if it
does not become more open, it counteracts the washing down of the earth, and in pots with
that drainage enough of the drainage remains till the plant is to be potted again no matter
if that may be a year. I agree with Mr. Groff that one of the most important things in
successful plant raising is correct watering. It is one thing which I have never had yet
and I have as good men and boys in my employ as anyone has, but I have never
been fortunate enough to secure one that fully understood watering plants. Anyone
who has the knowledge naturally to define the amount of water that a plant needs will

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 91

generally i>« a successful plant giovver in any part of this world. As to temperature of
water, the only heed 1 have taken was that if the temperature of my house was already
low I was careful not to use cold water and make the temperature still lower ; if the tem-
perature is high I have never been particular if the water was cold ; if the temperature
was overly high T considered it might even do good in a measure by counteracting it. I
have known people when their plants would be frozen in the open air to put water on
them. I have advised them constantly against this. This year, at the time of the severe
frost some parties determined to prove whether I was correct or not, and they watered
portions of their plants and left others unwatered ; some sprinkled water even on black
currant and raspberry bushes and they turned white as if a fire had passed over them,
while the plants that had been left unwatered recovered their usual color. I shall just
give you this advice, never water a frozen plant. Mr. Mitchell, then read his paper as
follows :

As I noticed sometimes plants subjected to unnatural treatment, or placed in situa-
tions uncongenial to them, and where, perhaps, some other plant would give to the grower
a far larger measure of satisfaction, I thought possibly such advice as I could give on
these heads regarding some of our commoner plants might be more useful than the some-
what uncertain information I could give relating to newly introduced plants.

There are also general questions which I am frequently asked as to the reasons for
failure, and the way to success in plant growing, answers to some of which I will
endeavor to include.

I will commence with the Geranium, perhaps the best-known flowering plant of all.
There is very little advice to give regarding it. A larger general measure ot success is
attained with it than with any other flowering plant. It is not exacting in situation or
treatment. One of the very few mistakes made with it in open air planting is that some
persons thoughtlessly use too many varieties. In prominent situations, where planted
for display, this spoils the effect. One variety in a bed produces the most striking
effect. For this purpose no other variety yet introduced equals the well-known Heter-
anthe, or, as it is often called, " Double General Grant." Braant is a much recommended
variety of the same type and of nearly the same color. I find it to be not of nearly so
good a constitution. S. A. Nutt is the best very dark-flowered variety for the garden.
White and light-flowered varieties are never a perfect success in the open air. Mrs.
E. G. Hill is one of the best salmon-colored varieties for the garden. There are very
many varieties equally useful for pot culture.

There is perhaps no other plant of which so many are yearly bought and with which
so small a measure of success is attained as the large- flowered Fuchsia. The fuchsia is
not exacting in the matter of soil or even in the amount of water it receives, but it is
imperative that the temperature should not vary excessively and particularly that it
should not run extremely high. As a spring and summer flowering plant for a cool con-
servatory it is very useful. I have attained the highest degree of perfection with these
large -flowered fuchsias by placing the plants when commencing to bloom far from the
glass on a low bench or on the ground itself, where the temperature is moderately low
and even. In such a situation these plants are very beautiful. The variety known as
Storm King is the most easily managed of all the large flowered fuchsias. The smaller-
flowered varieties, which have been less improved from their original species, are many
of them plants of easy management.

The large flowered Cannas, of which so much was expected and promised when they
came out a tew years ago, have not been universally satisfactory. Failure, I notice, is
generally due to planting in shaded situations or insufficiency of water during dry terms.
Oannas require an open sunny situation and plenty of water artifically applied in the
absence of rain.

The plant known as Galadium escidentum requires the same treatment and situation
as the Canna.

A plant which used to be a common garden plant, and which, when I was a boy, I
used to see a striking object in the garden plots of that day is Monarda didyma. It is

92 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO

very showy when in flower, and remains in bloom a long time. It is an excellent plant
for the background of a lawn or among trees skirting a driveway. It is one of the very
few plants which will nourish under the shade of trees. Jt is a native plant and is gen-
erally found on cool moist banks in partial shade. It is becoming rather rare.

One of the very best summer conservatory plants, and perhaps the least understood,
is the Tuberous Begonia. In its variety of form and color it is a brilliant display in
itself throughout the whole summer. The greatest and brightest display can be secured
by it alone if properly managed. Like the fuchsia, a rather low and even, summer
temperature is necessary to the most perfect results.

The glass should be whitened or shaded in some way as soon as hot, bright weather
may be expected. As for most fine rooted plants an open porous soil is the best, but
success may be attained with it in soils quite different from this, if the temperature is
kept right. The bulbs can easily and safely be kept through the dormant season in any
cool cellar. Some would-be authorities tell us the temperature should never go below
fifty in the place in which the bulbs are stored. There is nothing in this ; a low temper-
ature is in no way injurious, if it does not go below the freezing point.

Enquiries are often made of florists for plants which will withstand the effects of
coal gas. I may say, as I have often said, that there is no plant to which coal gas is
not, more or less, injurious. Plants with hard coriaceous leaves do not so quickly
show the effects of it. Neither do plants, which remain inactive for a period, show
immediate effects of it during the period of their inactivity. But to all plants coal gas is
poison, slow or quick, according to their nature or to the condition in which they may be
when subjected to it. Plants grown by florists when first removed and subjected to
ordinary dwelling-house conditions, will often (even if no coal gas be present) be affected
in appearance by the change to greater or less degree. The usual reason for this is that
the air in the dwelling is drier than it is in the greenhouse. If the dryness is not
extreme the plant will soon accommodate itself to its new conditions. But if the air be
so dry as to be of a burnt or kiln-dried nature the plant will never flourish.

Enquires are often made as to the amount of water house plants should receive. A
general rule is that water should be sufficiently withheld to allow admittance of air
to the roots every two or three days at least. Saucers which are often used in dwelling-
houses under the pots should only be used to catch such water as may drain from the
pots when watering. The only common plants which will thrive with the saucers con-
stantly filled with water are Sedges and Oallas.

There are no hard and fast rules for the management of plants. He or she will be
the most successful who makes a study of the general and individual nature and
necessities of plant life.

Mr. Groff : I would like to ask Mr. Mitchell if his reference to tuberous begonias
referred to them as house plants, conservatory plants or bedding plants.

Mr. Mitchell : I referred to them as conservatory plants, but I have experi-
mented with them also as bedding plants, and I have not personally found them alto-
gether successful. I have seen them growing to perfection in the open air with others
but they have not done so with myself. They do the best in the open air or in places
moderately sheltered, or where they do not receive much wind. It seems as if they
cannot abide heavy winds.

Mr. J. Cameron : Do you recommend putting pots in the sand for the purpose of
keeping them damp ?

Mr. Mitchell : It certainly will do them no harm, and I think it might be some
benefit. I believe that there is only a small portion of the people here who have seen
the tuberous begonia at its best ; it is most beautiful indeed, and makes a perfectly
grand display. A summer conservatory with nothing in it but tuberous begonias can be
made a^ bright and beautiful as it is possible to make it. (Hear, hear).

Mr. Parker : Was not the injury that was done to these frozen plants with
water done by watering at an improper time ? If they were frozen during the night

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 93

and you allowed thein to get the air too warm it seems to me the water might,
assist in extracting the frost from them, but if it was done a little too soon or a little
too late of course it would be a serious injury.

Mr. Mitchell : I think it would not possibly .injure the plants so much if the
water was put on in the way we have been told to-day was the proper way of
spraying, that is, to fall in a light spray ; but anything in contact with the plant
that puts it in motion when it is frozen is sure to injure it. If any animal step on
frozen grass it will leave a dead spot.

The President : We have with us two delegates representing the Michigan Hor-
ticultural Society, who will convey to us fraternal greetings from their Society.

Mr. Rice : Many people in Canada know of our state because it is the home of
their children and friends. The State of Michigan would reach from Sarnia to Mon-
treal and from Port Huron to Lake Ontario. We have more than one-half as many
inhabitants in Michigan as you have in all Canada from ocean to ocean. It is the horti-
cultural society of this grand state which sends you greetings to-night. Among the
happy events of my life that I love to look back upon are the times when I have been
privileged to meet with the bright men of this Association in the past. I think you
know how to use people well, and you have such a studious disposition in studying all
your work. Before I came to Woodstock I was told by a party who used to live here
that the town was a long way behind the times ; but when I looked around >our pleas-
ant streets and homes to-day and visited your active workshops I asked myself, where
would you be if you were up to the times 1 (Laughter.) I looked around for poor
men's homes, but found pleasant cottages surrounded apparently with comforts, pleasant
yards, and everything looking neat and tasty. When we went over to your College
and saw the young men there learning habits of industry as well as habits of thought, I
felt that we would soon reap the advantage from this ; and why 1 Because Canada is
to us the reservoir from which we draw our young people. (Laughter). We are too
busy in our country to raise up large families of children, but here in Canada you have
the reputation of raising the finest hogs, sheep, cattle and horses in the world ; and why
not raise the finest stock of the other animals 1 (Laughter). Now if you are going to
send that stock over to us, don't send scrub stuff; we have had enough of it.
(Laughter). My daughter after passing through this beautiful country around Wood-
stock and valleys around London and the Grand River, and those vineyards down about
Winona, said to me : " Papa, I see now why it is that only the meaner class of people
come from Canada to our country." I asked, " Why ?" and she answered, " They have
such a beautiful country that none but a mean man would leave it." (Laughter and
applause). It is often hinted that you would like to become part of the United States;
but don't do it. (Hear, hear ; and a voice, " Don't be afraid.") We know Michi-
gan would be so eclipsed that we would have to sell right out and move down here, and
you would become the greatest and grandest and most glorious spot on earth ; no other
spot would be so beautiful, so thickly inhabited, so filled with the industries of all sorts
as this portion of God's footstool. No other portion is supplied with such water powers ;
you can manufacture for all the earth. Now just stay as you are ; don't rival us too
much; don't get too big. (Laughter.) Canada is often represented as our younger
sister. Well, we are proud of her ; she is a nice, spruce girl, and a pretty lassie.
(Laughter.^

Mr. Watkins : When our President at our last meeting asked me to go to the
State of Illinois as a delegate I said no ;'then he said, "Go down to Indiana ;" I said,
" No, I don't feel like it ;" but when he asked me to come over to Ontario, I said I would
do that with the greatest pleasure. (Applause.) Some of you might wonder why. It
is a very difficult route — I have to come four or five railways to get here. But the
reason I came was that three or four years ago I had the happiness to be a guest of your
Agricultural Society, and if I ever had a happy time it was then. I met a great many
men that I have been very glad to have known — Frederick Stone, of Guelph, and the
Snells, and a lot of people that were a delight, and I knew that I should come to just
such another place here, and I did. I am happy to be with you to hear your bold and

94 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

careful and crystallized way of talking of subjects that you take up. You know that
you have the future horticulture in your hands. There has been an allusion to annex-
ation. I don't believe the people of the United States entertain the least idea of it.
Not that they would not get the best people on earth, but we have had a bitter experi-
ence in our civil war in trying to hold down an immense territory. It would be a
poetic thing to see this continent all governed by one people, but I think in the nature
of things it would be impossible for any one government to hold so many classifications
and environments and soil and conditions in one people. People are jealous, and poli-
ticians are tricky, and it would make trouble, and it would cause wars and bloodshed,
and injure all parties. The best thing for us is a genuine, square, honest, fair, fraternal
reciprocity. (Hear, hear, and applause.)

The meeting, which had been enlivened by several musical selections, closed with
the national anthem at 10.30 p.m.

THIRD DAY— MORNING SESSION.

The Convention resumed at 10 a.m.

On request of the President, Mr. McNeill read the report of the Nominating Com-
mittee.

THE OFFICERS FOR 1896.

President, M. Pettit, Winona, Vice-President, W. E. Wellington, Toronto; Secretary -Treasurer and
Editor, Linus Woolverton, Grimsby ; Directors : W. S. Turner, Cornwall ; R. B. Whyte, Ottawa ; George
Nicol, Cataraqui ; Wellington Boulter, Picton ; Thos. Beall, Lindsay; R. L. Huggard, Whitby; W. M.
Orr, Fruitland ; A. M. Smith, St. Catharines; J. S. Scarff, Woodstock; John Stewart, Ben miller ; T.
H. Race, Mitchell; Alexander McNeill, Windsor; G. C. Caston, Craighurst. Auditors: A. H. Pettit,
Grimsby; George Fisher, Burlington. Representatives on the Board of Control of the Ontario Fruit Ex-
periment Stations: Messrs. W. E. Wellington, A. H. Pettit and A. M. Smith.

The Report of the Nominating Committee was adopted as a whole.

The President : I thank you for the honor you have done me in electing me for a
second term, and I only ask for a continuance of the kind assistance and consideration
I have received at your hands during the past year. I assure you that I shall do all in
my power to forward the great industry that we have here represented. (Applause).

REPORTS OF EXPERIMENT STATION BOARD.

The Secretary : The operations of the experimental stations are so extensive, and
the report is so bulky and so much in detail, that it would exhaust all the patience of the
members to hear it read.

Mr. A. H. Pettit : As this report is so bulky and will be published in our annual
report, I would suggest that we pass it over, as we have so much to be done at this
session.

FRUTT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

95

TREASURER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1894-5.

Receipts.

M

$ c.

Balance on hand Dec. 1, 1894. . . 140 87

Members' fees 2,477 47

Government grant = 1,800 00

Advertisements 243 62

Binding and bound volumes 34 47

Back numbers, etc 11 02

Amount due Treasurer Dec. 1, 1895.

0 38
$4,707 83

Expenditures.

$ c.

Canadian Horticulturist 1,666 95

Salary Secretary- Editor and assistant 1,200 00

Cromo lithographs 272 00

Plant distribution 262 24

Directors' expenses 238 98

Commission 231 78

Affiliated societies 191 52

Postage and telegrams 152 23

Express and duty < ... 113 14

Printing and stationery 105 91

Stenographer 80 00

Illustrations . 57 20

Committees 54 85

Binding of volumes 34 69

Advertising , . 24 36

Discount . . 19 98

Petty cash . . . c 2 00

$4,707 83

nWe, your auditors, have carefully examined the books and vouchers of the Treasurer and find them to
agree, and that they are most neatly and correctly kept.

^KFl'sHER,}^^-

REPORT OF FINANCE COMMITTEE.

*Sw)Your Finance Committee, having examined the Treasurer's accounts, hive pleasure in
testifying that the payments made during the past year were justifiable in the bast inter-
ests of the Association, and in accordance with the objects for which our Association
exists. But, in consideration of the fact that we have overdrawn our account, we would
recommend that in future all paid delegations and committees sent out be as small as is
consistent with the best interests of our Association.

A. M. Smith,
W. M. Orr.

On motion of Mr. Pettit, the Auditors' Report was adopted.

REPORT OF SECRETARY, 1895.

The membership of our Association during the past year has considerably increased.
Last year the total number of paid members was 2,104, this year it is 2,47 2. As you
will see from the Treasurer's report, the gross receipts from members' fees this year has
been $2,477. -.7, and the commission allowed on club lists ^amounted to $231.78.

This increase has been in a large degree due to the praiseworthy efforts of our
director for district No 5, Mr. Tho3. Beall, who, a year ago, laid before us his scheme
for enlarging the work of our Association in a paper read at the last annual meeting, and
probably no man could bj better fitted tD do this work than Mr. Beall. He is metho-
dical in his work, and know.* how to approach thi prominent men in each locality in such

96 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

a way as to insure their confidence in his proposals. Through his efforts the following
affiliated horticultural societies have been formed :

Niagara Falls South, 100 members; Woodstock, 94 members; Lindsay, 90 mem-
bers ; Paris, 67 members ; Port Colborne, 61 members ; Brampton, 63 members ; Port
Hope, 75 members ; Waterloo, 70 members ; Trenton, 60 members ; Napanee,f58 mem-
bers ; Grimsby, 58 members.

I believe that it is the true way of enlarging the work of our Association, because it
means a large number of local organizations in closest sympathy with our work.

You will be interested in knowing what was done in the spring of 1 895 in the way
of plant distribution. The following is a list of the plants distributed :

Pearl gooseberry 1,164 plants.

Green Mountain grape 336 "

Rosa rubifolia 381 "

Ootoneaster Vulgaris 155 "

Gabriel Luizet rose 99 "

Sarah raspberry 88 "

Douglas Fir 65 "

Pinus Ponderosa 57 "

Strawberries (sets of four plants) 18 "

Smith's Giant raspberry 3 "

These were wrapped with more care than usual with damp moss in oiled paper and
an outside wrapper of heavy paper. They were mailed as fast as ready, the last being
mailed on the 11th of May. It would appear that this distribution has given more than
usual satisfaction, nothing but words of appreciation and satisfaction being received from
subscribers. I have taken unusual care to have everybody pleased, because in time past
there has been a good deal of complaint. In cases where no plant has been chosen by the
subscribers I have sent them such plants as I thought would be acceptable. Our spe-
cial thanks are due to Professor Wm. Saunders, Director of the Central Experimental
Farm, Ottawa, to whom we are indebted for a large proportion of the stock sent out.

It is a question for us to consider in the near future, if not at this meeting, in what
manner we shall continue the plant distribution. It is experimental work of a slow
kind. The reports are scantily made and the chief good of work consists in scattering
far and wide valuable new varieties of fruits or flowering plants. I would suggest that
the experimental part of this work be entirely given over to the Board of Control of the
Ontario experiment stations, and that only such stock be distributed among our mem-
bers as from time to time is proved to be of value, either by cur own stations or by
the Dominion experimental farms, or as may for other reasons be considered worthy of
distribution.

The printing of the journal is still done by Messrs, Dudley & Burns, of Toronto, and
the average expense, including engravings, has been $125 per month, not including
colored plates. The work is well and faithfully done, though occasionally behind
in publication. Scmetimes this is my fault, and sometimes it is the fault of the
printers, but I assure you I am trying my best to have it issued as soon as possible
after the first day of each month.

The colored plates have been continued in most issues of 1895. I find a certain
class of subscribers highly appreciate them, and I think it would be a great mistake to
wholly discontinue them ; still, with your approval, I propose in future to increase the
number of engravings and lessen the number of colored plates, unless such lithographs
can be secured as will more truly represent the actual size and coloring of our fruits than
seme of these which have appeared in the past. If our funds would permit, I would
suggest the making of seme original colored plates from nature, giving the true size and
color of the fruits as grown in Canada. These would prove of value, and would add
much to the high standing cf cur journal and of our repcrts in foreign countries. * As an

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 97

example of the gcod work that might be done in this line, I would refer you to the fine
plates, true to nature, which illustrate the " Bulletin of Agriculture and Floriculture,"
published in Gand, Belgium.

With all economy, I find it a great difficulty to keep the balance on the right side.
We need more money for our work. Our industry is the most important one in Canada.
The dairymen have received an addition to their grant, and we are quite as well entitled
to it as they are. Our directors should have more than bare expenses ; our journal
needs additional expense put upon it, and lecturers should be sent out to affiliated
societies.

I would suggest that a committee be appointed to interview the Minister of Agri-
culture on this subject, asking that our grant be increased for the purposes above men
tioned.

This report was received and adopted.

REPORT OF NEW FRUIT COMMITTEE.

D. W. Beadle : The New Fruit Committee are able at this meeting to give you a
verbal report. Owing to the frosts the number of seedling fruits and new fruits received
this year has been comparatively very few. I took some pains to communicate with all
who had sent new fruits to this Association in years past, writing over a hundred letters,
and I have received replies from some of them. Anything of any importance will be
detailed in the report which I will prepare and send to the Secretary.

Letters were sent to all those who had, previous to 1894, sent samples of seedling
fruits which had been favorably mentioned in the reports of this Association, but owing
in large measure to the frosts of May subsequent to the very warm weather that had
forced vegetation into unusually rapid development, comparatively few were able to comply
with our reauest to be favored again with samples of these fruits.

Notes were carefully made of such as were received, a synopsis of which is here-
with presented as follows :

From Mr. J. C. Bull, Weston, Ont., were received samples of apples grown from
seed of the Ram bo, the trees all of the same age, somewhere between thirty and forty
years. These were sent to Mr. Craig, but the letter describing them was sent to the
chairman, which stated that the fruit was also mailed to him. After waiting some days
without any tidings of the fruit, and not having received any reply to his inquiry
whether the fruit had been sent, the chairman sent Mr. Bull's letter to Mr. Craig, and
shortly after learned from him and from Mr. Bull that the apples had been sent to Mr.
Craig and that he had been waiting to learn whence they came. Owing, probably, to
this delay notes were not taken by Mr. Craig of all of the numbers. Those taken are
dated September, 1895.

No. 1. Size, medium; form, round, regular; skin, yellow, with faint blush, and inter-
spersed with numerous black dots ; stem, large, slender ; cavity,broadand smooth ; calyx
open; basin shallow, wrinkled ; flesh, yellowish, juicy, melting, pleasant sub-acid ; rather
promising. Mr. Bull says No. 1 is smaller than usual, the tree a good bearer, but rather
delicate.

No. 2. Mr. Bull says the tree is very productive and hardy, the fruit usually larger
than sample sent. No notes by Mr. Craig.

No. 3. Size large ; form, roundish conical, regular ; skin, greenish yellow with
numerous dots ; stem, moderately stout ; cavity narrow and deep ; calyx, open, basin
shallow, roughly wrinkled ; flesh, white flaky, juicy, quality good, sharp sub-acid ; texture,
rather tough ; decidedly promising ; more color wanted. Mr. Bull says fruit fairly repre-
sented by sample, tree hardy and productive.

7 F.G.

98 FRUIT GROWBRS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

N,o. 5. Mr. Craig notes it is not as valuable as Nos. 1 and 3 ; smaller, more conical,
with stripes ; quality medium. Mr. Bulls says, " a hardy tree, bears very well, but not
so heavy as some of the others." He also says No. 4 is very hardy and productive ; No.
6 a good bearer and hardy, fruit sweet. But no notes appear to have been taken by Mr.
Craig of Nos. 2, 4 and 6

Seedling apple from W. H. Leef, Orillia, Ont., October 4th, 1895. Description
taken from Mr. Craig's notes. Size, medium ; form, oblate, somewhat irregular ; stem,
not mentioned ; cavity, broad, moderately deep, russeted ; calyx, not noted ; basin,
shallow, somewhat irregular ; flesh, yellow, juicy, mild sub-acid, pleasant, fair quality;
season, October and November. Fairly promising. No mention of the tree.

Seedling apples from Watson Griffin, Montreal, October 5th, 1895.

No. 1. Shiawassee Beauty type. Size, large ; form, oblate ; skin dark crimson.
Much overripe, October 10th.

No. 2. Probably Autumn Strawberry or foundling. Exact in taste and appear-
ance. Now over-ripe, October 10th.

No. 3. Like Westfield Seek no Further. Size, medium ; form, oblate ; skin, dark
green interspersed with crimson markings ; flesh, juicy, brisk sub-acid ; season, midwinter.
Promising.

No. 4- Size, large, Alexander type ; skin, greasy, overspread with purplish red ;
flesh, yellowish white, tender, juicy, melting, sub-acid : quality good, much better than
Alexander. Worthy of further trial.

Such are Mr. Craig's notes on these apples from Mr. Griffin.

Seedling apples from C. H. Roberts, Paris, Ont.

Harold. Size, medium to small ; form, oblate with conical tendency, regular ; skin,
smooth, glossy, with bloom, dark crimson, with greyish, russety patches near the cavity ;
stem, short arid stout ; cavity, broad and moderately deep ; calyx, closed ; basin, small ;
flebh, white, firm, somewhat pithy, juicy, but not strikingly so, sub acid, quality, medium
to poor. Season Christmas.

Percy. Small, resembling Longfield in size and appearance, but somewhat tough
and woody in texture.

Charlie. A small, crab-like apple of bright, attractive appearance and good quality
and a keeper, but too small. Such are Mr. Craig's notes of Mr. Robert's apples.

Seedling apples received from Mr. McD. Allan, Goderich, Ont.

Breckenridge. Mr. Allan says grown by John Breckenridge, Goderich, a great
bearer, long keeper, and towards spring of excellent quality. Resembles Northern Spy.
Size, medium to large ; form, approaching oblong ; ribbing, very obscure, sometimes
wanting; skin, yellowish green, partly covered with stripes and splashes of red, thick
and tough ; stem, slender ; cavity, deep and broad ; calyx, open ; basin, shallow, almost
wanting; flesh, white, flaky, juicy, sub-acid, with. Northern Spy flavor ; said to keep all
winter. Worth cultivating.

Jordan. Russet type. Size, eight and one-quarter inches in circumference, two and
one-half inches long ; form, regular, roundish oval ; skin, greenish yellow, thinly covered
with light russet, with russet more dense in numerous patches and sparsely sprinkled
with grey dots ; stem, three-quarters of an inch long, moderately stout ; cavity varies
from broad and shallow to deep, narrow and lipped ; calyx, prominent and closed, occas-
ionally open with broad segments ; basin, shallow, smooth ; flesh, a greenish yellow, fine
grained, moderately juicy, breaking, mild sub-acid, rich, pleasant, quality, very good,
resembles Pokeepsie Russet in flavor ; season, late winter. Deserves attention. Mr.
Allan says : This apple is grown by F. Jordan of this town. It is a long keeper and
of fine quality when ripe. It will easily keep till June.

Seedling apple from Milton G. Bruner, Olinda, Ont., who suggests for it the name
Ella. Size, medium ; skin, yellow, striped with red and crimson ; flesh, white, melting,
moderately juicy, mild sub-acid, quality fair ; season November to January.

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 99

Two Seedling apples from Thos. Connolly, Lindsay, both yellow, fairly attractive in
appearance, but not good enough to be commended for dissemination. Notes of Bruner's
and Connolly's apples by Mr. Craig.

Seedling apples from J. Cuppage, Orillia.

Pioneer, No. 1. Size, medium to small ; form, roundish conical ; skin, yellowish
green, with a ruddy check, and thickly covered with irregular russet dots ; flesh, yellowish
white, not juicy, mild sub-acid, quality poor ; season, parly winter.

No. 2. Size, about ten and one-half inches in circumference ; form, oblate ;
skin, mostly covered with light red, abundantly streaked with deeper red and sparsely
sprinkled with very minute specks; flesh, yellowish white, almost coarse, juicy, sub-acid,
quality poor.

McLeod, No. 3. Size, medium to small ; poor in quality ; seemingly a November
apple not worth disseminating.

Diamond, No. 4- Size, medium to small ; form, oblate ; skin, greenish yellow,
thinly mottled and splashed with red in the sun ; flesh, white, slightly tinged with green-
ish yellow, coarse, moderately juicy, very mild, subacid, not rich but pleasant ; quality
not good enough to warrant its dissemination.

Kearts Seedling, grown by Rev. Thomas Williamson, Orillia, sent by Mr. G. H. Hale,
Orillia. Size, medium, nine inches in circumference and' two and one half inches high ; form,
conic oval, slightly oblique; skin, for most part a purplish red on yellow ground, mottled
and splashed with a darker shade, thickly sprinkled with light grey specks, which appear
almost white in contrast ; stalk, three-quarter inches long; cavity, deep, nearly trian-
gular, slightly lipped ;, calyx, open, segments long pointed, reflexed ; basin, large, of
moderate depth, slightly wrinkled; flesh, yellowish white, moderately juicy, flivor with-
out character, quality poor.

Two apples from Franklin Orandall, Lindsay, Ont. Received December 6th.

Red Rock. Tree, a seedling, hardy ; fruit, size medium ; form, conic oblate ; skin,
light yellow, overspread with red, splashed with deeper red and sparsely sprinkled with
small whitish dots; stalk, very short and stout; cavity, broad, deep, slightly russeted,
and irregular in outline ; calyx, small, segments short, open ; basin, irregularly cor-
rugated, broad, of medium depth; flesh, yellowish white, coarse, juicy, sub-acid, quality
not quite good ; a good keeper, but apt to rot at the core.

Empress. Tree came up on a spot where a Baldwin was once growing, it is now
fifteen years old, has been in bearing ten years, bears every year. In 1894 the crop was
three barrels, in 1895 was seven barrels. It is a free grower and extremely hardy.
Fruit, above medium, ten inches to ten and one-half inches in circumference ; form,
oblate, flattened at both ends ; skin, greenish yellow, with a solid carmine blush where
exposed, splashed with deeper shade and thickly sprinked with minute dark brown
specks margined with green ; stalk very short, and stout ; cavity, broad ; moderate depth,
slightly russeted around the base of the stalk ; outline irregular, with a slight lip ; calyx,
open ; segments, broad and short ; basin, broad and deep, not wrinkled but somewhat
irregular and precipitate. Flesh, nearly white, almost fine grain, mild, sub-acid, juicy,
pleasant flavor ; quality very good ; core, small. Mr. Orandall says the fruit is at its
best about April when kept in a cool cellar. A very promising variety, worthy of further
trial.

Apple from Mr. John Miller, Markham, Ont. December 14th, 1895. Tree forty
years old, was growing on the farm when Mr. Miller took possession twenty-eight
years ago; is healthy and a regular bearer. Fruit, of medium size; form, roundish
oblate ; skin, smooth, yellow, red on one side, and splashed all over with bright red ; stem,
very short, not very stout ; cavity, deep, narrow, smooth, lightly russeted ; calyx, closed,
segments, broad and short ; basin, shallow and uneven ; flesh, yellowish white, fine
grained, juicy, mild, sub-acid, pleasant flavor; quality good; core medium, seeds very
plump ; season, December and January. An attractive apple, no better than others of
same season now in cultivation, but may prove valuable in some sections on account
of the hardiness and productiveness of the tree.*

100 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

The following descriptions are from notes taken by Mr. Craig. For varying reasons
Mr. Oraig was not able to forward samples of all of the fruits received by him to the
other members of the committee, therefore in such cases the description given is credited
to Mr. Oraig, from whose notes they are taken.

Seedling apple from A. W. Forfar, Ellesmere, Ont., reported in 1869 by Fruit
Growers' Association of Ontario. Fruit, of medium size ; form, oblate conical ; skin, a
clear golden yellow, with a diffused pink blush ; stalk, slender ; cavity, broad, moderately
deep and slightly russeted; calyx, open; basin, shallow and plaited; flesh, white, flaky,
moderately juicy, firm, mild sub-acid, with sweetish after taste, flavor pleasant, good to
very good, core small ; season, September and October. In good eating condition
September 24th, 1895.

Seedling apple from Mr. Seth C. Wilson, Whitby, Ont. Fruir, of medium size ; form,
roundish, ribbed; skin, greenish to yellow with dark dots ; stalk, short, one-half to three-
quarters of an inch ; cavity, deep and smooth ; calyx, open; basin, ribbed, small and deep;
flesh, white, crisp, juicy, brisk subacid, breaking, flavor pleasant; season, August.
Resembles in a general way Grimes Golden, with less regularity.

Seedling Plum, from Allen Bros , Winona, Ont., August 9th, 1895.

No. 8. Examined August 24th. Fruit of medium size, form egg-shape, skin green.
Too badly shrivelled to gain an idea of the quality.

Seedling Peaches, from H. A. Bailey, Amherstburg, Ont. Both samples in poor
condition. September 20th, 1895.

No. 1. Overripe when received ; one of them quite decayed, but apparently of
good quality.

No. 2. A clingstone, of fine appearance, but watery and of poor quality.

Scions of the most promising varieties, above noted, have been secured by Mr.

Craig, and root-grafts will be available for distribution next spring to the experimental

fruit stations.

/D. W. Beadle, Toronto,

n ... ) Chairman ;

Committee : < T ri ~, , ,^ , '

\ John Cpaig, Ottawa, Ont. ;

( A. McD. Allan, Goderich.

REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON FRUIT EXHIBIT.

Your committee appointed to examine the fruit exhibit upon the table have to
report that they find a very fine display of old and new fruits made by Mr. W. H.
Dempsey, of Trenton. Among his new apples worthy of note we observe a medium
sized roundish, dark red one, very handsome, somewhat resembling a Spy — a cross
between that old variety and Golden Russet. Also another cross between those two
varieties, named Walter, previously shown at Peterborough and described in the report
of that meeting. In his exhibit are also seen very fine specimens of Hubbartson's None-
such, Westfield, Ontario, Newtown Pippin, Lord Burleigh, Mcintosh Red, Stark, Ameri-
can Pippin, etc.

Mr. W. S. Turner, of Cornwall, shows a handsome plate of Gideons, and some very
fine Mcintosh Red, La Rue, Wealthy, Red Bietgheimer, Canada Baldwin, and specimens
of a few other older varieties.

Mr. A. M. Smith, St. Catharines, shows the Princess Louise apple, six varieties
of pears and well preserved samples of the Niagara and Vergennes grape.

Mr. L. Woolverton, of Grimsby exhibits a very fine sample of Cranberry Pippin,
Blenheim Pippin and Princess Louise.

Mr. H. Jones, of Maitland makes an attractive display of ten varieties of apples,
among them the Red Mcintosh, an extra fine Fameuse, a fair sample of La, Rue, Pewau-

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 101

kee, Ban Davis, Wealthy, Longfield, Blue Pearmain, Scott's Winter, and a handsome seed-
ling named Scarlet Pippin. The latter is a handsome, reddish, medium sized and very
attractive apple of fair quality.

Another attractive exhibit is one by Prof. Craig, of Ottawa, brought from the
Experimental Station in British Columbia. Among this exhibit are large sized speci-
mens of the Vaudevere, Stark, Mann, Ribston Pippin, Twenty Ounce Pippin, etc. Prof.
Craig also shows a number of varieties grown at the Experimental Farm, Ottawa.

Mr. L B. Rice, of Port Huron, shows a sample of Ben Davis grown in Missouri,
which seems to be matured much in advance of the same variety grown here.

Mr. W. Newton, of Woodstock, exhibits some samples from a tree bought for the
Newtown Pippin. The samples resemble, slightly, that variety in shape and color, but
not at all in quality or season.

Mr. R. L. Huggard, of Whitby, shows a seedling which he claims to be a long
keeper, and the tree a regular and heavy bearer. The apple is of medium size, of the
Colvert form, but does not appear to have much quality.

T. H. Race, ) n
G.Nicol, / Oommittee

The Secretary thought it would be well for Mr. Race to call attention to anything
specially worthy, and let the details come in the printed report.

Mr. Race : the only thing that the committee have to report specially are some of
those seedlings shown by Mr. Dempsey. He has shown some very fine results from
crosses between the Northern Spy and the Russet. The peculiarity of these apples is
that they have the characteristics of the Spy partially ; however, they are very fine
samples. The next very nice exhibit is shown by Mr. Turner, and some very fine
specimens shown from British Columbia. The specimens that were shown from the
Experimental Farm at Ottawa we have said very little about. They don't come up at
all to the apples produced of a similar variety farther west. Special mention should be
made of the apples shown by Mr, Jones from the St. Lawrence district, called the
Scarlet Pippin ; it is a very handsome apple, medium size, of fair quality. Mr. Jones
reports that it is a very salable apple down there, and one very much in demand.
We cannot say that it would be an apple that should be very largely cultivated except
for its appearance ; and as Mr. Dryden represented to us here yesterday afternoon, it is
quality that is going to tell in the long run in the British market and every apple
market, and that has been my view for a great many years. A little flash and show may
take for a time, but this apple has the qualities to recommend it for a long time.

Mr. Huggard : I would like to hear the committee's opinion of this seedling I
brought from Whitby.

Mr. Race : There were two or three seedlings placed on the table which we could
not say anything about. They are only medium in size, and they are not very well up
in quality. There is not one of the seedlings shown that would commend itself very
much. We don't think it is advisable to recommend the introduction of any of these
new seedlings unless they come quite up to or a little above the varieties now in cultiva-
tion. We have some splendid apples now, the old standard apples, and have such a
variety of them that we don't care to recommend the increasing of the number of
varieties unless we can get a seedling that really comes above them in quality and every
other character.

Mr. Huggard : The qualities of that seedling does not show itself till March.

Mr. Race : It is not better than the Mann.

Mr. McNeill : Will it be more prolific than the Mann 1

Mr. Huggard : It is a heavy bearer, and quite heavy enough for the tree to carry,
and on account of its good keeping quality and its high flavor later on I thought per-
haps it would be commended. It has a spreading habit, a very thrifty tree, free from
roughness of any kind. I admire it very much in the orchard.

102 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO

D. W. Beadle : Would Mr. Huggard have the kindness to send about half a dozen
of those apples about the time when they are in order and season for testing, and
send a letter giving a full account of the tree, its hardiness, productiveness, and general
habit of growth, and all the better if he can tell us something about the soil and
average climate in which it is grown. He can send both the apples and letter to Prof,
Craig at Ottawa, without charge, under a privilege granted us by the Government, and
then Prof. Craig can send them to the other members of the committee and we will all
get them without any cost to Mr. Huggard more than the trouble of putting them up
and sending them, and the apple will get all the consideration that it deserves and a full
report at some subsequent meeting of this Association.

METHODS OF ORIGINATING NEW VARIETIES OF STRAWBERRIES.

The Secretary referred to a letter from Rev. E. B. Stevenson of Freeman, who
is a specialist in strawberries and who has spent his life in originating new varieties.
From him in the future we -w ill hear some interesting things that will be of great value to
us in our experimental work. (The Secretary read the following extracts from the letter
from Mr. Stevenson) :

It seems to be there has been no systematic eflort either in Canada or the
United States by those who have had the time and means to improve the straw-
berry. I am very much limited in both respects ; but I am in a small way and in a
somewhat systematic manner seeking to improve on the varieties we have at the present
time.

There are so many points to be looked to and guarded in what we all are look-
ing for, viz., the " Perfect Strawberry." It has to be a perfect plant — strong and
healthy. This is very important. The perfect plant must be free from rust. Some
otherwise good varieties are spoiled by rust. A high system of cultivation, manuring
heavily with nitrogen manures, serves to increase the tendency to rust ; also certain
conditions of the weather, situation of the beds, low lands, etc.

I have found very little rust when beds are situated on highest lands ; whereas,
beds on grounds seventy-five or one hundred feet below showed considerable rust. I
have little confidence in a variety that is easily attacked by rust.

A seedling, a Wilson and Jersey Queen cross, that on elevated ground was quite
free from rust, when it came to be removed to a lower situation, rusted so badly as
to be of little value. On upland it was one of the most promising seedlings — produc-
tive, good size and quality, etc ; in fact, an improved Wilson. I have found that a large
per cent, of seedlings of Wilson blood, or rather breeding — whether they are seedlings
of the Wilson or seedlings of other varieties with Wilson crosses — are more or less
severely affected by the rust. A lot of seedlings from Burr's New Pine, crossed with
Wilson, nearly every seedling from this cross gave fruit of superior quality like Burr's
N. P., but the plants fairly burned up with rust as soon as plants were through bearing.

Probably 1,000 seedlings grow the Wilson and Wilson crosses were undertaken with
the hope to secure a Wilson jr., that should possess all the valuable qualities of the
Wilson, (which for so many years caused it to stand at the head as a market berry)
with the addition of increased size, improved quality and more vigorous growth. It is,
perhaps, needless to say the result was failure. Perhaps the Wilson can be crossed on
some pistillate variety and the result prove highly successful. I have decided not to
make any more experiments, using the Wilson as a pollenizer.

I may never reach in the way of a seedling a variety which shall be my ideal of a
strawberry, but I shall aim for it, and never cease to raise seedlings as long as I have
the time and opportunity.

Had I time and opportunity I would cross named varieties with a view of ascertain-
ing which kind and crosses gave the best results. Then I would select this stock, breed

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 103

in and in — seek to develop an inbred strain that would produce its valuable qualities
from seed. A staminate variety from such a breeding could be used to cross an outside
named kind (pistillate sort,) and the seedlings would possess to an eminent degree the
qualities ot the male parentage. These seedlings (tbe pistillate sorts) could be bred back
again to the staminate sire or to some other staminate variety of the above inbred strain.
I am sure wonderful results would attend some such systematic method of breeding,
have seen enough to satisfy me that there are great possibilities in this line of plant
breeding.

A man must have means and leisure to carry out such a line of experiments. It is
a most fascinating line of study ; much more than the mere testing new varieties, most
of which are only chance seedlings picked up in fence corners and taken from stumps
and stone heaps.

After a few years of such systematic breeding I think we would give much more
valuable results. The method I have used in the past is : I take up the plants, place
them in six or eight-inch pots — I do this in the spring for seed bearing, in late fall for
fruiting — crosses I make under glass so as to control their fertilization. When I have
several staminate varieties that I wish to use pollen from, it is needful to keep these
staminates in a separate chamber or in some place apart. In fertilizing a s'aminate with
another staminate the stamens have to be removed a couple of days before the flower
would naturally open. Then when open apply pollen. There is need to apply the pol-
len several times in order to ensure a thorough fertilization, and have smooth perfect-
shaped berries.

There is pleasure in testing varieties of other men's growing, but there is far more
pleasure, a perfect fascination, in raising and fruiting.

11 Pedigree seedlings" of you own, not that we find a prize in every variety, but we
do find such a wonderful variety, size, shape, color, texture, quality, etc., that we are lost
in wonder at these new fruit creations.

I have often wished that I could give more time to this sort of experimental work,
but I have other demands on my time, but I manage to do something in the line of
sought-for improvement with what degree of final success remains to be seen.

REPORT FROM OTTAWA VICINITY.

The Secretary introduced a report by Mr. R. B. Whyte of Ottawa, Director for
District No. 2 as follows :

As I cannot attend the meeting at Woodstock, I send on the following few brief
notes of the condition of the fruit growing industry during the past season in this dis-
trict.

The season opened very favorably, and if it had not been for the severe frosts in
May which ruined the strawberry and gooseberry crops, and seriously injured the others,
we would have had one of the greatest fruit yields on record. The previous winter was
most favorable, not very cold, plenty of snow, and no thaws to uncover the plants
and expose them to cold winds. The weather during the summer was a great contrast
to that of Western Ontario. Hardly a week passed without copious rains, which, with
abundant heat, induced a most luxuriant growth in every thing that escaped injury from
frost.

The severe cold in the latter part of May, which was so disastrous all over the
country, utterly ruined the strawberry crop in most sections in this district. In some
localities there was a fair crop but my experience was that of the great majority of grow-
ers, all we got was a few quarts of nubbins, hardly a good berry in the whole plot.

Almost as disastrous was the effects of the low temperature on the gooseberry. For
the first time in my twenty years' experience in gooseberry culture, such varieties as
Downing, Houghton, etc., usually so proline, failed to bear a good crop. Out of over

104 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

forty varieties, the only one that had anything worth picking was the Whitesmith, my
ten bushes of that variety producing more than 140 plants of other kinds. Singularly
enough, the American varieties suffered more than the more tender foreign ones.
Downing, Pearl, Montana Seedling, Smith's Improved, and Houghton, were all alike
bare of fruit. I hope after another season's experience in growing foreign varieties to
report, through The Horticulturist, my experiments with over forty kinds.

Though so closely related to the gooseberry, the red and white currants were very
little injured by frost. The crop, while not so good as the previous season, was very fair.
Another year's experience has established the great superiority of Moore's Ruby over all
others as the best red currant. In quality it is away ahead of any competitor, red or
white, large in berry and long in bunch, many of them containing twenty-four barries in
the raceme. It is a better bearer than Fay, and a much more vigorous grower. It is
not nearly so well known as it deserves to be. Another variety that promised well is the
Wilder. It is more acid than Moore's Ruby, but in every other respect it is a close rival.

Raspberries were very satisfactory this year. No small fruit grown in this district
is so uniformly profitable, for the space occupied and the labor expended, they give a
greater return than any other small fruit. Cuthbert, Golden Queen and Shaffer are the
standard varieties here. There are probably more Cuthbert's grown than all other kinds
put together. Some growers are finding the Shaffer very profitable. One that I visited
last summer told me that it was more profitable than even Outhbert. At first the color
was found fault with, but any one who tried it always wanted it again ; the above three
kinds are almost the only ones grown for market here. But for home use softer and
sweeter berries are preferred, such as Clark, Herstine or Heebner.

Black caps or blackberries are very little grown, not being found profitable in this
section.

Plums, of late years, have been a failure here. We have never been able to grow
the Domestica type successfully. The winter cold is too severe, and our native red
plums are so subject to rot and blight that they are being generally cut down. Our only
hope now is in the Western Americana type, as De Soto, Weaver, Wolf, Wyant, Hawkeye,
etc. These are being somewhat extensively planted, and have so far proved hardy and
free from disease.

The only apples grown to any extent here are the summer and fall varieties, such as
Tetofsky, Duchess, Yellow Transparent, Wealthy, etc. These were a very good crop, and
unusually free from codling moth, scab, etc., though fire blight was pretty bad in some
places.

Grapes were very generally a failure. They were almost as much injured by spring frost
as the strawberry. Those that escaped the frost ripened perfectly — even such late varieties
as Iona.

With strawberries, gooseberries and grapes a failure, and raspberries, currants and
apples only an average crop, it has been a poor year for the horticulturist.

With a summer so favorable for growth and the dry fall inducing well ripened wood,
plants of all kinds entered the winter in good condition and we hope for better results
next year.

The Secretary : There is a report of the committee for the selection of judges who
will be available for agricultural societies so that they might communicate with this
Association for names. This report is not sufficiently matured for publication.

The President : When we adjourned yesterday afternoon it was announced that the
important subject of our export trade in apples and other fruits would be taken up this
morning. Mr. Shuttleworth is here, and I will now ask hioc to introduce the subject.

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 105

OUR EXPORT TRADE.

Mr. Shuttleworth : In dealing with the fruit I have always thought that the allied
interests of the grower and the handler of the fruit could not be divested of mutual confi-
dence. We cannot very satisfactorily take the place of bath buyer and grower. We
cannot here as growers act as sellers. Our interests as growers are such that they demand
our personal attention ; therefore there has to be some intermediary. There has to be a
middleman ; possibly he is a necessary evil. I probably represent one of those evils. I
am here to define my position. I think, on the whole, we have enough honorable men
in business who can be trusted to handle the interests of those who produce. I don't say
that all men in business are honest, nor do I say that all growers are honest either. My
experience extends over twenty years, since the time when, as a boy, I could look into
the barrel, almost, I packed apples. I have handled them and watched them from be-
ginning to end, and my experience many times has been bought very dear. I find that
we have honest men and dishonest men in both departments. We ought to have mutual
confidence if we are going to do business. I don't believe it is practical for our growers
to be distributors of their products in the foreign markets, especially because they cannot
be here to grow it and there to sell it at the same time ; so we have to have an inter-
mediary. The first thing we must understand is what is the consumer's demand It is
no use trying to force upon consumers, who are the buyers of apples, an article they don't
want. It is pretty uphill work to give them a good article after they have been running
in a rut, particularly the English consumer. He is not very apt to take on new varieties
and say he likes them better than those he has had long experience with. If they ask for
a Spy grow them a Spy ; if they ask for a Ben Davis grow them a Ben Davis. We have
made mistakes as growers ia that we have tried to put upon the market an article that
is not really required. You should understand the whole of the conditions that exist. I
believe it has gone out in one of your reports that the Ben Davis is one of the best ex-
porting apples. I say intrinsically the Ben Davis is nowhere, and as soon as the demind
for that variety of apple is supplied then the surplus supply will have to be slaughtered.
The Ben Davis is almost entirely used for show purposes. It is an apple that is not good
enough to rot very easily. (Laughter). I won't say anything about the Missouri or
Kansas Ben Davis — I believe that they are better than our Ben Davis ; but to recom-
mend the production of an apple which can only be used for show purposes would be a
mistake — not that we will feel it so much as those that follow us will. The Spy is a
superior apple intrinsically. It may not be so heavy in its yield, and it may not come
into production so early, but it is an apple that will command a price and eventually
drive all the other apples out of the market — the Pewaukee, for instance, which is not a
good apple. We must take into account the fact that in European countries they are
producing a better article every year. They are not asleep any more than we are. They
are just as cute and just as shrewd and looking as far ahead as we are, and every year
they are producing a better article and putting it up in a better shape. Last year we
had twenty Frenchmen come over to examine the American packages to know how it was
done and see the advantages of it ; and they found that out. I believe, this year, they
obtained our barrels, or barrels made in the same way, and put their apples upon the
market exactly as we put ours upon the market. They are close to the market and they
are also growing a good quality of fruit. I don't mean to say that their apples are as
good as ours. I believe that we have some varieties of apples that are superior to any-
thing grown in the world. I don't believe that they can produce the like of our Northern
Spy anywhere— not in Denmark, where they produce goad apples, or in Belgium or in
Northern Germany. I have not seen any apples coming equal to out Northern Spys.
As an illustration, I would ask if you had two barrels of apples, one a barrel of Ben Davis
or Pewaukees and the other a barrel of Spys, and you had a family of boys and let them
have free access to these barrels, how long do you suppose your boys would be in finding
out which were the best apple 1 Now, if you think that the English consumer, who is
willing to pay a good price for a good article, is not as capable of judging as your boy is,
you make a grand mistake. I believe that we can produce the best varieties, and
I don't think that we should look for immediate return. I believe we must look

106 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

for ultimate returns if we want to keep this trade, which is an important one
We produce more than we can consume ourselves, and our American friends don't
want our apples except our Spys, and now and then when they have a failure
in a crop of other apples, but they are always asking for Spys, no matter how large their
crop is ; we all know from experience that the American demand is large for our Spys,
and they will pay a good price for them. The Spys are worthy of it, and will, I think,
meet a growing demand both there and also in Europe. Spys have not been quoted and
sold as high this year as Baldwins in Great Britain, for the reason that most of the Bald
wins that have been going forward have been very highly colored. The Baldwin is a
better known apple than the Spy amongst the general public there, but the Spy is work-
ing its way up to the top and will stand where it deserves to stand, at the top, its intrinsic
value being away ahead. The Newton Pippin from the Hudson Valley is the only
apple that can compete with it ; it is crisp and juicy and holds its flavor longer than any
apple that I have seen. I have seen Spys in May and June that were as crisp and juicy
as at any other time of the year and when other apples had lost all their flavor. With
regard to the grading of apples, I contend, and have all along contended with our ex-
porters of apples, that the proper way to do was to grade them No. 1 and No. 2 and sell
them as such, and if they are not No. 1 the man who puts them up should be punished if
it is possible to punish him. (Hear, hear). I say we make a mistake in trying to defraud
the consuming population of Great Britain ; we are only hurting ourselves ultima' ely a3
well as doing a wrong. A man who systematically defrauds the consumer over there
will find that it does not take him long to wreck himself. They will look with suspicion
whenever that man's brand is on the barrel if they have once been cheated, and I don't
blame them for doing it. Very often I have been ashamed myself to see a packer with a
good reputation destroyed because he has bought indiscriminately, and possibly he may
have allowed his own men to put up fruit fraudulently, that is, they are falsely packed.

1 don't say but what we have plenty of men in the trade that pack honestly, and are
getting the best market prices for their fruit. I believe the majority of our exporters
agree with me, and will be quite satisfied that the apples should be graded No. 1 and No.

2 and sold as such. There is no need of any other way of going about it at all. Lit the
apples be sold as No. 1 or No. 2 and they will bring their prices. We have people there
who are buyers of No. 2 fruit. The vast consuming population throughout Lancashire
and Yorkshire have not the money to spend that people have in other places, and they
will take a No. 2 apple and pay what it is worth. If we produce only No. 2 fruit we
should expect only No. 2 prices. Now as to packages Barrels seem to be, as far as I
have seen, the only package in which we can ship apples to advantage. Packages have
been tried from all points — from Lisbon, from France, from Belgium, from Denmark,
and even from Tasmania. I think you will find boxes as a rule too expensive ; I don't
know what Mr. Woolverton's boxes cost him.

Mr. Woolverton : Twelve dollars a hundred.

Mr. Shuttleworth : They hold about a bushel, that is thirty-six cents for three
bushels, the cost of the barrel ; what is the cost of the paper 1

Mr. Woolverton : Seven or eight cents a box, perhaps ten.

Mr. Shuttleworth : That makes it expensive.

Mr. Woolverton : Then there is the expense of wrapping, probably about four
cents a box.

Mr. Shuttleworth : That adds very materially to the expense. I believe myself
that if we could keep the quality of our fruit extra superior, that that expense would be
compensated by the increase of the price that we might obtain for fruit on the other side.
However, if they all go into it, it will have its levelling effect. The barrel seems to me
to be the most convenient package to handle fruit in. We have not seen anything that
would take its place, taking cost into account. As exporters of fruit we must try, if
possible, to reduce the cost of the fruit laid down in consuming markets ; that should be one
of our principal aims. In packing apples we know that it is necessary to press those apples.
A good many of our apples are partially, if not wholly, destroyed by the pressure neces-
sary to keep them in their places, that is in holding them down. The barrel is rolled ;

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 107

if it is not tight and solid these apples will roll and bruise themselves until they come to
be discolored with the rolling that they have had, therefore the barrels must necessarily be
packed tightly so that they will hold without any movement at all of the fruit. That
in itself destroys or disfigures a large number of apples, particularly adjoining the
pressed end of the barrel. We have tried to overcome that. We have tried excelsior
from Nova Scotia, and sometimes when the apple was decayed this excelsior got mixed
up through the fruit, or sometimes when the fruit sweated, as it will sweat in barrels,
this" excelsior broke up first when it was dry and brittle and settled down through the
barrels and this sweating made it adhere to the apples, and when they were turned out
nearly every apple had to be rubbed off before it presented anything like a decent mar-
ketable appearance. We tried putting in paper heads, that is, I had some heads made
about a quarter of an inch thick from paper pulp. These I got from Maine, and we had
these put in barrels so as to prevent ihe necessity of too heavy pressure, and as the fruit
shrunk or any of them decayed the paper itself would gradually press out again and hold
the fruit in its place, thereby saving some of that loss which is necessarily entailed when
the apples are pressed in without any heads. However, I have not found anything that
I think is really practical, Paper boxes, that is, paper pulp boxes made with round
edges, that is, pressed in squares, possibly will take the place, but I don't think we
have yet got to that point where we can produce a paper box which will enable us to lay
the apples down at the least possible expense in the Old Country — the box will cost to~>
much money, something the same as our wooden boxes. We want to get a package which
we will be able to sell there for some other purpose if we can. Second-hand barrels with the
heads on, sell at about sixpence each, and that in a measure is taken into account
when a man is buying the barrels — he knows when he turns out the barrel he can
get sixpence for it. Then again, in the shipping of our apples there are faults in hand-
ling by the transportation companies. Apples are not handled very often as they ought
to be handled. We have fought against them on this side and on the other side, claim-
ing that they have not the right to handle the fruit in the way it was handled. I believe
that now, through constant contention and striving with them, our steamship people are
doing better than they have ever done before. I have myself stood on the bottom of a
gangway and defied them to let the fruit down, so long as I stood there, in the way they
were letting them down. They were letting a barrel slide down twenty five feet, and I
have seen them go down with a chuck that would burst the heads right out. After
having a meeting of shipowners we have shown them that their interests as well as our
interests and those of the producers on this side were intimately connected, and that they
could not destroy the fruit in that way without injuring themselves; and we all know
that the nearest way to get at a man's care of anything that we have to entrust to
him is to g^t at him through his pocket. (Hear, hear.) He is more apt to respond to
anything that is in his interest. I believe the steamship company now feel that, and in
the last five or six years our trade has been handled better than ever before, and I believe
that they will do anything in reason. That they will give us special space I cannot
expect, because our export trade is of such short life that they cannot afford to put upon
the route steamers fitted up for our trade. You could not ask them to do that ; it is too
expensive to run a steamer for three months and lay it up for the other part of the year.
If anyone has an interest in steamers he will know how expensive it is and we cannot
ask them unreasonable things. I would, however, ask and do ask that they would not
put our fruit into a vessel which is unsuitable for carrying fruit. Many steamers have
gone out with ten or fifteen thousand barrels of apples that have not capacity for more
than seven. I have lost thousands of dollars for that reason, but the fruit was there and
had to go some way, for we were afraid of frost at this end and our time was limited.
In regard to the hope of putting on the English market our grapes, pears and plums, I
would say at present I do not believe we can produce a grape that is going to meet with
the requirements of the British public. They want a meaty grape, with less seed, and a
grape that they can masticate. .They bite their grapes and chew them ; they masticate
their food. They are not satisfied to swallow pits and pulp all in a lump. There are
peculiar flavors about our grapes, so that it seems the taste has to be educated. We
have grapes there that come from Lisbon and parts of France which meet the require-

108 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

ments of the consuming population there, and I don't think that we are doing right to
expect to make a success of our exporting grapes until we can produce an article that
they want. I have spent money in trying it. I was prejudiced in favor of our own
grapes and wanted to see the trade developed. I didn't ask anyone or the Government
to stand by me ; I tried it in my own interests. I thought if we could only get them to
use our grapes there was money in it ; however, I didn't make a success of it. Pears are
produced in France and some parts of Belgium and Germany equal to ours ; th^y are
close to the market, and except in years like this where the crop is a failure I hardly
think that we can hope to open up a very large trade. In tomatoes the sources of supply
are widening every year. You may think it is strange, but across from Liverpool, in
Cheshire, they are producing as fine tomatoes possibly as we are producing in any part
of Canada. I have seen them right there. I will not say that they will produce them
every year as good. We do not produce as good tomatoes and peaches here every year.
However, in the island of Jersey they are producing as fine tomatoes every year as can
be grown under the sun, both in flavor and appearance, and they have been coming into
England in large quantities and have sold heretofore as high as sixpense, eightpence
and tenpence a pound readily. They aie producing larger quantities because it pays
them, and the price is receding every year. The tomatoes they are getting from Spain
are not as good as those that we grow here, nor are they a3 good as those grown in
France, but they are getting what they call an English seedling, which is a very bright
red tomato, and the stem is green. I do not know the names of the different varieties
of tomatoes, not being closely connected with the growth, but it is a smooth tomato and
perfectly red, and in flavor equal to anything 1 have ever tasted. I do not want to
throw a pail of cold water over any scheme we have for increasing our trade, but 1 do
not think there is much use of spending money upon a business which is not likely to
be lucrative Of course I do not mean to say that you cannot produce grapes that will
meet the demand there • I believe you will. I do not mean to say that all you intelli-
gent fruit growers are going to sit down and say that you have accomplished what you
have set out to do. I believe you will grow better fruit. I believe we will market and
grade it in better shape, and I believe ultimately we may get better grapes there, and
possibly will supply the market requirements there. In plums I don't know very much
whether it would be possible to expect a large trade there. They are producing in Bel-
gium and Germany large quantities of plums, and the peasantry, i.e., the small fruit
iarmers, are going more into it year after year. The same in Kent and Essex and Wor-
cester, in England. They are producing larger quantities year after year, and the
demand, which is increasing by leaps and bounds there in fruit, is being largely supplied
by home production. I think they can grow very good plums there. I have seen just
as good plums there as I have seen anywhere, that is where they are grown in the
south in Essex and Kent and down through Worcester ; they grow them to perfection,
I think, there.

The Secretary : If they are a very low price here do you not think it might pay to
send them over?

Mr. Shuttleworth : Most of our fruits of that kind are bought for preserving. I
will give you an instance of the quantity of fruit that is put up by some of the large firms.
We think nothing of selling forty and fifty and sixty tons at a time to Crosse & Black
well. I have seen us when we have had sixty and eighty tons of plums — and I have sent
the whole lot in one day to one man, W. H. Hartley, just outside of Liverpool. He has
a capacity of putting up 112 tons of jam a day. He draws his supplies largely from the
continent, that is for certain varieties, and the rest he gets in England. They are pro-
ducing to meet that demand, and we think nothing of taking an order from him of pos-
sibly ten or fifteen thousand cases of Salonne oranges. He will bring in a ship to take
care of them, and you can understand that they are not behind the times so much as we
imagine. They are meeting this demand largely by home production ; they are increasing
the home products. Germany and the other countries finally, I believe, will be driven
out of the British market in a measure, owing to these home productions. They are
going into the lowering of freights, that is, discriminating freights. We have, and so
have the continental countries, advantages granted by the railway companies of Great

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 109

Britain which have not been granted to the home producers. It is an evil. They see
this evil and they are going to remedy it ; that means that they are going to send their
fruit from the Midland counties to those different points in the same district much cheaper
than they have ever done before. Much land that has been under cultivation for grain
will go under cultivation for small fruits. I don't think we will ever see them compete
with us in apples. France will compete with us in pears, plums and strawberries and
berries of all sorts — I think we can do very little with them. Until we can produce a
better article in pears I don't think it will be wise for us to spend too much money in our
experiments. We have tried it, and it has been a failure. Peaches are grown in France
and come over there in very good condition, put up in small packages of about twenty-
four — some twelve and some twenty-four — flat boxes. However, I think there is some-
thing that we could possibly do something with if we could get our fruit on to the steamer
in time Delaware may drive us out of that ; Delaware produces a good peach, and they
are close to the seaboard, and can get them on the fast steamers.

The President : What about California shipments of fruit there 1

Mr. Shuttleworth : California fruit comes in after our English is pretty well over,
and it meets only a limited demand. I don't believe California fruit will make a success
there. I believe they are producing fruit over there which is far superior to California
fruit. I believe we produce here a better pear than any California pear I have ever tasted.
(Hear, hear.) I believe they are producing to-day in Lisbon a better grape than they pro-
duce in California. I have tasted grapes in California ; they may be b9tter there than
here ; but when we put them on the English market in comparison with the Lisbon grape
I prefer the latter. Then again they are opening trade with the Cape. My people wanted
me to go there two or three years since to look after the English grapes that grow there.
They produce an excellent grape, very much in flavor similar to some hothouse grapes of
Hamburg particularly. This is a wide subject. I believe I will have your sympathy in
the matter of my position so far as defending myself as a shipper. (Hear, hear.) I do
not think and never have thought that our interests as shippers and growers are antagon-
istic. I believe it is necessary that we should have both the confidence of the growers
and shippers, and that they should have our confidence. I believe by working in harmony
with each other we can make a success of certain lines. I think it is false policy to
endeavor to build up a trade which is not likely to assume any proportions.

Mr. Parker : What about the shipping qualities of the Spy 1

Mr. Shuttleworth : It is one of the best qualities. There is another apple that we
do not give enough prominence to, and I think we ought, and that is the Greening. I
think in time, when we get better shipping facilities, that we will get the Greening in
better shape on the English market than ever before. The . apple3 will not scald. Our
Greenings from Canada keep very much better. You must remember that those quota-
tions given by Mr. Woolverton are New York barrels, or pony barrels, as they are called.
Our barrels are full barrels, and we try to get our American friends over there to use full
barrels and have a uniformity of package. I think that ought to be striven for all through.
It is not only better for the growers of apples, who know what they are selling, but for
the buyer, who knows what he is buying. They are more easily tempted, I might say, to
buy a package that they know something about than a package they don't know anything
about. It seems a small thing, but when you come to sell it, it is a very important thing.
It is a very difficult thing for me to explain to a man that a package is a square pack-
age, but it holds the same as a barrel.

The Secretary : Do you know what the legal capacity of a barrel is ?

Mr. Shuttleworth : I think it is three bushels.

The Secretary : I don't think it is so much ; it measures twenty-seven from chime
to chime.

The Secretary : I want to introduce a little resolution which will, perhaps, shape
the debate, or at least bring to a focus one point in the discussion. I am very glad to
hear this admirable address from my friend, Mr. Shuttleworth. We had an idea, some
of us, that there was a little friction of feeling between apple buyers and apple growers,

110 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

but I do not think that in anything we have heard this morning there is anything to
cause friction at all. We find that to a great extent our interests are one. The point
I wish to make is with regard to the amending of the Act that was passed by the De-
partment of Agriculture last spring, which left out altogether the regulating of grades.
Now Mr. Shuttleworth has told us this morning that he, as representing the buyer and
shipper, would like to have these grades attended to and observed, and we as growers
feel that it is a very important point also ; so I would like to move :

11 That this Association believe it to be desirable that an amendment be made to
the Act for the Prevention of Fraud in the Sale of Fruit, providing for the definition of
grade 1 and grade 2, in order to facilitate trade."

Mr. McNeill : I will second the motion, and would like to make a remark in re-
lation to this address we have just listened to — one of the most valuable we have had
during the sessions here, and well worth staying another day to listen to. (Hear, hear).
I would also ask that we qualify any remarks that may have been made — remarks that
must receive great weight when they are within our line of business, but should not have
the same weight when we touch lines with which we are not perfectly familiar. I wish
to make one correction. After studying the matter for years I state as my deliberate
opinion that if the fruit trade in this country were regulated in varieties by the opinion of
fruit experts, the trade would be nothing. Take for instance the Concord grape. When
I was about setting out my orchard I had the opinion of a director of this Institute, and
when I mentioned the Concord he said, "Yes a few Concords might so in ! " Why, if
it were not lor the Concord grape I would not be in the grape trade. The grape indus-
try in this country would shrink seventy-five per cent if the Concord grape were taken
out of it, and yet the expert would hardly recommend me to plant so poor a variety of
grape. The same with plums. What is the mainstay of the plum trade in this country ?
The Lombard, one of the poorest plums. So with apples. If we were confined to the
Northern Spy the people of this country would have no orchards at all for commercial
purposes. We may as well recognise that ; and do not let it go out among the people
who have not too much money to spend that it is the opinion of this Association that
they should plant the Northern Spy. I grant it is a fine apple, and if I had my family
in the position in which I wanted them I would give them the Northern Spy and nothing
else if they wanted it ; but it is almost impossible to grow Northern Spy apples in suffi-
cient quantity to make it a successful commercial venture. There are two elements :
The quality and the commercial backing. Let us be particular that these varieties that
we recommend are those that can be grown in a commercial orchard for commercial
purposes and for a long series.

Mr. Pettit : The Legislature has regulated that question, I think, to the satisfaction
of the fruit growers of this country as nearly as can be done. What a first-class barrel shall
contain is specified in the Dominion Act and that was passed with a view of shipments
to foreign countries. In the local Act it is required that the face of an apple package
shall fairly represent its contents. I do think that to go and hedge about the fruit grow-
ers in this country along the lines of specifying distinctly what they should do is putting
simply a block in their way and hindering the good work that we want to encourage in
this country. (Hear, hear). I believe that as far as our shipments to the Old Country
go wo should try and work strictly under the Act for that purpose, and if possible raise
the standard of quality and packing and condition of the Canadian apple3 in the British
market to the highest point that it is possible for us to do. I question whether it will
ever pay us to ship second-class stuff to the British market. I want to reply to Mr.
Shuttleworth \ he has taken the stand as one representing the views of apple buyers and
handlers of fruit in the British market. With his great knowledge of the situation of
affairs in the British market he has given us from their standpoint his views. We re-
member he is a Canadian like ourselves, engaged in the same business, but he has got
imbued with the sentiments, I believe, that are strong in the foreign countries. Now
we had a little comic song the other night telling about the poor fellow who " Couldn't
change it." This is one of the things that I do believe we can change. What is the
position in which we find the fruit growers in this country to-day % 1 find them not
acquainted with the shipment of apples to the British market. They are not posted as

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. Ill

to what firms in Britain are reliable and good firms to ship to. They really don't know
what they are going to do with their apple crop. It is too large to put in their cellars
or to trust to their local market consumption ; the time is short ; the apple buyer comes
around — I have been one — and he says, " I cannot give you more than so much foi
apples; " the farmer replies, "Well, you don't get out of this yard till you have them, be-
cause I don't want them to freeze or spoil on my hands," and he sells them at whatever
price the buyer sees fit to give Mr. Shuttleworth referred to the honesty of the com-
mission men in the British market. Now, I have not a word to say about their honesty
at all. I have shipped to them for years and years, and always come out very satisfac-
torily indeed — not, indeed, with a very large margin of profit, but without sinking any
money. I believe they are just as honest as any other class of men, but I believe that
their style of doing business is not in the interests of the fruit growers of this country.
Now I will venture to say there is in this room many a man who has a brother, sister,
father or mother who is living in England to-day and who has written about Canadian
apples, and I will venture to say that you cannot show me one that has bought a good
barrel of Canadian apples to put in his cellar or his house for use at very much less than six
or seven dollars a barrel. I have had it from a dozen of them. Now, our apples are
sold there at about twelve shillings on the average ; that would represent in round num-
bers three dollars a barrel. Now, how in the world does the consumer pay so much and
the producer get so little? The transportation company gets a dollar and a little more ;
I hope the buyer gets a little of it, he deserves it even if he is something in the road, as
we call him. But the other part I don't know where it goes, unless to the fellow who
rolls the barrel on the waggon, and another part for drawing it, and another for rolling it
off again, and another for taking the empty barrel away and burning it and clearing up
the rubbish. In the best interests of the grower I think we ought to get out of that rut
if we can. I claim that the closer we come in touch with the consumer of any country
the better off we are. The nearer our market is to our door the better it is for us, and
when we get our growers to take hold of this matter and pack their apples, I hope by
that time we will be able to ask the Government to fill the gap that is now vacant by an
inspector and ask him to inspect at the point of shipment and brand them just as they
are — not that we are going to make it compulsory for our growers to have their apples
inspected, but to give those who want their apples inspected a brand that will introduce
them into the British market. I hope our Government will do something on the line that
they are going to do with the dead meat trade, that is, that they will have emporiums
throughout the land where Canadian meat will be represented and sold as Canadian meat.
And when the product gets directly in that way to the consumer we will get better re-
sults than we get to day. In regard to the Englishman not liking our grapes I think Mr.
Shuttleworth needs an answer. Grapes are a product that we are growing immense
quantities of, and we are prepared to put them on any market at a low price and yet one
that will be satisfactory to the producer in this country. When Englishmen come to this
country — and I have met many of them — they do enjoy our grapes, and I venture to say
that if there is a Canadian that can put away more of them than an Englishman does
when he comes here, he is a pretty good specimen. (Laughter and applause). I say we
will put them in the British market so cheap that the poor man and his family can in-
dulge in that luxury which to day he dare not touch. Take another point — our Cana-
dian tomato — I don't believe there is a country in the world that can produce a tomato
equal to that grown in the Province of Ontario.

Mr. Boulter : That is so.

Mr. Pettit : What is the price of those in the British market — two, four, six and
seven pence a pound. What do they run in Canada 1 One-half cent a pound.

Mr. McNeill : One-quarter cent a pound.

Mr. Pettit : Give them a half cent.

Mr. McNeill : 1 will contract to sell anyone here for twenty cents a bushel, I don't
care how many carloads you take.

Mr. Pettit : Half a cent a pound for Canadian tomatoes in our market is about the
average price they are bringing to-day, and I have quoted you the price in the British market

112 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

and I am satisfied we can land them in London, Liverpool or Glasgow at a cent a pound
or a cent and a quarter at the very most, and if we can put them there we want to put
them where the poor man can eat them, and we will make him and his family healthy
and appreciate the luxuries that this fair land can produce. (Hear, hear.) That is the
way we are going to claim that market. That is the way we are goir)g to educate the
Englishmen. We have been educating him along the line of that apple, the Ben Davis,
and I am sorry to say our Secretary has been trying to educate him along another line
with that Cranberry Pippin. (Laughter.) We are going to send him something better
than that. A little while ago he said, " I don t want anything but a red apple " I often
wondered why he wanted it red, but a fellow told me when he came from the Old Country,
" that they can polish them up so nice on the street corners that they Gan sell a great
many by that process." (Laughter.) They did nibble away at the Ben Davis a while.
They did not like the Rhode Island Greening because it was of a dark green color.
To-day the Englishman likes to get a Canadian Greening just as well as we do, and he
finds it one of the most valuable for cooking, for dessert, or for any other use that he
desires to put it to, and we are going to go on educating him along that line. Mr. Shuttle-
worth refers to certain other countries being able to raise products that will crowd us out.
There is not one of those countries in ten that produces at the season we do, therefore we
are going to come in at the opening and fill tbem up to the handle. (Laughter.) We
have in this country the people, the energy, the " pluck and plod," as the Hon. Mr. Dry-
den said yesterday. We have gone into that market with our cheese and have stayed
there, and to day we are claiming the cheese market. (Hear, hear.) We have gone into
that market with butter, and I believe the day is coming when the pluck of Canadian
people will drive the Danish butter to one side and claim the market for us. I believe
the same in regard to our Canadian apples and fruits, when we put ourselves in a posi-
tion to force our way into those large centres of trade in the old country — not only
in England but every country where we can drive the wedge in — for we know that when
we do drive it in we are going to give them something that is good and wholesome and
to their best interests. I say that is what we are going to do — to wedge our way in and
educate the people and do as we are not doing to-day, send thousands and thousands of
shipments to those markets in the near future. How are we going to prolong this
market 1 I believe we are going to occupy that market from October almost t:> the follow-
ing October by a system of cold storage, where we will send them forward in their season
such apples as are ripe and in perfect condition for use, and place them on that market
and sell them. We will begin October and send varieties in succession, until the
Canadian Spy goes into the market, and with them we will feed them right up to the
fresh apples again. Speaking of the Canadian Spy I say that if that apple is grown per-
fectly and in good condition we have a great market for it, not only in Great
Britain but to the south of us to feed our neighbors when their apples are gone. (Hear,
hear.) They live in a warmer climate than ours; their apples will not keep like ours;
the farther north the better the quality and the longer the keeper ; and instead of giving
them our money for bananas or other fruits that our people like to feed on, we are going
to give them our apples to the extent of millions of barrels.

Mr. J. W. Smith, of Winona : I would like to ask Mr. Shuttleworth if he thinks
the Kiefer pear will ever take in the English market ? That is an important question
because we can grow enormous quantities of that variety.

Mr. Shuttleworth : I don't know enough of the Kiefer pear in its keeping qualities
as a shipper to satisfactorily answer that question. I have not seen it tried sufficiently
There are a great many fruits that we grow here that are all right for the home market that
do not stand shipping. May I say in answer to Mr. Pettit that Canadian fruit comes into
the English market at the same time that we get fruits from other countries ; our Can-
adian pears and apples come in the same time as the French and German pears and
apples ; and when the bulk of our apples are consumed we are getting fresh apples from
Tasmania and then from Lisbon and so on north, so that we have apples the year round.

Mr. Caston : What time does the Tasmanian apple reach England 1

Mr. Shuttleworth : In April.

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 113

Mr. Schell (Woodstock) : I shipped a good many Kings, and they did not bring
us very much above the Spys, simply because the quantity of them was larger than in
other years. In regard to the question of grading No. 1 and No. 2, I tried that and I do
not think you could get a more difficult thing to handle than that. You send a gang of
men into the orchard and tell them what you think are No. 1, and perhaps in that same
orchard two trees are standing right side by side of the same kind and there is such a dif-
ference that some people would not believe they were the same kind, and yet they are
perfect, there is nothing wrong with them. Now, how are you going to grade them 1
They are both perfect, and perhaps there is a little difference in the color or there may be
a slight difference in the size. If you send out over a dozen gangs of men and tell them
to grade them No. 1 and No. 2, there is hardly a gang that will grade those apples the
same as another gang. What one gang will say are No. 1 apples the other gang will say
are No. 2. If you ship No. 2 you will lose money every time.

The Secretary : According to your own statement you do not know what is meant
by grades 1 and 2.

Mr. Oaston : Is there not a class of apples too good for culls and not fit to go into
first-class barrels 1

Mr. Schell : That is one of the difficulties of grading apples. That is the trouble
of getting farmers to pack their apples. They give themselves the benefit of the doubt,
and in they go. (Laughter.)

Mr. Rice : As to packing your own apples in your own orchard, I am not only a
Michigan man, but I came from the great apple-growing region of Wayne county, New
York, where we had to pack apples by the million barrels ; and had we waited for the
buyers to come into our orchard and pack our apples we would have been at least three
or four years behind. (Laughter.) Now there are things that work themselves out if
you just allow them to do so. In selling our apples the buyers knew that we were pro-
ducers, and the buyers were always there in competition. There was not simply
the one buyer, as Mr. Pettit said, to whom the farmer would sell at any price, but before
one buyer got out of sight the other was in sight, and the first one that came was sure to
come again, and so we had a chance to pick our buyers. We picked our own apples in
every case, but when they were sent into the market the heads were taken off and if they
found one barrel that was suspicious, very quickly the whole lot was considered as under
suspicion, and very likely that man was required to put his barrels in one corner and go
to work and re-sort them. He knew he would get caught the next time he came in with
his load, so he brought in his apples in right shape, and in all our apples I never yet
heard of an instance where a buyer had purchased apples and paid for them that he ever
went back on the seller for damages. He examined the article when he came into the
storehouse and there accepted it and paid for it, and the man went home. They knew
the packers and the character of the packing from experience, and governed themselves
accordingly as to watching them. In this way this matter often works itself out and
does not require any paternalism by the Government. In regard to the pony barrel, our
Legislature passed a law that one hundred quarts should represent a barrel, and that
made the pony barrel, but most producers preferred to put in a peck more and have
common barrels rather than have their apples go out in pony barrels. That gives us
trouble all the time. The pony barrel is the snare to buyers in foreign markets every-
where, and we are sorry for it. That is working itself out, too. I do not think it needs
any legislative action to prevent that. If you can grow the Northern Spy you have the
world as your market. (Hear, hear.) At our last Horticultural Society meeting a great
many noted men were present, and the question was asked, what will we advise our
people to plant 1 Some said Northern Spy. President Morrill, of Benton Harbor, said :
" Will you put that curse upon a young and inexperienced man who asks you innocently
for advice what to do ? Will you tell him to plant a thing that you know he will never
take one dollar out of above his expenses? " (Hear, hear.) Professor Bailey said : " I
would not recommend the planting of it, not because of the quality of the apple but
because your expenses will count up far beyond what you will ever take out of it." That
is the experience we have had in our country with it. Now, if you can make money out

8 F.G.

114 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

of that apple, plant your whole country with Northern Spys and you cannot make any
mistake. We cannot make any money out of it. I have no words in favor of the Ben
Davis. It comes right into the market when it is met by your Fameuse, and if you can
grow the Mackintosh Red as I have seen the samples here to-day — we cannot grow it
without the scab — you meet the Ben Davis with the Fameuse and the Mackintosh Red,
and we stand no sort of a show. You grow Ben Davis not to sell against the Fameuse
and the Mackintosh Red ; you grow it for next year's market, and the idea of putting it
on the market when better apples are being sold is perfectly outrageous. (Hear, hear.)
Don't send your Ben Davis oil to be examined and sold at auction when good apples are
being sold. Let people grow Ben Davis, selling them if they have a mind to ; they won't
hurt you as long as you can put in your Greenings. While Ben Davis are being sold
at $1.75 men are trying to find some Canadian Greenings and are willing to pay $3.75 a
barrel for them.

Mr. Shuttleworth : I think the best Ben Davis have come from Southern Illinois
this year.

Mr. Pettit : Nebraska will knock them out.

Mr. McNeill : A very large dealer in Detroit said they got them from Missouri.

Mr. Rice : Mr. Augustine, in Illinois, has planted 40,000 Ben Davis apple trees
and calculates to supply the world. Ihey calculate they will build a special line of rail-
way to the seaboard and have a special line of steamers to carry them into the foreign
market. (Laughter.)

Mr. Race : If you were planting trees for your children you would certainly recom-
mend planting the Spy ?

Mr. Rice : No, sir, I would not, because I want my children to have apples.
(Laughter.)

Mr. Boulter : If you were living injCanada would you advise planting Northern
Spys?

Mr. Rice : Taking the Canadian evidence for it that it is bearing well.

Mr. Boulter : Did T understand you to say that your locality has given up grow-
ing them 1

Mr. Rice : No ; I say they do not bear well there, and there has never been a
dollar taken out over and above expenses. A man went down to Canada and bought
a carload of Golden Russets, Northern Spys, Tolman Sweets and several other varieties
— Baldwins, I think, a few ; he sold them right out at $3 a barrel without any diffi-
culty whatever at the same time that the Ben Davis was being sold at $1.75. As to the
quality of those Tolman Sweets, we never saw anything grown in our vicinity that
equalled th^m at all. I looked over the Greenings and there was not a worm-hole any-
where on them. The Greenings in western New York even have worm-holes. Now
there are more varieties than simply the Northern Spy that will bring you good
prices if you grow them. (Hear, hear.) It was stated at our Horticultural Society
meeting that the Baldwin is no longer worth planting. The time was that it was
said that if a man had a thousand trees to plant he should plant 999 Baldwins and then
go and get a Baldwin to finish up with ; and those same orchards have had to be cut
down because they are not bearing, and the Baldwin is going out of bearing throughout
our whole country. If you can grow them you can send them the world over.

Mr. McNeill . It growsjherejwell yet.

Mr. Rice : If the Baldwin grows well with you, go ahead with it ; but, if you have
an apple that does not bear, what is the use of planting out an orchard that has no profit
in it ^ So we are not recommending the Baldwin in Michigan any more. The trees are
so affected by scab that we have to drop it out.

Mr. Caston : In our sections we have a large class of beautiful fall apples. They
come to great excellence and perfection of size and beauty, and many are of very "good
quality. Now, if we could get a market for these apples, there is more money in them

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO 115

than in any kind we can grow, because they produce fruit almost as soon as they are
put out. Take the Wealthy, for instance, there is more money in that apple than in
our winter apples. We have a large number of Wealthys which are practically wasted
because we cannot gee them to the market. We owe a debt of gratitude to those gentle-
men of the Niagara Peninsula who have contributed the fruit to this trial shipment.
From what I can hear they are likely to lose that fruit entirely. They have made that
sacrifice, and it was for the public interest, and I say it is nothing but right that we
should recognize it as fruit growers. They are prepared to do further in that line, but I
hope they will not be subjected to any loss in their worthy and laudable efforts to secure
a market for our fruits in the Old Country or anywhere else in the world.

Mr. Pettit : We will lose it again if necessary, but we intend to break the ice.
(Hear, hear.)

The Secretary : It was simply to define what grade 1 and grade 2 means that I
made that resolution. I do not wish to press it upon anybody unless they choose to use
that mark. Even for the Toronto market, if I agree to buy a barrel of No. 1 apples
and have a dispute about the quality, I should like to have some way of appealing to
know what grade 1 means, and I think it should be defined in the Provincial Act.
However, the time is now so far gone that we cannot debate the question longer, and,
with the permission of Mr. McNeill, we will lay it over and take it up at some future
time.

Mr. G. R. Pattullo read the report of the Committee on Resolutions and moved
its adoption. The motion was seconded by Mr. Smith and carried amid applause.

REPORT OF THE RESOLUTION COMMITTEE.

Your committee beg to report as follows :

That the thanks of this Association be cordially tendered to the Woodstock Horticultural Society for
the ample and satisfactory arrangements made by them for the holding of this Convention, which has
proved to be one of the most interesting and successful in the history of the Association.

To the mayor and corporation for the cordial welcome extended to us and the opportunities offered to
see the manufacturing industries, the educational institutions, and the many comfortable homes of this
beautiful and prosperous town.

To the Principal and faculty of Woodstock Collegejfor the pleasure of a visit to that Institution, and
for the generous hospitality enjoyed there.

To the ladies and gentlemen who have so kindly contributed their musical efforts at the public meet-
ings on Wednesday and Thursday evenings.

To Messrs. L. B. Rice and L. D. Watkins, our visiting comrades in the great work of horticultural
development, who have been with us as representatives from the great State of Michigan, and Mr. T.
Greiner.

To Professors Saunders and Craig, from the Ottawa Central Farm, and Dr. Mills, from the Ontario
Farm at Guelph, all of whom have greatly contributed to the interest and profit of this Convention.

To the Hon. John Dryden, Minister of Agriculture for Ontario, for his presence, practical sympathy
and valuable addresses at the Convention. '

To the Woodstock press, the Toronto press, and the Associated Press for the specially full and satis-
factory reports that have been given of the proceedings of the Convention, and the interest that they have
thus shown in the work of this Association.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

W. M. Orr,

A. M. Smith, ]> Committee.

Geo. R. Pattullo,

Mr. Parker thanked the Association for the kind manner in which they had
acknowledged the efforts of the local society, and expressed his disappointment that a
larger number of people did not turn out to the evening meeting.

Mr. Watkins thanked the Association for the gentlemanly manner in which the
delegates had been treated, and hoped that his society would always be in close touch
with this one, and that there would be reciprocity all the way round.

The meeting closed at twelve o'clock noon.

}<

APPENDIX,

REPORTS FROM AFFILIATED HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES.

BURLINGTON.

At the annual meeting of the Society held December 17th, 1895, the [following
officers were selected for the year 1896 :

President. — Geo. E. Fisher, Freeman.

Vice-President. — J. S. Freeman, Freeman.

Secretary-Treasurer. — A. W. Peart, Freeman.

Assistant- Secretary. — Geo. N. Peer, Freeman.

Directors — Apples, Edwin Peart; Grapes, D. Jardine ; Small Fruits, Joseph
Gardiner ; Pears, W. V. Hopkins ; Peaches, John Ireland ; Plums, W. F. W.
Fisher ; Cherries, T. Foster ; Vegetables, J. W. Bridgeman ; Shipping,
Joseph Lindley, J. S. Freeman and 0. T. Springer.

Auditors. — Fred Parsons and William Emerson.

Executive Committee. — Dr. Husband, Alex.IRiach and T. Glover.

Reports on the various departments of fruits were made by the following gentlemen :

Geo. E. Fisher on " Apples ; " A. W. Peart, " Grapes ; " J. W. Bridgeman and
Joseph Gardiner, " Small Fruits ; " W. V, Hopkins, " Pears ; " Alex. Riach, Peaches ; "
W. F. W. Fisher, " Plums ; " J. S. Freeman, " Cherries and Shipping."

The Secretary-Treasurer presented his annual report which showed an increase of
membership for1 the year, and a substantial balance on hand.

The President, Geo. E. Fisher, in his annual address referred to the steady growth
of the Association, and the necessity for each member to work zealously for its good to
the mutual profit of all We should be ready at all times to modify our plans according
to the changing conditions, adopt business-like methods, and be on the alert for the best
markets. The fruit grower of to-day should be educated and understand the principles of
botany, chemistry and pathology as applied to the production of fruits. He endorsed the
scheme of local experimental fruit stations, as they would save both time and money.
While fruit growing is one of the great industries of this province, we must pay strict
attention to the quality of our fruit as outside competition is very keen. In closing an
able address he said that a united effort should be made to try to retain all the old mem-
bers of the Association, and secure as many new ones as possible for 1896.

The past year of our Society has been a successful one, both in the increase of
membership and in the interest taken in our public meetings. We have held four re-
gular meetings as well as the annual. At each of these, addresses or papers, on some
subject relating to fruit were given by experienced fruit growers. The acreage of fruits,
especially the smaller ones, has been very much increased, a good deal of attention being
paid to currants, blackberries and raspberries. In common with many other sections of
Ontario, the May frost did a good deal of damage, still, there was sufficient fruit left
at remunerative prices, to give growers a fairly prosperous year. Apples were the best
crops known for years, and the quality was prime, even the Snow Apple and Holland
Pippin being spotless.

As usual, many members took advantage of the annual drive, and spent a pleasant
and profitable day among the orchards of the Dundas and Waterdown districts. We
also exhibited a collection of fruit at the Industrial Fair, Toronto, to which was awarded
first prize.

118 FRUTT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

The following gentleman contributed papers or addresses during the year : — Messrs.
W. King on " Small Fruits ; " A. W. Peart, " Fertilization of Fruit Blossoms ; M J. W.
Bridgeman, " Bees in Relation to Fruit Growing," and Geo. N. Peer on " Raspberry Cul-
ture."

BRAMPTON.

Officers for 1896.

President. — Dr. D. Heggie.

1st Vice-President.— -Henry Dole.

2nd Vice-President. — Dr. C. T. Morse.

Secretary. — A. Morton.

Directors. — C. M. French, H. Roberts, Miss J. Irvin, Mrs. A. W. Woods, Mrs.
Mary Graham, A. G. Buckham, E. Fallis. A. McKechnie, A. Morton.

CHATHAM.

Officers for 1896.

President. — His Honor Judge Bell.

Vice-President. — J. A. Walker, Esq.

2nd Vice-President. — Mrs. D. S. Paterson.

Directors. — G. K. Atkinson, W. E. Rispin, T. M. French, Mrs. Elliott and
Miss Edith Coltart.

Auditors. — W. F. Malcolmson and W. E. McKeough.

At the meeting of ihe Directors subsequently held, W. E. Rispin was appointed Sec-
retary-Treasurer of the Society.

GRIMSBY.

Officers for 1896 :

President. — John H. Grout.

Vice-President. — Mrs. Adolphus Pettit.

2nd Vice-President. — L. Woolverton.

Secy. -Treasurer.— C. W. Van Duzer.

Directors. — Mesdames E. J. Palmer, D. V. Lucas, E. J. Woolverton, and
J. G. Nelles, and Messrs. C. W. Van Duzer, Read, Adolphus Pettit, A. Terry-
berry.

THE GLADIOLUS.

By Mrs. E. J. Palmer, Grimsby.

1 had but little idea of the value of Gladiolus when I began to prepare this paper,
and I think we have been most fortunate in choosing it for our initial effort. It belongs
to the order Iridacese. The roots are bulbous ; the leaves linear or sword shaped, from
which it derives its name Gladiolus (Latin for a little sword). The Cape of Good Hope
produces the greater number of known species. A few, however, are natives of other

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 119

countries, and two or three are found in Central Europe ; none are British. The original
species have since been superseded by the very numerous and beautiful hybrids that are
in cultivation, though many of the originals are retained, and are useful in the mixed
border. The Hottentots eat the bulbs of some species which contain a considerable
quantity of starch.

The bulbs should be planted in a rich, light, mellow soil, about 20th of May, if the
ground is warm, and, for a succession of bloom, every two weeks till the 1st of July. A
sunny situation, with ground well spaded and thoroughly pulverized, is the most suitable.
If the soil is heavy, plant from one to two inches deep ; if light, three to six inches. If
bulbs are planted deep they attain a greater size, and are better able to stand a season of
drought. They are moisture -loving plants, and, for that reason, they succeed well ia
England. I think the finest flowers and largest spikes are obtained by late planting, as
they come into bloom about the 1st of October. If planted early, they should have a
light mulching of newly-cut grass. It is one of the richest of our summer-flowering
bulbs, and so refined and delicate in quality of color that it is never anything other than
satisfactory. If you care for a soft, pale shade, you have it ; if you prefer the brilliant
scarlet, crimson or violet, they are before you in every shade. No garden should be
without them, or their gorgeous display of bloom. As cut flowers, they are most satis-
factory ; and if cut when the first four flowers are in bloom, and placed in water, they
will open bud after bud till the whole spike is in bloom. The bulbs should be taken
from the ground before danger of frost, put in paper bags and kept in a dry cool place
free from frost.

I am sure we will derive a great deal of pleasure from the cultivation of our Glad-
ioli. Horace Smith siys : "The purest happiness our hearts can enjoy is that which is
wafted to us from the hearts we have made happy, even as the flowers which we our-
selves have planted ever seem to breathe around us a sweeter and more acceptable frag-
rance."

HAGERSVILLE.

Officers for 1896.

President. — Wm. Harrison.

First Vice-President. — Albert Snbll.

Second Vice-President. — Thos. Harris.

Secretary-Treasurer. — S. W. Howard.

Directors — F. H. Hager, George Hall, S. B. Harrison, J. W. Husband, P. R.
Howard, Capt. Stewart, Henry Byers, George E. Smith, Thos. Bes-

WETHERICK.

Auditors. — S. B. Harrison and J. W. Husband.

LEAMINGTON.

Officers for 1896 :

President. — W. W. Hilbqrn.

First Vice-President. — Wm. Smith.

Second Vice President. — John Mitchell.

Directors. — M. T. Bruner, 0. Curtis, F. W. Deadman, D. Sinasac, E. Hawkes,
E. E. Adams, Geo. Mills, J. C. Ross, J. L. Hilborn.

Secretary -Treasurer. — J. E. Johnson.

120 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

LINDSAY.

Officers for 1896.

President. — J. H. Knight.

Vice-President. — Alex. Cathro.

2nd Vice-President. — T. Bryant.

Secretary-Treasurer. — F. J. Frampton.

Directors. — Richard Helson, Ool. James Deacon, Robert Speir, Jos. Brickaby,
Robt. Chambers, W. H. Stevens, W. King, F. J. Frampton, W. Pedlar.

NAPANEE.

Officers for 1896 :

President. — Mrs. W. H. Wilkison.

Vice-President. — Mr. T. M. Henry.

Secy. -Treasurer. — J. E. Herring.

Directors. — Mrs. Robert Mill, Mrs. R. G. Wright, Mrs. F. S. Richardson^
Mrs. Archibald McNeill, James Harmer, James Bowerman, W. S. Her-
rington, George Lloyd, G. C. T. Ward.

NIAGARA FALLS.

Officers for 1896 :

President. — W. P. Lyon.

Vice-President. — Roderick Cameron.

Second Vice-President. — Thos. Berryman.

Secretary. — E. Morden.

Treasurer. — J. G. Cadham.

Directors — Mrs. Land, Mrs. Lowell, Miss L. McNally, Rev. Canon Bull, H.
G. A. Cook, Geo. A. Pyper, J. G. Cadham, E. Morden, Geo. Lane.

Auditors. — Geo.|C. Biggar, Walter Ker.

Number of members, 1895, 100 ; members for 1896 aheady enrolled, 60. Will give
to each member two lilies and three cannas, with perhaps some other bulbs or seeds.
Each member will receive two monthly journals. A September exhibition will doubtless
be held. Smaller informal shows are also spoken of. There has been an excellent staff
of officers from the start. Twenty-three directors' meetings last year, and all of them
harmonious. This is not often the case where prizes are given, and might not continue
if we adopt that system. We find that our lady directors are very useful.

PARIS.

At the annual meeting of the Paris Horticultural Society the Treasurer's report was
read, which showed the Society to be in a nourishing condition. He reported a balance
on hand of $119.55. This amount it is proposed to expend on the purchase of bulbs,
plants, etc., for the members as they may deem best. It is requested that suggestions as

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 121

to what may be the best shall be left with the Secretary-Treasurer by members when
renewing their subscription for the next year. We understand that the Society purposes
holding a number of meetings during the year ; also, that a flower show will be held in
the fall, which will be fully appreciated by all lovers of floral and horticulture. The fol-
lowing officers were elected for the ensuing year :

President. — F. Wiley.
Vice-President. — D. M. Lee.
Secy. -Treasurer. — C. H. Roberts.

Directors. — J. Carnie, Sen., L. Gerndt, J. Skea, A. W. Rousell, Mrs. H. Bickle
and Mrs. A. Mennie.

PORT COLBORNE.

Officers for 1896.

President. — E. 0. Boyle.

1st Vice-President. — L. G. Carter.

2nd " W. W. Knisley.

Secretary. — D. W. McKay.

Treasurer. — A. E. Augustine.

Directors. — W. Hopkins, Mrs. A. K. Schoolfield,^Mrs. D. W. Carter, Mrs. J,

Steele, J. H. Smith, F. Hosckke, Rev. J. M. Smith, D. W. McKay, A.

E Augustine.

PORT HOPE.

Officers for 1896.

President. — H. H. Burnham.

Vice-President. — Wm. Craig.

Secretary-Treasurer. — A. W. Pringle.

Directors. — W. W. Renwick, John Smart, P. Brown, S. Wicket, S. G. Watson,
T. J. Tilley.

The first annual meeting of the Port Hope Horticultural Society was held in the
Opera House, Port Hope, March 9th, 1896.

Owing to the absence of the President, Mr. H. H. Burnham, the chair was taken
by Mr. William Craig.

Doctor Purslow, the first speaker of the evening, then read an interesting paper
on "The Pillaging of our Gardens." The doctor said that if the Horticultural Society
was to thrive, it must put this down. There were two kinds of depredations ; the
robbing of flowers, which was done mostly by young girls, and the robbing of fruit, by
boys and young men. The remedies proposed were : Bringing it before the pupils in the
schools ; inserting articles against it in the local papers, and distributing leaflets against
it. In case this did not succeed, the doctor thought the horticulturists should resort to
the law. As this is seldom done individually, he suggested the horticulturists forming a
committee called the " Garden Protective Association," to prosecute all offenders, and
thus protect the members of the Society. If any difficulty was found in discovering the
culprits, to engage the services of a professional detective, the expense to be borne by
the Society. The doctor thought that if this wer^ done, and a few examples made, the
members would have no trouble in this direction.

122 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

INSECT LIFE.

Dr. Bethune then gave an address, of which the following is an abstract :

Mr. Chairman Ladies and Gentlemen, — I have been very much pleased that a
horticultural society has again been formed in this town. When it was proposed to
me to take part in this, the first annual meeting of the Port Hope Horticultural Society,
I was at a loss to know what to bring before you, unless it were my favorite subject,
that of insects.

Every person knows that there is a great variety of insects. Probably you are
not aware that the insects more than equal all the animals that inhabit the earth both in
number and bulk. We must not, of course, include the fishes of the ocean, as we do
not know their numbers, but confine ourselves to the inhabitants of the earth. The
insects, then, more than equal all the other animals of creation. Just one instance of
their numbers : A writer says that he observed a flight of locusts crossing the Red Sea
and covering two thousand square miles. He calculated that the locusts would weigh
about one-sixteenth of an ounce each, and computed that they would weigh altogether
forty-thousand millions of tons. It seems incredible.

What I thought of doing to-night was not so much to entertain as to instruct.
This is only the first meeting of the Port Hope Horticultural Society, and I may per-
haps be called upon to give you further information at some future time so will confine
myself to-night to some remarks upon insects.

The first question that rises in the mind is, what is an insect 1 I suppose everyone
thinks they know what constitutes an insect. Some will tell you that a spider is an
insect, but it is not. They are first cousins of insects, but they do not belong to
that class themselves, though they are very near relatives. Take thousand legged
worms ; they are closely allied to insects, but they are not insects themselves.

Well, an answer to the question as to what constitutes an insect, is, of course, its
structure. We find that these creatures are all built on a certain plan ; there is a plan
upon which the great Creator has chosen to work. In their formation we find the body
divided into three distinct parts. The first division is the head, the second is the
thorax, and the third the abdomen. The head contains the mouth ; the thorax, the legs
and wings, and the abdomen the breathing apparatus and other internal organs.

What may surprise some is that the breathing apparatus is contained in the abdo-
men, the third part of the body. Some people try to kill an insect by closing its mouth,
but it does not affect it at all. They dip its head into oil, but, beyond inconveniencing
it a little, it does it no harm. The reason is plain to be seen — they do not subject the
right part of the insect to the oil.

You will notice on these diagrams (pointing to some on the wall) that there appear
feelers on most of them, especially on the butterfly. These are called antennae, and they
are organs of sensation of the insect. You will notice that in an insect there will
always be found a pair of antennas.

In their perfect state insects always have at least one pair, but mostly two pairs of
wings. Those that have only one pair, have rudiments of a second pair. The flies are
the only ones that are destitute of two pairs.

Then the next distinction is that they all have six legs in the perfect state — I am
speaking of the winged state. In this stage all insects have six legs — never more or less —
except in the case of some butterflies, which have only four. If you find one with six
legs, then you know that it is an insect.

I just said that I was referring to the perfect state, but there are others as well.
You will h< e by these diagrams that there are different stages. All insects go through
four stages to a greater or less extent.

The egg is the first state. Insects begin life, like all living creatures, as an egg.
The egg is laid and from the egg is produced a little caterpillar, grub or maggot. The
caterpillar grows very rapidly and goes on eating during its existence. It afterwards

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 123

assumes a dormant state ; some burrow in the ground while others wrap themselves up
in a silken cocoon.

Grasshoppers, etc., do not go through such complete stages. The larva of a grass-
hopper is very much like the perfect insect when born, except that it has no wings.
This, then, is an exception but, as a general rule, there are four stages of existence

In the caterpillar, this rule about the six legs does not hold. There are, however,
a series of legs, called pro-legs, which help the insects to move along. The majority of the
insects are all supplied with these appendages which answer the purpose of legs There
are some others, though, which do not. Taking it as a whole, then, this is the usual
form in which these crealures are constructed ; but this is a very large subject and I will
not have time to dwell on this any longer.

The next point is :

The Mode in Which Insects Feed.

There are two kinds of insects — those that feed by biting with their jaws and those that
feed by suction. You can see that if you want to kill a biting insect you would have to
adopt a different plan than you would to kill a sucking insect. Horticulturists have to
understand these two systems and to base their actions accordingly.

I was intending to tell you something about the different families, but I think I will
change my line and say a few words about dealing with noxious insects. Everyone
knows what plagues they are. Personally I am indebted to them.

A number of years ago a number of us formed an entomological society, and had
great difficulty in getting along, having to depend entirely upon ourselves. We started
a magazine. By correspondence we found that there was a scourge affecting the potato
in the Western States. I had occasion to visit Chicago and found it to be true. We
immediately set to work to learn all we could about it. I wrote an article in the Toronto
Globe and one in the Canada Farmer, calling upon the Government to make some errors
to keep this troublesome pest out of Canada. Our idea was by not growing any potatoes
for some distance from the border, we might check their progress. The long and short
of it was that we started to work and formed a committee for experimenting. It was
found that Paris green was the one effective remedy. After this the Government of
Ontario gave us an annual grant, which they have continued for some years past, and
gradually increased to a thousand dollars a year.

Speaking of Paris green reminds me that it has now become the greatest means of
destroying insects that has ever been discovered- It is generally delivered by means of
pumps which send a fine spray through the foliage.

Another insect that gives a great deal of trouble is the codling worm, which burrows
into the heart of the apple. This codling worm has been a very difficult worm to get rid
of. The moth lays its egg in the eye of the future apple. It generally destroys the
apple and it falls to the ground.

With regard to the use of Paris green by spraying the trees just when the apple is
formed. The Paris green is spread all over the tree by means of tha spray-pump
When the caterpil'ar starts out of the egg to burrow into the apple, the first thing it does
is to eat some of the Paris green and is consequently destroyed. The plum weevil will
also be kept in check by spraying with Paris green. So far we have been dealing with
biting insects.

We will now turn to those that live by sucking. It would be no use spraying any-
thing on the foliage. You have to apply it to their bodies The remedy i3 coal oil, but
if applied to the foliage direct, the plants would be killed. By experiments it was found
that if this coal oil was mixed with water it would destroy the insects and yet not damage
the foliage. However, water is nob the best thing to mix it with. If you take some
soap and water and make strong soap suds, it will make a better mixture than water
alone ; it will form an emulsion and you can then keep it for any length of time. Use a

124 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

spray pump in the usual manner and these insects can be destroyed in the same way.
Those insects that trouble house plants can be destroyed also with the emulsion.

Now in regard to

Spraying Trees.

I know by personal experience that it is too much trouble. We either have not the
time to spare, or we are too lazy, and let our trees be ravaged by insects year after year.
I want to make a suggestion in regard to this. It is that our gardeners should do this
work for us. Those that cultivate flowers and fruit, would be only too glad, I am sure,
to pay a man if he would come around and spray our trees for us. I hope the gardeners
of our town will take this matter up and act upon it. It would be a great blessing to
those of us who are either too busy, or too lazy, to do it ourselves. However, if you
do not come under this classification and do it yourself, be sure and put on an old
suit of clothes.

I will now just refer to one or two other matters. There has been a very remark-
able case of interest to ourselves in California. Ycu all have heard of what a wonderful
country California is for fruits. California fruit growers have been suffering from a
scale inscctthat invaded the State a few years ago. In their trouble they sent for
assistance to the department at Washington, and Professor Riley proceeded to investi-
gate. (I have no hesitation in saying that Professor Riley has done more in making the
habits of insects known than any other person in North America or even the world.)
He knew it must have come from some other part of the world. He at once took up
the study of this scale insect. He found that the Caliiornians had been importing fruit
trees from New Zealand and Australia, and came to the conclusion that the insect must
have been imported with the trees. However, in Australia and New Zealand the scale
was scarce, and the inference was that there must be something that kept it in check.
He asked the authorities at Washington to send over a couple of men to Australia and
New Zealand to investigate and find what was keeping it in check. The Department
would not grant his request. However, he succeeded in another way. There was to be
an international exhibition at Melbourne and the American Government were sending
over representatives. He succeeded in getting two of his own men appointed, and when
they got there I can assure you they did not spend much time at the exhibition but in
searching for this insect. They found that a little beetle called a " lady bird " was keeping
them in check. They sent some of these lady birds over to Mr. Riley by mail and he
had them placed on some trees where the scale insects were at work, with the result that
they soon cleared the trees of them. More were then sent from Australia. Now they
are not troubled with the scale insect at all. This, I consider was a great triumph for
entomology. But some things that are imported do harm instead of good, like the
English sparrow for instance.

The same thing is now being done in Western Virginia. The forests were being
invaded by some noxious insects. So they imported some insects they thought would
destroy them from Germany. In a, large forest you cannot watch the results as closely
as in an orchard, but I believe the experiment there also will be successful. I only
mention this as an example of what has been done by entomology.

Before I sit down, I want to speak about another matter. It is that every person
should have a hobby of some kind. I have derived a great deal of pleasure from the
study of entomology. I would like particularly to impress upon you the importance of
having a hobby. You, who are confined all day, take up something that is entirely dif-
ferent from your regular occupation for your spare moments. What I would like you to
do, and especially the young ladies of the town, is to study some branch of natural his-
tory.

Some time ago I had a talk with Lady Aberdeen on this subject. She is very much
interested in the welfare of this country and its people. We were talking about this
matter, and I was deploring the lack of this sort of study by our young ladies. In
England it is quite common but not in this country. There are plenty of ladies in Port

FKUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO. 125

Hope who would find their life much more pleasant to them if they would take up some-
thing of this kind. I believe the Ladies' Club have lately had a scientific lecture, and I
am glad of that.

One study they might take up is botany, or some like shells and fossils ; others,
again, collecting postage stamps. But take something, no matter what it is, and make
that something the whole object of study for your spare moments. Many people go for
a walk for exercise. If you are a student of botany you will find something interesting
at every step ; if you are making a collection, you will find something to add to your
collection. I should be glad to see the ladies of this town take up botany and other
natural history studies.

I might mention that the greatest entomo'ogist in Great Britain is a lady. Miss
Ormerod. These diagrams that you see here are the work of her sister and herself. She
is the standard authority in England, and has been consulted by the Governments of
Russia, India and others. A few days ago I received her eleventh annual report. She
devotes her whole time to the pursuit, and without any encouragement whatever from
the Government. Happily, she is a lady of means, and is able to do it. If you read the
periodicals you will find mention made of her from time to time. I mention this as a
bright example, but there are other ladies who have distinguished themselves in different
directions. So you see what a lady can do:

In closing, let me say that every one cannot be famous, but you can derive great
pleasure by studying some of the wonderful works of the Divine Creator.

Mr. T. H. Race, of Mitchell, representing the Ontario Fruit Growers' Association,
was then introduced by the chairman, and proceeded to give an address on " The Culti-
vation of Roses."

TRENTON.

Officers for 1896.

President. — W. H. Berkinshaw.

Vice-President. — R. Fraser.

2nd Vice-President. — W. II. Dempsey.

Secretary-Treasurer. — S. J. "Young.

Directors — Mesdames J. W. Hyde, W. H. Berkinshaw, J. H. Stewart, Miss
Jeffs, and Messrs. J. B. Young, Jas. Craig, R. M. Foster, J. B. Christie
and D. J. Hawley.

Auditors. — Messrs. D. E. Clarke and J. Nicholson.

WATERLOO.

Officers for 1896.

President. — James Lockie.

1st Vice-President. — Chas. Moogk.

2nd Vice-President. — Mrs. P. Hohmeier.

Secretary-Treasurer. — W. A. Raymo.

Directors, — Mrs. Geo. Wegenast, Mrs. J. H. Webb, Miss M. Bruce, Messrs.
Geo. Bulduc, C. M. Taylor, J. II. Winkler, Wm. Hendry, J. H. Roos.

Auditors. — George Davidson, Levi Shuh.

126 FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

Following is tb<

Directors' Report.

Your Directors, in making their fhst Annual Report, have much pleasure in con-
gratulating the members on the success of the Society. From its inception it has been
well received and seems to be steadily growing in public favor.

We have had a membership of seventy, each of whom received The Canadian Horti-
culturist and bound report of the Ontario Fruit Growers' Association, and a share of
the plant distribution connected, twenty Gladioli bulbs, one Canna and two tuberous
rooted Begonias ; besides, the Society made a gift to the town of a circular flower bed
in the public park, containing 175 Dwarf Cannas with a border two feet wide of Phlox
Drummondi, which was much appreciated by the public, and we trust the Park Com-
missioners will continue the work thus beaun and cause several flower plots and orna-
mental trees and shrubs to be planted in the different parks in future.

The year 1895 was unfavorable for horticulture in many respects. The frosts of May
almost completely destroyed the small fruit crop of this section and cut back early vege-
tables and flowers. The weather during the season was very irregular and uncertain^
alternating from the extreme heat to cool, even cold, weather, with frost every month.

Your Society has held a number of meetings open to the public, where papers on
horticultural subjects have been read and discussed with increasing interest, and we trust
our successors will continue such meetings in future and that the attendance may increase,
as apart from the benefits to be derived from an interchange of ideas on horticultural
topics, they also cultivate the social qualities and make better neighbors and citizens.

The Fruit Growers' Association of Ontario, with which this Society is affiliated, hold
their annual meetings in different places each year in order to increase the interest in
fruit growing in different localities. Your Directors made an effort to get it here next
winter, but having been held in the western section for some years it was decided to
hold the next in Kingston, but we are promised it in the near future, and we trust our
successors in office will succeed in getting this meeting at Waterloo in 1897.

The Secretary-Treasurer's and Auditors' reports are before you by which you will
see the Society is in a good financial position, the funds having been husbanded with* care,
and by the circular just issued you will see the advantages to members for this year are
much greater than last, so that we look with confidence to the increasing influence of this
Society and expect it to be one of the most beneficial and permanent institutions of our
thriving town.

By order of the Board.

Jas. Lockie,

President.

WOODSTOCK.

Officers for 1896.

President. — D. W. Karn.

Vice-President. — G. R. Pattullo.

Secretary. — R. B. Thornton.

Treasurer. — J. S. Scarff.

Directors. — E. Hersee,^M. S. Schell, F. Mitchell, Frank Harms, E. W. Snel-
grove, Wm. Newton, R. W.^Keiler, J. -S. Scarff and T. H. Parker.

Auditors. — John Pike and T. L. Clarkson.

INDEX

Page.

Address by Hon. John Dryden 45

Address of Welcome 45

Affiliated Societies 96, 115

Agassiz Experiment Farm .... 56

Annapolis Valley, Apple growing in 51

Annual Meeting 3

Apple Barrel, Legal capacity of 109

Apple Blossom, The 26

Apple Culture 8

Apple Growing in the Upper St. Lawrence

Valley 12

Apple Scab 60

Apples, Export trade in 77, 105

Apples for Market 58

Ashes 40

Baldwin Apple 31, 114

Bank's Red Gravenstein Apple 51

Barrel, Legal capacity of 109

Baxter Apple 13

Bees in the Orchard 28, 30

Ben Davis Apple 105, 114

Black Knot 66

Blight of Pear 38

Blooming Period of Fruit Trees 25, 27

Bordeaux Mixture 61

Brampton Horticultural Society 118

Brandon Experiment Farm 55

Breckenridge Apple 109

British Columbia as an Apple Market 18

British Columbia as an Apple Producing

Country 72

Brockville Beauty Apple 13

Buckwheat in the Orchard . 12

Bud Moth 66

Burlington Horticultural Society 117

Canada Red Apple 13

Cannas 91

Central Experimental Farm 52

Charlie Apple 98

Chatham Horticultural Society 118

Cigar-shaped Case Bearer 14

Clover as an Orchard crop 10

Codling Moth 60

Gold Storage, Co-operative 7

Co-operative Fruit Selling 6

Conservatories, Private 46

Cranberry Pippin Apple 11

Crops in the Orchard „ 9

Crosby Peach 58

Cultivation and Spraying of Orchard, The. . . 59

Diamond Apple 99

Diseases of Fruit Trees 4

Duchess Apple 12

Page.

Duchesse Precoce Pear 33

Early Rivers Peach 58

Ella Apple 98

Empress Apple 99

Experimental Shipment of Fruit to England. 77
Export Trade in Apples and Other Fruits. 77, 105

Fallawater Apple 59

Fameuse Apple 13

Fertilizing the Orchard 9, 10, 34, 60

Finance Committee, Report of 95

Forest Trees, Preservation of 5

Fraud in the Sale of Fruit, Act for the pre-
vention of 75, 109

Fruit Committee 5

Fruit Crop of 1895 in the Ottawa Valley .... 103
Fruit Exhibitions and how to make them

Educative 20

Fruit Exhibit, Report of Committee on ... 100

Fruit Experiment Stations 23

Fruit Growing, Profits of 41

Fruit in the Market, Green 5

Fruit Trade, Present day requirements of ... . 68

Geranium, Varieties

Gladiolus, The 118

Gladiolus, Depth of planting 82

Gladiolus, Hybrids of 82

Gladiolus, The improvement of 81

Golden Russet Apple , . , 13

Grading and Packing Fruit 38, 73, 113

Grapes, Exporting 107

Grapes, Frozen 6

Grapes, Immature 6

Grape, Thrip 19

Gravenstein Apple 51

Green Fruit 6

Green Apple for Export 109

Grimsby Horticultural Society 118

Hagersville Horticultural Society ] 19

Harold Apple 97

Hill's Chili Peach 58

Horticultural Work at the Dom. Exp. Farms,

Progress of 49

Horticulture at the O. A. C 47

House Plants, Cultivation and Management of 87

House Plants, The Garden and 90

Indian Head Experiment Farm 16

Insect Life 122

Inspection of Fruit 16

Jordan Apple 98

Kean's Seedling Apple 99

Keiff er Pear 37, 40

Kerosene Emulsion 15

King Apple 43

128

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

Page.

Labelling: Fruit 21

Leamington Horticultural Society 119

Letter of Transmittal 1

Letters of Introduction 19

Lindsay Horticultural Society 120

Longfield Apple 13

Lye as a Tree Wash 11

Manitoba Wild Plum 55

Marketing Fruit 39. 70

Mice in the Orchard 36

Monarda Didyma 91

Moore's Ruby Currant 104

Mcintosh Red Apple 13

McLeod Apple 99

Napanee Horticultural Society 120

Panan Experiment Farm 52

New Fruit Committee 5

New Fruit Committee, Report of 97

Niagara Falls Horticultural Society 120

Nitrate of Soda for House Plants 89

Nominating Committee 5

Nonpareil Apple 51

Northern Spy Apple 16, 105, 113

Northern Spy Self-Sterile 29

Officers for 1896 2

Ontario Agricultural College and Horticulture 47

Ontario Apple 59

Orchard Crops 9

Packages for Apples 106

Packages, Sizes of 74

Packing -.17,34

Packing and Grading Fruit 73

Paris Horticultural Society 120

Parks and Gardens 84

Peaches for Oxford County 58

Pear Blight 38

Pear Growing for Profit 33

Percy Apple 98

Picking Fruit .5, 34

Pillaging of our Gardens 121

Pioneer Apple 99

Plant Distribution for 1895 96

Planting an Orchard 11

Plants for the House, Care of 87, 90

Plum Weevil 123

Pony Barrel 113

Port Colborne Horticultural Society 121

Port Hope Horticultural Society 121

Present Day Requirements of our Fruit Trade 68
President's Address 3

Private Conservatories 46

Prize Lists , 21

Pyrus Baccata 55

Question Drawer 19, 58

Raspberries for Home Use 104

Red Astrachan Apple 13

Red Rock Apple 99

Resolutions, Committee on 5

Resolutions 115

Roses, Winter protection of 54

Rose Thrip 19

Sand Cherry 55

Scarlet Pippin Apple 13, 101

Secretary, Report of 95

Seedling Fruits 97

Sheldon Pear 37

Shipment of Fruit, Experimental 4

Shiping Apples to British Columbia 16

Sod in the Orchard 8

Soil for the Pear 40

Spraying 14

Spraying and Cultivation of the Orchard 59

Spraying Experiments 4

Spraying Experiments in 1895 62

Stark Apple 58

Sterility of Varieties of Fruit 29

St . Lawrence Apple 12

Strawberries, Methods of originating new

varieties of 102

Swamp Muck 14

Talman Sweet as Stock for Grafting 42

Tent Caterpillar 60

Tomatoes, Exporting 108

Top Grafting Pears 38

Transportation, Loss of Fruit in 8

Transportation of Apples 107

Treasurer's Report j£ , 95

Trenton Horticultural Society 125

Tuberous Begonia 92

Tyson Pear 37

Varieties to Plant 10

Varieties in Orchard, Mixing 26

Watering Plants 89, 90

Waterloo Horticultural Society 125

Wealthy Apple 13

Wilder Currant 104

Wilmot Pear 33

Winter Protection of Roses . . .• 54

Wood Ashes 60

Woodstock Horticultural Society 126

Yellow Transparent Apple 13

SECOND ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS

OP

ONTARIO

UNDER THE JOINT CONTROL OP THE

ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, GUELPH

AND THE

FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO.

1895.

(PUBLISHED BY THE ONTARIO DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, TORONTO.)

PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY.

TORONTO:
WARWICK BROS. & RUTTER, PRINTERS Etc. 68 and 70 FRONT ST. WEST.

1896

CONTENTS.

Letter of Transmittal 5

Officers 6

List of Stations and Experimenters 6

Canadian Fruits and Fruit Trees » 7

Apples, 7— Pears, 12.

Meeting of Board of Control 17

Report of Secretary 18

List of Trees added to Stations in Spring of 1895 19

Visits to Experimenters 23

Exhibit at Industrial Exhibition 23

Experimental Shipment of Apples to Australia 24

Financial Statement 31

Future Plans 31

Reports from Stations 31

Apples— Bay of Quinte Station , 32

Outlines of Apples 38

Apples— Simcoe Station .,. 46

Notes on Varieties— Simcoe Station 48

Pears— Bay of Quinte Station 50

Plums— Georgian Bay Station 52

Notes on Varieties— Georgian Bay Station 54

Peaches— Southwestern Station 55

Notes on Varieties — Southwestern Station 56

Peaches— Hints on Cultivation 59

Grapes — Wentworth Station 60

Grapes— Record for 1895 62

Cherries — Notes on Varieties 63

Third Annual Meeting of Board of Control 66

Inspection of Stations 67

Proposed new Stations 70

Gooseberries 73

Strawberries 77

Strawberry Notes 84

Burlington 95

Catalogue of Fruits for the use of Planters 99

Apples, 99 ; Pears, 100 ; Grapes, 101 ; Strawberries, 102 ; Gooseberries, 103.

APPENDIX A.

Report of the Director of Experimental Spraying 105

APPENDIX B.

Spray Pumps 117

SECOND ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO,

1895.

To the Honorable the Minister of Agriculture for Ontario :

Sir — The second Annual Report of the Fruit Experimental Work in Ontario,
which I have now the honor of placing before you, will show the progress of our fruit
stations in testing varieties. The experimenters are beginning their tests with old
varieties, and afterward will be in a position to judge of the comparative merits of the
newer varieties.

The Board of Control has now established ten stations and two sub-stations, and it
is hoped that these will fairly represent the conditions of the various parts of the Pro-
vince, excepting those too far north to be adapted to profitable fruit culture.

An important feature of the work is that undertaken by the secretary, viz., a des-
criptive work ol the fruits of Ontario, a work necessarily slow and requiring much
patient study of varieties under the varying conditions found at the various stations, but
in the end it is intended to constitute in a compact form the results of the work of ail
our stations. When sufficiently advanced, this may be published in a volume separate
from the Annual Report and thus will constitute a book of reference for fruit growers.

The Report of the Director of Experimental Spraying also forms an important part
of this report.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

We have the honor to be, Sir,

Your obedient servants,

JAMES MILLS, L. WOOLVERTON,

Chairman, Guelph, Ont. Secretary, Grimsby, Ont.

BOARD OK CONTROL, 1896

REPRESENTING THE COLLEGE.

James Mills, M. A., LL.D., Guelph President.

H. L. Hutt, B.S.A., Guelph Horticulturist.

REPRESENTING THE FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION FOR 1896.

A. M. Smith ! St. Catharines.

A. H. Pettit Grimsby.

W. E. Wellington Toronto.

L. Woolverton, M. A., Secretary Grimsby.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

Chairman — James Mills, M.A., LL.D.
Secretary — L. Woolverton, M.A.
Official Visitor— K. L. Hutt, B.S.A.

THE ONTARIO FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS.

Name. Specialty. Experimenter.

1. Southwestern Peaches W. W. Hilborn, Leamington, Ont.

2. Niagara Tender Fruits Martin Burrill, St. Catharines, Ont.

3. Wentworth Grapes M. Pettit, Winona, Ont.

4. Burlington 1 STounwots \ A' W* Peart' Freeman> 0nt

4 J. Halton sub-station Strawberries E. B. Stevenson, Freeman, Ont.

5. Lake Huron { Raspberries and I AE Sherrington, Walkerton, Ont

( Commercial Apples, j ° '

6. Georgian Bay Plums John G. Mitchell, Clarksburg, Ont.

'• Simcoe { j^fi^"1 } . • G. 0. Oaston, Craighurst, Out.

7 J. Simcoe sub-station Gooseberries S. Spillett, Nantye, Ont.

8. East Central { g^^ Apple8. } R. L. Huggard, Whitby, Out.

9. Bay of Qainte Apples W. H. Dempsey, Trenton, Ont.

10. St. Lawrence j ^*^y |}^™s' 1 Harold Jones, Maitland, Ont.

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

CANADIAN FRUITS AND FRUIT TREES.

Since we have in Canada no recognized authority upon Canadian fruits, it seems
necessary for the best interests of Canadian fruit growers that such a work be under-
taken as soon as possible. That grand work of Mr. A. J. Downing has been of inestim-
able value to the horticulturists of the United States, but even for that country this work
needs a thorough revision ; while for Canada, many of its statements are wholly inapplic-
able. Besides this, it describes many varieties never grown in Canada and wholly un-
desirable.

Toward supplying this need, your Secretary did a little work during the year 1895,
and has incorporated a portion of it in this annual report in order to learn the mind of
the Board of Control and of the Fruit Growers' Association with regard to the desirability
of its being carried on in this manner from year to year as the practical outcome of the
work of our Ontario fruit experiment stations.

L. WOOLVERTON,

Grimsby, Ontario. Secretary.

APPLES.
Baldwin. (Steele's Red Winter).

Section of Baldwin,

The Baldwin originated in the State of Massachusetts and was for many years the
most popular winter apple for either home or foreign markets. The average yield each
alternate year was about eight barrels per tree, and in some instances much larger. Large

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

orchards of this variety were in consequence planted in the apple growing counties of
middle and southern Ontario, but unfortunately for many years now these orchards have
been almost barren, and many of them are being dug out as worthless. The cause may
be poverty of soil, the lack of pollen of other varieties to fertilize the blossoms, or the
prevalence of apple scab. If it is the latter, it may be overcome with the Bordeaux
mixture ; if lack of potent pollen, by grafting in other varieties here and there through
the orchard.

Tree, upright, spreading, vigorous grower, formerly very productive.

Fruit, large, roundish, ovate ; skin yellow, shaded and splashed with crimson and
red, dotted with some russet dots ; stem heavy, three-quarters of an inch long, in a broad
cavity ; calyx, closed, in a deep plaited basin.

Flesh, yellowish white, tender, sub-acid ; quality, second class.

Season of use. January to March.

Adaptation. Not very hardy at Sirncoe station or in North Ontario county ; further
south and along the borders of the lakes, this apple may be grown to perfection, if the scab
can be kept off the trees.

Cabashea. (Twenty Ounce Pippin).

r^i Not worth planting in Ontario. Through confusing its name with that of the
Oayuga Red Streak, often called Twenty Ounce, this apple has been widely planted in
our province. The tree is unproductive and the fruit, though large and fine in appear-
ance, drops early and is poor in quality. Twenty trees, at Maplehurst, twenty years
planted, yielded about ten barrels of apples in 1895, the best so far.

Section of Cabashea.

Origin, unknown.

Tree, vigorous, spreading, unproductive.

Fruit, large, roundish, oblate, slightly conical ; skin, yellowish green, shaded with
dull red on the sunny side ; stem, an inch long, stout, in a wide cavity of moderate
depth ; calyx open In a wide shallow basin ; core medium.

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

Flesh, white, firm, coarse, sub-acid, only fair for cooking, useless for dessert.

Season, October to December. At Bay of Quinte station, season given from Decem-
ber to February.

Tested, twenty years at Maplehurst, Grimsby.

Cranberry Pippin.

An apple that is worthy of being planted in Southern Ontario as a J fancy "variety
for export. Though the quality is ordinary and not suitable for dessert, its extreme
beauty when opened in midwinter, its large and even size, usual freedom from blemishes
and the productiveness of the tree every alternate year, make it a desirable variety. At
Maplehurst, Grimsby, in 1895, fifty trees of this variety, about twenty years planted,
yielded 200 barrels of high grade apples, and in 1893, when other varieties were almost
worthless, nearly the same quantity. Sometimes, however, this variety is subject to
warts and knots which mar its beauty.

Section of Cranberry Pippin.

Origin, Accidental on a farm, near Hudson River, N.Y.
Tree, very vigorous, healthy, spreading, productive.

Fruit, medium to large, roundish oblate; skin, smooth, yellow shaded and striped
with two shades of red ; stem, slender, one and one-eighth inches long in a deep cavity ;
calyx closed in a wide, wrinkled basin.

Flesh, white, firm, crisp, moderately juicy, sub-acid ; quality, second class.

Season. November to February.

Adaptation". 'Southern portions o£ the province, especially clay border oi the lakes.

10

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

King. (King of Tompkins' County.)

Said to have originated in New Jersey. On account of its excellent quality for
cooking, its peculiarly rich aromatic flavor, its beautiful appearance and large size, this
apple is taking the highest place in the great apple markets of the world. Unfortunately
the tree is a poor bearer, and consequently unprofitable as an orchard variety, unless
under exceptional circumstances. Top grafted on Tolman Sweet, it is said to be more
productive. For home use it is excelled by no apple.

Section of King,

Tree, a vigorous grower, of spreading habit, but not long-lived.

Fruit, large, roundish, uneven ; skin, yellowish, shading off from red to dark crim-
son ; stem, short and stout, inserted in a wide, deep, somewhat irregular cavity ; calyx
closed in a broad, shallow, slightly corrugated basin.

Flesh, yellowish, white, crisp and juicy, moderately firm ; flavor rich, agreeable, aro-
matic ; quality first-class.

Season, October to February in Southern Ontario ; reported at the Simcoe station,
October to March for Northern Ontario.

Adaptation. Not hardy at Simcoe station unless top-grafted on Tolman Sweet, or
some other hardy stock, and, therefore, it is not recommended for planting in northern
sections.

Red Astrachan.

Imported from Sweden to England in 1816, and widely planted in Southern Ontario
for a summer market apple. Scarce another apple of its season equals it in beauty of
arpearance, for, in addition to its rich crimson color, it is often covered with a pale white

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

11

bloom. Selected fancy grades of this apple are usually in good demand in our home
markets, but sometimes there is a surplus, and prices even for Astrachans are very low.

Section of Red Astrachan.

Tree, upright ; very vigorous ; begins Gearing early ; very productive.

Fruit, medium to large, round, narrowing toward apex ; skin, deep crimson when
exposed to sun, yellowish-green in shade, often covered with a thin, whitish bloom ; stem,
stout, three-quarter inch long, in a deep, narrow cavity ; calyx closed in a shallow, some-
what irregular basin.

Flesh, white, crisp, juicy, tender, becoming mealy when over-ripe; acid almost too
tart to be counted first-class for either dessert or cooking ; quality, second class.

Season, 1st to 20th August.

Adaptation. In Niagara district perfectly hardy and productive. Two trees in
1895 at Maplehurst averaged ten barrels each. Not considered profitable at Simcoe
station ; not hardy in northern parts of Ontario county.

Yellow Transparent.

Yellow Transparent.

12

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO,

An apple which may prove a substitute for the well-known Early Harvest, which is
so subject to apple scab. This variety seems to be proof against fusicladiuni, both in leaf
and fruit.

Origin, St. Petersburg, Russia. Imported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture
in 1870.

Tree, hardy, vigorous, upright, annual bearer, productive, began bearing at four
years at Oraighurst station.

Fruit, above medium, roundish, oblate, inclined to be conical; skin, clear white?
yellowish white when very mature ; dots, light green, obscure ; stalk, medium, in large
cavity ; calyx closed in medium slightly corrugated basin ; fruit hangs well on the tree.

Flesh, white ; firm till very ripe, then tender ; quality, second class.

Adaptation. Tested at Maplehurst, Grimsby ; at Simcoe station, and distributed
widely by Ontario Fruit Growers' Association in 1886.

PEARS.
Beurre Giffard.

Section of Beurre Giffard.

An excellent early summer pear, of large size and good quality.
of its season is more desirable -both for home use and niaiket.
Origin. Chance seedling with M. Giffard, Angers, France;
Tree, moderately vigorous, healthy and productive.

Probably r.o pear

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

13

Fruit, medium, acute pyriform ; skin, greenish-yellow, shaded with red in the sun ;
calyx closed in a very shallow basin.

Flesh, white, melting, agreeable aromatic flavor.
Season, August.

Tested on top graft four years at Maplehurst, Grimsby ; also at the Wentworth
Experiment Station.

Buffum.

A reliable kind for health of tree and productiveness, but its season follows the Bart-
lett too closely to be of any great value in the market. Besides, there are other varieties
of about the same season [which are more desirable for both table and market, for the
fruit is often below medium size and of only fair quality.

Section of Buffum.

Origin ^T Rhode Island.

Tree, very upright, vigorous, productive, not subject to blight.

Fruit, medium, oblong, obovate, slightly one-sided ; skin, yellowish, with a brownish-
red cheek, with small brown dots ; stalk, one inch long, in a very small cavity; calyx
closed in a small regular basin.

Flesh, white, buttery, moderately juicy, slightly granular, of agreeable aromatic
flavor.

Season, September 20th to October 1st.

Tested at Maplehurst thirty years.

14

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

Howell.

One of the best market pears of its season for Southern^Ontario, especially when
grown on a standard. Its vigor of tree, regularity of bearing, clear skin, and good size
and quality make it a desirable variety for the commercial orchard.

Section of Howell.

Origin. New Haven, Oonn. Named after the originator, Thomas Howell.

Tree, upright, healthy and vigorous, an early bearer, productive.

Fruit, large, obovate pyriform ; skin, yelUwish green, waxen, reddish dots on sunny
side, russet dots in shade ; stem one and three-quarter inches loDg ; no cavity, sometimes
lipped ; calyx partly open in a deep russeted basin ; core small ; seeds few,^small.

Flesh, creamy white, juicy, melting, granular near the core ; flavor agreeable vin-
ous ; rather tart for dessert.

Season, middle September to middle of October.

Tested twenty-five years at Maplehurst, Grimsby.

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

15

King Sessing.

A worthless variety for either home use or market, because it always^decays atjthe
core, while still apparently sound.

Section of King Sessing.

Origin. Near Philadelphia.

Tree, fairly vigorous, of sprawling habit.

Fruit, large, obovate, obtuse pyriform ; skin, greenish-yellow, with 'minute greenish
dots j stem, two inches long, curved, fleshy at its insertion in a small uneven cavity •
calyx small, closed in a deep irregular basin ; core small, inclined to rot.

Flesh, whitish, juicy, melting, and of good flavor.

Season, September 20th to October 1st.

Tested thirty years at Maplehurst.

Rostiezer.

A small unattractive looking pear, of very high quality. It is the best of its season
in quality for dessert purposes, and should have a place in the home garden. What the

16

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

Seckel is in October, this pear is in August. Packed in small packages and labelled
" extra quality dessert pears," the writer was able to sell them at a fancy price, but
usually the pear sells far below its value on account of its ordinary appearance.

Section of Sheldon.

Origin. Foreign.

Tree, healthy, vigorous, sprawling habits, shoots few, and need shortening in.

f"-" Fruit, small to medium, obovate, oblong pyriform : skin, green, sometimes turning
yellowish, with reddish-brown cheek ; stem slender and nearly two inches in length ;
calyx open ; basin small.

Flesh, juicy, melting, sweet, very delicious, of very finest quality.

Season, middle to end of August.

J2 Tested twenty years at Maplehurst.

Sheldon.

One of the most delicious of dessert pears, if eaten just at the proper time. Worthy
of a place in every home garden, but not productive enough to be planted for market.

Origin. Accidental on farm of Norman Sheldon of Huron, Wayne Co., N.Y.

Tree, vigorous, erect, not very productive, late coming into bearing.

Fruit, above medium in size, roundish, obtuse obovate; skin, yellowish-green, covered
with thin light russet, brownish crimson in sun, russet dots ; stalk, short, stout, in a nar-
row cavity ; calyx nearly open, in a broad basin.

Flesh, creamy, buttery, juicy, sweet, aromatic.

Season, October.

Tested twenty years at Maplehurst.

PLATE I.— ONTARIO GROWN APPLES.

-—* "*" \

Baldwin.

Cabashea.

Cranberry Pippin.

King.

Eed Astra chan.

Yellow Than.- parent.

PLATE IL— ONTARIO GROWN PEARS.

ii ii Hid

■Mind

BUFFUM.

GlFFARD.

Howell

King Sesstng.

L

K.OSTIEZER

Sheldon.

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO. 17

MEETINGS OF BOARD OF CONTROL.

The second annual meeting of the Board of Control was held at the Ontario Agri-
cultural College, Guelph, on the 17th of December, 1894, at 7.30 p.m., at the call of
President Mills.

There were present the Chairman, Secretary, Official Visitor, and Messrs. A. H.
Pettit, A. M. Smith and W. E. Wellington, the members who were appointed by the
Ontario Fruit Growers' Association at Orillia on the 5th of December.

The minutes of the last meeting and the proposed report of the Board to the
Department of Agriculture were read by the Secretary and duly criticized and amended.

It was ordered that this report, as amended, be submitted to the Minister of Agri-
culture.

A report of the visits to the various fruit experiment stations was made by Messrs.
Hutt and Woolverton.

It was ordered that the Executive Committee be authorized to certify to the Depart
ment that the grants to the various experimenters had been properly deserved.

The Executive was asked to call the attention of the experimenters to the import-
ance of planting all new varieties of trees and plants in plots where exact records could
easily be made of their behavior, and to which access would be easy for the Official
Visitor.

The applications for new stations were read by the Secretary, and the Official
Visitor reporting favorably, Mr. John Mitchell, of Clarksburg, in the Beaver Valley, was
duly appointed as one of our experimenters, his specialty being plums, but, in addition,
he is to be asked to test certain varieties of pears, apples and cherries.

It was further ordered that, in case the conditions were found to be favorable, sub-
stations for testing small fruits in particular be located in the counties of Halton and
Simcoe.

It was ordered that experiments in spraying be conducted by our experimenters at
such time and in such manner as shall be suggested by the Executive Committee.

It was ordered that a copy of Downing's " Fruits and Fruit Trees of America" be
furnished each experimenter free of charge.

At a committee meeting of the Executive, held on Wednesday morning, December
19th, it was resolved that the following groups of counties should in some way be con-
sidered in the selection of the three stations still open for location :

1. Huron, Bruce and Lambton.

2. The counties bordering on the St. Lawrence river.

3. Victoria, Peterboro', Ontario, Durham, West Northumberland.

It was further thought desirable to locate in the Niagara district, as soon as possible,
another station for the special purpose of testing the most tender fruits.

A special meeting of the Board of Control was held at the Walker House, Toronto,
at 10.30 a.m., on Friday, February 22nd.

There were present President Mills, Secretary Woolverton, Prof. Hutt and Messrs.
W. E. Wellington, A. M. Smith and A. H. Pettit.

In response to a request from the Minister of Agriculture regarding a scheme for
special experimental work in spraying, this subject was first discussed.

2 F.E.

18 FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

A scheme was presented by Mr. A. H. Pettit, and it was ordered that we recommend
that the experiments be made in three divisions of Ontario, and in about ten ridings in
each, as follows :

Division 1. — Essex, Kent, Norfolk, Haldimand, Monck, Welland.

Division 2. — South Ontario, Durham, Northumberland West, Prince Edward,
Lennox, Frontenac, Leeds, Grenville, Dundas.

Division 3. — Lambton, Bruce, Central and South Grey, Simcoe.

It was recommended that the work be done thoroughly according to the following
list of applications :

1. Sulphate of copper before the leaves appear.

2. Bordeaux mixture before the blossoms open.

3. Bordeaux mixture after the bloom falls.

4. 5 and 6. Bordeaux mixture at intervals of ten or twelve days.

The estimates of expenditure were then made and discussed.

It was further ordererd that, if possible, it is considered by this Board desirable to
secure the services of Mr. A. H. Pettit (1) to make preliminary visits, (2) to secure
proper men to do the work and thoroughly instruct them, and (3) at the close of the
season to visit the various places and prepare careful records of the results for public-
ation.

At an adjourned meeting of the Board, held at the office of Mr. W. E. Wellington,
the minutes of the previous meetings were read and approved.

Applications from various gentlemen desiring to be appointed as experimenters were
read and considered.

The Visitation Committee was ordered to pay visits to the more desirable of these
applicants during the coming season.

It was ordered that the Industrial Exhibition be asked to allow space to the Board
of Control for a special exhibit of fruit from the Ontario fruit experiment stations, it
being understood that the exhibit would not be in competition for prizes.

It was ordered that our experimenters be asked to make their best efforts in the for-
warding of an exhibit to the Industrial.

The Secretary having placed upon the table extensive lists of varieties of plants and
trees which, in his opinion, it is desirable to have tested at the various stations, it was
ordered that the Secretary and Messrs. Hutt, Wellington and Smith constitute a com-
mittee to revise these lists previous to the stock being ordered.

REPORT OF SECRETARY.

Under this head the Secretary desires to report certain work that has been conducted
under the authority of the Board of Control or of the Executive during the interim between
the meetings.

In the first place lists of the new and old fruits, which had been prepared for the
various stations, were approved by the committee appointed by the Board for the purpose
of examining them. The Secretary then corresponded with the various experimenters
concerning these lists, and after giving them a final revision, the stock was ordered from
various nurserymen in Canada and the United States. Most of this stock was addressed
to the Secretary, who paid all bills, and had them duly passed the customs and forwarded
to the experimenters.

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

IB

The list of trees and plants added in this way during the spring of 1895 is here
given :

BAY OF QUINTE STATION.

Akin.

Arkansas Black.

Arkansas Beauty.

Bank's Red Gravenstein.

Bishop Bourne.

Boiken.

Bogdenoff.

Carolina June.

Canada Reinette .

Cooper's Market.

Clayton.

Domine.

Early Harvest.

Apples.

Esopus Spitzenburg.

Fanny.

Gibson.

Hastings.

Haskell's Sweet.

Jefferson.

John Richardson.

Lady Sweet.

Late Strawberry.

Missouri Pippin.

Mammoth Pippin.

McLean.

Palouse.

Paragon.

Peck's Pleasant.

Rawle's Janet.

Rome Beauty.

Red Canada.

Starr.

Shackleford,

Ulter's Red.

White Pippin.

Windsor Chief.

Washington Strawberry.

York Imperial.

Pears.

A. Desportes.
Ansault .
Angouleme.

B. S. Fox.
Beurre Giffard.
Brandywine.
Col. Wilder.
Dorset.
Duchess Precoce.

Dr. Jules Guyott
Easter Beurre.
Fred Baudry.
Frederick Clapp.
Keiffer.
Lady Clapp.
Lucy Duke.
Louise Bonne.
Lincoln .

Manning's Elizabeth.
Margaret .
Pound.
P. Barry.
Summer Doyenne.
Souvenir d'Esperen.
Winter Nelis.
White Doyenne .

Burbank.
DeSoto.
Fellemburg.
Huling's Superb.
Imperial Gage.
Jefferson.

Plums.

McLaughlin,

Orange.

Prune d'Agen.

Reine Claude de Bavay,

Reine Claude Violette.

Smith's Orleans.
Victoria.
Wild Goose.
Willard.
Yellow Gage.

Varieties planted years ago by Mr. P. C. Dempsey, and omitied from First Report.

Hudson River Purple Egg,
Shippers' Pride.
German Prune.
McLaughlin.
Beauty of Naples.

Plums i

Monroe.
Reine Claude.
General Hand.
Niagara.
Niemetz.

Richard Trotter.
No. 22.
Saunders.
Damson .

Apples.

White Winter Parmain.

Powell.

King.

Hastings.

Royal Russet.

Reinette Grise.

Red Gilliflower.
Prinyea.
Willow Twig.
Baltimore .
Red Cathard.
Albury.

English Codling.
Ontario.
Plumb's Cider.
Swazie Pomme Gris.
Stott's Russett. ,
Arabka.

WENT WORTH STATION,

Grapes.

America .

Berckman.

Beacon.

Bell.

Black Delaware.

Cambridge.

Carman.

Dr. Collier.

Early Ohio.

Early Golden.

Elvicand.
Eumedel.
Gold Coin.
Grayson.
Geneva.
Janesville.
Lutie.
Louisiana .
Mason Seedling.

Montefiore.
Marion .
New Haven.
Opal.
Olita.
Ohio.
Presley .
Rochester.
Rommel.

20

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

Abundance.
Burbank.
DeSoto.
Fellemberg.
Green Gage.
Grand Duke.
Huling's Superb.
Imperial Gage.

Plums.

Jefferson.

McLaughlin .

Orange.

Ogon .

Prince Englebert.

Prune D'Agen.

Reine Claude de Bavay.

Reine Claude Violette .

Cherries.

Smith's Orleans.
Spaulding.
Satsuma.
Victoria.
Wild Goose.
Willard.
Weaver.
Yellow Gage.

Black Tartarian.
Coe's Transparent.
Early Purple.
Elkhorn.

Early Richmond.
Governor Wood.
May Duke.
Napoleon" Bigarreau.

Ostheim.
Windsor.
Yellow Spanish

Pears,

B. S. Fox.
Col. Wilder.

Dorset.
Lady Clapp.

P, Barry.

Peaches.

Crosby.
Elberta.

Stewart.

Snow's Orange .

[Currants.

Black Naples.
Black Victoria.

Collin's Prolific.
Red Dutch.

Versailles.

SIMCOE STATION.

Apples.

Anisim.

Bull's Seedling.

Bethel.

Bank's Red Gravenstein.

Cox's Orange Pippin.

Gano.

Gideon.

Good Peasant.

Hyslop Crab.

Hastings .

Isabella.

Jonathan.

Lubsk Queen.

Martha crab.

Minnesota Winter crab.

Magog Red Streak.

McMillan.

Nodhead.

Newton Pippin.

Orion crab.

Primate.

Parson's Sweet.

Peerless.

Paul's Imperial crab.

Picta Striata crab.

Quaker Beauty crab.

Red Canada.

Regel.

Starr.

Sally Brown.

Sweet Bough.

Sherwood's Favorite.

Salome.

Shackleford.

Sweet Longfield.

Telfer Sweet Crab.

Tetofsky.

Utter's Red.

Vargul.

Van Wyck crab.

Whitney crab.

Wolf River.

Bessemianka.

Bergamot.

Baba.

Pears.

Boussock.
Flemish Beauty.

Josephine de Malines
Winter Nelis.

Strawberries,

Beder Wood .

Banquet.

Gandy.

Greenville.

Henry Ward Beecher

Mary.

Noble.

Parker Earle.
Timbrell.

SOUTH-WESTERN STATION.

Peaches.

Astrander Early,
Astrander Late.
Champion .

Dayton .

Early Richmond ,

Fitzgerald .
Lorentz .

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

21

Annie Laurie.
Australian.
Brandy wine .
Brunette.
Belle.
Cyclone .
Eleanor .
Gardner.

STRAWBERRIES .

Hilton Gem.
Jucunda Improved.
Laxton's Noble.
Latest of All.
Lord Suffield.
Laxton's No . 1.
Muskingum.
Marshall.

Noble.
Otsego.
Princess .
Staples.
Splendid .
Tennessee Prolific .
Watson .

Crosby Seedling.
Chatauqua.
Columbus.
Champion .

SIMCOE SUB-STATION.

Gooseberries.

Crown Bob.
Golden Prolific.
Large Golden Prolific.
Lancashire Lad.

Mrs. Whittaker.
Red Jacket.
Rumbullion.
Triumph .

MAPLEHtTRST CHERRY STATION.

Experimenter— L. Woolverton, Grimsby.
Cherries.

Black Tartarian ,

Elton.

Olivet.

Black Eagle.
Belle de Choisy.

Empress Eugenie.

Ohio Beauty.

Governor Wood.

Royal Duke.

Belle Magnifique.

Griotte du Nord.

Rockport .

Besserabian.

Ida.

Reine Hortense.

Cleveland.

Kay's Morello.

Sklanda.

Centennial.

Late Duke.

Schmidt's Bigarreau.
Tradescant Black.

Coe's Transparent.

Lutovka

Downer's Late.

May Duke.

Windsor.

Early Richmond.

Montmorency.

Wragg.

English Morello.

Napoleon Bigarreau.

Yellow Spanish.

Early Purple.

Dwarf Pears.

Anjou.

Frederick Clapp.

P. Barry.

Ansault.

Hoosic.

Reeder.

Andre Desportes.

Hardy.

Souvenir du Congres

Beurre Easter.

Jones.

Superfin.

Belle Lucrative.

Josephine de Malines.

Souvenir d'Esperen.

Bosc.

Lady Clapp.

Summer Doyenne.

Boussock.

Lawrence.

Sheldon.

Beurre Giffard.

Lawson.

Urbaniste.

Col. Wilder.

Margaret.

Urbaniste.

Clairgeau .
Dana's Hovey.

Manning's Elizabeth,

Winter Nelis.

P. Duchess.

Wilder Early.

Duhamel du Monceau.

Peaches.

Barnard.

Hill's Child.

Smock.

Beer's Smock.

Hyne's Surprise.

Stephen's Rareripe

Bowslaugh Late.

Jacque's Rareripe.

Tyhurst.

Crosby.

Longhurst.

Wonderful.

Champion.

McConnell Seedling.

Wheatfield.

Elberta.

New Prolific.

Yellow St. John.

Garfield.

Reeve's] Favorite .

Apricots,

Alexander.

Gibb.

Red Mascallin .

Alberge de Montgamet,

Nicholas!

Scoboloff.

Early Moorepark.

Peach.

St. Ambrose.

22

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

Plums.

Abundance.
Arch Duke.
Burbank.
Bradshaw.
Diamond.
Fellemberg.
German Prune.
Gen. Hand.
Grand Duke.
Green Gage.
Gueii .

Huling's Superb.
H. R. Purple Egg.

Imperial Gage.

Jefferson .

Large Golden Prolific.

Moore's Arctic.

Monarch.

McLaughlin.

Ogon.

Orange.

Purple Egg.

Peter's Yellow Egg.

Prince of Wales.

Prince Englehert.

Quackenbos.

Reine Claude.
Satsuma.
Smith's Orleans.
Shipper's Pride.
Spaulding.
Victoria.
Willard.
Wild Goose.
Washington.
Weaver.
Yellow Egg.
Yellow Gage.

BURLINGTON STATION,
Blackberries.

Agawam.
Early Cluster.
Early Harvest.
Erie.
Gainor.

Hopkins.
Kittatinny.
Smith's Giant.
Snyder.

Stone's Hardy.
Taylor.

Western Triumph ,
Wachusetts .

Raspberries.

Cuthbert. j
Eureka.
Golden Queen
Gault.
Hilborn.
Highland Hardy .

Marlboro'.
Older.
Palmer.
Progress.
Royal Church.

Reliance.
Shaffer's Colossal.
Success .

Thompson's Early.
Turner.

Gooseberries.
Pearl.

GEORGIAN BAY STATION.
Plums.

Arch Duke.

Abundance.

Bickley.

Burbank.

Cheney .

Diamond.

Fellemberg.

German Prune.

Gen. Hand.

Gueii .

Hugh's Seedling.

Hungarian Prune.

Huling's Superb.

H. R. Purple Egg.

Jefferson.

Large Yellow Prolific.

Montreal Yellow.

Moore's Arctic.

Monarch .

McLaughlin.

Orange Prune.

Peter's Yellow Gage.

Prune d'Agen.

Prince of Wales.

Quackenbos.

Reine Claude de Bavay.

Saunders.
Sand or Wyant.
Shipper's Pride.
Spaulding .
Stanton .
Ungarish Prune.
Wyant or Sand.
Wild Goose.
Weaver .
Willard.
Yellow.
Yellow Gage.
Yellow Egg.

Pears .

Beurre Bosc.
Clapp's Favorite .
Duchess d'Angouleme.
Doyenne Boussock.
Howell.

Idaho .

Josephine de Malines .

Kieffer.

Lawrence .

Sheldon.
Superfin .

Souvenir du CongresJ]
Winter Nelis.

Peaches .

Bowslaugh's Late,
Crosby .

Champion.
Elberta.

Hale's Early ,

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO. 23

VISITS TO EXPERIMENTERS.

A visit was paid by the Secretary in the month of January, 1895, to Mr. A. W.
Peart, Freeman, an applicant for the experiment station in that district.

In the month of May, Mr. Hutt and the Secretary visited Mr. Martin Burrill, Presi-
dent of the Louth Agricultural Society, who was an applicant for that district, and in
July they visited Mr. E. B. Stevenson, strawberry specialist at Freeman, and Mr. S.
Spillett, gooseberry specialist, Nantyr, who were applicants for experimental work with
these fruits respectively.

In the month of August a visit was made by Prof. Hutt and the Secretary to the
county of Bruce. The applicants seen and considered in that county were Mr. A. E.
Sherrington, of Walkerton, and Mr. J. H. Wismer, of Port Elgin. Prof. Hutt then
visited Mr. John Mitchell, our experimenter in the Beaver Valley, and Mr. G. 0. Caston,
our experimenter at Craighurst.

Early in September Prof. Hutt and the Secretary proceeded east of Toronto, visiting
the following applicants for experimental work : Mr. J. L. Huggard, Whitby ; Mr. E.
C. Beman, of Newcastle, and Mr. Harold Jones, of Maitland.

Later on Prof. Hutt completed the tour of visitation to the other stations in western
Ontario, a detailed account of which he will present to you. He will also give you in
detail our united recommendations with regard to the appointment of new stations.

EXHIBIT AT INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION, TORONTO.

On the 9th of September your Secretary visited Toronto to superintend the experi-
mental exhibit, which was quite large, covering over six hundred plates. He was present
to answer inquiries during the Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and the Friday of that
week. He secured assistance in setting up the exhibit from Messrs. A. H. Pettit, of
Grimsby ; A. M. Smith, of St. Catharines, and W. H. Dempsey of Trenton.

The following is a report of the exhibit :

In accordance with the instructions of the Executive Committee at Guelph, August
27th, the Secretary corresponded with the experimenters concerning an exhibit of varieties
of fruits from each station at the Industrial Fair, and, as a result, a very large and inter-
esting exhibit was secured.

Our grape experiment station at Winona contributed 111 varieties of grapes, besides
some choice applet and pears; the Bay of Quinte station contributed 150 varieties of
apples and pears ; the Georgian Bay station contributed forty-one varieties of apples,
thirteen of pears, besides some plums and peaches ; our southwestern station in Essex
contributed twenty-six varieties of peaches, besides apples, grapes and pears j A. M,
Smith, St. Catharines, contributed twelve varieties of peaches, seven of pears, and also
secured for us from Mr. Seymour Parnell, of St. Catharines, sixteen varieties of Russian
apples which had been secured through the agency of the Fruit Growers' Association some
years ago. In addition co these, the Secretary contributed 150 varieties of fruits of vari-
ous kinds.

A large display sign of cloth was printed containing the words " Exhibit of the
Ontario Experimental Fruit Farms/' and this was hung on the wall over the exhibit.
Besides this the name of each station, giving also the name of experimenter and his
specialty, was printed on large sheets and posted over each exhibit. The display covered
nearly the whole of two sides of the fruit building.

Our exhibit attracted much attention from all visitors, many of whom were inter-
ested in knowing the varieties of fruits which succeed best in the various localities of
Ontario. It was also of great interest to other exhibitors who naturally looked to the
experimental collection to verify the correctness of their own nomenclature.

24 FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

This suggests a very important work devolving on us, namely, the correction of
misnomers which exist throughout our country. To do this, it will be necessary
that our exhibit be carefully supervised and the names verified, comparing the
varieties, if necessary, with reliable descriptions. In this instance so enormous was the
task devolving upon the Secretary in placing and arranging six or eight hundred plates of
fruit, that, even with the assistance of Messrs. A. M. Smith, W. H. Dempsey and A. H.
Pettit during a portion of the time, it was impossible to give much time to the verifying
of names of the less common varieties and the comparing of samples of the same variety
as grown at our different stations which will be a most important part of our work in the
future.

In order that our exhibit be as directly educational in its nature as possible, I
would suggest that in 1896 we again make an exhibit and that we observe the following
points as toe result of our experience in 1895 :

1. That each experimenter show a complete collection of his specialty, but of other
fruits only samples of varieties of exceptional merit or of special interest.

2. That each exhibit, as far as possible, be opened and set up by the experimenter
showing it.

3 That each experimenter be paid for his exhibit at the rate of ten cents for each
correctly named variety set up at the Fair under the direction of the Executive who will
have power entirely to reject plates of inferior samples.

4. That each experimenter have his expenses paid to and from the Fair in order to
set up his collection and label it correctly.

5. That the superintendence of the whole be in the hands of the Executive Committee*
with power to engage assistance, if necessary, in keeping the exhibit in order, and in
answering questions relating thereto.

Inquiries were constant from exhibitors concerning the identification of varieties, and
also from intending planters concerning the best varieties to plant in their respective
localities.

EXPERIMENTAL SHIPMENT OF APPLES.

The great importance to Canadian fruit growers of opening up new markets, more
especially for our apples, has led us to consider the possibilities of shipping to Australia.
Apples were shown at the World's Fair from New South Wales, and the same country
ships apples to Great Britain in good condition. Surely, therefore, we can reach Sydney
with Canadian apples.

The fact that autumn in Canada is spring in Australia, and that these markets are
bare of apples in October, November and December, led us to make still farther enquiries
concerning Australian markets, and in response your Secretary received the following
information in a letter from Mr. J. S. Larke, the commercial representative of Canada, at
Sydney, dated July 16th, 1895 :

Sydney, N. S. W„ July 16, 1895.

"In regard to the shipment of fruit here, the result would be very problematical. They do not use
apples in this country as we do in Canada, mainly because of the expense and on account of the cheapness
of meat leading to a much larger use of it than with us. This is the apple season of this country, the fruit
being brought from Tasmania. 1 yesterday bought a case of cooking apples, hard and green. These cases
contain, nominally, forty pounds of apples, generally less. Yesterday the case I bought cost six shillings
and sixpence delivered at the house, and these were brought from a wholesale house. This is nearly two
dollars and a half per bushel. The market prices, I observe, are somewhat less than the above, but I have
never succeeded in buying at the market prices, and presume that they are the prices paid by the wholesale
dealer. These apples will soon be out of season, and apples shipped from Ontario in November would
reach here when the market would be bare of Australasian fruit. They would, however, have to meet the
competition from California. Last year nearly 3,000 cases were sold from that country. The prices realized
would run from eleven to fifteen shillings per bushel. This price is too high for a large consumption. There

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO. 25

is at present a duty of one shilling per bushel, which will, perhaps, be removed upon the first of January
next, although this is exceedingly doubtful. I cannot tell you what you would be able to lay down a car of
apples from Grimsby to Sydney at. You will be able to ascertain from a C. P. R. agent, who would per-
haps give you a low rate on a trial shipment. In competing with California you would be competing with
apples with no overland freight of any extent to pay, but I think a shipment of such apples as the Northern
Spy would bring a higher price than the California product. There is little doubt that they would stand
the journey and reach here in good condition. I think, however, that I would ship them in cases containing
a bushel each . Barrels are expensive for shipping by water, as six of them make a ton of forty cubic feet.
I rather expect it would be difficult to get the Government to pay the expense ot a shipment of this kind,
as they do not appear to have too overflowing a treasury just now. My services will of course cost nothing.

" In addition to what I have stated there would be some charges for cartage, dock charges, handling,
etc., but I think that if put up in bushel cases as before mentioned, I might estimate the expenses to be
something like this : Duty, one shilling ; handling, cartage, commission, etc., one shilling ; freight, six
shillings. If they can be sold at twelve shillings a bushel this would leave a very narrow margin ; if they
could bring fifteen shillings that would be very much better. If you could make arrangements for
a portion of a cargo I think it would be better than for a whole carload. It would also be advisable, if the
experiment is decided upon, that I should be advised as early as possible, to prevent a larger quantity of
Californian apples being ordered than might otherwise be the case. As a quantity of apples are pretty sure
to be sent to British Columbia, a few cases might be sent here, as the steamer would take, I think, 100
cases at a very little higher rate than 1,000."

This letter, having been considered at a special meeting of the Board of Control, it
was decided that the matter was of sufficient importance to Canadian fruit growers to
make the experiment on a small scale, so that if successful growers might afterwards
undertake it in commercial way.

Your Secretary was instructed to eDdeavor to carry out the wishes of the Board in
this matter, and in response to his enquiries a letter was received, dated August 28th,
informing him that owing to the steamer Warimoo being disabled her sailing date in
October would not be taken, and that therefore any shipments would have to be made in
September or November. The company would carry one hundred cases or barrels from
Toronto to Sydney at the rate of $1.50 per 100 pounds. It was also stated that cold
storage space for the apples could be supplied in the steamer if advised in advance.
Another letter, dated September 30th, conveyed the information that the railway com-
pany could not afford to run a refrigerator car with so small a load as that proposed to
be sent.

Correspondence was had with several leading growers, and with some difficulty a
shipment of one hundred and fifteen cases extra selected apples was made up. Some
growers refused to join, believing the result would only be a total loss of the fruit, even if
the freight was guaranteed. One firm of growers and shippers, in declining to send a
consignment, pointed out that several attempts had been made to ship apples across the
equator, and that none had been successful. The C. P. R. steamers had carried apples to
Hong Kong, but while the fruit arrived in apparently fair condition so far as appearance
went, it was found to be dry and pithy, and with scarcely any flavor.

The following is the list of varieties shipped : Baldwins, Greenings, Spy, King,
Fameuse, Cranberry Pippin ; and all were carefully wrapped in tissue paper and packed
firmly in apple cases holding between fifty and sixty pounds each.

This shipment left Hamilton on the 17 th of October, your secretary paying the
freight in advance, in response to a letter from the C. P. R. agent at Hamilton. It
was found necessary by the railway company to have the cases strapped with iron at
both ends, which added $4.60 to the cost of transportation.

In accordance also with the instructions of the Board of Control, joint action with
the Ontario Fruit Growers' Association was taken in order to facilitate an experimental
shipment of tender fruits, such as pears, tomatoes, grapes, peaches, plums, etc., to Great
Britain in the cold storage compartments which were promised by the Dominion on the
Allan Line of steamers. A large number of shippers in the Niagara district contri-
buted to this shipment, and a car was filled with the choicest products of the Niagara
district. But owing to the unfortunate collapse of the cold storage on shipboard, the
fruit arrived in a wasty condition, and therefore the experiment was a failure. Next
year better results are expected.

26 FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

The result of the shipment to Australia is very interesting to Canadian apple
growers, because it proves the possibility of a most important outlet for out finest grade
of Ontario apples in seasons of abundance. When bushel cases can be sold in Sydney
as high as fifteen shillings each the price of a barrel of No. 1 apples in Liverpool, and with
freight charges of only about four shillings per case, it evidently only needs proper cold
storage compartments to make this market the best in the world for Canadian apples.

Report of Mr. J. S. Larke.

Following is the report made by Mr. J. S. Larke, Commercial Agent of the
Government of Canada, at Sydney, N. S. W., and dated December 18th, 1895.

I deemed that the fullest information as well as monetary returns were the object
of the experimental shipment of apples. In order to secure this I put them into the
hands of F. A. Winter & Co. Mr. Winter is a Canadian from Preston, who has been
in Australia for some years and is devoting himself to handling Canadian goods and
knows something about Canadian apples. He accepted them at sixpence per case. The
ordinary commission for selling is seven and a half per cent., but this is disposing of
them quickly and would not secure the facts that were obtained by handling single cases,
so as to get the knowledge of the relative value of each variety of apples. I can state
that Mr. Winter did the work thoroughly. I met him in the markets before six o'clock
in the morning, before the arrival of the fruit, and personally know he visitad the pro-
prietors of the leading fruit shops and hotels to get customers.

I had intended to use the shipment as an advertisement for Canada had they
arrived all right, but owing to the uncertainty as to what their condition might be, I
had to go cautiously and simply had notices of their coming inserted in the leading
papers. I may say Mr. Winter's commission at sixpence per case would have been but
little over half the regular commission had the fruit arrived in good condition, and
returns about two shillings per day for the time he devoted to the work after deducting
car, bus and ferry fares. His full report tells the story, but I may add a note or two.

Codling Moth. The apples were well selected, but I found one or two cases of
codling moth. There is no inspection law in this city as yet, but there may be next
year and there is in one or two of the other colonies now. As these apples should be
eligible to be reshipped to the other colonies, great care would have to be exercised in
this respect in future shipments.

Size. As Mr. Winter points out, the shipment should be a portion medium size,
another the largest, say at the rate of two cases of the former to one of the latter.

Color. This is of the utmost importance, even more so than flavor. The fruit
should be a bright red. The Greenings were mistaken for cooking apples and although
they had retained their flavor better than the other varieties, they would not bring a
top price. The Cranberry Pippin is the type that this shipment has proven to be
suited to this market.

Wrapping. The apples should be wrapped, it prevents abrasion of the skin and
thus decay of the fruit. Manilla is better than the tissue paper. Some dealers here
use the grease and waterproof paper used for packing butter, a sample of which I
enclose. It has the advantage of preventing a decayed apple from infecting sound fruit
and when fruit is shipped on deck and liable to be sprayed with salt water would be
useful, but it is expensive and more difficult to handle than manilla, which has in this
shipment answered the purpose well. The best shippers here wrap the ends of the
paper around the stem and form a little cushion which assists in preventing the bruising
of the apple.

Cases. The consensus of opinion is in favor of ventilated cases, either by boring
holes as indicated by Mr. Winter, or by having the tops and sides of two pieces which
would not quite meet. It would have been well if a portion of the shipment had been
sent in ventilated cases.

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO. 27

Shipment The fruit, evidently, was carefully handled by the C. P. R. The steam-
ship also devoted special care by putting it in ai insulated chamber, where the tempera-
ture would be fairly even and kept an electric fan at work ventilating it. It was the
hot air of the tropics that was thus pumped in and the tight cases neutralized even this.
Thus for two weeks the apples steamed in their boxes, and to such an extent that the
odor and flavir of the boxes had thoroughly permeated the fruit and, as we all thought,
ruined them. This went off upon exposure to the air for a time but the fruit had
become dead and to a large extent insipid. The tavorite place for carrying fruit here is
on the upper deck where it is simply covered with an awning. For short voyages this
does well but in a long voyage the fruit is more liable to bruising by the rolling of the
ship and to loss in a storm. The Warrimoo and Miowera have plenty of insulated
chambers and refrigerating apparatus, and I think the fruit can be successfully carried in
these chambers with the temperature maintained a little above freezing point. In a few
months, shipments of apples will be made from Tasmania to Vancouver. I propose to
get the steamships to test different methods of carrying fruit and I will be able to
report the result to you.

The Future. Granting that the apples can be brought here in first-class condition, of
which there is not much doubt, I think that eight thousand cases of apples like the Cran-
berry Pippin, carefully selected, could be sold at from ten to fifteen shillings per case.
They would have to be landed by the steamer reaching here in November. The weather
then is cooler, the markets barest of fruit. Whether this will pay will depend on the
price in Canada and the rate of freight obtainable at the time.

I must thank you for the case of Cranberries and case of Fameuse sent me. They suf-
fered like the others, but the Fameuse came out better than I feared. I had been boasting
to Australians of the apples I proposed to give them when they came out. Neither variety
were in the condition I would like to have had them, nevertheless I secured a quantity for
distribution that were just a little bit better than any other fruit in the market. I am sorry
the result is not what we should like, but it is not for want of attention at this end. Bet-
ween the arrival and the sailing of the steamer, I am pretty well rushed, but Mr. Winter
made up for what I could not do.

I am writing this in a hurry to catch the steamer leaving to-day, but I shall be glad to
hear from you upon it and give any information respecting this or future shipments I can.

I beg to enclose a sight draft on London for eleven pounds, six shillings, which is the
net receipts of the apples less two and sixpence exchange and one penny stamp duty.

Account Sales by F. A. Winter & Co.
No. 1.

Sydney, N. S. W., December 16, 1895.
J. S. Laeke, Esq., Sydney, N. S. W. :

Account Sales of Canadian Apples, on account of Messrs. Woolverton & Cline, Ontario, Canada.

Cash received —

Account, L. Woolverton . . , . £15 4 0

G. W. Cline. 7 3 0

£22 7 0

Cash paid —

Duty, 113 cases @ Is. per case £5 13 0

Commission, 113 cases @ (yd. per case 2 16 6

Wharfage " @ Id. " 9 5

Cartage " @ 2s. Qd. per ton 3 tons 7 6

3 men, 1 day, picking over apples 18 0

1 man, part of day, picking and repacking 2 0

Carting rubbish away 2 0

Market dues 5 0

Space for repacking 5 0

£10 18 5
£11 8 7
F. A. Winter.

28 FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

No. 2.

Sydney, N. S. W., December 14th, 1895.

Account Sales of Canadian Apples, on account of L. Woolverton, Etq., Grimsby, Ontario, Canada.

3 cases Cranberry Pippins, extra, @ 15s £2 5 0

' @12s 12 0

@ lis 11 0

@10s 1 10 0

' @ 9s. Gd 3 6 6

badly spotted, @ 2s. 6d 2 6

1 "
1 "

3 "

7 'k
1 "

1"

Kings

i "

9 "
15 "

Baldv

4 0
£0 4 0

£8 11 0
4 0

wins, extra, @ lis £0 11 0

@10s 4 10 0

14 6

badly spotted 4 6

£6 0 0

bad, mixed, to jam factory @ Is 9 0

Total receipts £15 4 0

Of 35 cases of Baldwins only 11£ cases were marketable.

27 " Cranberry Pippins " 15 "

" 1 " Kings " i

" 63 " all kinds " 26|

No. 3.

Sydney, N. S. W., 14th December, 1895.

Account Sales of Canadian Apples, on account of G. W. Cline, Winona, Ont.

2 cases GreeniDgs @ 9s £0 18 0

5 " " @6s 1 10 0

£2 8 0

10 " Baldwins @ 7s £3 10 0

3 10 0

14 " " badly spotted, @ 2s. Gd £0 5 0

10 " " half rotten, @ Is 10 0

15 0

Total £7 3 0

Out of 24 cases of Baldwins only 10 cases marketable.
" 18 " Greenings "7
" 8 " N. Spy " lh

" 50 " all kinds " 184

Mr. Winters' Report.

Sydney, N. S. W., December 14th, 1895.

J. S. Larke, Esq.,

Commercial Agent of the Canadian Government,
The Exchange, Sydney, N. S. W.
Dear Sir,— I sold the last of the trial shipment of Canadian apples to-day and enclose account sales
with statement of the proportion of the various kinds of apples that arrived in marketable condition. The
item of duty, one shilling per bushel, would not occur in future shipments, as the duty on apples will be
removed on the first of January next. The result from a financial point of view has not been satisfactory,
but as an experiment the shipment has been of undoubted value and proves conclusively that under favor-
able conditions apples can be shipped from Ontario and sold to advantage here in Sydney, while the experi-
ence gained by this shipment may serve to prevent more serious losses in the future.

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO. 29

In accordance with your request I will endeavor to report fully the result of my experience in connec"
tion with the apples forwarded by Mr. L. Woolverton, of Grimsby, and Mr. G. W. Oline, of Winona,
Ontario, and also give them the benefit of any knowledge obtained by inquiries from those who have been
in the habit of importing American apples via San Francisco.

As soon as you informed me in regard to the varieties and quantity of each that were to arrive, T made
enquiries as to the prospects for disposing of them, and soon learned that there was a very strong prejudice
against American apples on the ground that, although they might be ever so good looking outside, so many
of them were rotten at the core and tasteless that, as one shopkeeper said, " If there were any other decent
apples in the market I would never buy an American apple, for there is no satisfaction to anybody in sell-
ing them." The wholesale men had the same objection, and I heard of several who had lost large sums of
money on apples sent to them by agents via San Francisco and of whole shipments being sold in stacks on
the wharf at from sixpence to two shillings per case (bushel), and a shipment that arrived a month ago had
not turned out very well. To each one I explained that as the climate of Ontario was much colder than
that of California, the apples grown there were better in flavor and keeping qualities than those from San
Francisco, just as the apples from Tasmania are superior to those grown here in New South Wales.

It appears that for some years there has been an average of three monthly shipments every year from San
Francisco. The last for this season (1,000 cases) arrived two days before the Canadian apples and I went
down to the wharf to see them and noticed that all the cases had about six f -inch auger holes in each side
for ventilation. On inquiry I found that this was the first shipment sent with ventilated cases, and it
turned out better than previous ones. They had come out on the main deck instead of in the hold and had
been stacked with laths between the cases.

The Warrimoo arrived on Tuesday evening about five o'clock, and I endeavored to see the apples at
once but they were not landed until next morning. I opened two cases, and found the temperature among
the apples very high, while many of them were completely decayed, those that were sound had a very
decided pine pitch flavor, sufficient to destroy the natural flavor of the apple. No time was lost in passing
entries and having them removed to the Fruit Exchange, where I had them picked over, beginning with
the Cranberry Pippins, many of which had a parboiled appearance outside, even when quite sound at the
re, and gave evidence of having suffered from intense heat, while many were completely gone. For fear
that those that were sound would go shortly after exposure to the atmosphere, I sold seven cases at 9s. 6d.
each and three at 10*. that evening. Finding next morning that with exposure the flavor improved, I put
up the price, selling one case at lis., another at 12s. and one at 15s., leaving two cases left, which I sold at
15s. on Friday, a price far above any other apple in the market. The sound Cranberry Pippins stood
repacking and exposure well, and those who bought the first lots came back for more. The opinion was
freely expressed that they were the finest looking apples ever seen here. I have since seen them sold retail
for threepence each .

The Baldwins sent out by Mr. L. Woolverton were highly colored, well selected and graded, and I
succeeded in selling them all for 10s., except one case of extra fine ones, for which I obtained lis. I found
a prejudice against Baldwins as having a tendency "to go sleepy " as they say here.

The single case of Kings were in very bad condition ; there was not a dozen perfect apples in the case,
so there was really no opportunity to test the market with them, as I had to put in a number of spotted
ones and a few odd Cranberry Pippins to make up the part case sold for 4s.

Of the eight cases of Northern Spys sent out by Mr. Cline, only one and a half cases were in market-
able condition when opened, and even they soon became spotted so that 10s. was all that could be obtained
for the lot. Mr. Cline's Baldwins were inferior to Mr. Woolverton's in size and color, and were not so
well graded, the colored tissue paper used was saturated and difficult to remove from the apples, and in
some cases this colored them .

The Greenings are not well suited to this market, as there are at present cheap local apples for cooking
purposes, and for dessert or table use the people prefer a highly colored apple like the Cranberry Pippin.
The Greenings were difficult of sale and too ripe to keep long, so after disposing of two cases at 9s., one of
which went to the Hotel Australia (of which Mr. Moore, late of Toronto, is manager), I was obliged to
clear them out on Saturday at 6s., as they were getting soft and mealy .

The apples were stored in an insulated chamber between decks, near the stern of the Warrimoo, which,
judged by the apples when unpacked, must have become very heated. The almost airtight cases in which
they were packed prevented ventilation among the apples, and when once they started to decay generated
considerable heat.

In conversation with the chief officer of the Mariposa, who has been carrying apples for years from San
Francisco, he said that on that ship the best places to stow apples were either on deck or at the bottom of
the hold near the bow, below water level, the coldest part of the ship. The ventilation of the cases and
circulation of the air he looked upon as an important matter.

Apples sent from here and Tasmania to England are usually placed in cool storage with an even
temperature all the way and stand the trip across the line and through the Red Sea very well when care-
fully packed . I do not see why similar arrangements could not be made for bringing them from Van-
couver here.

The best time for a shipment of Canadian apples to arrive would be the first half of November or
earlier, were it possible, just before the stone fruit comes in or any local apples are ready to sell. It will
be seen from the enclosed clippings from the Sydney Herald of December 13th and 14th, that there is quite
a variety of fruit on the maiket now, including local apples at from 3s. to 7s. per gin case (five pecks).

In conversation with several wholesale fruit dealers to-day, they told me that if apples like the Cran-
berry Pippin were landed here in fair condition in quantities to meet the demand, there would be no
doubt of their supplanting the San Francisco apples altogether. The freight from San Francisco is about
3s. 6d. per case, or very nearly as much as from Grimsby to Sydney, and the long rail journey did not
appear to affect carefully packed apples in the least. In boring holes in the sides of cases to ventilate

30 FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

them, care should be taken to have them come, as far as possible, between the rows of apples, so that the
edge of the hole will not chafe the apples, and special instructions should be given at all points of reship-
ment to sec that the top of the case is kept uppermost. |

Apples as carefully selected, graded and packed as those sent by Mr. Woolverton, with anything like
fair treatment on boaid ship, would, I think, arrive in good condition, particularly if the cases were venti-
lated and cleats nailed on the top and side of cases to prevent them being stowed too close together. The
Canadian caK.es are somewhat larger than those sent with apples from San Francisco. The relative dimen-
sions are as follows : Canadian case, inside measurement, llf x 11 x 21 ; American cases vary in width
from 9<§ to 10 5-6 ins. with a depth of 12 and length of 20^ inside measurements. However, I would recom-
mend keeping to the size case used for this shipment, as it allows for the packing at the bottom of the case.

Nearly 6,C00 cases of apples have arrived this season from San Francisco, about l,H0O in October, 2,995
in November and 1, COO in December. The quantity shipped has been falling off of late years, as local
apples are being kept longer and brought in earlier than formerly.

In regard to size of apples shipped, there is a limited sale here in Sidney for very large apples, but well
colored apples, evenly graded, of the size of the second grade of Cranberry Pippinp, would meet with the
readiest sale, as all eating apples are sold retail by the dozen, and only a few shops can afford to buy apples
that go so few to a case.

Should any further information be desired, it will afford me pleasure at any time to answer inquiries
and for my own satisfaction I should like to know as early as possible whether there is likely to be ship-
ment next year. As a native of Ontario I have taken a deep interest in this experiment, and have gone to
a lot of trouble, endeavoring in every way to create for Canadian apples a distinct place on the market as
being different to the Californian apples, and should any more be sent out, will be pleased to do what I
can to have them disposed of to the best advantage. It is to be regretted that the trial shipment has not
paid those who were plucky enough to make the venture, and I trust that future shipments may more
han compensate for all loss on this.

Yours faithfully,

F. A. Winter.

P.S.— It should be noted that the prices quoted in the newspapers were the prices asked, not necessarily
obtained, as at time of quoting none of Mr. Cline's apples had been sold.

F. A. W.

Quotations from Sydney "Hebald.'

S. M. "Herald" Fruit Markets.

December 13th, 1895.

The market was heavily supplied with all kinds of summer fruits, especially apricots, plums and
peaches. Cherries were also in abundance. The demand generally was slow, and prices all round ruled
easier. The jam companies continue to operate freely, being purchasers of large quantities of apricots and
plums. Strawberries ruled decidedly easier. A cable published in the Herald about a month ago, stated
that a trial shipment of apples had left Canada to test the Sydney market. The shipment consisted of 115
cases, and arrived yesterday at ex-Warrimoo (s.). They were forwarded to Sydney on account of Mr.
Woolverton, who is the Secretary for the Fruit Growers' Association of Grimsby, Ontario, Canada. The
names of the different kinds of apples were Cranberry Pippins, Greening, Baldwins, Kings, and Northern
Spy. The apples were, generally speaking, of a large size, and well colored. They were grown at Grimsby,
and had to be carried three thousand miles by rail before being shipped at Vancouver. The Cranberry
Pippins arrived in good order, and realized 15s. per case. The other kinds were more or less damaged, and
it is doubtful whether they will pay expenses. The market at present is not a very good one for apples on
account of the large quantities of local fruit offering.

Current quotations are :

Lemons. — Prime, lis., to 13s.; choice, 14s. per gin-case.

Apples.— Small, 3s. to 3s. 6d.; good, 5s. to 6s.; Nelsons, choice, 7s, per gin-case.

Canadian Apples.— Cranberry Pippins, 15s.; Greening, 10s. to 12s.; Baldwin, 10s. tolls., and Nor-
thern Spy, 10s. per case.

December 14th, 1895.

The markets were heavily supplied to-day with all kinds of seasonable fruits. The demand was much
brisker than it has been for some time. Peaches were not very plentiful, and consequently prices ruled
firmer. There was an improved demand for Melbourne cherries, which realized higher prices. The local
article sold much better at late current rates. Lemons were in good request at a slight reduction in price.
Japanese and black plums commanded a fair amount of attention at slightly improved prices. Apricots
were not in such heavy supply, and the quality, generally speaking, was much better, as also were prices.
There was no sale for gooseberries. Bananas met with good demand, but prices still remain at a low ebb,
owing to the large quantity of other fruits offering. Watermelons were on the market, and found fairly
good sale at 9s. to 10s. per dozen, and passion fruit ruled a shade easier. Mr. F. A. Winter, who was the
agent for the Canadian apples, which were on the market yesterday, stated to-day that the shipment will
prove a loss to the senders, owing to the bulk arriving in bad order. The Cranberry Pippin was the only
apple that carried well ; the bulk of this class arrived in spiendid condition, and, being a beautifully
colored apple, is eminently suited for this market, as the agent stated that they have already been sold.

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OP ONTARIO. 31

FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

Our finances are entirely under the control of the Department of Agriculture.
Accounts are sent to me, and certified correct ; then, if approved by the Provincial Audi-
tor, they are paid by cheque from the Treasury Department. I have, however, kept a
careful memorandum of payments, and here present it for your consideration.

Receipts.

Government grant $2,000 00>

Expenditvres.

Allowance to experimenters $725 60

Stock 337 25

Salary of secretary 200 00

Travelling expenses of official visitors to stations and proposed stations 150 42

Fruit exhibit at Industrial Fair 70 70

Freight and duty 68 84

Camera and supplies 66 82

Board meetings 63 25

Books for experimenters 55 10

Experimental shipment to Liverpool 35 33

Experimental shipment to Australia 105 94

Postage '. 21 85

Nozzles for spraying . . . 14 00

Printing and stationery 12 50

Committees 6 50

Small items 2 00

Balance (not drawn) 63 90

$2,000 00

FUTURE PLANS.

Among the new features of our work for the year 1896, I may mention that of
putting up samples in preservative liquids for exhibition at the Industrial, and after-
wards for forwarding to the Ontario exhibit at the Imperial Institute, in London,
England. The small fruits of the early summer, such as strawberries, cherries, goose-
berries, etc., cannot be shown at the Industrial in any other way, and it is the wish of the
Department that fresh samples be forwarded to the Imperial Institute.

In order to accomplish the best results in his work, the Secretary needs first a
microscope for closer examination of fungi and insects sent in by experimenters. This
need not cost over twenty-five or thirty dollars. And second, a camera, for taking
photographs of fruits. One costing about forty dollars would do this work. This is
one of our most important undertakings, namely, the preparing of photogravures of
the fruits grown by our experimenters, which shall show our fruits as they really
are, without the least exaggeration.

THE REPORTS FROM THE STATIONS.

The work of describing varieties is being pretty well attended to by all our experi-
menters, and indeed it is about the only thing we can do at first, viz., to describe all
old varieties already well tested ; but the most important part of our report in the
future will be the yearly experiments with different fruits which are to be embodied in
the Station Records. The attention of all our experimenters must therefore be
especially called to the blank forms provided to show the results of these yearly
experiments.

32

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

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38 FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

APPLES.
Outlines of Varieties Grown at Bay of Quinte Experiment Station.

Bonum.

Bailey Sweet.

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

39

Canada Baldwin.

Fallawater.

40 FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

Golden Russet.

Hastings.

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

41

Highland Beauty.

Horn.

Jonathan.

42 FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

Rawle's Janet.

La Rue.

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

43

Lady.

Lord Burghley.

Pomme Grise

44 FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

Mountain Tulip.

Mountain Beet.

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

45

Reinette Verte.

Vermont Sweet.

46

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

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48 FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

NOTES ON VARIETIES OF APPLES IN 1895.

I have planted this year for experimental purposes twenty-eight varieties of apples,
including ten varieties of crabs. The apples were of the following varieties : — Gano, Gideon,
Sweet Bough, Salome, Sherwood's Favorite, Shackleford, Wolf River, Tetofsky, Red Ca-
nada, Primate, Hastings, Peerless. The latter from Minnesota, said to be a seedling of the
Duchess. I received from Iowa, Sweet Longfield, Regel, Good Peasant, Vargul, Lubsk
Queen and Anisim. These were duplicates, as I had these varieties already. Of
the twenty-eight varieties of apples tried ten were crabs of the following varieties : —
Hyslop, Martha, Minnesota Winter, Orion, Picta Stricta, Paul's Imperial, Quaker Beauty,
Telfer Sweet, Van Wyck, Whitney. Of apple scions for grafting I received the follow-
ing : — Gravenstein, Bethel, Parsons Sweet, Utters Red, Magog Red Streak, Nodhead,
Newton Pippin, Coles' Orange Pippin, Jonathan, Starr, Banks' Red Gravenstein, also
two seedling apples from Muskoka, viz., McMillan and Sally Brown.

Of the varieties of apples under test I have little to add to the report of last
year, as none of the new varieties have fruited, except the Yellow Transparent. One
tree of this variety one year planted bore three apples. As it was described in the
report of last year it will be unnecessary to repeat it. But I think it well just here to
give a few notes on a few varieties of Hardy Apples grown in this section that seem to
do well and that are valuable for home and foreign market.

The Wealthy. — This apple cannot be classed as a winter apple even in this northern
section. It is undoubtedly a fall apple, and requires to be picked, packed, and marketed
in September. But to anyone who can secure a market for it at home or abroad at that
time of year there is no apple that I know of that will give as good a profit as the
Wealthy. It seems to find a congenial climate here, and attains to great perfection all
through this section of country. It is the fall apple par excellence of Simcoe county.
Its good points are fine quality, bright handsome color (their appearance either in baskets
or barrels is simply superb), early bearing, regular bearing, and their ability to bear large
crops of a uniform size and quality. Its faults are chiefly two. First, the form of growth
of the tree renders it liable to split when loaded ; and second, the premature dropping of
the fruit. The first may be remedied by the proper training of the tree while young,
and the second by picking the fruit just as soon as it attains full size and color.

The Pewaukee. — This apple does well and will keep nearly as long as the Spy, but
has a very bad fault. The fruit is liable to drop during windy weather before attaining
full size or maturity.

The Mann. — This is quite a popular variety here, seems hardy enough for this sec-
tion, bears well, and is considered by many equal if not superior to the R. I. Greening.

Bottle Greening. — Popular in the Colling wood district, and does well all through
this county. One of the most valuable of the green apples for export.

Fallawater. — This is likely to prove one of the most valuable of the winter varieties
for this section. It does remarkably well all through the county and attains great size
and beauty wherever it receives good care and cultivation. It is going to be one of the
most valuable varieties for export. It has been quoted at 18s. 6d. per barrel in Liver-
pool this fall. The tree is healthy and vigorous and seems quite hardy here. It is thus
described by Downing : Fruit very large, globular, inclining to conic ; skin, yellowish
green, shaded with dull red and sprinkled with large grey dots ; stalk very short, insert-
ed in a deep cavity ; calyx small and closed, set in a slightly plaited basin ; flesh greenish
white, juicy, crisp, rather tender, pleasant subacid flavor, good November to February.
In this section it keeps well till April. Downing also describes the tree as a strong
grower and very productive.

I might name the following as a valuable selection for orchard planting for this
section: — Summer, Duchess ; fall, Wealthy, Alexander ; winter, Fallawater, Mann, Bottle
Greening, Spy, King, Baldwin, the last three to be top grafted on Tolman Sweets or other

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO. 49

hardy stock. Of the older varieties that are still in demand for dessert apples I might
mention Fameuse and St. Lawrence, and in their season these are hardly excelled by any
others for that purpose.

Spraying.

I have made during the spring and summer a thorough test of the effects of spraying
with Bordeaux mixture for the apple scab, and with Paris gren for the codling moth.
The first spraying on the bare trees was done with a mixture of two pounds copper
sulphate to forty gallons water. After the blossoms fell the Bordeaux mixture was used,
four pounds copper sulphate to forty gallons water, and four ounces Paris green to forty
gallons. The lime was put in by the cyanide of potassium test, and to make sure a third
more lime was added after the test showed enough. The mixture was kept thoroughly
agitated and put on with a Yermorel or a McGowan nozzle, using each alternately. The
spraying was done in a most thorough manner. The leaves were covered with the
mixture most of the summer, there being little or no rain during the spraying season or
several weeks after the last spraying. One tree in a row of each variety was left un-

sprayed for purposes of comparison.

Results.

The apples in my orchard being almost an entire failure owing to the May frost, I
cannot give any tabulated statements as to per cent, of fruit and second quality. The
fruit, what little there was, was certainly cleaner and slightly larger on the sprayed trees.
This was more apparent on the Spy, La Rue, Wealthy and Astrachan A difference was
also noticeable on the foliage, and late in the fall the leaves were all off the unsprayed
tr^es while yet green and bright on the sprayed ones. One thing occurred however that
showed that some varieties of apple trees are more liable to injury from repeated applica-
tion of the Bordeaux mixture than others. The Golden Russet and La Rue lost about
three-fourths of their foliage about midsummer. These trees presented a pitiful sight
about this time with most of their leaves yellow and falling off, while other varieties
alongside in the same rows were not affected at all. However, it did not seem to affect
the fruit at all, and after the discolored leaves had fallen the trees seemed to regain their
normal color and appearance. I attribute this effect to the long spell of dry weather and
the leaves being constantly covered with Bordeaux their pores became clogged and
smothered. But why some varieties should be affected in this way while others under
precisely the same treatment should not show any damage, I cannot at present account for.

Conclusions.

While not wishing to say anything to underrate the value of spraying, especially for
the prevention of the damage from codling moth and other insect enemies, yet I believe
that as regards the apple scab, an orchard planted on rolling ground, with the trees well
pruned and planted far apart to insure a free circulation of air and plenty of sunshine,
will have much cleaner fruit than an orchard on low, flat ground, with the trees too close
together and pruning neglected till the trees are a mass of brush, keeping out the sun-
shine and preventing a free circulation of air, no matter how thoroughly and well the
latter may be sprayed.

That some varieties of apples are much more susceptible to injury from Bordeaux
mixture than others, and finally that more than one season's experiments are required
before definite results and conclusions can be reached as .the effects of the year's work,
may be more apparent next year than this.

G. E. Caston,

Experimenter.

4 F.E.

50

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

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54 FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

NOTES ON VARIETIES.

I received this spring for testing at the Georgian Bay Experiment Station, at
Clarksburg, thirty-six varieties of plums, thirteen of pears, eight of peaches, three of
cherries, and a few raspberry plants. Of plums that I have already tested I will only
refer to a few of the most desirable.

Plums.

Lombard, the fastest grower, hardiest, most curculio proof, and profitable all-
round plum I know of. Ninety pe* cent, of all the plums in the Georgian Bay district
this season are Lombards. Should be well fertilized and cultivated.

Glass Seedling, a strong grower ; very hardy ; attains a large size ; bears well after
eight or ten years old if planted with other varieties. I have known as much as twenty-
four baskets to be taken off a single tree in a season.

Coe's Golden Drop, a slow grower, with short, stout shoots and glossy leaves ; great
bearer ; a little liable to rot ; but not badly here.

Reine Claude d'Bavay, a fine late plum, thought to be a little tender by some
growers here, but I do not find it so ; quality best.

Pond's Seedling, a strong, upright bearer like a poplar ; bears young ; fruit rather
coarse, but sells well ; should be headed back.

Quackenbos, much like Glass Seedling ; bears younger ; thought to be the parent
grows large, lives long. Profitable for market.

Bradshaw, a fine large plum with reddish purple color ; excellent quality ; vigorous ;
productive ; annual bearer.

Washington, fruit large, clean, yellow, marked with red ; quality best ; vigorous,
productive every second year ; does well here.

Smith's Orleans, large, reddish purple; grows well; bears abundantly; does well
here.

Apples.

It was once asked the question, " What varieties of apples can bs grown in your
district V Well, I would like to know what varieties cannot be grown here. There
are upwards of 225 varieties in the Beaver Valley and alono; the shore of the Georgian
Bay. If the 200 were converted into the twenty -five best, the country would be a good
deal better off. The following are a few of the best and most profitable varieties : —

Northern Spy, large, roundish conical ; striped and covered with crimson on sunny
side; overspread with a thin bloom, flesh, juicy, rich, aromatic, best quality; does
remarkably well here.

Baldwin, too well known to need description ; bears immense crop of fine, clean fruit.

Golden Russet, thriftly, upright grower ; bears well.

American Russet, requires rich soil.

King of Tompkins Co., a fine apple ; rather shy bearer, but bears well if top-grafted
on Tolman Sweet or Russet. In fact, the finest Kings I ever saw were grown on a graft
on Swayzie Pomme Grise.

Ben Davis, a rapid grower ; early and annual bearer of heavy crops ; sells well.

Gravenstein, the best of the fall varieties : fine grower; productive ; quality best.

St. Lawrence, very free grower ; healthy foliage ; productive.

Fameuse, a good grower ; bears well, bufr has spotted badly of late years. Grew a
fine, clean crop this year, where properly treated with Bordeaux.

FKUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO. 55

R. I. Greening, fine, strong grower ; spreading top ; bears young ; best quality.

Pewaukee, strong grower ; bears young ; fine, clean fruit with handsome bloom ; but
drops badly on either clay or sandy soil.

I will just mention a few more varieties that will do well. Alexander, Colvert,
Twenty Ounce, Seek-no-further, Ontario, Rox Russet, Blenheim Orange, Ribston Pippin,
etc., etc., all grow to perfection here.

Three Years' Experience in Spraying for Curculio.

1893. Sprayed plum trees as soon as the fruit set, with — water forty gallons; Paris
green 3 oz. Left six trees unsprayed for test. Result — the sprayed trees had a good
crop ; the six unsprayed trees had but one plum and that one stung.

1894. Sprayed with same mixture and at same time, just wh-m the fruit had formed
Left five trees unsprayed for test ; result — the sprayed trees were loaded to the ground.
The five trees not treated did not carry a single plum, although equally well set with
fruit.

1895. Sprayed again with water and Paris green as soon as fruit set. Left no trees
unsprayed this time. Sprayed again in seven days with Bordeaux and Paris green.
Result — all trees bore heavily according to setting of fruit.

Experience in Spraying Apples.

1 895. This year I sprayed part of my apple orchard before the buds had burst, and

twice after. The trees treated in this manner bore beautiful clean fruit, with very few

culls. The remainder of apple orchard which was not treated till the fruit set did not

seem to be much benefited by the spraying. There is no douot in my mind, but the
early spraying is the most effective for apples and I shall continue it.

John G. Mitchell,

Experimenter.

PEACHES.

Report of South- Western Station, 1895. W. W. Hilborn, Leamington,

Experimenter.

The fall of 1894 was very dry and peach trees ripened up their wood and fruit buds
perfectly before cold weather set in. They therefore entered into winter quarters in
perfect condition so far as the condition of the wood and fruit buds were concerned.
The soil, however, was so dry when cold weather came that the fro3t penetrated very deep
and quite a number of trees were root killed from this cause. Especially was this true
in soils naturally very dry. The winter was the most severe known in this vicinity for
many years. The fruit buds, nevertheless, came through in splendid condition, and a large
crop of fine fruit was gathered this season. The late spring frosts so disastrous in nearly
every other, perhaps I may say, every other portion of Ontario, did but little injury to
the fruit crop in this locality. The early sorts of peaches ripened fully a week or more
earlier this season than last. Late varieties were later in ripening than usual owing to
the cool weather during their period of ripening. Salway and some of the other latest
kinds were injured by the first hard frost which occurred October 20th.

It is not often that we get enough frost in this locality to injure the peach before
November 1st.

All of the earliest varieties have white flesh, and more or less cling to the pit. None
of the early sorts are firm enough in flesh to stand shipping as well as the later and
yellow fleshed kinds.

56

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

In selecting varieties for market it is best to choose the greatest number of such
kinds as will produce large fruit of fine appearance, yellow flesh, and ripen mid-season.
At this time the demand for peaches is very much the greatest. It is well, however, to
plant such varieties as will give a constant succession from the first to the last of the
season. In making up the list of kinds described below I have given them in the order
of ripening this season.

Notes on Varieties of Peaches.

(In order of ripening.)

Alexander. This is the earliest sort grown in this locality. Ready for market this

season July 23rd. Tree moderately strong
grower — hardy and very productive. Fruit
medium to large, nearly round, skin
greenish white, nearly covered with deep,
rich red, purplish in the sun. FJesh
whitish with a tinge of gresn, half melt-
ing, juicy, sweet, partial cling.

Early Canada, Amsden's June and
Waterloo are practically the same as
Alexander.

Early Rivers. Tree a good grower,
hardy and very productive Fruit round,
medium to large, straw color with a deli-
cate pink cheek, flesh melting and of tine
quality. Partial cling, although not as
much as Alexander, Not firm enough to
carry well to a distant market. Ripe
August 8th.

Hale's Early. Tree a good grower, hardy and very productive. Fruit medium size,
nearly round. Skin greenish, mostly covered and mottled with red when ripe. Flesh
white, melting, juicy, rich, sweet, nearly freestone. Ripe August 13th.

The fruit has been quite free from rot here, to which, it is subject in most localities.

Lewis' Seedling. Tree vigorous, very hardy and productive. Fruit medium to large,
nearly round, color of Alexander ex*
cept that the skin and flesh is a little
lighter in color, good quality. Not
fully tested here. Ripens August 15th.
Boyle's Yellotv. Tree good grower,
hardy and productive. Fruit above
medium size. Skin very bright yellow,
with a fine bright red cheek. Flesh
yellow, melting, sweet, rich and of
very fine quality. Ripe August 18th.
This was the first freestone to ripen
here. Its good quality, early ripen-
ing, fine appearance and productive-
ness, will, I believe, make it very
popular when better known, both for
home use and market.

Mountain Rose. Tree vigorous,

healthy and productive. Fruit medium

i J o , • i •,• v i Lewis Seedling, 2§ in., August 15th, 95.

or above. Skin whitish, nearly cover- e' 8 ' &

ed with red, flesh white, very good, freestone. Ripe August 20th.

Alexander, July 23, '95

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

57

Barnards Early. Tree a moderately strong grower, very hardy and productive.
Fruit round, medium to large ; (when the trees are not overloaded) ; skin yellow, nearly
or quite covered with dark red ; flesh rich and sweet, of good quality ; red at the stone ;
freestone ; one of the most reliable ; ripe August 25th.

Early Crawford. Tree a free grower and productive, although the fruit buds are not
quite as hardy as many other kinds. Fruit, very large ; oblong ; skin, yellow, with a
fine red cheek ; flesh, yellow, rich and of fine quality ; freestone ; ripe last of August.

Champion. This is a new variety that has been boomed quite extensively for the
last two or three years. It was claimed for it that it was the earliest freestone known.
It has been fruited this season in a number of orchards in this locality and all prove to
be nearly or quite as much of a clingstone as Alexander. Tree a very free, strong
grower ; fruit medium to large ; flesh, whittish green ; quite soft ; of good quality ; cling-
stone ; ripens about with Early Crawford. Present indications would show that it has no
place in the commercial orchard. It is just possible that it will be valuable for the
amateur, in localities not well adapted to peach culture on account of its hardiness.

Oldmixon. Tree a vigorous grower, not
quite hardy in fruit bud it therefore yields
well only in favorable seasons. Fruit, large
roundish ; skin, pale yellowish white ;
marbled with red ; cheek, a deep red ; flesh,
white ; red at the stone ; of the very best

quality ; not firm enough for shipping to a dis-
tant market; freestone ; ripe September 1st.

Boyle's Yellow, 2| ins., August 18th, 1895.

Fitzgerald. Tree a good grower,
hardy, and gives promise of pioduc-
tiveness, but not sufficiently tested
to speak positively in this respect.
Fruit resembles Early Crawford to
some extent ; of better quality ;
ripens a little later; one of the most
promising new sorts for market and
home use.

Yellow Rareripe. Tree a free
grower, hardy and productive.
Fruit, very large ; roundish ; skin,
yellow, nearly covered with dark
red ; flesh, yellow and of the best
quality ; not quite as firm as Early Crawford ; ripe September 5th.

Elberta. Tree a strong, free grower ; foliage very large, dark glossy green ; fruit
large to very large, roundish ; skin yellow, with red cheek, sometimes nearly covered
with red ; flesh yellow, firm, rich and sweet ; freestone. Promises to be one of the most
valuable new peaches introduced. Its fine appearance, large size, firmness and good
quality will place it in the front rank as a market peach should the tree prove as pro-
ductive as it grows old as it is while young.

Garfield. Tree strong and vigorous ; fruit of the early Crawford type. I have
fruited it only on young trees ; on these it produces larger fruit than does the early

Garfield, 3 in., August 27th, 1895.

58

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

Orawford on trees of same age, equally as good in quality and appearance and in
every other way as that old favorite, the early Crawford. Cannot say as to its pro-
ductiveness. Ripens a little later.

Wheatland. Tree, a good grower of the Crawford type ; unproductive with me,
hence of no value up to present date.

Tyhurst. Tree of small willowy growth ; very hardy in wood and ft uit buds, it therefore
yields well annually. Fruit medium, round ; skin, light yellow, sometimes carmine in the
sun. Flesh, yellow, sweet, and of the best quality, freestone*. Ripens middle of September.

Wager. Tree, moderate grower, healthy, hardy and productive. Fruit, medium
in size, oblong, oval, varying in form, one side often enlarged. Skin, quite downy,
of a light golden yellow when fully ripe ; flesh, bright yellow, rather firm. Medium
quality, freestone. Fruit drops quite bodily when about ready to gather. Ripens
middle of September.

EngoVs Mammoth. Tree, a vigorous grower, quite hardy and productive; fruit
roundish ; it will average quite large and uniform in size ; skin, bright yellow, with
bright red cheek ; flesh, yellow, quite juicy, yet firm, good quality. Will not begin to
decay as soon as most varieties, freestone. It now promises to be one of the most
valuable market peaches for its season, which is the middle of September, or a little earlier.

Late Crawford, September 20th, 1895. Golden Drop, September 25th, 1895.

Late Crawford. Tree, strong vigorous grower, moderately hardy ; fruit very large,
roundish ; skin yellow, with a fine dark red cheek ; flesh deep yellow, red at the stone,
juicy and melting, with a very rich and excellent vinous flavor. Ripens latter part of
September ; freestone ; one of the most valuable market peaches.

Jacques Rareripe. Tree, strong vigorous grower, quite hardy and productive ; fruit
large, roundish, compressed ; skin dark yellow, mostly shaded with dull red, flesh yellow,
red at the stone, juicy, slightly subacid, freestone. Latter part of September.

Golden Drop. Tree a moderately vigorous grower, hardy in woody and fruit buds,
very productive ; fruit medium or a little above, round ; skin yellow, sometimes shaded
with carmine in the sun ; flesh yellow, sometimes a little dry, but of quite good quality,
especially for canning purposes, freestone. Ripens the last of September.

Hill's Chili. Tree of small willowy growth, very hardy in wood and fruit buds ; a
very productive annual bearer ; fruit large, dull yellow, shaded with dull red, very
downy ; flesh yellow and of fair quality, freestone ; good for canning ; one of the
most reliable varieties grown.

Crosby. Tree of low willowy growth, very hardy in wood and fruit buds, produc-
tive ; the fruit is roundish, medium size, bright orange yellow, splashed with streaks of
carmine on the sunny side ; flesh yellow, juicy sweet, mild flavor, freestone. Ripens here
on young trees last of September.

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO. 59

Lemon. Tree very vigorous, hardy, and the most wonderfully productive of any
variety tested by me up to present date ; fruit very large, oval, pale lemon yellow,
of good quality, sweet and rich ; one of the best flavored when canned, freestone. Ripens
first week in October.

Smock Free. Tree vigorous and productive, although the tree requires more age
than many other varieties before it produces heavy crops, about the same as the Crawford's
in this respect. Fruit large, oblong ; skin light orange yellow, mottled with red ; flesh
bright yellow, red at the stone. A splendid variety for shipping to distant markets.

Salway. Tree vigorous and productive ; fruit medium to large ; skin greenish
yellow, suffused with red ; flesh greenish yellow, good quality. Ripens last of October.
The latest peach that can be grown in this locality with profit. This season they were
not quite all ripe when the first frost occurred October 20th.

The most profitable varieties this season were Alexander, Early Crawford, Bar-
nard's Early, Tyhurst, Late Crawford, Hill's Chili, Lemon and Smock.

The varieties most hardy in fruit buds are Alexander, Barnard's Early, Tyhurst,
Hill's Chili, Crosby and Lemon. The latter ripens rather too late for the most parts of
Ontario. Perhaps the two best varieties for unfavorable localities would be the Tyhurst
and Hill's Chili. Where these two sorts cannot be grown, I think there would be little
use of planting any other kinds.

Hints on the Cultivation of the Peach.

The peach tree is more tender than the other standard fruits grown in Ontario.
We must therefore give it the most favorable location we can find.

Location. For the best success of the peach we must have a high, sandy or gravelly
loam near a body of water. This must be naturally well underdrained to the depth of
ten or fifteen feet. A northern slope is preferred. If such conditions cannot be
secured, it is useless to go into the cultivation or the peach extensively with the
expectation that it will meet with that measure of success desirable.

It is true many farmers throughout Ontario could plant a few trees for family
use, and with proper care obtain a crop of fruit in favorable seasons. For this pur-
pose plant such hardy kinds as Tyhurst and Hill's Chili on the north side of a building
or on the northern slope of a hill. Never select the south side of a building, as that
is not a favorable location for any tree not perfectly hardy. The sun's rays reflecting
from a building will injure the wood of any tender tree standing near enough to catch
the reflected heat.

Our method of planting and cultivating, which I see no reason to change, is about as
follows : Select medium siz9 trees, one year old from the bud. Shorten in the roots,
and cut off all side branches of the top if there is good strong buds on the main
stem. Cut this back to two or two and a half feet in height. Each succeeding
spring we thin out superfluous branches, and shorten in the new growth nealry one-
half until the trees begin to bear fruit in quantity. When the trees bear large crops of
fruit they do not make such long growth of wood, and require less pruning.

Cultivate often and thoroughly, from early spring until midsummer. If no other
crop is grown among the trees, sow to rye about the 1st of September ; this will form a
covering for the soil during winter, and some food for the trees when ploughed under in
early spring. I he rye also absorbs some of the surplus moisture during the growing
autumn season, which prevents a late growth of wood on the trees that would otherwise
take place. If we expect to have the trees go through the winter uninjured, we must
have the wood ripened up thoroughly when cold weather sets in. The soil among the
trees should not be ploughed deep at any time after the roots have made sufficient
growth to be in danger of being disturbed by the plough.

One of the most important considerations in cultivating any orchard is to stir the
soil, always to about the same depth, the roots are not then disturbed to any inj urious extent.

W. W. HlLBORN.

Southwestern Experiment Station,
Leamington, Ont.

60

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

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62

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

WENTWORTH STATION. RECORD FOR YEAR 1895.

GRAPES.

Variety.

Agawam

Brighton

Concord

Catawba

Delaware ....

Lindley

Moore's Early

Moyer

Niagara

Worden

Wilder

Origin.

Rog. Hybrid . .

Con. X Diana, Ham

E. W. Bull, Con., Mass.

North Carolina

Unknown

Hog.Hyb

Con. Seedling

Chas. Reid's seed

Con. X Cassady

Con. Seedling

Rog. Hybrid

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1886

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1884

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Fertilizers used, j

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none

stableTmanure

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stable manure

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unf 'vr'ble.
favorable.

too dry.

favorable.

dry.

GRAPES.— Continued.

Date of
maturity.

Date of gathering.
(Berries first and

last.)

2
"a

Grade.
Per cent.

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Variety.

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17
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Brighton

Concord

Catawba .

Delaware

Lindley

Moore's Early . .

Moyer

Niagara

Wurden

Wilder

Oct. 4 . . .
Sept. 7 ...

12 . . .

Oct. 2L ...

Sept. 5 ... .

2 ...

Aug. 24 . . .

22...

Sept. 12 . . .

2 . . .

18...

1

Oct. 15....
Sept. 9 . . . .

25 ... .
Oct. 21 ....
Sept. 12 ... .

15....
2....
Aug. 28 ...
Sept. 20 ... .

10....

30....

lb.

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19
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21
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23
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4
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3£

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5

5£

3i

4

3|

Injured by spring frost.
Frosted before fully ripe.

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARLO.

Notes of Experimental Work.

I beg to submit the following report of the work that is being carried on at the
Wentworth Experiment Station.

There have been about 160 trees and vines added to those planted last year. The
greater part of these are grapes and plums, some pear, cherry and currants.

The grape crop at this station was very fine, both quantity and quality were above
the average. We had no mildew or any form of fungus. Even the Salems were heavily
laden with fine clean fruit.

The thrip was the only insect enemy that appeared to any extent and considerable
damage was done to some of the thin leaved varieties. It was our intention to test the
coal oil emulsion for this pest but the work was neglected.

Careful experiments were made with Bordeaux mixture on apples, pears, plums and
grapes. There was no perceptible difference except in Flemish Beauty pears, owing to
the absence of fungus.

I cannot report very satisfactory results from spraying with Paris green for codling
moth. A Greening orchard carefully sprayed, with several trees left for check gave very
little in favor of spraying, A greater portion of the first brood may have been destroyed,
but the second hatching which destroys the pears and apples when they are about full
grown, did considerable damage on apples, Bartlett and Keiffer pears. We hope in a few
years to be able to report valuable information in reference to some of the Japan plums
which are awakening considerable interest among the fruit growers on account of the
earliness of some of them.

We have also started a series of experiments with fertilizers to stimulate the growth
of young treee and vines and trust in a few years we may have some valuable information
to report.

M. Pettit,

Experimenter.

NOTES ON SOME LEADING VARIETIES OF CHERRIES.

By the Secretary.

The first really good cherry of the season with me is the Governor Wood. True,|we
have Early Purple preceding it about a week or so, but it is not a meaty cherry, and is

Governor Wood.

Black Tartarian.

Knight's Early Black.

nearly always eaten by the birds before it is harvested. The Governor Wood, on
the other hand, is not so subject to the ravages of the birds, and is a delicious white-heart

64

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

cherry of the best quality. This year it began ripening about the 16th of June and
continued until about the 26 th.

It is a productive variety also ; one tree this season yielded seventy -two quarts
and that might be looked upon as about half a full crop, for about half was destroyed by
the frost. The tree, of course, is a full-grown one, being about thirty years planted.
The variety originated in Ohio.

There are several other varieties of white cherries ripening about with the Governor
Wood, which we will speak of more fully some other time, e g., the Rockport, American
Amber, Coe's Transparent and Elton. The latter is a particularly fine flavored white-
heart cherry of great value for canning, except for its soft flesh and its tendency to rot
in wet seasons.

The Black Tartarian is the most prominent of our black-heart cherries, and, although
of Russian and West Asian origin introduced into England about one hundred years ago,
succeeds admirably in the Niagara peninsula. The fruit is of tender flesh, dark colored
and juicy, of large size, rich flavored and delicious. Birds as well as men have a special
preference for this cherry, aud its tender flesh especially invites the former. Therefore,
in order to secure the crop, we find it necessary to begin harvesting them on the green
side. The picking of this cherry began with me this year on June 22nd, and the fruit
not picked hung until the 30th.

The Tartarian cannot be called a heavy bearer, because the fruit does not grow in
such clusters as that of some other varieties, but the large size to a certain extent makes
up for the number on the cluster.

Of the other black-heart cherries, we will briefly refer to the Knight's Early Black,
which ripens a few days in advance of the Tartarian. The fruit is not quite so long and
is a little more obtuse heart-shaped ; it is a little more even in outline, otherwise it much
resembles the latter variety. The fruit is inclined to grow singly and this makes the
gathering rather slow ; besides it is less productive than the Tartarian. A full grown
tree at Maplehurst yielded about thirty quarts in 1895, and this may be called a full crop.

The Black Eagle succeeds the Tartarian, beginning to ripen this season about the
28th of June. It is a delicious heart cherry, if anything smaller than the Knight's
Early Black. The fruit is grown in somewhat sparse clusters, and the tree is only

A Branch op the Black Eagle.

Napoleon Bigarreau.

moderately productive, our large trees giving about forty quarts each. The accompany-
ing engraving will show the clusters on a branch of this variety.

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARCO.

65

Of the Bigarreau cherries, the leading variety for productiveness is the Napoleon
Bigarreau. It is the habit of this variety to load in great clusters, a great
advantage in harvesting, provided the fruit is free from rot. This variety is unfor-
tunately very subject to this disease, and sometimes almost a whole crop is destroyed
by it. Otherwise this is the most productive of all varieties, a hundred quarts being a
very ordinary yield from a full grown tree. We add an outline of the cherry in order
to show the exact size. The skin is white, well shaded with light red, and the flesh is
very firm. It is one of the largest of cherries and altogether well fitted for (he com-
mercial orchard.

The Yellow Spanish is another magnificent variety, often exceeding in size even the
Napoleon, especially when the crop is light, as indeed it too often is. It too is sadly
subject to rot. In the year 1894 I did not gather a single basket, from this cause;
every cherry rotted before ripening. This year, however, the case was wholly different,

A Branch op the Yellow Spanish.

Yellow Spanish.

and it exceeded all past records of productiveness. One fine old tree yielded 132 quarts
of the finest sample of cherries, and here again I have brought our camera into use to
show a branch from this very tree, and the beautiful clusters of large-sized fruh.
The skin of this cherry is yellowish white, with deep red blush, and the flesh afirm and
also yellowish in color. i/UB.d j^^^T^

This variety is the favorite one at Maplehurst for canning for home use. It began
ripening this year about July 1st. I add an outline in order to give a more correct
idea of the size as grown in 1895.

Of this same Bigarreau, or firm- fleshed type, we have two excellent black cherries
ripening late in the season, viz., the Tradescant\s Black Heart, an old and well-known
European variety of dark purple skin and firm fleeh and good quality. It is a very pro-

5 F.E.

66 FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

d active cherry and one that carries well to market. The other is the Windsor, a new
variety of Canadian origin, which is rapidly gaining favor with planters as an excellent
late black cherry. The tree of this variety at Maplehurst is only three years planted.
It is evidently a strong, vigorous grower, and quite productive. The cherry is obtuse,
heart-shaped, dark red in color, and the flesh quite as firm as that of Tradescant's Black
Heart. The quality seems excellent for all purposes. It ripens on the 5th of July, and
hangs on the tree until the 13th. Cherries picked and left in the house keep without
ch *n«e two or three days. The fruit is borne in clusters which are very easy to gather.

The Early Richmond is a valuable cherry for pies and for canning. The tree is
hardy and may be grown much farther north than the Heart and Bigarreau cherries above
mentioned, besides it is profitable to grow for market. One difficulty attends it wherever
grown, and that is its susceptibility to black knot.

There is also a large fruited Montmorency offered for sale which seems to be larger
and later than the Early Richmond. It is a promising variety.

My Wragg trees have been planted five years, and are this year heavily laden with
fruit. This variety has no very great merit to commend it that I can see, for the fruit
is scarcely as thrifty as the Late Kentish, and the fruit is no better, if as good. Possibly
it is hardier, and possibly more productive ; certainly this season it does outbear that
variety. The color is a darker red than the Kentish, and the flavor scarcely as good.

The harvesting of the cherry crop is not so great a difficulty as many imagine. A
good man will easily gather fifty quarts a day, and with some varieties, such as the
Napoleon, he will gather one hundred quarts or more. The usual cost of picking cherries,
therefore, is from one and one-half cents to two cents per quart.

They are usually packed in eight or twelve quart baskets ; but this season I packed the
finest in a more fancy package, viz., in boxes with sliding covers, holding about three
quarts each. The cherries were packed from the bottom, paper of a suitable color being
first laid against the lid. The cherries were rowed neatly against the top and the box
turned over and bottomed.

THIRD ANNUAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF CONTROL.

The Board met at Woodstock on Tuesday, December 10th, 1895. There were present
the President, the Secretary, the Official Visitor, and Messrs. A. M. Smith and A. H.
Pettit.

The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved, and the report of the
work done by the Executive was also read and approved.

An informal report of his experiments in spraying, according to the scheme formulated
by this Board, was presented by Mr. A. H. Pettit. He had first called a meeting of the
farmers and fruit growers at each of the thirty points at which the experiments were to
be made, and addressed them, explaining fully the nature of the work to be undertaken
He then asked them to appoint a committee to select such an orchard as was believed by
them to be best suited for the experiments under contemplation. This having been done,
he interviewed the different pump makers of the province and invited them to a public
test of their pumps side by side in his own orchard, and agreed to use such pumps as were
proven by actual experience to be suitable for the work. He then chose three young men
who accompanied the three spraying outfits. Work was begun in the southern division
on the 24th of April, and on the 26th in the northern division, continued by a succession
of visits to each point until the sixth application had been made. The longest time that
any tree in the thirty points selected was left unsprayed was an interval of fourteen days.
After all this work had been accomplished, Mr. Pettit visited the various points to take
notes for his report. In a few places no results were observed, owing to the frost and
drouth, but in most instances ho could observe, first, an improvement in the foliage,

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO. 67

second, that the apples were cleaner and larger, and third, less injury from the codling
moth on the sprayed than on the unsprayed trees. A detailed report of the work done
by Mr. Pettit will appear elsewhere.

It was ordered that samples of fruit be put up by the various experimenters for the
Industrial Fair, Toronto, and for the Imperial Institute, London, England, the former to
be afterwards forwarded to the Oatario Agricultural College, Guelph.

It was ordered that the Secretary be authorized to purchase forthwith a microscope
and camera, to be used under the directions of the Board, the expense to be met out of
the grant of the current year.

It was agreed that experiment stations be located at the following places during the
year 1896, in accordance with the recommendations of the official visitors: Maitland,
Whitby, St. Catharines, Freeman, Nantye.

Ordered that the Secretary and the Horticulturist of the Ontario Agricultural College
constitute a committee of nomenclature, and shall be responsible to this Board for the
correct naming of varieties on exhibition.

The report of the official visitor to stations, by Mr. H. L. Hutt, Horticulturist,
Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph, was then presented, as follows :

INSPECTION OF FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS.

It has been my pleasant duty to visit and inspect during; the summer all of the
stations already established. Each station was visited at the most opportune time for
taking note of the particular kind of fruit grown there. At every station, I am glad to
say, good work is being done, and valuable information is being gained, which will be
given to the public in the annual reports from the experimenters.

In company with Mr. L. Woolverton, Secretary of the Ontario Fruit Growers' Associa-
tion, I also visited a number of other places in different parts of the province where it
is thought desirable that stations should be established, our object being to learn as much
as possible about the fruit interests of these sections and find competent fruit growers to
undertake experimental work.

The following is a brief report on visits to the stations established last year :

The Wentworth Station.

May 23rd, 1895. Yisited the Wentworth station, where Mr. M. Pettit, Winona, is
making a specialty of grapes. Found everything under good cultivation and well cared
for. Spraying with copper sulphate solution had been done before the appearance of
the foliage, and also with the Bordeaux mixture before the appearance of blossoms.

The severe frosts of the previous two weeks had killed the new growth on the young
vines at the north end of the place ; the large vineyards, however, at the back and more
under the lee of the mountain had escaped with little or no injury. Pears and plums
also at the front were seriously thinned out with the frosts, while a block of one hundred
Greening apple trees close under the mountain was white with bloom.

The plot of ground devoted to the planting of new varieties was in first-class condi-
tion, and the young trees and vines were doing nicely.

Sept. 25th. Visited Mr. Pettit's again at the height of the grape harvest when all
hands were busy picking, packing and shipping grapes. In most parts of the vineyard
the vines were heavily laden and presented a magnificent sight. From the twenty acres
in bearing Mr. Pettit estimated the crop would be between sixty and seventy tons. This
was being disposed of at the rate of about two tons per day, shipped mostly to regular
customers or retail dealers in various parts of the province. In this way Mr. Pettit
realizes much better prices than by shipping to commission men in the large and usually
over-stccked markets.

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

Owing to the light crop of fruit in all parts of the country, except where it was pro-
tected from frosts by the proximity of some mountain or large body of water, the prices
this year are unusually good, and fruit growers in such favored sections are making up
for the low prices obtained in other years when fruit has been abundant.

The South- Western Station.

Sept. 26th. Visited the station at Leamington, in Essex county, where Mr. W. W.
Hillborn is making a specialty of peaches and strawberries. Our visit to this station last
year was on the 15th of June, during the strawberry season; this year we deferred it
till September, to see it at the time of peach harvest.

Although peaches are grown to a certain excent all over this county, they are tno3t
extensively grown along a narrow ridge of land in the southern part of the county runuing
parallel with the lake shore. " The Ridge," as it is called, is about five or six miles long,
and varies from half a mile to a mile and a half in width. The soil is a light, dry s*nd,
so dry, in fact, that for the last two years the strawberries growing on it have in many
cases been killed out during the hot weather of mid-summer. Its peculiar adaptability,
however, to peaches makes it valuable, and in consequence of this being the only section
in Ontario where the peaches were not injured this year, the price of land along " Toe
Ridge " has risen nearly $20 per acre.

Mr. Hillborn has about 100 acres planted with peach trees, and expecls to put out
twenty five acres more next spring. As yet most of the trees are young and not in bear-
ing. From five acies bearing this year he picked about 900 baskets, which were sold by
contract for 84c. per basket.

He has under test over 100 varieties, about forty of which will be bearing next year.
Full reports as to the value and productiveness of each of these varieties will be given
from year to year in the annual report, so that valuable information for peach growers
may soon be looked for from this station.

The Georgian Bay Station.

On August 29th, after two days spent among the fruit growers of Walkerton and Port
Elgin, and a sixty-mile ride across country on the bicycle, we reached our pmm experi-
ment station at Clarksburg. By taking note of the orchards along the road, the influences
of the waters of the Georgian Bay upon the climate of that section might readily be seen.
In all of the orchards inland and in many places up to within a mile or two of the shore,
the spring frosts had destroyed the blossoms and there was little or no fruit. Along the
bay shore, however, many orchards might be seen laden with fruit, and in some cases the
branches were propped with poles to enable them to bear their load.

The orchards of Mr. John Mitchell, our experimenter at Clarksburg, being a couple
of miles from the bay, had sufiered somewhat from the frosts, ana were bearing about half
a crop. The varieties of apples bearing most heavily were Kings, Baldwins, Ribston
Pippins, Cayuga Red Streaks, and Greenings Northern Spys had not bloomed at all.
Duchess of Oldenburgs, which were then all harvested, had been a good crop, and had
brought $2.50 per barrel in St. Mary's and Stratford.

Plums, of which fruit Mr. Mitchell is making a specialty, were seriously injured by
the frosts. Those varieties which had escaped uninjured and were bearing heavily were
Lombards and Duane's Purple. The fruit of these was finding ready sale at $1.25 per
basket. Mr. Mitchell has about five hundred thrifty young plum trees in bearing, and
in the new plot devoted to variety tests, thirty-seven varieties were planted this
spring, three trees of each. Besides these, he is testing a few of the hardier varieties of
peaches, pears and cherries.

Mr. Mitchell is a thorough cultivator, sprays his orchards caretully for insects and
fungous diseases, and takes a lively interest in the fruit industry of his section.

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO. 69

The Simcoe Station.

August 30th. Visited the Simcoe station, where Mr. G. C. Gaston, of Oraighurst,
is testing hardy varieties of apples, pears and cherries and some of the small fruits.
Craighurst being somewhat inland, the fruit in this section was seriously injured by the
spring frosts. * In Mr. Caston's apple orchard there was about a quarter of a crop. The
varieties bearing most heavily were Wealthy, Spitzenburg, Baxter, Golden Russet, and
Tolm&n Sweet. Some young Wealthy trees were heavily ladeu, proving well the hardi-
ness and productiveness of this variety.

Good cultivation and thorough spraying, such as Mr. Gaston gives his orchards*
may accomplish wonders in most seasons in producing fine fruit. But in seasons like
this, where the frost takes everything, cultivation and spraying can avail nothing, except
to keep the trees in a vigorous and healthy condition for future crops. It was on account
of the scarcity of fruit in Mr. Gaston's orchard this year that he was unable to make
the display at the Toronto Exhibition he otherwise would have made.

Among his young trees of apple and pear, planted this spring, there was not a
failure, all of them at the time of our visit showing a good growth. The currant and
gooseberry bushes planted this spring were also doing well. Mr. Gaston has got a
number of Russian varieties in the nursery row, ready for planting another year.

The Bay of Quinte Station.

September 4th. We arrived at Trenton, and after wheeling out four miles on an
up-hill, dusty road, we reached the home of Mr. W. H. Dempsey, the manager of the
fruit experiment station for this section. Mr. Dempsey's specialty is apples. His
orchard covers about forty acres, of which nearly all the trees are in bearing. Mr.
Dempsey and his father, the late P. C. Dempsey, always had a taste for originating and
testing new varieties, and on this account Mr. Dempsey's orchard probably contains a
greater number of varieties than any other apple orchard in the province. He has
growing over 150 varieties, twenty -three of which are carefully described and reported
on in last year's report.

" ■ •*am- l

The spring frosts, so injurious in most places, had done very little damage here.

It was estimated that his crop would be over 1,500 barrels, and as most of the apples
this year are of unusually good quality, the greater part of the crop will be Al market-
able fruit.

To enable him to pick and ship his fruit to advantage, Mr. Dempsey has built a
large two-story fruit house, the walls of which have been made frost proof, so that
apples may be stored in it all winter, and sold in the best markets.

" Maplehurst " Fruit Farm.

When giving an account of visits to the different fruit experiment stations already
established, and which we expect in time to contribute valuable information to Ontario
fruit growers, it may be well to mention " Maplehurst," the fruit farm of Mr. L.
Woolverton, Secretary of the Ontario Fruit Growers' Association, and editor of The
Canadian Horticulturist, for probably no other fruit farm in the province has afforded
more information to fruit growers than that of the editor of The Horticulturist.

" Maplehurst " is about a mile west of the village of Grimsby, and consists of a
100-acre strip of land about a mile long, running from the mountain to the lake. It
embraces a great variety of soils, from a light, loamy sand to a heavy clay. This, in
connection with the wonderfully favorable climate and shelter of the mountain, makes
it well adapted to the production of all kinds of fruits grown in Ontario, and all of
these are grown here more or less extensively, as the entire farm is planted to fruit.

70 FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

Besides growing fruit for profit, Mr. Woolverton plants largely every year as a stu-
dent of horticulture. Nearly every new fruit promising to be of any value is given a trial.
Last spring about 130 new varieties were planted, embracing pears, peaches, plums,
apricots, cherries and grapes. By planting annually in this way, and keeping careful
records, Mr. Woolverton, as editor of The Horticulturist, is enabled to advise his
readers with authority as to the merits of new fruits constantly being brought before
the public. His collection of varieties of cherries is one of the largest in the province
and it is hoped we may glean valuable information from his reports on these.

PROPOSED NEW STATIONS.

The following notes are on visits made to different persons with a view to finding
suitable places for new stations :

Martin Burrill, St. Catharines, Lincoln County.

Visited May 24th, 1895. Situated four miles west of St. Catharines, and half a
mile from the lake. Farm of twenty-five acres, seventeen acres in fruit. Soil very
variable, from light loam to heavy clay, partly rolling.

The following fruits are being grown : Four acres, or about 1,000 peach trees, in
bearing, twelve varieties j two acres peaches, newly planted ; 200 pear trees, mostly in
bearing, twelve varieties ; 150 cherry trees, six varieties, mostly Early Richmonds ; fifty
quince trees, two varieties ; 800 grape vines, about twelve varieties ; about half an acre
of strawberries and other small fruits ; few apples.

Mr. Burrill is an energetic young man, enthusiastic in fruit growing. He takes an
active part in the local farmers' institutes, and has made for himself a reputation as a
thoroughgoing fruit grower.

Stanley, Spillet, Nantye, Simcoe County.

July 9th, 1895. Three miles north of Lefroy station and twelve miles south of
Barrie — lot of two and a half acres, but more can be bought from an adjacent farm-
soil, a moist, sandy and clay loam, well adapted to growing gooseberries. Land all well
underdrained, heavily manured and thoroughly cultivated. The following fruits are
grown : Gooseberries, raspberries and strawberries, and a few trees of plums, pears and
cherries. Most of the ground is devoted to growing gooseberries, of which he has about
700 bushes of twenty different varieties. Plot of new varieties put out this spring.

His Champions were remarkably prolific, and his Downings very large. All had
been sprayed. Mr. Spillet uses a small Clarksburg pump on a barrel, mounted on a hand-
cart. He also used flower of sulphur for mildew. His bushes are planted six by four
feet apart and trained in the bush form.

Mr. Spillet is an elderly man, and has taught in the neighboring rural school for the
last thirty years, but is resigning this year. He is a careful, reliable man, enthusiastic
in gooseberry growing, and should make a good experimenter ; was busy when we called
making drawings of the different varieties of berries. He grows gooseberry plants every
year for E. D. Smith, of Winona.

Rev. E. B. Stevenson, Freeman, Halton County.

Mr. Stevenson is a Methodist minister, now stationed at Freeman, near Burlington.
Nearly all of his strawberries, however, are grown on the fruit farm of his father, near
Guelph, which he visits frequently.

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO. 71

Mr. Stevenson has all his life been growing and testing everything new in the line
of strawberries, and is, without doubt, one of the best authorities in the province on the
varieties of strawberries.

He has about 200 varieties under test, forty -two of which were reported on in last
year's report. He is also giving attention to the production of new varieties by artificial
pollination.

A. E. Sherrington, Walkerton, Bruce County.

August 27th, 1895. Short distance from G. T. R. station, outside town limits, on
land 160 feet above the town. Farm of seven acres, but expects to buy more. Soil,
chiefly clay loam and uniform. Most of the farm planted with apples and plums. Has
about 240 apple trees in bearing — seven or eight of the leading varieties. Some of the
newer varieties top-grafted. Plums, about forty-five trees, about twelve varieties.
Pears, about thirty-five trees, mostly Bartlett, Flemish Beauty and Duchess. About half
an acre in strawberries and raspberries.

Mr. Sherrington is an intelligent, progressive man, and being an apple buyer, is well
acquainted with the fruit interests of his section. He says that in 1893 about 40,000
barrels of apples were shipped out of that section.

He has also a large apiary, managed according to modern methods.

A. W. Peart, B.A., Burlington, Halton Oounty.

August 31st, 1895. Farm about one and one-quarter miles east of Burlington sta-
tion and one and one-half miles from lake shore; 150 acres of land, twenty of which
are in fruit. Soil, variable, from a gravel to a clay loam. There are under cultivation
the following fruits :

Apples, ten acres ; 400 trees, twenty-eight varieties, mostly in bearing ; pears, 300
trees, about eight varieties ; young trees coming into bearing ; grapes, three acres, twen-
ty-two varieties, just in bearing; peaches, fifty trees, three varieties; plums, six acres,
twenty varieties, young or coming into bearing ; currants, one acre, six or eight varie-
ties. Other small fruits grown for home use.

The whole farm and all the fruits are under first-class cultivation.

Mr. Peart has been spraying for the past ten years, and his trees and vines were
nearly all well loaded with a fine crop of fruit.

Personally Mr. Peart is a man of exceptional qualities. He is a graduate of Toronto
University, and is a progressive and very energetic fruit grower. He is a careful
observer and an exact experimenter on his own account. He is public spirited and
posted in the fruit interests of his locality. He is at present Secretary of the Burling-
ton Horticultural Society, which he helped to organize, and president of the county
farmers' institute.

The Burlington district is one of the leading fruit districts of the province, and has
carried off the prize for district exhibition at Toronto for a number of years. At the
time of the World's Fair at Chicago, this district contributed largely to the grand dis-
play of fruit made by Ontario. The fruit sent from Burlington to Chicago was gathered
and shipped at the expense of the local Horticultural Society.

R, L. Huggard, Whitby, Ontario County.

Sept. 3rd, 1895. Farm about half way between the town and G. T. R. station. Pro-
perty in two blocks of ten and twenty-five acres, some distance apart. The ten-acre block
is all in fruit, and he expects to buy more land adjoining. Soil, clay loam, uniform and
well drained. The following fruits are being grown : Apples, about 100 trees in bearing

72 FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

and a number of young trees coming on. About forty-five varieties, generally two trees
of each variety. Pears, about 400 trees, mostly six years old and coming into bearing,
others newly planted. About fifty varieties. Plums, about 300 trees coming into bear-
ing. About fifty varieties. Grapes, about thirty varieties, one or two vines of each.
Not profitable in this section. A few small fruits, as currancs, raspberries, etc.

Orchard under fair cultivation and well sprayed with Bordeaux mixture and kero-
sene emulsion. Some trees top-grafted.

Mr. Huggard is of about middle age, enthusiastic in fruit growing, intelligent and
energetic. Has acted as agent for Messrs. Stone & Wellington.

E. W. Beman, Newcastle, Durham County.

Sept. S, 1895. Farm one and a half miles west of Newcastle and three miles east of
Bowmanville. Sixty-eight acres of land, bordering on the lake, about twenty acres in
Iruit. Soil, a rather heavy clay loam, draining towards the lake. The specialty at this
place is pears. Of these Mr. Beman has about thirteen acres, mostly in bearing. He
has some of the largest pear trees to be found in the country. Some old Flemish
Beauty trees will yield this year six or eight barrels. He had growing at one time nearly
250 varieties of pears, but many of these blighted, and he has now about 150 varieties,
and generally three or more trees of each variety.

Apples, about thirty varieties ; 150 old trees and about 270 younger trees coming
into bearing, many of them top-grafted with new varieties. Plums, about 200 trees,
newly planted. Fifty varieties. Grapes do not succeed well here, but he has about
thirty varieties, two vines of each.

Small fruits only for home use,

Mr. Beman is a man about sixty years of age. A very careful, thorough and pains-
taking fruit grower, well read and posted in the fruit interest generally. Has been spray-
ing for the past ten years. The effect of spraying was very marked on his large Flemish
Beauty trees. Sprayed trees were loaded and perfectly clean. On an unsprayed tree
close by the fruit was cracked and covered with scab.

His younger orchards Mr. Beman keeps well cultivated, but his older pear trees are
kept in sod to avoid blight. The grass is mowed and left as a mulch, and ground manured
as well. Nearly all of his trees were loaded with fruit, which he grades properly and
ships to Montreal in barrels.

Harold Jones, Maitland, Grenville County.

Sept. 5th} 1895. Lives two miles from Maitland, seven miles east of Brocskville and
five miles west of Prescott. Farm consists of 265 acres, bordering on the St. Lawrence.
Soil, clay and clay loam, best along the river front, somewhat rocky at the back of the
place.

Mr. Jones has about six acres of apple orchard, four acres of trees thirteen years old,
nicely in bearing. Had 400 barrels trom them last year. Two acres of old orchard,
rather rough. One hundred and seventy-five new trees put out last year. Altogether
about fifteen varieties ; the greater portion of the trees are, however, Fameuse. Bearing
orchard is kept in sod and manured heavily. Has been spraying carefully with Bordeaux
mixture.

Mr. Jones is about thirty-five years of age, intelligent and enthusiastic in fruit growing*
Visits Mr. Craig, of Ottawa, every year, and keeps posted as to insect enemies, etc. Is
fighting the Case-Bearer in his orchard under the direction of Mr. Fletcher. He is public
spirited and holds office in a number of benevolent societies.

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

73

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19 Rumbullion

20 Golden Prolific .

74 FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

Notes.

The second attack of mildew was very severe, and though the spray-pump was kept
going, considerable damage was done to the young growth of wood and foliage. It is this
second or fall growth of this fungus that produces winter spores. These survive the
winter and this is why spraying before the leaves open in spring is so important. During
this attack I was able to observe the effects of shade upon the growth of this fungus

A row of nursery stock to the north of a high board fence so situated that the sun
did not reach them till late in the afternoon suffered most severely, while opposite a
door in this fence and when the rows extended past the fence, the same varieties were not
nearly so much damaged. A row of bushes to the east of a dense windbreak of spruce
also suffered severely, so did a row on the west side of a tight fence. This demonstrates
that shade at the expense of a free circulation of air is not desirable for gooseberries.

Champion, (Eng.), Carnie's Golden, (Scotch), Crosby's Seedling, (apparently of foreign
origin), Large Golden Prolific and White Crystal all planted this spring are apparently
very vigorous and therefore promising. Time is needful to fully determine their
character. Columbus, Golden Prolific and Rumbullion made such poor growth that very
little can be reported concerning them.

Next summer I purpose spraying two each with Bordeaux mixture and flower of
sulphur while two shall be left unsprayed, also to test the effect of shade with a free
circulation of air.

Confusion is likely to arise from the fact that some of our American seedlings are
named for < xisting English varieties, Champion and Red Jacket for example.

It is a pity that originators of new varieties do not consult some list of existing
varieties before naming their seedlings. I think it will pay them to do so for a bad name
is sometimes fatal.

Weights of Gooseberries.

I have carefully weighed some oi the leading varieties and give weights :

Downing — 12 berries weighed 1J oz.
Pearl — 12 berries weighed If oz.
Champion — 12 berries weighed If oz.
Triumph — 12 berries weighed 2 J oz.
Autocrat — 12 berries weighed 2| oz.
Whitesmith — 12 berries weighed 2| oz.

I should like to get correct names for seed pulp, also for a more solid substance
lying between this seed-pulp and skin proper. This substance remains quite firm till the
berry is ripe, when it becomes quite soft and sweet. I am of the opinion the nearer
we come to the native seedling or wild variety the thinner this is. Cultivation thickens
it and lessens the size of the seed cell.

The Leading Varieties.

An insect, probably the Gooseberry Midge (Cecidomyia Grossulariw) has been more
destructive this year, than usual. This insect deposits an egg in the berry which pro-
duces a small maggot, causing a premature ripening and falling of the fruit. Its depre-
dations are confined to the so-called thinner skinned varieties, such as Downing, Pearl
and Champion. The reason seems to be that the improved or English varieties have a
smaller seed cell in proportion to the size of berry. This is especially true of the
Triumph, which has only from fifteen to twenty seeds, while the Downing has from
thirty three to forty. The slender white fibres attaching the seeds to the two main
veins at the sides of the berry are longer in the Downing, etc., throwing the seeds and
seed pulp nearer the surface than in the English varieties. This part of the berry

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

75

between the see a pulp and the skin proper, which can easily be peeled off, is more
solid and firm than the seed pulp and obviously offers a greater obstacle to the opera-
tions of the insect.

Downing. It would, no doubt, seem to fruit-
growers almost superfluous to give any lengthened
description of Downing, but I find many would-be
planters who know nothing about it nor any other

DOWNING.

variety. Bush strong, upright grower ; stems very
strong and armed with strong thorns, abundant at
the base of the stem; peduncles slender ; pedicle long
and strong, one to two berries to each ; berries
smooth, greenish-white, roundish-oval or nearly glob
ular ; fine flavor ; prolific, yielding for nine consecu-
tive years five quarts to the bush. This year about
Mildew proof. Any man who will produce as good an all-round
berry as the Downing or Pearl, mildew proof, and which shall average one inch by three-
quarters, or what will be equal to this measurement, shall deserve tie gratitude of the
nation.

Pearl. The Pearl, described by some experimenters as of foreign origin and requir-
ing spraying for fungi to succeed, is, no doubt, as the Downing is, a cross of a native

half an average crop.

seedling

upon some

English

variety, as is claimed for the Pearl by its originator

CHAMPION.

I find it for four years perfectly mildew proof. The description given of Downing
is generally applicable to the Pearl with the difference that the latter is a little larger
berry and the bush a more vigorous grower. Indeed no other variety equals it in this
respect except Champion and probably Red Jacket.

76

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

Champion. Champion in several features resembles the Houghton, this is especially
the case in stem, shape of berry and frequently having three berries to one peduncle.
The berries are also slightly pubescent. This berry is said to be a cross of Downing
on a wild Rocky Mountain berry, probably of the species Hirtellum.

Bush an upright, vigorous grower, but becomes drooping with the weight of fruit ;
stems slender and long, smooth ; axiliary spines long, slender and weak ; peduncles
slender, having from one to three berries to each peduncle, very short and slender ;
berries slightly pubescent ; color greenish white ; oval, skin very thin ; seeds from
twenty-five to thirty ; flavor not so good as Downing ; very prolific, apparently mildew
proof.

Triumph. Triumph is certainly of English
parentage, planted in the fall of 1893. Bush an
upright grower, fairly vigorous ; stems medium
length, stout, armed with long, sharp, strong
thorns at the axils ; generally three in number :
berry smooth, oval, thin skin ; very small seed
cell containing from 15 to 22 seeds ; color greenish-
yellow ; flavor good, apparently prolific ; where
spraying is practiced it is valuable.

Autocrat or Conn, planted in 1890, shows
plainly its European blood. Stems very strong,
long, with a pendant habit of growth ; vigorous,
not very prolific ; berry smooth, oblong, dark
green ; seed cells small, but not so small as Tri-
umph. Taken altogether not very valuable, but
worthy of further trial ; not disposed to mil-
dew, except occasionally ; flavor good ; season
late, seeds too green to be counted.

Chautauqua and Queen. These two varieties,
planted in 1893, resemble in wood, leaf, habit

of growth, color, and appearance of fruit the Triumph. That they are wholly or

partially of English origin is more than probable.

Lancashire Lad, planted in fall, 1892, but has been moved once. Slow grower of
very crooked wood. Berry decidedly pubescent ; dark red, oval ; like all the English
varieties peduncle short ; pedicle short and stout ; flavor very good. We need a red
berry larger than Houghton, but I fear that this berry will never supply this need.

Bed Jacket is apparently what is claimed for it, a native seedling (Cynosbati). Bush
vigorous, rather sprawling grower, somewhat resembling Smith's Improved ; berry
smooth, rather thick skm, color red, flavor good. Planted fall of 1893. I have strong
hopes that this variety will fill a long felt need — a large, red berry combined with great
vigor and productiveness

Whitesmith, a well known and valuable English variety. Bush an upright, vigorous
grower; berry smooth, whitish-yellow, oblong, fine flavor, prolific. Must be sprayed
for mildew.

Permit me to explain my inability to give pounds per bush this year. Last summer,
before I knew of undertaking experimental work, my bushes were all mounded up for the
purpose of growing nursery stock, and this spring were torn to pieces pretty severely, so
that there was not the necessary amount of wood to grow fruit on, but though 1 shall
continue this work in the future I shall stake off six bushes of every variety to experi-
ment with. The weight of fruit per bush is not always a certain test of extraordinary
productiveness. I saw seven quarts picked from a single bush and other bushes in the
garden that might give ten quarts, but the bushes had been suffered to grow to an enor-
mous size, and needed pruning badly, and the fruit was very small for the variety.

TRIUMPH.

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

77

.V'»3My method of pruning is at present, until I get more light to have about six stems,
sometimes less ; these are cut away and their places supplied with new wood at the end
of three good crops from the old. The bush is kept well cleared out beneath and the
body so pruned out that the hand can be inserted in all directions. At first I cut out the
centre of the bush, keeping the centre like a vase or inverted umbrella, but I found the

WHITESMITH.

fruit scalded badly, I may add that in comparatively low growing varieties I find it
better not to cut back the new wood too much as it induces a great growth of small,
weak wood, which is not desirable. I am of the opinion that summer pruning would be
an advantage the cutting out of all superabundant new growth at this season wouli
induce the stronger growth of the remainder. I cannot see why the wood should be
allowed to ripen before being pruned out.

Stanley Spilleit,

Experimenter.

STRAWBERRIES.

Simcoe Experiment Station.

This is a year of disappointment and failure for the strawberry grower. The
plants wintered well and made a remarkable growth during the warm, unseasonable
weather of the first part of May. The first blossoms were opening and the fruit stems
were well filled, when the weather suddenly changed and for several nights we had from
six to eight degrees of frost followed by cold winds and bright sunshine during the day.
This was varied on one day by a fall of snow. The apple' and pear trees were white with
bloom, and we had a spectacle never before seen in my recollection — the trees laden with
snow and white with bloom at the same time. The effect on the strawberries was most
disastrous. Not only the blossoms, but the leaves, were frozen. On opening the petals of
the undeveloped blossoms it was- found that every blossom on the fruit spurs was frozen,
and the only fruit that could be expected now would be upon the later plants upon which
the fruit spurs were not yet developed. With abundant moisture and favourable weather
these might have given nearly half a crop, though undersized and inferior. But instead,
we have had a severe drought that is not as yet broken at this writing — June 24 — and
so the strawberry crop of '95 must be classed as almost a total failure

Under these circumstances it is impossible to make a reliable estimate of the forty
varieties under test here, or to give an accurate account of their good or bad qualities,

78 FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

for the reason that some were more forward than others and thus suffered more from the
frost. Then some varieties have a habit of developing their blossoms nearly together,
while others continue to develop blossoms for a much longer period, and in this way were
not so much injured. For instance, the blossoms on Gov. Hoard, Grenville, Seneca
Queen and Timbrell were so entirely frozen off that I could not get a specimen of the
fruit.

However I have endeavoured to make a few notes on the different varieties, so far
as I am able to judge of their merits, with one season's trial under very unfavorable
conditions.

Notes on Varieties.

Parker Earle (S). One of the most promising of the new sorts. Foliage, moder-
ately healthy, a little affected with rust ; fruit stalk, long ; form, oblong ; color, red ;
quality, medium ; berry, firm, would be a good shipper ; season, medium. With rich
soil and high culture this berry would be very productive. For the commercial grower
it is no doubt an acquisition.

Beder Wood (S). Vigor, medium ; foliage, healthy ; stalk, long ; color, pale red ;
size, medium to large ; quality, good ; productiveness, medium ; firm enough to ship well.
Said to be early, but no earlier than many other varieties here.

Woolverton (S). This variety has not nearly fulfilled my expectations The blos-
soms are rich in pollen. It is therefore a good fertilizing sort to plant with pistillates,
but many of the plants do not bear the first year after planting. It is a poor bearer.
Berry, large, oblong, bright red, moderately firm ; stalk, long ; quality, good ; foliage,
very healthy ; season, medium ; needs further trial.

Saunders (S). This variety did not make many plants, and many of tho3e planted
failed, so that there were few left. Under these conditions I would not say much about
it until given another year's trial. Berry, large, bright red, conical ; quality, excellent ;
foliage, very healthy ; stalk, medium ; worthy of trial.

Little's 44 (P)> Berry, fine, handsome, large ; quality, good ; firm enough for local
market ; fruit stalk, long ; foliage, very healthy ; not productive enough for the com-
mercial grower.

Leader (S). Berry, medium to large ; form, round, often flat ; quality, good ;
stalk, medium ; foliage, healthy ; a medium bearer ; needs further trial before recom-
mending it for general planting.

General Putman (P). Berry, large ; color, light pale red ; quality, good ; stalk,
long; foliage, medium ; not productive ; needs further trial.

Woodruff (S). Berry, medium ; color, red ; firm enough to ship fairly well ; stalk,
medium ; foliage, medium ; promises, under favorable circumstances, to produce a tair
crop.

Lovett (S). Berry, medium to large ; color, bright red ; form, oblong ; quality,
good ; firm enough to ship ; plants vigorous with healthy foliage ; fruit stalk, long ; not
productive.

Cameronian (S). A large dark red berry ; firm enough to be a good shipper, but
of poor quality and lacks productiveness.

Moore' 8 Early. — Only succeeded in growing one of two plants of this variety. It is a
bright, attractive berry of good quality, but no earlier than Crescent. Berry, firm,
round, a little flattened at the tip; bright, attractive color ; quality, good ; cannot judge
f its bearing qualities. *

Bubach No. 2 (P). Berry, large ; form, irregular ; moderately firm • quality, good ;
productiveness, medium ; fruit stalk, short ; foliage, very healthy ; a good standard sort,
and should have a place in every plantation.

Lady Rusk (P). A promising variety. Berry, medium ; quality, fair ; form, some-
what conical, though often irregular ; stalk, medium ; in firmness will comppre well with

FRUfT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO. 79

many other varieties and promises to produce well ; holds its fruit well through the sea-
son and seems to stand dry weather better than many other sorts ; foliage, healthy ; a
good grower.

Hatfield (P). A large, handsome berry ; only one or two plants lived ; needs fur
ther trial.

Edgar Queen (P). Berry, medium to large ; quality, fair ; color, red, handsome ;
firm ; fruit stalk, long ; a promising variety.

Captain Jack (S). Berry, firm ; color, bright red ; quality, medium ; form, conical,
resembles the Wilson in shape ; fruit stalk, long ; plants vigorous, but inclined to rust
badly later in the season ; productiveness, only medium ; needs another season's trial.

Some of the plants sent here were wrongly named. Oare should be taken to avoid
this, as it is sure to cause confusion One or two varieties seem to be Crescent under
other names ; one lot labelled Wilson turned out to be Orescent. I received the Hatfield
from two places, and they were different varieties. The one I have sketched is a large
berry, with very healthy foliage. The other is a small berry, of poorer quality, a good
grower, but the foliage is a little inclined to rust ; a great bearer. The fruit somewhat
resembles Crescent, but not so large. If the fruit were large, it would be a decided
acquisition, as it bids fair to outstrip all others in yield. It is a pistillate variety.

Haverland (P). A rampant grower ; healthy foliage ; productive ; withstands
drouth better than any other variety ; one of the best. Its only fault is that it is too
soft when fully ripe to ship well. Everyone who plants for home use should have this
variety. Excellent for dessert.

Miami and Martha are very much alike ; very prolific but too small.

Great Pacific and Shaw. Only one or two plants of each of these pulled through.
Will have to give them further trial.

Daisy is a medium sized berry, smooth, round and handsome, with healthy foliage.
If, on further trial, it produces well, it will be well worthy of cultivation.

Mrs. Cleveland is a rampant grower with healthy foliage, but the berry is to soft for
anything except home use. It is a poor bearer, and may be regarded as a failure. I
would not recommend it.

Governor Hoard, Seneca Queen, Middlefield, Timbrel I, Advocate, Auburn, Florence and
Eureka have nothing so far to recommend them. They will have another season's trial,
however, before being placed on the rejected list. Greenville is little better. Swindle
is appropriately named ; it is simply no use.

There are none among the new varieties tested that equal Crescent for yield, except
perhaps Parker Earle. The latter is decidedly a better shipper. Haverland, though
rather soft for long distance shipments, is one of the best for health and vigor of plant.

From my experience so far, if the old Wilson could be grown as it used to grow
here, and we could prevent the rust by spraying, I would not discard it for any other, as
it is certainly without a rival as a shipping berry.

We cannot go far astray in planting for profit Crescent and Haverland, with Parker
Earle as a pollenizer. These three varieties would no doubt fill the bill. For the home
garden, Crescent, Haverland, Bubach, Saunders, Sharpless (the latter only where the soil
is very strong and rich), and for a sixth, Daisy or Woodruff. These would be a good
selection for canning and dessert.

I must again repeat what I have already said, that the testing of the varieties hav-
ing been made under such disadvantageous conditions this year, nothing conclusive can
be stated against or in favor of most of the varieties mentioned. Another year's trial
may develop qualities in many of these varieties not now apparent. I propose to try the
effect of Bordeaux mixture in preventing rust, blight, etc., as soon as fruiting is over.

G 0. Caston,

Craighurst.

80

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

STRAWBERRTES-

Fruit Stalk : Long or Short ; above foliage or concealed by it.

Size : S, Small ; M, Medium ; L, Large ; Add average length and breadth in inches.

Form : B, Broad ; C, Conical ; D, Depressed ; I, Irregular ; L, Long ; 0, Ovate ; R, Round.

Varieties.

Aroma

Arrow

Afton

America .......

Barton's Eclipse.

Beverly

Bubach

Bederwood . . .

Boynton
Briggs

Bisel ..

Brandywine .

Belle

Beede's No. 1
Beauty

16 'Clyde

17 Cyclone

Cruse's No. 9

Chairs

Charlie

Dr. Arp

Delia K

Enhance

Edgar Queen

Epping

Effie May . . .
Edith

28 Equinox

29 Fremont

30 Gandy .

Greenville.
Glenfield .

Gov. Hoard

Gertrude

Gandy Belle

Haverland

Howard's No. 25 . .

Howard's No. 41.

Hatch ICx.Stn.No.24

Hunt's No. 3

Huntsman

Hanson

Hiawatha

Iowa Beauty ....
Ivanhoe

Jucunda Improved
Jersey Queen

Plant.

Sex.

Origin

Seedling of Cumberland, Kansas.

From Haverland, Wisconsin

Chance seedling, New York
From Great American, Virginia
From Longfellow, Kentucky . . .

From Miner's Prolific, Mass

Mr. J. G. Bubach, 111

Mr. B. Wood, 111

From Crescent x Sharpless, New York

From Chas. Downing, Rhode Island

From Wilson, Illinois

From Glendale & Cumberland, Pa

Mr. Thompson, Va

G. F. Beede, N.H

Unknown

Seedling of Cyclone, Dr. Stayman, Kansas. .

Seedling of Crescent, Mr. Cruse, Kansas

Seedling of Cumberland, Mr. Cruse, Kansas

From Bubach & Sharpless, Maryland

From mixed seed, Mr. Thompson, Va

Mr. Stone, 111

Seedling, Sharpless, E. B. Stevenson, Canada
From Windsor Chief and Sharpless, Mr.
Young, Ohio.

Mr. B. O. Curtis, Illinois

By Geo. D. Dow, N.H

Unknown

Chance seedling, by Mr. Thompson, Va

Seedling, Mt. Vernon, Mr. Thompson, Va. .
Seedling of Belmont, G. F. Beede, N.H. . . .
Cross of Jersey Queen with Glendale

Chance seedling, by Mr. Buechly, Ohio

From Warfield & Glendale, by Dr. Stayman,
Kansas.

By F. W. Loudon, Wis

Chance seedling, C. C. Stone, 111

Unknown

Mr. Haverland, Ohio

| From Haverland & Belmont, Mr. Howard,1

Mass.
From Haverland & Belmont, Mr. Howard

Mass.

From Hatch Ex. Station, Mass

Mr. Hunt, N.J

Mr. Huntsman, Mo

Mr. Stone, 111

From Aroma, by I )r. Stayman, Kan

Mr. C. P. Walworth, Iowa

Seedling of Prince of Berries, by G. W. Trow j

bridge, Ohio.
From Old Jucunda, by A. B. Gerbert, Pa.J
Unknown |

Foliage.

Healthy or liable
to rust.

very healthy

healthy

healthy

healthy

some rust

healthy

very healthy

some rust

healthy

some rust

some rust

healthy

very healthy

very healthy

very healthy

very healthy . ...
very healthy ....

healthy

healthy

healthy

healthy

healthy

healthy

some rust

very healthy .

very healthy

some rust, healthy

some rust, healthy
some rust, healthy
healthy

very healthy

healthy

healthy

healthy

healthy

very healthy

some rust, healthy

healthy

healthy

very healthy

some rust, healthy
some rust, healthy
very healthy . . .

healthy

healthy

some rust, healthy
very healthy

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

81

By E. B. Stevenson, Freeman, Ont.

Color : B, Bright ; C, Crimson ; D, Dark ; L, Light ; R, Red ; S, Scarlet.

Flesh : F, Firm ; S, Soft,

Season : E, Early ; M, Medium L, Late.

Plant.

Berry.

9

10
11
12
13
14
15
IB
17
18
19
20
21
22
23

24
25
26
27

28
29
30

31

32

33

o

«S !,S'

P

Size.

8

10
5
8
6 j

Form

34

8 !

35

8

36

9 !

37

9

38

8

39

7

40

9

41

8 1

42

6

43

10

44

8

45

7

46

8

47

8

5

7
6
8

9

8
6

10

6

6,

8
7

10

6

L

M to L

M

M

M to L
L
L

M

Mto S

L
MtoL
M to L

L

M
M to L
M to L

M

L

M

M

M

L

L

M

M

M

VL

Mto L
M
L

L

M

L
M
L

L

L

L
MtoL
L
M
M
L
M

Color.

Flesh.

RC

C

R

Flavor

(See
Thomas. )

Season.

BS
S
R

VF
F
F

Soft.

good . . ,
good . . ,
good . .
good . .

VF
VF

R

Sto M

BR
DC

fair

very good

L
M
M
EM
M
M to L
M

E

E to M

M

M
M to E

L

M

M

E

E

L
E toM

M

M
M to L
MtoL

M toL

M

M
M toE

VL

M

L

7 C

8 i L
6 F.E.

BC
DR

M
F

F
M
F

| good .... i
very fine

good . . .
fair . . .
good . . .

good . . .

good . . ,

M

S to M
F

DC I M to S

DS
BR

BS
BS

Value.
Scale
1-10.

good . .

fair

good . . .
m to good
medium.,
medium.,
very good
good

F good . .

M good

M
M

M toL
Eto M
E to M

E

M

EtoM

M
M
M
M
M
M
M to L

M
VL

Remarks ,

7
6
8

{'8

A good one.

Not as good as Haverland.

Very like Warfield.

Further trial.

Worth trying.

Does well in some parts.

One of best.

Near.

Distant, a good early.

Same as Crescent.

Can't stand hot, dry weather.

A good market sort.

Worth trial.

A fine one.

Further crial.

Worth a trial.

One of the best market ones.

A good one.

Another trial.

Of little value.

Further trial.

Of little value.

Further trial.

A good one for market, firm,

' Not much good.
Further trial.
Further trial.
Very large berries, somewhat

soft.
Further trial.
Will give another trial.
Shy bearer but good.
Near.

Distant, one of best.
Fine qualify.

Shy bearer, e-ood quality.

Further trial, worth trying.

Another trial.

Near.

Distant, o"^ of best.

Further trial.

Further trial.

Fuither trial.
A good onn.
Another trial.
Not valuable.
A good one.
Fine home berry.
Amateur's berry.

7 Not productive enough.
9 One of best late sorts.

82

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

STRAWBERRIES.

Plant.

Varieties.

Judsonia
Jarabolo

Klickita

Kansas Prolific .

Leader,

Longfield

Lovett's

Magnate

Maple Bank —

Michel's Early

Meek's Early

Muskingum

Mary

Margaret

Marshall

No Name

Northern

Ohio Centennial . . .
Oberholtzer's No. 3
Ona

Parker Earle

Phillips

Princess

Prince of Berries
Princeton Chief. .

Plow City.

Robinson

Rio

Richmond
Southard . .
Saunders .
Sunnyside
Snowball . .

Scarlet ball

Splendid

Stone's Early

Springdale .-.

Tennessee Prolific.

Ttmbrell ....
Van Deman

88 Warfield . . .
8 > Williams . . .
•JO Woolverton

Sex

Origin.

Unknown

Seedling of Mrs. Cleveland, by Dr. Stayman.

Kansas

Chance seedling, by E. W. Cone, Wis

Seedling of Warfield, Dr. Stayman, Kansas.

By late J . B . Campbell, Mass

Seedling of Warfield, Dr. Stayman, Kansas.
From Crescent & Wilson, J. H. N orris, Ky.

From Warfield, by Dr. Stayman,

Seedling of Wilson, parentage by Mr. .

Stevenson, Ont

Chance seedling, thought from Crescent, by

J. G. Michel, Ark ,

Mr . J . A . Meek, Ind

Mr. G . Kearns, Ohio

From Windsor Chief, by H. H. Alley, N.J.
Seedling of Crawford by Mr. Crawford,. Ohio

Chance seedling, Mr. Ewell, Mass

Unknown

Unknown

Unknown

Mr. Oberholtzer, Ohio

From Crescent x Sharpless, Mr. Kilbourne,

Minn

From Crescent x Munson's No. 8, Mr . Nimon,

Texas

From Crescent x Sharpless

By Mr. J. C. Kramer, Minn

From Jersey Queen

Unknown by Mr. Pascharsky, 111

Seedling of Sharpless, C. C. Stone, 111

From Crescent x Chas. Downing by J. G.

Robinson, Kansas

Seedling of Snarpless by Mr. Thompson, Va

Mr . Thompson, Ohio

Chance seedling by Mr. Southard, Ohio. . . .

By Mr. Little, Ont

By Mr. C. S. Pratt, Mass

By Mr. Cone, Wis

Foliage .

Healthy or liable
to rust.

some rust, healthy .

healthy
some rust.

Fruit
stalk.

M

M
M

very healthy | S to M

healthy

very healthy

some rust, healthy,
healthy

some rust, healthy

healthy

healthy

healthy

healthy

healthy

some rust, healthy

healthy

very healthy

healthy

healthy

some rust, healthy

some rust

some rust but h'lthy

healthy

healthy

some rust, healthy .
healthy

Ill

By Mr. Cone, Wis

By Mr. C. H. Summer.

By Mr. Stone, 111

Seedling of Aroma by Dr. Stayman, Ka . . .
From Crescent x Sharpless by J. C. Hodges

Tenn . .

Chance seedling by H. S. Timbrell, N.Y..
From Crescent x Capt . Jack by J . C . Bauer

Ark

From Crescent x Wilson, B.C. Warfield, II
Seedling of Sharpless from Ont.
Mr . J . Little. Ont

healthy .

healthy

healthy .*

healthy

some rust, healthy

healthy

almost burnt up with

rust

healthy

very healthy

healthy . .

very healthy

very healthy
healthy

some rust, healthy!

healthy

some rust, healthy!
healthy I

MtoL
M to L

Mto L
M

M

S to M
M
L

M to L
M

M to L

M
S to M

S

M

M

Mto S
Sto M

M

L

L
MtoL

M toL
S to M

M

M

M

M

M to L
M to L

M
Mto L
M to L

M

M
M

M to L

Sto M
MtoL

FKUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

83

■Concluded.

Plant.

.631 Size-

"73 o

g«2

So

Berry.

81
82

8 1
to 1

83

7

84

8

85

9

86

8

87

10

88

10

89

9

yj

9

Form.

Color.

MtoL

L

MtoL

M

L

Mto L

M to L

MtoL

L

M

L

L

L
VL

L

S
VL
MtoL
M to L

LC

LC
RC

R

R

RC

C

L RC
MtoL R
Mto L

M
M to L

M

M
M

M to L
L

S
M

M to L

M

S

MtoL
MtoL

C

RC
RC

DS
DR
DR

DC

BS

LS

Flesh.

DR
BR
BR

BC
BS

DR

S

M

M
F
M to
F
F
F
F
VF

M

M
M
F
M
F
F

Flavor.

(See
Thomas.)

R

DR

RC

DC

BR

DS

RC

DS

RC

BC

C

L

S

R

BC

DC
DC
DR

F
F
M

M
F
M

F
F
F
F
F
M

F
M
M

L-u3 wrTS

Value.
Scale
1-10.

Season.

good

good

good

good

very good
medium.,
medium.,
very good
good

medium..

medium..

good

fair

good

good . . .
good ....
good ....

good

good ....
fair

medium..

medium.,
good ....

fair

medium.,
fair
good ....

good

medium.,
good ....
very good
medium..

M

F
F

F
M
F

good . . .
medium,
fine . . .
good . .
good . . .

& a

M

M

M
EtoM

E

L

M

M
Mto

E

E
M to L

M

E

M
E to M

E
M to L

M

E

M to L

M
M
M
L
L
M

E
M
M
M
M
M

M
M
E

M

very good YL
very good EE

good

m to poor
good

E to M
M
L

Remarks.

Further trial.

Worth a trial.
Not much value.
Worthy of trial.
Further trial.
A good one.
Only medium.
Worth a trial.
A good one.

Hardly worth growing.

Worthy of a trial.

Good one.

One of the best, 1 year's trial.

Further trial.

Fine amateur berry.

Worth trying.

Not valuable.

A good one .

Worth a trial.

Not worth much.

Hardly worth a trial.

Valuable.
A good one.
A good one.
Not valuable.
Worth a trial.
Worthy of a trial.

A good one.

Worthy a trial.

A fine one.

One of the best.

Small, but worth trying.

Not valuable on account of rust

Further trial.
Further trial.
Worth trying.
Further trial.
A good one.

Well worth trying.
Best extra early.

One of best .

Quite productive.

A good one, all should try it.

84

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

STRAWBERRY NOTES.

Halton Sub-Station.

It is almost impossible to make a report this year. The crop was so badly injured
by a week's hard frost at blooming time, and that followed by a long season of hot, dry
weather, that it was impossible for any variety to do its best. This fact must be kept
in mind in what follows, especially in the illustrations. These are at least one-quarter
smaller than they would have been if they had had a good shower during the time they
were maturing, The cuts are the exact size of berries that grew on the respective vari-
eties this season of 1895. I shall first present six or eight of the best extra early and early
sorts to be followed by eight or ten of the b^st medium varieties, and lastly by the best
late kinds. These are selected out of some 140 of the best named ki ds that are now
before the public ; the simple facts as they presented themselves are given with regard
to each kind now offered to the readers of the Horticulturist. The Clyde did best of
all ; Beder Wood came next. Some of the varieties that bad the flower stems and flowers
frozen, sent up a secondary set, notably the Clyde and B. Wood. Some did not. The
Haverland, Bubach and Van Deman were among those hurt the worst and did not re-
cover, only producing a very few berries. What fruit there was, was small and ill-
shaped ; not typical berries of many of the kinds.

Early Varieties.

Van Deman (S.) One of the earliest, an extra early, is the Van Deman; a seed-
ling of Crescent crossed with Capt. Jack, and it comes from Arkansas. The plant is a free
grower, making a wide matted row, and when allowei to grow too thick rusts some-
what. The season is extra early, a few days before Michel's Early. Size : The fruit
is large and very beautiful, a box of them fairly compelling you to look at them. The
berries look as if varnished and set with golden seeds. They are a grand sight. One of
the good things about them is, the quality is as fine as the look ; they are first
quality, and firm ; and lastly, very productive. The best to fertilize are Haverland,
Warfield, Bubach and other early pistillates. The great danger with the Van Deman is
it is often caught by the frost it is so early to bloom and fruit. This is the fcurth year
of fruiting.

Michel's Early (S ) A chance seedling thought to be from Crescent by J. T. Michel
of Arkansas. The plant is a wonderfully vigorous grower, making plants by the million.

Van Dbman

Michel's Early.

Margaret.

The season is very early, only a few days after the Van Deman. The size of fruit is
small to medium ; the quality is fair ar-d medium in firmness. The great fault with it is
it lacks in productiveness. If you could secure $1 per box they might pay, and yet in
some soils and sections of the country it is said Michel's is more lhan average in pro-
ductiveness ; but where there is one favourable report there are more than nineteen un-
favorable. It is not anything like as profitable as Van Deman or Beder Wood. Fourth
year of fruiting.

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

85

Margaret (P.) This is a seedling of the Crawford, by Mr. Crawford, the strawberry-
king of Ohio. The plant is a strong grower, healthy, and making runnets freely. The
season is very early. Size of fruit is large and fine looking ; quality, good ; color,
crimson ; firmness, medium, and productiveness fair. This was the first season it fruited
here, and as it was one of the most unfavorable seasons. I would like to make further
trial before pronouncing on it, but it is very promising. It has not been introduced yet.

Stone's Early (P.) This is a seedling by Mr. Stone of Illinois. The frost and hot,
dry weather succeeding was very hard on this variety. The plant is a healthy one,
growing freely ; the season is early ; the size of the fruit was small this season, but that

Stone's Early.

Beder Wood or Recaster.

Rio.

may have been owing to the dry spell just as it should have been at its best ; the qual-
ity is fine ; color, scarlet ; it was not very productive ; this was the first season it fruited
here ; must wait for further trial before deciding as to its merits.

Beder Wood (S.) or Recaster. A seedling by Mr. B. Wood, of Moline, Illinois.
The plant is a good grower, making a wide row. It rusts somewhat when too thick.
The season is early, among the earliest ; the size of berry is medium to large. One fault
it has, some of the berries do not ripen evenly, having a white underside. It is very rich
in pollen and so a good fertilizer ; the quality is only medium ; firmness, medium ; pro-
ductiveness very good, in fact it is one of the most productive of all, certainly the most
productive early variety. It was among the best this dry year. Fourth year of fruiting.

Clyde.

Cyolo>:e.

Bio (S.J This is a seedling of Sharpless, grown by Mr. Thompson, of Virginia.
The plant is a good healthy grower, making a good wide row. The season is second
early here this year. Size of berry is above medium j bright red color ; quality is good ;
medium in firmnesss. It is productive. This is first year of trial ; must give it further
trial j but I am very favorably impressed with it, and think it very promising.

86

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

Clyde (S.) This is a seedling of the Cyclone grown by Dr. Stay man, of Kansas. The
plant of the Clyde is perfect in every respect ; it is very healthy and vigorous, not a spot of
rust or trace of disease on it. It resembles its parent and the Haverland, but is stronger
and more vigorous than either of them. The season is second early, continuing a long
time. Size : it is large, no small berries ; quality is good, and it is very firm ; a bright
dark scarlet in color, and one of the most productive. This season it stood far and
away at the head, showing that it is a dry season berry ; the strong plant with its
roots going down so deeply, enables it to stand a dry time better than many others.
I consider it one of the best, if not the best, general purpose berry that is now
offered ; have fruited it three seasons. I would advise all berry growers to plant some
Clyde. The following is Michigan Experiment Station report of it : " Out of ten
points: Productiveness, 9.8; quality, 8.5 ; firmness, 9.2. One of most promising."

Cyclone (S.) This is a seedling of Crescent-Cumberland, grown by Mr. Cruse, of
Kansas. The plant is a strong, healthy, vigorous grower ; no rust or disease ; season,
early ; size, medium. The quality is good ; glossy red ; firmness medium, and very
productive ; a good one to plant with Haverland or Bubach, as it is a very early bloomer
and continues a long time in bloom. It does not stand the dry weather as well as the
Clyde, nor is the fruit as large ; still it is a good one to plant for early.

Mid-season Varieties.

In this paper I will give a list of the best varieties, the fruiting of which will be
found to be mid season.

In making these outlines typical berries are used, not monstrosities, but berries that
would give a good idea of the general shape of the variety. I might have got larger
specimens of all the varieties, but they would not have been types of the variety.

Haverland.

Bubach 5.

Haverland (P). A variety originating in Ohio. This is one to grow enthusiastic
over. It is one of the best, if not the best of all ; when one sees the ground covered
entirely with fruit, from the first of the season to the very end of it, the originator
may well be proud of it. It is magnificent in its foliage ; most numerous in number of
runners and enormous in quantity of fruit. The fruit is large to very large. Its only
fault is that it is somewhat soft; of fair quality. It is certainly a berry for the home
garden and near market. Perhaps not suited for long distance shipment. Color, rather

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

87

light. As a producer of fine large berries, nothing else with us equals it. It gives large
fruit to the end of the season, and is one of the first ripe.

Bubach (P). Originating in Illinois. Here is another grand standby. The foliage
is all anyone could wish for, both in thrift and color and health ; not a trace of rust ; it
makes runners fast enough for a grand row to fruit. The fruit is remarkable for its size
and fine color. We place it among the productive ones. Fruit enormously large and
very showy ; good quality ; sweet. It is perhaps the very best for the home grower, and
near market, always selling and bringing good prices when the market is glutted with
Crescent artrl other trash.

Bubach 5. Warfikld. Anna Forrest.

Warfleld No. 2 (P). Originated in Illinois. This is a wonderfully strong grower
and great producer of plants. It resembles the Michel's Early in this respect, making
almost too many runners. It is very productive, we place it along with the Haverland
in productiveness Fruit, medium to large in nze, is one of the firmest in the berry —
equal to the old Wilson in this respect. fl Quality good ; color, a fine rich dark. The-

Dayton. Princess. Greenville.

berries are all perfect in shape, regular, no ill-shaped ones, and of a fine rich, dark color.
It is one of the best, if not the best, for long shipment — carrying in good condition the
longest distance to market.

Anna Forrest. Foliage, large and healthy. The fruit is large, somewhat irregular j
sweet and pleasant. It is a free runner j only moderately productive. The fruit colors
up something like Sharpless. Altogether, with us it is now a promising variety, and we
have decided to discard it. So many better ones.

88

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

Dayton (S). Originated in Ohio. This is a strong healthy grower, making many
runners ; plant very healthy. The fruit is large, light in color, not very firm and only
moderately productive. We have planted it two seasons, in doubt about it, but have
decided to discard it ; there are so many better that we have no doubt about.

Princess (P). Originated in Minnesota. This is a good strong grower ; plant very
healthy and making plenty of runners. The fruit is large in size, good shape, fine to look
at, rather soft, not very productive. We are giving it a further trial. There are some
parts where it seems to produce large crops of the finest berries.

Grenville (P). Originated in Ohio. Here we have another grand berry, about which
there is no doubt at all in anyone's mind, but all pronounce it at once of the first class.
We place it alongside Bubach, if not in front. It very much resembles Bubach in color
of plant, but it is a free grower, making many more plants ; it is more productive. The
fruit is not quite so large ; about the same in firmness. It certainly is one of the best
for the home grower or near market. No one can go wrong in planting largely of the
Grenville.

Marshall.

Maple Bank.

Leader (S).

Marshall (S). Originated in Massachusetts. The plant of the Marshall is very
large, stools somewhat before sending out runners ; rusts somewhat, plant though is vigo-
rous. The fruit is large dark-red, good shape and fine quality ; productive. One of the
best to grow for show berries. Have fruited it only one season. Will be better able
to decide its merits after further trial.

Maple Bank (P). Originated in Ontario. A strong healthy grower, good runner »
making wide matted row. The fruit is large, rich, dark crimson and very firm. The
shape is good. It is one of the finest and thus should be a good shipper. If it grows to
be as good in other places as with us it will take a first place. It is being tested at
several places north, south, east and west before being offered to the public.

Leader (S). This berry comes from Massachusetts, grown by the late J. C. Camp-
bell. It has done no better here than last year ; not a very vigorous grower; some rust ;
the season is medium ; the size this year only medium owing no doubt to the dry weather ;
quality the very best, and first in firmness ; medium in productiveness ; it has been very
much injured by the frost the past two seasons in blooming time. I shall give it another
trial, for I hear many good reports of the Leader. Second year of fruiting.

Saunders (S). This is a Canadian berry, a seedling by Mr. Little, of Ontario. It
is a very vigorous grower, makes a wide matted row ; it rusts some if allowed to grow too
thickly ; it is a late bloomer and so often escapes the frost, but it is medium in fruiting ;
the size of the berry is large j the quality of the fruit is first-class and a firm berry ; will
carry to distant points and very productive ; not as well known as the Williams but

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

89

altogether a better sort in every respect ; it is rich in pollen and so a good one to plant
with pistillate kinds. It is a beautiful shape and fine color, coloring all over at same
time'; it is a grand and beautiful berry. Fifth year of fruiting.

Saunders (S).

Tennessee Prolific (S).

Mary (P).

Tennessee Prolific (S.) This is a seedling of the Crescent and Sharpless, it follows
the Crescent in productiveness and the Sharpless in size. The plant is a vigorous,
healthy grower, making a fine stand of plants. The season of fruit is early medium ; size,
large ; quality, good ; and medium in firmness and very productive. The reports are all
good of the Tennessee Prolific, no variety has so soon become popular over such a wide
extent. To keep up with the procession of the best varieties a grower must have the
Tennessee Prolific. It is a grand staminate. Third year of fruiting.

Mary (P.) A seedling of Windsor Chief from New Jersey. The plant is a strong,
vigorous grower and quite healthy, the season of fruiting is medium to late, this was one
of the least injured by the severe frost last spring at blooming time. The size is of the
largest ;• the quality fair and firm ; is very productive, one of the most productive on the
place this year, which would indicate it can stand the dry weather as well as severe
frost. The color is dark red. I consider it a very hardy variety. It is among the
largest of the varieties now before the public. First year of fruiting.

Enhance (S).

Bisel (P).

Brandy wine (S).

Enhance (S.) A seedling of Windsor Cbief and Sharpless from Ohio by H. Young.
A strong, vigorous grower and healthy ; season of fruit medium, size, large, sometimes
irregular. Dark red in color. Quality fair, somewhat sour. One of the firmest and
quite productive ; one of the richest in pollen, and so one of the best to plant with
pistillates. It is a market berry, rather than a table variety. Pistillates planted with
the Enhance always bear a good crop of well fertilized, fine shaped berries. Fourth year
of fruiting.

90

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

Bisel (P.) A seedling of the Wilson from Illinois, by D. L. Bisel. It resembles
the Wilson, but is larger. A very vigorous grower, making a wide, matted row ; has
some rust. Season of fruit, medium to late. Quality, good. Medium in firmness and
very productive. A variety well worth trying by growers for market. It is being very
largely planted in Illinois, and is said to be in great demand in the Chicago market.
First year of fruiting.

Brandywine (S.) Thought to be a cross of Glendale and Cumberland, from Penn-
sylvania. A strong, vigorous grower, making a fine row ; quite healthy. Season of
fruit, medium to quite late. Size of fruit, large ; quality, good, and firmness, medium j
color, dark scarlet. It is well spoken of. It seems from the reports of it to succeed on
any soil. It did well here the past season. First year of fruiting.

Longfield P. A seedling of Warfield from Kansas by Dr. Stayman. A vigorous
grower like its parent. Very healthy foliage, makes lots of runners ; season of fruiting,
medium to late; size of fruit, medium to large, regular shape, no misshaped berries; is of
good quality and very productive ; a rich dark color ; above medium in firmness ; fruit,
long and pointed ; should think it would carry well, there are few blanks. Three years
of fruiting.

" Stevenson's Seedlings."

Longfield (P).

Stevenson Seedling (No. 7)

Stevenson's (59).

I enclose you outlines of three seedlings of my own, they are promising I only had
one plant of each one year from seed, but they are sending out many runners. So I have
quite a lot of each for further testing, they are as follows : —

Stevenson's (Della K). Aroma (S). Timbbrell (P).

No. 7. Good healthy vigorous grower ; season, medium ; size, large ; quality, good ;
quite firm, and above medium in productiveness ; color, red, flesh red all through.

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO

91

No. 59. Fine healthy grower; season, early to medium; size, large ; quality, good
and firm ; productiveness, good. This is a seedling of Howard's No. 41 crossed with
Howard's No.*25, both these Howard seedlings all from Haverland crossed with Belmont.

Delia K. This is a seedling of Sharpless by Mr. Stevenson of Ontario. Good strong
grower ; season, early to medium ; size, large ; quality, good and firm ; productiveness,
very good. % This is a very promising variety, it is as large as its parent the Sharpless, it
colors up better than the Sharpless and very much more productive.

Aroma (S.) A seedling of Cumberland from Kansas by E. W. Oruse. A good vigorous
grower ; no rust ; season of fruit, late ; size of berry, large ; fine quality ; quite firm,
very good color, a good looking berry and fairly productive, keeps its size well to the last
picking ; a good pollenizer for large, late pistillates. It seems to do well in all soils
and climates, good reports come from all quarters of the Aroma, the plant is strong and
very healthy. Third year of fruiting.

Timbrell (P.) A chance seedling from New York by H. S. Timbrell. The plant is a
clean, healthy, vigorous grower, no rust whatever, so far. The season of fruiting is late to
very late ; I picked Timbrell on July 24th, 1895, fine beautiful berries. The size is medium
to large ; the quality is of the very best and quite firm, will carry well to market and
is very productive. The only thing any one could have against the Timbrell here is its
color ; it is mottled, red, pink and white, but the fine flavor of the berry makes up for the
color. It is a fine berry, seems to stand the frost well. Second year of fruiting.

WOOLVERTON (CJ)

Muskingum (S).

Parker Earle (S).

Equinox (S).

Woolvtrton (S.) A seedling by Mr. Little of Ontario. The plant is large, strong
and healthy, stands the hot, dry weather with the best, the season of fruit is late ; size of
berry, one of the largest ; quality, fair ; color, dark crimson, it is firm for so large a berry,
and productive. Although the berry is among the late ones in ripening, it is one of
the first to bloom, it is rich in pollen and so one of the very best to plant with the large
pistillates ; the flesh is white. It is one of the best among the staminates. Fourth year
of fruiting.

Muskingum (S.) A seedling from Ohio by G. Kearns The plant is a good healthy
grower, the season of fruit is late ; size of berry, medium to large ; quality is good ; it is
firm and medium in productiveness, it is a very fair variety, it did not do as well this
year as in 1894 the frost hurt it very much this year. Second year of fruiting.

Parker Earle (S ) A seedling from Texas, from the Orescent crossed with Munson's
No. eight, by J Nimond. The plant makes very few runners, rusts somewhat, the plant
stools out ; the season is late ; the size of berry is small to medium ; the quality is fair,
and the berry is firm ; it is very productive, the plant is not able to mature the great
mass of fruit it sets, if it were in a deep rich and moist soil it might do so, but in the
soil here it is not worth growing. I have seen the berries just dry up before coloring

92

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

then in such hot, dry weather the berries are small and sour, unless under above con-
ditions of soil I would not advise any one to plant largely of Parker Earle. Fourth year
of fruiting.

Equinox (S.) A seedling of Mount Yernon, by M. T. Thompson, Ya. The plant is
a good strong grower, healthy, little or no rust ; season of fruiting, very late ; size of
berry, medium to large ; quality, good ; color, crimson ; the berry is quite firm, and the
plant is very productive, in fact one of the most productive I had. I expect to hear very
good accounts of the Equinox in the future. First year of fruiting.

Gandy (S).

Maple Bank (P).

Jersey Queen ( P).

Gandy (S ) A seedling of Jersey Queen and Glendale. The plant is strong and
vigorous grower, quite healthy ; season of fruit is late ; size of berry, medium to large ;
quality of fruit is good ; a good looking and shapely berry ; color, dark crimson ; roundish
conical, a very firm berry but a shy bearer, this is its great fault, it gives one grand pick-
ing then is done. Third year of fruiting.

0/

Belle (S).

* »>\

Some shapes of the Belle.

Jersey Queen (P.) The plant is very healthy, a fair grower, of beautiful green
foliage, very often as fresh and green after fruiting as before. The season of fruit is very
late, has been the standard late berry for some years ; size of fruit, large to very large of
fine glossy appearance that brings the highest price in the market ; it makes a better
growth of plants the second year than the first. The berry is firm, and good quality ;
medium in productiveness. I consider it valuable, as it extends the fruiting season
sometimes a week or more. Sixth year of fruiting.

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO. 93

Maple Bank (P.) A seedling by Wm. Stevenson, of Guelph, Ont., thought to be a
cross of Orescent and Wilson. The plant is a strong, vigorous grower, making wide
matted row. Season medium to late ; size of berry, large ; quality, best ; very firm and
productive. Third year of fruiting.

Belle or Crawford's, 51 (P.) A seedling of unknown parentage, by M. T. Thompson,
of Virginia. The plant is a strong grower, and healthy. Season of fruit very late, none
ripe on 4th July when other kinds were almost over fruiting. Size of berry, large, long,
and often irregular ; some fan shaped ; quality of fruit is good, and berry is firm, and
plant quite productive. Second year of fruiting.

The above have done the best this year ; but there are other varieties, that under
other conditions would be quite as profitable as many of the above. This has been a very
exceptional year in strawberry growing, from two causes : first, the week of hard frost
in blooming time, and then the very hot and dry season when the fruit was maturing.
So it would be hardly fair to take the results of this year as a criterion of what the
various varieties are able to do. Some of the kinds that in an average year are among
the best, this year were caught at a most critical time in their blooming and did not
recover. Some of the kinds sent up a full second set of fruit stalks, notably among these
was the Clyde. I think this is the coming variety for Ontario as a market berry.

i have the report of thirty strawberry experts as to the five best sorts for market
purposes. These men are scattered over the United States and Canada. Twenty of
them named Bubach, fifteen of them named Warfield, thirteen named Haverland, eleven
named Lovett, ten Parker Earle, nine Crescent, seven Greenville, six Timbrell, four
Gandy, three Van Deman, three Saunders, these seeming to be the most popular sorts
that have been generally disseminated. Therefore, one commencing to grow for market
could not go far wrong if he planted the five which received the most votes, viz., Bubach,
Warfield, Haverland, Lovett and Parker Earle.

I should place Woolverton and Saunders before Lovett, and Greenville in place of
Parker Earle, and I should put Clyde among the first three, but of course Clyde was not
grown by any of the thirty voting on the five best market sorts, as it is only offered for
sale for the first time tbis fall, although I have fruited it for three seasons.

Some growers make little or no distinction between the kinds intended for market
and those for the table. I think this distinction should be made, because it is very
seldom that the finest flavored varieties will produce the most boxes or get to market in
the best condition.

The variety that is best for the table may be of poor color (i.e., Timbrell) and a light
yield er (i.e., Gillespie) or poor in firmness.

The majority of those who buy in the market want size first of all, then color and
freshness of look, and are not at all particular as to the flavor or quality, perhaps never
tasting a single berry, but buying by the eye alone, while for some people looks go for
very little and they want quality alone. Quite a number of varieties that stand high
in quality of fruit, and are the very best for the table, cannot be got to market in good
shape and so should not be marked high as a market variety except it may be for a very
near market.

It may be of benefit to those who have not grown any great number of the later
varieties to give a list pointing out the different points in which they excel, as follows :

Early Sorts : Van Deman, Margaret, Michel's Early, Rio, Stone's Early, Beder
Wood, Clyde, Cyclone, Haverland, Crescent, Meek's Early, Dayton.

Mid-Season :■ Bubach, Warfield, Greenville, Leader, Saunder's, Tennessee Prolific,
Mary, Enhance, Bisel, Brandy wine, Lovett, Williams, Longfield.

Late : Aroma, Timbrell, Woolverton, Muskingum, Gandy, Parker Earle, Equinox,
Jersey Queen, Maple Bank, Belle, and others.

Quality : Iowa Beauty, Brunette, Leader, Van Deman, Banquet, Timbrell, Jessie,
Gillespie, Auburn, Saunders.

Size Large : Aroma, Bubach, Brandy wine, Belle, Briggs, Clyde, Dew, Enhance
Greenville, Saunders, Maple Bank, Haverland, Edith (largest), Gandy, Wm. Belt, Mary

94

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

Howard's No. 41, Jucunda Improved, Woolverton, Jessie, Jersey Queen, Muskingum,
Marshall, Ohio Centennial, Van Deman, Timbrell, Eureka, Hunt's No. 3.

Market Sorts : Clyde, Saunders, Bubach, Haverland, Greenville, Van Deman, War-
field, Aroma, Brandywine, Longfield, Cyclone, Robinson, Tennessee Prolific, Lovett,
Mary, Beder Wood, Enhance, Williams.

There are other varieties that have good qualities worthy of trial. Some that have
not been fully tested as yet and so are not placed in the lists of the varieties that after
full trial have secured recognition over a wide extent.

Below is a list of kinds having many good points, some of them not fully tested :
Phillips, Beverley, Magnate, Barton's Eclipse, Afton, Gertrude, Howard's No. 25,
Hiawatha, Jurabolo, Kansas Prolific, Princess, Smith's, Sunnyside, Scarlet Ball, Spring-
dale, Huntsman, Splendid, Thompson's No. 40, Gandy Bell, Vera, Plow City, Beauty,
Richmond, Hutch Experiment Station 24, Effie May, Charlie, Ivanhoe, Epping, Jud-
sonia, Oberholtzer, America, Snowball.

The following are of little merit and I have decided they are not worth growing :
Anna Forrest, Auburn, Dayton, Dew, Edward's Favorite, Eureka, Farnsworth,
Gillespie, Accomac, Bessie, Stevens, Westbrook, Alabama, Clark's E. Middlefield, Mrs.
Cleveland, Prize, Martha, Crimson Cluster, Beebe, Parker Earle, Price, Lady Rusk,
Swindle, Regina, E. P. Roe, Idaho, Parnell, Standard, Belle of Lacrosse, Primate, Gen.
Putnam, Alpine, Hull's No. 6., Hull's No. 8, Jessie, Kossuth, Stone's No. 7, and No. 16,
also No. 15, Shuster's Gem.

I have the following new varieties to fruit in 1896 for the first time :

Varieties.

Sex.

Varieties.

Sex.

I

Varieties.

Sex.

Apache

Aug Nicaise

Allen

S
S

S
P

s
s

Reihl's No. 5

P

Glen Mary

Giant

Shawull

Sharpless Improved

Sunrise

Triomphe de Gand

Tubbs

SP

s

Allen's No. 6

P

P
P

S
P

S

Hersey

Homestead

p

Allen's No. 13

s

Avery's Seedling

Black Prince

Hull's No. 3

s
s
s
p

p

s
s
s
s
p
s
s
s
s
p
s
s

H. W. Beecher

Thompson's No. 40

Thompson's 104

p

Howard's 50L

Howard's 23

Victor Hugo

West Lawn

s

Beede's No. 2 . .

Holland

p

s
s
s
s
s
s
p
s
p
s
s
s

p

Laxton's No. 1

Yahoo

Zulu

s

Lady Thompson

Leviathan

Lady Franklin

s

Huntsman

Buster

Onward

Dora

SP

s

Champion of England

Lord Sheffield ....

s

p

Paris King

Sargeant

Howard's No. 6

s

Pet .

p

Erie

Pine Hill No. 20

Roser

Hunn

p

Reihl's No. 6

My report would be incomplete without mentioning the seedlings in the trial plots.
One plot is Howard's No. 41, crossed with Marshall and Brandywine. Another plot is
Timbrell, crossed with Brandywine and Mar3b.aH. Another plot is Marshall seedlings.
I have another plot, Howard's No, 41, crossed with Howard's No. 25 and other seedlings;
both these seedlings are from Haverland, crossed with Belmont. Amongst the above seed-
lings are some very fine, strong, healthy plants, giving promise for the future ; very
vigorous. The size of the fruit is often indicated by the size of the leaf. If this holds
good I shall have some large ones among them. Hoping that we may have a more favor-
able season for strawberries in 1896 I will close.

E. B. Stevenson,

Freeman.

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO. 95

BURLINGTON STATION.— A. W. PEART, FREEMAN, EXPERIMENTER.

Notes on Varieties of Fruits Tested Previous to 1895.

Apples.

American Golden Russet. The trees are healthy, hardy and vigorous, but not very
productive.

Baldwin. One of our most popular varieties. Tree healthy, medium vigor, hardy
enough for all practical purposes, and very productive.

Cranberry Pippin. Tree healthy, very vigorous and hardy. Oomes into bearing
late, but when it commences is productive and a good shipper.

Early Harvest. Tree healthy, vigorous and productive, but fruit somewhat subject
to scab. This year, however, it was clean and of fine quality.

Esopus Spitzenburg. Tree medium vigor, medium hardiness, and not sufficiently
productive to be profitable,

Fameuse. Vigorous, hardy and productive, but of late years liable to spot.

Greening. Tree vigorous, hardy and very productive. One of our most profitable.

Holland Pippin. Tree healthy, hardy, vigorous, and fairly productive, but no
longer profitable on account of the spot.

King. Tree healthy, hardy and vigorous. Requires age to be productive. Should
have a place in a commercial list for planting on account of its great value for dessert,
cooking and market purposes.

Northern Spy. Tree healthy, hardy and vigorous. Late in bearing, but then pro-
ductive. The fruit of late years has been somewhat affected with the spot.

Ribston Pippin. Tree medium vigor, healthy, hardy and very productive. Our
best and most profitable fall apple.

Red Astrachan. Tree vigorous, hardy and productive. The fruit some seasons is
injured by the spot.

Roxbury Russet. Tree vigorous, hardy and medium productive. The fruit cannot
rank with the Baldwin or Greening for profit.

I have also the following varieties of apples, which have scarcely reached bearing
age : Duchess of Oldenburg, Gravenstein, Hawthornden, Longfield, Pewaukee, St. Law-
rence, Tolman Sweet, Wagener and Wealthy.

Pears.

Anjou. Tree vigorous, healthy, hardy and fairly productive. Fruit large and
excellent, but drops from the trees too easily. A most valuable variety for market.
Season, November to January.

Belle Lucrative. Tree medium vigor, hardy and moderately productive. Fruit
medium and of fine quality. Season, September.

Bartlett. The most extensively grown of any variety in this district. Tree medium
vigour and hardiness, and very productive. Fruit large and most excellent. Season,
early September.

Clapp's Favorite. Tree very vigorous, hardy and productive. Fruit large, quality
fine Season, late August.

Duchess D' Angouleme. As a dwarf this pear has of late years been very extensively
planted. Tree very vigorous, hardy and productive. Fruit large and excellent. Season,
October to November.

96 FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

Flemish Beauty. Tree vigorous, hardy and productive ; but of late years the fruit
has been almost unsalable through the ravages of the scab. Season, September.

I have also the Duchess, as a standard ; the Kieffer, a rank, vigorous grower, and
the Sheldon ; but the trees are young, and have had but little fruit on as yet.

Plums.

Bradshaw. Tree vigorous, healthy and hardy, but only moderately productive. An
upright grower. Fruit large, reddish purple. One of our earliest plums, and commands
a high price. Season, August.

Lombard. Probably our most profitable plum. Tree spreading and a vigorous
grower when young ; hardy and very productive. Fruit medium, violet red. Season,
early September.

Native Blue. Fifteen or twenty years ago quite extensively grown, but they were
swept away by the black knot. Tree vigorous, hardy and productive. Fruit medium,
dark blue. Season, September.

Reine Claude. A new and very promising plum in this district. Tree vigorous,
hardy and productive. Fruit medium, roundish, greenish-yellow, rich and sweet. Season,
September to October.

Seedling No. 1. Known here as Ireland's Seedling. Tree a moderate grower, hardy
and productive. Fruit medium to large, roundish-oval, reddish-purple with a rich bloom.
One of our best plums for dessert, cooking and market. A very small and free stone.
Season, August.

Seedling No, 2. Tree vigorous, hardy and productive. Fruit medium, long-oval,
bluish-purple. A good cooking and market plum. Season, early September.

Seedling No. 3. Tree a moderate grower, hardy and moderately productive. Fruit
medium, oval, yellow. Season, Early September,

In addition, I have these varieties, planted in 1892 — they have grown well, but have
not as yet fruited much : — Abundance, Coe's Golden Drop, General Hand, German
Prune Glass' Seedling, Gueii, Imperial Gage, Italian Prune, Marianna, Monroe Egg
Niagara, Ogan, Prunus Pissardi, Prunus Simonii, Purple Egg (Hudson River), Purple
Egg, Shipper's Pride, Smith's Orleans, Staunton, Washington, Yellow Egg, Yellow
Gage.

Grapes.

Agawam (Roger 15). Vine, a vigorous grower, but not very productive, and liable
to mildew. Bunch, medium to large. Berry, red, large, thick skin. Season, September.

Brighton. Vine, vigorous and productive, but somewhat subject to mildew. Bunch,
large and shouldered. Berry, purplish-red, medium, and excellent in quality. Season,
September.

Champion. Vine, very vigorous, hardy and productive. Bunch, medium to large.
Berry, medium, black, and of poor quality. Season, August.

Concord. The most generally grown here of any variety, and probably our most
profitable grape. Vine, vigorous, hardy, healthy, and very productive. Bunch, large.
Berry, medium to large, black. Season, September.

Delaware. Vine, short-jointed, light, but healthy grower, hardy and an abundant
bearer, but unprofitable commercially. " They don't fill up." Bunch, small. Berry,
small, red. Season, September.

El Dorado. A new grape here, and not very promising. Vine, moderately vigor-
ous, and only fairly productive. Bunch, medium. Berry, medium, white. Season,
September.

Eaton. A new black grape here. Vine, vigorous and healthy, but, as yet, ( three
years old,) unproductive.

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO. 97

Jessica. Vine, a moderate grower, healthy, hardy and productive, but, like the
Delaware, unprofitable. Bunch, small. Berry, small, white, quality fine. Season, Sep-
tember.

Lady. Vine, medium vigor, hardy and only fairly productive. Bunch, medium.
Berry, medium, white. Season, early September.

Lindley {Roger 9). One of our best red grapes. Vine, vigorous, hardy and pro-
ductive. Bunch, large. Berry, medium to large, quality excellent. None better for
market as well as dessert. Season, early September.

Moore's Diamond. A new and most promising white grape. Vine, vigorous, hardy
and very productive. Bunch, large, shouldered. Berry, large. Season, early September.

Moore's Early. Vine, light grower, hardy and only moderately productive. Bunch,
medium. Berry, large, black. Season, August and early September.

Moyer. Vine, a matty, short-jointed, healthy grower, hardy and productive. Bunch,
small. Berry, small, red. Very early. Season, August.

Niagara. Vine, very vigorous and productive, but somewhat tender, and should
have winter protection. Bunch, large. Berry, large, quality only fair. Season, Sep-
tember.

Vergennes. A promising red grape for this locality. Vine, vigorous, hardy and
very productive. Bunch, large. Berry, large. Season, September and October.

Wilder (Roger 4)- Vine, vigorous, somewhat tender, and moderately productive.
Bunch, large. Berry, large. Season, September.

Worden. One of our most profitable black grapes. Vine, vigorous, hardy and very
productive. Bunch, large. Berry large, quality excellent. Season, early September.

Wyoming Red. This red grape promises to be valuable for market purposes. Vine,
a fair grower, hardy, healthy and very productive. Bunch, small to medium. Berry,
medium, quality only fair. Season, August and September, same as Moore's Early.

Raspberries.

Brandywine. Oane, stocky, hardy and productive. Berry, medium to large, red,
firm, quality rather inferior.

Cuthbert. Cane, vigorous, hardy, and very productive. An upright grower. Berry,
large, bright red, firm, of good quality. Season, medium to late.

Highland Hardy. Oane, healthy, hardy and fairly productive. Berry, small to
medium, red, quality inferior. Season, early.

Marlboro'. Cane, healthy, hardy and productive. Berry, large, firm, red, and only
fair in quality. A valuable variety here for market. Season, early.

Turner. Cane, healthy, hardy and productive. Berry, red, medium, soft, quality
excellent. Season, medium.

Blackberries.

Snyder. Cane, healthy, hardy, and very productive. Berry, medium, firm, quality
good. Season, medium.

Lawton. Oane, a strong grower, and very productive, but requires winter protection
here. Berry, large, somewhat soft, quality excellent.

I also planted for testing, during the spring of 1895, the following varieties. The
soil is a rich gravelly loam, underdrained, damp, but not wet :

Raspberries. All Summer, Columbia, Eureka, Hiiborn, Golden Queen, Kansas,
Palmer, Progress, Reliance, Shaffer's Colossal, Thompson's Early.

7 F.E.

98 FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

Blackberries. Agawpm, Child's Tree, Early Cluster, Early Harvest, Erie, Ganior,
Kittatinny, Lovett's Best, Maxwell, Ohmer, Stone's Hardy, Taylor's Prolific, Western
Triumph, Wachusetts.

Of these varieties, Columbia and Shaffer's Colossal have made a very vigorous
growth Kansas and Hilborn also a strong growth, while the other varieties have made
a growth from medium to strong. All are in a healthy condition, notwithstanding the
drouth and extremes of temperature.

In addition to the above I received a few other varieties for planting, but owing to
their late arrival and other unfavorable conditions, they entirely failed to grow.

Currants.

In the spring of 1895 I planted one thousand currant bushes, consisting of the fol-
lowing varieties : Cherry, Fay's Prolific Versailles, Raby Castle, Victoria, White Grape,
Naples and Champion. They have made a good growth and are thrifty and healthy.

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

99

CATALOGUE OF FRUITS FOR THE USE OF PLANTERS.

APPLES.

Varieties tested.

Tree.

Season.
(Month of use.)

Bay of Quinte Station.

Albury

Alexander

American Golden Russet . .

Bailey Sweet

Baldwin

Beauty of Kent

Ben Davis

Benoui

Blenheim Pippin ,

Bonum ....

Cabashea .

Canada Red ,

Duchess

Fallawater .

Fameuse

Fall Queen ( Haas) ,

Grand Sultan ,

Hastings ,

Hawthornden (new)

Hawthorden (old)

Highland Beauty

Horn

Hurlbut

Jonathan

Lady

La Rue

Lord Burleigh ,

Lord Suffield

Margil

Mountain Beet

Mountain Tulip

Northern Spy

Northfield Beauty

Mother

Ontario

Pomme Grise

Rawle's Janet

.*>£

Simcoe Station.

Alexander

Astracan, Red

Baxter or La Rue . .

Ben Davis

Colvert

Duchess.

Fameuse

Fall Queen (Haas)

Gideon

Grime's Golden

Hurlbut

King of Tompkins

Maiden's Blush

Mann

Northern Spy

Pewaukee

R. I. Greening

Aug. -Sept
Aug. -Oct .
Jan. -May
Nov.-Mar .
Jan-Mar . .
Oct. -Nov .
Mar. -May
July-Sept .
Nov.-Mar .
Dec. -Feb .
Dec -Feb .
Dec. -Mar .
Aug. -Sept.
Jan. -Mar .
Sept.- Dec .
Sept.-Nov
Aug. -Sept
Jan.-Feb .
Oct. -Dec .
Sept.-Nov
Jan. -Mar .
Dec. -Mar .
Dec. -Feb .
oec.-Mar .
Jan. -Mar
Oct. -Dec . .
Jan. -May .
Aug. -Sept
Nov. -Jan .
Sept. -Oct
Sept. -Oct .
Jan. -Mar .
September
Nov. -Jan .
Jan. -Mar .
Nov. -Jan .
Feb.- June.

Oct.-
Aug.
Oct.-
Oct.-
Oct.-
Aug.
Oct.-
Oct.-
Oct.-
Oct.
Oct.-
Oct.-
Oct.-
Jan.
Oct.
Oct-
Oct.-

Dec

-Sept....

Feb

June

Jan

-Sept....

Jan

Feb

Dec ....

Mar

Mar

Mar . . .
Dec ....
April .
May .. .

Mar

May

a <D \ O JD

am go?

10 | 6

10

10

8

7

10 I
10 10

10

Fruit.

Quality,

Scale 1-10.

4J

. be

CO

M C

02

Q.rt

a>

o

M

O

6

6

4

9

8

8

4

8

4

6

4

6

4

6

10

8

6

7

8

8

2

6

6

8

6

9

6

8

10

8

5

6

5

8

8

7

7

7

5

7

9

7

8

7

8

8

10

7

9

7

8

10

4

7

10

8

6

6

6

6

9

9

9

8

10

8

9

9

9

8

5

4

5

10

8

8

4

9

2

4

5

9

6

10

10

8

4

7

8

9

9

4

8

8

9

9

5

8

8

9

10

10

6

8

8

10

Value,,
Scale 1-10.

s3

EL~ I

6
4
9

7

6

8

10

8
10

6
G

7 i

8 I
5

7
7
8
8
1
7
8
5
7
5
G
9
9
7
9
5
5

S-2

"3

O c3

o

& a

— !

16

9

31

9

32

4

20

8

26

8

26

9

25

7

29

9

31

7

30

6

20

22

9

34

9

31

8

36

6

23

6

25

6

28

8

30

7

24

7

30

7

29

8

32

9

34

2

12

6

20

8

34

5

21

7

32

17

18

9

36

26

7

32

9

36

22

5

19

9

34

1

2\

8

29

9

23

8

31

8

34

8

35

8

26

8

35

7

26

8

32

10

38

8

30

10

36

10

40

9

34

9

35

40
59
56
42
47
54
53
55
61
58
45
49
G4
56
62
47
53
53
54
47
53
57
55
59
36
48
62
44
54
42
41
64
52
51
63
46
44

64
51

5G
51
59
62
61
56
65
4G
57
55
59
til
61
62
58

100

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

CATALOGUE OF FRUITS.— Continued.
APPLES.— Concluded.

Varieties tested.

Season.
(Month of use.)

Simcoe Station.— Con-
cluded.

St. Lawrence Oct.-Nov

Ribston Pippin Oct. -Feb

Tolman Sweet j Oct.-Mar

August . .
Oct. -Jan
Sept. -Dec
Oct.-Mar
August . .

Tetofsky

Twenty Ounce

Wealthy

Wagener

Yellow Transparent

Tree

a5

H

h

CO

-*-3

<*> .

O

o

o

CO

1—1

i/Tv1

^

3

I— 1

v^

3

©

a v

O CD

>

12 8

cSCG

"e8

>

X

p4

Eh

9

10

10

29

8

8

8

24

10

10

9

29

9

10

9

28

9

9

8

26

9

10

10

29

8

9

8

25

10

10

8

28

Fruit.

Quality,
Scale 1-10.

, to

o
O

Value,
Scale 1-10.

be ©
■53^

o ™

62
62

47
40
55

62

55
48

PEAKS.

Bay of Quinte Station.
Annaaas d'Ete Aug. -Sept

Bartlett September

Belle Lucrative Sept. -Oct -

Beurre Clairgeau Nov. -Dec .

Beurre dArjjou Nov. -Jan .

Beurre Gris d'Hiver March

Beurre Hardy ; . . Sept.-Oct .

Buffum October . . .

Boussock Sept.-Oct .

Clapp's Favorite Aug. -Sept

General Todleben Nov. -Dec .

Josephine de Malines Dec. -Mar .

Lawrence . . j Dec. -Jan .

Louise Bonne' Sept -Oct .

Mount Vernon i Oct.-Nov .

Onondaga I Sept.-Nov

Sheldon 1 October . . .

8

6

4

18

8

6

9

23

8

8

8

24

8

6

8

22

10

10

6

26

10

10

8

28

10

10

10

30

10

10

10

30

10

10

10

30

1 10

8

10

28

8

9

8

25

8

9

9

26 |

8

10

10

28

7

8

9

24

9

10

10

29

9

10

10

29

5

13

10

28

8

24

8

18

10

26

4

12

9

25

4

12

9

26

9

25

8

26 1

8

26

8

16

8

14

5

13

7

12*

9

19

31
51
48
40
52
40
55
42
56
53
51
52
44
38
42
41

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

101

CATALOGUE OF FRUITS.— Continued.
GRAPES.

Varieties tested.

Wentworth Station.

Adirondac

Alvey (Hagar)

Agawara (Roger 15) ...

Auiber

Amber Queen

August Giant

Barry (Roger 43)

Black Pearl

Brighton

Catawba . , ,

Cottage

Creveling

Diana

Dracut Amber

Duchess

Eldorado

Empire State

Eumelan

Goethe (Roger No. 1) .

Jefferson

Lady

Lady Washington .....
Lindley (Roger's 9) ....

Marion

Martha

Massasoit (Roger 3) ...

Missouri Riesling

Moore's Early

Moore's Diamond

Noah

Perkins

Prentiss .

Rebecca

Requa (Roger 28)

Salem

Taylor

Vergennes

Wilder

Worden

Wyoming Red

P4

Sept

Oct

Oct. & Nov ,

Oct

Oct. &Nov

Sept

Oct

Sept

Sept

Oct. & Nov.

Sept

Sept

Oct

Sept

Oct

SeplT

Sept .......

Sept ....

Oct

Oct. &Nov,

Sept

Oct

Sept

Oct

Sept

Sept

3! 2

Value
110.

<x> I «

2, 2

7 8 6! 8 29
9 9 81 4 30

81 7

11

2 2 4 33

9 9,18 48

20

9 9
910

Oct

Sept

Sept ......

Oct

Sept

Oct

Sept

Sept

Sept

Oct

Oct. &Nov.

Sept

Sept

Sept

6

9

8 8

7| 9
7 10
8

4.19

6124

31

33
3(5
33
31
25
32
31
28
25
2!)
26
26
34
21
20
30

2 4

7|15i48
10 20 51

8 33
10:42
1243

634
1136
15 44

35 9

321 2

20i 7
31

5 27
9!27
727
533
7 30

6 25
3|13
733
6132

8>32

8:31

8

12

7*16

12

16

8
18

4
tl
15

7 34
15 42
14141

5 38

8 38
10 35
13J26
1649
17!49

Remarks.

One of the best, very weak, needs pro-
tection.

Of little value.

Most productive on clay loam with hard
subsoil. Needs long pruning.

Too late ; does not mature. \

A long keeper.

Too tender to ship.

One of the best black Roger's.

Will ripen in favorable localities.
Crops from the stem.

A choice winter grape.
Very fine for amateurs.

Ripens too late.
Not productive.
Requires a longer season than ours.

An amateur grape.

Should be grown with other varieties to

fertilize it.
A wine grape.
Not productive enough.

Too poor in quality.

Overloads and does not ripen its wood.
An amateur grape.
One of the best Roger's.

Of no value.

Very handsome, bus too poor in quality.

102

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

J CATALOGUE OF FRUITS.— Continued.
STRAWBERRIES.
Tested by E. B. Stevenson, of Lowville, Ont., in 1894, and Previous Years.

Variety.

Aroma

Auburn

Barton's Eclipse. .

Beder Wood

Beverley

Boynton

Bubach 5

Chairs

Clyde

Cyclone

Dayton

Dew

Edgar Queen

Enhance ,

E. P. Roe

Eureka

Gandy

General Putman . .

Gillespie

Governor Hoard..

Greenville

Haverland

Iowa Beauty

Leader

Longfield

Lovett

Maple Bank

Marshall

Michel's Early ..
Mrs. Cleveland . .

Muskingum

Parker Earle
Phillips' Seedling
Princeton Chief . .

Saunders

Swindle

Tennessee Prolific

Timbrell

Van Deman

Warfield

Williams

Woolverton

Plant.
Value, scale 1-10.

H

O

•

u

o

«3

BO

>

L

8

M

9

M

8

E

6

ML

7

EM

9

M

7

EM

7

E

9

E

9

M

9

L

5

M L

8

M

9

ML

5

L

8

L

8

E M

8

M

8

ML

8

M

4

E

9

M

8

E

5

M L

9

M

9

ML

9

M

8

E

10

M

8

M

8

ML

6

M

9

L

8

M 1

9

M

5

M

10

L

7

E

10

EM

10

M

9

ij

9

9
6

9
9
6

4
5

8
6
5
6
5
7
7
10
10
7
5
9
7
8
6
5
0
7
9
7
5
9
5

«8 .

> -u

_ a

16
16
15
14
15
18
16
13
18
18
15
9
13
17
11
13
14
13
15
15
14
19
15
10
18
16
17
14
15
14
15
15
16
13
18
10
19
15
18
19
17
17

Fruit.
Value, scale 1-10.

6

8
5

10
9

8
8

10
10
8
6
9
8
6

7

6

8

8

9

9

6

7

8

8

9

6

9

9

8

9

5

8

17
17
14
14
17
10
18
14
18
16
15
11
13
16
11
11
14
9

17
16
18
18
17
16
17
14
17
15
14
10
14
16
13
16
18
16
16
15
18
17
13
17

34
34
29
28
32
28
34
27
36
34
30
20
26
33
22
24
28
22
32
31
32
37
32
26
35
30
34
29
29
24
29
31
29
29
36
23
25
30
36
36
30
34

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

103

CATALOGUE OF FRUITS.— Continued.
GOOSEBERRIES.— Tested at Brampton by A. Morton.

d

o

XII

Plant.
Value, scale 1-10.

Fruit.
Value, scale 1-10.

>>

Variety.

U

o
bo

>

CD

a

CD

>

o

O

Pm

'1

S

o

2

CD CD

«4-l

o
Is .

S-l
CD
(D
02
<X>

Q

<S

"eg
> *±

EH

>

o

CD

"3
>

Is

Eh

Bloodhound

M
E
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M

9
9
9
9
8

10

10

10

9

9

10
9
8

10
10
8
9
8
10
7
8

10

10

9

10
9

9
9
9
9
9

10
8

10

10
9
8

10
9
9
9
8
9
8

10
6
7
9
9
8

10
9

10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
- 10
10
10
10
10
10
10

28
28
28
28
27
30
28
30
29
28
28
29
27
29
29
26
28
26
30
23
25
29
29
27
30
28

9

10

10

10

9

10
9
7
9

10
9

10
10
10
10
9

10

9

4

9

9

9

10

10

10

10

9

10
9
8
10
10
9
7
9

10
9

10
10
10
10
9
10
9

10

9

9

9

10

10

10

10

18
20
19
18
19
20
18
14
18
20
18
20
20
20
20
18
20
18
14
18
18
18
20
20
20
20

46

Champagne

48

Companion

47

Coiner

Crown Bob

46
46

Duke of Sutherland

50

Gipsy Queen

46

Industry

Keepsake

Lancashire Lad

44

47

48

Large Scotch Red

46

Morden's Golden Drop

Ocean Wave

49
47

One-of -them

49

Pindston Green Gage

49

Princess Royal

44

Red Warrington ,

48

Ringer

Scotch Jam

44
44

Shakespeare

41

Smolenski

Thumper

Two-to-one

43
47

49

Whitesmith ... .

Wonderful

47
50

Yorkshire Lad

48

APPENDIX

REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF EXPERIMENTAL SPRAYING.

In presenting my report on the spraying experiments conducted during the past
season, and covering as they did so wide a range of territory, there must naturally be
more or less difference in the climatic conditions causing varying results to follow, as all
are aware some parts of the territory experienced a severe frost, and at a time when the
fruit- buds were very susceptible to injury, and also when fungous and insect enemies were
in their most tender period of development, causing a check to their work of destruction
as well as the loss of the fruit crop ; and this, in the westerly portion of the province
at least, being followed by a prolonged drouth. All these influences combined rendered
the work of as little effect as possible, and yet there is sufficient' evidence to convince us
of the benefits to be derived.

My first work was to carefully look over the territory to be covered by the work,
and select those points most largely engaged in fruit culture, and where the largest num-
bers of people interested might witness the work and results that would follow ; selecting
also such points as were accessible by rail in order that the experimenters could accom-
plish their work each day and the whole be repeated at intervals of twelve days until
completed.

I then sent notices to a number of prominent fruit growers in each locality, stating I
would visit their locality on a certain day, and would be glad to meet as many as could
conveniently attend to explain to them the work that was intended to be done, and ask
their hearty co-operation in carrying it out. In many places large numbers were present,
and a resolution passed expressing their appreciation of the work the Department had
undertaken.

The next point was to secure capable experimenters to perform the work, and suit-
able outfits for the purpose. I then made this proposition to the spray pump manufac-
turers of Ontario, that they would furnish the various points with a complete outfit free
of charge on the understanding that those outfits were suitable to perform the work.
They met this proposition in a liberal manner, and I trust mutually advantageous ; and,
in order to convince me of the efficiency of the work their pumps were capable of doing,
they brought them to my orchard, where fifty gallons of the Bordeaux mixture was sup-
plied and applied to the trees in a satisfactory manner.

On the 24th of April the first experimenter, Mr. A. W. Muir, commenced his work
at Chatham in the southern division, taking in Windsor, Kingsville, Blenheim, Appin,
Aylmer, Simcoe, Jarvis, Marshville and Welland. The second experimenter, Mr. H. H.
Farrell, commenced his work at Tbedford on the 26th of April, taking in Clinton, Walk-
erton, Mount Forest, Owen Sound, Meaford, Oollingwood, Barrie, Orillia and Newmarket,
And the third experimenter, Mr. Judson 0. Konkle, started on the 29th of April, at
Whitby, then Bowmanville, Cobourg, Belleville, Napanee, Kingston, Gananoque, Brock-
ville, Morrisburg and Cornwall. All continued their rounds with promptness and
regularity until six applications were made. The following will give the date of
each spraying, the weather on the day of applying, the appearance of the foliage and
fruit as noted by the experimenters on the ditierent dates, and my report as to results at
the end of the season on personal inspection.

In this report copper sulphate will mean four pounds of copper sulphate to fifty gal-
lons of water. Bordeaux will mean four pounds of copper sulphate and four pounds of
fresh lime to fifty gallons of water, and where Paris green is added means four ounces ;
this is for apple trees.

106 FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF* ONTARIO.

In the first spraying the copper sulphate solution was used at Chatham, Thedford,
Clinton, Walkerton, Mount Forest, Owen Sound and Meaford, while the Bordeaux mix-
ture was used at the other places. For the second application Bordeaux: was used at all
places, while, for the third, fourth, fifth and sixth spraying a mixture of Bordeaux and
Paris green was applied.

Windsor— North Essex.

1st — April 25th— Fine, clear and warm. Trees rather close together.

2nd— May Gth — Rain from noon until 2.30 p.m ; an hour later spraying was done ; rain again at night.
Buds in some varieties about fully opened ; foliage looking well ; fine show of bloom.

3rd— May 20th— Clear, fine but cold. Foliage looking fairly well ; hurt very little with the frost >
bloom all off; early varieties injured by frost; later varieties but slightly injured.

wiV4th— June 3rd— Clear and very warm. Foliage looking good ; no sign of spot on leaf or fruit ; a little
showing on trees not sprayed.

5th— June 14th— Clear, warm and windy. Foliage good; the spot 'showing quite bad on trees not
sprayed ; very little, if any, on the sprayed trees.

6th— June 26th — Clear, fine and warm. Foliage looking good ; spot showing bad on trees not sprayed ;
very dry and warm.

I inspected the orchard of Mr. Hy polite Malleoux on the 29th of August, i n c
pany with Mr John Craig, Horticulturist Experimental Farm, Mr. Clinton and Mr.
McNeill of Windsor. I found the orchard in a good state of cultivation, and lying along
the shore of the St. Clair river. The trees were too closely planted for best results ; the
sprayed trees showed a more healthy foliage than the unsprayed ; very little fruit, but
what there was on the sprayed trees were quite free from scab, larger in size and more
perfect in form and color. The early* frost had evidently done its work, as you will
notice by the experimenter's remarks when making the second application. He says :
" Fine show of bloom." The neighboring orchards at the time of my inspection were not
showing a healthy foliage. Varieties sprayed : Northern Spy, Snow and Russets.

King sville— South Essex.

1st— April 26th— Cool, cloudy and high wind. Very difficult to get the work thoroughly well done on
account of the wind.

2nd— May 7th— Showers in the forenoon; cleared up; did the spraying in the afternoon. Only a
sparse show of bloom in the orchard sprayed ; the bud moth at work on the peach here.

3rd— May 21st— A severe frost; clear and cold the day before ; prospects fair to-morrow. Foliage
appears slightly damaged by the frost ; blodni about all off, and injured more or less by the frost.

4th— June 4th— Rain at 6 p.m. Foliage good ; no sign of spot on leaf or fruit ; a little on trees not
sprayed ; very little fruit in the orchard.

5th— June 15th— Clear, fine and very warm. Foliage could hardly look better; farm crops looking
well.

6th— June 27th— Clear, fine and very warm. Foliage grand ; no sign of spot on trees sprayed, and
very little on those not sprayed.

Inspected Mr. J. D. Wigle's orchard on the 29th of August. Orchard in high state
of cultivation and well pruned ; while the foliage on the unsprayed trees were not seri-
ously affected, the sprayed trees presented in a marked degree a rich and healthy color
and a fine growth of wood ; the fruit clean and bright and of larger size than on the
unsprayed trees of the same variety. Mr. Wigle informed me he had used the Bordeaux
on plum trees with very good results. The varieties sprayed in the orchard were Can-
ada Red, Rhode Island Greenings, Russet, Wagener and Baldwin.

Blenheim— E. Kent. t

1st— April 27th - Cold, cloudy and high wind. A high wind, but succeeded in applying the solution
quite evenly.

2nd— May 8th— Clear and fine ; rain the night before. Buds not quite so far advanced, just about
right for the second application ; very little show for bloom.

3rd— May 22nd— Clear, fine and very warm, with high wind. Mr. Cameron sprayed the balance of his
orchard, not leaving any ; but after the first spraying he left the next row to the sprayed trees ; only a
little bloom in this orchard, and that damaged badly by frost.

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO. 107

4th — June 5th- Cloudy and cool ; rain this morning. Foliage looking fairly good ; no sign of spot on
the trees sprayed ; a very little on those not sprayed ; only a tree or two with fruit ; very few insects ;
peaches were all injured by the frost.

5th— June 17th-Clear and fine, with high wind. Foliage good ; very little sign of spot; very little
fruit here ; they commenced cutting clover to-day.

6th— June 28th— Clear and cooler. Foliage good ; no sign of spot on leaf or fruit; very dry here.

Inspected the orchard of Mr. Cameron on the 30th of August and found the foliage
on the sprayed trees more healthy than on those not so thoroughly treated ; very few-
apples here. The frost and the drouth had left little to report upon.

Chatham — West Kent.

1st— April 24th— Clear, bright and windy. Buds nearly ready to open. This orchard was sprayed last
year.

2nd— May 9th— Clear and warm. Nearly in full bloom and foliage good ; only a few of the sprayed
trees show any bloom. Trees too close together to spray evenly.

3rd— May 23rd— Clear and warm. Foliage looking fairly well. Bloom all off and the fruit injured by
the frost of the 21st inst ; two-thirds at least destroyed. Peaches, plum?, cherries, grapes and currants all
destroyed.

4th— June 6th— Clear and cool. Foliage good ; no fruit on sprayed trees nor sign of spot on foliage ;
an insect here working on the black currant.

5th— June 18th — Clear and very warm. A. H. Pettit present and had a photograph taken of the work
in progress. Foliage looking very good.

6th — June 29th— Clear and cool. Foliage good, nor sign of spot on leaf or fruit ; very dry here.

I inspected the orchard of Mr. Dolson, Chatham, County Kent, on the 9th of October
and found the foliage good throughout his orchard. Mr. Dolson sprayed this orchard last
year and once this year. When he saw no fruit he discontinued the work. He had a
few Northern Spys, Twenty Ounce and Yellow Belle-fleur in another orchard They were
more or less ill-shapen and somewhat scabby. The orchard had been top dressed with
farmyard manure and the trees well pruned, but had been planted too near together.

Appin — West Middlesex.

1st— April 29th — Clear and warm. A fine day for the work.

2nd— May 10th — Clear, warm and windy. The trees are too close together a good show of bloom.

3rd — May 25th — Clear, warm and high wind. Foliage slightly injured by the frost ; at least two-
thirds of the fruit destroyed, and plums and cherries nearly a total loss.

4th — June 7th — A slight frost this morning ; clear fine and cool. Foliage looking fairly well ; quite a
few apples on some of the trees.

5th— June 19th— Cloudy, close and hot; a light shower in the morning; like rain again. Foliage good ;
very little spot on fruit or foliage, but quite a little on the unsprayed trees ; crops looking fairly good, but
rain badly needed here.

6th— July 4th— Clear and cool. Foliage in good condition ; no sign of spot on leaf or fruit, and very
little on those not sprayed.

Inspected the orchard of Alexander McDonald, Appin, County of West Middlesex,
on 10th of October. Foliage fairly good, crop very light and pretty free from scab.
Some damage by the codling moth. This orchard was sprayed last year with Paris green
and this year with Bordeaux. Here and there a tree was left in the experimental block,
and a slight improvement in foliage and size of fruit was all that could be claimed.

Aylmer — Elgin.

1st— April 30th— Clear, fine and warm. An uneven lot of trees ; some quite old. A fine day for the
work.

2nd— May 11th— A high wind and showers throughout the day. Buds in bloom ; foliage good , rain
immediately after the spraying.

3rd— May 27th— Cloudy, cold and high wind. Foliage looking fairly well; all kinds of fruit here
damaged by the frost.

4th — June 8th— Clear, fine and very warm. Foliage in good condition ; very little fruit on the trees
here.

108 FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

5th— June 20th— Cloudy ; a very slight shower. Foliage looking well, the spot showing a little on the
unsprayed trees.

6th- July 3rd —Clear, fine and very dry. Foliage good ; no sign of spot on the leaf, and very little
on the unsprayed trees.

Inspected the orchard of Francis Leeson, Aylmer, County of Elgin, on 11th of
October. The orchard in pasture. The foliage on the sprayed trees showed a richer color
than on the unsprayed, and the fruit quite free from scab.

Simcoe — Norfolk.

1st— May 1st— Clear and fine ; windy. Buds just opening here, and at the request of Mr. Trinder and
all the others, sprayed a few trees in the old orchard as well as the young orchard.

2nd— May 13th — Clear, cold and a high wind. Frost has done great damage here. The foliage on the
hickory, walnut, oak and some other varieties are a dark brown color as if singed by fire ; grapes, cherries
and plums all gone.

3rd— May 28th— Clear, fine and warm ; a slight frost this morning. Foliage here badly singed by the
frost and fruit about a total loss.

4th— June 10th— Clear, fine and very warm. Foliage improving very much since the fiost; you can
see quite a difference in the foliage on the sprayed aud unsprayed trees, but very little fruit left.

5th— June 21st — A slight shower in the forenoon, cleared up. Foliage looking well on most of the
trees ; some have not recovered from the frost.

6th — July 4th— Fine and warm, with high wind. No sign of spot on the leaf on sprayed trees, and very
little on the unsprayed.

Inspected the orchard of Mr. Trinder, Simcoe, County Norfolk, on the 11th of
October, and found very little to report. Foliage fairly good, but the frost had been too
severe, followed by drouth, rendered impossible any result.

Jarvis — Haldimand.

1st — May 2nd — Clear, fine and warm. A young orchard about twenty years old, in sod, but not an
old sod.

2nd — May 16th— Clear and fine. Messrs. Ionson and Miller did the spraying on the 16th ; the day I
was here, the 14th, it was snowing all day.

3rd — May 29th — Clear, warm, with quite a breeze. Foliage on someof the trees looking very well ; on
others not so slightly injured by frost ; very few apples ; some walnut trees that I was examin ing to-day
look as if they were entirety killed.

4th — June 11th — Clear, warm, and quite a wind. Foliage improving on most of the trees, a few show-
ing the effects of the frost ; the spot showing on the unsprayed trees ; none on the sprayed trees.

5th— June 22nd— Clear, warm, and quite a breeze. Foliage looking very well.

6th— July 5th— Clear, fine and high wind. Foliage looking very fair, some of the leaves beginning
to curl, caused by the drouth ; very dry here.

Inspected Mr. Ionson's orchard, Jarvis, County of Haldimand, October 12th ; found
the foliage somewhat better on the sprayed than on the unsprayed trees, the fruit more
perfect in form and color, and of larger size on the sprayed tree's. The frost and drouth
has been too severe to expect any very favorable results.

Marsh ville — Monck.

1st — May 3rd — Warm, but a shower an hour after spraying. This orchard is cultivated and well
pruned.

2nd— May 15th— Clear, but cold wind. Buds looking quite fresh, a good show of bloom.

3rd— May 30th— Clear, tine and warm. This orchard does not appear to be so badly damaged by frost
the Baldwins, Russets and Spys are showing a fine crop.

4th— June 12th — Clear and warm, a slight shower, 9 p.m. Foliage looking very fresh and fine, very
little sign of spot on leaf or fruit.

5th — June 24th— A shower in the morning, cleared up, and then sprayed. A fine show of apples here,
no sign of spot on fruit or foliage and very little on the unsprayed trees. ' M

6th — July 6th— Clear, fine, and a high wind. Foliage here looking very fine and of good color ; fruit fine
and most of the trees well loaded.

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO. 109

Inspected the orchard of Mr. J. W. Overholfc near Marshville in the County of
Monck on the 8 th of October ; the foliage fairly good and the crop of apples very heavy,
of good color, almost entirely free from scab and damage by the codling moth ; the fruit
of medium size caused by the abundant crop and the drouth. Mr. O^erholt said he was
convinced from the first spraying that there was business in it. He purchased the pump
and sprayed the whole orchard, and is more than pleased with the results. The apples
in an adjoining orchard and same kind of soil were more scabby and a larger number
stung with the codling moth.

Welland — Welland.

1st — May 4th— Clear and very warm. About half of the orchard cultivated, the trees were pruned and
the trunks scraped clean.

2nd — May 16th— Clear and cold. Another slight frost this morning, apparently little damage done
except to early varieties ; grapes destroyed.

2rd— May 31st— Clear and warm. The foliage in this orchard fairly good. Baldwins, Russets and
some other varieties from one-third to one-half destroyed by frost.

4th— June 13th —Clear in the morning, rain in the afternoon. Mr. Reuter sprayed the trees again on
the 17th inst., the weather clear and fine but windy.

5th— June 25th — Clear, hoe and warm. Foliage good, very little sign of spot on the sprayed or
unsprayed trees.

6th— July 8th— Rain all day. Mr. Reuter will make the application when the weather fines up. Fruit
and foliage looking fairly good.

Inspected Mr. Reuter's orchard near Welland on the 8th of October and found the
foliage good ; some three or four trees of the " Seek no Further " not so good ; Baldwin
and Rhode Island Greenings were fine in foliage, the fruit of even size and good color,
free from scab and damage by the codling moth, much more so than on the unsprayed trees.

Thedford — Lambton.

1st— April 26th— Windy. Got the work well done considering the high wind.

2nd — May 8th — Very warm. Foliage pretty well advanced, fruit buds beginning to open.

3rd — May 2Lst - Fine and some wind. The tops of the trees appear to be injured by the frost; fruit
prospects very light.

4th — June 3rd — Fine and warm. Foliage good, no signs of scab.

5th— June 14th — Fine. Foliage fair, no signs of scab on fruit or leaf ; fruit prospects very light.

6th— June 26th— Fine. No change.

Inspacted the orchard of Mr. John Davidson, Thedford, County of Lambton. The
foliage oq the sprayed trees was much more luxuriant than on the unsprayed. The crop
was light on account of the frost, yet the fruit was entirely free from the scab, and would
graJe largely No. 1. Mr. John Davidson reports to me as follows, date Nov. 16th : " I
have picked my apples and took particular notice of the percentage of first-class, and as
near as I can judge there were seven-eighths of them free from any blemish."

Clinton — Huron.

1st— April 27th— Fine, but windy. Condition of the orchard good.

2nd— May 9th— Fine. Condition of the foliage and fruit buds fair.

3rd— May 22nd — Fine, but windy. The foliage appears injured by the frost.

4th — June 4th— Rain and wind. The weather was unfavorable for the work on the 4th, and Mr. Weir
made the aplication on the 6th when the weather was fine ; foliage fair, no sign of scab.

5th — June 15th— Fine. Found several nests of caterpillars on trees that had not been sprayed.

.6th— June 27th— Rain in the morning, but cleared up fine. Foliage good; quite a few apples stung
with the codling moth on the unsprayed trees, but none on the sprayed trees.

Inspected the orchard of Mr. Weir near Clinton in the County of Huron. His
orchard is in a good state of cultivation and well manured with farmyard manure. I
could not say I saw any marked difference in the sprayed and unsprayed trees, and only
here and there an apple could be found. The foliage was still well covered with the
Bordeaux.

110 FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTAPxIO.

Walkerton — Bruce.

1st— April 29th— Fine. Orchard in sod, trees about 30 to 35 years old.

2nd— May 10th— Clear and very warm. Foliage fairly good.

3rd— May 23rd — Fine but windy. Foliage withered looking and very little show of fruit.

4th — June 5th— Fine and «very windy. Quite a heavy shower one hour after the spraying; foliage
badly injured by the frost.

5th— June 17th- Fine. Foliage not very good ; very dry here.

6th— June 28rd -Rained in the morning, but cleared up fine again. Some wormy apples on the un-
sprayed trees, but none on the sprayed ; very little fruit here.

Inspected Mr. David Smith's orchard, Walkerton, on the 18th of September. The
foliage on the sprayed tree3 showed a richer color than on the unsprayed, although not
very marked. The frost had evidently been quite severe in this locality, and the long
continued drouth immediately following had very much lessened the vitality of the trees.
Here and there only could an apple be found ; they were quite free from scab and insect.
The orchards in the vicinity showed the same unfavorable appearance.

Mount Forest — West Wellington.

1st— April 30th— Fine. Orchard in sod.

2nd —May 11th — Rain soon after the spraying. Foliage fairu; fruit buds beginning to open.

3rd— May 25th— Fine, but rained during the night. Foliage fair, but the prospects for fruit not very
abundant.

4th— June 6th— Cold and drizzling rain. Foliage fair ; no sign of spot on the fruit or foliage.

5th— June 18th— Fine. No change apparent.

6th— June 29th —Fine. Foliage good ; no sign of the scab on fruit or foliage ; Mr. Stewart sprayed his
whole orchard ; one row left.

Inspected Mr. David Stewart's orchard, Mount Forest, County of Wellington, on
the 19th September. The foliage on the sprayed, although showing signs of the frost,
were of a rich green color — more so than on the unsprayed. The frost here occurred
while many varieties were in full bloom ; the Spy being a little later escaped almost
uninjured. Result, a fairly good crop of this variety ; the sample quite free from scab,
of fair size and good color. Some Baldwins also of good size and color, quite free from
scab. The unsprayed row was not nearly so good. This orchard will show quite plainly
the advantage to be gained by a thorough application of the Bordeaux mixture.

Owen Sound — Grey.

1st— May 1st — Fine. The orchard in fair condition as to cultivavation and pruning ; a large number of
people out to witness the work.

2nd— May 13th— Fair and cold. The foliage not quite so much advanced as the other points.

3rd — May 27th— Dull and looking like rain. Foliage good, and prospects of fruit very fair.

4th— June 7th— Fair. Foliage good ; no sign of scab on fruit or foliage ; orchard in fine shape.

5th— June 19th.

6th— July 2nd— Fair. Foliage good; no sign of scab on fruit or foliage ; quite a few stung with the
codling moth on the unsprayed trees.

Inspected the orchard of Mr. John Kilborne, Owen Sound, September 20th. The
foliage in very good condition, and fairly so on the unsprayed treea. The iruit quite free
from tbe scab and also the effects of the codling moth. Here were conditions quite favor-
able for fungi — soil quite rich, and the orchard sheltered, being in a valley. On the
unsprayed trees we found some affected with the &cab, and quite a few stung by the
codling moth.

Meaford — North Grey.

1st— May 2nd — Fine. Orchard in good cultivation.

2nd — May 14th — Cold and snowing all day. Foliage backward.

3rd — May 28th — Fine. Foliage good ; fair prospects for fruit.

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO. Ill

4th— June 8th— Fine. Foliage good ; no sign of spot on leaf or fruit.
5th— June 20th— Fine. Foliage good ; no sign of spot on leaf or fruit.
6th— July 3rd— Fine. Foliage fine.

Inspected Mr. Plunkett's orchard September 20th, and found the trees in a very
healthy condition throughout. He had sprayed all his orchard. He had a fine crop
throughout, free from scab and damage by the codling moth. Some varieties such as the
Snow, that are very susseptible, were entirely free.

Mr. Plunkett's statement of percentages : Spys, seven trees, about three per cent,
stung, and seven per cent, small and unfit for market, owing to the crowded state of the
trees ; Russets, four trees, ten per cent, stung, all a poor sample, trees overcrowded ;
Baldwins, one tree, about three per cent, stung, all good sample throughout ; Seeks, three
trees, good sample, none stung ; three Greenings, good sample, none stung ; one Alex-
ander, good sample, two per cent, stung ; one Wagener, good sample, three per cent, stung.
Mr. Plunkett says : I would remark here, my Russets on all my other trees were a poor
sample and appeared to be only half grown, while the Baldwins were very large and good.
I cannot here draw a comparison between the twenty trees sprayed by your man and the
rest of the orchard, as I sprayed five times. I do remember, however, some ten years
ago, before spraying was practised, the codling moth had the big half.

COLLINGWOOD — EAST GREY.

1st— May 3rd— Fine but windy. Orchard in good state of cultivation and well pruned.

2 ad— May 15th— Cold. Buds, I fear, nipped by the frost.

3rd— May 29th — Fine and very warm. Caught pretty bad with the frost ; prospects for fruit light.

4th— June 10th — Fine. Foliage good ; no sign of spot on leaf or fruit ; very dry here.

5th -June 21st— Fine. Foliage good.

6th— July 4th — Fine but windy. Foliage good ; no scab ; orchard looking fine; can see quite a differ-
ence in the foliage and also in the fruit on the sprayed trees.

Inspected Mr. William Marshall's orchard near Collingwood on the 20th of Septem-
ber. His trees are in a tine healthy condition, and producing a tine crop of clean fruit,
free from sc ib and codling moth. Colverts, Ribstons, So. Lawrence and Greenings
bpautifu! in form and color, showing good results of the spraying, and also of manuring
and cultivation for several years.

Barrie — West Simcoe.

1st — May 4th — Fine and warm. Orchard in sod but well pruned.

2nd— May 16th — Windy and cold. Foliage fair ; buds somewhat discolored by the frost.

3rd— May 30th— Fine and very warm. Foliage good ; prospects for fruit fair.

4th— June 11th -Fine but windy. Foliage good ; no sign of scab on fruit or leaf ; fruit looking splendid.

5th— June 22nd — Heavy shower about seven hours after spraying. Good fair show of fruit.

6th— July 6th— Fair but windy. Foliage good; no scab; the sprayed trees look better than the un-
s prayed.

Inspected Mr. Lloyd's orchard Sept 21st, Barrie, county of West Simcoe. Foliage
in a fine healthy condition, quite free from brown spot ; the fruit of medium size on
account of the extreme drouth, but very good in color and entirely free from scab an i
the codling moth. The fruit was somewhat damaged by a local hail-storm The Tetofsky
and Duchess, Mr. Lloyd informs me, were a very good crop and free from scab and codling
moth. They had been marketed. The unsprayed trees in the orchard showed a paler
leaf and the scab to some extent.

Orillia — East Simcoe.

Lst— May 6th— Fine. Cultivation very good. ,

2nd— May 17th— Fine. Foliage fair.

3rd — May 31st— Fine and warm. Foliage very good and fruit prospects fair.

4th— June 12ch— Fine. Foliage good ; no sign of scab on fruit or leaf.

5th— June 24th— Fine. Foliage fine ; no signs of fungus.

6th— July 6th- Fine. Foliage splendid ; far ahead of the unsprayed trees.

112 FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

Inspected the orchard of Mr. Wellington Fisher, near Orillia, in the county of East
Simcoe. Found the sprayed trees looking exceedingly fine in foliage and the fruit quite
free of the apple scab and of good size and color, in fact some beautiful specimens.
Here I found good cultivation and pruning, and a fine growth of wood.

Newmarket — York.

1st — May 7th — Showery. Fairly pruned, sod well manured.

2nd— May 18th— Fine, but rained two hours after spraying-. Foliage fair.

3rd — June 1st— Fine and very warm. Foliage fair, fruit prospects not very good.

4th — June 13th — Fine. Foliage fair, no appearance of the scab.

5th— June 25th— Fine. Foliage fair, no appearance of the scab.

6th— July 8th— Fine. Foliage good, no sign of scab on the sprayed trees; they look much greener in
color than on the unsprayed.

Inspected the orchard of Mr. Silas Armitage, near Newmarket, in the county of
York, on the 15th of October. The foliage on the sprayed trees was of a better color
than on the unsprayed trees. There was little difference in the fruit; less fungi perhaps
on the sprayed trees. The fruit had all been picked and put in the barn at the time of
my visit.

Whitby — Ontario.

1st — April 29th— Fine. Orchard two years in sod. Pump did not work freely.
2nd— May 10th— Fine. Foliage good, fruit buds just opening.

3rd— May 25th — Fine. Foliage good, fair show of fruit, the pump had been overhauled and works
good.

4th— June 6th — Fine. Foliage good, fair crop.

5th— June 18th— Fine. Foliage good.

6th- July 2nd— Windy. Foliage good, fruit free from scab.

Inspected Mr. Howden's orchard, Whitby, county of Ontario, on the 5th of October.
The foliage in this orchard is very good and the fruit quite clean aad of good size. If there
is any difference to be noted here, the fruit on the sprayed trees are less injured by the
codling moth.

BOWMANVILLE — WEST DURHAM.

1st— April 30th— Windy. Orchard two years in sod.

2nd— May 11th— Rain in the forenoon again after spraying. Foliage good, not many fruit buds.

3rd— May 27th— Cold and windy. Foliage good, promise of about one- quarter of a crop.

4th— June 7th— Fine. Foliage good.

5th -June 19th— Fine . Foliage good.

6th— July 3rd-Fiae. Fruit clear of scab.

Inspected Mr. Joseph Jeffrey's orchard, near Bowmanville, on the 5th of October,
the whole of the orchard had been sprayed, the foliage fairly good throughout, but not of
a rich color, the orchard in meadow would account for this. Of the experimental trees,
some two of the Yellow Balle-fleur trees had a moderate crop, the fruit clean and bright.
Mr. Jeffrey said they had been badly affected with fungi for a number of years. He had
sprayed some Flemish Beauty pears with good results.

Cobourg — West Northumberland.

1st — May 1st— Windy. Orchard in good cultivation.

2nd— May 14th— Windy. Fruit buds just beginning to open.

3rd— May 28th— Windy, Foliage good and prospects of fruit good.

4th— June 8th— Fine. Foliage good.

5th— June 20th— Fine. Foliage good and a fine show for fruit.

6th— July 4th— Fine. Foliage good ; crop good and clean from the apple scab.

Inspected the orchard of Mr. W. H. Morton, near Cobourg, in the county of
Northumberland, on the 4th of October. I found the orchard in good state of cultiva-

FEUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO. 113

tion and the foliage very good ; a beautiful crop of fruit. Mr, Morton was not at home,
but I copy the following from a statement he sent me under date November 4th. He
says : " I am late about writing you about the spraying. I give you Mr. Wilson's views
(the buyer). He says : ' They are much larger, freer from spots and worms.' I have
seen one lot of twenty-two barrels, and ther8 was only one barrel of culls ; there was
twice or three times that many on the trees not sprayed."

Belleville — West Hastings.

1st — May 2nd — Fine. Orchard in meadow for seven years.

2nd — May 14th — Windy, rain three hours after spraying. Foliage good ; nearly in bloom.

3rd— May 29th— Fine. Foliage good ; bloom all off.

4th— June 10th— Fine. Foliage good ; about half crop of fruit.

5th— June 21st — Fine. Foliage good ; half crop clean and free from spot.

6th— July 5th — Fine. Foliage good ; half crop, clean and free from spot.

Inspected the orchard of Mr. John Aris, near Belleville, in the county of Hastings.
The foliage good but not rich in color ; the orchard has been too long in meadow, and the
dry season greatly lessens the vitality of the trees; the fruit on the sprayed trees was
very free from the apple scab and almost entirely free from damage by the codling moth,
while the unsprayed trees were more or less affected and the fruit of smaller size.

Napanee — Lennox.

1st — May 3rd — Fine. Orchard in good state of cultivation and well pruned.
2nd — May 15th— Rain in the morning. Foliage good ; nearly in bloom .
3rd— May 30th— Fine. Foliage fair .
4th— June 11th— Windy. Foliage fair.
5th— June 22nd— Fine. Foliage good.
6th — Work not done.

Inspected the orchard of Mr. C. W. Hambly, near Napanee, on the 3rd of October.
Foliage good ; the American Golden Russetts entirely free from scab ; some Ben Davis
were also sprayed ; they also showed good foliage and a beautiful crop of clean, high col-
ored specimens.

Cataraqui — Frontenac.

1st — May 4th— Rain in the morning. Fine. Orchard in sod.

2nd— May 16th— Fine. Foliage not good.

3rd — May 31st — Fine. Foliage does not show a healthy appearance ; crop prospects light.

4th — June 12th — Windy. Foliage not very good.

5th — June 24th — Windy. Foliage not very good.

6th— July 8th — Fine. Foliage improved in appearance and promise of half a crop.

Inspected the orchard of Mr. Lancaster, Cataraqui, near Kingston, on the 3rd of
October. Foliage very good ; much better than on the unsprayed trees. The Russetts
and Spys almost entirely free from scab and of good size and color ; one row of the La
Rue had been picked and blown off by a high wind. Mr. Lancaster stated the fruit was
very clean and fine, and the foliage was very fine indeed.

Gananoque — South Leeds.

1st— May 6th— Fine. Orchard in sod.

2nd — May 17th— Fine. Foliage good ; some trees are showing bloom, others not.

3rd— June 1st — Fine. Foliage good ; crop prospects fair.

4th — June 13th — Windy. Foliage good ; crop prospects fair.

5th— June 25th — Windy. Foliage good ; crop prospects fair.

6th— July 9th — Windy. Foliage good ; scab showing on the unsprayed trees.

Inspected the orchard of Mr. J. M. Cornet t, Ganancque, and found the foliage and
a^o the fruit much better on the sprayed than on the unsprayed trees. The American
8 F. E.

114 FEUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

Golden Russetts and Ben Davis were almost entirely free from scab and the fruit of good
size and color ; the soil I should say in this orchard was very shallow and the rock near
the surface ; some of the unsprayed trees showed the effects of the drouth ; the unsprayed
Ben Davis were quite scabby and the Russetts also, and small in size, and many were
worthless ; at this point we experienced some difficulty ; the first spraying was done with
a small hand pump on account of the non-arrival by freight of the one intended, and for the
third spraying Mr. Oornetfc was requested to apply the solution. Mr. Konkle, the experi-
menter, was called home on account of his sister's death.

Brockville — Brockville.

1st — May 7th — Pump did not arrive and none could be found for the occasion.

2nd— May 18th— Windy. Foliage not very good ; some bud moths here, and some trees quite in bloom |
orchard in pasture.

3rd— June 3rd— Rain in the morning. Foliage fair, prospects one-third crop.

4th— June 14th— Windy. Foliage fair, prospects one-third crop.

5th— June 26th — Windy. Foliage good; half crop; fruit clear of scab.

6th— July 10th— Windy. Foliage good ; half crop ; fruit clear of scab.

Inspected the orchard of Judge McDonald, in the town of Brockville, on the 2nd of
October, found the foliage on the sprayed trees of richer color than on the unsprayed,
the fruit quite free from scab or blemish by the Codling moth. The orchard is an old one,
yet the foliage showed vigor in the trees. The Judge informed me they bore quite a heavy
crop last year.

MORRISBURG — DUNDAS.

1st— May 8th— Rain in the morning ; then fine. Orchard in sod.

2nd — May 20th — Windy and cold . Bud moth doing some damage ; some trees quite in bloom.

3rd— June 4th — Fine. Foliage good ; promise of a fair crop.

4th— June 15th— Fine. Foliage good.

5th — June 27th — Rain after spraying. Foliage good and fruit free from spot.

6th — July 11th — Fine. Foliage good and fruit clean and free from scab.

Inspected the orchard of Mr. Henry Smith, near Morrisburg in the County of Dundas.
Mackintosh Red, Duchess and Russetts were sprayed; the foliage exceedingly good, much
better than on the unsprayed trees, the fruit also of larger size ; of good color and free from
blemish. The Duchess had been picked and marketed, but Mr. Smith informs me the
crop was good, of clean smooth sample, all the Duchesses were sprayed, none left for com-
parison.

Cornwall — Cornwall.

1st— May 9th— Windy. Orchard in sod.

2nd — May 21st— Fair. Foliage good ; in bloom.

3rd— June 5th— Rain in the morning; sprayed at 10 a.m. ; rain again at 2 p.m. Foliage good ; crop
prospects good.

4th— June 17th— Fine. Foliage good ; crop prospects good.
5th— June 28th — Fine. Foliage good ; crop prospects good.
6th— July 12th — Windy. Foliage good ; crop good and clean of scab.

Inspected the orchard of Mr. Blacklock, East Front, Cornwall, and found very satis-
factory results, the foliage on the sprayed trees was much darker in color than on the
unsprayed, the fruit of good size and fine color. Mr. Blacklock informs me the St. Law-
rence were exceadingly fine, they had been marketed, but the Fameuse were still on the
trees, of fine size and color and scarcely a spot to be seen on those sprayed, while the
unsprayed, although not as bad as in former years, some were scabby. The fruit on the
sprayed trees were almost entirely free from the Codling moth.

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO. 115

Only a few years ago the idea as' suggested by our scientists of spraying our orchards
with the different solutions for the prevention and destruction of fungous diseases and
insect enemies was considered by many as only a theory, and one not of practical applica-
tion in a large orchard, but we find our manufacturers to the front with appliances
whereby the work can be done speedily and thoroughly. We have to-day the strongest
proof of the benefits of spraying. If you will carefully trace the results in my detailed
report, you will see in nearly every point a marked improvement in the condition of the
foliage. The health and vigor of the tree must be maintained if profitable results are to be
expected. In making this report I have endeavoured to under-estimate rather than to
magnify the results obtained, for the simple reason that we are liable sometimes to allow
our prejudice as regards new methods to outweigh the real condition, and more particularly
so in a reason like the one just past, when this query is so often brought forward : "Why
was my orchard that has never been sprayed so free from the fungus and insect enemies V
Few orchards have of late years been free in this respect. This theory may apply. The
rapid development of fungus and insects caused by the extreme warm weather in early
spring, followed by an unusually low temperature causing their destruction while in a
tender stage of development, and this followed by a prolonged drouth perhaps not
favourable to second growth. In some sections covered by the work where the tempera-
ture was very low the trees did not entirely recover from the shock, and in some other cases
where orchards have been in sod and hay gathered, perhaps for years, we can scarcely
expect a healthy foliage ; but where good cultivation and pruning has been practiced we
find the best results follow.

If there is one matter to-day in connection with fruit culture that should engage our
most undivided attention, it is, in my opinion, the cultivation, pruning and spraying of
our orchards, for in this, in nine cases out of ten — in production — the whole secret of
success or failure depends, as sure as the night follows the day. Eternal vigilance is the
price of good fruit and should be inscribed in letters of gold, as the motto, in the mind of
every fruit grower in our land.

I have received many enquiries during the past season in regard to spray pumps,
and those enquiries might be summed up in these words, " Which pump do you consider
the best and the most desirable V I will take this opportunity to reply, we have used
during the past season five different makes, namely : The Aylmer, manufactured by The
Aylmer Iron Works ; The Parker Excelsior, manufactured in London, Ont.; The
Ontario Wind Engine & Pump Co., Toronto; The Olarksburg Pump, manufactured by
Holmes & Halliday, Olarksburg, and The GooJd, Shapley and Muir Oo., Brantford, the
Ideal, and they all gave good satisfaction. Improvements are being continually made as
practical experience shows is required. One of great importance, the " Mechanical
Agitator," will cause better results to follow by the more even distribution of the
fungicides and insecticides. The nozzle is another improvement. The Boss nozzle, that
is still quite useful for washing buggies and windows, has given place to others of superior
construction and that will produce the finest 3pray, or one of greater volume, as may be
desired. As to durability, I am not sufficiently acquainted with the chemical action of
copper sulphate upon the different materials used in the manufacture of spray pumps, but
I am inclined to think that brass or brass lining would lessen the corrosive action better
than iron. Much loss might be avoided by thoroughly rinsing out the pump with
clear water before putting away after use.

I cannot close this report without expressing my unbounded confidence in the benefits
that will accrue to the fruit grower who will most thoroughly apply the different
fungicides and insecticides as recommended by our horticulturists and chemists, who are
working along that line. Failures, I think, may be attributed to several causes ; not
applying at the proper time to check the spread, imperfectly prepared mixtures, too much
guess work as to quantities, and last, but by no means least, thorough agitation during
the whole application. If each ingredient is required to make the mixture perfect, it must
be evenly and equally distributed to obtain the desired result. As the bud worm is becom-
ing quite numerous in some sections, I would suggest, that instead of using copper

116 FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

sulphate and water in the first spraying, the lime and Paris green be added. The same
result would be obtained, and the lime would assist to fasten, as it were, the Paris green
upon the bud and destroy the bud moth, perhaps, before it had destroyed the bud.

Some pointers along the line that often cause delays and hinder the work : Some
little part of the pump not being inspected as carefully as it ought to have been before
putting it together, and the fruit grower, not being an exper ) in that line, cannot discover
the remedy until his patience has been severely taxed. Another, but more common
occurrence is that after the tank has been filled and ready for business, it is allowed to
stand, if only for a few minutes, the lime and Paris green quickly settle to the bottom ; then
the first few strokes of the pump causes quantities of this to be sucked up from the
bottom, the pump and nozzle become clogged, and the manufacturer sometimes comes in
for a share of the blame. Remedy : shut off the stop cock and thoroughly agitate the
solution before you commence to spray ; do not drench the tree but spray it, rinse the
pump out thoroughly before putting away after using it, and don't buy a spray pump on
account of its cheapness, but look for efficiency and durability. Time is money, and we can
ill afford to loose much of it at the season of spraying our trees.

I have the honor to be, Sir,

Your obedient servant,

A. H. PETTIT.

APPENDIX B

SPRAY PUMPS.

An exhibition of spray pumps was held at Grimsby on April 2nd, 1896, under the
auspices of the Board of Control of the Fruit Experiment Stations. The preliminary
arrangements were made by Mr. A. H. Pettit and Mr. L. Woolverton. Eight Cana-
dian and three American pumps were exhibited.

The following information was prepared by Mr. H. L. Hutfc, Horticulturist at the
Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph, and Mr. Murray Pettit, Winona, President of the
Ontario Fruit Growers' Association and manager of the Went worth Fruit Experiment
Station :

Considering that the manufacture of spraying outfits is a comparatively new industry,
it must be acknowledged that great credit is due to the manufacturers for the effort
they have made to meet fully the requirements of this new demand.

The appliances first used were more or less unsatisfactory, because makers were not
aware of all that was needed to make a spraying outfit effective, handy, and durable.
The improvement already made along this line has been rapid, and one of the greatest
immediate results of this trial, we believe, will be the still further improvement of
many of the pumps now offered for sale.

Makers who never before enjoyed the pleasure of spraying a row of large trees, in a
cold, blustering wind, were brought face to face with some of the difficulties which fruit
growers have to encounter, and could not but see wherein their outfits might be improved,
and in what respects other makers were ahead of them. Those who experienced a
wrestling match, trying to hold on the wagon a tall pump mounted on top of a
barrel, while the horses plunged in the mud, and low-hanging limbs swept over them,
could not but see that it was a decided advantage to have the pump low and compact,
and mounted on the side of a barrel with a firn* foundation. Others who were doused
with Bordeaux mixture, splashing out of unnecessarily large openings in the barrel,
could not but be impressed with the advisability of close fitting covers to all such open-
ings. Those who had to shake their barrels to stir the rapidly settling Bordeaux
mixture, and who found, even then, that the first few trees received nearly all of the
lime and copper-sulphate, while those at the other end of the row received water only,
had ocular proof that their agitators were not all they had thought them to be.
Those who when they came to spray trees thirty feet in height, had to hunt up poles to
elevate their nozzles and heavy hose to the required height, will no doubt be quick to
adopt some such convenience as the bamboo or gas pipe extension rod. The desirability,
too, of easily operated stop-cocks on each extension rod was apparent to all who had to
clean out choked nozzles or travel far from one tree to to another.

Description of Pumps.

The following illustrations and descriptions, of pumps as exhibited, together with
prices of the same, will be of interest to fruit growers :

9 F.E.

118

FRUIT EXPERIMENT STATIONS OF ONTARIO.

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The Wilson Sprayer.

Made by the Rotary Spray Pump Co., London, Ont. Price complete, $8. A
garden pump consisting of a barrel attached to a wheelbarrow. Wooden rollers work-
ing over the hose cause suction, tin disc nozzle.

Suggestions as to the Best Kinds of Pumps.

The following suggestions will be of great importance to manufacturers, and should
be of much use to fruit growers in selecting pumps for their use :

1. Pump should be furnished fitted to barrel, ready for use. The majority of
fruit growers have not the facilities for mounting a pump properly.

2. Pump should be made as low as possible and mounted on the side of a barrel,
fixed to blocks for support. This would prevent many an upset.

3. All openings in the barrel should be furnished with tight-fitting, convenient
covers, both to prevent liquid from splashing out and to keep dirt out of the barrel.

4. Agitators should be made to agitate thoroughly the contents of a barrel full of
liquid. Something on the dash principle is found to be the most effective. It is an
advantage if the agitator can be worked independently of the pump, so as to agitate
the liquid thoroughly before commencing to spray.

5. Each pump should be equipped so that one or two leads of hose may be used
as desired. For overhead work, each lead should be at least twelve or fifteen feet long
and made of good, four-ply, half-inch hose.

6. For use among large trees, each pump should be supplied with a light exten-
sion rod six or eight feet in length, of bamboo, brass or gas pipe.

7. The base of each extension rod should be furnished with a stop-cock which
can be worked by hand. This is not only useful when cleaning the nozzles, but effects
a saving of liquid when passing from one tree to another.

8. Only those nozzles which throw a very fine spray should be used. The improved
double Yermorel nozzle, when used with a good extension rod, has not yet been sur-
passed even for large trees.

9. All metal parts of an outfit coming in contact with the mixture should be
made of brass, in order that they may withstand the corrosive influence of copper
sulphate.

TWENTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

OF

ONTARIO

1895

PUBLISHED BY TEE ONTARIO DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, TORONTO.^

PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

TORONTO :
WARWICK BROS. &TRUTTER, PRINTERS, &c, 68 and 70J FRONT STREET WEST

1896.

CONTENTS

TAGm.

Letter of Transmission .; 1

List of Officers for 1896 2

Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society 3

Report of the Librarian and Curator : J. A. Moffat 3

Report of the Treasurer : J. A. Balkwill 4

Report of the Council 4

Report of the Montreal Branch : Lachlan Gibb 6

The New Agriculture : C. C. James 7

The Value of Entomology : James Fletcher 16

How the Forest in Bedford was Swept Away : Rev. T. W. FfLE3 21

Report of the Botanical Section : W. T. McClement 26

Report of the Geological Section : S. Woolverton 26

Report of the Microscopical Section : J. H. Bowman 27

Report from the Entomological Society to the Royal Society of Canada : R^v. T. W. Ffles 28

Election of Officers 30

Insect Injuries of the Year 1895 : James Fletcher , 31

The Growth of the Wings of a Luna Moth : J. A. Moffat 36

Observations on the Season of 1895 : J. A. Moffat 38

Variation, with special reference to Insects : J. A. Moffat 41

Some Winter Insects from S svamp Moss : W. H. Harrington 47

Birds as Protectors of Orchards : E. H. Forbush 53

The Rocky Mountain Locust and its Allies in Canada : S. H. Scudder 62

Seventh Annual Meeting of the Association of Economic Entomologists 67

Entomological Notes and Problems : J. B. Smith 67

Spraying , 70

**Raupenleim " and " Dendrolene " : J. B. Smith 72

Herbivorous Habits of Certain Derme3tidae : F H . 'Chittenden 76

The Gypsy Moth 78

On the Study of Forest Tree Insects : F. H. Hopkins 80

The Importation and Repression of Destructive Insects : F. M. Webster 83

"William H. Edwards 87

Book Notices , 88

Obituary of Charles V. Riley : A. S. Packard , 96

Index 101

PROF. C. V. RILEY, M.A., Ph. D.

WILLIAM II . EDWARDS,

Honorary Member of the Entomological Society of Ontario, etc.

TWENTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO,

«

1895.

To the Honorable the Minister of Agriculture :

Sir, — In accordance with the provisions of our Act of Incorporation, I beg to sub-
mit herewith the Twenty-Sixth Annual Report of the Entomological Society of Ontario.

The report contains an account of the proceedings at our annual meeting, which was
held in the city of London on the 27th and 28th of November last, for the election of
officers and the transaction of the general business of the Society. A full report is given
of the addresses delivered and papers read during the sessions, as well as the financial
statement of the Treasurer and the reports of the sections and other departments of the
Society.

The Canadian Entomologist, the monthly magazine issued by the Society, has been
regularly published and has now completed its twenfy-seventh volume, which in value
and interest fully maintains the high reputation which it has so long held.

I have the honor to be, Sir,

Your obedient servant,

W. E. SAUNDERS,

Secretary.

1 EM

OFFICERS FOR 1896.

President J. "W. Dearness London.

Vice-President H. H. Lyman Montreal.

Secretary W. E. Saunders do

Treasurer J. A. Balkwill do

Directors :

Division No. 1 James Fletcher Ottawa.

" 2 Rev. C. J. S. Bethune Port Hope.

" 3 Gamble Geddes Toronto.

11 4 A. H. Kilman Ridgeway.

" 5 R. W. Rennie London.

Librarian and Curator J. A. Moffat do

Auditors

J. H. Bowman do

J. M. Denton do

Editor of the " Canadian
Entomologist "

| Rev. 0

. 0. J. S. Bethune Port Hope.

Editing Committee

J. Fletcher < . . . Ottawa.

H. H. Lyman Montreal.

Rev. T. W. Fyles S. Quebec.

J. M. Denton London.

Delegate to the Royal Society ... . . J. D. Evans Trenton.

/'Dr. Woolverton, Messrs. Sherwood,

McClement, Balkwill, Saunders,
Committee on Field Days . . . . < . _ _> ,-,

J Anderson, Rennie, Bowman, Elliott,

I and Stevenson London.

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

1895

The thirty-third annual meeting of the Entomological Society of Ontario was held
in its rooms in Victoria Hall, London, on Wednesday and Thursday, November 27th and
28th, 1895. In the absence of the President, the chair was taken by the Vice-President,
Mr. J. W. Dearness, of London.

The meeting was called to order at four o'clock p.m., on Wednesday, the following
members being present : Rev. C. J. S. Bethune, Port Hope ; Mr. J. D. Evans, Trenton ;
Mr. James Fletcher, Ottawa ; Mr. H. H. Lyman, Montreal ; Rev. T. W. Fyles, South
Quebec ; Messrs. J. A. Balkwill, J. M. Denton, E. R. Cameron, J. A. Moffat, W. E.
Saunders, R. W. Rennie, W. T. McOlement and others, of London. A letter of apology
was read from Mr. W. H. Harrington, of Ottawa, President of the Society, and a telegram
from Oapt. Gamble Geddes, of Toronto, regretting their inability to attend the meeting.

Mr. J. A. Moffat, the Librarian and Curator, presented and read his annual report,
as follows :

REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN AND CURATOR

for the Year Ending 31st of August, 1895.

The number of volumes added to the library by gift and purchase during the year
was twenty-two. Ten volumes were sent to the binder, but some delay occurred in their
return, which prevented their being entered within the year. I considered it desirable to
include them in this statement, and in doing so, I had to include several others previously
entered, which bring the number added to date up to thirty-eight.

The whole number on the register is 1,399.

The number of volumes issued to local members was thirty-three.

Mr. Fletcher has generously contributed to the library six volumes of the proceed-
ings of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Many interesting additions have been made to the Society's collection of native lepi-
doptera during the year ; principally by Mr. C. G. Anderson, one of our local members.

The specimens of Nemeophila petrosa received from Mr. Bean of Laggan, have been
given a drawer to themselves, arranged in order as upon the plate, with the original num-
bers attached. The portions of Mr. Bean's paper descriptive of the individual specimens
have been placed with them.

Mr. Rennie obtained by exchange cocoons of Platysamia ceonothi, and Antherosa
mylitta, " the India Tussah silk moth," which he kindly shared with the Society. These
matured and gave forth their imagoes, which have been placed with the exotic collection.

Respectfully submitted,

J. Alston Moffat,

Librarian and Curator.

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

The Treasurer, Mr. J. A. Balkwill, presented the annual statement of the^finances
of the Society, as follows :

EEPORT OF THE TREASURER.

RECEIPTS.

Balance on hand Sept. 1st, 1894 $ 360 60

Members' fees 309 39

Sales of Entomologist . 88 56

" pins, cork, etc 66 61

Government grant 1,000 00

Advertisements 21 40

Interest 9 47

$1,856 03

EXPENDITURE.

Printing $ 644 33

Report and meeting expenses 216 00

Library 47 38

Expense, postage, etc 117 02

Rent and fuel 102 70

Insurance 28 00

Salaries . . 300 00

Pins, cork, etc 58 69

Balance on hand, August 31st, 1895 341 91

$1,856 03

We hereby certify that we have examined the books of the Treasurer and compared
them with the vouchers, and find them correct and that the above is a correct statement.

John M. Denton,
Jas. H. Bowman

:•}

Auditors.

The Treasurer explained the various items of receipts and expenditure and stated
that it would require the closest economy to carry on the work of the Society during the
remainder of the year. Dr. Bethune and Mr. Fletcher spoke in commendation of the
valuable services of Mr. Balkwill and of the high appreciation in which theywere held by
the members of the Society.

Mr. W. E. Saunders gave an account of the proceedings of the local members of the
council with regard to obtaining more suitable and commodious rooms for the Society.
After a long discussion, which was participated in by most of the members present, it was
resolved that the matter be left in the hands of the local members of the council, who
were authorized to take whatever action seemed to them most desirable for the welfare
of the Society.

An application from the Senate of the Western University of Ontario was read
requesting that their students in geology should be permitted to attend, free of charge,
the meetings of the geological section of the Society. After some consideration it was
resolved that the matter should be left in the hands of Dr. Woolverton, who is to deliver
the lectures, and that he should have the liberty, which is shared by all the members, of
introducing friends to the meetings of the section.

The following report of the council was next read and adopted :

REPORT OF THE COUNCIL.

The council of the Entomological Society of Ontario have much pleasure in pre-
senting the following report of their proceedings during the past year :

They have much satisfaction in stating that the membership of the Society in
London, and in the Province of Ontario generally, has largely increased, and that
additions have also been made to our numbers in other parts of the Dominion,
especially in British Columbia. The list of subscribers in the United States and Europe
has continued about the same. The total number of names on our books is now con-
siderably larger than ever before since the formation of the Society, while the interest
in its work has by no means diminished.

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

The twenty-fifth annual report on Economic and general Entomology was presented
to the Minister of Agriculture for Ontario in November last, and was printed and dis-
tributed at the beginning of January. It contained one hundred and twenty-six pages,
a larger number than hitherto, and was illustrated with no less than sixty wood cuts,
and two full page portraits, one of Prof. William Saunders, one of the founders and
for many years President of the Society and editor of The Canadian Entomologist, and
the other of Mr. A. E. Grote, of Hildesheim, Germany, one of our honorary members
and a constant contributor to our publications. In addition to an account of the pro-
ceedings at the annual meeting, the volume contains the annual address of Mr. Harring-
ton, the President, and the following interesting and important papers : " Insects collected
in Bermuda^" by Capt. Geddes ; "Common names for Butterflies — Shall we have
them % " by Mr. Lyman ; " The Butterflies of the Eastern Provinces of Canada," by Dr.
Bethune; " The Pitcher-plant Moth," The Gypsy Moth," "The San Jose Scale," and
" Injurious Insects of the y3ar 1894," by Mr. Fletcher; "Foods, Feeders and Fed," by
Mr. Fyles; "The economic value of Parasitism," by Mr. F. M. Webster; "The struc-
ture of the undeveloped wings of the Saturniadse " and " A reappearance of Pieris pro-
todice," by Mr. Moflat ; also a report of the sixth annual meeting of the Association
of Economic Entomologists together with a few of the most interesting papers.

The Canadian Entomologist, the monthly magazine published by the Society, com-
pleted its twenty-sixth volume in December last. The numbers of the twenty-seventh
volume have been regularly issued at the beginning of each month during the current
year ; the closing number for December is now in type and will be distributed next
week. The volume when completed will consist of about 360 pages, and is illustrated
by no less than six full page plates and twenty-three wood cuts Among the contribu-
tors to its pages are most of the leading Entomologists in North America as well as
several in Europe. It is now the oldest monthly publication on insects published in
America, and continues to maintain the high reputation that it has so long enjoyed.

A noteworthy event in the history of the Society is the republication, through the
kindness of the Minister of Agriculture for Ontario, of the first annual report of our
Society, which was prepared by Messrs. Bethune, Saunders and Reed in the year 1870,
and published early in 1871. It contains articles on the insects injurious to the apple,
grape and plum, and has been for some time out of print. Notwithstanding that
almost a quarter of a century has gone by since it was first issued, the volume is still in
demand for public libraries and private collections.

The cabinets of the Society have been carefully looked after by the Curator, Mr. J.
Alston Moffat, during the past year, and many valuable additions have been made.
The collections owe many of these additions to the zealous work of Mr. 0. G. Anderson,
who has devoted much time and energv to the lepidoptera in the neighborhood of Lon-
don. Mr. Bean, of Laggan, has presented a set of the specimens of Nemeophila petrosa
which were illustrated in the April number of The Canadian Entomologist. Mr. Ren-
nie has presented specimens of some interesting silk moths, of which he had obtained
the cocoons ; and Mr. Rowland Hill a beautiful case of Australian insects.

Mr. E. Firmstone Heath, of Cartwright, Manitoba, has sent through Mr. Fletcher,
some interesting and rare lepidoptera captured in his own neighborhood ; and Mr. Green, of
Osoyoos, British Columbia, has also sent some very valuable and typical representative
specimens of butterflies from the Okanagan valley. ~--:&

The library is steadily growing and now numbers 1,400 volumes, many of them
being rare and extremely valuable works.

The report of the Treasurer shows that our finances are in a satisfactory con
dition. The balance on hand at the close of the financial year is about the same as
in his statement at our last annual meeting, and will all be absorbed by the expenses
attending the remaining portion of the year. The question of rooms for the Society
will have to be dealt with very soon, as the present quarters are too small for the
library and collections and the meetings of the sections. It is to be hoped that the new
council will be able to settle the matter to the general satisfaction.

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

The reports of the geological, microscopical and botanical sections are presented
herewith. They have held regular meetings during the past season and have accom -
plished much satisfactory work. The ornithological section has become so much reduced
in numbers that no meetings have been held, but it is confidently expected that there
will be a revival of interest next year.

The Society was represented by the Rev. T. W. Fyles at the annual meeting of the
Royal Society of Canada held in Ottawa in May last. His report is also presented
herewith.

All of which is respectfully submitted,

W. E. Saunders,

Secretary.

Mr. Lyman read the report of the Montreal branch as follows :
REPORT OF THE MONTREAL BRANCH.

Annual meeting of the Montreal branch of the Entomological Society of Ontario.

The twenty-second annual meeting of the Montreal branch was held in the library
of the Natural History Society, on Tuesday evening, 14th May, at 8.15 o'clock.

Members present : Messrs. H. H. Lyman, President ; Lachlan Gibb, Yice-President ;
Geo. Kearley, and A. F. Winn, Acting Secretary.

The President presented the following report of the Council :

Report op Council.

In presenting their twenty-second annual report the council have much pleasure in
congratulating the branch upon having unquestionably come of age,* and feel that so long
a period of continued and unbroken existence is worthy of remark in view of the very
small numbers interested in this pursuit.

During the year seven meetings were held and the following papers and communica-
tions were read :

An hour at Hochelaga, A. F. Winn.

Notes on the season of 1894, H. H. Lyman.

Note on the occurrence of Pamphila Manitoba at St. Hubert P. Q , A. F. Winn.

Mantis and Mantispa, H. H. Lymann.

How the forest of the district of Bedford was swept away, Rev. T. W. Fyles.

Note on the occurrence of of Chionobas Tarpeia in North America, H. H. Lyman.

Four new members have been added to the branch's roll and it is to be hoped that
increased energy will be shown in the study of the many inviting subjects which this de-
partment of science holds out to those students who are really in earnest in the pursuit
of knowledge.

The Treasurer's report shows that the finances of the branch are in a healthy con-
dition.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the council.

H. H. Lyman,

President.
*It was organized 16th October, 1873.

It was moved and carried that the reports of the council and Secretary-Treasurer
be received and adopted.

The following officers were elected for the ensuing year :

President — H. H. Lyman.

Vice-President — A. F. Winn.

Secretary- Treasurer — Lachlan Gibb.

Council — G. Kearley, W. C. Adams.

The meeting then adjourned. Lachlan Gibb,

Secretary.

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

Regret was expressed that no member had been able to represent the Society at the
annnal meeting of the Association of Economic Entomologists held at Springfield,
Mass., in August last. Through the kindness of Mr. L. O. Howard a full account of the pro-
ceedings has been received, and an abstract will be found in subsequent pages of this
report.

Mr. Lyman exhibited a handsome quarto volume containing beautifully colored plates
of the butterflies of Germany, which only cost, when delivered here, $4.59. It is entitled
" Die Schmetterlinge Mittel-Europas," by Mar Korb, and is published at Nuremburg,
Germany.

A paper was next read by Mr. Lyman on Golias Interior, the consideration of
which was deferred to the following day.

The hour of 6 o'clock having arrived the meeting adjourned.

EVENING SESSION.

In the evening the Society held a public meeting in the City Hall,which was attend-
ed by between fifty and sixty persons, for the most part members of the Society. The
chair was taken at 8 o'clock by his Worship, Mayor Little; on the platform were Professor
C. C. James, Deputy Minister of Agriculture for Ontario, Rev. Dr. Bethune, Rev. T. W.
Fyles, Mr. Dearness, Mr. W. E. Saunders and Dr. Roome, M.P. The Mayor opened the
proceedings with the following remarks :

Ladies and Gentlemen, — Our city has had the good fortune in recent years to be
many times selected as the meeting place of conventions of fraternal and other societies
and we are always glad to welcome them in our midst. To-night we have amongst us the
representatives of a society, which, though provincial or Dominion in its character, has
its headquarters in our own city and is therefore ail the more welcome on that account.
I am sure, although there are not a very large number present to night, you will make
up by your enthusiasm for whatever you may want in numbers. This Society has been
quietly doing a very valuable work in our country. I understand that the journal which
they publish is considered the most valuable work on entomology that is published on the
continent of America and it is also the oldest. It is all the more interesting to us, because
the Society was founded largely through the efforts of Mr. Bethune, who is on the plat-
form to-night, and one of our own fellow citizens, Prof. Saunders, whom though at Ottawa,
we still look upon as a citizen and we are proud of him and his work.. I therefore say
this Society has a warm place in our hearts, because of its origin, and because it has
remained among us. I am sure those who have come out to-night will not regret it.

Without any further remark I will call upon Prof. James of the Department of
Agriculture, Toronto, to address the meeting. (Applause)

THE NEW AGRICULTURE.

By Mr. C. C. James, Deputy Minister op Agriculture.

Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, and members of the Entomological Society, I
believe it is somewhat of an innovation for the Ontario Entomological Society to hold an
open meeting, or as we sometimes say a popular meeting, in connection with its deliber-
ations. This, I take it, will have the effect of bringing the Society more into sympathy
with the people, or rather of bringing the people more into sympathy with the work-
ings of the Society. As a rule we find that the best men do their work most quietly.
The men in this world who do the most advertising of themselves, who create the
greatest stir for the time being, are not always the most important men in the world. So
with regard to many of these societies, those who are doing their work the most quietly
are very frequently the ones that are doing the most important work for the community.
And the very fact that this Society for twenty-five years has been carrying on its work by

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

itself, quietly, without creating very much stir, is not a condemnation of the Society, but,
to my mind, the very fact that it is able to live after years of this quiet life shows it has
that true vitality which will enable it to exist and to do good work in this world. (Applause)

We are not very many who are gathered here to-night, and what we have to say will
be more in the line of a quiet talk between ourselves, more or less of a conversation one
with another, with regard to the work in which we are interested. I propose to talk in
regard to general agriculture and in connection with my remarks I may have something
to say in regard to entomology and its relationship to agriculture. I do not consider
that there is any more important question to be discussed or studied by city people, as
most of you no doubt are, than this subject of agriculture. Some one may say that agri-
culture ought to be reserved for farmers and farmers' sons and families, and that the
bringing in of the subject of agriculture at a town or city meeting is a great mistake.
But there are two or three reasons that we can offer in connection with this, that are quite
sufficient to warrant us in introducing a subject of this kind. In the first place we all
admit that this country is first and foremost an agricultural country, that the progress of
this country depends more upon agriculture than upon any other industry and that just
as agriculture rises or falls so will the general prosperity of this country rise or fall with it.
When the farmer is prosperous, has good crops and good prices, the people in the town3
and cities feel the effect ; and depression in the country is felt very soon in the city.
Then again there is an old idea, now being rapidly removed, that agriculture after all is
not a very interesting subject. The principal reason of talking to. night is to endeavor to
show to you, in an indirect manner it may be, that after all there is a great deal of
interest in agriculture for the people of our towns and cities.

There has been more or less talk of teaching agriculture in the schools and some
have said it should be taught in the rural schools, but there are many people in this
country who have looked into this question and who after thinking over it carefully have
come to the conclusion, that agriculture should be taught in our city schools as well as in
the country ; that there is as much need for the education of our city pupils as for the
rural in the subject of agriculture. Perhaps I may be able to show you, in a few cases
at least, that agriculture is not that dry hum-drum business that many of us ha ye some-
times thought it to be, but that connected with it are some of the most important and
interesting questions that have presented themselves to the mass of human beings. We
have heard a great deal of late in regard to many of the new questions, the new woman
for instance has filled column after column of our city papers. Now it struck me in
looking around for a subject that possibly I could not take anything better than this
11 the new agriculture." (Applause.)

What are the changes that have taken place, or what are the forces that are present
that have given us and are giving a new agriculture 1

The first is the great increase of transportation facilities. Those of you who are
older than the speaker here to-night will remember the time when transportation between
the old countries of the world and this country was very slow. To-day we have the great
continents connected by lines of steamers that run as rapidly as some of the ac3ommo-
dation trains upon our railroads. Nearly every continent in the world is belted by one
or more great trans-continental railways. Even Russia is about completing a great
trans-Siberian railway, Africa will be the next country to have a trans-continental rail-
way. The result is that the world, so to speak, has been shrunken up and although we
have these continents at distances of five to eight thousand miles apart and although we
have great stretches of country such as this North America of ours, still with the im-
proved steamship lines and railways, these countries have been so closely brought
together that practically this world is now simply one great continent or one
great country. What has been the effect of that? The effect has been that
the great consuming markets have been Drought closer to their sources of sup-
ply and it is not very much of an advantage now to be stationed a thousand,
or two, or three, or four thousand miles nearer to the great consuming centres of
the world, than some other countries. For instance Canada, because she is only some
four thousand miles from England has not a very great advantage over Australia which

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

is, I think, some twelve thousand miles away. South America is practically as clo3e to
Europe to-day as we are. Africa, both in the north and south is about as close to Europe
as we are. There is very little difference in the cost of transportation over these great ocean
distances and the result of it has been, that these countries with great territories of fertile
lands, and with cheap labor, have been able to produce with almost equal facilities the
enormous quantities of crude materials, such as wheat and oats and barley, and as a
consequence the great consuming countries of the world are supplied as they have never
been before. And the prices of these products have been going down lower and lower
until we find that one great result has been that these crude products of the farm have
been brought to the great commercial centres at very low rates Let me give you a
couple of instances. It costs about thirty-four cents to pay all charges for sending a
bushel of wheat from Manitoba to Liverpool, let us say half a cent on a pound. From
Australia butter has been shipped to London at a rate less than two cents a pound. The
transportation charges have been brought so low that it is possible to ship butter in refrig-
erator steamships from the dock in Australia to the dock at London for a smaller amount
than it can be sent by rail from the north of England to the south. So that you see the
great increase in transportation facilities has reduced distances; has brought the great
producing nations of the world closer to one another, and they can now barter in the
markets at about equal advantage one with the other. The result of this has been that
the products that are of easy production have suffered in price as a consequence, and only
those products which are more difficult to produce, which are produced by the more highly
cultivated people, by a people with better facilities, with better training and better educa-
tion, have been able to hold their own. Our farmers to-day aie turning their attention
more and more to the production of these higher classed articles, these articles which
require more skill, because thereby they come less and less into competition with cheap
labor and cheap 'soil. The production of these lower grades brings their higher priced
labor in competition with lower priced, whereas the production of the higher classes, such
as the best class of fruit and dairying production brings them into competition, not with
cheap labor and cheap lands, but with the better class of labor and lands of Europe.

The second cause is the application of machinery. This perhaps might not at first
sight present itself quite as forcibly to your minds as it will if I give an instance or two.
The grains as we grow them, such as wheat and barley, have been raised from time
immemorial. It is impossible to say when wheat and barley and grains of all kinds were
first produced upon the earth. Go back as far as you will, you will find in history and
in archaeological remains the traces of the instruments for cutting have been shaped some-
thing like the curved arm, the sickle, and yet if you think, it was only the other day the
sickle went out of use among civilized people. From the time that wheat and barley and
oats were first produced until within a few years ago, the sickle, with practically little or
no change, remained the sole reaping instrument of the human race. About 1826 a
Scotch minister presented for examination to the Highland and Agricultural Society of
Scotland a new machine, the forerunner of what we now know as the reaping machine.
About the year 1831 Cyrus MacCormack brought out the first reaping machine in the
United States. It was not until the year '41 or '42 after ten long years of experiment
and changing and testing that this machine was finally put upon the market. It is only
within the last fifty years that the sickle, the scythe and the cradle after being used for
so many centuries have been superseded by the reaping machine. All at once what
wonderful developments began. The reaper and the mower, and then a very few years
ago came the self-binder, and we have to-day in California the harvester and header
machine, drawn by from eighteen to twenty-four horses or mules, which reaps and
threshes the grain and leaves it in bags on the field. The question we ask ourselves right
here is, " What next1?" One hesitates to say or give an answer to that question when
we see what has happened, what wonderful steps in progress have been made from the
simple sickle or scythe to the self-binder. When within the period of thirty or forty
years such wonderful evolution has taken place after a long period of quiescence, one may
say, what will be introduced next ?

Take another instance. In connection with dairying the method in olden times of
ohurning the milk was by a very simple operation, either by means of a bag hung up and

10 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

pounded or swung around, or else in a vessel quite similar to our old-fashioned barrel
churn. It is not very many years since the old-fashioned dash churn and implements of
this kind were used for the manufacture both of butter and cheese. Then someone introduced
the application of power, such as horse power, steam power, the introduction of the box
churn and one after another applications of the various kinds of machinery began to be
made, till now what have we to-day 1 We have a machine that can be set up in the barn
to milk the cows. Although this machine is in an undeveloped condition, neverthekss it
does its work and proves we are on the right track. That milk drawn by a machine can
now be put into another machine and by means of it the skim-milk comes out of one
spout and the cream out of another. This cream can be put into another vessel or machine,
and by proper temperature and the addition of a substance somewhat resembling yeast,
a fermentation can be started, and just that kind of fermentation that we desire in con-
nection with it. After the fermentation has gone on a certain time this can be put into
another machine and churned, and after churning it can be worked and packed by
machinery. So that now it is possible, although not altogether practical, from the very
milking to the putting of the finished article on the market, to do the whole of the
work by machinery. This wonderful progress has taken place within the last quarter of
a century.

As we look at farming in its different aspects, machinery has been applied at this
point and that point, and agriculture is being put on an equality with the manufacturing
establishments of our towns and cities. You ask yourselves this question, " Why have our
great manufactures in the towns and cities developed V The principal reason for this is
in the application of machinery to the work. Why is it that machinery has been developed
in connection with all these other industries and yet it has taken so long to bring the
attention of inventors to the work of agriculture ? Well, one reason is that there has
been no gieat necessity for it until recent years. We sometimes hear it said that the
men are leaving the farms because they are not required, because so much machinery has
been brought in that a man with a machine can now do as much work as a man and two
hired men could do before. There is another side to that question, viz., because of this
drawing away of so many farmers' sons from the farms to the towns and cities, because
of the want, therefore the supplv of machinery has been produced. Both of these things
no doubt have been effective. That is, machinery has been produced because it has been
required ; and people have left the country since they were not required because of the
presence of machinery. According to the census of 1891 there were farmers and farmers'
sons in Canada to the number of 649,506, in 1881 there 656,712. From '81 to '91 the
number of farmers and farmers' sons in Canada decreased by over 7,000, yet during that
period we had the opening up of Manitoba and also of the North-West, and the agricul-
tural product cf Canada is greater to day than it ever was before. If you put these two
or three facts together you can easily see the great part machinery has been playing in con-
nection with agriculture in Canada for the last ten years. Although the number of farmers
decreased to the extent of 7,000, nevertheless the total output of agriculture has vastly
increased. This is owing to a great extent to the application of improved machinery in
connection with agriculture.

The next point in connection with agriculture that I wish to refer to is one that
comes as a sort of rider to the last ; a companion to it, namely, the application of science to
agriculture. Now, in certain quarters the moment you begin to talk about the science of
agriculture and scientific farming an objection is raised and people say there is nothing
scientific about it, it is all practice, and when you find a scientific farmer you find a
farmer who does not make much progress.

I desire to give a few facts to show that science has been applied quite
successfully to the improvement of agriculture in this country, and further, that just as
we bring to bear upon agriculture the latest and best developments of the different sciences,
so we may expect agriculture to make improvement. One of the great reasons why
agriculture remained on a dead level for so many centuries was simply because the atten-
tion of scientific men had not been directed to agriculture as a field for investigation.
Scientists had been expending their time and energy with the work that is carried on in

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 11

towns and cities. To-day we find as much attention being paid to the science of the
calling of agriculture as to anything else, and the result his been wonderful progress, a
wonderful develop merit, which has begun of late and which is now in progress, and the
result of which we can hardly forecast at the present time.

Let us take two or three illustrations : We sometimes hear it said that there is not
very much in agriculture, that it is a dry subject, with nothing interesting in it, that it
belongs so to speak to the common people and not to the literary class ; there is nothing
about it likely to attract the attention of people. Now, I will give you an illustration,
which probably you may have had presented to you before. It has been known for years
that there is wonderful difference in different crops, in the methods of their feeding.
For instance, they say clover will feed in one way, that wheat will feed in another, that
our common grasses of the field feed in another, and because of their different methods of
feeding, therefore, it is advisable that we rotate crops, one kind one year, another kind
another year. We can perhaps illustrate that by representing before us here a large
table. Suppose a long table were set up in this room, filled with all manner of food, and
you as an audience were asked to sit down at the table to partake or taste, and to take all
you would want to eat. No two of you would want to eat the same kind of food. One man
would have a preference for fruits ; another man might have a great preference for meats ;
in fact there would be a choice in the kinds of meat. Your tastes differ ; your methods of
feeding differ. After you were through, if you will allow the comparison to be taken to
a little lower level, suppose we were to bring in some animals of another kind whose tastes
were different from ours, they would be able to take from what was left. Still there
would be a portion of the food they would not take, and we could bring in something
else and finally the scraps might be thrown out to the poultry. So if you alone were to
be fed upon that food there would be a considerable amount that would not be taken ;
you could not make use of it, but what you did not want some other animal would
devour ; what the second class of animal would not devour the third would. Here is a
large feast, so to speak, prepared by nature for plants, and we put one kind of plant upon
that soil this year. Ii: has a preference for a certain class of food and takes it, and next
year another kind of plant is put upon that field which has a different fee ling capacity
from the one of the preceding year and that plant takes what the other one does not want,
and so on by rotating year after year, for three or four or five years, we are able to satisfy
the wants of all, whereas if we kept on with the one plant year after year, we would have
exhausted the particular food of that one plant and the rest of th« food that was there
would have been left lying idle all the time. Many farmers in years past, thinking the
soils of this country were entirely inexhaustible, put in wheat this year and wheat next
year and so on,- until finally they were forced to the conclusion that there was nothing
left for the wheat and they have taken their attention to other things. We find in many
cases what was once a first-class wheat farm became a very poor wheat farm, and then
after a number of years that poor wheat farm has become a first-class dairy farm, because
different crops have been grown for milk, butter, and cheese.

I want to refer more particularly to one of these plants, viz.: 01 over. I do not
think there is any plant that presents a more interesting study, interesting though they
all may be, than this much neglected and underrated clover plant. It was found that it
fed in a different way entirely from the wheat, and then the question that presents itself to
the minds of some of these much despised scientists is, in what way doe3 that clover plant
live? How does it differ in its feeding from other plants'? After a long and careful
examination, some came to the conclusion that it got most of its nourishments out of the
air. Others concluded because it had a long root and it could go down into the sub-soil,
that it got its nourishment there. They finally found something that had escaped the
attention of most examiners, in connection with the roots of the clover plant upon which
there were little knots or nodules. Now, I suppose hundreds of thousands of clover
plants had been examined and these little knots had been seen. Someone who was a
little more inquisitive pushed his question a little further and began to ask himself this
question seriously: " Now this little bud or nodule on the roots must after all play some
part in the economy of this clover plant." And to sum the whole thing this has been the

12 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

result of investigation ; that these little knots are filled with very minute organisms very
difficult to describe, very minute specks somewhat similiar to the very minute specks we
find in yeast These are living in the roots like little parasites and the effect of their
living there is to take up nitrogen from the air and in some way to give it to the plant
for its subsistence, so that whenever one of these nodules comes on the clover root we
find it has the means of taking up food out of the air, and then when we turn over the
plant and allow it to decay in the soil, we put in the soil a certain amount of food that
this plant has taken up out' of the air; and the result of it is there is an excess of food
there for the next plant that comes along. Now the wheat does not possess that little
nodule and it does not take up the nitrogen out of the air, and the result has been that,
that little investigation, — little we may call it, yet momentous in its results — has estab-
lished the practice of preceding the wheat crop by a crop such as clover, or peas or
beans.

Let me give you one instance in connection with entomology which has seemed
to me since I read it some years ago, almost like a fairy tale. I will give it to you
just as it stands. About eight or nine years ago the complete destruction of the
orange groves of California was threatened by the spread of an insect known as the
cottony-cushion scale. This insect was covering the limbs of the trees and the result was
the vitality was being sucked right out of these trees by millions of tiny insects. The
pest got completely beyond the control of the fruit growers of that country and in
their despair they appealed for help to somebody or anybody. Professor Riley who was
in charge of the Entomological Department at Washington, and who unfortunately met
his death this year, — one of the greatest benefactors the American people has ever known
— at once began the investigation of that question. Being an expert entomologist he knew
practically every country in the world where that scale insect was common and he knew
that the most likely place from which it had come was Australia. It had probably been
introduced some twenty years before that, in bringing in fruit trees or vines from Aus-
tralia. He however knew it had never become a pest in Australia. Now if it is found
in Australia and later found in California and has become a pest in California and has not
become a pest in Australia, he concluded that there must be something in Australia that
will stop it, so he despatched two assistants to Australia to investigate it and they sent
back consignments of lad\- bug beetles or lady-bugs as they are commonly known. You
have seen these running back and forth over the leaves and branches of the fruit trees
doing great destruction to the other insects. Within a very short time, less than a year,
although these scale insects had been increasing for twenty years and practically had the
products cf California by the throat, and in fact had taken possession of the country ; in
Jess than a year, this little lady-bug increased to such quantities that it swept the scale
out of existence or got it into such control, that the fruit interests of California were
saved. (Applause). I do not suppose that anybody could sit down and figure up the
amount of money that was saved or made for the United States by that simple little
insect brought in by a man known to very few presert. You do not see his name promi-
nent in the newspapers. The fact was not heralded broadcast in great flaming type. He
was not given any great ovation. It is a question whether any monument will be erected
to him by the United States, yet it is doubtful whether the United States has had any
greater benefactor than that man and his associates.

Take the potato bug, what would we do to-day if we did not know that simply by
dusting Paris green on potato plants we could effectually head off and kill the potato
beetle. We could not raise potatoes at all. Where has that come from? It was not
picked up by chance, somebody did not sit down one day and write to the paper that
he thought that if you dust the potato bug with Paris green you would stop it. Back of
that was careful investigation by these same men who study the habits, mode, and living
and all about the potato bug. We might go on and give instance after instance. A great
many of the various methods that are being practised to-day, many of the best practices
we have in connection with agriculture to-day have come, not by hap hazard or by chance,
but have been worked out by men on small salaries, working in obscure places, who have
devoted themselves to their work with such energy as we have not had surpassed in any'
other calling, I care not what one you mention.

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. % 13

What a large portion of our reading is monopolized by a few things. I suppose the
people of London know how much importance is attached to politics. It seems to be
necessary the world over to have politics, but there are other things that are constantly
filling the newspapers. What does that prove 1 That the people want to hear about
these things, that the people have their attention taken up with these things, yet it is
not very often that you fiud the most valuable columns of the newspapers given over to
some great agriculture event, unless it may be in the case of agricultural depression
or crop failure where there is something that is going to effect the nuances of the whole
country.

The point I want to make is this, there are lots of things happening in connection
with agriculture, that are far more important to the prosperity of the country than these
things which seem to occupy such an important place in connection with public atten-
tion. I have brought along with me a picture to illustrate that. Last summer, many
of our Canadian papers were interested in a discussion, as to whether the American
Society of Colonial Wars should be allowed to go down to Louisburg, Cape Breton,
and erect a monument to commemorate the taking of that place by the Americans,
British Colonists, as they were at that time. If I remember correctly some 150 years
ago they occupied the place and held it for a short time, and then the French people
took it back again. Now that event has cropped up again, after a period of 150 years.
That event has been made so important to a' large class of the community that they
felt themselves constrained to raise a large fund, to get together a large excursion party,
and to journey to Louisburg and erect that monument. It created so much attention
at the time that it was a matter of doubt as to whether the Canadian Government
ought to allow these people to go over there and erect the monument or not. This
picture was sent me by Mr. Thompson, of Massachusetts, and I will just read you the
inscription upon it. It is doubtful whether half a dozen in this room have ever seen
this in the newspapers, or whether they know such a monument was erected. " This
pillar, erected in 1895 by the Rumford Historical Association, incorporated April 28th,
1877, marks the estate where in 1793 Samuel Thompson, Esq., while locating the line of
the Middlesex Canal discovered the first Pecker Apple Tree, later named the Bald-
win." Now, I will submit it to you as to whether it was of more importance to the
country to capture and hold for a short time, that little point down there on Oape
Breton, or to discover the " Baldwin Apple." That Baldwin apple was discovered in
1793, and at the present day if you pick up in the rail of the year, just about this time,
the market reports in Liverpool, you will find a few kinds of apples mentioned. Green-
ings so much a barrel, Spies so much, Baldwins so much. Practically from that day to
this the Baldwin apple has been produced over the Eastern and Western States, and in
Canada, and has been bringing in year by year a large amount of money to the Amer-
ican people. And yet events of that kind are practically lost sight of ; whereas events
such as I have spoken of, are blazed forth to the country and the minds of the people
are filled with it. Now it seems to me these things are out of all due proportion.
Probably we cannot rectify them, yet the point I want to make here is that there are a
great many things happening, there are a great many conclusions being arrived at in
connection with the prosperity of this country that are entirely overlooked, whereas
other events that are of little consequence after all, are magnified and fill column after
column of the newspaper. What is the result of this *? Suppose you ask the boys
and girls in the rural parts, and the boys and girls in our towns and cities, what effect
the reading of these matters has upon their minds 1 Is it not a fact that it suggests
to their minds the paramount importance of politics and such things as concern town
and city life. The result is their minds become filled with the events of town and city
life ; their inclinations are drawn off in that direction ; the ties which bind them to
agriculture become cut one after another, and the ties which lura them away become
greater and greater, till we find a great many of these, to their discomfort afterward,
are lost to agriculture and a great many men who would have made first-class agricul-
turalists, are drafted off in other lines of work to take second and third-rate positions.

The last point I desire to touch upon in connection with this new agriculture, is
that during the last ten or twelve years, to say nothing about the past twenty-five years,

14 • ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO,

there has been wonderful development in connection with the facilities for acquiring
information in regard to agriculture. These things that I have mentioned I have no
doubt will be righted some day, and before long you will find the histories of this
country will not be filled merely with accounts of men killing one another, they will not
be filled merely with the names of persons who have occupied positions in towns and
cities, but you will find there the development of the people traced. A gentleman came
to me the other day who had for sale a book, dealing with the history of this country.
He said : " You will find there everything in connection with this country." I said :
" T will be very glad to get it, I have been looking for a great many things and have
not been able to find them." Now, before you go away we will just try it. I said :
" When was the first Agricultural Society formed in Ontario ? " T don't know," well, I
said, " that is of importance, is it not V Is there any organization or institution that
has done more to build up and develop the country, until probably within the last four
or five years, than the Agricultural Society % It is of as much importance to know as
when a certain kind of industry was established in some town or city. I have been on
the search for it for the last five years, and finally I think I have nailed it down. There
is an utter absence of all these facts in regard to the agricultural development of the
country. Until we come down to the period of twenty-five or thirty years it has
almost all disappeared. They can tell you of the men who have been elected to Parlia-
ment from the very first up to now. They can give you the vote that was polled in
connection with any election. They can tell you, perhaps, when a certain new kind of
machinery was brought into the country. They cannot tell you when the first improve-
ment was made in connection with live stock, when the first thoroughbred live stock
came into the country. I say that it is of much importance to know when these
agricultural industries began and how they developed, because on these, rather than the
others, the prosperity of this country has been built up. My point is, there ought to
be a proper balance between these things and our histories should not be filled with
other events to the exclusion of those which are equally important.

A wonderful change has taken place in the facilities for carrying on experimental
work and getting an agricultural education. Take this province, we have the Agricul-
tural College at Guelph and the Experimental Farm at Ottawa, from which our friend Mr.
Fletcher comes. We have a school or college of agriculture at Kingston, and now
we have a dairy school in the west at Strathroy, so we have four points in this province
from which comes information in regard to some of the later developments in agricul-
ture. Then we have six or eight different points at which experiments in connection
with fruit growing will be carried on, and there is a great development along that line.
Before long we will have this province dotted over with little stations from which the
latest information may be obtained, and each of these will be a centre leavening the whole
surrounding country.

Then we have the societies. Beginning with the time of the organization of the Pro-
vince of Ontario in 1867, we have from then on had the organization of society after socie y.
till now we have three dairy associations, two poultry associations, the fruit growers,
the bee-keepers and the sheep-breeders and the swine-breeders, and a great many other
stock associations, and last, but not least that association to which we are indebted to-
night for this meeting, the Entomological Society which has now been carrying on its
work most successfully for the last twenty-five years. I think these societies have all
been accomplishing a great deal of good in this country. Some may say they do not get
any great benefit, they do not come in immediate contact with the Entomological Society,
but each one of these men so to speak becomes a source of information and as they go
from these meetings to their homes, to this point and the other, they give out their in-
formation. They also come in contact with other men through their writings.

This Society has been quietly doing one of the most important works in connection
with agriculture in this province. If these gentlemen were not present I might say
something even a little more flattering with regard to them. I Lave had occasion from
year to year of examining the reports of their meetings which they have sent out, because
they are published in the department to which I am attached and I can simply say this,

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 15

that if the work of all the other societies was ^s well done as the work of this Society
our labors at Toronto would be very much relieved. When the report comes in it is
ready at once to go to the printer and we have no further work in connection with it, and
year after year when I read that report I have been astonished with the amount of work
that has been condensed and packed away. It is not a padded report, it is a report full
of information. In looking over the list of persons to whom it is sent I find it has gone
to almost every corner of the world. These men have not been content to hide their
light under a bushel, but their work has gone out into every province, and has gone out
into the whole worM. Someone may say, " I do not see any good in finding out what is
the peculiarity of certain insects or finding out just how they live." I do not see any
good result coming trom the work of the bacteriologist who studies with the microscope
things 3mall, so that if you were to take up a drop of milk on the point of your penknife
and were able to count its inhabitants you would find 1,000,000,000 of these living plants in
that drop of milk. The whole system of dairying has been revolutionized by the work of
that man who is sometimes called unpractical.

Whenever I hear any of these objections I sometimes think of a saying of Franklin.
Franklin you remember in connection with his experiments in electricity sent a kite into
the clouds. He told the people that there was electricity up there and they laughed at
him. He sent up his kite but the electricity did not come down. However, fortunate
for the occasion, we are told, that the kite went up into a black, dark cloud which he
positively felt was filled with electricity. Shortly afterwards the rain began to fall. It
came down wetting the kite and trickling down the string. Then the hand that held the
Tret string began to feel the throbbing of the electricity ; he proved it to th«m and they
said. "What is the use of if?" And he said. " What is the use of a baby % It will grow
to be a man." So in regard to many of these inventions or discoveries or conclusions that
the entomologists, and chemists and botanists, and bacteriologists, and biologists and
other scientists may find with regard to agriculture. Their discoveries are in the con-
dition of Franklin's baby, and if we will only wait and have faith in the work we are en-
gaged in and give true encouragement and sympathy, some of us at least may live to
see these scientific babies grow up to be good, strong, stalwart men in connection with
the practice of agriculture in which Ave are so much interested. (Applause).

At the conclusion of Prof. James's address, which was listened to with great attention
and heartily applauded, Dr. Bethune rose and said :

Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen, — I propose that we offer our very hearty
thanks to Prof. James, for the able and interesting address which he has just given us.
Prof. James has come, I am sure, at a grest deal of inconvenience to himself on purpose
to be present with us here to-night, and to encourage us by the remarks which he has
made, and also to give us a great deal of very valuable information. While thanking
him for his address to-night I should also like to take the opportunity,as one of the original
members of this Society, to express the gratitude that our Society must necessarily feel
towards the Department of Agriculture for Ontario, of which Prof. James is Deputy
Minister. He has remarked this evening that our Society has been in existence for
twenty-five years and the Mayor has also mentioned to-night, that our magazine, The
Canadian Entomologist, is now the oldest magazine touching on the subject, upon the
whole continent of America. But I wish to let you know one reason why our Society
and our magazine have survived so many others that have have started in the United
States and Canada and that is, that we have been so greatly helped throughout nearly
the whole of our existence, by the Department of Agriculture for Ontario. (Applause.)
We began in a very small and humble way with a little magazine of eight pages that
was to be published whenever we bad enough material and enough money, and we had
fourteen members, all told, when we began. And we managed like many other societies
to struggle on, but unlike most societies of this kind, we have not died a natural death in
a few years. The Department of Agriculture came to our assistance, and gave us a small
grant at first, which was subsequently greatly increased, so that while a number of years

16 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

passed, we have been able to hold our own in the domain of science in North America
and to spread our publication, not only all over the continent but, we may safely say, to
the ends of the earth. We have correspondents and subscribers in every part of the
world, including even South America, Australia, India and Japan, as well as the different
countries of Europe. I trust you will unite with me in expressing our thanks to Prof.
James. (Applause.)

THE VALUE OF ENTOMOLOGY.

Mr. James Fletcher, Entomologist of the Experimental Farm at Ottawa, spoke as
follows :

Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, — It .is my pleasure and honor on this
occasion to represent as well as I can a far better man than myself, namely, the Presi-
dent of our Society. After all the kind words which have fallen from the lips of our es-
teemed lecturer of the evening, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, it is difficult to
give a resume of the work and objects of the Entomological Society of Ontario without
repeatirjg something which may already have been better said. Our Society stands in
the position of a Division of Entomology to the Department of Agriculture and Arts,
and it is the wish of every member of tne council that our work should be of the greatest
possible utility to the country at large. The work done in the past has been of an ex-
cellent nature, the prosperity and utility of the Society having year by year increased,
and I am happy to be able to say that, at the present time, the Society is in a more
prosperous condition than it has ever been before. We have a body of active, enthusias-
tic workers and every equipment for good work — valuable collections of insects, as well
as a first-rate botanical collection, a magnificent library, and, in addition, active branches
working up not only entomology, but also many other kindred branches of science. The
condition of our library is rather remarkable. It is undoubtedly the best library of works
on natural history in Canada and one of the best in North America. Now. I am quite cer-
tain, Mr. Mayor, that the citizens of London are not aware of this fact ; they do n^t
know of the valuable collection of books on natural history and the grand museum of
insects and plants which are deposited here in their midst, but which specialists are glad
to come from all parts of Canada to examine. Some people may say, " What is the use
of these collections of insects and plants ? They are pretty, it is true, but what is the use
of them V In reply, I would remind such enquirers that these objects are but means to an
end. The main object of our Society is to prevent loss to the farmers of Ontario from
the attacks of insect pests. The enormous losses which take place in the crops of the
province every year from the depredations of injurious insects, can only be controlled by
specialists first studying up and understanding the habits of the insects which cause the
damage ; for this purpose collections of various orders of insects for study and compari-
son are essentially necessary. Moreover, by collecting and studying all the members of
a family, we may frequently anticipate and prevent injury by one species from knowing
the habits of an allied member of the same family. We aim then to make our collections
as complete as possible and look forward to the time when some day we may have in
our cabinets representatives of all the injurious insects which have given trouble in Can-
ada. These are matters of interest to the citizens of London, which place has always
been the headquarters of our Society ; and my advice to those of you who have not yet
found out what treasures you have among you, is to go and find out as soon as possible ;
it is worth your while, and I can promise you that you will at all times meet with a
courteous reception from our Curator, Mr. J. Alston Moffat, who will gladly show the
many beautiful objects in his charge to anyone who is interested enough to call upon
him.

Some striking instances of the usefulness of the study of entomology have already
been well laid belore you by Prof. James, and there are numerous others which might be
cited. If any proof of the matter were needed, we have merely to think of the large
number of official economic entomologists employed by the leading nations of the world,

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 17

and to notice how the study of injurious insects is fostered by the most practical people
on the globe to-day, the Americans, who indeed were the first to organize a systematic
study of practical entomology and fungology. These two branches of knowledge are
certainly worthy of much study, for they are the two chief causes of a reduced output, in
other words, loss of revenue, in every country of the world.

The losses in the agricultural produce of a country every year due to the ravages of
insects are said to be ten per cent, of the whole amount, and there is a further loss of
ten per cent, caused by fungi parasitic on plants grown by man as food for himself or his
stock. Familiar examples of such parasitic tungi are the black spot of the apple, smut
of wheat, oats, barley, etc., grape mildew and potato rot. All of the3e are diseases which
in the past have been the direct cause of the loss of large sums of money, but which
now, owing to the studies of specialists, can all be to a large measure controlled by prac-
tical methods, cheap, simple fmd effective, which can be used by every farmer in the
country possessed of ordinary intelligence. The same thing is the case with injurious
insects. Of those kinds which every year attack our crops and reduce our revenues, by
far the larger proportion have been studied out so fully, by men such as those who form
the membership of the Entomological Society of Ontario, that at the present time prac-
tical remedies are available for all who will take the trouble to ask for them or who have
kept themselves posted in the matters which concern vitally the success of their business.
But these facts are not appreciated generally by the people most concerned, the agri-
cultural classes. It is an old but true saying: — " We only miss the water when the
well runs dry." As a rule, farmers only think of remedies when they find their crops
seriously attacked, and they then find that in many cases it is too late to prevent loss.
Many of the most successful means of protecting crops are methods of prevention and
must be put in practice long before the crop to be protected has reached maturity. The
farmers of Canada are much to be envied ; for they have advantages not surpassed in
any part of the world. Yes, sir ; not only have we here the glorious climate and mag-
nificent soil necessary for the production of the best agricultural products ; but we have
as well wise Governments who are doing everything possible to help us in making our
operations successful. We have our most active and useful Department of Agriculture,
at Toronto, which publishes every year in its annual report, the latest developments with
regard to all subjects brought before the various societies subsidized by the Government ;
these deal with many different agricultural matters, such as our own Entomological
Society of Ontario, the Fruit Growers' Association, the Bee-Keepers' Association, the
Sheep and Swine- Breeders' Association, Farmers' Institutes and many others. All of
these associations receive grants, and the Government publishes their reports for the
good of the farmers of the country. Besides this, we have the Agricultural College at
Guelph, a grand institution doing excellent work ; and, above all, we have the Dominion
Experimental Farm system maintained by the Federal Government, which is constantly
at work trying to assist the farmers of Canada by testing and examining all subjects
which it is thought may better their position and prospects. The publications of all
these institutions are issued free of charge and distributed with a liberal hand. In
fact I believe, as I have already said, there is no country in the world where more
is being done in a wise way to help farmers than is the case to day in Canada.
(Applause.)

Is it not folly then on the part of any man in this country not to apprise himself of
these facts and put them in practice 1 To bring the matter back again abruptly to the work
of the Society under whose auspices we are gathered here to-night, is it not folly on the
part of any farmer in Canada not to find out what are the latest developments — or,
as Prof. James has put it, "what is the new agriculture," — with regard to the best
methods of protecting himself from loss and of saving his crops from the attacks of the
hordes of injurious insects which are ready to levy so heavy a tax upon all that he grows 1

2 E.

18

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

Many instances might be cited of the good results which have followed the diligent
work of entomologists.

Prof. James his already referred to that delightful incident by which the very exist-
ence of a lucrative industry, the cultivation of oranges
and other citrus fruits in California, was saved from
extinction. This was done by the timely introduction
from Australia, by the United States Entomologist, Dr.
C. V. Puley, of a small parasitic lady-bird beetle Ve-
dalia cardinal is, Muls.) which preyed upon the injurious
Fluted Scale (Icerya Purchasi, Maskell), Fig. 1, an insect
which threatened at one time to destroy all the orange
groves in the Pacific Stages. Another instance of good
work of particular interest to Ontario farmers, was the
practical remedy nrat hit upon by Mr. L. 0. Howard,
now U. S. Entomologist, for fighting the Clover-seed
Midge. Our farmers in Western Ontario now cut
or feed off the first crop of clover about June 20th, to
prevent irjury to their seed crop by the Clover-seed
Midge. This is undoubtedly the best method of pre-
venting loss, but they do not think that the knowledge
of that one fact, which is worth at least half a million

dollars a year to Canada, was due to the carefully studied investigations of one man.

They know nothing of the arduous and unremitting work which was necessary before

Fig. 1.

Fig. 2. Fig. 3.

the different dates at which the insect passed through its various stages, were definitely
fix^d ; but, when this was done, it was at once possible from this knowledge, to sug-
gest an easy and very effective remedy.^ The Clover-seed Midge is a minute gnat

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 19

(Figs. 2 and 3) which lays its eggs in the forming flower heads of the clover plant
in May or early in June and again during July. There are thus two broods of this
insect in a season. The larvae (Fig. 4) of the first brood attain their full growth
about the end of June, when they leave the clover heads and go into the ground a short
distance to complete their transformations, the perfect flies appearing about the middle
of July. Ihe eggs laid by these midges produce the second brood of larvae which destroy
the fall crop of clover seed. Part of, this brood matures in September, but the re-
mainder Dot until the following spring. Experience has taught farmers that the remedy
suggested of feeding off their clover fields with cattle and sheep until the
beginning or middle of June, or cutting it by the 20th of the same month,
is the only way to secure an autumn crop of seed ; thus, the grubs of
this first brood (the eggs of which were deposited on the growing clover
as the heads formed) are destroyed by the cattle eating them, or they dry
up with the clover hay which has been cut befure they were mature enough
to leave the heads of clover and go into the ground to complete their
stages. If the clover is left standing in the fields till the end of June,
a sufficient time elapses for this latter process to take place, and the per-
fect flies emerge again just in time to lay their eggs in the opening flowers
of the second crop. In this way, the seed of the second crop is destroyed
as well as the first.

Few appreciate the fact that many of the common remedies which have
now come to be pretty generally practised all over Canada, were the out-
come of much labour and unremitting attention on the part of men who
had devoted years of close study to the matter. The farmer who saves
his crop of potatoes by dusting or sprinkling them with a mixture contain-
Fig* 4. jng Paris green, has small thought for the continuous effort and numerous

trials which were necessary before the insecticidal properties of this useful substance were
discovered. Paris green, the standard remedy against all mandibulate or biting insects,
is a chemical combination containing chiefly arsenic and copper, about 60 per cent, of it
being arsenic. It is to this latter it owes most of its virtue as an insecticide. It is, I
think, almost an ideal material for the purposes to which it is applied by entomologists. The
danger of its being mistaken for some other substance of a harmless nature is reduced to
a minimum by its characteristic bright green colour, the colour green being very generally-
recognized as indicative of poisonous properties. Its insolubility in water and under
most conditions to which it is likely to be exposed, renders its use very simple, although
this fact also necessitates the constant agitation, during their application, of all liquid
mixtures containing it, in order that the Paris green, which is very heavy, may be kept in
suspension uniformly through the whole liquid. Its fine state of division makes its
dilution either with liquids or dry powders very easy, and its extreme virulence as a poison
makes it possible to dilute it very much indeed without loss of its efficacy as an insecti-
cide. It has been discovered of late years that, by mixing an equal weight of quick-lime
with this arsenite, the caustic effects which sometimes follow its careless use on vegetation,
can be in a large measure prevented. This discovery has simplified immensely the
question of the most suitable remedy for mandibulate insects ; for now a standard strength
of one pound of Paris green, one pound of quick-lime and 200 gallons of wat-jr may be
recommended for use on all kinds of vegetation. If it be thought more convenient to
apply the poison in a dry form, it may be mixed with fifty times its quantity of any dry
and finely divided powder.

The easiest way of applying Paris green to orchard trees is in a liquid mixture, by
means cf a force pump with a spraying nozzle. The good results which have followed
the adoption of spraying as a regular orchard operation, have been so remarkable that it
is now practised by all progressive fruit growers. There are various kinds of spraying

*Fig. 2a represents the male midge enormously magnified ; 6, the head, a id c, the peculiar clamping
organs still further magnified ; d, the joints of the antennae ; e, the claws ; f f, forms of the scales which
are distributed over the wings and body. Fig. 3a, represents the female midge similarly magnified ; b,
the head ; c, the tip of the ovipositor ; d, a portion of one of the antennae. The small lines beside
the figures give the natural size of the midge. Fig. 4a, represents the larva ; 6, the head withdrawn
into the first segment. These figures are from drawings by the late Prof. C. V. Riley,

20 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

pumps and nozzles, and the latter are quite as important as the former. We have
now several good pumps manufactured in Canada ; but the best nozzles are the Ver-
morel and the MacGowan. The former is a modification of the Cyclone nozzle, invented
by Prof. Riley and his staff, of the United States Division of Entomology ; the principle
of this nozzle is that the liquid is forced tangentially into a small chamber, so as to
strike the other side of the chamber ; it is then forced through a minute central
orifice, which has the effect of breaking up the liquid into a very fine spray. Too much
importance cannot be attached to the fact that the liquid must be broken up into as fine
a spray as possible, so that a very small quantity of the liquid may be used, and that it
may be carried all through the foliage and left as a fine dew on the whole surface. In
this way sufficient of the poison is deposited to destroy the insect enemies ; at the
same time, little is used, and there is no injury to the foliage.

During the past summer, there has probably been considerably more spraying done
than ever before. This is largely due, of course, to efforts that have been made to bring
this excellent method of preventing loss to the notice of fruit growers at the proper
season. In Ontario much attention was drawn to the subject last year by some experi-
ments carried out by Mr. John Craig, Horticulturist to the Central Experimental Farm,
in a few orchards of Western Ontario. These experiments were very much extended
and vigorously prosecuted during the past summer by instruction of the Hon John
Dryden, Minister of Agriculture, who recognizes fully the value of this work to the
province. The operations were put into the efficient hands of Mr. A. H. Pettit, who
visited a great number of stations throughout the province, giving instructions and sup-
erintending the spraying of the orchards at regular intervals. The full account of this
useful work will be published by the Department ; but I many mention that Mr. Pettit
has informed me that, on the whole, they have been very satisfactory.

In view of all that has been done by the Government of the country to distribute
accurate information as to the best way of preventing injury to fruits by insect and
fungous enemies, it certainly is a disgrace to our Canadian fruit growers that apples and
other fruits are exposed for sale in this country, and exported to foreign markets in the
spotted and blemished condition that is frequently the case. It is disgraceful because it
is unnecessary. The two enemies, which are the cause of the greater part of this injury,
are the Black Spot, a fungous disease, and the Codling Moth, the larva of which is the
well known " apple worm " Satisfactory remedies for both of these have been found ;
the Bordeaux mixture tor the former, and Paris green for the latter. The cost of spray-
ing these washes" over the trees is very little, compared with the great saving which is
made in the quantity and quality of the fruit harvested. Although it is true that the
number of different kinds of insects which may attack our crops is very large, the actual
number of those which are likely to appear every year is comparatively small ; of these
by far the larger proportion have been already studied and remedies have been published in
the official reports, which are available for all who ask for them.

Before closing I must refer to one more subject, namely, the Horn-fly of cattle, which,
of late years, has done so much harm among our dairy herds, but about which, from know-
ing the details of its behaviour since it was introduced into America, entomologists were at
once able to give encouragement to dairymen, that in a year or two the virulence of its
attacks would be much diminished. This prediction, I am glad to say, has proved
correct ; while, two years ago, in this very district, the loss in milk supplied to cheese
factories was stated to be nearly fifty per cent, of the whole supply, last year it was
much less, and during the present season, as far as I can learn, it has been brought down
to only five per cent. Next year and thereafter, I hope confidently, that the annoyance
from this insect will be reduced so much as to require no more attention than is given
to-day to the ordinary cattle fly (Stomoxys calcitrans, L.)

Now, Mr. Chairman, I maintain that all this saving, to which I have referred, has
been brought about from the development of the science of entomology. Science is a
terrible word in the eyes of some people ; but, after all, it is merely an illustration of the
affectation of the age j some people like to use long words where short ones would do as
well or better, or to use Latin where plain English would do. Science is a Latin word

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 21

which means simply knowledge, and it has been given the special signification of exact
knowledge, or the best knowledge. I presume this was what Prof. James meant when
he explained to us that the new agriculture was simply an outcome of the necessity,
now-a-days, for farmers to have the best possible knowledge and education upon all
subjects affecting their calling. I feel sure that everyone here was pleased to hear his
kind words about the different societies he referred to, and most particularly proud of
what he said of the work of this Society. There is no doubt that special knowledge is
now necessary for farmers to compete successfully in the struggle of life. I noticed a
statement in the newspaper this morning which well illustrates this fact.

Prof. Henry, one of the best known teachers of agriculture, who is at the present time
doing good work at the Wisconsin Agricultural College, obtained his position owing to
his practical knowledge of all the details of farming. He has always held that the best
men and the best knowledge were necessary for successful farming, and used it as an
argument for farmers' sons to remain on their farms and study farming in earnest.
There was a vacancy at one of the other agricultural colleges for an agriculturist, and,
the story goes, that Prof. Henry was asked if he could send a suitable man to fill the
post at $1,500 a year. His answer was that he regretted to say that he could not tUn
find a man properly equipped with all the necessary knowledge of farming, but that if it had
been a lawyer or a doctor that was required he could send a whole carload at $600 apiece !

Mr. Fletcher resumed his seat amid much applause, and was followed by the Rev.
T. W. Fyles, of Quebec, who read the following paper :

HOW THE FOREST IN THE DISTRICT OF BEDFORD WAS SWEPT AWAY.

By Rev. Thomas W. Fyles, F.L.S., South Quebec.

The remarks contained in this paper apply to that hilly section of the Eastern
Townships which lies between the Seigniories on the one hand and Lake Memphremagog
on the other, more particularly to the counties of Missisquoi, Sheffbrd and Brome. I have
known the locality for more than thirty years, and, in the early part of that period, was
intimate with many of the first settlers of the district. Originally this was one vast
forest, broken here and there by lakes and beaver meadows. The prevailing trees were
the pine {Pinus strobus Lin.), the \\em\ook (Abies Canadensis Michx),tne spruce (Abies nigra
Poir), the balsam (Abies balsamea Marshall), the cedar (Thvja occidentalis Lin.), the tama-
rack (Larix Americana Michx), the maple (Acer saccharinum Wang), the beech (Fagus
feruginea Ait), the elm ( Ulmus Americana Wiild), the basswood (Tilia Americana Lin), the
white ash (Fraxinus Americana Lin), the brown ash (Fraxinus sambuci folia Lin.) the
birch (Betula papyracea Ait), the butternut (Juglans cinerea Lin.), the red cherry (Cerasus
Pennsylvania Linn ), and the black cherry (Cerasus serotina Ehrhart). Some spots were
named from the nature of the growth which covered them, as Pine Mountain and Spruce
Mountain, in Brome.

In early days the staple productions of the district were pot and pearl ashes ; and
the tree that was found to yield the greatest abundance of these was the elm, and as in
those days the law was administered in Montreal, and was an expensive luxury, the
early settlers, many of whom were squatters, were allowed to do in the forest very much
that which was right in their own eyes. Accordingly regardless of meum et tuum, they
cut down the elms wherever they could find them, and converted them into " black
salts." Consequently the elms of the primeval forest were the first of its trees to dis-
appear. The pines followed next in order. The quality of the timber and the ease with
which it was worked brought the white pine into great request. Where there was water
transit, as for instance, near Lakes Champlain and Memphremagog, the clearing off of the
pine was rapid. And, throughout the district local requirements could be satisfied only
with the choicest timber, and all that was not of the best was accounted " vile and

22 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

refuse," and was "utterly destroyed." The old court house at Cowansville and the old
church at West Shefford, in the soundness and clean grain of the pine lumber employed
in them, showed the fastidiousness of their builders' choice of materials.

In the meanwhile, in the struggle for existence, the forest at large was being beaten
baik ; and as Sampson of old said of the Philistines, so the settler might have said of his
hacked and dismembered foes, " Heaps upon heaps here they lie !" Blackened piles
cumbered the land, to be burned at fitting season, and their remains dragged into new
pyres, until, in the language of the people, they were " quite worn out."

The first clearings for actual settlement were made where hardwood timber
abounded, for it was well known that hard-wood stumps rot out in seven or eight years,
whereas the stumps of black timber endure for a lifetime. The trees that were utilized
in the havoc were the white ash, the brown ash and the basswood, which were split into
fence rails. Now and then a cherry or a bird's-eye maple found its way to the turner's,
to be converted into furniture, but too often indiscriminate destruction made room for
the corn field and the potato patch. Often when the maples were spared to form a
sugar bush, carelessness and ill-usage insured speedy decay. I frequently saw trees
tapped by the acre with slanting gashes a foot long and two or three inches deep, a pro-
ceeding which impaired the circulation of the sap, producing a diseased condition of the
tree, which, as we shall presently see, was peculiarly inviting to the attacks of injurious
insects. Those were the days when stately specimens of the basswood (the lumber of
which would now be worth $20 per thousand) were felled and notched into sections,
which were split off and roughly shaped into sap troughs, the larger portion of the wood
being wasted in the process.

As the clearings were enlarged and the dairy afforded more employment and greater
profits, the traffic in " black salts " died out, and a second period in the history of the
district may be said to have been reached. A third and striking era was opened when,
by the enterprise of the late Hon. A. B. Foster, the railway to Waterloo was completed.
Not only did farm produce meet with a readier sale, but a demand for hemlock bark, to
supply the southern markets, arose, and men turned their attention more closely to the
black timber. The short interval between the hoeing season and hay-time was diligently
turned to account in peeling bark — the stripped hemlocks being allowed to lie as they
had fallen. In consequence tangled slashes often disfigured the uplands, until a second
growth — usually of poplar — hid their deformities.

Hitherto we have considered man's work in stripping the land of its bosky covering,
but the elements played no unimportant part towards the same end. Fierce winds from
the low-lying " French country," compressed in the valleys and defiles, again and again
rushed up the mountain sides, and wherever they found a break formed by new settle-
ments, impinged upon the exposed edges of the forest, and tumbled many goodly trees over,
as if some huge monster were rooting amongst them. I know one spot where, for some acres,
the trees, after a hurricane, lay in swaths, like grain from the scythe of the mower.

But, if the wind slew its thousands, fire may be said to have slain its ten thousands.
The heedless and untimely burning of a brush heap often started a conflagration which
extended for miles. One of the first inhabitants of Iron Hill told me that the grandest
sight he ever saw was the fire rushing up through the pine woods on the western slope of
Brome mountain. In May, 1877, I rode with the late Sheriff Cowan from Cowansville
to Philipsburg, and men were pulling down fences and " fighting fire " all along the way.
And at Philisburg clouds of smoke, sweeping across Missisquoi bay, told that the fire was
raging in the State of New York. Great damage was done to the second growth sugar
woods by this conflagration, and for several years after maple wood was a bon marche.

In addition to man and the elements, an innumerable yet unobtrusive army of sap-
pers and miners worked upon the forest trees — grubs of beetles and horntails, and cater-
pillars of moths. I shall speak of but a few kinds that attacked (1) the "black timber,"
(2) the hard woods, (3) the poplars. %

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

23

Fig. 5.

(1) I remember standing in the chancel of a new church which I had built in the
township of Brome in 1864, and hearing from the floor a slight rasping sound, [ watched
attentively, and presently the jaws and head of a Buprestis larva (Fig ba and c, the
larva and head; b pupa, d beetle), appeared through a hole. I look d around me and

saw that there was a row of holes wherever the flooring rested
upon a sleeper, and I found that the sleepers had been made of
small spruce and hemlock trees hewn a little on the upper side.
These trees were the habitations of Buprestidae, the larvae of
which, having at this time attained their full growth, had
gnawed their way through an inch ot floor-lining, and an inch
and a quarter of spruce boarding to the upper air, that they
might enter upon the pupal condition satisfied that a way of
exit had been secured for the coming imagoes.

There is an insect, a longicorn beetle which, like the
" Tiraberman " of Scotland, finds its food and habitation in the
pine. It is Monohammus Gonfusor Kirby (Fig. 6) It is a
dark gray, Fquare-hipped insect, an inch and a quarter long,
with antennae of twice that length. This creature often presents itself unexpectedly in
strange quarters. One afternoon I was sitting in my study in the rectory at Cjwansville,
which was then a new building, when suddenly a strange object came down with a great
clatter upon the book I was reading. It was M. confusor. " Where did you come
from 1 " I said. I looked round and soon discovered a hole recently made in the casing
of the door. What an experience that insect had
gone through ! It had sprung from an egg laid in
a crevice of a standing pine. The tree into which
it had eaten its way had been cut down, hauled
about in the woods, soaked in the mill-pond, and
cut up by the circular saw. The boards had been
banged about in the piling, had been kiln-dried,
and then passed through a planing-ma chine. That
particular board in which the beetle had had its
habitation had been worked by hand in " the sash
and door factory;" had been planed and fitted,
and hammered and painted ; and yet — surviving
all the rough usage, and escaping all the deadly
weapons — there had lain M. confusor snugly en-
sconced in his square-inch, or so, of wood, reserv-
ing himself until he could present himself as a
gentleman. (Fig. 6.)

Another beetle closely related to M. confusor, and of similar habits is Monohammus
marmorator Kirby. It is somewhat smaller than M. confusor, and has shorter antennae.
In color it is brown, marbled with pale yellow.

A third insect belonging to the same genus is Monohammus scutellatus Say, (Fig. 7).

It is called by the French- Canadians, " Le Forgeron" — the Blacksmith. It is deep

bistre in hue, and has a white scutellum. During the
past season (1895) this insect has been unusually num-
ous and destructive. In the spring one of my neighbors
planted an extensive hedge of spruce around his grounds.
By the end of summer nearly every scion had been girdled
or partially so by the Forgeron. The larvae of the species
are even more destructive than the perfect beetles. I
have seen a fine, large, spruce tree snap off, two feet from
the ground, under pressure from the wind, and, on exam-
ination, have found that the stem was tunnelled through

and through — scores of the Scutellatus larvae having mined and countermined it in

all directions.

Fig. 6.

Fig. 7.

24

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

(2) The hardwood also affords food and lodging to various insects. The handsome
beetle, Glycobius speciosus Say (Fig. 8) (whose black and yellow livery is so suggestive of
hornets and stings, but is speciosus notwithstanding) is frequently found in our wood-
sheds, having arrived at perfection in the maple, the best of our fire-
wood.

But there is a creature that far more extensively assists or
accompanies the decay of the hardwood trees. It is one of the Horn-
tails, Tremex columba Linnaeus — an insect belonging to the order
hymenoptera. The female Tremex is provided with a strong,
black, bristle like ovipositor, which proceeds from the centre of the
abdomen, and, when not in use lies extended beneath and beyond
that section in a fixed and protecting sheath. In depositing its eggs
the creature withdraws the ovipositor from its sheath raises its body
and drives the appendage through the bark and into the soft wood,
laying its eggs therein. As soon as the young grubs are hatched
they begin to tunnel the wood, enlarging the bore as they increase in size. By the end
of the first season they attain the dimensions of thread worms. The full grown larva is
an inch and a half in length and has a waxen appearance. Its mandibles have a ferru-
ginous tinge and its spiracles are light brown. The prop-legs are imperfect and the body
terminates in a short spine.

Long observation has led me to believe that the Horn- tails and other borers do not
attack sound and healthy trees. I stated this belief in a lecture I gave in the Somerville
course some years ago. Since then I have read the Eev. J. G. Wood's " Insects at Home,"
and I am ^lad to find that some remarks of his bear out my statement. Speaking of the
dreaded Scolytus destructor Olivier of Europe he says : —

" It is much doubted whether the Scolytus ever attacks a healthy tree, principally,
as is conjectured because in such trees the burrows of the insects are filled with sap
which not only drives out the beetles but prevents their eggs from being hatched. Still
when a tree becomes unhealthy the attacks of the Scolytus prevent it from recovering
itself," etc.

A tree struck by lightning, or broken by the wind, or scorched by fire, or hacked
and abused by man is the chosen object of insect spoilers.

Fig. 10.

Fig. 9.
I have spoken of the waste of hemlock which followed upon the first demands for
tanbark. Felled hemlock trees that are not soon sent to the sawyer's, are sure to be
confiscated by a sawyer of another kind, Prionus unicolor, as Harris calls it — the one-
coloured sawyer — the Orthosoma brunneum of Forster. (Fig. 9.) For nature not only abhors
a vacuum ; she also abhors waste. A standing hemlock in the last stage of its existence

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 25

produces the Boletus igniarius which nourishes the Toad Beetle, Boletophagus corticolay
Say. A fallen hemlock becomes the food of the Prionus grubs. (Fig. 10.) The creatures
are well known to every farmer who has had to clear his land of the half rotten trophies
of his early triumphs over the wilderness.

It yet remains for me to say a few words (3) concerning a borer which attacks the I
poplars, the latest growth on neglected brush lands. The insect is Cossus centerensis,
Lintner. It belongs to the order lepidoptera. The perfect insect is a large moth with J
crape-like wings, dark grey in colour, reticulated with fine black lines. It mikes its ap-
pearance in July. The male is smaller than the female. The presence of the larva is
betrayed by the frass, or half digested sawdust, which it throws out, in early summer,
from its burrow in the tree. On attaining its full size, the caterpillar retires some inches
into the tree, and assumes its chrysalis condition. In due time, the chrysalis, by means
of a series of serrated rings on its body, works it way along the tunnel bored by the
larva, to the surface of the tree, and forces itself through, so as to clear its wing cases.
The skin then bursts, and the pertect insect makes its escape. i

In bringing this brief history to a conclusion I would bear in mind that the aim of
all historians should be to convert the mistakes of the past into lessons for the future ;
and I would ofier a few practical hints : —

I. Believing in the powers of the press, I would commend to all newspaper editors
the practice of devoting a column to the discussion of rural affairs. Under a judicious
editor the practice is invaluable, for many men in country places read the newspaper, and
read little else.

II. In all normal and training schools, teachers should be led to see the importance
of training the young in habits of prudence, forethought and economy For want of
the exercise of such qualities in his early days many a farmer has now to buy his fire-
wood, or to obtain it from a distance at the expense of much time and labour.

III. I would recommend farmers to thin out their sugar woods, plantations and
copses, so that the trees may have ample room to spread their roots and obtain a firm
hold on the earth, that they may not easily be overturned by a tempest.

IY. I should say, do not over-prune, and prune in the winter when the sap has
ceased to work. Cover all wounds with grafting wax or oil-paint. Neglect of these
precautions will throw the trees into a condition which will assuredly invite the attacks
of destructive insects.

Lastly, I should say, tap your maple trees with care ; use a duck-bill augur and
cedar spouts, which " give " and do not split the bark.

A cordial vote of thanks to the Mayor, for his kindness in presiding on the occasion
and allowing the use of the city hall for the meeting, was proposed by Mr. Dearness,
who spoke very happily of the pleasure and instruction which they had all received
from the addresses of the evening, and was seconded by Mr. Saunders, and adopted by
the meeting with much applause.

Mr. E. R. Cameron then moved, seconded by Mr. S. H. Craig, a vote of thanks to
the speakers who had come from a distance to address them, and had afforded them
so much gratification. After putting the motion, the meeting was closed with a few
pleasant remarks from the Mayor, who wished the Entomological Society of Ontario a
long continued and prosperous career.

THURSDAY, NOYEMBER 28th.— MORNING SESSION.

The meeting was called to order at 10 o'clock, a.m., the chair being taken by
Mr. Fletcher. The reports of the various sections of the Society were presented and
read by their respective secretaries.

26 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

REPORT OF THE BOTANICAL SECTION.

The Botanical Section beg to submit the following report for the summer of 1895 :

Regular weekly meetings of the section were held from April 22nd to October
19th. The average attendance was considerably in advance of that of the previous
year. A number of the public school teachers of the city joined the Society, and
became industrious workers in our section. Fjr the benefit of those just beginning
the study of botany, a part of each meeting was devoted to the study of some impor-
tant natural order, illustrated by typical specimens collected by the members.

Papers upon the following subjects were read at different meetings :

1. "The Humanity or Civilizition of Plants and Flowers," Prof. J. H. Bowman.

2. "The Relation of Chlorophyll to the Forms of Plants," W. T. McClembnt.

3. "The Distribution of Plants in Ontario, with Special Reference to the London
District," Mr. J. A. Balkwill.

4. "The Dissemination of Seeds," W. T. McClement.

One public field day was held, July 1st, when the members and their friends visited
Komoka, and made large and b°»utiful collections, the feature of the day being the
abundance of Cypripedium spectabile.

During the season the following plants were added to the local list :

Spergula arvensis — Mr. J. A. Balkwill.

Arctostaphylos Uua-ursi — Prof. J. Dearness.

The section have deemed it wise to direct their attention to the arrangement of
a Flora of Middlesex county. A good start has been made toward this, as .we have
the list of Polypetalous and Gamopetalous Exogens ready for final revision. We have
to thank Mr. Fletcher for a number of rare and interesting plants from the Ottawa
district, which he donated to the Herbarium.

W. T. McClement, Secretary.

Mr. Fletcher spoke of the value of the proposed Flora of the County of Middlesex.
He also stated that Sperguta arvensis, which had recently been found in the neighbor-
hood of London, was recommended by the Michigan State Agricultural College for
introduction as a fodder plant, but in Europe it was regarded as a persistent and
troublesome weed, and was found to bear the same character in some parts of Canada.
He strongly deprecated its introduction by farmers into this country.

REPORT OF THE GEOLOGICAL SECTION OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL
SOCIETY FOR THE YEAR 1894-95.

We have much pleasure in reporting to your honorable body that the Geological
Section has had a most prosperous year. Our membership has increased j the average
attendance at our meetings has been greater than during any previous year.

Many valuable additions have been made to our private collections since last we
reported progress, but we are still looking forward to the formation of a central collec-
tion in our city, to which the members of our Society and all our citizens may have
free access.

The section would suggest that it would be a great advantage to students of
mineralogy if some steps could be taken by which the small number of Geological and
Natural History societies in the Province could be provided with small collections of
accurately named specimens of the chief economic minerals.

The members of our section have made trips to a number of places of geological
interest, including Rockwood, Elora, Guelph, North Dorchester, and the mammoth and
colossal Caves of Kentucky.

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 27

Valuable papers have been read before our section, showing the methods of gold
mining in Australia, Colorado, Ecquador and Madoc.

Addresses on the following subjects have been made by various members of our
Society :

1 "Trip to St. Joseph's Island." By Mr. Morris.

2. " Australian Gold Fields," Mr. Webb.

3. " Crystallography," Dr. Wilson.

4. " Canoe Cruise on Lake Nipissing," Mr. Allison.

5. " Physical Basis of Knowledge," Mr. Scarrow.

6. "Correlation of Forces," Mr. B. Green.

7. " Trip to Mammoth Cave," Dr. Wolverton.

Signed on behalf of the Geological Section by
G, F. Sherwood, Secretary. S. Woolverton, Chairman,

REPORT OF THE MICROSCOPICAL SECTION OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL

SOCIETY.

The season opened with the first meeting on October 12th, and continued every
second week till March 29th, at which time, as is usual, we discontinued in favour of the
Botanical Section, of which nearly all the microscopists are active members.

Regular Meetings. — There have been twelve such. Interest has been well sustained
throughout the season, meetings regular, attendance good, subjects excellent and well
presented. More than usual the members have engaged in practical work. Among the
subjects were : " The Study, Dissection and Mounting of Earthworms," led by Dr.
Hotson ; " Fungi" (HymenomyceUs), and "Wood Sectioning, Staining and Mounting,"
led by Prof. Dearness ; *' Insect Mounting Without Pressure," also "Cell Building," by
Mr. Rennie j "Brownian Movement," led by Mr. W. T. McClement ; "Fluid Mounting of
Green Algae," also *' Collection and Mounting of Diatoms," led by Jas. ti. Bowman.
Very many microscopical plants were brought in by members and furnished many an
enjoyable hour.

Op°n Meetings. — Of these, two were held, and, as usual, attracted a large attendance
and were well appreciated by those for whom they were intended. In this connection we
would say that we find our present quarters very ill-suited for this class of meeting.
Had we held the same in some more convenient place, no doubt a great and favorable
difference would be observed.

Outings — These are not so frequent as they might, and would be, if it were not that
we occupy only winter months. We have, however, the benefit of the botanists' excur-
sions in the summer time as our members who are botanists are always thinking of our
section and preserve their finds and work up their subject in connection with them for our

Jas. H. Bowman,

Secretary of Section.

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOuIETY OF ONTARIO.

REPORT FROM THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO TO THE

ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA.

By the Rev. Thomas W. Fyles, F.L.S., Delegate.

I beg to state respectfully that the Society I have the honour to serve on this important
occasion, is in a healthy and growing condition — sound financially, possessing a large
amount of materiel, and held in estimation at home and abroad.

It is to be expected that the subject of economic entomology will commend itself
more and more amongst the intelligent members of a fruit growing and agricultural com-
munity. The insect enemies of the farmer and gardener are numerous and persevering,
and accomplish incalculable harm ; and a society that studies the life histories of these
foes, and searches for checks upon their efforts, can hardly fail to win adherents and to
command support. Accordingly we find that at the thirty -second annual meeting of our
Society the council was able to congratulate the members upon " the steady increase in
numbers which continued to take place, and the hearty interest that was maintained in
the various departments of the Society's work."

The headquarters of the association are in London, the chief town of one of the mo
important agricultural and horticultural sections of Ontario, and a fitting centre for a
society which is aided by the Ontario Government, and is intended to promulgate prac-
tical information amongst the cultivators of the soil, as well as to foster scientific research.
The Government grant made to the Society annually is $1,000.

That the Society is doing the work expected from it, and doing it well, may be
shewn on sufficient testimony. Thus Mr. L O. Howard, Chief Entomologist of the Depart-
ment of Agriculture, Washington, says of it : " The Society has conscientiously complied
with the conditions of the grant. Its reports published annually have greatly increased
in size, and in the general interest of their contents. They have contained much matter
of economic value as well as of educational interest." And the editor of an English
magazine speaks of the report last issued as one of more interest to him than all others
received from America. Doubtless the Society, with a larger grant, could accomplish
more good.

The annual meeting, to which I have referred, was held on the seventh and eighth
days of November last. The value of the addresses and of the papers read, and the
beauty and rarity of the specimens exhibited on this occasion were fully appreciated by
those who were privileged to attend. The President's address was particularly valuable
as an instructive sketch, historical and geographical, of the Society and its work. It
was learnt from it that the society has observers and correspondents from east to
west throughout this vast Dominion — from St. John, N. B , and Halifax, N. S., to
Esquimalt in British Columbia and Masset in Queen Charlotte Islands. A very valuable
paper on " The Rhopolocera of the Eastern Provinces of Canada," was read on this
occasion by the Rev. Dr. Bethune, editor of the Canadian Entomologist It gave a com-
plete list of species and the names of the localities in which each local kind has been
taken with — as far as is known — the food plants of the different species.

The titles of the other papers read at the meeting are as follows : —

"Insects Collected in Bermuda During the Winter of 1894," by Gamble Geddes,
Toronto.

"Common Names for Butterflies — Shall We Have Them1?" by H. H. Lyman,
Montreal.

" The Pitcher-Plant Moth," by James Fletcher, Ottawa.

" Catastega aceriella Clemens, Semasia signatana Clemens," by the Rev. Thomas W.
Fyles, South Quebec.

"Notes on a Few Canadian Ookoptera," by W. Hague Harrington, F.R.S.C.,
Ottawa.

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 29

" Food, Feeders, and Fed," by Rev. Thomas W. Fyles, F.L.S., South Quebec.

11 An Attack of Ephestia interpunctella," by H. A. Stevenson, London.

" The Economic Value of Parasitism," by F. M. Webster.

"The Re appearance of Pieris Protodice Boisd." by J. Alston Moffat, London, Ont.

" Remarks on the Structure of the Undeveloped Wings of the Saturniidse," by J.
Alston Moffat.

" Bordeaux Mixture as a Deterrent Against the Flea Beetles," by L. R. Jones,
Burlington, Vermont.

"The Gypsy Moth," by James Fletcher, Ottawa.

1 The San Jose Scale," by James Fletcher, Ottawa.

"Injurious Fruit Insects of the Year 1894," by James Fletcher, Ottawa.

The twenty-fifth annual report, issued by the Society, contains portraits of Professor
William Saunders, F.R S.C , President of the Society from 1875 to 1886, and Augustus
Radcliffe Grote, A.M., one of the Society's honorary members, and it is also illustrated
with sixty figures of insects.

Besides the President's address and the papers above-mentioned, the report
contains . —

The minutes of the meeting.

The Report of the Librarian and Cur&tor, Mr. J. Alston Moffat.

The Report of the Montreal Branch, presented by Mr. H. H. Lyman, President, and
signed by Mr. A. F. Winn, Secretary.

The Report of the Geological Section, presented by Dr. S. Woolverton, Vice-Ohairman.

The Report of the Botanical Section, presented by Mr. W. F. McClement, Secretary.

The Report of the Delegate to the Royal Society of Canada.

A very valuable abstract of the proceedings of the sixth annual meeting of the
Association of Economic Eatomologists, supplied by Mr. L. 0. Howard, Entomologist of
the Department of Agriculture, Washington, and Mr. 0. L Marlatt, Secretary of the
meeting; and a number of interesting notices, critical, biographical, etc.

This rpport is distributed " not only to our own members, but to every member of
the Fruit Growers' Association, to members of Parliament, the Mechanics' Institutes, etc.,
making an issue of 6,000 copies, (W. H. Harrington, Canadian Entomologist, vol;
XXVI., p. 2.)

The Society's library now numbers 1,361 volumes — seventy-seven having been added
in the course of the year.

Important additions have been made to the Society's collections of insects. In its
cabinets may now be seen representatives of 1,077 species duly classified and named.

The Society is fortunate in retaining the services of Mr. J. Alston Moffat as Librarian
and Curator. By his methodical habits, his manual skill in mounting specimens, and his
extensive knowledge of the lepidoptera, Mr. Moffat is peculiarly fitted for the position
he holds.

During the year the various sections of the Society have held field days at St.
Mary's, Dorchester, Kilworth, Byron, Komoka, Kettle Point (Lake Huron), Ilderton,
Thedford, Beechville, Woodstock, Mud Lake and other places. The value from an
educational point of view of such expeditions in a neighborhood that possesses such experi-
enced scientific guides and instructors as Messrs. W. E. Saunders, J. M. Denton, J. A.
Balkwill, J. W. Dearness, J. H, B)wman, Dr. S. Wolverton, R. W. Rennie, all long
connected with the Society, besides younger and enthusiastic men, is beyond estimation.

30 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

The Canadian Entomologist has reached its twenty-seventh year. The volume for
1894 contains articles from sixty one contributors — fourteen residing in Canada, forty in
the United States, five in England, one in Germany and one in Sweden. In its pages are
described no less than seven new genera and ninety- five new species of insects. The
magazine continues under the able management of the Rwv. 0 J. S. Bethune, D C.L,
F.RS C, etc.; and it is a striking proof of the courage and perseverance of its editor
that notwithstanding the cares and anxieties that must have thronged him, through the
destruction by fire of his noble school buildings and the beautiful chapel attached to
them, the Canadian Entomologist has made its appearance as regularly as ever and as
carefully edited.

Hitherto the Entomological Society of Ontario has studied the life-histories of
insects, the methods of attack of the pests of the homestead, the storehouse, the garden,
the orchard, the field and the forest; the ways for circumventing these foes ; and the
nature and application of insecticides. Much, no doubc, remains to be learned on all
these subjects. But the attention of naturalists has of late been drawn to a new and
most important matter. It is, to use the heading of one of the papers published in the
Society's report that has been mentioned, The Economic Value of Parasitism. It is
well to know how to meet enemies ourselves, but it is better sometimes to know how to
direct faithful allies against them. If the parasite (D iplosis grassator Fyles), which keeps
down the numbers of the Philloxera in this country, had been carried over to Europe, it
would doubtless have saved many a vineyard that has disappeared. The introduction of
the Australian Lady-bird ( Vedalia cardinalis Mulsant), the foe of the " Fluted Scale," has
probably saved the orange groves of California from extinction. The predaceous beetle
(Clerus formicarius Linnaeus) has lately been introduced into Western Virginia by
Professor Hopkins, as a check upon the " Borers " that have wrought such destruction in
the spruce forests of that country, And this bringing about of good by the directing of
insect agents is only in its beginning. As our knowledge increases we shall in all
probability be able to gather and control forces that at present are but little understood.

Election op Officers.

The following gentlemen were elected officers for the ensuing year :

President — J. W. Dearness, London.

Vice-President — H. H. Lyman, Montreal.

Secretary — W. E. Saunders, London.

Treasurer — J. A. Balkwill, London.

Directors — Division 1. James Fletcher, F L S., F.R.S.C., Ottawa.
2. Rev. 0. J. S. Bethune, F.R.S.C., Port Hope.
" 3. Gamble Geddes, Toronto.
" 4. A. H. Kilman, Ridgeway.
" 5. R. W. Rennie, London.

Librarian and Curator — J. Alston Moffat, London.

Editor of the "Canadian Entomologist" — Rev. C. J. S. Bethune, M.A., D.C.L., Port
Hope.

Editing Committee — J. Fletcher, Ottawa ; H. H. Lyman, Montreal ; Rev. T. W. Fyles,
South Quebec ; J. M. Denton, London.

Delegate to the Royal Society — J. D. Evans, Trenton.

Committee on Field Days — Dr. Woolverton, Messrs. Sherwood, McClement, Balkwill,
W. Stevenson, W. E. Saunders, Anderson, Elliott, KENNiE,|and Bowman,
London.

Auditors— J. M. Denton and J. H. Bowman, London.

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 31

Field Days.

A discussion on Field Days and the best methods of conducting them was parti-
cipated in by most of the members present. Mr. Fietcher described the plan adopted by
the Field Naturalists' Club of Ottawa, which had proved very successful. It was decided
that every effort should be made next summer to develope the system and that the annual
meeting of the Society should, if possible, be held in August in order to have a general
outing for the members in connection with it.

The Canadian Entomologist.

A discussion was next carried on by Messrs. Dalkwill, Rennie, Dearness, and Fletcher
as to the possibility of reducing the expense incurred in the publication of the Canadian
Entomologist. The treasurer and editor were instructed to confer with the publishers on
the subject. Mr. Dearness suggested that a leaflet should be printed for enclosure in
correspondence, setting forth the advantages of membership in the Society.

AFTERNOON SESSION.

The meeting was called to order by the President, Mr. J. W. Daarness, at 3
o'clock, p.m.

Papers were presented by Mr. Moffit on "Observations on the Season of 1895,"
" Variation, with Special Reference to Insects," and "The Growth of the Wings of a
Luna Moth."

Mr. Fletcher gave an interesting address on his trip to British C}lumbU during
the past summer, which was undertaken for thu parpose of c Electing and ob*->rving
insects and plants throughout the region traversed. He illustrate I his remirks by
exhibiting a beautiful collection of dri^d plants that he hai mide, and several boxes of
rare and remaikable insects.

A fine specimen of the exceedingly rare elater, Sarpedon scab'-osus, was exhibited
by Mr. J. D. Evans, who had taken it during the p*st summer at Trenton, Oat.

The receipt of valuable donations to trie S >ciety's collection of insects was
announced from the Rf»v. G. VV. Taylor, Nanaimo, B.C, Mr. E Firnntone Heath, the
Hermitage, Cartwright, Manitoba, and 0. de BioU Green, Otoyoo*, B G, and the heirty
thanks of the Society were accorded to the donors. Dr. Bethune sUted thit arrange-
ments had been made for the exchmge of publications from the year 1868 with the
Entomological Society of France, whose " Annals " would forma very important and
valuable addition to the library.

Much time was very enjoyably spent by the members during both the days of
meeting in exhibiting rare captures, eximining the cabinets and books of the Sjciety,
and comparing notes on many interesting entomological subjects.

INSECT INJURIES OF THE YEAR 1895.

By James Fletcher, Ottawa.

The insect injuries to the crops of the province during the past season have been
almost entirely by well known pests.

Cereals. — Grain crops have suffered very little; the most serious injuries were by
"grasshoppers." These developed in large numbers all through those districts where

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

drought prevailed, and did much harm to grass, oats and barley. The species which

were most abundant were Melanoplus femur-rubrum, M. atlanis and M. bivittatus.

Cutworms (Fig. 11) were less complained of than usual, taking the province as a whole.

JIadena arctica and Hadena devastatrix

occurred abundantly in the extreme west-
ern counties. Hessian fly was sent in
from the Muskoka district; and also the
joint worm (Isosoma hordei)^'\g. 12, the
latter attacking wheat and injuring it to
the extent of five per cent, at Meaford,
Ont.

Fig. 11. . Fif. 12.

Fodder Plants. — Under this head, undoubtedly the greatest damage was done by
grasshoppers, and farmers will do well next season to examine their grass lands early in
the season before the grass is too high, to see if there are many of the young, and
if so, to use one of the different "hopper-dozers" or oil pans which are used to such
good effect in the Western States. The Pea Moth has continued its injuries, and up to
the present no practical remedy has be^n discovered. I commend this insect to the
particular attention of our members. Although known as so abundant and injurious
for the past twenty years, the perfect insect in this country has never yet been identified.

Roots. — The Colorado Potato-beetle still exists in great numbers, but with so cheap
and effective a remedy as Paris green, it cannot be considered a serious enemy except by
the lazy or careless. The larva of Gortyna cataphracta was sent in from three or four
places in Eastern Ontario as having bored into the stalks of potatoes, tomatoes and
many other garden plants. A new attack on potatoes reported this year for the first
time was by Otiorhynchus ovatus, which was sent from Fenella, Ont., by Mr J, B.
Brook, who had found it girdling the stems of his potatoes. The same insect was
found injuring young apples, pears and currants at Arthabaskaville, Que. Turnips
were badly attacked all over the province by the Turnip Aphis, and many reports were
received. There is no very satisfactory remedy for this insect. Careful watch should
be kept in August when hoeing and thianing turnips At that time the colonies are
small and few in number, and if care be taken to destroy them then, much may be
done to control the outbreak. Spraying with kerosene emulsion was found to be
useful when the colonies were not too numerous. A tobacco and 3oap wash would be
equally effective. The Diamond-back Moth {Plutella cruciferarum) was alsj abundant
both on turnips and cabbages, but affected the crop very little. Cibbage and Onion
Root-maggots were as usual abundant in many places, and did much harm. The
Imported White Cabbage Butterfly (Pieris rapce), Fig. 13, is not now considered a very

serious enemy where the use of pyrethrum powder
and flour (one to four) is practised. The best way
to apply the remedy, is to dust it over the cabbages
as soon as the work of the larvae is noticed, by
means of small hand bellows or from a muslin bag.
It cannot be too strongiy insisted upon that Paris
green must never be used on cabbages.

Fruits. — The injuries to fruits cannot be said,
as compared with other years, to have been very
serious. Most of the usual pests have put in an
appearance and done some harm, but the more
general adoption of the excellent practice of spraying regularly is having a noticeable

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

3a

effect. Codling moth, Plum curculio, Canker-worm, Eye-spotted Bud-moth, Tent cater-
pillars and Fall Web-worm have been abundant in some places, but their numbers
have been brought down considerably wherever spraying with the arsenites was
resorted to.

Fig. 14. — 1, twig with scales ; la, scale of male ; 16, winged male ; lc, scale of female —

highly magnified.

The Oyster-Shell Bark-louse is abundant throughout the province, and where orchards
are neglected does much harm. Spraying with kerosene emulsion when the young insects
emerge from the old scales, about 1st June, is the best remedy. The Scurfy Bark-louse,
Chionaspis furfurus, Fig. 14, was sent from Essex County. One tree was badly infested,
but a thorough spraying with kerosene emulsion entirely cleaned it.

The New York Plum-scale (Lecanium) has been found, on enquiry, to be present to
some extent all through the Niagara peninsula and in some other western counties. Only
two bad occurrences have been discovered, and I am much pleased to be able to report
that these have both been eradicated by treatment with kerosene emulsion. The life-
history of this scale is quite different from that of the Oyster- Shell Bark-louse, in this
species, the young emerge at the end of June and make their way out on to the foliage,
where they remain without growing much until autumn ; they then crawl back again on
to the twigs and branches and hibernate there. When revived by the return of spring,
they move again and fix themselves to the young wood, chiefly on the lower side of the
smaller branches. They grow very rapidly in spring, and the tiny flat scales which
hibernated, soon become large, conspicuous, dark brown, hemispherical scales, varying
somewhat in size, but about one-eighth to one-sixth of an inch in length by about half of
that length in height. The basal outline is ovate or almost round, being very nearly as
wide as long. This insect has been carefully studied by Mr. Slingerland, of Cornell
University, and the remedy which he suggested has been used very satisfactorily both at
Queenston and Grimsby, where the two serious outbreaks referred to above occurred.
3 EN.

34 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

This treatment is to spray infested trees at least twice during the winter with a strong
kerosene emulsion wash — the Riley- Hubbard emulsion diluted with only four parts
of water. This did no harm to the plum trees, but quite destroyed the scales.

Canker-worms (Anisopteryx). There has been a good deal of enquiry during the
past season as to the best way to treat Canker-worms in orchards There can be no doubt
about the superiority of spraying with Paris- green over all other methods, where the trees
are small enough to be reached easily with an ordinary spraying nozzle ; but where trees
are old and large, some growers still prefer to use the old method of banding the trunks
of the trees with printers' ink and oil or some other viscid material. Mr. 0. T. Springer,
of Burlington, Ont., uses a mixture consisting of castor oil, two pounds and resin, three
pounds, heated and thoroughly mixed. This is painted directly on the tree trunks in autumn
and spring. In Nova Scotia, printers' ink is reduced with fish oil, and this is painted on strips
of thick paper which have been previously tacked round the trunks. Mr. E. J. Armstrong,
of Church Street, Cornwallis, in the Annapolis valley, informed me, when enquiring why
he preferred banding to spraying, that the chief reasons were that the trees in Nova
Scotia were large, and it was the practice to grow other crops in the orchards, and, besides,
irjjury had been done by careless spraying. He gives the cost' of this treatment about as
follows : Printers' ink is about twelve cents a pound ; twenty pounds of ink will require
four gallons of fish oil, at fifty cents a gallon. This amount will answer for an orchard
of five acres, the trees being of about twenty or thirty years. It will require about fifteen
pounds of paper, at four cents a pound. This is cut with a saw from the roll in strips
six inches in width. Two men, armed with a sharp knife and a tack hammer, can go over
an orchard of five acres in half a day, the first man measuring the tree and cutting off
sufficient paper to band it, the second one tacking it on. The ink is applied in autumn
and spring with a paint brush, and the paper put on in autumn is ready for the next
spring.

The Cigar Case-bearer (Coleophora Fletcher ella), which has done so much harm to
apples in Ontario and Nova Scotia during the past four or five years, and of which I
spoke last year, has been the cause of much loss again this year. Spraying with kerosene
emulsion, directly tie young caterpillars begin to move out on to the buds in spring and
spraying regularly two or three times at short intervals of four or five days with Paris
green, one pound to 200 gallons, have both been attended with a measure of success ; but
this is an exceedingly difficult insect to destroy, owing to the fact that the caterpillar
feeds mostly on the inside tissues of the leaf, merely eating a small hole through the out-
side skin so as to get at the inner tissues, which it mines out in a large blotch mine as far
as it can extend its body from its case. Mr. Edwin Worden, of Oshawa, has, during the
past summer, sprayed his trees with a Paris green and lye wash, which he writes me has
been most satisfactory. The first time he used this remedy he sprayed with concentrated
lye only. This was about the middle of May, 1894, and Mr. Worden was under the
impression that the application had not killed many of the Case-bearers j but the effect
was very beneficial, and he could see distinctly where the spraying had been done by the
cleanness of the trees from moss and Oyster-Shell Bark-louse. Last summer he sprayed
again with three cans of concentrated lye and one quarter pound Paris green in forty -five
gallons of water, and secured the best of results ; he particularly states that the lye did
not injure the foliage at all. This spraying was done in the beginning of June, and Mr.
AVorden's object was to destroy at the same time the Codling Moth, the Cigar Case-bearer
and the Oyster-Shell Bark-louse. No doubt many other pests would be killed at the same
time, such as the Canker-worm, Eye-spotted Bud-moth, Leaf Rollers, etc.

The Peach Bark-borer (Phloeotribus liminaris) which has for some years done so much
harm in the peach orchards of the Niagara Peninsula, has this year been successfully
treated by Mr. 0. E. Fisher, of Queenston. Noticing that the perfect beetles became
active very early in the spring, he washed his trees then with a strong alkaline wash to
which carbolic acid had been added. He made his wash as follows: Five pounds of
washing soda, three quarts of soft soap, and enough water to make six gallons. Air-
slaked lime was then added sufficient to make it of the consistency of thick paint. To
all this was added three tablespoonfuls of Paris green and one ounce of carbolic acid.

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

35

This mixture was applied with a whitewash brush, thoroughly covering the entire trunk
of the tree and a few inches up on the limbs. Mr. Fisher reports that at the end of the
season he is quite satisfied with the results of the treatment. It would appear from
what I have just said that two applications of this mixture, the first one being made as
soon as the beetles become active, sometimes as early as March, and another six weeks
later, would provide us with an effective remedy for this little pest, which for some years
has done considerable harm in our Canadian peach orchards.

Black Peach Aphis (Aphis per since nig er). — The only new fruit pest of any importance
which has appeared in the province during the past season is the Black Peach Aphis, of
which specimens have been sent in from two orchards at Leamington, in Essex county.
The insect has undoubtedly been imported from the United States on young nursery
stock. There are two forms of this insect, one attacking the twigs, the other, more in-
jurious and much more difficult to treat, occurring on the roots. Prof. John B. Smith, of
New Brunswick, N. J., who has studied this Aphis a great deal, states that the form on
the twigs is easily controlled with kerosene emulsion ; and the underground form he has
successfully treated with heavy top dressings of kainit. He recommends for light soils
in New Jersey about ten pounds per tree, covering the probable extent of the root system,
This is for a bearing tree from four to six inches in diameter, and the time for applying
the kainit is in the spring, when the trees are leafing out. Prof. Smith states that " the
kainit has proved successful in our orchards, wherever used." Another method of treat-
ment which has been recommended is to dig in tobacco waste around the roots.

Fig. 15.

Fig. 16.

Fig. 17,

Fig. 15, male ; 16, female ; 17, injured canes.

Mr. Woolverton, the energetic Secretary of our sister society, the Fruit Growers'
Association of Ontario, states that the Pear Leaf Blister Mite ( Plujtoptus pyri) is rapidly
gaining ground in the Niagara district, the corky dark-colored galls being conspicuous on
the foliage of most pear trees. On account of the diminutive size of the mite which causes
these blister-like galls and from the fact that it works inside them out of sight, it is seldom
recognized as the cause of the injury, many people attributing the origin of the galls to

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

some parasitic fungus. The treatment which has been recommended for this pest is spray-
ing the trees with kerosene emulsion just as the buds burst in spring. On the Pacific
Coast, where it is also very prevalent, good results have been obtained with a winter
wash consisting of sulphur one pound, lime two pounds, salt one pound, and water three
gallons. The manufacture of this wash is described in detail in an article on the San
Jose Scale published in our last annual report.

The Snowy Tree-Cricket (CEcanthus niveus), or one of the allied species, is doing much
harm in raspberry plantations about Hamilton. Several specimens of injured canes have
been sent to me which had been pierced by the females when depositing their eggs. Some
of these had split open down the whole length of the punctured area, and the canes in all
cases were much weakened. This insect is claimed to be predaceous, and Miss Mary
Murtfeldt, who I think was the first to observe this fact, says that they feed almost entirely
upon Aphides and other minute pests and make ample compensation for all the injury that
they do, and that they should be considered beneficial rather than injurious. Around
Hamilton, however, I am told by Mr. Win. McEvoy, of Woodburn, Ont., that the injuries
to raspberry canes are serious. The only remedy which seems practicable is the pruning
and burning of the injured canes early in spring before the eggs hatch, for the insect passes
the winter in the egg state inside the canes. Figs. 15, 16 and 17.

The insects I have mentioned I think will include all the worst enemies which have
been brought before my notice during the season as having occurred injuriously in the
province. There were, of course, several others, but none requiring special mention, except,
perhaps, the Carpet Beetle (Anthrenus scrophularice), Fig. 18, which is gradually extending
its range, and the Mediterranean Flour Moth (Ephestia Kuhniella), Fig. 19, for which a

Fig. 18.
Fig. 18, a and b, larva ; c, pupa ; d, beetle.

(a). Moth (imago) magnified. 17'^
(b). Outline, showing natural size.

new locality has been found at Valleyfield, Que. Specimens were sent to me from a mill
early in October, and instructions were promptly given as to the best steps to take to
clean the mill. These were adopted, and in December I received a report from the manager
that the outbreak had been suppressed. I think it probable that he may have taken too
favourable a view of the matter, and I have urged upon him the necessity of keeping a
constant watch for any appearance of the insect. This is not only an extremely injurious
pest, but an exceedingly difficult one to eradicate. I find that it occurs more or less
plentifully in some of our large milling centres, and, where special efforts are not put forth
to control it, loss is sustained.

THE GROWTH OF THE WINGS OF A LUNA MOTH.

By J. A. Moffat, London, Ont.

In the afternoon of March 5th, 1895, I heard a noise amongst my cocoons. On
examination I found that it proceeded from the cocoon of an Actias Luna, Fig. 20, which
had been given to me early in the season. It was extremely thin ; when I took it up I
could see the movements of the imago through it. It was revolving as well as scratching

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

37

vigorously. It seemed to be conscious of its imprisonment, and appeared so eager to
escape, it made me feel uncomfortable, so I opened a hole in the cocoon, out of which it
crawled on to a finger which I exteDded for its convenience, thus missing an opportunity
of seeing it dig its own way out. It was perfectly dry, and left no moisture on the
cocoon or pupa case. I gave it a position to suspend from, where I could observe it
conveniently. I looked at the time ; it was a quarter to three. It did not show the
slightest inclination to travel.

Fig. 20.

r^'buuliThe abdomen was fully extended , green in colour with, comparatively, narrow white

bands around it. The front winglets were about three-quarters of an inch in length,

the hind ones less, clothed with hair-like scales, slightly tinged with yellow, sufficient

to contrast with the pure white of the body covering. The tail was bent round and laid

along the outer angle of the hind winglet, as shown by part b on Fig. 21,

which gives a moderately correct representation of it on an enlarged

scale. At five minutes to three a green spot appeared near the base

of front winglet, gradually enlarging as the fluid spread between the

membranes, and deepening in colour as the quantity increased. At three

o'clock the green had reached the eye spot on the front wing, and the

maroon colour of the costal band. At 3.10 the wing was one inch and a

half long. By this time the fluid was passing rapidly along the costal

edge and extending, whilst the outer angle had not yet begun to extend ;

the result was the apex drawn back, the membrane of the wing bulged

and bagged outward. At this time the hind wing had got a green tinge

along the outer margin, which was extending. At 3.20 the outer angle of front wing

had relaxed somewhat, which allowed the costa to straighten and reduced the bulging.

3.35 — the front wing looked to be full length, but not full width. 3.45— hind wing

well expanded and green coloured ; part b on Fig. 21 had moved away slightly from part a.

Fig. 21.

38 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

At four o'clock the space between a and b was nearly half an inch, but b yet retained its
horizontal attitude. At 4.10 the space between them had increased, and the point of
part b was drooping. 4.45 — the tail had greatly extended, hanging crumpled and
twisted. At 5.10 the moth opened its wings and walked away when I ceased taking
observations. I allowed it to live over night. It was a female, not a first-class
specimen. It measures four and a half inches in expanse of wing, and three and a
quarter from the base of the antennae to the end of the tail. It is heavily edged with
maroon on the outer angle of front wing, and more lightly on the hind wing and outer
curve of the tail. There is a row of brown dots on the veins of front wings, three-
eighths oi an inch from the coloured edge, which are not seen on any other native
specimen in the collection. As it matured the abdomen contracted until the white bands
united, and the green disappeared.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE SEASON OF 1895.
By J. Alston Moffat, London, Ont.

Hadena Arctica, Fig. 22, one of the climbing cut worms, the moth of which is seen
to some extent every season, and in some seasons quite plentifully, appeared in the
early part of June in extraordinary profusion, forcing itself on the attention of the most
unobservant, and continued for over four weeks to be a complete nuisance to the com-
munity. It was to be seen everywhere ; shop windows were rendered unsightly by
their presence, dead and alive. They would enter dwellings, hiding away for the day
in the folds of curtains and clothing, alarming the owners needlessly about their safety,
and making themselves generally obnoxious in a hundred ways. I received inquiries-
concerning them from various directions, which went to prove conclusively that this state
of things existed from the Niagara river on the east to the Detroit river on the we3t ;
and from the north shore of Lake Erie to the south •

shore of Lake Huron. How much further they
extended I have not learned.

The Genus Argynnis, in some of its species, is to
be seen more or less abundantly every season.
But 1895 gave them forth in numbers both of species
and specimens beyond all that I have ever seen
before. During July there were five species on the
wing at the same time. Cybele, Aphrodite, Atlantis,
Myrina, and Bellona. Upon large patches of flower- Fig, 22.

ing weeds that were attractive to them they congre-
gated in force, and when disturbed, they would rise in such a mass as to obscure the
view beyond. It was my first experience with Atlantis. On the twenty-seventh of
June I was in a locality where Argynnis was flying profusely. Cybele and Aphrodite
were abundant, but there were some that seemed to be different from either, and with
which I was not familiar. They were smaller in size and with a noticeable black border
on the hind wings, so I captured some for comparison. All the Atlantis in the Society's
collection are labelled " Montreal," and are quite uniform in size and markings. There
were none of those I took that were quite so small, or with so much black in the border.
On the first of July I secured more, and found that they varied considerably. Some of
them I could not say whether they were small Cybele or large Atlantis, so to settle the
doubt, I sent an example to Mr. W. H. Edwards, who promptly informed me that it was
Atlantis. I saw them plentiful at Sarnia, and Mr. W. E. Macpherson, of Prescott, Ont.,,
said it was the same at Windsor. On the sixth of August I received several specimens
from Mr. Macpherson, taken by him at Prescott. They were much nearer to the Quebec
type than the majority of those I took here ; with a little additional black in the border
of ths hind wings, they might not be separable. I may state here as a matter of some
interest that I never took at Hamilton what I consider to be typical Aphrodite, with the
dark cinnamon-brown shade on the under surface of the hind wings, which is compara-
tively common about London, »nd easily obtained.

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCITEY OF ONTARIO.

3fr

On the twelfth of August I had a call from Mr. Wm. Lochhead, of Napanee, Ont.$
on his way east from a visit to Windsor. When we were looking at a drawer of North
American specimens that are labelled " Non-Canadian," his eye resting on Argynnis
Idalia, he remarked : " There is a butterfly that was taken at Windsor." I had long
desired to hear of that species being reported Canadian. I expected it to enter our
territory in the east, but instead it has come to us in the west. Afterwards I received
through the kindness of W. S. Cody, B.A., a Windsor specimen for the Society's native
collection.

Fig. 23, Male.

Fig. 24, Female.

Pieris protodice has been seen here in greater numbers this season that it was last.
It has also been reported to me from other localities. Mr. Macpherson, who spent some
weeks collecting about Windsor, Ont., called upon me when he was returning east.
Whilst looking over the Society's collection, when we came to the Pieris he pointed to the
female of Protodice, remarking, " There is the butterfly I saw at Windsor and didn't
know what it was ! " An interesting testimony to its total absence of late years, which
seems so strange to those to whom it was such a familiar object in times gone by. I
received a letter from W. S. Cody, B.A., of Windsor, dated July 22nd, in which he said,
" Pieris protodice appeared for the first time here about the 4th of July, although it
might have been here unnoticed before that, and soon became more common than

P. rapce. Not being familiar with it, I took
/ in. i, nothing but females for a while, and think they

must have been more common than the males at
first." We can easily understand how male protodice
might pass unnoticed when flying with rapce, Fig.
25. Mr. Anderson took males only here during
July ; he did not even see a female. It has also
been reported to me as being plentiful at Essex,.
Alvinston and Woodstock.

Fig. 25.

In 1895 the season for collecting commenced early, but received a check later on.
Mr. Anderson reported to me some good finds at electric light before I thought it likely
that anything could have been got, light proving more profitable with him than bait
throughout the season. The fascinating power of light at night seems to be general over
all kinds of insects, and by concentrating it at particular points makes it easy to
secure quantities of them, and gives an opportunity of estimating the comparative scarcity
or abundance of the various kinds better than any other method. In this way, Mr.
Anderson could have taken dozens of some kinds that I thought I was doing well to get
two or three of in a season in the ordinary way of collecting. Bait will not attract some,
no matter how skilfully it is compounded, and it fails with all at times j but light,
especially electric light, never fails to draw, if the weather is at all propitious.

In September, I sent to Prof. J. B. Smith a box containing twenty-nine specimens of
Mr. Anderson's securing, which I could not identify with anything in the Societv's collec-
tion. Fourteen of these proved not to be represented therein. I had sent a few Bom-,
bycids which the Professor did not care to pronounce upon in the present transitionary

40 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

state of the nomenclature. There were some duplicates, different looking forms of one
species, whilst others were varieties or better and more distinctly marked specimens of
those already named in the collection. As a testimony to the character of Mr. Anderson's
work, I quote from Prof. Smith's letter to me accompanying the list of names : " Your
box of insects came duly to hand by express, and in good condition. It is by all odds
the most interesting box you ever sent me, and contains the best species, as well as, I
think, the best specimens I have ever had from you. * * * Your Nos. 2 and 5
{Copipanolis cubilis, Grote) are varieties of one thing, and, if you have others, I would
very much like to have a specimen, since the species is not represented in my cabinet.
No. 3 (Feralia major, Smith) is a very good species, recorded, I believe, for the first time
from Canada in this sending. Your No. 11 (Dicopis Grotei, Morr,) is a beauty, and per-
haps the handsomest specimen of the species that I have ever seen. No. 10 (Xylomiges
dolosa, Grote) is by no means common. The other species need no special reference and
are noticeable only by their excellent condition."

Amongst the Bombycids that I sent to Prof. Smith was a Gastropacha, which he
gave as " Ferruginea, probably." This I expected would likely be so, as it corresponded
well with the original description in everything except size. Packard says, Pro. Ent. Soc.
Phil. Vol. Hi., p. 386, " A smaller species than G. Americana." But all the specimens
that I have seen of this form are decidedly larger. In the " Preliminary Revision of
the Bombyces of America North of Mexico," by Neumcegen and Dyar, Ferruginea is
given as a variety of Americana. During the early part of May, Americana was abundant
at light. This Ferruginea did not appear until the middle of June, and not so numerously,
and the one had passed before the other appeared, which seems to conflict somewhat with
the idea of their being forms of one species.

The other names of this lot that were new to the Society's collection are :

Acronycta hasta, Grote. Resembling lobelia?,, but smaller and darker.

Dicopis viridescens, Walk. A widely distributed species.

Mamestra detracta, Walk. The habitat of this species is given in Prof. Smith's List
as Labrador, White Mountains, Colorado, 12,000 feet.

Xylophasia lateritia, Hubn. A European as well as American species.

Perigea luxa, Grote.

Scopelosoma devia, Grote. This addition completes the list of this genus in the
collection.

Morrisonia evicta, Grote.

Hybloea puera, Cram. Prof. Smith, in his catalogue, bibliographical and synony-
mical, gives the habitat of this species as Texas, Florida, West Indies ; and
remarks, "It seems to be a common form in more tropical regions and only
occasional in our own fauna."

Melipotis jucunda, Hubn. This is but the second species of the genus to be repre-
sented in the Society's collection. Limbolaris was frequently taken about
Hamilton. I am not aware of this species being reported from Canada
before. The other species of this genus are all given as from the south and
west.

I afterward sent a box of Bombycids to Mr. Harrison G. Dyar, who kindly deter-
mined them for me. Those of them that were new to the Society's collection of Mr.
Anderson's captures are :

Lophodonta georgica, H. S.

Schizura leptinoides, Grote.

fanassa lignicolor, Walk.

■Cerura scolopendrina, Bdv. Upon this species Mr. Dyar remarks, " The specimen
is of the form Modesta, Hud., the band broken as in Albicoma, Strecker."
These names are varieties of Scolopendrina.

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 41

Mr. Anderson also secured two specimens of Dllophonota ello, Linn, in splendid
condition ; and a pair of Protoparce cingulata> Fab., with the pink ornamentation
beautifully bright and fresh.

A rare and interesting capture by Mr. Anderson in the early
part of October was a specimen of Pyrgus tessellata, Scudder, Fig.
26, fresh and in fine condition. It was in company with another,
which he did not secure. This attractive butterfly has been
reported once before from Ontario, taken by Mr. Lowe, in
Essex County, and given under the synonym of Hesperia oileus%
Humph. -West, June, 1875.
Fig. 26.

VARIATION, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO INSECTS
By J. Alston Moffat, London, Ont.

" No compound of this earthly ball
Is like another, all in all."— Tennyson.

Variation amongst forms of life is one of the mo3t interesting and evident truths
in nature. The causes at work producing it are receiving a marked degree of atten-
tion at the present time, but not more than the importance of the subject deserves.
No one has given thought and attention to its manifestation amongst living forms
without being subjected to difficulty and perplexity by it. It lies right acros3 the
path of the investigator of the laws of life, and is the stumbling-block of the systematist.
It cannot be ignored or thrown aside, but must be admitted, and a place given to it
in every system in nature that is constructed.

The causes of variation in forms of life are many. Some of them are simple,
apparent and easily comprehended. Others are obscure and difficult to trace. As a
considerable diversity of opinion exists as to the source of its origin in nature, and
the present state of our knowledge does not satisfactorily explain all that we see
associated with it, therefore, an orderly statement in plain language of what is known
on the subject may not prove objectionable to those who have got into perplexity and
wish to investigate the subject for themselves.

All nature — that is, everything that comes within the range of physical investiga-
tion— is controlled by unchanging law. Each portion of it has a law or laws of its
own, which we call the laws of its nature. We do not see these laws ; we know of
their existence only by observing the uniformity of their manifestations. For instance,
given the same materials in the same proportions and in the same conditions, and
the same results will follow every time. Change one of these by ever so little, and a
different result will certainly be produced. Thus we have the ever-changing manifesta-
tions of nature from unchanging laws, through the ever- changing conditions and com-
binations of the same materials. Life is as completely under the control of law as
matter, but it is infinitely more complex and difficult to trace.

Matter has been divided into the organic and inorganic. The inorganic surface
of the globe is the foundation on which rest the organic forms thereof, and from
which they may be said to have come, as all the materials for their solid structures
and sustenance are derived therefrom. The face of this globe has been frequently
changed. There was a time when life could not exist upon it. When the conditions
became favorable, organisms appeared suitable for the conditions — low in the scale of
life, but neither defective nor degraded. That forms of life varied with the varying
conditions of the earth's surface, is conclusively demonstrated by the geological record,
and that the organisms of the various geological periods were as thoroughly in harmony
with the conditions in which they lived as are those of the present. That many of
the forms of life in the present are the lineal descendants of some of those of previous
geological periods is extremely probable, if not positively certain, but so changed in
appearance by altered conditions as not to be now recognizable.

42 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

No doubt many forms of life came and went before insects appeared. These am
comparatively highly organized forms of life, the higher appearing later in point o£
time, life keeping pace with its surroundings, and so maintaining harmony. The
conditions are not uniform over all the earth's surface at the present time, and we
know that the appearance of the life of the various portions of the globe differs in
many instances to such an extent that an expert can tell from what part of the world
a particular form came by its appearance ; and thus we learn that variation in living
forms is not a thing of recent origin.

Our knowledge of the extent to which variation may go is largely obtained from
man's efforts to change for his own advantage those kinds which he thought were
going to prove conducive to his welfare or gratifying to his fancy. But man's methods,
in bringing it about are not identical with nature's. Although they must be in har-
mony with the laws of nature for profitable results, yet illustrations taken from one
and applied to the other may be very misleading.

Wallace, in his " Island Life," page 55, says : " Few persons consider how largely
and universally all animals are varying. We know, however, that in every generation,
if we could examine all the individuals of any common species, we should find con-
siderable differences, not only in size and colour, but in the form and proportions of
all the parts and organs of the body. In our domesticated animals we know this ta
be the case, and it is by means of the continual selection of such slight varieties to
breed from that all our extremely different domestic breeds have been produced. Think
of the difference in every limb and every bone and muscle, and probably in every part,
internal and external, of the whole body between a greyhound and a bull-dog ! Yet
if we had the whole series of ancestors of these two breeds before us, we should
probably find that in no one generation was there a greater difference than now occurs in
the same breed, or sometimes even the same litter. It is often thought, however, that
wild species do not vary sufficiently to bring about any such change as this in the
same time ; and though naturalists are well aware that this is a mistake, it is only
recently that they are able to adduce positive proof of their opinions."

In this extract we get great truths clearly stated, with a misleading inference-
appended. No divergence has ever appeared in the dog family in nature at all com-
parable to that between a greyhound and a bull-dog, and I have no hesitation in
saying never would, no matter what length of time was given, and so long as the dog
remained in a state of nature, we might add never could, and the reason is simple
and obvious. All man's domestic animals came originally from wild forms ; all the
possibilities that man has disclosed were latent therein. Under domestication they
became apparent, then by selection, elimination and rejection, man led one strain in
this direction and another in that, concentrating and exaggerating these points of
difference until the present results have been reached. Now, selection in nature is of
the most indiscriminate character possible. There is a constant commingling of the
slightly divergent forms going on that never gives any peculiarity an opportunity to
concentrate and disclose itself very conspicuously, and if it did in one instance it
would be reduced or even obliterated, to all appearance, in the next generation. And
it is this sort of selection that produces and maintains that marked degree of general
uniformity which we see does prevail amongst living forms in a state of nature. Thus,
we learn how widely divergent is the result of selection in nature from selection by
man for his own benefit, the one tending to reduce variation to a minimum, the other,
to carry it onward to its maximum.

The most powerful influence for the producing of variation in life in nature, is to he>
found in external conditions. A power inherent in a locality, capable of modifying the
appearance of an organism residing therein, combined with the susceptibility in varying
degrees of the organism to receive, retain and transmit the impressions. That living
forms are changed in appearance by residence in different parts of the globe is a fact not,
requiring to be proved in the present day. It has forced itself upon the attention of all/
observing travellers, and the books of such travellers as Darwin and Wallace are full of
examples of it; and as the attention of those engaged in the investigation of nature is

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 43

being more than ever turned in this direction, illustrations confirmatory of it are being
multiplied. In his later writings, Darwin acknowledged that he might not have assigned
to it all the importance that it deserves, or the consideration to which it is entitled, and
as investigation progresses, its influence in producing variation in nature is becoming
more generally admitted. In tropical countries, where life is under a kind of forcing
process, this power is strikingly exemplified in insects. There we find variation showing
itself in the changed appearance of the same kinds of insects, within shorter distances
and in greater numbers. Wallace tells us of one form of butterfly that he traced from
the seashore inland until it was scarcely recognizable as the same species, so greatly did
it change. This is an exceptional case, but the influence is present, if only the organism
is sensitive enough to take the impression. Then consider, that a similar influence is at
work to some extent, in some direction, on every form of insect life in the world, and we
may form some conception of the tremendous power at work producing variation; for it
is a fact well established by observation of life in domestication, that when a change has
been brought about in an organism, it is easier afterwards to produce more and greater.
But more ; the same laws that are in operation at present, producing such results, have
been at work ever since insects had an existence. Through all the various geological
periods in which they have lived, this moulding and modifying influence has been going
on, so it is not very surprising that the liability to vary should be so well established in
their constitution now.

Because such a power exists in nature, we have no authority for supposing that it
may go on indefinitely, and produce not only different looking things of the same kinds,
but also different kinds. That would be contrary to the laws of nature as we know them,
also to observation and experience. Each sphere of influence is well defined, whether we
can trace it or not. It has a centre where it will be most powerful, and a circumference
where it may be more weak, but if a change is to be brought about in the organism, a
change must be made in its habitat, or it must be made to change its habitat. What
difference would be produced by the change would have to be discovered by observation,
if the organism survived it, for it is well known that conditions not necessarily fatal to
life in themselves, might become so if brought about suddenly. Organisms do not change
themselves by an effort of the will; this influence is external to themselves, and modifies
them quite unconsciously to themselves.

What these influences are, or how they operate in producing a change in organisms,
is at present but little known. Past observations point to chemical agency as a powerful
factor. Indeed, in one view of it, the surface of the sphere on which we live is one huge
chemical laboratory. The process of disintegrating matter and re-compounding it is per-
petually going on. Then the various organisms are composed of multitudes of cells that
are endowed with the power of choosing and absorbing from inorganic substances the
materials required for their own special wants, and passing them on to other cells to be
transmuted into the proper ingredients for the producing and sustaining of every organ
in each and all, even the most complicated and highly organized beings on the earth. In
the case of insects, heat and cold, moisture or its absence, light and obscurity have been
shown to have an influence in changing their size and colour, the result, no doubt, of
chemical combinations and actions. We see frequent instances of the same conditions
producing opposite effects in different organisms, attributable to the inherent power of
cells for differently combining the same materials or transmuting them chemically. And
now that the conclusion has at length been reached, confirmed by correct scientific inves-
tigation, and one which harmonizes so well with all our observations and experiences,
that heat does not come to us through space, bub is chemically produced within our at-
mosphere in some way by means of the sun's rays, which are electrical, we seem to have
got in some measure an explanation of how geologic and climatic influences obtain their
power to modify organisms.

Although external influences are the most powerful originating cause of variation in
living forms in nature, the most obvious one, and the one that attracts the most atten-
tion, is brought about by the intermingling of existing varieties, which tends to proluce
yet more abundant variation. The parents being unlike, we see some of the offspring

44 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

taking after ore parent, some after the other, some with a curious admixture of both ;
whilst others have no special resemblance to either. One does not require to travel in
order to obtain abundant evidence of this.

In following out this part of my subject, I shall have occasion frequently to use the
term species, so it will be well first to define the sense in which I use it. I remark, then,
that I accept without reservation Worcester's definition of the term, which he states thus :

" 1. Appearance to the senses or the mind ; sensible or intellectual representation.
2. An assemblage of individuals allied by common characters, and subordinate to a
genus or sub-genus ; a group.

lyiT In zoology and botany species is founded on identity of form and structure,
both external and internal. The principal characteristic of species, in animals and vege
tables, is the power to produce beings like themselves, who are also productive."

Here we have the term as used in connection with non-living matter used in
classification, and as specially applied to living matter. In non-living matter, such as
soils, rocks and inorganic substances generally, species are separated by appearances as
they present themselves to the eye or mind. They are tested by the senses, when found
to be different, they are pronounced to be specifically distinct. There are no differences
of opinion as to their right to be called species ; and the reason of it is, that they are inert
and passive under external conditions. Specimens of the same species may be separated
by thousands of miles, and that for thousands of years and no perceptible change has
taken place in them. But living matter is constantly changing ; from less to greater ;
from young to old ; from vigour to decay ; from one generation to another, all passing
on to death and dissolution. What a gulf separates these two kinds of matter ! or, if
you will, the same matter under such different conditions. Now it is not in harmony
with what is considered to be exact scientific phraseology, to apply the same term in
the same way to two such differently constituted subjects of investigation ; and sepa-
rate species in living forms on exactly the same lines as in non living matter. Taking
" appearance to the senses" as the only guide to a definite conclusion ; and yet that is
what has been, and is yet being done by numbers of systematists and the result is, con-
fusion and uncertainty.

Take as an illustration of how this method works in practice, the oft- quoted instance
given in Darwin's " Origin of Species," p. 37. " Mr. Balington gives two hundred and
fifty-one species to a given genus. Whereas Mr. Bentham gives only one hundred and
twelve. A difference of one hundred and thirty-nine doubtful forms." Both are sup-
posed to be competent authorities, why this vast difference in the result of an investiga-
tion of the same material? The answer to the question is to be found in the method of
conducting it. Mr. Balington probably had a keen eye for detecting things that differ.
He surveyed his material and separated it according to appearances, and when he was
done he found that he had two hundred and fifty-one forms in which perceptible differences
presented themselves to his mind, and he called them species.

Mr. Bentham was probably more critical. He might take into account the fact that
living forms were always liable to vary more or less, and he would see that some of these
forms so imperceptibly merged into one another, that he suspected that they were not en-
titled to be called species, so he united some here, and some there along the line, making
their differences more perceptible whilst he reduced their numbers to one hundred and
twelve, according to his estimate of what constituted a species.

Now that is exactly what might happen with any two investigators of a genus, with
numerous so-called species upon this continent, who separated their species by perceptible
differences. And that is probably what did occur in the genus that originated the " Colias
Controversy," or the one that has started the Argynnis contention. Darwin himself
worked on the same lines, and he has told in his own vigorous language what trouble he
got into through it. He says: "After describing a set of forms as " distinct species,
tearing up my manuscript and making them one " species, tearing that up and making
them separate, and then " making them one again — as has often occurred to me — I have
"gnashed my teeth, cursed species, and asked what sin I had committed to be so

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 45

punished 1 " and such is the natural result of an effort to attain to certainty, by means of
an uncertain method ; and no amount of investigation upoa the same lines, by ever so
competent an authority, can ever be unmistakably certain. The only conclusive verdict
must be obtained by an appeal to nature ; unite the differing forms, and if they have
11 the power to produce beings like themselves who are also productive," then the species
is one, and the different forms are portions of it This is the law of nature controlling
all bi-sexual life, and it is extremely doubtful if there has ever been a well authenticated
instance of its violation. Cases have been reported of so-called different species having
been united, and the product carried forward for several generations, but that simply
proves that the term species had been wrongly applied ; and this wrong application of the
term by namers and describers of species is traceable to the method of making species
exclusively from perceptible differences. To illustrate the danger to which such are ex-
posed in following that method, I quote the following passage from Wallace's Island Life •
pp. 55 and 56. " An American naturalist, Mr. J. A Allen, has made elaborate observa-
tions and measurements of the birds of the United States, and he finds a wonder/'ul anl
altogether unsuspected amount of variation between individuals of the same species. They
differ in the general tint, and in the markings and distribution of the colours ; in size and
proportions; in the length of the wini>s, tail, bill and feet; in the length of particular
feathers, altering the shape of the wing or tail ; in the length of the tarsi and of the
separate toes ; and in the length, width, thickness and curvature of the bill. These
variations are very considerable, often reaching to one-sixth or one-seventh of the average
dimensions and sometimes more."

We see in this extract, the perplexity that must necessarily arise in the mind of
those engaged in studying such variable forms from their point of view, as to how far
this sort of thing may go before it becomes a different species. Now, man has demonstra-
ted most conclusively in connection with his domestic animals, that no amount of that
kind of variation interferes in the slightest with the various forms uniting, " and produc-
ing beings like themselves, who are also productive " And the same laws are operating
upon life in nature in the same way. Species, is a question of lineage ; not of size, form
or colours. These are incidental.

Having given the manner in which I use the term species, I continue the subject of
variation.

We have seen that there are a combination of influences at work in every habitable
portion of the globe, producing a change in the appearance of the life of each, in propor-
tion to the susceptibility of the species to receive the impression. That such spheres of
influence have a centre and a circumference, well defined although to us unperceived,
except by the effect produced. Long residence in a locality for many generations giving
the influence of that locality an opportunity to exert its utmost on the species living
under it, whilst propagations with the local stock will tend to produce a more distinctive
form of a species, acting as in-and-in breeding does in domestication. A fact well
illustrated by the life of Islands, which is as a rule more uniform in appearance than that
of continents with their extended areas.

Now it is an acknowledged fact that insects are notorious for spreading ; either from
their innate desire to migrate, or by external assistance. So the particular forms of one
locality are constantly getting mixed with the different forms of the same species in
another locality ; uniting with them, " and producing beings like themselves who are also
productive." It is a well-known experience of breeders in domestication, that when
differing strains of the same species are united, a great uncertainty exists as to what the
appearance of the offspring will be ; and the greater the difference is, the uncertainty
becomes proportionately greater. But more, we have to take into consideration not only
the late ancestors which we may have seen, but remote ancestry which we could not see,
that may have had in them strains that we never suspected, until they showed them-
selves in those we see.

Now this commingling of different forms of the same species is constantly going on all
over the habitable globe, and given time and opportunity a species, or its descendants,
could encircle the earth and produce confusion amongst the typical forms of every locality.

46 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

And when we consider that the forms of each locality are thus pushing their way outward,
to mingle with those of other localities, we have an abundant source of supply for un-
limited variations from the well marked and easily defined forms of any species, to the
most minute shades of differences that are well calculated to drive the makers of " Species
by perceptible differences" to the verge of distraction.

Let us now throw the reins to imagination, and urge it on to its utmost capacity,
for it can never exceed the truth in this direction, and conceive if you can the multiplied
diversity of external influences that insects have been subjected to since they were first
originated up to the present time. Think of the differences of the environments they
may have lived in for a greater or less extended period, and that each and all were
perfectly adapted to their times and conditions, harmonizing with and fitting into them
as naturally and unconsciously as water fits into a vessel. That the surface of the globe
has always been diversified in climate ; that insects were as susceptible to external
influences, as much given to migrating and mingling together the diverse forms of the
same species, and thus multiplying diversity as now ; and that this and a great deal more
has gone on through all the geological eras and ages that have intervened between their
first appearance and the present, there seems but little cause left for wonder that species
should be difficult to define by perceptible diflerences. But lest the surprise should take
the opposite direction, and the wonder be that classification is possible, remember that
this has all gone on under the control of unchanging laws — the laws of life and heredity,
with their marvellous power of colour and form, producing beauty and attractiveness ; the
laws of matter and force, those that make for change and those that tend to stability ;
chemical affinities and combinations ; brought about through light, cold, heat, and
electricity ; change without haste, yet without cessation ; almost imperceptible, but un-
mistakably accomplishing results; like some huge, complicated, perfectly adjusted, self
regulating machine, so absolutely perfect in its operations that it has never needed
alteration or repair since it was first set in motion. Or as the fabled mills of the gods that
ground very slowly but very fine, whilst the outcome of the process is what we see. Here
we have " descent with modification " throughout the ages, but the same species still, if
in the direct line of descent.

In such plain and evident facts of nature we seem to get sufficiently powerful and
persistent causes to bring about the superabundant diversity that characterizes insect life
without entering upon those that are obscure and doubtful.

The period of existence when insects are most susceptible to external influences are
in the egg, larval and pupal stages. It is in these that the impressions are received which
afterwards show themselves in the changed appearance of the imago. When a change
has been produced in the appearance of the mature insect, a change may reasonably be
expected in its early stages. Therefore when different localities are possessed of influences
that are capable of making themselves manifest in the different appearance of their mature
forms, and the early stages of these forms partake of a corresponding diflerence, and they
breed true to their particular forms through all their stages, it proves nothing whatever
as to their specific standing. This for conclusive settlement will require the extremes of
the mature forms to be brought together, united, and see if they will produce beings like
themselves, who are also productive. If so, then the species is one, regardless of their
differences.

My subject would seem naturally to end here, but there are views held by some that
are riot in harmony with those stated, which will suggest objections that can be antici-
pated and may be replied to here without departing from its general scope and purpose.

Some will be ready to say, if the species is one the name should be one also. I reply,
that a single description can never cover a multiform species. A constantly recurring
form that requires a separate description to make it recognizable, should have a separate
name. This might have the eftect of reducing the number of species and increasing the
number of names. Mr. W. H. Edwards has somewhere said (I quote from memory and
may not be exact) : "We have no such a butterfly as Aiax. We have Wo.lshii, Abbotii,
Telamonides and Marcellus. These four forms constitute Ajax* Here it requires four
descriptions and four names to correctly distinguish one species Mr. Edwards applies

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

that principle throughout his check list to all seasonally polymorphic butterflies. Let the
same principle be followed in dealing with all sorts of variations, amongst all kinds of
insects, and worked out in their classification, so far as is known, and what an amount of
exact information could be conveyed at a glance as to the relationship of the different
parts of any multiform species. We would have the different forms that are to be found
in separated localities in the same country distinguished by name, and the forms of the
same species found in other countries, continents or islands, with distinguishing names,
whilst their habitat might be indicated as well. We should have also the kind of varieties,
whether permanent local forms or incidental variations on the.se, brought about by the
intermingling of separate forms, varieties wholly the result of natural operations, or
produced by man's interference with the course of nature in pursuit of his own ends, and
thus including the most recent variations ; giving an opportunity to indicate forms that
may have been exterminated through altered conditions, varieties seasonal, sexual or
unaccountable, thus giving a world-wide view of every variable species according to the
extent of knowledge procurable up to date, laying a solid and certain foundation for
future advances in the same direction. It would be an immense convenience if species
could be defined by appearance with certainty, but past experience has, so far, proved it
hopeless. An approximation to the facts is the most that can be looked for. Ova, larvae,
and pupae can all be classified by appearances as well as imagoes, but a system reared
upon preparatory stages would fail of certainty as sure as on the mature one. No regu-
larly graduated line can be formed of either, some inconvenient breaks are found in all.
Some forms are found that will not fit in comfortably anywhere, whilst affinities are found
in others that point in opposite directions. Yet for final arrangement and classification
surely it is upon the affinities and resemblances of the mature form it ought to be founded,
all the others being but preparatory thereto. So I conclude that the limit of species is
found by uniting two, when the beings produced are uniformly non-prodrctive, but the
limit of variation cannot be reached until the power to produce different conditions and
-combinations has been exhausted.

SOME WINTER INSECTS FROM SWAMP MOSS.

By W. Hague Harrington, F.R.S.C., Ottawa.

Where are the insects in winter 1 What becomes of all the varied winged and
painted forms that in the hot summer hours fill the air with movement and sound? Then
every nook and corner of the land has its tiny familiar folk, flitting from flower to flower,
in restless haste ; every plant has its devouring hosts, and crawling, running, leaping
creatures swarm in every direction. With the shortening days and the approach of frost,
the myriads of insects, which have added so much to the joyous, exuberant life of sum-
mer, fast disappear and silence broods through forest glades and over meadow vales, which
rang continuously with the shrill murmurings and stridulations of the innumerable
orchestra. A few drowsy flies crawling on a sunny surface, or an occasional butterfly
flitting in the midday warmth, may occur until winter has well set in, but these at last
disappear. The winds strip off the dead foliage, the frost congeals the surface of the
ground, and snow covers, beneath its chill pure shroud, a land from which all life seems to
have departed. " All the insects are dead " the thoughtless remark, forgetting for the
moment that they will be as numerous and lively in the forthcoming summer, and that
none of the immense variety of forms will be created afresh.

Certainly the vast majority of the individuals, which are seen during the warmer
season, perish before the close of the season, for the life of most insects is but a brief
span, but the perpetuity of the species is preserved in spite of the apparent death of all
the individuals. In some secure hiding places, then, the representatives of each species
must remain during the long months of frost and snow. Those who have not made a
study of our smaller forms of life would find it difficult to search out any of the swarms
which are waiting for the vivifying breath of spring. Some might remember that our
houseflies have crawled away into cracks and crevic ;s, fron which to sluggishly emerge

48 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

when it becomes warmer, but probably this would be the measure of their knowledge of
the winter life of our insects. The entomologist, (concise term for the student of insect
life,) however, who seeks to make himself acquainted with the complete life-history of
each species,has esan essential part of his task to discover how the winter is passed. Natur-
ally he finds that there is much diversity of habit, and that it may be either as eggt
larva, pupa or imago, (adult or fully developed form) that the long cold months are safely
tided over and the unbroken succeasion of the species preserved.

Many of our forms find security in the bottoms of the streams and pools, protected
by the shield of ice which has been formed above them. Others are safely buried in
the ground, beyond the reach of frost, or hidden in their burrows in our forest trees, but
a great proportion are incapable of attaining such a degree of protection, and have to be
content to hide in some crevice or similar shelter, or to depend upon such covering as
they may be able to construct. It might well be supposed that those non-aquatic insects
which hibernate in the perfect state would seek out some nice dry cranny in which, if
possible, to shelter themselves from both cold and wet. Surprise may therefore reason-
ably be excited when it is discovered that a considerable degree of moisture seems in no
degree harmful even to many species of a most delicate and fragile organization. The
saturated frozen mosses of the swamps might appear the very opposite of suitable winter-
quarters, and yet they very frequently contain an amazing number and variety of insects.

Having at several times gathered quantities of such mosses in the early winter, and
obtained from them many interesting specimens, it has occurred to me that a brief sum-
mary of the result of my last foray of this sort might be of some interest to those who are
curious as to the winter existence of our insects. I hope, too, that the list which I shall
furnish may be of some little value to our many students in this branch of natural his-
tory, and may perhaps give some new light as to the habits of some of the species. For
in all of our investigations we must bear in mind that, without a complete knowledge of
the full yearly round of the existence of each species, we may perhaps lack just what it
is most essential to know.

At the present time great attention is given to what is called economic entomology,
which merely means the application to the benefit of the community at large of the know-
ledge which is slowly and laboriously gathered by many students, working generally
merely for their own love of investigation, and often at considerable expense and self-
sacrifice. At the Central Experimental Farm, at Ottawa, Canada has employed a very
capable and indefatigable entomologist whose investigations and reports cannot but
con\ey much needed information to the agricultural population. But the capacity of
any man to make investigations is limited by the time at his command, and he is there-
fore compelled to avail himself of the labours of others, and as there is no one, especially
if resident in the country and engaged in agricultural pursuits, who has not opportunity
for observing the habits of some of our insects, there should be many who could render
some aid to our excellent Government Entomologist, Mr. Fletcher, by communicating to
him the observations that have been made. In devising methods for the destroy al and
control of those insects which are classed as injurious (either to plant or animal life) it
may become important to ascertain how they survive the winter, so as to know at what
season they may be most easily and cheaply combatted.

Before proceeding with my list of species I will summarize for my non-entomological
readers the method employed in collecting the specimens. The best localities for gather-
ing the moss are to be found in swamps, surrounded and interspersed with trees and
shrubs, and offering to the botanist in summer a considerable variety of plants. The
ordinary sphagnum moss which may be found in some places is too wet to contain many
insects, but the mosses which occur in abundance in somewhat drier localities will gener-
ally well repay investigation. It is profitable also to collect those which grow around
the roots of trees, upon fallen logs, and upon the little knolls and hummocks of the
swamps. The mosses, of course, will be mixed, more or less, with grasses, fallen twigs
and leaves and various foreign matters, but the presence of these is not a source of any
inconvenience in examining the material collected. A sackful gathered in the nearest
swamp will furnish interesting occupation for many subsequent hours, and its contents

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 49

can be examined as opportunity offers. A damp, cool cellar is the best place to keep it
until such opportunities occur. For the examination of the moss, take a shallow box,
several inches square and about three deep, and replace the bottom by fine wire netting
of about eight holes to the linear inch. Placing this box upon a sheet of white paper, a
handful of moss is torn to pieces in it, and the insects which may be present will fall
through the netting. Before emptying the debris out of the box give the latter a sharp
tap to dislodge any that may be " playing possum " or clinging to the wire. The insects
which are now seen scampering off at different rates of speed may be picked up with a
fine forceps or the moistened tip of a camel's hair pencil, and dropped in a small phial
of alcohol or a cyanide bottle. It is well, if possible, to do this work in an uncarpeted
room, or one in which a few spiders and other forms which will surely escape, may not
create any disturbance. Spiders especially display great alacrity in making themselves
scarce, and there are many beetles that are most agile in their movements, and even if
picked up in the forceps will wriggle out and dart off in a new direction, always aiming,
however, for the farthest edge of the table,

By adding the species collected in previous years my lists could be lengthened but I
intend to confine them to the results obtained from the gathering of one season. The
material examined consisted of about a peck collected on 17th Nov., about the margins of
a little swampy inlet below the aboretum of the Experimental Farm, and the contents of
an ordinary grain-sack filled, six days later, in Dow's swamp, (a regular cedar and
tamarac marsh) upon the opposite side of the canal. At the latter date the surface of
the ground was frozen and some snow had fallen, so that the moss was partially frozen
and mixed with snow, making the bag pretty heavy for portaging, and I remember that,
when I boarded an electric car with my burden, it provoked general curiosity (which
remained unsatisfied) on the part of my fellow passengers. I have separate records of the
insects from each place, but as the dates and localities were so near together I shall give
but one list of the coleoptera, hemiptera and hymenoptera with the joint number of
individuals of each species, to show their relative abundance.

The total number of species enumerated is 147 ; of which 52 occurred in both local-
ities, 59 in Dow's swamp only and 36 at the Experimental Farm only. The number of
individuals mounted and examined was 1,345, of which 889 were from the swamp and
456 from the Farm. These figures do not represent all the insects yielded by the moss,
for of several of the commoner species no attempt was made to save all the examples,
while some individuals escaped in spite of all attempts to capture them. In addition
there were numerous individuals belonging to some of the other orders of insects, such as
flies, thrips, and spring-tails, of which there were several varieties always leaping around.
There were also many allied forms, such as mites, spiders, chelifers and myriapods.
Among the many larvse of various kinds may be noticed especially one which was not
infrequent, and which afforded apparently a striking instance of protective mimicry.
This was the larva of some fly, in which the segments of the body were so shaped and
ornamented as to give the creature, which was of a bright green colour, an exact resem-
blance to a fragment of the moss.

The several varieties of moss contained in this gathering formed in themselves an
interesting subject for examination, and in addition to the various forms of life already
noted there were many examples of several of our smaller molluscs. Of these there were
probably more than a dozen species, and they were preserved and handed over to one of
my conchological friends to add to his collections and records. The examination of the
moss was not concluded for several weeks, and it was found that its occupants remained
alive and active so long as it was not allowed to become too dry, or was not exposed to
excessive cold. Many of the insects proved most interesting and several had not
previously been found by me. I regret that about one-third of the species have not yet
been satisfactorily named, which indicates that the knowledge of our insects is yet very
imperfect, and that more students are needed in the entomological field.

4 EN.

50

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

COLEOPTERA.

CABABIDiE.

Bembidium variegatum Say 2

sulcatum Lee "

Pterostichus f emoralis Kirhy 12

Platynus picipennis Kirby 2

Lachnocrepis parallelus Say j

Oodes fluvialis Lee 1

Tachycellus nigrinus Dej 3

Dytiscid^e.

Ilybius ignarus Lee ? * 1

Ilybiosoma bif arras? Kirby j

Agabus sp l

HyDkOPHILIDjE.

Hydrochus subcupreus Rand 3

Hydrsena pennsylvanica Kies 6

Philhydrus perpiexus Lee 2

sp . 2

Hydrocombus lacustris Lee 8

Hydrobius feminalis Lee 8

f uscipes Linn 1

subcupreus Say 6

Cercyonsp ...... 2

Cryptopleurum vagans Lee 14

Silphid^e.

Colon sp 4

sp ]

Clambus puberulus Lee -L

SCYDM^ENID.E.

Scydmsenus f ossiger Lee 40

sp. (small) 27

Pselaphid^e.

Ctenistes piceus Lee 6

Pselaphus erichsonii Lee 15

Tychus longipalpus Lee 1

Decarthron abnorme Lee ... 3

Ratrisus globosus Lee 1

Bryaxis conjuncta Lee 68

rubicunda Aube 9

propinqua Lee 128

Trimium sp 1

STAPHYLINID.E.

Falagria bilobata Say 6

dissecta Er. ? 1

Aleochara nitida Grav 4

sp. . . . 1

?sp 1

Dinopsis americanus Kraatz 1

Acylophorus pratensis Lee 2

Philonthus lomatus Erich 4

nigritulus Grav 7

decipiens Horn 2

Diochus schaumii Kraatz 16

Stenus femoratus Say ? 28

ery thropus Melsh 2

pusio Casey • . 4

caniculatus Gyll 9

croceatus Casey 2

Eusesthetus americanus Er 3

Lathrobium punctulatum Lee 1

bicolor Lee - 1

concolor Lee 2

simplex Lee 2

sp 1

Stilicus dentatus Say 6

Lithocharis sp 8

Sunius binotatus Say 1

brevipennis Aust 2

Tachyporus jocosus Say 1

StaphyliniDjE— Continued.

Tachyporus brunneus Fab 12

Conosoma sp 2

Boletobius sp 1

Mycetoporus americanus Er 5

Olisthserus substriatus Gyll 1

? sp 1

? sp 44

? sp 14

? sp 5

Trichopterygidte.

Trichopteryx sp 116

sp 6

SCAPHIDIID.E.

Scaphisoma convexum Say ? 2

CORYLOPHID^E.

Artholips marginicollis Lee 23-

COCCINELLID.E.

Hippodamia 13-punctata Linn 1

CuCUJIDjE.

Lsemophlseus convexulus Lee 1

CRYPTOPHAGIDJ3.

Atomaria ephippiata Zimra 45

sp. (brown) 33

sp. (black) 1

sp. (small red) 24

1 sp 3

NlTIDULID.E.

Omosita colon Linn 2

Ips f asciatus Oliv 4

Latridiid^e.

Stephostethus liratus Lee 1

Corticaria pumila Lee 53

cavicollis Mann 3

Byrrhid^e.
Cy tilus sericeus Fab 2

Dascyllid^e.
Cyphon variabilis Tkunb 3

Throscid^.
Throscus alienus Bonv 1

Buprestidjs.
Taphrocerus gracilis Say 1

CHRYSOMELIDiE.

Donacia Kirbyi Las 1

Chaetocnema subcylindrica Lee 5

Odontota nervosa Pang 2

Otiorhynchid^e.
Otiorhynchus ovatus Linn 2

Curculionid^!.

Apion sp 1

Phytonomus nigrirostris Fab 35

Listronotus sp . 1

Macrops sp 3

Tanvsphyrus lemnse Fab 1

Acalyptus carpini Ebst 1

Pelenomus equamosus Lee 2

CoeliodeB nebulosus Lee 1

? ap 2

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

51

Notes on the Coleoptera.

Two-thirds of all the species belonged to the Coleoptera, or insects in which the hind
pair of wings, when present, are the organs of flight, and are protected by the thickened
front pair, known as elytra. A large proportion of our beetles are ground-dwellers, rov-
ing about through the herbage and moss, or hiding under stones and rubbish, and these
are best represented. Many of these are predaceous ; the remainder feeding chiefly upon
decaying animal or vegetable matter, and comparatively few attacking living plants. In
the above list twenty-two families are represented by 103 species, of which forty occurred
in "both gatherings, while twenty-seven were peculiar to the Farm and thirty six to the
swamp. The former locality furnished 383 individuals and the latter 594, so that, with
the beetles that escaped or were not preserved, there were considerably over 1,000
examples in these mosses, which certainly shows that they were pretty thickly distributed
throughout the swamps.

Of the seven species of Carabidse, Oodes fluvialis was a new record for Ottawa, while
Lachnocrepis parallelus is also an uncommon species here These beetles were found
under the thick covering of a prostrate log, and were in shallow cells in the earthy
matter on which the moss grew, evidently prepared to abide the winter there, as is done
by other members of this family. The Dytiscidse and Hydrophilidse are aquatic or sub-
aquatic beetles, although many of the smaller species live largely in decaying vegetable
matter. The Pselaphidse, a family well represented both in species and individuals, con-
tains very small forms, which are stated to feed upon animal substances, and probably
subsist in part upon other small inhabitants of the moss. Bryaxis propinqua and B. con-
juncta are remarkably abundant, especially in Dow's swamp. Nearly one-third of all the
species of Coleoptera belong to the Staphylinidse, a very extensive family which I have
not found time properly to study and of which there are many unnamed species in my
cabinets, even of the commoner forms. These beetles are slender, depressed, elongated
insects, with short elytra, remarkably quick and erratic in their movements, and living
chiefly on decomposing animal or vegetable matter. The genus Aleochara contains, how-
ever, true parasitic species.

Of all our beetles the smallest species are those that belong to the family with the
very long name, Trichopterygidse, which signifies that they have wings fringed with hairs.
One species was present in great numbers, and although mere black specks on the white
paper the beetles are very nimble and run swiftly about. The members of the Orypto-
phagidae and Lathridiidse are also very small, and subsist upon fungi and decaying vege-
tation. One of the most interesting beetles of the list is the pretty little Taphrocerus
gracilis, the only buprestid I have ever found hibernating. This species is taken with
the sweeping net in low meadows in June and I believe the larva feeds in the stems of
the sedges or large grasses. All the rest of the beetles are plant-feeding, and the most
abundant species, Phytonomus nigrirostris, is known as a clover-pest.

Hemiptera.

Corimalsena pulicaria Germ 5

Neotiglossa undata Say 1

CymuB angustatus Stal 5

Salicia pilosula Stal 3

Scolopostethus affinis Schill 2

Lygus flavonotatus Prov 2

Corythuca arquata Say , 7

? sp IV

Coriscus inscriptus Kirby 1

Salda sp. undescribed 1

Ulopa canadensis VanDuzee 62

Acocephalus mixtus Say ? 6*

Helochara communis Fitch 4*

Philaenus sp \

Livia vernalis Fitch 1

Notes on the Hemiptera.

The species of Hemiptera include ten belonging to the division Heteroptera and five
to the Homoptera. They were more abundant in the drier mosses. Seven species were
common to both localities and four peculiar to each. The total number of individuals
was 118, of which more than half belonged to the curious short- winged species which Mr.

52

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

VanDuzee has named Ulopa canadensis and which has been noted previously as occurring
in Ottawa. Mr. Kilman has also found the species at Ridgeway, and it is probably
widely distributed. The specimens marked with an asterisk were nymphs, or immature
forms, so that the species could not be exactly determined. The insects belonging to this
order are the only forms properly entitled to the name "bug," and they are mainly plant-
feeding. Subsisting upon the juices, which they suck from the leaves and stems by
means of the tubular beak formed by the prolongation of the mouth-parts, they rank
among the insects most injurious to plpnt life, and are most difficult to destroy or keep
in check. The smaller forms, known as plant-lice, are very numerous in species, and
they multiply with great rapidity, so that a very brief time suffices for the attacked plant
to become quite covered by the immense number in all stages of growth, and to have its
vitality exhausted.

Hymenoptera.

Proctotrypid^.

Megaspilus ottawaensis Ashm 5

Ceraphron minutus Ashm 4

flaviscapus Ashm 2

carinatus Ashm. ? 5

mellipes Ashm. ? 2

Aphanogmus bicolor Ashm 8

Telenomus sp 1

Acoloides subapterus Ashm 4

seminiger Ashm 1

sp. nov. ? . 1

Bseus minutus Ashm 47

Prosacantha melanopus Ashm 1

Hoplogryon brachypterus Ashm 41

sp. nov. ? 1

Gryon canadensis Ashm G8

borealis A shm 3

Pararaesius clavipes Ashm 2

1 Mapria sp 1

Trichopria carolinensis Ashm 4

Proctotrypid^e -Continued.

Trichopria sp. (apterous) 2

sp 1

Phfenopria aptera Ashm 16

htematobise Ashm , 10

Mymarid.e.

Cosmocoma sp 2

Formicid^e.

Camponotus marginatus Latr 1

Lasius brunneus Latr 1

Tapinoma erraticum Nyl. 1

MYRMICIDiE.

Myrmica lobicornis Nyl 14

sp 1

Notes on the Hymenoptera.

That this order should be so well represented will probably be a matter of much
more surprise than the occurrence of a large number of the ground-frequenting beetles.
One is apt to think of its members, in their adult form at least, as delicate- winged
forms flitting about in the sunshine. But besides the ants there are many wingless or
sub-wingless forms belonging to the various parasitic groups. Nearly half of the species
in the above list belong to these non-flying hymenoptera, but the remainder have fully
developed wings. It will be seen that twenty-nine species are enumerated, of which
five occurred in both localities, five at the Farm only (of which four were ants) and
nineteen only in the swamp, which was decidedly the most prolific ground, yielding
218 out of the 250 specimens collected. Many more ants could have been collected,
for their nests, some of considerable size, were scattered all through the swamp, but
those secured were stragglers that had probably got lost in their wanderings, and had
not been able to reach home before the cold weather stopped their journey ings. With
the exception of these ants all the species are very minute, and belong to the family
Proctotrypidse ; except one species belonging to the Mymaridae, a small group formerly
included in the Proctotrypidse but which Mr. Ashmead considers should constitute a
separate family. The first six species belong to the sub family Ceraphroninse, whose
members are parasitic on Aphididoe (plant lice) and Cecidomyiidse (midge-like flies
forming gall-like swellings, etc.). The following ten species belong to the sub-family
Scelioninse, all of which are egg parasites, the larvae living in the eggs of other insects.
I have bred as many as thirty-one individuals of a species of Telenomus from two eggs
of one of our large moths, but usually one parasite occupies each egg. Seven species
belong to the sub-family Diapriime, parasites of the larvoa of flies. The most abund

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 53

ant form was the wingless Gryon canadensis, of which all but five specimens were
from Dow's swamp. The closely allied, short-winged Hoplogryon brachypterus was
almost as numerous, three of the specimens being from the Farm. The second in point
of numbers was Bceus minulus, which occurred only in the mosses from Dow's swamp.
Probably some individuals escaped my notice when I was sifting the moss, as it is much
the smallest species in the list. It is a very agile atom, and able to leap a considerable
distance, while even the least dust upon the paper suffices to hide it, as it is a mere speck
itself The whole forty-seven specimens placed head to tail would make a line hardly an
inch in length. As the members of this genus are parasitic in the eggs of spiders this
minute species will probably infest the eggs of some of our smaller spiders, but I have not
yet succeeded in breeding any. The Cosmocoma is a fragile little form with narrow
wings, interesting chiefly as being the first mymarid which has been captured by me, and
probably the first recorded from Canada. In conclusion, it is hoped that these imperfect
lists and notes thereon may stimulate further observations on the winter habits of Cana-
dian insects.

BIRDS AS PROTECTORS OF ORCHARDS.*
By E. H. Forbush, Ornithologist op the Massachusetts Board of Agriculture.

Having had, during the last twenty years, some opportunity for observing the food
habits of birds, I have become convinced that they destroy enormous numbers of insects.
This conviction gives rise to the question, to what extent are birds useful to man in this
respect 1

The present paper is merely a partial record of the results of an attempt to foster
and protect birds in an old and neglected orchard with a view to observing the effect of
such a policy upon the trees. The orchard is so situated as to be a favorite haunt for
birds. It forms part of an estate in Medford, Mass., lying near the southern border of
the stretch of wooded rocky hills known as the " Middlesex Fells," a large part of which
is now under the control of the Metropolitan Park Commission of Massachusetts, and is
being administered as a forest reservation. The nearest estates on the east and west of
the orchard are cultivated to some extent. There are other orchards in the immediate
vicinity, and many fine and large shade trees. There are also on the estate in question
many varieties of trees and shrubs. There is a small piece of woodland, covering perhaps
an acre and a half, in which yellow pine predominates, the other trees being principally
ash, oak and maple, some hickory and a few white pines. A lane running along the
southern border of the estate is bordered on both sides with elms and poplars. A line of
mulberry trees along the lane south of the orchard affords tempting food for such birds as
are fond of fruit in its season. There are also many wild cherries and berries of several
varieties, together with half a dozen trees of cultivated cherries.

Among the trees, shrubs and vines found on the estate and which furnish food for
birds in the shape of berries or seeds at certain seasons of the year are the Berberis vulgaris
(common barberry), Vitis Jabrusca (northern fox grape), Rhus toxicodendron (poison ivy),
Prunus Americana (wild yellow plum), Prunus Pennsylvania (wild red cherry), Prunus
Virginiana (choke-cherry), Prunus cevium (English cherry), Rubus occidentalis (black rasp-
berry), Rubus villosus (high blackberry), Rubus idceus (garden raspberry), Rosa nitida
(wild rose), Pyrus malus (common apple), Ribes rubrum (common red currant), Fraxinus
Americana (white ash), Morus rubra ^red mulberry), Quercus alba (white oak), Quercus
coccinea (scarlet oak), Pinus strobus (white pine), Pinus rigida (pitch pine), Thuja Can-
adensis (hemlock), Juniperus Virginiana (red cedar).

The orchard itself is a typical old orchard, such as is often found on small farms. It
has suffered greatly from neglect. Two- thirds of the original trees have died or are in the
last stages of dissolution. This is largely the result of neglect and improper pruning.
Dead limbs and hollows in the trees have offered nesting places for such birds as the wren,
woodpecker and bluebird.

* Reprinted from The Museum by kind permission of the author.

54

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

For three years, from 1891 to 1893, inclusive, the trees were trimmed and cared for.
They were sprayed or banded to protect them from canker worms, and the " nests " of the
tent caterpillar (Clisiocampa Americana) (Fig. 27), were removed. The result was a scanty

yield of apples from most of the trees.
One or two bore quite plentifully.

In order to observe the effect of the
feeding of birds in the orchard, no care
was taken in 1894 to protect the trees.
During that year the tent caterpillars
were very numerous in the vicinity, and
it became evident also that a great in-
crease in the the number of canker-worms
was taking place in the neighborhood.
Although these insects made considerable
inroads upon the trees, they did not seri-
ously injure the foliage anywhere except
in one or two instances. No attempt was
made previous to 1895 to foster or en-
courage the birds in the neighborhood,
except that a few nesting boxes were put
up in 1894, which were occupied in one
case by a family of wrens, and in another
by the English or house sparrow. We
were careful, however, to destroy the
nests of the house sparrow.

Fig. 27.

Fig. 28.

In the fall of 1894 it was noticed that immense numbers of the wingless females of
the fall canker-worm (Anisopteryx pometaria) (Fig. 28, 6), were ascending nearly all the
trees and depositing their eggs ; also, that the eggs of the tent caterpillar moths were
numerous upon the twigs promising a plentiful supply for 1895.

Having allowed the insects one year to increase unmolested by man, we began in the
winter of 1894 95 to encourage the presence of birds in the orchard.

In 1894 a small tree in the centre of the orchard had been enclosed by a high board
fence. The tree thus enclosed was used as an outdoor experiment station for observation
on the breeding and habits of the gypsy moth. During the winter 1894-95, Mr. 0. E.
Bailey made frequent visits to this tree to ascertain whether or not the birds were destroy-
ing the eggs of the gypsy moth. Incidentally, Mr. Bailey observed many interesting
things in connection with the feeding of the birds on the eggs, larvae and pupae of insects
which wintered on the trees, and I am greatly indebted to him for many interesting notes
on the feeding of birds in this orchard. He is a careful, conscientious observer, and is
intimately acquainted with most of our native land birds.

Hunters and trappers are aware that many species of winter birds, such as titmicei
woodpeckers, crows, jays and nuthatches are attracted by a skinned carcase suspended
from a limb, and will remain in the vicinity until all the bones are picked clean or until,
with the approach of spring, insect food becomes more accessible.

Believing from my own observations that the chickadees (Parus atricapillus) were
feeding on the eggs of the fall canker-worm, I asked Mr. Bailey to attract the birds, if
possible, to the orchard by suspending pieces of meat, bone, suet, etc., from the trees.

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 55

These food materials are suitable for birds at times when the trees are covered with snow
or ice and when, lacking such nourishment, they might starve. Although birds will
frequently visit bait provided for them and in time will eat a considerable portion of the
meat, they do not depend entirely on this aliment, but spend the greater portion of their
time in searching for insects and eggs in the immediate vicinity.

Finding a plentiful supply of food, the chickadees remained about the orchard most
of the winter, except for a week or two, when the meat gave out, but they were lured
back again later by a fresh supply which was placed in the trees. Not only were the
chickadees attracted to the orchard in large numbers, but other birds came also. A pair
of downy woodpeckers (Dryobates pubescens) and two pairs of nuthatches (Sitta caro-
linesis) were frequent visitors, and a few brown creepers (Certhia Americana) came occa-
sionally. All these paid frequent visits to the meat and suet, and also thoroughly inspected
the trees in search of insect food. They made excursions also to the trees in the neighbor-
hood, but the greater portion of their attention was confined to the orchard in which the
bait was suspended. As they became more accustomed to Mr. Bailey's presence they grew
quite tame, and could be viewed at a distance of a few feet. Indeed, chickadees frequently
alighted- on his person and occasionally took food from his hand. He was thus enabled to
determine accurately (without killing them) what they were feeding upon, and was soon
convinced that they were destroying the eggs of the canker-worm moth in large numbers,
as well as the hibernating larvae and pupa? of other insects injurious to trees.

To determine how many eggs a single chickadee would eat, a few birds were killed
and their stomach contents examined, with surprising results. There was no difficulty in
identifying the eggs of the canker-worm moth which were found in the birds' stomachs, as
a great portion of the shells remained intact. The other insect contents of the stomachs

c

rW

d 7f\

9

Fig. 29.

werejidentified for me through the kindness of Mr. A. H. Kirkland, B.Sc, assistant
entomologist of the State Board of Agriculture, who made the examinations. Although
it was impossible in all cases to learn with certainty the species to which certain insects
foelonged,<jit was evident that they belonged to the genera known to be of injurious habits.
I take the following from Mr. Bailey's notes :

Number of Eggs of the Fall Canker- Worm found in Stomachs of Chickadees.

No. 1 , , 273 eggs.

" 2 261 "

" 3 216 "

11 4 278 "

Making in all 1,028 eggs found in the stomachs of four birds. Four birds killed later in
the season had eaten the female imagos of the spring canker-worm (Paleacrita vernata),
{Fig. 29, g), as follows :

No. 1 41 moths.

11 2 18 "

" 3 27 "

" 4 .19 "

Making a total of 105. In No. 2, 3 and 4 of the last table there were a large number of
eggs also. It is safe to say that there were 150 eggs in each stomach, in addition to the
female moths eaten.

56

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

Mr. Bailey carefully counted the eggs in the ovaries of twenty of these female
moths, with the following results :

No.

1

2
3,

4
5.

6

7 .

8.

9

10

158

No. 11

272

" 12

127

« is

184

ii H

213

" 15

135

" 16

140

" 17

220

" 18

200

'■ 19

130

11 20

111

160
193
131

281
242
116
281
192
217

It will be seen from this table that the average number of eggs found in each moth
is 185. Mr. Bailey is very positive, from his continuous field observations, that each
chickadee will devour on the average thirty female canker-worm moths per day from the
20th of March until the 15th of April, provided these insects are plentiful. If the

Fig. 30. (Aspidisca splendoriferella.)

average number of eggs laid by each female is 185, one chickadee would thus destroy in
one day 5,550 eggs ; and in the twenty-five days in which the canker-worm moths " run"
or crawl up the trees, 138,750. It may be thought that this computation is excessive,
and it is probable that some of the moths were not captured until they had laid some of
their eggs, but the chickadees are also busy eating these eggs. When we consider further
that forty-one of these insects, distended as they were with eggs, were found at one time
in the stomach of one chickadee, and that the digestion of the bird is so rapid that its

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 57

stomach was probably filled several times daily, the estimate made by Mr. Bailey seems a
very conservative one. He now regards the chickadee as the best friend the farmer has,
for the reason that it is with him all the year, and there is no bird that can compare with
it in destroying the female moths and their eggs. It was noticed that the birds made
no attempt to catch the male moths. This, however, cannot be considered as a fault, for
the birds accomplish far more by destroying the females than they would by killing
males.

The following notes from the preliminary examinations of the contents of the
alimentary canal of chickadees made by Mr. Kirkland are of interest in this connection :

"Bird brought in by Mr. Bailey, March 16, 1895: Gullet empty. Gizzard con-
tained 270 canker-worm eggs (Anisopteryx pometaria), forty-six case-bearers (microlepi-
doptera), six cocoons, Fig. 30d} of a small tineid (near Aspidisca). These three kinds
of food in bulk composed eighty per cent, of the gizzard contents, the remainder being
dark material which I was unable to determine under a hand lens. I think it very prob-
able that part of this was bits of bark or particles of bark dust taken in with the eggs or
cocoons. The intestine contained a large quantity of meat, seventy-five per cent., and 103
canker-worm eggs, ten per cent., the remainder, fifteen per cent., being material which I
could not identify. It was not meat. This gives us as totals, 373 canker-worm eggs and
fifty-one microlepidoptera.

" Specimens of so called ' scales ' on apple twigs brought in by Mr, Bailey, March 12,
1895. These are not bark lice, but the cocoons of a microlepidopteron, probably a
tineid. Length 1-12 to 1-8 inch : width, 1-12 to 1-10 inch; elliptical, dark brown or
reddish brown. They are closely spun, the upper surface apparently being of leaf
epidermis, while underneath is a small well-formed cocoon which contains a minute green
larva which evidently hibernates as such, probably pupating in the spring. The larva
undoubtedly feeds on the leaves of the apple-tree, as these cocoons were taken from the
small twigs at the extreme end of a large branch. Some of these cocoons are empty
and have a minute hole at one end, which probably served for the egress of some small
parasite. These cocoons are eaten by the chickadee, and have been found in the gizzard
of the birds."

The case bearers and the tineids or leaf miners are injurious to the foliage of the
apple-trees.

It was noticed by Mr. Bailey, who watched the birds closely for several days, that
they were eating quantities of both of these insects. It would have been impossible for
any one to determine the species of the leaf miners as found in the birds' stomachs, for
little remained but small fragments of the shell of the creature. Mr. Bailey noticed that
the birds were taking objects from the twigs, some of which they ate ; others they
rejected and dropped upon the snow. Some of those dropped he picked up and examined,
finding them to be parasitized. The birds undoubtedly ate only those which were alive.

It was evident from a careful examination of the eggs found in the stomachs of the
chickadees that they were either broken by the bill in such a way that the contents were
exposed to the action of the gastric juice or the gastric fluid destroyed a portion of the
shell. Occasionally a few eggs which appeared to be whole were found in the intestines.

A great quantity of animal food is required to sustain life and provide animal heat
sufficient to enable these little birds to resist the inclemency of our severe winters. In
proof of this it may be stated that during favorable weather the birds visited the meat
and ate largely of it three times each hour with fair regularity. During each interval
they were occupied in destroying eggs and other hibernating insect forms which were
always present and numerous in the stomachs examined. This feeding appeared to be
almost continuous except in severe storms when the birds sought shelter or when they
were laboring under excitement caused by fear, as in the case of a visit from a hawk, cat
or shrike. Whenever a cat appeared they immediately hid behind the branches and
remained quiet until the intruder had passed. The appearance of other enemies or the
firing of a gun would produce much the same effect.

58

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

The woodpeckers and nuthatches which frequented the orchards, were not seen to
eat the eggs of the canker-worm moth. As they were not numerous, none were killed.
Mr. Bailey observed, however, that the nuthatches were eating scales which they found
on the limbs of the apple-trees in a neighboring orchard. In relation to these scales the
following note from Mr. Kirkland is of interest :

"March 20, 1895 Mr. Bailey brought in specimens of apple twigs
infested with the Bark Scale louse, Mytilaspis pomorum, Yig. 31. He
reported that the nuthatch was feeding on them. These twigs were
infested in a worse manner than I have ever seen before. They were
literally covered with the scales. On one small twig, one-half inch in
diameter, I counted 367 scales on one inch of the twig. The eggs con-
tained in a number of scales varied from sixty-two to eighty-two, with
an average of seventy."

These scales, when numerous, are very injurious to the apple tree.
Each scale covered a dead female of the preceding year and the hiber-
nating eggs, many of which must have been disposed of by the
nuthatches. I was shown, both by observation and dissection, that
birds feeding in the same neighborhood and upon the same trees showed
considerable variance in the character of their food. Kinglets taken,
had no canker-worm eggs, but had eaten largely of bark borers. Wood-
peckers seemed to confine themselves to the larvae of borers and to
wood-ants and other insects which bore into the wood of the tree. Chick-
adees and nuthatches ate the pupae and eggs of insects found upon the
bark or in the crevices of the trunks. No birds were seen to eat the
eggs of the tent caterpillar, nor were any found in the stomachs of any of
the birds examined. It seems probable that these eggs are so protected
by a hard covering that they are not eaten by most birds.

It is impossible, in the limited space at our command, to give results of all observa-
tions and dissections in detail. We can merely give the apparent results of the presence
of the birds in the orchard.

fit

mm

111

Fig. 31.

It was found that these birds were not only destroying the eggs of the canker-worm
in this orchard, but were feeding on the eggs of the same insect in the woods where bait
had been suspended.

As the frost left the ground on the first warm days of spring the wingless females
of the spring canker-worm moth appeared in the orchard and began ascending the trees
in great numbers. The chickadees commenced catching and eating the females and
their eggs. Mr. Bailey placed twenty-two of the females on one tree, and in a few
minutes twenty of them were captured and eaten by chickadees .

It was noticed as spring approached and insects became more numerous that the
chickadees came very seldom to the meat. They were not as assiduous in their attention
to the orchard, and a small portion of their food consisted of the early gnats which were
flying on bright sunny days. In early April they had nearly deserted the meat, although
they still frequented the orchard in search of the female canker-worm moths. They
seemed to prefer animal food to all other, and even in cold weather would hardly notice
grain or seeds of any kind, though one individual ate a few oat kernels which were placed
near his accustomed feed of meat.

Towards the last of April the English or house sparrow (Passer domesticus) began
to make its appearance in the vicinity and apparently drove the chickadees to the woods,
as they disappeared and did not nest in the orchard, but remained in the woods, where
they paired and nested.

I believe that the English sparrow is largely responsible for the fact that chickadees
are not now found nesting in our orchards. Though they still nest in the orchards on
the remoter farms and in the villages where the English sparrow is not numerous, they
seem to have disappeared in summer from orchards near cities. At the time of the advent

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 59

of the sparrow in this locality, twenty-five years ago, chickadees were often found nest-
ing in old apple trees in the orchards in this region where now scarcely any are to be seen
in orchards during the summer.

In the latter part of April and in early May the tent caterpillars made appearance
on the apple and cherry trees in the neighborhood. Canker-worms were also numerous
on the apples and elms and appeared in some of the other trees. It was noticed, however,
that while trees in neighboring orchards were seriously infested with canker-worms and
to a less degree with tent-caterpillars, those in the orchard which had been frequented by
the chickadees during the winter and spring were not seriously infested, and that com-
paratively few of the worms and caterpillars were to be found there.

With the warm south wind3 of May, many summer birds came and settled in the
neighborhood and prepared to build their nests, among which the following were seen :
Ohickadee (Parus atricapillus), Tree Sparrow (Spizella monticola), Crow (Corvus Ameri-
canus), Purple Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula), Flicker (Colaptes auratus), Red-winged
Blackbird (Agelaius phceniceus), Robin (Merula migrator la), Chipping Sparrow (Spizella
socialis), Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapillus), Wood Thrush (Turdus mustelinus), Catbird
(Galeoscoptes carolinensls), Brown Thrasher (Harporhynchus rufus), Black-billed Cuckoo
{Coccyzus erythrcpthalmus), Yellow- billed Cuckoo (Goccyzus Americanus), Black and White
Warbler (Mniotilta varia), Yellow Warbler (Dendroica oestiva), Chestnut sided Warbler
(Dendroica Pennsylvanica), Black-throated Green Warbler (Dendroica virens), Pine
Warbler (Dendroica vigorsii), House Wren (Troglodytes cedon), American Redstart (Seto-
phaga ruticilla), Nashville Warbler (Helminthophila ruficapilla), Golden- winged Warbler
(Helminthophila chrysoptera), Scarlet Tanager (Piranga erythromelas), Rose-breasted Gros-
beak (Habia ludoviciana), Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula), Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata),
Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus) y Wood Pewee (Gontopus virens) Phoebe (Savornis
phcebe), Kingbird (Tyr annus tyramius), and Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens).

It was noticeable that early in the season, when the webs of the tent-caterpillar
(Fig. 27) first appeared on the apple and cherry trees, the orioles attacked them and
devoured a considerable number of the hairy young larvae. A little later, when the
oanker-worms became more numerous, it seemed as if all the birds in the neighborhood
were intent on eating canker-worms, neglecting to a certain extent the hairy caterpillars.
The cuckoos, however, seemed to feed- impartially on both the canker-worm and the tent
caterpillar.

Birds from all quarters in the wood and swamp, orchard and field, flocked into the
trees infested by canker-worms, and there spent a considerable portion of their time. In
a short time the few canker-worms remaining in the old orchard were apparently eaten
by birds, and the birds then directed their attention to the neighboring orchards, which were
swarming with the worms It soon became evident that these orchards would be entirely
stripped of their leaves, while the old orchard retained its full foliage. Thus it was seen
that the trees to which the chickadees had been lured during the winter had been so well
protected that the summer birds were able to destroy the few remaining larvae, while the
trees at a distance from these contained so many larvae that the birds were not numerous
enough to dispose of them or to make any effective reduction in their numbers. This
apparently demonstrated the usefulness of the egg-destroying winter birds, and showed
the wisdom of attracting them to the orchard during the winter months. Not only did
nearly all species of birds in the neighborhood flock to the trees infested by the canker-
worms, but the chickadees, living in their retirement in the woods, came out to the
orchards, flying some distance to procure canker-worms with which to feed their young,
and making regular trips to the infested trees day after day.

On May 18, Mr. Bailey saw a female chickadee carry twenty larvae to its nest.
They were apparently all canker-worms but two, which were tent caterpillars. Of this
he is certain, for he was within three yards of the nest to which the larvae were taken.
Later, on May 31, he noticed the chickadees feeding their young. It was evident that a
large portion of the food consisted of canker-worms. The birds each made a trip to the
nest about once in twelve minutes. The male and female came at nearly the same time

60 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

and went away together. They went in the direction of an orchard infested by canker-
worms. A few of the larvse were dropped on the ground at the nest and proved, on
examination, to be canker-worms.

The crow was also observed feeding on the canker-worms.

On May 22 the birds had nearly all stopped feeding in the neighboring woods and
were in the orchards feeding on canker-worms.

Early in June, when the remaining canker-worms had finished their transformations
and retired to the ground, several species of birds were again noticed feeding their young
on the tent and other hairy caterpillars. Of these, three species (both cuckoos and the
Baltimore oriole) seemed to be the most useful. On May 17, a cuckoo was seen to take
eleven caterpillars out of one nest. Mr. Bailey writes : " On May 10, a black-billed
cuckoo came into a tree near me at 3 p.m. and sat there until 4.40 p.m., then he went
straight to a tent caterpillars' nest. He looked it over for a short time and then com-
menced eating the caterpillars. He picked twenty-seven caterpillars out of the nest before
he stopped. The bird ate them all and did not drop one. Then he went to the tree, in
which, I believe, he remained during the night, for on Saturday, the 11th, I found the
bird in the same tree, and in almost the same place, at 5 a.m."

The orioles, chickadees and vireos often pecked the caterpillars to pieces and ate
portions of them, seemingly feeding to a considerable extent on the internal organs. This
being the case, it is quite evident that the stomach contents cannot be depended upon
entirely to determine the character of the food of these birds, as no one is expert enough
to identify the internal organs of caterpillars with such certainty as to determine the
species to which they belong.

The following is a list of the birds seen feeding on the tent caterpillar :

Crow (Corvus Americanus), Chickadee (Parus atricapillus). Oriole (Icturus galbula)t
Red-eyed Yireo (Vireo olivaceus), Yellow- billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus Americanus), Black-
billed Cuckoo {Coccyzus erythrophthalmus), Chipping Sparrow (Spizella socialis), Yellow
Warbler (Dendroica oestiva).

During the month of May an attempt was made to render the place as attractive to
birds as possible. The undergrowth, which previous to 1894 had been trimmed out, was
afterward allowed to grow, and in 1895 several low thickets had been thus formed. The
mulberry- trees were stimulated by judicious trimming, and bore a considerable crop of
early fruit which ripened in advance of the cherries, thus drawing the attention of the
fruit-eating birds away from the cherries, and serving to attract them to the vicinity of
the orchard. Ten nesting boxes were put up for the wrens and bluebirds • but as the
bluebirds were very rare this season none came to the orchard. Two families of wrens,
however, were reared in the boxes in place of one family last year. Nesting materials —
strings, hair and straw — were hung in the trees and scattered about. Several marauding
cats were killed, and an attempt was made to keep nest-hunting boys away from the
neighborhood as much as possible. Thirty-six nests of birds were discovered in the
neighborhood, as follows : Three red-eyed vireos, ten robins, four Baltimore orioles,
three cuckoos, five chipping sparrows, three least flycatchers, two redstarts, two yellow-
warblers, two chickadees, two house wrens.

Of these all but three were destroyed probably by boys, the nests being torn down
and the eggs missing. The three which escaped destruction were two wrens' nests which
had been built in boxes upon buildings, and a robin's nest in a maple tree within ten
feet of a chamber window. This wholesale destruction of nests discouraged several pairs
of birds, and they disappeared from the neighborhood. Those remaining built new nests,
and after a second or third attempt a few succeeded in rearing young. One nest of
orioles escaped the general destruction, and the birds were busy for a long time carrying
canker-worms to their young. One of them was noticed to take eleven canker-worms
in its beak at one time, and fly with them to the nest. The vireos, warblers, chickadees,
cuckoos, orioles and chipping sparrows were particularly active in catching canker- ^orms,
and the English sparrow killed them in considerable numbers.

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 61

If the thirty-six pairs of birds whose nests were found had succeeded in raising their
young, it is probable that they would have disposed of most of the canker-worms in the
neighborhood. Five thousand of these larvae are sufficient to strip a large apple-tree.
One hundred and eight young would have been reared, had each pair of birds raised three.
According to Professor Augley's experience, sixty insects per day as food for each bird,
both young and old, would be a very low estimate.* Suppose each of these one hundred
and eight birds had received its sixty insects per day, there would have been 6,480 cater-
pillars destroyed daily. The destruction of this number of caterpillars would be enough
to save the foliage and fruitage of one apple-tree. In thirty days the foliage of thirty
apple trees could have been saved, or 194,400 canker-worms destroyed. This does not
include what the old birds themselves would have eaten.

In these observations, the influence of insect parasites and predaceous insects has
not been entirely ignored. Hymenopterous parasites were not seen to be numerous, and
as it was a year when canker-worms were on the increase, it is not probable that these
parasites would have been a prime force in reducing the numbers of the canker-worms
had the birds not been present. Even had they been numerous they would have had
little effect in checking the ravages of the canker worm during the present year, as their
interest is identical with that of the canker-worm, and they remain in its bxly until it
has finished feeding, allowing it to defoliate the trees before completing their deadly
work upon it.

We do not know to what extent such parasites are devoured by birds. This we
could not ascertain without shooting the birds, which would have defeated our main object.
No parasites of the tent caterpillar or canker-worm were found in the stomachs of the few
birds which were examined. It is hardly safe to draw conclusions from observations so
limited in their scope, but we may infer from what was observed that the egg-eating birds
are of the greatest value to the farmer, as they feed almost entirely on injurious insects
and their eggs, and are present all winter when other birds are absent. The summer birds
which attack the larvae are valuable also if they can be so protected and fostered as to
become sufficiently numerous to do the work required. It is evident also that a diversity
of plants which encourages diversified insect life, and assures an abundance of fruits and
seeds, as an attraction to birds, will insure their presence. In this connection, I wish
particularly to note the fact that the mulberry -trees, which ripen their berries in June,
proved to be a protection to the cultivated cherries, as the fruit-eating birds seemed to
prefer them to the cherries, perhaps because they ripen somewhat earlier.

T believe it would be wise for the farmer to plant rows of these trees near his
orchard, and it is possible that the early June berry or shad berry (Amelanchier Cana-
densis) might also be useful in this respect. It is a handsome shrub or tree, flowering
early in the season, and would be attractive at a time when other trees and shrubs
are not in bloom.

At the present time, July 23, 1895, the trees in the orchard appear to be in good
condition. They have not suffered from the slight pruning of their foliage which was
effected by the few caterpillars and canker-worms which survived. The fruit is well
set, and it now remains to be seen whether the birds will have any considerable effect
in preventing the ravages of the codling moth. No other orchard in the neighbor-
hood will produce any fruit this season, with one exception. The nearest orchard,
situated directly opposite on the estate across the way, has not been ravaged by the
canker-worms. This exemption is due principally to the efforts of the owner, who has
banded his trees with tarred paper and has used tree ink faithfully and well upon the
paper. He has also taken pains to clear the nests of the tent caterpillar from the
trees. This orchard, being nearest to the one visited by the chickadees, was also an
object of their attention, and this may account somewhat for the reduction of the pests
in this place.

The record of these observations, incomplete as it is, is given for what it is worth
as a contribution to the literature on this most interesting and important subject.

* 1st Rep. U. S. Ent. Com. 1877, p. 342.

62 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

THE ROOKY MOUNTAIN LOCUST AND ITS ALLIES IN CANADA.

By Samuel H. Scudder.

The genus Melanoplus, to which the Rocky Mountain Locust belongs, forms
part of a small group of genera first definitely separated a few years ago by Brunner von
Wattenwyl under the name of Pezotettiges, but which, for reasons given in a technical
memoir now in press, I have preferred to call after the dominant genus just men-
tioned,— Melanopli.

In the last resort, the Melanopli are separated from their nearest allies only by such
an apparently insignificant matter as the number of spines (in itself variable) found on
the outer margin of the hind tibiae ; these, save for individual exceptions, often on one
side of the body only, are always at least nine in number and rarely exceed fourteen. In
the known Canadian species they range from eight to thirteen, but ten or eleven is the
almost invariable number.

The Melanopli are an almost exclusively American group comprising more than thirty
genera of which only one, Podisma, occurs in the old world. They are primarily divided
into two sections, dependent on the shape of the subgenital plate of the males, a division

Fig. 32. Locust (magnified.)

which broadly but not exactly separates the tropical or subtropical genera from those of the
temperate regions, and leaves an almost equal number of genera in each section. Of the
tropical section, as it may be called, but a single genus is known in Canada, Hypochiora ;
its single species H. alba (Dodge) is reported by Brunner as occurring in Manitoba, and
this is altogether probable as it ranges along the border in the United States from Minne-
sota to Montana, but extends south only to Kansas and Colorado. It is a slender, hoary
green, long-legged insect with abbreviated tegmina, and is partial to the white sage, Artem-
isia ludoviciana.

Of the temperate section, only three of the genera are actually known to inhabit
Canada, though, as we shall see, there is little doubt that others will be found there.
One of these is Podisma, formerly known as Pezotettix*, a genus remarkable among the
Melanopli for its longitudinal range, which is around the globe north of Lat. 35° N. ; for
its penchant for high altitudes, many of the species occurring only above or at the forest
line on high mountains ; and for the wide separation of its sternal lobes, though this alone
will not separate it from all Melanopli. Moreover its organs of flight are never com-
pletely developed and may often be altogether wanting, as may then also, though in none
of our American species, the tympanum found on the sides of the first abdominal segment ;
as this tympanum is regarded as an auditory apparatus, and as the power of producing
sound is gone with the loss of the tegmina (against which the femora are scraped,) the
absence of the tympanum in some apterous European species would seem to indicate that
they had departed the more wideJy from the original type, and had therefore a longer
history behind them.

*See Psyche, vii, ]95.

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 63

Up to the present time more species of Podisma are known from the old than from
the new world ; in the latter they are not known over a continuous territory, but over
two large areas, one in the east and one in the west. That in the east is inhabited by
onjy two species, one of which is only known from Ithaca, N.Y., at less than 500' above
the sea, while the other, the better and long known Podisma glacialis (Scudd.,) was first
found at the timber line in the white mountains of New Hampshire, and has since been
obtained at high elevations 2-4500' above the sea, in Maine on Ktaadn and in the country
about the Megalloway, in New Hampshire on Kearsarge in Bartlett, in Massachusetts on
Greylock in Berkshire county, and in New York in the Adirondacks ; while Mr. James
Fletcher and I came across it at the edge of the town of Sudbury in Ontario. It will
doubtlesss be found also in Quebec if sought in the proper places ; it is not found upon
the ground but upon bushes, in the white mountains on the dwarf birch. Bruner also
credits it to " British America," but I do not know from what point he received it, and
on enquiry I find it was probably a mistake.

The western area from which Podisma occurs has half a dozen species, which range
along the rocky mountains from New Mexico to Alberta ; all of the species are found on
the mountain slopes or in Alpine valleys, and most of them at or above the timber line.
A single species only is known to inhabit Canada, Podisma Oregonensis (Thorn.,) which
has been taken at Fort McLeod in Alberta, and is also known from Montana, Idaho and
Oregon. It is highly probable that other and possibly new species will be found in the
Canadian Rockies; it is especially likely that Pod. dodgei (Thorn.,) one of the commonest
alpine orthoptera in Colorado, and known also from Wyoming and Montana, will occur
near timber line in Canada.

A second genus of the section which occurs in Canada is Phoetaliotes, a group
founded by me for a single species, the somewhat anomalous insect Phoetaliotes Nebrascen-
cis (Thorn.,) of which Pezotettix megacephala Thorn., Pezotettix autumnalis Dodge, and
Caloptenus volucris Dodge, are all synonyms. It has a large, prominent, tumid head,
which with a subsellate pronotum gives it a peculiar appearance ; it is strikingly dimor-
phic, full-winged and half- winged, which accounts for a part of the synonymy. In Can-
ada it has been found only in Alberta at Fort McLecd and in Assiniboia at Medicine
Hat, but it ranges from here, skirting the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains, to Texas
and even to Central Mexico. I have not seen the long- winged form, volucris, from
Canada, but it occurs from Mexico to Montana.

We have left for the last (though in systematic sequence it should have preceded
Phoetaliotes) the typical, dominant genus Melanoplus, which contains most of the known
Canadian species. This genu3 is so strikingly dominant as to contain more than one-half
of the known Melanopli of the world. In the memoir referred to at the outset, I have
described in detail no less than 131 species, all from North America and all but a very
few found within the limits of the United States ; it finds its principal home in the west,
and it is to this genus that the Rocky Mountain Locust and several other minor depre-
dators belong. To handle the genus properly I found it advisable to separate it into
twenty- eight groups or series, defined mainly in terms of the male abdominal appendages,
which here attain a striking and highly diversified development, and to name the groups
after the predominant or older species contained in it. In that order I will present them
also in the present account. Many of these species have before been placed under Pez-
otettix (Podisma) when I and others were accustomed, without careful discrimination, to
look upon all the short- winged forms as belonging to that genus and the long-winged ones
to Melanoplus. As some species are dimorphic, either fully winged or practically unable
to fly from the brevity of the alary organs, that custom had its disadvantages, and a
careful study of our entire Melanoplan fauna became a great desideratum, which I trust
I may be found to have successfully filled in the paper before referred to.

In the Glaucipes series, there is a single species, Mel. kennicottii Scudd., a very small
full-winged insect, which must be tolerably widespread in Canada, since it has been
brought from the Yukon river in Alaska and the Souri^ river in Assiniboia, and occur3
also in Montana.

64 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

In the Utahensis series, Mel. bruneri Scudd., a new species of about the size and
general appearance of Mel. femur-rubrum but the male with a strongly upturned, apically
broad subgenital plate occurs in Alberta at Fort McLeod, and extends from there south-
ward to Nebraska and Colorado, and westward to Washington. •

Bat it is in the Spretus series that the largest number of Canadian species appear.
Most of them are closely allied to Mel. atlanis. Here are, first, Mel. Alaskanus Scudd., a
new species found in Alaska and taken also at Spilmacheen, British Columbia ; next,
Mel. affinis Brun., another new species found in British Columbia, Washington, Utah and
Wyoming ; then, Mel. bilituratus (Walk.,) a common species on Vancouver Island, as well
as on the mainland in British Columbia, and over the border in Washington, Oregon.
Nevada and Montana; Mel. atlanis (Riley,) an extremely abundant insect, occurring
throughout the breadth of Canada, from Sable Island, off Nova Scotia, to Vancouver ;
it extends northward to the Yukon river in the west, though in the east I have only seen
or heard of it as far north as Quebec, Ottawa, Sudbury and Lake Winnipeg ; and finally,
Mel. spretus (Uhl.,) the Rocky Mountain Locust, the arch- destroyer, whose home is in the
high plateaux of the Rocky Mountains and their eastern versant as far north as the
Saskatchewan, and which now and again ravages the country to the east by its migrating
hordes.

In the Dawsoni series there are two Canadian species : Mel. Dawsoni (Scudd.,) which
occurs in Canada from Manitoba to Alberta, and has two forms, long-winged and short-
winged. Only the latter has been found in Canada, and the species ranges to New
Mexico. The other Canadian species is Mel. Gladstoni Brun., which has been found at
Medicine Hat in Assiniboia, and southward to Nebraska. Both these species are small
and inconspicuous.

In the Fasciatus series are also two Canadian species : Mel. fasciatus (Walk.,) wide-
spread in Canada, having been reported or seen by me from Newfoundland, Labrador
north of the Straits of Belle Isle, Anticosti, Hudson Bay, Lake of the Woods, Manitoba,
.Saskatchewan, Assiniboia, Alberta and Alaska. It also occurs in the United States
everywhere near the Canadian border, from ocean to ocean, and as far south as New
Jersey, Missouri and Colorado. It again is dimorphic, but the wings in the brachypterous
form are not very short, and the full-winged form is known only from Michigan. The
second species of this group is the only Canadian species not found in the United States,
Mel. borealis (Fieb.) I have seen it only from the barren grounds of northern Labrador,
but it is also reported from Hudson Bay and Greenland. It has slightly abbreviated
organs of flight.

In the Femur-rubrum series the well known Mel. femur-rubrum (DeGeer), Fig. 33 occurs
over nearly the whole of Canada, from ocean to ocean, wanting only in some northernmost

localities, such as Labrador ; and a second species, Mel.
extremus (Walk.), ranges from Quebec to the Yukon and
is dimorphic, though the organs are half as long as the
body in the brachypterous type. The macropterous form
seems to affect high altitudes or latitudes. I have seen
h specimens from the Alpine districts of the White Moun-

Fig. 33. tains and from Arctic America, among other places.

In the Angustipennis series the only Canadian species is Mel. coccineipes Scudd.,
a new species of moderately large size, found not uncommonly in Nebraska, Kansas, Colo-
rado and Utah, and of which I took some specimens in company with Mr. Fletcher, at
Nepigon, Lake Superior.

Mel. packardii Scudd., is the only Canadian species of the Packardii series, but this
occurs abundantly from Assiniboia to British Columbia. South of the border it occurs
over most of the United States west of the 100th meridian.

In the Collinus series, where all the males have forked cerci, there are several Can-
adian species : Mel. alpinus Brun., a very small new species, which ranges from Alberta
to British Columbia, and is also known from Idaho ; Mel. infantilis Scudd., a still smaller
form, originally described from Colorado, but found also in Assiniboia (Medicine Hat),

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 65

and Alberta (Fort McLeod) ; and Mel. minor (Scudd.), a tolerably common species in the
United States from Maine to the Rocky Mountains, and which was long ago sent from
Red River, Manitoba, by Robert Kennicott and Donald Gunn.

Finally, in the Bivittatus series, where the species are large (the largest of those
found in Canada), we find Mel. femoratus (Burm.,) which ranges from Nova Scotia to
British Columbia, and extends as far north as Hudson Bay. In the United States it
extends southward nearly to the Ohio, and on the Atlantic coast even to North Carolina,
while in the west it is nearly confined to the northern tier of states, though it reaches
along the Rockies to Colorado and along the Sierras to northern California. A second
species, intimately related to the other, but with parti-colored instead of clear red hind
tibise, Mel. bivittatus (Say), is a more southern form, but it occurs with the first in many
places, and, in Canada, accompanies it from British Columbia to Manitoba, but not
eastward.

It thus appears that ten of the twenty-eight series found in the genus Melanoplus
occur in Canada, though but twenty species, or less than one sixth of the known forms,
are included in the list. The list is remarkable for three things : 1, the range of structural
diversity as indicated by the number of series represented ; 2, the total absence of all
species with excessively abbreviated tegmina {i.e. only as long or scarcely longer than the
pronotum), such as would formerly have been placed unquestioned in Pezotettix, the
single one of the known Canadian Melanopli with such tegmina being a true Podisma ;
3, that it includes three of the only four well marked cases of wing-dimorphism in the
genus MelanOplus. It is true that both the dimorphic forms have not been found in
Canada, but that is in all probability a mere accident, collections from Canada being
much rarer. The dimorphism is probably co-extensive or nearly so with the species.

But it should not be concluded that the above list actually offers a fair idea of the
true Melanoplan fauna of Canada. Canada is so little explored from a natural history
standpoint, especially in its western portions where, in the United States, Melanopli are
so very strikingly diversified, and so many additional forms have been found next the
Canadian border, that we must believe that many of them surpass it and are not now
known as Canadian, simply from the little attention paid in Canada to this order of
insects. We propose, therefore, to conclude this account by a brief review of such
Melanopli as may be looked for with some confidence ; we shall discover the probability
of a much more varied and numerous series, for the number of genera and species will both
be doubled, and the "series" of the genus Melanoplus represented raised from ten to
seventeen. All the additional genera, however, belong to the temperate section.

In the first place we may cite Hesperotettix as a probable inhabitant, since Hesp.
pratensis Scudd., is widely diffused along the northern margin of the United States, from
Minnesota to Washington, being recorded in my paper from these two States and all the
intervening ones.

Then there is the genus Bradynotes, containing peculiarly broad-chested, robust
forms with mere pads for tegmina, all the species of which are confined, so far as known,
to the extreme northwest of the United States, — Washington, Oregon, Northern Cali-
fornia and Idaho, with Nevada, Montana and Wyoming. No less than four species are
found in Washington and two others in Idaho, besides one confined to California, so that
it seems altogether probable that one or more of them may be found in British Columbia,
if indeed this district do not prove to have its peculiar species.

The genus (Edaleonotus, founded by me on the species I formerly described as
Pezotettix enigma, a clumsy bodied insect with tumid prozona and stout femora, and
strikingly dimorphic in its tegmina, ranges on the Pacific coast trom Southern Cali-
fornia to Northern Washington where it is abundant, and it may almost surely be looked
for in British Columbia.

Another new genus, Asemoplus, created for the reception of Bruner's Bradynotes
Montanus, a relatively slender form, likewise with lobiform tegmina, has been found
hitherto only in Montana and Washington and not further south, so that it probably
ranges northward across the boundary.

5 EN.

66 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

To turn to the genera known to be represented in Canada, we have already mentioned
the probability that Podisma doclgei (Thorn.,) would occur in the Canadian Rockies ; and
it is by no means improbable that new species of this genus will also be found.

But for the bulk of the suspects we must naturally turn to the genus Melanoplus.
Here, in the Flabellifer series, we have Mel. occidentalis (Thorn.,) known from Minnesota,
North Dakota, Wyoming and Montana; and Mel. flabellifer Scudd., occurring in
Wyoming, Montana and Idaho.

In the Spretus series, Mel. intermedins Brun , occurs abundantly in Wyoming, Mon-
tana, Idaho and Washington, and is, therefore, likely to occur in Alberta and British
Columbia.

The Indigens series is composed of a single and new species, Mel. indigens, which
comes from Idaho and may reasonably be looked for a little further north.

The Mancus series is another group not yet discovered in Canada, but which may be
looked for, as two species, Mel. Artemisia^ (Brun.,) and Mel. mancus (Smith) are found on
its confines : the former in the west on sage brush in Idaho ; the latter in the east in
Maine and New Hampshire.

In the Dawsoni series, an additional species may be looked for, viz : Mel. militaris
Scudd., which occurs in Idaho.

Several species also of the Rusticus series, a group not yet recognized in Canada, pro-
bably occur therein : Mel. Montanus (Thorn.,) found in Montana, Mel. Wasliingtonianus
(Brun.,) known now only in Washington, and Mel. altitudinum (Scudd.,) which occurs at
high elevations in Wyoming, South Dakota and Montana.

Of the Borckii series, Mel. borckii (Stal.,) is found in Washington, Idaho and Montana.

So, too, in the Fasciatus series, Mel. saltator (Scudd.,) occurs in the same States and
in Wyoming, and may confidently be expected to extend across the border.

The Alleni series contains but two species, one of which, Mel. Alleni (Scudd.,) occurs
in Iowa and Dakota.

One of the representatives of the Cinereus series, Mel. cinereus (Scudd.,) is of a very
wide range, and is known from Washington, Idaho and Wyoming in places very similar
to those abundant over the border in the sage brush district.

Finally the Cotlinus series has probably other representatives in Canada, since
Mel. luridus (Dodge) occurs abundantly in Washington, Montana, Dakota and Wyoming,
and Mel. collinus (Scudd.,) is found in equal numbers in Maine and New Hampshire.

A considerable number of these species have tegmina no longer than the pronotum,
so that should eventually all of them be found in Canada, what has before been said on
this point regarding Canadian species would need to be materially modified. But in any
event it seems plain that the Canadian fauna will prove much richer in species and
genera than we now know it to be.

It should be added that many of the species mentioned above are as yet unpublished
and are not always so specified ; descriptions of all are in press.

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 67

SEVENTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATION OF ECONOMIC

ENTOMOLOGISTS.*

The Association met in room 4, High School building, Springfield, Mass., August
27th, 1895. The following officers and members were present :

President John B. Smith, New Brunswick, N. J. ; Vice-President, C. H. Fernald,
Amherst, Mass. ; Secretary, C. L. Marlatt, Washington, D. C; R. A. Cooley, Amherst,
Mass. ; G. C. Davis, Agricultural College, Mich.; E. H. Forbush, Maiden, Mass.; L. 0.
Howard, Washington, D. 0. ; A. H. Kirkland, Maiden, Mass ; J. A. Lintner, Albany,
N. Y. ; C. V. Riley, Washington, D. C; P. H. Rolfs, Lake City, Fla.; F. A. Sirrine,
Jamaica, N.Y.; E. B. Southwick, Central Park, New York City; F. M. Webster,
Wooster, Ohio ; C. M. Weed, Durham, N. H.

There were also in attendance upon the meetings members of other scientific associa-
tions and entomologistis not members of the Association, among the latter Mr. George
Dimmock and Professor Macloskie. The attendance at the different meetings ranged from
20 to 40.

The Association was called to order by the President and reports from officers listened
to. The amendment to the constitution proposed by Mr. Summers, November 13th, 1890,
but not afterwards taken up, was adopted. It reads as follows :

Sec. 3. The membership shall be confined to workers in economic entomology. All economic entomo-
logists employed by the General or State governments, or by the State experiment stations, or by any
agricultural or horticultural association, and all teachers of economic entomology in educational institutes,
may become members of the Association by transmitting the proper credentials to the Secretary and by
authorizing him to sign their names to this constitution . Other persons engaged in practical work in econo-
mic entomology may be elected by a two-thirds vote of the members present at any regular meeting of the
Association. Members residing out of the United States or Canada shall be designated foreign members.
Foreign members shall not be entitled to hold office or to vote.

The following persons were elected active members of the Association :

Mr. W. Hague Harrington, Ottawa, Canada ; Mr. R. E. Palmer, inspector of fruit pests, British
Columbia. Proposed by Mr. Fletcher.

Mr. W. S. Bullard, Bridgeport, Conn. ; Mr. John Gifford, State forestry agent, Mays Landing, N.J.
Proposed by Mr. Howard.

Mr. E. A. Schwarz, Washington, D.C. Proposed by Mr. Marlatt.

Mr. E. fl, Forbush, Maiden, Mass. ; Mr. A. H, Kirkland, Maiden, Mass. ; Mr. R. A. Cooley, Am-
herst, Mass. Proposed by Professor Fernald,

Mr. F, W. Urich, honorable secretary Victoria Institute, Trinidad, and Trinidad Field Naturalists'
Club.

The annual address of the President, John B Smith, was entitled " Entomological
Notes and Problems." He drew attention to the fact " that differences in results obtained
by farmers do not always argue ignorance or carelessness, and that insects or insecticides
may vary, either in resisting power or in effectiveness, in different localities, and that we
must not hastily conclude that what answers in California will be equally effective in
New Jersey, nor that the conclusions based upon the most careful experiments made in
New York can be accepted unquestioned in Idaho," and stated, " that there are factors
not yet understood by us that should make us cautious in recommending too positively
or hastily measures based on results reached in localities different from our own, and on
the other hand should make us very chary in condemning work done by a confrere because
our results do not agree with his."

11 The day of testing insecticides is therefore not so nearly over as has been sometimes
thought, and we owe it to our constituent, where his results do not agree with our expec-
tations, to test the matter under his conditions before deciding him incompetent ; and it
does not need the distance between the Atlantic and Pacific to make a difference in con-
dition. Results obtained annually by dozens of farmers in New Jersey seem absolutely

* Through the kindness of Mr. L. O. Howard, Entomologist of the Department of Agriculture, Wash-
ington, D.C., we are enabled to give the following account of this interesting meeting.

€8 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

unobtainable by most careful experiments made in New York ; while I have this season
proved, much to my dissatisfaction, that the reverse may be equally true, for I can not
secure the results in actual practice with bisulphide of carbon against cabbage maggots
which Mr. Slingerland obtained in his experiments. Yet Mr. Slingerland undoubtedly re-
corded only what he found, and sooner or later the reason for the failure in New Jersey
will be discovered. Each worker must therefore study bis own field most carefully."

He next took up the question of how to control the publication of entomological
matter in newspapers in order to prevent the dissemination of erroneous statements, and
mentioned the difficulties that he encountered in his efforts to do so. He then referred
to the impossibility of keeping track of everything that is published on economic ento-
mology, referring not only to bulletins and reports, but also to the articles published in
agricultural journals and newspapers, and asked whether there might not be some feasible
way of interchanging among the members of the Association, records of all articles con-
taining original or useful information. He also suggested that some arrangement should be
adopted for the interchange amongst the members of specimens of injurious insects and
their work, and also the formation of a central collection of economic entomology.

He then dealt with the subject of legislation against insect pests and referred to the
difficulty of arousing public opinion sufficiently in order to secure action. He also dwelt
upon the importance of having some kind of inspection of trees and shrubs grown in
nurseries before they were sent broadcast over the country.

" Perhaps I have spoken enough of problems and of difficulties — he went on to say —
and should mention some of the accomplishments, some problems solved. Unfortunately
there are none. Progress there has been in many directions, and of the most encouraging
kind, but no striking successes, no epoch-making discoveries. We have not yet suc-
ceeded, for instance, in dealing more satisfactorily with grasshoppers; but it is decided
progress to learn that in a single State several hundred ' hopper-dozers ' are in use under
the direction of the entomologist and that the State has realized the importance and
necessity of this kind of work. Our good friend and fellow-member, Dr. Otto Lugger,
has certainly succeeded in securing respect for his profession and a reduction of his preach-
ings to practice.

" Chinch bug work continues in a number of States; but we are not much nearer a
final decision concerning the actual value of the Sporotrichum as a destructive agent.
The chief objection to it seems to be that it requires the intelligent co-operation of the
weather to secure the best results, and the weather is notoriously unreliable except in so
far that you may count with reasonable certainty that it will not be as you want it.

" In this very State of Massachusetts we have a striking example of a destructive
increase of an imported pest — the gypsy moth — and an interesting experiment in the
direction of its destruction by the State. There are to be two papers on this subject, I
am informed, and there will probably be a discussion on the principles concerned in the
matter of dealing with imported pests. But I will take the liberty of offering just a few
remarks here, not on the methods employed, but on the general principles involved. Un-
der our scheme of government the individual States jealously reserve to themselves all
matters of internal interest, and the Federal authorities are excluded from all save a
fairly well-determined class of subjects. But no State seems to owe any duty to its
neighbors, and Connecticut cannot force Massachusetts to protect it from an invasion by
any Massachusetts pest, nor can it claim damages for any resulting injury. Each State
is thrown upon its own resources for the protection of its own citizens. Connecticut took
no steps to restrain the spread of the pear midge, and New York and New Jersey,
though they are sufferers by the neglect, can make no complaint ; but these States
have in turn left the matter to individual effort, and Pennsylvania and Delaware, when
their turn comes, will most likely adopt the same policy of non-interference. There is
nothing, in other words, to prevent the spread of this insect over the entire United States
except the limitations imposed by nature itsel?. Just what they are remains to be seen.

" Massachusetts owes no duty to other States to protect them from the gypsy moth.
She owes a duty to her citizens only, to the extent that her citizens in a legal way them-

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 69

selves determine by their own representatives. If in protecting themselves they protect
their neighbors also, they deserve no credit for this result and have no claim for assistance.
Yet it is a very grave question whether Massachusetts is not entitled to the assistance of
her neighbors or of the general government in her efforts to exterminate this insect. I
am offering no opinion as to the possibility of extermination — I have expressed myself
both way3 and cannot find another — but is not this really a matter of national import-
ance, and should not the national government have certain duties or powers in cases of
this kind ?

" It is said that nothing is wholly bad, and so I find it possible to see a good feature
even in the continued spread and increased injury caused by such imported pests as the
elm leaf-beetle. I believe that this creature has done more to arouse public interest in
economic entomology than any other single factor for many years past. Our cities are
the centres of public interest nowadays, and our metropolitan press voices its expression.
Insect injury to agricultural products rarely excites more than a passing curiosity, but the
depredations of shade-tree insects in streets, parks, or near-by country roads, and on the
grounds surrounding country houses attract attention immediately and produce loud and
continuous complaints. The press is interested, and through it the public, while those
most vitally affected, the owners of fine shade trees, are induced to examine into a ques-
tion which they would otherwise have considered as of not the least practical interest. It
is from this point of view that I welcome the recent great spread and increased injury
from this elm leaf-beetle. City and town authorities and village improvement societies
have taken up the matter, have inquired into it, and have even made some more or less
successful experiments ; and these, if continued, as they must be from the nature of the
case, will produce an increased interest in and appreciation of economic entomology. In-
secticide machinery and a knowledge of the application of remedial measures against the
more common pests will be required of each park department and its employees, and the
entomologist will be as important an officer as the landscape gardener. * * *

11 1 have noted an increasing tendency of late to attempt the control of insect
pests by methods of cultivation or farm practice, and this, in my opinion, is much to be
commended. There are periods in the life histories of many insects when they can be
easily reached if we only know how, and where resort to some simple bit of field practice
may prevent injury. A good example of this is seen in the practice of cutting close
to the surface all shoots of blackberry about June 20 to prevent injury from the Agrilus
ruficollis. All the eggs have been laid at that time, and the new shoots wiil be exempt,
of course, while the larvae cannot develop in those that have been cut down and will die.
The whole matter seems so simple now, and yet it is less than two years ago that this
was practiced almost simultaneously in New Jersey and Ohio.

" Preventing injury from the larvae of Melittia ceto in late squashes by planting
summer varieties upon which the eggs are laid and in which the larvae are afterwards
destroyed is another method which has been worth many hundreds of dollars to farmers
on Long Island and in New Jersey.

But there is yet much to be done in this direction, and I am convinced that in the
future w circumvention " will be practised in many cases where we now use poison.
Farm practice, using this term in its widest sense to include the mechanical treatment
of land, selection of fertilizers, date of planting and harvesting, rotation of crops, etc.,
will in time give us control of many injurious species which at present seem beyond our
reach. It must be our aim to ascertain as far as possible the circumstances least favor-
able to the development and maintenance of the troublesome species, and then our
attempt must be to produce just those conditions.

"We should, I think, whenever possible, lay great stress upon the importance of
destroying crop remnants when they are no longer needed. For instance, cucurbit vines
are usually left on the ground after all the crop is off, affording abundant opportunities
for the maturing of Anasa tristis, the melon lice, and other pests. Removing them
when no longer needed and destroying will save much trouble during the year following.
Systematically burning potato vines as soon as the crop is harvested will prevent all

70 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

danger of injury from the potato-stalk weevil (Trichobaris 3-notata), and I might cite
many other cases were it necessary. We should also set out the advantages of winter
work against many kinds of insects in orchard, vineyard and garden, and the desirability
of destroying by fire everything that comes under the head of rubbish. Especially
against certain kinds of hemiptera this sort of work would prove effective, and fire,
judiciously used, can be made a valuable friend. So, much of the pruning should be
done at this season, where the character of the plant warrants it, and if the cuttings be
burnt many ova of insects will be destroyed. But I am telling you old facts which
you do not care to hear. My purpose was not to offer them as information, but to
urge their more forcible presentation to the farmer, and to indicate that in my opinion
the future development of our dealings with insects will be along this line. * * *

" On the whole, I may repeat, we have rather cause for congratulation than other-
wise. Our favorite branch of scientific investigation has made continuous and healthy
progress ; we have firmly established the reason for our existence and have impressed
the general public with a dawning of appreciation for the work we are doing. Our
session here will, I doubt not, improve our standing, and will at all events be profitable
to those taking part."

Professor Fernald discussed interstate entomological problems with particular refer-
ence to the gypsy moth and the attempts to get the work against this insect undertaken
by the General Government. He referred also to the difficulties arising from the con-
flict of interests of different States.

The first paper on the list, " Notes on Insecticides," was read by Mr. C. L. Marlatt,
in which he described at length a series of experiments that he had made in order to
thoroughly test the various apparatus that had been designed for spraying with kerosene
oil and water, the results of which were not entirely satisfactory. He then treated of
various insecticides, viz , soaps, arsenate of lead, cyanide of potassium and arsenite of
copper.

AFTERNOON SESSION— AUGUST 27, 1895.

A paper by Mr. H. E. Weed on " Some Experiments with the Knapsack Kerosene
Attachment," was read in his absence by Mr. Davis. In it the writer set forth the
advantages that are claimed for the use of this mechanical mixture of kerosene and water
over the familiar kerosene emulsion. It was followed by a paper by Mr. Clarence M.
Weed on " A Modification of the Kerosene Knapsack Sprayer," in which he reported a
series of tests of the knapsack sprayer with kerosene attachment, showing that the prin-
cipal machine now on the market is unreliable in its present form. The chief source of
error appears to be due to the continual differences of level in the kerosene and water
tanks. To avoid this a kerosene attachment had been made at the New Hampshire Ex-
periment Station, and was exhibited, of the same height as the water reservoir and hold-
ing one-tenth as much. A stopcock with a single hole one thirty-second of an inch in
diameter connected the kerosene reservoir with the pump. By this arrangement a fairly
constant spray having nine per cent, of kerosene in it was obtained. The opinion was
expressed that to get successful results we must abandon the idea of having a large range
of variation in one combination of reservoirs — i e., in expecting to get either a five per
cent, or a thirty per cent, emulsion by turning a stopcock at a less or greater angle. The
author believed that the kerosene sprayer was capable of great improvements along the
lines indicated, and thought it too great an advance in methods of insect warfare to be
lightly abandoned.

The following communication on " Spraying Without a Pump," by Mr. J. M. Aid-
rich, was in the form of a letter to the Secretary, accompanying a working sample of the
apparatus. The apparatus itself and the manner of working it were described by the

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 71

Secretary with the aid of blackboard illustrations. The following is an abstract of the
letter : — The spraying device which was suggested by the author to the association last
year was again presented to call attention to two changes in the machine from the first
idea. First, it is necessary that the stream from the hydrant enter the lance within rather
than beyond the entering point of the insecticide ; second, the Nixon nozzle is entirely
inapplicable to this form of apparatus, for the reason that it chokes the flow so as to
destroy the suction in the insecticide tube. No nozzle has yet been devised free from
this objection, except a plain deflector tip. The author is aware that a deflector does not
give so good a spray as can be obtained in other ways, and hopes yet to overcome this
objection.

The spraying device consists of a sort of lance, forked at the base. One fork con-
nects with a hose to a hydrant or water supply under pressure, and the other with a tube
leading into the vessel containing the insecticide. Both forks are provided with stopcocks.
The suction caused by the passage of the water through the lance induces a flow through
the fork and hose leading from the insecticide.

To use the apparatus, attach to an ordinary lawn hose by the large coupling. Turn
on the city water, and it will be at once perceived that there is a strong suction through
the small or insecticide tube. Put the end of this in a pail of water or kerosene, and, in
the case of the apparatus experimented with, sixteen per cent, of the total discharge
comes through it, the stopcock being wide open. By partly turning off the stopcock the
proportion of kerosene can be reduced at pleasure, and the percentage may be indicated
by graduations on the back part of the stopcock.

For Paris green, make up a pailful at the rate of one pound to twenty-five gallons of
water, and when drawn through the machine it will be diluted at the eight per cent, kero-
sene gauge mark to one pound to 150 gallons and thoroughly mixed.

The device was experimented with by the inventor with a water pressure of seventy-
five pounds, which was inferred to be an average for city water.

No claim to novelty for this device was made except in the application. The
principle is the same as that in the "jet pump " used for draining out barges, cel-
lars, etc.

If the instrument deserves any name, it is suggested that it be called the Idaho
jet sprayer.

Discussion of the foregoing papers followed. Mr. Southwick had canvassed the
question of spraying from hydrants in his work in Central Park, New York, but had
found it impracticable on account of the insufficient pressure of the water and the small
number of hydrants. He said he was devising a steam pump which he hope! would give
greater satisfaction than any apparatus hitherto used.

Mr. Davis suggested that any apparatus dependent on a constant water supply, as of
hydrants, would be more feasible in the West in connection with irrigation plants.

Mr. Howard remarked that a stream produced by a pressure of seventy-five pounds to
the square inch, mentioned by Mr. Aldrich as obtained from his hydrants, was quite
sufficient to kill insects, with the exception of scales, without the addition of oil.

Mr Lintner asked if the oil and water mixture referred to in the various apparatus
described in the papers could be properly considered an emulsion.

Mr. Marlatt said that an oil emulsion was merely the breaking up of the oil into
minute globules in the emulsifying agent,and that on this basis the water and oil mixture,
as long as permanent, was as properly an emulsion as the kerosene and milk mixture.
He referred also to the fact that emulsions are often made with solid ingredients, as
powdered lime.

Mr. Southwick referred to a nozzle which had lately come under his observation,
which effects the mixture of the insecticide element with water at the moment of spray-
ing. He had not yet experimented with it.

72 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

Mr. Marlatt said that from the description Mr. Southwick undoubtedly had in mind
the Giilmore nozzle (to which Mr. Southwick assented), and said that Mr. Gillmore was
at the Department, and some very careful tests were made with this nozzle with various
insecticide agents. The character of the nozzle and the practical objections to its use
were then pointed out.

Mr. Forbush said he knew of a similar principle at one time employed by a fire
apparatus company to mix a fire extinguisher with water at the moment of spraying.

Mr. Smith said it was very encouraging to see such decided interest taken in the
manufacture and improvement of machinery for the application of insecticide mixtures.
He was of the opinion that the origination of new devices and the work of perfecting old
ones or overcoming mechanical difficulties may be safely left to manufacturers, whom he
had always found very ready to adopt suggestions in the matter of the betterment of
apparatus. In this connection he referred also to the adoption by the Climax Pump
Company of an improvement in the kerosene knapsack sprayer suggested by Mr. GofF.
His experience with the improved knapsack sprayer, he said, corresponded very closely
with that detailed by Mr. Marlatt.

Mr. Marlatt, referring again to the device suggested by Mr. C. M. Weed, pointed out
that while the arrangement of the kerosene and oil reservoirs suggested by this author
would probably obviate several of the difficulties, still an important objection, arising
from the oil escaping into the water chamber during the action of the pump or immediately
thereafter, was not corrected by this means, although possibly rectified by the combination
suggested by Mr. GofFin a communication in Garden and Forest of April 10, 1895.

Dr. John B. Smith read the following paper :

" Raupenleim" and " Dendrolene."

11 Raupenleim" and " dendrolene" are both crude petroleum products of a butter-like
consistency at ordinary temperatures and becoming only slightly softer at high
temperatures. The raupenleim is a German product, very dark in colour, with
a tarry odour and probably mixed with some tar preparation. The American
product is brown in colour, almost without odour, and without foreign admixture to
disguise its character or give it a specific smell. Raupenleim is largely used in Germany
to protect trees from the attacks of certain insects and to prevent their being injured by
stock or deer during the winter. The materials were tested comparatively for the purpose
of preventing borers from attacking fruit trees, and if possible to prevent their issuance
when already under the bark. Both materials can be readily applied with a paddle or
trowel and distributed by means of a stiff brush so as to make a tolerably even coating.
Experiments showed that it did not injure even young shoots where applied to the
bark only ; but where buds or growing tissue were covered it killed the buds and shoots
by choking the stomata. A young tree set out in 1894 was covered from the surface of
the ground to the buds without detracting from its vigour during the balance of the
season. It was applied upon an orchard of pear trees infested by the sinuate pear borer
and both materials prevented oviposition. The raupenleim absolutely prevented the
issuance of all the beetles maturing under the bark. The dendrolene did the same where
thoroughly applied. The raupenleim has a tendency to harden on the surface. This is a
good thing where it is intended to prevent beetles from issuing from the trees, but a bad
thing where it is intended to prevent insects from crawling up the trunk. The dendrolene
becomes very soft at high temperatures without running. This prevents insect3 from
crossing it ; but where it is applied thin it does not always form a barrier to insects
emerging through the bark. Its application is recommended as against the fruit bark-
beetle (Scolytus rugulosus), which can not emerge through it when already in the tree,
and can not enter the bark protected by a coating. It was also tested against peach
borers, and both materials proved effective.

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 73

It was stated by the grower conducting the experiments that the dendrokne killed
the borers that were in the tree when it was applied, while the raupenleim did not. This
fact may have been accidental and is not to be expected under ordinary conditions. The
material is recommended for application to fruit trees to prevent attacks of round and
flat-headed borers, and also wherever it is desirable to prevent insects from ascending or
descending the trunk. A broad band, put on thickly, is recommended against the cod-
ling moth, and, in cities, against the white- marked tussock moth and the bag worm. It is
suggested that applied on trunks on which insects like the pear psylla hibernate it will
destroy these insects by preventing their coming out in the spring.

The cost of the raupenleim, free on board in New York city is, for twenty five pounds,
$3.75 ; fifty pounds, $b.75 ; one hundred pounds, $12.75 ; barrel, from 250 to 275 pounds
net, about $25. Dendrolene is supplied free on board at six cents a pound in New
Brunswick, N. J., in lots of twenty-five to fifty pounds, and at 5^ cents in lots of one
hundred pounds and over. The material can be washed from the trunks of the trees if
desired by a strong potash mixture, say one pound of potash in a gallon of water. As
the substance is a mineral product, it does not become rancid.

In answer to a question as to the composition of the lime, Dr. Smith stated that it
was chiefly, if not entirely, crude mineral oil.

Mr. Southwick read extracts from a letter from agents for an imported insect lime,
which were very extravagant in statement.

Mr. Fernald said he had experimented with the lime against the spring canker-
worm, in conjunction with other experiments with printer's ink, the latter applied on
paper bands, and banding the trees also with cotton, two or more bands being placed on
the same trunk. Very few worms passed over the cotton bands, considerable numbers
over the ink bands and a few over the lime. The larvse chiefly effected their passage
over the latter on cool mornings, which indicates that very diverse effects mxy be expected
in different climates. He thought that of the three substances experimented with the
imported or raupenleim gave the best results.

Mr. Howard asked what period of the year was included in the five months during
which the lime was on certain trees.

Mr. Smith replied that they were the five months immediately preceding the middle
of July.

Mr. Lintner suggested that the lime be so thinned down that it could be sprayed,
to facilitate application.

Mr. Smith stated that this thinning would be especially desirable for work against
scale insects, but that even when considerably thinned it could not be sprayed through,
an ordinary spraying nozzle.

Mr. Forbush said he had not his notes with him and therefore could not give in
detail his experience with lime, which had been very extensive. He had used the raup-
enleim and an American material, Menzel's brand. He had found considerable difference
in imported material obtained in different years. Sometimes it had proved very unsatis-
factory and he had discontinued its use for other methods which he deemed more advis-
able for his work. He said that some insects can cross the lime, but when it is warm,
and especially on sunny days, it is a nearly perfect barrier. On cold days, and parti-
cularly in stormy, rainy weather, insects can pass it with comparative ease. On smooth
bark it will run somewhat, and will also crack or break, especially on rough-barked
trees. German authors, he stated, claim that no injury results to the trees from its
application, and his own experience was confirmatory of this. The only injury he had
noticed came from the scraping prior to the application of the lime or injury from
the lime as a result from such scraping of the bark. On dusty streets the lime soon crusts
over and may be crossed by insects, and pine needles adhering to it produce a similar
result. It is claimed by some that limed trees are not frequented by birds, but this
idea was not confirmed by his own experience. He had used various machines and
various devices had been constructed by the commission for the application of the

74 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

lime. The necessity in cities or public parks of applying the lime at considerable
heights on the trunks to prevent contact with it on the part of passers-by rendered
many machines for its application impracticable for his purpose, and he had been com-
pelled to employ chiefly paddles and trowels. European machines were found to be
crude and somewhat unsatisfactory. He said that in Europe the lime was employed also
as a coating for egg masses to prevent the escape of the larvae. The objection to this
was that such egg masses were very apt to be broken open by squirrels and the larvae
thus enabled to escape at the proper time. He thought lime would be of value, par-
ticularly against the canker-worm. He had found in certain instances that after lime
had been exposed on trees during summer and winter the following spring it was
still of a consistency to be of service.

JT^frMr. Smith said that the dendrolene referred to in his paper is entirely without
odour, whereas the European lime smells very strongly of tar. He was of the opinion
that this odour was given to the European product to conceal its true composition.

Mr. Davis had tried wool bands with parallel experiments with raupenleim against
canker-worms, and found the latter successful in every instance ; but this could not be
said of the wool bands. He had found lime impracticable against cut-worms, many of
them crawling over it in the cool of the evening ; and it had not proved entirely satis-
factory against the peach borer, as the borers frequently emerged in spite of the coating
of lime.

Mr. Smith said that this would be very probably the case if the application were
made to the peach after the larvae were in the tree, but that the application would be
more successful if used to deter the moth from ovipositing.

Mr. South wick said that in his experience he had found the tussock moth larvae so
numerous that they bad been able to crawl over the lime on account of mere numbers.

Mr. Smith said this would not occur in the case of young larvae.

Mr. Eorbush said larvae would bridge over any band when very numerous, and that
such a result could only be prevented by visiting the bands and collecting at frequent
intervals the larvae accumulated beneath.

Mr. Smith said that the American product referred to in his paper was less affected
by extremes of temperature than the European lime. He was convinced that in insect
lime we have a valuable means of defence against many insects, but that there was room
for considerable improvement at present.

Mr. Eorbush said that while he had discontinued it for other reasons, he believed
that there were great possibilities in the proper use of insect lime.

Mr. Fernald, referring to the Russian lime, said that all the material probably came
originally from Germany.

Mr. Smith stated that the constituent elements of the lime very possibly came from
the oil regions of Russia.

Mr. Marlatt said the Department of Agriculture had received samples of this
raupenleim, and called attention to the very strong similarity between this substance and
ordinary axle grease, both in odour and physical qualities, and suggested that the compo-
sition of the lime was probably very similar to that of axle grease. He said that in
applications to trees as against scale insects, and wherever applications were more gen-
erally made than by mere banding, the after effect on the tree would probably be disas-
trous, although it might not develop for some months. Experiments with other oils on
trees gave a strong probability in this direction.

Mr. Smith said the insect limes would very probably turn out to be material similar
to axle grease. The dendrolene referred to by him was a Standard Oil Company's pro-
duct, and would very likely appear under different names as coming from different houses,
although all would obtain their supply from the Standard Oil Company. As applied to
old bark, which had no vital function, subsequent injury need not be feared.

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 75

Mr. Howard referred to the press reports of the loss by a Kentucky orehardist of a
thousand valuable peach trees from the application of linseed oil, with other ingredients,
as a preventive to the borer. The recommendation which led to the application was
charged to the Department of Agriculture, this charge proving, however, by the man's
own admission, to be unfounded.

Mr. Davis remarked that a similar remedy had been recommended by the United
States Pomologist to the fruit growers of Michigan.

Mr. Smith called attention to the necessity, in reporting results, of giving adequate
explanations, instancing the danger of confusion in the use of the term " emulsion" aris-
ing from the different kerosene emulsion formulas used as a case in point.

Mr. Forbush gave further results obtained by the commission in the use of lime
against the gypsy moth and against the tent caterpillar, all indicating the value of lime.
He also described the method of clearing out underbrush as a means of starving out the
larvae.

Mr. Howard said the starving-out plan was the one principally relied on in the
work against the nun moth in Austria. Trees of considerable size were banded with the
insect lime to prevent the ascent of the larvae, and all low-growing vegetation was then
absolutely destroyed and the larvae perished for want of food. He further said that
there are certain species of plant lice which descend the trunks of trees in autumn and
ascend again in spring, against which bands of lime could be used to advantage. This
would be particularly the case with the species common upon the tulip tree.

Mr. Lintner, referring to the difficulty of preparing a good emulsion, suggested the
advisability of someone's undertaking the preparation of the emulsion as a merchantable
article, spreading its benefits to the general public, who were not sufficiently skilled or
equipped to undertake its home manufacture.

Mr. Smith said that some patented insecticides very closely imitated the kerosene
emulsion, but were more expensive than their cost of manufacture warranted ; but he
agreed with Dr. Lintner as to the desirability of having the standard emulsion on sale.

Mr. Howard said that where an appropriation was available the superintendents of
parks might make the emulsion and distribute it free of charge, as had been done in
New Haven.

Mr. South wick read a paper entitled " A Oity Entomologist and Insecticides."

The paper was discussed briefly by Messrs Smith and Howard.

Mr. Smith, discussing the work of Scolytus, stated that they normally attack weak-
ened or unhealthy trees, and that a vigorous tree would require very considerable work
by Scolytus to seriously injure it.

Mr. Lintner said he understood from Mr. Davis that the trees were thus diseased
and unhealthy.

Mr. Davis replied that some of the trees were thrifty and others lacked vigour.

Mr. Rolfs referred to the great numbers of Scolytus which followed the disastrous
frost of last winter in Florida, causing great alarm among fruit growers. He said, how-
ever, that the trees attacked were such as were greatly injured by the frost and would
probably have died anyway from the effects of the latter, and that the beetles were al-
ways present though rarely injuriously abundant.

Mr. Howard said that it is well known that in the absence of sickly trees Scolytus
will attack healthy and vigorous trees, and that the present large numbers of Scolytus
are therefore a constant menace.

Mr. Smith said he had been informed by Mr. Schwartz that the beetles will enter
healthy, vigorous trees, but are unable to successfully propagate in them.

Mr. Lintner said that Professor Peck had found them attacking perfectly healthy
spruces.

76 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

Mr. Smith, referring to the climbing cut-worms, said that he had been frequently called
on to determine for correspondents moths described as having been bred from climbing
larvae. He had received several such from Mr. Slingerland. He questioned if they did
not adapt themselves to differing conditions, sometimes assuming the climbing habit,
while perhaps normally working on the ground.

Mr. Howard reported that the species subjuncla and scandens had been repeatedly
sent in this year as climbing cut-worms.

Mr. Sirrine asked if all cut- worms did not climb as young larvae, giving his experience
with cabbage cut-worms as sustaining that view.

Mr. Smith said that' this is the habit of
Carneades messoria Fig. 34, on onions. In this
connection he urged the value of personal obser-
vation to impress one with the true significance
and importance of the working habits of insects.
In illustration of this he referred to his^having
recently witnessed a grasshopper invasion' in the
west, which had brought to him a realization of
the possibilities of this insect to which before
8' he had been a stranger. He said also that^the

Hessian fly, commented on by Mr. Davis, had proved very much more numerous in

New Jersey this year than in years recently passed.

Mr. Lintner said this fly was also very abundant in western New York.

Mr, Howard said this is distinctively a Hessian fly year, and that the division had
recently issued a circular to facilitate answering the numerous inquiries received on the
subject.

The following paper by Mr. Chittenden, was read by Mr. Sirrine :

Herbivorous Habits of Certain Dermestid^e.

The Dermestidse, as is well known, feed chiefly upon dried animal substances. Certain
species, however, are reported to have injured vegetable material, and a few recorded
instances of damage of this character are cited. Until very recently the various species-
of household Dermestidse had not been suspected of actually breeding in other than
animal substances, but the experiments of the writer indicate that they subsist also on a
vegetable diet.

The larva of Attagenus piceus, or black carpet beetle, was received in cereals from
various sources, and was finally brought to the attention of the writer in such manner as
to lead to a suspicion that it might feed, at least occasionally on vegetable substances.
Adult insects were confined in a jar of flour and meal, and their progeny were found to
thrive upon this material. This species was also found to breed in timothy seed, and in-
cidental mention is made of serious injury to bolting cloth by it in a mill at Georgetown,
D. C. A brief review of the history of this insect in America, where it has been known
since about 1806, is given, and instances of its reported occurrences in granaries arecitied.

Trogoderma tarsale Melsh., a common museum pest, was found to infest flaxseed,
castor beans, and cayenne pepper that had been on exhibition in the museum of the
United States Department of Agriculture, the larva being reared from the egg deposited
in these substances and the adults having been bred from other larvae feeding on them.

An unknown and evidently recently imported species of Trogoderma was stated to
be living in flaxseed, castor beans, and silk worm cocoons with the above-mentioned
species, and in red-clover seed. This species is believed to have been introduced at
Washington in the silkworm cocoons. It has been taken in New Mexico and will pro-
bably be found to have established itself elsewhere in the United States.

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 77

Anthrenus verbasci Linn, our most abundant insect cabinet pest, was reported as
occurring in " middlings " and spoiled flour, and the fact mentioned that at the time of
writing larvae placed in flour were feeding upon it, from which it was judged that they
would in due time reach the adult condition.

In conclusion it is stated that in the case of the Attagenus and Anthrenus, these
insects were probably first attracted to granaries by the presence of weevils and other
grain insects, and that the graminivorous habit is an acquired one. The presence of
Trogoderma in oil seeds and red pepper, however, admits of no other explanation than
that of the absence of animal food, and shows a wonderful adaptability to unnatural
environment.

Mr. Howard said that the buffalo moth does not occur in Washington, its place
being taken by Attagenus piceus. He asked for the experience of others as to the for-
mer insect to determine its southern extension. A piceus, he said, is not so troublesome
as the buffalo moth but is yet a serious pest. In answer to a query from Mr. Davis he
gave a brief description of the larvae of the two species.

Mr. Lintner, referring to the popular designation of the insect as the " buffalo moth,"
said that he had often urged the discontinuance of the use of this misnomer and thought
an effort should be made to secure popular acceptance of a more appropriate common
name for this species. He thought it not so strange that Dermestidae fed on vegetable
material, since many species having an altogether animal feeding habit in the larval
state are vegetable feeders as adults, instancing the feeding of larvae of various species
on woollens and other animal products, the adults of which feed on pollen.

Mr. Fernald discussed the use against these insects of inflammable and explosive
insecticides in connection with its bearing on insurance policies and was inclined on this
latter account, not to recommend them. He gave the method of controlling the pest
followed with success by his wife, as follows : (1) Before bringing flowers into the house
thoroughly shake them to dislodge the beetles. (2) Regularly collect and destroy the
beetles which emerge and gather on the windows of the house during the months of
March and April. (3) Carefully treat the carpets on the upper floors of the house, as
the beetles commonly enter through the upper windows, and these carpets act as traps,
getting the first and the bulk of the invasion.

Mr. Davis said his wife had been unsuccessful in the use of similar remedies.

Mr. Rolfs said that the work of the carpet beetle was much worse in the South
than in the North, but he did not know the species. He used carbon bisulphide or
cyanide gas, preferring the latter. If used with caution he thought neither of these
substances dangerous, and their use was especially desirable in connection with herbariums.

Mr. Lintner said that he ordinarily recommended kerosene, which he thought more
suitable than gasoline. Before laying new carpets all the grooves should be carefully
filled with cement or plaster, and the carpets should be left loose at the borders to facili-
tate frequent investigation. The use of tarred paper was also advisable. He had found
the following trap method valuable ; Remove all woollens from rooms or closets and
scatter about them bits of red flannel, which is a very attractive bait for the Anthrenus.
The beetles thus attracted are afterwards collected and destroyed. Referring to Mr.
Fernald's statement regarding the method of entrance of the beetles from flowers out
of doors, he said that this is a common experience and that they commonly enter houses
through the upper windows and appear first in the carpets of the upper rooms, thus
making their reappearance after having been exterminated.

Mr. Fernald discussed the subjects of the relation of colour in woollens or carpets to
infestation by the buffalo moth, and said that it had been carefully investigated by his
former assistant, Mr. Lounsbury, as to the attractiveness both of particular colours and
different dyes to the beetles. The information was sought from various sources, including
factories for the manufacture of carpets and rugs. The conclusion arrived at was that
colour is not an important factor — at least the beetles do not confine their attacks to

78 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

particular colours, though showing a preference for the greens. He thought it more
likely that the preference exhibited by the beetles in certain cases was due rather to the
mordant employed.

Mr. Howard said that the best remedy and the one which he now always advised,
was to abandon the use of carpets altogether.

Mr. Smith had used the method suggested by Mr. Davis and had also employed
gasoline. He had not found anything in insurance policies against the use of this or
like substances in small quantities, but he was always careful to urge the greatest caution
in the use of inflammable substances. He gave, by request, certain experiences which
he had had with the use of bisulphide of carbon in the National Museum, a rather seri-
ous explosion having in one instance occurred from the ignition of this substance by the
heat from a steam radiator, while there was another equally startling case of the ignition
of the substance in a large box, resulting from a spark having been struck off from a
nail in fastening down the lid of the box in which the bisulphide had been placed. In
the latter case the box exploded and the negro laborer was either thrown a distance of
some feet or had leaped a considerable length under the excitement of the moment.

Mr. Howard asked Mr. Taylor, a visitor present, who is engaged in the manufacture
of bisulphide of carbon, if he knew of any cases of accident from the use of this sub-
stance.

Mr. Taylor replied that he knew of but one case of serious results, and that was
where an explosion had resulted from a stroke of lightning. He was inclined to think
that with ordinary precautions the danger was trifling. He said that the substance will
ignite at 220° F.

Mr. Smith said that the radiator referred to by him was not nearly so hot as that.

WEDNESDAY MORNING— AUGUST 28th, 1895.

Mr. L. O. Howard read a very interesting paper on " Some Shade-tree Insects of
Springfield and other New England Cities," in which he treated especially of the elm-leaf
beetle (Galerucella luteola), and the Woolly Maple leaf Louse (Pseudococcus aceris), and
traced their progress throughout the region referred to.

Mr. 0. L. Marlatt followed with a paper on " The Elm-leaf Beetle in Washington/
in which he described the methods pursued by the Division of Entomology to protect a
grove of elm trees in the grounds of the Department of Agriculture from the ravages of
this destructive insect.

Another paper descriptive of the history and injuries wrought by the same insect at
Albany, N.Y., was read by Mr. J. A. Lintner, State Entomologist.

A long and interesting discussion ' followed in which most of the members present
took part.

At the afternoon session Professor Fernald gave an extended account of the opera-
tions of the Gypsy Moth Commission in Massachusetts. (See 25th Annual Report, 1894,
page 67, for a description of this insect, and the methods adopted to keep it in check.)
In response to a request Mr. Kirkland, assistant entomologist to the Gypsy Moth Com-
mission, gave a verbal report on the more recent experiments with insecticides conducted
by the Commission. He said that no success had been had with insecticides until the
arsenate of lead had been devised, and even this, at the rate of ten pounds to 150 gallons
of water, effected the destruction of only about fifty per cent, of the larva?. He described
his examination of the alimentary canal of the larvae, with a view to determining the
probable action of the juices contained in various parts of the canal on insecticide sub-
stances. He had found the juices strongly alkaline, and of the substances which seemed
most likely to be acted upon by an alkaline liquid he had considered the cyanides of dif-
ferent metals to be the most promising. The cyanides of lead, antimony, copper, zinc,

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 79

ircm, manganese, mercury, etc., were considered. The cyanides of antimony and copper,
on theoretical grounds, seemed to promise best. The cyanide of antimony was totally
without effect at the rate of 10 pounds to 150 gallons of water. Cyanide of copper was
fairly effective, but too expensive for practical employment, three pounds to 150 gallons
being with this substance equivalent to one pound of Paris green to 150 gallons of water,
or three or four pounds of arsenate of lead to 100 gallons. Even where no practical
results seem to have been obtained, as in the above series of experiments, he pointed out
the value of the negative results ; in that the very fact that the merits of these substances
valuable for insecticides is better understood and limited. In connection with the vari-
ous experiments with insecticides he had occasion repeatedly to emphasize the extreme
vitality of the gypsy moth larva and its immunity to the action of poisons.

Mr. Riley discussed the gypsy moth question at considerable length. He said he had
always been much interested in the gypsy moth work, and referred to the org^nal confer-
ence called by the State Board of Agriculture of Massachusetts, giving an account of
this meeting, and of the suggestions made by himself and others as to means of control-
ling the insect. These suggestions were necessarily based on experiences with our well
known common insects having somewhat similar habits, and had no basis in any actual
experience with the insect under discussion. He had recommended and believed that the
use of the arsenites is one of the most practical and effective means of control. There
can now be no doubt, however, that this insect is an exceptional one, and probably can
not be controlled by means which are quite effective against other insects, enemies of our
trees, having similar habits, Emphasizing the great damage which may be done by this
insect, he was convinced that its control and destruction are not only extremely necessary
to the State of Massachusetts, but are also of national importance. He had always been
in favor of extermination rather than of attempting to limit and control, but he pointed
out the very great difficulty of exterminating the species if the work is mainly directed
toward the destruction of the eggs, referring in this connection to his early statement in
this regard, in which the destruction of the eggs had not been deemed of prime import-
ance He thought, however, that in this particular he had been too extreme. He
pointed out the absolute futility of any efforts at extermination which did not promise
complete results. All that he had said in criticism of the Commission had been relative
to the operations prior to Professor Fernald's controlling connection with the work. He
heartily appreciated the value of the present methods as detailed by Professor Fernald.
He felt that if at the outset a supreme effort had been made, with the aid of a very large
appropriation, complete extermination of the insect could have been accomplished. He
gave a summary of some early work and his criticism of it. He was somewhat inclined
to question whether we are now justified in working on the basis of extermination through
a State commission, or whether it would not be better to eicourage the efforts of private
individuals wherever the msect occurred, as is the case with other insect pests. He com-
plimented very highly, however, the present work of the Commission. In discussing the
subject of parasites, which had been referred to by Mr. Fernaid, he was not inclined to
agree with the idea that the aim of the commissson at complete extermination detracted
at all from the necessity of undertaking the importation of foreign parasites. He said
that such introduction could be accomplished at comparatively slight expense and would
aid 'just so much the object of the Commission, pointing out also the greater usefulness of
European parasites over native ones if introduced without secondary parasites. This
would be particularly evident if his idea of the greater value of the destruction of the
larvae rather than the eggs were conceded.

In illustration of the great weight and value of Professor Riley's ideas on this sub-
ject, Mr. Fernald referred in the most complimentary way to the value of his long years
of labor in the field of economic entomology, which had resulted in a store of information
used and appreciated by all the workers of the world at the present day. He gave some
statistics of the injury capable of being done by the gypsy moth in the State of Massa-
chusetts, basing his deductions on the value of farm products and the estimated value of
forest and shade trees (Mr. Lintner interjecting in the latter connection that the Sara-
toga elms were insured by the State at $500 each). Taking the probable injury from

80 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

this moth as a basis, he pointed out that a comparatively trifling tax only would be
necessary to raise a sum sufficient to control the pesj, and was very strongly of the
opinion that the work of the Commission should be upheld and continued.

Mr. Howard said he was familiar with the work of the Commission and had gone
over the territory and examined the methods of procedure in detail somewhat recently,
and was convinced that anyone, seeing the operations and the results already reached,
would be impressed with the fact that the work is now being done in the best possible
way and according to methods which are most likely to accomplish the ultimate exterm-
ination aimed at. He offered a resolution regarding the work of the Commission, which
was subseqently acted upon by the Association.

Mr. Lintner said he had been one of the first called to inspect the work and the
conditions of the work, and had been deeply impressed with the amount of exertion
necessary and the difficulties of successfully prosecuting it. He also had been most
favorably impressed with the value of the methods at present employed. Whether
ultimate extermination would prevail or not was at present, of coarse, merely a matter
of opinion, but he was convinced of the necessity of continuing the work on the basis
of extermination rather than mere control.

The next paper was read by Mr. Lintner on the striped "Cottonwood Beetle" in
which he drew attention to the threatened destruction of the basket-willow industry of
Onondaga and some other counties of western New York, from the ravages of an insect
which has loug been known as the striped cottonwood beetle, Lina scripta Fabr., but
which hitherto has not been regarded as injurious. After describing the insect and its
habits, and giving an account of the willow industry and its commercial importance he re-
lated the methods which had been made use of to control the insect and especially drew
attention to a mechanical contrivance, called a " bug catcher " which had proved very
effective for the collection and destruction of the beetles.

Mr. Webster read a somewhat technical paper on the probable origin of the genus
Diabrotica This was followed by a paper by Mr. Hopkins of Morganto wn, West Va

ON THE STUDY OF FOREST-TREE INSECTS.

The study of the insects affecting forest growth, from an economic standpoint, is
in many respects a unique branch of economic entomology, which should in our opinion
be designated by the term " forestry entomology."

The importance of advancement of knowledge in this particular branch of science
may be inferred from some references to the character of insect inj uries to forest growth;
to estimates of the amount of damage and the annual pecuniary loss occasioned by such
injuries ; to the limited knowledge of this class of insects, and to the possibilities of pre-
venting a large per cent, of the loss by the adoption of simple, practical methods of com-
bating the pests.

Character of Injuries.

The injuries to forest growth may be separated into two classes, those affecting the
living plants and those affecting the dead or dying plants. Of the former we have injuries
to the foliage by leaf-eating, leaf-mining, sap-sucking, and gall-making insects ; to the
twigs and branches by sap-sucking, twig mining, bark and wood boring insects \ to the
trunk by bark and wood-boring, and to the roots by wood-boring, bark-boring and sap-
sucking species ; the effect of the injuries thus caused upon the living plant being either
destructive or detrimental to its growth or usefulness.

The injuries of a destructive character are those caused by insects which occur in
sufficient numbers and make their attack in such a manner as to destroy or weaken the
vitality of the tree sufficient to be the prmiary cause of its death.

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 81

The injuries of a detrimental character are those which are detrimental to the
health, perfect growth, or future usefulness of the tree or its product, but do not cause
its death.

Of the injuries affecting the dying and dead trees we find, as among those affecting
the living, some which are of a destructive character, while others are simply detrimen-
tal. The destructive injuries are those caused by wood-boring insects, which render the
wood worthless for any practical use to man. The detrimental injuries are those which
produce defects in the wood and hasten the decay of the affected parts.

Character and Extent of Damage to Forests by Insects.

Few persons who have not given considerable thought to the subject realize the
serious character of insect depradations upon our forests and forest products. This is
evident from the fact that the subject is seldom discussed at the meetings of forestry
associations and is rarely referred to by writers upon forestry economy in this country.

If we were to assert as our belief that the annual damage and loss occasioned by
insects to owners of forest and forest products in the United States was greater than that
caused to the same by fire, few persons, if any, would believe that it could be possible.
Yet when we come to consider the varied losses resulting from insect depredation, both in
a destructive and detrimental manner and in the general influence of their work upon the
forest economy of the country, we believe that such an assertion would not be far from
correct.

The pine and spruce killed by bark beetles over vast areas in New England and in
the Southern States within the last few years has caused an enormous loss of valuable
timber ; yet this is only a small portion of the damage to timber by insects. That caused
in oak by the oak timber worms {Lymexi/lon sericeum and Eupsalis minuta), the
Columbian timber beetle (Corthi/lus columbianus) and the carpenter moths of the family
Cossidse, to the chestnut by the chestnut timber worm (Lymexylow sericeum), and to the
tulip and other kinds of timber by the Columbian timber beetle, all of which attack
living trees, will equal that caused by many forest conflagrations. Then when we come
to consider the damage to the wood of dying, dead and felled timber, and the work of
destruction only begun by fire and completed by wood-boring species, it appears to us
that the damage caused by insects is at least equal to that caused by fire.

There is also another feature of the question, and that is in reference to the effect of
the detrimental and destructive ravages of forest insects upon the forestry economy of the
country. Owing to the large amount of timber destroyed and rendered defective by
insects, it is necessary for the manufacturers to cut over a larger area than would
otherwise be necessary in order to supply the demand for the best grades of lumber and
other timber products. According to a statement by Hon. J. Sterling Morton at the
last meeting of the American Association of Agricultural Colleges and Experiment
Stations, the area cut over every day in this country to supply the demand for forest
products is 30,000 acres. From our observation in the lumber regions of West Virginia
it would indicate that at least ten per cent, less timber might be cut each year for this pur-
pose were it not for the detrimental ravages of insects upon the standing and felled timber.
Therefore, in this item alone the annual loss to the country and to the manufacturer is
enormous, for it must be remembered that a large per cent, of the defective lumber is
manufactured and disposed of at a loss to the manufacturer, and is often the cause of
serious loss to the consumer.

No accurate estimates of the pecuniary losses caused by forest insects can be made.
Yet with the knowledge gained on the subject from recent investigations of the ravages
of forest tree insects, from correspondence with lumber manufacturers upon the subject,
and reference to the statistics of forest products, we feel justified in presenting some
figures which will at least indicate the extent of the loss.

We would estimate the loss caused by bark beetles of the family Scolytidse, which
have caused the death of pine and spruce trees over vast areas within the last ten years,

6 EN.

82 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

at an average of $5,000,000 per year J by bark and timber beetles of the Scolytidse family
causing defective wood in felled timber, $1,000,000, and by the same in timber injured
by fires and other causes, $1,000,000 ; by the Columbian timber beetle to standing and
living timbers, an average of $1,000,000 per year; by the oak timber worms and the
carpenter worms to the different species of oak, an average of $2,000,000 per year ; to
chestnut timber by the chestnut timber worm, which is rendering one of the most valu-
able woods almost worthless, an average of $1,000,000; by wood borers of the family
Cerambycidse to standing timber injured by fire, $2,000,000 ; to felled timber and saw
logs by the same kind of insect, $2,000,000 ; by other wood-infesting insects to standing
and felled timber, $2,000,000; by foilage-infesting insects to living forest and shade trees,
$3,000,000 ; by the white pine weevil, plant lice, scale insects, etc., to young forest
growth, $1,000,000 ; by the powder-post beetles (Ptindse) to forest products, such as
seasoned handles, spokes, hoop-poles, building material, etc., $100,000, and by miscellan-
eous insects not included in the above estimates, $3,000,000 — a total of $25,000,000
direct annual loss from insect ravages, which is without doubt a low estimate.

To the above could be added the loss to manufacturers in manufacturing and dis-
posing of defective material, to consumers from the use of the same, and to the indirect
loss to the country in the diminished forest area due to insect ravages ; all of which,
could it be estimated in dollars and cents, would doubtless equal at least ten per cent, of
the total value of the annual forest products of wood ^material in this country, or about
$100,000,000 annually.7

With Further Knowledge on the Subject Much op the Loss can be Prevented.

Probably one of the principal reasons why the economic study of forest insects has
been neglected in this country is the prevalent belief that few, if any, practical methods
can be found to prevent loss from their injuries. It is true the methods used to prevent
loss from the attack of farm, garden, and fruit insects can not, as a rule, be successfully
used against those affecting forest growth ; neither can many of the successful European
methods of combating forest insects be adopted in this country. But there are simple,
practical methods known which, if better understood by forest owners and manufacturers
of foreat products and properly applied by them, would prevent the annual loss of many
millions of dollars' worth of timber.

Some of the results recently obtained and facts determined in the investigations now
in progress in West Virginia in reference to the proper time to fell timber to prevent
detrimental injury by insects, the utilization of defective material to the best advantage,
and the introduction of predaceous and parasitic insects to prevent the undue increase of
destructive species lead us to believe that many of>the more serious troubles can be easily
controlled when we learn more of the habits of the insects and the various conditions,
favorable and unfavorable, for their development.

Additional Knowledge and More Special, Original Work Necessary.

Further original research and additional published knowledge are sadly needed in
this branch of economic entomology. As compared with the knowledge of insects affect-
ing other economic plants, scarcely anything is known of the life history and habits of
even our commonest forest-tree insects. Consequently, the field for original work in
forestry entomology is a broad one, rich in interesting material as well as in possibilities
of important discoveries.

One of the most important aids toward advancement would be, in our opinion, care-
fully prepared monographs of the insects known to infest the different economic forest
trees, on a similar plan to that adopted by Professor Forbes in his recently issued part
of "A Monograph of insecbs injurious to Indian Corn."

Previous to the undertaking of work of this kind, however, further knowledge is
necessary in reference to the food habits of the insects found upon or within the different
host plants, and whether they are destructive, detrimental, beneficial, or neutral in their

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 85

economic relation to the host. This important information can be best and most reliably
supplied by specialists who are studying the different families of insects, and by those
who will make a study of the food habits and life history of certain classes of insects
which infest forest growth, such as foliage-infesting, bark-infesting, and wood-infesting
insects, etc., as special lines of research.

If specialists in these various lines will keep in mind the importance of noting the
host relations of the species they collect or observe on forest growth, and will publish the
knowledge thus obtained, together with ligjs of species taken on the various economic
forest trees, they will contribute valuable service to the country in the rapid advance-
ment of forestry entomology.

Mr. Webster read the following paper :

THE IMPORTATION AND REPRESSION OF DESTRUCTIVE INSECTS.

By F. M. Webster, Wooster, Ohio.

In the year 1795 my topic would have sounded remarkably visionary and illogical p
not that it was not known that destructive insects were being brought into this country
from England and Europe, but that there should be any united action to prevent such
importations, or to suppress them after being introduced, would heve sounded unreason-
able and unpractical. But, come to think of it, can we name a single imported insect
that has been repressed, or, in fact, has been seriously impeded in its diffusion over the
country, by any systematic obstacles placed in its way by the action of man 1 Is it not
nearer the truth to say that we have, as a people, assisted this sort of immigrants, both in
reaching this country and in getting inland as fast as possible after they had landed %
Our entomologists have increased in numbers and efficiency to deal with these pests, but
I do not know of a single one that we have prevented from coming to this country or
stamped out after it had reached here.* That we have and are saving the country
millions of dollars annually by our advice and experiments I freely admit, but that is
only a temporary relief, and by no means a protection against future depredations and
losses. Now, there must be something the matter somewhere, and if not with the
entomologists, as I feel that it certainly is not, then wherein lies the obstacle ? Entom-
ologists do not make the laws, nor are we always able to get those properly enforced that
we do have ; but that does not settle the problem. For my own part, I have very little
faith in State laws, even if they could be enacted, and have often asked myself the ques-
tion whether or not it was possible for a republican government, composed of minor
governments, possibly, as in our case, numbering nearly half a hundred to protect its
people from the immense losses occasioned yearly by destructive insects whose place of
nativity is known to be thousands of miles away and across wide stretches of ocean which
they could never have crossed unaided.

At present we seem unable to deal with the problem intelligently and practically,
even within our own borders. We can not, as a people, protect ourselves from each
other, much less from countries who very naturally have less regard for us than we have
for ourselves. It was with such feelings that I watched the diffusion of the San Jose
scale, even after it had been located. Here was a simple problem in national economic
entomology, and the question appeared to me to be composed of two propositions, viz.:
Could we do anything with it 1 and if so, what would* be the importance of the entomol-
ogist in this transaction 1 We have been steadily gaining strength during the last quarter
of a century, and I was a little desirous of seeing how powerful we were getting to be,
how much we could do to stop the spread of this pest, as well as to effect its extermina-
tion where it had already gained a foot-hold. True, we had no laws to sustain us ; but
if we could but show the necessity for them we would have accomplished much, for, while

*See appended note at the end of this paper.

84 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

the San Jose scale is the latest importation, it by no means follows that it will be the last.
It is all right to study the biology of the insect, and this is really the first step to be
taken, but the duty of the economic entomologist does not stop there by any means. The
man who has been unfortunate enough to get the thing in his orchard wants to know
all he can learn about it, but the one who is free of it would vastly more like to know
how to keep free of it. Some of you are aware that I am not in the least in sympathy
with the manner in which we have been dealing with this pest, or rather with those who
have knowingly carelessly harbored it. I do not say this with a spirit of fault finding
or criticism, but rather with the idea of improving upon the policy. I fully submit that
it is not right to knowingly wreck the business of any nurseryman who is willing to do
everything in his power to prevent distributing such a pest with his stock ; but it seems
to me that we commit even a greater mistake and do a more unjust act when we say that
such a pest is in a certain locality, thereby throwing the onus on both the innocent and
the guilty. This appears to me to be the very worst sort of an injustice, and places a
premium on dishonesty. We should either give the name of the proprietor or else make
no public statement whatever, giving him notice that any attempt to send out infested
trees or plants will result in a prompt exposure and public condemnation.

If I were to say that a member of this association was a murderer, it would reflect
on the honour of all of us, and would serve to protect the guilty one from justice, provided
there was such a one among us. Hereafter when we have to quarantine, let it be against
individuals or firms and not against States or portions of States in which the innocent
outnumber the guilty. We must use harsh and severe measures where such are neces-
sary in order to be just to the deserving, but we have no right to make these deserving
ones a partner in dishonesty with the unworthy and disreputable. To do this is but to
place ourselves in a position where we are sure to be imposed upon by the latter and
secure the merited distrust of the former. The people are coming to place some of their
interests in our keeping, and if we would hold on to that confidence we must deal justly but
firmly with those who threaten such interests, with the sole aim of profiting thereby.
Even if entomologists were clothed with the right to enter into an agreement with
nurserymen to keep the presence of a dangerous pest a secret from the public, which I
strongly question, it is poor policy to do so. For a public servant to make private arran-
gements with those harboring public enemies is, generally speaking, a risky business and
not usually conductive in elevation to the estimation of those whose esteem we can not
well afford to ignore. There should be a discrimination between the deserving and the
undeserving, but it should be extended and not promised, and even then with the under-
standing that it was entirely in the way of official assistance. If we follow the proper
course, so as to merit the confidence of the people, the latter will be perfectly satisfied
with the information that infected nurseries are under strict surveillance, and nothing
infected will be allowed to go out ; but let there be a few more revelations of the actions
of some of these, such as we have seen within the last year, and people will naturally
begin to speculate as to whom we are assisting and whose interests we are protecting.

I mention these things because I believe we can improve upon the policy that some
of us have been following, largely by force of circumstances. What I would urge is this:
First, a uniform policy to be followed as closely as our surroundings render possible by
all of us ; second, on the information of an infested nursery coming to us the proprietors
are to be informed that no infested stock is to be sent out, and that they are to promptly
go to work to stamp out the pest, and that any attempt to evade these rules will result in
a prompt exposure. If it is known that their trade will not suffer if they choose to pur-
chase their stock from uninfested localities until they have destroyed the pest on their
own, most men will see at once that it is the least expensive way out of the trouble. I
am satisfied that there is a method of procedure that will work the least hardship to the
deserving, yet will compel the stubborn to keep infection confined to their own premises
and stamp it out there as soon as possible. I believe that we hold the balance of power,
so to speak, and need not barter our influence, but hold it to be sought for by those
who wish to escape with the least trouble and loss If we are but just in our actions
there will no trouble about the better class of nurseymen siding with us, and we

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 85

shall have no difficulty in indicating the dividing line that separates the honorable from
the dishonorable, and it will avail nothing for a belligerent firm to close their grounds
and books against inspection and then demand our proof of infection. The very lack
of proof of non-infection will be sufficient to fasten suspicion upon them.

I have noticed that the services of entomologists have been quite in demand during
the last year by nurseymen who were free of the San Jose scale, and the statements
of such entomologists were used in the advertisements of these firms ; and I think the
influence of Dr. Lintner and myself has been felt by at least two nursery firms when
it came to the question as to whether they could continue to impose on the public
or not. Now, while, as I stated, we ha\e no laws to sustain us, we have a strong
public sentiment in our favour, quite sufficient to influence the honorable to favour our
plans, and the others we can whip into line, so to speak, by working on their inter-
ests. While we have not come out of this contest just in the shape that I wish we had,
we have certainly placed our profession on a better footing and shown that we have a
power to do for right and justice ; that we can help the deserving and at the same time
deal firmly and judiciously with the undeserving and disreputable ; and so long as we are
faithful to our trust we shall be able not only to hold our influence but greatly increase
the same.

I confidently look for considerable aid from nurseymen themselves in the matter of
preventing the distributing of orchard pests. The most pushing and energetic are
beginning to see that it will pay to spray their trees year after year in the nursery row
with both insecticides and fungicides \ that by so doing they will get a better growth and
consequently a larger number of first-class trees that will bring a better return for use of
their land and labour. Now, these are not likely to be so blind as not to see that to be
able to warrant their stock free from insect and fungus enemies will give them a prestige,
and they will thus guarantee every bundle of stock that is shipped from their grounds.
When we reach this stage of advancement it will be a small matter to get a United States
law that will make this a condition of acceptance for transportation by the railway and
express companies.

In the past our advice and cautions have been more or less ignored, but I think if
a nurseryman were about to import tree3 or bring them from California he would think
of consulting the United States entomologist in regard to the risk he would run with respect
to injurious insects. And there is little doubt that there will be much more caution
exercised in future than there has been in the past, and the next new thing we get we
shall be better prepared to exert our power and influence than we were in this case. I
am satisfied that the San Jose scale can be stamped out where it has been introduced,
at least between the Rocky and Alleghany mountains. East of this area it will have to
be exterminated or else many nurseries will be compelled to suspend business for lack of
customers, and they are not going to do this in the near future. We have done well this
time, but we will do better in the future.

Note. — The fluted scale of the orange {leery a purchasi), though it has been sub-
jugated in California, at a saving of thousands, if not, indeed, millions, of dollars (and the
importation of the natural enemies whereby this was accomplished was the greatest
achievement ever attained in practical entomology ), still it has yet to be exterminated. So of
the gypsy moth (Ocneria dispar), introduced into Massachusetts by a lamentable piece of
carelessness on the part of an entomologist many years ago, while it has been overcome in
some localities, it has not been exterminated. I am free to confess that up to the time
of presenting this paper I had very serious doubts as to the possibility of this ever being
done ; not because of any fault or neglect among those intrusted with the work, but
because it appeared to me that they had attempted an impossibility. I have since spent
a day in examining the work in all of its details, and believe that I saw not only what
had been done, but also what yet remained to be accomplished ; and that, too, with
unprejudiced eyes and mind, and in company with one who clearly had no other motive
than to show me every feature precisely as it existed, without magnifying, minifying or
concealing anything. I now leel confident that the question of the extermination of this

86 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

pest in Massachusetts is simply one dependent upon the support in future given those in
charge of the work ; that with proper support financially this pest will be absolutely wiped
out of existence in America, and. that the achievement will be the greatest yet attained,
and one of which we shall all feel proud, while it will redound to the credit of economic
entomology all over the civilized world.

F. M. W.

Mr. Fernald asked if anyone was aware of wilful and malicious importations of
injurious insects from Europe, referring in this connection to the report of the possible
transportation of certain American insect pests in the opposite direction. He was himself
aware of no such cases.

Mr. Smith said the only case known to him was the importation of the Ailanthus
silkworm.

Mr. Sirrine, referring to Mr. Webster's communication, said that he had found about
the 1st of July instances of the purchase of apple trees badly infested with living San
Jose scale, which had supposedly been effectually treated before being sold and sent out,

Mr. Smith said that he was aware that these trees had been treated with gas during
the winter, and described the methods which had been followed. In the examination
made by himself he had found no living scales, but undoubtedly some living specimens
had been left, and probably from these the trees had become restocked. He pointed out
the necessity of examining every scale before it was possible safely to pronounce stock
immune, and therefore the impracticability of giving any such indorsement to nurseries.

Mr. Riley emphasized the extreme difficulty and great liability to error on the part
of entomologists should they follow the plan of pronouncing any particular nursery free
from scale. In some cases circumstances may warrant such an indorsement, especially if
there is reason to believe that the insect in question is recently introduced and therefore
confined to a restricted area or single point of infestation, as seemed, indeed, to be the
case in the first discovery of the San Jose scale in the east. In such cases it may not be
necessary to give publicity to the point of infestation if proper measures are being taken to
suppress the insect. It was on this basis that he acted in the case of the San Jose scale ;
but when an insect is known to be widely disseminated a full public statement of the
extent of the infested locality is desirable.

Mr. Smith agreed with Mr. Riley as to the difficulty of pronouncing any nursery
untainted, and had decided for himself not to give clean bills of health to any nurseries in
future.

Mr. Southwick read a paper entitled " Economic Entonomological Work in the
Parks of New York City."

Mr. Webster read a paper on the "Insects of the year in Ohio." The time available
for the reading of papers having expired, the three following, whose authors were absent,
were read by title only, viz.: — "On the Natural Conditions which Affect the Distribution
and Abundance of Coccidse," by T. D. A. Cockerell, Las Oruces, N. Mex.; " How shall
we Improve our Collections?" by 0. P. Gillette, Fort Collins, Colorado; and " Carbon Bi-
sulphide for Crayfish," by H. E. Weed, Agricultural College, Miss.

The following resolution relative to the Gypsy Moth Commission, introduced by Mr.
Howard, was now brought up and received the unanimous indorsement of the Association :

Resolved, That it is the sense of this Association that the present Gypsy Moth Commission is prosecuting
its work in the most intelligent and praiseworthy manner, and that its hands should be upheld by the State
authorities.

Mr. Lintner presented the following resolution, which was also unanimously adopted •

Resolved, That this Association has learned with deep regret of the intended discontinuance of Insect
Life with the present number. In consideration of the unusual value of this publication, the eminent
ability with which it has been conducted, the high appreciation in which it has been held by all of our ento-
mologists and those in other countries, and the importance of the published investigations into the life his-
tory of insects, largely on their economic aspect, this Association earnestly requests of the Department of
Agriculture that the resumption of the publication of this invaluable publication may be directed at no
<Ufctant day.

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 87

The Committee on Nominations, consisting of Messrs. Lintner, Davis and Rolfs, pro-
posed :

For President, C. H. Fernald, of Amherst, Mass.
For First Vice-President, F. M. Webster, of Wooster, Ohio.
For Second Vice President, Herbert Osborn, of Ames, Iowa.
For Secretary, C. L. Marlatt, of Washington, D. C.

On motion, the chair was instructed to cast the ballot of the Association for the gen-
tlemen named, and they were declared duly elected.

On motion of Mr. Southwick, the reading of the minutes of the entire meeting was
dispensed with, and on motion of the same gentleman a vote of thanks was tendered the
President and Secretary of the Association in recognition of their services.

On motion of Mr. Howard, the local committee in charge of the meeting at Spring-
field was given a vote of thanks.

President-elect Fernald took the chair and briefly expressed his thanks for the honour
conferred upon him.

The Association then adjourned.

WILLIAM II. EDWARDS.

Our readers will all, we are sure, be glad to receive the excellent portrait prefixed to
this volume of the well-known and now venerable entomologist, Mr. W. H. Edwards, of
Coal burgh, West Virginia. His life-long work has been the study of diurnal lepidop-
tera, and the results of that work are splendidly set forth in the beautifully illustrated
volumes of his " Butterflies of North America." In April, 1868, the first part was
issued, and at once commended itself to entomologists everywhere by the exquisite beauty
and finish of the plates and their faithfulness to nature. In July, 1872, the first series,
forming a large quarto volume with fifty plates, was completed. The second series, con-
taining fifty-one plates, was begun in May, 1874, but not finished until November,
1884 ; the less frequent issue of the parts being more than compensated for by the increased
value of both plates and letter press. When the work was begun, as Mr. Edwards stated
in his preface, little or nothing was known of the eggs, larvse, or chrysalids of any except
the commonest butterflies, and accordingly his first volume illustrated only the perfect
state. In 1870 he made the notable discovery that eggs could be satisfactorily obtained
by confining the female butterfly of any species with the growing food-plant of its larva,
and at once began the study of the life-histories of a number of species previously known
only in the imago state. The results of these studies are admirably set forth in the letter
press as well as in the plates of the second and third series ; on these are accurately de-
picted eggs and larvae in their different stages, as well as chrysalids and imagoes. Many
wonderful discoveries have been made during these investigations, among the first being
that of the seasonal trimorphism of Papilio Ajax and the dimorphism of Grapta inter-
rogationis and of G. comma. The process of breeding was soon taken up by Mr. Edwards's
friends and correspondents all over North America, and, aided by the general extension
of railways over the continent, he was able to get eggs of butterflies from widely distant
localities, and to follow them successfully through all their stages. Thanks to his efforts
the reproach of ignorance of the preparatory states of our butterflies has been removed, and
though much remains to be learnt, vast progress has already been made. The first part of
the third series was issued in December, 1886, and in October last we had the pleasure of
welcoming the sixteenth. Far from showing any decline from the author's high standard
of excellence, this last issue may justly be regarded as the climax of good work, both on
the part of the writer and the artist, All through Mr. Edwards has been fortunate in
having his wishes so ably carried out by his artist-assistants — Mrs. Mary Peart, of Phila-
delphia, who has drawn most accurately nearly all the plates, and in order to do so satis-
factorily has reared most of the caterpillars ; and Mrs. Lydia Bowen who has so exquisitely
performed the work of colouring. Many of the plates of the third series have been
drawn by Mr. Edward A. Kellner, of Philadelphia.

88 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

In addition to the great work that we have just referred to, Mr. Edwards has con-
tributed largely to the periodical literature of the science, especially to the proceedings
and transactions of the American Entomological Society and to the Canadian Entomolo-
gist. His first contribution to its pages was published in the third number of the first
volume, in 1868, and he has continued to favour it with articles of great value ever since,
his last paper, in the September number of volume xxvii., being the one hundred and
sixty-eighth which he has written for our journal.

Mr. Edwards was born on the 15th of March, 1822, and will soon complete hia
seventy-fourth year. That he may long be spared in health and prosperity to carry on
his excellent work is the cordial wish of the writer and all his friends. — C. J. S. B.

BOOK NOTICES.

The Butterflies of North America, with coloured drawings and descriptions, by
W. H. Edwards. Third series, part xvi. Houghton, Mifflin & Co., The Riverside Press,
Cambridge, Mass.

Though nearly a twelvemonth has gone by since the preceding part was issued, we
could well afford to wait with patience for another number, when our author rewards us
with so much that is remarkably interesting as well as valuable regarding the life-his-
tories of some hitherto little known buttei flies.

The first plate, which as usual is exquisitely drawn and coloured, depicts the female
of Parnassius smintheus, Doubl.Hew., and both sexes of the variety fferrnodur, H. F.
Edw., together with the egg, larva in all its stages, chrysalis, last segments of the male
butterfly, and many highly magnified details. After giving a description of the various
stages of the insect, the author relates many most interesting facts regarding the life and
habits of the butterfly, which have taken expert observers in the States of Colorado,
Montana and Washington no less than twenty years to accumulate ! The account is
concluded with a description of the formation of the extraordinary pouch or keel which
is to be seen beneath the abdomen of the females of various species of Parnassius. That
this should be formed by the male is one of those strange marvels that render the careful
study of the lives of our butterflies so interesting and attractive.

The second plate depicts both sexes of Satyrus Charon and the male of its variety
Silvestris ; also the egg, the various stages of the larva, the chrysalis, and many details.
The imago and the several preparatory stages are described, and a short but interesting
account is given of the habits of the butterfly and the rearing of the larvae.

On the remaining plate are figured the egg, three stages of the larva with details,
and both sexes of the imago of the British Columbian species (Chionobas gigas), Butler.
After describing the preparatory stages so far as known, the author relates the differences
in appearance and habitat between this species and Californica and Iduna, which are fre-
quently confused in collections. Gigas is shown to be confined, so far as is yet known,
to Vancouver Island, where the male frequents the tops of the highest mountains, the
female being usually found much lower down ; Iduna inhabits the slopes of the evergreen
red-wood forest in north-eastern California on the Pacific coast ; and Californica, the hot
arid regions of east Oregon, Washington and the semi-desert portion of north-east Cali-
fornia. " Gigas is semi- Arctic, living amid the cold, dark fir forest ; Iduna is temperate,
living in the mild, dark red-wood forest ; Californica is semi-tropical, living in open, dry,
warm glades in the "bushland" on the border between the forest and the open plains.
Gigas alights on bare rocks ; Iduna on green twigs ; Californica on dead or dry grass."
But we must refer the reader to the book itself for all the interesting particulars regarding
these strange butterflies.

The wonder to us is that so few entomologists subscribe to this magnificent work.
The parts are issued at such long intervals that the cost is very light ; those who have
secured them know what a treasure they possess and how highly they prize it. — C. J. S B.

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 89

The Natural History of Aquatic Insects, by Prof. L. C. Miall, F. R. S. London
and New York, MacMillan & Co. (66 Fifth avenue, N. Y.; price, $1.75), pp. 395.

This interesting work is intended, as the author states, " to help those naturalists
who take delight in observing the structure and habits of living animals," and also to
revive an interest in the writings of some of the old zoologists who did notable work in
their day, but who are now almost forgotten, namely, Lyonnet, Reaumur, Swammerdam
and De Geer, of whose lives and work he gives a short account.

To any lover of nature who wishes to look into the lives and doings of living crea-
tures, and to investigate their structure and appliances for carrying on the business of
their lives, this book will prove a very great help as well as an unfailing pleasure, and it
ought to lead many a reader to explore for himself the ponds and pools in his own neigh-
borhood which teem with insect life. The different groups of insects that live in the
water in their larval or perfect states, are treated of in turn — water beetles and the larvse of
many flies, the caterpillars of some moths, caddis worms, May flie3, alder flies (Sialidse),
stone flies (Perlidae), dragon flies, pond skaters, water boatmen, etc. The very names of
these insects bring to mind what one cannot fail to have seen and watched and wondered
over. To have many of these wonders explained and described, and to have the insects
themselves depicted and the peculiarities of their structure made clear by excellent wood-
cuts, is what we owe to the author of this book, and we hope that many will turn to its
pages with profit and delight. It is a handsome volume, with clear, large type and a
number of very good illustrations. — C. J. S. B.

The Cambridge Natural History, Vol. V. Peripatus, by Adam Sedgwick, M.A., F.

RS.C; Myriapods, by F. G. Sinclair, M.A.; Insects, (Part 1) by David Sharp, M.A.,

F.R.S. London and New York, MacMillan & Co.

.+
The possession of some such work as this is of primary importance to the student in

any department of zoology, to enable him to obtain, and have at hand for reference, a
general knowledge of the varied groups into which, for convenience of study and classifi-
cation, the animal kingdom is divided. In every home that can afford the luxury of
books it will also be found most valuable, affording a continual fund of instruction, and
implanting in the children a spirit of inquiry, and of interest in the many wonders of
nature. It is only about ten years since the publication, in six sumptuous quarto volumes,
of the Standard Natural History, edited by Prof. Kingsley, and having as contributors
many of the most eminent scientific men of America. To a certain extent their references
and illustrations were more largely drawn from the fauna of our own continent, although
a work of this general character must not be expected to be in any way restricted in its
choice of examples of any group. Our knowledge of the animal kingdom is, however, so
constantly being enlarged by the labours of an ever increasing and better equipped body
of investigators, that the present work will be found to be considerably in advance of any
previous publication. The editors are S. F. Harmer, M.A., Superintendent of the Cam-
bridge University Museum of Zoology, and A. E. Shipley, M.A., University lecturer on
the Morphology of Invertebrates. These names, and those of the authors of the various
memoirs, are a guarantee as to the accuracy and completeness of the work, and of its
fitness either for the private student or for the teacher of zoology. When finished it
will consist of ten handsome large octavo volumes, which will form a desirable addition
to any library.

Mr. Sedgwick's memoir on Peripatus indicates at once the marked advance that has
been made in some directions of biological research. In the Standard Natural History,
where it is placed as a sub-class — Malacopoda — of the insects, this curious genus occupies
scarcely more than a page, for the knowledge of it was than very fragmentary. Mr. Sedg-
wick, whose studies of the genus have been very extended, and who has written previous
monographs, gives a very interesting account not only of the outward appearance of thi*
very peculiar creature, but also of its embryology, development and habits. There are
numerous illustrations and a map showing the distribution, which extends through por-
tions of South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, South and Central America and the vV7est

90 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

Indies. Described by its discoverer, (Rev. L. Guilding), as a mollusc, from its slug-like
form, this unique animal is now found to belong to the arthropods, although possessing
features not belonging to other members of that division. Indeed it is said to " stand
absolutely alone as a kind of half-way animal between the Arthropoda and the Annelida."
As a very primitive type, exhibiting affinities to both groups, it possesses a special interest
to zoologists. The species are few in number, and are of elongated slug-like shape, with
from seventeen to thirty-four pairs of legs; subsisting upon animal food and shunning the
light.

The Myriapoda are stated by Mr. Sinclair in his introduction, " not to have attracted
much notice until comparatively recent times. Compared with insects they have been
but little known. The reason of this is not hard to find. The Myriapods do not exercise
so much direct influence on human affairs as do some other classes of animals ; for instance,
insects. They include no species which is of direct use to man, like the silk- worm or the
cochineal insect, and they are of no use to him as food." To the farmer's crops, however,
some species, known as wire-worms, (lulus) do considerable damage, while many of the
carnivorous species must, on the other hand, be of considerable assistance in destroying
injurious insects. Myriapods are those elongate, many-footed creatures, lurking under
rubbish and in dark places, which are usually called centipedes and millepedes Regarded
with distrust on account of the venomous bite of some of the large tropical species, their
appearance and habits of concealment produce in most people a decided aversion to more
intimate acquaintance. The author, however, gives a very pleasing summary of their
habits, and proves that a study of these creatures, as is true of all forms of life, however
repellant to the ordinary observer, is far from being devoid of interest. Our popular
names are not sustained on closer examination, for none of the species have nearly a
thousand legs, and a large proportion have far less than one hundred. The number
^varies from nine pairs in the tiny Pauropus, to about one hundred and seventy pairs in
some species of Notophilus. The Myriapods have many affinities to the insects, and have
been classed with them by many authors. They differ from insects, as well as from the
other classes of arthropods, in having true, jointed legs on the posterior segments of the
body. Mr. Sinclair recognizes five orders, the species of which vary in length from the
one twenty-fifth of an inch (Pauropus) to almost a foot, as in the tropical centipedes. He
does not mention, however, perhaps because it is now extinct, the great centipede, de-
scribed in the Japanese tale of My Lord Bag-of-Rice, which inhabited Mukade yama (Centi-
pede Mountain) on the shores of Lake P»iwa, and which was over a mile long, with exactly
one thousand feet on each side of its body. Some of the forms, as Glomeris, are quite
short and stout ; others, as lulus, have long cylindrical bodies ; while Notophilus and
Geophilus have the body very thin and elongated.

Eighty pages are occupied by these interesting memoirs on Peripatus and the
Myriapoda, and in the third chapter Dr. Sharp introduces the Insects, and continues their
discussion throughout the remaining five hundred pages, in a style that proves him a
master of the subject, and also of its presentation to his readers. Naturally, as an
Entomological Society, we take a closer interest in this great class, into which are grouped
an immense assemblage of small creatures, varying to a wonderful degree in structure
and habits, yet having, amidst all this diversity, well-marked relations to one another.
To use the author's opening words " Insects form by far the larger part of the land
animals of the world ; they outnumber in species all the other terrestrial animals together,
while compared with the vertebrates, their numbers are simply enormous. * * * *
The largest insects scarcely exceed in bulk a mouse or a wren, while the smallest are
almost or quite imperceptible to the naked eye, and yet the larger part of the animal
matter existing on the lands of the globe is in all probability locked up in the forms of
insects. Taken as a whole they are the most successful of all the forms of terrestrial
animals. In the waters of the globe the predominance of insect life disappears. In the
smaller collections of water many insects find a home during a portion of their lives, and
some few contrive to pass their whole existence in such places ; but of larger bodies of
water they invade merely the fringes, and they make only the feeblest attempt at exist-
ence iu the ocean."

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 91

A not infrequent question is " What is an Insect1? " and for the benefit of many who
have not opportunity to study entomology, yet to whom some knowledge of the subject is
important, it may be answered by the author's brief and clear definition of the class Insecta ;
or Insecta Hexapoda.

" Insects are small animals, having the body divided into three regions placed in
longitudinal succession, head, thorax and abdomen : they take in air by means of tracheae,
a system of tubes distributed throughout the body, and opening externally by means of
orifices placed at the sides of the body. They have six legs and a pair of antennae ; these
latter are placed on the head, while the legs are attached to the thorax, or second of the
three great body divisions; the abdomen has no true legs, but not infrequently has ter-
minal appendages and, on the under surface, protuberances which serve as feet. Very
frequently there are two pairs of wings, sometimes only one pair, in other cases none ;
the wings are always placed on the thorax. Insects are transversely segmented — that is
to say, the body has the form of a succession of rings ; but this condition is in many
cases obscure ; the number of these rings rarely, if ever, exceeds thirteen in addition to
the head and to a terminal piece that sometimes exists. Insects usually change much in
appearance in the course of their growth, the annulose or ringed condition being most
evident in the early part of the individual's life. The legs are usually elongate and ap-
parently jointed, but in the immature condition may be altogether absent, or very
short ; in the latter case the jointing is obscure. The number of jointed legs is
always six."

The amplification of this definition and the exposition of the external and internal
structure, and of the functions of the various organs, occupy two chapters. Referring
to Parthenogenesis, or " the production of young without the concurrence of the male,"
which s )metimes occurs, the remarkable fact is noted that in a few species of saw-flies,
gall-flies and scale-insects no male is known, so that they must be considered as perpetually
parthenogenetic. The next chapter gives a valuable summary of the embryology and
metamorphoses. While the vast majority of insects are oviparous, the eggs deposited
varying greatly in number, size and shape, a few species bring forth living young, as in
the Aphididae (green-fly or plant-lice), which thus multiply with extraordinary rapidity.
A brief chapter follows on the classification, and ic can readily be understood that diversity
of opinion has existed, and may long continue, as to the most satisfactory arrangement of
the vast hosts of insects. As some 250,000 species have already been described, and
several times that number undoubtedly exist, any scheme of classification must, under
our present knowledge, fail to adequately provide for the reception of every form. Dr.
Sharp points out that owing to the present limited knowledge of the earlier stages of
insects, the only complete system of classification yet possible must be based upon the
structure of the adult forms. It is noted with pleasure that he does not consider it
necessary to make so many orders or primary divisions as has been the tendency of recent
authors. Instead of twenty, as recently proposed by Packard, he limits them, much to
the advantage of the ordinary student, to nine, viz., Aptera, Orthoptera, Neuroptera,
Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera, Thysanoptera, and Hemiptera.

The Aptera are designated as " small insects, with weak outer skin, destitute
throughout life of wings or their rudiments, but with three pairs of legs ; antennae large
or moderate in size." It is pointed out however that this definition does not clearly
differentiate them from many of the young individuals of other orders, and that the order
does not, as its name might indicate, include all wingless insects. Two sub-orders are
present : Thysanura, with the abdomen composed of ten segments, and Collem-
bola, of not more than six. The study of thess insects is attended with more than
ordinary difficulty, as their habits and fragile structure make them troublesome to collect
and preserve. Campodea, supposed by many authors to represent one of the most
primitive types of insect, and therefore of unusual interest, is said to be "so extremely
delicate that it is difficult to pick it up, even with a camel's hair brush, without breakiug
it." The Collembola are the " Spring-tails," two of the three families having the abdomen
provided with a leaping apparatus which enables them to jump about in a very vigorous

92 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

and erratic way. The Aptera are supposed to feed upon vegetable and animal refuse, and
can endure loth heat and cold, but require moisture, so that they occur most abundantly
in cellars, under rubbish, in mosses, and other damp situations.

The Orthoptera form one of the most important orders of insects, both as regards
the diversity of structure exhibited, the great size of many species, and the enormous
devastation often wrought by their innumerable swarms. Dr. Sharp occupies nearly one
hundred and fifty pages with his synopsis of the order, and his admirably written and
illustrated account of the various groups should awaken, in all who are fortunate enough
to read it, a lively interest in the insect world. He estimates that the order contains, at
the lowest figure, 10,000 species, and treats it as composed of eight families. Of these the
first is the Eorficulidse, or earwigs; elongate insects, having the abdomen terminated by
a pair of clasper-like instruments, often greatly developed. Many of the forms are wing-
less, and those provided with wings are able to completely fold them up and tuck them
under short wing covers, so that they have considerable resemblance to some beetles of
the family Staphylinidae. In Canada earwigs are poorly represented, and the one little
species of Labia found in Ontario is but rarely met with. The family Hemimeridse con-
tains a few small, wingless, blind insects from equatorial Africa, interesting as occurring
on small mammals either as parasites or commensals. The Blattidae, or cockroaches, are
both destructive and unpleasant creatures, although some forms are brightly coloured.
Canada is not much troubled with these creatures, although a few disagreeable species
have been introduced, but in warmer climates they are often veritable plagues. The
Mantidse, or praying insects, are wanting in our fauna, but in tropical and sub-tropical
regions the species are numerous and their bodies are often strangely developed ; some-
times by leaf-like expansions, serving to make them inconspicuous among the foliage in
which they lurk. These developments of structure are even more marked in the Phas-
midse — stick and leaf insects — as shown by the figures of various genera.

The family Acridiidse contains those very prolific and voracious vegetarians, the
locusts and grasshoppers. These breed so rapidly and appear in such enormous swarms
as to make less incredible, than it might at first appear, the author's statement, previously
quoted, as to the relative bulk of insects and other terrestrial animals. The migratory
locusts at times destroy all vegetation over large areas, and may thus produce famine and
disease. As Dr. Sharp says, "It is difficult for those who have not witnessed a serious
invasion to realize the magnitude of the event. Large swarms consist of an almost
incalculable number of individuals. A writer in Nature states that a flight of locusts
that passed over the Red Sea in November, 1889, was 2,000 square miles in extent, and
he estimates its weight at 42,850 millions of tons, each locust weighing one-sixteenth of an
ounce. A second similar, perhaps even larger, flight was seen passing in the same direc-
tion the next day." The Locustidse, or green grasshoppers, are more arboreal in their
habits, and often have the wings of a very leaf-like appearance. They are also more
musical, and capable of strong and sustained performances. The well known American
Katydids belong to this family. The last family, Gryllidae, contains the crickets, whose
concerts enliven the summer evenings. The fossorial, or mole crickets, have the front
legs most admirably adapted for burrowing.

The treatment of the Neuroptera occupies an equal space and is no less interesting.
The first family, Mallophaga, contains the biting or bird lice, so troublesome to birds and
mammals. The Termitidse, or white ants, are one of the most wonderful of all the groups of
insects, and the individuals are strangely modified to fit them for their duties in the
communities of which they are members. A table is given which shows that as many as
fifteen distinct forms may occur (as in Termes lucifugus), and many of these may co-exist
in the community, while others are only produced as necessity demands. The African
species are the most remarkable, T. bellicosus forming solid mounds as much as twenty
feet high. To sustain the population of these immense colonies, the queen becomes a
marvellous egg-producing machine. " Twenty or thirty thousand times the bulk of a
labourer," she is unceasingly fed by a band of workers, and as unceasingly gives forth
eggs, to the number even of "eighty thousand and upward in one day of twenty four

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 93

hours." To the Neuroptera belong also the ant-lions, dragon- flies and other well known
insects. A large proportion are aquatic in their earlier stages, and most interesting in
their habits, either as residents of the water or the air.

The last one hundred pages of Dr. Sharp's charming portrayal of the insect world
is devoted to a portion of the Hymenoptera, the species of which are estimated at 250,000.
This order contains, among its almost inexhaustible forms, those which are of exceptional
interest, from the intelligence which governs their actions. Dr. Sharp has called atten-
tion to an error which has occurred through hasty writing of the explanation of the
anatomy of Sphex chrysis (page 490, Fig. 333), where the letter f is called a division of
the metanotum, whereas it really belongs to the mesonotum. This error will be corrected
in the portion dealing with the Aculeata The present volume only treats of the Ses-
sili ventres, those in which the abdomen is broadly and closely joined to the thorax, and
the parasitic families of the Petiolata, in which the abdomen is attached by a petiole, or
stalk, often remarkably slender and prolonged. The first division includes the sawflies,
of which the caterpillar-like larvae are so injurious to vegetation, and the horntails,
whose larvae bore in the trunks of trees. The parasitic families exhibit much more
variety of structure, and the species, even in our northern fauna, are exceedingly num-
erous. They vary in size ; some Piraplids measuring several inches from the head to the
tip of the very long ovipositor, while among the Proctotrypids and Chalcids are forms
almost invisible to the naked eye. Dr. Sharp clearly tabulates the conditions under
which the early life of such parasites is passed.

" 1. The egg may be laid outside a larva, and the embryonic and larval develop-
ments may both be passed on the exterior.

2. The egg may be laid and the embryonic development passed through, outside the
host, but the parasite on hatching may enter the host, so that the post-embryonic develop-
ment is passed in the lymph of the host.

3. The egg may be laid inside the host, both embryonic and post-embryonic develop-
ments being gone through in the fluids of the host.

4. The egg may be laid inside another egg, the embryonic and post-embryonic
developments being passed therein."

A large section of the Cynipidse are not parasitic, but subsist upon plant tissues,
producing swellings and distortions, known as galls, in which the larvae live and develop.
Among the illustrations of the hymenoptera are excellent figures of four insects occurr-
ing in Ontario and other portions ot Canada, viz., Oryssus Sayi, Tremex Columba,
Thalessa lunator and Pelecinus polyturator, the last three being quite common insects.
The illustrations throughout the volume, 371 in all, are both accurate and artistic, and
many have been specially drawn for the work. The paper and press work are of the
best, and the result is a very handsome volume. The appearance of the next volume,
completing this most valuable and enjoyable account of the insects, will be eagerly
awaited.

W. Hague Harrington.

Rambles in Alpine Valleys, by J. W. Tutt, F.E.S. ; 208 pages, five plates

London : Swan, Sonnenschien & Co.

The Editor of The Entomologists1 Record and Journal of Variation has added
another to his popular books on the beauties of nature. This time h ^ takes the reader
abroad to the lovely scenery of Switzerland on the Italian slopes of Mont Blanc, where
he wanders for the most part out of the beaten track of the ordinary tourist. Much of
the volume is filled with charming pen-pictures of the infinite variety of grandeur and
beauty to be found among the lofty mountain tops, the towering crags, the densely
wooded ravines and the dashing torrents of this secluded Alpine region. The eye of
the naturalist does not fail to observe the marvellous variety of animal and vegetable
life that is to be found in this limited area ; and the author describes many a plant
and flower, and espe3ially the gay butterflies and pretty moths with which the region

94 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

abounds. Some of the most interesting passages are those that deal with the
phenomena of variation caused by environment, the results of the glacial epoch in the
distribution of species, the effect of altitude on plants and insects, the evolution of the
genus Colias, the production of colours, the causes of hybernation, and other topics
which arise from time to time as the author rambles through the valleys or climbs
the Alpine hills. The perusal of such a book as this must help the reader to see and
observe, and lead him on to think out for himself the causes and the objects of the
life that everywhere surrounds him. — 0. J. S. B.

A Manual for the Study of Insects, by John Henry Comstock and Anna Botsford
Comstock ; Ithaca, N.Y. Comstock Publishing Co., 1895.

This is a work of 700 pages, profusely illustrated. A table of the classes of the
Arthropoda is given, followed by a short characterization of the Crustacea. Thirty-three
pages are devoted to the Arachnida, and a table is given for separating the principal
families of the Araneida. The Myriapoda are briefly referred to, and chapter iii.
begins the discussion of the true insects (Hexapoda). Nineteen orders are recognized,
and a careful table is given for their practical determination.

In the remainder of the work, 618 pp., the several orders are treated with tables
carrying the student to the families, each illustrated by typical common species, of which
brief accounts are given.

In the lepidoptera, diptera and hymenoptera, the uniform system of nomenclature
of the wing veins discussed by Prof. Comstock in " Evolution and Taxonomy " is
applied throughout the orders. As stated in the preface^ but slight changes are made
from the usual classification of the families, except in the lepidoptera where the
system proposed in "Evolution and Taxonomy " is adopted with slight changes. This
is remarkably like Dr. T. A. Chapman's classification from pupal characters and the
present writer's one on larval characters. All three agree in breaking up the old
groups Zygsenidae and Bombyces, and the several members are referred to essentially
the same places. The work affords fcr the first time a means for teacher as well as
student to determine the family of any North American insect, for here synoptic tables
replace the vague characterization so generally in vogue in zoology. To bring the tables
down to species, as is done so satisfactorily in botany, as the author remarks, would
make the work of enormous length, not to mention the fact that the present state of our
knowledge of insects does not warrant such an undertaking. The work seems a very
valuable and timely one. — Harrison G. Dyar.

We wish to add to the foregoing notice our hearty congratulations to Prof. Com-
stock and his talented wife upon the completion of their excellent work, and our trib-
ute of praise for the thoroughly admirable manner in which they have performed it. It
is now a little more than six 3 ears since we noticed in these pages the first part of this
work, which consisted of 234 pagesand 200 wood cuts; we then stated that "judging
from the portion before us we have no hesitation in saying that the complete woik will be
a most valuable and admirable manual of entomology ; in clearness and simplicity of
style, in excellence of illustration and in arrangement of matter it leaves nothing to be
desired." This prediction has been most completely fulfilled, the volume before us being, in
several respects, even an improvement upon the original publication. The new illustra-
tions are more artistic, and the diagrams of wing-venation and details are clear and
accurate; the synoptic tables will afford any painstaking student satisfactory means
oi classifying into families any specimens that he collects, while the letter-press and figures
will enable him to determine a large number of species. We heartily commend the work to
all who are beginning to study entomology, and we can assure others, who have made some
progress in the science, that they will find in it a vast deal of help and information that will
prove of the utmost value. We may add that the illustrations consist of 800 wood cuts
and six beautiful full-page plates, the one forming the frontispiece being coloured. The
price of the work is so reasonable that it is within^the reach of all. — O. J. S. B.

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 95

Canadian Spiders, by J. H. Emerton. Transactions of the Connecticut Academy, Vol.
IX., July, 1894. Thirty pp., four plates. ,

This interesting and valuable paper treats of spiders collected in various parts of
Canada from the Rocky Mountains to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The author states at the
outset that t^e species differ little from those of the New England States. "Out of sixty-one
species, from Labrador to Manitoba, fifty six species live in New England ; and twenty-
seven out of forty-eight species from the Rocky Mountains. Of the latter no less than
forty of the species mentioned were collected by Mr. Bean at Laggan, and of these
sixteen are described as new to science. Mr. Tyrrell, of the Geological Survey of Canada,
supplied other species from the Rocky Mountain Region, Alberta Territory and Ottawa,
and other collectors from the various localities mentioned in the paper. The plates
illustrating the new species are admirably drawn by the author, the excellence of whose
work in scientific illustration has long been well known and highly appreciated. — C. J. S. B.

Report of Observations of Injurious Insects and Common Farm Pests, during
the year 1894, with Methods of Prevention and Remedy. Eighteenth Report. By
Eleanor A. Ormerod, F. R. Met. Soc. etc., etc., London ; Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton,
Kent & Co , Limited, 1895, pp. 122, lxii, plate.

In this the author has given us another of her most excellent annual reports, if
anything, better than those that have preceded it. There are twenty-nine species, besides
the two groups, Iulidse and Vespidae, fully treated in the report which is illustrated by
forty five figures and one excellent plate, the latter devoted to the Stem Eelwortn,
Tylenchus devastatrix, in connection with its recent discovery as injurious to hops.
We congratulate the author on being able to give us so much information on Eel worms,
Warble Fly and carabid enemies of the strawberry. In fact she has, throughout her
report strictly adhered to the plan expressed in the preface, viz., " not to enter again on such
of our common infestations as have been repeatedly noticed in my preceding reports,
excepting where there was some new information to be given, or (sometimes) needed."
This renders the report of unusual value. To do the publication justice is simply out of
the question in an ordinary book notice, but suffice it to say that it is in every way a
credit to its author.

The writer well remembers an evening spent with the late Frazer S. Crawford, at
his suburban home near Adelaide, South Australia. We had been discussing entomology
and entomologists, when he made a remark something like this. " Miss Ormerod is a
noble woman and is giving both her life and her wealth to the agricultural interests of
England, and I cannot understand why she should not be better appreciated by English-
men." The sentiment will be echoed by American entomologists, but I fear in our
hurry and bustle, we forget to drop an occasional word of encouragement and apprecia-
tion, such as we ourselves would gladly receive. Working almost alone, and compara-
tively unaided, in a labour of love not always appreciated, it seems to me that words of
encouragement from her colleagues, both in America and out of it, are but matters of
justice. Other reports on economic entomology there are, and they come officially from
the Board of Agriculture of England, but the writer has searched through them in vain
for tokens of originality or just credit for the information contained in them. — F. M. W.

OBITUARY.

Charles Valentine Riley.*

The career of this distinguished naturalist, so suddenly closed while in goo I health,
and with apparently many years of usefulness before him, was a remarkable one. Biologist,
artist, editor and public official, the story of his struggles and successes, tinged as it is
with romance, is one full of interest. Beginning life in America as a poor lad on an

*The following memoir of our lamented friend, Professor Riley, contributed to a recent number of
11 Science," by Professor A. S. Packard, is so excellent and complete that we prefer to give it in full rather
than attempt to prepare another which would not be so satisfactory. — En.

96 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

Illinois farm, he rose by his own exertions to distinction, and to become one of our most
useful citizens in science, both pure and applied. His nature was a many-sided one,
and his success in life was due to sheer will-power, unusual executive force, critical
judgment, untiring industry, skill with pencil and pen, and a laudable ambition, united
with an intense love of nature and of science for its own sake. This rare combination
of varied qualities, of which he made the most, rendered him during the thirty years of
hi3 active life widely known as a public official, as a scientific investigator, while of
economic entomologists he was facile princeps.

Charles Valentine Riley was born at Chelsea, London, September 18, 1843. His boy-
hood was speat at Walton-on-Thames, where he made the acquaintance of the late W. C.
Hewitson, author of a work on butterflies, which undoubtedly developed his love for
insects. At the age of eleven he went to school for three years at Dieppe, afterwards
studying at Bonn-on-the Rhine. At both schools he carried off the first prizes for draw-
ing, making finished sketches of butterflies, thus showing his early bent for natural
history, and his teacher at Bonn urged him to study art at Paris. But it is said that
family circumstances, though rather, perhaps, a restless disposition, led him to abandon
the old country, and at the age of seventeen he had immigrated to Illinois, and settled on
a farm about fifty miles from Chicago. When about twenty-one he removed to Chicago,
where he became a reporter and editor of the entomological department of the Prairie
Farmer.

Near the close of the war, in 1864, he enlisted as a private in the 134th Illinois
regiment, serving for six months, when he returned to his editorial office.

He also enjoyed for several years the close friendship of B. D. Walsh, one of our
most thorough and philosophic entomologists, with whom he edited the American Entom-
ologist. His industry and versatility as well as his zeal as an entomologist, made him
widely known and popular, and gave him such prestige that it resulted in his appoint-
ment in 1868 as State Entomologist of Missouri. From that time until 1877, when he
left St. Louis to live in Washington, he issued a series of nine annual reports on injur-
ious insects, which showed remarkable powers of observation both of structure and habits,
great skill in drawing and especially ingenious and thoroughly practical devices and means
of destroying the pests. The reports were models and will never become stale. Darwin
wrote in 1871 : " There is a vast number of facts and generalizations of value to me, and
I am struck with admiration at your power of observation. The discussion on mimetic
insects seems to me particularly good and original." In reviewing the ninth and last of
these reports, published in 1876, the Entomologists' Monthly Magazine of London,
remarked : '- The author, in giving full scope to his keen powers of observation, minute-
ness of detail, and the skill with which he uses his pencil, and at the same time in show-
ing a regard for that scientific accuracy — unfortunately too often neglected in works on
economic natural history — maintains his right to be termed the foremost economic
entomologist of the day." It goes without saying that this prestige existed to the end of
bis life, his practical applications of remedies and inventions of apparatus giving him a
world wide reputation. In token of his suggestion of reviving the vines injured by the
.Phylloxera by the importation of the American stock, he received a gold medal from the
French Government, and he afterwards received the cross of the Legion d'Honneur in
connection with the exhibit of the U. S. Department of Agriculture at the Paris Exposi-
tion of 1880.

The widespread ravages of the Rocky Mountain locust from 1873 to 1877 had occas-
ioned such immense losses in several States and Territories that national aid was invoked
to avert the evil. The late Dr. F. V. Hayden, then in charge of the IT. S. Geographical
and Geological Survey of the Territories, with his characteristic energy and sagacity,
initiated researches on the locust in the Territories. He sent Dr. P. R. Uhler to Colorado
in the summer of 1875, and also attached the present writer to the Survey who spent
over two months in entomological work in the same year in Colorado, Wyoming and
Utah, publishing the results in Hayden's Ninth Report. Mr. Walsh had made import-
ant suggestions as to the birthplace and migrations of the insect. Meanwhile Riley had

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 97

since 1874 made very detailed studies on the migration and breeding habits and means of
destruction of this locust (published in his Missouri State Report for 1876 and 1877).
Dr. Cyrus Thomas had also been attached to Hayden's Survey, and published a mono-
graph on the locust family, Acrididce. As the result of this combined work Congress
created the United States Entomological Commission, attaching to it Dr. Hayden's Sur-
vey, and the Secretary of the Interior appointed Charles V. Riley, A. S. Packard and
Gyrus Thomas members of the Commission. Dr. Riley was appointed chief, and it
was mainly owing to his executive ability, business sagacity, experience in official life,
together with his scientific knowledge and practical inventive turn of mind in devising
remedies, or selecting those invented by others, that the work of the Commission was so
popular and successful during the five years ot its existence. Meanwhile in 1878 while
the report of the Commission was being printed, Riley accepted the position of Entomolo-
gist to the U. S. Department of Agriculture, and during the season of 1879 and 1880 he
investigated the cotton insects, but owing to the lack of harmony in the Department, he
resigned, Prof. J. H. Comstock being appointed, and ably filling the position. Congress
meanwhile transferred the cotton-worm investigation to the Entomological Commission.
Riley was reappointed to the position of U. S. Entomologist in June, 1881. His suc-
cessor, Mr. L. 0. Howard, has stated how efficient, broad and thorough was his admin-
istration of this office : " The present efficient organization of the Division of Entomology
was his own original conception, and he is responsible for its plan down to the smallest
detail. It is unquestionably the foremost organization of its kind at present in existence."
Again he writes : " Professor Riley's work in the organization of the Division of Ento-
mology has unquestionably advanced the entire Department of which it is a part, for it
is generally conceded that this division has led in most matters where efficiency, discipline
and system were needed. Its plan and discipline have been cited by one of the heads of
the Department as worthy of imitation by all, and your own honored Westwood, in
expressing, in 1883, his admiration of Riley s work, said : ' I am sure it must have had a
great share in inducing the activity in entomological work in America, which is putting
to the blush the entomologists of Europe.' "

Indeed, so efficient, methodical and painstaking was Riley in whatever he undertook
to do that had he been promoted to the position of Commissioner of Agriculture he would
have been head and shoulders above any incumbent of that office, and, it is safe to say,
would have administered its affairs with practical results far more valuable than those
attained by any other Commissioner, as such an office should have been entrusted to a
person who had had a scientific education, and not given as a reward for political service.
As it is, he was the leader, says Mr. Howard, in many important innovations in the work
of the department. His division published the first bulletin, and in Insect Life began
the system of periodical bulletins, which has since been adopted for the other divisions of
the Agricultural Department. He also took a large share in founding the Division of
Economic Ornithology, Silk Culture and Vegetable pathology, the first two being placed
for some time under his charge. In an address, says Howard, before the National Agri-
cultural Congress, delivered in 1879, in which he outlined the ideal Department of Agri-
culture, Professor Riley foreshadowed many important reforms which have since become
accomplished facts, and suggested the important legislation, since brought about, of the
establishment of State Experiment Stations under the general government.

His practical, inventive genius was exhibited in his various means of exterminating
locusts, in the use of kerosene oil emulsified with milk or soap, and in his invention and
perfection — in which he was essentially aided by the late Dr. W. S. Barnard, who had
special charge of the subject of mechanical appliances and remedies while connected with
the Entomological Commission and the Agricultural Department, and whose "assistance
was fertile from the first," as stated by Riley in his report — of the " cyclone" or " eddy-
chamber" or Riley system of nozzles, which, in one form or another, are now in general
use in the spraying of insecticide or fungicide liquids.

Although the idea of introducing foreign insect parasites or carnivorous enemies of
our imported pests had been suggested by others, Riley, with the resources of his division

7 EN.

98 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

at hand, accomplished more than any one else in making it a success. We will let Mr.
Howard tell the story of his success, with the efficient aid of Mr. Albert Koebele, in
introducing the Australian ladybird to fight the fluted scale :

" One other trait which we have not mentioned is his persistency in overcoming obstacles. Nothing
daunts him, and the more difficult an end is to attain, so much the more energy and perseverance does he
put in its pursuit. A recent instance of this quality we may cite : The fluted scale (Icerya purchasi Mas-
kell) has done immense injury to citrus fruit in southern California of late years. Ascertaining that it is
kept in check by natural enemies in its native home, Australia, Dr. Riley foresaw the importance of en-
deavoring to introduce these enemies. Not only did Congress refuse to appropriate money for the purpose,
but it refused to do away with a clause in the Appropriation Bill restricting all expenditures to the United
States. In this state of affairs most men would have given up the fight ; but Dr. Riley, after great trouble,
succeeded in accomplishing his end by inducing the Secretary of State to allow the sending of two assist-
ants on the Melbourne Exposition Commission, and through their labors the desired result was reached.
Hundreds of specimens of an Australian lay-bird (Vedalia cardinalis) were introduced into California, and
the dreaded pest is now being speedily reduced to absolute harmlessness. Professor W. A. Henry, of Wis-
consin, in a recently-published article, says of this matter, in speaking of the enthusiasm of the people of
California over the results of this importation : ' Without doubt it is the best stroke ever made by the Agri-
cultural Department at Washington.'"

It might be thought that all this administrative work of the office and in the field
would have left little time for pure science or for much general reading or deep thinking.
Let us see what he actually did accomplish in pure science. Riley's scientific writings
will always stand, and show as honest work, thorough-going methods, care and accuracy
as his office work, and they alone, aside from his practical work, were enough to give him
an international reputation. In some of his studies he was probably essentially indebted
to his assistants for specimens and aid in rearing them ; in others he evidently depended
on his own unaided observations and his skill in drawing. He was not " a species man "
or systematist as such ; on the contrary his most important work was on the transform-
ations and habits of insects, such as those of the lepidoptera, locusts and their parasites,
his Missouri reports being packed with facts new to science. His studies on the chron-
ology of all the broods known of the seventeen-year cicada, and its tredecim or thirteen-
year race, carried on through a long succession of years, will prove of lasting value, hav-
ing intimate bearings on evolution problems.

His work on the larval characters and hypermetamorphoses of the blister beetles,
Epicauta, Macrobasis and Hornia, besides Henous, was thoroughly good and beautifully
illustrated by his own pencil. He brings forward in this paper a mass of new facts re-
garding the triungulin, or first larval stage of these beetles, and those succeeding, which
he designates as the Carabidoid, the Scarabseidoid stage, the Coarctate or quiescent larva,
these stages preceding the pupa stage. The value of these facts as set forth by so trust-
worthy and keen an observer, and corroborating and greatly extending those worked out
by European observers, is apparent when we consider that the triungulin larva is perhaps
the nearest approach to the Campodea-like ancestor of the winged insects, that the
Meloidse are consequently among the most primitive and generalized of Ooleoptera, and
that from work based on such studies as these of the life- history of this and allied groups
there has already resulted the germs of a truer phylogeny or classification of the entire
order of Ooleoptera. Of similar import are Riley's papers on the larval habits of bee-flies,
on the luminous larviform females of the Phengodini and on the first larval stage of the
pea-weevil (Bruchus). His studies on the systematic relations of Platypsyllus as deter-
mined by the larva evince his patience, accuracy and keenness in observation and his
philosophic breadth.

For over twenty years he made observations on the fertilization of Yucca by those
remarkable tineoid moths, Pronuba and Prodoxus, and from time to time published papers
and notices of progress in his work which culminated in his paper entitled, "The Yucca
Moth and Yucca Pollination" (1891-'92), a memoir remarkable for the patient, unremit-
ting work carried on during his spare hours, its thoroughness in dealing with structural
details, its critical accuracy, and for its faithful and artistic drawings. It is a paper of
interest to botanists as well as zoologists, and of value to the student of evolution. One
of his last papers was a continuation and resume' of this subject, entitled "Some Inter-
relations of Plants and Insects " (1892).

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO. 99

Riley's contributions to the history and structure of the Phylloxera, of the scale
insects, of the hop-plant louse, the Pemphiginse, Psyllidse, etc., are of permanent interest
and value. His best anatomical and morphological work is displayed in his study on the
mode of pupation of butterflies, the research being a difficult one, and especially related
to the origin of the cremaster, and of the vestigial structures, sexual and others, of the
end of the pupa. Whatever he did in entomology was original. He may occasionally
have received and adopted hints and suggestions from his assistants, but he laid out the
plan of work, supervised every detail, followed up the subject from one year to another,
and made the whole his own. His originality in a quite different direction from biology
is seen in his paper entitled " Perfectionnement du Graphophone," read before the French
Academy of Sciences at Paris, in 1889. He was also much interested in Aeronautics,
and took much delight in attending seances of spiritualists and exposing their frauds, in
one case, at least, where another biologist of world-wide fame, then visiting in Washington,
was completely deluded.

Riley was from the first a pronounced evolutionist. His philosophic breadth and his
thoughtful nature and grasp of the higher truths of biology is well brought out in his
address on " The Causes of Variation in Organic Forms," as Vice-President, before the
biological section of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 1888.
He was a moderate Darwinian, and leaned, like other American naturalists, rather to
Neo-Lamarckism. He says: "I have always had a feeling, and it grows on me with
increasing experience, that the weak features of Darwinism and, hence, of natural selec-
tion, are his insistence (1) on the necessity of slight modification; (2) on the length of
time required for the accumulation of modifications, and (3) on the absolute utility of the
modified structure." Riley, from his extended experience as a biologist, was led to ascribe
much influence to the agency of external conditions, remarking, in his address : " Indeed,
no one can well study organic life, especially in its lower manifestations, without being
impressed with the great power of the environment." He thus contrasts Darwinism and
Lamarckism : " Darwinism assumes essential ignorance of the causes of variation and is
based on the inherent tendency thereto in the offspring. Lamarckism, on the contrary,
recognizes in use and disuse, desire and the physical environment, immediate causes of
variation affecting the individual and transmitted to the offspring, in which it may be
intensified again both by inheritance and further individual modification."

The following extracts will illustrate his clear and vigorous style of thought and
expression and his attitude on the relations between science and religious philosophy.
Regarding the question of design, he says : " Both Lyell and Gray believe in the form of
variation having been planned or designed. It seems to me that the evidences of design
in nature are so overwhelming that its advocates have an immense advantage over those
who would discard it. A fortuitous cosmos is, to most persons, utterly inconceivable, yet
there is no other alternative than a designed cosmos. To accomplish anything by a pro-
cess, or by an instrument, argues greater, not less power, than to do it directly, and even
if we knew to-day all the causes of variation, and understood more thoroughly than we do
the method of evolution, we should only carry the sequence of causes a step further back
and get no nearer to the Infinite or Original Cause."

" Evolution teaches that nothing is yet so perfect but it may be improved ; that
good comes of the struggle with evil and the one can never be dissociated from the other.
The erect position which has given man his pre-eminence has brought him manifold
bodily ills. No evolutional sibyl looks to a millennium. Higher development must ever
mean struggle. Evolution shows that man is governed by the same laws as other
animals." " Evolution reveals a past which disarms doubt and leaves the future open
with promise — unceasing purpose — progress from lower to higher. It promises higher
and higher intellectual and ethical attainment, both for the individual and the race. It
shows the power of God in what is universal, not in the specific, in the laws of nature,
not in departure from them."

"The experience gained by those who have reached the highest ethical and intellectual
growth must be formulated in precept and principle to be of any benefit to society at
large, and the higher ethical sentiment and religious belief — faith, love, hope, charity —
are priceless beyond all that exact science can give it."

100 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

Riley, an excellent head of a bureau, but sometimes uncomfortable and too inde-
pendent as a subordinate, at times got into hot water with his superiors in the Depart-
ment. He was sensitive to criticism, and was somewhat prone to controversy, usually,
however, winning in such encounters. Until one came to know him more intimately he
was liable to be misunderstood, and by his occasional bluntness made some enemies, but
as years rolled on these passing antagonisms melted away.

Vigorous in mind and body, though of late years suffering from overwork, fond of
out-door sports, he was a fearless rider on horseback, and an adept with the bicycle, on
which, alas, he rode to his death.

His hospitable house at Sunbury was beautified by rare flowers, shrubs and trees, of
which he was passionately fond. He was domestic in his tastes, and left a wife and five
children to mourn his loss.

Riley left an indelible mark on his time, and the historians of natural science and
of agriculture in America will scarcely ignore the results of thirty years of earnest work
in pure and applied entomological science.

His scientific honors were well deserved. He was a member of many societies at
home and of the entomological societies of France, Berlin, Switzerland and Belgium.
He was^elected in 1889 an Honorary Fellow of the Entomological Society of London,
and was also Honorary Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Society of Great Britain. He
was for two years President of the Academy of Science of St. Louis, being the youngest
member so honored. He was founder, and for two terms President, of the Entomological
Society of Washington, one of the founders of the Biological Society of that city, and
an honorary member of the horticultural societies of Illinois, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri.
The Kansas State Agricultural College gave him the degree of A.M., and the Missouri
State University, in 1873, conferred upon him the degree of Ph. D. He was lecturer
on entomology at Cornell University and at other institutions.

A. S. Packard.
Brown University.

INDEX.

Page.

Acronycta hasta 40

Actias luna 36

Agriculture, The new 7

Agrilus ruficollis , 69

Anasa tristis 69

Anisopteryx pometaria 54

Annual meeting, Association of Economic

Entomologists 67

Annual meeting, Entomological Society of

Ontario 3

Anthersea mylitta 3

Anthrenus scrophulariae 36

" verbasci 77

Aphis persicae-niger 35

Aquatic insects, Natural history of: Miall 89

Argynnis Aphrodite 38

" Atlantis 38

Bellona 38

Cybele 38

*• Idalia 39

" Myrina 38

Aspidisca splendoriferella 56

Attagenus piceus 76

Baldwin apple, Origin of 13

Bark scale-louse 58

Bethune, Rev. C. J. S., Articles by

15, 87, 88, 89, 93, 94

Birds as protectors of orchards 53

Boeus minutus , 53

Book notices 88

Botanical Section, Report of 26

Bryaxis conjuncta 51

" propinqua 51

Buffalo moth 77

Buprestis borer 23

Butterflies of North America : Edwards . . 87, 88

Cambridge Natural History, The 89

Canadian Entomologist 31

Canker worms -, 34, 54, 55, 73

Carneades messoria 76

Carpet beetles 36, 76

Cerura scolopendrina 41

Chionaspis furfurus 33

Chionobas California 88

gigas 88

" iduna 88

Chittenden, F. H., Article by 76

Cigar-case bearer 34

Clisiocampa Americana . 54, 59

•Clover-seed midge 18

Coleophora Fletcherella? 34

Page.

Coleoptera, Winter, found in moss 50

Copipanolis cubilis 40

Corthylus columbianus ... . 81

Cossus centerensis , 25

Cotton-wood beetle 80

Cottony-cushion scale 12, 18

Council, Report of 4

Curator, Report of 3

Cut-worms 32, 76

Dermestidae, Herbivorous habits of some . . 76
Destructive insects, Importation and repres-
sion of 83

Diamond-back moth 32

Dicopis Grotei 40

" viridescens 40

Dilophonota ello , , 41

Dyar, H. G., Article by 94

Edwards, William H 87, 88

Election of officers 6, 30, 87

Elm-leaf beetle 69, 78

Entomology, Value of , 16

Ephestia Kuhniella 36

Eupsalis minuta , , 81

Feralia major 40

Field days 31

Fletcher, J"., articles by 16, 31

Fluted scale of the orange 85, 98

Forbush, E. H., article by 53

Forest tree insects, Study of 80

Fyles, Rev. T. W., articles by 21, 28

Gastropacha Americana 40

" ferruginea 40

Geological Section, Report of 26

Glycobius speciosus 24

Gortyna cataphracta 32

Grasshoppers 31, 62

Gryon Canadensis 53

Gypsy moth 54, 68, 78, 85, 86

Hadena arctica 32, 38

" devastatrix 32

Harrington, W. H., articles by 47, 89

Hemiptera, Winter, found in moss 51

Hessian fly 32

Hopkins, A. D., article by 80

Hoplogryon brachypterus 53

Horn fly of cattle 20

How the forest in the district of Bedford

was swept away , 21

Hyblsea puera 40

102

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

Page.

Hymenoptera, Winter, found in moss 52

Hypochlora alba 62

Ianassa lignicolor 40

Icerya Purchasi 12, 18, 85, 98

Injurious insects, Report on English : Orm-

erod 95

Insect injuries of the year 1895 31

Isoscma hordei 32

James, Prof. C. C, Address by 7

Joint-worm 32

Lachnocrepis parallelus 51

Librarian, Report of 3

Lina scripta 80

Locusts, Canadian species'of 62

Lophodonta Georgica 40

Luna moth, growth of wings » 36

Lymexylon sericeum 81

Mamestra detracta 40

Manual for the study of insects : Comstock. 94

Maple-tree borer 24

Mayor of London, Address by the 7

Mediterranean flour moth 36

Melanoplus atlanis , 32, 64

" bivittatus 32, 65

•* femur-rubrum 32, 64

" species of , in Canada 63

Melipotis jucunda 40

Melittia ceto 69

Microscopical Section, Report of 27

Moffat, J. A., Articles by 36, 38, 41

Monohammus confusor 23

' ' marmorator 23

" scutellatus 23

Montreal branch, Report of 6

Morrisonia evicta 40

Moss, Winter insects found in 47

Mytilaspis pomorun 58

Nemeophila petrosa 3, 5

New York plum scale 33

Obituary 95

Observations on the season of 1895 38

Ocneria dispar 85

(Ecanthus niveus 36

Oodes fluvialis , , . . 51

Otiorhyncus ovatus , 32

Oyster-shell bark-louse 33

Packard, Prof. A. S., article by 95

Paleacrita vernata . 55

Paris green, Use of 12, 19, 32, 34

Parnassius Hermodur 88

" Smintheus 88

Peach aphis, The black 35

Peach bark -borer 34

Pear-leaf blister-mite 35

Perigea luxa 40

Phloeotribus liminaris 34

Phcetaliotes Nebrascensis 63

Page.

Phytonomus nigrirostris 51

Phytoptus pyri 35

Pieris protodice 39

" rapae 32, 39

Pine tree borers , 23

Platy samia ceonothi 3

Plutella crucif erarum 32

Podisma Dodgei 63, 66

glacialis 63

" Oregonensis , 63

Potato, Insects attacking 12, 19, 32, 70

Prionus unicolor 24

Protoparce cingulata 41

Pyrgus tessellata , 41

Rambles in Alpine valleys : Tutt 93

Raupenleim and Dendrolene 72

Report of Botanical Section 25

" Council 4

" Delegate to Royal Society 28

" Geological Section 26

" Librarian and Curator 3

" Microscopical Section, 27

" Montreal branch 6

" Treasurer 4

Riley, Charles V., Memoir of 95

Rocky Mountain locust and its allies in

Canada 62

San Jose scale 83

Sarpedon scabrosus - 31

Satyrus Charon 88

" sylvestris < 88

Scale insects 33, 83

Schizura leptinoides 40

Scolytus destructor 24

" rugulosus 72

Scopelosoma devia 40>

Scudder, S. H., article by 62

Scurfy bark -louse 33

Smith, J. B., articles by 67, 72

Species, Definition of 44

Spergula arvensis 26

Spiders, Canadian : Emerton 95

Spraying without a pump 70

Taphrocerus gracilis 51

Tent caterpillars 54, 59

Treasurer, Report of 4

Tree cricket , > 36

Tremex Columba , 24

Trichobaris, tri-notata 70

Trogoderma tarsale 76

Ulopa Canadensis 52

Variation, with special reference to insects. 41

Vedalia cardinalis 12, 18, 98

Webster, F. M., articles by , 83, 95

What is an insect? 91

Winter insects from swamp moss 47

Xylomiges dolosa ' 40

Xylophasia lateritia 40

SPCL SB 25-H.6 CO. F783 [%<\5